Jehovah Witness

This letter was sent to me by a Jehovah Witness that came by my house in the summer of 2000.  Interestingly, she sent this letter a couple of months later.  Here on my website, I placed my response that I sent back to her.  As you read this letter, you will see why it's so important that you know what you believe and why you believe it.  Every believer should strive to be an apologist (a defender of the faith).

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October 19, 2000

Hi Mr. Rickey:

I enjoyed our brief bible discussion a few weeks ago about the Trinity.  Though I have not been able to return as I had intended, I am writing to share the following scriptures with you, not in the way of "foolish questions" which we are encouraged to shun (2 Timothy 2:23; Titus 3:9), but in the way of seeking and sharing accurate knowledge and to be ready to make a defense for the hope that I have (1 Peter 3:15)

The scriptures contradict the teaching of the Trinity.  The New Encyclopedia Britannica says: "neither the word Trinity, nor the explicit doctrine as such appears in the New Testament, nor did Jesus and his followers intend to contradict the Shema in the Old Testament: ' Hear, O Israel: The Lord or God is one Lord' (Deuteronomy 6:4)..."The doctrine developed gradually over several centuries and through many controversies...By the end of the 4th century...the doctrine of the Trinity took substantially the form it has maintained ever since." - (1976), Micropaedia Vol X, p.126

On each of the three occasions that Jehovah's voice was heard, Jehovah clearly identified Jesus as being in a subordinate position.  Matthew 3:17 "This in my Son, the beloved, whom I have approved."  Matthew 12:18 "Look, My Servant whom I chose, my beloved, whom my soul approved".  John 12:28..."I both glorified it and will glorify it again".  In contrast, nowhere is Jesus spoken of as "approving" "choosing" or sending his Father, Jehovah God.  The direction of authority is always seen as coming from Almighty God, Jehovah to Jesus, a mighty God (Isaiah 9:6)  Jesus himself reaffirms this at John 14:28 where he says..."The Father is greater than I am."  Additionally, Jesus talks of his father in the 3rd person singular** as in "His, He, And Him," never in the 1st person plural as in "We, Us or Our".

Jesus' Authority comes from Almighty God - Jehovah:

EYEWITNESSES acknowledged the source of Jesus' power:

Matthew 9:8 - "at the sight the crowds were struck with fear, and they glorified God, who gave such power to men." (Jesus has just healed a paralyzed man, and the crowd recognized the source of his power)

Matthew 21:9 - "Blessed is he that comes in Jehovah's names!"

Matthew 21:23 - "By what authority so you do these things?"

Mark 15:39 - "Truly, this man was the Son of God"

JESUS did not hesitate to acknowledge some matters were beyond the scope of his authority and the superiority of the father:

Matthew 20:23 - "this sitting down at my right hand and at my left is not mine to give but belongs to those for whom it has been prepared by my Father."

Matthew 23:9,10 - "...for one is your Father, which is in heaven.  Neither be ye called masters: for one is your master, even Christ." (King James Version) Clearly 2 distinct persons.

John 5:30 - "I cannot do a single thing of my own imitative, just as I hear I judge..."because I seek no my own will but the will of him that sent me."

John 13:16 - "...A slave is not greater than his master nor is the one sent forth greater than the one that sent him." (Compare John 3:16)

John 14:28 - "...the Father is greater than I am." (How can this statement be misunderstood?)

Philippians 2:6 - "Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something t be grasped..." (New International Version)

Revelation 1:1 - "The Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave to him...and he (Jesus) sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John..." (King James Version  1957) Clearly, 4 distinct persons are mentioned, no 2 being equal.

The Spirit is not a person, but God's active creative force:

Though some refer to the holy spirit as the 3rd person of the trinity, and, as proof, refer to texts such as a "Comforter that teaches,' 'bears witness,' 'speaks' and 'hears,' which seem to indicate personality, texts that speak of the spirit as being "poured" - Titus 3:6; as being "distributed" - Hebrews 2:4; as being "given" to us - 1 John 3:24; "filled with" "baptized with," clearly do not fit a person.  A few other examples that bear this out are:

Genesis 1:2 - "...and The Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters..."

Numbers 11:25 - "...Then Jehovah...took away some of the spirit that was upon him and put in upon..."

Matthew 3:16 - "...and he saw descending like a dove, God's spirit coming upon him."

Matthew 12:28 - "But if it is by means of God's spirit that I expel the demons..."

Mr. Rickey, these are but a few places in the scriptures that teach us that:

So true the bible's teaching, corrupt teachings and doctrines crept into pure worship as prophesied at 2 Thessalonians 2:7.

I hope to hear from you regarding your understanding of the above-mentioned scriptures and would be happy to look up any scriptural passages that shed a different light on the information.

Sincerely,

Your Neighbor

Jehovah Witness

 

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