mamaelephant

Individuals receive the Holy Spirit. Individuals in a variety of churches and denominations when they accept the true Jesus of the Bible. ******************* Jehovah's Witnesses are a cult by Christian standards because they teach another Jesus, saying that He is Michael the Archangel and not God. They teach another gospel saying "come to Jehovah's organization for salvation" and "the good news is that Jesus was crowned king in 1914". They receive a different spirit because their spirit directs them to make false prophecies, such as the end will come in 1914, 1915, 1925, 1975, the 20th century, youth in the 1960s will never grow old, etc. Biblical reasons for calling Jehovah's Witnesses a cult: 2 Corinthians 11:4; Galatians 1:8-9; Matthew 24:4,5; 11, 22-27; Deut 18:20-22 If a JW is born again they usually voluntarily leave and are disfellowshipped. They may try to stay in contact with Jehovah's Witnesses and are eventually disfellowshipped for saying that Jesus is not Michael the Archangel, praying to or worshiping Jesus, celebrating Christmas or Easter, celebrating birthdays, attending a church, receiving a blood transfusion, donating blood, or claiming that they will go to heaven. Here is one pastor's definition of cult: 1. They have a man or woman who claims to be a latter-day prophet. 2. They claim to have received extra-biblical revelations and have a book in addition to the Bible that is equally "God's Word," and in most cases it is to them more authoritative than the Bible. 3. They have a different Jesus than the Jesus of the Bible who is the Eternal Son of God. 4. They have a works plus grace salvation. 5. They claim that their prophet is the final latter-day prophet and his followers are the only true people of God. ***************************** By secular standards Jehovah's Witnesses are a cult for several reasons. 1. because they destroy families. Anyone who has chosen not to be a Jehovah's Witness or has broken any of their many rules is disfellowshipped or labeled an apostate. These are considered dangerous, hated and shunned. I have not seen my parents since I told them I was born again and they will cut my daughter off when she is baptized at a church. Non-Jehovah's Witnesses are not acceptable associates, even family members, as they are "part of the world", so contact is limited. Cousins, grandchildren, brothers and sisters that are Jehovah's Witnesses avoid each other if they are deemed "spiritually weak". They use mind control techniques such as those listed here: http://www.howcultswork.com/ Jehovah's Witnesses have been told in 1874, 1914, 1925, 1931, 1969, 1989, etc. that the end was going to come so good Christians would not use their precious time to get an education, have a career, pursue a talent, get married or have children. How does this not ruin lives? Watchtower 1894 July 15 p.227 "… Our readers are writing to know if there may not be a mistake in the 1914 date. They say that they do not see how present conditions can hold out so long under the strain." Watchtower 1941 September 15 p.288 we are in the "remaining months before Armageddon." Watchtower 1938 November 1 p.324 "...mark the words of Jesus, which definitely seem to discourage the bearing of children immediately before or during Armageddon" Face the Facts (1938) pp.46-50 "Would it be Scripturally proper for them to now marry and to begin to rear children? No, is the answer, which is supported by the Scripture…. Those Jonadabs who now contemplate marriage, it would seem, would do better if they wait a few years, until the fiery storm of Armageddon is gone..." Awake! 1969 May 22 p.15 "If you are a young person, you also need to face the fact that you will never grow old in this present system of things." "all evidence in fulfillment of Bible prophecy indicates that this corrupt system is due to end in a few years. ....as a young person you will never fulfill any career that this system offers. If you are in high school and thinking about a college education, it means at least four, perhaps even six or eight more years to graduate into a specialized career. But where will this system of things be by that time? It will be well on the way toward its finish, if not actually gone!" Awake! 1974 November 8 p.11 "The evidence is that Jesus' prophecy will shortly have a major fulfillment, upon this entire system of things. This has been a major factor in influencing many couples to decide not to have children at this time." Kingdom Ministry May 1974 p.3 How Are You Using Your Life? "Reports are heard of brothers selling their homes and property and planning to finish out the rest of their days in this old system in the pioneer service. Certainly this is a fine way to spend the short time remaining before the wicked world's end." Awake! 1989 May 8 p.13 What Career Should I Choose? "A university degree may or may not improve your employment prospects. But one fact is indisputable: "The time left is reduced"! (1 Corinthians 7:29) For all its presumed benefits, would four years or more in a university be the best use of that remaining time?-Ephesians 5:16.

“There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, a man, Christ Jesus.”-- 1 Timothy 2:5 “Christ is a mediator of a new covenant” —Hebrews 9:15 "Likewise, the Greater Moses, Jesus Christ, is not the Mediator between Jehovah God and all mankind. He is … to only 144,000 members " -- Worldwide Security under the Prince of Peace, published by Jehovah's Witnesses page 10 I was not home this weekend, so I posted this quickly. I thought I should add some explanations for those of you that aren't familiar with JW teachings. At their once a year observance of the "Lord's Evening Meal" the vast majority of Jehovah's Witnesses do not partake of the bread and wine. These JWs are considered part of the Great Crowd. The 144,000 of "anointed ones" are the ones who partake. JWs believe that the promises of the New Testament only apply to the "144,000 anointed ones", in contrast the "Great Crowd of other sheep" do not have Jesus Christ as mediator, are not children of God and do not have eternal life. They are to work hard at imitating and assisting the "Little Flock" of "144,000 anointed ones" in order to survive the Great Tribulation and Armageddon and live in a paradise on earth for 1,000 years. At the end of the 1,000 years the Great Crowd of Jehovah's Witnesses are tested once again, after which they might receive eternal life. http://4jehovah.org/wdgrcontents.php This link uses JW literature to explain some things and show you how to effectively witness to a JW. Here I have one of my letters written to Jehovah's Witnesses including quotes from their literature and the contrasting teachings of the Bible: “There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, a man, Christ Jesus.”-- 1 Timothy 2:5 “Christ is a mediator of a new covenant” —Hebrews 9:15 "Likewise, the Greater Moses, Jesus Christ, is not the Mediator between Jehovah God and all mankind. He is … to only 144,000 members " -- Worldwide Security under the Prince of Peace, page 10 Then who is my mediator? Who is your mediator? Jehovah's Witnesses teach: God’s prophet and channel of communication to the nation of Israel was Moses… Later, the anointed faithful followers of Jesus Christ were to serve as a “faithful and discreet slave” in communicating to Jehovah’s people how to apply Bible principles in their lives.-- Watchtower 1993 2/1 p. 15 Moses helped the nation of Israel to keep the covenant and to receive its benefits…–Insight on the Scriptures under Mediator The “great crowd” of “other sheep” that is forming today … associating with the “little flock” of those yet in that covenant they come under benefits that flow from that new covenant. Watchtower 1979 4/1 But the Bible teaches: “No one comes to the Father except through me.” —John 14:6 “But sanctify the Christ as Lord in your hearts.”--1 Peter 3:15 And here the Jehovah's Witness literature contradicts itself: His name should therefore be sanctified, or set apart as holy. -- Watchtower 1991 9/15 p. 7 …the title “Christ” means “Anointed One” --Watchtower 1969 1/1 p. 29 So it turned out to be after the 1870’s that a small group of sincere, anointed ones came together to form eventually the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society under the presidency of Charles Taze Russell. Those anointed ones later embraced the name “Jehovah’s witnesses.” This governing group of anointed ones having become a working unit since the 1870’s makes it young historically in comparison to the 1,900-year-old “faithful and discreet slave,” collectively made up of the faithful anointed ones alive on earth at any given point of time. —Watchtower 1966 9/15 p. 553 "The book You May Survive Armageddon into God’s New World, released last June, and the article “Jehovah Is in His Holy Temple,” published in the November 15 English issue of The Watchtower, prove that Jehovah came accompanied by his Angel of the covenant, Jesus Christ, to the spiritual temple in the spring of 1918."--Watchtower 12/15/55 p. 748 "First, though, these anointed Christians needed cleansing. As Malachi 3:1-5 had foretold, Jehovah God and his 'messenger of the covenant,' Jesus Christ, came to inspect the spiritual temple in the spring of 1918." Watchtower 1993 5/1 p. 15 Religious history is also full of charismatic leaders who inspired people to be devoted to them but who brought disaster upon their followers. “Be careful that no one misleads you,” warned Jesus, “for many men will come in my name saying ‘I am the Christ’, and they will mislead many.” (Matthew 24:4, 5, Phillips)—Watchtower 1998 2/15 p. 23 My husband and I have decided that we can no longer support so many untruths. I have decided to accept Christ as my one and only mediator. What will you do? The following scriptures helped me come to this conclusion: 1 John 5:1 Everyone believing that Jesus is the Christ has been born from God, Romans 8:8,9,16 8 So those who are in harmony with the flesh cannot please God. 9 However, YOU are in harmony, not with the flesh, but with the spirit, if God’s spirit truly dwells in YOU. But if anyone does not have Christ’s spirit, this one does not belong to him. YOU received a spirit of adoption as sons, by which spirit we cry out: “Abba, Father!” 16 The spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are God’s children. Galatians 3:28,29 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor freeman, there is neither male nor female; for YOU are all one [person] in union with Christ Jesus. 29 Moreover, if YOU belong to Christ, YOU are really Abraham’s seed, heirs with reference to a promise. 1 John 2:27; 23 And as for YOU, the anointing that YOU received from him remains in YOU, and YOU do not need anyone to be teaching YOU; but, as the anointing from him is teaching YOU about all things, and is true and is no lie, and just as it has taught YOU, remain in him. He that confesses the Son has the Father also Galatians 5:4;1 YOU are parted from Christ, whoever YOU are that try to be declared righteous by means of law; YOU have fallen away from his undeserved kindness. For such freedom Christ set us free. Therefore stand fast, and do not let yourselves be confined again in a yoke of slavery. Remember the phrase the Sovereign Lord Jehovah? Romans 10:12 for there is the same Lord over all, who is rich to all those calling upon him. Matthew 28:18 ALL authority has been given me in heaven and on earth. Ecclesiastes 12:7 and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it. Acts 7:59 As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." John 5:23 in order that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. 1 John 2:23 He that confesses the Son has the Father also

Jehovah's Witnesses are lost, but there is hope. With God all things are possible, and He desires that all be saved. These scriptures and conversations are things that reached me and some of my family members. I pray that you too catch the burden to let God use you in leading JWs to the true Jesus of the Bible who is the Eternal Son of God. One cannot believe in a false god or a false way and have true salvation. If any person is willing to take God at His Word, the Bible alone will become his final source for truth. Please let us help cult proof your family, your church and equip you to reach the cults. http://www.jwinfo.net/

When Witnesses invite you to their annual “memorial”: I would say, “Thanks very much. So if I come then, should I partake?” 1. “No, only a few do.” How do they know that they should partake? Romans 8:16 would be their answer. The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. I would say, oh, so all Christians should partake then? Do you read the Bible in context? Yes, see Romans 8:9. Either you have the Spirit of God or you don't. You do not have the Spirit of God telling you to partake of these emblems as in Romans 8:16, so according to Romans 8:9 where does that leave you? (You can stop here but have these in mind: 1 John 3:9, 10, a child of the devil; Matthew 13:36-43 a weed) 2. “Only those that go to heaven partake. We have the hope of living on earth.” Oh, where does that hope come from? Psalm 37:29 The righteous themselves shall possess the earth and reside forever upon it. So God’s kingdom will be on earth as also in heaven? I like to connect Psalm 37:29 with 1 John 2:29-3:1 everyone righteous is born again... or ask them if they are wheat or weeds and connect John 3:3-7 with Matthew 13:36-43. The Wheat are left in the kingdom of their Father, therefore they must be born again. So I ask again, are you wheat or weeds? Here are some more scriptures on these topics: Also Galatians 3:28,29 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor freeman, there is neither male nor female; for YOU are all one [person] in union with Christ Jesus. 29 Moreover, if YOU belong to Christ, YOU are really Abraham’s seed, heirs with reference to a promise. (Remember if you don’t belong to Christ then where do you belong? Romans 8:8,9 says dead in the flesh.) They believe that Abraham has the hope of living on a paradise earth. Hebrews 11:16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. Also Revelation 5:9, 10 9And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. 10“You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.” Who is purchased from every tribe and tongue and people and nation? compare Revelation 19:1 with Revelation 7:9 the great crowd is in heaven. Then.... Revelation 21:1Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. So the great crowd is in heaven and they come down out of heaven with the Lord. Heaven and earth are one and the same. 3. You believe that those that partake gain immortality, but those who do not partake gain everlasting life and these are two separate things correct? John 7:37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” Who does Jesus say gains immortality here? You have the hope of everlasting life correct? Then ask them to read John 6:68. Ask them, what words of Jesus were some of the disciples rejecting? John 6:53 Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. Do you believe that Jesus is the Christ? (have them read 1 John 5:1) * 1 John 5:1 was the big awakening for me, be sure to have them read it. Notice also that Romans 8:9 not only says that we must have God’s Spirit, but it says that God’s Spirit and Christ’s Spirit are the same. Side note: Ask them Christ’s second coming when is it? (They believe that his second coming or arrival, or presence was in 1914.) 1 Corinthians 11:25-26 “In like manner also the cup, after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood: this do, as often as ye drink it , in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink the cup, ye proclaim the Lord's death till he come.” So why are you still holding this memorial observance? http://onemediator.blogspot.com/

Acts 11:26 And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians. Acts 26:28, "Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian" 1 Peter 4:16, "Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed."

I didn't dig up specific examples (I know the book I was reading didn't use those) because it isn't really important to the OP. It is something I just happened to learn. It isn't needed. So no need to prove myself right. I might be wrong. I might come back later with examples of God the Son in the OT, that might be helpful, but that is not exactly the same point.

This is how my husband explains the Godhead. "God has a right arm (the Son) and a left arm (the Holy Spirit) He can send them out and still be God the Father." Now me again: All three together make one God, YHWH. The ONE GOD is called YHWH. God is the Holy Spirit, but He testifies of the Father and the Son, not of Himself. God is the Father and His name is YHWH. God is the Son and His name is YHWH.

This is the chapter in the Bible that brought me to the Truth concerning the Godhead. Please read the entire chapter. John chapter 14 17even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. 18“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” 22Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” 23Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. Also see who Jesus is by reading Isaiah chapter 53 Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 2 For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, And as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; And when we see Him, There is no beauty that we should desire Him. 3 He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. 4 Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. John 4:24 God is a spirit Isaiah 53 to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. 1 Corinthians 13:12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

This is the chapter in the Bible that brought me to the Truth concerning the Godhead. Please read the entire chapter. John chapter 14 17even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. 18“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” 22Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” 23Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.

Jesus' And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Galatians 4:6 God, The Holy Ghost But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. John 14:26 Acts 16:7 When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. Romans 8:9

Thanks. When reading the OT we see the Angel of YHWH receives worship, then we know that this is God's Son, for angels never accept worship, Revelation 19:10; 22:9 but God's Son does, because he is God. http://bible.cc/colossians/1-15.htm Also the angel of YHWH is called YHWH when people address him. Genesis 18 and 19 Revelation 1:17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death. Revelation 12:5-14 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped. “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” "I am YHWH; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols." Isaiah 42:8

Romans 8:11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. 1 Corinthians 3:16 Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? 1 Corinthians 6:19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; Can you answer me also, simply with direct scripture... Whose Spirit?

"Simeon has related how God first concerned Himself about taking from among the Gentiles a people for His name." -- Acts 15:14 What was that name? Is there a scripture that very simply and directly answers this question?

Read these scriptures. Who raised Christ from the dead? Romans 10:9 Romans 6:4 John 2:19-24 Romans 8:11

Whose name should we call upon? First off it is helpful to know a bit about the original Hebrew names of God and His Son. In the OT God's Son is called The angel of YHWH. One proposed method of adding the vowels to the divine name YHWH is Yehowah. Jesus is a transliteration of the Greek. Jesus' Hebrew name was Yehoshua. Which means "Yehowah Savior" or YHWH Savior or YHWH Saves. When the divine name is in the Greek Septuagint writings of the OT scriptures, they have replaced this name with Κύριος. Κύριος is also used in the NT writings. When we read our Bibles in english Κύριος is translated Lord. So each time you see LORD remember this is YHWH in the Hebrew, Κύριος in the Greek. For example in this scripture: And it will come about that whoever calls on the name of the LORD* Will be delivered.-- Joel 2:32 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for “WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.” Romans 10:9-13 To which name should every knee bow? "Is it not I, YHWH*, besides whom there is no other God; a righteous God and a Savior, there being none excepting me? By my own self I have sworn ...that to me every knee will bend down, every tongue will swear." -Isaiah 45:21-23 "so that in the name of Jesus every knee should bend of those in heaven and those on earth and those under the ground, and every tongue should openly acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord (Κύριος)" - Phil 2:10, 11 "And you call upon the name of your god, and I will call upon the name of the YHWH*," 1 Kings 18:24 "with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours" 1 Corinthians 1:2 "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit"--Acts 7:59 Please take your time to absorb this and ask any questions you might have.