Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Jehovah Witnesses at the Door

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A few days ago I received one of those visits from a couple Jehovah Witnesses. I thought “well good someone is at my door I get to witness the true Jesus too.” As most of you may already know they believe Jesus is the Archangel Michael and not God. After introducing themselves to me and offering some literature I replied “I have just one question for you. In the book of Revelation it say’s three times ‘I am the First and the Last.’” Then I questioned them “Who it that?” I received the answer I was expecting “Jehovah God.” I followed with “When did He die?” They replied “Jesus died, not Jehovah.” I agreed and stated “Jesus is the First and the Last.” I quoted the verses “…I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen.” (Revelation 1:17b-18 NKJV) I told them “Jesus is saying He is the First and the Last.” Of course they denied the Bible says that.


Here is the point where I learned a lesson I would like to share with you. They handed me their Bible with real small type and wanted me to show it to them. Here I am not remembering exactly where in Revelation it was at. For some reason I was thinking this verse was in Revelation 3 when actually it is in Revelation chapter 1. I was having trouble seeing such small type plus being in the wrong chapter I could not show them the verse although I quoted it word for word.

I think it would be wise to have a couple questions down to ask them the next time they come a knocking. One could go onto the internet and find some ministries who witness to Jehovah Witnesses and come up with some good questions which are challenging to their faith. The object is to plant a seed. We do not need to get into some big ole drawn out debate or anything, just be prepared to plant a seed. Of course it takes some prep work. One would want to spend some time mediating on the scripture and questions along with committing it all too memory. Of course, prayer is a must.

While I did not do the best of job witnessing to them, God can still use it because salvation is not dependant on me, but God. However that is not an excuse for not being prepared to “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.” (2 Timothy 4:2 NKJV)

And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
(1 Peter 3:13-17 NKJV)

I have decided to do some study and become prepared for when Jehovah Witnesses come a knocking. I do not need to become another Dr. Walter Martin or any other expert on the topic, but just get equipped with a couple questions with the goal of planting a seed. I also want to keep my Bible handy at the door because I know I would have found the passage quickly and easily from my own Bible. Another benefit would be when someone else comes to my door trying to sell something; they might see it and it will open the door to another witnessing opportunity.

What about you, do you have any Jehovah Witness witnessing experiences?

22 comments:

  1. Not so much with JW as with Christian Science. I knocked myself out coming up with scriptures and trying to persuade my inlaws. I know that God's Word is powerful and active and sharper than a two edged sword. But in my situation, it took a lot of love and patience and being still and letting God be God. Before their deaths, both my mother in law and brother in law gave their hearts to Jesus. Praise the Lord. Thank you, Ken, for your heart of intercession for people.

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  2. You are doing the right thing in being prepared at all times to witness to others. Thank you!

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  3. That's a good idea to be prepared!

    I had one experience once and it wasn't a good one. *wince* I was newly saved, and not very good at witnessing, nor did I know where any pertinent Bible verses were. In fact, I DID get into a drawn out debate (that it felt like I 'lost'), and ended up getting so angry I was shaking. I haven't thought of that in a long time, and now it shames me.

    I think I'll have to prep for if it happens again! Thanks for this!

    God bless you, Ken,
    Emily (from Extending Eager Hands)

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  4. Ken,
    Excellent verse to share with the Jehovah's Witnesses. That helps a lot. Thank you brother for the tip. :)

    In Christ,
    Joshua :)

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  5. Good job bro', I'm sure the truth got to them and we'll pray that their hearts will be open to accept and believe!

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  6. Hi Ken,
    Good for you! I too have JW's come to my place and I have challenged them as well, but so far they have an answer and tactfully avoid the questions I have.

    My tactic is to let them know I am a Christian and believe on the shed blood of Jesus and His sacrifice on the cross. Every time our conversation moves away from Jesus, I steer it back.

    If you do find some good questions to ask the JW's please put up a post, I would love to read it and know how best to witness to them.

    Blessings,
    <><

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  7. I run into a few of them at my work (we have to ask if they have religious beliefs that would interfere with their getting blood if they need it). Of course, they don't take blood and I want to just say, "Are you an idiot?" But that is not grace. They probably think the same thing about me. I can't witness to them at work, but I'm sure they see my cross necklace and 'forgiven' bracelet :)
    I'm not a scholar and wouldn't make a great debator...I just know that I believe in Jesus and the Word of God!

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  8. Hello Ken, There bible is different to ours, although they will go by the King James. So...in John 1:1 "In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God."
    This is what I get them on because their bible adds an extra word here.
    Theirs says, And the word was A God..
    So they make Jesus, A God... an extra one.
    There were three J.W. who translated their bible..
    I learned this back in the 1970's, yet could no longer find any referance to it.. one of these translators was supposedly involved in the occult??? Anyhow, their Bible have been changed in many ways, so use the K.J. version with them.
    I like the next verse of proof....
    "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."
    Isaiah 9:6.. Blessings Crystal

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  9. Karen-Praise God they came to Christ before they died.

    Clint- Thank you

    Emily- Dr Walter Martin once said "the average Jehovah's Witness can make a "doctrinal pretzel" out of the average Christian in about 30 seconds."

    Joshua- Thank you

    JC- Yes, lets be praying

    Child of God- That is always the best thing to do in any witnessing encounter, bring it all back to Jesus and they must understand why Jesus died on the cross.

    Allison- I have read that JW's do not have any assurance of salvation. That is why they work so hard trying to earn their way it. I also not a gread debator, just want to share the truth. I figure I do not have to win the debate, just let them hear the truth and trust God with the rest.

    Crystal Mary- Thank you for the wise advice and Isaiah 9:6 is excellent. Also they showed me a passage in Genesis where they changed "Holy Spirit" to "active force."

    Thank you everyone for your comments and may God bless you,

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  10. Ken I commend you in being prepared and witnessing. Thank you for the encouragement. Blessings.

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  11. Ken,

    I wanted to personally thank you for praying for my son Samuel. Thank you so much. I am grateful for you storming heaven's gates on my Samuel's behalf.

    Rachel

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  12. Ken, they recognize the KJV as the Word of God, so use it when speaking to them.

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  13. JBR- You are welcome

    Rachel- You are also welcome. I pray the Lord continues to heal him.

    Okie Preacher- Thank you for the info.

    May God bless each of you and thank you for visiting my blog and your comments.

    Ken

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  14. Hi Ken. I had a pair of JW ladies that came to my door on Saturday. They just left a pamphlet and went on their way.
    You are right that salvation does not depend on us. We simply tell the word. The Holy Spirit will convict and the word of God is alive and will not return void. It will do it's work. Even when we think we could have done a better job of telling. :)
    God bless.

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  15. Ken, I think you did what the Lord would have you do. Many Christians would have just not answered the door, knowing who they were. You did the right thing in explaining the truth in love! Blessed are you. Lori

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  16. Ken, we have many JW's knocking the door quite regularly. Each time after they have gone, after much discussion with them, I always say I will be ready for them, next time they come, but I rarely get around to it.

    Thank you for this wake up call, Ken. You are right, we should be prepared to witness to others at all times, as the scriptures say.

    God Bless you for this.

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  17. Vilisi- Oh yes, the Word of God and the Holy Spirit will do it's work.

    Lori- You are welcome.

    Carole- You are also welcome. I too have been there and done that, say I am going to be prepaired and not do it. But even if we only have a little something that gets them to thinking later after they leave and then someone else does the same and so on, they may end up seeing the truth.

    Thank you everyone for your comments. I appreciate them very much and may God bless each of you.

    Ken

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  18. Hi Ken -

    Good scriptural content and advise that you gave relative to preparation. Thank you for sharing this helpful piece. Also, thank you for caring.

    Perhaps you'll be inclined to have a Bible concordance handy, too. Often, that helps when we cannot remember where certain passages are located.

    Of course, we are to demonstrate love to all, including those of other belief systems. I cannot add much about witnessing to JW, as my experience with them is very limited.

    One thing that I will give them props about is that they DO habitual witnessing about their beliefs. I notice them outside the boundaries of houses of worship witnessing whereas I don't notice many Christians out in communities knocking on doors...

    We have mega churches but I sometimes question "Where is the mega witnessing to unbelievers?" A lot of people don't come to churches. It could be immensely helpful if more Christians knocked on doors and stood outside of establishments to witness about JESUS. JW DO it habitually. I have been a Christian for many years and cannot recall but a couple of instances when Christians knocked on my door, and I don't know of any other Christians who have had Christians to knock on their doors to witness of the gospel of the kingdom of GOD....

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  19. Hi Ken, I do get JW's at my door from time to time. They always say that Jesus is the Savior and that he is the only Son of God. What they don't believe is that he IS God! Most times I am on my way out when they come. I am saddened that they seem very nice but that they are lost. I always am very friendly, I thank them but I say emphatically that Jesus is God and it is only by acknowledging that he is God that you can be saved. They usually have nothing to add. I keep praying for them.

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  20. Hi Ken -

    I did a post today, Friday, June 17, 2011, that mentioned your post on Jehovah's Witnesses.

    My post is titled "WITNESSING TO UNBELIEVERS." I included a link to your blog...

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  21. I too have a JW came at my door. When I was 13, I let the JW come in to my grandmother's house and have a Bible study until my mother find out about it and told me many time to not to let her in but I didn't do it until I was sent to another family member's house than to dad because I having problems with my mother back than. When I moved back with my mother, I did not see the JW lady again. I guess that my mother told her not to come back again. Now I know that JW have many errors from their teaches and I find an ministry that teaches sound doctrine after many years of trying to find Biblical truth but pry that I will be saved. Back than there were JW's knocking the door quite regularly, but now it is rare but I never answer the door to anyone unless it my parents are at the door.

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  22. Meg,
    I am happy you came to this post and read it. Many people out there are teaching a false doctrine or religion and they can sound very convencing. You said "but pry that I will be saved," I pray that you be saved and find/have a great church home. It is the most important thing in ones life, to know Jesus and be saved. I hope you come back and leave some comments on my post so I can be a help to you in anyway I can. If you have any questions about Jesus and salvation, please let me know.
    Blessings,
    Ken

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