Transcript THE CULTS 1
THE CULTS 1 The Jehovah Witnesses Study Outline 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. The History of the Movement The Doctrine of the Scriptures The Doctrine of God The Doctrine of Christ The Doctrine of the Church The Doctrine of the Sacraments The Doctrine of the Last Things Study Outline 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. The History of the Movement The Doctrine of the Scriptures The Doctrine of God The Doctrine of Christ The Doctrine of the Church The Doctrine of the Sacraments The Doctrine of the Last Things The History of the Movement The Story of Three Leaders Leader 1 – Charles Taz Russell 1852-1916 • Raised a Presbyterian in Pennsylvania. • Disliked the teachings of the Reformed Faith, particularly eternal punishment. • He was attracted to the teachings of 7th Day Adventists at the age of 18. • He led a Bible Class of 6 people who left the Adventists because they could not believe in a literal Second Coming of Christ. Leader 1 – Charles Taz Russell 1852-1916 • Russell’s group joined another likeminded group in 1877 led by N.H. Barbour. • The two separated over disagreements on the Death of Christ. • In 1879 Russell began a periodical called “Zion’s Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence”. • This marked the commencement proper of Russell’s new movement. Leader 1 – Charles Taz Russell 1852-1916 • By 1880 there were 30 congregations in 7 states. • In 1881 Zion’s Watchtower Tract Society came into being with Russell as the manager. • In 1881 he published the first of a 7 volume set that would be called “Studies in the Scriptures. • The first volume had a circulation of 6 million copies. Leader 1 – Charles Taz Russell 1852-1916 • 1889 – first headquarters purchased. • 1891 – Russell made his first international trip. • 1900 – first overseas office branch opened in London. • 1909-1914, Russell claimed to have sent out weekly sermons to about 3,000 newspapers in USA and Europe. Leader 1 – Charles Taz Russell 1852-1916 • 1912 – Brooklyn Daily Eagle proved that he never preached in the places where he claimed some of these sermons were delivered. • His periodical advertised Miracle Wheat which was proved in court to be no better than ordinary wheat as a result of the Eagle’s investigative journalism. Leader 1 – Charles Taz Russell 1852-1916 • 1912 – Russell attempted to sue Rev Ross of Ontario, Canada for criticising his movement. • In court he was proved to be a liar as he was never ordained and had no knowledge of the Greek language. • 1913 – His wife divorced him for “Conceit, egotism, domination and improper conduct towards other women”. • 1916 – died on a train coming home from California on a speaking trip. Leader 2 – Joseph Franklin Rutherford 1869 - 1942 • Born a Baptist and became a successful lawyer and substitute judge. • 1907 – became the society’s legal advisor. • 1918 – warrants issued for Rutherford’s arrest and 7 others because of the antiwar sentiment in his publications. • 1919 – set free. Leader 2 – Joseph Franklin Rutherford 1869 - 1942 • • • • The society set up its own printing press. Greater emphasis on witnessing. Records had to be filed with HQ. 1931 – The title Jehovah Witness was officially adopted. • WW2 – 3,500 JW’s were imprisoned for refusing conscription. Leader 3 – Nathan Homer Knorr 1905• Joined the JW’s at age 16 and when he was 18 he became a full time teacher. • 1943 – he established the Gilead Watchtower Bible School. • He established a ministry school in every congregation . He wrote books to help the people learn how to be more effective witnesses. • 1961 the entire Bible in the New World Translation of Scripture was complete. Study Outline 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. The History of the Movement The Doctrine of the Scriptures The Doctrine of God The Doctrine of Christ The Doctrine of the Church The Doctrine of the Sacraments The Doctrine of the Last Things The Deception “The Holy Scriptures of the Bible are the standard by which to judge all religions” “We shall let God be found true by turning our readers to the imperishable written word” THESE QUOTATIONS ARE FROM THE JW DOCTRINAL BOOK “LET GOD BE TRUE”!!! The Opportunity As the Jehovah Witnesses claim the Bible to be their final authority we can effectively use the Scriptures to combat their unscriptural teachings Interpreting the Scriptures • Jehovah Witnesses may only interpret the Bible in accordance with the teaching of the organisation. • Russell claimed that anyone who studied the Bible without his “Studies in the Scriptures” would be in spiritual darkness. Methods of Interpretation • Absurd Literalism – Banning of blood transfusions. • Take verses out of context and join them together from different parts of the Scripture to prove their point. • JW’s are so indoctrinated they cannot see a possible interpretation apart from that which they have been taught. They do not study the Bible for themselves. New World Translation • All references to God and Christ are capitalised. Never are references to the Holy Ghost treated in this way as they do not believe he is a person. • In numerous passages the text is distorted to indicate that Holy Ghost in an impersonal force. Study Outline 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. The History of the Movement The Doctrine of the Scriptures The Doctrine of God The Doctrine of Christ The Doctrine of the Church The Doctrine of the Sacraments The Doctrine of the Last Things Unitarian • They claim that God exists in one person. • The Son the highest of the angels and the Spirit is an influence. • They assert that the Trinity was pagan idea that became part of Christianity. • It is true that the word Trinity is not found in the scriptures. • Each of the 3 persons are referred to as God however, Heb 1:8, 2 Sam 23:2-3. • In the OT God speaks in the plural, Is 6:8 • He has a 3 fold holiness, Is 6:3 • The 3 persons are given equal dignity, Mat 28:19-20. Study Outline 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. The History of the Movement The Doctrine of the Scriptures The Doctrine of God The Doctrine of Christ The Doctrine of the Church The Doctrine of the Sacraments The Doctrine of the Last Things The Three States of Christ • He was originally an angel, the highest creature of God. • He was born of a virgin and became the perfect man. • He was not resurrected in body, only in Spirit. THE JW CHRIST IS NOT THE SAVIOUR OF MEN John 1:1 • The JW’s translate this verse as follows, “The Word was a god”. • Their translation effectively means that there is not one God but many gods of whom Christ is one. • They claim that the as there is not definite article (“the”) in the Greek they have the authority to insert the indefinite article (“a”). • In reality there is no rule that necessitates the use of the article and the JW’s are perverting the scriptures on this point. • This text is a proof text for Christ’s deity. Study Outline 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. The History of the Movement The Doctrine of the Scriptures The Doctrine of God The Doctrine of Christ The Doctrine of the Church The Doctrine of the Sacraments The Doctrine of the Last Things Two Classes of Believers The Anointed Ones • Number 144,000 • Faith / Repentance/ Dedication • They are justified and regenerated because they sacrifice themselves as slaves • If they live well they will be in heaven The Other Sheep • They are neither justified nor regenerated. • They are encouraged to be good witnesses to be sure of eternal life. • This is clearly a system of salvation by works. • All believers are priests and saints in God’s family. • The Scripture knows of no such division. Study Outline 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. The History of the Movement The Doctrine of the Scriptures The Doctrine of God The Doctrine of Christ The Doctrine of the Church The Doctrine of the Sacraments The Doctrine of the Last Things Baptism • Immersion essential • A symbol of their faith • The Anointed Class are given the baptism of the Holy Spirit Lord’s Supper • Once a year on the date of the Jewish Passover • A Memorial only • Unleavened bread and fermented wine are served • It is only intended for the 144,000 Baptism – the sacrament is unrelated to the baptism of the Spirit which is for all believers. Lord’s Supper – the scriptures teach that this is intended for all Christians. Study Outline 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. The History of the Movement The Doctrine of the Scriptures The Doctrine of God The Doctrine of Christ The Doctrine of the Church The Doctrine of the Sacraments The Doctrine of the Last Things The Hereafter • There is no eternal Hell, only annihilation. • The 144,000 will have Spirit bodies at the resurrection. • The Other Sheep will have physically resurrected bodies. • The rest of humanity will be raised also for the millennium. • If the Other Sheep and the rest of humanity pass tests they will be granted everlasting life after the millennium. A Second Chance After Death? • The Bible teaches that there is judgement after death – Heb 9:27. • All will be raised but for either glory or damnation – John 5:28-29. • What we do with Christ in this life will determine our eternal destiny – John 3:36.