HOW TO WITNESS EFFECTIVELY TO JEHOVAHS WITNESSES Breaking the Watchtower Barrier Step-by-Step

hen Jehovahs Witnesses come to your door offering Watchtower and Awake! magazines, their only goal is to get you interested enough in their religion to consider becoming one of them. They are not visiting you to consider your spiritual beliefs as viable options for their lives. No! They believe they already possess the Truth. So, in their minds, they dont think you have anything to offer them. Their only purpose in being at your door is to teach you; not you them. So, how can a Christian get through to a Jehovahs Witness who believes he or she already has all the answers? The key lies in following three steps which we will examine below:

Step 1: Share What You Have To Offer Step 2: Remove the Watchtower Foundation Step 3: Counter Jehovahs Witness Doctrine with Truth STEP 1: SHARE WHAT YOU HAVE TO OFFER If youre like most people in Christianity, youre reasonably content within the Christian faith. From time-totime, you might consider switching church affiliation to accommodate location, worship-style and pastoral preaching preferences, but you would never think of turning to a Hindu or Buddhist religious authority for spiritual advice. After all, what would these religious leaders have to offer a Christian who believes the claims of Jesus that He alone is the way, the truth and the life? Furthermore, the Bible repeatedly condemns anyone who turns to false gods for spiritual guidance. Paul warned the Corinthians, You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. 1 Corinthians 10:21 1 Like contented Christians who turn only to Christian sources for spiritual support and guidance, Jehovahs Witnesses turn only to the Watchtower organization. They have been taught that the Watchtower organization is the only religion that possess the true teachings of God and that all other religious affiliations (including Protestant and Catholic associations) have been deceived by Satan into believing doctrines that lead to eternal destruction. So, even if they become disenchanted with their religion over something they observe in the organization, they will not turn to anyone outside their organization for spiritual help because they dont believe others have anything to offer them. With this in mind, we must recognize that the first step in reaching Jehovahs Witnesses is to help them become uncomfortable and discontent with their religion and to offer by our words and actions the spiritual hope that they do not have but long for deep inside. As the following chart illustrates, there are several spiritual benefits that true followers of Jesus can offer Jehovahs Witnesses that are in blatant contrast to what he or she has in the Watchtower religion: WHAT CHRISTIANS POSSESS WHAT JWS POSSESS Spiritual Adoption: All Christians are adopted out Spiritual Adoption Denied: Most Jehovahs of Satans family into Gods family, are born-again Witnesses are told they cannot receive spiritual spiritually, have Jesus as their Mediator, and adoption, be born-again, have Jesus as their receive all New Covenant privileges (Romans 8:7Mediator, nor participate in New Covenant 9; 14-17; 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 8:6). privileges because they are not part of a special
1

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the New American Standard Bible. 1 WITNESSES FOR JESUS, INC. PO BOX 50911 COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80949 USA www.4witness.org

HOW TO WITNESS EFFECTIVELY TO JEHOVAHS WITNESSES Breaking the Watchtower Barrier Step-by-Step
Assurance of Salvation: Eternal life is Secure in Christ (1 John 5:11-13) Peace and Joy: A sense of Gods approval, no condemnation in Christ (Romans 8:1; 8:34) Unconditional Love: No fear of rejection (John 10:28-29). Acceptance for who you are in Christ, not what you do group of 144,000 people. No Assurance: Constant Striving to comply with all requirements with no guarantee of approval Fear and Guilt: Feelings of unworthiness, leaders examine and point out weaknesses in followers Conditional Love: Love is shown in direct proportion to performance within the organization.

FOR THE CHRISTIAN: Jesus paid for all sin: past, present and future. (1 Peter 2:24). He offers His gift of eternal gift free with no conditions attached (Ephesians 2:8-9). No amount of good works or deeds can earn or merit this free gift (Isaiah 64:6; Romans 4:5). Since nothing can be done to earn eternal life, nothing can be done to keep it; for if one could lose eternal life, it wouldnt be eternal (John10:28-29). The person who places full trust in Jesus substitutionary payment for sin can have peace and joy, knowing ones salvation and eternal life is secure in Christ (1 John 5:11-13) and sealed by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14). FOR THE JEHOVAHS WITNESS: They believe Jesus paid for Adams sin in the garden, but it is up to them to work toward perfection by following the rules of the Watchtower organization. Although Jehovahs Witnesses smile when they present their message door-todoor, they do not have real peace and joy deep within their hearts. They do not have assurance of salvation because their religion teaches them that they must comply with all the regulations of the Watchtower organization in order be found worthy enough to survive Armageddon (Gods future battle to end the rule of the wicked). In their striving for Gods approval, the organization dominates them through fear and guilt by focusing on their inability to fulfill all that is required of them. This leaves Jehovahs Witnesses spiritually empty, striving hard for Gods approval with no assurance of where they will end up after death. It is true that while they look happy on the outside, inside they are dying, longing for the peace and joy that only Christ can provide.

QUESTIONS YOU CAN ASK JEHOVAHS WITNESSES: Just as a sales person carefully packages his or her offer to appeal to those he or she is trying to convince to purchase a product, so a Christian must prepare his or her message to appeal to the Jehovahs Witness he or she is trying to reach. To this end, questions can be one of the most effective tools you can use to help them listen to what you have to say. The following are a few examples of questions you can use with this step: If Gods battle of Armageddon where to occur tonight, do you know for sure you will survive? At what point in your religion are you assured of eternal life? Are you saved after taking in knowledge of all of Gods requirements? After joining the Watchtower organization and trying to endure to the end? At what point do you have assurance? If you survive Armageddon into Gods new system, are you guaranteed eternal life at that point or must you continue to strive to prove faithful through the 1000-year reign of Christ? At what point can you be sure you will not do something that will cause you to be destroyed?

WITNESSES FOR JESUS, INC.

2 PO BOX 50911 www.4witness.org

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80949 USA

HOW TO WITNESS EFFECTIVELY TO JEHOVAHS WITNESSES Breaking the Watchtower Barrier Step-by-Step
If Jesus died for all of our sins, what sin can we commit that will cause us to lose the eternal life He gives (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24)? If there is nothing we can do to earn eternal life, how can anything we do cause us to lose it (Ephesians 2:8-9)? Do you have eternal life right now (John 5:24)? If eternal life is eternal, how can one lose it (John 10:28-29)?

By seeing the peace and eternal security you have in your relationship with God through Jesus Christ, Jehovahs Witnesses can be drawn to hear what you have to say. As you discuss these issues that lie close to the heart of every Jehovahs Witness, he or she can be led to the realization that what the Watchtower religion offers is no comparison to the truth and freedom that Jesus alone offers. This approach can open doors for the gospel that otherwise would not be open. For more suggestions on how to lead Jehovahs Witnesses to Christ using questions like the ones listed above, see the following links on our website: LEADING JEHOVAHS WITNESSES TO JESUS EIGHT QUESTIONS ON HOW TO HAVE THE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION http://www.4witness.org/jwquestions/qjw-eternal-assurance.php FIVE SIMPLE QUESTIONS FOR JEHOVAHS WITNESSES ON FAITH AND WORKS http://www.4witness.org/jwquestions/jw_q5faithworks.php FIVE QUESTIONS LEADING JEHOVAHS WITNESSES TO JESUS - Presenting the Gospel http://www.4witness.org/jwquestions/jw_qto_jesus.php DIALOGUES WITH JW CINDY AND CHRISTIAN KAREN - Based on the Watchtower 1996 Publication, What Does God Require of Us?: Is Spiritual Adoption only for 144,000 People? http://www.4jehovah.org/wdgr_s01q02.php What is the Proper Balance Between Faith and Works? http://www.4jehovah.org/wdgr_s02q07.php Is Eternal Life in the Watchtower Organization a Reality? http://www.4jehovah.org/wdgr_s02q08.php What Must a Person Do in Order to Be Clean in Gods Eyes? http://www.4jehovah.org/wdgr_s02q09.php Doing Gods Will What Does it Mean to Come to Jesus? http://www.4jehovah.org/wdgr_s02q10.php

STEP 2: REMOVE THE WATCHTOWER FOUNDATION Nearly all of us who have endeavored to share our faith with Jehovahs Witnesses have experienced the typical Bible Ping-Pong scenario: The Christian presents to the Jehovahs Witness verses from the Bible to support his or her argument, only to encounter a list of Watchtower counter-verses and twisted reasoning as to why the verses presented by the Christian are not valid.
3 PO BOX 50911 www.4witness.org

WITNESSES FOR JESUS, INC.

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80949 USA

HOW TO WITNESS EFFECTIVELY TO JEHOVAHS WITNESSES Breaking the Watchtower Barrier Step-by-Step
What is the source of this communication problem? The problem is Watchtower authority and the fact that Jehovahs Witnesses place their trust in this organization over what they read in the Bible. They have been led to believe that Jehovah God only communicates His truth through the Watchtower organization and that a person must submit to the organizations interpretation of Scripture over personal reasoning or analysis of the biblical text. Thus, most Jehovahs Witnesses are convinced that they cannot understand the Bible apart from Watchtower literature. When presented with arguments they cannot answer, many Jehovahs Witnesses have gone so far as to say that if the organization is wrong on a particular doctrine, it would be better for them to be wrong with it than to go against its teachings. They reason that since the organization is Jehovah Gods responsibility, He will correct any error within it in His timing and that their job is to be loyal to whatever the organization teaches, whether the teachings are right or wrong. Thus, they reason that in the final judgment, God will evaluate their loyalty in support of the organization and will excuse away any false beliefs held during their lifetime with the understanding that this is what Gods organization was teaching at the time. Realizing the extent of the authority the Watchtower exerts over the minds of its followers, many Christians have found that until a Jehovahs Witness trust in the Watchtower organization is broken, effective discussion of the real Truth taught in the Bible can be a futile experience for both the Christian and the Jehovahs Witness. Ultimately, only the Holy Spirits conviction of truth can completely break a Jehovahs Witness trust in the counterfeit authority of Watchtower organization. However, a Christian who is equipped to tear down the following four false premises the Watchtower has ingrained into the minds of Jehovahs Witnesses can greatly enhance their ability to break free of Watchtower bondage: 1. 2. 3. 4. We Need Help to Understand the Bible God Always Uses an Organization to Communicate His Truth Jesus Appointed the Watchtower Organization to Dispense Spiritual Truth in the Last Days. The Watchtower Organization is the Only True Religion on Earth Today.

We will now examine these faulty premises and provide effective questions to tear these down and replace them with Gods truth. FALSE PREMISE 1: WE NEED HELP TO UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE. The first premise the Watchtower implants in the mind of a prospective convert is the idea that the Bible is so complex that one must have help to understand it. Once the person feels he or she cant understand the Bible without help, the door is open for the prospective convert to accept the Watchtower claim that it alone has the authority from God to correctly interpret Scripture. To provide support for this idea, the Watchtower points to the following example of Philip teaching the Ethiopian eunuch: And he arose and went; and behold, there was an Ethiopian eunuch he was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah. And the Spirit said to Philip, Go up and join this chariot. And when Philip had run up, he heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, Do you understand what you are reading? And he said, Well, how could I, unless someone guides me? And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him And Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him. Acts 8:27-31, 35
WITNESSES FOR JESUS, INC. 4 PO BOX 50911 www.4witness.org COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80949 USA

HOW TO WITNESS EFFECTIVELY TO JEHOVAHS WITNESSES Breaking the Watchtower Barrier Step-by-Step
The Watchtower correctly notes how the Ethiopian eunuch was unable to understand Scripture without Philips help, but it fails to note that once the eunuch accepted Christ, his teacher (Philip) left and he saw him no more. And they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; and the eunuch saw him no more, but went on his way rejoicing. Acts 8:38-39 If Acts 8 is to provide the basis for the Watchtower claim that Gods people need help to understand the Bible, how can one explain the fact that the eunuchs teacher left him once he came into the truth about Christ? This question along with the following list of Scripture verses will help you debunk this faulty Watchtower premise: At John 16:13, Jesus promises to send the Spirit of Truth who guides believers into all the truth, and at 1 John 2:27, Christians are told that they do not need anyone to teach them because they have Gods anointing teaching them about all things. If we have the Holy Spirit to teach us, why do we need Watchtower literature? At Matthew 23:8-10, Jesus proclaims that Christians are not to call anyone Rabbi which means Teacher or have anyone as Leader because Christians have one teacher being the Holy Spirit and one Leader being Christ. Since Jehovahs Witnesses are taught to look to the Governing Body of the Watchtower as their teacher and the only channel through whom spiritual instruction is to be given, how can this not be a violation of Jesus command here at Matthew 23? If God is a loving God and He wants all to be saved, why would He make the Bible so complicated that we would need the help and guidance of an organization to understand His truth?

FALSE PREMISE 2: GOD ALWAYS USES AN ORGANIZATION TO COMMUNICATE HIS TRUTH. The Watchtower correctly teaches that in the Old Testament, God led the nation of Israel through a priestly organization of men from the lineage of Aaron. These priests served as temporary mediators between Israel and God by offering blood sacrifices to atone for the sins of the people. However, with the coming of Christ, God did away with the priestly organization of Israel as Jesus became our ultimate High Priest and Mediator through whom alone we are to approach God by acceptance of His sacrificial atonement for sin (Hebrews 7:26; 1 Timothy 2:5). While the Watchtower recognizes the death and resurrection of Christ as changing the way God leads His people, the Watchtower incorrectly teaches that after Jesus rose from the dead, He appointed a Christian organization of followers in Jerusalem to serve as Gods governing body leadership to mankind in place of Israels priestly organization. To bolster its claim, the Watchtower points to the resolution of a debate over circumcism that began in Antioch and was settled Jerusalem. And when Paul and Barnabas had great dissension and debate with them, the brethren determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders concerning this issue. Now while they were passing through the cities, they were delivering the decrees, which had been decided upon by the apostles and elders who
WITNESSES FOR JESUS, INC. 5 PO BOX 50911 www.4witness.org COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80949 USA

HOW TO WITNESS EFFECTIVELY TO JEHOVAHS WITNESSES Breaking the Watchtower Barrier Step-by-Step
were in Jerusalem, for them to observe. So the churches were being strengthened in the faith, and were increasing in number daily. Acts 15:2; 16:4-5 This passage does not prove that a so-called governing body existed in Jerusalem for if we look carefully at the context (Acts 15:1-2), we see that the dispute over circumcism arose when men from the area of Jerusalem (Judea) came down to the congregation at Antioch and proclaimed to these believers that they needed to be circumcised according to Jewish custom. Is it any wonder they went to Jerusalem to settle the dispute that had been caused by men from that area? At Acts 16, the decrees that Paul and Silas were delivering to the churches had to do with the decision that had just been reached concerning circumcision. There is no indication that these decrees involved any other issue. Thus, we see that one cannot use these passages to provide a basis for the Watchtower claim that Jesus appointed an organization to led Gods people in first-century Christianity. Not only is the evidence for leadership from a first-century organization completely lacking in Scripture, but the consistent pattern seen throughout the New Testament is God leading directly through the Holy Spirit. You can help a Jehovahs Witness come to this conclusion by showing the following verses and asking the questions outlined below: At Acts 13:2-4, we see the Holy Spirit directing the congregation at Antioch to send Paul and Barnabas out on their first missionary journey without any approval from a governing body in Jerusalem. When they returned from their missionary journey at Acts 14:26-28, they did not report to a governing body in Jerusalem, but rather, to the congregation at Antioch which had sent them out. In the same way, at Acts 18:22, we see Paul and Silas returning from Pauls second missionary journeynot to a governing body in Jerusalembut to the congregation at Antioch. At Acts 18:23 Paul went out again on his third missionary journey from this same congregation. If a governing body in Jerusalem existed, where was its leadership in all of this? Who commissioned Philip at Acts 8:5 to preach to the city of Samaria? It wasnt until verse 14, that the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God. At Acts 8:26, 29, and 40, we read that the Holy Spirit is the One who directed Philip to the territories he preached in. Who prevented Paul and Silas from preaching in Asia at Acts 16:6-7? Was it a governing body in Jerusalem or was it the Spirit of Jesus?

FALSE PREMISE 3: JESUS APPOINTED THE WATCHTOWER ORGANIZATION TO DISPENSE SPIRITUAL TRUTH IN THE LAST DAYS. The idea that God appointed a select group of people to dispense spiritual truth in the last days is based on the Watchtowers misinterpretation of Jesus parable at Matthew 24:45-51. In this parable, Jesus describes two types of slaves (servants) who were put in charge of their masters belongings while their master was away. One slave was found faithful and discreet 2 upon his masters return and was thus rewarded by being appointed over all of his masters possessions. The other slave proved unfaithful in his tasks and when his master arrived, he was thrown out with the hypocrites. While there is nothing in this passage to indicate that it is describing a religious organization, Jehovahs Witnesses claim that this passage is prophetically speaking of the Watchtower organization. They believe Jesus
2

Watchtowers New World Translation Bible 6 PO BOX 50911 www.4witness.org COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80949 USA

WITNESSES FOR JESUS, INC.

HOW TO WITNESS EFFECTIVELY TO JEHOVAHS WITNESSES Breaking the Watchtower Barrier Step-by-Step
invisible presence began in 1914 and that at this time, Jesus being the master in this parable inspected all of the religious slaves (Christian churches) of Jehovah God to determine which one qualified to be appointed by Jehovah God to give spiritual food to Gods people in the last days. Thus, they claim the Watchtower organization passed the test and was appointed as the sole spiritual authority over all of Gods possessions (His followers). We will now demonstrate that the Watchtower does not qualify to be Gods faithful and discreet slave and that its interpretation of Matthew 24:45-51 is incorrect. To accomplish this, we will first examine Watchtower history, then examine inconsistencies in current Watchtower literature and conclude with questions from Scripture to debunk the Watchtowers faulty interpretation of Jesus parable. QUESTIONS TO ASK ON WATCHTOWER HISTORY: The Watchtower claims that from 1914-1919, Jesus inspected its literature and determined that the Watchtower passed the test to represent Jehovah God (See Gods Kingdom of a Thousand Years Has Approached, 1973, pp. 348-349). However, when we examine Watchtower history, we discover that at this time, Watchtower literature was falsely prophesying that Christs presence had begun in 1874 and that the end of the world would occur in 1914. When 1914 failed, the Watchtower shifted the date to 1915, then 1918, then again to 1925. Since Deuteronomy 18:20-22 warns about false prophets who would forecast events that do not occur, how could Jesus have put His approval upon this organization? At Matthew 24:11, 23-24, Jesus warned that in the last days, false prophets would proclaim that his presence had begun when it had not. Since Jehovahs Witnesses now believe that Christs presence began in 1914, doesnt this prove that their previous proclamation of Christs presence beginning in 1874 mean that this organization was doing the very thing Jesus warned His followers that false prophets would do in the last daysnamely, proclaiming His presence had begun when it had not? Why would Jesus appoint an organization to represent Jehovah God that was doing the very thing He warned his followers about at Matthew 24? On page 88 of the 1975 Yearbook of Jehovahs Witnesses, the Watchtower admits that at the time of Jesus inspection (before and shortly after Watchtower founder Charles Taze Russells death in 1916), the idea adopted by many was that C. T. Russell himself was the faithful and wise servant. This led some into the snare of creature worship. Since Jehovahs Witnesses were engaged in false worship of a man during the time of Jesus inspection, how could He have appointed this organization to be Gods representative on earth? The Watchtower prides itself in having been neutral during World War I when Jesus was allegedly conducting His inspection of its organization. (See Knowledge That Leads to Eternal Life, pp. 160-161) Yet, the May 15th and June 1st issues of the 1918 Watchtower encouraged Jehovahs Witnesses to purchase Liberty Loans which helped to fund US involvement in World War I. Is this true neutrality or compromise?

QUESTIONS TO ASK ON CURRENT WATCHTOWER LITERATURE: In Proverbs 30:6 and in other passages of Scripture, God warns about those who would add to His word. While the Watchtower admits that of the 5,000 Greek manuscripts of the New Testament we
7 PO BOX 50911 www.4witness.org COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80949 USA

WITNESSES FOR JESUS, INC.

HOW TO WITNESS EFFECTIVELY TO JEHOVAHS WITNESSES Breaking the Watchtower Barrier Step-by-Step
possess today, none of them contain Gods name (Jehovah) in full. Yet, the Watchtowers New World Translation Bible inserts Jehovah 237 times into their translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures (New Testament). How can they do this in light of Scriptures warning about adding to Gods word? One of the ways they justify their insertion of Jehovah is to argue that Gods name was removed from the New Testament text prior to the fourth century. This argument falls apart when we consider that we have copies of New Testament manuscripts that date back to the 2nd and 3rd centuries and none of these contain the name. We also have 36,000 quotations of the New Testament from early Church Fathers and none of these contain Gods name. If Gods name was removed from the New Testament without a trace, how can we be sure nothing else was removed from the New Testament? Didnt Jesus promise to preserve His word (Matthew 24:35)? Would Jehovah support an organization that adds to Gods Word? The Watchtower denied that they published Russells Biography because they did not want people to know that early Jehovahs Witnesses worshipped Russell. They covered up with excuses their history of quoting books connected with the spirit world of Satan, and they lied about the true teachings of the early Church Fathers in order to support their belief that the Trinity doctrine was derived from paganism. Would Jehovah who is the God of truth (Titus 1:2) support a dishonest organization?

QUESTIONS TO ASK ON MATTHEW 24:45-51: If we are to interpret the faithful slave in Matthew 24:45-47 as representing the Watchtower organization, what organization is represented by Jesus statements concerning the evil slave at Matthew 24:48-51? If we look at religious hypocrites who abuse their power and authority for illicit gain, wouldnt you agree that these people collectively qualify as the evil slave spoken of in this passage? Since any individual can become part of the evil slave group just by being a hypocrite, why cant any individual become part of the faithful and discreet slave group by being faithfully devoted in Christian ministry? o NOTE: A common Jehovahs Witness objection to the above argument is that if every loyal Christian qualifies to be in the faithful and discreet slave group that is put in charge of all of Jehovahs possessions (His followers), what possessions would they rule over? Our response is that the Bible speaks of the fact that during the 1,000-year reign of Christ, there will be people on earth who have not made a decision for or against Jehovah God. Thus, these Christian in the faithful and discreet slave group will be able to rule over them as well as over the angels (1 Corinthians 6:3). If we are to interpret the faithful slave in Matthew 24:45-48 as speaking prophetically of the Watchtower organization being setup in the last days, what organizations do the slaves in Jesus other parables represent? For example, just like the slaves in the Matthew 24 parable were put in charge of their masters possessions, in Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus describes three slaves who were also entrusted with their masters possessions. Does the Watchtower interpret the three slaves in this parable as three religious organizations? Or does the Watchtower interpret the slaves to be individual Christians? If all other slave parables of Jesus are to be interpreted as describing individuals and not organizations, why interpret the parable in Matthew 24 any differently?
8 PO BOX 50911 www.4witness.org COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80949 USA

WITNESSES FOR JESUS, INC.

HOW TO WITNESS EFFECTIVELY TO JEHOVAHS WITNESSES Breaking the Watchtower Barrier Step-by-Step
FALSE PREMISE 4: THE WATCHTOWER ORGANIZATION IS THE ONLY TRUE RELIGION ON EARTH TODAY. The final method the Watchtower uses to solidify its authority in the mind of a prospective Jehovahs Witness is to get the person to accept a unique list of doctrinal criteria that the Watchtower describes as the Truth. Once the potential convert embraces these doctrines, he or she is guided by a Jehovahs Witness mentor (usually the one who initiated the indoctrination studies) to accept the Watchtower claim that it alone fulfills the unique list of doctrinal criteria. Claiming that Jesus started only one true religion and that one must join this religion in order to be saved, the prospective convert is then led to make a commitment to the Watchtower organization through baptism. At this point, the convert is accepted into the religion one of Jehovahs Witnesses and expected to follow Watchtower leadership as the sole religious authority for his or her life. To fully counter Watchtower authority in the mind of a Jehovahs Witness, one must be prepared to remove the Watchtower truth criteria and replace it with the Biblical definition of the truth. But until the Jehovahs Witness is convinced that the Watchtower organization is not Gods organization, Scriptural arguments over its alleged truth criteria may prove futile. Thus, we recommend an alternative approach to dealing with this false premise. This approach involves listing the criteria that the Watchtower claims proves it is the only true religion and contrasting the criteria with the claims of other religious organizations who also embrace the same fundamental doctrinal beliefs. Since most Jehovahs Witnesses are unfamiliar with the religious groups we outline below, this approach can easily demonstrate to the Jehovahs Witness that the Watchtower is not unique in its beliefs and therefore, cannot use its truth criteria to prove that it is the only true religion. At this point, you can substitute the Watchtowers truth criteria for Biblical truth. QUESTIONS TO ASK JEHOVAHS WITNESSES ON IDENTIFYING THE TRUTH: Do you believe that there is only one true religion on earth today? Do you believe that the following list of beliefs and activities described on pages 26-27 of the 1996 Watchtower publication, What Does God Require of Us? give an accurate description of how we can identify the only true religion? The list given teaches that the true religion must: 1. Avoid War and Politics 2. Avoid Pagan Holidays 3. Reject the Trinity Doctrine 4. Reject the Immortality of the Soul and Hell 5. Must Preach the Kingdom 6. Must Proclaim the Name Jehovah for God Did you know that the following religions also embrace these very same doctrines and practices? Assemblies of Yahweh Assemblies of the Called out Ones of Ya House of Yahweh Assembly of YHWH Yeshua Christadelphians When other religions also fulfill the Watchtowers criteria, how can this criteria prove that it is the only true religion?
9 PO BOX 50911 www.4witness.org COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80949 USA

WITNESSES FOR JESUS, INC.

HOW TO WITNESS EFFECTIVELY TO JEHOVAHS WITNESSES Breaking the Watchtower Barrier Step-by-Step
Since the criteria given by the Watchtower organization is not unique to its religion, could it be that the Bible gives a different criteria than the Watchtower does for determining the Truth? At John 17:17, Jesus proclaims that Gods word is truth. At John 1:14, who is identified as Gods living Word? According to John 14:6, is the Truth a Person or a religion? According to John 5:39-40, is the theme of the Bible a Person or a religious theocracy? At John 6:68, did Peter say to what shall we go away to? Or did He say to whom shall we go away to? According to John 10:27-29, what do Gods sheep respond to and follow? Where do they go to receive eternal life? Do you see anything in this passage about a religious organization?

Note: Jehovahs Witnesses are warned against reading anything critical of their organization. You may need to present photocopied documentation from their literature and other sources to prove some of these points in Removing the Watchtower Foundation. For more information and supporting photocopied documentation, see the following links on our website: Do The Beliefs Of Jehovahs Witnesses Prove They Are The Only True Religion? http://www.4witness.org/jwquestions/qjw-truth-criteria.php Is the Watchtower Faithful and Discreet? http://www.4jehovah.org/jehovahs-witness-faithful-discreet-slave.php What is the Truth? http://www.4jehovah.org/jehovahs-witness-truth.php Questions for Jehovahs Witnesses http://www.4witness.org/jwquestions/jw_questions.php Facts the Watch Tower Society Doesnt Want You To Know http://www.4jehovah.org/jehovahs-witness-facts.php Jehovahs Witness Topics: Bible - New World Translation http://www.4witness.org/jw_topics.php#bible Lying Theocratic War Strategy http://www.4witness.org/jw_topics.php#lying Dialogues with JW Cindy and Christian Karen - Based on the Watchtower 1996 Publication, What Does God Require of Us?: How Close is the End? (Discusses False Watchtower Prophecy) http://www.4jehovah.org/wdgr_s01q04.php How Honest is the Watchtower About Its History? Part 1 / Part 2 http://www.4jehovah.org/wdgr_s01q05a.php http://www.4jehovah.org/wdgr_s01q05b.php How Can You Find The True Religion? http://www.4jehovah.org/wdgr_s01q06.php Who is the Faithful and Discreet Slave? Part 1 / Part 2 http://www.4jehovah.org/wdgr_s01q07a.php http://www.4jehovah.org/wdgr_s01q07b.php
10 PO BOX 50911 www.4witness.org COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80949 USA

WITNESSES FOR JESUS, INC.

HOW TO WITNESS EFFECTIVELY TO JEHOVAHS WITNESSES Breaking the Watchtower Barrier Step-by-Step
Your Decision to Serve God Loyalty to Jehovah or Loyalty to An Organization? http://www.4jehovah.org/wdgr_s03q06.php

STEP 3: COUNTER JEHOVAHS WITNESS DOCTRINE WITH TRUTH Unlike the Christian who is encouraged to challenge ones faith using objective methods of reasoning and analysis (see 1 Thessalonians 5:21), Jehovahs Witnesses are constantly discouraged from applying critical thinking to any of the doctrines and policies advocated by the Watchtower organization. Therefore, when the Watchtower organization is removed as a source of spiritual truth, the Jehovahs Witness is left with feelings of uncertainty, not knowing what to believe or who to trust. Many of the common fears associated with leaving the religion of Jehovahs Witnesses include: Fear of Having Left The Truth Fear of Being Rejected by God Fear of Being All Alone Fear of Having to Think and Make Decisions Fear of the Outside World (Satans System) Fear of Trusting Anyone or Anything

Many disillusioned converts who leave the Watchtower organization without sufficient help from people trained to counter Watchtower indoctrination, end up either joining another religion that claims to be the Truth or becoming atheists and agnostics, living life with no view of God or eternity. However, with proper resources, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and the loving support of committed Christians and former Jehovahs Witnesses who have been through the process, many have come to find true freedom in a personal relationship with Christ. If God grants you the privilege of leading Jehovahs Witnesses out of the Watchtower, it is important to keep in mind their struggle with these fears mentioned above and to be sensitive and patient in helping them workthrough these issues with the truth of Gods Word. Because the Watchtower demands so much activity of Jehovahs Witnesses, it is also important to keep in mind that many who leave are burned-out on religious activity. Do not expect them to attend religious services with you right away. Because of the fears implanted in them from their Watchtower experience, it may take months and even years before a former Jehovahs Witness feels comfortable enough to attend religious services regularly or to participate in a church-sponsored activity. Go easy when it comes to this area of Christian living and keep in mind that the goal is not to get them to join your church but to help them come into a personal relationship with Christ, looking only to Gods Word the Bible and the guidance of the Holy Spirit for spiritual truth and freedom. For more information on available resources and support for former Jehovahs Witnesses, please visit our website at: www.4jehovah.org. FOR MORE INFORMATION SEE: QUESTIONS TO ASK JEHOVAHS WITNESSES WHEN THEY KNOCK ON YOUR DOOR -A Step-by-Step Guide for Christians Witnessing at the Door http://www.4witness.org/jehovahs_witness/jw-witness-door.php
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TO RESCUE YOUR LOVED ONE FROM JEHOVAHS WITNESSES How to Open the Closed Mind of a Jehovahs Witness Friend or Relative http://www.4witness.org/jehovahs_witness/jw-reach-loved-ones.php

WITNESSES FOR JESUS, INC.

11 PO BOX 50911 www.4witness.org

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80949 USA