Jehovah Witnesses can a person properly understand the bible with out your organization?

Answer 1

No. Joseph Russell taught that a person would wander from "the truth" within 2 years if they only studied the Bible. They honestly believe that only the WBTS can explain the Bible and that the average JW isn't capable of it by himself.

Here's the actual quote in its entirety, first published in "The Watchtower" (9-15-1910, Reprints, p.4685):

“Not only do we find that people cannot see the divine plan in studying the Bible by itself, but we see, also, that if anyone lays the Scripture Studies aside, even after he has used them, after he has become familiar with them, after he has read them for ten years - if he then lays them aside and ignores them and goes to the Bible alone, though he has understood his Bible for ten years, our experience shows that within two years he goes into darkness. On the other hand, if he had merely read the Scripture Studies with their references, and had not read a page of the Bible, as such, he would be in the light at the end of the two years, because he would have the light of the Scriptures.”

Answer 2

I've just had a look through your questions & answers.
What's this obsession that you have with these people? Are you afraid of them or something? Why do you feel the need to constantly criticize them? Do you call yourself Christian? Do you practise tolerance? Do you imitate the God you claim to worship?
Well, however you answer those questions will show to yourself whether you are a humble person or not.

I find JW's very pleasant people who spend their time preaching about the good news to anyone and they don't get paid either. The other religions could learn something from them! I've never had any other religion come & talk to me about the bible (only mormons once with their holy book).
So yes they do understand the bible, how can they preach about something that they can't understand?
If you know everything, do you go out showing people what you know about God? - No, I didn't think so

If I were you Will, I'd stop this mini-crusade you seem to have against these lovely people (or anyone else you have prejudice against) and start acting more like Jesus would. After all, if God is with the JWs then that makes you against God doesn't it?

Answer 3

Like LineDancer said, you're fulfilling Bible prophecy with your venom against us......that make you happy? Don't worry, we'll keep preaching until Jehovah tells us to stop :-)

Also, I was looking through all the "questions" you've posted about our beliefs. If you really want to know, why not ask a real live Jehovah's Witness, in person? Why are you hiding behind the computer?

Answer 4

Yes.

A person can surely "understand" the bible by oneself.

Although one can only follow Jesus directions to a certain point by oneself. That is why he established the Christian congregation. To teach others about the word.

To go out and make disciples in two's to the entire habited earth.

MARK 6:7 "And he called to him the twelve, and began to send them out two by two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;"

Did Jesus ever say to stop preaching?
Luk 9:60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.

Answer 5

Suzanne,

It is C.T. Russell, or Joseph Rutherford.

don't quote me because it's been a long time since I read the entire quote, but Brother Russell when on to say, that by reading the Studies in the Scriptures (all 6 volumes) a person would have almost read the entire bible, since it was quoted through out.

As to the honesty of his statement, all we have to do is look at the history of 'Christianity'

Most of what people call the truth is in effect reworded philosophies of men.

Plato taught the trinity and the immortal soul.

Yet, Jesus said to 'know the only true God.'
Paul said 'to us there is only one God the Father'.

Jesus said those who do not believe in him will perish or be destroyed.

Jesus said the soul will be destroyed in Gehenna.

With so many truths hidden in modern bibles today, by mistranslating and watering down God's truth.

According to 'biblegateway.com' to understand Col 1:15, you have to use Hellenistic philosophy, and the teachings of Plato.

Many people today say Jesus is equal to his Father, and yet when the Pharises accused Jesus of this.

Jesus answered:

I can not do a single thing of my own. I can only do what the Father has shown me.

Not my will but your will.

60 years after Jesus went to heaven, Jesus said 'My God'
Rev 3:12

In Rev twice the angel told John to Worship God, the One seated on the throne.

In Rev Jesus is called the Lamb of God, and the Son of God.

Yet many people read these verses and have no clue as to what they mean.

To prove the trinity you have to use improper english.

Snoopy was dog, is not proper english but many so called experts in Greek forget proper english to prove the trinity.

Before you came, I am. is improper english, but many experts in Greek forget proper english to prove the trinity.

Many so call Christians have developed 'Bible Dictionaries' to change the meanings of simple english words.

First born, which mean eldest or oldest, in english, now means 'foremost' in the bible.

'of all creation' in english becomes 'over all creation' in bible dictionaries.

No wonder so many are confused and miss the truth of God's Word.

Answer 6

One can only understand the Bible by means of holy spirit, since it was by this means inspired.

Therfore, one must find where that holy spirit is, which can be deduced by the fact that those who actually have said holy spirit display the fruitage thereof. These display that fruitage, which is discussed in Galatians 5:22, 23.

These would also be the ones who are doing their best to do the will of God. (Matthew 7:17-23)

That will includes preaching the good news of the Kingdom. (Matthew 24:14; 28:19, 20) Also practising self sacrificing love for one another. (John 13:34, 35; 15:12, 13)

They are always obedient to their leader, Jesus Christ, according to Hebrews 5:9.

Answer 7

Using a perfect translation of the bible, a prayerful sincere individual would eventually come to a set of religious beliefs which agreed remarkably with Jehovah's Witnesses.

This would be unsurprising, since Witness beliefs result entirely from prayerful sincere bible research, rather than from human tradition, Greek philosophy, pagan holidays, and false religion.
http://watchtower.org/e/pr/index.htm?article=article_04.htm

(Psalm 12:6) The sayings of Jehovah are pure sayings, As silver refined in a smelting furnace of earth, clarified seven times.

(John 17:17) Sanctify them by means of the truth; [God's] word is truth.

Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/20010701/article_02.htm

http://watchtower.org/e/rq/index.htm?article=article_14.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/pr/index.htm?article=article_04.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/dg/index.htm?article=article_11.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/lmn/index.htm?article=article_01.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/ti/index.htm?article=article_09.htm

Answer 8

Jesus and his followers had enemies. Jehovah's Witnesses obviously have enemies? WHY? Is it because they go to war and slaughter their fellow humans of another nationality or ethnic group? Do they overindulge in alcohol? Are they drug addicts? Do they clog up the local jails and prisons? Do they contaminate themselves with tobacco products and force others to breathe in second-hand smoke. Do they condone vile sexual practises like homosexuality. Do they participate in violent protests or other forms of civil disobedience? Do they keep Bible knowledge to themselves or are they willing to spend their own time and other resources to share what they know with others FREE OF CHARGE?

Why are Jehovah's Witnesses hated so much? Because as Jesus said at Matt. 10:22: "You will be objects of hatred by all people on account of my name." At John 15:18, Jesus also said: "If the world hates you, you know that it has hated me before it hated you."

So, Jehovah's Witnesses are not surprised that they are hated. But that does not deter them in their Christ-given assignment to "go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptising them, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you." Matt. 28:19, 20

Answer 9

Here's what JWs have been told by their organization leaders in this 1981 Watchtower magazine, which refers to those who dare to disagree publicly with what they teach:

"They try to sow doubts and to separate unsuspecting ones from the bounteous 'table' of spiritual food spread at the Kingdom Halls of Jehovah's Witnesses, where truly there is 'nothing lacking'. They say that it is sufficient to read the Bible exclusively, either alone or in small groups at home. But, strangely, through such 'Bible reading', they have reverted right back to the apostate doctrines that commentaries by Christendom's clergy were teaching 100 years ago."

Incredible! Is this a coincidence?

And as for 'holy spirit' understanding... the more JWs read Soc. literature in their Bible study, the more of 'it' they can expect to get. Of course, they can never expect to be anointed with 'it', as are their leaders who will always have more of 'it' than the rank and file.

Answer 10

I just love how JW's site the Watchtower publications (as Abidijah does above) as their source of reference and not the BIble, which should be every Christian's source of reference.

To answer your question, yes.
Holy Spirit is not bestowed only upon those left to partake of the Lord's Evening Meal (as they call it) or upon the Governing Body.
Jesus promised the helper to ALL his followers.

I understand scripture more now that I escaped than I ever did as a JW. While I was a JW I could quote WBTS publications and what they said was true about this and that more than scripture.

Let us all pray for those trapped in the clutches of that false prophet organization.

According to the requirements for Holy Spirit above, many non JW's fall into that category so he has answered the question but not in the manner he had hoped to. We all can have Holy Spirit upon us and understand the Bible. But we may never be able to understand fully that cult of JW's.