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Lutheran Church Missouri Synod |
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Sharing the Gospel With a Jehovah’s Witness |
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By Dr. Richard P. Bucher Oh no. Here they come again! At least you're pretty sure it's them. You've never noticed before how hard it is to see out the window when you're hiding behind the couch. Your conscience gets the best of you and you come forth from you're hiding place and move closer to the window. Yes, it is them. They're right across the street now. They're ringing the doorbell of Mrs. O'Malley's but no one seems to be answering. That's funny, you just talked to Mrs. O'Malley on the phone not more than 5 minutes ago. I wonder if she's hiding t . . . Wait! They're turning this way! You dive out of their line of vision and notice a particular smell. It's the carpet. That's strange, you've never noticed that the carpet smelled this way before. You conclude it's because you've never been face down in the carpet under the chair before. You tell yourself to stay calm. After all this is your house. Why should you let yourself be intimidated in your own house by complete strangers? You feel a new wave of courage. You rise from beneath the chair a different person, a more confident person, a determined person. You are determined that you are going to deal with this situation like an adult. No one is going to intimidate you. No one is goi . . . . "Ding dong!" That's strange, you've never noticed that the ceiling of the closet needed painting before. You conclude it's because you've never been sitting on the top shelf in the closet before. Ok. Maybe you've never reacted like that when Jehovah's Witnesses come to your door. Perhaps we can all relate to such feelings, though, when we see them approaching our homes: feelings of fear, nervousness, and irritation. The purpose of this booklet is to help you move beyond such feelings to effective and joyful witnessing. Remember Jehovah's Witnesses are people that Jesus died for and dearly loves. First, you will be introduced to the Jehovah's Witnesses through a short history. Second, you will see the major differences between the teachings of the Witnesses and the Bible. Third, I will suggest to you how to witness to Jehovah's Witnesses. II. A Comparison of Jehovah's Witness' and Christian' Teaching III. How to Witness to a Jehovah's Witness The religious sect now known as Jehovah's Witnesses was founded in 1870 by Charles Taze Russell, a slick leader and administrator. He was born on February 16, 1852, the son of Joseph and Anna Russell and grew up in Pittsburgh and Allegheny, Pennsylvania. His religious training was in the Congregational Church. But at a very young age he broke with them, primarily because he disagreed with them about the teaching of eternal torment in hell. In 1870, Russell established a Bible class in Pittsburgh, whose members elected him as "Pastor" in 1876. In 1879, a year after resigning as assistant editor of a small monthly magazine, Russell launched the publication, The Herald of the Morning. This eventually evolved into The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom, which today has a circulation of 17.8 million. Next, in 1884, "Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society" was incorporated which today is the nerve center of the entire organization. A big year was 1908, because it was then that the Witnesses' headquarters were transferred to Brooklyn, New York, where it remains to this day. When Russell died on October 31, 1916, his followers numbered in the thousands--his cult was firmly established. What kind of man was Russell? The answer to this question is of the utmost importance since the Jehovah's Witnesses are still in complete agreement with the teachings of this man. Walter Martin writes in his Kingdom of the Cults: As a speaker, Russell swayed many; as a theologian, he impressed no one competent; as a man, he failed before the true God. Russell traveled extensively, spoke incessantly, and campaigned with much energy for "a great awakening" among the people of the world. In the course of his writings and lectures Russell denied many of the cardinal doctrines of the Bible--the Trinity, the Deity of Christ, the physical Resurrection and Return of Christ, eternal punishment, the reality of Hell, the eternal existence and the validity of the infinite Atonement, to state a few. The honest fact is that Russell lacked training or education to justify his interpretation of Scripture. By this it is not meant that great education is a necessary qualification for exegesis, but when a man contradicts practically every major doctrine of the Bible he ought to have the education needed to defend (if that is possible) his arguments. "Pastor" Russell did not have that knowledge, or even the qualifications for ordination by any recognized body . . . Psychologically, the man was an egotist. . who once declared that it would be better to leave the Scriptures unread and read his books, rather than to read the Scriptures and neglect his books. Today Jehovah's Witnesses number over 1.6 million in 208 countries worldwide and over 400,000 in over 5700 congregations in the US. They are probably best known for their aggressive door to door proselytizing and the literature that they publish and disseminate. II. A Comparison of Jehovah's Witness Error -- The Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Satan originated the doctrine of the trinity among the ancient Babylonians and Egyptians. They reject this chief teaching of the Christian Church because it contradicts human reason. Evidence from their Writings "The plain truth is that this is another of Satan's attempts to keep God-fearing persons from learning the truth of Jehovah and his Son, Christ Jesus. No, there is no trinity" (Let God be True, 1946, p.111). Truth -- From the time of the apostles until now the Christian Church has believed two teachings of the Bible about God: 1) He is One Essence (Deut. 6:4; 1 Co. 8:6) and 2) He is Three, equal, divine Persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit (Mt. 28:19; John 15:26; 2 Co. 13:14). Not wanting to give up either of these teachings, true Christians believe both things about God, even though the two teachings seem to contradict each other. God is Three Persons in One Essence. This is the way God has revealed Himself in the Scriptures to us; we accept it in the spirit of Isaiah 55:8-9 though it appears to fly in the face of reason. To not believe in the triune God is to believe in a false god. Evidence from the Scriptures GOD IS ONE Deuteronomy 6:4 -- Hear O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! Isaiah 43:10 -- "You are My witnesses," says the LORD, "And My servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, nor shall there be after Me." 1 Corinthians 8:6 -- Yet for us there is only one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live. GOD IS THREE PERSONS Matthew 28:19 -- Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. 2 Corinthians 13:14 -- The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. 1 John 5:7 -- For there are three who bear witness in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. John 14:26 -- But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. JESUS AND THE FATHER ARE ONE John 10:30 -- I and My Father are one. John 1:1 -- In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. JESUS IS CALLED GOD John 20:28 -- And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and My God!" THE HOLY SPIRIT IS CALLED GOD Acts 5:3-4 -- But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? . .You have not lied to men but to God." Error -- The Witnesses hold that Jesus Christ is a creation of Jehovah; He is a second, created god-- inferior to Jehovah. They call him the "Son of God" and a "mighty god," but teach that He is not Jehovah Himself. The Witnesses also believe that Jesus has existed in three creature modes. Before He became man, Jesus was the archangel Michael. Then He became a human being for 33 years. After He was human, Jesus became Michael again. It is interesting that their false teaching about Jesus is very similar to that of the heretic Arius, who lived in the fourth century A.D. Proof from their Writings ". . .the true Scriptures speak of God's Son, the Word, as `a god.' He is a `mighty god,' but not the Almighty God, who is Jehovah" (The Truth Shall Make You Free, 1943, p.47). "In other words, he was the first and direct creation of Jehovah God" (The Kingdom Is at Hand, 1944, pp. 46,47,49). Truth -- The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ is God and man in one Person. He is coeternal and coequal with the Father and the Spirit in His deity. He is Jehovah. To call him a creature is blasphemous and a denial of the Christian faith. Evidence from the Scriptures JESUS IS CALLED GOD Isaiah 7:14 -- Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel [which means "God with us"]. Isaiah 9:6 -- For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. John 1:1,14 -- In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God . . . And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 20:28 -- And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and My God!" Romans 9:3-5 -- For I could wish that I myself were accursed, [separated] from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh, who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons, and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the [temple] service and the promises, whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen. Titus 2:13 -- looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. Hebrews 1:1-8a -- God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they. For to which of the angels did He ever say, "You are My Son, Today I have begotten You"? And again, "I will be a Father to Him And He shall be a Son to Me"? And when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says, "And let all the angels of God worship Him." And of the angels He says, "Who makes His angels winds, And His ministers a flame of fire." But of the Son [He says], "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever," 2 Peter 1:1 -- Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ. 1 John 5:20 -- And we know the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. JESUS CALLS HIMSELF GOD John 5:18 -- Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making himself equal with God. John 8:58 -- Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, Before Abraham was, I am." [cf. Exodus 3:14]. John 10:30-33 -- "I and My Father are one." Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him. Jesus answered them, "Many good works I have shown you from My Father, for which of those works do you stone Me?" The Jews answered Him, saying, "For a good work we do not stone you, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a man, make Yourself God." John 14:7-9 -- "If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him." Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us." Jesus said to him, "Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, `Show us the Father'?" JESUS HAS THE COMPLETE DIVINE NATURE Philippians 2:5-7 -- Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a servant, and coming in the likeness of men. Colossians 2:9 -- For in Him dwells all the fulness of Godhead, bodily. Hebrews 1:1-8a -- God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they. For to which of the angels did He ever say, "You are My Son, Today I have begotten You"? And again, "I will be a Father to Him And He shall be a Son to Me"? And when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says, "And let all the angels of God worship Him." And of the angels He says, "Who makes His angels winds, And His ministers a flame of fire." But of the Son [He says], "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever," JESUS HAS DIVINE QUALITIES Hebrews 1:3 -- who [the Son] being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His Person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high (He is All-Powerful). John 21:17 -- And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You" (He is All-Knowing). Matthew 28:20 -- and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age (Everywhere present). JESUS IS TO BE WORSHIPED John 9:38 -- Then he said, "Lord, I believe!" And he worshiped Him. Hebrews 1:6 -- But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: "Let all the angels of God worship Him." Revelation 5:13 -- And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying, "Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!" JESUS DOES DIVINE WORKS (things that only God can do) Colossians 1:16 -- For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him (creator; cf. also John 1:1-3) Luke 2:11 -- for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ, the Lord (savior - but see Isaiah 43:11; Psalm 49:7-9) John 14:14 -- If you ask anything in My name, I will do it (hears prayer). Luke 5:20 -- When He saw their faith He said, "Man, your sins are forgiven you" (forgives sin). Error -- The Jehovah's Witnesses blaspheme the Holy Spirit by saying that He is not God, in fact not even a Person, but God's active force [sounds like Star Wars, doesn't it?]. Evidence from their Writings ". . .The holy spirit is the invisible active force of Almighty God that moves his servants to do his will" (Let God Be True, p.108). Truth -- The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit is both a Person and God, equal with the Father and Son. Evidence from the Scriptures THE HOLY SPIRIT: speaks -- The Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabas and Paul . . ." (Acts 13:2) intercedes -- The Spirit Himself makes intercession for the saints. . . (Romans 8:26) hears -- However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth . . .but whatever he hears He will speak (John 16:13) may be grieved -- Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God . . . (Eph. 4:30) is called God -- But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? . .You have not lied to men but to God." (Acts 5:3-4) teaches -- But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things . . . (John 14:26) forbids -- Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the Word in Asia. (Acts 16:6) is blasphemed -- . . .the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. (Matthew 12:31) Error -- The Witnesses deny that Jesus rose bodily from the dead. They assert instead that He was raised a divine spirit being. The body that was crucified was not raised from the dead; it was a spirit being that was raised. Jesus only "appeared" to have a body after his resurrection, according to the Witnesses. Evidence from their Writings "The firstborn from the dead was raised from the grave, not a human creature, but a spirit" (Let God Be True, p.276). Truth -- The account of Jesus appearance to doubting Thomas clearly shows demonstrates that the very body that had been killed on the cross was the body raised from the dead, for it still bore the marks of crucifixion, which Thomas himself touched (John 20:25-28; read also Luke 24:39-44). Of course, Christ's resurrected body was a "spiritual body" (1 Co. 15:50,53) as our bodies will be after our resurrection (Philippians 3:20-21). Evidence from the Scriptures John 20:25-28 -- But he [Thomas] said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe ." . . Then He said to Thomas, "Reach your finger here, and look at my hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing." Luke 24:39 -- Behold My hands and feet, that is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have. Error -- Some statements are found in the Witnesses' literature that make it sound as if they believe that a person is saved by grace through faith in Jesus alone. However, studying their teachings more thoroughly and questioning their members reveal something very different. Essentially, the Jehovah's Witnesses say that faith in Christ's sacrifice is not sufficient for salvation. Good works such as study, using Watchtower publications, attending meetings, and door to door witnessing are necessary to be saved. Only those who remain loyal to Jehovah during Satan's little season will enter into Paradise. Evidence from their Writings "However, more than faith is needed. There must also be works to demonstrate what your true feelings are about Jehovah" (You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth, 1982, p.250). "Those who stay loyal to God will be judged worthy of everlasting life. Jehovah will give this right to them, writing their names in his `book of life'" (The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life, pp.112, 113). "Jehovah God will justify, declare righteous, on the basis of their own merit, all perfected humans who have withstood that final, decisive test of mankind. He will adopt and acknowledge them as His Sons through Jesus Christ" (Life Everlasting in Freedom of the Sons of God, 1966, p.400). Truth -- The Christian Church has always confessed the way of salvation taught by the Bible: salvation comes by grace through faith apart from works. It is a gift of God which cannot be earned by works of any kind. It can only be received by faith in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. Evidence from the Scriptures John 3:14-18 -- As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 6:40 -- And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up on the last day. Romans 3:28 -- Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the Law. Romans 5:1 -- Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Galatians 2:16 -- nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified. Galatians 3:10-14 -- For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to perform them." Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, "The righteous man shall live by faith." However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, "He who practices them shall live by them." Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us--for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"-- in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Galatians 5:4-5 -- You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness. Ephesians 2:8-9 -- For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. 1 John 5:1 -- Whoever believes Jesus is the Christ is born of God. Error -- The Jehovah's Witnesses teach that only 144,000 anointed followers of the Lamb will enter heaven and dwell there forever. The remainder of those who faithfully follow Jehovah will live on the restored earth. Those living on earth will be the subjects of the 144,000 who reign in heaven. None of the Jehovah's Witnesses alive today have hope of reigning in heaven. The best they can hope for is living in the restored paradise upon the earth, far away from Jehovah and Jesus. Evidence from their Writings "Rev. 14:1-3 says that 144,000 followers will be with the Lamb Jesus Christ on the heavenly Mount Zion. These are the only ones whom Jehovah God takes to heaven with his Son. All others who gain life in His new world will live in paradise restored here on earth" (From Paradise Lost to Paradise Regained, 1958, p.153). Truth -- The Witnesses quote Revelation 7:4 and 14:1,3 to prove their position. They boast that only they interpret these passages as they should be interpreted: literally. Unfortunately, they fail to notice that the 144,000 are said to be of the tribes of Israel, 12,000 Jews from each of the 12 tribes. To truly render this passage literally, the Jehovah's Witnesses must believe that only 144,000 Jews will reign with Christ in heaven. The true Christian Church takes comfort in the many clear passages of Scripture that promise heaven to all who believe in Jesus, rather than basing their hope on one or two obscure verses. Evidence from the Scriptures John 3:36 -- He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe in the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him. John 14:1-3 -- Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. Romans 6:23 -- For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 -- For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words. Revelation 7:17 -- For the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. III. How to Witness to a Witness General Tips 1. Pray St. Paul's prayer in Colossians 4:3-4 for yourself. 2. Never try to witness in a noisy or busy environment. Find a quiet place. 3. Throughout the conversation, stress what Jesus and the certainty of salvation mean to me. 4. Be tactful. Try not to offend. Never ridicule. 5. Don't waste time talking about non-essentials (blood transfusion, etc.) 6. Don't overwitness. Learn when to listen. 7. Your goal is to win a soul--not an argument. 8. If possible use your Bible as you discuss. 9. Ask the Witness what he believes about specific Biblical doctrines 10. Be patient! 11. Don't attack the reputation of Charles Taze Russell 12. Don't dodge questions the JW asks you. If you don't know, say so. 13. Don't let the JW control the conversation. Keep asking him questions. Things to Remember about Jehovah's Witnesses 1. They have been taught that all religion is a racket. They have been taught that Christians are "religionists." They have been taught that religionists are shallow hypocrites who don't live their faith and who persecute Jehovah's Witnesses. THEREFORE, BE LOVING AND TACTFUL AT ALL TIMES. SHOW THEM HOW LOVING A TRUE CHRISTIAN CAN BE. 2. When Witnesses come to your home they are coming to sell you books and to give you a canned sermon. Don't let them control the conversation. 3. When two Witnesses come to your door, the one who does most of the talking is the more experienced. Try directing your questions to the quiet (less experienced) one. 4. The Witness's goal in visiting you in your home is to indoctrinate you. They will try to "speak your language" so that they sound Christian. Once they have won your confidence, they will subtly try to put doubts in your mind about Christianity and present their teachings as a much better alternative. 5. Jehovah's Witnesses have schooled in certain proof passages. When he quotes them, always look at the context. Be ready to give him proof texts of your own, such as those found in this booklet. Question and Answer Method of Witnessing I strongly recommend using the Question and Answer method of witnessing when dealing with a Witness. When the Witness has begun his canned presentation, begin asking him questions about his beliefs in a friendly and inquisitive way. Say, "I'm really curious, what do the Jehovah's Witnesses believe about the Trinity, the deity of Christ, the Holy Spirit, salvation, etc." (Ask about one topic at a time, of course) This method forces the Witness to tell you what he believes. When he has finished, ask him if you can show him what the Bible teaches on the subject. Have two Bibles of the same version ready. If he refuses, ask him if he thinks it fair that you listened to him but he is not willing to listen to you. Look up as many verses as you can on each topic, asking him what he thinks each one means. 1. What do you believe about . . .? 2. If the Witness's personal views are at variance with what the Watchtower Society says, point this out. 3. Ask him to let you explain what you believe from the Bible. In Conclusion I hope you find the information and the methods contained herein, helpful. Remember that is the Holy Spirit and only the Holy Spirit who can rescue the Jehovah's Witness, not any human method or plan. The more you share the gospel of Jesus and your certainty of salvation with him, the more the Holy Spirit will be able to work. If you make yourself available to witnessing to these people by studying and doing what you can do, He will use you! Walter Martin's thoughts on the subject are a good place to end: Permit me to make this observation in a loving manner: there are no sure-fire ways. There is no series of propositions that is absolutely irresistible. There is no forensic logic that will crush all opposition of the cults. There is no panacea, no magic wand, and no push-button panel with a computer that is going to kick out your answers. Neither will the Holy Spirit give them to you by the process of osmosis. You will obtain the answers by studying and showing yourself approved by God, a workman who does not blush with embarrassment, rightly interpreting the Word of Truth. (Cult Reference Bible, 1981, p. 5) |
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