Reasoning with Jehovah's Witnesses |
1. The Deity of Christ |
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Part OneThe Nature of God1. The Deity of ChristJehovah's Witnesses believe that: a. Jesus was the first creation of God the Father. 1 b. God the Father created all other things through Jesus.2 c. It is not proper to pray to Jesus.3 Prayer is to be offered to God the Father alone, through Jesus.4 d. It is not proper to worship Jesus.5 Only God the Father is to be worshiped.6 e. God the Father alone is sovereign.7 f. Jesus is a god, but not God.8 g. Jesus is not Jehovah.9 God the Father alone is Jehovah.10
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Q1. Is Jesus the creator of all things? Gen 1:26-27-Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness..." And God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him. Is 44:24-Thus says the Lord [Jehovah], your Redeemer, and the one who formed you from the womb, "I, the Lord [Jehovah], am the maker of all things, stretching out the heavens by Myself, and spreading out the earth all alone..." John 1:3-All things came into being by Him [the Word], and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. [If Jesus was created, then he created himself] Rom 11:36-God...For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. John 1:10-He [Jesus] was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. Eph 3:9-...God, who created all things... Col 1:15-16-And He [Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the first-born [cp. Ps 89:27, Gen 41:51-52, Jer 31:9] of all creation. For [Gr. because] by him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-all things have been created by Him and for Him. Heb 1:8,10-But of the Son...He also says, "In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end." Heb 3:3-4-For He [Jesus] has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, by just so much as the builder of a house has more honor than the house. For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.
Q2. Is Jesus the sustainer of all things? Col 1:17-He [Jesus] is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. Heb 1:3-And He [Jesus] is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power.
Q3. Is Jesus the Savior? Is 43:11-"I, even I, am the Lord [Jehovah]; and there is no savior besides Me." Is 45:21-"Is it not I, the Lord [Jehovah]? And there is no other God besides Me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none except Me." Hos 13:4-"I...the Lord [Jehovah] your God...there is no savior besides Me." Titus 1:3-God our Savior Titus 1:4-Christ Jesus our Savior Titus 2:13-looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus Titus 3:4-God our Savior Titus 3:6-Jesus Christ our Savior 2 Pet 1:1-to those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ:
Q4. Is Jesus the giver of things of God? John 1:12-13-But as many as received Him [Jesus], to them He gave the right to become children of God, [even] to those who believe in His name, who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. Rev 2:23-the churches will know that I [Jesus] am He who searches the minds and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds.
Q5. Does Jesus have authority to forgive sins? Mark 2:5-7,10-And Jesus seeing their faith said to the paralytic, "My son, your sins are forgiven." But there were some of the scribes sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, "Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming; who can forgive sins but God alone?" "...the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" Luke 5:21-And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, "Who is this man who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?" Luke 5:24-"the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" 1 Cor 8:12-And thus, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Eph 4:32-And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
Q6. Does Jesus have authority to judge men? How should this affect one's response to Him? John 5:22,23-"For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son, in order that all may honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. 2 Cor 5:10-For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ
Q7. Is Jesus all-seeing? 1 Ki 8:39-"Thou [Jehovah] alone dost know the hearts of all the sons of men" Rev 2:23-"all the churches will know that I [Jesus] am He who searches the minds and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds."
Q8. Is Jesus all-knowing? 1 Ki 8:39-"Thou [Jehovah] alone dost know the hearts of all the sons of men" Matt 9:4-knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, "Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts?" Matt 12:25-Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them... Mark 2:8-Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts... Luke 6:8-But Jesus knew what they were thinking... Luke 9:47-Jesus, knowing their thoughts... John 11:11-"Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up." Col 2:2-3-Christ, in whom are hidden ALL the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Rev 2:23-"...all the churches will know that I [Jesus] am He who searches the minds and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds. [cp. 1 Ki 8:39]"
Q9. Is Jesus omnipresent? Matt 18:20-"For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Matt 28:20-"And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Q10. Was Jesus eternally preexistent? Micah 5:2-"Bethlehem...out of you will come...ruler over Israel, whose goings out are from of old, from days of eternity." John 1:1-In the beginning was the Word [Creation is not mentioned until vs.3] Col 1:17-He is before ALL things Heb 7:3-[Melchizedek]...having neither beginning of days...like the Son of God
Q11. Does Jesus ever change? Heb 1:8,10-But of the Son...He also says, "In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end." Heb 13:8-Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Q12. Is it proper to serve Jesus? John 12:26-"If anyone serves Me [Jesus], let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall My servant also be; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him." Rom 1:1-Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ 1 Cor 4:1-Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ 2 Cor 5:15-they who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf Gal 1:10-If I were still pleasing men, I should not be a servant of Christ. Phil 1:1-Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus. Col 3:24-It is the Lord Christ whom you serve Col 4:12-Epaphras, who is one of yourselves, a servant of Christ Jesus Jas 1:1-James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ Jude 1-Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ
Q13. Is it proper to pray to Jesus? John 14:14-"If you ask Me [Kingdom Interlinear] anything in My name, I will do it." Acts 7:59-60-And they went on stoning Stephen as he called upon [the Lord] and said, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!" And falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them!" And having said this, he fell asleep. Acts 9:14-"and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call upon thy [Jesus'-vs. 17] name." Acts 9:20-21-and immediately he [Saul] [began] to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, "He is the Son of God." And all those hearing him continued to be amazed, saying, "Is this not he who in Jerusalem destroyed those who called on this name, and [who] had come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests?" Acts 22:16-"Arise, and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His [Jesus'] name." Acts 22:17-19-"And it came about when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying...I saw Him [Jesus] saying to me...And I said 'Lord...'" Rom 10:9,11-13-confess Jesus as Lord...For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed"...the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call upon Him; for "Whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved." 1 Cor 1:2-to the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their [Lord] and ours: 2 Cor 12:8-9-Three times I besought the Lord about this, that it should leave me; but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." I will all the more gladly boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 1 Ti 1:12-I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me... Rev 22:20-Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
Q14. Is it proper to give glory to Jesus? Is 42:8-"I am the Lord [Jehovah]; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another." Is 48:11-"I [Jehovah] will not yield my glory to another." Dan 7:13-14-I kept looking in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven one like a Son of Man was coming, and He came up to the Ancient of Days and was presented before Him. And to Him was given dominion, glory, and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations, and [men of every] language might serve Him. John 1:14-And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 5:22-23-"Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him." John 11:4-"This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified by it." John 13:31-32-Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him; if God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and will glorify Him immediately. John 16:13-15-"But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes...He shall glorify Me [Jesus]; for He shall take of Mine, and shall disclose [it] to you. All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said, that He takes of Mine, and will disclose [it] to you." John 17:5-"And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began." Acts 3:13-"The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our forefathers, has glorified His servant Jesus." Phil 2:9-Therefore also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name Col 1:16-all things were created by him [Jesus] and for him 2 Thess 1:12-...in order that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you... 2 Pet 3:18-but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. Rev 1:5-6-and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the first-born from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us, and released us from our sins by His blood, and He has made us [to be] a kingdom, priests to His God and Father; to Him [be] the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. Rev 5:11-14-And I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing." And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, "To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, [be] blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever." And the four living creatures kept saying, "Amen." And the elders fell down and worshiped.
Q15. Is it proper to worship Jesus? Matt 2:2-Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." Matt 2:8-He [Herod] sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him." Matt 2:11-On coming to the house, they [the magi] saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Matt 4:10-Then Jesus said to him, "Begone, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord [Jehovah] your God, and serve Him only.'" [Quote from Deut 6:13] Matt 14:33-Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." Matt 28:9-Suddenly Jesus met them [the women]. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Matt 28:16-17-Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him... John 9:38-Then the man said, "Lord, I believe," and he worshiped him. [He recognized Jesus as the Son of Man-vs. 35] Heb 1:6-And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him." Rev 5:8-And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Rev 14:7-He said in a loud voice, "Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water."
See Q1 Jesus is worshiped many times in the New Testament; the worshipers are never rebuked. An angel is worshiped twice in the New Testament [Rev 19:10, 22:8-9]; the worshiper is rebuked both times. Peter is worshiped once [Acts 10:25]; the worshiper is rebuked.
Q16. Is Jesus Lord? Deut 10:17-For the Lord [Jehovah] your God is God of gods and Lord of lords... Matt 12:8-For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath John 20:27-28-Thomas said to him [Jesus], "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed [are] they who did not see, and [yet] believed." Rom 10:9,11-13-confess Jesus as Lord...For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed"...the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call upon Him; for "Whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved." Eph 4:4-5-[There is]...one Lord James 2:1-My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ... Rev 17:14-the Lamb...he is Lord of lords and King of kings Rev 19:16-On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: King of kings and Lord of lords...
Q17. Is Jesus sovereign? Matt 25:31-"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory." Matt 28:18-"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me." John 3:31-"He who comes from above is above all, he who is of the earth is from the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all." John 3:35-"The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands." John 13:3-[Jesus], knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands... John 16:15-"All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you." John 17:10-"All I have is yours [the Father's], and all you have is mine." Phil 2:9-11-Therefore God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Heb 1:2-his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things Heb 2:8-In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not subject to him. Rev 22:3-The throne [singular] of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him.
Q18. How was Jesus' claim to be the Son of God understood by His listeners? John 5:18-This is why the Jews sought all the more to kill him, because he not only broke the Sabbath but also called God his own Father, making himself equal with God. John 10:28-33-"...no one shall snatch them out of My hand...no one is able to snatch [them] out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one." The Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, "I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of these do you stone me?" The Jews answered him, "It is not for a good work that we stone you but for blasphemy; because you, being a man, make yourself God." John 10:36-"Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, 'I am God's Son'?"
Q19. Is Jesus God? Deut 32:36,39-the Lord [Jehovah]..."See now that I, I am He, and there is no god besides Me..." Is 9:6-And he [Jesus] will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Is 10:21-A remnant will return, a remnant of Jacob will return to the Mighty God [Jehovah]. Is 43:10-the Lord [Jehovah]..."Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me." Is 44:6-This is what the Lord [Jehovah] says-Israel's King and redeemer, the Lord [Jehovah] Almighty: "I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God." Is 48:12-"I [Jehovah] am the first and I am the last" Rev 1:17-18-"Do not be afraid. I [Jesus] am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever!" Rev 2:8-These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. Rev 21:6-7-"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End...I will be his God" Rev 22:12-13,20-"Behold, I am coming quickly...I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. Rev 22:13-16-"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End...I, Jesus, have sent my angel..." Matt 1:23-Immanuel-which means, "God with us" [cp. Is 7:14] Matt 13:41-The Son of Man will send forth HIS angels John 1:1-In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God [Gr. God was the Word]. John 2:19,21-Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days." But the temple he had spoken of was his body. Acts 2:24-"God raised him from the dead" John 5:18-For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God. John 8:19-"You know neither Me, nor My Father; if you knew Me, you would know My Father also." John 8:28-"When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I AM [Gr. ego eimi-cp. Ex 3:14; LXX-no "he" in Gr.]" Ex 3:14-God said to Moses, "I AM who I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'" John 8:58-59-"I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I AM! [Gr. no "he"-cp. Ex 3:14; LXX]" At this, they picked up stones to stone him... Five legal cases for stoning: 1) spirit mediums [Lev 20:27] 2) cursing (blasphemy) [Lev 24:10-23] 3) false prophets [Deut 13:5-10] 4) stubborn son [Deut 21:18-21] 5) adultery or rape [Deut 22:21-24, Lev 20:10] John 10:28-33-"...no one shall snatch them out of My hand...no one is able to snatch [them] out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one." Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, "I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?" "We are not stoning you for any of these," replied the Jews, "but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God." John 12:44-And Jesus cried out and said, "He who believes in Me does not believe in Me, but in Him who sent Me." John 13:19-"From now on I am telling you before [it] comes to pass, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I AM [Gr. ego eimi-cp. Ex 3:14; LXX]. John 14:7-9-"If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him...Have I been so long with you, and [yet] you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how do you say, 'Show us the Father'?" John 15:13-"Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends." John 18:4-6-Jesus therefore, knowing all the things that were coming upon Him, went forth, and said to them, "Whom do you seek?" They answered Him, "Jesus the Nazarene." He said to them, "I AM [Gr. ego eimi]." And Judas also who was betraying Him, was standing with them. When therefore He said to them, "I AM [Gr. ego eimi]," they drew back, and fell to the ground. John 20:28,29-Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." Acts 20:28-Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. Eph 3:19-and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fulness of God. Phil 2:6-Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God... Col 2:9-For in Christ ALL the fullness of the Deity [or, Godhead] lives in bodily form 1 Ti 3:15-16-God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body... Titus 2:13-while we wait for the blessed hope-the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Heb 1:3-The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. Heb 1:4-So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. See Q20 Heb 1:8-But about the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever..." Ps 45:6-"Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever." Heb 3:1-4-Jesus...He...as the builder of the house...the builder of all things is God. 2 Pet 1:1-To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours... 1 John 5:20-We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true-even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. Rev 22:1-4-...the throne [singular] of God and of the Lamb...the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His bond-servants shall serve Him; and they shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads.
Q20. Is Jesus spoken of in the Bible as Jehovah, as is His Father? Zech 2:8-11-For this is what the Lord [Jehovah] Almighty says: "After he has honored me and has sent me against the nations that have plundered you-for whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye-I will surely raise my hand against them so that their slaves will plunder them. Then you will know that the Lord [Jehovah] Almighty has sent me. "Shout and be glad, O Daughter of Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you," declares the Lord [Jehovah]. "Many nations will be joined with the Lord [Jehovah] in that day and will become my people. I will live among you and you will know that the Lord [Jehovah] Almighty has sent me to you..." Zech 11:12-13-And I said to them, "If it is good in your sight, give [me] my wages; but if not, never mind!" So they weighed out thirty [shekels] of silver as my wages. Then the Lord [Jehovah] said to me, "Throw it to the potter, [that] magnificent price at which I was valued by them." So I took the thirty [shekels] of silver and threw them to the potter in the house of the Lord [Jehovah]. Matt 26:14-15-Then one of the twelve, named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests, and said, "What are you willing to give me to deliver Him [Jesus] up to you?" And they weighed out to him thirty pieces of silver. Zech 12:1,10-declares the Lord [Jehovah]...And I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on ME whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him, like the bitter weeping over a first-born. Rev 1:7-Behold, He [Jesus] is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. Zech 14:3-5-Then the Lord [Jehovah] will go forth and fight against those nations, as when He fights on a day of battle. And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives... Then the Lord [Jehovah], my God, will come, [and] all the holy ones with Him! Matt 25:31-But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. Acts 1:11-12-"Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven." Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet... Zech 14:5-Then the Lord [Jehovah] my God will come, and all the holy ones with him. 1 Thess 3:13-at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints. Matt 3:3, Mark 1:2-3, Luke 3:4, John 1:23-This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: "A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord [NWT-Jehovah], make straight the paths for him.'" Luke 1:76-And you, my child [John the Baptist], will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord [NWT-Jehovah] to prepare the way for him. [He prepared the way for Jesus] Is 40:3-A voice of one calling: "In the desert prepare the way for the Lord [Jehovah]; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. [Heb. & LXX-make straight the paths of our God] Matt 21:15-16-But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that He had done, and the children who were crying out in the temple and saying, "Hosanna to the Son of David," they became indignant, and said to Him, "Do You hear what these are saying?" And Jesus said to them, "Yes; have you never read, 'Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babes Thou hast prepared praise for Thyself?" [Quote from Ps. 8:2, Jehovah] John 17:11-"Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name-the name you gave me..." John 17:12-"While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me." Rom 10:9,11-13-confess Jesus as Lord...For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed"...the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call upon Him; for "Whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved." [Quote from Joel 2:32-Jehovah] Phil 2:9-Therefore also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name... Heb 1:4-So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. Heb 1:8,10-But about the Son he says...He also says, "In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands..." Ps 102:22-25-the Lord [Jehovah]..."O my God...In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the works of your hands."
Q21. What form did Jesus assume when coming to earth as a man? *Phil 2:5-7-Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Is 61:1, Luke 4:18-"The Spirit of the Lord [Jehovah] God is upon me, because the Lord [Jehovah] has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me..." Matt 20:23, Mark 10:40-"to sit on My right hand and on My left, this is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father." Matt 24:36, Mark 13:32-"But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone." Matt 27:46, Mark 15:34-"My God, My God, why hast thou Forsaken Me?" Luke 22:42-"Father, if Thou art willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Thine be done." John 1:18-"No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten God, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained [Him]." John 4:34-"My food is for me to do the will of him that sent me and to finish his work." John 5:19-"Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless He sees the Father doing; for whatever [the Father] does, these things the Son also does in like manner." John 6:38-"For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me." John 6:57-"the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father..." John 7:28-"I have not come of Myself, but He who sent Me is true..." John 7:29-"I know Him; because I am from Him, and He sent Me." John 8:28-"I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me." John 8:42-"I have not even come on My own initiative, but He sent Me." John 12:49-"the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me commandment, what to say, and what to speak." John 14:28-"the Father is greater than I" John 14:31-"the Father gave me commandment" John 17:1-5-"Father...Thou gavest Him authority over all mankind, that to all whom Thou hast given Him, He may give eternal life. And this is eternal life, that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent. I glorified Thee on the earth, having accomplished the work which Thou hast given Me to do; And now, glorify Thou Me together with Thyself, Father, with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was." John 20:17-"I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God." John 20:21-"as the Father has sent Me, I also send you." Heb 2:11-For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one [Father]... 1 John 4:9-God sent His only begotten Son into the world
Q22. In heaven, does Jesus subject Himself to His Father's headship? 1 Cor 3:23-and you belong to Christ; and Christ belongs to God 1 Cor 11:3-Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ. 1 Cor 15:24-28-then comes the end, when He delivers up the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be abolished is death. For He has put all things in subjection under His feet. But when He says, "All things are put in subjection," it is evident that He is excepted who put all things in subjection to Him. And when all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, that God may be all in all. Phil 2:11-Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father 1 Pet 1:3-Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ Rev 3:12-"He who overcomes, I [Jesus] will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write upon him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name."
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Summary 1 Jesus Christ: aa. He is from everlasting (Mic 5:2). ab. He was in the beginning (John 1:1). ac. He is before all things (Col 1:17). ad. He had glory with the Father before the world was (John 17:5). ae. He existed in the form of God (Phil 2:6). af. He was God (John 1:1). ag. He is the Firstborn of all creation (Col 1:15). ah. Through Him are all things (Heb 1:2). ai. All things were made by Him (Col 1:16). aj. God attributes Jehovah's creative works to Him (Heb 1:8,10). ak. All things were created by Him and for Him (Col 1:16). al. He made man in His own image (Gen 1:26,27). ba. The Father sent Him (John 6:57). bb. He sought not His own will, but that of His Father who sent Him (John 6:38). bc. The way was prepared for Jehovah, then Christ came (Matt 3:3). bd. He was Immanuel-God With Us (Matt 1:23). be. All the angels of God worship Him (Heb 1:6). bf. The magi worshiped Him (Matt 2:11). bg. He was the Son of God (John 10:36). bh. He who has seen Him has seen the Father (John 14:7-9). bi. The Father was greater than He (John 14:28). bj. He could do nothing of Himself (John 5:19). bk. He did nothing of Himself (John 8:28). bl. His Father gave Him the words which He spoke (John 12:49). bm. He knew not the day nor the hour of the end (Matt 24:36). bn. A cured blind man worshiped Him (John 9:38). bo. He would raise up His body (John 2:19,21). bp. No one has greater love than Him (John 15:13). bq. He was one with the Father (John 10:28-33). br. The Jews believed that He made Himself equal with God (John 5:18). bs. He forgives sins against God (Luke 5:24). bt. He gave men power to be born of God (John 1:12,13). bu. Those in the boat worshiped Him (Matt 14:33). bv. His 11 disciples worshiped Him (Matt 28:16,17). bw. The Father's name has been given to Him (John 17:11,12). bx. He is heir of all things (Heb 1:2). ca. God raised Him from the dead (Acts 2:24). cb. He ascended to His God (John 20:17). cc. He appeared in the presence of God (Heb 9:24). cd. He sat down at the right hand of God (Mark 16:19). ce. God highly exalted Him (Phil 2:9). cf. God glorified Him (Acts 3:13). cg. He was made better than the angels (Heb 1:4). ch. God made Him Lord and Christ (John 2:36). ci. All men should honor Him as they do the Father (John 5:22,23). cj. He is the First and the Last, as is Jehovah (Is 44:6, Rev 1:17,18). ck. In Him dwells all the fulness of the Deity in bodily form (Col 2:9). cl. He is the exact representation of God's nature (Heb 1:3). cm. He is above all (John 3:31). cn. He sustains all things (Col 1:17, Heb 1:3). co. He is eternal Father (Is 9:6). cp. He is Mighty God (Is 9:6). cq. All things that are the Father's are His (John 16:15). cr. All authority in Heaven and on Earth has been given to Him (Matt 28:18). cs. The Father has given Him power over all flesh (John 17:2). ct. He is mediator between God and men (1 Ti 2:5,6). cu. He is in the bosom of the Father (John 1:18). cv. He is Lord of lords (Rev 17:14). cw. "Whoever calls upon the name of Jehovah will be saved" applies to Him (Rom 10:9, 11-13). cx. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb 13:8).
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Summary 2: a. Jesus is the creator of all things. b. Jesus is the sustainer of all things. c. Jesus is the Savior. d. Jesus is the giver of things of God. e. Jesus has authority to forgive sins. f. Jesus is the judge of all. g. Jesus is all-seeing. h. Jesus is all-knowing. i. Jesus is omnipresent. j. Jesus was eternally preexistent. k. Jesus never changes. l. It is proper to serve Jesus. m. It is proper to pray to Jesus. n. It is proper to give glory to Jesus. o. It is proper to worship Jesus. p. Jesus is Lord. q. Jesus is sovereign with His Father. r. Jesus is the Son of God. s. Jesus is God, as is His Father. t. Jesus is Jehovah, as is His Father.
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Scriptures commonly used by Jehovah's Witnesses: Matt 24:36, Mark 13:32-"But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone." See Q21
John 1:1-[NWT]...and the Word was a god. See APPENDIX B
John 1:18-No man has seen God at any time... See Q21
John 1:18-...the only begotten [Gr. monogenes-unique, one of a kind] God Heb 11:17-By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up ISAAC; and he who had received the promises was offering up his ONLY BEGOTTEN [son]... [Ishmael was also a son of Abraham, and was born before Isaac.]
John 5:19-"the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless [it is] something He sees the Father doing" See Q21
John 14:28-"the Father is greater [not better] than I." See Q21
John 20:17-"I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God." See Q21,Q22
Phil 2:6-[NWT] he...gave no consideration to a seizure, namely, that he should be equal to God. See Q21 See APPENDIX B
Col 1:15-He is...the firstborn of all creation. Gen 41:51,52-And Joseph named the FIRSTBORN MANASSEH...And he named the SECOND EPHRAIM Jer 31:9-"EPHRAIM IS MY FIRST-BORN." Being the firstborn designates positional prominence; not necessarily being the first born chronologically. Rev 3:14-The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning [Gr. arche-origin, source, first cause, ruler, authority, etc.-cp. Luke 12:11,20:20] of the creation of God...
Endnotes: 1. Reasoning From the Scriptures, p. 209, pp. 282-283 2. Ibid. 3. Aid to Bible Understanding, p. 1329 4. Ibid. 5. Reasoning From the Scriptures, pp. 282-283 6. Aid to Bible Understanding, p. 1329 7. Ibid., pp. 1536, 1538 8. Reasoning From the Scriptures, pp. 136-137, 282-283; Aid to Bible Understanding, p. 919 9. Aid to Bible Understanding, p. 894 10. Ibid. |
