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Sunday, July 7, 2013

P4 When They Knock - Jehovah Witness View of the Bible



2 John 10-11 "If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; 11 for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds." 


Yesterday we saw how the Jehovah Witness view of Jesus is inadequate. In today's post we want to consider what they teach on the Bible and authority and compare and contrast that to the scriptures.  To aid us in our study, I will be using the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 (hereafter designated "BFM 2000") to represent the viewpoint of Bible believing Christianity.  



The Bible & Authority
a. “The Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired and is God’s revelation of Himself to man.  It is a perfect treasure of divine instruction. It has God for its author, salvation for its end and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter.” BFM 2000     

2 Peter 1:21 states - "for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God." 2 Timothy 3:16-17 "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." 

b. It is “the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds and religious opinions should be tried.”BFM 2000


1 Timothy 4:13-16 reminds us - "Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching. 14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance withthe laying on of hands by the presbytery. 15 Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. 16 Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you." Jude 3 supports the idea of the Bible's unique authority - "Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints."

Even though this blogger is utilizing the BFM 2000 throughout this series, it is not viewed as on par with the scripture.  In fact the BFM 2000 explains how Southern Baptists view doctrinal statements in comparison to scripture:  That the sole authority for faith and practice among Baptists is the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. Confessions are only guides in interpretation, having no authority over the conscience."

Jehovah Witnesses view of authority makes the Bible insufficient.
a. Jehovah Witnesses believe that God has Jesus speak through the Watch Tower and Tract Society, which distributes its magazines and literature.

b. Jehovah Witnesses also teach that only the Watch tower can rightly interpret the Bible and communicate it to each Jehovah Witness. 

The problem with these two beliefs is that the first makes the Bible to be nothing more than a witness of Divine revelation with the Watch Tower being the true channel of God's voice on all matters.  The second statement makes the Watch Tower the final authority on all matters, rather than the scriptures.  

More Tomorrow............