The Gods Who Did Not Make the Heavens: Jehovah's Witnesses

Notes

What you need to know about the JW/Watchtower society movement: 

1. They believe that their views were held by the early Church but corrupted in later centuries and were reformed under the likes of C. T. Russell and some of his post reformation predecessors. 
   
   
2. C. T. Russell was in a time of Spiritual turmoil having witnessed the deaths of 3 siblings and his mother as a child; he also witnessed the devastating effects and deaths of the mid 19C civil war. He struggled in particular with God's sovereignty, the immortality of the souls of unbelievers, and the trinity.

What are our responsibilities?

1. The great commission. Matthew 28:28-30, Acts 1:8.
   
2. Giving a defense. 1 Peter 3:15.
   
   
   

Difficulties: They’ve been brainwashed, they have everything to lose. They have been trained to argue in a certain way, they follow a script and are ready for certain responses you might give. They are unwilling to consider any other way, and unwilling to investigate anything else.

What can you do practically? Pray. Know Theology. Engage with them. Share the Gospel with them (don't get locked in never ending arguments).Encourage them to read scripture alone, without the Watchtowers influence.Research their Bible, look for verses that teach against what they believe, they do exist in their own Bibles (E.G. John 1:3, Isaiah 9:6, Titus 3:5, Ephesians 2:8-9).

Ian Rush

Ian is the Youth Pastor of Faith Bible Church. He and his wife, Claire, have 5 kids and recently spent a few years serving in a small church in England.

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