Sharing the Real Jesus with Jehovah Witnesses (Part 4)

Sharing the Real Jesus with Jehovah Witnesses (Part 4)

This is the final article in our series on Jehovah’s Witnesses. To read the others click here, here, and here. 

As we conclude our series on the JWs, let’s go to what truly matters — sharing Christ.  That is the goal of why I wrote this series on this group. We desire all JWs to repent of their false doctrine and turn to the true Jesus. The Jesus they talk about is a false Jesus who cannot save them. We do so because those in the JW organization will wind up standing before the one whom they rejected as being divine. To them, he is just Michael the archangel — a created being of God.  However, he is not as the Bible clearly depicts him as God. 

When talking to a JW, you will notice that they love to jump around from topic to topic and will run around in circles based on what they’ve been trained to say. Once they are stumped, they will just move on to the next topic. It is important to keep the focus on Jesus — his nature, identity, and deity.  They will not respect your Bible translation and tell you it is corrupted. However, feel free to use as much Scripture as possible for it is the Word of God which causes faith needed to believe the gospel.   

However, from a strictly apologetic standpoint, you can use their Bible (New World Translation) to show them what they believe about Jesus is false. I strongly recommend you watch Jeff Durbin’s videos as he has recorded witnessing to JWs to learn how to effectively do it with truth, compassion, and boldness.

WITNESSING TO JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES 

First establish and agree that Jehovah is the Almighty God. 

(NWT) Only a remnant will return, The remnant of Jacob, to the Mighty God. (Isaiah 10:21)

Ask them, who does this verse refer to? They will answer that Jehovah is the Almighty God. The Hebrew word translated “Mighty God” is El Gibbor.  So far, there is agreement, which is good to establish a foundation. 

Secondly, let’s move to another point of agreement. Establish another point of agreement that there is only one God and you can do this from the following passage. 

(NWT) You are my witnesses,” declares Jehovah, “Yes, my servant whom I have chosen, So that you may know and have faith in me And understand that I am the same One. Before me no God was formed,

And after me there has been none. I—I am Jehovah, and besides me there is no savior. (Isaiah 43:10)

So far so good, and the JW might be surprised that you are agreeing with him at this point that there is only one God, and he is the Almighty God (El Gibbor).

But now here is where it gets interesting. Now show them that the messianic prophecy in Isaiah 9:6 refers to Jesus by that same title of “Mighty God” (El Gibbor). 

(NWT) For a child has been born to us, A son has been given to us; And the rulership will rest on his shoulder. His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

(Isaiah 9:6)

Ask them this question: If Jehovah is the almighty God, and there is only one God, why does Isaiah 9:6 refer to the Messiah as bearing the title “Mighty God” and by using the same Hebrew word? From this passage, we can easily establish from the NWT that Jesus is Jehovah God!

However, we aren’t done yet: Jesus doesn’t just bear the title of El Gibbor; he also bears the title of another name reserved only for Jehovah. (The first and the last.)

First, let’s establish where this title refers to Jehovah, and the JW won’t disagree with you on this point. 

(NWT) Listen to me, O Jacob, and Israel, whom I have called. I am the same One. I am the first; I am also the last. My own hand laid the foundation of the earth, And my right hand spread out the heavens. When I call to them, they stand up together. (Isaiah 48:12-13)

And also…

(NWT) This is what Jehovah says, The King of Israel and his Repurchaser, Jehovah of armies:

‘I am the first and I am the last. There is no God but me. (Isaiah 44:6)

Again, there is no dispute at this point with the JW that this title refers only to God. Also, again to emphasize that God is one, so there can only be one first and one last. 

However, now move to show them how these same titles are used by Jesus (who they say is Michael the Archangel) in the New Testament. 

In Revelation chapter one, John writes as he begins to see the vision that God says to him,

(NWT) “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says Jehovah God, “the One who is and who was and who is coming, the Almighty.” Rev 1:8

An interesting side note: the word “Jehovah” is not present in the original Greek text. Instead, the word used is “kurios,” which means “Lord.” The English Standard Version (ESV) accurately translates it as “Lord God,” but the New World Translation (NWT) introduces its bias by implying that it’s Jehovah speaking, thereby distinguishing God from Jesus. The JWs will argue that verse 8 most certainly does not refer to Jesus. 

However, if you keep reading in that same chapter, the same person who is speaking in verse eight continues to speak in verses 17-18. 

(NWT) “When I saw him, I fell as dead at his feet. And he laid his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last, and the living one, and I became dead, but look! I am living forever and ever, and I have the keys of death and of the Grave.” (Revelation 1:17-18)

Only a dishonest or delusional person can deny that this is Jesus speaking in Revelation 1. Who else has been dead and then became alive? This of course is in reference to the resurrection! Ask JW’s was it Jehovah who died? Did Jehovah become alive again? No! But also, look how the person (Jesus) who is speaking refers to himself.   He uses the title “First and Last.”  Did we not establish that title is reserved for Jehovah God alone? 

If Jesus is not “Jehovah” then why does Jesus refer to himself with Jehovah’s titles? This is the truth that all JW’s need to hear and see from their OWN TRANSLATION. An honest JW will have to admit that this is a contradiction to their own theology. 

Like all other religions and cults, there is an emphasis on “works” for salvation. So as we point JWs to the gospel, we must focus that justification is by grace, through faith, in Christ alone. Don’t get too lost on the woods on the other trivial matters they may bring up. Don’t let them distract you from letting you explain that Jesus is God. 

Showing them Christ is the most important thing to show a JW. Again, they will try to tell you that they believe in Jesus just like you do. However, you need to show them that the Jesus they believe in is a false Jesus (Michael the Archangel) and not the true eternal Son of God.

Give them Jesus!

“but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15)