Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Do Jehovah's Witnesses Preach The Same Good News As The Apostles Did?

A brother in my congregation once asked a rhetorical question during a public talk "Who else follows Jesus command at Matthew 24:14"? To which a newly interested Bible study piped up "the Mormons".
Everyone was somewhat shocked as the question was not demanding an answer and the answer given was certainly not acceptable. The brother replied to the effect that Mormons may go house to house but they do not preach about the kingdom. What is the Good News of the Kingdom? It is the message about Jesus and his heavenly kingdom.
1 Corinthians 15:1-3 "Now I make known to YOU, brothers, the good news which I declared to YOU, which YOU also received, in which YOU also stand, through which YOU are also being saved, with the speech with which I declared the good news to YOU, if YOU are holding it fast, unless, in fact, YOU became believers to no purpose. For I handed on to YOU, among the first things, that which I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures;"
Acts 1:8 "… but YOU will receive power when the holy spirit arrives upon YOU, and YOU will be witnesses of me both in Jerusalem and in all Ju·de´a and Sa·mar´i·a and to the most distant part of the earth."
Christians were to be Witnesses of Jesus, something that Jehovah's Witnesses are not renowned for.
Galatians 1:7-8 "… the good news about the Christ. However, even if we or an angel out of heaven were to declare to YOU as good news something beyond what we declared to YOU as good news, let him be accursed."
Acts 28:31 "preaching the kingdom of God to them and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with the greatest freeness of speech, without hindrance."
Matthew 10:7 "As YOU go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of the heavens has drawn near.' Jehovah's Witnesses spend far less time discussing Jesus and his heavenly kingdom than most Christian religions. Acts shows how intertwined the good news was with the message of the Christ. Powerful works were display, the Holy Spirit received, and baptism was in Jesus name, not to an organization.
Acts 8:4-17 "However, those who had been scattered went through the land declaring the good news of the word. Philip, for one, went down to the city of Sa·mar´i·a and began to preach the Christ to them… But when they believed Philip, who was declaring the good news of the kingdom of God and of the name of Jesus Christ, they proceeded to be baptized, both men and women. Simon himself also became a believer, and, after being baptized, he was in constant attendance upon Philip; and he was amazed at beholding signs and great powerful works taking place. When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Sa·mar´i·a had accepted the word of God, they dispatched Peter and John to them; and these went down and prayed for them to get holy spirit. For it had not yet fallen upon any one of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they went laying their hands upon them, and they began to receive holy spirit."
The good news of the kingdom is not manifest by scouring scripture in doctrinal debates, it is about Jesus. Jesus showed the correct attitude at John 5:39,40:
"YOU are searching the Scriptures, because YOU think that by means of them YOU will have everlasting life; and these are the very ones that bear witness about me. 40 And yet YOU do not want to come to me that YOU may have life."

The message the Jehovah's Witnesses carry to the doors is predominantly about Jehovah, the Organization and the coming earthly paradise, not Jesus and the heavenly kingdom. Can it really be said that the Watchtower message is 'Good News" when in reality it is about the coming destruction of 6 billion people at Armageddon?
It is also incorrect to say that Jehovah's Witnesses alone have preached to the entire inhabited earth. Over half the world, 3 billion people have never seen a Watchtower. Between China, India, Pakistan and Indonesia there are almost 3,000,000,000 inhabitants and less than 50,000 Jehovah's Witnesses. Everyday on average over 200,000 people are born, but the number of active Jehovah's Witnesses increases by only 224 (2005 daily increase in average publishers). This means that each day Armageddon is delayed there is an extra 200,000 people that Jehovah will be required to destroy who have never heard of him. If the end is contingent on Jehovah's Witnesses preaching to "all the inhabited earth" then that time is far off. Ponder on the statistics from the 2005 service year.
1032 Witnesses out of 145 million people in Pakistan
A few thousand witnesses out of over 1.3 billion people in China.
25,000 to 1,000,000,000 Indians.
18,000 to 219,000,000 Indonesians

Has the Watchtower Society come close to completing their preaching work? The message of Jesus and the good news of his heavenly Kingdom has been and continues to be preached throughout the world by Christianity. Jesus did not limit how this was to be done. The method of house-to-house was not prescribed by Jesus, nor is it the most effective way to preach. Goint door to door with Watchtower literature and submitting monthly reports is never indicated in Scripture as a requirement to be considered in good standing before God. Once this is understood it is clear that many religions are fulfilling Christ's command to preach.

25 comments:

Unknown said...

yea right you think you got it do you.
at least you agree that the first century christians used to preach, what about you? are you doing it?
preaching is not having a website and criticize a religious organization day after day.

witnesses of Jesus why?
remember Jesus Disciples were already witnesses of Jehovah
Isaiah 43:10 the nation of Israel was Jehovah witnesses, now something new will happen
those who accept Jesus will become Jesus Witnesses also because now they will have to preach about Jesus the future king of the Kingdom of God.

do Jehovah Witnesse preached about Jesus?
who will be the king of the Kingdom?
preaching about the kingdom and the paradise is also preaching about Jesus
Jehovah witnesses make known in all the earth that paradise on earth is possible because Jesus died for us.
John 3:16
in the contrary we talk about Jesus more than any other religions on planet earth.

the only difference is that we view Jesus the way the bible present him to us. as the son of God, we give Jehovah first place and Jesus used to do the same.

we don't believe in a trinity.
we don't believe Jesus is the true
God or equal to his father.

Anonymous said...

Oh God, you witnesses are all the same, It's like talking to a parrot who only knows a few phrases which they say over and over again.
You say you talk about Jesus more than any religion on the planet earth. Now you are just dreaming, living in that fantasy world in your head. Witnesses practically ignore Jesus and he is replaced by the Governing Body in their language and their study.
You believe that the nation of Israel were Jehovah's Witnesses? How Ihave eard everything. You poor, poor deluded soul.

Anonymous said...

"Jehovah witnesses make known in all the earth that paradise on earth is possible because Jesus died for us."

lol, lol,lol,lol,lol,lol,lol,lol,lol,

What Jehovah's Witnesses make known is that in order to be saved you must accept the Governing Body as Jehovah's channel on earth today. You must obey this Governing Body and disobeying them is the same as disobeying Jehovah. The Governing Body puts itself in the place of Jesus Christ because you must go through them to get to Jehovah.
Wake up, Frank.
Jesus is presented to you in the way that the Governing Body tells you that the Bible views him. You didn't find that out for yourself because if you did you would have a different interpretation. No independent thinking, remember?

Anonymous said...

IF you read the entire fifth chapter of John you will note the mention and glorification of God by Jesus in vs 17, "My Father has kept working until now and I keep working." vs 19, "...."Most truely I say to you, The Son cannot do a single thing of his own iniative, but only what he beholds the Father doing. For whatever things that One does, these things the Son also does in like manner." vs 20 "For the Father has affection for the Son and shows him all the things he himself does...", vs 21, "for just as the Father....", vs23 "In order that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He that does not honor the Son does not honor the Father that sent him."
And verses 26, 30, 36, 37, 42,
John 5:43, "I have come in the name of my Father..." Now since Jesus was talking to the Jews, they knew Jesus was speaking about Jehovah. Jehovah was known to be the God of the nation of Israel. Jesus was a Jew and Jehovah was his God and Father. It is obvious that if you read just this one chapter of John the message Jesus preached was about and related to his Father Jehovah and what Jehovah was going to do. Witnesses give honor to the Father following the example Jesus set. You do not.

One reason Jehovah's witnesses bring Jehovah to the fore is because everyone else is trying to bury Him. They have replaced Jehovah with worship of Jesus. They have removed God's name from the Bible. No one really wants an intimate association with the name Jehovah except Jehovah's Witnesses. You say we talk about Jehovah and not Jesus. Not true. But we never put Jesus above Jehovah. Where is your honor of the Father, as Jesus states throughout his ministry.

Anonymous said...

" The good news of the kingdom is not manifest by scouring scripture in doctrinal debates."

Early Christians had a simple message about Jesus, his fullfillment of prophesies they knew from the Hebrew scriptures. But Paul, an educated Jew, did not shy away from engaging in doctrinal debates when necessary. I could quote text but if you just read Pauls writings it becomes apparent he had many unscriptural teachings to overturn.

Today so many lies have been taught to people about the Bible, Jehovah God, Jesus.....that if someone asks Jehovah's Witnesses will gladly show them what the Bible says. Then the reader can decide. No debate, but a respectful conversation if someone is interested and willing.

Anonymous said...

Read 2 Tim 2:16-18 and note how Paul, a man proven by his faith and directed by God's Holy Spirit, viewed people who claimed the resurrection had already taken place.

He described, under inspiration, their teachings profane and empty. He said they'd 'missed the truth'. The men he was referring to were apostates.

So, clearly, in God's eyes inaccurate claims regarding the resurrection is a serious matter.

Would Jesus then choose a group of people on earth to be His father's representatives who taught lies and errors regarding the resurrection?

It's unlikely.

Yet, that is exactly what JWs claim Jesus did in 1918-19 when he inspected 'Christendom' and choose the Bible Students who were teaching, in 1918, that the resurrection had already occurred in 1878.

Oh, and they were also teaching that Christ had returned in 1874. A bit embarrassing, really. Turns out that the Bible Students were probably the only Christian group on earth NOT actively looking and waiting for Christ's return in 1914....they believed he'd returned 40 years earlier.

Whoops.

Anonymous said...

If you don't like the message of what this Kingdom will do (Daniel 2:44) being called "good news" you will have to take that up with Jesus. Matt 24:14.

If you don't like the message of the coming judgement and destruction, you will have to take that up with Jehovah and Jesus. What do they say, "Don't shoot the messenger just because you don't like the message."

How can the coming destruction of wicked mankind, all earthly governments, religions and organizations be "good news"? Luke 21:28 "But as you see these things start to occur, raise yourselves erect and lift your heads up, because your deliverance is getting near." Rev 21: 3,4 Psalms 37:9,10; 2 Peter 2:9 Proverbs 2: 21,22

Anonymous said...

"Today so many lies have been taught to people about the Bible, Jehovah God, Jesus....."

Yes, you are right and those lies have been taught by Jehovah's Witnesses and they are still being taught. That is why they are constantly printing books. Their truth changes all the time.

Anonymous said...

"They have removed God's name from the Bible. No one really wants an intimate association with the name Jehovah except Jehovah's Witnesses."

This phrase demonstrates one of the signs of a cult. A group of people that have teachings that makes them feel SPECIAL, SUPERIOR to others.
No one does this but us! No one does that but us! No one says this but us! We are so special. We are the happiest people on earth! Give me a break. You people need to get over yourselves. Jehovah loves us best! Well, the followers of Jim Jones thought the same thing!

kimmy jo said...

Now these numbers are making sense.
It shows that in reality this preaching work is not as great as they would like you to believe.
Think about those numbers, all you JW's, you love throwing out numbers...will all these innocent ones be destroyed? That's sad and ruthless and unbelievable.

Unknown said...

first of all Jehovah witnesses never say believe in the governing body and you will be save.

second I see what your problem is independent thinking.
you want to belief what you want to belief despite of all the facts.

for your info Jehovah witnesses used their brain, we have our bible to and we can read.
we accept the Governing Body because what their teachings are based on God's word.

one example.
we belief Jehovah is Superior to JESUS BECAUSE the bible say so
no need to give you a lot of scriptures.
in Matthew 18 Jesus say all Power was given to me.
so if all power was given to him this mean at one time he did not have all power.
and the one who give him more power is greater than him.

you see this is not the Governig Body own opinions it is based on the bible.

we have our brain and we used it.
those who don't agree with the Governing Body can leave anytime they want to, like you probably did.
no need to continue to answer
you have your free will

Anonymous said...

to anonymous:

"you say you talk about Jesus more than any religion on the planet."

No we(Jehovah's Witnesses) don't. We don't say that and we don't do that.

Anonymous said...

to anonymous:

"No one does this but us. No one does that but us. No one says this but us. We are so special."

Ummm .......then if we go by your definition of the signs of a cult, you could be talking about the early Christian congregation.

Oh those followers of Jesus, they just think they are so special. They are preaching everywhere and no one wants to hear or see them. Let's feed them to the lions and see how special they are then!

Anonymous said...

From berty

@frank "you want to belief what you want to belief despite of all the facts."

And who makes the facts? You!!
Fact according to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fact "a fact is defined as something that is true, something that actually exists, or something that can be verified according to an established standard of evaluation"

Please take the key of your mind back and open it.

Unknown said...

Jehovah Witnesses preached the kingdom Good news in more than 235 countries and lands, when someone knock at your door to talk to you about what the kingdom of God mean for the earth, do you identify him as a Baptist, a catholic, a mormon etc....
how do you call that?
everywhere on the streets and from house to house Jehovah witnesses are making known the only way to salvation, God's kingdom and the king of this kingdom is Jesus Christ.
who wants to believe what he wants to believe is it really Frank?

no need to answer again on that subject. The facts speak for themselves.

Anonymous said...

Ya know what? Who cares what you or any of your other whiney companions complain about. Whaaa

When it is all said and done, I can afford to be wrong if you are correct. And if Jehovah's witnesses are correct.....well what can I say, "Won't be seeing YOU in the Paradise." And since there won't be any computers, folks like you will have no forum to mouth off with....oh, wait....you won't even have a mouth.

Anonymous said...

berty

@frank
please take a minute and read again all your comments. They look like if they are repetead over and over like a tape. If it is not brain-wash tell what it is. Just make a quick search on the methods of brainwashing and you´ll see.

S said...

Jehovah's Witnesses is not contrary to witnesses about Jesus. They are different contexts.

All Israel were Jehovah's Witnesses as per Isaiah 43.

Witnessing of Jesus and the good news of the Christ was because it was news as in new. That was something new to the people.

But that is not new now.

We don't want to preach the same "good news" that they did in the first century because people know about Jesus, but they don't know about the established kingdom.

To them the kingdom was future, but to us, it is present and
started in 1914.

As for "It is also incorrect to say that Jehovah's Witnesses alone have preached to the entire inhabited earth. "

Well, we have never said that and never said that we were going to.

"Over half the world, 3 billion people have never seen a Watchtower. Between China, India, Pakistan and Indonesia there are almost 3,000,000,000 inhabitants and less than 50,000 Jehovah's Witnesses."

So. That is not our problem, that is theirs. And seeing a Watchtower is not the goal. The goal is to make them followers of Christ.

S said...

Kimmy jo asked:

"will all these innocent ones be destroyed? That's sad and ruthless and unbelievable."

It is not up to us. But what is innocent about them?

If they are not following John 3:16, then they have no claim on life and the opposite of life is death. Thus unless they repent and turn around and have faith in Jesus and get baptized, they will not have life and will die. Tough beans, but that is what our Lord and master, Jesus said.

kimmy jo said...

i will say it again, ronde, your head is stuck in dark places, you do not imitate a loving God.

S said...

Kimmy Jo said;
"you do not imitate a loving God. "

Yes, I know, but I try. But I do have the mind of Christ, the greatest imitator of God.

Anonymous said...

LOL! At times like this, I wonder whether Ronde isn't really parodying fervent JW belief... 'Tough beans if billions of people die - at least I'll be saved!" Loving attitude indeed.

S said...

"LOL! At times like this, I wonder whether Ronde isn't really parodying fervent JW belief... 'Tough beans if billions of people die - at least I'll be saved!" Loving attitude indeed."

Well, you can repent.
That is what is loving, that you have an opportunity to repent.

Anonymous said...

Nah - screw you and your repentance. They can both kiss my ass... I'd rather be destroyed at Armageddon... yes, this is me sticking two fingers up at you and your religion. And yes, your god. If he doesn't like it, he can strike me down with thunder. Ain't never gonna happen though...

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