LEARNING TO SHARE YOUR FAITH
THE CULTS

Introductory Comment by Rev Andy Kelso

The Cults

When looking at other faiths or in this case the cults, it's easy for people to say that I'm being judgmental or pointing the finger. But the fact is that christians are called to discern between what is right and wrong. There is an absolute Truth and that is only found in Jesus Christ. John 14:6. So I will continue to expose errors and the deception in other faiths and in cults because they are leading millions of people into error and to eternal damnation.

In this part of Reverend Kelso's series, "Learning to Share Your Faith", he talks about Cults, what defines them and ways to engage with their members and share the Gospel with them. This part of the course will span several weeks, takng one cultic religion per week.

NOTES TO ACCOMPANY THE TALK ON JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES

Name: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society
Founder: Charles Taze Russell
Adherents: Over 6 million

Doctrinal beliefs:
The New World Translation of the Scriptures is the true Bible
Biblical response: The New World Translation reflects their theology, especially its bias against the deity of Jesus and the doctrine of the Trinity e.g. John 1:1, "The Word was a god"

Jehovah is God
God's Name is Jehovah. He is spirit but not omnipresent. The doctrine of the Trinity misrepresents the true God.
Biblical response: There is only one God revealed fully in Jesus Christ. The doctrine of the Trinity is clearly taught in Scripture. Matthew 28:19, 1 Corinthians 8:6, 1 Corinthians 12:4-6, 2 Corinthians 1:21-22, 2 Corinthians 13:14, 1 Peter 1:2.

Jesus Christ is Jehovah's First Created Being
Jehovah created Jesus and used Jesus to create all other things. Jesus was actually Michael the archangel.
Biblical response:
Jesus was God from all eternity and coequal with the Father. John 8:58-59, John 10:30-31, John 14:8-9, Colossians 2:9. He came to earth to reveal God and to die for our sins. There is no biblical basis for identifying Jesus with Michael the archangel.

Holy Spirit - God's active force
The Holy Spirit is a powerful force from God. He is not God nor a person.
Biblical response:
The personality of the Holy Spirit is a fact: Luke 12:12, John 15:26, Acts 5:3, 1 Corinthians 12:11, Ephesians 4:30. His deity is demonstrated by His divine attributes as revealed in Scripture. He convicts the lost of sin and indwells believers at conversion, enabling them to live the Christian life. Matthew 12:31-32, Mark 3:29, John 16:8, Romans 8:26-27, Ephesians 2:18-19.

Mankind's sin brought death
The spirit of a person departs at death. There is no conscious existence at death.
Biblical response:
At death believers in Christ have a conscious relationship with Him while awaiting the resurrection. Matthew 22:32, Luke 16-22, John 11:26, 2 Corinthians 5:8, Philippians 1:23, 2 Peter 2:9.

Jesus paid a ransom sacrifice
Jesus as a perfect man paid the price for Adam's sin. He was then resurrected by Jehovah to life as a mighty spirit being
Biblical response:
Jesus was not just a perfect man but also God incarnate. Colossians 2:9. He paid the price for mankind's sin and rose again physically not just spiritually. Luke 24:13-16, 30, John 2:19-21, John 20:26-29, Luke 24:36-43.

Salvation - Faith and Obedience
Requirements for salvation include baptism by immersion, active involvement with the Watchtower Society, righteous conduct and absolute loyalty to Jehovah. There is no assurance of salvation, only hope for a resurrection.
Biblical response: Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. No amount of works guarantees salvation. Romans 4:4-5, Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5. Good works are the response to salvation. Ephesians 2:10. Salvation is assured for those who have accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour. John 1:12, John 5:24, 1 John 5:13.

Two classes of saved people
Only 144,000 faithful elect Jehovah's Witnesses will go to heaven to rule with Jesus. Most Jehovah's Witnesses hope to be among the rest who will live in Paradise on earth.
Biblical response: The Bible makes no distinction of two classes of saved people. Matthew 5:12, Philippians 3:20. In Revelation 7 and 14 both the 144,000 and the great crowd are before the throne in heaven. All born-again Christians will live forever in Heaven. John 14:3.

Final Judgment and Paradise on earth
Faithful Jehovah's Witnesses will inherit eternal life on Paradise earth. Those who have disobeyed Jehovah and His Law will be destroyed. There is no such place as hell.
Biblical response: Everyone will face God's final judgment. Hebrews 9:27. The doctrine of Hell is based on Jesus' teaching that saved people will have eternal life, but the wicked lost will suffer eternal punishment in Hell. Matthew 18:8-9, Matthew 25:41-46, Mark 9:43-48, 2Thessalonians 1:8-9.

Witnessing to Jehovah's Witnesses

• Ask the question: "Is Jesus Christ really an angel? They believe that Jesus is Michael the archangel. The Watchtower's Bible mentions Michael five times. Ask the Jehovah's Witness which one of these verses says that Michael is Jesus Christ. According to Ephesians 5:21 Jesus is far above every authority and power. Jehovah's Witnesses point to 1 Thessalonians 4:16. The Scriptures clearly state that Jesus is superior to the angels. Read Hebrews 1:5-6 to them.
• Have a clear understanding of your faith and the Bible
• Define your terms clearly
• Stress the need for a personal relationship with Christ
• Share your personal testimony
• Present the plan of salvation and encourage the Jehovah's Witness to make a decision
• Pray and trust the Holy Spirit to lead you and ask Him to pierce the Jehovah's Witness's spiritual darkness.