jehovah's witnesses... please help?

Question

i have a question
I have been studying the bible with jehovah's witnesses for quite some time now
the thing is ...

how do i know this is not just another false religion? what makes this one different than others? Yes, I know it says it in the bible. However, the other false bibles could say the same thing.

Answer 1

The answer to your question about how you will know it is not just another false religion will be answered fro you in the course of your Bible study. If you have any doubts about about any specific scriptures, get yourself a parallel bible where you can compare several different translations of the same verse at once. There is actually a web site that has several translations you can look up verses. Here's the link to it http://www.biblegateway.com/. As for those who would try to dissuade you from studying because of questionings about dates consider this 2Peter 3:11-13 says " Since all these things -are thus to be dissolved, what sort of persons ought YOU to be in holy acts of conduct and deeds of godly devotion,  awaiting and keeping close in mind the presence of the day of Jehovah, through which [the] heavens being on fire will be dissolved and [the] elements being intensely hot will melt!  But there are new heavens and a new earth that we are awaiting according to his promise, and in these righteousness is to dwell." Jehovah's Witnesses, like Christs followers in the first century, eagerly await and keep that day close in mind rather than putting it off as something that will only take place in the distant future. The 3rd and fourth verses of that same chapter warn against ridiculers who in the last days would mock those who are keeping close in mind the presense of Jesus Christ. Jehovah's Witnesses are no different from Christians in the first century who longed for that day and kept it close in mind. Do not let anyone divert your attention away from the Bible by pointing out supposed errors in the teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses. As someone has already pointed out, Jehovah's Witnesses do not claim to be infallible but continuously search the scriptures to ensure that our beleifs are in harmony with the Bible. We encourage others to do the same.

Answer 2

You know when I found the truth I wasn't even searching but I studied anyways. I had Bible knowledge but it wasn't accurate knowledge.

I saw for myself what it said about Heaven, Hell, Death, Jehovah, Jesus and many other things. For the first time I wasn't just listening to what others were telling me the Bible said, I was actually seeing what it said.

Before learning the truth I always felt like I was "different" ... "special". Now I don't feel that way. Hummm that sounds weird. Maybe I'm not explaining it right... Let me try again. I didn't know I was looking for Jehovah, but I found him and now that "special/different" feeling is gone because I've got what I didn’t know I was looking for.

If we were part of false religion then we wouldn't be trying so hard to follow what Jehovah is asking of us. We would have the mental attitude that is common in today’s world of "As long as I'm a good person..." If it were part of false religion then we wouldn’t be hated. We would be "marked" as just another religion and generally left alone to do what we would do. If we were not in the true religion we would not have Jehovah’s blessings, the Bro's and Sisters would NOT have the power beyond what is normal to be humble to the people who are holding them in jail, starving them, beating, them and so on. The Bro's and Sisters would not be united around the WORLD because man is incapable of organizing and protecting 6 millionish people all at once. Only Jehovah can do that! Only Jehovah!

Answer 3

I am a Jehovahs Wittiness myself. The reason you know that we are different, is because we use the Bible. Almost every religion has a Bible. But they don't use it. Go ahead, look in every single Bible there is, it all says the same thing. Some religions, (not all) say they use the Bible, but they don't. That is the only reason they are different from us. I Hope that answers your question. And keep studying the Bible with the person you are studying with. And maybe, ask him (or her) the same question, he (she) might have a better understanding of how to answer it than I do. Don't forget, the Bible answers all of your questions.

Answer 4

Set aside the Bible and consider other issues of what make it or any church a true religion. They:

Believe in obeying the law, even the inconvenient ones, such as speed limits when late for work;

Believe in paying taxes, even though there are many ways they could avoid them, as many religions do;

Believe in keeping their word, such as to the IRS that they will not promote politics in the church, and they actually mean it;

Teache their youth that waiting until marriage is preferable to using protection, and for the most part, the youths actually believe it....As a result, they have the lowest rates of out-of-wedlock births and STDs....Yes, there is the occasional ones who would rather have their fun now than wait, but there are far more who choose to wait;

Treat their youth with respect, not just "do what you're told!";

Teache their youths side by side with the adults, the Bible as a whole, and not just Bible stories....The very young may not understand what they are being taught, but by the time you reach the age of understanding, they have a good basic knowledge of the scriptures;

Don’t allow their congregations to get so large that the individual gets lost in the crowd and since everyone is taught the same, it is easy to start a new congregation, with a set of elders;

Have members who know all other members, whether in their congregation, their city, or their county....When Katrina happened, they made sure everyone living in New Orleans could be found in Texas, with every individual accounted for;

Believe their Kingdom Halls should compliment a neighborhood, and not overwhelm it, so they are small and don’t include a lot of expensive decorative features....Each Hall can hold up to four congregations;

Encourage all their members to read the whole Bible and submit their thoughts to see whether the religion could be following God’s Word better...for 50 years they used the King James before the NWT;

Don’t pay or elect leading members or governing board....a fisherman or a carpenter can end up on the Governing Board of the Society.

Can have every member, over the age of 12 answer the following question without just referring to a secular holiday in May:
WHAT DAY DO YOU OBSERVE THE MEMORIAL ON?


Everyone else will falter around and perhaps come up with a day in May, but all JWs will say at sunset on Niacin 14, which falls on the first full moon after the vernal equinox, the Memorial of the Last Supper. This is the only day, aside from wedding anniversaries, that Christ said to continue keeping, yet Jehovah's Witnesses are the only Christian organization that does.

Whatever you may say about whether it is right or wrong to observe the man-made holidays created since the first congregations, the fact remains that Christendom does not observe the one day Christ said to keep. What does that say for the leaders of Christendom, that they ignore that one important day of the year, and don't even know what day it falls on?

The question of holidays gets asked a lot, yet the facts of why are clearly evident. Even the Churches of Christendom recognize that the holidays and observances are not in keeping with Bible teachings, yet they fear that doing anything about it will jeopardize their positions and power. Check any religious encyclopedia about the holidays and their history.

So the question is not why don't witnesses celebrate the holidays, but why does Christendom celebrate something not taught in the Bible? Further, why don't they know what day Christ said to observe and why don't you observe it on that day?

Whatever you may think of any of the other beliefs of JWs, you have to ask yourself is the need to observe these holidays more important than observing the day Christ said to keep?

Answer 5

I think that if you really look at all the members and how they conform their lives to meet God's standards set forth in his Word, the Bible, that you will see the differences. God knows your heart...

John 4:23: " Nevertheless, the hour is coming, and it is now, when the true worshipers will worship the Father with spirit and truth, for, indeed, the Father is looking for suchlike ones to worship him'"

Right before I had my first study with the Witnesses, I prayed my heart out for God to put me on the right path. I knew from years of studying (not with the Witnesses, my mom was a Methodist preacher) that I had not yet found the truth from other so-called acclaimed Christian writers (I read hundreds of religious, Christian books), anyway, the next day after I had prayed that, here come the Witnesses! I said: "OH NO!!! Not you guys, you work way too hard!" It is funny now because I know that all that they do is a privilege and a joy and doesn't seem like work to them, but rather an honor to serve Jehovah. That comment I made really made me think about it though. Would anyone work like they do to help people gain accurate knowledge if it weren't true? Of course not. Especially when you think that it is all done on a non-pay, voluntary basis. All they receive is the satisfaction of knowing that they serve the one true God, Jehovah! But really what more could you ask for! I really hope and pray that you stick with your studies! Pray for Jehovah to give you holy spirit to help you to know that this is the truth, and to apply what you learn to your life. Remember, the foundation of the Kingdom is being laid now.

Remember to check everything that you learn from your studies with the Scriptures..

1John 4:1: 'Beloved ones, do not believe every inspired expression, but test the inspired expressions to see whether they originate with God, because many false prophets have gone forth into the world."

Acts 17:11& 12a: " Now the latter were more noble-minded than those in Thes·sa·lo·ni´ca, for they received the word with the greatest eagerness of mind, carefully examining the Scriptures daily as to whether these things were so. 12 Therefore many of them became believers,"

Pray, Pray Pray....Jehovah will guide you!

Isaiah 48:17 & 18: "This is what Jehovah has said, your Repurchaser, the Holy One of Israel: “I, Jehovah, am your God, the One teaching you to benefit [yourself], the One causing you to tread in the way in which you should walk. 18 O if only you would actually pay attention to my commandments! Then your peace would become just like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea."

I hope this helped! You can e-mail me if you would like to talk further.

Answer 6

Well the equal method that we've got a private title and might love to be referred to as by way of our title alternatively of Man, Woman, Boy & so forth is the equal method that God feels. Psalms eighty three:18 says "May persons recognize that you simply, whose title is Jehovah,You by myself are the Most High over the entire earth." The undeniable fact that his title is recounted within the Bible suggests God wishes his title to be recognized & because we're his witnesses or fans, we're referred to as Jehovah's Witnesses.

Answer 7

Because the touchstones of truth that are apposed by religions.

God is one not 3 persons.
The true christian togetherness of love shared.
Persecution of their righteous standings
Doing the active preaching work
Teach the truth of the coming kingdom and paradise Earth.
The truth is not just based on emotion but on Bible knowledge.
Being a Christian is their life not what they do.
Everything Jehovah's Witnesses teach comes from God's inspired word the Bible not the teachings and traditions of men.
The fruits of their work produces are good and is fine to God.

Answer 8

It should be noted that brian; claims that we are a false religion, yet he knows nothing of our beliefs, which brings me to my point, you need to do your homework in order to make an educated decision.

I studied when I was in school, so I took advantage of the library, there I found the history of things, such as pagan holidays, the cross, the history of the trinity; but do make sure it is an objective source and not one that is promoting its own ideas.

Next, take advantage of your study, that is ASK QUESTIONS. Also be specific with your concerns, let the person who is studying w/you know that you are confused over Bible translations. There are numerous condensed Bibles and non-objective translations out there, that were not around when I was in school, so that would no doubt add to the confusion.

Last but not least, PRAY, you clearly want to draw close to God and serve him; so pour your heart out in prayer and he will help you to do so, as well as help you to learn Bible truths.

Hope this helps, and hope you don't give up.

Answer 9

im not currently a witness,,but i do know that to my knowledge,,,jesus states clearly to his followers that they would be recognized by their fruits,,,first they must love each other,,this is the greatest of the commandments,,also to love their enemy's even untill death,,,if you look around all other religions have tolerance for war's and take sides with government ideals,,like the war in iraq....therefore they do not follow the scriptures at all.....exodus 34;6 and 1 john 4;8, 16. if you read these and immitate the father jehova you will see the truth...the witnesses last time i studied had babtized over 700,000 people when the berlin wall came down....and recently i heard that this number rose to over 1,300,000 according to the watchtower back in 2001 or so...if this is so..the russian goverment put a ban on the jehovas witness work there.if it were not for the number of babtized or converted people there then maybe you woul'nt have to believe,,,,
if it is the truth then nothing will stop it or defeat it's goal..remember the scriptures call the truth a lucius tree ,,this tree started with one seed,,and it grows rapidly and becomes one giant luxuriant tree...................................

Answer 10

You can start by looking at the members of the congregation do they live by what they preach and teach or are theyonly christians one hour a week like most and after services go to the bar strip club or do they follow Jesus teachings and go from house to house teaching the same things Jesus taught do they have love among themselves is it their opinions they are giving or its it Gods word the bible that they look to for answers if they are completely different from the others and teach the truth not just what is expected or popular examine what you are taught from the Bible and I believe you will have found the truth that leads to everlasting life if you have any specific questions ask thanks Gorbalizer