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Author: David Englund (page 24 of 90)

Our Need for Inner Transformation

Bible teach Ch 19

Click image to access this “Bible Teach” chapter on the Watchtower’s website

“Bible Teach”, Chapter 19, paragraph 7 (p. 186) says, “As described in the Bible, love for God is much more than a feeling… The Bible teaches: ‘This is what the love of God means, that we observe his commandments; and yet his commandments are not burdensome.’ (1 John 5:3). To be genuine, love for God must bear fine fruit. It must be expressed in actions.”

What the Watchtower fails to understand is that none of this is possible without the inner transformation provided by the new birth (see The New Birth Approach from my book, Getting Through to Jehovah’s Witnesses: Approaching Bible Discussions in Unexpected Ways, pp. 131-133).

You can drive the point home by asking the Witnesses to tell you honestly how they think they are doing at keeping all of Jehovah’s commandments. Are they certain if they died tonight that Jehovah would consider them worthy to be resurrected? Continue reading

Is God’s Love Conditional?

Bible teach Ch 19

Click image to access this “Bible Teach” chapter on the Watchtower’s website

With the Watchtower’s emphasis on works, it’s not surprising that the title of the last chapter of the book comes from a partial quotation from Jude 21—“Remain in God’s Love.” Continue reading

The Meaning of Baptism

Bible teach Ch 18

Click image to access this “Bible Teach” chapter on the Watchtower’s website

What is baptism all about?

“Bible Teach,” Chapter 18, paragraph 23 (p. 182) states that baptism “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit… means that a baptism candidate recognizes the authority of Jehovah God and of Jesus Christ. He also recognizes the function and activity of God’s holy spirit, or active force.”

This provides a good opportunity to use The Holy Spirit is God Approach from my book, Getting Through to Jehovah’s Witnesses: Approaching Bible Discussions in Unexpected Ways, especially pp. 193 and 197 regarding the “name” shared by the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Continue reading

The Contrast Between Watchtower and Bible Baptism

Bible teach Ch 18

Click image to access this “Bible Teach” chapter on the Watchtower’s website

After you have worked your way through all the baptism requirements set out in Chapter 18 of “Bible Teach”, ask the Witnesses to contrast that with what the Bible reveals about baptisms of people in the New Testament.

Take your time with each passage. Continue reading

Requirements for Watchtower Baptism

Bible teach Ch 18

Click image to access this “Bible Teach” chapter on the Watchtower’s website

Paragraph 4 (p. 175) of Chapter 18 of “Bible Teach” states: “Water baptism is a requirement for all who want to have a relationship with Jehovah God… To qualify for baptism, however, you must take definite steps.”

 

The chapter goes on to spell out no fewer than 15 requirements the Watchtower says you must meet before you can be baptized.

 

These are not matters left between the individual and God.

Rather, they are matters which Watchtower elders examine and evaluate.

This establishes a religious culture in which converts learn to be completely dependent on what a small group of elders thinks of them.

Later, you’ll want to contrast all this with the baptisms of people in the Bible.
Continue reading

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