June
2006
But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts,
always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to
give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness
and reverence - 1 Peter 3:15
Why NOT Join the Jehovah's Witnesses?
We received a letter recently asking why this
person should NOT study with the Jehovah's Witnesses and join their
organization.
Actually, this is a good question, especially
if the person asking it is truly concerned and desires truth regardless
where he or she finds it. The problem arises is we can be so blinded
by our own desires that regardless of the evidence we have found
what we want and no facts will convince us otherwise. We can be
deceived from without and even from within. However, as born again
believers we know that it is only by the Spirit of God that truth
penetrates the heart, soul, and mind and causes true conversion
where one that once was lost can discern truth from error. The following
is the letter that was written to Rose.
Dear Rose,
Thank you for taking the time to write this ministry
and ask important questions regarding spiritual things. Your desire
to know about God our Creator and His ways is the most important
thing we can pursue.
Two questions you might ask yourself; are you
really studying the Bible with the witnesses and can you trust what
you're being taught?
You see Rose, the witnesses have never used the
Bible alone for doctrine, but require their books and magazines
written by the leadership of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society
to interpret the Bible for you. Basically, you study the Bible with
the aid of these other helps otherwise if you study the Bible alone
you go into error, they say. If the leadership of the organization
have an improper understanding of God's word then all the followers
of the organization will likewise have a false view of God's truth's
and will teach them to you. A very serious predicament indeed.
Most people studying with the witnesses simply
accept what they are taught and end up joining, never really putting
the organization to the TEST. It makes the most sense that truth
has nothing to fear from investigation. If you are told not to read
anything against the witnesses, it's a sure sign that "something
is wrong." The Bible even cautions us not to believe everything
we hear but to TEST those who claim to tell us the truth. I John
4:1 says:
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try
the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets
are gone out into the world.
More sound advice is given in 1 Thess. 5:21:
Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
I would strongly encourage you to carefully investigate
every possible angle of what the Jehovah's Witnesses are all about.
Why is it that in every Christian bookstore across America, the
Jehovah's Witnesses are always listed among the Cults? There are
more books about the Witnesses and the Mormons exposing their false
teachings than perhaps all the other Cult groups combined. Why is
this so? Is it simply because they don't like the witnesses or is
there really something the matter.
Because I am concerned for your eternal destiny,
I'm giving you this book with no obligation titled, The Watchtower
in Light of Scripture, which will help you understand the radical
differences between Christianity and the Jehovah's Witnesses.
If you have any questions or comments, please
write this ministry again.
P.S. The following is a quick summary of some
of the major teachings you will be taught as a witness that need
to be examined more carefully.
The Watch Tower organization is God's sole
channel for truth
Jehovah's Witnesses are God's visible representatives
on earth
All churches are false and of the devil.
Jehovah's Witnesses are the only true Christians
You cannot understand the Bible without Watchtower
literature to explain it.
Salvation is in Jehovah's organization alone.
Salvation must be earned by actively working
in the organization.
Salvation is by good works not by Grace
There is ONE God HIS name is Jehovah
The doctrine of the Trinity is false and inspired
by Satan
Jesus Christ is a created being, who at one
time did not exist (a.k.a. Michael the archangel)
The Holy Spirit is not a person but is "God's
active force" i.e. gravity, electricity etc.
Heaven is only for select Jehovah's Witnesses
Heaven is limited only to 144,000 Jehovah's
Witnesses, all others if they pass a final test will live on a paradise
earth.
There is no Hell (It is simply the grave)
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Jesus is not to be worshiped or prayed to
Jesus did not rise from the dead bodily but
as a spirit being
Satan controls all governments
You cannot take a blood transfusion
You cannot serve in the military, vote or salute
the flag.
Jesus' Second Coming occurred in 1914 invisibly
You cannot celebrate any holidays (Christmas,
Easter, etc.)
You cannot celebrate your birthday
You cannot speak to former members who are
shunned (disfellowshipped)
You must read and study Watchtower literature
regularly
Only Jehovah's Witnesses can understand the
Bible
The witnesses New World Translation is the
most accurate Bible in the WORLD
Jesus did not die on a cross but an upright
pole
You must appear before a Judicial committee
if you are caught breaking Watchtower rules
You cannot read any anti-Jehovah's Witness
material
If you see another Jehovah's Witness breaking
the rules you must turn them in to the elders to be interrogated
The Watchtower organization is God's prophet
on earth today…God is Father the organization is Mother
One must study Watchtower books at least six
months before he can be baptized
You cannot celebrate Mothers or Fathers day
(it may produce pride)
God only speaks through the "Governing
Body" in Brooklyn, New York
The Lord's supper can only be offered once
per year (Memorial Service)
The Lord's supper is only to be eaten by select
Jehovah's Witnesses (the 144,000 group...99.99% of Jehovah's Witnesses
are forbidden from taking the Lord's supper)
God will destroy all non-Jehovah's Witnesses
at Armageddon
You must never enter a church building
You must never attend a church service
You can never question what is printed in Watchtower
literature
It's About Him!
If you were to be asked, "What is life all about?"
What is the purpose of all creation? What is the ultimate end of
all things?
"In the creature's knowing, esteeming, loving, rejoicing
in, and praising God, the glory of God is both exhibited and acknowledged,
his fullness is received and returned....The beams of glory come
from God, are something of God, and are refunded back again to their
original. So that the whole is of God, and in God, and to God; and
he is the beginning, and the middle, and the end."
(Jonathan Edwards, The End for Which God Created the World)
Lest we ever forget, It's all about Him.
Newsletter
Published Monthy
E-mail: challenge.min@cox.net
web site: www.challengemin.org
Direct all correspondence to:
Challenge Ministries
P.O. Box 20195
El Cajon, Calif. 92021
All donations are tax deductable.
Thank You.
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