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NASB | John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | John 1:1 In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. [Gen 1:1; Is 9:6] |
Bible Question:
I'm not sure how he can interpret the phrase "the Word was God" (or even "the Word was a god" found in the JWs New World Translation) to mean being of the same thoughts, mission, and nature? How can someone have the divine nature of God and NOT be Divine/God himself? John 1:1 says "was God" NOT "thinks like God" or "has the same mission as God." If he prefers the NWT translation, I'd have to ask then, "is Jesus a true or false god?" If false, then why honor him at all? If true, then are there two gods? It's my understanding that JWs believe Jehovah is the Almighty God and Jesus is the "mighty" god; if that is the case, is that not polytheism? Does that not contradict Isaiah 43:10-12? I would also be interested in any explanation of why Peter, who quotes Joel 2:32 in Acts 2:21,says that name by which we are saved is none other than Jesus' name in Acts 4:12. Actually, if you look at Acts 4, you'll see several references to OT verses that Peter points to as being about Jesus, but when read in the OT, one learns the subject is the "LORD" (The all caps indicated the appearance of YHWH in the original Hebrew manuscripts, transliterated to Yahweh or Jehovah). Was Peter mistakenly attributing verses about Jehovah to Jesus? Or was he right? It's worth thinking about. Also, how about Hebrews 1:8-12, which has God (the Father) speaking of the Son and calling Him "God" and "Lord" (see verse 10) who created the heavens and earth. The writer of Hebrews is pointing out that the Subject of these OT verses is the Jesus...Actually the Father speaking of the Son! Looking at the NT verses (particularly verse 10-12), we have NT verses about Jesus that in the context of the OT (Psalms 102) the subject of the verse is the LORD. Was the writer of Hebrews in error? It would be interesting to have him read Psalms 102:19-27 and ask him who is the subject of these verses? Who created the heavens, Who is the same and whose years won't end? Be clear on who these verses are about first... Then, have him turn to Hebrews and read verses 8-12. On other JW topics, have you spoken about false prophecies that WT has given? It's hard to convince a JW of given up their theology if they maintain a strong belief in the organization promoting it, but if one can prove the foundation is weak, the theology crumbles. I don't know if this helps? In any case, may the Holy Spirit be your guide, I pray. In Christ Jesus, bcbloyd |
Bible Answer: Thanks again. He believes that Jesus is the Son of God, not God. He can't comprehend how the two can be the same. I've shown him Heb 1:8-12 and he admits that he has no answer for it and will ask his elders (which could get him into much trouble) I'm currently showing him the many verses that tell us that we are to worhship only God and verses that talk about worshiping Jesus. This too has him thinking a little more. Not sold yet, but at least thinking on his own (instead of through the watchtower) He admits that the JW's have been wrong before but points to the many errors other denominations have made like the spanish inquisitions. |