When you discuss the divine name with Jehovah’s Witnesses, ask them if they will allow you to show them scriptures which stress the overriding importance of Jesus’ name—not Jehovah’s—because you’d like to hear their take on that.

The name the New Testament exalts most highly is “Jesus”

Ask the Witnesses if they would be willing to look at some scriptures and give you their take on them.

Point #1: The name above all other names is “Jesus.” (p. 221)

Ask the Witnesses, “According to the New Testament, what name is above every other name?” Most likely they will tell you, “Jehovah.”

Tell them, “That puzzles me because of Philippians 2:9-11. Ask one of them to read it aloud: “Therefore God exalted him [Jesus] to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Follow up with, “According to this passage, what name does Jehovah want us to exalt above every other name?”

Point #2: God chose for his followers to be called “Christians,” not “Jehovah’s Witnesses.” (pp. 221-222)

Have one of the Witnesses read aloud Acts 11:26 in their translation: “It was first in Antioch that the disciples were by divine providence called Christians.”

Ask, “Please help me understand. If God wanted the name ‘Jehovah’ exalted most highly, why did he, in his divine providence, have the early believers called ‘Christians’ instead of ‘Jehovah’s Witnesses’?”

Point #3: Jesus emphasized his own name (pp. 221-223)

Have the Witnesses read aloud the following passages (all quotations below are from the Watchtower’s translation). Point out that he could have said “on account of Jehovah’s name” or “for the sake of Jehovah’s name,” but he didn’t. Instead, he said “my name.”

  • Matthew 10:22: “And you will be hated by all people on account of my name, but the one who has endured to the end will be saved.”
  • Matthew 19:29: “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit everlasting life.”
  • Matthew 24:9: “Then people will hand you over to tribulation and will kill you, and you will be hated by all the nations on account of my name.”
  • Luke 21:12, 17: “But before all these things happen, people will lay their hands on you and persecute you, handing you over to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and governors for the sake of my name… 17 and you will be hated by all people because of my name.”
  • Acts 9:15-16: “But the Lord said to him: ‘Go! because this man is a chosen vessel to me to bear my name to the nations as well as to kings and the sons of Israel. For I will show him plainly how many things he must suffer for my name.’”
  • Revelation 2:3: “You are also showing endurance, and you have persevered for the sake of my name and have not grown weary.”

Point #4: The Father wants his Son to have equal honor with himself (p. 223)

Ask one of the Witnesses to read aloud 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.”

You can add, “If you learn that someone has been praising your son for his character and actions, are you offended or are you honored? Even if the speaker never mentions you in the conversation, you justly feel honored in that situation. It seems to me that exalting the name of Jesus does not rob his Father of glory. Exalting the name of Jesus brings his Father glory.”

The Witnesses will insist that they honor Jesus as God’s Son and chosen king. To that, reply, “Yes, but can you honestly say that you honor the Son just as you honor the Father as verse 23 says the Father wants us to do?”

Conclusion (p. 224)

The Watchtower constantly stresses with the Witnesses the importance of the name “Jehovah.” For this reason, don’t be surprised or discouraged if there is no apparent change in their attitudes or beliefs. Consider it a success if you have been able to plant some seeds of doubt about the correctness of the Watchtower dogma with regard to this issue.

If, on the other hand, this turns into a fruitful discussion and you are able to present your case for exalting the name of Jesus, you may be able to follow up with a discussion concerning the importance of coming to Jesus for salvation. 

Study Questions

Please read the following verses. How might you use each of them to show Jehovah’s Witnesses that the New Testament focuses on the surpassing importance of the name of Jesus?

  • The name above all names is “Jesus.” (Philippians 2:9-11) (p. 221)
  • God chose for his followers to be called Christians, not “Jehovah’s Witnesses.” (Acts 11:26) (pp. 221-222)
  • Jesus emphasized his own name. (Matthew 10:22; 19:29; 24:9; Luke 21:12,17; Acts 9:15-16; Revelation 2:3). (pp. 222-223)
  • The Father wants the Son to have equal honor with himself. (John 5:22-23) (p. 223)