Often we are stumped when Jehovah’s Witnesses come to our door and ask all sorts of questions. With a little preparation beforehand, there are ways the Holy Spirit can use you to open their eyes and maybe see what God has to say about the Watchtower’s false teachings:
First, when they come to your door, say something like, “I have a question.” They are programmed to answer questions and will be anxious to answer yours. Ask them, “This guy online says the Watchtower teaches Jesus wasn’t raised in the same body that died on the tree (don’t use the word, ‘cross’ or they’ll get you off on another subject). Is that true?”
You’ve done at least three important things with your question.
- You’ve pointed out it is the Watchtower that has taught this false doctrine not the Bible.
- Your question has directed the conversation to a subject you are prepared to deal with, and
- Questions make them think rather than just recite what they’ve been taught.
If you’re nervous and mess up the question, don’t worry. God’s more interested in saving these folks than even you are. He’ll work with you.
They are trained to take you to 1 Peter 3:18 where Scripture says Jesus was put to death in the flesh and made alive in the spirit. Write in the margin of your Bible next to 1 Peter 3:18, “Revelation 1:10, ‘in the spirit” doesn’t mean “as a spirit.'” Ask (you’re using a question again) the JW, did the Watchtower tell you “in the spirit means as a spirit?” If they persist, take them to Rev. 1:10 to show John was “in the spirit” and wasn’t a spirit. So, “in the spirit” doesn’t mean what they think. Jesus was put to death by the power of the flesh, man. He was raised again by the power of the Spirit, God (Rom. 8:11). Make sure you point out it was the Watchtower that said Jesus was raised as a spirit and not the Bible.
Next, they might take you next to Acts 10:40-41 where Scripture says Jesus appeared to many but not to everyone. They will try to say He manifested Himself in temporary bodies so that He could strengthen the faith of His disciples. Here are some of the verses they will use to back that up. You can get them to take you to these verses by asking, “Where do you see that in Scripture? Did the Watchtower teach you that?” Make notes ahead of time in the margins next to each of these passages so you can answer them:
- 1 Cor. 15:45 says Adam became a living soul, and Jesus became a life giving spirit. There is nothing in the passage which would indicate this is an event which happened at the resurrection of Jesus. More likely it is speaking of the time of the creation of Adam when Jesus, who was not in physical form at the time, gave life to Adam.
Next, they will show you portions of Scripture where Jesus was not recognized after His resurrection and try to tell you He manifested other bodies. Make notes ahead of time next to these passages so you’ll remember the answers you can give to your JW friend. And be sure to point out it was the Watchtower that taught them this:
- John 20:11-16 — Mary didn’t recognize Him. – She wasn’t looking at him while she was weeping. She turned to see Him and then recognized Him (vs. 16).
- Luke 24:13-35 — The disciples on the road to Emmaus didn’t recognize Him. – Their eyes were prevented from doing so. It wasn’t Jesus in another body, it was their eyes (vs. 16 & 31)
- John 21:4-14 — The disciples didn’t recognize Jesus when they were fishing. — Comparing Scripture with Scripture, it may well have been their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him as in Luke 24. It may also be a result of the terrific beating Jesus received prior to His crucifixion. Isaiah says He was beaten more than any man (Isa. 52:14)
And, that’s about all the JW’s have to offer. Here are some passages you might ask them to explain, though. You might even ask if the Bible disagrees with what the Watchtower teaches, which would they believe:
- John 2:18-22 — Jesus predicted He would raise His own body from the grave. Ask the JW if Jesus ever lied and if this is what the Watchtower teaches.
- Luke 24:36-39 — Jesus showed the disciples (except for Thomas) His body of flesh and bone and even proclaimed that He was NOT a spirit. Ask the JW if Jesus deceived His disciples here or did the Watchtower deceive him.
- John 20:26-28 — Jesus shows Himself to Thomas and asks Thomas to examine His body to see that He was raised from the dead. Ask the JW if Jesus deceived Thomas.
If, during your conversation, the JW asks you something you can’t answer, tell him you will write it down and have an answer for him the next time he comes. Or maybe you could email the answer to him.
Keep him on topic. “That’s interesting, but we haven’t finished with this passage yet,” is a good way to keep the conversation on track.
The verses I’ve listed above that JWs use are straight from their manual of what to say. These are the verses they will use. Be prepared for these passages.
So, with a little note-taking in the margins of our Bibles and some patience with a deceived individual or two, we can now share the Gospel with our JW neighbors and maybe even see them respond. If you’re anxious to try this, you can spot them in town with their magazine racks. Walk up and ask, “This guy online says…..” Share with them the Truth, and love them.
I have talked with Jehovah’s Witnesses for over 45 years and have yet to see one come to the Lord on the doorstep. It usually takes time for the Holy Spirit to work on them. Our job is not to save people, that’s the job of the Holy Spirit. Our job is to plant and water. God brings forth the increase (1 Cor 3:7). Love them. Most JWs come to Christ through the love of Christians, and always remember these are people for whom Christ died.
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