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Preaching Door-to-Door Why live any longer with the uncertainty of whether you will be acceptable to God when you die? Discover how to have the assurance of Eternal Life! (www.4witness.org) |
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.:IS THE TRINITY A BIBLICAL CONCEPT?
While the Watchtower Society admits that the doctrine of the Trinity “has been the central doctrine of the churches for centuries.”—Should You Believe in the Trinity, p. 3, they deny that it has any basis in the Bible. They argue: “Moses reminded the Israelites that ‘Jehovah our God is one Jehovah.’ (Deuteronomy 6:4) Jesus Christ repeated those words. (Mark 12:28-29) Therefore, those who accept the Bible as God’s Word do not worship a Trinity consisting of three persons or gods in one. In fact, the word ‘Trinity’ does not even appear in the Bible.”—KNOWLEDGE That Leads to Everlasting Life, p. 31 Notice how in trying to refute the Trinity doctrine, the Society misstates it (“three...gods in one”). While it is true that the word “trinity” is not found in the Bible, this does not mean that it is not a Biblical concept. The word “theocracy” is not found in the Bible, yet it is a Biblical concept found prevalent in the history of the nation of Israel as recorded in the Old Testament. Although the doctrine of the Trinity was not formulated into liturgical worship until it was codified in the creeds of the fourth century, the concept of the Trinity can be found throughout the Old and New Testaments and in the writings of the Ante-Nicene Fathers. In the Scriptures, we read that there is only one God (Isaiah 43:10-11; 44:6,8; 45:21-23; 46:9), and yet the Father is called “God” at 1 Peter 1:2, the Son is called “God” at John 20:28, and the Holy Spirit is called “God” at Acts 5:3-4. The Scriptures also reveal that each member of the Trinity has the attributes of Deity and performs activities that only God can perform. Note the following charts:
Notice that the word “name” is singular (not plural i.e., “names”). Also, the definite article “the” is placed in front of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, thus implying plurality within unity. The Trinity is not Modalism—the view that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all one person; nor is it Tritheism—the view that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are three separate Gods. Although the Trinity cannot be totally comprehended, it can be apprehended and seen illustrated in the world of nature. Take, for example, an illustration involving three candles. Even after lighting each candle, they are still separate and distinct. However, when one combines each of the three flames together, they become one flame. In the same way, each member of the Trinity is separate and distinct, yet they are one God. As Walter Martin founder of the Christian Research Institute put it:
IS THE HOLY SPIRIT A PERSON?
THE JEHOVAH WHO WAS SEEN BY OLD TESTAMENT BELIEVERS IS JESUS.
“He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how do you say, ‘Show us the Father’?” —John 14:9 THE JEHOVAH WHO CREATED THE UNIVERSE “ALL ALONE” IS THE JESUS WHO CREATED EVERYTHING THAT HAS EVER EXISTED.
IS JESUS YOUR “ONLY LORD”?
If Jesus is not the “only true God,” but is rather just a “second God” under the True God, according to this passage, He must be a false God. While all other so-called “gods” (1 Cor. 8:5) are not “gods” “by nature” (Gal. 4:8), Jesus is by “very nature God” (Phil. 2:6).
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They are all there for me!
“I had Jehovah’s Witnesses visiting for six years. … The sad thing is now I have their beliefs in my head. So I put myself into God’s hands and asked for direction. …Well, the feeling of freedom is amazing. I am like a child, learning again for the first time. The reason I had to write to you was the Karen and Cindy conversations. Instead of me asking for help, one question at a time, they are all there for me!! It seems as if ‘Karen’ could read my mind.
It’s so lovely for things to fall into place, mainly that ‘What happens when we die?’ This was a very big issue for me. I was scared while I did not understand even the tiny bit I do now. It’s such a joy. Instead of feeling unworthy(were all sinners I know) and feeling I would never be saved or go to Heaven. So, please thank God and Jesus with me for such help.”
I have to tell you how your website saved my life.
“I have been a baptized Witness since 1995, and I have to tell you how you have saved my life. Every couple of years I get this gnawing sense that this is not quite right, that I am not 100% vested in what the Watchtower Society says. …Lately, I have stopped attending meetings and my daughter, 13, has begged me not to make her go back. So I have been praying and chatting with friends outside the organization…
…I can’t tell you my sense of relief when I stumbled upon your site and started to read the articles. I want to cry, but I’m at work. I can’t wait to get home because I am so excited I can barely stand it! Please, please, how can I meet others who feel this way? I sure could use the fellowship. Again, thanks for the work you do.”
God bless you for the difference you are making.
“My brother and I were raised by a Jehovah's Witness mother. I am 52 years old now and still haven't been able to shake the stigma of the experience. My brother wasn't as lucky as me and ended up taking his own life at 17. I have been through everything ... I can't express how much I appreciate what you are doing... God bless for the difference you are making.”
I do not feel so alone!
“Thank you for creating this website. After reading stories of former Jehovah's Witnesses, I do not feel so alone. My resolve to stay out of that religion has also strengthened. I have also come to realize that my depression, anxiety, and many other emotional scars inflicted by the organization and those in the ‘truth’ will take time to heal. But your website has also come to help me ... Thank you.”
Just as I was about to enter the Jehovah’s Witnesses again, God led me to your website.
“Hi…I am an Ex-Jehovah’s Witness from South Africa. ...I left the Jehovah’s Witnesses not because I did not agree with their beliefs, but because my wife could not handle it with me being a Jehovah’s Witness and she not. I became an anti-religious person. Then, just as I was about to enter the Jehovah’s Witnesses again, God led me to your website… Today, I prayed to Jesus for salvation after I read your article on your website…”
I’m so glad that I have run across this site.
“After reading the article that David Reed wrote on your site, I’ve looked at things in ‘a new light’ so-to-speak. ...I’m so glad that I have run across this site. I’m sure that it was the Holy Spirit that directed me to all of you!”
Your website is a great source for truth
“Your website is a great source for those seriously seeking the truth.… The Jehovah’s Witness elders shun me. I’ve known these guys for 30 years... Well, when I walk into the Hall they turn their backs to me. I have not seen my Jehovah’s Witness ex-wife, or daughter for two years. ...They hide my family from me. When I go to their homes, they smile with arms folded and say nothing.
The stories I read at your website were loud and clear - conditional love by the ‘brothers’! I have learned more in the Christian Church about unconditional love than 30 years as a Witness. When I accepted Christ, who He really is, the Holy Spirit opened my eyes to see both sides clearly. ...Without the Holy Spirit it is impossible to know the real TRUTH! Keep up your good work.”