tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65748589400693855992024-03-06T16:44:10.344+08:00Jesus is Jehovah!My commentary on the Bible's teaching that Jesus of the New Testament is Jehovah of the Old Testament come in the flesh, and on Jehovah's Witness issues. I am an Australian evangelical Christian in my 60s and have never been a Jehovah's Witness.Stephen E. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16183223752386599799noreply@blogger.comBlogger101125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574858940069385599.post-9976382530424296612012-12-13T12:35:00.000+08:002016-05-05T07:48:24.382+08:00Jesus IS Jehovah!<p><b>This blog is now inactive</b>. I will not publish any more blog posts to it and comments under my posts are now closed. I am concentrating all my efforts on my <a href="http://theshroudofturin.blogspot.com.au/">The Shroud of Turin</a> blog.</p><p>I have decided to repost my "<a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/jesus-is-jehovah.html">Jesus <i>is</i> Jehovah!</a>" one-page summary of the Bible's teaching that Jesus Christ of the New Testament is Jehovah of the Old Testament, come in the flesh, so it stays on top as <b>my last post to this blog</b>. I have lost interest in opposing JWism, my primary blogging focus now being my <a href="http://theshroudofturin.blogspot.com.au/">The Shroud of Turin </a>blog.</p><hr><p>I have decided to post here a one-page summary of the Bible's teaching that Jesus Christ of the New Testament is Jehovah of the Old Testament, come in the flesh. As such it can be printed out by Christians and used as a witnessing tool to Jehovah's Witnesses.</p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEistRMYJs33vG3E8m4m0i9rI9z7h3Pio5ok2lfpYXej9EHeyV0a68Xxs5cZ411YBMCGNqm2RcaQqgUtvIegcHs8_XhnXVbehZ3J3fo385rwkTI1s5uJrUHLxW2EMGg4RNmxEpqf7LojBOs/s1600/CetnarWheel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEistRMYJs33vG3E8m4m0i9rI9z7h3Pio5ok2lfpYXej9EHeyV0a68Xxs5cZ411YBMCGNqm2RcaQqgUtvIegcHs8_XhnXVbehZ3J3fo385rwkTI1s5uJrUHLxW2EMGg4RNmxEpqf7LojBOs/s320/CetnarWheel.JPG" /></a> <p>[Above (click to enlarge): "Jesus is Yahweh" wheel, Cetnar, W.I. & J., 1983, "<a href="http://tinyurl.com/7zz2xbm">Questions for Jehovah's Witnesses</a>," Bill & Joan Cetnar: Kunkletown PA, Reprinted, 2001, back cover.]</p><p>Up to now, I have had to refer to my one-page "<a href="http://tinyurl.com/72eekun">Jesus <i>is</i> Jehovah!</a>" post on my <a href="http://tinyurl.com/7lov36z">CreationEvolutionDesign</a> blog, which I posted there before I had started this Jesus <i>is</i> Jehovah! blog. I have largely followed the outline of that post. I have also mostly used the <a href="http://tinyurl.com/3l59xk5">American Standard Version</a> (1901) because it translated the Hebrew הוהי (<i>YHWH</i>) as "Jehovah."</p> <p><hr><p><b><center>JESUS <i>IS</i> JEHOVAH!</center></b></p><p><a name="intro"></a><b>1. INTRODUCTION</b><br><b>Why I use "Jehovah" instead of "Yahweh"</b> "Jehovah" is the common English translation of the Hebrew <i>YHWH</i>; being three syllables it may be closer to the original than "Yahweh"; and it is the translation adopted by the <a href="http://tinyurl.com/yj89zl9">Watchtower Bible & Tract Society</a> in the name "<a href="http://tinyurl.com/aah2v">Jehovah's Witnesses</a>." If Jesus <i>is</i> Jehovah, which the Watchtower denies, then Jehovah's Witnesses are not <i>Jehovah's</i> witnesses.</p><p><b>What I mean by "Jesus <i>is</i> Jehovah</b>" is that Jesus Christ of the New Testament is Jehovah of the Old Testament, come in the flesh. As Jehovah promised/warned in the Old Testament that He would come to Israel/Jerusalem in Person (<a href="http://tinyurl.com/8yodlml">Isa 40:3; Zep 3:14-15; Zec 2:10-11; 9:9; Mal 3:1</a>).</p><p><b>What I don't mean by "Jesus <i>is</i> Jehovah</b>" is that the Son is the Father. That Jesus is Jehovah does not preclude the other two Persons of the Holy Trinity (<a href="http://tinyurl.com/88jamet">Mt 28:19; 2Cor 13:14; 1Pet 1:2</a>): the Father and the Holy Spirit (<a href="http://tinyurl.com/7w3wg6e">Ps 139:7; Isa 40:13 = Rom 11:34 & 1Cor 2:16; Mk 3:28-29; Acts 5:3-4; 13:2; 28:25-27; 2Cor 3:17; Heb 3:7-11 = Ps 95:7-11; Heb 10:15-17 = Jer 31:33</a>), also being Jehovah: the <i>one</i> Triune God.</p><p><b>Plurality in God/Jehovah in the Old Testament</b> There are indications of plurality within God/Jehovah in the Old Testament:<ul><li> <b><i>Elohim</i> [God] is plural</b> The usual Hebrew word for "God" [<i>elohim</i>] is plural. Personal pronouns "us" and "our" are used by God/Jehovah of Himself (<a href="http://tinyurl.com/7sgkeeb">Gn 1:26; 3:22, 11:7; Isa 6:8</a>).</li><br><li><b>"One" [Heb. <i>'echad</i>] can mean a <i>compound</i> unity</b> The Hebrew word for "one" [<i>'echad</i>] in "Jehovah our God is one" (<a href="http://tinyurl.com/6r9vgg5">Dt 6:4</a>) can mean a compound unity. The same Heb. word <i>'echad</i> is used of the "one flesh" of husband and wife; "one people" comprising many individuals; "one voice" of "all the people"; "one cluster of grapes"; and "one stick" joined to "another stick" making a compound "one stick" (<a href="http://tinyurl.com/86zbeab">Gn 2:24; 11:6; 34:16,22; Ex 24:3; Num 13:23; Eze 37:16-17</a>).</li><br><li> <b>More than one "Jehovah"</b> In the account of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham addressed his three visitors collectively as "Jehovah" (<a href="http://tinyurl.com/d4ug9dp">Gn 18:1-5,9</a>); and later Jehovah on earth made it rain sulphur and fire from Jehovah in heaven (<a href="http://tinyurl.com/c9u2gmj">Gn 19:24</a>). "Jehovah" sends "Jehovah" (<a href="http://tinyurl.com/d99rkhf">Zec 2:8-11; Isa 48:12,16</a>). And in <a href="http://tinyurl.com/cfkkopq">Zec 3:2</a> "Jehovah" says to Satan, "Jehovah rebuke thee, O Satan."</li><br><li><b>Spirit of Jehovah/God & Word of Jehovah/God</b> The "Spirit of Jehovah/God" is Jehovah (<a href="http://tinyurl.com/7gcdmx8">Job 33:4; Ps 139:7; Isa 40:13</a>), yet is distinct from Jehovah (<a href="http://tinyurl.com/8xtm6b2">Ex 31:1-3; Ps 104:30; Isa 11:2; 42:1; 48:16; 63:10</a>). Both the Spirit of Jehovah/God (<a href="http://tinyurl.com/6o8unns">Gn 1:2; Job 33:4; Ps 104:30</a>), and the Word of Jehovah/God (<a href="http://tinyurl.com/7equy8o">Gn 1:3,6,9,11,14,20,24,26; Ps 33:6-9; Jn 1:1-3; Heb 11:3, 2Pet 3:5</a>) were active in Creation.</li><br><li> <b>Angel of Jehovah</b> The angel of Jehovah/God speaks and acts as Jehovah/God (<a href="http://tinyurl.com/cau3v3l">Gn 16:10; 22:11-12, 15-18; 31:11-13; 28:13; Ex 3:1-6</a>); has Jehovah's name in him (<a href="http://tinyurl.com/2au7jdu">Ex 23:20-23</a>) and is called "Jehovah" or "God" (<a href="http://tinyurl.com/7yfqrdl">Gn 16:10-13; 32:24-30; Jdg 13:2-3,22; Zec 3:1-2</a>). </li></ul></p><p><b><a name="Jesusclaimed"></a>2. JESUS CLAIMED TO BE JEHOVAH</b><br><b>I AM</b> Jesus claimed to be "I AM" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:24,28,58;%2013:19;%2018:5-6&version=ASV">Jn 8:24,28,58; 13:19; 18:5-6</a>). The "I am he" in the original Greek of those verses is <i>ego eimi</i> - "I am" - with no "he". In the Greek Old Testament (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Septuagint">Septuagint or LXX</a>) <i>ego eimi</i> - "I AM" - is the self-designation of Jehovah (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%203:14-15;%20Dt%2032:39;%20Isa.%2041:4;%2043:10;%2046:4;%2052:6&version=ASV">Ex 3:14-15; Dt 32:39; Isa. 41:4; 43:10; 46:4; 52:6</a>). In particular, Jesus claimed to be Jehovah in His statements that, "Before Abraham was born, I am [<i>ego eimi</i>]" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:58&version=ESV">Jn 8:58</a> ESV), and "unless you believe that I am [<i>ego eimi</i> - no "he"] ... you will die in your sins" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:24&version=ESV">Jn 8:24</a> ESV). Likewise, Jesus also claimed to be Jehovah when He walked on the stormy sea and told the disciples in their sinking boat to, "Take heart; it is I" (<i>ego eimi</i> - "I AM") (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2014:23-27;%20Mk%206:47-50;%20Jn%206:16-20&version=ESV">Mt 14:23-27; Mk 6:47-50; Jn 6:16-20</a> ESV).</p><p><b>Shepherd</b> Jesus claimed to be "the Good Shepherd" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2010:11,14&version=ASV">Jn 10:11,14</a>). Jesus is the "Great Shepherd of the sheep," "the Shepherd," "the Chief Shepherd" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Heb%2013:20;%201Pet%202:25;%205:4;%20Rev%207:17&version=ASV">Heb 13:20; 1Pet 2:25; 5:4; Rev 7:17</a>). But Jehovah is the Shepherd of His sheep (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2023:1;%20Isa%2040:10-11;%20Eze%2034:15&version=ASV">Ps 23:1; Isa 40:10-11; Eze 34:15</a>).</p><p><b>First and Last</b> Jesus claimed to be "<i>the</i> first and <i>the</i> last" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev%201:17-18;%202:8;%2022:13,16&version=ASV">Rev 1:17-18; 2:8; 22:13,16</a>). But Jehovah is <i>the</i> first and <i>the</i> last (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2041:4;%2044:6;%2048:12,17&version=ASV">Isa 41:4; 44:6; 48:12,17</a>). And there cannot be two "<i>the</i> first and <i>the</i> lasts! Jesus also claimed to be "<i>the</i> Alpha and <i>the</i> Omega" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev%2021:6;%2022:13&version=ASV">Rev 21:6; 22:13</a>). But "the Lord God ... the Almighty" is "<i>the</i> Alpha and <i>the</i> Omega" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev%201:8&version=ASV">Rev 1:8</a>).</p><p><b><a name="Jesusisstated"></a>3. JESUS IS STATED/IMPLIED TO BE JEHOVAH</b><br><b>Jesus is Jehovah God</b> Jesus <i>blessed</i> Thomas for his confession that Jesus was "<i>the</i> Lord of me and <i>the</i> God of me" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2020:28-29&version=ASV">Jn 20:28-29</a>).</p><p><b>Jesus is Jehovah</b> "Jesus is Lord" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom%2010:9;1Cor%2012:3;%20Php%202:10-11;&version=ASV">Rom 10:9; 1Cor 12:3; Php 2:10-11</a>). If the Watchtower was consistent in its stated policy of substituting "Jehovah" for Gk. <i>kyrios</i> in its NWT New Testament, where it is a quote from the Old Testament that includes the name of "Jehovah", then it would have translated <a href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/bible/philippians/2/#v-11">Php 2:11</a> NWT as: <blockquote>"and every tongue should openly acknowledge that Jesus Christ is JEHOVAH" </blockquote></p><p>because <a href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/bible/philippians/2/#v-10">Php 2:10-11</a> NWT is a quote from <a href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/bible/isaiah/45/#v-23">Isa 45:23</a> NWT, where Paul has substituted "Jesus" for "Jehovah"!</p><p><b>Jesus is the only Lord</b> "there is ... one Lord, Jesus Christ"; "There is ... one Lord"; "our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%208:6;%20Eph%204:4-5;%20Jude%201:4&version=ASV">1Cor 8:6; Eph 4:4-5; Jude 4</a>).<p></p><b>Jesus is Jehovah seen in the OT</b> All the appearances of Jehovah/God in the OT were the pre-incarnate Christ (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:18;%205:37;%206:46;%20Col%201:15;%201Tim%206:16,%201Jn%204:12&version=ASV">Jn 1:18; 5:37; 6:46; Col 1:15; 1Tim 6:16, 1Jn 4:12</a>). When Isaiah saw Jehovah's glory, he saw the pre-incarnate Jesus' glory (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2012:37-41;%20Isa%206:1-10&version=ASV">Jn 12:37-41; Isa 6:1-10</a>).<p></p><b>Jesus is Jehovah of the Exodus</b> Jesus is the "I AM" of the burning bush (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:58;%20Ex%203:2,14&version=ASV">Jn 8:58; Ex 3:2,14</a>). "Jesus saved a people out of the land of Egypt" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jude+1:5&version=ESV">Jude 4</a> ESV). Christ accompanied the Israelites out of Egypt (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%2010:1-4&version=ASV">1Cor 10:4</a>). Some of the Israelites of the Exodus "put Christ to the test ... and were destroyed by serpents" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%2010:9;%20Num%2021:5-6&version=ESV">1Cor 10:9; Num 21:5-6</a> ESV). "Moses ... considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%2011:24-26&version=ESV">Heb 11:24-26</a> ESV). But it was <i>Jehovah</i> who reproached Moses (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%204:14;%20Num%2020:11-13;%2027:14;%20Dt%2032:51&version=ESV">Ex 4:14; Num 20:11-13; 27:14; Dt 32:51</a>).</p><p><a name="Jehovah'snames"></a><b>4. JEHOVAH'S NAMES & TITLES ARE APPLIED TO JESUS</b><br><b>Jehovah</b> Jesus' name in Hebrew (<i>Yeshua</i>) means "Jehovah is salvation" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%201:21&version=ASV">Mt 1:21</a>). It is the name that the Father gave Him (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2017:11-12&version=ASV">Jn 17:11-12</a>). "Jesus" is now "the name which is <i>above every name</i>" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Php%202:9-10&version=ASV">Php 2:9-10</a>). There is now "<i>no other name</i> under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved" but "Jesus" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%204:10-12&version=NIV">Acts 4:10-12</a>).</p><p><b>God</b> Jesus is "the God [Gk. <i>ho Theos</i>] with us" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%201:23&version=ASV">Mt 1:23</a>); "the great God and our Saviour" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Tit%202:13&version=ASV">Tit 2:13</a>). Jesus is the Word who in the beginning was with God, and who was God (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:1&version=ASV">Jn 1:1</a>); who is by nature God (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Php%202:5-6&version=NIV">Php 2:5-6</a> NIV). He is God the Son (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Heb%201:8&version=ASV">Heb 1:8</a>); "God over all" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom%209:5&version=ASV">Rom 9:5</a>); in whom "the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Col%202:9&version=ESV">Col 2:9</a> ESV). To Christians Jesus is "my Lord and my God" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2020:28&version=ASV">Jn 20:28</a>); "our God and Savior" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2Pet%201:1&version=ASV">2Pet 1:1</a>).</p><p><b>Son of God</b> Jesus claimed to be "<i>the</i> Son of God" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mk%2014:61-62;%20Jn%2010:36;%2011:4&version=ASV">Mk 14:61-62; Jn 10:36; 11:4</a>); or simply "the Son" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2011:27;%2024:36;%2028:19;%20Mk%2013:32;%20Lk%2010:22;%20Jn%203:35-36;%205:19-23,26;%206:40;%208:35-36;%2014:13;%2017:1&version=ASV">Mt 11:27; 24:36; 28:19; Mk 13:32; Lk 10:22; Jn 3:35-36; 5:19-23,26; 6:40; 8:35-36; 14:13; 17:1</a>). Jesus was <i>uniquely</i> the Son of God: He distinguished between His "my Father" and others' "your Father" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:38;%2020:17&version=ASV">Jn 8:38; 20:17</a>). He spoke of God as "my Father" in a unique sense (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%207:21;%2010:32-33;%2011:27;%2012:50;%2016:17;%2018:10,19;%2020:23;%2025:34;%2026:39,42;%2026:53&version=ASV">Mt 7:21; 10:32-33; 11:27; 12:50; 16:17; 18:10,19; 20:23; 25:34; 26:39,42; 26:53</a>; <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Lk%2010:22;%2022:29;%2024:49&version=ASV">Lk 10:22; 22:29; 24:49</a>; <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%205:17;%206:32;%208:19,38,49,54;%2010:17-18,29-30,37;%2014:7,20-21,23;%2015:1,8,15,23-24;%2020:17&version=ASV">Jn 5:17; 6:32; 8:19,38,49,54; 10:17-18,29-30,37; 14:7,20-21,23; 15:1,8,15,23-24; 20:17</a>; <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev%202:27;%203:5,21&version=ASV">Rev 2:27; 3:5,21</a>). Such that the Jewish religious leaders rightly understood Jesus to be claiming equality with God (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%205:18;%2010:33;%2019:7&version=ASV">Jn 5:18; 10:33; 19:7</a>).</p><p><b>Lord</b> [Gk. <i>Kurios</i>]. Used nearly 7,000 times in the Septuagint for "Jehovah". Jesus is "<i>the</i> Lord" [Gk. <i>ho kurios</i>] (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2021:3;%205:19;%20Mk%2011:3;%20Lk%207:13,%2010:1,41;%2011:39;%2012:42;%2013:15;%2018:6;%2019:31,34;%2022:61;%2024:34;%20Jn%204:1;%2021:7,12&version=ASV">Mt 21:3; 5:19; Mk 11:3; Lk 7:13, 10:1,41; 11:39; 12:42; 13:15; 18:6; 19:31,34; 22:61; 24:34; Jn 4:1; 21:7,12</a>; <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%202:47;%209:15,17;%2012:11,17;%2013:47;%2016:14;%2018:9;%2022:10;%2023:11;%2026:15&version=ASV">Acts 2:47; 9:15,17; 12:11,17; 13:47; 16:14; 18:9; 22:10; 23:11; 26:15</a>; <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=;%201Cor%203:5;%204:5,19;%207:10,12,17;%209:14;%202Cor%203:17;%2010:8;%2013:10;%20Php%204:5;%20Col%203:13;%201Th%203:12;%204:16;%202Th%202:8;%203:3,5;%202Tim%201:16,18;%202:7;%203:11;%204:8,14,17-18,22&version=ASV">1Cor 3:5; 4:5,19; 7:10,12,17; 9:14; 2Cor 3:17; 10:8; 13:10; Php 4:5; Col 3:13; 1Th 3:12; 4:16; 2Th 2:8; 3:3,5; 2Tim 1:16,18; 2:7; 3:11; 4:8,14,17-18,22</a>; <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jas%205:11,15;%201Pet%202:3&version=ASV">Jas 5:11,15; 1Pet 2:3</a>).</p><p><b>Lord of glory</b> Jesus is "the Lord of glory" <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%202:8;%20Jas%202:1&version=ASV">1Cor 2:8; Jas 2:1</a>). But Jehovah is "the King of glory" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2024:10&version=ASV">Ps 24:10</a>).</p><p><b>Lord of all</b> Jesus is "Lord of all" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2010:36;%20Rom%2010:12&version=ASV">Acts 10:36; Rom 10:12</a>). But Jehovah is "the Lord of all the earth" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Josh%203:13;%20Ps%2097:5;%20Mic%204:13;%20Zec%204:14&version=ASV">Josh 3:13; Ps 97:5; Mic 4:13; Zec 4:14</a>).</p><p><b>Lord of lords</b> Jesus is the "Lord of lords, and King of kings" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev%2017:14;%2019:16&version=ASV">Rev 17:14; 19:16</a>). But God is "the King of kings, and Lord of lords" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Tim%206:15&version=ASV">1Tim 6:15</a>). And Jehovah is the "Lord of lords" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Dt%2010:17;%20Ps%20136:3&version=ASV">Dt 10:17; Ps 136:3</a>).</p><p><b>Lord of the sabbath</b> Jesus declared Himself to be "Lord of the sabbath" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2012:8;%20Mk%202:28;%20Lk%206:5&version=ASV">Mt 12:8; Mk 2:28; Lk 6:5</a>). But Jehovah instituted the Sabbath (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%2020:8;%20Lev%2023:3;%20Dt%205:12&version=ASV">Ex 20:8; Lev 23:3; Dt 5:12</a>).</p><p><b>Saviour</b> Jesus is "God and our Saviour" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Tit%202:13;%202Pet%201:1&version=ASV">Tit 2:13; 2Pet 1:1</a>); "our Lord and Saviour" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2Pet%201:11;%203:18&version=ASV">2Pet 1:11; 3:18</a>); "the Saviour of the world" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Jn%204:14&version=ASV">1Jn 4:14</a>). But Jehovah is the "Saviour" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2043:3;%2045:21&version=ASV">Isa 43:3; 45:21</a>) and besides Him "there is no saviour" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2043:11;%20Hos%2013:4&version=ASV">Isa 43:11; Hos 13:4</a>).</p><p><b><a name="Passages"></a>5. PASSAGES ABOUT JEHOVAH ARE APPLIED TO JESUS</b><br><b><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2012:37-41;%20Isa%206:1-10&version=ASV">Jn 12:37-41 = Isa 6:1-10</a></b> John in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2012:37-41&version=ASV">Jn 12:37-41</a> quotes from <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%206:1-10&version=ASV">Isa 6:1-10</a> where Isaiah saw Jehovah of hosts' glory, and states that it was <i>Jesus</i> whose glory Isaiah saw and spoke of.</p><p><b><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%201:30-31;%20Jer%209:24&version=ASV">1Cor 1:30-31 = Jer 9:24</a></b> Paul in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%201:30-31&version=ASV">1Cor 1:30-31</a> quotes <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jer%209:24&version=ASV">Jer 9:24</a> "but let him that glorieth glory in this ... that I am Jehovah" and applies it to "<i>Christ Jesus</i>."</p> <p><b><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eph%204:8;%20Ps%2068:18&version=ASV">Eph 4:8 = Ps 68:18</a></b> Paul in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eph%204:8-10&version=ASV">Eph 4:8</a> quotes <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2068:18&version=ASV">Ps 68:18</a> about "Jehovah God" having "ascended on high" and applies it to <i>Jesus</i> having "ascended on high."</p> <p><b><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Heb%201:10-12;%20Ps%20102:25-27&version=ASV">Heb 1:10-12 = Ps 102:25-27</a></b> The writer to the Hebrews quotes <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%20102:25-27&version=ASV">Ps 102:25-27</a>, which is part of a prayer to Jehovah (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%20102:1&version=ASV">Ps 102:1</a>), and applies to "the Son" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Heb%201:8&version=ASV">Heb 1:8</a>), in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Heb%201:10-12&version=ESV">Heb 1:10-12</a> (ESV): <blockquote>You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands; they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment, like a robe you will roll them up, like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will have no end.</blockquote></p><p><b><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Pet%202:8;%20Isa%208:13-14&version=ASV">1Pet 2:8 = Isa 8:13-14</a></b> Peter in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Pet%202:8&version=ASV">1Pet 2:8</a> quotes <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%208:13-14&version=ASV">Isa 8:13-14</a> about "Jehovah of hosts" who will be "a stone of stumbling" and "a rock of offence" to Israel, and applies it to <i>Jesus</i> who is "A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence" to Israel.</p><p><b><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Pet%202:3;%20Ps%2034:8&version=ASV">1Pet 2:3 = Ps 34:8</a></b> Peter quotes <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2034:8&version=ASV">Ps 34:8</a>, "taste and see that Jehovah is good" and applies it to <i>Jesus</i>, "if ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious" in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Pet%202:3&version=ASV">1Pet 2:3</a>.</p><p><b><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2Pet%203:8;%20Ps%2090:4&version=ASV">2Pet 3:8 = Ps 90:4</a></b> Peter quotes <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2090:4&version=ASV">Ps 90:4</a> about "a thousand years in" are "as yesterday when it is past" and applies it to <i>Jesus</i> in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2Pet%203:8&version=ASV">2Pet 3:8</a>.</p><p><a name="Prophecies"></a><b>6. PROPHECIES ABOUT JEHOVAH ARE APPLIED TO JESUS</b><br><b><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%203:1-3;%20Mk%201:2-4;%20Lk%203:2-4;%20Isa%2040:3;&version=ASV;">Mt 3:1-3; Mk 1:2-4; Lk 3:2-4; Jn 1:19-23 = Isa 40:3</a></b> All four gospels state that John the Baptist's preaching in the wilderness was the fulfillment of <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2040:3&version=ASV">Isa 40:3</a>, "Prepare ... the way of Jehovah ... our God." But the "Jehovah God" who John prepared the way for was <i>Jesus</i>!</p><p><b><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2011:10,%20Mk%201:2,%20Lk%207:27;%20Mal%203:1&version=ASV">Mt 11:10, Mk 1:2, Lk 7:27 = Mal 3:1</a></b> "Jehovah of hosts" predicted, "Behold, I send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mal%203:1&version=ASV">Mal 3:1</a>). But John the Baptist was that messenger and he prepared the way before <i>Jesus</i> (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2011:10,%20Mk%201:2,%20Lk%207:27&version=ASV">Mt 11:10, Mk 1:2, Lk 7:27</a>)!</p><p><b><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2026:15;%2027:9;%20Zec%2011:13&version=ASV">Mt 26:15; 27:9 = Zec 11:13</a></b> In <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zec%2011:13&version=ASV">Zec 11:13</a> "Jehovah" predicts that the "price that <i>I</i> was prized at by them" [the "shepherds" of "the flock" - <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zec%2011:8,12&version=ASV">vv. 8,12</a>] was "thirty pieces of silver." This was fulfilled by the Jewish religious leaders paying Judas "thirty pieces of silver" for betraying <i>Jesus</i> to them (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2026:15;%2027:9&version=ASV">Mt 26:15; 27:9</a>).</p><p><b><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2019:34-37;%20Rev%201:7;%20Zec%2012:10&version=ASV">Jn 19:34-37; Rev 1:7 = Zec 12:10</a></b> In <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zec%2012:10&version=ASV">Zec 12:10</a> "Jehovah" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zec%2012:1,4&version=ASV">vv. 1,4</a>) predicts that "the inhabitants of Jerusalem ... shall look unto <i>me</i> whom they have pierced." This was fulfilled by <i>Jesus</i> being "pierced" by nails and a spear on the Cross (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2019:34-37;%20Rev%201:7&version=ASV">Jn 19:34-37; Rev 1:7</a>).<p><b><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%202:20;%20Joel%202:31&version=ASV">Acts 2:20 = Joel 2:31</a></b> Peter in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%202:20&version=ASV">Acts 2:20</a> quotes <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joel%202:31&version=ASV">Joel 2:31</a> predicting "the day of Jehovah" and applies it to a future "day of the Lord." (On "the day of Jehovah" see also <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%202:12;%2013:6,9;%20Eze%2013:5;%2030:3;%20Joel%201:15;%202:1,11;%203:14;%20Am%205:18,20;%20Ob%201:15;%20Zep%201:7,14;%20Zec%2014:1;%20Mal%204:5&version=ASV">Isa 2:12; 13:6,9; Eze 13:5; 30:3; Joel 1:15; 2:1,11; 3:14; Am 5:18,20; Ob 1:15; Zep 1:7,14; Zec 14:1; Mal 4:5</a>). Peter in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2Pet%203:4,10&version=ASV">2Pet 3:4,10</a> clarifies that "the day of the Lord" will be <i>Jesus</i> "coming." Paul interchanges "the day of the Lord" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%205:5;%201Th%205:1,2;%202Th%202:2&version=ASV">1Cor 5:5; 1Th 5:1,2; 2Th 2:2</a>), i.e. "the day of Jehovah" with "the day of <i>Jesus Christ</i>" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Php%201:6,%2010;%202:16&version=ASV">Php 1:6, 10; 2:16</a>).<p><b><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%202:21;%20Rom%2010:13;%20Joel%202:32&version=ASV">Acts 2:21 & Rom 10:13 = Joel 2:32</a></b> Both Peter and Paul apply <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joel%202:32&version=ASV">Joel 2:32</a>, "whosoever shall call on the name of Jehovah shall be delivered" to <i>Jesus</i>: "whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%202:21;%20Rom%2010:13&version=ASV">Acts 2:21; Rom 10:13</a>).</p><p><b><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom%2014:11;%20Php%202:10;%20Isa%2045:23&version=ASV">Rom 14:11 & Php 2:10 = Isa 45:23</a></b> Paul quotes <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2045:23&version=ASV">Isa 45:23</a> where Jehovah predicts that, "unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear" and twice applies it to <i>Jesus</i>, in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom%2014:11;%20Php%202:10&version=ASV">Rom 14:11 & Php 2:10</a>.</p><p><b>7. ATTRIBUTES OF JEHOVAH ARE APPLIED TO JESUS</b><br><b>Eternal</b> In the beginning the pre-incarnate Word already was (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:1,2&version=ASV">Jn 1:1-2</a>). The Son is "before all things" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Col%201:17&version=ASV">Col 1:17</a>). He is eternal (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Heb%201:10-12;%20Ps%20102:25-27&version=ASV">Heb 1:10-12; Ps 102:25-27</a>).</p><p><b>Omniscient</b> Jesus knew what others were thinking (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%209:4;12:25;%20Mk%202:6-8;%20Lk%206:8&version=ASV">Mt 9:4;12:25; Mk 2:6-8; Lk 6:8</a>). In <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev%202:23&version=ASV">Rev 2:23</a> The risen Jesus quotes <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jer%2017:10&version=ASV">Jer 17:10</a>, where Jehovah warns, "I, Jehovah, search the mind, I try the heart" and applies it to Himself. John states of Jesus that, "he himself knew what was in man" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%202:25&version=ASV">Jn 2:25</a>). Peter responded to the risen Jesus' questions with "Lord, you know everything" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2021:17&version=ESV">Jn 21:17</a> ESV). The disciples prayed to Jesus, "You, Lord, who know the hearts of all" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%201:24&version=ESV">Acts 1:24</a> ESV).</p><p><b>Holy</b> Jesus is "the Holy One of God" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mk%201:24;%20Lk%204:34;%20Jn%206:69;%20Acts%202:27;%2013:35&version=ASV">Mk 1:24; Lk 4:34; Jn 6:69</a>); the "Holy One" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%202:27;%2013:35;%20Rev%203:7&version=ASV">Acts 2:27; 13:35; Rev 3:7</a>); "the Holy and Righteous One (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%203:14&version=ASV">Acts 3:14</a>). And Jehovah is "the Holy One of Israel" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2089:18;%20Isa%2048:17;%20Jer%2051:5;%20Eze%2039:7&version=ASV">Ps 89:18; Isa 48:17; Jer 51:5; Eze 39:7</a>).</p><p><b><a name="Works"></a>8. WORKS OF JEHOVAH ARE APPLIED TO JESUS</b><br><b>Creation</b> The Son created all things (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:3;%20Col%201:16;%20Heb%201:2&version=ASV">Jn 1:3; Col 1:16; Heb 1:2</a>). Yet Jehovah/God created all things (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2044:24;%20Neh%209:6&version=ASV">Isa 44:24; Neh 9:6</a>). The Son laid the foundations of the earth and the heavens are the works of His hands (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Heb%201:8,10&version=ASV">Heb 1:8,10</a>). Yet Jehovah laid the foundations of the earth and the heavens are the works of <i>His</i> hands (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%20102:12,25;%20Gn%201:1;%202:4;%20Isa%2042:5;%2051:13&version=ASV">Ps 102:12,25; Gn 1:1; 2:4; Isa 42:5; 51:13</a>)!</p><p><b>Forgiveness of sins</b> Jesus forgave sins (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%209:2-6;%20Mk%202:5-10;%20Lk%205:20-24;%207:47-49;%201Jn%201:9&version=ASV">Mt 9:2-6; Mk 2:5-10; Lk 5:20-24; 7:47-49; 1Jn 1:9</a>). But it is Jehovah/God who forgives sins (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Josh%2024:19;%20Ps%2025:18;%2032:5;%2079:9;%20Isa%2042:5&version=ASV">Josh 24:19; Ps 25:18; 32:5; 79:9; Isa 42:5</a>). In fact <i>only</i> God can forgive sins (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mk%202:7;%20Lk%205:21&version=ASV">Mk 2:7; Lk 5:21</a>).</p> <p><b><a name="judge"></a>Judgment</b> Jesus will be the Judge of all (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%205:22,%2027;%20Ac%2010:42;%2017:31;%20Rom%202:16;%202Cor%205:10;%202Tim%204:1,8&version=ASV">Jn 5:22, 27; Ac 10:42; 17:31; Rom 2:16; 2Cor 5:10; 2Tim 4:1,8</a>). Yet Jehovah is to be the Judge of all (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%2018:25;%201Sam%202:10;%201Ch%2016:33;%20Ps%209:7,19;%2096:10,13;%2098:9;%20Isa%2066:16;%20Jer%2025:31&version=ASV">Gn 18:25; 1Sam 2:10; 1Ch 16:33; Ps 9:7,19; 96:10,13; 98:9; Isa 66:16; Jer 25:31</a>).</p> <p><a name="Worship"></a><b>9. WORSHIP DUE TO JEHOVAH IS PAID TO JESUS</b><br><b>Worship</b> Jesus is worshipped (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2014:33;%2028:9,17;%20Lk%2024:52;%20Jn%209:38;%20Heb%201:6;&version=ASV">Mt 14:33; 28:9,17; Lk 24:52; Jn 9:38; 20:28; Heb 1:6</a>). But only Jehovah/God should be worshipped (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Dt%206:13;%20Mt%204:10;%20Lk%204:8;%20Ac%2010:25-26;%20Rev%2019:10&version=ASV">Dt 6:13; Mt 4:10; Lk 4:8; Ac 10:25-26; Rev 19:10</a>).</p><p><b>Glory</b> "Glory forever" is ascribed to Jesus (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom%2016:27;%20Eph%203:21;%202Tim%204:18;%20Heb%2013:21;%201Pet%204:11;%202Pet%203:18;%20Jude%2025;%20Rev%201:6;%205:13&version=ASV">Rom 16:27; Eph 3:21; 2Tim 4:18; Heb 13:21; 1Pet 4:11; 2Pet 3:18; Jude 25; Rev 1:6; 5:13</a>). But Jehovah said that He would not give His glory to another (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2042:8;%2048:11&version=ASV">Isa 42:8; 48:11</a>).</p><p><b>Honor</b> "<i>All</i>" should honor the Son "<i>just as</i> they honor the Father," and those who don't (like the JWs) do "<i>not honor the Father</i>: <blockquote><a href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/bible/john/5/#v-23">Jn 5:23</a> NWT. in order that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He that does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.</blockquote> </p><p><b>Prayer</b> Jesus is prayed to (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%201:24;%207:59-60;&version=ASV">Acts 1:24; 7:59-60</a>) and answers prayer to Himself (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2014:14;%202Cor%2012:8-9;%201Jn%205:13-15&version=ESV">Jn 14:14; 2Cor 12:8-9; 1Jn 5:13-15</a> ESV). A prayer of the early Church was to Jesus: "Our Lord, come!" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%2016:22;%20Rev%2022:20&version=ESV">1Cor 16:22; Rev 22:20</a> ESV). Paul prayed to <i>both</i> "our God and Father ... and our Lord Jesus" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Th%203:11&version=ASV">1Th 3:11</a>). Jesus' name is to be called upon (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%202:21;%20Rom%2010:12-13;%201Cor%201:2&version=ASV">Acts 2:21; Rom 10:12-13; 1Cor 1:2</a>) as was Jehovah's name to be called upon in the Old Testament (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%204:26;%2012:8;%2026:25;%201Ch%2016:8;%20Ps%2099:6;%20105:1;%20116:4,13,17;%20Isa%2012:4;%2048:2;%20Lam%203:55;%20Joel%202:32;%20Zep%203:9&version=ASV">Gn 4:26; 12:8; 26:25; 1Ch 16:8; Ps 99:6; 105:1; 116:4,13,17; Isa 12:4; 48:2; Lam 3:55; Joel 2:32; Zep 3:9</a>). Jesus never prayed to "Jehovah" ("Lord") but to "Father" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2011:25-26;%2026:39,42;%20Mk%2014:36;%20Lk%2010:21;%2022:42;%2023:34,46;%20Jn%2011:41-42;%2012:28;%2017:1,5,11,21,24-25&version=ASV">Mt 11:25-26; 26:39,42; Mk 14:36; Lk 10:21; 22:42; 23:34,46; Jn 11:41-42; 12:28; 17:1,5,11,21,24-25</a>) and once to "God" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2027:46;%20Mk%2015:34&version=ASV">Mt 27:46; Mk 15:34</a>) when on the Cross, quoting <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2022:1&version=ASV">Ps 22:1</a>. This is inexplicable unless Jesus <i>is</i> Jehovah!</p><p><a name="Objections"></a><b>10. ALL OBJECTIONS TO JESUS BEING JEHOVAH FAIL</b><br><b>"Jesus is `a' god, not `the' God"</b> The Watchtower Society's <i>New World Translation</i> renders <a href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/bible/john/1/#v-1">Jn 1:1</a> as "... and the Word was a god." But the original Greek is, <i>kai theos en ho logos</i> ("and God was the Word"). That is, the pre-incarnate Son (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:14&version=ASV">Jn 1:14</a>) shared the Father's <i>God-nature</i>. New Testament Greek does not have an indefinite article ("a") as English does, so the absence of the definite article <i>ho</i> ("the") before a noun, e.g. "God," does not mean it is indefinite. In the same chapter the word "God" appears without the definite article in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:6,12,13,18&version=ASV">Jn 1:6,12,13,18</a> but the NWT each time translates it as "God" without the indefinite article "a". The NWT's "a god" translation of John 1:1 makes Jehovah's Witnesses <i>polytheists</i>: those who believe in the existence of more than one true god. That is unless they wish to claim that Jesus is a <i>false</i> god! And the Apostle John, being a devout Jew, was a <i>monotheist</i>: one who believed in the existence of only one true God (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2017:3&version=ASV">Jn 17:3</a>). So the NWT's "a god" translation of John 1:1 <i>cannot</i> be correct, and in fact <i>all</i> mainstream English translations render John 1:1 "... and the Word was God" (e.g. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:1&version=ASV">ASV</a>, <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:1&version=ESV">ESV</a>, <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:1&version=KJV">KJV</a>, <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:1&version=NIV">NIV</a>, <a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/rsv/john/1-1.html">RSV</a>, <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:1&version=NASB">NASB</a> & <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:1&version=NASB">NKJV</a>).</p><p><b>"Jesus is a `Mighty God', not the `Almighty God."</b> The Watchtower claims on the basis of <a href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/bible/isaiah/9/#v-6">Isa 9:6</a> NWT that Jesus is only a "Mighty God" not the Almighty God. See above on this belief in two true Gods, means that Jehovah's Witnesses are <i>polytheists</i>. But even the Society's "Mighty God"-"Almighty God" distinction fails, because in the very next chapter, <a href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/bible/isaiah/10/#v-21">Isa 10:21</a> NWT, Jehovah is called "the Mighty God" using the same Hebrew words (<i>el gibbor</i>). Also, after His resurrection Jesus has been given "All authority ... in heaven and on the earth" (<a href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/bible/matthew/28/#v-18">Mt 28:18</a> NWT). He is now exalted "far above every government and authority and power and lordship and every name named" (<a href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/bible/ephesians/1/#v-21">Eph 1:21</a> NWT), with "all things in subjection under his feet" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%2015:27;%20Eph%201:22;%20Heb%202:8&version=ASV">1Cor 15:27; Eph 1:22; Heb 2:8</a>). The Greek word translated "Almighty" in the New Testament is <i>pantokrator</i> which means "ruler of all", so even in the Watchtower's own Bible, Jesus <i>is</i> Almighty! Indeed in <a href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/bible/revelation/1/#v-7">Rev 1:7-8</a> NWT, the One who "is coming" and has been "pierced," Jesus, is called "Jehovah God ... the Almighty": <blockquote>Look! He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, and those who pierced him; and all the tribes of the earth will beat themselves in grief because of him. Yes, Amen. "I am the Al'pha and the O•me'ga," says Jehovah God, "the One who is and who was and who is coming, the Almighty."</blockquote></p><p>Bearing in mind that in <a href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/bible/revelation/22/#v-12">Rev 22:12-13</a> NWT the One who is "coming quickly" (Jesus) is "the Al'pha and the O·me'ga, the first and the last, the beginning and the end"!</p><p><b>"The Son was created"</b> The Watchtower Society claims that the Son was Jehovah's first (and only) creation. But this contradicts those verses which state that Jehovah/God created the heavens and the earth (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%201:1;%202:4;%20Isa%2042:5;%2051:13;%20Neh%209:6&version=ASV">Gn 1:1; 2:4; Isa 42:5; 51:13; Neh 9:6</a>), "alone" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2044:24&version=ASV">Isa 44:24</a>) by His "hands" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2045:12;%2066:2&version=ASV">Isa 45:12; 66:2</a>). And it is despite the next verse (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Col%201:16&version=ASV">Col 1:16</a>) stating clearly that the Son created "<i>all</i> things," and <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:3&version=ESV">Jn 1:3</a> ESV stating of the preincarnate Son that "<i>All things</i> were made through him, and without him was <i>not any thing made that was made</i>." The Society cannot find <i>even one verse</i> which clearly states that Jesus was "created", so it has to resort to a handful of verses which don't even say that!<ul><li><b>"Firstborn"</b> For example, the Society claims that because <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Col%201:15&version=ASV">Col 1:15</a> calls Jesus "the firstborn of all creation," therefore He must have been the first created. But apart from the fact that "first-<i>born</i>" doesn't even mean "first-<i>created</i>," in the Biblical Hebrew culture, "firstborn" meant <i>preeminent</i>. Thus a few verses later Paul explains what he meant by Jesus being "firstborn": "that in all things he might have the <i>preeminence</i>" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Col%201:18&version=ASV">Col 1:18</a>). Remember that Jesus, the God-man, in His <i>humanity</i> was part of creation. While the first-born son in a Jewish family was usually the "firstborn" (daughters were not counted), he could lose his "firstborn" status, as Esau lost his to Jacob (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%2027:19-36&version=ASV">Gn 27:19-36</a>). Manasseh was born before his twin brother Ephraim (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%2041:50-51;%2048:14&version=ASV">Gn 41:50-51; 48:14</a>) but Jehovah declared that "Ephraim is my first-born" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jer%2031:9&version=ASV">Jer 31:9</a>). Also in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2089:27&version=ASV">Ps 89:27</a> Jehovah says of David, "I also will make him my first-born, The highest of the kings of the earth," but David was actually the <i>last born</i> of eight brothers (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Sam%2016:10-13&version=ASV">1Sam 16:10-13</a>).</li><br><li><b>"Beginning of the creation"</b> Another verse the Watchtower claims proves that Jesus was the first created by Jehovah is <a href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/bible/revelation/3/#v-14">Rev 3:14</a> NWT where the risen Jesus calls Himself, "the beginning of the creation by God." But this is a mistranslation by the NWT. The original Greek is, "<i>he arche tes ktiseos tou theou</i>, "the chief of the creation of God." The word "<i>arche</i>" translated "beginning" by the NWT means "chief in order, time, place or rank" (<a href="http://studybible.info/strongs/G746">Strong's G746</a>). In <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:1-2&version=ASV">Jn 1:1-2</a> the same word <i>arche</i> is used by the author of Revelation, the Apostle John, to signify the "beginning" of time in which the Son already <i>was</i>, and was the Maker of "<i>all</i> things" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:3&version=ASV">Jn 1:3</a>), so John cannot mean here that Jesus was Himself <i>part</i> of the creation. The meaning of <i>arche</i> in Rev 3:14 therefore must mean "chief in <i>rank</i>". The NIV translates <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev%203:14&version=NIV">Rev 3:14</a> as, "the <i>ruler</i> of God’s creation." Although another possibility is that <i>arche</i> means "origin" or "source." The leading New Testament Greek Lexicon, the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Greek-English-Lexicon-Testament-Christian-Literature/dp/0226039331">BAGD</a> (1979, p.112), states that <i>arche</i> in Rev 3:14 means "the first cause." Accordingly the HCSB translation renders <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev%203:14&version=HCSB">Rev 3:14</a>, "the Originator of God’s creation."</li><br><li><b>"Jehovah produced me (Wisdom)"</b> Another questionable passage the Watchtower resorts to try to prove that the Son was created is <a href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/bible/proverbs/8/#v-22">Pr 8:22</a> NWT where Wisdom says:<blockquote>"Jehovah himself produced me as the beginning of his way, the earliest of his achievements of long ago."</blockquote></p><p>But this passage says nothing about the Son or Christ, and it is not applied in the New Testament to Jesus. The Hebrew word translated "produced" by the NWT is <i>qanah</i> which means "own," "possess" (<a href="http://studybible.info/strongs/H7069">Strong's H7069</a>), not "create". The Society's claim that Jehovah "produced" Wisdom would mean that He originally didn't have it and that without wisdom Jehovah produced wisdom! Also "Wisdom" in Hebrew is feminine, as can be seen by the feminine personal pronouns "she" and "her" used of Wisdom in the context, e.g: "Wisdom ... <i>she</i> raises <i>her</i> voice" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Pr%208:1&version=ESV">Pr 1:20</a> ESV); "Wisdom has built <i>her</i> house;
<i>she</i> has hewn <i>her</i> seven pillars" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Pr%209:1&version=ESV">Pr 9:1</a> ESV). Wisdom is a "sister" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Pr%207:4&version=ASV">Pr 7:4</a>). She even lives with another woman named "Prudence" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Pr%208:12&version=ESV">Pr 8:12</a>)!</li></ul></p><p><b>"The Father is greater than the Son"</b> The Watchtower Society highlights verses like Jesus' statement in <a href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/bible/john/14/#v-28">Jn 14:28</a> NWT, "... the Father is greater than I am" to `prove' that Jesus cannot be God by nature. But the Greek word translated "greater" is <i>meizon</i>, "larger ... greater" (<a href="http://studybible.info/strongs/G3187">Strong's G3187</a>), not <i>kreitton</i> "stronger ... better" (<a href="http://studybible.info/strongs/G2909">Strong's G2909</a>). The disciples argued who was to be the "greatest" [<i>meizon</i>] in the Kingdom of heaven (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2018:1&version=ASV">Mt 18:1</a>) but the Son is "better" [<i>kreitton</i>] than the angels (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Heb%201:4&version=ASV">Heb 1:4</a>). That is, the Father is "greater" <i>in rank or position</i> than the Son, but the Father <i>is not "better"</i> than the Son. Also, when Jesus was on Earth, He had voluntarily taken "the form of a servant" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Php%202:7&version=ASV">Php 2:7</a>) and had "been made a little lower than the angels ... that ... he should taste of death for every man" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Heb.%202:9&version=ASV">Heb. 2:9</a>)." That the Son is subordinate to the Father <i>in rank</i> (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%2011:3;%2015:24-28&version=ESV">1Cor 11:3; 15:24-28</a>) does not mean that He is not equal to the Father in <i>nature</i>.</p><p><b>"The Father is Jesus' God"</b> The Watchtower cites verses where Jesus speaks of the Father as His God (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2027:46;%20Mk%2015:34;%20Jn%2020:17;%20Rev%201:6;%203:2,12&version=ASV">Mt 27:46; Mk 15:34; Jn 20:17; Rev 1:6; 3:2,12</a>) and the New Testament writers call the Father Jesus' God (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom%2015:6;%202Cor%201:3;%20Eph%201:3,17;%20Col%201:3;%20Pet%201:3&version=ASV">Rom 15:6; 2Cor 1:3; Eph 1:3,17; Col 1:3; Pet 1:3</a>), as proof that Jesus cannot be God. But in Jesus' human nature (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:14;%20Rom%201:3;%208:3;%20Php%202:5-8;%20Heb%202:14&version=ASV">Jn 1:14; Rom 1:3; 8:3; Php 2:5-8; Heb 2:14</a>) the Father <i>is</i> Jesus' God. And that the Son is officially subordinate to the Father (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2014:28;%201Cor%2011:3&version=ESV">Jn 14:28; 1Cor 11:3</a>), that does not preclude the Son from being equal <i>in nature</i> with the Father (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:1;%20%205:17-18;%2010:30-33;%20Php%202:6&version=NIV">Jn 1:1; 5:17-18; 10:30-33; Php 2:6</a> NIV). To the son of a king his father is his king, even though the son has the same nature as his father and to others the son is also king. </p><p><a name="Concl"></a><b>11. CONCLUSION</b><br> As can be seen above, the Biblical evidence is <i>overwhelming</i> that Jesus of the New Testament is Jehovah of the Old Testament, come in the flesh. And that <i>all</i> the objections that Jesus is not Jehovah, fail. Therefore Jesus <i>is</i> Jehovah! And Jehovah's Witnesses (who claim that <a href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/books/bible-teach/who-is-michael-the-archangel/">Jesus is Michael the archangel</a>) are not <i>Jehovah's</i> witnesses.</p><hr><p> <a href="http://members.iinet.net.au/~sejones/index.html">Stephen E. Jones</a>, B.Sc., Grad. Dip. Ed.<BR>My other blogs: <a href="http://theshroudofturin.blogspot.com/">The Shroud of Turin</a> and <a href="http://creationevolutiondesign.blogspot.com/">CreationEvolutionDesign</a> (inactive)</p><p>Last updated: 5 May, 2015.</p>Stephen E. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16183223752386599799noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574858940069385599.post-6667031886528610552012-07-14T19:41:00.000+08:002012-07-14T22:23:22.193+08:00A Jehovah's Witness visit #1<p>This morning a Jehovah's Witness knocked on our door. My wife answered the door as I was still getting dressed and had yet to put my shoes and socks on! I had been praying for a JW to visit since we had <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOnUrL4dcLLQiumO8mvPtgMeLu1azwqpv_3DUNdzQRvs_aHCLGMj3Ryjq4_jFaSivTY_63HAmw4H8t1zgrgxzNTdOTGY3ELFNdCURvXSHOfcpnU0UDYdQrayIeWRcTgTbnt-x9I4WoSlg/s1600/WatchtowerCover-July2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" width="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOnUrL4dcLLQiumO8mvPtgMeLu1azwqpv_3DUNdzQRvs_aHCLGMj3Ryjq4_jFaSivTY_63HAmw4H8t1zgrgxzNTdOTGY3ELFNdCURvXSHOfcpnU0UDYdQrayIeWRcTgTbnt-x9I4WoSlg/s320/WatchtowerCover-July2012.jpg" /></a><p><p>[Right: Front cover of the <i>The Watchtower</i>, July 1, 2012, which the JW spoke to me on and left with me.]</p><p>downsized to a smaller house a little over a year ago.</p><p>As previously mentioned, following a home `Bible' study with a JW elder, which he abandoned because I was undermining his JW beliefs, my previous house was evidently blacklisted, because JWs would go past in the street ignoring my house, even when I was out the front and said "good morning" to them!</p><p>From our bedroom I heard my wife talking with someone at the front door and then, from what I could hear, I realised it was a JW. Afraid that my wife would send him away, as she had done before (this was not the first JW visit to our current house, but the first in which I had been home), I came to the door fully dressed except for bare feet!</p><p>There was a young man in a suit whom I estimate was in his thirties, holding a Bible and I could see other overdressed adults and children in the street behind him, laughing (presumably under orders from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watch_Tower_Bible_and_Tract_Society_of_Pennsylvania">Watchtower Bible & Tract Society</a> to always pretend to be happy when out on `field service'). My wife retreated from the door and left him to me. He introduced himself as "AN" (not his real name or initials but I want to minimise the chance that a JW will read this and tip off him or his Kingdom Hall's elders). I invited AN inside but he said "no."</p><p>He asked me if I believed in a God who answered prayer and I said "yes." I had resolved that if a JW was to come to my door to let him talk and I would listen to him as much as possible (very hard for me!), and to keep my answers low-key and to volunteer the bare minimum about myself. This was so that I would not drive him away and then my house would be blacklisted again. All through I looked him in they eyes, smiled and was friendly.</p><p>AN then read to me out of his <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_World_Translation_of_the_Holy_Scriptures">New World Translation</a></i>, <a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/ps/chapter_065.htm">Psalm 65:2</a>, "O Hearer of prayer, even to you people of all flesh will come", positioning himself so I could read it for myself.</p><p>He then asked me, as someone who believed in a God who answered prayer, if I wondered why there was so much suffering in the world and I said "yes." He then opened the above <i>Watchtower</i> magazine, and turned to a page, ensuring I was reading along with him, and read out the following:<blockquote>"Even though they may pray some people have doubts that God exists. Perhaps it is because they see so much suffering in this world. Have you ever wondered why God allows suffering? Did God really make humans as they are now - imperfect and subject to suffering? We could hardly respect a God who would purpose for humans to suffer. But consider: this if you walked admiringly around a new car only to find that the far side was damaged would you assume that the manufacturer made it that way? Of course not! You would conclude that the manufacturer made it `perfect' and that someone or something else caused the damage. ... The Bible teaches that God made the first human pair perfect but that later they caused themselves to become damaged (<a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/de/chapter_032.htm">Deuteronomy 32:4, 5</a>). The good news is that God has promised to repair the damage to restore obedient humans to perfection." ("Why Does the Hearer of Prayer Allow Suffering?," <i>The Watchtower</i>, July 1, 2012).</blockquote></p><p>AN asked me if I agreed with that and I said I did. He looked a bit puzzled, as though this was too easy! He then asked me if I had a Bible and I said "yes." Then he asked me if I was a firm believer in God and again I said "yes." I would not be surprised if AN suspected that I was a Christian, but what is he to do? Not make a return visit to any householder who agrees with him on everything?!</p><p>AN then asked me if I wanted a free copy of his <i>Watchtower</i> magazine and I said "yes" (being well aware that should mark me as warranting a return visit). He then handed me the magazine (I later found that it had the <a href="http://jwpedia.org/wiki/Awake!_-_July_2012">July 2012 <i>Awake!</i></a> inside it). I asked AN what his name was again and when he told me I repeated it, so that I would remember it, if he calls again (which I will now pray daily for). AN then shook my hand and left.</p><p>I have called this part "#1" in case this is the first of a series of visits by AN.</p><p> <a href="http://members.iinet.net.au/~sejones/index.html">Stephen E. Jones</a>, B.Sc., Grad. Dip. Ed.<BR>My other blogs: <a href="http://theshroudofturin.blogspot.com/">The Shroud of Turin</a> and <a href="http://creationevolutiondesign.blogspot.com/">CreationEvolutionDesign</a> (inactive) </p>Stephen E. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16183223752386599799noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574858940069385599.post-44250072570480538632012-06-11T21:27:00.000+08:002012-06-12T10:07:38.978+08:00`Jesus is Jehovah?'<p>AN</p><p>Thank you for your message. As per my stated policy, if I receive a private message that is about a topic covered by one of my blogs, I </p><p><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/03/Shield-Trinity-Scutum-Fidei-variations.svg/610px-Shield-Trinity-Scutum-Fidei-variations.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" width="400" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/03/Shield-Trinity-Scutum-Fidei-variations.svg/610px-Shield-Trinity-Scutum-Fidei-variations.svg.png" /></a></p><p>[<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/03/Shield-Trinity-Scutum-Fidei-variations.svg/610px-Shield-Trinity-Scutum-Fidei-variations.svg.png">Above</a>: "The Shield of the Trinity or Scutum Fidei is a traditional Christian visual symbol which expresses many aspects of the doctrine of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trinity">Trinity</a>, summarizing the first part of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athanasian_Creed">Athanasian Creed</a> in a compact diagram. ... This diagram consists of four nodes (generally circular in shape) interconnected by six links. The three nodes at the edge of the diagram are labelled with the names of the three persons of the Trinity (traditionally the Latin-language names, or scribal abbreviations thereof): The Father (`PATER'), The Son (`FILIUS'), and The Holy Spirit (`SPIRITUS SANCTUS'). The node in the center of the diagram (within the triangle formed by the other three nodes) is labelled God (Latin `DEUS'), while the three links connecting the center node with the outer nodes are labelled `is' (Latin `EST'), and the three links connecting the outer nodes to each other are labelled `is not' (Latin `NON EST'). The links are non-directional - this is emphasized in one thirteenth-century manuscript by writing the link captions `EST' or `NON EST' twice as many times (going in both directions within each link), and is shown in some modern versions of the diagram by superimposing each occurrence of the `is'/`is not' text on a double-headed arrow <-> (rather than enclosing it within a link). So the following twelve propositions can be read off the diagram: ...</p><p>`The Father is God'<br>'The Son is God'<br>'The Holy Spirit is God'<br>'God is the Father'<br>'God is the Son'<br>'God is the Holy Spirit'<br>'The Father is not the Son'<br>'The Son is not the Father'<br>'The Father is not the Holy Spirit'<br>'The Holy Spirit is not the Father'<br>'The Son is not the Holy Spirit'<br>'The Holy Spirit is not the Son'</p><p>The Shield of the Trinity is not generally intended to be any kind of schematic diagram of the structure of God, but instead is merely a compact visual device from which the above statements (contained in or implied by the Athanasian Creed) can be read off." ("<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shield_of_the_Trinity">Shield of the Trinity</a>," Wikipedia, 21 February 2012)]</p><p>usually answer publicly via that blog, less the sender's personal identifying information, as I am doing here. Your words are <b>bold</b> to distinguish them from mine.</p><p><b>Hi there. Just read your Jesus is Jehovah God paper on your Blog Jesus is Jehovah</b></p><p>I assume you mean my one-page summary, "<a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/jesus-is-jehovah.html">Jesus <i>is</i> Jehovah!</a>"</p><p><b>First you state:</b></p><p><b>>who is HIS god?</p><p>"God" or "the Father."</p><p>Again, nowhere in the Bible does Jesus address "Jehovah" (Gk. <i>kurios</i> "Lord") as His God. (see above). That ... That Jesus called the Father (not "Jehovah", i.e. Gk. <i>kurios</i> "Lord") His God in these verses</b></p><p>But this is not from my post, "<a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/jesus-is-jehovah.html">Jesus <i>is</i> Jehovah!</a>." It is a quote from another of my posts, "<a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com.au/2009/02/re-is-jesus-jehovah-please-answer_23.html">Re: Is Jesus Jehovah? Please answer the following #2</a>," in which I was responding to a Jehovah's Witness called "grandpa len" (his words (<b>>bold</b>):<blockquote><b>>who is HIS god?</b><br>"God" or "the Father." Again, nowhere in the Bible does Jesus address "Jehovah" (Gk. <i>kurios</i> "Lord") as His God. (see above). That Jesus called the Father (not "Jehovah", i.e. Gk. <i>kurios</i> "Lord") His God in these verses ... [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2027:46;%20Mk%2015:34;%20Jn%2020:17;%20Rev%203:2,12&version=ASV">Mt 27:46; Mk 15:34; Jn 20:17; Rev 3:2,12</a>] ... is no problem at all for the Christian doctrine of the Trinity, since it is based on the Bible. The explanation is that, first, since Jesus <i>in His human nature</i> was a devout Jewish man, the Father <i>was in that sense</i>, Jesus' God.</blockquote><p><b>Whilst I agree that the tetragrammaton does not appear in the TEXT of the Greek scriptures we presently have, </b></p><p>This is a <i>fatal</i> admission by a Jehovah's Witness that the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetragrammaton">tetragrammaton</a> (Heb. <i>YHWH</i> = English "Yahweh" or "Jehovah") does not appear in the text of the "Greek scriptures" (i.e. the New Testament):<blockquote>"Reading New Testament Greek, one quickly notices a problem for the Witnesses that the Watchtower has never been able to explain fully. The authors of the New Testament never use the word <I>Jehovah</I>, or even <I>Yahweh</I>. Even in quotes from the Old Testament where the divine name had been used, the authors of the New Testament decided to use the word <I>Lord</I> (Greek, <I>kurios</I>) instead." (Evert, J., "<A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/Answering-Jehovahs-Witnesses-Jason-Evert/dp/1888992212">Answering Jehovah's Witnesses</A>," 2001, p.96).<br><br>"Along these same lines, we must reiterate that according to the Greek manuscripts of the New Testament, the word Jehovah does not occur a single time in the New Testament. This is highly significant, for if Jehovah was to be the sole name for God in all generations, then the word would certainly occur in the New Testament. But it does not occur there anywhere, despite the fact that the Watchtower's <I>New World Translation</I> deceitfully inserts the term throughout the New Testament in verses thought to refer exclusively to the Father." (Rhodes, R., "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Reasoning-Scriptures-Jehovahs-Witnesses-Paperback/dp/B0084P8FUA/">Reasoning from the Scriptures with the Jehovah's Witnesses</a>," 2006, p.55).</blockquote></p><p>Moreover there is no evidence that the Greek equivalent of the tetragrammaton was <i>ever</i> in the text of the original New Testament manuscripts. The Watchtower's claim that it was originally there but it was removed, is not supported by the evidence:</p><p><blockquote>"The Watchtower explains that the original manuscripts surely must have had Jehovah in them, but later copyists from the `apostate' Church altered them to hide the true name of God. [<I>Aid to Bible Understanding</I>, 1971, p.887; <I>The Divine Name That Will Endure Forever</I>, 1984, p.25] To correct this, the NWT added the word Jehovah 237 times in the New Testament. [<I>Ibid.</I>, p.888] In the appendix to the NWT the reader is assured: `To avoid overstepping the bounds of a translator into the field of exegesis, we have been most cautious about rendering the divine name in the Christian Greek Scriptures, always carefully considering the Hebrew Scriptures as a background. We have looked for agreement from available Hebrew versions of the Christian Greek Scriptures to confirm our rendering.' [<I>New World Translation</I>, Appendix 1, p.1640). However, the Watchtower doesn't mention here that there is no early manuscript evidence to support such a change, since it was not until the fourteenth century that a Jewish translator named Shem Tob ben Shaprut used the divine name in his Hebrew translation of Matthew. [<I>Ibid.</I>, p.887] Even then, he would not have used the term Jehovah, but the Tetragrammaton (YHWH)." (Evert, 2001, pp.96-97).</blockquote></p><p>And would mean that the `Jehovah' of the Watchtower was a weak god, who could not prevent his name being removed from <i>every</i> copy of <i>every</i> book of the New Testament, in <i>every</i> language it had been translated into:<blockquote>"Did the original authors of the New Testament use the name Jehovah before apostates altered the text to hide the name of God? There is absolutely no trace of that name's being used in the oldest manuscripts. There are thousands of ancient manuscripts of the Bible in Greek, Hebrew, Syriac, Coptic, Georgian, Ethiopian, Arabic, Gothic, Armenian, and Latin-but not one of them uses the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) in the New Testament, let alone Jehovah." (Evert, 2001, p.97)</blockquote></p><p>as well as from <i>every</i> one of the <i>thousands</i> of New Testament quotations in the writings of the early church fathers!</p><p><b>The Bible most CERTAINLY DOES tell us that Jehovah is the God of Jesus!</b></p>First, since "the Father" is Jehovah (along with the other two Persons of the Trinity: the Holy Spirit and the Son):<blockquote>"<a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/jesus-is-jehovah.html">Jesus <i>is</i> Jehovah!</a> ... <u>What I don't mean by Jesus <i>is</i> Jehovah</u> ... That Jesus is Jehovah does not preclude the other two Persons of the Holy Trinity (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2028:19;%202Cor%2013:14;%201Pet%201:2;&version=ASV;">Mt 28:19; 2Cor 13:14; 1Pet 1:2</a>): the Father (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%20139:7;%20Isa%2040:13;%20Rom%2011:34;%201Cor%202:16;%20Mk%203:28-29;%20Acts%205:3-4;%2013:2;%2028:25-27;%202Cor%203:17;%20Heb%203:7-11;%20Ps%2095:7-11;%20Heb%2010:15-17;%20Jer%2031:33&version=ASV">Ps 139:7; Isa 40:13 = Rom 11:34 & 1Cor 2:16; Mk 3:28-29; Acts 5:3-4; 13:2; 28:25-27; 2Cor 3:17; Heb 3:7-11 = Ps 95:7-11; Heb 10:15-17 = Jer 31:33</a>), also being Jehovah: the <i>one</i> Triune God."</blockquote></p><p>I have no problem with "the Bible" (i.e. the <i>Old Testament</i> part of the Bible) saying that Jehovah will be the God of the Messiah, who the New Testament revealed was Jesus:<blockquote><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%202:4-6&version=ESV">Mt 2:4-6</a>. "4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he [Herod] inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, `In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mic%205:2&version=ESV">Mic 5:2</a>]: 6 "And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel."'";</blockquote><p><p>the God-<i>man</i>:<blockquote><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:1,14&version=ESV">Jn 1:1,14</a>. "1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God ... 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth"</blockquote></p><p>But my point was that the <i>New Testament</i> does not say that Jehovah was Jesus' Father. You tacitly concede this below by quoting from the <i>Old Testament</i>, and <i>only one verse</i> at that!</p><p><b>Notice Micah 5:4 where we read (speaking of the messiah):</p><p>"And he (Jesus) will certainly stand and do shepherding in the strength of Jehovah, in the superiority of the name of Jehovah his God."</b></p><p>Yes, in His <i>human nature</i> Jehovah was Jesus' God and Father.</p> <p>And you are playing Jehovah's Witnesses' favourite game of `Bible ping-pong', that is, playing one part of the Bible against another to force it to agree with Watchtower doctrine":<blockquote>"In short, <i>Jehovah's Witnesses pit one part of Scripture against another part to force the Bible to agree with their doctrine.</i> This is one of the most frequent errors of Jehovah's Witness biblical interpretation. <a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/john/14-28.html">John 14:28</a> is said to rule out the possibility that <a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/john/1-1.html">John 1:1 </a>makes Jesus God, regardless of the particular language used in John 1:1 (and indeed, without careful consideration of the precise language and context of John 14:28). In personal dialogue with Jehovah's Witnesses I have seen this error committed repeatedly. One rather naive Jehovah's Witness even presented me with a list of Scriptures `pro' and `con' on the Trinity, with texts such as John 1:1 listed as `pro' and John 14:28 listed as `con'!" (Bowman, R.M., Jr., "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Jehovahs-Witnesses-They-Bible/dp/0801009952/">Understanding Jehovah's Witnesses</a>," 1991, p.107. Emphasis original).</blockquote></p><p>The correct approach is the <i>Christian</i> one, which is to accept what the Bible teaches, that is, <i>both</i> Jesus is God (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%201:23;%20Jn%201:1,18;%2020:28;%20Acts%2020:28;%20Rom%209:5;%20Php%202:5-6;%20Col%202:9;%20Tit%202:13;%20Heb%201:8;%202Pet%201:1;%201Jn%205:20&version=ESV">Mt 1:23; Jn 1:1; 20:28; Acts 20:28; Rom 9:5; Php 2:5-6; Col 2:9; Tit 2:13; Heb 1:8; 2Pet 1:1; 1Jn 5:20</a>) <i>and</i> that the Father is Jesus' God (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mic%205:4;%20Mt%2027:46;%20Mk%2015:34;%20Jn%2020:17;%20Rom%2015:6;%202Cor%201:3;%20Eph%201:3,17;%20Col%201:3;%20Pet%201:3;%20Rev%201:6;%203:2,12&version=ASV">Mic 5:4; Mt 27:46; Mk 15:34; Jn 20:17; Rom 15:6; 2Cor 1:3; Eph 1:3,17; Col 1:3; Pet 1:3; Rev 1:6; 3:2,12</a>).</p><p><b>This verse not only PROVES Jehovah is the God of Jesus</b></p><p>Indeed it does, but only in the sense that Jehovah God the Father is the God of Jesus the God-<i>man</i>, i.e. in His <i>human nature</i>:<blockquote>"<a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/jesus-is-jehovah.html">Jesus <i>is</i> Jehovah!</a> ... <u>The Father is Jesus' God"</u> The Watchtower cites verses where Jesus speaks of the Father as His God (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2027:46;%20Mk%2015:34;%20Jn%2020:17;%20Rev%201:6;%203:2,12&version=ASV">Mt 27:46; Mk 15:34; Jn 20:17; Rev 1:6; 3:2,12</a>) and the New Testament writers call the Father Jesus' God (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom%2015:6;%202Cor%201:3;%20Eph%201:3,17;%20Col%201:3;%20Pet%201:3&version=ASV">Rom 15:6; 2Cor 1:3; Eph 1:3,17; Col 1:3; Pet 1:3</a>), as proof that Jesus cannot be God. But in His human nature (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:14;%20Rom%201:3;%208:3;%20Php%202:5-8;%20Heb%202:14&version=ASV">Jn 1:14; Rom 1:3; 8:3; Php 2:5-8; Heb 2:14</a>) the Father <i>is</i> Jesus' God. And that the Son is officially subordinate to the Father (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2014:28;%201Cor%2011:3&version=ESV">Jn 14:28; 1Cor 11:3</a>), that does not preclude the Son from being equal <i>in nature</i> with the Father (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:1;%20%205:17-18;%2010:30-33;%20Php%202:6&version=NIV">Jn 1:1; 5:17-18; 10:30-33; Php 2:6</a> NIV). To the son of a co-regent king his father is still his king, even though he has the same nature as his father and to others the son is also king.</blockquote></p><p><b>but the name Jehovah is SUPERIOR to the name Jesus!</b></p><p>The verse you cited (<a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/mic/chapter_005.htm">Micah 5:4</a> NWT) does not say <i>anything</i> about "the name Jehovah" being superior "to the name Jesus."</p><p>And the New Testament teaches that Jesus, looking forward to His resurrection, ascension and exaltation, thanked the Father for "<i>your name</i>, which you have <i>given me</i>":<blockquote><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2017:11&version=ESV">Jn 17:11</a>. And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one." </blockquote></p><p>The Apostle Paul makes it clear that this name which was "bestowed on" Jesus is in fact "the name that is <i>above every</i> name":<blockquote><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Php%202:8-9&version=ESV">Php 2:8-9</a>. 8 "And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,"</blockquote></p><p>So that now Jesus' name is "far above ... <i>every name</i> that is named":<blockquote><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eph%201:19-21&version=ESV">Eph 1:19-21</a>. "19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come." </blockquote></p><p>So either Jesus' name is "Jehovah," or more likely now, the New Testament name "Jesus" (which means "Jehovah is salvation" - <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%201:21&version=ESV">Mt 1:21</a>) is above even the Old Testament name "Jehovah"!</p>That the name "Jesus" is now exalted higher even than the Old Testament name "Jehovah" is consistent with the fact that in the New Testament, "<i>The name `Jesus' appears 912 times, hence far outnumbering the 237 insertions of the name `Jehovah</i>" (my emphasis):<blockquote>"Secondly, even if we were to accept the numerous insertions made by the translators (more accurately, the translator, Fred Franz) of the <I>New World Translation</I> of the name `Jehovah' in the Christian Scriptures, we are still faced with the fact that the original writers of those Christian Scriptures referred to the name of God's Son with far greater frequency. The name `Jesus' appears 912 times, hence far outnumbering the 237 insertions of the name `Jehovah.' This too is strikingly different from the practice found within Watch Tower publications, where the ratio is at times just the reverse. Beginning particularly with Rutherford's presidency, those publications reveal a progressive increase in the use of the name `Jehovah,' accompanied by at least a diminished reference to God's Son, Jesus Christ. Yet God himself has stated that it is His will that `all may honor the Son <I>just as they honor the Father</I>. He that does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.' [<A HREF="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/joh/chapter_005.htm#bk23">John 5:23</A> NWT] The writers of the Christian Scriptures clearly took that statement to heart and their example should be followed ... The evidence is, then, that the practice found within the organization of Jehovah's Witnesses as to repetitive use of, and emphasis on, the Tetragrammaton in actuality reflects more the practice existing within the nation of Israel in pre-Christian times than it does the practice within the congregation of Christ's followers in the first century." (Franz, R., "<A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/Search-Christian-Freedom-Raymond-Franz/dp/0914675176/">In Search of Christian Freedom</A>," 2007, pp.504-505. Emphasis original).</blockquote></p><p>Note that the above quote was by the late <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raymond_Franz">Raymond Franz, a former member of the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses</a>!</p><p><b>This quote is from the vastly superior NWT of the Bible</b></p><p>In this particular verse, <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mic%205:4&version=ASV">Micah 5:4</a>, there is no essential difference between the <i>New World Translation</i> and mainstream Christian translations.</p><p>But as for the NWT being "vastly superior" that is simply <i>false</i>. In fact, the NWT is not <i>even</i> a translation! That is because the NWT's `translators' knew little Greek and even less Hebrew (let alone Aramaic):<blockquote>"<I>Not a Scholarly Translation</I> The `Bethelites' (workers at the Watchtower's Brooklyn headquarters) were some of the people who worked on the <I>New World Translation</I>, but they had no linguistic skills or education in foreign languages when they entered Bethel. Most of those who go to the Brooklyn headquarters do so at the age of eighteen, with only a high school education at best. The only exception to this was Frederick Franz, who attended college for three years and studied some Greek during that time. Two or three years of college Greek, however, hardly qualifies a person to be a `Greek scholar.' Even more significant is the fact that he only studied Greek and not Hebrew. There is no evidence that the Watchtower Society's translation committee ever requested the help of any recognized Greek or Hebrew scholars. There is no evidence that any of them even knew any Greek or Hebrew, except for the little that Franz knew. ... The <I>New World Translation</I> is really not a translation taken directly from the original Greek and Hebrew but a compilation of material taken from about twenty-five other English translations of the Bible. It seems obvious that the men on the committee searched multitudes of English Bible translations to find verses that seemed to agree with their interpretation instead of going directly to the Greek and Hebrew." (Lingle, W., "<A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/What-Watchtower-Society-Doesnt-Want/dp/0875089925">What the Watchtower Society Doesn't Want you to Know</A>," 2009, pp.161-162. Emphasis original).</blockquote></p><p><b>Now, in all fairness, I see this was part of an online discussion, so I am not sure who is saying what, so I trust you can explain it to me.</b></p>See above.<p><b>TWO:</b></p><p><b>As you are a Trinitarian, I have a simple question for you:</b></p><p><b>You are telling the world Jesus is Jehovah God right? </b></p>No, <i>the Bible</i> is "telling the world Jesus is Jehovah God." Read my "<a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/jesus-is-jehovah.html">Jesus <i>is</i> Jehovah!</a>"<p><b>Okay then:</b></p><p><b>If the Great Jehovah God is a triune being of three distinct persons, and as we know, each of those persons can be divided, </b></p>No each of the three Persons of the Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit <i>cannot</i> "be divided."</p><p><b>another words, the Father is not the Son, the son is not the holy spirit, </b></p>It is <i>not</i> in "another words" that "each of those persons can be divided" means that "the Father is not the Son, the son is not the holy spirit." But it is correct, as the above "Shield of the Trinity" makes clear, that the Father is not the Son, nor the Holy Spirit, nor is the Son the Holy Spirit, nor vice-versa.<p><b>yadda yadda, and yet, we ALSO know that the persons CANNOT be divided from the ESSENCE of being God</b><p>You may be thinking of a garbled version of the Athanasian Creed, "Neither confounding the Persons; nor dividing the Essence":<blockquote>"Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold the catholic faith. Which faith except every one do keep whole and undefiled; without doubt he shall perish everlastingly. And the catholic faith is this: That we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity; Neither confounding the Persons; nor dividing the Essence. For there is one Person of the Father; another of the Son; and another of the Holy Ghost. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, is all one; the Glory equal, the Majesty coeternal. Such as the Father is; such is the Son; and such is the Holy Ghost. The Father uncreated; the Son uncreated; and the Holy Ghost uncreated. The Father unlimited; the Son unlimited; and the Holy Ghost unlimited. The Father eternal; the Son eternal; and the Holy Ghost eternal. And yet they are not three eternals; but one eternal. As also there are not three uncreated; nor three infinites, but one uncreated; and one infinite. So likewise the Father is Almighty; the Son Almighty; and the Holy Ghost Almighty. And yet they are not three Almighties; but one Almighty. So the Father is God; the Son is God; and the Holy Ghost is God. And yet they are not three Gods; but one God. So likewise the Father is Lord; the Son Lord; and the Holy Ghost Lord. And yet not three Lords; but one Lord. For like as we are compelled by the Christian verity; to acknowledge every Person by himself to be God and Lord; So are we forbidden by the catholic religion; to say, There are three Gods, or three Lords. The Father is made of none; neither created, nor begotten. The Son is of the Father alone; not made, nor created; but begotten. The Holy Ghost is of the Father and of the Son; neither made, nor created, nor begotten; but proceeding. So there is one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three Sons; one Holy Ghost, not three Holy Ghosts. And in this Trinity none is before, or after another; none is greater, or less than another. But the whole three Persons are coeternal, and coequal. So that in all things, as aforesaid; the Unity in Trinity, and the Trinity in Unity, is to be worshipped. He therefore that will be saved, let him thus think of the Trinity." ("<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athanasian_Creed">Athanasian Creed</a>," Wikipedia, 3 May 2012).</blockquote></p><p>Each of the three Persons of the Trinity share in the essence of God's being. There are three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit in the one Being, the triune God.</p><p><b> then I ask:</b></p><p><b>ACCORDING TO THE GRAMMAR OR TEXT OF THE BIBLE:</b></p><p><b>Is Jesus the Great Triune God Jehovah?</b></p><p>No, Father, Son and Holy Spirit are together the Triune God.</p><p><b>If not, what God is he?</b></p>The Son is the Second Person of the Holy Trinity.<p><b>Thanks</b></p>You're welcome.<p><b>AN</b></p><p><a href="http://members.iinet.net.au/~sejones/index.html">Stephen E. Jones</a>, B.Sc., Grad. Dip. Ed.<br>My other blogs: <a href="http://theshroudofturin.blogspot.com/">The Shroud of Turin</a> & <a href="http://creationevolutiondesign.blogspot.com/">CreationEvolutionDesign</a> (inactive)</p>Stephen E. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16183223752386599799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574858940069385599.post-28818688523081351362012-04-27T08:15:00.000+08:002012-05-21T07:47:39.527+08:00What is a Jehovah's Witness? #2: Jesus returned invisibly in 1914 (1)<p>Continuing from "<a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com.au/2012/04/what-is-jehovahs-witness.html">What is a Jehovah's Witness? #1: Jesus is not God and was not bodily resurrected</a>" with this "What is a Jehovah's Witness? #2: Jesus returned invisibly in 1914," being my comments on an article by Daniel Ausbun, Pastor of First Baptist Moreland, Georgia. The words of the article are <b>bold</b> as are my headings. I am posting this initially without quotations to support the points I make, but will progressively add quotes later. I have since decided because of length to split this part #2 into two sub-parts #2(1) and #2(2). In this part #2(1) I will state the Watchtower position and in the next part #2(2) I will refute it.</p><p><b>"</b><a href="http://www.times-herald.com/religion/What-is-a-Jehovah-s-Witness---2104345">What is a Jehovah's Witness?</a><b>," <i>The Newnan Times-Herald</i>, Daniel Ausbun, First Baptist Church, Moreland [Georgia], March 3, 2012 ... Knock knock! Two people are standing at your door, sharply dressed and very friendly, offering you <i>The Watchtower</i> magazine. They're Jehovah's Witnesses, and they're at your door to tell you God's good news. ... What do Jehovah's Witnesses' believe? ... </b></p><p><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1e/Heraldmorningcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" width="400" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1e/Heraldmorningcover.jpg" /></a><p>[<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1e/Heraldmorningcover.jpg">Above</a> (click to enlarge): Front page of the <i>Herald of the Morning</i>, July 1878, edited by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nelson_H._Barbour">Nelson H. Barbour (1824-1905)</a>, an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adventist">Adventist</a>, with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watch_Tower_Bible_and_Tract_Society_of_Pennsylvania">Watchtower Bible & Tract Society</a> founder "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Taze_Russell">C. T. Russell</a>" (1852–1916) listed as an assistant editor, and showing in the bottom right-hand corner the then Adventist teaching that the "Times of the Gentiles" would "end in 1914": Wikipedia, 18 April 2012. This proves that the <i>foundational</i> Watchtower Society date of 1914 was actually `borrowed' from 19th century Christian Adventist teachings, which the Watchtower effectively admits:<blockquote>"In the course of their Bible studies, these searching students took up a consideration of the `times of the Gentiles,' as spoken of by Jesus at <A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Lk%2021:24&version=KJV">Luke 21:24</A> (AV), and they associated those Gentile Times with the `seven times' mentioned four times in <A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Dn%204:16,23,25,32&version=KJV">Daniel, chapter four, verses 16, 23, 25, 32</A>. What did those Bible students determine to be the date for those `seven times' of Gentile domination of the earth to end legally before God? Well, at that time there was a monthly magazine being published in Brooklyn, New York, by one <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Storrs">George Storrs [an Adventist]</a>, and it was called "Bible Examiner." In the year 1876 the twenty-four-year-old Russell made a contribution on the subject to this magazine ... which was the issue of October, 1876 ... Russell's article was published under the title "<a href="http://users.adam.com.au/bstett/JWGentileTimesRussell55.htm">Gentile Times: When Do They End?</a>" In that article (page 27) Russell said: `The seven times will end in A.D. 1914.' In the following year (1877) Russell joined with one <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nelson_H._Barbour">Nelson H. Barbour [another Adventist]</a>, of Rochester, New York, in publishing a book entitled 'Three Worlds, and the Harvest of This World." In this book it was set forth that the end of the Gentile Times in 1914 C.E. would be preceded by a period of forty years marked by the opening of a harvest of three and a half years, beginning in 1874 C.E. This harvest was understood to be under the invisible direction of the Lord Jesus Christ, whose presence or parousia began in the year 1874. " (WB&TS, "<A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/Gods-Kingdom-Thousand-Years-Appraoched/dp/B000HM9EI0/">God's Kingdom of a Thousand Years Has Approached</A>," 1973, pp.186-187. My words in square brackets).]</blockquote></p><p><b>* The second "coming" of Jesus was an invisible spiritual presence that began in 1914.</b> From 1879 to 1914 (~35 years) the Watchtower Society taught that Jesus <i>had come invisibly in 1874</i>, and that He would come <i>visibly</i> in 1914, at the end of the Times of the Gentiles:<blockquote>"According to an inaccurate chronology that had been worked out from the King James Authorized Version Bible, Russell calculated that Christ's `presence' had begun in the year 1874 C.E., unseen to human eyes and seen only by the eye of faith. This was why, when he began publishing a new religious magazine in defense of the ransom sacrifice of Jesus Christ, Russell entitled it "Zion's Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence." (WB&TS, "<A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/Mans-Salvation-World-Distress-Hand/dp/B000DZ9LA2/">Man's Salvation Out of World Distress at Hand!</A>," 1975, pp. 287-288).</blockquote></p><p>But that prophecy was proved false in 1914, and Russell died in 1916:<blockquote>"From that understanding of matters, the `chaste virgin' class began going forth to meet the heavenly Bridegroom in the year 1874, as they believed him to have arrived in that year and to be from then on invisibly present ... Due to this fact, when Charles T. Russell began publishing his own religious magazine in July of 1879, he published it under the title "Zion's Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence." ... The new magazine was heralding Christ's invisible presence as having begun in 1874. This presence was to continue until the end of the Gentile Times in 1914, when the Gentile nations would be destroyed and the remnant of the `chaste virgin' class would be glorified with their bridegroom in heaven by death and resurrection to life in the spirit ... As the years passed by and the time drew closer, the remnant of the `chaste virgin' class looked ahead with intensifying interest to that critical date, October 1, 1914. ... They were endeavoring to let their light shine as they approached the time when they expected to meet their Bridegroom in the heavens. Finally the day arrived, October 1, 1914, and on the morning of that day Charles T. Russell as president of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society announced to the headquarters staff of workers in Brooklyn, New York: `The Gentile Times have ended and their kings have had their day.' However, with that end of the Gentile Times there did not also come the anticipated glorification of the remnant of the church in the heavens. It was first on October 31, 1916, that Russell himself died, leaving the Society's presidency to another. Something must have been miscalculated." (WB&TS, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Gods-Kingdom-Thousand-Years-Appraoched/dp/B000HM9EI0/">God's Kingdom of a Thousand Years Has Approached</a>," 1973, pp.187-188).</blockquote></p><p>Russell's successor `Judge' <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Franklin_Rutherford">Joseph F. Rutherford</a> (1869–1942) in 1919 declared that Jesus had come <i>invisibly</i> in 1914:<blockquote>"The `chaste virgin' class endeavored to let their light shine as they approached the time when they expected to meet their Bridegroom in heaven. Finally, that day arrived-October 1, 1914. The Gentile Times ended, but the anticipated heavenly glorification of the church did not come about. In fact, it had not occurred by the time Russell himself died on October 31, 1916. ... As the slumbering virgins were aroused by the midnight cry that the bridegroom was coming, so in 1919 C.E. the fact of the heavenly Bridegroom's presence in the Kingdom was thrust upon all who claimed to be virgins awaiting him ... A general convention was held at Cedar Point, Ohio, on September 1-8, 1919 ... The `discreet virgin' class had the faith that the kingdom of God's Son had been established in heaven at the close of the Gentile Times in 1914 ... The `discreet virgin' class thus met the glorious Bridegroom in 1919 and have continued as part of the procession that honors him down to the end." ("No Spiritual `Energy Crisis' for Discreet Ones," <I>The Watchtower</I>, August 15, 1974, pp.507-508)<br><br>"When the Bible Students assembled at Cedar Point, Ohio, in 1919, J. F. Rutherford, who was then the president of the Watch Tower Society, declared: `Our vocation was and is to announce the incoming glorious kingdom of Messiah.' At the second Cedar Point convention, in 1922, Brother Rutherford highlighted the fact that at the end of the Gentile Times, in 1914, `the King of glory had taken unto himself his great power and had begun to reign.'" ("Kingdom Proclaimers Active in All the Earth," <I>The Watchtower</I>, May 1, 1994, pp.15-17)</blockquote></p><p>thereby contradicting Russell and the Watchtower's teaching for <i>forty years</i> that Jesus had <i>already come invisibly in 1874</i>!</p><p>The date of 1914 adopted by Russell from the Adventists was worked out by them as follows:</p><p><b>1. The "times of the Gentiles" in </b><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+21:24&version=KJV">Luke 21:24</a><b> must be the period from the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians to the second coming of Christ</b>:<blockquote>"`JERUSALEM shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.' - <A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Lk%2021:24&version=KJV">Luke 21:24</A>. The term `Times of the Gentiles' was applied by our Lord to that interval of earth's history between the removal of the typical Kingdom of God, the Kingdom of Israel (<A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eze%2021:25-27&version=KJV">Ezek. 21:25-27</A>), and the introduction and establishment of its antitype, the true Kingdom of God, when Christ comes to be `glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe in that day [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2 Thessalonians+1:10&version=KJV">2Th 1:10</a> KJV].'" (Russell, C.T., "<A HREF="http://archive.org/details/TheTimeIsAtHandByCharlesTazeRussell">The Time is at Hand</A>," WB&TS, 1889, p.73. Emphasis original).</blockquote></p><p>But this is <i>false</i>, as we shall see in part #2(2). </p><p><b>2. The date of that destruction of Jerusalem must be 70 years (</b><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah%2025:11-12;%2029:10%20&version=KJV">Jer 25:11-12; 29:10</a><b>) before 536 BC, the year that the Medo-Persian conqueror of Babylon, </b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyrus_the_Great">Cyrus the Great</a><b> allowed the exiled Jews in Babylon to return to Jerusalem, i.e. 536 BC + 70 = 606 BC</b>:<blockquote>"The Bible evidence is clear and strong that the `Times of the Gentiles' is a period of 2520 years, from the year B.C. 606 to and including A.D. 1914 ... The date for the beginning of the Gentile Times is ... at the time of the removal of the crown of God's typical kingdom, from Zedekiah, their last king. According to the words of the prophet (<A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eze%2021:25-27&version=KJV">Ezek. 21:25-27</A>), the crown was taken from Zedekiah; and Jerusalem was besieged by Nebuchadnezzar's army and laid in ruins, and so remained for seventy years-until the restoration in the first year of Cyrus. (<A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2Ch%2036:21-23&version=KJV">2 Chron. 36:21-23</A>) Though Jerusalem was then rebuilt, and the captives returned, Israel has never had another king from that to the present day ... they, as a nation, were subject successively to the Persians, Grecians and Romans ... With these facts before us, we readily find the date for the beginning of the Gentile Times of dominion; for the first year of the reign of Cyrus is a very clearly fixed date -both secular and religious histories with marked unanimity agreeing with Ptolemy's Canon, which places it B.C. 536. And if B.C. 536 was the year in which the seventy years of Jerusalem's desolation ended and the restoration of the Jews began, it follows that their kingdom was overthrown just seventy years before B.C. 536, i. e., 536 plus 70, or B.C. 606. This gives us the date of the beginning of the Times of the Gentiles-B.C. 606." (Russell, "The Time is at Hand," 1889, pp.79-80. Emphasis original).</blockquote><p>This also is <i>false</i>, as we shall see in part #2(2). Also note that the original Watchtower year for the destruction of Jerusalem and the start of the Times of the Gentiles was 606 BC, not the Society's current 607 BC.</p><p><b>3. The "seven times" in </b><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=%20Daniel%204:16-32&version=KJV">Daniel 4:16-32</a><b>, which in the context is the period of Babylon's King Nebuchadnezzar's temporary insanity (</b><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Dn%204:33-37&version=KJV">Dn 4:33-37</a><b>), must mean seven years</b>:<blockquote>"We have already examined the initial, typical application of Daniel's prophecy of the `seven times' and have noted that it applied to the seven literal years of Nebuchadnezzar's madness." (WB&TS, "<A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/Your-Kingdom-Come-WATCH-TOWER/dp/B000WLK7SW/">Let Your Kingdom Come</A>," 1981, p.133)<br><br>"The prophetic dream recorded by Daniel mentions an immense tree that was chopped down and banded with iron and copper until `seven times' passed over it. During that time, it was said, `the heart of a beast' would be given to it. (<A HREF="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/da/chapter_004.htm">Daniel 4:10-17</A>) What did this mean? God caused his own prophet Daniel to explain: Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, was to be removed from his throne and driven from among men to live as a beast. After seven years the king's sanity returned, he acknowledged the superiority of God's rulership, and he himself was restored to his throne. (<a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/da/chapter_004.htm#bk20">Daniel 4:20-37</a>)." (WB&TS, "<A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/True-Peace-Security-How-Find/dp/B00570WQHI/">True Peace and Security: How Can You Find It?</A>," 1986, p.71).</blockquote></p><p>But as we shall see in part #2(2), the Watchtower's claim that these "seven times" <i>must be</i> seven years is <i>false</i>.</p><p><b>(a) Each of those 7 years must be of 360 days</b>:<blockquote>"According to Daniel chapter four, these `appointed times' would be `<I>seven times</I>.' Daniel shows that there would be `seven times' during which God's rulership, as represented by the `tree,' would not be in operation over the earth. (<A HREF="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/da/chapter_004.htm#bk16">Daniel 4:16, 23</A>) How long are these `seven times'? In <A HREF="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/re/chapter_012.htm#bk6">Revelation chapter 12, verses 6 and 14</A>, we learn that 1,260 days are equal to `a time [that is, 1 time] and times [that is, 2 times] and half a time.' That is a total of 3½ times. So `a time' would be equal to 360 days." (WB&TS, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/You-Live-Forever-Paradise-Earth/dp/B001DOYEBI/">You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth</a>," 1989, pp.140-141. Emphasis & square brackets original)<br><br>"In prophecy, a year averages 360 days, or 12 months of 30 days each. (Compare <A HREF="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/re/chapter_012.htm#bk6">Revelation 12:6, 14</A>.) So the king's `seven times,' or seven years, were 360 days multiplied by 7, or 2,520 days." (WB&TS, "<A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/Pay-Attention-Daniels-Prophecy-DPE/dp/B000I0ZOGC/">Pay Attention to Daniel's Prophecy</A>," 1999, pp.95-96).</blockquote></p><p>But as we shall see in part #2(2), there is no connection between the "seven times" of <a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/da/chapter_004.htm#bk16">Daniel 4:16-32</a> and the "time and times and half a time" of <a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/re/chapter_012.htm#bk14"> Revelation 12:14</a> and therefore the Watchtower's claim that the "seven times" of Daniel 4 must be seven years of 360 days each is <i>false</i>.</p><p><b>(b) Each of those 360 days must be a year</b>:<blockquote>"Therefore, `seven times' would be 7 times 360, or 2,520 days. Now if we count a day for a year, according to a Bible rule, the `seven times' equal 2,520 years.-<A HREF="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/nu/chapter_014.htm#bk34">Numbers 14:34</A>; <A HREF="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/eze/chapter_004.htm">Ezekiel 4:6</A>." (WB&TS, "You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth," 1989, p.141)<br><br>"The Bible shows that three and a half `times' equal 1,260 days. (<A HREF="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/re/chapter_012.htm#bk6">Revelation 12:6, 14</A>) Twice that period, or seven times, would be 2,520 days. But nothing noteworthy happened at the end of that short period of time. By applying `a day for a year' to Daniel's prophecy and counting 2,520 years from 607 B.C.E., however, we arrive at the year 1914 C.E.-<A HREF="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/nu/chapter_014.htm#bk34">Numbers 14:34</A>; <A HREF="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/eze/chapter_004.htm">Ezekiel 4:6</A>." (WB&TS, "<A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/Knowledge-That-Leads-Everlasting-Life/dp/B000PJL5WS">Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life</A>," 1995, p.97)<br><br>"However, the vision served notice that this `trampling of Jerusalem' would be temporary-a period of `seven times.' How long a period is that? <A HREF="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/re/chapter_012.htm#bk6">Revelation 12:6, 14</A> indicates that three and a half times equal `a thousand two hundred and sixty days.' `Seven times' would therefore last twice as long, or 2,520 days. But the Gentile nations did not stop `trampling' on God's rulership a mere 2,520 days after Jerusalem's fall. Evidently, then, this prophecy covers a much longer period of time. On the basis of <A HREF="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/nu/chapter_014.htm#bk34">Numbers 14:34</A> and <A HREF="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/eze/chapter_004.htm">Ezekiel 4:6</A>, which speak of `a day for a year,' the `seven times' would cover 2,520 <I>years</I>." (WB&TS, "<A HREF="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bh/appendix_10.htm">What Does the Bible <I>Really</I> Teach?</A>," 2005, p.217. Emphasis original).</blockquote></p><p>But as we shall see in part #2(2), there is no "a day for a year" rule in the Bible, so therefore this claim by the Watchtower that each of those 360 days must be a year is also <i>false</i>.</p><p><b>(c) Hence the "times of the Gentiles" must span a period of 7 x 360 = 2520 years</b>:<blockquote>"When Nebuchadnezzar's sanity was restored by God, little did he realize that the `seven times' were to have a greater fulfillment of a year for each day of the seven prophetic years of 360 days each, a total of 2,520 (7 x 360) years. Little did he realize that it was a prophecy revealing that, from the overthrow of God's representative kingdom when Jerusalem was desolated in 607 B.C.E., there would be no king of the line of David exercising ruling authority in the affairs of mankind for 2,520 years. During this time `Jerusalem would be trampled on by the nations until the appointed times of the nations should be fulfilled'-that is, God would permit Gentile domination of the earth, with no king on the throne representing God. At the end of the 2,520-year period God's due time would arrive to set his Messiah upon the throne in the heavens. According to Bible chronology and world conditions fulfilling prophecy, these `times of the Gentiles' expired in 1914 C.E.-<A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Lk%2021:24&version=ASV">Luke 21:24</A>, <I>American Standard Version</I>; <A HREF="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/eze/chapter_021.htm#bk27">Ezek. 21:27</A>." ("The Best Time to Be Alive," <I>The Watchtower</I>, November 1, 1973, pp.644-645).<br><br>"One of these reasons is that this is the time of Christ's invisible presence in power as King. The `appointed times of the nations,' or the `times of the Gentiles,' have ended. These `times' began when God's representative kingdom on earth was overthrown in 607 B.C.E. by Babylon. How long were these `times' to run? They were to be `seven times' or seven prophetic years of 360 days each, in which a day was to count for a year. This would be 7 × 360, or 2,520 years. This brings us to the year 1914 C.E., when the Kingdom would be restored in the hands of the one `who has the legal right.'-<A HREF="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/lu/chapter_021.htm#bk24">Luke 21:24</A>; <A HREF="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/da/chapter_004.htm#bk17">Daniel 4:17</A>; <A HREF="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/eze/chapter_004.htm">Ezek. 4:6</A>; <A HREF="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/eze/chapter_021.htm#bk27">21:27</A>." ("Is Christianity Dying?" <I>The Watchtower</I>, September 15, 1974, p. 557).<br><br>"Nebuchadnezzar's case of madness, probably a condition known as lycanthropy, lasted for seven years. At his recovery he acknowledged the God who healed him, but he did not restore God's people to their homeland. Jehovah God had decreed that Jerusalem and the land of Judah should lie desolate for 70 years. So the trampling upon Jerusalem by the Gentiles continued on, even after Jerusalem was rebuilt by the repatriated Jews beginning in 537 B.C.E. How so? Because they remained subject to Gentile control, without any descendant of the royal line of David sitting on the throne at Jerusalem as independent king. So it is evident that in the case of Jehovah God, the `seven times' are symbolic, hence, longer than seven years counting from 607 B.C.E.- <A HREF="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/da/chapter_004.htm#bk16">Daniel 4:16, 23, 25, 32</A>. In the Bible's prophetic count of time, a lunar year is calculated as amounting to 360 days. So a symbolic year, or `time,' would amount to 360 calendar years. Seven symbolic `times,' or `years,' would therefore amount to 7 x 360, or 2,520 years. Counted from the year 607 B.C.E., when Jerusalem, `the city of the great King,' was destroyed by Jehovah's `servant,' Nebuchadnezzar, and thus the trampling on Jerusalem by the Gentiles began, those 2,520 years would end in the autumn of the year 1914 of our Common Era." ("Israel and the `Times of the Gentiles," <I>The Watchtower</I>, August 1, 1983, p.21).</blockquote></p><p><b>4. Therefore Jesus' second coming at the <i>END</i> of the Times of the Gentiles would be in 606 BC + 2520 years = AD 1914.</b>:<blockquote>"In <A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Lev%2026:18,21,24,28&version=KJV">Leviticus xxvi</a>, the expression `seven times' is four times repeated in reference to the duration of the rule of its enemies over Jerusalem. It has often been shown that this is the basis and key of the Times of the Gentiles (<A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Lk%2021:24&version=KJV">Luke xxi. 24</A>), or the duration of Gentile rule over Jerusalem. A time is a year; a prophetic year is 360 common years and has been so fulfilled. `A time, times and a half' (i.e., 3½ times) has been fulfilled as 1260 literal years ... If three times and a half are 1260 years, seven times are 2520 years. From B.C. 606, where the desolation of Jerusalem began, 2520 years reach to A.D. 1914. According to this application of the number seven, Jerusalem will be free at that time, and thence-forward be a praise in the earth." ("Number Seven," <I>Zion's Watch Tower</I>, June 1880, Reprints, p.109.<br><br>"It is an accepted fact that in Bible symbolism each day represents a year; and the Jewish year had twelve months of thirty days each. Thus each year represented, symbolically, three hundred and sixty years; and the seven years of chastisement represented 7 x 360 = 2,520 years. When, therefore, we read that the kingdom would be `overturned, overturned,' [<A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eze%2021:27&version=KJV">Eze 21:27</A>] until Messiah should come, we are to understand that the period of the overturned condition, as a whole, would be 2,520 years, beginning with the time the crown was taken from Zedekiah-in 606 B.C. (70 years prior to the proclamation of Cyrus permitting the people to return-536 B.C.). ("Overturned Until He Come," <I>The Watch Tower</I>, August 1, 1911, Reprints, p.4867).<br><br>"SEVEN TIMES' COMMENCED JULY-AUGUST, 606 B.C. The punishment for not properly observing the jubilee was a severe one, yet in <A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Lev%2026:18,21,24,28&version=KJV">Leviticus 26:18,21,24 and 28</A> mention is made of `seven times' more punishment if the Jews neglected to keep their Law, as they had covenanted. By the key given in other scriptures, Bible Students have long known that the `seven times' refer to seven symbolic or prophetic years of three hundred and sixty days, each day standing for a full year of actual time. Thus seven times would be 7 x 360, or 2520 years. In <A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Lk%2021:24&version=KJV">Luke 21:24</A> Jesus stated that Jerusalem, standing for the Jewish nation, would be trodden down, or under the dominion of the Gentiles, `until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.' The nation went completely under the dominion of the Gentiles at the hand of Nebuchadnezzar July-August, 606 B.C. 2520 years from that date would be 1914 A.D." ("The Year of Jubilee," <I>The Watch Tower</I>, February 15, 1925, p. 54. Emphasis original).<br><br>"It is by Israel's jubilee system, detailed in the <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Lev%2025&version=KJV">twenty-fifth chapter of Leviticus</a>, and by the `seven times' of the <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Lev%2026&version=KJV">twenty-sixth chapter</a>, that the chronological system of the Bible is verified. The seven times or seven `years' (of 360 days each) of punishment are seven periods of 360 years each, or 2520 years in all, which began with the destruction of the national life of Israel at a kingdom, in 606 B.C., and which ended in 1914 A.D. with the outbreak of the World War, when Christ began to take control of earth's affairs." ("Obedience to Law," <I>The Watch Tower</I>, August 1, 1926, p.237).<br><br>"In <A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Lev%2026:14-39&version=KJV">Leviticus 26:14-39</A>, God told the nation of Israel that if they failed to keep their covenant he would scatter them among the Gentile nations, where they would be a byword and a hissing for a long period called `seven times'. This foretold period of punishment began when Nebuchadnezzar carried the Israelites to Babylon, in 606 B.C., and ended in 1914, exactly 2520 years later. In Jewish reckoning, a time is a Jewish year of 360 days. Seven times would be seven times 360 days, or 2520 days; and the Lord through his prophet tells us that, in prophecy, a day counts for a year.-<A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eze%204:4-6;%20Num%2014:34&version=KJV">Ezek. 4:4-6; Num. 14:34</A>." ("Divine Foreknowledge: Proof That Jehovah is God," <I>The Watch Tower</I>, July 16, 1930, p.218).</blockquote></p><p>But as we shall see in in part #2(2), there is no connection between Jesus' prophecy of "the Times of the Gentiles" in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2021:24&version=ESV">Luke 21:24</a>:<blockquote>"They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled."</blockquote></p><p>and the "seven times" of <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel%204:16-32&version=ESV">Daniel 4:16-32</a>, or indeed <i>any</i> Old Testament passage.</p><p>The Watchtower Society later admitted (what it must have known since at least 1904) that there was no year zero between 1 BC and AD 1, therefore 606 BC + 2520 years = AD 1913. But rather than admit that 1914 was wrong (which would cause the collapse of the entire Watchtower `house of cards' system - see next part #2(2) - the Watchtower changed its date for the destruction of Jerusalem from 606 BC to 607 BC!:<blockquote>"How long are `seven times', the times of the nations? ... In <A HREF="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/re/chapter_012.htm#bk6">Revelation 12:6</A> (NW) there is mentioned 1,260 days and then in the 14th verse this very same period is referred to as 3½ `times'. So if 3½ `times' is 1,260 days, then 7 `times' (twice 3½ `times') must be twice 1,260, or 2,520 days. ... So according to this [year-day] rule established in the wilderness the Jewish nation [<A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Num%2014:34&version=KJV">Num 14:34</A>] ... These 2,520 years ran from the desolating of Jerusalem and the land in the summer and fall of 607 B.C. up to the summer and fall of 1914, when they expired. From 607 B.C. to 1 B.C. is 606 years. From 1 B.C. to A.D. 1 is only one year, because the ancients had not discovered the zero which according to modern mathematics would have made it two years. The use of the zero is only of comparatively recent mathematical origin. From A.D. 1 to A.D. 1914 is 1,913 years. Therefore adding 606 years plus 1 year plus 1,913 years we get a total of 2,520 years." ("Determining the Year by Fact and Bible," <I>The Watchtower</I>, May 1, 1952, pp.270-271).<br><br>"Jehovah's witnesses from 1877 up to and including the publishing of `<A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/Truth-Shall-Make-You-Free/dp/B000BKGOP4/">The Truth Shall Make You Free</A>' of 1943 considered 536 B.C. as the year for the return of the Jews to Palestine, basing their calculations for the fall of Babylon on secular histories that were inaccurate, not up to date on archaeological evidences [This is a lie. The WB&TS was repeatedly told by Christians from at least 1904 that 606 BC was wrong, based on historical and archaeological evidence, but it claimed that that they were wrong and that it got its 606 BC date from the Bible, which itself is false because the Bible has no dates-SEJ]. This meant that Jeremiah's seventy years of desolation for Jerusalem ran back from 536 B.C. to 606 B.C., instead of more correctly as now known from 537 B.C. to 607 B.C. (<A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2Ch%2036:21;%20Jer%2025:12;%20Zec%201:12&version=KJV">2 Chron. 36:21; Jer. 25:12; Zec. 1:12</A>) With the above Absolute date for the fall of Babylon, the date 607 B.C. is on solid ground for the fall of Jerusalem, when King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon terminated the reigning Davidic dynasty by taking Jerusalem's last ruler, King Zedekiah, captive. This leads to the important modern date of 1914, which marks the end of the `seven times' of 2,520 years of Gentile domination since the first fall of Jerusalem 607 B.C. (<A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Dan%204:9-16;%20Lk%2021:24&version=KJV">Dan. 4:9-16; Luke 21:24</A>) This adjustment of one year for Jerusalem's fall to 607 B.C. was acknowledged in the book `<A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/The-Kingdom-at-Hand-Watchtower/dp/B000NGSG4I/">The Kingdom Is at Hand</A>' of 1944, footnote of page 171, and also in <I>The Watchtower</I> of 1952, page 271." ("Questions From Readers ," <I>The Watchtower</I>, February 1, 1955, p. 94).<br><br>"<I>1914 Foreseen</I> ... `The Bible evidence is clear and strong that the `Times of the Gentiles' is a period of 2520 years, from the year B.C. 606 to and including A.D. 1914.'-<I>Studies in the Scriptures</I>, Volume 2, written by C. T. Russell and published in 1889, page 79. Charles Taze Russell and his fellow Bible students realized decades earlier that 1914 would mark the end of the Gentile Times, or the appointed times of the nations. (<A HREF="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/lu/chapter_021.htm#bk24">Luke 21:24</A>) ... Providentially, those Bible Students had not realized that there is no zero year between `B.C.' and `A.D.' Later, when research made it necessary to adjust B.C. 606 to 607 B.C.E., the zero year was also eliminated, so that the prediction held good at `A.D. 1914.'-See "<I><A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/Truth-Shall-Make-You-Free/dp/B000BKGOP4/">The Truth Shall Make You Free</A></I>", published by Jehovah's Witnesses in 1943, page 239.' (WB&TS, "<A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/Revelation-its-Grand-Climax-Hand/dp/B001G9TI9S/">Revelation: Its Grand Climax At Hand!</A>," 1988, p.105).</blockquote></p><p>This was despite the Watchtower's founder Russell claiming that 606 BC was one of "God's dates, not ours":<blockquote>"We see no reason for changing the figures-nor could we change them if we would. They are, we believe, God's dates, not ours. But bear in mind that the end of 1914 is not the date for the <I>beginning</I>, but for the end of the time of trouble." (Russell, C.T., "Can It Be Delayed Until 1914?," <I>Zion's Watch Tower</I>, July 15, 1894, Watchtower Reprints, p.1677).</blockquote></p><p>and, "To change the chronology <i>even one year</i> would destroy all this harmony" (my emphasis):<blockquote>"<I>Question.</I>-If the `Times of the Gentiles' can be changed as suggested in the July TOWER, so that the anarchy will follow 1914 A. D., instead of preceding it, might not similar changes be made in respect to all the various lines of prophetic time-proof set forth in MILLENNIAL DAWN, Vols. II. and III.? <I>Answer.</I>-You are entirely in error. ... The harmony of the prophetic periods is one of the strongest proofs of the correctness of our Bible chronology. They fit together like the cog-wheels of a perfect machine. To change the chronology even one year would destroy all this harmony,- so accurately are the various proofs drawn together in the <I>parallels</I> between the Jewish and Gospel ages. It would affect the ending of the Jubilee cycles, the 1335 days, the 2300 days and the times of the Gentles, throwing out of gear all the wonderful harmonies of these in the `parallel dispensations.'" (Russell, C.T., "The Harvest and Gentile Times," <I>Zion's Watch Tower</I>, August 15, 1904, Watchtower Reprints, p.3415. Emphasis original).</blockquote></p><p>But as we shall see in in part #2(2), <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Jerusalem_(587_BC)">the destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar was in 587 BC</a> not in 606 BC, nor in 607 BC. The Adventists' (and therefore Russell's and the Watchtower's) fundamental error was in confusing Jeremiah's prophecy about Judah and <i>the surrounding nations serving</i> the King of Babylon as vassals for 70 years:<blockquote><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jer%2025:11&version=KJV">Jer 25:11</a> KJV. "And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years."</blockquote></p><p>which began soon after Nebuchadnezzar defeated the Egyptians at the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Carchemish">Battle of Carchemish in 605 BC</a>, with the actual destruction of Jerusalem 18 years later in 587 BC.</p><p>Note that if <i>any one</i> of the factors in the equation: 7 (times = years) x 360 (days = years) = 2520 years is <i>even slightly</i> different, the answer would not be 2520. For example, if the "seven times" of Nechuchadnezzar's temporary insanity was not "seven literal years" as the Watchtower claims, but six years and nine months (which is well within the meaning of "seven times"), that would make the calculation 6.75 x 360 = 2430 years, which if then added to the Watchtower's current year for the destruction of Jerusalem of 607 BC, would yield the end of the Gentile times of 1823! And even if all the factors were <i>exactly</i> what the Watchtower claims they are, and the answer was 2520, then the year of the destruction of Jerusalem <i>has to be</i> 607 BC (which it <i>isn't</i>-it was twenty years later in 587 BC) for -607 + 2520 +1 (no year zero) to equal 1914. And even if each part the Watchtower's equation was correct (and as we shall see <i>all</i> of them are wrong, with the possible exception of the "seven times" of Nebuchadnezzar's temporary insanity being seven years), there is still no good reason to think that "times" in "times of the Gentiles" in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+21:24&version=ESV">Luke 21:24</a>) has <i>anything</i> to do with the "seven times" period of Nebuchadnezzar's temporary insanity in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Dn%204:16-32&version=KJV">Daniel 4:16-32</a>.<p><p>[To be continued in part #2(2)]</p><p><a href="http://members.iinet.net.au/~sejones/index.html">Stephen E. Jones</a>, B.Sc., Grad. Dip. Ed.<br>My other blogs: <a href="http://creationevolutiondesign.blogspot.com/">CreationEvolutionDesign</a> & <a href="http://theshroudofturin.blogspot.com/">The Shroud of Turin</a></p>Stephen E. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16183223752386599799noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574858940069385599.post-29318175670875612232012-04-20T11:54:00.001+08:002012-04-30T07:53:01.038+08:00What is a Jehovah's Witness? #1: Jesus is not God and was not bodily resurrected<p>Here are my comments on an article by a Baptist pastor on some of the distinctive teachings of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah's_Witnesses">Jehovah's Witnesses</a>. I had intended to post it unfinished and then progressively add my comments to it. But I later realised it would become too long, so I will now split my responses over multiple parts. My comments are <b>bold</b> to distinguish from the article.</p><p>"<a href="http://www.times-herald.com/religion/What-is-a-Jehovah-s-Witness---2104345">What is a Jehovah's Witness?</a>," <i>The Newnan Times-Herald</i>, Daniel Ausbun, <a href="http://www.fbcmoreland.org/images/Daniel_Ausbun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" width="225" src="http://www.fbcmoreland.org/images/Daniel_Ausbun.jpg" /></a>First Baptist Church, Moreland [Georgia], March 03, 2012 ... </p><p><b>[</b><a href="http://www.fbcmoreland.org/images/Daniel_Ausbun.jpg">Left</a><b>: Daniel Ausbun, Pastor of First Baptist Moreland, Georgia: </b><a href="http://www.fbcmoreland.org/staff.html">First Baptist Moreland: Staff</a>.<b>]</p><p></b>Knock knock! Two people are standing at your door, sharply dressed and very friendly, offering you <i>The Watchtower</i> magazine. They're Jehovah's Witnesses, and they're at your door to tell you God's good news. ... What do Jehovah's Witnesses' believe? </p><p>* Jesus is not Jehovah God; he is the first and only direct creation of God and the agent through which Jehovah made all things. Jesus was originally created by God as the Archangel, Michael. Michael was later given a human body and renamed Jesus. ... <b>This is indeed what the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watch_Tower_Bible_and_Tract_Society_of_Pennsylvania">Watchtower Bible & Tract Society</a> teaches: </b><blockquote>"<i>Who Is Michael the Archangel?</i> THE spirit creature called Michael is not mentioned often in the Bible. However, when he is referred to, he is in action. In the book of Daniel, Michael is battling wicked angels; in the letter of Jude, he is disputing with Satan; and in Revelation, he is waging war with the Devil and his demons. By defending Jehovah's rulership and fighting God's enemies, Michael lives up to the meaning of his name-'Who Is Like God?' But who is Michael? At times, individuals are known by more than one name. For example, the patriarch Jacob is also known as Israel, and the apostle Peter, as Simon. (Genesis 49:1, 2; Matthew 10:2) Likewise, the Bible indicates that Michael is another name for Jesus Christ, before and after his life on earth. Let us consider Scriptural reasons for drawing that conclusion." ("<a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bh/appendix_11.htm">What Does the Bible <i>Really</i> Teach?</a>" Watchtower Bible & Tract Society, 2005, p.218. Emphasis original).</blockquote></p><p><b>This is a good topic for a Christian to start dialoguing with a JW because it is, "Perhaps the most peculiar Watchtower doctrine" and "If Witnesses have difficulty explaining any particular doctrine, it is this one":</b> <blockquote>"Perhaps the most peculiar Watchtower doctrine is the idea that Jesus is really Michael the archangel. This teaching is not typically mentioned when introducing the faith to a new recruit, as can be seen in the official overview of beliefs published by the Watchtower. If Witnesses have difficulty explaining any particular doctrine, it is this one. ... The clearest contradiction of such an idea can be found in the book of Hebrews ... where the sacred author asks, `For to what angel did God ever say, "Thou art my Son"' (<A HREF=""http://www.biblestudytools.com/rsv/hebrews/1-5.html">1:5</A>, citing <A HREF="http://www.biblestudytools.com/rsv/psalms/2-7.html">Ps. 2:7</A>) and `When he brings the first-born into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him"' (<A HREF="http://www.biblestudytools.com/rsv/hebrews/1-6.html">1:6</A>, citing <A HREF="http://www.biblestudytools.com/rsv/deuteronomy/32-43.html">Deut. 32:43</A>). `Of the angels he says, "Who makes his angels winds, and his servants flames of fire." But of the Son he says, "Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever ..." and, "Thou, Lord, didst found the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of thy hands"' (<A HREF="http://www.biblestudytools.com/rsv/hebrews/passage.aspx?q=hebrews+1:7-8">1:7-8</A>, citing <A HREF="http://www.biblestudytools.com/rsv/psalms/passage.aspx?q=psalm+104:4;psalm+104:6;psalm+102:25">Ps. 104:4, 45:6, and 102:25</A>). Here the author of Hebrews not only separates Jesus from angels, he even commands the angels to worship him (<A HREF="http://www.biblestudytools.com/rsv/passage.aspx?q=hebrews+1:6;revelation+5:13-14;revelation+5:14;revelation+5:7">Heb. 1:6; cf. Rev. 5:13-14, 14:7</A>). The first issue of <I>Zion's Watch Tower</I> magazine agreed: `"Let <I>all</I> the angels of God worship him" [that must include Michael] and "Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever."' [<I>Zion's Watch Tower</I>, July 1879, p.9. Brackets and italics original]" (Evert, J., "<A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/Answering-Jehovahs-Witnesses-Jason-Evert/dp/1888992212">Answering Jehovah's Witnesses</A>," 2001, pp.72-73).</blockquote></p><p><b>See my two-part series, "</b><a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com.au/2008/01/is-jesus-christ-michael-archangel-1.html">Is Jesus Christ Michael the archangel?</a><b>" for other reasons why the Watchtower Society is wrong in its claim that Jesus is Michael the archangel.</b></p>* Jesus' true followers are known by their worship of the true and almighty God, Jehovah, who is not a Trinity.<b> Jesus <i>is</i> Jehovah, come in the flesh. See my previous post, "<a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/jesus-is-jehovah.html">Jesus <i>is</i> Jehovah!</a>" So Jehovah's Witnesses who deny that, are not <i>Jehovah's</i> witnesses, but are witnesses to a false god of the Watchtower Society's making.</b></p><p>* Jesus was raised from the dead, not with a physical body, but as a mighty spirit creature. <b>This is indeed what the Watchtower teaches, "God ... raised Jesus Christ to life ... Jesus became a living spirit creature, as he had been before coming to earth:"</b><blockquote>"God, in one of history's most important acts, raised Jesus Christ to life after he had been dead for days. Jesus became a living spirit creature, as he had been before coming to earth ..." ("<A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/Happiness-How-Find-It-HPE/dp/B001P4GE8C/">Happiness-How to Find It</A>," Watchtower Bible & Tract Society, 1980, p.118-119).</blockquote></p><p><b>"God raised Jesus back to life as a glorious spirit creature":</b><blockquote>"Lovingly, Jehovah provided a perfect solution. How so? First, by performing the miracle of transferring the life of his beloved heavenly Son to the womb of a virgin so that he could be born as a perfect human ... Then, after Jesus' enemies put him to death, Jehovah performed another outstanding miracle. God raised Jesus back to life as a glorious spirit creature." ("Righteous Ones Will Praise God Forever," <I>The Watchtower</I>, March 15, 2009, p.24).</blockquote></p><p><b>"Jesus today ... is a mighty spirit creature":</b><blockquote>"<I>Where Is Jesus Today?</I> Jesus died on a torture stake at the age of 33 1/2. But death was not the end of his life course. The third stage of his life began about three days later when Jehovah God resurrected his Son as a spirit person. ... Jesus today is neither a man nor God ... Rather, he is a mighty spirit creature ..." ("Who Is Jesus Christ?," <I>The Watchtower</I>, September 15, 2005, p.6).</blockquote></p><p><b>But the <i>Bible</i> teaches that Jesus'<i>body</i> was resurrected:</b><blockquote>"While Jesus was passing through the temple in Jerusalem, some Jewish people asked him for a sign. He replied, `Break down this temple, and in three days I will raise it up' (<A HREF="http://www.biblestudytools.com/rsv/john/2-19.html/">John 2:19</A>). They understood him to be speaking of the temple building, but John clarifies that Jesus had something else in mind: `He was talking about the temple of <I>his body</I>' (<A HREF="http://www.biblestudytools.com/rsv/john/2-21.html">John 2:21</A>; emphasis added). The Greek here is <I>somatos autou</I>, `the body of himself.' Jesus unequivocally teaches that he will raise up his body after three days. ... After he had risen, Jesus showed that his promise had been fulfilled, `See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself; feel me and see, because <I>a spirit does not have flesh and bones just as you behold that I have</I>... . Do you have something there to eat?' (<A HREF="http://www.biblestudytools.com/rsv/luke/passage.aspx?q=luke+24:39;luke+24:41">Luke 24:39, 41</A>; emphasis added). Jesus also insisted that Thomas place his finger into his wounded side, to prove that he had indeed risen from the dead (<A HREF="http://www.biblestudytools.com/rsv/john/20-27.html">John 20:27</A>). But why would Jesus offer a body to prove that his spirit had risen? In Matthew 28:6, why would the angel offer the empty tomb as proof that Jesus rose if his body is forever dead?" (Evert, J., "<A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/Answering-Jehovahs-Witnesses-Jason-Evert/dp/1888992212/">Answering Jehovah's Witnesses</A>," 2001, pp.106-107. Emphasis original).<br><br>"JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES, as has been observed, deny the bodily resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ and claim instead that He was raised a `divine spirit being,' or as an `invisible spirit creature.' They answer the objection that He appeared in human form by asserting that He simply took human forms as He needed them which enabled Him to be seen, for as the Logos, He would have been invisible to the human eye. In short, Jesus did not appear in the same form which hung upon the cross, since that body either `dissolved in gases or is preserved somewhere as a memorial to God's love.' [Russell, C.T., <I>The Time is at Hand</I>, 1907, p.129] The Scriptures, however, tell a completely different story, as will be evident when their testimony is considered. Christ Himself prophesied His own bodily resurrection, and John tells us `he spake of the temple of his body' (<A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%202:21&version=KJV">Jn 2:21</A>, KJV). In <A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2020:25-26&version=KJV">John 20:25-26</A> the disciple Thomas doubted the literal physical resurrection of Christ only to positively declare his belief in <A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2020:28&version=KJV">verse 28</A>, after Jesus (<A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2020:27&version=KJV">v. 27</A>) offered His body, the same one that was crucified and still bearing the prints and spear wound, to Thomas for his examination. No one would say that the body the Lord Jesus displayed was not His crucifixion body, unless he either ignorantly or willfully denies the Word of God. It was not a body `assumed' for the time by a spiritual Christ; it was the identical form that hung on the tree-the Lord Himself; He was alive and undeniably tangible, not a `divine spirit creature.' The Lord foresaw the unbelief of men in His bodily resurrection and made an explicit point of saying that He was not a spirit but flesh and bones (<A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Lk%2024:39-44&version=KJV">Lk 24:39-44</A>), and He even went so far as to eat food to prove that He identified with humanity as well as Deity. Christ rebuked the disciples for their unbelief in His physical resurrection (<A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Lk%2024:25&version=KJV">Lk 24:25</A>), and it was the physical resurrection that confirmed His deity, since only God could voluntarily lay down and take up life at will (<A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2010:18&version=KJV">Jn 10:18</A>)." (Martin, W.R. & Klann, N., "<A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/JEHOVAH-WATCH-TOWER-Walter-Norman-Martin/dp/B0017GTPX4/">Jehovah of the Watchtower</A>," 1981, pp.69-70. Emphasis original).</blockquote></p><p>[<a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com.au/2012/04/what-is-jehovahs-witness-2-jesus.html">Continued in part #2</a>].</p><p> <a href="http://members.iinet.net.au/~sejones/index.html">Stephen E. Jones</a>, B.Sc., Grad. Dip. Ed.<br>My other blogs: <a href="http://creationevolutiondesign.blogspot.com/">CreationEvolutionDesign</a> & <a href="http://theshroudofturin.blogspot.com/">The Shroud of Turin</a></p>Stephen E. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16183223752386599799noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574858940069385599.post-25927130230932853262012-03-16T23:37:00.000+08:002012-06-21T07:57:49.533+08:00Jesus is Jehovah!<p>I have decided to post here a one-page summary of the Bible's teaching that Jesus Christ of the New Testament is Jehovah of the Old Testament, come in the flesh. As such it can be printed out by Christians and used as a witnessing tool to Jehovah's Witnesses.</p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEistRMYJs33vG3E8m4m0i9rI9z7h3Pio5ok2lfpYXej9EHeyV0a68Xxs5cZ411YBMCGNqm2RcaQqgUtvIegcHs8_XhnXVbehZ3J3fo385rwkTI1s5uJrUHLxW2EMGg4RNmxEpqf7LojBOs/s1600/CetnarWheel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEistRMYJs33vG3E8m4m0i9rI9z7h3Pio5ok2lfpYXej9EHeyV0a68Xxs5cZ411YBMCGNqm2RcaQqgUtvIegcHs8_XhnXVbehZ3J3fo385rwkTI1s5uJrUHLxW2EMGg4RNmxEpqf7LojBOs/s320/CetnarWheel.JPG" /></a> <p>[Above (click to enlarge): "Jesus is Yahweh" wheel, Cetnar, W.I. & J., 1983, "<a href="http://tinyurl.com/7zz2xbm">Questions for Jehovah's Witnesses</a>," Bill & Joan Cetnar: Kunkletown PA, Reprinted, 2001, back cover.]</p><p>Up to now, I have had to refer to my one-page "<a href="http://tinyurl.com/72eekun">Jesus <i>is</i> Jehovah!</a>" post on my <a href="http://tinyurl.com/7lov36z">CreationEvolutionDesign</a> blog, which I posted there before I had started this Jesus <i>is</i> Jehovah! blog. I have largely followed the outline of that post. I have also mostly used the <a href="http://tinyurl.com/3l59xk5">American Standard Version</a> (1901) because it translated the Hebrew הוהי (<i>YHWH</i>) as "Jehovah."</p><p>This is still a work-in-progress. I am working through it verse-by-verse, day-by-day, in my morning `quiet time' and will improve it as I go along.</p><hr><p><b><center>JESUS <i>IS</i> JEHOVAH!</center></b></p><p><a name="intro"></a><b>1. INTRODUCTION</b><br><b>Why I use "Jehovah" instead of "Yahweh"</b> "Jehovah" is the common English translation of the Hebrew <i>YHWH</i>; being three syllables it may be closer to the original than "Yahweh"; and it is the translation adopted by the <a href="http://tinyurl.com/yj89zl9">Watchtower Bible & Tract Society</a> in the name "<a href="http://tinyurl.com/aah2v">Jehovah's Witnesses</a>." If Jesus <i>is</i> Jehovah, which the Watchtower denies, then Jehovah's Witnesses are not <i>Jehovah's</i> witnesses.</p><p><b>What I mean by Jesus <i>is</i> Jehovah</b> is that Jesus Christ of the New Testament is Jehovah of the Old Testament, come in the flesh. As Jehovah promised/warned in the Old Testament that He would come to Israel/Jerusalem in Person (<a href="http://tinyurl.com/8yodlml">Isa 40:3; Zep 3:14-15; Zec 2:10-11; 9:9; Mal 3:1</a>).</p><p><b>What I don't mean by Jesus <i>is</i> Jehovah</b> is that the Son is the Father. That Jesus is Jehovah does not preclude the other two Persons of the Holy Trinity (<a href="http://tinyurl.com/88jamet">Mt 28:19; 2Cor 13:14; 1Pet 1:2</a>): the Father (<a href="http://tinyurl.com/7w3wg6e">Ps 139:7; Isa 40:13 = Rom 11:34 & 1Cor 2:16; Mk 3:28-29; Acts 5:3-4; 13:2; 28:25-27; 2Cor 3:17; Heb 3:7-11 = Ps 95:7-11; Heb 10:15-17 = Jer 31:33</a>), also being Jehovah: the <i>one</i> Triune God.</p><p><b>Plurality in God/Jehovah in the Old Testament</b> There are indications of plurality within God/Jehovah in the Old Testament:<ul><li> <b><i>Elohim</i> [God] is plural</b> The usual Hebrew word for "God" [<i>elohim</i>] is plural. Personal pronouns "us" and "our" are used by God/Jehovah of Himself (<a href="http://tinyurl.com/7sgkeeb">Gn 1:26; 3:22, 11:7; Isa 6:8</a>).</li><br><li><b>"One" [Heb. <i>'echad</i>] can mean a <i>compound</i> unity</b> The Hebrew word for "one" [<i>'echad</i>] in "Jehovah our God is one" (<a href="http://tinyurl.com/6r9vgg5">Dt 6:4</a>) can mean a compound unity. The same Heb. word <i>'echad</i> is used of the "one flesh" of husband and wife; "one people" comprising many individuals; "one voice" of "all the people"; "one cluster of grapes"; and "one stick" joined to "another stick" making a compound "one stick" (<a href="http://tinyurl.com/86zbeab">Gn 2:24; 11:6; 34:16,22; Ex 24:3; Num 13:23; Eze 37:16-17</a>).</li><br><li> <b>More than one "Jehovah"</b> In the account of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham addressed his three visitors collectively as "Jehovah" (<a href="http://tinyurl.com/d4ug9dp">Gn 18:1-5,9</a>); and later Jehovah on earth made it rain sulphur and fire from Jehovah in heaven (<a href="http://tinyurl.com/c9u2gmj">Gn 19:24</a>). "Jehovah" sends "Jehovah" (<a href="http://tinyurl.com/d99rkhf">Zec 2:8-11; Isa 48:12,16</a>). And in <a href="http://tinyurl.com/cfkkopq">Zec 3:2</a> "Jehovah" says to Satan, "Jehovah rebuke thee, O Satan."</li><br><li><b>Spirit of Jehovah/God & Word of Jehovah/God</b> The "Spirit of Jehovah/God" is Jehovah (<a href="http://tinyurl.com/7gcdmx8">Job 33:4; Ps 139:7; Isa 40:13</a>), yet is distinct from Jehovah (<a href="http://tinyurl.com/8xtm6b2">Ex 31:1-3; Ps 104:30; Isa 11:2; 42:1; 48:16; 63:10</a>). Both the Spirit of Jehovah/God (<a href="http://tinyurl.com/6o8unns">Gn 1:2; Job 33:4; Ps 104:30</a>), and the Word of Jehovah/God (<a href="http://tinyurl.com/7equy8o">Gn 1:3,6,9,11,14,20,24,26; Ps 33:6-9; Jn 1:1-3; Heb 11:3, 2Pet 3:5</a>) were active in Creation.</li><br><li> <b>Angel of Jehovah</b> The angel of Jehovah/God speaks and acts as Jehovah/God (<a href="http://tinyurl.com/cau3v3l">Gn 16:10; 22:11-12, 15-18; 31:11-13; 28:13; Ex 3:1-6</a>); has Jehovah's name in him (<a href="http://tinyurl.com/2au7jdu">Ex 23:20-23</a>) and is called "Jehovah" or "God" (<a href="http://tinyurl.com/7yfqrdl">Gn 16:10-13; 32:24-30; Jdg 13:2-3,22; Zec 3:1-2</a>). </li></ul></p><p><b><a name="Jesusclaimed"></a>2. JESUS CLAIMED TO BE JEHOVAH</b><br><b>I AM</b> Jesus claimed to be "I AM" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:24,28,58;%2013:19;%2018:5-6&version=ASV">Jn 8:24,28,58; 13:19; 18:5-6</a>). The "I am he" in the original Greek of those verses is <i>ego eimi</i> - "I am" - with no "he". In the Greek Old Testament (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Septuagint">Septuagint or LXX</a>) <i>ego eimi</i> - "I AM" - is the self-designation of Jehovah (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%203:14-15;%20Dt%2032:39;%20Isa.%2041:4;%2043:10;%2046:4;%2052:6&version=ASV">Ex 3:14-15; Dt 32:39; Isa. 41:4; 43:10; 46:4; 52:6</a>). In particular, Jesus claimed to be Jehovah in His statements that, "Before Abraham was born, I am [<i>ego eimi</i>]" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:58&version=ESV">Jn 8:58</a> ESV), and "unless you believe that I am [<i>ego eimi</i> - no "he"] ... you will die in your sins" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:24&version=ESV">Jn 8:24</a> ESV). Likewise, Jesus also claimed to be Jehovah when He walked on the stormy sea and told the disciples in their sinking boat to, "Take heart; it is I" (<i>ego eimi</i> - "I AM") (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2014:23-27;%20Mk%206:47-50;%20Jn%206:16-20&version=ESV">Mt 14:23-27; Mk 6:47-50; Jn 6:16-20</a> ESV).</p><p><b>Shepherd</b> Jesus claimed to be "the Good Shepherd" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2010:11,14&version=ASV">Jn 10:11,14</a>). Jesus is the "Great Shepherd of the sheep," "the Shepherd," "the Chief Shepherd" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Heb%2013:20;%201Pet%202:25;%205:4;%20Rev%207:17&version=ASV">Heb 13:20; 1Pet 2:25; 5:4; Rev 7:17</a>). But Jehovah is the Shepherd of His sheep (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2023:1;%20Isa%2040:10-11;%20Eze%2034:15&version=ASV">Ps 23:1; Isa 40:10-11; Eze 34:15</a>).</p><p><b>First and Last</b> Jesus claimed to be "<i>the</i> first and <i>the</i> last" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev%201:17-18;%202:8;%2022:13,16&version=ASV">Rev 1:17-18; 2:8; 22:13,16</a>). But Jehovah is <i>the</i> first and <i>the</i> last (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2041:4;%2044:6;%2048:12,17&version=ASV">Isa 41:4; 44:6; 48:12,17</a>). And there cannot be two "<i>the</i> first and <i>the</i> lasts! Jesus also claimed to be "<i>the</i> Alpha and <i>the</i> Omega" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev%2021:6;%2022:13&version=ASV">Rev 21:6; 22:13</a>). But "the Lord God ... the Almighty" is "<i>the</i> Alpha and <i>the</i> Omega" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev%201:8&version=ASV">Rev 1:8</a>).</p><p><b><a name="Jesusisstated"></a>3. JESUS IS STATED/IMPLIED TO BE JEHOVAH</b><br><b>Jesus is Jehovah God</b> Jesus <i>blessed</i> Thomas for his confession that Jesus was "<i>the</i> Lord of me and <i>the</i> God of me" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2020:28-29&version=ASV">Jn 20:28-29</a>).</p><p><b>Jesus is Jehovah</b> "Jesus is Lord" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom%2010:9;1Cor%2012:3;%20Php%202:10-11;&version=ASV">Rom 10:9; 1Cor 12:3; Php 2:10-11</a>). If the Watchtower was consistent in its stated policy of substituting "Jehovah" for Gk. <i>kyrios</i> in its NWT New Testament, where it is a quote from the Old Testament that includes the name of "Jehovah", then it would have translated <a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/php/chapter_002.htm#bk10">Php 2:11</a> NWT as: <blockquote>"and every tongue should openly acknowledge that Jesus Christ is JEHOVAH" </blockquote></p><p>because <a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/php/chapter_002.htm#bk10">Php 2:10-11</a> NWT is a quote from <a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/isa/chapter_045.htm#bk23">Isa 45:23</a> NWT, where Paul has substituted "Jesus" for "Jehovah"!</p><p><b>Jesus is the only Lord</b> "there is ... one Lord, Jesus Christ"; "There is ... one Lord"; "our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%208:6;%20Eph%204:4-5;%20Jude%201:4&version=ASV">1Cor 8:6; Eph 4:4-5; Jude 4</a>).<p></p><b>Jesus is Jehovah seen in the OT</b> All the appearances of Jehovah/God in the OT were the pre-incarnate Christ (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:18;%205:37;%206:46;%20Col%201:15;%201Tim%206:16,%201Jn%204:12&version=ASV">Jn 1:18; 5:37; 6:46; Col 1:15; 1Tim 6:16, 1Jn 4:12</a>). When Isaiah saw Jehovah's glory, he saw the pre-incarnate Jesus' glory (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2012:37-41;%20Isa%206:1-10&version=ASV">Jn 12:37-41; Isa 6:1-10</a>).<p></p><b>Jesus is Jehovah of the Exodus</b> Jesus is the "I AM" of the burning bush (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:58;%20Ex%203:2,14&version=ASV">Jn 8:58; Ex 3:2,14</a>). "Jesus saved a people out of the land of Egypt" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jude+1:5&version=ESV">Jude 4</a> ESV). Christ accompanied the Israelites out of Egypt (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%2010:1-4&version=ASV">1Cor 10:4</a>). Some of the Israelites of the Exodus "put Christ to the test ... and were destroyed by serpents" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%2010:9;%20Num%2021:5-6&version=ESV">1Cor 10:9; Num 21:5-6</a> ESV).</p><p><a name="Jehovah'snames"></a><b>4. JEHOVAH'S NAMES & TITLES ARE APPLIED TO JESUS</b><br><b>Jehovah</b> Jesus' name in Hebrew (<i>Yeshua</i>) means "Jehovah is salvation" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%201:21&version=ASV">Mt 1:21</a>). It is the name that the Father gave Him (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2017:11-12&version=ASV">Jn 17:11-12</a>). "Jesus" is now "the name which is <i>above every name</i>" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Php%202:9-10&version=ASV">Php 2:9-10</a>). There is now "<i>no other name</i> under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved" but "Jesus" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%204:10-12&version=NIV">Acts 4:10-12</a>).</p><p><b>God</b> Jesus is "the God [Gk. <i>ho Theos</i>] with us" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%201:23&version=ASV">Mt 1:23</a>); "the great God and our Saviour" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Tit%202:13&version=ASV">Tit 2:13</a>). Jesus is the Word who in the beginning was with God, and who was God (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:1&version=ASV">Jn 1:1</a>); who is by nature God (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Php%202:5-6&version=NIV">Php 2:5-6</a> NIV). He is God the Son (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Heb%201:8&version=ASV">Heb 1:8</a>); "God over all" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom%209:5&version=ASV">Rom 9:5</a>); in whom "the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Col%202:9&version=ESV">Col 2:9</a> ESV). To Christians Jesus is "my Lord and my God" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2020:28&version=ASV">Jn 20:28</a>); "our God and Savior" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2Pet%201:1&version=ASV">2Pet 1:1</a>).</p><p><b>Son of God</b> Jesus claimed to be "<i>the</i> Son of God" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mk%2014:61-62;%20Jn%2010:36;%2011:4&version=ASV">Mk 14:61-62; Jn 10:36; 11:4</a>); or simply "the Son" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2011:27;%2024:36;%2028:19;%20Mk%2013:32;%20Lk%2010:22;%20Jn%203:35-36;%205:19-23,26;%206:40;%208:35-36;%2014:13;%2017:1&version=ASV">Mt 11:27; 24:36; 28:19; Mk 13:32; Lk 10:22; Jn 3:35-36; 5:19-23,26; 6:40; 8:35-36; 14:13; 17:1</a>). Jesus was <i>uniquely</i> the Son of God: He distinguished between His "my Father" and others' "your Father" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:38;%2020:17&version=ASV">Jn 8:38; 20:17</a>). He spoke of God as "my Father" in a unique sense (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%207:21;%2010:32-33;%2011:27;%2012:50;%2016:17;%2018:10,19;%2020:23;%2025:34;%2026:39,42;%2026:53&version=ASV">Mt 7:21; 10:32-33; 11:27; 12:50; 16:17; 18:10,19; 20:23; 25:34; 26:39,42; 26:53</a>; <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Lk%2010:22;%2022:29;%2024:49&version=ASV">Lk 10:22; 22:29; 24:49</a>; <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%205:17;%206:32;%208:19,38,49,54;%2010:17-18,29-30,37;%2014:7,20-21,23;%2015:1,8,15,23-24;%2020:17&version=ASV">Jn 5:17; 6:32; 8:19,38,49,54; 10:17-18,29-30,37; 14:7,20-21,23; 15:1,8,15,23-24; 20:17</a>; <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev%202:27;%203:5,21&version=ASV">Rev 2:27; 3:5,21</a>). Such that the Jewish religious leaders rightly understood Jesus to be claiming equality with God (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%205:18;%2010:33;%2019:7&version=ASV">Jn 5:18; 10:33; 19:7</a>).</p><p><b>Lord</b> [Gk. <i>Kurios</i>]. Used nearly 7,000 times in the Septuagint for "Jehovah". Jesus is "<i>the</i> Lord" [Gk. <i>ho kurios</i>] (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2021:3;%205:19;%20Mk%2011:3;%20Lk%207:13,%2010:1,41;%2011:39;%2012:42;%2013:15;%2018:6;%2019:31,34;%2022:61;%2024:34;%20Jn%204:1;%2021:7,12&version=ASV">Mt 21:3; 5:19; Mk 11:3; Lk 7:13, 10:1,41; 11:39; 12:42; 13:15; 18:6; 19:31,34; 22:61; 24:34; Jn 4:1; 21:7,12</a>; <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%202:47;%209:15,17;%2012:11,17;%2013:47;%2016:14;%2018:9;%2022:10;%2023:11;%2026:15&version=ASV">Acts 2:47; 9:15,17; 12:11,17; 13:47; 16:14; 18:9; 22:10; 23:11; 26:15</a>; <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=;%201Cor%203:5;%204:5,19;%207:10,12,17;%209:14;%202Cor%203:17;%2010:8;%2013:10;%20Php%204:5;%20Col%203:13;%201Th%203:12;%204:16;%202Th%202:8;%203:3,5;%202Tim%201:16,18;%202:7;%203:11;%204:8,14,17-18,22&version=ASV">1Cor 3:5; 4:5,19; 7:10,12,17; 9:14; 2Cor 3:17; 10:8; 13:10; Php 4:5; Col 3:13; 1Th 3:12; 4:16; 2Th 2:8; 3:3,5; 2Tim 1:16,18; 2:7; 3:11; 4:8,14,17-18,22</a>; <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jas%205:11,15;%201Pet%202:3&version=ASV">Jas 5:11,15; 1Pet 2:3</a>).</p><p><b>Lord of glory</b> Jesus is "the Lord of glory" <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%202:8;%20Jas%202:1&version=ASV">1Cor 2:8; Jas 2:1</a>). But Jehovah is "the King of glory" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2024:10&version=ASV">Ps 24:10</a>).</p><p><b>Lord of all</b> Jesus is "Lord of all" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2010:36;%20Rom%2010:12&version=ASV">Acts 10:36; Rom 10:12</a>). But Jehovah is "the Lord of all the earth" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Josh%203:13;%20Ps%2097:5;%20Mic%204:13;%20Zec%204:14&version=ASV">Josh 3:13; Ps 97:5; Mic 4:13; Zec 4:14</a>).</p><p><b>Lord of lords</b> Jesus is the "Lord of lords, and King of kings" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev%2017:14;%2019:16&version=ASV">Rev 17:14; 19:16</a>). But God is "the King of kings, and Lord of lords" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Tim%206:15&version=ASV">1Tim 6:15</a>). And Jehovah is the "Lord of lords" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Dt%2010:17;%20Ps%20136:3&version=ASV">Dt 10:17; Ps 136:3</a>).</p><p><b>Lord of the sabbath</b> Jesus declared Himself to be "Lord of the sabbath" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2012:8;%20Mk%202:28;%20Lk%206:5&version=ASV">Mt 12:8; Mk 2:28; Lk 6:5</a>). But Jehovah instituted the Sabbath (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%2020:8;%20Lev%2023:3;%20Dt%205:12&version=ASV">Ex 20:8; Lev 23:3; Dt 5:12</a>).</p><p><b>Saviour</b> Jesus is "God and our Saviour" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Tit%202:13;%202Pet%201:1&version=ASV">Tit 2:13; 2Pet 1:1</a>); "our Lord and Saviour" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2Pet%201:11;%203:18&version=ASV">2Pet 1:11; 3:18</a>); "the Saviour of the world" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Jn%204:14&version=ASV">1Jn 4:14</a>). But Jehovah is the "Saviour" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2043:3;%2045:21&version=ASV">Isa 43:3; 45:21</a>) and besides Him "there is no saviour" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2043:11;%20Hos%2013:4&version=ASV">Isa 43:11; Hos 13:4</a>).</p><p><b><a name="Passages"></a>5. PASSAGES ABOUT JEHOVAH ARE APPLIED TO JESUS</b><br><b><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2012:37-41;%20Isa%206:1-10&version=ASV">Jn 12:37-41 = Isa 6:1-10</a></b> John in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2012:37-41&version=ASV">Jn 12:37-41</a> quotes from <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%206:1-10&version=ASV">Isa 6:1-10</a> where Isaiah saw Jehovah of hosts' glory, and states that it was <i>Jesus</i> whose glory Isaiah saw and spoke of.</p><p><b><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%201:30-31;%20Jer%209:24&version=ASV">1Cor 1:30-31 = Jer 9:24</a></b> Paul in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%201:30-31&version=ASV">1Cor 1:30-31</a> quotes <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jer%209:24&version=ASV">Jer 9:24</a> "but let him that glorieth glory in this ... that I am Jehovah" and applies it to "<i>Christ Jesus</i>."</p> <p><b><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eph%204:8;%20Ps%2068:18&version=ASV">Eph 4:8 = Ps 68:18</a></b> Paul in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eph%204:8-10&version=ASV">Eph 4:8</a> quotes <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2068:18&version=ASV">Ps 68:18</a> about "Jehovah God" having "ascended on high" and applies it to <i>Jesus</i> having "ascended on high."</p> <p><b><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Heb%201:10-12;%20Ps%20102:25-27&version=ASV">Heb 1:10-12 = Ps 102:25-27</a></b> The writer to the Hebrews quotes <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%20102:25-27&version=ASV">Ps 102:25-27</a>, which is part of a prayer to Jehovah (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%20102:1&version=ASV">Ps 102:1</a>), and applies to "the Son" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Heb%201:8&version=ASV">Heb 1:8</a>), in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Heb%201:10-12&version=ESV">Heb 1:10-12</a> (ESV): <blockquote>You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands; they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment, like a robe you will roll them up, like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will have no end.</blockquote></p><p><b><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Pet%202:8;%20Isa%208:13-14&version=ASV">1Pet 2:8 = Isa 8:13-14</a></b> Peter in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Pet%202:8&version=ASV">1Pet 2:8</a> quotes <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%208:13-14&version=ASV">Isa 8:13-14</a> about "Jehovah of hosts" who will be "a stone of stumbling" and "a rock of offence" to Israel, and applies it to <i>Jesus</i> who is "A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence" to Israel.</p><p><b><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Pet%202:3;%20Ps%2034:8&version=ASV">1Pet 2:3 = Ps 34:8</a></b> Peter quotes <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2034:8&version=ASV">Ps 34:8</a>, "taste and see that Jehovah is good" and applies it to <i>Jesus</i>, "if ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious" in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Pet%202:3&version=ASV">1Pet 2:3</a>.</p><p><b><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2Pet%203:8;%20Ps%2090:4&version=ASV">2Pet 3:8 = Ps 90:4</a></b> Peter quotes <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2090:4&version=ASV">Ps 90:4</a> about "a thousand years in" are "as yesterday when it is past" and applies it to <i>Jesus</i> in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2Pet%203:8&version=ASV">2Pet 3:8</a>.</p><p><a name="Prophecies"></a><b>6. PROPHECIES ABOUT JEHOVAH ARE APPLIED TO JESUS</b><br><b><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%203:1-3;%20Mk%201:2-4;%20Lk%203:2-4;%20Isa%2040:3;&version=ASV;">Mt 3:1-3; Mk 1:2-4; Lk 3:2-4; Jn 1:19-23 = Isa 40:3</a></b> All four gospels state that John the Baptist's preaching in the wilderness was the fulfillment of <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2040:3&version=ASV">Isa 40:3</a>, "Prepare ... the way of Jehovah ... our God." But the "Jehovah God" who John prepared the way for was <i>Jesus</i>!</p><p><b><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2011:10,%20Mk%201:2,%20Lk%207:27;%20Mal%203:1&version=ASV">Mt 11:10, Mk 1:2, Lk 7:27 = Mal 3:1</a></b> "Jehovah of hosts" predicted, "Behold, I send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mal%203:1&version=ASV">Mal 3:1</a>). But John the Baptist was that messenger and he prepared the way before <i>Jesus</i> (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2011:10,%20Mk%201:2,%20Lk%207:27&version=ASV">Mt 11:10, Mk 1:2, Lk 7:27</a>)!</p><p><b><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2026:15;%2027:9;%20Zec%2011:13&version=ASV">Mt 26:15; 27:9 = Zec 11:13</a></b> In <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zec%2011:13&version=ASV">Zec 11:13</a> "Jehovah" predicts that the "price that <i>I</i> was prized at by them" [the "shepherds" of "the flock" - <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zec%2011:8,12&version=ASV">vv. 8,12</a>] was "thirty pieces of silver." This was fulfilled by the Jewish religious leaders paying Judas "thirty pieces of silver" for betraying <i>Jesus</i> to them (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2026:15;%2027:9&version=ASV">Mt 26:15; 27:9</a>).</p><p><b><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2019:34-37;%20Rev%201:7;%20Zec%2012:10&version=ASV">Jn 19:34-37; Rev 1:7 = Zec 12:10</a></b> In <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zec%2012:10&version=ASV">Zec 12:10</a> "Jehovah" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zec%2012:1,4&version=ASV">vv. 1,4</a>) predicts that "the inhabitants of Jerusalem ... shall look unto <i>me</i> whom they have pierced." This was fulfilled by <i>Jesus</i> being "pierced" by nails and a spear on the Cross (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2019:34-37;%20Rev%201:7&version=ASV">Jn 19:34-37; Rev 1:7</a>).<p><b><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%202:20;%20Joel%202:31&version=ASV">Acts 2:20 = Joel 2:31</a></b> Peter in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%202:20&version=ASV">Acts 2:20</a> quotes <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joel%202:31&version=ASV">Joel 2:31</a> predicting "the day of Jehovah" and applies it to a future "day of the Lord." (On "the day of Jehovah" see also <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%202:12;%2013:6,9;%20Eze%2013:5;%2030:3;%20Joel%201:15;%202:1,11;%203:14;%20Am%205:18,20;%20Ob%201:15;%20Zep%201:7,14;%20Zec%2014:1;%20Mal%204:5&version=ASV">Isa 2:12; 13:6,9; Eze 13:5; 30:3; Joel 1:15; 2:1,11; 3:14; Am 5:18,20; Ob 1:15; Zep 1:7,14; Zec 14:1; Mal 4:5</a>). Peter in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2Pet%203:4,10&version=ASV">2Pet 3:4,10</a> clarifies that "the day of the Lord" will be <i>Jesus</i> "coming." Paul interchanges "the day of the Lord" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%205:5;%201Th%205:1,2;%202Th%202:2&version=ASV">1Cor 5:5; 1Th 5:1,2; 2Th 2:2</a>), i.e. "the day of Jehovah" with "the day of <i>Jesus Christ</i>" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Php%201:6,%2010;%202:16&version=ASV">Php 1:6, 10; 2:16</a>).<p><b><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%202:21;%20Rom%2010:13;%20Joel%202:32&version=ASV">Acts 2:21 & Rom 10:13 = Joel 2:32</a></b> Both Peter and Paul apply <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joel%202:32&version=ASV">Joel 2:32</a>, "whosoever shall call on the name of Jehovah shall be delivered" to <i>Jesus</i>: "whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%202:21;%20Rom%2010:13&version=ASV">Acts 2:21; Rom 10:13</a>).</p><p><b><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom%2014:11;%20Php%202:10;%20Isa%2045:23&version=ASV">Rom 14:11 & Php 2:10 = Isa 45:23</a></b> Paul quotes <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2045:23&version=ASV">Isa 45:23</a> where Jehovah predicts that, "unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear" and twice applies it to <i>Jesus</i>, in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom%2014:11;%20Php%202:10&version=ASV">Rom 14:11 & Php 2:10</a>.</p><p><b>7. ATTRIBUTES OF JEHOVAH ARE APPLIED TO JESUS</b><br><b>Eternal</b> In the beginning the pre-incarnate Word already was (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:1,2&version=ASV">Jn 1:1-2</a>). The Son is "before all things" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Col%201:17&version=ASV">Col 1:17</a>). He is eternal (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Heb%201:10-12;%20Ps%20102:25-27&version=ASV">Heb 1:10-12; Ps 102:25-27</a>).</p><p><b>Omniscient</b> Jesus knew what others were thinking (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%209:4;12:25;%20Mk%202:6-8;%20Lk%206:8&version=ASV">Mt 9:4;12:25; Mk 2:6-8; Lk 6:8</a>). In <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev%202:23&version=ASV">Rev 2:23</a> The risen Jesus quotes <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jer%2017:10&version=ASV">Jer 17:10</a>, where Jehovah warns, "I, Jehovah, search the mind, I try the heart" and applies it to Himself. John states of Jesus that, "he himself knew what was in man" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%202:25&version=ASV">Jn 2:25</a>). Peter responded to the risen Jesus' questions with "Lord, you know everything" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2021:17&version=ESV">Jn 21:17</a> ESV). The disciples prayed to Jesus, "You, Lord, who know the hearts of all" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%201:24&version=ESV">Acts 1:24</a> ESV).</p><p><b>Holy</b> Jesus is "the Holy One of God" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mk%201:24;%20Lk%204:34;%20Jn%206:69;%20Acts%202:27;%2013:35&version=ASV">Mk 1:24; Lk 4:34; Jn 6:69</a>); the "Holy One" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%202:27;%2013:35;%20Rev%203:7&version=ASV">Acts 2:27; 13:35; Rev 3:7</a>); "the Holy and Righteous One (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%203:14&version=ASV">Acts 3:14</a>). And Jehovah is "the Holy One of Israel" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2089:18;%20Isa%2048:17;%20Jer%2051:5;%20Eze%2039:7&version=ASV">Ps 89:18; Isa 48:17; Jer 51:5; Eze 39:7</a>).</p><p><b><a name="Works"></a>8. WORKS OF JEHOVAH ARE APPLIED TO JESUS</b><br><b>Creation</b> The Son created all things (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:3;%20Col%201:16;%20Heb%201:2&version=ASV">Jn 1:3; Col 1:16; Heb 1:2</a>). Yet Jehovah/God created all things (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2044:24;%20Neh%209:6&version=ASV">Isa 44:24; Neh 9:6</a>). The Son laid the foundations of the earth and the heavens are the works of His hands (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Heb%201:8,10&version=ASV">Heb 1:8,10</a>). Yet Jehovah laid the foundations of the earth and the heavens are the works of <i>His</i> hands (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%20102:12,25;%20Gn%201:1;%202:4;%20Isa%2042:5;%2051:13&version=ASV">Ps 102:12,25; Gn 1:1; 2:4; Isa 42:5; 51:13</a>)!</p><p><b>Forgiveness of sins</b> Jesus forgave sins (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%209:2-6;%20Mk%202:5-10;%20Lk%205:20-24;%207:47-49;%201Jn%201:9&version=ASV">Mt 9:2-6; Mk 2:5-10; Lk 5:20-24; 7:47-49; 1Jn 1:9</a>). But it is Jehovah/God who forgives sins (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Josh%2024:19;%20Ps%2025:18;%2032:5;%2079:9;%20Isa%2042:5&version=ASV">Josh 24:19; Ps 25:18; 32:5; 79:9; Isa 42:5</a>). In fact <i>only</i> God can forgive sins (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mk%202:7;%20Lk%205:21&version=ASV">Mk 2:7; Lk 5:21</a>).</p> <p><b>Judgment</b> Jesus will be the Judge of all <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%205:22,%2027;%20Ac%2010:42;%2017:31;%20Rom%202:16;%202Cor%205:10;%202Tim%204:1,8&version=ASV">Jn 5:22, 27; Ac 10:42; 17:31; Rom 2:16; 2Cor 5:10; 2Tim 4:1,8</a>). Yet Jehovah is to be the Judge of all (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%2018:25;%201Sam%202:10;%201Ch%2016:33;%20Ps%209:7,19;%2096:10,13;%2098:9;%20Isa%2066:16;%20Jer%2025:31&version=ASV">Gn 18:25; 1Sam 2:10; 1Ch 16:33; Ps 9:7,19; 96:10,13; 98:9; Isa 66:16; Jer 25:31</a>).</p> <p><a name="Worship"></a><b>9. WORSHIP DUE TO JEHOVAH IS PAID TO JESUS</b><br><b>Worship</b> Jesus is worshipped (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2014:33;%2028:9,17;%20Lk%2024:52;%20Jn%209:38;%20Heb%201:6;&version=ASV">Mt 14:33; 28:9,17; Lk 24:52; Jn 9:38; 20:28; Heb 1:6</a>). But only Jehovah/God should be worshipped (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Dt%206:13;%20Mt%204:10;%20Lk%204:8;%20Ac%2010:25-26;%20Rev%2019:10&version=ASV">Dt 6:13; Mt 4:10; Lk 4:8; Ac 10:25-26; Rev 19:10</a>).</p><p><b>Glory</b> "Glory forever" is ascribed to Jesus (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom%2016:27;%20Eph%203:21;%202Tim%204:18;%20Heb%2013:21;%201Pet%204:11;%202Pet%203:18;%20Jude%2025;%20Rev%201:6;%205:13&version=ASV">Rom 16:27; Eph 3:21; 2Tim 4:18; Heb 13:21; 1Pet 4:11; 2Pet 3:18; Jude 25; Rev 1:6; 5:13</a>). But Jehovah said that He would not give His glory to another (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2042:8;%2048:11&version=ASV">Isa 42:8; 48:11</a>).</p><p><b>Honor</b> "<i>All</i>" should honor the Son "<i>just as</i> they honor the Father," and those who don't (like the JWs) do "<i>not honor the Father</i>: <blockquote><a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/joh/chapter_005.htm#bk23">Jn 5:23</a> NWT. in order that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He that does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.</blockquote> </p><p><b>Prayer</b> Jesus is prayed to (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%201:24;%207:59-60;&version=ASV">Acts 1:24; 7:59-60</a>) and answers prayer to Himself (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2014:14;%202Cor%2012:8-9;%201Jn%205:13-15&version=ESV">Jn 14:14; 2Cor 12:8-9; 1Jn 5:13-15</a> ESV). A prayer of the early Church was to Jesus: "Our Lord, come!" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%2016:22;%20Rev%2022:20&version=ESV">1Cor 16:22; Rev 22:20</a> ESV). Paul prayed to <i>both</i> "our God and Father ... and our Lord Jesus" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Th%203:11&version=ASV">1Th 3:11</a>). Jesus' name is to be called upon (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%202:21;%20Rom%2010:12-13;%201Cor%201:2&version=ASV">Acts 2:21; Rom 10:12-13; 1Cor 1:2</a>) as was Jehovah's name to be called upon in the Old Testament (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%204:26;%2012:8;%2026:25;%201Ch%2016:8;%20Ps%2099:6;%20105:1;%20116:4,13,17;%20Isa%2012:4;%2048:2;%20Lam%203:55;%20Joel%202:32;%20Zep%203:9&version=ASV">Gn 4:26; 12:8; 26:25; 1Ch 16:8; Ps 99:6; 105:1; 116:4,13,17; Isa 12:4; 48:2; Lam 3:55; Joel 2:32; Zep 3:9</a>). Jesus never prayed to "Jehovah" ("Lord") but to "Father" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2011:25-26;%2026:39,42;%20Mk%2014:36;%20Lk%2010:21;%2022:42;%2023:34,46;%20Jn%2011:41-42;%2012:28;%2017:1,5,11,21,24-25&version=ASV">Mt 11:25-26; 26:39,42; Mk 14:36; Lk 10:21; 22:42; 23:34,46; Jn 11:41-42; 12:28; 17:1,5,11,21,24-25</a>) and once to "God" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2027:46;%20Mk%2015:34&version=ASV">Mt 27:46; Mk 15:34</a>) when on the Cross, quoting <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2022:1&version=ASV">Ps 22:1</a>. This is inexplicable unless Jesus <i>is</i> Jehovah!</p><p><a name="Objections"></a><b>10. ALL OBJECTIONS TO JESUS BEING JEHOVAH FAIL</b><br><b>"Jesus is `a' god, not `the' God"</b> The Watchtower Society's <i>New World Translation</i> renders <a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/joh/chapter_001.htm">Jn 1:1</a> as "... and the Word was a god." But the original Greek is, <i>kai theos en ho logos</i> ("and God was the Word"). That is, the pre-incarnate Son (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:14&version=ASV">Jn 1:14</a>) shared the Father's <i>God-nature</i>. New Testament Greek does not have an indefinite article ("a") as English does, so the absence of the definite article <i>ho</i> ("the") before a noun, e.g. "God," does not mean it is indefinite. In the same chapter the word "God" appears without the definite article in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:6,12,13,18&version=ASV">Jn 1:6,12,13,18</a> but the NWT each time translates it as "God" without the indefinite article "a". The NWT's "a god" translation of John 1:1 makes Jehovah's Witnesses <i>polytheists</i>: those who believe in the existence of more than one true god. That is unless they wish to claim that Jesus is a <i>false</i> god! And the Apostle John, being a devout Jew, was a <i>monotheist</i>: one who believed in the existence of only one true God (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2017:3&version=ASV">Jn 17:3</a>). So the NWT's "a god" translation of John 1:1 <i>cannot</i> be correct, and in fact <i>all</i> mainstream English translations render John 1:1 "... and the Word was God" (e.g. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:1&version=ASV">ASV</a>, <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:1&version=ESV">ESV</a>, <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:1&version=KJV">KJV</a>, <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:1&version=NIV">NIV</a>, <a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/rsv/john/1-1.html">RSV</a>, <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:1&version=NASB">NASB</a> & <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:1&version=NASB">NKJV</a>).</p><p><b>"Jesus is a `Mighty God', not the `Almighty God."</b> The Watchtower claims on the basis of <a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/isa/chapter_009.htm#bk6">Isa 9:6</a> NWT that Jesus is only a "Mighty God" not the Almighty God. See above on this belief in two true Gods, means that Jehovah's Witnesses are <i>polytheists</i>. But even the Society's "Mighty God"-"Almighty God" distinction fails, because in the very next chapter, <a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/isa/chapter_010.htm#bk21">Isa 10:21</a> NWT, Jehovah is called "the Mighty God" using the same Hebrew words (<i>el gibbor</i>). Also, after His resurrection Jesus has been given "All authority ... in heaven and on the earth" (<a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/mt/chapter_028.htm#bk18">Mt 28:18</a> NWT). He is now exalted "far above every government and authority and power and lordship and every name named" (<a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/eph/chapter_001.htm#bk21">Eph 1:21</a> NWT), with "all things in subjection under his feet" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%2015:27;%20Eph%201:22;%20Heb%202:8&version=ASV">1Cor 15:27; Eph 1:22; Heb 2:8</a>). The Greek word translated "Almighty" in the New Testament is <i>pantokrator</i> which means "ruler of all", so even in the Watchtower's own Bible, Jesus <i>is</i> Almighty! Indeed in <a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/re/chapter_001.htm#bk7">Rev 1:7-8</a> NWT, the One who "is coming" and has been "pierced," Jesus, is called "Jehovah God ... the Almighty": <blockquote>Look! He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, and those who pierced him; and all the tribes of the earth will beat themselves in grief because of him. Yes, Amen. "I am the Al'pha and the O•me'ga," says Jehovah God, "the One who is and who was and who is coming, the Almighty."</blockquote></p><p>Bearing in mind that in <a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/re/chapter_022.htm#bk12">Rev 22:12-13</a> NWT the One who is "coming quickly" (Jesus) is "the Al'pha and the O·me'ga, the first and the last, the beginning and the end"!</p><p><b>"The Son was created"</b> The Watchtower Society claims that the Son was Jehovah's first (and only) creation. But this contradicts those verses which state that Jehovah/God created the heavens and the earth (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%201:1;%202:4;%20Isa%2042:5;%2051:13;%20Neh%209:6&version=ASV">Gn 1:1; 2:4; Isa 42:5; 51:13; Neh 9:6</a>), "alone" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2044:24&version=ASV">Isa 44:24</a>) by His "hands" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2045:12;%2066:2&version=ASV">Isa 45:12; 66:2</a>). And it is despite the next verse (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Col%201:16&version=ASV">Col 1:16</a>) stating clearly that the Son created "<i>all</i> things," and <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:3&version=ESV">Jn 1:3</a> ESV stating of the preincarnate Son that "<i>All things</i> were made through him, and without him was <i>not any thing made that was made</i>." The Society cannot find <i>even one verse</i> which clearly states that Jesus was "created", so it has to resort to a handful of verses which don't even day that!<ul><li><b>"Firstborn"</b> For example, the Society claims that because <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Col%201:15&version=ASV">Col 1:15</a> calls Jesus "the firstborn of all creation," therefore He must have been the first created. But apart from the fact that "first-<i>born</i>" doesn't even mean "first-<i>created</i>," in the Biblical Hebrew culture, "firstborn" meant <i>preeminent</i>. Thus a few verses later Paul explains what he meant by Jesus being "firstborn": "that in all things he might have the <i>preeminence</i>" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Col%201:18&version=ASV">Col 1:18</a>). Remember that Jesus, the God-man, in His <i>humanity</i> was part of creation. While the first-born son in a Jewish family was usually the "firstborn" (daughters were not counted), he could lose his "firstborn" status, as Esau lost his to Jacob (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%2027:19-36&version=ASV">Gn 27:19-36</a>). Manasseh was born before his twin brother Ephraim (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%2041:50-51;%2048:14&version=ASV">Gn 41:50-51; 48:14</a>) but Jehovah declared that "Ephraim is my first-born" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jer%2031:9&version=ASV">Jer 31:9</a>). Also in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2089:27&version=ASV">Ps 89:27</a> Jehovah says of David, "I also will make him my first-born, The highest of the kings of the earth," but David was actually the <i>last born</i> of eight brothers (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Sam%2016:10-13&version=ASV">1Sam 16:10-13</a>).</li><br><li><b>"Beginning of the creation"</b> Another verse the Watchtower claims proves that Jesus was the first created by Jehovah is <a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/re/chapter_003.htm#bk14">Rev 3:14</a> NWT where the risen Jesus calls Himself, "the beginning of the creation by God." But this is a mistranslation by the NWT. The original Greek is, "<i>he arche tes ktiseos tou theou</i>, "the chief of the creation of God." The word "<i>arche</i>" translated "beginning" by the NWT means "chief in order, time, place or rank" (<a href="http://studybible.info/strongs/G746">Strong's G746</a>). In <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:1-2&version=ASV">Jn 1:1-2</a> the same word <i>arche</i> is used by the author of Revelation, the Apostle John, to signify the "beginning" of time in which the Son already <i>was</i>, and was the Maker of "<i>all</i> things" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:3&version=ASV">Jn 1:3</a>), so John cannot mean here that Jesus was Himself <i>part</i> of the creation. The meaning of <i>arche</i> in Rev 3:14 therefore must mean "chief in <i>rank</i>". The NIV translates <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev%203:14&version=NIV">Rev 3:14</a> as, "the <i>ruler</i> of God’s creation." Although another possibility is that <i>arche</i> means "origin" or "source." The leading New Testament Greek Lexicon, the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Greek-English-Lexicon-Testament-Christian-Literature/dp/0226039331">BAGD</a> (1979, p.112), states that <i>arche</i> in Rev 3:14 means "the first cause." Accordingly the HCSB translation renders <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev%203:14&version=HCSB">Rev 3:14</a>, "the Originator of God’s creation."</li><br><li><b>"Jehovah produced me (Wisdom)"</b> Another questionable passage the Watchtower resorts to try to prove that the Son was created is <a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/pr/chapter_008.htm#bk22">Pr 8:22</a> NWT where Wisdom says:<blockquote>"Jehovah himself produced me as the beginning of his way, the earliest of his achievements of long ago."</blockquote></p><p>But this passage says nothing about the Son or Christ, and it is not applied in the New Testament to Jesus. The Hebrew word translated "produced" by the NWT is <i>qanah</i> which means "own," "possess" (<a href="http://studybible.info/strongs/H7069">Strong's H7069</a>), not "create". The Society's claim that Jehovah "produced" Wisdom would mean that He originally didn't have it and that without wisdom Jehovah produced wisdom! Also "Wisdom" in Hebrew is feminine, as can be seen by the feminine personal pronouns "she" and "her" used of Wisdom in the context, e.g: "Wisdom ... <i>she</i> raises <i>her</i> voice" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Pr%208:1&version=ESV">Pr 1:20</a> ESV); "Wisdom has built <i>her</i> house;
<i>she</i> has hewn <i>her</i> seven pillars" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Pr%209:1&version=ESV">Pr 9:1</a> ESV). Wisdom is a "sister" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Pr%207:4&version=ASV">Pr 7:4</a>). She even lives with another woman named "Prudence" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Pr%208:12&version=ESV">Pr 8:12</a>)!</li></ul></p><p><b>"The Father is greater than the Son"</b> The Watchtower Society highlights verses like Jesus' statement in <a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/joh/chapter_014.htm#bk28">Jn 14:28</a> NWT, "... the Father is greater than I am" to `prove' that Jesus cannot be God by nature. But the Greek word translated "greater" is <i>meizon</i>, "larger ... greater" (<a href="http://studybible.info/strongs/G3187">Strong's G3187</a>), not <i>kreitton</i> "stronger ... better" (<a href="http://studybible.info/strongs/G2909">Strong's G2909</a>). The disciples argued who was to be the "greatest" [<i>meizon</i>] in the Kingdom of heaven (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2018:1&version=ASV">Mt 18:1</a>) but the Son is "better" [<i>kreitton</i>] than the angels (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Heb%201:4&version=ASV">Heb 1:4</a>). That is, the Father is "greater" <i>in rank or position</i> than the Son, but the Father <i>is not "better"</i> than the Son. Also, when Jesus was on Earth, He had voluntarily taken "the form of a servant" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Php%202:7&version=ASV">Php 2:7</a>) and had "been made a little lower than the angels ... that ... he should taste of death for every man" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Heb.%202:9&version=ASV">Heb. 2:9</a>)." That the Son is subordinate to the Father <i>in rank</i> (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%2011:3;%2015:24-28&version=ESV">1Cor 11:3; 15:24-28</a>) does not mean that He is not equal to the Father in <i>nature</i>.</p><p><b>"The Father is Jesus' God"</b> The Watchtower cites verses where Jesus speaks of the Father as His God (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2027:46;%20Mk%2015:34;%20Jn%2020:17;%20Rev%201:6;%203:2,12&version=ASV">Mt 27:46; Mk 15:34; Jn 20:17; Rev 1:6; 3:2,12</a>) and the New Testament writers call the Father Jesus' God (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom%2015:6;%202Cor%201:3;%20Eph%201:3,17;%20Col%201:3;%20Pet%201:3&version=ASV">Rom 15:6; 2Cor 1:3; Eph 1:3,17; Col 1:3; Pet 1:3</a>), as proof that Jesus cannot be God. But in His human nature (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:14;%20Rom%201:3;%208:3;%20Php%202:5-8;%20Heb%202:14&version=ASV">Jn 1:14; Rom 1:3; 8:3; Php 2:5-8; Heb 2:14</a>) the Father <i>is</i> Jesus' God. And that the Son is officially subordinate to the Father (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2014:28;%201Cor%2011:3&version=ESV">Jn 14:28; 1Cor 11:3</a>), that does not preclude the Son from being equal <i>in nature</i> with the Father (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:1;%20%205:17-18;%2010:30-33;%20Php%202:6&version=NIV">Jn 1:1; 5:17-18; 10:30-33; Php 2:6</a> NIV). To the son of a co-regent king his father is still his king, even though he has the same nature as his father and to others the son is also king. </p><p><a name="Concl"></a><b>11. CONCLUSION</b><br> As can be seen above, the Biblical evidence is <i>overwhelming</i> that Jesus of the New Testament is Jehovah of the Old Testament, come in the flesh. And that <i>all</i> the objections that Jesus is not Jehovah, fail. Therefore Jesus <i>is</i> Jehovah! And Jehovah's Witnesses (who claim that <a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bh/appendix_11.htm">Jesus is Michael the archangel</a>) are not <i>Jehovah's</i> witnesses.</p><hr><p> <a href="http://members.iinet.net.au/~sejones/index.html">Stephen E. Jones</a>, B.Sc., Grad. Dip. Ed.<BR>My other blogs: <a href="http://theshroudofturin.blogspot.com/">The Shroud of Turin</a> and <a href="http://creationevolutiondesign.blogspot.com/">CreationEvolutionDesign</a> (inactive)</p>Stephen E. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16183223752386599799noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574858940069385599.post-24618679825768920322012-03-08T08:12:00.000+08:002012-06-05T14:01:35.323+08:00Jehovah's Witness' slander action over husband thrown out<p><a href="http://www.independent.ie/national-news/courts/jehovahs-slander-action-over-husband-thrown-out-3039908.html">Jehovah's [Witness'] slander action over husband thrown out</a>, <i>Irish Independent</i>, Tim Healy, March 6, 2012 ... A JUDGE has thrown out a <a href="http://www.killarney.ie/media/killarney/business/317/main/kingdomhallsign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" width="280" src="http://www.killarney.ie/media/killarney/business/317/main/kingdomhallsign.jpg" /></a>Jehovah's Witness </p></p>[Right: <a href="http://www.killarney.ie/media/killarney/business/317/main/kingdomhallsign.jpg">Killarney Kingdom Hall</a>: <a href="http://www.killarney.ie/religious-amp-worship/other-religions/kingdom-hall-of-jehovahs-witnesses">Killarney.ie</a>]</p><p>slander action over allegations she implied her husband was an adulterer. Ruth Moram says she was shunned by members -- or "disfellowshipped" -- for allegedly slandering her husband by implying he was an adulterer. But she failed in a bid to bring her own High Court action for slander. Ms Moram, of Mastergeeha, Kilcummin, Killarney, Co Kerry, sought damages against three members of the Killarney Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses. She claimed she had been slandered in a letter written by one of them to her in December 2009, which accused her of slandering her husband by the adultery allegation. Her husband denied the accusation, the court heard. Mr Justice John Hedigan yesterday ruled she had shown no cause of action in her claims against Killarney Witness elders Peter Van Benthem ... and Andrew Beeston ... He also dismissed a similar claim against Witness member Martyn Bell ... who wrote the 2009 letter. The judge also awarded legal costs against Ms Moram who said she would go to jail rather than pay them. She said she would also appeal the decision to the Court of Human Rights. In his judgment, Mr Justice Hedigan said the case dated back to June 2004 when Ms Moram claimed Mr Van Benthem and Mr Beeston accused her of slander. Later that month at a meeting of the Killarney Witnesses congregation, Mr Bell gave evidence of the alleged slander of her husband, and as a result Ms Moram was "disfellowshipped". The court heard that she appealed that decision internally in August 2004 -- and evidence was given in the appeal that Ms Moram had told a fellow Witness that a woman, referred to only by initials, had spent weekends away with her husband. Ms Moram claimed that as a result of this, she was accused of slander in that she implied her husband was an adulterer. Following these hearings, she was disfellowshipped from the Killarney Congregation. ... She then wrote a letter of complaint to the Witnesses branch office in Wicklow and it included photographs of her husband on a weekend break in Galway with the other woman, the judge said. The branch sent a letter to the appeal committee, which changed its decision and told Ms Moram they "forgave" her. She refused to accept this, as she insisted she had not slandered anyone and the accusation had not been withdrawn, the judge said. The court heard that in December 2009, she claimed that Mr Bell wrote a letter which stated she had slandered her husband. The following February, she formally left the Witnesses after elders of the Killarney congregation refused to allow her to speak at a meeting, he said. Since then, she claimed, all her Witness friends had been forbidden from speaking to her and that she had been brought into public hatred, contempt and ridicule. She then issued proceedings in the Circuit Court seeking damages and a declaration she did not commit slander. A Circuit Court judge found the issues raised were beyond the limits of a secular court. The judge also said the letter was not published to anyone other than Ms Moram. She appealed that decision to the High Court. But yesterday, Mr Justice Hedigan dismissed her case saying the events of 2004 were clearly statute-barred because her proceedings must be issued within three years of the event and she had only done so in 2011. ... <b>Justice has been denied this woman, both by the Killarney Jehovah's Witness judicial committee `kangaroo court' and also by the secular courts. Her husband committed adultery but <i>she</i> was the one punished! But the secular court judge's hands were probably tied because: a) she could not claim damages for defamation because the contents of the letter were not made public; b) the statute of limitation of "three years" applied in this case; and c) a religion's internal disciplinary procedures are "beyond the limits of a secular court." </p><p>However, <i>the facts</i> were not disputed that her JW husband committed adultery, but <i>she</i> is the one the JW judicial committee `kangaroo court' found guilty of "slander" and apparently did nothing to her JW husband. And when they were given photos of her husband with this other woman, the elders admitted her allegation was true when "they `forgave' her," for her simply <i>telling the truth</i>! </p><p>This highlights again the Watchtower inhumane and un-Biblical disfellowshipping and shunning system which can be, and is, applied for comparatively minor `sins' like "smoking, working for military establishments, working for other religious organizations, voting in elections, accepting blood transfusions and celebrating birthdays or holidays":</b> <blockquote>"The WBTS have gone further than the practice of disfellowshipping unrepentant sinners, and have included in their reasons for disfellowshipping smoking, working for military establishments, working for other religious organizations, voting in elections, accepting blood transfusions and celebrating birthdays or holidays such as Christmas and Easter. Talking to other disfellowshipped ones, even if that one is a relative counts as a reason. Also, if a dissatisfied person disagrees with Watchtower teaching and discusses that disagreement with other Jehovah's Witnesses so as to promote apostasy, then that person will be disfellowshipped. Thus the organization protects itself from general discontentment and enforces unity by use of disfellowshipping." (Harris, D. & Browning, B., "<A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/Awake-Watchtower-Doug-Harris/dp/0951363220">Awake to the Watchtower</A>," Reachout Trust: London, 1993, p.320).</blockquote><b>And even when the victim's only `crime' is to voluntarily disassociate herself from the Society:</b><blockquote>"... she formally left the Witnesses after elders of the Killarney congregation refused to allow her to speak at a meeting, he said. Since then, she claimed, all her Witness friends had been forbidden from speaking to her and that she had been brought into public hatred, contempt and ridicule.</blockquote></p><b>So let those who are thinking about becoming a JW, <i>think again</i>! Once you are a JW, there is <i>no easy way to leave</i>. They will <i>punish</i> you for leaving: all your Jehovah's Witness friends and relatives will be forbidden to speak to you and you will be "brought into public hatred, contempt and ridicule." Indeed, you will be "totally rejected" by them and "<i>treated as dead</i>":</b><blockquote>"Can you imagine being in a situation where you are totally rejected, treated as dead? The WBTS discourages association and friendship with those outside the organisation. So when a person leaves they are treated as a sinner rebelling against God Himself, and not even to be greeted. There is a dramatic change in his family relationship. If all the Watchtower instructions are obeyed he would hardly, if ever, see his relatives living outside the home and much of the normal family social life would be curtailed or stopped completely. Under these circumstances people have committed suicide; families have broken up. Imagine the pressure on the Witness wife of the disfellowshipped one. She still loves her husband yet the instructions of the WBTS begin to drive a wedge between their loving relationship. Her husband is no longer welcome in the Witness homes she visits." (Harris & Browning, 1993, p.332).</blockquote></p><p><b>As one of "the sheep who leaves the fold" you will become "<i>as good as dead</i> in the eyes of the remaining Witnesses," including your JW "family and friends":</b><blockquote>If another Witness simply departs without breaking any rules, the departure itself is treated as a violation. A judicial committee holds a hearing and then announces to the congregation that the individual has `disassociated' himself and therefore must not be spoken to. The end result is the same as disfellowshipping: the offender is cut off from contact with family and friends. This shunning has a dual effect; (1) the ex-Witness is punished by loss of loved ones, and (2) the remaining J.W.'s are prevented from getting a different perspective on their faith through contact with this maverick. Not only must they avoid eating with the ex-J.W., but they are also forbidden to read letters, articles, or books he may write. While, due to their separation from the secular state, Watchtower leaders lack the medieval Inquisition's power to cut out tongues and to burn heretics at the stake, they still wield a strong hand within the organization. They can guarantee that the sheep who leaves the fold becomes as good as dead in the eyes of the remaining Witnesses, and they can make sure that the dead man tells no tales-at least, none that other Witnesses will hear." (Reed, D.A., "<A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/Behind-Watchtower-Curtain-Jehovahs-Witnesses/dp/0925703087/">Behind the Watchtower Curtain</A>," 1989, pp.22-23).</blockquote><p> <a href="http://members.iinet.net.au/~sejones/index.html">Stephen E. Jones</a>, B.Sc., Grad. Dip. Ed.<br>My other blogs: <a href="http://creationevolutiondesign.blogspot.com/">CreationEvolutionDesign</a> & <a href="http://theshroudofturin.blogspot.com/">The Shroud of Turin</a></p>Stephen E. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16183223752386599799noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574858940069385599.post-8608263485592033692012-03-05T00:29:00.004+08:002012-03-05T13:36:35.176+08:00Jehovah's Witnesses church leader 'poisoned' by rival<p>"<a href="http://www.news.com.au/national/church-leader-poisons-rival/story-e6frfkvr-1226288298232">Jehovah's Witnesses church leader 'poisoned' by rival</a>," <i>Sunday Mail</i> (South Australia), Nigel Hunt, March 3, 2012 ... <a href="http://resources2.news.com.au/images/2012/03/03/1226288/213922-mt-lofty-church.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" width="310" src="http://resources2.news.com.au/images/2012/03/03/1226288/213922-mt-lofty-church.jpg" /></a> THE Adelaide Hills Jehovah's Witnesses community </p><p><b>[</b><a href="http://resources2.news.com.au/images/2012/03/03/1226288/213922-mt-lofty-church.jpg">Right</a>: <a href="http://www.ourpatch.com.au/australia/info/jehovahs-witness/organisations/17734-mount-lofty-crafers-kingdom-hall">Mt Lofty Kingdom Hall</a>: Regi Varghese<b>]</b></p><p>has been rocked by the alleged poisoning of a church official and his young family by a rival. The extraordinary series of events, in which glyphosate weed killer was injected into food, milk and fruit juice cartons in a fridge, was uncovered only after the victim set up a hidden camera in his kitchen - apparently catching the culprit in the act. The victim took the unusual step after becoming suspicious that someone had been repeatedly entering his Stirling home and tampering with food while his family was at church meetings in nearby Crafers. His family, including three young children aged five to 12, had also complained after coming home from church that food and drinks from the fridge had smelt and tasted toxic. As a result of this covert camera footage, a man is now facing 12 charges in connection with the alleged poisoning scheme, which played out over a seven-month period until he was arrested in October last year. ... The bizarre incident is believed to be connected to a disciplinary matter within the Mt Lofty Jehovah's Witnesses Church congregation, where both the charged man and the victim and his family are members. It is understood the charged man may have resented the involvement of the victim, a church elder, in a matter which saw him "disfellowshipped" in 2010 over his conduct. The poisoning victim, who asked not to be identified, said the charged man was no longer a member of the 100-strong congregation. "He was removed from the congregation," he said. "No single person makes a judgment like that - it's a committee decision. "There are processes there to address any grievance somebody might have if they feel wrongly done by. "There was no hint that was the case. He knew the score. "For all intents and purposes it seemed like he accepted it. "He was still free to attend our meetings, which he continued to do. We don't prevent anyone from attending the meetings; we just don't have anything to do with them if they have been disciplined by the congregation like that." ... After being remanded in custody for a fortnight, the man was bailed on November 11... He will next appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on May 4. ... <b>A public window into the Watchtower cult's inhumane and un-Biblical </b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_and_congregational_discipline#Disfellowshipping">disfellowshipping</a><b> and </b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shunning#Jehovah.27s_Witnesses">shunning</a><b> system:</b> <blockquote>"He was removed from the congregation ... it's a committee decision ... He was still free to attend our meetings, which he continued to do. We don't prevent anyone from attending the meetings; we just don't have anything to do with them if they have been disciplined by the congregation like that."</blockquote></p><p><b>While not condoning this ex-JW man's alleged illegal actions, the fact that he allegedly targeted this particular JW elder and `reading between the lines' of the elder's comments, adds weight to the view that "the charged man may have resented the involvement of the victim, a church elder, in a matter which saw him `disfellowshipped' in 2010." Even the title of the article calling him a "rival" of this elder suggests he may even have been a also an elder? It will be interesting to see when the man has his day in court whether he airs the `dirty linen' of this congregation, and more importantly the Watchtower Society's `living death' </b><a href="http://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/disfellowship-shunning.php">disfellowshipping and shunning</a><b> system:</b><blockquote>"<i>Shunning</i> ... The elders form a `judicial committee' and `disfellowship' (expel) members who commit sexual immorality or who express disagreement with the Watchtower Society on any issue. The individual expelled for apostate thinking is shunned more completely than the JW disfellowshiped for fornication or adultery. One who voluntarily leaves the sect faces the same penalty at the hands of a judicial committee, but is considered `disassociated' rather than `disfellowshiped.' ... Visitors at Kingdom Hall meetings seldom learn about shunning right away or learn of the closed-door interrogations and trials held constantly to keep members in line. With press and media relations handled only by assigned spokesmen-always men, never women-trained in the art of euphemism, the sect usually manages to keep the internal disciplinary system hidden from the public eye, and hence to maintain a fairly good public image. The other side of the story is usually told in detail only by persons who have lived part of their lives in the group and, after leaving, have somehow been able to escape the fear and guilt that keep most former members quiet. When ex-JWs do speak out, the story that emerges is reminiscent of life in Nicolae Ceausescu's Romania where the Security Police were everywhere spying on people's private lives and forcing children to testify against their own parents. Many former Witnesses compare the Watchtower kingdom to the futuristic dictatorship of George Orwell's novel <i>Nineteen Eighty-Four</i> where `Big Brother is watching you!'" (Reed, D.A., "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Answering-Jehovahs-Witnesses-Subject/dp/080105317X">Answering Jehovah's Witnesses: Subject by Subject</a>," 1996, pp.211-212. Emphasis original).<br><br>"We had been taught to see that ... God's kingdom has a judicial branch that judges wrongdoers. When a case comes to the attention of the elders, they appoint three or more of their number to form a judicial committee and summon the sinner to stand trial. Obedience is thus compelled by two powerful forces: the mind control exercised over individual JWs by the organization, and the threat of punishment through the sect's judicial committee arrangement. Witnesses whose thinking has been brought completely into line willingly obey whatever the Watchtower Society says, rejoicing at the opportunity to do `God's will.' Those who have not completely surrendered, or whose ability to think independently has somehow been reawakened, are kept in line through fear of punishment. This punishment results in the victim being totally shunned by JW family and friends. Witnesses will not speak or even say as much as hello on the street, and the offender is no longer welcome in the homes of friends or relatives. He or she is no longer considered a Witness, and faces divine execution at the Battle of Armageddon instead of life in paradise." (Reed, D.A., "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Blood-Altar-Confessions-Jehovahs-Minister/dp/1573920592/">Blood on the Altar</a>," 1996, pp.192-193).<br><br>"Jehovah's Witnesses can be summoned before a judicial committee without warning, without prior notification of the charges against them, and without any right to face their accusers-who may remain anonymous or may even be members of the committee itself. There is no right to representation by counsel. In fact, the trial takes place behind closed doors, without observers. The judicial committee's goal is to bring about `repentance' - i.e., to get the erring Witness to turn from his bad ways and conform to the organization's instructions. In order to bring about this desired result, the committee is empowered to impose a wide variety of penalties on the offender. These range from a mild, private rebuke to the extreme penalty of <I>disfellowshipping</I>. When an unrepentant `wrongdoer' is disfellowshipped, the committee announces the individual's name to the congregation as notification that everyone must henceforth avoid association with that person. No one may engage him in conversation, and J.W.'s encountering him on the street, must not even say 'Hello'. Immediate family members must restrict their interaction with a disfellowshipped member of the household, and relatives living outside the home must avoid the expelled person except for `necessary family business'." (Reed, D.A., "<A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/Behind-Watchtower-Curtain-Jehovahs-Witnesses/dp/0925703087/">Behind the Watchtower Curtain</A>," 1989, p.18. Emphasis original).</blockquote></p><p><b>and if he claims in his defense that it drove him `over the edge' to commit these alleged crimes.</b></p><p> <a href="http://members.iinet.net.au/~sejones/index.html">Stephen E. Jones</a>, B.Sc., Grad. Dip. Ed.<br>My other blogs: <a href="http://creationevolutiondesign.blogspot.com/">CreationEvolutionDesign</a> & <a href="http://theshroudofturin.blogspot.com/">The Shroud of Turin</a></p>Stephen E. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16183223752386599799noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574858940069385599.post-88014378158900488712012-02-27T12:33:00.002+08:002012-02-27T17:53:58.064+08:00Ex-JW Steven Unthank's Watchtower prosecution withdrawn by DPP<p>"<a href="http://www.latrobevalleyexpress.com.au/news/local/news/general/private-prosecution-gets-thrown-out-of-court/2468225.aspx">Private prosecution gets thrown out of court</a>," Louis Nelson, <i>Latrobe Valley Express</i>, 27 Feb, 2012 ... A Toongabbie man's personal quest to <a href="http://static.lifeislocal.com.au/multimedia/images/full/1727277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" width="260" src="http://static.lifeislocal.com.au/multimedia/images/full/1727277.jpg" /></a></p><p><b>[</b><a href="http://static.lifeislocal.com.au/multimedia/images/full/1727277.jpg">Right</a><b>: Traralgon Kingdom Hall with sign.]</b></p><p>hold a religion "to account" over its past "refusal" to comply with child protection legislation has been thrown out of court. <a href="http://static.lifeislocal.com.au/multimedia/images/full/1727278.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" width="260" src="http://static.lifeislocal.com.au/multimedia/images/full/1727278.jpg" /></a> </p><b>[</b><a href="http://static.lifeislocal.com.au/multimedia/images/full/1727278.jpg">Right</a><b>: Same Traralgon Kingdom Hall without sign: Pics by Bryan Petts-Jones. According to </b><a href="http://jwnewsnetwork.wordpress.com/2011/12/11/traralgon-congregation-crisis-of-conscience-part-1/">this JW News.net article</a><b>, the Traralgon Kingdom Hall's sign was taken down, following a meeting by the Australian Branch Overseer with the elders of the Traralgon Congregation, apparently meaning it has been closed down (at least to members of the public) by the Watchtower!]</b></p><p>Carpenter Steven Unthank, a former Jehovah's Witness member, took his former religion to the Latrobe Valley Magistrates' Court in a private prosecution for failing to ensure its ministers adopted Working with Children Checks, as required by State Government legislation.<b> See </b><a href="http://www.stevenunthank.com/">Steven Unthank's home page</a><b>. Also see threads on Jehovah's Witness.net, including: </b><a href="http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/watchtower/child-abuse/213724/1/Victoria-Australia-Steven-Unthanks-Press-Release-JWs-Hierarchy-Formally-Charged-Today-With-Child-Abuse">26 Jul 11</a><b>, </b><a href="http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/watchtower/child-abuse/217233/1/Victoria-Australia-Report-on-Oct-11th-hearing-involving-Steven-Unthank">18 Oct 11</a><b>, </b>, <b></b><a href="http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/watchtower/scandals/219516/1/Breaking-News-from-Steve-Unthank-Police-Launch-Investigation-into-Traralgon-Congregation">17 Dec 11</a><b>, </b><a href="http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/watchtower/scandals/219564/1/Victoria-Australia-The-long-edition-new-of-Part-2-of-Steven-Unthanks-report-of-molestation-rape-within-the-Traralgon-Cong">18 Dec 11</a><b> & </b><a href="http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/watchtower/child-abuse/221363/1/Exclusive-interview-with-a-prosecutor-Steven-Unthank-February-21-2012">2 Jan 12</a><b>.</b></p><p>The prosecution, comprising a total of 35 charges against five organisations which make up the Jehovah's Witnesses structure, alleged religion elders had engaged "in child-related work at the Traralgon Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses ... knowing that (they did) not have a current 'Assessment Notice' as required under the working with Children Act 2005." Mr Unthank said he hoped the court case, if successful, would set a precedent for all religions, nation-wide, who "refused to take leadership and the law seriously". <b>This could be taken as implying that not only Jehovah's Witnesses in Australia "refused to take leadership and the law seriously" but so do "all religions," in Australia, including all Christian denominations. Well, the denomination I belong to, </b><a href="http://cofcaustralia.org/">Churches of Christ</a><b>, as far as I am aware, has made it mandatory for all its members who work with children to have a Working with Children Check card, in those </b><a href="http://www.aifs.gov.au/nch/pubs/sheets/rs13/rs13.html">Australian States which have a WWC system</a><b>.</b></p><p>However the charges were officially withdrawn by the director of the Office of Public Prosecutions on Tuesday, as they were "not seen to be in the public interest". The court, before Magistrate Daniel Muling, heard the Department of Public Prosecutions had applied to take over the conduct of proceedings to withdraw all charges.<b>This may look like a defeat but in reality it is a great victory over the Watchtower by Unthank! As a Western Australian high school teacher I know that those Australian States, which have </b><a href="http://www.justice.vic.gov.au/workingwithchildren/">mandatory Working with Children Check systems, like Victoria</a> and <a href="http://www.checkwwc.wa.gov.au/checkwwc">Western Australia</a><b>, have very stringent child protection laws, which they take very seriously, and we can be sure that the Victorian </b><a href="http://www.kids.vic.gov.au/wwcc.htm">Office of the Child Safety Commissioner</a><b> will ensure that all JWs who require a WWC will have to get one, and those who have any relevant criminal history, won't be allowed to be alone with other people's children.</b></p><p>Mr Unthank said he, and other members of the Traralgon congregation who wished to remain anonymous, were "disappointed" with the decision, and said it "sent a very clear message" to religions who "thought they were above the law".<b> Unthank's disappointment is understandable, but he is wrong that JW's, and religions, in general are "above the law". The WWC law only applies to adults being in a "working" (i.e. non-family) context with children under 18:</b> <blockquote>"<i>Working with Children Check </i> In 2006, the Victorian Government introduced a new checking system to help protect children under 18 years of age from physical or sexual harm. The Working with Children (WWC) Check creates a mandatory minimum checking standard across Victoria. The WWC Check helps to keep children safe by preventing those who pose a risk to the safety of children from working with them, in either paid or volunteer work. If you work or volunteer with children you may need to apply for a WWC Check. Employers, volunteer organisations and agencies must ensure that any of their staff or volunteers who need a WWC Check have applied." ("<a href="http://www.justice.vic.gov.au/workingwithchildren/">Working with Children Check</a>," Department of Justice, Victoria, Australia).</blockquote> </p><p>The WWC was introduced by State Government in 2005 to ensure volunteers and employees, including ministers of religion, working with children went through background checks. However, the Jehovah's Witness' corporate body, the Watchtower and Bible Tract Society, informed Victorian congregations their elders required the WWC in November last year.<b> This alone is a great victory for Unthank, because it will weed out those elders who have child-related or sex-related criminal histories. And that does not necessarily mean <i>convictions</i>. If there is a pattern of unproven allegations or not-guilty findings against a person that will be taken into account in whether he/she will be granted a WWC card. </p><p>Also, this is a tacit admission by the Watchtower that JW elders are, in effect, "ministers of religion" <i>in the same sense that clergy are</i> in Christian denominations.</b></p><p>Jehovah's Witness Traralgon Chaplain Albert Helbling said due to the "family orientated" nature of the religion, with Bible study classes "always conducted in the presence of family members", its six elders - some of which he said already held a WWC - had not seen the need for the background checks. "Families are responsible for their children, they stick together and work together; that's how we operate;" Mr Helbling said. "If a parent is not with the children, it's because the parent has agreed that the child goes alone with another family. "As far as we're concerned, we've never had a problem with (not having the WWC); from our stand, is all we can see (Mr Unthank) is trying to cause ill feelings and problems." <b>This shows that JWs <i>do</i> consider themselves above the law, in that they had to be `dragged, kicking and screaming' to obey this WWC law. In my Churches of Christ denomination, for example, <i>every adult</i> who works with children under 18, <i>has</i> to have a WWC card, with <i>no</i> exceptions.</b></p><p>Conjecture remains over whether Jehovah's Witness members, involved in door-to-door preaching methods in the company of children, referred to as 'publishers', were required to undergo the background checks. In an audio recording of a letter from the Watchtower Society, read to a local congregation in late 2011 and heard by <i>The Express</i>, it was stated door-to-door activities were part of a member's "personal ministry", and 'publishers' were not representatives or volunteers of the Watchtower Society. However the letter reading went on to state, "nevertheless, an individual may volunteer to apply (for WWC)", which Mr Unthank said was the religion absolving itself of responsibility, and putting the onus on individuals.<b>This is <i>a lie</i> that JW's going door-to-door are "not representatives ... of the Watchtower Society." JWs are given very specific directions about what doors they must knock on, how many, and what they are to say. It is only an attempt by the Society to isolate it from increasing legal action that it is trying to separate itself from its individual JW members.</b></p><p>Watchtower Society senior elder Alan Wood, confirmed a letter had been sent out to Victorian congregations "about November" last year, informing elders of their requirement to apply for WWC. This came after a Watchtower Society spokesperson told the <a href="http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/former-witness-taking-on-watch-tower/story-fn7x8me2-1226036589078"><i>Herald Sun</i> in July last year</a> it did not believe its ministers were required to obtain background checks "because they did not typically work unsupervised with children". While Mr Wood said that "unclarity" initially surrounded the legislation and WWC criteria, he confirmed the Watchtower Society had been in discussions with the Department of Public Prosecutions, but would not comment on whether it was ordered to conform with the legislation, or had voluntarily accepted it. ... <b>Reading between the lines it is clear that the DPP gave them a choice: either "conform with the legislation" or be prosecuted! So much as Unthank (and other who are opposed to the Watchtower, including me) would have liked to see this matter be decided in court, with the inevitable precedent it would set in other jurisdictions, the fact that the Watchtower has been forced to comply with Working with Children legislation, is a very significant victory in itself.</p><p>And also we may not have heard the last of this, as it spreads to other Australian States, and maybe even around the world. Another important aspect of Australian Working with Children law is </b><a href="http://www.aifs.gov.au/nch/pubs/sheets/rs3/rs3.html">Mandatory Reporting</a><b> of child sexual, physical and emotional abuse by those who are deemed by the law to be teachers, whether paid or unpaid. This means that JW elders might go to prison if they don't report each and every instances of child sexual abuse they become aware of to the relevant secular authorities. So congratulations to Steven Unthank on a <i>great victory</i> over the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society!</b> </p><p> <a href="http://members.iinet.net.au/~sejones/index.html">Stephen E. Jones</a>, B.Sc., Grad. Dip. Ed.<br>My other blogs: <a href="http://creationevolutiondesign.blogspot.com/">CreationEvolutionDesign</a> & <a href="http://theshroudofturin.blogspot.com/">The Shroud of Turin</a></p>Stephen E. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16183223752386599799noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574858940069385599.post-25570724486902417952012-02-22T21:04:00.000+08:002012-02-23T06:45:34.052+08:00Judge overrules parents on transfusion for boy (3)<p>I have given up on the idea of posting one large "<a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/jehovahs-witness-news-february-2012.html">Jehovah's Witness News</a>" each month and instead I am going to post individual items of news about <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah's_Witnesses">Jehovah's Witnesses</a> and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watch_Tower_Bible_and_Tract_Society_of_Pennsylvania">Watchtower Bible and Tract Society</a>, with my comments (in <b>bold</b>), as I become aware of them.</p><p>"<a href="http://www.independent.ie/national-news/courts/judge-overrules-parents-on-transfusion-for-boy-3-3025184.html">Judge overrules parents on transfusion for boy (3)</a>," <i>Irish Independent</i>, Tim Healy, February 21 2012 ... <a href="http://www.supremecourt.ie/SupremeCourt/sclibrary3.nsf/%28WebFiles%29/0A5FF33EFA9CA71580257394003CDEB6/$FILE/Kearns-J_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="250" width="167" src="http://www.supremecourt.ie/SupremeCourt/sclibrary3.nsf/%28WebFiles%29/0A5FF33EFA9CA71580257394003CDEB6/$FILE/Kearns-J_1.jpg" /></a>A THREE-year-old boy can be given a blood transfusion during surgery despite religious objections from his Jehovah's Witness parents, the High Court has ruled. </p><p><b>[</b><a href="http://www.supremecourt.ie/SupremeCourt/sclibrary3.nsf/%28WebFiles%29/0A5FF33EFA9CA71580257394003CDEB6/$FILE/Kearns-J_1.jpg">Right</a><b>: </b><a href="http://www.supremecourt.ie/supremecourt/sclibrary3.nsf/0/5C73008BBE0F9BB98025741800405F3C">Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns</a><b>: The Supreme Court of Ireland]</b></p><p>The child, who cannot be named, needs to have his tonsils removed because of recurring infections. The boy's father told the court yesterday that while he and his wife wanted him to get the best medical treatment, it was a core belief that blood "is not to be taken to the body". The child's consultant, in an affidavit, said if the hospital was not in a position to administer the transfusion, there was a risk of death and brain damage ... The parents said they would consent to certain blood products being administered -- but not red blood cells, which a consultant haematologist considered was vital -- if required ... The hospital respected the parents' religious beliefs but did not want to be in a position where it might have to be making such an application in an emergency situation where time would be of the essence ... High Court president Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns granted the hospital an order permitting a transfusion to be given if necessary. ... <b>Here is another example of how Jehovah's Witness parents, under the Watchtower's mind control, would allow their child to die for lack of blood, rather than they transgress the Society's "tradition of men" which it has elevated to a "commandment of God" (</b><a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/mr/chapter_007.htm#bk7">Mk 7:7-8</a><b> NWT), i.e. "Thou shalt not have a blood transfusion"! The absurdity of the Watchtower's position is that they will now (under legal pressure) allow JWs to receive "certain blood products" but not "not red blood cells"! But this is a </b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reductio_ad_absurdum">reductio ad absurdum</a><b> ("reduction to the absurd") of the Watchtower's position on blood transfusions.</p><p>Clearly the Apostle James, summing up the decision of the Jerusalem council in </b><a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/ac/chapter_015.htm#bk19">Acts 15:19-21</a><b> NWT, ruling that Gentile Christians, to avoid offending Jews, should "abstain ... from blood" was not referring to blood <i>transfusions</i>, let alone distinguishing between "red blood cells" and "certain blood products"!</p><p>Jehovah has already revealed what He thinks of parents who sacrifice the lives of their children for religious reasons (my italics):</b> <blockquote><a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/le/chapter_018.htm#bk21">Lev 18:21</a> NWT "And <i>you must not allow the devoting </i>[sacrificing]<i> of any of your offspring</i> to [the pagan god] Mo'lech. You <i>must not profane the name of your God</i> that way. I am Jehovah."<br><br><a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/le/chapter_020.htm">Lev 20:1-5</a> NWT. 1And Jehovah went on speaking to Moses, saying: 2"You are to say to the sons of Israel, `Any man of the sons of Israel, and any alien resident who resides as an alien in Israel, <i>who gives any of his offspring to Mo'lech, should be put to death without fail</i>. The people of the land should <i>pelt him to death with stones</i>. 3And as for me, <i>I shall set my face against that man</i>, and <i>I will cut him off from among his people</i>, because he has <i>given some of his offspring to Mo'lech</i> for the purpose of defiling my holy place and to profane my holy name. 4And if the people of the land should deliberately <i>hide their eyes from that man when he gives any of his offspring to Mo'lech by not putting him to death</i>, 5then I, for my part, shall certainly <i>fix my face against that man and his family</i> ...<br><br><a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/jer/chapter_032.htm#bk35">Jer 32:35</a> NWT. Furthermore, they built the high places of Ba'al that are in the valley of the son of Hin'nom, in order to <i>make their sons and their daughters pass through [the fire] to Mo'lech</i>, a thing that <i>I did not command them, neither did it come up into my heart to do this detestable thing</i>, for the purpose of making Judah sin.' </blockquote> </p><p> <b>Note above that not only were the parents who allowed their child to die for religious reasons worthy of death by stoning, but Jehovah was firmly against anyone who turned a blind eye to what the parents had done! The same principle applies to JW parents who allow their children to be sacrificed on the altar of the Watchtower's "tradition of men" prohibiting blood transfusions, and also to those JWs who turn a blind eye to those who do it!</b></p><p><a href="http://members.iinet.net.au/~sejones/index.html">Stephen E. Jones</a>, B.Sc., Grad. Dip. Ed.<br>My other blogs: <a href="http://creationevolutiondesign.blogspot.com/">CreationEvolutionDesign</a> & <a href="http://theshroudofturin.blogspot.com/">The Shroud of Turin</a></p>Stephen E. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16183223752386599799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574858940069385599.post-66597543632330811632012-02-19T20:07:00.001+08:002012-02-23T20:09:19.859+08:00Jehovah's Witnesses A-Z: Apostasy<p>This is topic #1 in my <A HREF="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/jehovahs-witnesses-z.html">Jehovah's Witnesses A-Z</A>. By "Apostasy" I mean the "great apostasy from true Christianity" that the <p><a href="http://www.albertmohler.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/40/files/2009/04/newsdecline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" width="200" src="http://www.albertmohler.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/40/files/2009/04/newsdecline.jpg" /></a><p>[<a href="http://www.albertmohler.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/40/files/2009/04/newsdecline.jpg">Right</a>: Cover of <a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2009/04/03/the-end-of-christian-america.html"><i>Newsweek</i>, April 3, 2009</a>: <a href="http://www.albertmohler.com/2009/04/06/newsweek-the-end-of-christian-america/">Albert Mohler</a>. There is indeed a "Great Apostasy" and <i>we are now in it</i>!]</p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watch_Tower_Bible_and_Tract_Society_of_Pennsylvania">Watchtower Bible & Tract Society</a> claimed resulted in what it calls "Christendom":<blockquote>"<i>Identifying the `Third'</I> As we shall see, when the first four trumpets are blown, plagues are inflicted on `a third' of the earth, of the sea, of the rivers and fountains of waters, and of the earth's sources of light. (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev%208:7-12&version=KJV">Revelation 8:7-12</a>) ... So which `third' would be most deserving of these plagues? ... the whole of mankind is in danger of receiving an adverse judgment. But one section thereof is particularly guilty. One part-'a third'-should have known better! What is that `third'? It is Christendom! In the 1920's, her realm embraced about one third of mankind. Her religion is the fruit of the great apostasy from true Christianity-the apostasy that Jesus and his disciples foretold. (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2013:24-30;%20Ac%2020:29,%2030;%202%20Th%202:3;%202Pet%202:1-3&version=KJV">Matthew 13:24-30; Acts 20:29, 30; 2 Thessalonians 2:3; 2 Peter 2:1-3</a>)" ("<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Revelation-its-Grand-Climax-Hand/dp/B001G9TI9S/">Revelation: Its Grand Climax At Hand!</a>," Watchtower Bible & Tract Society: Brooklyn NY, 1988, p.133. Emphasis original).</blockquote></p><p> The Watchtower Society claims this happened "during the centuries since the death of the apostles" and reached its "culmination" in "325 C.E. ... [when] the unbaptized Roman emperor Constantine founded `Christendom'":<blockquote>"Because Jesus spoke the truth, proclaiming the `good news" of God's purpose to deliver mankind, those religious leaders had Jesus put to death. And though Jesus established the Christian congregation as `a pillar and support of the truth," the Devil, Satan, continued to oppose the `good news,' using his religious agents on earth to this end.-<A HREF="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/1ti/chapter_003.htm#bk15">1 Timothy 3:15</A>. The apostle Paul foretold what would happen, when, in 56 C.E., he said to the elders of the Christian congregation of Ephesus: `After my going away oppressive wolves will enter in among you and will not treat the flock with tenderness, and from among you yourselves men will rise and speak twisted things to draw away the disciples after themselves.' (<A HREF="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/ac/chapter_020.htm#bk29">Acts 20:29, 30</A>) True to this prophecy, within three centuries the great apostasy took place. It was in 325 C.E. that the unbaptized Roman emperor Constantine founded `Christendom.' Its religious system twisted Christian doctrine and combined it with many of the Satan-inspired mysteries of ancient Babylon, which the Bible shows to be the mother city of all false religion. Thus the religion of Christendom became part of the world empire of false religion, `Babylon the Great, the mother of the harlots and of the disgusting things of the earth.' (<A HREF="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/re/chapter_017.htm">Revelation 17:3-5</A>)." ("<A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/Good-News-Make-You-Happy/dp/B003UM3L9M/">Good News to Make You Happy</A>," Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society: Brooklyn NY, 1976, pp.42-43).<br><br>"It seems that in all probability during the centuries since the death of the apostles, even since the culmination of the great apostasy by the formation of Christendom in 325 C.E., Jehovah had some on earth at all times who were loyal to his Word, his teachings, Christ Jesus as the Redeemer and to himself as the Supreme One. If this is correct, he was not at any time entirely without witnesses. Of course, such would not have been organized, at least not in a large organization. There were religious organizations, but these were and are part of Babylon the Great, false religion, and in fact Christendom is the most reprehensible part of Babylon the Great." ("<A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/Yearbook-Jehovahs-Witnesses-Watchtower-publications/dp/B005VNRFDQ/">1982 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses: Containing Report for the Service Year of 1981</A>," Watchtower Bible & Tract Society: Brooklyn NY, 1982).</blockquote></p><p> <b>First</b>, while there are Bible verses that predict a future Great Apostasy from true Christianity, they indicate it will be at or near <i>the end of the age</i>, not AD 325. Indeed, the Bible verses the Watchtower cites above indicate this. In the Parable of the Wheat and Weeds (<a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/mt/chapter_013.htm#bk24">Mt 13:24-30</a> NWT), it is specifically stated that the wheat and the weeds would "both grow together <i>until the harvest</i>" <blockquote><a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/mt/chapter_013.htm#bk30">Mt 13:30</a> NWT. "Let both grow together until the harvest; and in the harvest season I will tell the reapers, First collect the weeds and bind them in bundles to burn them up, then go to gathering the wheat into my storehouse."</blockquote></p><p> which will be at "the <i>conclusion of the system of things</i>":<blockquote>"<a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/mt/chapter_013.htm#bk39">Mt 13:39</a> NWT. "and the enemy that sowed them is the Devil. The harvest is a conclusion of a system of things, and the reapers are angels. 40Therefore, just as the weeds are collected and burned with fire, so it will be in the conclusion of the system of things."</blockquote></p><p> This is evident in another of the verses cited above by the Watchtower <a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/2th/chapter_002.htm">2Thess 2:3</a> NWT, which is in the context of the Jesus' <i>parousia</i> or Second Coming, which will be "the <i>day of Jehovah</i>" (also called the Day of Christ in <a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/php/chapter_001.htm#bk10">Php 1:10</a>; <a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/php/chapter_002.htm#bk16">2:16</a> NWT, thus proving yet again <i>from the NWT</i> that Christ is Jehovah!):<blockquote><a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/2th/chapter_002.htm">2Thess 2:1-3</a> NWT:1However, brothers, respecting the presence [Gk. <i>parousia</i> "coming as the first stage of presence"] of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we request of YOU 2not to be quickly shaken from YOUR reason nor to be excited either through an inspired expression or through a verbal message or through a letter as though from us, to the effect that the day of Jehovah is here. 3Let no one seduce YOU in any manner, because it will not come unless the apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness gets revealed, the son of destruction."</p></blockquote><p>Clearly the "apostasy" is closely prior to the "day of Jehovah" and not <i>1686</i> years (and counting after AD 325) before it. Even on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eschatology_of_Jehovah's_Witnesses#Presence_of_Jesus_Christ">the Watchtower's view that Jesus' <i>parousia</i> happened in 1914</a>, that is <i>1589 years</i> after AD 325!</p><p> <b>Second</b>, Paul's warning to the Ephesian elders in <a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/ac/chapter_020.htm#bk29">Acts 20:29-30</a> NWT, only warns of an apostasy that is <i>local</i> ("enter in among YOU"), <i>partial</i> ("draw away the disciples [<i>some</i> not <i>all</i>] after themselves"), to happen <i>in the near future</i> ("after my [Paul's] going away") and <i>in the lifetime of Paul's hearers</i> ("among YOU yourselves") <i>not ~270 years</i> in the future:<blockquote>"29I know that after my going away oppressive wolves will enter in among YOU and will not treat the flock with tenderness, 30and from among YOU yourselves men will rise and speak twisted things to draw away the disciples after themselves."</blockquote></p><p> <b>Third</b>, the Watchtower's claim of a great apostasy that would, beginning after the death of the Apostles, within three centuries <i>totally</i> corrupt and destroy the Church that Jesus founded, is contradicted by Jesus' own statement in <a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/mt/chapter_016.htm#bk18">Mt 16:18</a> NWT that "the gates of Ha´des will not overpower it":<blockquote>Also, I say to you, You are Peter, and on this rock-mass I will build my congregation ["church"], and the gates of Ha´des will not overpower it.</blockquote></p><p> But if Jesus' Church fell into near total apostasy within three hundred years of His founding it, and it was not restored until another 1554 years when <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Taze_Russell">Charles Taze Russell</a> founded in 1879, what was to become the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, then the "gates of Ha´des" <i>did</i> "overpower it," making Jesus a <i>false prophet</i> and Jehovah a <i>weak God</i> who was unable to prevent Satan from allegedly twisting "Christian doctrine" and combining "it with many of the Satan-inspired mysteries of ancient Babylon" for most of it its existence.</p><p> <b>Fourth</b>, if there was any historical support for the Watchtower's claim that the Christian Church became almost <i>totally apostate</i> by AD 325, then they would quote it. But they <i>don't</i>, and therefore there <i>isn't</i>. And moreover there is positive evidence which refutes the Watchtower's claims: <blockquote>"The Watchtower considers all other organizations that call themselves Christians as part of a world-wide apostasy from Christianity. This `apostasy,' they say, began on a large scale in the fourth century, when the Roman emperor Constantine began influencing the church. In order to refute this idea, one must first establish that (1) there was no apostasy in the fourth century as the WT claims, and (2) the Witnesses themselves embrace teachings considered as heretical when compared with 1st century Christianity. This can primarily be done by establishing that the doctrine of the Trinity was not a new teaching as the WT claims (see TRINITY), and that the doctrines of the church were historically sound and verifiable up through the 4th century and beyond. There is ample historical evidence to demonstrate what was sound orthodoxy and what was heretical. Sources for establishing this are the writings of the early church fathers, such as Ignatius, Irenaeus, Justin Martyr, etc. as well as the church historian Eusebius." (Watters, R., "<A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/Refuting-Jehovahs-Witnesses-Randall-Watters/dp/B00072DPEY">Refuting Jehovah's Witnesses</A>," [1987], Bethel Ministries: Manhattan Beach CA, Third edition, 1996, pp.1-2). </blockquote></p><p>Therefore Christianity's near total corruption and apostasy by AD 325 is merely a <i>historical fiction</i> made up by the Watchtower's founder Russell, to justify the founding of his `Johnny come lately' new religion in 1879.</p><p> <b>Fifth</b>, if there <i>had</i> been an almost total apostasy from Biblical Christianity, the Church could recover from it simply by reading and obeying the Bible. The Watchtower's hidden assumption that once there was a near total apostasy from Biblical Christianity, it was final for <i>eighteen centuries</i>, is clearly <i>unrealistic</i>. And in fact the Watchtower has unwittingly admitted that if one reads " the Bible exclusively" one will revert back to the doctrines of "<i>Christendom</i>"!: <blockquote>"From time to time, there have arisen from among the ranks of Jehovah's people those who ... say that it is sufficient to read the Bible exclusively, either alone or in small groups at home. But, strangely, through such `Bible reading,' they have reverted right back to the apostate doctrines that commentaries by Christendom's clergy were teaching 100 years ago ..." ("Serving Jehovah `Shoulder to Shoulder'," <i>The Watchtower</i>, August 15, 1981, p.29). </blockquote></p><p>not those of the Watchtower Society!</p><p> <b>Sixth</b>, the Watchtower also claims above that "Jehovah had some on earth at all times who were loyal to his Word, his teachings ... and to himself as the Supreme One" but "such would not have been organized, at least not in a large organization." But then <i>where is the evidence</i> of this? We should be able to "find some record of a religious group in the" first, "second or third century with views resembling ... those of the JWs. But such is not the case":<blockquote>"<I>Where Were the Jehovah's Witnesses?</I> All this raises an interesting question. Where, during the centuries following the New Testament era, were the ancient counterparts to today's JWs? According to the Witnesses, the church fell into apostasy sometime after the apostolic era, and the truths of the Bible were restored only in the late-nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries in their religion. If this is so, we would expect to find some record of a religious group in the second or third century with views resembling at least somewhat those of the JWs. But such is not the case. The closest parallel is the Arian movement, but it did not exist until the fourth century." (Bowman, R.M., "<A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/Why-You-Should-Believe-Trinity/dp/0801009812">Why You Should Believe in the Trinity: An Answer to Jehovah's Witnesses</A>," Baker: Grand Rapids MI, 1989, Third printing, 1990, p.37. Emphasis original).</blockquote></p><p> <b>Seventh</b>," there is indeed a Great Apostasy, and WE ARE NOW IN IT (see <i>Newsweek</i> cover above)! And the Jehovah's Witnesses themselves are, unwittingly, further evidence that <i>we are now in</i> that final Great Apostasy immediately prior to Jesus' Return!:<blockquote>"WHO ARE THE REAL APOSTATES? One who partakes of the `<i>faith that was once delivered to the saints</i>' (<A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jude+1%3A3&version=NASB">Jude 3</A>) and who then rejects such truths and promotes new doctrines could be classed as an apostate and should be `rejected after a first and second admonition.' (<A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Tit%203:10&version=NASB">Titus 3:10</A>). As <A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20John%201:9-11&version=NASB">2 John 9-11</A> says, we should not even associate with a person such as this. The real question that must be presented to the JW is: Who are the real apostates? For if through an investigation of early Christianity and its teachings we find the WT leaders to be the REAL heretics, then we can truly understand their active opposition to the Christian church. In the WT publication <i>What Has Religion Done For Mankind?</i> (p. 271) the claim is made that the truth about Christ was corrupted in the 4th century when Emperor Constantine proclaimed 'the Trinity' to be the true doctrine. Thus, according to the WT, apostasy first appeared with the doctrine of the deity of Christ and the Trinity. ... They argue that the early Christians did not believe in a Trinity, while ignoring the fact that their own peculiar theology on the nature of God long post-dated the trinitarian theology. There is no record of a belief system like the Jehovah's Witnesses until C.T. Russell came along centuries later." (Watters, 1996, pp.3-4. Emphasis original).</blockquote></p><p></p><hr><p><a href="http://members.iinet.net.au/~sejones/index.html">Stephen E. Jones</a>, B.Sc., Grad. Dip. Ed.<br>My other blogs: <a href="http://creationevolutiondesign.blogspot.com/">CreationEvolutionDesign</a> & <a href="http://theshroudofturin.blogspot.com/">The Shroud of Turin</a></p>Stephen E. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16183223752386599799noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574858940069385599.post-82542618499737238582012-02-18T11:18:00.000+08:002012-02-19T20:50:53.763+08:00Jehovah's Witnesses A-Z<p>This is my A-Z index of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah's_Witnesses">Jehovah's Witness</a> (i.e. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watch_Tower_Bible_and_Tract_Society_of_Pennsylvania">Watchtower Bible and Tract Society</a>) teachings.<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51mb7q47K9L.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51mb7q47K9L.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 210px;" /></a> It is a restarting of my lapsed "<a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com.au/2008/04/watchtower-errors-by-topic-z.html">Watchtower Errors by Topic: A-Z</a>" (2008) and "<a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com.au/2010/10/questions-for-jehovahs-witnesses-z.html">Questions for Jehovah's Witnesses A-Z</a>" (2010).</p><p>[<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51mb7q47K9L.jpg">Left</a>: ex-JW elder <a href="http://www.cftf.com/online/main.html">David A. Reed</a>'s, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Index-Watchtower-Errors-1879-1989/dp/0801077567">Index of Watchtower Errors 1879 to 1989</a>" (1990): Amazon.com.]</p><p>I will over time post my comments on the following major Watchtower Society teachings and topics (and any others as I think of them), one to a page, usually in alphabetic order, and link each topic page back to this main index page.</p><p><b>A</b>: <a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/jehovahs-witnesses-z-apostasy.html">Apostasy</a>; apostates; Armageddon.<br><b>B</b>: baptism; Bible; birthdays, blood transfusion<b>C</b>: Christianity; Christmas; cross.<br><b>D</b>: dates: 607 BC; 1914; death; disfellowshipping; door-to-door.<br><b>E</b>: education.<br><b>F</b>: Faithful and Discreet Slave; false prophecies: 1914; 1925; 1975; 1994; flag.<br><b>G</b>: God; government; Great Crowd.<br><b>H</b>: Hell; Holy Spirit.<br><b>I</b>: .<br><b>J</b>: Jesus Christ; Jehovah; Jehovah's Witnesses.<br><b>K</b>: Kingdom.<br><b>L</b>: Little flock (144,000); Lord's supper.<br><b>M</b>: military service.<br><b>N</b>: <i>New World Translation</i><br><b>O</b>: Organization.<br><b>P</b>: Paradise Earth.<br><b>Q</b>: .<br><b>R</b>: resurrection; Russell, C.T.; Rutherford, J.F.<br><b>S</b>: salvation; Second Coming.<br><b>T</b>: theocratic warfare strategy; Trinity.<br><b>U</b>: .<br><b>V</b>: .<br><b>W</b>: Watchtower Bible & Tract Society.<br><b>X</b>: .<br><b>Y</b>: .<br><b>Z</b>: .</p><p><hr><p><a href="http://members.iinet.net.au/~sejones/index.html">Stephen E. Jones</a>, B.Sc., Grad. Dip. Ed.<br>My other blogs: <a href="http://creationevolutiondesign.blogspot.com/">CreationEvolutionDesign</a> & <a href="http://theshroudofturin.blogspot.com/">The Shroud of Turin</a></p>Stephen E. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16183223752386599799noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574858940069385599.post-37403596757344193092012-02-04T06:10:00.046+08:002012-02-17T15:06:13.745+08:00Jehovah's Witness News, February 2012<p>Here is my <i>Jehovah's Witness News</i> for February 2012. The previous issue was <a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com.au/2012/01/jehovahs-witness-news-january-2012.html">January 2012</a>. My words are <b>bold</b> to distinguish them from the articles'. I will add articles during the month, newest uppermost. Again my purpose is not to attack individual <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah's_Witnesses">Jehovah's Witnesses</a> but the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watch_Tower_Bible_and_Tract_Society_of_Pennsylvania">Watchtower Bible & Tract Society</a>.</p><hr><p><a name="guilty"></a>"<a href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/south-wales-news/rhymney-valley/2012/02/16/jehovah-s-witness-guilty-of-indecent-assault-on-boy-91466-30338799/">Jehovah's Witness guilty of indecent assault on boy</a>," <i>Wales Online</i>, Tryst Williams, February 16 2012 ... A FORMER school bus driver from Penpedairheol has been convicted of indecently assaulting a boy a decade ago.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9QeiD4USsUQFsMteOcaThbHZ3BlnFR65NsEQWTeeMhyMINyOHgvDNOI8xLJt0wD8A0XY9gHu_Nz2Z6ZV9RyzzVPw3IN5Zt8Qt0zBCGLlKRfeLgcRWslwqQGf5DSdGkwoKRyIEd2e_Ngs/s1600/Crown_Court%252C_Cardiff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" width="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9QeiD4USsUQFsMteOcaThbHZ3BlnFR65NsEQWTeeMhyMINyOHgvDNOI8xLJt0wD8A0XY9gHu_Nz2Z6ZV9RyzzVPw3IN5Zt8Qt0zBCGLlKRfeLgcRWslwqQGf5DSdGkwoKRyIEd2e_Ngs/s320/Crown_Court%252C_Cardiff.jpg" /></a> David Evans, 46, a </p></p><b>[</b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Crown_Court,_Cardiff.jpg">Left</a><b>: </b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Crown_Court,_Cardiff.jpg">Cardiff Crown Court</a>: Wikiedia<b>]</b></p><p>practising Jehovah's Witness, was found guilty following two trials at Cardiff Crown Court. <a href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/south-wales-news/rhymney-valley/2011/08/18/church-member-denies-child-sex-abuse-charges-91466-29254809/">At his first trial last summer, a jury failed to agree on verdicts</a>. Evans, of Gelliron, Penpedairheol, denied the allegations made by a man, now aged in his 20s. But a second jury convicted him of five charges and he will face sentence next month. At his first trial, his accuser revealed that he had not told his parents about what happened until last year. He said he spoke out after spotting Evans in a car with a small boy. "If the same thing happened to somebody else, I couldn't have lived with myself," he told the court, which heard that Evans was called to a meeting of the elders of his church in Aberbargoed after the allegations were made. He told them the accusations were untrue. Evans was bailed by Judge David Wynn Morgan. ... <b>Considering their relatively small size, the Jehovah's Witnesses have a disproportionately high number of child sexual abuse cases. There is even a Wikipedia page titled, "</b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah's_Witnesses_and_child_sex_abuse">Jehovah's Witnesses and child sex abuse</a><b>." While child sexual abuse regrettably occurs in all Christian denominations, there is no corresponding Wikipedia page for "Baptist child sex abuse" or "Church of Christ child sex abuse" (my denomination), indicating it is far less frequent in evangelical Christian churches. There is even an organisation, </b><a href="http://www.silentlambs.org/">Silentlambs</a><b>, which was set up <i>specifically</i> for "helping ... victims of child sexual abuse experienced while in the religious organization of Jehovah's Witnesses":</b><blockquote>"<i>Silentlambs</i> is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping survivors of abuse. It is based in the United States and gives assistance to victims of child sexual abuse experienced while in the religious organization of Jehovah's Witnesses. Its stated purpose is to help educate the public and Jehovah’s Witnesses about child sexual abuse as well as to assist abuse survivors who have been molested as children and silenced from speaking out or seeking proper assistance as directed by religious authority." ("<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silentlambs">Silentlambs</a>," Wikipedia, 13 November 2011).</blockquote></p><p><b>This is further evidence that the Jehovah's Witness religion is <i>not</i> Christian, but is rather like that other externalist and legalist <i>anti-Christian</i> religion, that of the </b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pharisees">Pharisees</a></a><b> of Jesus' day, whose followers "<i>outwardly</i> ... appear righteous to men, but <i>inside</i> ... are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness":</b><blockquote><a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/mt/chapter_023.htm#bk27">Mt 23:27-28</a> NWT. 27 "Woe to YOU, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because YOU resemble whitewashed graves, which outwardly indeed appear beautiful but inside are full of dead men’s bones and of every sort of uncleanness. 28 In that way YOU also, outwardly indeed, appear righteous to men, but inside YOU are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.</blockquote></p><p><hr><p><a name="Raking"></a><a href="http://www.observer.com/2012/02/jehovahs-witnesses-raking-in-real-estate-dough/">Jehovah's Witnesses Raking In Real Estate Dough</a>," Elise Knutsen, <a href="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2011/09/18/realestate/18DEAL1_SPAN/Deal1-blog480.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 260px;" src="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2011/09/18/realestate/18DEAL1_SPAN/Deal1-blog480.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><i>New York Observer</i>, February 13, 2012 ... </p><p><b>[</b><a href="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2011/09/18/realestate/18DEAL1_SPAN/Deal1-blog480.jpg">Right</a>: <a href="http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/09/16/big-deal-jehovahs-witnesses-list-prime-properties/">165 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn</a><b>: <i>The New York Times</i>]</b></p><p>Whether it's Armageddon or soaring property values, the Jehovah's Witnesses ... are one property closer to cutting all Earthly ties to their home of a century. An adorable carriage house at 165 Columbia Heights was sold for $4.1 million, city records show ... The home features an enviable 4,172-square-foot layout with four bedrooms and four full baths. A gluttonous master bedroom includes a walk-in-closet and en-suite bath, while the vainglorious garage can hold four cars. The Witnesses were definitely not guilty of acedia (look it up <b>["</b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acedia">Acedia ... not being concerned with one's position or condition in the world</a><b>" - Wikipedia]</b>), as the home has all new mechanicals. <a href="http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/brooklyn/brooklyn_holy_land_wE3ZfOmbKo2X7Gke3RlsbI">The Jehovah's Witnesses, whose world headquarters have been located in Brooklyn Heights for over a century, are moving upstate to the town of Warwick</a>. The group is in the process of selling property in the area worth between $600 million and $1 billion. ... <b>This particular sale is "</b><a href="http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/35862">$3M Under Asking</a><b>" price, and so is more evidence of the Watchtower Society's acute financial problems (see </b><a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com.au/2012/01/jehovahs-witness-news-january-2012.html#Building">January's <i>News</i></a><b>). It is also more evidence of the Society's <i>hypocrisy</i>, since clearly it would have been the Society's leadership who lived in such luxury. A commenter to </b><a href="http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/35862">Brooklyn Heights Blog</a><b> noted:</b> <blockquote>"The Watchtower has denounced the opulent Roman Catholic Church for their opulence and corruption and the Watchtower started as a small niche of `puritan' Bible students has in the end stage become just like their nemesis."</blockquote><b></p><p>And another commenter pointed out:</b> <blockquote>"Looks like the Watchtower is positioning itself for the next 130 years of its history, showing the lost souls of this world that the end is `just around the corner'!"</blockquote></p><hr><p><a name="Trenton"></a>"<a href="http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2012/02/christian_gathering_could_be_b.html">Christian gathering could be boon for Trenton economy</a>," Erin Duffy, <i>NJ.com</i>, February 12, 2012. Every January, the Riverview </p><a href="http://2mb.su/uploaded/0/12037445984e7935.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://2mb.su/uploaded/0/12037445984e7935.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <p><b>[</b><a href="http://2mb.su/uploaded/0/12037445984e7935.jpg">Above</a><b> (click to enlarge): <i>The Watchtower</i>, July 15, 2011, p.16, which claimed that "apostates," i.e. former JWs, were "mentally diseased"!: </b><a href="http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/watchtower/scandals/216079/1/Mentally-Diseased-comment-help-needed">Jehovahs-Witness.net</a><b>]</b></p><p>Jehovah's Witnesses congregation learns where its annual convention will take place. ... This year, the Oakland Street congregation learned its hometown, Trenton, will serve as host for six weekend-long events at the Sun National Bank Center. ... The local convention, one of hundreds to take place across the United States this summer, is expected to attract upward of 100,000 Jehovah's Witnesses to the city ... Perhaps best known for its habit of spreading the good word door-to-door, the Christian group considers the annual conventions the highlight of the year ... Witnesses believe in `Jehovah,' their name for God, and Jesus Christ, but they don't accept the existence of a Holy Trinity. Distinctive traits by which witnesses have come to be known include ... their refusal to celebrate birthdays and major holidays, participate in politics and military service or receive blood transfusions. They've been labeled a cult by some ... <b>This reads like it was based on a Watchtower Society press release! But again, "Jehovah's Witnesses" are <i>NOT</i> Christian, because for one, claiming to be "Christian" and yet not believing in "the existence of a Holy Trinity" is as <i>self-contradictorily absurd</i> as claiming to be a Muslim but not believing in Allah! And again they neglect to mention (probably because they are embarrassed by it) that what "Witnesses believe ... [about] Jesus Christ" is that he is "<i>Michael the archangel</i>"!:</b> <blockquote>"<I>Who Is Michael the Archangel?</I> THE spirit creature called Michael is not mentioned often in the Bible ... But who is Michael? ... the Bible indicates that Michael is another name for Jesus Christ, before and after his life on earth." ("<A HREF="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bh/appendix_11.htm">What Does the Bible <I>Really</I> Teach?</A>," Watchtower Bible & Tract Society of New York: Brooklyn NY, 2005, p.218). </blockquote></p><p><b>That JWism <i>is</i> "a cult" is evident in that the Watchtower Society, which calls itself "God's visible organization" (which delusion of grandeur <i>alone</i> shows that it is a cult) won't let its members do any "independent thinking," especially not to question the Watchtower's teachings:</b><blockquote>"<i>Avoid Independent Thinking</i> ... How is such independent thinking manifested? A common way is by questioning the counsel that is provided by God's visible organization." ("Exposing the Devil's Subtle Designs," <i>The Watchtower</i>, January 15, 1983, p.22).</blockquote></p><p><b>As a cult which seeks to control what its members think, the Society most fears the freeing influence that former JWs can have on JWs under its mind-control, and so it labels them "apostates" and warns JWs to shun them, literally like the plague. Indeed, a recent <i>Watchtower</i> magazine (see above) called ex-JWs "mentally diseased" (see "</b><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/8791196/Police-inquiry-over-Jehovahs-Witness-magazine-mentally-diseased-article.html">Police inquiry over Jehovah's Witness magazine 'mentally diseased' article</a><b>" <i>The Telegraph</i>, 27 Sep 2011; and "</b><a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/war-of-words-breaks-out-among-jehovahs-witnesses-2361448.html">War of words breaks out among Jehovah's Witnesses</a><b>," <i>The Independent</i>, 27 September 2011).<p>That it is a cult is also evident in the JW "distinctive traits" mentioned: "refusal to celebrate birthdays and major holidays" which is <i>really</i> aimed at cutting JWs off from their non-JW family and friends so that they are more under the control of the Watchtower:</b><blockquote>"As the student begins to accept Watchtower teachings that Christmas, Easter, Mother's Day, and birthday celebrations are of pagan origin and therefore offensive to God, fellowship with non-JW family and friends on those occasions comes to an abrupt halt, and social interaction with non-Witnesses on other occasions becomes more difficult. Eventually outside friendships cease altogether for the fully committed Jehovah's Witness, and family ties outside the sect cool to the point that relatives feel the JW has become a stranger. This, too, is by design and is a key part of the mind-control process. ... This social isolation is a key element, of mind control because it cuts off the sect member from the free flow of ideas that normally occur among friends or relatives. Once it is in place, only Watchtower ideas are heard and taken into the mind. If other opinions are encountered from outsiders at school or at a JW's place of employment, these are viewed with suspicion and contempt as coming from ungodly, `worldly' people who are no longer regarded as peers." (Reed, D.A., "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Blood-Altar-Confessions-Jehovahs-Minister/dp/1573920592">Blood on the Altar</a>," 1996, pp.188-189).</blockquote></p><p><b> And "refusal to ... receive blood transfusions" up to and including JWs (and their children) <i>dying</i> in their <i>thousands</I> when the Bible (including the Watchtower's own <i>New Word Translation</i>) only says a Christian should avoid <i>eating</I> blood so as <i>not to offend Jews</i>:</b> <blockquote>"<a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/ac/chapter_015.htm#bk19">Acts 15:19-21</a> NWT. "Hence my decision is not to trouble those from the nations who are turning to God, 20but to write them to abstain from things polluted by idols and from fornication and from what is strangled and from blood. 21<i>For from ancient times Moses has had in city after city those who preach him, because he is read aloud in the synagogues on every sabbath</i>."</blockquote></p><p><b>Any religion that allows its members and their children to die unnecessarily, in their <i>thousands</i>, based on passage which is only about not offending Jews (<a href="http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/625443/jewish/Is-blood-transfusion-permissible-in-Jewish-belief.htm">who aren't even offended by blood transfusions</a>), <I>IS</I> a cult!</b></p><hr><p><a name="Florence"></a>"<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/florence-green-worlds-last-known-veteran-of-world-war-i-dies-at-110/2012/02/07/gIQAbT2KxQ_story.html">Florence Green, world's last-known veteran of World War I, dies at 110</a>," <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmXb3Euf2OY5O0LthzGXGrlKpR3s7qu-zmFmhs2VWwVrdnBaNEJEY5yxCk3ntwSk3NdECOZrkhSJM74afrG7J-Vjc-t4y5Cu5UxaSARRHaHmRswCV8YwB1KYcF-DhueP5FvU-rRGnYd2M/s1600/WatchtowerMay15_1984cover.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmXb3Euf2OY5O0LthzGXGrlKpR3s7qu-zmFmhs2VWwVrdnBaNEJEY5yxCk3ntwSk3NdECOZrkhSJM74afrG7J-Vjc-t4y5Cu5UxaSARRHaHmRswCV8YwB1KYcF-DhueP5FvU-rRGnYd2M/s320/WatchtowerMay15_1984cover.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707149734476760754" /></a><i>The Washington Post</i>, February 8, 2012.<p></p><p><b>[Left: "1914 The Generation That Will Not Pass Away": <i>The Watchtower</i>, May 15, 1984, front page]</b>.</p><p>Florence Green, the world's last-known veteran of World War I, died Feb. 4 at a nursing home in King's Lynn, England. She was 110 ... Born Florence Beatrice Patterson in London on Feb. 19, 1901, she joined the Women's Royal Air Force in September 1918 at the age of 17. She went to work as a waitress in the officers' mess at RAF Marham in eastern England and was serving there when the war ended in November 1918 ... Her husband, Walter Green, died about 30 years ago ... <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claude_Choules">The war's last-known combatant, Royal Navy veteran Claude Choules, died in Australia in May</a>. After his death, Mrs. Green became the war's last-known surviving service member from the war, according to the Order of the First World War, a U.S.-based group that tracks veterans. She was officially recognized as a veteran when a researcher found her service record in the National Archives ... <b>This lady's death as the last WW1 veteran is a reminder of the Watchtower Society's false prophecy that the generation of those who saw the events of 1914 would not pass away before Armageddon came:</b><blockquote>"Many are the people <b>alive since 1914 who will still be living when it is time for Armageddon to begin</b>." ("<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Paradise-Lost-Regained/dp/B000LU5B6C/">From Paradise Lost to Paradise Regained</a>," WB&TS, 1958, p.205).<br><br>"The end of all the chaotic conditions in this system of things will not be delayed. But when will it come? After enumerating the many unpleasant conditions marking this `time of the end,' Jesus added the key thought: `This generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur.' (<a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/mt/chapter_024.htm#bk34">Matthew 24:34</a>) Which generation did he mean? The one that would see the beginning of the woes he mentioned. Thus <b>the generation living in 1914 can expect to see the end of this wicked system of things</b>. It is to be carefully noted that the youngest of those <b>who saw with understanding the developing sign of the `last days' from their start in 1914</b> are now well over sixty years of age ... <b>The end of this wicked system and of all wickedness will come before all members of that generation pass away</b>." ("<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Did-Man-Here-Evolution-Creation/dp/B000RJ4JII/">Did Man Get Here by Evolution or by Creation?</a>," WB&TS, 1967, pp.171-172).<br><br>"THE Bible speaks of the time in which we are living as the `last days' or the `time of the end.' ... It began in 1914 when Jesus Christ was enthroned as king in the heavens. It will <b>end when God destroys this present wicked system of things</b> ... How soon will that be? .. Jesus said: `This generation will <i>by no means</i> pass away until all these things occur.' (<a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/mt/chapter_024.htm#bk34">Matthew 24:34</a>) Which generation did he mean? ... people still living <b>who were alive in 1914 and saw what was happening then and who were old enough that they still remember those events</b>. This generation is getting up in years now ... Yet Jesus very pointedly said: `This generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur.' <b>Some of them will still be alive to see the end of this wicked system</b>. This means that <b>only a short time is left before the end comes</b>!" ("<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Truth-that-Leads-Eternal-Life/dp/B000K07P5S/">The Truth that Leads to Eternal Life</a>," WB&TS, 1968, pp.94-95).<br><br>"THE fact that fifty-four years of the period called the `last days' have already gone by is highly significant. It means that <b>only a few years, at most, remain before the corrupt system of things dominating the earth is destroyed by God</b> ... Jesus said when he gave his great prophecy about the `last days' ... `Truly I say to you that this generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur.' - <a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/mt/chapter_024.htm#bk34">Matt. 24:34</a>. `Jesus was obviously speaking about <b>those who were old enough to witness <i>with understanding</i> what took place when the `last days' began</b>. Jesus was saying that some of those persons who were alive at the appearance of the `sign of the last days' would still be alive when God brought this system to its end. Even if we presume that <b>youngsters 15 years of age would be perceptive enough to realize the import of what happened in 1914</b>, it would still make the youngest of `this generation' nearly 70 years old today ... Jesus said that <b>the end of this wicked world would come before that generation passed away</b> in death. This, of itself, tells us that <b>the years left before the foretold end comes cannot be many</b>." ("What will the 1970's Bring?," <i>Awake!</i>, October 8, 1968, p.13-14).<br><br>"After considering the foregoing, is it not clear that ... we really are living in the time the Bible foretold as the `last days.' ... the Bible said that <b><i>all these things</i> would happen upon the generation that was alive in 1914</b> ... After drawing attention to the many things that have marked the period from 1914 onward, Jesus said: `This generation will by no means pass away until all these things [including the end of this system] occur.' (<a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/mt/chapter_024.htm#bk14">Matthew 24:34, 14</a>) Which generation did Jesus mean? <b>He meant the generation of people who were living in 1914</b>. Those persons yet remaining of that generation are now very old. However, <b>some of them will still be alive to see the end of this wicked system</b>. So of this we can be certain: <b>Shortly now there will be a sudden end to all wickedness</b> and wicked people at Armageddon." ("<a href="http://www.amazon.com/You-Live-Forever-Paradise-Earth/dp/B000T8KFGC/">You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth</a>," WB&TS, 1982, p.154).<br><br>"The present wicked system of things, which extends worldwide, <b>entered its last days in 1914, and some of the generation alive then will also be on hand to witness its complete end</b> in the `great tribulation.' ... <a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/lu/chapter_021.htm#bk31">Luke 21:31, 32</a>: `When you see these things occurring, know that the kingdom of God is near [that is, the time when it will destroy the present wicked world and itself take full charge of earth's affairs]. Truly I say to you, This generation will by no means pass away until all things occur.' (<b>The `generation' that was alive at the beginning of fulfillment of the sign in 1914</b> is now well along in years. <b>The time remaining must be very short</b>." ("<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Reasoning-Scriptures-Watch-Society-Pennsylvania/dp/B000LEK1J0/">Reasoning from the Scriptures</a>," WB&TS, Second edition, 1989, pp.234,239).</blockquote></p><p><b>Since Mrs Green was born in 1901, she would have been of the generation that saw 1914. But as can be seen above, the Society defined the 1914 generation as those aged 15 or older in 1914. That means they were born no later than 1899 and would be 113 or older today. And since JWs were in 1914 such a tiny percentage of the world population, there are almost certainly no JWs alive today who were aged 15 in 1914. Moreover, since "the oldest living person in the world whose age can be documented is 115-year-old Besse Cooper, of the United States, born 26 August 1896" ("<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oldest_people">Oldest people</a>," Wikipedia, 8 February 2012), it will only be a few more years until there will be <i>no one</i> alive who was 15 or older in 1914.</p><p>But we don't have to wait until then. The Society has effectively admitted that its "1914: The generation that will not pass away" prediction was a false prophecy:</b><blockquote> <a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/de/chapter_018.htm#bk20">Dt 18:20-22</a> NWT. 20"However, the prophet who presumes to speak in my name a word that I have not commanded him to speak or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet must die. 21And in case you should say in your heart: `How shall we know the word that Jehovah has not spoken?' 22when the prophet speaks in the name of Jehovah and the word does not occur or come true, that is the word that Jehovah did not speak. With presumptuousness the prophet spoke it. You must not get frightened at him." </blockquote></p><p><b>and that therefore it is a false prophet. It did this by in 1995 quietly abandoning its <i>decades old</i> "1914 generation" prediction by changing its definition of "generation" so "that now, to qualify as part of `this generation,' a person need no longer have been alive in 1914":</b><blockquote>"In September 1994, the eighth printing of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crisis_of_Conscience"><I>Crisis of Conscience</I></a> discussed this February 15, 1994 issue of the <I>Watchtower</I> and its moving the application of portions of Matthew 24 forward to the start of the `great tribulation.' ... Just <I>thirteen months</I> later <a href="http://cftf.com/1914/index.html">articles appeared in the November 1, 1995 <I>Watchtower</I></a> which did almost precisely what had been pointed to in that 1994 edition of <I>Crisis of Conscience</I>. As indicated, they now <I>unlinked</I> the phrase `this generation' (Matthew 24:34) from the date of 1914 ... This was accomplished by a new definition of the sense of `generation' in this text. ... For over forty years thereafter Watch Tower publications continued to assign a <I>temporal</I> sense to the `generation' of Matthew 24:34. The aging of the 1914 generation was pointed to again and again as clear evidence of the shortness of the remaining time. In the revised 1995 definition, however, rather than having parameters of time limitations or any set <I>starting point</I>, the `generation' is instead said to be identified, not temporally, but qualitatively, by its <I>characteristics</I>, as in the reference to an `evil and adulterous generation' in Jesus' time. `This generation' is now said to be `the peoples of earth who see the sign of Christ's presence but fail to mend their ways.' ... What then is the significant difference? It is that now, to qualify as part of `this generation,' a person need no longer have been alive in 1914 to form part of `this generation.' <I>Anyone</I> can see the supposed `sign of Christ's presence' <I>at any time</I>-even if for the first time in the 1990s, or for that matter in the third millennium-and still qualify as part of `this generation.' This allows the phrase to <I>float free of any starting date</I> and reduces considerably the need to explain the embarrassing length of time that has elapsed since 1914, and the rapidly diminishing ranks of persons who were alive at that date." (Franz, R., "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Crisis-Conscience-Raymond-Franz/dp/0914675044">Crisis of Conscience</a>," 2002, pp.266-268. Emphasis original).</blockquote></p><hr><p><a name="PeaceHealth"></a>"<a href="http://www.columbian.com/news/2012/feb/06/bloodless-surgery-peacehealth-southwest-addresses/">PeaceHealth Southwest addresses those who refuse blood transfusions</a>," <a href="http://columbian.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/croppedphotos/2012/02/03/701713_no_blood02_t640.jpg?a6ea3ebd4438a44b86d2e9c39ecf7613005fe067"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 260px;" src="http://columbian.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/croppedphotos/2012/02/03/701713_no_blood02_t640.jpg?a6ea3ebd4438a44b86d2e9c39ecf7613005fe067" border="0" alt="" /></a>Marissa Harshman, <i>LiveWell</i>, February 6, 2012 ... </p><p><b>[</b><a href="http://columbian.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/croppedphotos/2012/02/03/701713_no_blood02_t640.jpg?a6ea3ebd4438a44b86d2e9c39ecf7613005fe067">Right</a><b>: Watchtower Society "No Blood" card: Zachary Kaufman]</p><p></b>When Brenda Jordan awoke from her medically induced coma, she was devastated. While unconsciousness, Jordan dreamt she had a blood transfusion. For the Jehovah's Witness, a transfusion would mean she defied God's command to abstain from blood. Jordan discovered three days later, when she was finally able to speak, that she had not received a transfusion. It was just a dream ... And several months later, when the Vancouver woman had open-heart surgery in November, she did so without putting another person's blood into her body. Jordan's transfusion-free surgery was possible because of a new blood conservation program at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver ... Dr. Steve Matous, a general surgeon, said a transfusion-free procedure doesn't look much different than a typical procedure. The main difference, he said, is surgeons are extra diligent about stopping bleeding, treating every drop of blood as precious. The surgeons use a variety of blood-saving techniques and equipment to prevent blood loss ... While most general surgery procedures don't usually require blood transfusions, other surgeries - like open-heart and liver surgeries - usually require transfusions. A typical open-heart surgery, for example, could require four or five units of blood ... The Cell Saver machine, however, reduces the need. "This is better for patients because they're getting their own blood back," ... <b>The Watchtower Society currently won't allow JWs to get their own blood back (see </b><a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com.au/2012/01/jehovahs-witness-news-january-2012.html#Jones">January's issue</a><b>). So until the Society receives "new light" (i.e. their `Jehovah' changes his mind), JWs will continue having to die unnecessarily at the Watchtower's hand. Also, while this "transfusion-free surgery" can help <i>some</i> JWs, for <i>some</i> procedures in those countries with advanced health systems, like Canada and the USA, JWs will still have to continue dying unnecessarily in their <i>thousands</i> at the Watchtower's hand, in less advanced countries, or even in advanced countries where some JWs cannot afford the alternative procedures. And that still leaves the <i>millions</i> of JWs who have died unnecessarily in the past, due to this particular Watchtower "tradition of men" which they have elevated to a "commandment of God," and in doing so have "Let... go the commandment of God" (</b><a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/mr/chapter_007.htm#bk7">Mk 7:7-8</a><b>), that "You must not murder" </b><a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/ex/chapter_020.htm#bk13">Ex 20:13</a><b>), which includes preventing unnecessary death (</b><a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/de/chapter_022.htm#bk8">Dt 22:8</a><b>).</b></p><hr><p><a name="Watchdog's"></a>"<a href="http://rapsinews.com/judicial_news/20120202/259911702.html">Watchdog's ban on distributing Jehovah's </a><a href="http://rapsinews.com/images/25745/69/257456938.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 260px;" src="http://rapsinews.com/images/25745/69/257456938.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Witnesses magazines </p><p><b>[</b><a href="http://rapsinews.com/images/25745/69/257456938.jpg">Left</a><b>: Early <i>The Watch Tower</i> magazine cover. Note the Cross which was part of the Society's logo for <i>47 years</i> from 1881 to 1928!]</b></p><p>affirmed," Russian Legal Information Agency (RAPSI) ... MOSCOW, February 2 ... An appeals court has affirmed the mass media watchdog's ban on distributing in Russia the <i>Awake!</i> and <i>Watchtower</i> magazines published by Jehovah's Witnesses ... The Ninth Commercial Court of Appeals dismissed the petition filed by ... the Jehovah's Witnesses management center responsible for distributing magazines. ... The reason was that Russian courts declared some of their stories extremist. The claimants earlier denied the orders as being unlawful because press publication and distribution are its core economic activities and its rights have been violated by the disputable orders ... Jehovah's Witnesses is an international religious organization. Many traditional religions consider it to be a pseudo-Christian sect. ... Its activities are forbidden in China, North Korea, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq and a number of other countries. ... <b>That JWism is "a pseudo-Christian sect" is evident in that its "core economic activities" are "press publication and distribution." It truly is "a religion of `buying and selling'" (Schnell, W.J., "</b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Years-Watchtower-Slave-Confessions-Converted/dp/0801063841">Thirty Years: A Watchtower Slave</a><b>," 1956, p.205). Where in the Bible does it say that the "core economic activity" of the Church that Jesus' founded (</b><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2016:18&version=ESV">Mt 16:18</a><b>) was to be "press publication and distribution"? As mentioned in </b><a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com.au/2012/01/jehovahs-witness-news-january-2012.html#Arbitration">January's issue</a><b>, the Watchtower Society has a <i>huge</i> dilemma: since the same content is printed in every <i>Watchtower</i> and <i>Awake!</i> magazine in every country, it either has to: 1. tone down its extremist language in every issue worldwide, which will adversely affect the Society's recruiting and retaining members; or 2. start producing different content magazines for different countries, which will greatly increase the Society's costs.</b></p><hr><p><a name="meeting"></a>"<a href="http://www.latimes.com/health/la-me-jehovahs-20120202,0,1225354.story">A meeting of hearts if not minds</a>," Anna Gorman, <i>Los Angeles Times</i>, February 2, 2012... <a href="http://www.latimes.com/media/photo/2012-02/67790292.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 280px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="http://www.latimes.com/media/photo/2012-02/67790292.jpg" border="0" /></a>Some Jehovah's Witnesses with leukemia</p><p><b>[</b><a href="http://www.latimes.com/media/photo/2012-02/67790292.jpg">Right</a><b>:</b> Dr. Michael Lill examines Jehovah's Witness leukemia patient Christina Blouvan-Cervantes<b>: <i>Los Angeles Times</i>]</b></p><p>turn to an atheist Cedars-Sinai doctor who respects their refusal to accept blood transfusions. Christina Blouvan-Cervantes had been battling aggressive leukemia when her blood count plummeted ... Her doctors told her a blood transfusion was her only hope. But her faith wouldn't allow her to receive one. So she turned to one of the only doctors who could possibly keep her alive: a committed atheist who views her belief system as wholly irrational. Dr. Michael Lill ... is a last recourse for Jehovah's Witnesses with advanced leukemia ... Many specialists decline to treat them because of their biblically centered refusal to accept blood transfusions ... Lill thinks their refusal is risky and illogical ... Blood transfusions are usually required, because both the cancer and the treatment suppresses the body's production of blood cells. Without transfusions, the risk of death from anemia or bleeding is significantly higher. Jehovah's Witnesses draw their beliefs about blood from a literal interpretation of the Bible, which repeatedly warns against its consumption ... It is a violation of God's command for a Jehovah's Witness to accept whole blood, red or white blood cells, platelets or plasma ... <b>If the Bible <i>really</i> taught that blood <i>transfusions</i> were prohibited because they were the same as <i>eating</i> blood, then Jewish doctors would be in the forefront of helping JWs (and Jews) avoid them. But as we saw </b><a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com.au/2012/01/jehovahs-witness-news-january-2012.html#Jones">in last month's issue</a><b>, not only is there "nothing in Jewish law that would preclude a person from benefiting from a blood transfusion" but if it is "medically necessary, then it is not only permissible but <i>obligatory</i>" (Chein, R., "</b><a href="http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/625443/jewish/Is-blood-transfusion-permissible-in-Jewish-belief.htm">Is blood transfusion permissible in Jewish belief?</a><b>" 2009). And as the Watchtower Society's own <i></i></b><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_World_Translation_of_the_Holy_Scriptures">New World Translation</a><b></b></i><b> makes clear, the New Testament ruling against Christians eating blood, was <i>only to avoid offending Jews</i>: </b></p><blockquote><a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/ac/chapter_015.htm#bk13">Acts 15:13,19-21</a> NWT. 13After they quit speaking, James answered, saying: "Men, brothers, hear me. ... 19Hence my decision is not to trouble those from the nations who are turning to God, 20but to write them to abstain from things polluted by idols and from fornication and from what is strangled and from blood. 21<i>For from ancient times Moses has had in city after city those who preach him, because he is read aloud in the synagogues on every sabbath</i>."<p></p></blockquote><p><b>But since Jews today are not offended by anyone having a blood transfusion, there is no <i>Biblical</i> reason for JWs not to have them. The Watchtower is therefore guilty of inventing a "tradition of men" which overrides "the commandment of God" (</b><a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/mr/chapter_007.htm#bk8">Mk 7:8</a><b> NWT), and moreover a tradition that has caused, is causing and will cause, the unnecessary deaths of <i>thousands</i>, if not <i>millions</i> of JWs and their children.</b></p><hr><p> <a href="http://members.iinet.net.au/%7Esejones/index.html">Stephen E. Jones</a>, B.Sc., Grad. Dip. Ed.<br>My other blogs: <a href="http://creationevolutiondesign.blogspot.com/">CreationEvolutionDesign</a> & <a href="http://theshroudofturin.blogspot.com/">The Shroud of Turin</a></p>Stephen E. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16183223752386599799noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574858940069385599.post-63141343498721372542012-01-22T21:14:00.014+08:002012-01-31T15:57:08.274+08:00Jehovah's Witnesses call God's kingdom the true government<p>I was cutting this down for an article in my <a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com/2012/01/jehovahs-witness-news-january-2012.html">Jehovah's Witness News, January 2012</a> when I realised there were so many points to answer, that I decided to respond in a separate post. The article is <b>bold</b> to distinguish it from my comments.</p> <p> <a href="http://www.bgdailynews.com/features/faith_and_values/jehovah-s-witnesses-call-god-s-kingdom-the-true-government/article_2aca9c6e-4389-11e1-919f-001871e3ce6c.html">Jehovah's Witnesses call God's kingdom the true government</a><b>, Jenna Mink, Bowling Green Daily News, January 20, 2012. <a href="http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/bgdailynews.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/9/0d/90daaedd-86db-5474-bd76-049452ba96f6/4f1837338f20a.preview-300.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 280px;" src="http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/bgdailynews.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/9/0d/90daaedd-86db-5474-bd76-049452ba96f6/4f1837338f20a.preview-300.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a></b></p> <p>[<a href="http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/bgdailynews.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/9/0d/90daaedd-86db-5474-bd76-049452ba96f6/4f1837338f20a.preview-300.jpg">Right</a>: <b>Forest Walters of Bowling Green speaks Sunday at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses at 1035 Mt. Olivet Rd. Walters is an elder of the hall, and spoke on the topic "Keep close in mind the fear inspiring day." Pete Rodman/Daily News</b>]</p> <p> It is significant that Jehovah's Witnesses "fear" the Day of Judgment. That alone shows they are not Christians (see also below) because for Christians, "There is <i>no fear</i> in love, but perfect love <i>throws fear outside</i>," as the JW's own NWT says:<blockquote><a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/1jo/chapter_004.htm#bk18">1Jn 4:19</a> NWT "There is no fear in love, but perfect love throws fear outside, because fear exercises a restraint [Gk. "has to do with punishment" cf. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John+4:18&version=ESV">ESV</a>]. Indeed, he that is under fear has not been made perfect in love."</p></blockquote> <p>But the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watch_Tower_Bible_and_Tract_Society_of_Pennsylvania">Watchtower Bible & Tract Society</a> needs to <a href="http://spiritwatchunchained.blogspot.com/2011/06/cultism-and-fear-watchtowers-joy-in.html">keep its members constantly in fear</a> so that it can keep them firmly under its control.</p> <p>Also the Watchtower Society does not <i>really</i> believe the text, "Your word [the Bible] is truth" - <a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/joh/chapter_017.htm#bk17">John 17:17</a> NWT, because it has effectively admitted that if JWs "read <i>the Bible exclusively</i>" they would come to believe the doctrines of <i>Christianity</i>:<blockquote>"From time to time, there have arisen from among the ranks of Jehovah's people those who ... say that it is sufficient to read the Bible exclusively, either alone or in small groups at home. But, strangely, through such `Bible reading,' they have reverted right back to the apostate doctrines that commentaries by Christendom's clergy were teaching 100 years ago ..." ("Serving Jehovah `Shoulder to Shoulder'," <i>The Watchtower</i>, August 15, 1981, pp.28-29, p.29).</p></blockquote> <p><i>not</i> those of the Watchtower!</p> <p><b>At the age of 18, Rachel Walters already is a traveling minister. She's had the door slammed in her face. She's heard her share of slurs. A few people have answered their doors wearing nothing but a towel. But it doesn't deter the young Jehovah's Witness from Bowling Green. Her belief is everything, she said. "I like ... the preaching work," Walters said. "It gives us a chance to go out and bring our hope to other people." </b></p> <p>This Watchtower teaching that "anyone who participates in their door-to-door literature distribution program [is] a <i>minister</i>" is one of the Society's "back- and-forth doctrinal flip-flop[s]". Because from at least 1956 "the Society taught that all JWs were ministers." Then "In 1976 this teaching was reversed, so that only those appointed as elders, servants, and so on, were called ministers." "Then in 1982 ... the teaching was reversed again-back to the earlier point of view-and the term ministers was again applied to all active Witnesses": <blockquote>"<i>Minister(s)</i> .... Though Jehovah's Witnesses call anyone who participates in their door-to-door literature distribution program a <i>minister ... </i>In this matter of `ministers,' however, the organization cannot claim that the changes in teaching have been progressive with advancing light, for the simple reason that JWs ended up believing the same way they had originally. In essence, the changes took place along these lines: first, the official view was that all JWs were ministers; then the Society declared that only its appointed congregational leaders (elders and servants) were ministers, offering biblical support for this position; finally, it returned to teaching the original view. These back-and-forth changes can be traced in the name changes of the Society's internal publication for those going door to door. The monthly was named <i>Kingdom Ministry</i> in 1956, because the Society taught that all JWs were ministers. In 1976 this teaching was reversed, so that only those appointed as elders, servants, and so on, were called ministers, and the members in general were not ministers. So, in 1976 the publication's name was changed to <i>Our Kingdom Service</i>. Then in 1982 after a shakeup on the Governing Body involving <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raymond_Franz">expulsion of Raymond Franz from the organization</a>, the teaching was reversed again-back to the earlier point of view-and the term ministers was again applied to all active Witnesses. Accordingly, the publication's name was changed again, this time to the present form, <i>Our Kingdom Ministry</i>. Illustrations and text on page 247 of the JW book <i>Jehovah's Witnesses-Proclaimers of God's Kingdom</i> purportedly covering the history of this internal publication show earlier and current versions of the monthly but omit the 1956-76 <i>Kingdom Ministry</i> and the 1976-82 <i>Our Kingdom Service</i>-evidently to hide the facts about this embarrassing back- and-forth doctrinal flip-flop." (Reed, D.A., 1996, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Answering-Jehovahs-Witnesses-Subject/dp/080105317X">Answering Jehovah's Witnesses: Subject by Subject</a>," Baker: Grand Rapids MI, Second printing, 1998, pp.164-166. Emphasis original).</p></blockquote> <p> This "embarrassing back- and-forth doctrinal flip-flop" shows that the Watchtower Society, like the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pharisees">Pharisees</a> of Jesus' day, "teach[es] as doctrines commands of men" making them in effect to be "commandment of God" (<a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/mr/chapter_007.htm#bk7">Mk 7:7-8</a> NWT), and so comes under Jesus' condemnation. </p> <p><b>It's that hope that drives Jehovah's Witnesses. They are a unique group, especially this year. During a time when conversations are buzzing about the upcoming presidential election - and religion is a big part of that discussion - Jehovah's Witnesses stay away from anything political. They don't believe in government. They don't vote, join the military or wave the American flag. They don't celebrate holidays. They believe that trinities are evil. It all goes back to their belief that the true government is God's kingdom, which will soon take over. Their beliefs stem from a strict interpretation of the Bible and the histories of certain events, such as holidays. </b></p> <p>Again, like the Pharisees, <a href="http://thejehovahswitnesses.org/things-jehovahs-witnesses-cant-do.php">the Watchtower has a long list of "don'ts"</a>, to give JWs the illusion of <i>negative righteousness</i>. As for "They don't celebrate holidays" because of "the histories of certain events, such as holidays," see below.</p> <p>On, "They believe that trinities are evil," that would mean that JWs believe the Christian Trinity, which is Biblical (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%203:16-17;%2028:19;%20Lk%201:35;%203:22;%20Jn%2014:16-17;%20Ac%202:33;%20Rom%201:4;%208:11;%2015:16;%201Cor%2012:4-6;%202Cor%2013:14;%20Eph%201:13-14;%202:18;%204:4-6;%202Th%202:13;%20Heb%209:14;%201Pet%201:2;%20Jude%201:20-21&version=ESV">Mt 3:16-17; 28:19; Lk 1:35; 3:22; Jn 14:16-17; Ac 2:33; Rom 1:4; 8:11; 15:16; 1Cor 12:4-6; 2Cor 13:14; Eph 1:13-14; 2:18; 4:4-6; 2Th 2:13; Heb 9:14; 1Pet 1:2; Jude 1:20-21</a>), is "evil," which must the <i>ultimate blasphemy</i>, calling God "evil." See below on the Society's claim to be "Christian." </p> <p>And on "their belief that the true government is God's kingdom, which will <i>soon</i> take over" the Society's original prediction, as propounded by its founder <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Taze_Russell">Charles Taze Russell</a> (1852 -1916), was that "<i>in A. D. 1914</i>... the Kingdom of God ... will obtain <i>full, universal control</i>, and that it will then be `set up,' or <i>firmly established, in the earth</i>:"<blockquote>"In this chapter we present the Bible evidence proving that the full end of the times of the Gentiles, <i>i.e.</i> the full end of their lease of dominion, will be reached in A. D. 1914; and that that date will be the farthest limit of the rule of imperfect men. And be it observed, that if this is shown to be a fact firmly established by the Scriptures, it will prove: Firstly, That at that date the Kingdom of God, for which our Lord taught us to pray, saying, `Thy Kingdom come,' will obtain full, universal control, and that it will then be `set up,' or firmly established, in the earth, on the ruins of present institutions." (Russell, C.T., "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Studies-Scriptures-Time-At-Hand/dp/B000CDQ9VE/">Studies in the Scriptures, Series II: The Time is at Hand</a>," Watchtower Bible & Tract Society: Brooklyn NY, 1889, pp.77-78. Emphasis original).</p></blockquote> <p>This was proved to be a false prophecy in Russell's own lifetime. After Russell's death in 1916, in new printings of his writings, <a href="http://jwfacts.com/watchtower/failed-1914-predictions.php">the Society <i>dishonestly</i> altered Russell's words</a> to make it seem that he predicted that 1914 would not be the "<i>end</i>" of the world, but the "<i>beginning</i>" of its end. Anyway, the Society continued to make <a href="http://www.cftf.com/booklets/jwslisten/prophecies.htm">false prophecies of the end of this present system, including in 1925, 1975, and 1994</a>. The Society has (amazingly) admitted that "those ... who <i>predicted an `end of the world</i>,' even <i>announcing a specific date</i> .... Yet ... <i>The `end' did not come</i> ... were <i>guilty of false prophesying</i>":<blockquote>"True, there have been those in times past who predicted an `end of the world,' even announcing a specific date. Some have gathered groups of people with them and fled to the hills or withdrawn into their houses waiting for the end. Yet, nothing happened. The `end' did not come. They were guilty of false prophesying. Why? What was missing? Missing was the full measure of evidence required in fulfillment of Bible prophecy. Missing from such people were God's truths and the evidence that he was guiding and using them." ("<a href="http://jehovahswitnessesrefuted.blogspot.com/2010/08/who-are-you-calling-false-prophet-part.html">A Time to `Lift Up Your Head' in Confident Hope</a>," <i>Awake</i>, October 8, 1968, p.23).</p></blockquote> <p>and that "<i>Missing from such people were God's truths</i> and the <i>evidence that he was guiding and using them</i>"!</p> <p><b>While it's a newer belief, about 500 Jehovah's Witnesses reside in Bowling Green, which is home to two meeting halls. About 30 years ago, one meeting hall in Park City served the entire area with an estimated 30 Jehovah's Witnesses, said Glen Pennington, an elder. Now, about 150 people pack the smaller of the two Kingdom Halls. In the brick building on Mount Olivet Road, people are singing upbeat songs, discussing the Bible, reading their study guides and mapping out their door-to-door ministries. In a tiny room, color-coded and numbered maps hang from the walls. It's where witnesses are assigned territories to cover. When they're baptized, Jehovah's Witnesses become ordained ministers and are expected to travel to homes, briefly speaking to residents. There's no clergy, but appointed elders organize events at each meeting hall, Pennington said. </b></p> <p>The Watchtower's <i>does </i>have a "clergy." The "appointed elders" carry out all the roles that a clergyman fills in a Christian church. But if the claim is that Jehovah's Witnesses don't have a <i>paid clergy </i>then that just shows again that JWs don't believe that, "Your word [the Bible] is truth" ( <a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/joh/chapter_017.htm#bk17">Jn 17:17</a> NWT), but that the Watchtower overrides the Bible. Because the Bible, including the Watchtower's <i>New World Translation</i>, clearly teaches that it is right to have a paid clergy, i.e. "the Lord ordained for those proclaiming the good news <i>to live by means of</i> the good news":<blockquote><a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/1co/chapter_009.htm#bk7">1Cor 9:7,13-14</a> NWT. 7 Who is it that ever serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Or who shepherds a flock and does not eat some of the milk of the flock? ... 13 Do YOU not know that the men performing sacred duties eat the things of the temple, and those constantly attending at the altar have a portion for themselves with the altar? 14 In this way, too, the Lord ordained for those proclaiming the good news to live by means of the good news. </p></blockquote> <p><b>Pennington, of Bowling Green, has preached for decades. He's convinced many people to give Jehovah's Witnesses a try. And there are those who don't want to hear it. He's encountered angry dogs and surly people. When he witnessed in New York, a group of ministers would travel to some of the most dangerous neighborhoods. They never shied away from an area, he said. "Some people ... either they don't like people in general coming to their door or they may feel something about Jehovah's Witnesses that either they don't understand or want to deal with," he said. "So, we respect them." </b></p> <p>There is no excuse for Christians not to be polite to JWs at their door. Indeed I <i>want </i>them to come to my door, but I am on their blacklist because I know too much about them. The reason why most people, including most Christians, in my experience, don't like JWs coming to their door is because nothing the average person (including the average Christian) says seems to make any difference to JWs.</p> <p><b>In fact, there's one misconception about Jehovah's Witnesses that many agree is the biggest misunderstanding - the idea that they're not Christians. That's not true, they say. While they don't believe in the Christian trinity of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, they have a firm belief in Jesus Christ. </b></p> <p>The Society has admitted that "the Trinity [is] 'the fundamental doctrine of Christianity'": <blockquote>"<i>How Is the Trinity Explained?</i> THE Roman Catholic Church states: `The Trinity is the term employed to signify the central doctrine of the Christian religion ... Thus, in the words of the Athanasian Creed: `the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God, and yet there are not three Gods but one God.' In this Trinity ... the Persons are co- eternal and co-equal: all alike are uncreated and omnipotent.' - <i>The Catholic Encyclopedia</i>. Nearly all other churches in Christendom agree. For example, the Greek Orthodox Church also calls the Trinity `the fundamental doctrine of Christianity,' even saying: `Christians are those who accept Christ as God.' In the book <i>Our Orthodox Christian Faith</i>, the same church declares: `God is triune ... The Father is totally God. The Son is totally God. The Holy Spirit is totally God.' Thus, the Trinity is considered to be `one God in three Persons.' Each is said to be without beginning, having existed for eternity." ("<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Should-Believe-trinity-Christ-Almighty/dp/B002P5VKIE/">Should You Believe in the Trinity?</a>," Watchtower Bible & Tract Society of New York: Brooklyn NY, 1989, Reprinted, 2006, pp.3-4. Emphasis original).</p></blockquote> <p> Therefore for the Watchtower to claim that "they don't believe in the Christian trinity" but they are "Christians" is like someone claiming, "I don't believe in Allah but I am a Muslim"!</p><p>And as for "they have a firm belief in Jesus Christ," Pennington significantly omits to tell the journalist what that "firm belief in Jesus Christ" <i>is</i>. Because the Watchtower's "firm belief in Jesus Christ" is that he is <a href="http://4jehovah.org/jehovahs-witness-archangel.php"><i>Michael the archangel</i></a>, not <i>God</i> as the Bible teaches (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%201:23;%20Jn%201:1;%2020:28;%20Acts%2020:28;%20Rom%209:5;%20Php%202:5-6;%20Col%202:9;%20Tit%202:13;%20Heb%201:8;%202Pet%201:1;%201Jn%205:20&version=NIV1984">Mt 1:23; Jn 1:1; 20:28; Acts 20:28; Rom 9:5; Php 2:5-6; Col 2:9; Tit 2:13; Heb 1:8; 2Pet 1:1; 1Jn 5:20</a>).</p> <p>Also, if JWs <i>were</i> Christians then they would call themselves <i>Jesus'</i> witnesses, which is what Jesus commanded His followers to be, even in the JW's own Bible:<blockquote> "You will be <i>witnesses of me</i> both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria and to the most distant parts of the earth." (<a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/ac/chapter_001.htm#bk8">Acts 1:8</a> NWT).</p></blockquote> <p> And then the Society would not have stated that JWs are "a people, <i>not for the name of Jesus</i>": <blockquote> "By means of his written Word upon which the light of fulfilled prophecy was shining Jehovah led the remnant to appreciate more the importance and preciousness of his name. They came to appreciate that they were a people, not for the name of Jesus, but for the name of Jehovah ..." ("Of Which God Are You a Witness?" <i>The Watchtower</i>, February 15, 1964, pp.104-111, p.109).</p></blockquote> <p> Nor would the Society have reduced in its songbook the number of songs praising Jesus from "<i>twice as many songs praising Jesus</i> as ... songs praising Jehovah" down to where "Jehovah is honored by <i>four times as many songs</i> as is Jesus": <blockquote> "In the songbook produced by Jehovah's people in 1905, there were twice as many songs praising Jesus as there were songs praising Jehovah God. In their 1928 songbook, the number of songs extolling Jesus was about the same as the number extolling Jehovah. But in the latest songbook of 1984 [<i>Sing Praises to Jehovah</i>], Jehovah is honored by four times as many songs as is Jesus." (WB&TS, 1988, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Revelation-its-Grand-Climax-Hand/dp/B001G9TI9S/">Revelation: Its Grand Climax At Hand!</a>," Watchtower Bible & Tract Society: Brooklyn NY, p.36). </p></blockquote> <p> And I own a copy of the Society's 1984 songbook, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sing-Praises-Jehovah-Watchtower/dp/B000GKPR8O">Sing Praises to Jehovah</a>" and as the name implies, there are <i>no</i> songs in it praising Jesus!</p> <p><b>"We talk about Jehovah God, because that's God the father's name," said Tammy Walters, a Jehovah's Witness from Bowling Green. "But Jesus is his son. We believe his sacrifice is the key to our salvation." They believe that Jesus is the head of God's heavenly government, which will soon rule the earth.</b> </p> <p>The Bible (including the NWT) says that Jesus being God's Son, means that He is "equal to God" the Father in <i>nature:</i><blockquote><a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/joh/chapter_005.htm#bk18">Jn 5:18</a> NWT. On this account, indeed, the Jews began seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath but he was also calling God his own Father, making himself equal to God. </p></blockquote> <p><b>When that happens, God's people will be resurrected from the grave and live again on earth, they claim. "Many religions are heaven-oriented. That we're just here for a while, then we die and go to a better place," Pennington said. "We don't believe the Bible teaches that at all. The earth originally was man's home." That doesn't mean they don't believe in a type of heaven. Heaven is where God is, where he rules from. Only a select few will go there. The rest will simply be resurrected to live again on earth, Pennington said.</b> </p> <p>Actually JWs will not "be <i>resurrected</i> from the grave and live again on earth." Watchtower teaching is that everyone, including JWs, "cease to exist" (see next) when they die. And that dead JWs "do not exist except in God's memory":<blockquote>"<i>What beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses set them apart as different from other religions?</i> ... <i>(7) Death:</i> They believe that the dead are conscious of absolutely nothing; that they are experiencing neither pain nor pleasure in some spirit realm; that they do not exist except in God's memory, so hope for their future life lies in a resurrection from the dead." ("<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-media/product-gallery/B000E7YO8S/">Reasoning from the Scriptures</a>," [1985], Watchtower Bible & Tract Society of New York: Brooklyn NY, Second edition, 1989, pp.199-201. Emphasis original).</p></blockquote> <p>Therefore what the Watchtower calls "resurrection from the dead" is actually a <i>re-creation</i> from God's memory:<blockquote>"On the other hand, the Bible does contain accounts of dead people being restored to life. In the case of Lazarus, this happened after he had been dead for four days. (<a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/joh/chapter_011.htm#bk39">John 11:39, 43, 44</a>) What, though, will happen to people who died hundreds or thousands of years ago? Does their prospect for future life require that God resurrect the selfsame body they had when they died? No. Such a thought is inconsistent with what happens to the atoms that make up a dead body. In time, some of these same atoms are absorbed by vegetation that, in turn, is consumed by other creatures and becomes part of their bodies. Does this mean that there is no hope for people long dead? No. The Creator of our vast universe has an awesome, unlimited memory. Within his perfect memory, he has the capacity to store the personality and genetic traits of any dead human he chooses to remember. Moreover, Jehovah God has the power to recreate a human body with the exact genetic code of a person who has lived before. He can also place within it the memory and personality of the one whom he remembers, such as Abraham." ("Your Dead Loved Ones-Where Are They?," <i>The Watchtower</i>, June 15, 1994, pp.3-4, p.4).</p></blockquote> <p>But that means that <i>it won't be the Jehovah's Witnesses</i> who will be "resurrected to live again on earth" but <i>copies </i>of them! So each JW is slaving away <i>for the benefit of someone else: his/her copy</i> who has done <i>nothing</i> to earn life on the JW Paradise Earth. An identical copy of an original is <i>not</i> that original.</p> <p><b>They also don't believe in the traditional idea of hell - a place of fire and brimstone. The grave itself is the equivalent of hell, and the Bible compares death to sleep, not torment, they say. Those who remain dead in their graves after the resurrection period will stay in hell, according to their beliefs. "Everybody goes to hell when they die, even Jesus," said George Perry, an elder. "The Bible uses hell as a place to go when life ends, as we know it ... they're not tortured in hell fire. They just cease to exist."</b> </p> <p>See below on "fire and brimstone." The Watchtower's denial of conscious punishment in an afterlife, i.e. "hell," is another example of how it sets aside the Bible's clear teachings in favour of its own. The Watchtower's own NWT correctly translates Jesus' warning that we should "not fear those who kill the body and after this are not able to do anything more" but rather we should "Fear him who after killing has authority to throw into Ge•hen'na":<blockquote><a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/lu/chapter_012.htm">Lk 12:4-5</a> NWT 4 Moreover, I say to YOU, my friends, Do not fear those who kill the body and after this are not able to do anything more. 5 But I will indicate to YOU whom to fear: Fear him who after killing has authority to throw into Ge•hen'na. Yes, I tell YOU, fear this One</p></blockquote> <p>But , "If the Witnesses were correct, someone whose body had been killed <i>would no longer exist</i>, hence would have <i>nothing to fear from men or from God</i>. Once you pass out of existence, there is <i>no longer anything that anyone can do to you</i>" (my emphasis):<blockquote>"<i>Hell</i> There can be no punishment after death in the Jehovah's Witness scheme of things because the dead cease to exist. They are gone, vanished without a trace. There is no soul or spirit remaining to experience punishment. If that were true, however, what sense would there be to this warning spoken by Jesus Christ? `And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Lk%2012:4-5&version=KJV">Luke 12:4-5</a>) If the Witnesses were correct, someone whose body had been killed would no longer exist, hence would have nothing to fear from men or from God. Once you pass out of existence, there is no longer anything that <i>anyone</i> can do to you. You simply do not exist. However, Jesus warned that there is indeed more that God can do to a person after the person has been killed. What? God can cast the person into hell (<i>Gehenna</i> in Greek), Jesus said. The Watchtower Society has assured its followers that this does not involve anything unpleasant happening to a person after death; instead, it represents `complete and everlasting destruction' or `death from which there is no resurrection.' (<i>You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth</i>, page 87) If this were so, however, what reason would there be for someone to fear being thrown there after being killed-after already ceasing to exist, in the JW interpretation?" (Reed, 1998, p.133. Emphasis original).</p></blockquote> <p><b>They believe that people should continually work to stay in God's favor, so they try to be as unworldly as possible. Still, they partake in normal activities just like everyone else, they say. They get married, have families, go to school, play sports. They even believe it's OK to drink alcohol, but in moderation. In fact, some Jehovah's Witnesses are alcoholics, Pennington said. </b></p> <p>It is interesting that Pennington admits that "some Jehovah's Witnesses are alcoholics." In fact, according an online audio testimony of a former JW elder, alcoholism is a <i>major</i> problem among JWs, including (if not especially) among JW elders.</p><p>Also, this "people should continually work to stay in God's favor" is revealing. The Watchtower officially denies it teaches salvation by works, but if JWs do not continually work on the Watchtower treadmill, they will be threatened with not surviving Armageddon and so not making it to the Paradise Earth. But JW can <i>never </i>feel that he or she has done enough to earn God's favor. And even if they did, they can never be sure that they <i>will be</i> in God's favor on the Day of Armageddon. But Christian (like me) believe the Bible that we are <i>saved by grace through faith, not by works</i>:<blockquote><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eph%202:8-9&version=ESV">Eph 2:8-9</a> ESV. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast</p></blockquote> <p><b>But they're different in other ways, most notably their refusal to celebrate holidays and birthdays. They believe many holidays are actually rooted in evil and are not biblical - not even Easter or Christmas. "Christmas is simply not Christian," Pennington said. "There's nothing biblical (saying) to celebrate Christ's birth. Plus, Jesus was not born on Dec. 25." Furthermore, some claim Christmas originally was a pagan holiday. It was first observed during a celebration to a sun god, said Banks Crandell, a Jehovah's Witness.</b></p> <p>It is true that "There's nothing biblical (saying) to celebrate Christ's birth." But it is also true that there is nothing Biblical saying <i>not to</i> celebrate Christ's birth. And the Bible does say that it is OK if "One [man] judges <i>one day</i> as above another": <blockquote><a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/ro/chapter_014.htm#bk5">Rom 14:5</a> NWT. One [man] judges one day as above another; another [man] judges one day as all others; let each [man] be fully convinced in his own mind.</p></blockquote> <p>which would include the day of Christ's birth, his own birthday, etc. And it is simply not true that there's nothing biblical about celebrating Christ's birth. The angels and shepherds celebrated Christ's birth (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Lk%202:9-14&version=ESV">Lk 2:8-14</a>) - see also below.</p> <p>It is also <i>false </i>the claim that "Jesus <i>was not</i> born on Dec. 25." He <i>may</i> have been. See my series: "<a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com/2008/12/was-jesus-born-on-december-25-1.html">Was Jesus born on December 25?</a>" Also it is <i>false </i>the claim that "Christmas <i>originally was</i> a pagan holiday" (see that same series). And even if December 25 was not the day of Jesus' birth and even if <i>was </i>originally a pagan holiday, the key word is "<i>was</i>." Christianity <i>conquered </i>Roman paganism and today<i> millions </i>celebrate December 25 as Christ's birth and comparatively few (if any) celebrate December 25 as "a celebration to a sun god". </p> <p><b>There are other misconceptions, Crandell claims, such as the idea that Jesus died on a cross. He was crucified, but not on a cross - the cross is actually a traditional pagan symbol, Crandell said. "Jesus was never put on a cross," he said. "He was on a pole." </b></p> <p>Again, it is <i>false </i>the Watchtower claim that <i> "</i>Jesus died ... not on a cross" but "on a pole." The evidence is <i>overwhelming </i>that Jesus died on a two-beamed wooden cross. See my (incomplete) series, "<a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com/2011/01/re-jesus-was-executed-on-cross-not.html">Jesus <i>was</i> executed on a cross, not a stake!</a>" Especially <a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com/2011/01/jesus-was-executed-on-cross-not-stake-2.html">#2: Biblical</a>: <ul><li>A. According to <a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/mt/chapter_027.htm#bk37">Mt 27:37</a> NWT, the charge against Jesus was posted "above his HEAD" (not "above his <i>HANDS</i>");</li> <li>B. According to <a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/joh/chapter_020.htm#bk25">Jn 20:25</a> NWT, Jesus had the "print of the NAILS" (plural) in His hands;</li> <li>C. Jesus predicted the "sort of death" that Peter would die would be by him having to "stretch out" (Gk. <i>ekteino</i>) his hands (<a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/joh/chapter_021.htm#bk17">Jn 21:17-19</a> NWT); and </li><li>D. Jesus could not have walked to Golgotha "bearing the torture stake for himself" (<a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/joh/chapter_019.htm#bk17">Jn 19:17</a> NWT).</li></ul></p> <p><b>As for birthdays, there's nothing Christian about celebrating one's birth. Birthdays are mentioned in a few biblical scriptures, and each one happens during a terrible event, Jehovah's Witnesses claim. For example, Herod was celebrating his birthday when he ordered the beheading of John the Baptist. Another scripture tells the story of Pharaoh, who celebrated his birthday by executing his chief baker, they say.</b></p> <p>Even if this were true (which it isn't - see below), it is a <i>fallacious </i>argument that: 1) Birthdays are mentioned in a few biblical scriptures; 2) a terrible event happened during each one; and 3) therefore celebrating birthdays is wrong. It is not the <i>birthday</i> that was wrong, it is the <i>terrible event</i> that happened during <i>some</i> (not all - see below) of the few recorded birthdays in the Bible.</p> <p><i>The Bible</i> does not draw the conclusion that celebrating birthdays is wrong. As we saw in <a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/ro/chapter_014.htm#bk5">Rom 14:5</a> NWT, if "One [man] judges one day as above another," which could be his own, or Jesus', birthday, "let each [man] be fully convinced in his own mind." So this is another Watchtower "tradition of men" by which it has set aside a "commandment of God" (<a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/mr/chapter_007.htm#bk7">Mk 7:7-8</a> NWT).</p> <p>Besides, it is <i>false </i>that "a terrible event happens during each" birthday in the Bible. Job's son's regularly celebrated "each one on his own day" (<a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/job/chapter_001.htm">Job 1:4</a> NWT), which in the case of Job "his day" was "the day ... on which I came to be born" (<a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/job/chapter_003.htm">Job 3:1-3</a> NWT):<blockquote>"Although the actual word `birthday' appears only in connection with Pharaoh and Herod in most translations, the Bible does contain reference to such celebrations in godly families. At <a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/job/chapter_001.htm">Job 1:4</a>, the JW <i>New World Translation</i> says of the patriarch Job, `And his sons went and held a banquet at the house of each one on his own day; and they sent and invited their three sisters to eat and drink with them.' That <i>his own day</i> refers to each one's birthday becomes clear when we read further, `It was after this that Job opened his mouth and began to call down evil upon his day. Job now answered and said: 'Let the day perish on which I came to be born.' (<a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/job/chapter_003.htm">Job 3:1-3</a>) Thus, the <i>Living Bible</i> renders <a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/job/chapter_001.htm">Job 1:4-5</a> this way: `Every year when each of Job's sons had a birthday, he invited his brothers and sisters to his home for a celebration. On these occasions they would eat and drink with great merriment. When these birthday parties ended-and sometimes they lasted several days-Job would summon his children...' Furthermore, the Watchtower Society's own <i>New World Translation</i> reveals that the birth of John the Baptist was an occasion to be celebrated, when it records this angelic announcement: "And you will have joy and great gladness, and many will rejoice over his birth." (<a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/lu/chapter_001.htm">Luke 1:14</a>)" (Reed, 1998, pp.47-48. Emphasis original).</p></blockquote> <p> And also there is "the birth of <i>Christ</i>, celebrated by the angels in song and much glory ... It was convenient to the WT to leave this very positive and important birthday out of their consideration, for it destroys their point in saying that all birthdays in the Bible were negative":<blockquote>"Though the WT only admits to two birthdays being mentioned in the Bible, there are actually <i>three</i> [in fact <i>four</i> since `each one on his own day' (<a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/job/chapter_001.htm">Job 1:4</a> NWT) means `on their birthdays' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job%201:4&version=NIV">NIV</a>)] that were celebrated. There was the birthday of Pharaoh (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job%201:4&version=NASB">Gen. 40:20</a>), Herod (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2014:6&version=NASB">Matt. 14:6</a>), and also the birth of <i>Christ</i>, celebrated by the angels in song and much glory: And the angel said to them, `Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord ... And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, `Glory to God in the highest, and on the earth peace among men with whom he is pleased.' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Lk%202:10-11,13,14&version=NASB">Luke 2:10,11,13,14</a>) It was convenient to the WT to leave this very positive and important birthday out of their consideration, for it destroys their point in saying that all birthdays in the Bible were negative." (Watters, R., 1996, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Refuting-Jehovahs-Witnesses-Randall-Watters/dp/B00072DPEY">Refuting Jehovah's Witnesses</a>," [1987], Bethel Ministries: Manhattan Beach CA, Third edition, pp.77-78. Emphasis original).</p></blockquote> <p> <b>Some Jehovah's Witnesses say it was difficult to give up those celebrations after converting. Peggy Ashley, for example, researched the idea after studying to become a Jehovah's Witness, she said. "Nothing was bad except Christmas," said Ashley, of Bowling Green. "We were brought up to believe in Christmas. When I started studying, I questioned that." But for firm believers, such as Ashley, it's the only way to live. Many spend any spare time witnessing to others or studying, and some dedicate their lives to the ministry.</b></p> <p> Peggy, if you read this, please consider that the <i>real </i>reason the Watchtower won't let JWs celebrate birthdays, Christmas, and other holidays, is <i>to cut them off from their non-JW family and friends</i>, so that they become socially isolated, leaving the JWs increasingly under the control of the Watchtower:<blockquote>"As the student begins to accept Watchtower teachings that Christmas, Easter, Mother's Day, and birthday celebrations are of pagan origin and therefore offensive to God, fellowship with non-JW family and friends on those occasions comes to an abrupt halt, and social interaction with non-Witnesses on other occasions becomes more difficult. Eventually outside friendships cease altogether for the fully committed Jehovah's Witness, and family ties outside the sect cool to the point that relatives feel the JW has become a stranger. This, too, is by design and is a key part of the mind-control process. The same sort of social isolation from outsiders that David Koresh's Branch Davidians (and certain other mind-control cults) imposed by physically removing members to a communal compound, the Watchtower organization imposes by erecting numerous invisible barriers: </p> <ul> <li>objections to holidays and other occasions when families traditionally get together <li>rejection of tobacco smoking as extremely sinful, not just a health hazard <li>complete rejection of the political process so that even casting a ballot for the local dog catcher or high school class president can result in expulsion from the sect <li>classification of the flag salute, the pledge of allegiance, and rising for the national anthem as acts of religious idolatry, so that even attendance at sporting events becomes stressful and embarrassing <li>rejection of all non-JW religious services as satanic worship, so that Witnesses avoid church weddings and clergy-conducted funerals, even of close friends and relatives.</li></ul>This social isolation is a key element, of mind control because it cuts off the sect member from the free flow of ideas that normally occur among friends or relatives. Once it is in place, only Watchtower ideas are heard and taken into the mind. If other opinions are encountered from outsiders at school or at a JW's place of employment, these are viewed with suspicion and contempt as coming from ungodly, `worldly' people who are no longer regarded as peers." (Reed, D.A., 1996, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Blood-Altar-Confessions-Jehovahs-Minister/dp/1573920592/">Blood on the Altar: Confessions of a Jehovah's Witness Minister</a>," Prometheus: Amherst NY, pp.188-189).</p></blockquote> <p> <b>When 14-year-old Keagan Zachary graduates high school, getting a job is not the priority. Instead, she wants to attend pioneer school, where she will become a full-time Jehovah's Witness minister, she said. Keagan, who is home-schooled, has already started her ministry. She travels door-to-door in an attempt to share her beliefs with others. It's always rewarding, but not always easy, she said."Sometimes it gets pretty ugly. Last month, a brother told me I was going to hell," Keagan said. "I tried to stay calm and not take it personally because they have their own beliefs."</b></p> <p> Keagan, if you read this, that Christian who told you that you were "going to hell" was only telling you <i>what the Bible says</i>. Here are all the occurrences of "hell" (Gk. <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gehenna">Gehenna</a></i>) in the Bible, quoting from your own <i>New World Translation</i>:<blockquote><a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/mt/chapter_005.htm#bk22">Mt 5:22</a> However, I say to YOU that everyone who continues wrathful with his brother will be accountable to the court of justice; but whoever addresses his brother with an unspeakable word of contempt will be accountable to the Supreme Court; whereas whoever says, `You despicable fool!' will be liable to the fiery Ge•hen'na. </p></blockquote> <p> Why would it matter whether Gehenna was "fiery" if when you die you "cease to exist" as the Watchtower teaches? If "The grave itself is the equivalent of hell" how can the grave be "fiery"?<blockquote><a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/mt/chapter_005.htm#bk29">Mt 5:29</a> If, now, that right eye of yours is making you stumble, tear it out and throw it away from you. For it is more beneficial to you for one of your members to be lost to you than for your whole body to be pitched into Ge•hen'na.<br> <br><a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/mr/chapter_009.htm#bk47">Mk 9:47-48</a> 47 And if your eye makes you stumble, throw it away; it is finer for you to enter one-eyed into the kingdom of God than with two eyes to be pitched into Ge•hen'na, 48 where their maggot does not die and the fire is not put out. </p></blockquote> <p> Why, if when you die you "cease to exist," would it be "more beneficial to you for one of your members" (such as "your right eye") to be lost to you than for your whole body to be pitched into Ge•hen'na"? Wouldn't it be far worse to live with only one eye, than to cease to exist and "your whole body to be pitched into Ge•hen'na," which is the equivalent of the grave? Why would one <i>care </i>what happened to one's body after one died and ceased to exist? </p> <p> If "the grave itself is the equivalent of hell" (Gehenna), and it is a state of non-existence, how can Ge•hen'na be "where <i>their maggot does not die</i> and <i>the fire is not put out</i>"? Is that not a picture of ongoing conscious "torment" rather than "sleep"?<blockquote><a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/mt/chapter_005.htm#bk30">Mt 5:30</a> Also, if your right hand is making you stumble, cut it off and throw it away from you. For it is more beneficial to you for one of your members to be lost than for your whole body to land in Ge•hen'na. <br> <br><a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/mr/chapter_009.htm#bk43">Mk 9:43</a> "And if ever your hand makes you stumble, cut it off; it is finer for you to enter into life maimed than with two hands to go off into Ge•hen'na, into the fire that cannot be put out. </p></blockquote> <p> Why, if when you die you "cease to exist," would it be "more beneficial to you for one of your members" (such as "your right hand") to be lost to you than for your whole body to be pitched into Ge•hen'na"? Wouldn't it be far worse to live with only one hand than to cease to exist and "your whole body to be pitched into Ge•hen'na"? Why would one <i>care </i>what happened to one's body after one died and ceased to exist? <blockquote><a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/mt/chapter_010.htm#bk28">Mt 10:28</a> And do not become fearful of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; but rather be in fear of him that can destroy both soul and body in Ge•hen'na.<br> <br><a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/lu/chapter_012.htm#bk5">Lk 12:5 </a>But I will indicate to YOU whom to fear: Fear him who after killing has authority to throw into Ge•hen'na. Yes, I tell YOU, fear this One.</p></blockquote> <p> Why, if when you die you "cease to exist," should one "not become fearful of those who kill the body ... but rather be in fear of him that can destroy both soul and body in Ge•hen'na"? Why would one <i>care </i>of what happened after one died and ceased to exist? How <i>could</i> God "destroy both soul and body in Ge•hen'na" after one had died and ceased to exist?<blockquote><a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/mt/chapter_018.htm#bk9">Mt 18:9</a> Also, if your eye is making you stumble, tear it out and throw it away from you; it is finer for you to enter one-eyed into life than to be thrown with two eyes into the fiery Ge•hen'na.</p></blockquote> <p> Again, why, if when you die you "cease to exist," would it be "finer for you to enter one-eyed into life than to be thrown with two eyes into the fiery Ge•hen'na"? Wouldn't it be far worse to live with only one eye than to cease to exist and be "thrown with two eyes into the fiery Ge•hen'na"? How <i>could </i>one be non-existent and be "thrown with two eyes into the fiery Ge•hen'na"? <blockquote><a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/mt/chapter_023.htm#bk15">Mt 23:15</a> "Woe to YOU, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because YOU traverse sea and dry land to make one proselyte, and when he becomes one YOU make him a subject for Ge•hen'na twice as much so as yourselves. </p></blockquote> <p> Again, why would it matter to a Pharisee if he or his convert was "subject for Ge•hen'na" if Gehenna is only the equivalent of the grave, where one ceased to exist, as the Watchtower teaches? <blockquote><a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/mt/chapter_023.htm#bk33">Mt 23:33 </a>"Serpents, offspring of vipers, how are YOU to flee from the judgment of Ge•hen'na?</p></blockquote> <p> Why would the Pharisees "flee from the judgment of Ge•hen'na" if Gehenna is only the equivalent of the grave, where one ceased to exist, as the Watchtower teaches? <blockquote><a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/jas/chapter_003.htm#bk6">Jas 3:6</a> Well, the tongue is a fire. The tongue is constituted a world of unrighteousness among our members, for it spots up all the body and sets the wheel of natural life aflame and it is set aflame by Ge•hen'na. </p></blockquote> <p> Again, if "the grave itself is the equivalent of hell" (Gehenna), comparable to sleep, not torment, why the mention of it being "aflame"?</p> <p> Keagan, while it is usually good to not "take it personally," Jesus <i>wants </i>you to "take it personally." Also, as the above <i>Bible verses </i>show, "Hell" (Gk. Gehenna) is <i>not </i>merely the Christian's "own beliefs." And it is <i>not </i>the equivalent of the grave. The Bible's linking of Gehenna with <i>fire</i> shows that it is a place or state of conscious "torment," not "sleep".</p><p>The words "fire and brimstone" are not a Christian invention, but a Christian translation of the Greek words <i>puri kai theio</i>, "fire and sulfur," as found around the brim of active volcanoes, hence the term "brimstone" in the KJV (e.g. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Lk%2017:29;%20Rev%209:17,18;%2014:10;%2019:20;%2020:10;%2021:8&version=KJV">Lk 17:29; Rev 9:17,18; 14:10; 19:20; 20:10; 21:8</a>). And <i>your own NWT</i> confirms that unbelievers after they die, "shall be tormented with fire and sulphur":<blockquote><a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/re/chapter_014.htm#bk9">Rev 14:9-10</a> NWT. 9 And another angel, a third, followed them, saying in a loud voice: “If anyone worships the wild beast and its image, and receives a mark on his forehead or upon his hand, 10 he will also drink of the wine of the anger of God that is poured out undiluted into the cup of his wrath, and he shall be tormented with fire and sulphur in the sight of the holy angels and in the sight of the Lamb.<br><br><a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/re/chapter_021.htm#bk8">Rev 21:8</a> NWT. But as for the cowards and those without faith and those who are disgusting in their filth and murderers and fornicators and those practicing spiritism and idolaters and all the liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulphur. This means the second death."<br /></p></blockquote><p> So Keagan, which will you believe? The Watchtower Society or the Bible? The decision is yours but so are the <i>consequences</i>. </p> <p> <a href="http://members.iinet.net.au/~sejones/index.html">Stephen E. Jones</a>, B.Sc., Grad. Dip. Ed.<BR>My other blogs: <a href="http://creationevolutiondesign.blogspot.com/">CreationEvolutionDesign</a> & <a href="http://theshroudofturin.blogspot.com/">The Shroud of Turin</a>Stephen E. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16183223752386599799noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574858940069385599.post-23802476666844977192012-01-16T18:07:00.006+08:002012-01-16T19:32:33.415+08:00Jesus is Jehovah!: 3B. Jesus claimed and accepted the titles "Lord" and "God" of Himself<p>This is my part #9, "3B, "Jesus claimed and accepted the titles `Lord' and `God' of Himself," which is part of my series, "Jesus <i>is </i>Jehovah!" (by topic), which in turn is based on my morning `quiet</p><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/cc/Caravaggio_incredulity.jpg/800px-Caravaggio_incredulity.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/cc/Caravaggio_incredulity.jpg/800px-Caravaggio_incredulity.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><p>[<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/cc/Caravaggio_incredulity.jpg/800px-Caravaggio_incredulity.jpg">Above</a> (click to enlarge): "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Incredulity_of_Saint_Thomas_(Caravaggio)">The Incredulity of Saint Thomas</a>" (1601-1602), by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caravaggio">Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio</a>: Wikipedia.]</p> <p>time' Bible reading. The previous post in this series was part #8, "3. Jesus claimed to be Jehovah: <a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com/2011/12/jesus-is-jehovah-3a-jesus-claimed-to-be.html">3A. Jesus claimed to be `I AM.'</a>." See the <a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com/2011/10/jesus-is-jehovah-contents.html">Contents</a> page for more details of this series. I am using the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_Standard_Version">English Standard Version</a> (ESV) of the Bible, unless otherwise indicated. I have quoted the verses which support each topic, and I have provided quotes under only some of those verses as added support. <hr> </p> <center><b>JESUS <i>IS </i>JEHOVAH! <br>© Stephen E. Jones</b> </center> </p> <p><a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com/2011/10/jesus-is-jehovah-contents.html">Jesus <i>is</i> Jehovah!: Contents</a></p> <p><b>3. JESUS CLAIMED TO BE JEHOVAH</b></p> <p><b>B. Jesus claimed and/or accepted the titles "Lord" and "God" of Himself</b></p> <p><b>i. Jesus accepted the title "my Lord" (Gk. <i>ho kurios</i>) of Himself (</b><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2020:28&version=ESV">Jn 20:28</a><b>).</b><blockquote><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2020:24-29&version=ESV">Jn 20:24-29</a>. <sup>24</sup>Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. <sup>25</sup>So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe." <sup>26</sup>Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." <sup>27</sup>Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe." <sup>28</sup>Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" <sup>29</sup>Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."</p></blockquote> <p>"<a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/joh/chapter_020.htm#bk28"><i>John 20:28</i></a> [NWT]`In answer Thomas said to him: `My Lord and my God!' (NWT)' Yes, this verse actually appears in the Jehovah's Witness Bible!":<blockquote>"<i><a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/joh/chapter_020.htm#bk28">John 20:28</a></i> `In answer Thomas said to him: `My Lord and my God!' (NWT)' Yes, this verse actually appears in the Jehovah's Witness Bible! ... Thomas, although doubting longer than the other apostles, finally came to accept Christ as Lord and God-not `a god' as Watchtower leaders have mistranslated <a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/joh/chapter_001.htm">John 1:1</a> to read in their Bible, but `God,' as his words show. Jehovah's Witnesses find this verse very difficult to deal with because they do not want to admit the simple fact that it declares Christ's deity. ... the ... JW may try to brush it off by saying, `Thomas was just exclaiming his surprise. If we saw a friend return from the dead, we, too, might say, `Oh! My God!' out of sheer surprise. Thomas didn't mean anything by it.' If a Witness takes this approach, we should ask him, `Do you mean that Thomas was using God's name in vain? That would be blasphemy! Thomas certainly wouldn't do that.' Then point out that in the next verse [<a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/joh/chapter_020.htm#bk29">Jn 20:29</a>] Jesus commented on what Thomas has said. If Thomas had said `God' in vain, Jesus would surely have rebuked him for it, but, instead, he acknowledged that Thomas had finally `believed.' Believed what? That Jesus Christ is both Lord and God! <i>...</i> Since the Witnesses refer to Jesus as `a god' in contrast with the Father, whom they call `the God,' you may wish to have the JW look up John 20:28 in his own <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kingdom-Interlinear-Translation-Greek-Scriptures/dp/B000B79YT0/">Kingdom Interlinear</a></i> (1985) Bible. The word-for-word English under the Greek text shows that Thomas literally called Jesus, `The Lord of me and <i>the God</i> of me!'" (Reed, D.A., 1986, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jehovahs-Witnesses-Answered-Verse/dp/0801077397/">Jehovah's Witnesses Answered Verse by Verse</a>," Baker: Grand Rapids MI, Thirty-first printing, 2006, pp.83-84. Emphasis original).</p></blockquote> <p> "Thomas used. He said `<i>ho theos</i>' the phrase that the WBTS say is used exclusively of Jehovah God. Jesus is called not just `a god' but `the God'":<blockquote>"<i><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2020:28&version=NASB">John 20:28</a></i> ... This is the second time that Jesus has appeared to the disciples but the first time that Thomas sees Him. His immediate response is to acknowledge Jesus as my Lord and <i>my God</i>. Again this seems fairly clear until we realise that the Witness has been taught that either Thomas got so excited he blasphemed or he said my Lord looking at Jesus and My God looking up to Jehovah in heaven. Read and explain the verse carefully. First it clearly says Thomas said to Him (Jesus) both statements. Second ask the Witness what their KIT [<i>Kingdom Interlinear Translation</i>] shows for the words Thomas used. He said `<i>ho theos</i>' the phrase that the WBTS say is used exclusively of Jehovah God. Jesus is called not just `a god' but `the God'. Indeed Thomas literally says, `the God of me.' If this were not true He would have had to rebuke Thomas in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2020:29&version=NASB">verse 29</a>. Rather though he commends all those who will believe the same as Thomas believed. In the midst of those who would go out to teach the early church, Jesus accepts the acclamation that He was God." (Harris, D. & Browning, B., 1993, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Awake-Watchtower-Doug-Harris/dp/0951363220/">Awake to the Watchtower</a>," [1988], Reachout Trust: London, Revised, pp.140-141. Emphasis original).</p></blockquote> <p>"... Thomas was finally overwhelmed with the evidence that Jesus had risen from the dead, he cried out, `My Lord and my God' (<a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/joh/chapter_020.htm#bk28">Jn. 20:28</a>). The Jehovah's Witnesses' own translation employs a capital `G.' Their Scriptures unmistakably call Jesus Jehovah God, <i>the</i> God (<i>ho theos</i>)":<blockquote>"In the second place any Christian can point out to Jehovah's Witnesses that the word for `God' (<i>theos</i>) without the definite article ('the') is often used for Jehovah God. He may show this to a Witness in the <i>New World Translation</i> itself. That version translates <i>theos</i> without the article by `God,' with a capital `G' in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:6,12-13;%203:2,21&version=KJV">John 1:6, 12, 13; 3:2, 21</a>! Third, any Christian can show a Jehovah's Witness the fact that some passages do designate Jesus as `the' God, using the definite article (<i>ho</i>) with `God' (<i>theos</i>). According to <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%201:23%20&version=KJV">Matthew 1:23</a> the birth of Jesus fulfilled the prophetic announcement that the virgin born son should be called Immanuel, `which means when translated, `With us is God.' ` Note the capital `G' which, according to the New World translators, denotes Jehovah God, the God (<i>ho theos</i>) ! Again, when skeptical Thomas was finally overwhelmed with the evidence that Jesus had risen from the dead, he cried out, `My Lord and my God' (<a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/joh/chapter_020.htm#bk28">Jn. 20:28</a>). The Jehovah's Witnesses' own translation employs a capital `G.' Their Scriptures unmistakably call Jesus Jehovah God, <i>the</i> God (<i>ho theos</i>). Furthermore, the same version represents Jesus as accepting the worship of Thomas and commending all who share his faith. `Jesus said to him: Because you have seen me have you believed? Happy are those who do not see and yet believe" (<a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/joh/chapter_020.htm#bk29">v. 29</a> NWT)." (Lewis, G.R., 1966, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bible-Christian-Jehovahs-Witnesses-Gordon/dp/0875523242/">The Bible, the Christian and Jehovah's Witnesses</a>," Presbyterian & Reformed: Phillipsburg NJ, Reprinted, 1980, pp.14-15. Verse typo corrected).</p></blockquote> <p> "If Thomas called the risen Christ Jehovah (definite article), `<i>O Kurios mou kai o Theos mou</i>,' and Christ did not deny it but confirmed it ... then no juggling of the text ... can offset the basic thought, namely, Jesus Christ is Jehovah God!":<blockquote>"No treatment of the deity of Christ would be complete without mentioning the greatest single testimony recorded in the Scriptures. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2020:28&version=KJV">John 20:28</a> presents that testimony. ... `Thomas answered and said to him, My Lord and my God.' ... Jehovah's Witnesses have vainly striven to elude this text ... but they have unknowingly corroborated its authority beyond refutation .... In .... <a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/joh/chapter_020.htm#bk28">Jn 20:28</a> ... <i>O Theos mou</i>, literally `The God of me,' or `my God,' signifies Jehovahistic identity, and since it is in possession of the definite article, to use Jehovah's Witnesses' own argument, it must therefore mean `the only true God' (Jehovah), not `a god.' On page 776 of the <i>New World Translation</i> (Appendix), the author of the note states, `So too <a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/joh/chapter_001.htm">John 1:1</a>, uses O THEOS to distinguish Jehovah God from the Word (Logos) as `a god,' `the only begotten God' as <a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/joh/chapter_001.htm#bk18">John 1:18</a> calls him.' Now let us reflect on this. If Thomas called the risen Christ Jehovah (definite article), `<i>O Kurios mou kai o Theos mou</i>,' and Christ did not deny it but confirmed it by saying, `Because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed; Blessed are they not having seen yet have believed' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2020:29&version=KJV">v. 29</a>), then no juggling of the text in context can offset the basic thought, namely, Jesus Christ is Jehovah God!" (Martin, W.R. & Klann, N., 1953, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jehovah-Watchtower-Walter-Ralston-Martin/dp/0871232677/">Jehovah of the Watchtower</a>," Bethany House Publishers: Bloomington MN, Reprinted, 1981, pp.64-66. Emphasis original).</p></blockquote> <p> See also below under "ii. Jesus accepted the title `God' of Himself" and "ii. b. Jesus would have rebuked Thomas if he was wrong,"</p> <p><b>a. <b>Jesus claimed and accepted the title "<i>the</i> Lord" (Gk. <i>ho kurios</i>) of Himself</b>.</b><blockquote><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John13:13&version=ESV">Jn 13:13</a>. You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am.</p></blockquote> <p>"<i>Lord</i> (<i>Ho Kurios</i>). .... For I am (<i>eimi gar</i>). Jesus distinctly claims here to be both Teacher and Lord in the full sense":<blockquote>"[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2013:13&version=ASV">Jn 13:13</a>] <i>Ye</i> (<i>humeis</i>). Emphatic. <i>Call me</i> (<i>phoneite me</i>). `Address me.' <i>Phoneo</i> regular for addressing one with his title (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:48&version=ASV">1:48</a>). <i>Master</i> (<i>Ho didaskalos</i>). Nominative form (not in apposition with me accusative after <i>phoneite</i>), but really vocative in address with the article (called titular nominative sometimes) like <i>Ho Kurios kai ho theos mou</i> in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2020:28&version=ASV">20:28</a>. `Teacher.' See <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2011:28&version=ASV">11:28</a> for Martha's title for Jesus to Mary. <i>Lord</i> (<i>Ho Kurios</i>). Another and separate title. In <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:38&version=ASV">1:38</a> we have <i>Didaskale</i> (vocative form) for the Jewish <i>Rabbei</i> and in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%209:36,38&version=ASV">9:36, 38</a> <i>Kurie</i> for the Jewish <i>Mari</i>. It is significant that Jesus approves (<i>kalos</i>, well) the application of both titles to himself as he accepts from Thomas the terms <i>kurios</i> and <i>theos</i>. For I am (<i>eimi gar</i>). Jesus distinctly claims here to be both Teacher and Lord in the full sense, at the very moment when he has rendered this menial, but symbolic, service to them. Here is a hint for those who talk lightly about `the peril of worshipping Jesus!'" (Robertson, A.T., 1932, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fourth-Epistle-Hebrews-Pictures-Testament/dp/B000X0J508/">Word Pictures in the New Testament: Volume V</a>: The Fourth Gospel & the Epistle to the Hebrews," Broadman Press: Nashville TN, p.240. Emphasis original).</p></blockquote> <p> "When Jesus said to his disciples that they rightly regarded him as their 'Lord' he implied they were beginning to realize that he was much more than a person deserving respect":<blockquote>"[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2013:13&version=NIV1984">Jn 13:13</a>] ... Jesus continued, <i>You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord', and rightly so, for that is what I am</i>. ... Jesus is also addressed or spoken of as 'Lord' (<i>kyrios</i>) many times in the Fourth Gospel. Sometimes <i>kyrios</i> is translated correctly as `Sir', a term of respectful address, when used by people who did not realize, or had not yet realized, who he was ... In other places <i>kyrios</i> is translated correctly as 'Lord', when something more than respectful address was intended by those using it, such as the evangelist himself (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%206:23;%2011:2;%2020:20;%2021:12&version=NIV1984">6:23; 11:2; 20:20; 21:12</a>), Peter (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%206:68;%2013:6,9,36,37;%2021:15-17,21&version=NIV1984">6:68; 13:6, 9, 36, 37; 21:15,16, 17, 21</a>), the man born blind (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%209:38&version=NIV1984">9:38</a>), Mary and/or Martha (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2011:3,%2021,%2027,%2032,%2034,%2039&version=NIV1984">11:3, 21, 27, 32, 34, 39</a>), the disciples as a group (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2011:2;%2020:25&version=NIV1984">11:2; 20:25</a>), the beloved disciple (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2013:25;%2021:7,%2020&version=NIV1984">13:25; 21:7, 20</a>), Thomas (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2014:5;%2020:28&version=NIV1984">14:5; 20:28</a>), Philip (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2014:8&version=NIV1984">14:8</a>), Judas, not Iscariot (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2014:22&version=NIV1984">14:22</a>) and Mary Magdalene (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2020:2,13,18&version=NIV1984">20:2, 13, 18</a>). When Jesus said to his disciples that they rightly regarded him as their 'Lord' he implied they were beginning to realize that he was much more than a person deserving respect; he deserved their obedience as well." (Kruse, C.G., 2003, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Gospel-According-John-Introduction-Commentaries/dp/0802827713">The Gospel According to St. John</a>: An Introduction and Commentary," The Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Inter-Varsity Press: Leicester UK, pp.283-284. Emphasis original. Verse typos corrected).</p></blockquote> <p> "Also they were right in addressing him as <i>Lord</i> (<i>ho kurios</i>); and the deeper the meaning they poured into this concept, the more right they were. He was, indeed, the owner of all things (see on <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2013:1,3&version=ASV">13:1, 3</a>); moreover, he was equal in essence and authority with God, the Father": <blockquote>"[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2013:13&version=ASV">Jn 13:13</a>] `You call me Teacher and Lord, and you say (this) correctly, for (that is what) I am.' Indeed, the disciples were right in addressing Jesus as Teacher (<i>ho didaskalos</i>, probably to be regarded as a translation of the Aramaic <i>Rabbi</i>; as <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:38&version=ASV">1:38</a> seems to indicate), for his teaching `with authority and not as the scribes' was the greatest that was ever heard on earth. Also they were right in addressing him as <i>Lord</i> (<i>ho kurios</i>); and the deeper the meaning they poured into this concept, the more right they were. He was, indeed, the owner of all things (see on <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2013:1,3&version=ASV">13:1, 3</a>); moreover, he was equal in essence and authority with God, the Father." (Hendriksen, W., 1964, "<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/COMMENTARY-GOSPEL-JOHN-William-Hendriksen/dp/B000GM8HGG/">A Commentary on the Gospel of John</a>: Two Volumes Complete and Unabridged in One," [1954], Banner of Truth: London, Third edition, Vol. 2, pp.234-235. Emphasis original).<br> <br><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John13:14&version=ESV">Jn 13:14</a>. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.<br> <br><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2021:1-3&version=ESV">Mt 21:1-3</a> <sup>1</sup>Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, <sup>2</sup>saying to them, "Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. <sup>3</sup>If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, 'The Lord needs them,' and he will send them at once."</p></blockquote> <p>"[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2021:3&version=ASV">Mt 21:3</a>] The Lord (<i>ho kurios</i>). .... In the LXX it is common in a variety of uses which appear in the N.T. ... of God (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%201:20;%2011:25&version=ASV">Matt. 1:20; 11:25</a>), and often of Jesus as the Messiah (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ac%2010:36&version=ASV">Acts 10:36</a>). ... the Christians boldly claimed the word for Christ as Jesus is here represented as using it with reference to himself. ... the disciples were calling Jesus `Lord' and that he accepted the appellative and used it as here":<blockquote>"[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2021:3&version=ASV">Mt 21:3</a>] The Lord (<i>ho kurios</i>). It is not clear how the word would be understood here by those who heard the message though it is plain that Jesus applies it to himself. The word is from <i>kuros</i>, power or authority. In the LXX it is common in a variety of uses which appear in the N.T. as master of the slave (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2010:24%20&version=ASV">Matt. 10:24</a>), of the harvest (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%209:38&version=ASV">9:38</a>), of the vineyard (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2020:8&version=ASV">20:8</a>), of the emperor (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ac%2013:27&version=ASV">Acts 13:27</a>), of God (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%201:20;%2011:25&version=ASV">Matt. 1:20; 11:25</a>), and often of Jesus as the Messiah (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ac%2010:36&version=ASV">Acts 10:36</a>). Note <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%208:25&version=ASV">Matt. 8:25</a>. This is the only time in Matthew where the words <i>ho kurios</i> are applied to Jesus except the doubtful passage in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2028:6&version=ASV">28:6</a>. ... the Christians boldly claimed the word for Christ as Jesus is here represented as using it with reference to himself. It seems as if already the disciples were calling Jesus `Lord' and that he accepted the appellative and used it as here." (Robertson, A.T., 1930, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Word-Pictures-Testament-Matthew-Mark/dp/B004GRV1RO/">"Word Pictures in the New Testament: Volume I</a>: The Gospel According to Matthew & The Gospel According to Mark," Broadman Press: Nashville TN, pp.167-168. Italics original. Verse typo corrected).</p></blockquote> <p>"Note especially that Jesus is here using the title `Lord' to designate himself (see <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2011:27;%2028:18&version=ASV">Matt. 11:27; 28:18</a>)":<blockquote>"[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2021:3&version=ASV">Mt 21:3</a>] ... <i>And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, The Lord needs them, and immediately he will let them go</i>. Note especially that Jesus is here using the title `Lord' to designate himself (see <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2011:27;%2028:18&version=ASV">Matt. 11:27; 28:18</a>). It is clear, therefore, that this epithet was not an invention of the early church after Christ's departure. It was not something borrowed from a non- Christian culture. It came from the very mouth of Jesus! Note also `the' Lord, not merely `your' Lord; rather, the Lord of all, with the right to claim all for his own use. Jesus predicts that when his claim, by mouth of the two men, is asserted, the owners will immediately release the animals. These owners must have been friends and followers of the Lord." (Hendriksen, W., 1974, "<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gospel-Matthew-New-Testament-Commentary/dp/B0014FEYE8/">The Gospel of Matthew</a>: New Testament Commentary," Banner of Truth: Edinburgh UK, Reprinted, 1982, pp.763-764).</p></blockquote> <p> "[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2021:3&version=ESV">Mt 21:3</a>] Jesus plainly refers to himself as <i>the Lord </i>[<i>ho kurios</i>], the sovereign orchestrator of these events." (Wilkins, M.J., 2007, "Matthew," in "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/ESV-Study-Bible-Crossway-Bibles/dp/1433502410">The ESV Study Bible</a>," Crossway Bibles: Wheaton IL, p.1865).<blockquote><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%2011:2-3&version=ESV">Mk 11:2-3</a>. <sup>2</sup>and said to them, "Go into the village in front of you, and immediately as you enter it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. <sup>3</sup>If anyone says to you, 'Why are you doing this?' say, 'The Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately.'"<br> <br><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+19:30-32&version=ESV">Lk 19:30-32</a>. <sup>30</sup>saying, "Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. <sup>31</sup>If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' you shall say this: 'The Lord has need of it.'" <sup>32</sup>So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them.</p></blockquote> <p>"`Lord' ... [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mk%2011:2-3;%20Lk%2019:30-32&version=NIV1984">Mk 11:2-3; Lk 19:30-32</a>] ... the natural way to take `Lord' is Jesus' way of referring to himself. ... the church's ascription of `Lord' to Jesus in a full christological sense finds its roots in Jesus' self-references":<blockquote>"[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2021:3&version=NIV1984">Mt 21:3</a>] `Lord' (also Mark-Luke [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mk%2011:2-3;%20Lk%2019:30-32&version=NIV1984">Mk 11:2-3; Lk 19:30-32</a>]) might mean `owner'; but then the disciples' response would be untrue, unless Jesus owned the animals, which is extremely unlikely. The title might refer to Yahweh-the animals are needed in Yahweh's service. But the natural way to take `Lord' is Jesus' way of referring to himself. This step is not out of keeping with the authority he has already claimed for himself and fits this late period of his ministry, when he revealed himself with increasing clarity. ... even the church's ascription of `Lord' to Jesus in a full christological sense finds its roots in Jesus' self-references." (Carson, D.A., "Matthew," in Gaebelein, F.E., ed., 1984, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Matthew-Mark-Expositors-Bible-Commentary/dp/0310365007/">The Expositor's Bible Commentary: Volume 8 - Matthew, Mark, Luke</a>," Zondervan: Grand Rapids MI, p.437).<br> <br><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%209:4-5&version=ESV">Acts 9:4-5</a> <sup>4</sup>And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" <sup>5</sup>And he said, "Who are you, Lord?" And he said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.<br> <br><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+22:8&version=ESV">Acts 22:8</a>. And I answered, 'Who are you, Lord?' And he said to me, 'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.'</p> <p><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+26:15&version=ESV">Acts 26:15</a>. And I said, 'Who are you, Lord?' And the Lord [<i>ho kurios</i>]. said, 'I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.</p></blockquote> <p>"The voice from the glory could only be the voice of God; hence <i>Lord</i> in Paul's question, <i>Who are you, Lord?</i> (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ac%209:5&version=NIV1984">5</a>), is meant as a divine title, not as a mere courtesy `Sir'" ... Saul had to identify the Lord Jehovah of the OT whom he zealously sought to serve, with Jesus of Nazareth":<blockquote>"[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ac%209:3-6&version=NIV1984">Acts 9:3-6</a>] <i>The encounter (3-6)</i>. The lightning-swift light (so the verb), brighter than Syria's noonday sun, could only be the <i>shekinah</i> glory, indicative of the divine presence. From this glory came the amazing question: <i>Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?</i> Who was the person who spoke thus? The voice from the glory could only be the voice of God; hence <i>Lord</i> in Paul's question, <i>Who are you, Lord?</i> (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ac%209:5&version=NIV1984">5</a>), is meant as a divine title, not as a mere courtesy `Sir'. <i>I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting</i> was the answer-a revelation which meant that, in one tremendous moment of time, Saul had to identify the Lord Jehovah of the OT whom he zealously sought to serve, with Jesus of Nazareth whom he ferociously persecuted in the person of His saints. The shock to his innermost soul was tremendous and showed itself physically in the loss of sight; but once the identification had been made Saul had no doubts or reserves, and from that time forward could truthfully say: `For to me, to live is Christ' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Php%202:21&version=NIV1984">Phil. 2:21</a>). NIV preserves the true text of this narrative, but the added details of the later narratives should be noted. Paul's companions `felt' the celestial presence but did not see the Lord; they heard Saul's voice, but not that of the Lord (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ac%209:7;%2022:9&version=NIV1984">7; 22:9</a>)." (Trenchard, E.H., "Acts," in Bruce, F.F., ed., 1986, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/New-International-Bible-Commentary-Bruce/dp/0310220203">The International Bible Commentary</a>," [1979], Marshall Pickering / Zondervan: Grand Rapids MI, Second edition, Reprinted, 1994, p.1284. Emphasis original).</p></blockquote> <p>"Saul's answer, `Who are you, Lord?' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ac%209:5&version=NIV1984">v. 5</a>), in all likelihood implies recognition of the divine presence, since the words had come from heaven":<blockquote>"Saul's conversion occurs on the road to Damascus, one of the world's oldest cities, located in Syria. His experience involves a light from heaven which temporarily leaves him blind. This light may be the glory of Christ, usually veiled during his earthly ministry, and revealed at the transfiguration for a few brief moments (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2017:1-8&version=NIV1984">Matt. 17:1-8</a>). Saul hears a voice from the Lord, and a brief dialogue takes place. In <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ac%2022:9&version=NIV1984">Acts 22:9</a> Luke states that Saul's companions did not hear (NIV understand) the voice, and in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ac%2026:14&version=NIV1984">26:14</a> he says that only Saul heard the voice, but in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ac%209:7&version=NIV1984">9:7</a> he says that his companions heard the voice (Gk. <i>phone</i> in all of these cases). The New International Version rightly translates the word `sound' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ac%209:7&version=NIV1984">v. 7</a>), and this indicates the legitimate range of meaning which the word can have. In other words, everyone heard a sound, but only Saul understood the words. Saul's answer, `Who are you, Lord?' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ac%209:5&version=NIV1984">v. 5</a>), in all likelihood implies recognition of the divine presence, since the words had come from heaven, but until the voice is identified as the voice of Jesus whom Saul is persecuting, there is no recognition of identity. This, along with Saul's obedience to the command to `go into the city, and ... be told what [he] must do' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ac%209:6&version=NIV1984">v. 6</a>), is evidence of conversion or confessing Jesus as Lord (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom%2010:9&version=NIV1984">Rom. 10:9</a>)." (Baker, W.H., "Acts," in Elwell, W.A., ed., 1989, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Evangelical-Commentary-Bible-reference-library/dp/0801032024/">Evangelical Commentary on the Bible</a>," Baker: Grand Rapids MI, Second printing, 1990, p.897. Emphasis original).</p></blockquote> <p><b>b. <b>Jesus claimed and accepted the title "Lord" of Himself</b>.</b><blockquote><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%207:21&version=ESV">Mt 7:21</a>. "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.</p></blockquote> <p>"Were we to take seriously the hypothesis of an original New Testament text containing the tetragram, <a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/matthew/passage.aspx?q=matthew+7:21-22">Matthew 7:21-22</a> would be a clear candidate for `restoring' the divine name YHWH, since the doubled <i>kurie kurie</i> evidently originated from Greek-speaking Jews translating `Lord YHWH' and `YHWH Lord'":<blockquote>"Early in his ministry, Jesus warned that even those who said to him `Lord, Lord' (<i>kurie, kurie</i>) and claimed to do miracles in his name were condemned if they disobeyed him (<a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/passage.aspx?q=matthew+7:21-22;luke+6:46;matthew+25:11">Matt. 7:21-22; Luke 6:46; see also Matt. 25:11</a>). This doubled form of address occurs repeatedly in the Septuagint in place of the Hebrew `Lord YHWH' (<a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/passage.aspx?q=deuteronomy+3:24;deuteronomy+9:26;1+kings+8:53;psalm+69:6;ezekiel+20:49;amos+7:2;amos+7:5">Deut. 3:24; 9:26; 1 Kings 8:53; Ps. 69:6; Ezek. 20:49; Amos 7:2, 5</a>) or `YHWH Lord' (<a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/psalms/passage.aspx?q=psalm+109:21;psalm+140:7;psalm+141:8">Pss. 109:21; 140:7; 141:8</a>), but never in reference to anyone but YHWH. ... Were we to take seriously the hypothesis of an original New Testament text containing the tetragram, <a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/matthew/passage.aspx?q=matthew+7:21-22">Matthew 7:21-22</a> would be a clear candidate for `restoring' the divine name YHWH, since the doubled <i>kurie kurie</i> evidently originated from Greek-speaking Jews translating `Lord YHWH' and `YHWH Lord.'" (Bowman & Komoszewski, 2007, pp.159, 337 n.13).</p></blockquote> <p>"It is doubtful whether all who called Jesus `Lord' thought of him as deity, but on numerous occasions there can be no question that they did (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%207:21-23;%20Lk%201:43;%202:11;%20Jn%2020:28;%20Ac%2016:31;%201Cor.%2012:3;%20Php%202:11&version=NASB"> Matt. 7:21f.</a> ...):<blockquote>"Christ is called Lord. In the New Testament the Greek term is used in four ways. It is used of God the Father (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%204:7;%2011:25;%20Lk%202:29;%20Ac%202:17:24;%20Rom%204:8;%202Cor%206:17-18;%20Rev%204:8&version=NASB"> Matt. 4:7; 11:25; Luke 2:29; Acts 2:17:24; Rom. 4:8; 2 Cor. 6:17f.; Rev. 4:8</a>), as a title of courtesy (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2013:27;%2021:29;%2027:63;%20Lk%2013:8;%20Jn%2012:21&version=NASB">Matt. 13:27; 21:29; 27:63; Luke 13:8; John 12:21</a>), as a name for a master or owner (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2020:8;%20Lk%2012:46;%20Jn%2015:15;%20Col%204:1&version=NASB">Matt. 20:8; Luke 12:46; John 15:15; Col. 4:1</a>), and as a title of address to, or as a name for, Christ (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%207:22;%208:2;%2014:28;%20Mk%207:28&version=NASB">Matt. 7:22; 8:2; 14:28; Mark 7:28</a>). It is doubtful whether all who called Jesus `Lord' thought of him as deity, but on numerous occasions there can be no question that they did (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%207:21-23;%20Lk%201:43;%202:11;%20Jn%2020:28;%20Ac%2016:31;%201Cor.%2012:3;%20Php%202:11&version=NASB"> Matt. 7:21f.; Luke 1:43; 2:11; John 20:28; Acts 16:31; 1 Cor. 12:3; Phil. 2:11</a>). The title `Lord,' as it is often used of Jesus, is the translation of the Hebrew name Jehovah. Thus, Christ is identified with the Jehovah of the Old Testament (cf. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2012:40-41;%20Rom%2010:9,13;%201Pet%203:15;%20Isa%206:1-10;%20Joel%202:32;%20Isa%208:13&version=NASB"><FO size="2" NT>John 12:40f.; Rom. 10:9, 13; and 1 Pet. 3:15 with Isa. 6:1ff.; Joel 2:32; and Isa. 8:13</a> respectively)." (Thiessen, H.C. & Doerksen, V.D., "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lectures-Systematic-Theology-Henry-Thiessen/dp/0802835295">Lectures in Systematic Theology</a>," [1949], Eerdmans: Grand Rapids MI, 1977, Revised, pp.94-95). </p> <p><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%208:25&version=ESV">Mt 8:25</a>. "And they went and woke him, saying, "Save us, Lord; we are perishing."<br> <br><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2014:30&version=ESV">Mt 14:30</a>. "But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me."</p></p></blockquote> <p>"Peter tried to walk on the sea ... but when he lost faith and started to sink, he also cried out, `Lord, save me!' (<i>kurie, soson me</i>, <a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/matthew/14-30.html">Matt. 14:30</a>). ... the words of a Psalm directed to God: `O LORD, save now' (<i>o kurie, soson de</i>, <a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/psalms/118-25.html">Ps. 118:25</a>":<blockquote>"On one occasion, Jesus had fallen asleep while out in a fishing boat on the Sea of Galilee with some of his disciples. When a severe storm threatened to capsize the boat, the men woke Jesus up, saying, `Lord, save us!' (<i>kurie, soson</i>, <a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/matthew/8-25.html">Matt. 8:25</a>). On another occasion, Peter tried to walk on the sea after seeing Jesus do it, but when he lost faith and started to sink, he also cried out, `Lord, save me!' (<i>kurie, soson me</i>, <a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/matthew/14-30.html">Matt. 14:30</a>). They may not have intended to do so, but the disciples' cries to the Lord Jesus for help recall the words of a Psalm directed to God: `O LORD, save now' (<i>o kurie, soson de</i>, <a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/psalms/118-25.html">Ps. 118:25</a>, translating literally)." (Bowman, R.M., Jr. & Komoszewski, J.E., 2007, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Putting-Jesus-His-Place-Christ/dp/0825429838/">Putting Jesus In His Place: The Case for the Deity of Christ</a>," Kregel: Grand Rapids MI, p.160).<br> <br><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2025:11&version=ESV">Mt 25:11</a>. "Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, lord, open to us.'.<br> <br><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Lk%206:46&version=ESV">Lk 6:46</a>. "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you?</p></blockquote> <p><b>ii. <b>Jesus accepted the title "God" of Himself</b>.</b></p> <p><b>a. Jesus accepted the title "my God" (Gk. <i>ho theos</i>) of Himself (</b><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2020:28&version=ESV">Jn 20:28</a><b>).</b></p> <p>"But in at least eight passages the clear weight of relevant evidence supports our reading them as straightforward assertions of the deity of Christ: ...`Thomas answered, "My Lord and my God!" ' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2020:28&version=NIV1984">Jn. 20:28</a>)":<blockquote>"<i>DIRECT STATEMENTS OF DEITY</i> The texts which assert the deity of Christ are predictably among the most debated in the entire NT. In several the grammatical evidence calls for hesitation before interpreting them as assertions of Christ's Godhood. But in at least eight passages the clear weight of relevant evidence supports our reading them as straightforward assertions of the deity of Christ: `Christ, who is God over all, forever praised!' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom%209:5&version=NIV1984">Rom. 9:5</a>) `About the Son he [God] says, "Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever".' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Heb%201:8&version=NIV1984">Heb. 1:8</a>) `In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:1-2&version=NIV1984">Jn. 1:1-2</a>) 'No-one has ever seen God, but God the only Son, who is at the Father's side, has made him known.' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:18&version=NIV1984">Jn. 1:18</a>) `The glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ.' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Tit%202:13&version=NIV1984">Tit. 2:13</a>) `Thomas answered, "My Lord and my God!" ' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2020:28&version=NIV1984">Jn. 20:28</a>) `The righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ.' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Pet%201:1&version=NIV1984">2 Pet. 1:1</a>) `The church of God, which he bought with his own blood.' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ac%2020:28&version=NIV1984">Acts 20:28</a>) The NT contains numerous other verses which possibly, though not definitely, imply the deity of Christ (e.g., <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%201:23;%20Jn%2017:3;%20Col%202:2;%202Th%201:12;%201Tim%201:17;%20Jas%201:1;%201Jn%205:20&version=NIV1984">Mt . 1:23; Jn. 17:3; Col. 2:2; 2 Thes. 1:12; 1 Tim. 1:17; Jas. 1:1; 1 Jn. 5:20</a>). The eight texts quoted above are sufficient to establish the biblical position beyond doubt; there is, however, much more material." (Milne, B., 1982, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Know-Truth-Handbook-Christian-Belief/dp/083081793X">Know the Truth: A Handbook of Christian Belief</a>," Inter-Varsity Press: Leicester UK, Fifth printing, 1988, p.128-129. Emphasis original).</p></blockquote> <p>"... my God' (on the lips of a faithful believer) can refer only to the Lord God of Israel. The language is as definite as it could be and identifies Jesus Christ as God himself":<blockquote>"<i>Jesus as `My God' in the Climax of John's Gospel (<a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/john/20-28.html">John 20:28</a>).</i> Although the Gospel of John has 21 chapters, the climax of the Gospel comes at the end of chapter 20, when the apostle Thomas confesses Jesus as his Lord and God (v. 28) ... There is essentially no controversy among biblical scholars that in John 20:28 Thomas is referring to and addressing Jesus when he says, `My Lord and my God!' ... Indeed, it is difficult to find any contemporary exegetical commentary or academic study that argues that Thomas's words in John 20:28 apply in context to the Father rather than to Jesus. The reason is simple: John prefaces what Thomas said with the words, `Thomas answered and said to Him' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2020:28&version=NASB">v. 28</a>a NASB). ... It is therefore certain that Thomas was directing his words to Jesus, not to the Father. ... Thomas's words echo statements addressed in the Psalms to the Lord (Jehovah), especially the following: `Wake up! Bestir yourself for my defense, for my cause, my God and my Lord [<i>ho theos mou kai ho kurios mou</i>]!' (<a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/psalms/35-23.html">Ps. 35:23</a>). These words parallel those in John 20:28 exactly except for reversing `God' and `Lord.' More broadly, in biblical language `my God' (on the lips of a faithful believer) can refer only to the Lord God of Israel. The language is as definite as it could be and identifies Jesus Christ as God himself." (Bowman, R.M., Jr. & Komoszewski, J.E., 2007, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Putting-Jesus-His-Place-Christ/dp/0825429838">Putting Jesus In His Place: The Case for the Deity of Christ</a>," Kregel: Grand Rapids MI, pp.142-143. Emphasis original).</p></blockquote> <p>"Thus Jesus ... willingly receives divine homage (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2020:28-29&version=ASV">John 20:28-29</a>)":<blockquote>"Such passages as these (and it should be emphasized that they constitute merely a sampling chosen out of many others of similar import) agree with the representation throughout the Gospels that Jesus both claimed and exercised the prerogatives of the Lord God himself. Thus Jesus forgives sins (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mk%202:10&version=ASV">Mark 2:10</a>, etc.), raises the dead (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Lk%207:12-15&version=ASV">Luke 7:12-15</a>, etc.), controls nature (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%208:26&version=ASV">Matt. 8:26</a>), will judge the secret motives of men (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%207:22-28&version=ASV">Matt. 7:22-28</a>), and willingly receives divine homage (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2020:28-29&version=ASV">John 20:28-29</a>). The statement, therefore, in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2010:30&version=ASV">John 10:30</a>, `I and the Father are one,' is but the epitome of the constant claim of Jesus. As has often been pointed out, Jesus' statement is either true or false. If it is true, then he is God. If it is false, he either knew it to be false or he did not know it to be false. If while claiming to be God he knew this claim to be false, he was a liar. If while claiming to be God he did not know this claim to be false, he was demented. There is no other alternative." (Metzger, B.M., 1953, "<a href="http://www.bible-researcher.com/metzger.jw.html">The Jehovah's Witnesses and Jesus Christ</a>," Reprint of article in <i>Theology Today</i>, April, pp.65-85, p.74).</p></blockquote> <p>"Christ is, in fact, called `God' with the definite article [<i>ho theos</i> "<i>the</i> God"] in several other texts (<a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/passage.aspx?q=john+20:28;titus+2:13;2+peter+1:1;1+john+5:20">John 20:28; Titus 2:13; 2 Peter 1:1; 1 John 5:20</a>)"<blockquote>"First of all, it must be remembered that what is indefinite in Greek need not-and sometimes <i>must</i> not-be translated with an indefinite article in English. The reason why it would be incorrect to translate <i>theos</i> `a god' shall be made clear as we progress; the fact is that such a rendering is not necessitated by <i>theos</i> being indefinite. Second, the point that is being made here is that for <i>theos</i> to be definite <i>in this context</i>-after just using the definite <i>ton theon</i> to refer specifically to the person of the Father-would be modalistic. This does not mean that <i>theos</i> cannot ever be definite when applied to Christ, nor does it mean that Christ cannot be called <i>theos</i> with the definite article <i>ho</i>. Christ is, in fact, called `God' with the definite article in several other texts (<a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/passage.aspx?q=john+20:28;titus+2:13;2+peter+1:1;1+john+5:20">John 20:28; Titus 2:13; 2 Peter 1:1; 1 John 5:20</a>). It is true, however, that none of these passages calls Christ simply <i>ho theos</i> without qualification, evidently because this expression was so firmly associated with the person of the Father. Thus he is called `my God,' `our God and Savior,' `our great God and Savior,' and `the true God and eternal life'-all using the definite article, all indisputably identifying Christ as the Almighty God of the Old Testament, but all avoiding identifying him as the person of the Father." (Bowman, R.M., Jr., 1989, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jehovahs-Witnesses-Jesus-Christ-Gospel/dp/0801009553">The Jehovah's Witnesses, Jesus Christ, and the Gospel of John</a>," Baker: Grand Rapids MI, Reprinted, 1995, p.41. Emphasis original).</p></blockquote> <p> "Thus he [Jesus] is called `my God,' [<a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/john/20-28.html">Jn 20:28</a>] `our God and Savior,' [<a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/2-peter/1-1.html">2Pet 1:1</a>] `our great God and Savior,' [<a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/titus/2-13.html">Tit 2:13</a>] and `the true God and eternal life' [<a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/1-john/5-20.html">1Jn 5:20</a>]-all using the definite article, all indisputably identifying Christ as the Almighty God of the Old Testament":<blockquote>"First of all, it must be remembered that what is indefinite in Greek need not-and sometimes <i>must</i> not-be translated with an indefinite article in English. The reason why it would be incorrect to translate <i>theos</i> `a god' shall be made clear as we progress; the fact is that such a rendering is not necessitated by <i>theos</i> being indefinite. Second, the point that is being made here is that for <i>theos</i> to be definite <i>in this context</i>-after just using the definite <i>ton theon</i> to refer specifically to the person of the Father-would be modalistic. This does not mean that <i>theos</i> cannot ever be definite when applied to Christ, nor does it mean that Christ cannot be called <i>theos</i> with the definite article <i>ho</i>. Christ is, in fact, called `God' with the definite article in several other texts (<a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/passage.aspx?q=john+20:28;titus+2:13;2+peter+1:1;1+john+5:20">John 20:28; Titus 2:13; 2 Peter 1:1; 1 John 5:20</a>). It is true, however, that none of these passages calls Christ simply <i>ho theos</i> without qualification, evidently because this expression was so firmly associated with the person of the Father. Thus he is called `my God,' `our God and Savior,' `our great God and Savior,' and `the true God and eternal life'-all using the definite article, all indisputably identifying Christ as the Almighty God of the Old Testament, but all avoiding identifying him as the person of the Father." (Bowman, R.M., Jr., 1989, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jehovahs-Witnesses-Jesus-Christ-Gospel/dp/0801009553">The Jehovah's Witnesses, Jesus Christ, and the Gospel of John</a>," Baker: Grand Rapids MI, Reprinted, 1995, p.41. Emphasis original).</p></blockquote> <p><b>b. <b>Jesus would have rebuked Thomas if he was wrong, but instead Jesus <i>blessed</i> Thomas for his insight</b>.</b></p> <p>"Thomas ... did not hesitate to address the Risen Christ as Lord and God. And Jesus accepts the words and praises Thomas for so doing":<blockquote>"[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2020:28&version=ASV">Jn 20:28</a>] <i>My Lord and my God</i> (<i>Ho kurios mou kai ho theos mou</i>). Not exclamation, but address, the vocative case though the form of the nominative, a very common thing in the Koine. Thomas was wholly convinced and did not hesitate to address the Risen Christ as Lord and God. And Jesus accepts the words and praises Thomas for so doing." (Robertson, A.T., 1932, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fourth-Epistle-Hebrews-Pictures-Testament/dp/B000X0J508/">Word Pictures in the New Testament: Volume V</a>: The Fourth Gospel & the Epistle to the Hebrews," Broadman Press: Nashville TN, p.316. Emphasis original).</p></blockquote> <p> "Here was a monotheistic Jew saying to Jesus: `My God!' The fact that Jesus did not rebuke Thomas but commended him for his faith proves decisively that Jesus was equal to the Father, that He was Himself very God!": <blockquote>"All these instances in which Jesus was worshiped come to a climax in the adoration of Thomas recorded in <a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/joh/chapter_020.htm#bk28">John 20:28</a>. When Thomas saw Jesus the week after he had expressed disbelief in Jesus' resurrection, he said to Him, `My Lord and my God!' (NWT). If Jesus were not God, he should have rebuked Thomas at this point. Instead of rebuking him, however, Jesus praised Thomas, saying, `Because you have seen me have you believed? Happy are those who do not see and yet believe' (<a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/joh/chapter_020.htm#bk29">v. 29</a>, NWT). Surely here is indisputable proof that Jesus recognized Himself to be God and not only permitted but encouraged believers to worship Him as such! ... (1) What can the expression `my God' possibly mean other than `my true God'? ... the New Testament recognizes no true God beside Jehovah God; any god other than Jehovah is for New Testament writers a false god or an idol. Thomas, being a Jew, was a strict monotheist; for him there was no God beside Jehovah. When he said, `my God,' he could have meant nothing other than `my one and only true God.' (2) .... Here was a monotheistic Jew saying to Jesus: `My God!' The fact that Jesus did not rebuke Thomas but commended him for his faith proves decisively that Jesus was equal to the Father, that He was Himself very God!" (Hoekema, A.A., 1972, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jehovahs-Witnesses-Anthony-Hoekema/dp/0802814891/">Jehovah's Witnesses</a>," [1963], Eerdmans: Grand Rapids MI, Reprinted, 1990, pp.139-140. Emphasis original).</p></blockquote> <p> "`Thomas answered and said to <i>Him</i>, `My Lord and My God'. And our Lord did not restrain him nor rebuke him, He received this as His rightful designation":<blockquote>"Among the disciples was one who refused to believe in the resurrection of Christ without tangible proof. For him the witness of others was not sufficient in a matter of such momentous consequence. He demanded nothing less than positive proof within the domain of his own senses. When Our Lord appeared to Him, He did not rebuke him for his scepticism, rather He readily provided the kind of proof asked for. His confession, in words expressing the ultimate in Christian faith, could not have been a consequence of seeing someone risen from the dead, for he must surely have seen the risen Lazarus. There is no mistaking their intent: `Thomas answered and said to <i>Him</i>, `My Lord and My God'. And our Lord did not restrain him nor rebuke him, He received this as His rightful designation (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2020:24-29&version=KJV">John 20:24-29</a>)." (Bruce, F.F. & Martin, W.J., 1964, "<a href="http://www.theologicalstudies.org.uk/pdf/ffb/deity_bruce.pdf">The Deity of Christ</a>," North of England Evangelical Trust: Manchester UK, pp.20-21. Emphasis original).</p></blockquote> <p> "... contrary to the claim of the Watchtower Society-<i>theos</i> ('God') with the definite article <i>ho</i> ('the') is indeed used of Jesus Christ in the New Testament. One example of this is <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2020:28&version=NIV1984">John 20:28</a>, where Thomas says to Jesus, `My Lord and my God!' The verse reads literally from the Greek, `The Lord of me and the God [<i>ho theos</i>] of me'": <blockquote>"<i>Christ Is Definitely God</i> As if all that weren't enough to prove the deity of Christ in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:1&version=NIV1984">John 1:1</a>, it is also critical to note that-contrary to the claim of the Watchtower Society-<i>theos</i> ('God') with the definite article <i>ho</i> ('the') is indeed used of Jesus Christ in the New Testament. One example of this is <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2020:28&version=NIV1984">John 20:28</a>, where Thomas says to Jesus, `My Lord and my God!' The verse reads literally from the Greek, `The Lord of me and the God [<i>ho theos</i>] of me.' Clearly, Christ is just as much God as the Father is. Other examples of <i>ho theos</i> ('the God') being used of Christ include <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%201:23&version=NIV1984">Matthew 1:23</a> and <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Heb%201:8&version=NIV1984">Hebrews 1:8</a>. We see again, then, that the same words used of the Father's deity are used in reference to Jesus' deity. <i>Ask</i>... o If <i>theos</i> ('God') with the definite article <i>ho</i> ('the') is used in the New Testament of Jesus Christ <i>just as it is used of Jehovah-God</i>, then doesn't this mean Jesus is just as much God as the Father is?" (Rhodes, R., 1993, " <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Reasoning-Scriptures-Jehovahs-Witnesses-Rhodes/dp/0736924515/">Reasoning from the Scriptures with the Jehovah's Witnesses</a>," Harvest House: Eugene OR, Reprinted, 2006, pp.109-110. Emphasis original).</p></blockquote> <p> "It would be ... blasphemy for Jesus not to rebuke Thomas if he were wrong. ... but in fact he accepts Thomas's profession of faith that he is God in the next verse":<blockquote>"<i>My Lord and My God! (<a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/rsv/john/20-28.html">John 20:28</a>)</i> In John 20:28 Thomas says to Jesus, `My Lord and my God,' which in the Greek is `<i>Ho Kurios mou kai ho Theos mou</i>' Translated literally, the sentence reads, `The Lord of me and the God of me.' It would be nothing short of blasphemy for Jesus not to rebuke Thomas if he were wrong. Jesus does nothing of the sort, but in fact he accepts Thomas's profession of faith that he is God in the next verse: `Because you have seen me have you believed? Happy are those who do not see and yet believe.' [<a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/rsv/john/20-28.html">Jn 20:29</a> ] This is especially significant because the Watchtower teaches that the Greek phrase <i>ho Theos</i> ('the God') is used in Scripture to refer to the true God, as opposed to lesser gods. Yet here <i>ho Theos</i> is applied directly to Jesus, showing on the Watchtower's own logic that Jesus is the God, and not just a god. This creates a major theological problem for the Watchtower. To try to explain this verse, the claim is made that Thomas's statement was merely an exclamatory expression of praise directed to the Father. Yet the Watchtower's own NWT refutes this notion, as this verse clearly states that Thomas directed his words to Jesus: `In answer, Thomas said to <i>him</i>, "My Lord and my God!"' (emphasis added)." (Evert, J., "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Answering-Jehovahs-Witnesses-Jason-Evert/dp/1888992212/">Answering Jehovah's Witnesses</a>," Catholic Answers: El Cajon CA, 2001, p.78. Emphasis original).</p></blockquote> <p> "... when Thomas worshiped Jesus as `My Lord and my God' he was in effect committing blasphemy for which Christ would have immediately rebuked him, <i>unless</i> what Thomas was saying was true, namely, that Jesus was his Lord and his God, Jehovah, the Son":<blockquote>"<i>And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2020:28&version=KJV">John 20:28</a>).</i> Most all students of Scripture are familiar with so-called `doubting Thomas' who refused to believe that Jesus Christ had risen from the grave until he had thrust his finger into the wounds of Christ's hands and his hand into Christ's open side, a statement he later deeply regretted. John records for us in the <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2020&version=KJV">20th chapter</a> how the Lord Jesus appeared after His resurrection in a physical form and then singling out Thomas offered His resurrection <i>body</i> as proof that He had truly vanquished the grave as a man and had risen in a bodily form. Thomas, it will be noted, wasted no time in doing what any human being would do when confronted with such divine evidence, he uttered the immortal phrase, `My Lord and my God,' worshiping at the feet of his risen Saviour, and giving to Jesus Christ adoration and homage as `God manifest in the flesh.' Now if Jehovah's Witnesses honestly want to be realistic, they will have to recognize two facts: First, Jesus appeared in physical form bearing the marks which He received upon the Cross-inescapable evidence that His was a bodily resurrection, not a spirit resurrection as they attempt to teach. Second, the Witnesses will also have to admit that under Mosaic law no one is entitled to warship but Jehovah Himself (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%2020&version=KJV">Exodus 20</a>); therefore, when Thomas worshiped Jesus as `My Lord and my God' he was in effect committing blasphemy for which Christ would have immediately rebuked him, <i>unless</i> what Thomas was saying was true, namely, that Jesus was his Lord and his God, Jehovah, the Son. Since Jesus did not rebuke him, but instead continued on to teach His disciples more of His Identity and plans, the argument of the Watch Tower crumbles before this revelation of Scriptural truth. With Thomas then all true Christians can echo of the Lord Jesus Christ, `My Lord and my God.'" (Martin, W.R., "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jehovahs-Witnesses-Walter-R-Martin/dp/B000MC7298/">Jehovah's Witnesses</a>," Bethany House: Minneapolis MN, 1957, Reprinted, 1969, pp.37-38. Emphasis original).</p></blockquote> <p> See also the future "5. JEHOVAH'S NAMES AND TITLES ARE APPLIED TO JESUS": "A. Jesus is `Lord'" and "B. Jesus is `God'".</p> <p> <hr></p> <p>My next post in this series will be part #10, "3C. Jesus claimed and accepted the title of <i>The</i> Son of God of Himself."</p> <p><a href="http://members.iinet.net.au/~sejones/index.html">Stephen E. Jones</a>, B.Sc., Grad. Dip. Ed. <br>My other blogs: <a href="http://creationevolutiondesign.blogspot.com/">CreationEvolutionDesign</a> & <a href="http://theshroudofturin.blogspot.com/">The Shroud of Turin</a></p>Stephen E. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16183223752386599799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574858940069385599.post-83287363225219189232012-01-07T18:11:00.062+08:002012-02-11T13:19:12.436+08:00Jehovah's Witness News, January 2012<p>With the New Year, I have decided to start a trial posting of a monthly "Jehovah's Witness News". I thought of the title, before I checked and found there were several sites with that same name. My aim is to post an extract of newsworthy articles about <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah's_Witnesses">Jehovah's Witnesses</a> and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watch_Tower_Bible_and_Tract_Society_of_Pennsylvania">Watchtower Bible & Tract Society</a>, with my comments in <b>bold </b>under each article.</p> <p>My target is not individual Jehovah's Witnesses but the <i>Watchtower Bible & Tract Society</i> and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses">Jehovah's Witness</a> <i>system</i>. I will progressively add news items (newest uppermost) to my Jehovah's Witness News post for that month. Comments are welcome but as per my stated policies, sub-standard or off-topic comments won't appear.</p><hr><p><a name="Arbitration"></a>"<a href="http://www.interfax-religion.com/?act=news&div=9010">Arbitration Court confirms the ban on spreading Jehovah's Witnesses magazines in Russia</a>," <i>Interfax</i>, 26 January 2012. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNFdPfmdecdy73NSWq0_moxdOepbOk4jklM-TPUydrCOrxoF683oV4PGnf9s7GhSy2DaLjyD-V9T3O2C09R-VK5_9X9IA2ohcZjaDU3t5y2qglAPJ2pBZDFFvLiORyYVQBVP0EL8cpCo/s1600/Watchtower%2526Awake.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 260px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNFdPfmdecdy73NSWq0_moxdOepbOk4jklM-TPUydrCOrxoF683oV4PGnf9s7GhSy2DaLjyD-V9T3O2C09R-VK5_9X9IA2ohcZjaDU3t5y2qglAPJ2pBZDFFvLiORyYVQBVP0EL8cpCo/s320/Watchtower%2526Awake.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702124423541560802" /></a> The 9th Arbitration Appeal Court confirmed the</p> <p><b>[Left: </b><a href="http://digitaljournal.com/article/314648"><i>Watchtower </i>and <i>Awake! </i>magazines</a><b>: Digital Journal]</b> </p> <p>Russian Supervisory Agency for Communications ban on spreading in Russia magazines of Jehovah's Witnesses ... According to estimations ... at the Justice Ministry, several thousands sects work in Russia, about 600-800 thousand people are involved in them. However ... the number of sectarian has reduced several times in Russia if compared to 1990s. ... <b>This is the latest round in an ongoing battle between the Russian government and the</b> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watch_Tower_Bible_and_Tract_Society_of_Pennsylvania">Watchtower Bible & Tract Society</a><b>, over the "extremist" content of the Society's <i>The Watchtower </i>and <i>Awake! </i>magazines.</b> See "<a href="http://rapsinews.com/judicial_news/20111230/259323193.html">Appeal in Jehovah's Witnesses case to be heard Jan. 25</a>,"RAPSI, December 30, 2011; "<a href="http://digitaljournal.com/article/314648">Russian court revokes ban on <i>Awake!</i> and <i>The Watchtower</i> magazines</a>," <i>Digital Journal</i>, JohnThomas Didymus, Nov 18, 2011 & "<a href="http://rapsinews.com/judicial_news/20111117/257457028.html">Watchdog presses for ban on Jehovah's Witnesses magazines</a>," RAPSI, November 17, 2011. <b>That the Society's publications <i>are </i>extremist is evident in a recent <i>Watchtower </i>which claimed that former Witnesses who have left the sect are "mentally diseased" ("</b><a href="http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/312040">Jehovah's Witness mag investigated under religious hatred laws</a><b>," Katerina Nikolas, </b><b><i>Digital Journal</i>, </b><b>September 27, 2011). The Society's problem is that its magazines have the same content everywhere, so it cannot start having a special Russian edition. That would set a precedent for the Society having to produce special editions for other countries, which would greatly increase its costs and place the Society under even greater financial pressure (</b><a href="#2">see below</a><b>). It is significant that according to the latest statistics, the number of sectarians (which includes JWs) in Russia has declined by several times compared to the 1990s.</b></p><hr><p><a name="False"></a>"<a href="http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/317520">False prophecy causes $13 million loss in Thailand</a>," Alessio Fratticcioli, <i>Digital Journal</i>, Jan 8, 2012. Bangkok - Thongbai Khamsa, 73, is under investigation by Thai police for allegedly circulating a prophecy over the Internet that one of the largest dams in Thailand would have collapsed on New Year's Eve. Last month Thongbai had informed the media of a prophecy made by his long-deceased son, according to which the Bhumibol Dam would have collapsed in December 31, 2011. <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7f/Bhumibol_dam_front.jpg/640px-Bhumibol_dam_front.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 260px;" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7f/Bhumibol_dam_front.jpg/640px-Bhumibol_dam_front.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> The huge dam ... is located in Tak </p> <p><b>[</b><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7f/Bhumibol_dam_front.jpg/640px-Bhumibol_dam_front.jpg">Right</a><b>: Bhumibol Dam, Thailand: </b>"<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tak_Province">Tak Province</a><b>," <i>Wikipedia</i>, 28 December 2011]</b></p> <p>province, about 470 kilometers (290 miles) north-west of Bangkok. The Bhumibol Dam is 154 m (505 ft) tall, 486 m (1,594 ft) long and 8 m (26 ft) wide at its crest. It withholds a reservoir of 13,462,000,000 m<sup>3</sup> (10,913,821 acre ft). According to Mr Thongbai, his son made the prophecy 37 years ago. ... As is clear now, the dam is still standing, so the prophecy proved wrong. Moreover, provincial officials says the false alarm has caused a 90% decline in the number of tourist arrivals during the holiday season, leading to a public loss estimated at 400 million baht, equivalent to about $13,3 million. Now Thongbai risks jail, but what are exactly the charges against him? Spreading a prophecy ... which fortunately did not turn out correct? ... The Jehovah's Witnesses have made a number of predictions about the end of the world. The first was 1914, even though after the end did not come they changed the meaning of the prediction and stated that it was the date that Jesus would begin to "rule invisibly." Some other years that the group have predicted the end of the world to come are 1915, 1918, 1920, 1925, 1941, 1975, 1994, etc. .. <b>It will be interesting to see if the court rules that those who lose financially from a false prophecy can recover damages from the false prophet. But apart from that courts elsewhere would probably not be bound by a precedent from a Thai court, the </b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statute_of_limitations">Statute of Limitations</a><b> would presumably apply to </b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_Jehovah%27s_Witnesses#Failed_predictions">Watchtower false prophesies that the world would end in 1914, 1925, 1975 and 1994</a>, etc<b>. For example, the JWs who sold their homes and property in the years leading up to the Autumn of 1975, so they could devote themselves to full-time preaching that there was only a "short time remaining before the wicked world's end":</b><blockquote>"Reports are heard of brothers selling their homes and property and planning to finish out the rest of their days in this old system in the pioneer service. Certainly this is a fine way to spend the short time remaining before the wicked world's end." ("How Are You Using Your Life?," <i>Our Kingdom Ministry</i>, May 1974, p.3).</p></blockquote> <p><b>should be entitled to recover their loss from the Watchtower. Especially as Jesus stated that <i>no one</i> would know the date of His return (</b><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2024:36;%2024:50;%2025:13;%20Mk%2013:32;%20Lk%2012:46,%20Acts%201:7&version=ESV">Mt 24:36; 24:50; 25:13; Mk 13:32; Lk 12:46, Acts 1:7</a><b>) and it would only be false prophets who claimed that they did (</b><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Lk%2021:8&version=ESV">Lk 21:8</a><b>). But even if it cannot be held accountable to a <i>human </i>court, the Watchtower Society (and JWs who support it - </b><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2Jn%201:10-11&version=ESV">2Jn 10-11</a><b>) will still be held accountable to <i>God's</i> court for every one of the evils that they have done (</b><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2016:27;%20Rev%2020:12&version=ESV">Mt 16:27; Rev 20:12</a><b>), including false prophecy (</b><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Dt%2018:20-22&version=ASV">Dt 18:20-22</a><b>).</b> </p><hr><p><a name="Jones"></a>"<a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Jones-first-American-to-undergo-bloodless-heart-surgery/articleshow/11492722.cms">Jones first American to undergo bloodless heart surgery</a>," <i>The Times of India</i>, Jan 15, 2012. BANGALORE: Jack Jones, 74, of the US went through a beating heart surgery at Narayana Hrudayalaya on December 29, perhaps the first US citizen to undergo such a surgery in India. As a Jehovah's Witness, his faith bars him from have a blood transfusion ... While it's a religious matter for the Jehovah's Witness community, bloodless surgery has its own advantages, <a href="http://guardianmedserve.com/images/panel_praveenkumar.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 105px; height: 145px;" src="http://guardianmedserve.com/images/panel_praveenkumar.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>points out Dr Praveen Kumar of Narayana Hrudayalaya. "Firstly, there's a </p><p><b>[</b><a href="http://guardianmedserve.com/images/panel_praveenkumar.jpg">Left</a><b>: </b><a href="http://guardianmedserve.com/spanel.htm">Dr Praveen Kumar</a><b>: Guardian Medical Services]</b></p><p> cost advantage given that there's significant expenditure involved in testing blood of donors. Secondly, it diminishes the possibility of infection that occur during transfusion," said Dr Praveen. But the challenges are immense. "While operating ... we have to be immensely watchful of the patient losing blood," explained Dr Praveen. Dr Sharad Damodar ... said they sometimes collect the patients blood, which can be reused. "But Jehovah's Witnesses believe their own blood can't be transfused back into their bodies. As per their law, if the patient suffers due to lack of blood, doctors will simply have to let the patient go," explained Dr Damodar. ... <b>So while bloodless surgery has its advantages, the Watchtower's refusal to allow a patient's own blood to be reused still causes unnecessary deaths on the operating table. These would be added to the <i>thousands </i>(if not <i>millions</i>) of needless deaths, due to this Watchtower "tradition of men" (</b><a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/mr/chapter_007.htm#bk8">Mk 7:8</a><b> NWT), which converted a <i>specific ruling</i> that, so as <i>not to offend Jews</i>, Gentile Christians should avoid <i>eating </i>blood (</b><a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/ac/chapter_015.htm#bk19">Acts 15:19-21</a><b> NWT), into a <i>general prohibition</i> on JWs receiving blood <i>transfusions</i>. But since Jews today not only are not offended by blood transfusions, but regard them as "<i>obligatory</i>" when medically necessary:</b><blockquote><a href="http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/625443/jewish/Is-blood-transfusion-permissible-in-Jewish-belief.htm">Is blood transfusion permissible in Jewish belief?</a> By Rochel Chein. There is nothing in Jewish law that would preclude a person from benefiting from a blood transfusion (or donating blood, for that matter). Furthermore, according to Jewish belief, saving a life is one of the most important mitzvot (commandments), overriding nearly all of the others. (The exceptions are murder, certain sexual offenses, and idol-worship-we cannot transgress these even to save a life.) Therefore, if a blood transfusion is deemed medically necessary, then it is not only permissible but obligatory. All the best, Rochel Chein for Chabad.org </p></blockquote> <p><b>there is no reason for Gentiles, including JWs, to not have them. The Watchtower Society, and those JWs who support its "no blood" policy (</b><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2Jn%201:10-11&version=ESV">2Jn 10-11</a><b>), will be held accountable to Jesus at the Judgment (</b><a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/2co/chapter_005.htm#bk10">2Cor 5:10</a>; <a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/joh/chapter_005.htm#bk22">Jn 5:22</a><b> NWT) for all the <i>uncountable </i>numbers of needless deaths this Watchtower `wresting of the Scriptures' (</b><a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/2pe/chapter_003.htm#16">2Pet 3:16 </a><b>NWT) has caused (</b><a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/de/chapter_022.htm#bk8">Dt 22:8</a><b> NWT).</b></p><hr><p><a name="European"></a>"<a href="http://news.am/eng/news/88979.html">European Court releases judgments on Armenian Jehovah’s Witnesses members</a>," NEWS.am, January 13, 2012. The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) <a href="http://news.am/pic/news/88979.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px;" src="http://news.am/pic/news/88979.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> released two new judgments on January 10 protecting the right of conscientious <br /></p> <p><b>[</b><a href="http://news.am/pic/news/88979.jpg">Right</a><b>: The European Court of Human Rights, Strasbourg, France.]</b></p> <p> objectors in the cases of Bukharatyan v. Armenia and Tsaturyan v. Armenia, both involving Jehovah’s Witnesses. The two applicants, Hayk Bukharatyan and Ashot Tsaturyan, were sentenced in 2003 to two years of imprisonment by Armenian authorities for refusal to participate in military service. Mr. Bukharatyan and Mr. Tsaturyan appealed their cases to the ECHR, stating that their rights were violated under Article 9 of the European Convention ... Armenian law on alternative civilian service allows seeking alternative service for those who refuse to join the army for religious reasons. However, young people, members of religious organizations, often refuse to enlist for alternative civilian service saying it is controlled by the Defense Ministry ... <b>Refusal to participate in military service, even in alternative civilian service, is a Watchtower Society "tradition of men" (</b><a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/mr/chapter_007.htm#bk8">Mk 7:8</a> <b>NWT), <i>not</i> a Biblical teaching. Apart from the many times in the Old Testament where the Israelites were not only commanded to fight military wars, they were told by Jehovah that he was fighting through them (e.g. </b><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Dt%201:30;%20Josh%2010:14,42;%2023:3,10;%201Sam%2015:18&version=ASV">Dt 1:30; Josh 10:14,42; 23:3,10; 1Sam 15:18</a><b>, etc); in the New Testament when <i>Roman soldiers</i> asked John the Baptist "What shall we also do?" he did not say, "do not participate in military service" but rather told them, "Do not harass anybody or accuse anybody falsely, but be satisfied with YOUR provisions" (</b><a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/lu/chapter_003.htm#bk13">Lk 3:14</a><b> NWT). And then there was "Cornelius, an <i>army officer</i> ... a devout man and one fearing God together with all his household ... and made supplication to God continually" (</b><a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/ac/chapter_010.htm#bk1">Acts 10:1-3</a><b> NWT); who was visited by an angel who said to him, "Your prayers and gifts of mercy have ascended as a remembrance before God" (</b><a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/ac/chapter_010.htm#bk4">Acts 10:4</a><b> NWT). Later the Apostle Peter met Cornelius and described him as a "man that fears him [God] and works righteousness" (</b><a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/ac/chapter_010.htm#bk34">Acts 10:34-35</a><b> NWT). Not a word from either the angel or Peter that Cornelius should refuse to participate in military service!</b></p><hr><p><a name="Cops"></a>"<a href="http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Cops-Swarm-Church-Plagued-by-Attacks-137016173.html">Cops Swarm Kingdom Hall Plagued by Attacks</a>," NBC San Diego, Michelle Wayland, Tuesday, Jan 10, 2012. <a href="http://media.nbcsandiego.com/images/654*368/Jehovah%27s+Witness+Kingdom+Hall+arson+attacks.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 280px;" src="http://media.nbcsandiego.com/images/654*368/Jehovah%27s+Witness+Kingdom+Hall+arson+attacks.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> Police swarmed a </p> <p><b>[</b><a href="http://media.nbcsandiego.com/images/654*368/Jehovah%27s+Witness+Kingdom+Hall+arson+attacks.jpg">Left</a><b>:</b> "The Jehovah Witness Kingdom Hall is the target of several hate crimes and arson attacks"<b>]</b></p> <p>University Heights neighborhood Monday night after someone reported seeing a suspicious person at a Jehovah Witness Kingdom Hall which has been plagued by recent arson attacks and vandalism. Police and firefighters were called to the Jehovah Witness Kingdom Hall on Adams Avenue around 8 p.m. after a security guard reported seeing a silhouette on the roof and smelled something burning. Police did not arrest a suspect ... The neighborhood is on high alert as the Jehovah Witness Kingdom Hall has been the target of several hate crimes and arson attacks. ... Just last week <a href="http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Arsonist-Targets-Church-for-3rd-Time-136588318.html">someone pried the word "Jehovah" off the building</a>. The intruder allegedly <a href="http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Church-Fire-Could-Be-Arson-135999898.html">poured gasoline inside the building and tried to set it on fire</a>. ... In another incident, a vandal wrote "666" on the building. In the first incident, a fire in the staging area of the church was reported around midnight, according to firefighters. The suspect has not been caught and neighbors are extremely concerned. .... A $10,000 reward is being offered for information leading to a conviction in the case. ... <b>While I certainly do not condone this, or any other, illegal action against Jehovah's Witnesses, I expect this vandal is a former Jehovah's Witness, or a family member of a Jehovah's Witness,</b> <a href="http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/jw/friends/124942/1/HAVE-JWS-RUINED-YOUR-LIFE">whose life has, like so many others, been ruined by the Watchtower</a><b>. The persistence of the attacks despite the increasing likelihood of being caught, the removal of the word "Jehovah," the writing of "666" and the fact that the vandal has not attacked any church or other place of religious worship in the area, points to the perpetrator being someone whose life has been severely and adversely affected by the actions of this particular Jehovah's Witness kingdom hall.</p><p>For example, he/she likely is one of the many victims of child sexual abuse perpetrated by Frederick McLean, a former ministerial servant at presumably this congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses near San Diego:</b><blockquote>"<a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21917798/ns/nightly_news/t/new-evidence-jehovahs-witness-allegations/">New evidence in Jehovah's Witness allegations</a>," Lisa Myers and Richard Greenberg, <i>MSN Nightly News</i>, November 21, 2007. The Jehovah's Witnesses have settled nine lawsuits alleging church<a href="http://msnbcmedia1.msn.com/j/msnbc/Sections/TVNews/Nightly%20News/2007/11-Nov/mclean1.grid-4x2.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://msnbcmedia1.msn.com/j/msnbc/Sections/TVNews/Nightly%20News/2007/11-Nov/mclean1.grid-4x2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> policies protected men who sexually abused children for many years.</p><p><b>[</b><a href="http://msnbcmedia1.msn.com/j/msnbc/Sections/TVNews/Nightly%20News/2007/11-Nov/mclean1.grid-4x2.jpg">Right</a><b>: Frederick McLean: MSNBC]</b></p><p>Frederick McLean is one of the most-wanted fugitives in the United States, charged with 17 counts of child sexual abuse in California. Law enforcement sources say that when a victim's family confronted McLean in 2004, he allegedly confessed. But before he could be arrested, McLean fled. Authorities identified at least eight victims that McLean allegedly abused over the course of nearly a decade. One victim estimated McLean molested her "over 100 times," according to the U.S. Marshals Service. Deputy Marshal Thomas Maranda, who is leading the hunt for the 56-year-old fugitive, says McLean gained the trust of many of his victims through his leadership position, as a so-called ministerial servant, in his local congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses near San Diego. "His role in the church was significant," Maranda explains, "because we believe that his participation in the church gave him access to his victims." His role in the church also became a matter of legal controversy. Last year, some victims' families filed suit against the Jehovah's Witnesses, alleging that both McLean's local congregation and the church's national headquarters, the Watchtower Society, "knew, or should have known, that Frederick McLean was a pedophile." The Jehovah's Witnesses recently agreed to pay to settle that lawsuit and eight other similar cases, without admitting wrongdoing. The cases all involved men the church allegedly knew had sexually abused children. The settlements for those cases are confidential and filed under seal. Frederick McLean However, NBC News has obtained a copy of one of the settlements from the McLean lawsuit, and it may offer an indication of the potential magnitude of the payouts. According to the court record, the church agreed to pay $781,250 to the accuser, who claimed McLean abused her from age 3 to age 9. (After legal fees and other costs, the accuser was set to receive approximately $530,000.) ...</blockquote> </p><hr> <p><a name="convention"></a>"<a href="http://amarillo.com/lifestyle/faith/2012-01-06/jehovahs-witnesses-meet-convention">Jehovah's Witnesses to meet at convention</a>," <i>Amarillo Globe-News</i>, Mark Haslett, January 6, 2012. <a href="http://devilsropestudios.com/wp-content/uploads/globe-news-center-inside-amarillo-texas.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 260px;" src="http://devilsropestudios.com/wp-content/uploads/globe-news-center-inside-amarillo-texas.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> An estimated 1,500 Jehovah's Witnesses from Amarillo and around the region </p> <p><b>[</b><a href="http://devilsropestudios.com/wp-content/uploads/globe-news-center-inside-amarillo-texas.jpg">Right</a>: <a href="http://devilsropestudios.com/amarillo-civic-center-globe-news-center-for-the-performing-arts/">Amarillo Civic Center</a><b>: Devil's Rope Studios. Appropriately named!]</b></p> <p>will attend a semi-annual convention this weekend at the Amarillo Civic Center. The gathering will welcome worshippers from as far away as Guymon, Okla., and Clayton, N.M ... The schedule of events Saturday and Sunday includes lectures, conversations and performances ... The theme for this weekend's convocation, known as a Circuit Convention, is "Let your name be sanctified," ... The Civic Center regularly hosts Jehovah's Witnesses regional events, including the annual District Convention, a larger gathering. ... <b>The theme, "Let your name be sanctified" is from</b> <a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/mt/chapter_006.htm#bk9">Mt 6:9</a><b> NWT. But JW's attending are worse than wasting their time. Jesus said in </b><a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/joh/chapter_005.htm#bk23">Jn 5:23</a> <b>NWT that unless they "honor the Son <i>just as they honor the Father</i>" then they do "<i>not honor the Father</i> who sent him."</b></p> <hr> <p><a name="Building"></a>"<a href="http://www.brooklyneagle.com/categories/category.php?category_id=5&id=48320">Watchtower Building In Heights Sells for $7.1M</a>," Linda Collins, <i>Brooklyn Daily Eagle</i>, January 3, 2012. <a href="http://brooklynheightspress.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/50-orange-street.jpg?w=500"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 260px;" src="http://brooklynheightspress.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/50-orange-street.jpg?w=500" border="0" alt="" /></a>BROOKLYN HEIGHTS - A Brooklyn Heights multi-family building previously owned by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society (also known as the Jehovah's Witnesses) has been sold by Massey Knakal Realty Services.</p><p><b>[</b><a href="http://brooklynheightspress.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/50-orange-street.jpg?w=500">Left</a><b>: </b><a href="http://brooklynheightspress.wordpress.com/">50 Orange St., Brooklyn Heights</a><b>: Brooklyn Heights Press]</b></p> <p>The building, at 50 Orange St., on the southeast corner of Orange and Hicks streets, was sold in an all-cash transaction valued at $7.1 million ... Massey Knakal is also marketing two other properties on behalf of the Watchtower: o 183 Columbia Heights .... The asking price is $7.1 million. ".... o 161 Columbia Heights ... The asking price is $3.45 million. ... <b>More evidence of the Watchtower's continuing decline! Following its</b> <a href="http://www.bibletopics.com/biblestudy/84.htm">loss in the Jimmy Swaggart case</a><b>, having to </b><a href="http://www.archive.org/details/WatchtowerAmicusCuriaeJimmySwaggart">change in 1990 from a sales to a `donations' system for its literature distribution, or pay sales tax</a><b>, the </b><a href="http://www.christianwitnesses.com/id309.html">Watchtower's revenues declined markedly</a><b>. Then the</b> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Late-2000s_financial_crisis">Global Financial Crisis</a><b> from 2008 would have hit the Society hard because its </b><a href="http://ed5015.tripod.com/JwSocioeconomic86.htm">membership is less educated and lower paid</a><b> and so would be more likely to become and remain unemployed. Also, non-JWs have less money to `donate' for Watchtower literature. So presumably the Watchtower is `selling the furniture' in order to survive. But it cannot continue forever doing that, as even after the GFC is over, the Society's pre-GFC revenue decline will still be in effect.</b></p><hr> <p><a name="Jumps"></a>"<a href="http://gothamist.com/2011/12/29/jehovahs_witness_jumps_to_death_in.php">Jehovah's Witness Jumps To Death In Brooklyn</a>," <i>Gothamist</i>, Ben Yakas, December 29, 2011. <a href="http://assets.nydailynews.com/polopoly_fs/1.998011.1325109256!/img/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_635/image.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 280px;" src="http://assets.nydailynews.com/polopoly_fs/1.998011.1325109256!/img/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_635/image.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>A Jehovah's Witness jumped to his death from a Brooklyn rooftop yesterday. </p> <p><b>[</b><a href="http://assets.nydailynews.com/polopoly_fs/1.998011.1325109256!/img/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_635/image.jpg">Right</a><b>: "</b><a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/brooklyn/brooklyn-man-leaps-15-stories-death-article-1.998012">Brooklyn man leaps 15 stories to his death</a><b>," <i>NY Daily News</i>, December 28, 2011]</b></p> According to police, Dwayne Fagan, 48, jumped from the top of his apartment building in the Linden Houses in East New York just before 1 p.m. Wednesday afternoon as bystanders looked on ... A ledge above the building's entrance broke Fagan's fall before he hit the ground. ... Police say Fagan, who was said to be a devout Jehovah's Witness, had warned a family member he was planning to hurt himself in a series of texts messages before his death. According to the <a href="http://www.culthelp.info/index.php?id=1824&option=com_content&task=view">Cult Awareness And Information Center</a> and <a href="http://www.seanet.com/~raines/mental.html">other reports</a>, Jehovah's Witnesses commit suicide at a rate far exceeding (5-10 times greater) the general population. <b>I would not normally comment on this individual tragedy except for the claim that "Jehovah's Witnesses commit suicide at a rate far exceeding (5-10 times greater) the general population" based on experts' estimates. Yet "Those who attend church frequently are four times <i>less</i> likely to commit suicide than those who never attend." ("</b><a href="http://www.religioustolerance.org/sui_reli.htm">Religious faith and suicide</a><b>, " Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance, February 11, 2001). Jesus told us that false prophets would come and we know them by their fruit (</b><a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/mt/chapter_007.htm#bk16">Mt 7:15-21</a><b> NWT)!</b></p><p>The <a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/jehovahs-witness-news-february-2012.html">next issue is February 2012</a>.<p><hr></p> <a href="http://members.iinet.net.au/~sejones/index.html">Stephen E. Jones</a>, B.Sc., Grad. Dip. Ed.<BR>My other blogs: <a href="http://creationevolutiondesign.blogspot.com/">CreationEvolutionDesign</a> & <a href="http://theshroudofturin.blogspot.com/">The Shroud of Turin</a><p>Stephen E. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16183223752386599799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574858940069385599.post-40403314262212129872011-12-13T07:58:00.013+08:002012-01-16T19:25:12.067+08:00Jesus is Jehovah!: 3A. Jesus claimed to be "I AM"<P>Here is part #8, "3A. Jesus claimed to be `I AM'," the first topic in section 3. "Jesus Claimed to be Jehovah," of my series, "<a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com/2011/10/jesus-is-jehovah-contents.html">Jesus <I>is </I>Jehovah!</a>" (by topic), which is based on my morning `quiet time'</P><P><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/52/Po_vodam.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/52/Po_vodam.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a></P><P>[<A href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/52/Po_vodam.jpg">Above</A> (click to enlarge): "<A href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus'_walk_on_water">Jesus Walks on Water</A>" (1888), by <A href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivan_Aivazovsky">Ivan Aivazovsky</A> (1817-1900): Wikipedia.]</P> <P>Bible study. My previous post in this series was part #7, "<A HREF="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com/2011/11/jesus-is-jehovah-2c-jehovah-promised.html">2C. Jehovah promised that He would come to Jerusalem in Person</A>." See part #1 the <A href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com/2011/10/jesus-is-jehovah-contents.html">Contents</A> page for more details of this series. I am using the <A href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_Standard_Version">English Standard Version</A> (ESV) of the Bible, unless otherwise indicated. In this post some of the headings are from the late <A href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay_P._Green">Jay P. Green Sr</A>'s <A href="http://thewordnotes.com/litv/litv.htm">KJ3-LITV</A> (<A href="http://www.sgpbooks.com/bibles/LITV2005.htm">King James 3-Literal Translation Version</A>), which consistently translates the Greek <I>ego eimi </I>in John as "I AM."</P> <P> <HR> </P> <P> <CENTER><B>JESUS <I>IS </I>JEHOVAH!<BR>© Stephen E. Jones</B></CENTER></P> <P><A href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com/2011/10/jesus-is-jehovah-contents.html">Jesus <I>is</I> Jehovah!: Contents</A></P> <P><B>3. JESUS CLAIMED TO BE JEHOVAH</B></P> <P><B>A. Jesus claimed to be "I AM."</B></P> <P><B>i. Jesus claimed to be "I AM" (Gk. <I>ego eimi</I>).</B></P> <P><B>1) "Jesus [walking on the sea] spoke to them, saying, `Have courage, I AM!'" (</B><A href="http://thewordnotes.com/litv/matt.htm#14">Mt 14:25</A>; <A href="http://thewordnotes.com/litv/mark.htm#6">Mk 6:50</A>; <A href="http://thewordnotes.com/litv/john.htm#6">Jn 6:20</A><B>. LITV)<I>.</I></B> </P> <P><A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2014:27version=ESV">Mt 14:27</A>. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take heart; it is I [<I>ego eimi</I>]<I>.</I> Do not be afraid."</P> <P><A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mk%206:50version=ESV">Mk 6:50</A>. for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, "Take heart; it is I [<I>ego eimi</I>]. Do not be afraid."</P> <P><A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%206:20version=ESV">Jn 6:20</A>. But he said to them, "It is I [<I>ego eimi</I>]; do not be afraid."</P> <P>"... Jesus walking on the sea ... in this miracle account `Jesus is portrayed as filling the role ... of Yahweh ... `It is I [<I>ego eimi</I>]; do not be afraid' (<A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/passage.aspx?q=matthew+14:27;mark+6:50;john+6:20">Matt. 14:27; Mark 6:50; John 6:20</A>). This statement echoes statements by the Lord God in Isaiah ...":<BLOCKQUOTE>"As various scholars, both conservative and liberal, have observed, the Gospel accounts of Jesus walking on the sea [<A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/passage.aspx?q=matthew+14:23-33;mark+6:47-52;john+6:16-21">Mt 14:23-33; Mk 6:47-52; Jn 6:16-21</A>] allude rather clearly to the account in <A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/exodus/passage.aspx?q=exodus+14;exodus+15">Exodus 14-15</A> of the Israelites' crossing of the Red Sea. The Israelites walked in `the midst of the sea' (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%2014:16,22,27,29version=NASB">Exod. 14:16, 22, 27, 29</A> NASB) and crossed to the other side (<A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/exodus/15-16.html">Exod. 15:16</A>). Likewise, the disciples' boat was `in the middle of the sea' (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mk%206:47version=NASB">Mark 6:47</A> NASB) and they also `crossed over' the sea (<A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/mark/6-53.html">Mark 6:53</A>). A strong wind from the east blew across the Red Sea and, close to daybreak, the Egyptians found it increasingly difficult to drive their chariots as they attempted to follow the Israelites (<A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/exodus/passage.aspx?q=exodus+14:21;exodus+14:24-25">Exod. 14:21, 24-25</A>). Likewise, an adverse wind blew across the Sea of Galilee and, based on the geography, it also would have been blowing from the east; this wind also blew close to daybreak and made it difficult for the disciples to row their boat (<A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/mark/6-48.html">Mark 6:48</A>). According to Mark, the disciples had the same problem as the Egyptians: their hearts were hardened (<A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/passage.aspx?q=exodus+14:4;exodus+14:8;exodus+14:17;mark+6:52">Exod. 14:4, 8, 17; Mark 6:52</A>). ... in this miracle account `Jesus is portrayed as filling the role ... of a greater Moses and of Yahweh. Jesus' response to the disciples' fear encompasses both roles. Moses had told the Israelites, `Take heart!' (<I>tharseite</I>, <A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/exodus/14-13.html">Exod. 14:13</A> LXX) and Jesus told the disciples the same thing: `Take heart!' (<I>tharseite</I>, <A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/passage.aspx?q=matthew+14:27;mark+6:50">Matt. 14:27; Mark 6:50</A>). But then Jesus added, `It is I [<I>ego eimi</I>]; do not be afraid' (<A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/passage.aspx?q=matthew+14:27;mark+6:50;john+6:20">Matt. 14:27; Mark 6:50; John 6:20</A>). This statement echoes statements by the Lord God in Isaiah, where he speaks of a kind of `new Exodus' when the Jews would be restored to their land: `Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; Do not fear, for I am with you; ... so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he [<I>ego eimi</I>] ... I am the LORD, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King:' Thus says the LORD, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters. (<A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/isaiah/passage.aspx?q=isaiah+43:1-2;isaiah+43:5;isaiah+43:10;isaiah+43:15-16">Isa. 43:1-2, 5, 10, 15- 16</A>)." (Bowman, R.M., Jr. Komoszewski, J.E., 2007, "<A href="http://www.amazon.com/Putting-Jesus-His-Place-Christ/dp/0825429838">Putting Jesus In His Place: The Case for the Deity of Christ</A>," Kregel: Grand Rapids MI, p.205).</P> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P> "Jesus' saying `It is I' (<I>ego eimi</I>) draws out a reflection on the identity of Jesus ... In the Old Testament only God stills storms.":<BLOCKQUOTE>"<I>Jesus and Peter Walking on the Sea (<A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/passage.aspx?q=matthew+14:22-33;mark+6:45-52;john+6:16-21">Mt 14:22-33 / Mk 6:45-52; cf. Jn 6:16-21</A>).</I> ... As in <A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/mark/6-48.html">Mark 6:48</A>, Jesus walking on the stormy sea could only be seen as God himself coming to the distressed disciples. In the Old Testament it is only God who can save people from the sea (see ... on <A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/mark/passage.aspx?q=mark+6:45-52">Mk 6:45-52</A>). ... Peter's address to Jesus as `Lord' reflects what faith Peter does have in the one who is Lord of the destructive storm, which presumably is still raging as Peter makes his request (<A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/matthew/passage.aspx?q=matthew+14:24;matthew+14:28;matthew+14:32">Mt 14:24,28, 32</A>), for in John it is implied that only God could walk on the sea (<A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/john/passage.aspx?q=john+6:19-20">Jn 6:19-20</A>). And, for Matthew, Jesus' saying `It is I' (<I>ego eimi</I>) draws out a reflection on the identity of Jesus ... In the Old Testament only God stills storms. [<A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/passage.aspx?q=job+26:11-12;psalm+65:7;psalm+89:6-10;psalm+107:29;jonah+1:15">Job 26:11-12; Ps 65:7; 89:6-10;107:29; Jnh 1:15</A>] It is then thoroughly appropriate for Matthew to say that the disciples in the boat `worshiped' (<I>proskunein</I>) Jesus, saying, `Truly you are the Son of God' (<A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/matthew/14-33.html">Mt 14:33</A>). Of all Matthew's miracle stories, it is this one that portrays the highest Christology. The story begins by drawing parallels between Moses and Jesus. In the body of the story, it is not that Jesus acts for God. Rather, in Jesus, God is seen acting to calm the storm and to rescue his people." (Twelftree, G.H., 1999, "<A href="http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Miracle-Worker-Historical-Theological/dp/0830815961/">Jesus the Miracle Worker: A Historical Theological Study</A>," InterVarsity Press,' InterVarsity Press: Downers Grove IL, pp.130-132. Emphasis original).</P></BLOCKQUOTE><P> "Most significantly of all ... Jesus spoke of himself as `I AM', recalling ... where God revealed himself to Moses and the people by these words (<A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/rsv/exodus/3-14.html">Exod. 3:14</A>). ... by these very words Jesus identified himself with God. `Be not afraid, I AM,' ...(<A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/rsv/passage.aspx?q=mark+6:50;john+6:20">Mark 6:50; John 6:20</A> ...)":<BLOCKQUOTE>"Most significantly of all, as we have seen, Jesus spoke of himself as `I AM', recalling the high point in the Old Testament where God revealed himself to Moses and the people by these words (<A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/rsv/exodus/3-14.html">Exod. 3:14</A>). Yet by these very words Jesus identified himself with God. `Be not afraid, I AM,' he told the terrified fishermen, words that appear in independent sources (<A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/rsv/passage.aspx?q=mark+6:50;john+6:20">Mark 6:50; John 6:20</A>; my tr.). Jesus refers to himself many times in the Gospel of John as `I AM', in both absolute and qualified senses (e.g. `I AM the bread of life'; <A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/rsv/john/6-35.html">John 6:35</A>). But these I AM words also occur in the Synoptic Gospels; for example, when Jesus answered the high priest, `I AM; and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power...' (<A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/rsv/mark/14-62.html">Mark 14:62</A>). The false prophets imitate Jesus in saying, `I AM', thereby confirming his use of these words (<A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/rsv/mark/13-6.html">Mark 13:6</A>)." (Barnett, P.W., 2009, "<A href="http://www.amazon.com/Messiah-Paul-Barnett/dp/1844743527/">Messiah: Jesus - the Evidence of History</A>," InterVarsity Press: Nottingham UK, p.122. Emphasis original).</P></BLOCKQUOTE> <P><B>2) "Jesus said to her [a Samaritan woman], `I AM! the <I>One</I> speaking to you.'" (</B><A href="http://thewordnotes.com/litv/john.htm#4">Jn 4:26</A><B>. LITV)</B></P> <P>"Literally Jesus said, 'I am (<I>ego eimi</I>), the one speaking to you'":<BLOCKQUOTE>"[<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%204:25-26version=NIV1984">Jn 4:25-26</A>]. In response, <I>The woman said, 'I know that Messiah' (called Christ) 'is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.'</I> It was all too difficult for her to understand. She would have to wait for the arrival of the Samaritan Messiah/Taheb to explain everything. <I>Then Jesus declared, 'I who speak to you am he.'</I> Literally Jesus said, 'I am (<I>ego eimi</I>), the one speaking to you.'" (Kruse, C.G., 2003, "<A href="http://www.amazon.com/Gospel-According-John-Introduction-Commentaries/dp/0802827713">The Gospel According to St. John: An Introduction and Commentary</A>," The Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Inter-Varsity Press: Leicester UK, p.135. Italics original).</P></BLOCKQUOTE> <P>"... Jesus' statement to the Samaritan woman: `I am he [<I>ego eimi</I>], the one who is speaking to you' (<A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/john/4-26.html">John 4:26</A>). ... is almost a perfect quote from <A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/isaiah/52-6.html">Isaiah 52:6</A>, in which God tells his people that at some point in the future they will finally realize that he is the one speaking to them":<BLOCKQUOTE>"According to a broad consensus of New Testament scholars, at least some of the `I am' sayings of Jesus in the Gospel of John echo these `I am' sayings of God, especially those in Isaiah.' The clearest example is a pair of such sayings in <A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/john/8.html">John 8</A>, which allude strongly to a saying of God in <A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/isaiah/43-10.html">Isaiah 43:10</A>. Another very likely allusion is Jesus' statement to the Samaritan woman: `I am he [<I>ego eimi</I>], the one who is speaking to you' (<A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/john/4-26.html">John 4:26</A>). On a prosaic level, one can read Jesus' statement as simply an affirmation that he is the Messiah about whom the woman had asked. It turns out, however, that Jesus' response is almost a perfect quote from <A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/isaiah/52-6.html">Isaiah 52:6</A>, in which God tells his people that at some point in the future they will finally realize that he is the one speaking to them. Other `I am' sayings of Jesus are more allusive in their relation to sayings of God in Isaiah, but in light of these clear connections, and since most of them pertain to the same passage in <A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/isaiah/43.html">Isaiah 43</A>, we should recognize these allusions as genuine as well)." (Bowman Komoszewski, 2007, p.177).</P></BLOCKQUOTE> <P>"In [Jn] <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%204:26version=NASB">4:26</A> Jesus says to the woman at the well, `I am, the one speaking to you' which is strangely reminiscent of the LXX rendering of <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2052:6version=NASB">Isaiah 52:6</A>":<BLOCKQUOTE>"The specific phrase <I>ego eimi</I> occurs twenty-four times in the gospel of John. Thirteen of these times it is followed by a clear predicate (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%206:35,41,51;%208:12,18;%2010:7,9,11,14;%2011:25;%2014:6;%2015:1,5version=NASB">John 6:35; 6:41; 6:51; 8:12; 8:18; 10:7; 10:9; 10:11; 10:14; 11:25; 14:6; 15:1; 15:5</A>). .... In <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%204:26version=NASB">4:26</A> Jesus says to the woman at the well, `I am, the one speaking to you' which is strangely reminiscent of the LXX rendering of <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2052:6version=NASB">Isaiah 52:6</A>. .... Given the above, we are left with seven uses that have been described as `absolute:' These would be <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:24,28,58;%2013:19;%2018:5,6,8version=NASB">John 8:24; 8:28; 8:58; 13:19; 18:5; 18:6; and 18:8</A>. It is very significant that in each of these instances, the phrase comes at the end of the clause. We will note why it is important when we look at the usage of the phrase in the Septuagint." (White, J.R., 1998, "<A href="http://www.amazon.com/Forgotten-Trinity-James-R-White/dp/1556617259">The Forgotten Trinity</A>: Recovering the Heart of Christian Belief," Bethany House: Minneapolis MN, pp.208-209).</P> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P> <B>3) Jesus said, "For if you do not believe that I AM, you will die in your sins." (</B><A href="http://thewordnotes.com/litv/john.htm#8">Jn 8:24</A><B>. LITV)</B></P> <P>"In each of these verses [<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:24,58;%2013:19;%2018:5-6version=NASB">Jn 8:24,58; 13:19; 18:5-6</A>] a particular Greek phrase appears ... <I>ego eimi</I> ... `I am <I>He</I>.' The fact that the word `He' is italicized ... means the word itself is not found in the Greek": <BLOCKQUOTE>"John's literary artistry was not limited to the prologue of his Gospel, nor was it confined to the direct assertion of the deity of Christ through calling Him `God' (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:1;%2020:28version=NASB">1:1; 20:28</A>). He found subtle ways of teaching this truth as well. One method that John presented ... is found in Jesus' use of the phrase <I>I am.</I> Look at these passages from the gospel of John: `Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am <I>He</I>, you will die in your sins' (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:24version=NASB">John 8:24</A>). Jesus said to them, `Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am' (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:58version=NASB">John 8:58</A>). `From now on I am telling you before it comes to pass, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am <I>He</I>' (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2013:19version=NASB">John 13:19</A>). They answered Him, `Jesus the Nazarene.' He said to them, `I am <I>He</I>.' And Judas also, who was betraying Him, was standing with them. So when He said to them, `I am <I>He</I>,' they drew back and fell to the ground. (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2018:5-6version=NASB">John 18:5-6</A>). In each of these verses a particular Greek phrase appears ... <I>ego eimi</I> ... The New American Standard Bible renders this Greek phrase as `I am <I>He</I>.' The fact that the word `He' is italicized is very important, for this means the word itself is not found in the Greek and is being supplied by the translators in an effort to smooth out an awkward English phrase. John makes sure, through the use of context, that we do not miss the point he is making by recording these words of Jesus." (White, 1998, pp.95-96).</P></BLOCKQUOTE> <P>"`... I am' without supplying a predicate in the absolute sense as the Jews (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Dt%2032:39version=ASV">Deut. 32:39</A>) used the language of Jehovah (cf. <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2043:10%20version=KJV">Isa. 43:10</A> ...). ... Jesus seems to claim absolute divine being as in <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:58version=ASV">8:58</A>": <BLOCKQUOTE>"[<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:24version=ASV">Jn 8:24</A>]. <I>For except ye believe</I> (<I>ean gar me pisteusete</I>). Negative condition of third class with <I>ean me</I> and ingressive aorist active subjunctive of <I>pisteuo</I>, `For unless ye come to believe.' <I>That I am he</I> (<I>hoti ego eimi</I>). Indirect discourse, but with no word in the predicate after the copula <I>eimi</I>. Jesus can mean ... `that I am' without supplying a predicate in the absolute sense as the Jews (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Dt%2032:39version=ASV">Deut. 32:39</A>) used the language of Jehovah (cf. <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2043:10%20version=KJV">Isa. 43:10</A> where the very words occur <I>hina pisteusete</I> - <I>hoti ego eimi</I>). The phrase <I>ego eimi</I> occurs three times here (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:24,28,58;%2013:19version=ASV">8:24, 28, 58) and also in 13:19</A>. Jesus seems to claim absolute divine being as in <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:58version=ASV">8:58</A>." (Robertson, A.T., 1932, "<A href="http://www.amazon.com/Fourth-Epistle-Hebrews-Pictures-Testament/dp/B000X0J508/">Word Pictures in the New Testament: Volume V</A>: The Fourth Gospel & the Epistle to the Hebrews," Broadman Press: Nashville TN, p.146. Emphasis original).</P></BLOCKQUOTE> <P>"With astonishing frequency ... Jesus is identified as the Lord (that is, YHWH) of the Old Testament ... He is ...the one who says `I am' ... (<A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/john/passage.aspx?q=john+8:24;john+8:28;john+8:58">John 8:24, 28, 58</A>):<BLOCKQUOTE>"With astonishing frequency-far more often than even many scholars have noticed-Jesus is identified as the Lord (that is, YHWH) of the Old Testament (<A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/passage.aspx?q=romans+10:9-13;1+corinthians+8:6;philippians+2:9-11;1+peter+3:13-15">Rom. 10:9-13; 1 Cor. 8:6; Phil. 2:9-11; 1 Peter 3:13-15</A>). He is the King of kings and Lord of lords (<A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/revelation/passage.aspx?q=revelation+17:14;revelation+19:16">Rev. 17:14; 19:16</A>), the divine Savior (<A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/passage.aspx?q=titus+2:13;2+peter+1:11">Titus 2:13; 2 Peter 1:11</A>), the one who says `I am' or `I am he' (<A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/john/passage.aspx?q=john+8:24;john+8:28;john+8:58">John 8:24, 28, 58</A>), the first and the last, the Alpha and the Omega, and the beginning and the end (<A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/revelation/passage.aspx?q=revelation+1:7-8;revelation+1:17-18;revelation+2:8;revelation+22:12-13">Rev. 1:7-8, 17b-18; 2:8; 22:12-13</A>). The New Testament repeatedly and in a variety of ways makes the name of Jesus the center of Christian faith; he has the name that is above every name (<A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/passage.aspx?q=ephesians+1:21;philippians+2:9-11;colossians+3:17">Eph. 1:21; Phil. 2:9-11; Col. 3:17</A>)." (Bowman Komoszewski, 2007, pp.272-273).</P></BLOCKQUOTE> <P>"Thus we read in <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:24version=KJV">John 8:24</A>: `... Except ye believe that I am (he), ye shall die in your sins.' ...The use of these words is reminiscent of the divine utterances occurring in the Old Testament; for instance, `I am that I am' (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%203:14version=KJV">Ex. 3:14</A>) ; or `See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no God with me' (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Dt%2032:39version=KJV">Deut. 32:39</A>)":<BLOCKQUOTE>"We are now thinking of the manner in which Christ speaks of himself in the currently much-discussed `I am' texts. In the gospel Christ not only says in various ways what and who he is, as for instance the shepherd, the vine, the light, the way, the truth, the life and the door, but he also says of himself: I am. Thus we read in <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:24version=KJV">John 8:24</A>: `... Except ye believe that I am (he), ye shall die in your sins.' In this unusual `I am' we have, says Grosheide, a self-disclosure such as had not, till now, been given us. ` [Grosheide, <I>Comm. op Johannes</I>, on John 8:24] <I>I am</I>: with these words any living man can indicate his earthly existence but the <I>I am</I> of Christ transcends this by far and can become an object of decisive belief. The use of these words is reminiscent of the divine utterances occurring in the Old Testament; for instance, `I am that I am' (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%203:14version=KJV">Ex. 3:14</A>) ; or `See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no God with me' (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Dt%2032:39version=KJV">Deut. 32:39</A>). For Christ, no less than for God, the <I>I am</I> without a predicate is valid; and upon this extraordinary reality, also here, faith is focussed. [Cf. <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2090:2;%20Isa%2043:11,15,25;%2044:6,8,24;%2045:5,18,22version=KJV">Ps. 90:2; Isaiah 43:11, 15, 25; 44:6, 8, 24; 45:5, 18, 22</A>] Christ repeats these words of the Father, taking them from the Old Testament, as having unique knowledge of his being, a being which places man before the decision of life and death." (Berkouwer, G.C., 1954, "<A href="http://www.amazon.com/Studies-Dogmatics-Mr-G-Berkouwer/dp/0802848168/">The Person of Christ</A>," Vriend, J., transl., Studies in Dogmatics, Eerdmans: Grand Rapids MI, p.168. Emphasis original).</P></BLOCKQUOTE> <P>"To those who rejected him, Jesus warned, `You will die in your sins unless you believe that I am he' (<A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/john/8-24.html">John 8:24</A>). ... Jesus' call here ... `links Jesus with the Father as the supreme object of faith'":<BLOCKQUOTE>"On the basis of his divine identity, Jesus made promises to his followers and expected them to place their faith unconditionally in him. While Martha's brother Lazarus lay dead, Jesus assured her, `I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die' (<A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/john/passage.aspx?q=john+11:25-26">John 11:25-26</A>). To those who were spiritually thirsty, Jesus promised, `Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty' (<A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/john/6-35.html">John 6:35</A>; see also <A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/john/passage.aspx?q=john+7:37-39">7:37-39</A>). To those who rejected him, Jesus warned, `You will die in your sins unless you believe that I am he' (<A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/john/8-24.html">John 8:24</A>). Moses never spoke like this! Again, belief in Jesus is not <I>in place of</I> belief in God. The person who accepts his teachings, Jesus said, `believes him who sent me' (<A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/john/5-24.html">John 5:24</A>). This is what Jesus meant when he said, `Whoever believes in me believes not in me but in him who sent me' (<A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/john/12-44.html">John 12:44</A>). Jesus made it clear that he was not inviting faith in him apart from, or in place of, faith in God. On the other hand, he made the claim-audacious for any creature to make-that he was just as trustworthy an object of faith as God himself. `Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me' (<A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/john/14-1.html">John 14:1</A>). Jesus' call here for the disciples to believe in him as they believed in God `links Jesus with the Father as the supreme object of faith:' [Keener, C.S., 2003, 2:931]" (Bowman Komoszewski, 2007, pp.62-63).</P></BLOCKQUOTE> <P>"... Jesus uses the term <I>I am</I> (Gr. <I>Ego eimi</I>) more than nineteen times in reference to himself in the gospel according to John. ... Often it is used to make claims about himself that would normally only be thought appropriate for God. For example ...`Unless you believe that I am ... you shall die in your sins' (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:24version=NASB">8:24</A>)":<BLOCKQUOTE>"In all, Jesus uses the term <I>I am</I> (Gr. <I>Ego eimi</I>) more than nineteen times in reference to himself in the gospel according to John. [<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%204:26;%206:35,41,48,51;%208:12,18,24,28,58;%2010:7,9,11,14;%2011:25;%2013:19;%2014:6;%2015:1version=NASB">Jn 4:26; 6:35,41,48,51; 8:12,18,24,28,58; 10:7,9,11,14; 11:25; 13:19; 14:6; 15:1</A>] Often it is used to make claims about himself that would normally only be thought appropriate for God. For example, `I am the bread of life, he who comes to Me shall not hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst' (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%206:35version=NASB">6:35</A>); `I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life' (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:12version=NASB">8:12</A>); `Unless you believe that I am He, you shall die in your sins' (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:24version=NASB">8:24</A>); `I am the good shepherd' (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2010:11-14version=NASB">10:11-14</A>) [cf. <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2023:1version=NASB">Psalm 23:1</A>: `The LORD is my shepherd']; `I am the resurrection, and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies' (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2011:25version=NASB">11:25</A>)." (McDowell, J. Wilson, B., 1988, "<A href="http://www.amazon.com/He-Walked-Among-Us-Historical/dp/0840742770">He Walked Among Us: Evidence for the Historical Jesus</A>," Here's Life Publishers: San Bernardino CA, pp.313-314, 344 n40).</P></BLOCKQUOTE><P> <B>4) "Then Jesus said to them, When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I AM ..." (</B><A href="http://thewordnotes.com/litv/john.htm#8">Jn 8:28</A><B>. LITV)</B></P></P> <P>"Then, according to <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:28;version=NIV;">verse 28</A>, Jesus told the Jews, `When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am [I AM, or <I>ego eimi</I>] He.' Again, the original Greek text reads, `... you will know that I AM' (there is no <I>he</I>). Jesus purposely used the phrase as a means of pointing to His identity as Yahweh": <BLOCKQUOTE>"Jesus <I>Is</I> Yahweh ... A comparison of the Old and New Testaments provides powerful testimony to Jesus' identity as Yahweh. ... The <A href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Septuagint">Septuagint</A> provides us with additional insights on Christ's identity as Yahweh. The Septuagint is a Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament that dates prior to the birth of Christ. It renders the Hebrew phrase for `I AM' (God's name) in <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%203:14;version=NIV;">Exodus 3:14</A> as <I>ego eimi</I>. On a number of occasions in the Greek New Testament, Jesus used this term as a way of identifying Himself as God. For example, in <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:24;version=NASB;">John 8:24</A> (NASB) Jesus declared, `Unless you believe that I am [I AM or <I>ego eimi</I>] He, you shall die in your sins.' The original Greek text for this verse does not have the word <I>he</I>. The verse is literally, `If you do not believe that I AM, you shall die in your sins.' Then, according to <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:28;version=NIV;">verse 28</A>, Jesus told the Jews, `When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am [I AM, or <I>ego eimi</I>] He.' Again, the original Greek text reads, `When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I AM' (there is no <I>he</I>). Jesus purposely used the phrase as a means of pointing to His identity as Yahweh." (Rhodes, R., 1993, "<A href="http://www.amazon.com/Reasoning-Scriptures-Jehovahs-Witnesses-Rhodes/dp/1565071069">Reasoning from the Scriptures with the Jehovah's Witnesses</A>," Harvest House: Eugene OR, Reprinted, 2006, pp.63-64. Emphasis original).</P> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P> <B>5) "Jesus said to them, `Truly, truly, I say to you, Before Abraham came to be, I AM!'" (</B><A href="http://thewordnotes.com/litv/john.htm#8">Jn 8:58</A><B>. LITV)</B></P></P> <P>"In actuality the phrase <I>I am</I> is an assertion of absolute, timeless existence":<BLOCKQUOTE>"[<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208version=KJV">Jn 8</A>] The reply of Jesus is strange. Literally it reads: `Before Abraham came into being, I am' (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:58version=KJV">58</A>). The same contrast of verbs is used that appears in <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:1,14version=KJV">1:1 and 1:14</A>. `Came into being' involves a crisis in time, a definite act. `Am,' like the other form of the same verb in <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:1version=KJV">1:1</A>, means timeless being. There never was a time when the Son was not. He could always assert, `<I>I am</I>.' Three times in this context <I>I am</I> is used in the absolute sense: in <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:24version=KJV">verse 24</A>, `Except ye believe that I am <I>he</I>, ye shall die in your sins'; in <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:28version=KJV">verse 28</A>, `When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am <I>he</I>'; and in <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:58version=KJV">verse 58</A>, `Before Abraham was born, I am.' In no one of these passages does the third personal pronoun <I>he</I> follow the <I>I am</I> in the Greek text. The italicized form shows that it has been inserted by the translators to complete the meaning in English. In actuality the phrase <I>I am</I> is an assertion of absolute, timeless existence, not merely of a personal identity as the English equivalent would suggest." (Tenney, M.C., 1976, "<A href="http://www.amazon.com/John-Gospel-Merrill-C-Tenney/dp/0802843514">John: The Gospel of Belief</A>: An Analytic Study of the Text," [1948], Eerdmans: Grand Rapids MI, Second edition, pp.149-150. Emphasis original). </P></BLOCKQUOTE> <P>"... `before Abraham came into existence or was born.' <I>I am</I> (<I>ego eimi</I>). Undoubtedly here Jesus claims eternal existence with the absolute phrase used of God":<BLOCKQUOTE>"[<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:58version=ASV">Jn 8:58]</A> <I>Before Abraham was</I> (<I>prin Abraam genesthai</I>). Usual idiom with <I>prin</I> in positive sentence with infinitive (second aorist middle of <I>ginomai</I>) and the accusative of general reference, `before coming as to Abraham,' `before Abraham came into existence or was born.' <I>I am</I> (<I>ego eimi</I>). Undoubtedly here Jesus claims eternal existence with the absolute phrase used of God. The contrast between <I>genesthai</I> (entrance into existence of Abraham) and <I>eimi</I> (timeless being) is complete. See the same contrast between <I>en</I> in <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:1version=ASV">1:1</A> and <I>egeneto</I> in <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:14version=ASV">1:14</A>. See the contrast also in <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2090:2version=ASV">Psa. 90:2</A> between God (<I>ei</I>, art) and the mountains (<I>genethenai</I>). See the same use of <I>eimi</I> in <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%206:20;%209:9;%208:24,28;%2018:6version=ASV">John 6:20; 9:9; 8:24, 28; 18:6</A>." (Robertson, 1932, pp.158-159. Emphasis original). </P></BLOCKQUOTE> <P>"Perhaps the strongest claim Jesus made to be <I>Yahweh</I> is in <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:58version=NASB">John 8:58</A>, where he says, `Before Abraham was, I am.' This statement claims not only existence before Abraham, but equality with the `I AM' of <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%203:14version=NASB">Exodus 3:14</A>":<BLOCKQUOTE>"<I>Jesus Claimed to Be Yahweh</I>. <I>Yahweh</I> (<I>YHWH</I>; sometimes appearing in English translations as `Jehovah' or in small capital letters as `LORD') is the special name given by God for himself in the Old Testament. It is the name revealed to Moses in <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%20%203:14version=NASB">Exodus 3:14</A>, when God said, `I AM WHO I AM.' ... Jesus claimed to be <I>Yahweh</I>. He prayed, `And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was' (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2017:5version=NASB">John 17:5</A>). But <I>Yahweh</I> of the Old Testament said, `my glory will I not give to another' (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2042:8version=NASB">Isa. 42:8</A>). Jesus also declared, `I am the first and the last' (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev%201:17version=NASB">Rev. 1:17</A>)- precisely the words used by Jehovah in <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2042:8version=NASB">Isaiah 42:8</A>. He said, `I am the good shepherd' (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2010:11version=NASB">John 10:11</A>), but the Old Testament said, `<I>Yahweh</I> is my shepherd' (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2023:1version=NASB">Ps. 23:1</A>). Further, Jesus claimed to be the judge of all people (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2025:31-46;Jn%205:26-27version=NASB">Matt. 25:31f.; John 5:27f.</A>), but Joel quotes Jehovah as saying, `for there I will sit to judge all the nations on every side' (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joel%203:12version=NASB">Joel 3:12</A>). Likewise, Jesus spoke of himself as the `bridegroom' (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2025:1version=NASB">Matt. 25:1</A>) while the Old Testament identifies Jehovah in this way (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2062:5;%20Hos%202:16version=NASB">Isa. 62:5; Hos. 2:16</A>). While the Psalmist declares, `The LORD is my light' (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2027:1version=NASB">Ps. 27:1</A>), Jesus said, `I am the light of the world' (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:12version=NASB">John 8:12</A>). Perhaps the strongest claim Jesus made to be <I>Yahweh</I> is in <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:58version=NASB">John 8:58</A>, where he says, `Before Abraham was, I am.' This statement claims not only existence before Abraham, but equality with the `I AM' of <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%203:14version=NASB">Exodus 3:14</A>. The Jews around him clearly understood his meaning and picked up stones to kill him for blaspheming (cf. <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:58-59;%2010:30-33version=NASB">John 8:58 and 10:31-33</A>). The same claim is made in <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mk%2014:62;%20Jn%2018:5-6version=NASB">Mark 14:62 and John 18:5-6</A>." (Geisler, N.L., 1999, "<A href="http://www.amazon.com/Encyclopedia-Christian-Apologetics-Reference-Library/dp/0801021510">Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics</A>," Baker Books: Grand Rapids MI, p.129. Emphasis original).</P></BLOCKQUOTE> <P>"Supremely significant is the <I>I AM</I> (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%203:14;version=NIV;">Ex. 3:14</A>; <I>cf</I>. <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:58;%206:35;%208:12,24;%2011:25;%2014:6;%2018:5-8;%20Mk%2014:62;version=NIV;">Jn. 8:58; 6:35; 8:12,24; 11:25; 14:6; 18:5f.; Mk. 14:62</A>)":<BLOCKQUOTE>"<I>JESUS' IDENTITY WITH YAHWEH/JEHOVAH</I> The NT attributes to Jesus many of the perfections of Yahweh (or, Jehovah), the creator/redeemer God of the OT. There are seven main points of identity. <I>God's name</I> When the OT was translated into Greek in the 2nd and 3rd centuries BC (the Septuagint), the sacred name of God, <I>YHWH</I>, usually rendered Yahweh or Jehovah, was translated by the Greek word <I>Kyrios</I> (<I>Lord</I>); there are approaching 7,000 instances of this. This sacred and exalted title was attributed directly to Jesus (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom%2010:9;%201Cor%2012:3;%20Php%202:11;version=NIV;">Rom. 10:9; 1 Cor. 12:3; Phil. 2:11</A>; <I>etc., cf</I>. also <I>Lord of lords</I>, <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Tim%206:15;%20Rev%2017:14;%2019:16;version=NIV;">1 Tim. 6:15; Rev. 17:14; 19:16</A>). Indeed the confession <I>Jesus is Lord</I> is probably the earliest confession of faith (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom%2010:9;%201Cor%2012:3;%202Cor%204:5;version=NIV;">Rom. 10:9; 1 Cor. 12:3; 2 Cor. 4:5</A>). On several occasions NT writers apply OT passages concerning Yahweh directly to Jesus (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%202:34-35;%20Rom%208:34;%20Heb%2010:12-13;%201Pet%203:22;version=NIV;">Acts 2:34f.; Rom. 8:34; Heb. 10:12f.; 1 Pet. 3:22</A> apply <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%20110:1;version=NIV;">Ps. 110:1</A>. <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom%2010:13;version=NIV;">Rom. 10:13</A> applies <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joel%202:32;version=NIV;">Joel 2:32</A>. <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Php%202:9-11;version=NIV;">Phil. 2:9-11</A> applies <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2045:23;version=NIV;">Is. 45:23</A>. <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2012:39-41;version=NIV;">Jn. 12:41</A> applies <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%206:1-10;version=NIV;">Is. 6:10</A>. <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eph%204:8;version=NIV;">Eph. 4:8</A> applies <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2068:18;version=NIV;">Ps. 68:18</A>). These passages clearly identify Jesus with Yahweh. Another link is provided by self-designations of God appropriated by Jesus or referred to him. Supremely significant is the <I>I AM</I> (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%203:14;version=NIV;">Ex. 3:14</A>; <I>cf</I>. <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:58;%206:35;%208:12,24;%2011:25;%2014:6;%2018:5-8;%20Mk%2014:62;version=NIV;">Jn. 8:58; 6:35; 8:12,24; 11:25; 14:6; 18:5f.; Mk. 14:62</A>). Others are <I>bridegroom</I> (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2062:5;%20Jer%202:2;%20Ezk%2016:8;version=NIV;">Is. 62:5; Je. 2:2; Ezk. 16:8</A>; <I>cf</I>. <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mk%202:19-20;%20Jn%203:29;%202Cor%2011:2;%20Rev%2019:7;version=NIV;">Mk. 2:19f.; Jn. 3:29; 2 Cor. 11:2; Rev. 19:7</A>); <I>shepherd</I> (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2023:1;%2080:1;%20Isa%2040:11;%20Ezk%2034:15;version=NIV;">Pss. 23:1; 80:1; Is. 40:11; Ezk. 34:15</A>; <I>cf</I>. <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2010:11-16;%20Heb%2013:10;%201Pet%202:25;%205:4;version=NIV;">Jn. 10:11-16; Heb. 13:10; 1 Pet. 2:25; 5:4</A>); <I>the first and the last</I> (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2044:6;%2048:12;version=NIV;">Is. 44:6; 48:12</A>; <I>cf</I>. <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev%202:8;%2022:13;version=NIV;">Rev. 2:8; 22:13</A>)." (Milne, B., 1982, "<A href="http://www.amazon.com/Know-Truth-Handbook-Christian-Belief/dp/083081793X">Know the Truth: A Handbook of Christian Belief</A>," Inter-Varsity Press: Leicester UK, Fifth printing, 1988, pp.129-130. Emphasis original).</P></BLOCKQUOTE> <P>"<I>Jesus' `I Am' Sayings</I> Perhaps the greatest assertion among all of his claims not only to eternal pre- existence but also to actually being the Yahweh of the Old Testament is that which is found in his `I am' saying of <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:58version=NIV1984">John 8:58</A>: `Before Abraham was, I am' (see <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%203:14version=NIV1984">Ex 3:14</A> ...)":<BLOCKQUOTE>"<I>Jesus' `I Am' Sayings</I> Perhaps the greatest assertion among all of his claims not only to eternal pre- existence but also to actually being the Yahweh of the Old Testament is that which is found in his `I am' saying of <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:58version=NIV1984">John 8:58</A>: `Before Abraham was, I am' (see <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%203:14version=NIV1984">Ex 3:14</A>: `This is what you are to say to the Israelites: `I AM [the personal name of God] has sent me to you'). Most of Jesus' `I am' sayings,' it is true, he supplied with a subjective complement of some kind ... But I agree with D. A. Carson that `two are undoubtedly absolute in both form and content...and constitute an explicit self-identification with Yahweh who had already revealed himself to men in similar terms (see especially <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2043:10-11version=NIV1984">Isa. 43:10-11</A>).' [Carson, 1984, p.541] The two instances Carson refers to are in <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:58;%2013:19version=NIV1984">John 8:58 and 13:19</A>, but there could well be other instances as well, such as Jesus' `I am' usages in <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%206:20;%208:24,28;%2018:5-8version=NIV1984">John 6:20; 8:24,28; and 18:5-8</A>. In the case of <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:58version=NIV1984">John 8:58</A>, standing before men who already regarded him as demonic and who had told him as much, Jesus declared as we have already noted: `Before Abraham was, I am,' invoking not only the term which Yahweh in the Old Testament had chosen as his own special term of self-identification but claiming also in the process a pre-existence appropriate only to one possessed of the nature of Yahweh." (Reymond, R.L, 2003., "<A href="http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Divine-Messiah-Reymond-Robert/dp/1857928024/">Jesus, Divine Messiah: The New and Old Testament Witness</A>," [1990], Mentor: Fearn UK, pp.234-235. Emphasis original).</P></BLOCKQUOTE> <P>"The `I am' here (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:58version=ASV">8:58</A>) reminds one of the `I am' in <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:24version=ASV">8:24</A>. Basically the same thought is expressed in both passages; namely, that Jesus is God!":<BLOCKQUOTE>"[<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:58version=ASV">Jn 8:58</A>]. <I>Jesus said to them, I most solemnly assure you, before Abraham was born, I am.</I> The Jews had committed the error of ascribing to Jesus a merely temporal existence. They saw only the historical <I>manifestation</I>, not the eternal <I>Person</I>; only the human, not the divine. Jesus, therefore, reaffirms his eternal, timeless, absolute essence. ... Over against Abraham's fleeting span of life (see <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%2025:7version=ASV">Gen. 25:7</A>) Jesus places his own timeless present. To emphasize this eternal <I>present</I> he sets over against the aorist infinitive, indicating Abraham's birth in time, the present indicative, with reference to himself; hence, not I <I>was</I>, but I <I>am</I>. Hence, the thought here conveyed is not only that the second Person always existed (existed from all eternity; cf. <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:1-%202;%20Col%201:17version=ASV">1:1, 2; cf. Col. 1:17</A>), though this, too, is implied; but also, and very definitely, that his existence <I>transcends time</I>. He is therefore exalted infinitely above Abraham. See also on <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:18version=ASV">1:18</A>; and cf. <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:1-2version=ASV">1:1, 2</A>. The `I am' here (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:58version=ASV">8:58</A>) reminds one of the `I am' in <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:24version=ASV">8:24</A>. Basically the same thought is expressed in both passages; namely, that Jesus is God!" (Hendriksen, W., 1964, "<A href="http://www.amazon.com/COMMENTARY-GOSPEL-JOHN-William-Hendriksen/dp/B000GM8HGG">A Commentary on the Gospel of John</A>," [1954], Banner of Truth: London, Third Edition, Vol. II., pp.66-67. Emphasis original).</P></BLOCKQUOTE><P><B>6) "From this time I tell you before <I>it </I>happens, that when it happens you may believe that I AM." (</B><A href="http://thewordnotes.com/litv/john.htm#13">Jn 13:19</A><B>. LITV)</B></P> <P>"The meaning of the phrase in the sense of full deity is especially clear at <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2013:19version=KJV">John 13:19</A>, where Jesus says that He has told them things before they came to pass, that when they do come to pass the disciples may believe that <I>Ego Eimi</I>. (I AM). ... Jesus is telling them beforehand that when it does come to pass in the future, they may know ... that <I>He is Jehovah</I>!":<BLOCKQUOTE>"The real problem [for Jehovah's Witnesses] in the verse [<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:58version=KJV">John 8:58</A>] is the verb <I>Ego Eimi</I>. Dr. Robertson, who is quoted as authoritative by the NWT (p. 775), states that <I>eimi</I> is `absolute.' [Robertson, A.T., "<A href="http://www.amazon.com/Grammar-Greek-Testament-Historical-Research/dp/B000RBF0B6">Grammar of the Greek New Testament in the Light of Historical Research</A>," BH Publishing, 1947, p.768] This means there is no predicate expressed with it. This usage occurs four times (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:24,%2058;%2013:19;%2018:5version=KJV">Jn 8:24, 58; 13:19; 18:5</A>). In these places, the term is the same used by the Septuagint at <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Dt%2032:39;%20Isa%2043:10;%2046:4version=KJV">Deuteronomy 32:39; Isaiah 43:10; and 46:4</A>, to render the Hebrew phrase `I (am) He.' The phrase occurs <I>only</I> where Jehovah's Lordship is reiterated. The phrase then is a claim to full and equal deity. The incorrect and rude rendering of the NWT only serves to illustrate the difficulty of evading the meaning of the phrase and the context. The meaning of the phrase in the sense of full deity is especially clear at <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2013:19version=KJV">John 13:19</A>, where Jesus says that He has told them things before they came to pass, that when they do come to pass the disciples may believe that <I>Ego Eimi</I>. (I AM). Jehovah is the only one who knows the future as a present fact. Jesus is telling them beforehand that when it does come to pass in the future, they may know that `I AM' (<I>Ego Eimi</I>), that <I>He is Jehovah</I>!" (Martin, W.R. Klann, N., 1953, "<A href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-media/product-gallery/B0017GTPX4/">Jehovah of the Watchtower</A>," Bethany House Publishers: Bloomington MN, Reprinted, 1981, p.53. Emphasis original).</P></BLOCKQUOTE> <P>"In the case of his `I am' in <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2013:19version=NIV1984">John 13:19</A> Jesus himself explicated its implications for his unity with the Father and in turn his own Yahwistic identity":<BLOCKQUOTE>"In the case of his `I am' in <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2013:19version=NIV1984">John 13:19</A> Jesus himself explicated its implications for his unity with the Father and in turn his own Yahwistic identity when he declared in the following verse: `...he who receives me receives him who sent me. [<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2013:20version=NIV1984">Jn 13:20</A>]' Perhaps these absolute `I am' sayings are the background to Jesus' prayer to the Father in <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2017:26version=NIV1984">John 17:26</A>: `I have manifested your name to those whom you gave me out of the world.'" (Reymond, 2003, p.236).</P></BLOCKQUOTE> <P>"In <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2043:10version=NASB">Isaiah 43:10</A> [LXX] we read, `In order that you may know and believe Me and understand that I am He.' In <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2013:19version=NASB">John 13:19</A>, Jesus says to the disciples, `From now on I am telling you before it comes to pass, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am He':<BLOCKQUOTE>"There seems to be a direct connection between the <A href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Septuagint">Septuagint</A> and Jesus' usage of <I>ego eimi</I>. In <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2043:10version=NASB">Isaiah 43:10</A> we read, `In order that you may know and believe Me and understand that I am He.' In <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2013:19version=NASB">John 13:19</A>, Jesus says to the disciples, `From now on I am telling you before it comes to pass, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am He.' When one removes the extraneous words (such as the phrase that connects the last clause to the first) and compares these two passages, this is the result: <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2043:10version=NASB">Isaiah 43:10</A>: <I>hina pisteusete ... hoti ego eimi</I> <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2013:19version=NASB">John 13:19</A>: <I>hina pisteusete ... hoti ego eimi</I> Even if one were to theorize that Jesus himself did not attempt to make such an obvious connection between himself and Yahweh (which would be difficult enough to do!), one must answer the question of why John, being obviously familiar with the <A href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Septuagint">LXX</A>, would so intentionally insert this kind of parallelism." (White, 1998, p.99).</P></BLOCKQUOTE><P>"Another parallel between the usage of <I>ego eimi</I> in <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2013:19version=NASB">John 13:19</A> and its usage in Isaiah has to do with the fact that in 13:19 Jesus is telling them the future-one of the very challenges to the false gods thrown down by Yahweh in the passages from Isaiah under consideration":<BLOCKQUOTE>"Another parallel between the usage of <I>ego eimi</I> in <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2013:19version=NASB">John 13:19</A> and its usage in Isaiah has to do with the fact that in 13:19 Jesus is telling them the future-one of the very challenges to the false gods thrown down by Yahweh in the passages from Isaiah under consideration (the so-called `trial of the false gods:') This connection is direct in <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2041:4version=NASB">Isaiah 41:4</A>, `Who has performed and accomplished it, calling forth the generations from the beginning? `I, the LORD, am the first, and with the last. I am He.' Here the `calling forth' of the generations-time itself-is part of the usage of <I>ani hu</I>. The same is true in John 13:19. In the same chapter of the book of Isaiah referenced above, in <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2041:22version=NASB">verse 22</A> we read, `Let them bring forth and declare to us what is going to take place; as for the former events, declare what they were, that we may consider them and know their outcome. Or announce to us what is coming:' That this reference to knowledge of the future would appear in the same section that uses <I>ani hu</I> as the name for God, and that this would be introduced by the Lord himself in the same context in John 13:19 is significant indeed. Hence, though some would easily dismiss the <I>ani hu</I>/<I>ego eimi</I> connection, or ignore it altogether, the evidence is overwhelming that this connection is intended by John himself." (White, 1998, pp.99-100).</P></BLOCKQUOTE><P><B>7) "</B><SUP>4</SUP><B>... Jesus said to them, Whom do you seek?</B> <SUP>5</SUP><B>They answered Him, Jesus the Nazarene. Jesus said to them, I AM! ...</B> <SUP>6</SUP><B>Then when He said to them, I AM, they departed into the rear and fell to the ground.</B> <SUP>7</SUP><B>Then again He asked, Whom do you seek? And they said, Jesus the Nazarene.</B> <SUP>8</SUP><B>Jesus answered, I told you that I AM ...</B><B>" (</B><A href="http://thewordnotes.com/litv/john.htm#18">Jn 18:4-8</A><B>. LITV)</B></P> <P><B></P></B> <P>"Jesus continually affirmed His deity. When Jewish temple guards, along with Roman soldiers, came to arrest Him the night before His crucifixion, Jesus asked them, ``Whom do you seek?' They answered Him, `Jesus the Nazarene.' He said to them, `I am [<I>ego eimi</I>] He.' ... they drew back, and fell to the ground' (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2018:4-6version=NASB">John 18:4-6</A>)": <BLOCKQUOTE>"Jesus ascribed this title [<I>ego eimi</I> "I AM"] to Himself in other instances as well. Earlier in the same chapter, Jesus declared: `... unless you believe that I am [<I>ego eimi</I>] He, you shall die in your sins' (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:24version=NASB">John 8:24</A>). In Greek the word <I>He</I> does not appear. It simply reads `... unless you believe that I am... ` He told the Jews, `When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am [<I>ego eimi</I>] He' (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:28version=NASB">John 8:28</A>). Again the <I>He</I>) is omitted in the Greek. Jesus continually affirmed His deity. When Jewish temple guards, along with Roman soldiers, came to arrest Him the night before His crucifixion, Jesus asked them, ``Whom do you seek?' They answered Him, `Jesus the Nazarene.' He said to them, `I am [<I>ego eimi</I>] He.'... When therefore He said to them, `I am He,' they drew back, and fell to the ground' (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2018:4-6version=NASB">John 18:4-6</A>). They were unable to stand before the force of His claim and the force of His person." (McDowell, J. Larson, B., 1975, "<A href="http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Biblical-Defense-His-Diety/dp/0866051147">Jesus: A Biblical Defense of his Deity</A>," Here's Life Publishers: San Bernardino CA, pp.22-23. Emphasis original).</P></BLOCKQUOTE> <P>"John clearly expects his readers to understand that Jesus' words `I am' on these occasions were not mere self-identification ... They were astonishing, even numinous claims to deity that were either blasphemous or true":<BLOCKQUOTE>"The reactions of those to whom Jesus spoke when he said these things change as one moves through the Gospel. In <A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/john/8.html">John 8</A> alone their reactions run the gamut from confusion to outrage (<A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/john/passage.aspx?q=john+8:25;john+8:27;john+8:59">vv. 25, 27, 59</A>). When Jesus said, `Before Abraham was born, I am' (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:58version=NASB">John 8:58</A> NASB), his opponents attempted to stone him to death, presumably for blasphemy (<A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/john/8-59.html">v. 59</A>). When soldiers and officials came to arrest him and said they were looking for Jesus of Nazareth, he replied, `I am he,' and they promptly fell to the ground (<A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/john/passage.aspx?q=john+18:5-6">18:5-6</A>). John clearly expects his readers to understand that Jesus' words `I am' on these occasions were not mere self-identification, like `Yeah, it's me.' They were astonishing, even numinous claims to deity that were either blasphemous or true. Jesus' resurrection from the dead proves, of course, his divine self-naming to be true (<A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/john/passage.aspx?q=john+20:27-28">John 20:27-28</A>)." (Bowman Komoszewski, 2007, p.177).</P></BLOCKQUOTE> <P><B>8) "</B><SUP>61</SUP><B>Again the high priest questioned Him, and said to Him, `Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?' </B><SUP>62</SUP><B>And Jesus said, `I AM! </B>[<I>ego eimi</I>]<B> ...'" (</B><A href="http://thewordnotes.com/litv/mark.htm#14">Mk 14:61-62</A><B>. LITV)</B></P> <P>"[<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mk%2014:62version=NIV1984">Mk 14:62</A>]. ...Jesus replies with the very Name of God, <I>I am</I> (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%203:14version=NIV1984">Ex. 3:14</A>), thus putting Himself on an equality with God ...":<BLOCKQUOTE>"[<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mk%2014:62version=NIV1984">Mk 14:62</A>]. It may be significant that Jesus replies with the very Name of God, <I>I am</I> (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%203:14version=NIV1984">Ex. 3:14</A>), thus putting Himself on an equality with God, which we know to have been a longstanding grievance on their part (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mk%202:7version=NIV1984">2:7</A>). In Luke, His answer is more ambiguous, though Jesus accepts the title 'Son of God' (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Lk%2022:70version=NIV1984">Luke 22:70</A>). But the phrase is reported only by Mark; even Matthew, with all his Jewish interests, does not record it [<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2026:64version=NIV1984">Mt 26:64</A>]. ... although John seems to develop the same point in his gospel on another occasion (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2018:6version=NIV1984">Jn. 18:6</A>). Jesus, while accepting the title suggested by the high priest, defines it further in terms of <I>Son of man</I>, His special self-chosen title. This is explained by another 'creative fusion' of <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%20110:1version=NIV1984">Psalm 110:1</A> with <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Dn%207:13version=NIV1984">Daniel 7:13</A>. But, if the high priest had ears to hear, there was a solemn warning in this choice of a title, for this is the Son of man vindicated and enthroned, and returning in judgment, as Stephen saw Him before his death by stoning (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%207:56version=NIV1984">Acts 7:56</A>). The priesthood stood on trial that day, although the execution of sentence was yet to come, on the terrible day in AD 70 when the priests were cut down by the Roman soldiers at the altar, as they steadily continued with their sacrifices to the last." (Cole, R.A., 1989, "<A href="http://www.amazon.com/Gospel-According-Tyndale-Testament-Commentaries/dp/0802804810">The Gospel According to Mark</A>: An Introduction and Commentary," The Tyndale New Testament commentaries, [1961], Inter-Varsity Press Leicester: UK, Second edition, pp.306-307).</P></BLOCKQUOTE><P>"Then again at the crucial stage of His trial, Jesus being interrogated by the high priest as to His messianic claims, replied 'I am': ..' (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mk%2014:62version=KJV">Mark 14:62</A>). The savage vehemence that this called forth in the high priest and the company can be explained only if it was understood by them to be a claim to personal deity, a blasphemy in their eyes of such magnitude as to be expiated only by death":<BLOCKQUOTE>"THE `I AM' Jehovah, the incorrect but well established rendering of the Hebrew consonants <I>YHWH</I>, was regarded by the Jews as too sacred to be pronounced and was replaced by a variety of substitutes, such as `Lord' (<I>Adonai</I>), or `The Name'. We can no longer say with certainty how it was pronounced, but from <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%203:14version=KJV">Exodus 3:14</A> we know that it was derived from the verb `to be': `God said to Moses "I am who I am"; and He said: Say to the people of Israel "I am" has sent you.' Now on more than one occasion our Lord refers to Himself by using `I am' in a way that points unmistakably to this Old Testament title of Jehovah. In a controversy with the Jews He declared: `Before Abraham was, I am' (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:58version=KJV">John 8:58</A>). Had He been merely a pre-existent Being, then He would have had to say `Before Abraham was, I was'. That the amazing implication of His claim did not escape the Jews is clearly shown by the extreme violence of their reaction in attempting to stone Him to death for alleged blasphemy. Another occasion on which He used it was at the time of His arrest. To His question to His approaching captors `Whom seek ye?', they answered `Jesus of Nazareth', to which He replied, `I am'. The effect that this brief utterance had on them was dramatic: `They went backward and fell to the ground' (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2018:5-6version=KJV">John 18:5, 6</A>). The mere literal sense of these words could hardly have produced this extraordinary effect. Then again at the crucial stage of His trial, Jesus being interrogated by the high priest as to His messianic claims, replied 'I am': and you shall see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of power and coming with the clouds of heaven' (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mk%2014:62version=KJV">Mark 14:62</A>). The savage vehemence that this called forth in the high priest and the company can be explained only if it was understood by them to be a claim to personal deity, a blasphemy in their eyes of such magnitude as to be expiated only by death." (Bruce, F.F. Martin, W.J., 1964, "<A href="http://www.theologicalstudies.org.uk/pdf/ffb/deity_bruce.pdf">The Deity of Christ</A>," North of England Evangelical Trust: Manchester UK, pp.7-8. Emphasis original).</P></BLOCKQUOTE><P> <B>ii. But "I AM" is the unique self-designation of Jehovah in the Old Testament</B></P> <P><B>1)</B> <B>"And God said to Moses, `I AM THAT I AM; and He said, You shall say this to the sons of Israel, I AM has sent me to you'" (</B><A href="http://thewordnotes.com/litv/exo.htm#3">Ex 3:14</A><B> LITV).</B></P> <P>"The passage in <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%203:14version=KJV">Exod. 3:14</A> seems to furnish designedly a clue to the meaning of the word. ... <I>I am that I am</I>) (Heb. <I>'ehyeh 'asher 'ehyeh</I>)... In both names <I>ehyeh</I> and <I>Yhwh</I>, the root idea is that of <I>underived existence":</I><BLOCKQUOTE>"The passage in <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%203:14version=KJV">Exod. 3:14</A> seems to furnish designedly a clue to the meaning of the word. When Moses received his commission to be the deliverer of Israel, the Almighty, who appeared in the burning bush, communicated to him the name which he should live as the credentials of his mission: `And God said unto Moses, <I>I am that I am</I>) (Heb. <I>'ehyeh 'asher 'ehyeh</I>), and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, <I>I am</I> hath sent me unto you.' In both names <I>ehyeh</I> and <I>Yhwh</I>, the root idea is that of <I>underived existence</I>. When it is said that God's name is <I>He is</I>, simple being is not all that is affirmed. <I>He is</I> in a sense in which no other being <I>is</I>. <I>He is</I>; and the cause of his being is in himself. <I>He is because he is</I> ..." (Unger, M.F., 1966, "<A href="http://www.amazon.com/New-Ungers-Bible-Dictionary/dp/0802490662/">Unger's Bible Dictionary</A>," [1957], Moody Press: Chicago IL, Third edition, Fifteenth printing, 1969, p.564. Emphasis original).</P></BLOCKQUOTE> <P>"Jehovah's Witnesses' own study Bibles prove that Jesus was claiming to be the I AM. Their 1984 large-print <I>New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures with References</I> has a footnote on Exodus 3:14, admitting that the Hebrew would be rendered into Greek as `Ego eimi'-I am'": <BLOCKQUOTE>"<I><A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/rsv/exodus/3-14.html">Exodus 3:14</A></I> God said to Moses, `I AM WHO I AM.' And he said, `Say this to the people of Israel, `I AM has sent me to you:' ` (RSV) Christians universally recognize that Jesus Christ was claiming to be the Deity when he referred to himself as the I AM: `The Jews then said to him, `You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?' Jesus said to them, `Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am' (<A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/rsv/john/passage.aspx?q=John+8:57-58">John 8:57-58</A>, RSV). Even Jesus' enemies recognized what he was saying. The next verse tells us that, when they heard this, `they took up stones to throw at - him...' (<A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/rsv/john/passage.aspx?q=John+8:59">v. 59</A>). The unbelieving Jews viewed Jesus' claim to be the I AM as blasphemy, a crime for which they wanted to stone him to death. ... Jehovah's Witnesses' own study Bibles prove that Jesus was claiming to be the I AM. Their 1984 large-print <I>New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures with References</I> has a footnote on Exodus 3:14, admitting that the Hebrew would be rendered into Greek as `Ego eimi'-I am.' And their 1985 <I>Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures</I> reveals that Jesus' words at John 8:58 are the same: `ego eimi' (footnote), `I am' (interlinear text)." (Reed, D.A., 1986, "<A href="http://www.amazon.com/Jehovahs-Witnesses-Answered-Verse/dp/0801077397">Jehovah's Witnesses Answered Verse by Verse</A>," Baker: Grand Rapids MI, Thirty-first printing, 2006, pp.26-27. Emphasis original).</P></BLOCKQUOTE> <P><B>2) "See now that I, I <I>am</I> He, and there <I>is</I> no other God with Me. I kill, and I keep alive. I wound and I heal, and there <I>is</I> no deliverer from My hand" (</B><A href="http://thewordnotes.com/litv/deut.htm#32">Dt 32:39</A> <B>LITV).</B></P> <P>"... God sometimes says simply, `I am he' (in Hebrew, <I>'ani hu</I>, literally, `I [am] he'). The Septuagint usually translates this statement as `I am' (<I>ego eimi</I>). See now that I, even I, am he [Gk., `that I am,' <I>hoti ego eimi</I>]; there is no god besides me. (<A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/deuteronomy/32-39.html">Deut. 32:39</A>)":<BLOCKQUOTE>"<I>`I Am'</I> In normal usage, both inside and outside the Bible, the phrase I am is not properly or technically classified as a name. It is, however, quite commonly part of an act of self-naming. So, for example, the Lord revealed himself to Abraham by saying, `I am God Almighty' (<A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/genesis/17-1.html">Gen. 17:1</A>). He introduced the Ten Commandments by first introducing himself. `I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery' (<A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/exodus/20-2.html">Exod. 20:2</A>). At times, God practically punctuates his instructions to Israel with the reminder, `I am the LORD' (for example, thirteen times in <A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/leviticus/passage.aspx?q=leviticus+19:10-37">Lev. 19:10-37</A> alone). In addition to these straightforward uses of the words <I>I am</I> in the Old Testament, God sometimes says simply, `I am he' (in Hebrew, <I>'ani hu</I>, literally, `I [am] he'). The Septuagint usually translates this statement as `I am' (<I>ego eimi</I>). See now that I, even I, am he [Gk., `that I am,' <I>hoti ego eimi</I>]; there is no god besides me. (<A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/deuteronomy/32-39.html">Deut. 32:39</A>) I, the LORD, am the first, and with the last. I am He. (Gk., <I>ego eimi</I>; <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2041:4version=NASB">Isa. 41:4</A> NASB)... even to your old age I am he. (Gk., <I>ego eimi</I>; <A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/isaiah/46-4.html">Isa. 46:4</A>) We may see some connections between these statements and God's declaration in <A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/exodus/3-14.html%22">Exodus 3:14</A>, `I AM WHO I AM:' The Hebrew wording of this statement, <I>'ehyeh 'asher 'ehyeh</I>, can be translated `I am who I am' or `I will be what I will be,' both of which mean much the same thing: God is the self-determining one who is always there, or who will always be there, the one on whom all creatures may and should rely. The Septuagint translates, `I am the being,' that is, `I am the one who is' (<I>ego eimi ho on</I>). Despite frequent criticisms of this translation, it expresses the same point reasonably well: God is the one who simply is, who depends on nothing else, and on whom all else depends.' The `I am (he)' statements in Deuteronomy and Isaiah make much the same point: from first to last, the Lord is the one and only God." (Bowman Komoszewski, 2007, pp.176-177).</P></BLOCKQUOTE> <P><B>3) Isaiah "I [am] he" (Heb. <I>'ani hu'</I> ; LXX <I>ego eimi</I>) passages </B></P> <P>To save space in this already long post, I have below grouped the "I [am] he" (Heb. <I>'ani hu'</I> , LXX <I>ego eimi</I>) passages in Isaiah together (italics original) followed by quotes applying to them all:<BLOCKQUOTE>"Who has planned and done <I>it</I>, calling forth the generations from the beginning? I Jehovah <I>am</I> the first and the last; I <I>am</I> He." (<A href="http://thewordnotes.com/litv/isa.htm#41">Isa 41:4</A> LITV).<BR> <BR>You <I>are</I> My witnesses, says Jehovah; and My servant whom I have elected; that you may know and believe Me, and understand that I <I>am</I> He. Before Me there was no God formed; nor shall <I>any</I> be after Me." (<A href="http://thewordnotes.com/litv/isa.htm#43">Isa 43:10</A> LITV).<BR> <BR>Yea, from this day I <I>am</I> He, and no one delivers from My hand. I will work, and who will reverse it?" (<A href="http://thewordnotes.com/litv/isa.htm#43">Isa 43:13</A> LITV).<BR> <BR>I, even I, <I>am</I> He who blots out your trespasses for My sake; and I will not remember your sins." (<A href="http://thewordnotes.com/litv/isa.htm#43">Isa 43:25</A> LITV).<BR> <BR>Even to old age I <I>am</I> He; and I will bear to gray hair; I made, and I will carry; and I will bear and deliver." (<A href="http://thewordnotes.com/litv/isa.htm#46">Isa 46:4</A> LITV).<BR> <BR>Listen to Me, O Jacob, and Israel My called: I <I>am</I> He; I <I>am</I> the First; surely I <I>am</I> the Last." (<A href="http://thewordnotes.com/litv/isa.htm#48">Isa 48:12</A> LITV).<BR> <BR>I, I <I>am</I> He comforting you. Who <I>are</I> you, that you should fear from man? He shall die! And from the son of man? He is given as grass." (<A href="http://thewordnotes.com/litv/isa.htm#51">Isa 51:12</A> LITV).</P></BLOCKQUOTE> <P>"... <A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/john/8-58.html">John 8:58</A> deliberately echoes Yahweh's `I am' statements in Isaiah 40-55. ... the Hebrew in each case reads simply <I>ANI.HU</I> (literally, `I [am] he'), which the LXX renders as <I>ego eimi</I> (<A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/isaiah/passage.aspx?q=isaiah+41:4;isaiah+43:10;isaiah+46:4;isaiah+52:6">Isa. 41:4; 43:10; 46:4; 52:6</A>; compare with <A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/deuteronomy/32-39.html">Deut. 32:39</A>)... the conclusion cannot be avoided that Jesus was claiming to be Yahweh": <BLOCKQUOTE>"<I>Jesus as Jehovah in <A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/john/8-58.html">John 8:58</A></I> Among biblical scholars a growing consensus has formed behind the opinion that John 8:58 deliberately echoes Yahweh's `I am' statements in Isaiah 40-55. The NWT obscures the parallels in Isaiah by rendering them `I am the same One' or `I am the same'; but the Hebrew in each case reads simply <I>ANI.HU</I> (literally, `I [am] he'), which the LXX renders as <I>ego eimi</I> (<A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/isaiah/passage.aspx?q=isaiah+41:4;isaiah+43:10;isaiah+46:4;isaiah+52:6">Isa. 41:4; 43:10; 46:4; 52:6</A>; compare with <A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/deuteronomy/32-39.html">Deut. 32:39</A>). There is evidence, moreover, to show that in the Judaism of Jesus day these words were sometimes used as substitutes for the divine name Yahweh itself, in particular at the Feast of Tabernacles, which from <A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/john/7-2.html">John 7:2</A> was apparently the occasion of Christ's `I am' sayings in <A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/john/8.html">John 8</A>. This suggests that the reason for the anger of the Jews at Jesus absolute use of the expression <I>ego eimi</I> was that on that occasion his language was instantly recognizable as that of Yahweh. ... Considerations such as these have led most scholars to conclude that the closest Old Testament antecedent to <A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/john/8-58.html">John 8:58</A> is to be found in the Isaianic `I am' sayings. If this is correct, the conclusion cannot be avoided that Jesus was claiming to be Yahweh. Notable in this light is <A href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/isaiah/45-18.html">Isaiah 45:18</A>, where God says, `I am Yahweh' (Hebrew, <I>ANI HU YHWH</I>), and the LXX translates simply by the predicate absolute <I>ego eimi</I>. " (Bowman, R.M., Jr. , 1989, "<A href="http://www.amazon.com/Jehovahs-Witnesses-Jesus-Christ-Gospel/dp/0801009553/">The Jehovah's Witnesses, Jesus Christ, and the Gospel of John</A>," Baker: Grand Rapids MI, Reprinted, 1995, pp.120-121. Emphasis original).</P></BLOCKQUOTE><P>"`I am [<I>Ego eimi</I>] ... In fact, in the Old Testament passages the Greek expression, and the Hebrew expressions it translates, appear to function almost like the name of God ... this use of `I am' is probably influenced by, and alludes to, Old Testament passages where God uses the same sort of self-referential language, particularly passages in Isaiah":<BLOCKQUOTE>"`I am [<I>Ego eimi</I>] ... Other Johannine instances of this absolute form confirm that it functions as an important christological expression. Note the following examples: `Unless you believe that <I>I am</I>, you will surely die in your sins' (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:24version=ESV">8:24</A>); `When you lift up the son of man, then you will realize that <I>I am</I>' (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:28version=ESV">8:28</A>); `When this [what Jesus has foretold] happens, then you will believe that <I>I am</I>' (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2013:19version=ESV">13:19</A>). Clearly, in all these cases `I am' itself expresses a vital christological claim that can be perceived, and either believed or rejected, with momentous consequences. Yet, equally, to perceive the claim requires some special knowledge of the significance of this `I am' formulation, for it is as strange-sounding and mysterious in Greek as it is in literal translation. ... Indeed, this use of `I am' is probably influenced by, and alludes to, Old Testament passages where God uses the same sort of self-referential language, particularly passages in Isaiah (e.g., LXX <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2043:10,25;%2045:18version=ESV">Isa. 43:10, 25; 45:18</A> for uses of <I>Ego eimi</I>). In fact, in the Old Testament passages the Greek expression, and the Hebrew expressions it translates, appear to function almost like the name of God. So in the story of Jesus walking on the water in <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%206:16-20version=ESV">John 6:16-20</A>, Jesus' use of the expression (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%206:20version=ESV">v. 20</A>) both identifies him (in the sense of `It is I') and also probably signals readers that this is an epiphanic scene (the same seems to be the case in the Synoptic versions of this story too, in <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mk%206:50;%20Mt%2014:27version=ESV">Mark 6:50/Matt. 14:27</A>). This latter connotation is also suggested dramatically in <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2018:5-6version=ESV">John 18:5-6</A>, where the soldiers sent to arrest Jesus fall to the ground when he utters the expression. A few examples of this sonorous expression appear in the Synoptic Gospels, and they are also clearly intended to have a connotation beyond mere self-identification." (Hurtado, L.W., 2005, "<A href="http://www.amazon.com/Lord-Jesus-Christ-Devotion-Christianity/dp/0802831672/">Lord Jesus Christ: Devotion to Jesus in Earliest Christiani</A>ty," Eerdmans: Grand Rapids MI, pp.370-371).</P></BLOCKQUOTE><P>"The Hebrew expression most often translated into Greek as <I>Ego eimi</I> is <I>'ani hu'</I> (`I am He,' <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2041:4;%2043:10;%2046:4version=ESV">Isa. 41:4; 43:10; 46:4</A>), .. `I am [+ predicate]' statements abound especially in religious texts of the ancient world, but the absolute form, <I>Ego eimi</I>, does not occur in classical Greek literature":<BLOCKQUOTE>"The Hebrew expression most often translated into Greek as <I>Ego eimi</I> is <I>'ani hu'</I> (`I am He,' <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2041:4;%2043:10;%2046:4version=ESV">Isa. 41:4; 43:10; 46:4</A>), and in one case <I>'ani Yhwh</I> ('I am Yahweh,' e.g., <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2045:18version=ESV">Isa. 45:18</A>). Other relevant biblical expressions are `I am Yahweh/the Lord' (often with further identifying phrasing; e.g., ... <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2044:6,24version=ESV">Isa. 44:6, 24</A>). `I am [+ predicate]' statements abound especially in religious texts of the ancient world, but the absolute form, <I>Ego eimi</I>, does not occur in classical Greek literature; it is in fact very difficult to posit any assured uses of the expression in sources prior to (or not influenced by) the New Testament writings <I>except for the uses in the Greek Old Testament</I> such as those cited here (and others, e.g., <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Dt%2032:39version=ESV">Deut. 32:39</A>). " (Hurtado, 2005, p.371. Emphasis original).</P></BLOCKQUOTE><P>"The closest and most logical connection between John's usage of <I>ego eimi</I> and the Old Testament is to be found in the Septuagint rendering of a particular Hebrew phrase, <I>ani hu</I>, in the writings (primarily) of Isaiah":<BLOCKQUOTE>"The closest and most logical connection between John's usage of <I>ego eimi</I> and the Old Testament is to be found in the Septuagint rendering of a particular Hebrew phrase, <I>ani hu</I>, in the writings (primarily) of Isaiah. The Septuagint translates the Hebrew phrase <I>ani hu</I> as <I>ego eimi</I> in <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2041:4;%2043:10;%2046:4version=NASB">Isaiah 41:4; 43:10; and 46:4</A>. In each of these instances the phrase <I>ani hu</I> appears at the end of the clause, and is so rendered (or punctuated) in the LXX (just as in these seven examples in John [<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:24,28,58;%2013:19;%2018:5,6,8version=NASB">Jn 8:24,28,58; 13:19; 18:5,6,8</A>]). The phrase <I>ego eimi</I> appears as the translation of a few other phrases in Isaiah as well that are significant to this discussion. It translates the Hebrew <I>anoki anoki hu</I> as <I>ego eimi</I> in <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2043:25;%2051:12version=NASB">43:25 and 51:12</A>. Once (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2052:6version=NASB">52:6</A>) <I>ani hu</I> is translated as <I>ego eimi autos</I> (basically an even more emphasized form). And once (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2045:18version=NASB">45:18</A>) we find <I>ego eimi kurios</I> for <I>ani Yahweh</I>! This last passage is provocative in that it is in the context of creation, an act ascribed to Jesus by John (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:3version=NASB">John 1:3</A>) and other New Testament writers (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Col%201:16-17;%20Heb%201:2-3version=NASB">Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 1:2-3</A>)." (White, 1998, pp.98-99).</P></BLOCKQUOTE> <P>"In John there are seven absolute 'I am' sayings ... It is certainly not accidental that, whereas in the Hebrew Bible there are seven occurrences of <I>'ani hu' ... </I>The series of sayings thus comprehensively identifies Jesus with the God of Israel":<BLOCKQUOTE>"The Gospel of John understandably makes a different choice when it places on the lips of Jesus during his ministry another Jesus and the God of Israel of the characteristically Deutero-Isaianic declarations of unique divine identity. The Johannine choice is the concise statement `I am he; in Hebrew <I>'ani hu</I>; usually translated in the Septuagint Greek as <I>ego eimi</I> ('I am'), the form in which it appears in John's Gospel. This sentence occurs as a divine declaration of unique identity seven times in the Hebrew Bible: once in Deuteronomy, in one of the most important monotheistic passages of the Torah, and six times in Deutero-Isaiah. [<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Dt%2032:39;%20Isa%2041:4;%2043:10,13;%2046:4;%2048:12;%2052:6version=NIV1984">Deut. 32:39; Isa. 41:4; 43:10, 13; 46:4; 48:12; 52:6</A>] It serves to declare, in the most concise of forms, the uniqueness of God, equivalent to the more common 'I am YHWH'. On the lips of Jesus in the Fourth Gospel, its ambiguity, in contexts where it need not be recognized as the uniquely divine self-declaration, enables it to identify Jesus with God, not in a blatantly explicit way which, even in the Fourth Gospel, would be inappropriate before Jesus' exaltation, but in a way which becomes increasingly unambiguous through the series of seven absolute 'I am' sayings (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%204:26;%206:20;%208:24,26,58;%2013:19;%2018:5,6,8version=NIV1984">John 4:26; 6:20; 8:24, 26, 58; 13:19; 18:5, 6, 8</A>). It is certainly not accidental that, whereas in the Hebrew Bible there are seven occurrences of <I>'ani hu'</I> and two of the emphatic variation <I>'anoki 'anoki hu'</I> (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2043:25;%2051:12version=NIV1984">Isa. 43:25; 51:12</A>), in John there are seven absolute 'I am' sayings, with the seventh repeated twice (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2018:5,6,8version=NIV1984">18:5, 6, 8</A>) for the sake of an emphatic climax (thus seven or nine in both cases). The series of sayings thus comprehensively identifies Jesus with the God of Israel who sums up his identity in the declaration `I am he'. More than that, they identify Jesus as the eschatological revelation of the unique identity of God, predicted by Deutero-Isaiah." (Bauckham, R., 2009, "<A href="http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-God-Israel-Testaments-Christology/dp/0802845592">Jesus and the God of Israel</A>: God Crucified and Other Studies on the New Testament's Christology of Divine Identity," Eerdmans: Grand Rapids MI, pp.39-40).</P></BLOCKQUOTE> <P><B>iii. The Jewish religious leaders understood Jesus' claim to be "I AM" [<I>ego eimi</I>] as His claim to be Jehovah.</B></P> <P>"... the next verse [<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:59version=KJV">Jn 8:59</A>] states that following these words they picked up stones to stone Him. Why? On the charge of blasphemy-as in the parallel case: `Because thou, being a man, makest thyself God' (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2010:33version=KJV">John 10: 33</A>)": <BLOCKQUOTE>"'I AM' <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:58;%20Ex%203:14version=KJV">John 8:58 and Exodus 3:14</A>. The theology of the Watch Tower Society must resist to the bitter end the idea that these texts speak of the same God. For if they do, then that entire theological structure crumbles beyond reconstruction. The most common rendering of <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:58version=KJV">John 8:58</A> is, `Before Abraham was born, I am.' The <I>King James</I> rendering of <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%203:14version=KJV">Exodus 3:14</A> is: `And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.' ... Besides, the next verse [<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:59version=KJV">Jn 8:59</A>] states that following these words they picked up stones to stone Him. Why? On the charge of blasphemy-as in the parallel case: `Because thou, being a man, makest thyself God' (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2010:33version=KJV">John 10: 33</A>)." (Dencher, T., 1985, "<A href="http://www.amazon.com/Why-I-Left-Jehovahs-Witnesses/dp/0875081606">Why I Left Jehovah's Witnesses</A>," [1966], Christian Literature Crusade: Fort Washington PA, Revised, p.152. Emphasis original).</P></BLOCKQUOTE><P> "The Jews [due to the hardness of their hearts - <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2012:37-40version=NIV1984">Jn 12:37-40</A>] could not interpret Jesus' claim as other than blasphemy, for which stoning was the proper penalty (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Lev%2024:16version=NIV1984">Lev 24:16</A>)": <BLOCKQUOTE>"[<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:58version=NIV1984">Jn 8:58</A>] <I>I am!</I> solemnly emphatic declaration echoing God's great affirmation in <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%203:14%20version=NIV1984">Ex 3:14 </A>(see <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:24,28version=NIV1984">vv. 24,28</A>; see also note on <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%206:35version=NIV1984">6:35</A>). Jesus did not say `I was' but `I am,' expressing the eternity of his being and his oneness with the Father (see <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:1version=NIV1984">1:1</A>). With this climactic statement Jesus concludes his speech that began with the related claim, `I am the light of the world' (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:12version=NIV1984">v. 12</A>). <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:59version=NIV1984">8:59</A> <I>to stone him</I>. The Jews could not interpret Jesus' claim as other than blasphemy, for which stoning was the proper penalty (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Lev%2024:16version=NIV1984">Lev 24:16</A>)." (Barker, K., ed., 1985, "<A href="http://www.amazon.com/Zondervan-Study-Bible-Personal-Size/dp/0310923069/">The NIV Study Bible</A>," Zondervan: Grand Rapids MI, p.1614).</P></BLOCKQUOTE><P>"The immediate outraged response of the crowd - they prepare to stone him (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:59version=ESV">8:59</A>) - indicates the enormity of what the expression connotes in the narrative: it is .... (as the crowd judges) blasphemy ...":<BLOCKQUOTE>"<I>`I Am'</I> Among the other important features of the Johannine presentation of Jesus is a recurrent form of expression that functions to indicate vividly his transcendent significance, `I am [<I>Ego eimi</I>],' used in a variety of statements. In particular, there are in GJohn [Gospel of John] a number sentences in which `I am' is itself the stated claim, and other sentences in which `I am' is followed by predicates that express Jesus' significance. In the preceding discussion of preexistence I cited <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:58version=ESV">John 8:58</A>, one of several instances where Jesus applies the expression `I am' in this absolute form (i.e., without a predicate) to himself. The immediate outraged response of the crowd - they prepare to stone him (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:59version=ESV">8:59</A>) - indicates the enormity of what the expression connotes in the narrative: it is either (as the crowd judges) blasphemy or truly expresses an astonishing claim. ." (Hurtado, 2005, p.370).</P></BLOCKQUOTE><P>"The use of <I>ani hu</I> by Isaiah is a euphemism for the very name of God himself. ... That it carried great weight with the Jews is seen in [Jn] <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:59version=NASB">8:59</A> and their reaction to the Lord's usage of the phrase [of Himself]":<BLOCKQUOTE>"The use of <I>ani hu</I> by Isaiah is a euphemism for the very name of God himself. Some see a connection between <I>ani hu</I> and Yahweh as both referring to being. That it carried great weight with the Jews is seen in [Jn] <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:59version=NASB">8:59</A> and their reaction to the Lord's usage of the phrase. If one wishes to say that Jesus was not speaking Greek, but Aramaic, the difficulty is not removed, for the identification would have been just that much clearer!" (White, 1998, p.99).</P></BLOCKQUOTE><P>"When the Jews heard Jesus say, `Before Abraham was born, I am,' they took the statement to mean ... an assertion of deity. To them it was blasphemy, and they picked up stones to cast at Him (Jn 8:<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:59version=KJV">59</A>)": <BLOCKQUOTE>"[<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208version=KJV">Jn 8</A>] A comparison of the use of the phrase, `<I>I am</I>,' with self-revelation of Jehovah in the Old Testament shows that much the same terminology was employed. God, in commissioning Moses (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%203:14version=KJV">Ex. 3:14</A>), said: `Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.' When the Jews heard Jesus say, `Before Abraham was born, I am,' they took the statement to mean not priority to Abraham, but an assertion of deity. To them it was blasphemy, and they picked up stones to cast at Him (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:59version=KJV">59</A>)." (Tenney, 1976, p.150. Emphasis original).</P></BLOCKQUOTE> <P>"His Jewish opponents understood his meaning immediately and they `picked up stones' to stone him to death for blasphemy (see <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:59version=ESV">John 8:59</A>)":<BLOCKQUOTE>"[<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:58version=ESV">Jn 8:58</A>] If there had been any uncertainty about Jesus' identity in other passages where he said, `<I>I am</I>' (e.g., <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%206:35;%209:5;%2011:25version=ESV">6:35; 9:5; 11:25</A>), there was no confusion here because Jesus is claiming to be the one who was alive <I>before Abraham was</I>, that is, more than 2,000 years earlier. Jesus does not simply say, `Before Abraham was, I was,' which would simply mean that he is more than 2,000 years old. Rather, he uses the present tense `I am' in speaking of existence more than 2,000 years earlier, thus claiming a kind of transcendence over time that could only be true of God. The words `I am' in Greek use the same expression (<I>Ego eimi</I>) found in the Septuagint in the first half of God's self-identification in <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%203:14version=ESV">Ex. 3:14</A>, `I AM WHO I AM.' Jesus is thus claiming not only to be eternal but also to be the God who appeared to Moses at the burning bush. His Jewish opponents understood his meaning immediately and they `picked up stones' to stone him to death for blasphemy ... (see <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:59version=ESV">John 8:59</A>). ... [<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:59version=ESV">Jn 8:59</A>] Stoning was the prescribed punishment for blasphemy (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Lev%2024:16;%20Dt%2013:6-11;%20Jn%2010:31-33;%2011:8version=ESV">Lev. 24:16; cf. Deut. 13:6-11; John 10:31-33; 11:8</A>)." (Kostenberger, A.J., 2007, "John," in "<A href="http://www.amazon.com/ESV-Study-Bible-Crossway-Bibles/dp/1433502410/">The ESV Study Bible</A>," Crossway Bibles: Wheaton IL, p.2041).</P></BLOCKQUOTE><P>"Thus when Jesus said to `the Jews', `before Abraham was born, I am', he was identifying himself with God. ... Jesus' opponents understood the implications of what he said, and because they did not believe in him it appeared to them as blasphemy of the worst sort":<BLOCKQUOTE>"[<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:58version=NIV1984">Jn 8:58</A>]. ... <I>Jesus answered, 'before Abraham was born, I am!'</I> ... The words 'I am' (<I>ego eimi</I>) are used in a number of different ways on the lips of Jesus in the Fourth Gospel ... Here they are clearly used in an absolute sense representing the divine name. Thus when Jesus said to `the Jews', `before Abraham was born, I am', he was identifying himself with God. ...[<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:59version=NIV1984">Jn 8:59</A>]. Jesus' opponents understood the implications of what he said, and because they did not believe in him it appeared to them as blasphemy of the worst sort. The evangelist says, <I>At this, they picked up stones to stone him</I>. Stoning was the penalty for blasphemy prescribed in the OT (Lv. <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Lv%2024:14-16,%2023;%201%20Ki%2021:13-14version=NIV1984">24:14-16, 23; cf. 1 Ki. 21:13-14</A>.). In terms of the law they would have been right to stone him, i.e. unless Jesus was who he claimed to be. Later on 'the Jews' made another attempt to stone Jesus, this time stating explicitly that they were doing so because they were convinced he was a blasphemer (<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2010:31-33version=NIV1984">10:31-33</A>). " (Kruse, C.G., 2003, "<A href="http://www.amazon.com/Gospel-According-John-Introduction-Commentaries/dp/0802827713/">The Gospel According to St. John</A>: An Introduction and Commentary," The Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Inter-Varsity Press: Leicester UK, pp.218-219. Emphasis original).</P></BLOCKQUOTE> <P>"Jesus literally said to them, `I AM Jehovah' (I AM), and it is clear that they understood Him to mean just that; for they attempted, as the next verse reveals, to stone Him ... [for] blasphemy":<BLOCKQUOTE>"<A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:58version=KJV">John 8:58</A>, `Jesus said unto them ... Before Abraham was [born], I am' (KJV). In comparing this with the Septuagint translation of <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%203:14version=KJV">Exodus 3:14</A> and <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2043:10-13version=KJV">Isaiah 43:10-13</A>, we find that the translation is identical. In Exodus 3:14, Jehovah, speaking to Moses, said, `I AM,' which is synonymous with God. Jesus literally said to them, `I AM Jehovah' (I AM), and it is clear that they understood Him to mean just that; for they attempted, as the next verse reveals, to stone Him. Hebrew law on this point states five cases in which stoning was legal, and bear in mind that the Jews were legalists. Those cases were: (1) Having a familiar spirit, <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Lev%2020:27version=KJV">Leviticus 20:27</A>; (2) Cursing (blasphemy), <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Lev%2024:10-23version=KJV">Leviticus 24:10-23</A>; (3) False prophets who lead to idolatry, <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Dt%2013:5-10version=KJV">Deuteronomy 13:5-10</A>; (4) Stubborn son, <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Dt%2021:18-21version=KJV">Deuteronomy 21:18-21</A>; and (5) Adultery and rape, <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Dt%2022:21-24version=KJV">Deuteronomy 22:21-24</A> and <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Lev%2020:10version=KJV">Leviticus 20:10</A>. Now, the only legal ground the Jews had for stoning Christ (and actually they had none at all) was the second violation, namely, blasphemy." (Martin Klann, 1953, p.52).</P> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P>"His [Jesus'] meaning [in <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:58version=NIV1984">Jn 8:58</A>] was not lost on his audience, for `they took up stones to throw at him' ([Jn] <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:59version=NIV1984">8:59</A>). `They understood that Jesus ascribed divine existence to himself and made himself equal with God'":<BLOCKQUOTE>"His [Jesus'] meaning was not lost on his audience, for `they took up stones to throw at him' ([Jn] <A href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:59version=NIV1984">8:59</A>). `They understood that Jesus ascribed divine existence to himself and made himself equal with God.' [Berkouwer, 1954, p.165] ... in all these declarations `the subject of the affirmation is the actual person speaking; it is of himself who stood before men and spoke to them that Our Lord makes these immense assertions, making `I am' also his own name and leading his audiences in the Gospels either to believe in him or to accuse him of blasphemy." (Reymond, 2003, p.236).</P></BLOCKQUOTE><P><HR> </P> </P> <P>My next post in this series is part #9, "<a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com/2012/01/jesus-is-jehovah-3b-jesus-claimed-and.html">3B. Jesus claimed and accepted the titles `Lord' and `God' of Himself</a>."</P> <P><A href="http://members.iinet.net.au/~sejones/index.html">Stephen E. Jones</A>, B.Sc., Grad. Dip. Ed. <BR>My other blogs: <A href="http://creationevolutiondesign.blogspot.com/">CreationEvolutionDesign</A> <A href="http://theshroudofturin.blogspot.com/">The Shroud of Turin</A> </P>Stephen E. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16183223752386599799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574858940069385599.post-24786203897736405992011-11-20T20:17:00.012+08:002011-12-13T09:22:13.750+08:00Jesus is Jehovah!: 2C. Jehovah promised that He would come to Jerusalem in Person<p>Continuing from part #6, "<a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com/2011/11/jesus-is-jehovah-2b-jehovah-seen-in-old.html">2B. Jehovah seen in the Old Testament was the pre-incarnate Jesus</a>" with this part #7, "2C. Jehovah</p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/71/Brooklyn_Museum_-_The_Procession_in_the_Streets_of_Jerusalem_%28Le_cort%C3%A8ge_dans_les_rues_de_J%C3%A9rusalem%29_-_James_Tissot.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/71/Brooklyn_Museum_-_The_Procession_in_the_Streets_of_Jerusalem_%28Le_cort%C3%A8ge_dans_les_rues_de_J%C3%A9rusalem%29_-_James_Tissot.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><p>[<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/71/Brooklyn_Museum_-_The_Procession_in_the_Streets_of_Jerusalem_%28Le_cort%C3%A8ge_dans_les_rues_de_J%C3%A9rusalem%29_-_James_Tissot.jpg">Above</a> (click to enlarge): "<a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Brooklyn_Museum_-_The_Procession_in_the_Streets_of_Jerusalem_%28Le_cort%C3%A8ge_dans_les_rues_de_J%C3%A9rusalem%29_-_James_Tissot.jpg#file">The Procession in the Streets of Jerusalem</a>," (1886-94), by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Tissot">James Joseph Jacques Tissot</a> (1836-1902), Brooklyn Museum: Wikipedia, 4 May 2011. This depicts Jesus' coming to Jerusalem as its King, riding a donkey, as predicted in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zec%209:9;%20Mt%2021:5;%20Jn%2012:15&version=ESV">Zec 9:9 = Mt 21:5; Jn 12:15</a>.]</p>promised that He would come to Jerusalem in Person." This is part of my series, "<a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com/2011/10/jesus-is-jehovah-contents.html">Jesus <i>is </i>Jehovah!</a>" by topic, which is based on my morning `quiet time' Bible reading. See the <a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com/2011/10/jesus-is-jehovah-contents.html">Contents</a> page for more details.<p> </p><hr /> <p></p> <center><b>JESUS <i>IS </i>JEHOVAH!<br />© Stephen E. Jones</b></center> <p></p> <p><a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com/2011/10/jesus-is-jehovah-contents.html">Jesus <i>is</i> Jehovah!: Contents</a></p> <p><b>2. JESUS IS JEHOVAH IN THE OLD TESTAMENT</b></p> <p><b>2C. Jehovah promised that He would come to Jerusalem in Person</b></p> <p><b>i.</b> <b>Israel was warned that Jehovah God was coming</b></p><blockquote><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2040:3&version=ESV">Isa 40:3</a>. A voice cries: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.</p></blockquote> <p>This prophecy states that <i>YHWH 'Elohim</i> was coming. Yet it was applied to <i>Jesus'</i> coming by all four Gospels (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%203:3;%20Mk%201:3;%20Lk%203:4;%20Jn%201:23&version=ESV">Mt 3:3; Mk 1:3; Lk 3:4 and Jn 1:23</a>).</p> <p>"Old Testament passages about Yahweh were directly applied to Jesus ... <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2040:3&version=NIV">Isaiah 40:3</a> says: `In the desert prepare the way for the LORD [<i>Yahweh</i>]; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God [<i>Elohim</i>].' ... fulfilled in the ministry of John the Baptist preparing the way for Jesus Christ (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mk%201:2-4&version=NIV">Mark 1:2-4</a>)":</p><blockquote>"It is also highly revealing that Old Testament passages about Yahweh were directly applied to Jesus in the New Testament. For instance, <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2040:3&version=NIV">Isaiah 40:3</a> says: `In the desert prepare the way for the LORD [<i>Yahweh</i>]; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God [<i>Elohim</i>].' Mark's Gospel tells us that Isaiah's words were fulfilled in the ministry of John the Baptist preparing the way for Jesus (Rhodes, R., 1993, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Reasoning-Scriptures-Jehovahs-Witnesses-Rhodes/dp/1565071069">Reasoning from the Scriptures with the Jehovah's Witnesses</a>," Harvest House: Eugene OR, Reprinted, 2006, p.64).</p></blockquote> <p> "Old Testament descriptions of God are applied to ... Christ .... <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%203:3&version=ASV">Mat. 3:3</a> = `Make ye ready the way of the Lord'-is a quotation from <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2040:3&version=ASV">Is. 40:3</a> = `Prepare ye ... the way of Jehovah'":</p><blockquote>"Old Testament descriptions of God are applied to him. This application to Christ of titles and names exclusively appropriated to God is inexplicable, if Christ was not regarded as being himself God. The peculiar awe with which the term 'Jehovah' was set apart by a nation of strenuous monotheists as the sacred and incommunicable name of the one self-existent and covenant-keeping God forbids the belief that the Scripture writers could have used it as the designation of a subordinate and created being. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%203:3&version=ASV">Mat. 3:3</a> = `Make ye ready the way of the Lord'-is a quotation from <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2040:3&version=ASV">Is. 40:3</a> = `Prepare ye ... the way of Jehovah.'" (Strong, A.H., 1907, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Systematic-Theology-Strong-Augustus-Hopkins/dp/1113211474/">Systematic Theology</a>," Judson Press: Valley Forge PA, Twenty-fifth printing, 1967, p.309).</p></blockquote> <p>"Perhaps the most famous such statement in Isaiah is the following: The voice of one crying in the wilderness: `Prepare the way of the LORD; Make straight in the desert A highway for our God.' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2040:3&version=NKJV">40:3 NKJV</a>) The Synoptic Gospels quote this passage and apply it to John the Baptist preparing the way for the Lord Jesus (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%203:3;%20Mk%201:3;%20Lk%203:4-6&version=NIV1984">Matt. 3:3; Mark 1:3; Luke 3:4-6</a>)":</p><blockquote>"Isaiah, then, refers to the future Messiah as <i>Immanuel</i>, meaning `God is with us,' [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%207:14&version=NIV1984">Isaiah 7:14</a>] and as `Mighty God' cf (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2010:21&version=NIV1984">Isa. 10:21</a>). These are not the only statements in Isaiah that suggest that the Messiah will be God. Later in the book, Isaiah states repeatedly that <i>God</i> is coming to redeem, restore, and rule over his people (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2040:9-11;%2043:10-13;%2059:15-20&version=NIV1984">Isa. 40:9-11; 43:10-13; 59:15-20</a>). Perhaps the most famous such statement in Isaiah is the following: The voice of one crying in the wilderness: `Prepare the way of the LORD; Make straight in the desert A highway for our God.' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2040:3&version=NKJV">40:3 NKJV</a>) The Synoptic Gospels quote this passage and apply it to John the Baptist preparing the way for the Lord Jesus (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%203:3;%20Mk%201:3;%20Lk%203:4-6&version=NIV1984">Matt. 3:3; Mark 1:3; Luke 3:4-6</a>). The New Testament teaching that Jesus is God, then, has significant precedent in Isaiah." (Bowman, R.M., Jr. & Komoszewski, J.E., 2007, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Putting-Jesus-His-Place-Christ/dp/0825429838/">Putting Jesus In His Place: The Case for the Deity of Christ</a>," Kregel: Grand Rapids MI, pp.137-138).</p></blockquote> <p>"... there is the statement in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2040:3&version=NIV1984">verse 3</a> that Jehovah God would be coming. .. Jehovah God was prophesied to come, and John the Baptist prepared the way for Jehovah Jesus":</p><blockquote>"<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2040:3&version=NIV1984">ISAIAH 40:3</a> ...: A voice of one calling: `In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God....' This is a remarkable passage for several reasons. First, there is the statement in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2040:3&version=NIV1984">verse 3</a> that Jehovah God would be coming. This found fulfillment when John the Baptist prepared people for the Lord. Jesus Christ. He was the `voice' (cf. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%203:3&version=NIV1984">Matthew 3:3</a>) preparing the way for Jehovah. Jehovah God was prophesied to come, and John the Baptist prepared the way for Jehovah Jesus. ... the entire chapter is rich in exalting Jehovah Jesus." (Humber, P.G., 1997, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jehovah-Jesus-Reference-Handbook-Christ/dp/B003OFWCHM">Jehovah Jesus</a>: A Reference Handbook and Study Guide on the Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ," Skilton House Ministries: Philadelphia PA, pp.34-35. Emphasis original).</p></blockquote> <p> "In <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2040:3&version=NIV1984">Isaiah 40:3</a> the way of Yahweh is being `made straight' ... in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%203:3&version=NIV1984">Matthew 3:3</a> it is the way of Jesus. This sort of identification of Jesus with Yahweh is common in the NT":</p><blockquote>"[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%203:3&version=NIV1984">Mt 3:3</a>] In <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2040:3&version=NIV1984">Isaiah 40:3</a> the way of Yahweh is being `made straight' (a metaphor using road building to refer to repentance); in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%203:3&version=NIV1984">Matthew 3:3</a> it is the way of Jesus. This sort of identification of Jesus with Yahweh is common in the NT (e.g., <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%2013:21;%201Cor%2010:4&version=NIV1984">Exod 13:21 and 1 Cor 10:4</a>; <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%206:1;%20Jn%2012:41&version=NIV1984">Isa 6:1 and John 12:41</a>; <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2068:18;%20Eph%204:8&version=NIV1984">EPs 68:18 and Eph 4:8</a>; <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%20102:25-27;%20Heb%201:10-12&version=NIV1984">Ps 102:25-27 and Heb 1:10-12</a>) and confirms the kingdom as being equally the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Jesus." (Carson, D.A., "Matthew," in Gaebelein, F.E., ed., 1984, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Matthew-Mark-Expositors-Bible-Commentary/dp/0310365007/">The Expositor's Bible Commentary: Volume 8 - Matthew, Mark, Luke</a>," Zondervan: Grand Rapids MI, p.102).</p></blockquote> <p><b>ii. Jehovah will come and dwell in Jerusalem</b> </p><blockquote><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zec%202:10&version=ESV">Zec 2:10</a>. "Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion, for behold, I come and I will dwell in your midst, declares the LORD."</p></blockquote> <p>"It is clear that Jehovah is the one coming and residing in Jerusalem ... God the Son": </p><blockquote>"<i><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zec%202:10-12&version=NASB">Zechariah 2:10-12</a></i> `Cry out... O daughter of Zion; for here I am coming, and I will reside in the midst of you,' is the utterance of Jehovah... And you will have to know that Jehovah of armies himself has sent me to you. And Jehovah will ... yet choose Jerusalem (NWT). It is clear that Jehovah is the one coming and residing in Jerusalem, not Zechariah as some Witnesses will try to say. But it is also clear that Jehovah of armies has sent Him. A clear case of two Jehovahs in the NWT. The only possible answer is that God the Father is sending God the Son." (Harris, D. & Browning, B., 1993, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Awake-Watchtower-Doug-Harris/dp/0951363220/">Awake to the Watchtower</a>," [1988], Reachout Trust: London, Revised, p.156. Emphasis original). </p></blockquote> <p> "For I am coming, and I will live among you,' declares the LORD. .... But who was it who eventually came to `live among' us? Was it, not the Lord Jesus, Jehovah God the Son in human flesh?": </p><blockquote>"<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zec%202:10-11&version=ESV">ZECHARIAH 2:10-11</a>: `Shout and be glad, O Daughter of Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you,' declares the LORD. `Many nations will be joined with the LORD in that day and will become my people. I will live among you and you will know that the LORD Almighty has sent me to you.' This passage clearly indicates the speaker to be `the LORD.' But who was it who eventually came to `live among' us? Was it, not the Lord Jesus, Jehovah God the Son in human flesh? He was indeed sent by `the LORD' (Jehovah the Father), and peoples of `many nations' have been `joined to the LORD.'" (Humber, 1997, p.41. Emphasis original).</p> </blockquote> <p><b>iii. Jerusalem's King (who is Jehovah) will come to Jerusalem riding on a donkey</b></p><blockquote><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zec%209:9;%20Mt%2021:5;%20Jn%2012:15&version=ESV">Zec 9:9</a>. Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.</p></blockquote> <p>In <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zep%203:15&version=ESV">Zep 3:15</a> this coming King was identified as "The LORD" i.e. Jehovah:</p><blockquote><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zep%203:14-15&version=ESV">Zep 3:14-15</a>. 14 Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! 15The LORD has taken away the judgments against you; he has cleared away your enemies. The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; you shall never again fear evil.</p></blockquote> <p>"A similar call to exult in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zeph%203:14&version=NIV1984">Zephaniah 3:14</a> is linked with a proclamation of the presence of `the King of Israel, the Lord' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zeph%203:15&version=NIV1984">3:15</a>) in the city":</p><blockquote>"[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zec%209:9&version=NIV1984">Zec 9:]<i>9</i></a><i>. Rejoice greatly.... shout.</i> A similar call to exult in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zeph%203:14&version=NIV1984">Zephaniah 3:14</a> is linked with a proclamation of the presence of `the King of Israel, the Lord' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zeph%203:15&version=NIV1984">3:15</a>) in the city. In <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zeph%202:10&version=NIV1984">Zechariah 2:10</a> there is a call to sing and rejoice because the Lord has promised to come to reside in Jerusalem, and now His arrival is to be accompanied with wild joy." (Baldwin, J.G., 1972, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Zechariah-Malachi-Tyndale-Testament-Commentaries/dp/0830842284/">Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi: An Introduction and Commentary</a>," Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries," Inter-Varsity Press, Leicester UK, Reprinted, 2003, p.164. Emphasis original).</p></blockquote> <p>The New Testament confirms that Jesus is that King (who is Jehovah):</p><blockquote><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2021:1-11&version=NIV1984">Mt 21:1-11</a> (NIV). 1 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away." 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: 5 "Say to the Daughter of Zion, `See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.'" 6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Hosanna in the highest!" 10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?" 11 The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee."<br><br><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2012:12-16&version=ESV">Jn 12:12-16</a>. 12The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!" 14And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written, 15 "Fear not, daughter of Zion;behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt!" 16 His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him.</p></blockquote> <p><b>iii. Jehovah (Heb. <i>ha 'adon</i>) will come to His temple (before 70 AD)</b></p><blockquote><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mal%203:1&version=ESV">Mal 3:1</a>. "Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord (Heb. <i>ha 'adon</i>) whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple ..."</p></blockquote> <p>"... the word `Lord' (Heb. <i>ha'adon </i>) used in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mal%203:1&version=NIV1984">verse 1c</a> is singular and is preceded by the definite article. Since <i>'adon</i> preceded by the definite article always refers to the divine Lord (e.g., <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%2023:17;%2034:23;%20Isa%201:24;%203:1;%2010:16,%2033&version=NIV1984">Ex 23:17; 34:23; Isa 1:24; 3:1; 10:16, 33</a>) [i.e. YHWH], he is certainly the one being referred to here":</p><blockquote>"<i>The Messiah As the Messenger of the Covenant</i> (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mal%203:1&version=NIV1984">Malachi 3:1</a>) The revelation of the character and work of the Messiah in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mal%203&version=NIV1984">Malachi 3</a> comes as an answer to the grievances of the complainers in the prophet's day who have wearied God with the old saws: `All who do evil are good in the eyes of the LORD, and he is pleased with them.' Their punch line is: `Where is the God of justice [anyway]?' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mal%202:17&version=NIV1984">Mal 2:17</a>). It is as if they are saying, `God must love wicked people because he made so many of them!' But these crybabies will find out soon enough that God means business with evildoers, just as he means business with people who complain about them and in effect hide behind them to vindicate their own deeds of evil. God `will send [his] messenger, who will prepare the way before [him]' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mal%203:1&version=NIV1984">Mal 3:1a</a>). This messenger is a development of the preparer predicted in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2040:3-5&version=NIV1984">Isaiah 40:3-5</a>. He is to be identified as John the Baptist, who came in the spirit and the power of Elijah (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%203:1-3;%20Mk%201:3;%20Lk%201:17,76;%203:4;%20Jn%201:19-23&version=NIV1984">Mt 3:1-3; Mk 1:3; Lk 1:17, 76; 3:4; Jn 1:19-23</a>). His job was to prepare the people morally and spiritually for the coming of the Messiah. Where, then, is the God of justice? The answer is surprising: `Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; [even] the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come, says the LORD Almighty' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mal%203:1&version=NIV1984">3:1c-e</a>). There are a number of significant matters here. First, the word `Lord' (Heb. <i>ha'adon </i>) used in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mal%203:1&version=NIV1984">verse 1c</a> is singular and is preceded by the definite article. Since <i>'adon</i> preceded by the definite article always refers to the divine Lord (e.g., <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%2023:17;%2034:23;%20Isa%201:24;%203:1;%2010:16,%2033&version=NIV1984">Ex 23:17; 34:23; Isa 1:24; 3:1; 10:16, 33</a>), he is certainly the one being referred to here. In fact, that was the Messiah's title in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%20110:1&version=NIV1984">Psalm 110:1</a> ('The LORD says to my Lord')".(Kaiser, W.C., Jr., 1995, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Messiah-Old-Testament-Walter-Kaiser/dp/031020030X/">The Messiah in the Old Testament</a>," Zondervan: Grand Rapids MI, pp.227-228) .</p></blockquote> <p>"Jehovah ... spoke ... that He would be sending His messenger (John the Baptist, <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2011:10&version=NIV1984">Matthew 11:10</a>) to `prepare the way before me' (Jehovah). John actually cleared the way in preparation for ... the Lord Jesus Christ":</p><blockquote>"<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mal%203:1&version=NIV1984">MALACHI 3:1</a>: `See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,' says the LORD Almighty. Jehovah Almighty ('LORD Almighty') spoke and indicated that He would be sending His messenger (John the Baptist, <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2011:10&version=NIV1984">Matthew 11:10</a>) to `prepare the way before me' (Jehovah). John actually cleared the way in preparation for `the messenger of the covenant,' the Lord Jesus Christ. In harmony with <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2011:10&version=NIV1984">Isaiah 40:3</a> (above), the Lord Jesus is the Jehovah God who was to come." (Humber, 1997, p.44. Emphasis original).</p></blockquote> <p>"Jesus ... is called Lord in quotations from the Old Testament where the Old Testament word is Jahweh. In ... <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mal%203:1&version=KJV">Malachi 3:1</a> ...`the Lord' is Jahweh ... Thus `the Lord,' whose ways John was to prepare, is none other than Jahweh Himself":</p><blockquote>"<i>Jesus Is Jahweh</i> Not only is Jesus called God in the New Testament but he is called Lord in quotations from the Old Testament where the Old Testament word is Jahweh. In the prophecy of Zacharias (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Lk%201:76&version=KJV">Luke 1:76</a>) it is said of John the Baptist, `And thou, child, shalt be called Prophet of the Most High; thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways.' It is obvious that Luke understood this prophecy as referring to John as the forerunner of Jesus. But Zacharias was alluding to <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mal%203:1&version=KJV">Malachi 3:1</a> in which the word `the Lord' is Jahweh. `Behold I will send my messenger and he shall prepare the way before me, saith Jahweh of hosts:' Thus `the Lord,' whose ways John was to prepare, is none other than Jahweh Himself. Paul gives great emphasis to the prophecy of Joel. `Whosoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom%2010:13&version=KJV">Rom. 10:13</a>). It is clear in the context that Paul is calling Christ `the Lord,' but in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joel%202:32&version=KJV">Joel 2:32</a>, in the phrase, `Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be delivered,' `the Lord' in the Hebrew text is Jahweh. In the <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom%2014:10&version=KJV">Romans 14:10</a> reference to the judgment of the saints, Paul adds a quotation from <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2045:23&version=KJV">Isaiah 45:23</a>. `As I live saith the Lord, every knee will bow to me and every tongue will confess to God:' That Jahweh is the speaker in Isaiah's words is evident from <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2045:24-25&version=KJV">verses 24 and 25</a>. These passages indicate that Christ and God and Jahweh are one." (Buswell, J.O., Jr., 1962, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/systematic-theology-Christian-religion/dp/B0006AXZTM">A Systematic Theology of the Christian Religion</a>," Zondervan: Grand Rapids MI, Vol. I, Second printing, 1968, pp.104-105. Emphasis original).</p> </blockquote> <p>The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watch_Tower_Bible_and_Tract_Society_of_Pennsylvania">Watchtower Bible & Tract Society</a>'s own <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_World_Translation_of_the_Holy_Scriptures">New World Translation</a></i> admits that "the true Lord" [Heb. <i>ha Adon`</i>] in <a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/mal/chapter_003.htm">Malachi 3:1</a> is Jehovah: "... <i>`the [true] Lord'</i> This is the translation of the Hebrew expression ... <i>ha-A-don'</i> ... this prefixing of the definite article before the title <i>a-don'</i> limits the application of the title to Jehovah God. ... <a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/mal/chapter_003.htm"><i>Malachi 3:1</i></a> Look! I am sending my messenger, and he must clear up a way before me. And suddenly there will come to His temple the true Lord":</p><blockquote>"<i><a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/isa/chapter_001.htm#bk24">Isaiah 1:24</a>- `the [true] Lord'</i> This is the translation of the Hebrew expression ... <i>ha-A-don'</i>, this being the title <i>A-don'</i> ('Lord; Master') preceded by the Hebrew definite article <i>ha</i>. Although there are many lords or masters, this prefixing of the definite article before the title <i>a-don'</i> limits the application of the title to Jehovah God. (See Gesenius' <i>Hebrew Grammar</i>, section 126, paragraph d, on pages 404, 405.) In the Hebrew Scriptures this expression <i>ha-A-don'</i> occurs nine times, as listed below: <i><a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/ex/chapter_023.htm#bk17">Exodus 23:17</a></i> On three occasions in the year every male of yours will appear before the face of the Lord Jehovah. <i><a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/ex/chapter_034.htm#bk23">34:23</a></i> Three times in the year every male of yours is to appear before the true Lard, Jehovah, the God of Israel. <i><a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/isa/chapter_001.htm#bk24">Isaiah 1:24</a></i> Therefore the utterance of the true Lord, Jehovah of armies, the Powerful One of Israel, is: <i><a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/isa/chapter_003.htm">3:1</a></i> For, look! the true Lord, Jehovah of armies, is removing from Jerusalem and from Judah support and stay, <i><a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/isa/chapter_010.htm#bk16">10:16</a></i> Therefore the true Lord, Jehovah of armies, will keep sending upon his fat ones a wasting disease, <i><a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/isa/chapter_010.htm#bk33">10:33</a></i> Look! The true Lord, Jehovah of armies, is lopping off boughs with a terrible crash; <i><a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/isa/chapter_019.htm">19:4</a></i> `And I will deliver up Egypt into the hand of a hard master, and strong will be the king that will rule over them,' is the utterance of the true Lord, Jehovah of armies. <i><a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/mic/chapter_004.htm#bk13">Micah 4:13</a>b</i> and by a ban you will actually devote to Jehovah their unjust profit, and their resources to the true Lord of the whole earth.' <i><a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/mal/chapter_003.htm">Malachi 3:1</a></i> Look! I am sending my messenger, and he must clear up a way before me. And suddenly there will come to His temple the true Lord, whom you people are seeking, and the messenger of the covenant in whom You are delighting." (Watchtower Bible & Tract Society, 1961, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/New-World-Translation-Holy-Scriptures/dp/B000S1QPJQ/">New World translation of the Holy Scriptures</a>," Watchtower Bible & Tract Society of New York: Brooklyn NY, pp.1453-1454).</p></blockquote> <p>"In nine places in the Masoretic text, <i>'A•dhohn'</i> has the definite article <i>ha </i>before it, so <i>limiting application of the title to Jehovah</i>. (... <a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/mal/chapter_003.htm">Mal 3:1</a>) (my emphasis):<blockquote>"The titles <i>'A•dhohn'</i> and <i>'Adho•nim'</i> are applied to Jehovah 25 times in the Scriptures. In nine places in the Masoretic text, <i>'A•dhohn'</i> has the definite article <i>ha </i>before it, so limiting application of the title to Jehovah. (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%2023:17;%2034:23;%20Isa%201:24;%203:1;%2010:16,%2033;%2019:4;%20Mic%204:13;%20Mal%203:1&version=ASV">Ex 23:17; 34:23; Isa 1:24; 3:1; 10:16, 33; 19:4; Mic 4:13; Mal 3:1</a>) At all six places where <i>'A•dhohn'</i> without the definite article refers to Jehovah, it describes him as Lord (Owner) of the earth and so is not ambiguous. (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jos%203:11,%2013;%20Ps%2097:5;%20114:7;%20Zec%204:14;%206:5&version=ASV">Jos 3:11, 13; Ps 97:5; 114:7; Zec 4:14; 6:5</a>) At the ten places where <i>'Adho•nim'</i> is used of Jehovah, the immediate context makes certain his identity.- <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Dt%2010:17;%20Nh%208:10;%2010:29;%20Ps%208:1,%209;%20135:5;%20136:3;%20147:5;%20Isa%2051:22;%20Hos%2012:14&version=ASV">De 10:17; Ne 8:10; 10:29; Ps 8:1, 9; 135:5; 136:3; 147:5; Isa 51:22; Ho 12:14</a>." ("LORD," in "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Insight-Scriptures-Vol-Jehovah-Zuzim-Index/dp/B000AXW7IA/">Insight on the Scriptures: Volume 2: Jehovah - ZuZim</a>," Watchtower Bible & Tract Society: Brooklyn NY, 1988, p.267. Emphasis original).</p></blockquote> <p> But the only Lord who came while the temple of Malachi's day ("slightly before Nehemiah came to Jerusalem in 445 BCE"-<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Malachi#Period">Malachi</a>, Wikipedia, 20 November 2011 ) was still in existence (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Temple">the Second Temple which was built in 516 BC and destroyed in AD 70</a>) was <i>the Lord Jesus Christ</i>:</p><blockquote>"To answer these questions, we turn to the next piece of prophetic evidence, coming from the Book of Malachi, written somewhere around 400 B.C.E. (i.e., less than 150 years after the rebuilding of the Second Temple). Here we have a more explicit statement: There was to be a divine visitation at the Second Temple- and for many of our people it would be bad news, not good news, a time of judgment rather than joy. ... <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mal%203:1-5&version=NIV1984">Malachi 3:1-5</a> ...We see from this passage that the Lord (in Hebrew, <i>ha'adon</i>, always used with reference to God in the Hebrew Bible when it has the definite article), preceded by his messenger, would visit <i>the Second Temple</i>, purifying some of his people and bringing judgment on others. That is to say, there would be a divine visitation of great import that would occur <i>in the days of the Second Temple</i> ... the Messiah was to come to the Temple that stood in Malachi's day (and note also that it is called `his Temple'-pointing clearly to the divine nature of the `Lord' spoken' of here). .... the Messiah must have come before the Temple was destroyed in 70 C.E.; if not, God's Word has failed." (Brown, M.L., 2000, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Answering-Jewish-Objections-Jesus-Historical/dp/080106063X">Answering Jewish Objections to Jesus: Volume 1: General and Historical Objections</a>," Baker: Grand Rapids MI, Eighth printing, 2007, pp.77-78. Emphasis original). </p></blockquote> <p>"The true Lord whom the people <i>are seeking</i> and the only one ever to come to the temple, is Jesus. The ... Hebrew for `true lord' is <i>ha-Adon</i> .... The 1970 NWT (p. 1455) explains further that <i>ha-Adon</i> is only ever used of Jehovah God ... Christ is the true Lord, Jehovah": </p><blockquote>"<i><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mal%203:1&version=NASB">Malachi 3:1</a></i> This verse and footnote in NWT, 1971 large print edition, gives the Witness all sorts of problems `Look! I am sending my messenger, and he must clear up a way before me. And suddenly there will certainly come to His temple the [true] Lord, whom you people are seeking, and the messenger of the covenant in whom you are delighting. Look! He will certainly come,' Jehovah of armies has said (NWT). Clearly Jehovah is speaking about the true Lord whom He will send. The true Lord whom the people <i>are seeking</i> and the only one ever to come to the temple, is Jesus. The footnote says that the Hebrew for `true lord' is <i>ha-Adon</i> and cites eight other occurrences of the word. The 1970 NWT (p. 1455) explains further that <i>ha-Adon</i> is only ever used of Jehovah God. The nine Scriptures, <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%2023:17;%2034:23;%20Isa%201:24;%203:1;%2010:16,33;%2019:4;%20Mic%204:13;%20Mal%203:1&version=NASB">Exodus 23:17; 34:23; Isaiah 1:24; 3:1; 10:16; 10:33; 19:4; Micah 4:13 and Malachi 3:1</a> are listed and every one of them links the name Jehovah with true Lord, usually `the true Lord, Jehovah'. Every one that is <i>except</i> Malachi 3:1! The reason is obvious- first, the verse would show that Jehovah was sending Jehovah, but more devastating it would show that Christ is the true Lord, Jehovah." (Harris & Browning, 1993, p.155. Emphasis original). </p></blockquote> <p><hr /></p> <p>My next post in this series is part #8, "3. Jesus claimed to be Jehovah: <a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com/2011/12/jesus-is-jehovah-3a-jesus-claimed-to-be.html">3A. Jesus claimed to be `I AM.'</a>"</p> <p><a href="http://members.iinet.net.au/%7Esejones/index.html">Stephen E. Jones</a>, B.Sc., Grad. Dip. Ed.<br />My other blogs: <a href="http://creationevolutiondesign.blogspot.com/">CreationEvolutionDesign</a> & <a href="http://theshroudofturin.blogspot.com/">The Shroud of Turin</a></p>Stephen E. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16183223752386599799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574858940069385599.post-21938554871060653282011-11-12T21:29:00.013+08:002011-12-20T19:13:15.358+08:00Re: `Jesus said, "The Father is greater than I am"'<p>Anonymous</p> <p> Thank you for your comment under my post "<a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com/2011/10/jesus-is-jehovah-contents.html">Jesus is Jehovah!: Contents</a>." As I briefly responded, I am answering your </p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.crainsnewyork.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/storyimage/CN/20111016/REAL_ESTATE/310169968/AR/Watchtower.jpg&q=100&MaxW=800"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://www.crainsnewyork.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/storyimage/CN/20111016/REAL_ESTATE/310169968/AR/Watchtower.jpg&q=100&MaxW=800" alt="" border="0" /></a> <p>[<a href="http://www.crainsnewyork.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/storyimage/CN/20111016/REAL_ESTATE/310169968/AR/Watchtower.jpg&q=100&MaxW=800">Above</a> (click to enlarge): Some of the "34 mint-condition properties in Brooklyn Heights and Dumbo that the Jehovah's Witnesses spent decades accumulating and now are considering selling as they ponder a headquarters move upstate" which "All told, the portfolio spans 3.2 million square feet-more than the entire Empire State Building-and is worth well over $1 billion." (Amanda Fung, "<a href="http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20111016/REAL_ESTATE/310169968">Hallelujah! Jehovah's Witnesses' land sell-off has Brooklyn dreaming big</a>," <i>Crain's New York Business.com</i>, October 16, 2011). Not bad for a religion that boasts, "we don't pass around the money basket like everyone else" (see below)!]</p> <p>comment in a (this) separate post. Your words are <b>>bold</b> to distinguish them from mine.</p><p><b>>Jesus said, "The Father is greater than I am."</b></p> <p>This is an example of how Jehovah's Witnesses play `Bible ping-pong', that is, "pit one part of Scripture against another part to force the Bible to agree with their [the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watch_Tower_Bible_and_Tract_Society_of_Pennsylvania">Watchtower Bible and Tract Society</a>'s] doctrine":<blockquote>"In short, <i>Jehovah's Witnesses pit one part of Scripture against another part to force the Bible to agree with their doctrine.</i> This is one of the most frequent errors of Jehovah's Witness biblical interpretation. <a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/john/14-28.html">John 14:28</a> is said to rule out the possibility that <a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/john/1-1.html">John 1:1 </a>makes Jesus God, regardless of the particular language used in John 1:1 (and indeed, without careful consideration of the precise language and context of John 14:28). In personal dialogue with Jehovah's Witnesses I have seen this error committed repeatedly. One rather naive Jehovah's Witness even presented me with a list of Scriptures `pro' and `con' on the Trinity, with texts such as John 1:1 listed as `pro' and John 14:28 listed as `con'!" (Bowman, R.M., Jr., 1991, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Jehovahs-Witnesses-They-Bible/dp/0801009952/">Understanding Jehovah's Witnesses: Why They Read the Bible the Way They Do</a>," Baker: Grand Rapids MI, p.107. Emphasis original).<p></p></blockquote> <p>The correct approach is the <i>Christian</i> one, which is to accept what the Bible teaches, that is, <i>both</i>:</p> <p>1) Jesus is God (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%201:23;%20Jn%201:1,18;%2020:28;%20Acts%2020:28;%20Rom%209:5;%20Php%202:5-6;%20Col%202:9;%20Tit%202:13;%20Heb%201:8;%202Pet%201:1;%201Jn%205:20&version=ESV">Mt 1:23; Jn 1:1; 20:28; Acts 20:28; Rom 9:5; Php 2:5-6; Col 2:9; Tit 2:13; Heb 1:8; 2Pet 1:1; 1Jn 5:20</a>):<blockquote>"<i>A Summary of ... </i>Theos<i>, as a Christological Title</i> In light of this overwhelming amount of evidence for Jesus' full, unabridged deity, it is not at all surprising, as noted, that upon occasion the New Testament writers actually refer to him as ... <i>theos</i>, the title normally reserved for the Father. For example, 1. Exactly one week after Jesus' resurrection, in the presence of the other ten disciples, Thomas worshiped him by his acclamation: `[You are] my Lord and my God' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2020:28&version=NIV1984">John 20:28</a>). 2. In his letter to the Romans Paul speaks of him as `over all, the ever-blessed God' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom%209:5&version=NIV1984">Rom. 9:5</a>). 3. In his letter to Titus Paul speaks of Christ as `our great God and Savior' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Tit%202:13&version=NIV1984">Titus 2:13</a>). 4. In his farewell address to the Ephesians elders at Miletus, Paul charged: `Be shepherds of the church of God which he bought with his own blood' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2020:28&version=NIV1984">Acts 20:28</a>). 5. In his second letter Peter refers to him as `our God and Savior Jesus Christ' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Pet%201:1&version=NIV1984">2 Pet. 1:1</a>). 6. In the Letter to the Hebrews God himself is represented as referring to the Son as `God' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Heb%201:8&version=NIV1984">Heb. 1:8</a>). 7. In the first verse of his Gospel John informs us: `In the beginning was the word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God,' [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:1&version=NIV">Jn 1:1</a>] and then he writes: `And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:24&version=NIV1984">John 1:24</a>). 8. In <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:18&version=NIV1984">John 1:18</a>, the closing verse of his prologue, John writes: `No one has seen God at any time. But his only [Son, himself] God, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has made him known.' 9. In <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Jn%205:20&version=NIV1984">1 John 5:20</a>, John writes: `we are ... in his Son, Jesus Christ. This One is the true God and Eternal Life.' Thus the New Testament intends to teach that Jesus Christ is divine in the same sense that God the Father is divine." (Reymond, R., "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/New-Systematic-Theology-Christian-Faith/dp/0849913179/">A New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith</a>," [1997], Thomas Nelson Publishers: Nashville TN, Second edition, 2002, p.311. Emphasis original);</blockquote><p></p> <p><i>and </i></p> <p><i></i> </p> <p>2) Jesus' statement that, "the Father is greater than I": <blockquote>"You heard me say to you, 'I am going away, and I will come to you.' If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I." (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14:28&version=ESV">Jn 14:28</a>).<p></p></blockquote> <p>Here are some quotes that explain how Jesus can <i>both</i> be God (i.e. share God the Father's God-nature), <i>and</i> yet the Father was greater than Jesus: </p> <p>"How can the Father be greater if Jesus is equal to God? The answer is that, as a man, Jesus subordinated himself to the Father and accepted limitations inherent with humanity":<blockquote>"The second supposed counter-example is found in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2014:28&version=NIV1984">John 14:28</a>, where Jesus said, `My Father is greater than I' How can the Father be greater if Jesus is equal to God? The answer is that, as a man, Jesus subordinated himself to the Father and accepted limitations inherent with humanity. So, as man the Father was greater. Further, in the economy of salvation, the Father holds a higher office than does the Son. Jesus proceeded from the Father as a prophet who brought God's words and a high priest who interceded for his people. In nature of being as God, Jesus and the Father are equals (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:1;%208:58;%2010:30&version=NIV1984">John 1:1; 8:58; 10:30</a>). An earthly father is equally human with his son, but holds a higher office. So the Father and Son in the Trinity are equal in essence but different in function. In like manner, we speak of the president of a nation as being greater in dignity of office, but not in character." (Geisler, N.L., 1999, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Encyclopedia-Christian-Apologetics-Reference-Library/dp/0801021510/">Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics</a>," Baker Books: Grand Rapids MI, pp.130-131. Emphasis original).<p></p></blockquote>"... then Christ could speak of the Father as being `greater than I.' The Son had even become `lower than the angels,' in order to act as the Savior of mankind (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Heb%202:9&version=KJV">Heb. 2:9</a>)": <blockquote>"<i><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2014:28&version=KJV">John 14:28</a></i> `... If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I' (KJV). This is a favorite verse for Jehovah's Witnesses arguing against the deity of Christ. They begin by quoting from the <a href="http://www.reformed.org/documents/index.html?mainframe=http://www.reformed.org/documents/athanasian.html">Athanasian Creed</a>: `And in this Trinity none is afore, or after an other; none is greater, or less than another. But the whole three persons are co-eternal, and coequal.' Then they will read Jesus' words about the Father being <i>greater</i> than the Son, rather than `equal,' as that creed says. Don't let JW's lure you into this trap. Remind them that Jesus was speaking at a time when he had done as stated at <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Php%202:6-7&version=KJV">Philippians 2:6-7</a>: `Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men' (KJV). Naturally, then, Christ could speak of the Father as being `greater than I.' The Son had even become `lower than the angels,' in order to act as the Savior of mankind (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Heb%202:9&version=KJV">Heb. 2:9</a>)." (Reed, D.A., 1986, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jehovahs-Witnesses-Answered-Verse/dp/B005X4CAH4/">Jehovah's Witnesses Answered Verse by Verse</a>," Baker: Grand Rapids MI, Thirty-first printing, 2006, pp.79-80).<p></p></blockquote> <p>"When Jesus said, `My Father is greater than I,' [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2014:28&version=KJV">Jn 14:28</a>] `He spoke .... in the form of a servant (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Php%202:7&version=KJV">Phil 2:7</a>) and as a man, the Son was subject to the Father":<blockquote>"When Jesus said, `My Father is greater than I,' [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2014:28&version=KJV">Jn 14:28</a>] `He spoke the truth; for in the form of a servant (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Php%202:7&version=KJV">Phil 2:7</a>) and as a man, the Son was subject to the Father willingly; but upon His resurrection and in the radiance of His glory (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Php%202:9-11&version=KJV">vv. 9-11</a>*), He showed forth His deity when He declared, `All authority is surrendered to me in heaven and in earth' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2028:18&version=KJV">Mt 28:18</a>) ... [and] that `all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%205:23&version=KJV">Jn 5:23</a>, KJV)." (Martin, W.R. & Klann, N., 1953, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/JEHOVAH-WATCH-TOWER-Walter-Norman-Martin/dp/B0017GTPX4/">Jehovah of the Watchtower</a>," Bethany House Publishers: Bloomington MN, Reprinted, 1974, pp.44-45. *Typo corrected).<p></p></blockquote> <p>"Christ ... was `positionally inferior' to His Father ... However, in essence and in glory the Son is equal with the Father":<blockquote>"<i>The Father greater</i> Christ said, `I go unto the Father, for my Father is greater than I' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2014:28&version=KJV">John 14:28</a>). Christ here is speaking as a man. We must remember that in the Incarnation our Lord voluntarily limited Himself. While upon earth the Saviour's attributes of Deity were held in abeyance; namely, His omniscience, omnipresence and omnipotence. The miracles which Christ performed were done through the power of the Holy Spirit. Christ performed His mighty works not as God (which He ever remained) but as man. Even though the attributes of Deity were not fully used by Christ during His earthly ministry, He was still God manifest in the flesh (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Tim%203:16&version=KJV">1 Tim. 3:16</a>). When the Son of God was upon earth, the Father was indeed greater than the Son. However, it is equally as true that when God's Son walked this fallen world, <i>He was even less than Himself!</i> This truth is made abundantly clear when we recall that Christ `took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. And being found in fashion as a man, HE HUMBLED HIMSELF, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Php%202:7&version=KJV">Phil. 2:7</a>). It would be sheer arrogance for a mere creature to say, `THE ETERNAL FATHER IS GREATER THAN I AM.' In what way was the Father greater than the Son? And we might also ask, `In what way was the Son of God even <i>less</i> than Himself?' Christ here is certainly not comparing His own human nature with the Divine nature of the Father. The context clearly reveals that Christ is speaking words of comfort to His disciples. What Christ is comparing here is His present earthly condition with the celestial glory which would soon be His once again [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2017:5&version=KJV">Jn 17:5</a>]. In other words, Christ is saying here that His glorification and return to the Father would enable Him to bestow greater blessing and greater power unto His disciples. `Greater works than these shall he (the believer) do; because I go unto my Father' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2014:12&version=KJV">John 14:12</a>). Christ said unto His disciples: `If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father; for my Father is greater than I' It is thus clear that while Christ was on earth as a humble servant, He was `positionally inferior' to His Father and for this reason could say: `My father is greater than I' However, in essence and in glory the Son is equal with the Father." (Thomas, F.W., 1972, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Masters-Deception-F-W-Thomas/dp/0801087791">Masters of Deception</a>: A Christian Analysis of the Anti-Biblical Teaching of the Jehovah's Witnesses," Baker: Grand Rapids MI, Third printing, 1973, pp.16-17. Emphasis original). <p></p></blockquote><p> "Thus, the <a href="http://www.reformed.org/documents/index.html?mainframe=http://www.reformed.org/documents/athanasian.html">Athanasian Creed</a> states that Christ is `equal to the Father as touching his Godhead and inferior to the Father as touching his manhood'":<blockquote>"Finally, something needs to be said about the question of the submission of the Son to the Father. No trinitarian questions that when Christ was on earth he lived in submission to God the Father. The Father in heaven was exalted while the Son was humble; the Father was greater than Christ (<a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/john/14-28.html">John 14:28</a>). Christ's human nature was not itself divine; the manhood of Christ was created, and therefore Christ as man had to honor the Father as his God. Thus, the Athanasian Creed states that Christ is `equal to the Father as touching his Godhead and inferior to the Father as touching his manhood.' There is no question from a trinitarian perspective that, as man, Christ was in submission to the Father." (Bowman, R.M., Jr., 1989, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Why-You-Should-Believe-Trinity/dp/0801009812/">Why You Should Believe in the Trinity</a>: An Answer to Jehovah's Witnesses," Baker: Grand Rapids MI, Third printing, 1990, pp.14-15).<p></p></blockquote> <p> "Jesus specifically said, `The Father is <i>greater</i> [Gk. <i>meizon</i>] than I' not, `The Father is <i>better</i> [Gk <i>kreitton</i>] than I'. The word `greater' is used to point to the Father's greater position (in heaven), not a greater nature":<blockquote>"<i><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2014:28&version=NIV1984">John 14:28</a>-'The Father Is Greater than I'</i> .... The Watchtower Society concludes from this that because Jehovah is the `greater' of the two, Jesus cannot be God Almighty. The fact that Jesus is lesser than Jehovah proves that He cannot be God in the same sense that Jehovah is. ... It is critical to recognize that in John 14:28, Jesus is not speaking about His nature or His essential being (Christ had earlier said, `I and the Father are one' in this regard [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2010:30&version=NIV1984">John 10:30</a>]), but rather about His lowly position in the incarnation. ... Now, it is important that you emphasize the distinction between the Greek words for greater (<i>meizon</i>) and better (<i>kreitton</i>). Jesus specifically said, `The Father is <i>greater</i> than I' not, `The Father is <i>better</i> than I'. The word `greater' is used to point to the Father's greater position (in heaven), not a greater nature. Had the word `better' been used, however, this would indicate that the Father has a better nature than Jesus. This distinction is made clear in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Heb%201:4&version=NIV1984">Hebrews 1:4</a>, where `better' is used in regard to Jesus' superiority over the angels. The word `better' in this verse indicates that Jesus is not just higher than the angels <i>positionally</i>; rather, He is higher than the angels <i>in His very nature</i>. Jesus is different (better) in kind and in nature from the angels. This distinction between `greater' and `better' can be illustrated in the president of the United States. The president is in a higher position than the rest of us. Therefore, the president is greater (<i>meizon</i>) than the rest of us. However, he is still just a human being-and thus he is not better (<i>kreitton</i>) than the rest of us. <i>Notice that Jesus never used the word `better' regarding His relationship with the Father, for He is not inferior or lower in nature than the Father</i>. Rather, Jesus used a word ('greater') that points to the Father being higher in position only. During the time of the incarnation, Jesus functioned in the world of humanity, and this necessitated Jesus being lower than the Father positionally." (Rhodes, R., 1993, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Reasoning-Scriptures-Jehovahs-Witnesses-Rhodes/dp/0736924515/">Reasoning from the Scriptures with the Jehovah's Witnesses"</a>, Harvest House: Eugene OR, Reprinted, 2006, pp.146-147. Emphasis original).<p></p></blockquote> <p>"In fact, rightly understood this is a claim of the highest import ... No mere man or angelic being could ever say `God is greater than I'": <blockquote>"<i><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2014:28&version=KJV">John 14:28</a></i>. `My Father is greater than I'. This can refer only to the self-imposed limitations of the Son in His incarnation. He has already claimed equality with God (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%205:18&version=KJV">John 5:18</a>), and oneness with Him (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2010:30&version=KJV">John 10:30</a>), but He was not only true God, He was now also true man. In fact, rightly understood this is a claim of the highest import, for only things of the same order of magnitude can be compared. No mere man or angelic being could ever say `God is greater than I', for created and uncreated are of different orders." (Bruce, F.F. & Martin, W.J., 1964, "<a href="http://www.theologicalstudies.org.uk/pdf/ffb/deity_bruce.pdf">The Deity of Christ</a>," North of England Evangelical Trust: Manchester UK, p.22. Emphasis original).<p></p></blockquote> <p><b>>Jehovah God is our almighty God, and Jesus Christ is his son. </b></p> <p>First, Jesus <i>is </i>Jehovah, come in the flesh:</p><p>"The New Testament writers, convinced that Jesus Christ was God, saw no conflict in ascribing to Jesus Old Testament passages that referred to YHWH (Jehovah)":<blockquote>"The New Testament writers, convinced that Jesus Christ was God, saw no conflict in ascribing to Jesus Old Testament passages that referred to YHWH (Jehovah). Beginning his Gospel, Mark quoted Isaiah's reference to God: `A voice is calling, `Clear the way for the LORD [Yahweh] in the wilderness; Make smooth in the desert a highway for our God' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2040:3&version=NASB">Isaiah 40:3</a>). Mark interpreted that passage as having its fulfillment in John the Baptist's preparing the way for Jesus (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mk%201:24;%20Jn%201:23&version=NASB">Mark 1:24; compare John 1:23</a>). Paul quoted <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joel%202:32&version=NASB">Joel 2:32</a>, `And it will come about that whoever calls on the name of the LORD [Yahweh] will be delivered [saved].' Paul applied that quote to Jesus, writing about Him and saying, `for `Whoever will call upon the name of the LORD will be saved' ` (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom%2010:13&version=NASB">Romans 10:13</a>). Peter quoted the same verse from Joel. `Every one who calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%202:21&version=NASB">Acts 2:21</a>). Then when the people asked what they had to do to be saved, Peter told them, `Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ ...' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%202:38&version=NASB">Acts 2:38</a>). Having just stated that calling upon the name of the Lord (Yahweh) was a prerequisite for salvation, Peter tells them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Had Peter not considered Christ God, one would have expected him to tell them to be baptized in the name of Yahweh, which would have been consistent with Jewish practice and belief." (McDowell, J. & Larson, B., "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Biblical-Defense-His-Diety/dp/0866051147">Jesus: A Biblical Defense of his Deity</a>," Here's Life Publishers: San Bernardino CA, 1975, pp.23-24. Emphasis original).<p></p></blockquote><p>"The New Testament writers show no hesitancy in applying to Christ Old Testament descriptions and privileges that are reserved specifically for Yahweh":<blockquote>"<i>Old Testament Yahweh Passages Applied to Jesus</i> The New Testament writers show no hesitancy in applying to Christ Old Testament descriptions and privileges that are reserved specifically for Yahweh. For instance, (1) Moses' description of Yahweh as "King of kings" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Dt%2010:17&version=NIV1984">Deut. 10:17</a>) John applies to Christ (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev%2017:14;%2019:16&version=NIV1984">Rev. 17:14; 19:16</a>); (2) the author of Hebrews applies the entirety of <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%20102:25-27%20&version=NIV1984">Psalm 102:25-27 </a>to him (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Heb%201:10-12&version=NIV1984">1:10-12</a>); (3) <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Pr%2018:10&version=NIV1984">Proverbs 18:10</a> provides the background for Peter's assertion in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%204:12&version=NIV1984">Acts 4:12</a>; (4) Joel's summons to trust in Yahweh (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joel%202:32&version=NIV1984">2:32</a>) Paul employs to summon men to faith in Christ (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom%2010:13&version=NIV1984">Rom. 10:13</a>); (5) when Isaiah looked upon Yahweh (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%206:1-3&version=NIV1984">Isa. 6:1-3</a>), according to John he was beholding the glory of the preincarnate Son of God (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2012:40-41&version=NIV1984">John 12:40-41</a>); (6) Isaiah's call to sanctify Yahweh in the heart (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%208:12-13&version=NIV1984">8:12-13</a>) Peter applies directly to Christ-he is the one who is to be sanctified as Lord in the heart (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Pet%203:14-15&version=NIV1984">1 Pet. 3:14-15</a>); (7) Isaiah's representation of Yahweh as a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%208:13-14&version=NIV1984">8:14</a>) Paul applies to Christ (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom%209:32-33&version=NIV1984">Rom. 9:32-33</a>); (8) Yahweh, whose coming would be preceded by Yahweh's forerunner (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2040:3;%20Mal%203:1;%204:5&version=NIV1984">Isa. 40:3; Mal. 3:1; 4:5</a>), is equated with Christ (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%203:3;%2011:10;%20Mk%201:2-3;%20Lk%201:16-17;%203:4;%20Jn%201:23&version=NIV1984">Matt. 3:3; 11:10; Mark 1:2-3; Luke 1:16-17; 3:4; John 1:23</a>); (9) Jesus himself employs Yahweh's words in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2043:10;%2045:22&version=NIV1984">Isaiah 43:10 and 45:22</a> to summon men to be his witnesses and to rest in him (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%201:8;%20Mt%2011:28&version=NIV1984">Acts 1:8; Matt. 11:28</a>); (10) Isaiah's description of Yahweh as "the first and the last" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2044:6&version=NIV1984">44:6</a>) John employs to describe the glorified Christ (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev%202:8;%2022:12-13&version=NIV1984">Rev. 2:8; 22:12-13</a>); (11) Yahweh, `before whom every knee shall bow and by whom every mouth shall swear (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2045:23&version=NIV1984">Isa. 45:23</a>), Paul identifies as Christ (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom%2014:10;%20Php%202:10&version=NIV1984">Rom. 14:10; Phil. 2:10</a>); and (12) Yahweh, the pierced One upon whom men would look and mourn (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zec%2012:10&version=NIV1984">Zech. 12:10</a>), John tells us is the Christ (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2019:37&version=NIV1984">John 19:37</a>)." (Reymond, 2002, pp.311-312. Emphasis original).</blockquote><p></p><p>See also my CED blog post, "<a href="http://creationevolutiondesign.blogspot.com/2007/09/jesus-is-jehovah-off-topic.html">Jesus <i>is </i>Jehovah!</a>," my series "<a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com/2009/01/jesus-is-jehovah-in-new-testament-index.html">Jesus <i>is</i> Jehovah in the New Testament</a>," and my new series, "<a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com/2011/10/jesus-is-jehovah-contents.html">Jesus <i>is</i> Jehovah!</a>" (by topic).</p> <p>Second, Jesus <i>is</i> "almighty God" in that, following His return back to His former place in Heaven, the Father has given Him <i>all power over all things</i> (my emphasis below):<blockquote><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2028:18&version=ESV">Mt 28:18</a>. And Jesus came and said to them, "<i>All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.</i><p></p> <p><i></i> </p> <p><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eph%201:20-21&version=ESV">Eph 1:20-21</a>. that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, <i>far above all rule and authority and power and dominion</i>, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.</p> <p><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2013:3&version=ESV">Jn 13:3</a>. Jesus, knowing that <i>the Father had given all things into his hands</i>, and that he had come from God and was going back to God,</p> <p><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%2015:27&version=ESV">1Cor 15:27</a>. For "God has put <i>all things in subjection under his feet</i>."</p></blockquote> <p>Jesus is even called "the Lord God ... who is to come, <i>the Almighty</i>":<blockquote><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev%201:7-8&version=ESV">Rev 1:7-8.</a> "Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen. "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, <i>the Almighty</i>."<p></p></blockquote> <p>The Father was not "pierced" and it is <i>Jesus </i>"who is to come" not the Father. Also, "<i>the Alpha and the Omega</i>" is "<i>the Almighty</i>" but <i>Jesus</i> is "the Alpha and the Omega":<blockquote><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev%2022:12-13&version=ESV">Rev 22:12-13</a>. "Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay everyone for what he has done. I am <i>the Alpha and the Omega</i>, the first and the last, the beginning and the end."<p></p></blockquote> <p>Third, that "Jesus Christ is his [God's] son" means that Jesus <i>shares God the Father's God-nature</i>, just as a human son shares his father's human-nature.</p> <p>Even the Watchtower's <i>New World Translation </i>correctly translates the first-century Jewish leaders' understanding that Jesus "calling <i>God his own Father</i>" meant that He was "<i>making himself equal to God</i>":<blockquote><a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/joh/chapter_005.htm#bk18">Jn 5:18</a> NWT. On this account, indeed, the Jews began seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath but he was also calling God his own Father, making himself equal to God.<p></p></blockquote> <p><b>>J.W'S don't spin the Bible for enhanced eye candy like all the others do, </b></p> <p>That "J.W'S ... spin the Bible" to make it conform to Watchtower doctrine was tacitly admitted by the Watchtower itself in its warning that if JWs "read the <i>Bible exclusively</i>" then they will come to believe what <i>Christianity</i> teaches: <blockquote>"From time to time, there have arisen from among the ranks of Jehovah's people those who ... say that it is sufficient to read the Bible exclusively, either alone or in small groups at home. But, strangely, through such 'Bible reading,' they have reverted right back to the apostate doctrines that commentaries by Christendom's clergy were teaching 100 years ago ..." ("Serving Jehovah `Shoulder to Shoulder'," <i>Watchtower</i>, Aug 15, 1981, pp.28-29, p.29).</blockquote><p></p> <p><b>>we simply practice our faith according to the true & pure form of Christianity. </b></p> <p>If that were the case then you would be called <i>Jesus' </i>witnesses, which is what even the NWT admits Jesus commanded His followers to be:<blockquote>"You will be <i>witnesses of me </i>both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria and to the most distant parts of the earth." (<a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/ac/chapter_001.htm#bk8">Acts 1:8</a> NWT).<p></p></blockquote> <p> </p><p>And if JWism was "the true & pure form of Christianity," the Watchtower Society would not have stated that JWs are "a people, <i>not for the name of Jesus</i>": <blockquote>"By means of his written Word upon which the light of fulfilled prophecy was shining Jehovah led the remnant to appreciate more the importance and preciousness of his name. They came to appreciate that they were a people, not for the name of Jesus, but for the name of Jehovah ..." ("Of Which God Are You a Witness?" <i>The Watchtower</i>, February 15, 1964, pp.104-111, p.109). </blockquote> <p>Nor would the Society have reduced in its songbook the number of songs praising Jesus from its 1905 edition where there were "<i>twice as many songs praising Jesus</i> as ... songs praising Jehovah" down to its 1984 songbook, where "Jehovah is honored by <i>four times as many songs</i> as is Jesus": <blockquote>"In the songbook produced by Jehovah's people in 1905, there were twice as many songs praising Jesus as there were songs praising Jehovah God. In their 1928 songbook, the number of songs extolling Jesus was about the same as the number extolling Jehovah. But in the latest songbook of 1984 [<i>Sing Praises to Jehovah</i>], Jehovah is honored by four times as many songs as is Jesus." (WB&TS, 1988, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Revelation-its-Grand-Climax-Hand/dp/B001G9TI9S/">Revelation: Its Grand Climax At Hand!</a>," Watchtower Bible & Tract Society: Brooklyn NY, p.36). </blockquote> <p>And in fact this is overstating it. I have read through that 1984 JW songbook, and there are <i>no </i>songs in it praising Jesus! So according to the Watchtower's own <i>New World Translation</i>, by failing to "honor the Son just as they honor the Father," the Watchtower "does not honor the Father who sent him":<blockquote><a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/joh/chapter_005.htm#bk23">Jn 5:23</a> NWT. "in order that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He that does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him."</blockquote><p></p><p>So JWism is <i>not even</i> Christianity, let alone being "the true & pure form of Christianity"!</p> <p><b>>Also, we don't pass around the money basket like everyone else. </b></p> <p>First, there is <i>nothing wrong</i> with Christian churches in their services passing around a "money basket" to enable those who want to to contribute to the Lord's work. The New Testament records the Apostle Paul directing the churches he founded regarding "the collection for the saints" that "On the first day of every week [Sunday], each of you is to put something aside and store it up": <blockquote><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%2016:1-2&version=ESV">1Cor 16:1-2</a>. Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. <p></p></blockquote> <p>This became the pattern of Christian giving in the Early Church. Second-century Christian apologist "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justin_Martyr">Justin Martyr</a> indicates (in his <i>Apology</i>, 1. 67-68) that in his time (c. A.D. 150) offerings were brought to the church on Sundays":<blockquote>"[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%2016:1&version=NIV1984">1Cor ] <i>16:1</i></a> <i>Now about</i> Again an answer to one of the questions of the Corinthians (cf. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%207:1;%208:1;%2012:1&version=NIV1984">7:1; 8:1; 12:1</a>). <i>God's people</i>. His people at Jerusalem (cf. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%2016:3;%20Rom%2015:26&version=NIV1984">v. 3; Ro 15:26</a>). <i>Galatian churches</i>. The fact that the Galatian and Macedonian churches (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2Co%208:1;%209:1-4&version=NIV1984">2Co 8:1; 9:1-4</a>) are involved, along with the Corinthians, indicates that the collection of this offering was quite widespread. The Jerusalem saints may have become poverty-stricken because of the famine recorded in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ac%2011:28&version=NIV1984">Ac 11:28</a> (c. A.D. 44 or 46), or because of the persecution of Jerusalem Christians (cf. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ac%208:1&version=NIV1984">Ac 8:1</a>). <i><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%2016:2&version=NIV1984">16:2</a></i> <i>On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside</i>. Every Sunday each person was to bring what he had set aside for the Lord's work-an amount proportionate to his income. Since it was to be brought on Sunday, the new day for worship (cf. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ac%2020:7;%20Rev%201:10&version=NIV1984">Ac 20:7; Rev 1:10</a>), probably it was collected at the worship service, not at home. Justin Martyr indicates (in his <i>Apology</i>, 1. 67-68) that in his time (c. A.D. 150) offerings were brought to the church on Sundays." (Barker, K., et al., eds., 1985, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/NIV-Study-Bible-Kenneth-Barker/dp/0310925681">The NIV Study Bible</a>," Zondervan: Grand Rapids MI, p.1758).<p></p></blockquote> <p>To the same church in Corinth, Paul laid down some principles of ongoing Christian giving in a church context, including it should be "a willing gift, not as an exaction" (or as the <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2Cor%209:7&version=KJV">KJV</a> put it "give; not grudgingly, or of necessity") "for God loves a cheerful giver":<blockquote><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2Cor%209:5-7&version=ESV">2Cor 9:5-7</a>. So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the gift you have promised, so that it may be ready as a willing gift, not as an exaction. The point is this:whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.<p></p></blockquote> <p>Second, see above <i>Crain's New York Business.com</i> article that the Watchtower's Brooklyn buildings alone are "worth well over $1 billion." Clearly they were paid for by the forced `donations' and `slave labour' of millions of individual JWs.</p><p>A commenter to that article answers your boast above that the "Jehovah's Witness religion makes a big deal about it not 'taking collection plates' at assemblies or Kingdom Hall meetings":<blockquote>"This Jehovah's Witness religion makes a big deal about it not 'taking collection plates' at assemblies or Kingdom Hall meetings. Yet they encourage brainwashed elderly people to leave their estates to its financial holdings and they `guilt goad guilt trip' everyone who is a member to do everything for the corporation for free. A collection plate is nickles and dimes compared to the charitable giving article they publish in the Watchtower suggesting that members donate their estate, jewelry, stocks and investments to the corporation. See the <i>Watchtower</i> of November 2007 and it will show that this is true. Go to a JW convention and see they have `contribution' boxes at every egress.Why settle for some meager chump change in a plate when you can go after the big bucks of an estate? What a religious racket!"</p></blockquote> <p>The reference above to "the <i>Watchtower</i> of November 2007" presumably includes the following from that issue, which outlines "Ways ... to give contributions" to the Watchtower Society, including "amount[s] ... place[d] in the <i>contribution boxes</i>," "<i>donations of money</i> sent directly to Watch Tower," "<i>Jewelry or other</i> valuables," the WB&TS "named as the beneficiary of a <i>life insurance policy or a retirement/pension plan</i>," "<i>Bank accounts</i> ... made payable on death to" the WB&TS, donations to the WB&TS of " <i>Stocks and bonds,</i>" "Salable <i>real estate</i>," "A <i>gift annuity</i>" and "<i>Property or money</i> ... bequeathed to" the WB&TS:<blockquote>"WAYS IN WHICH SOME CHOOSE TO GIVE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE WORLDWIDE WORK Many set aside, or budget, an amount that they place in the contribution boxes labeled `Contributions for the Worldwide Work-Matthew 24:14.' Each month, congregations forward these amounts to the office of Jehovah's Witnesses that serves their respective countries. Voluntary donations of money may also be sent directly to Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, Attention Treasurer's Office, 25 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn, New York 11201-2483, or to the branch office of Jehovah's Witnesses that serves your country. Checks sent to the above address should be made payable to `Watch Tower.' Jewelry or other valuables may be donated as well. A brief letter stating that such items are an outright gift should accompany these contributions. CONDITIONAL-DONATION TRUST ARRANGEMENT Money may be placed in trust with Watch Tower for use worldwide. However, upon request the funds will be returned. For more information, please contact the Treasurer's Office at the address noted above. CHARITABLE PLANNING In addition to outright gifts of money, there are other methods of giving to benefit Kingdom service worldwide. These include: <i>Insurance</i>: Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania may be named as the beneficiary of a life insurance policy or a retirement/pension plan. <i>Bank Accounts</i>: Bank accounts, certificates of deposit, or individual retirement accounts may be placed in trust for or made payable on death to Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, in accord with local bank requirements. <i>Stocks and Bonds</i>: Stocks and bonds may be donated to Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania as an outright gift. <i>Real Estate</i>: Salable real estate may be donated either by making an outright gift or, in the case of residential property, by reserving a life estate to the donor, who can continue to live therein during his or her lifetime. Contact the branch office in your country before deeding any real estate. <i>Gift Annuity</i>: A gift annuity is an arrangement whereby one transfers money or securities to a designated corporation that is used by Jehovah's Witnesses. In exchange, the donor, or someone designated by the donor, receives a specified annuity payment every year for life. The donor receives an income-tax deduction for the year in which the gift annuity is established. <i>Wills and Trusts</i>: Property or money may be bequeathed to Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania by means of a legally executed will, or Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania may be named as beneficiary of a trust agreement. A trust benefiting a religious organization may provide certain tax advantages." ("The Silver Is Mine, and the Gold Is Mine," <i>The Watchtower</i>, November 1, 2007, pp. 20-21. Emphasis original).<p></p></blockquote> <p> What <i>HYPOCRISY </i>! The Watchtower Society (and JWs like you) criticise Christian churches for their <i>Biblical </i>financing of their Lord's work by taking up a freewill offering during the Sunday church service. Yet the Society has its "contribution boxes" which amounts to the same thing (I have even been in a Christian church which uses the same method in lieu of a collection). But in addition to its <i>multi-million dollar book-publishing business</i> using `slave labour', the Watchtower Society has <i>many other ways</i> (see above) of sucking money out of its impoverished and enslaved members, which has enabled it to build its <i>multi-billion-dollar</i> empire! </p> <p> <a href="http://members.iinet.net.au/%7Esejones/index.html">Stephen E. Jones</a>, BSc., Grad. Dip. Ed.<br />My other blogs: <a href="http://creationevolutiondesign.blogspot.com/">CreationEvolutionDesign</a> & <a href="http://theshroudofturin.blogspot.com/">The Shroud of Turin </a></p>Stephen E. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16183223752386599799noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574858940069385599.post-48001386507091978652011-11-08T19:58:00.004+08:002011-12-10T14:54:03.141+08:00Jesus is Jehovah!: 2B. Jehovah seen in the Old Testament was the pre-incarnate Jesus<p>Here is part #6, "2B. Jehovah seen in the Old Testament was the pre-incarnate Jesus," of my series, "<a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com/2011/10/jesus-is-jehovah-contents.html">Jesus <i>is </i>Jehovah!</a>" by topic, which is based on my morning `quiet time' Bible reading. </p> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/74/Moses_Pluchart.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/74/Moses_Pluchart.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><p>[<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/74/Moses_Pluchart.jpg">Above</a> (click to enlarge): "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burning_bush">God Appears to Moses in Burning Bush</a>" (1848), by Eugene Pluchart (1809-1880), St. Isaac of Dalmatia Cathedral, St. Petersburg, Russia: Wikipedia.]</p> <p>My previous post in this series was part #5, "<a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com/2011/10/jesus-is-jehovah-2a-plurality-in.html">2A. Plurality in Jehovah was revealed in the Old Testament</a>" See the <a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com/2011/10/jesus-is-jehovah-contents.html">Contents</a> page for more details.</p> <p> <hr> </p> <p><center><b>JESUS <i>IS </i>JEHOVAH! <br>© Stephen E. Jones</b> </center></p> <p><a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com/2011/10/jesus-is-jehovah-contents.html">Jesus <i>is</i> Jehovah!: Contents</a></p> <p><b>2. JESUS IS JEHOVAH IN THE OLD TESTAMENT</b></p> <p><b>B. Jehovah seen in the Old Testament was the pre-incarnate Jesus </b></p> <p><b>i. No human has ever seen </b><b>God the Father</b></p> <p>The following verses make it clear that no human being has ever seen (or <i>could </i>see) God the Father:<blockquote><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:18&version=ESV">Jn 1:18</a>. "No one has ever seen God ...."<br> <br><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%205:37&version=ESV">Jn 5:37</a>. "And the Father .... his form you have never seen" <br> <br><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%206:46&version=ESV">Jn 6:46</a>."not that anyone has seen the Father ..." <br> <br><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Jn%204:12&version=ESV">1Jn 4:12</a>. "No one has ever seen God ... "<br> <br><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Tim%206:16&version=ESV">1Tim 6:16</a>. "[God] who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see." <br> <br><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Col%201:15&version=ESV">Col 1:15</a>. "He [Christ] is the image of the invisible God ..."<br> <br><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Tim%201:17&version=ESV">1Tim 1:17</a>. "To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God ...."</p></blockquote><p><b>ii.</b> <b>Yet in the Old Testament some humans <i>did </i>see God</b><blockquote><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%2032:30&version=ESV">Gn 32:30</a>. " So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, "For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered."<br> <br><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%2024:9-10&version=ESV">Ex 24:9-10</a>. " Then Moses and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up, and they saw the God of Israel. There was under his feet as it were a pavement of sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness."<br> <br><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jdg%2013:21-22&version=ESV">Jdgs 13:21-22</a>. " The angel of the LORD appeared no more to Manoah and to his wife.Then Manoah knew that he was the angel of the LORD. And Manoah said to his wife, "We shall surely die, for we have seen God."<br> <br><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%206:1,5&version=ESV">Isa 6:1,5</a>. " In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. ... And I said: "Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!"</p></blockquote> <p><b>iii.</b> <b>Who they saw was God the Son, the pre-incarnate Jesus</b></p> <p>"... every visible manifestation of God in bodily form in Old Testament times was a preincarnate appearance of the second person of the Trinity-Jesus Christ": <blockquote>"From a theological perspective, it would seem unlikely that the Angel of the Lord was the Father or the Holy Spirit. Paul tells us that God the Father is invisible (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Col%201:15;%201Tim%201:17&version=NIV1984">Col. 1:15; 1 Tim. 1:17</a>) and `lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see ...' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Tim%206:16&version=NIV1984">1 Tim. 6:16</a>). John's Gospel tells us that `no one has ever seen God [the Father], but God the One and Only [Jesus Christ], who is at the Father's side, has made him known' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:18&version=NIV1984">John 1:18</a>, inserts mine). <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%205:37&version=NIV1984">John 5:37</a> tells us that no one has ever seen God the Father's form. These passages indicate that it was the Son's unique function to make the Father, <i>who has never been seen</i>, known to man. We know that `the One and Only' is Jesus Christ, for John tells us: `The Word became flesh, and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the <i>One and Only</i>, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:14&version=NIV1984">1:14</a>, italics added). This One and Only, Jesus Christ, was sent to reveal and manifest the invisible God to the world. ... In view of the above factors, it is safe to assume that every visible manifestation of God in bodily form in Old Testament times was a preincarnate appearance of the second person of the Trinity-Jesus Christ." (Rhodes, R., 1992, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Christ-Before-Manger-Times-Preincarnate/dp/0801077664">Christ Before the Manger: The Life and Times of the Preincarnate Christ</a>," Baker: Grand Rapids MI, pp.85-86. Emphasis original).</p></blockquote> <p>"Who did Isaiah see in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%206&version=NASB">Isaiah 6</a>? Who walked with Abraham by the oaks of Mamre (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%2018:1&version=NASB">Genesis 18:1</a>)? None other than the preincarnate Jesus Christ, the eternal Logos":<blockquote>"... John ... in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:1-18&version=NASB">John 1:18</a> he provides us with a summary statement ... for his prologue. Here's what he wrote: `No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.' (NASB). ... John tells us that no one has seen God at any time. Is this true? Are there not many instances of men seeing God in the Old Testament? Did not Isaiah say that he saw the Lord sitting upon His throne in the temple (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%206:1-3&version=NASB">Isaiah 6:1-3</a>)? So what is John saying? How can we understand his words? The key is found in the final phrases of <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:18&version=NASB">verse 18</a>, specifically, `who is at the Father's side.' When John says `no one has seen God at any time,' he is referring to the <i>Father</i>. No man has seen the Father at any time. So how do we have knowledge of the Father? The <i>monogenes</i> `made Him known' or `explained Him .' ... Another important fact to note from this verse is that if indeed no one has seen the Father, then what does this tell us of the Son? Who did Isaiah see in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%206&version=NASB">Isaiah 6</a>? Who walked with Abraham by the oaks of Mamre (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%2018:1&version=NASB">Genesis 18:1</a>)? None other than the preincarnate Jesus Christ, the eternal Logos. John will develop this thought later in his Gospel, as we shall see when we examine those passages that identify Jesus as Yahweh." (White, J.R., 1998, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Forgotten-Trinity-James-R-White/dp/1556617259/">The Forgotten Trinity: Recovering the Heart of Christian Belief</a>," Bethany House: Minneapolis MN, pp.62-63. Emphasis original).</p></blockquote> <p><b>a.</b> <b> Only the "only begotten God," Jesus, has been seen by man</b><blockquote><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:18&version=NASB">Jn 1:18</a> (NASB). "No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him."<br> <br><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2014:9&version=ESV">Jn 14:9</a>. Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?<br> <br><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2011:27&version=ESV">Mt 11:27</a>. "All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him."</p></blockquote><p><b>b.</b> <b> Jehovah whom Isaiah saw (</b><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%206:1-10&version=ESV">Isa 6:1-10</a><b>) was the pre-incarnate Jesus (</b><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2012:37-41&version=ESV">Jn 12:37-41</a><b>)</b></p> <p>"The only `Him' in the context is Jesus; hence, for John, Isaiah, when he saw Yahweh on His throne, was in reality seeing the Lord Jesus": <blockquote>"It is not hard to understand why there have been many who have not wished to make the connection that John makes between Jesus and Yahweh. One cannot make this identification outside of a Trinitarian understanding of the Gospel ... If Jesus is identified as <i>ego eimi</i> in the sense of the Old Testament <i>ani hu</i> ["I AM" - <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2041:4;%2043:10;%2046:4&version=NASB">Isa 41:4; 43:10; 46:4</a>], then one is left with two persons sharing the one nature that is God, and this, when it encounters John's discussion of the Holy Spirit, becomes the basis of the doctrine of the Trinity! An interpreter who is unwilling to dismiss the words of Scripture as ... nonauthoritative ... or to interpret Scripture in contradiction with itself ... will be hard-pressed to avoid the obvious conclusions of John's presentation. Lest one should find it hard to believe that John would identify the carpenter from Galilee as Yahweh himself, it might be pointed out that he did just that in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2012:39-41&version=NASB">John 12:39-41</a> by quoting from Isaiah's temple vision of Yahweh in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%206&version=NASB">Isaiah 6</a> and then concluding by saying, `These things Isaiah said because he saw His glory and he spoke about Him.' The only `Him' in the context is Jesus; hence, for John, Isaiah, when he saw Yahweh on His throne, was in reality seeing the Lord Jesus. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:18&version=NASB">John 1:18 </a>says as much as well." (White, 1998, p.100).</p></blockquote> <p> "But if we ask the same question of John, `Whose glory did Isaiah see?' he would answer with the same answer-only in its fullness, `Jesus'":<blockquote> "WHO DID ISAIAH SEE? ... These things Isaiah said because he saw His glory, and he spoke of Him. (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2012:37-41&version=NASB">John 12:37-41</a>). ... what does John mean when he says that Isaiah `said these things because he saw His glory and spoke of Him'? Who is the `Him' to whom Isaiah refers? ... John cites two passages from the book of Isaiah. In <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2012:38&version=NASB">verse 38</a> he quotes from <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2053:1&version=NASB">Isaiah 53:1</a>, the great `Suffering Servant' passage that so plainly describes the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. John says the unbelief of the Jews, despite their seeing signs, was a fulfillment of the word of Isaiah in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2053&version=NASB">Isaiah 53</a>. He then goes beyond this to assert their inability to believe and quotes from <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%206&version=NASB">Isaiah 6</a> and the `Temple Vision' Isaiah received when he was commissioned as a prophet ... (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%206:1-4&version=NASB">Isaiah 6:1-4</a>). In this awesome vision, Isaiah sees Yahweh (the LORD) sitting upon His throne, surrounded by angelic worshipers. The glory of Yahweh fills his sight. Isaiah recognizes his sin and is cleansed by the Lord, then commissioned to go and take a message to the people. But the message is not one of salvation, but of judgment. ... (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%206:9-11&version=NASB">Isaiah 6:9-11</a>). John cites the heart of the message of judgment given to Isaiah and sees the hard-heartedness of the Jews, who had seen the miracles of the Lord Jesus and heard His words of grace as the fulfillment of these words. Then John says, `These things Isaiah said because he saw His glory, and he spoke of Him:' ... Therefore, if we ask Isaiah, `Whose glory did you see in your vision of the temple?' he would reply, `Yahweh's:' But if we ask the same question of John, `Whose glory did Isaiah see?' he would answer with the same answer-only in its fullness, `Jesus'.' Who, then, was Jesus to John? None other than the eternal God in human flesh, Yahweh." (White, 1998, pp.136-138. Emphasis original).</p></blockquote> <p> "It is therefore quite clear that ... John ... means that, when Isaiah had his vision of the Lord of Hosts in the Temple as described in <a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/rsv/isaiah/6.html">Isaiah chapter six</a>, it was the pre-existent Word whom he saw": <blockquote>"We begin, however, with the one passage where John comes out into the open on this subject, even though the passage is to be found in the middle of the Gospel. After that, having shown that John undoubtedly believes the Lord [Jesus] to have appeared in OT times, we can go through the rest of the Gospel in order, prepared to find other allusions where such an assumption illuminates the meaning of the text. <i><a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/rsv/john/passage.aspx?q=john+12:37-41">John 12.37-41</a></i> `Though he had done so many signs before them, yet they did not believe in him; it was that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: `Lord, who has believed our report, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?' Therefore they could not believe. For Isaiah again said, `He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart lest they should see with their eyes and perceive with their heart, and turn for me to heal them.' Isaiah said this because he saw his glory ... and spoke of him.' John begins with a reference to <a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/rsv/isaiah/53-1.html">Isaiah 53.1</a> ... John certainly takes this as a reference to Christ. ... It is therefore quite clear that, when John goes on in <a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/rsv/john/passage.aspx?q=john+12:41">verse 41</a> to say `he saw his glory', he means that, when Isaiah had his vision of the Lord of Hosts in the Temple as described in <a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/rsv/isaiah/6.html">Isaiah chapter six</a>, it was the pre-existent Word [<a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/rsv/john/passage.aspx?q=john+1:1;john+1:14">Jn 1:1,14</a>] whom he saw." (Hanson, A.T., 1965, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Christ-Testament-Anthony-Tyrrell-Hanson/dp/0281006458">Jesus Christ in the Old Testament</a>," S.P.C.K.: London, pp.104-105. Emphasis original).</p></blockquote> <p><b>c.</b> <b> Jehovah of the Exodus was the pre-incarnate Jesus</b></p> <p><b>(1)</b> <b> Jesus is the "I AM" who appeared to Moses in the burning bush (</b><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:58-59;%20Ex%203:14&version=ESV">Jn 8:58-59; Ex 3:14</a><b>)</b><blockquote><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:58-59&version=ESV">Jn 8:58-59</a>. "Jesus said to them, `Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.' So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple."<br> <br><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%203:14%20&version=ESV">Ex 3:14</a> God said to Moses, `I AM WHO I AM.' And he said, `Say this to the people of Israel, "I AM has sent me to you."'"</p></blockquote> <p>"`I AM' (God's name) in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%203:14;&version=NIV;">Exodus 3:14</a> as <i>ego eimi</i>... Jesus purposely used the phrase as a means of pointing to His identity as Yahweh": <blockquote>"The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Septuagint">Septuagint</a> provides us with additional insights on Christ's identity as Yahweh. The Septuagint is a Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament that dates prior to the birth of Christ. It renders the Hebrew phrase for `I AM' (God's name) in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%203:14;&version=NIV;">Exodus 3:14</a> as <i>ego eimi</i>. On a number of occasions in the Greek New Testament, Jesus used this term as a way of identifying Himself as God. For example, in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:24;&version=NASB;">John 8:24</a> (NASB) Jesus declared, `Unless you believe that I am [I AM or <i>ego eimi</i>] He, you shall die in your sins.' The original Greek text for this verse does not have the word <i>he</i>. The verse is literally, `If you do not believe that I AM, you shall die in your sins.' Then, according to <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:28;&version=NIV;">verse 28</a>, Jesus told the Jews, `When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am [I AM, or <i>ego eimi</i>] He.' Again, the original Greek text reads, `When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I AM' (there is no <i>he</i>). Jesus purposely used the phrase as a means of pointing to His identity as Yahweh." (Rhodes, R., 1993, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Reasoning-Scriptures-Jehovahs-Witnesses-Rhodes/dp/1565071069">Reasoning from the Scriptures with the Jehovah's Witnesses</a>," Harvest House: Eugene OR, Reprinted, 2006, pp.63-64. Emphasis original).</p></blockquote> <p> "The NT attributes to Jesus many of the perfections of Yahweh (or, Jehovah), the creator/redeemer God of the OT. ... . Supremely significant is the <i>I AM</i> (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%203:14;&version=NIV;">Ex. 3:14</a>; <i>cf</i>. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:58&version=NIV;">Jn. 8:58</a> ...)":<blockquote>"<i>JESUS' IDENTITY WITH YAHWEH/JEHOVAH</i> The NT attributes to Jesus many of the perfections of Yahweh (or, Jehovah), the creator/redeemer God of the OT. .... Another link is provided by self-designations of God appropriated by Jesus or referred to him. Supremely significant is the <i>I AM</i> (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%203:14;&version=NIV;">Ex. 3:14</a>; <i>cf</i>. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:58;%206:35;%208:12,24;%2011:25;%2014:6;%2018:5-8;%20Mk%2014:62;&version=NIV;">Jn. 8:58; 6:35; 8:12,24; 11:25; 14:6; 18:5f.; Mk. 14:62</a>)." (Milne, B., 1982, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Know-Truth-Handbook-Christian-Belief/dp/083081793X">Know the Truth: A Handbook of Christian Belief</a>," Inter-Varsity Press: Leicester UK, Fifth printing, 1988, p.129. Emphasis original).</p></blockquote> <p> "Perhaps the strongest claim Jesus made to be <i>Yahweh</i> is in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:58&version=NASB">John 8:58</a>, where he says, `Before Abraham was, I am.' This statement claims ... equality with the `I AM' of <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%203:14&version=NASB">Exodus 3:14</a>":<blockquote>"<i>Jesus Claimed to Be Yahweh</i>. <i>Yahweh</i> (<i>YHWH</i>; sometimes appearing in English translations as `Jehovah' or in small capital letters as `LORD') is the special name given by God for himself in the Old Testament. It is the name revealed to Moses in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%20%203:14&version=NASB">Exodus 3:14</a>, when God said, `I AM WHO I AM.' ... Perhaps the strongest claim Jesus made to be <i>Yahweh</i> is in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:58&version=NASB">John 8:58</a>, where he says, `Before Abraham was, I am.' This statement claims not only existence before Abraham, but equality with the `I AM' of <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%203:14&version=NASB">Exodus 3:14</a>. The Jews around him clearly understood his meaning and picked up stones to kill him for blaspheming (cf. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:58-59;%2010:30-33&version=NASB">John 8:58 and 10:31-33</a>). The same claim is made in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mk%2014:62;%20Jn%2018:5-6&version=NASB">Mark 14:62 and John 18:5-6</a>." (Geisler, N.L., 1999, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Encyclopedia-Christian-Apologetics-Reference-Library/dp/0801021510">Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics</a>," Baker Books: Grand Rapids MI, p.129. Emphasis original).</p></blockquote> <p> "Jesus literally said to them, `I AM Jehovah' (I AM), and it is clear that they understood Him to mean just that; for they attempted, as the next verse reveals, to stone Him. ... [for] blasphemy": <blockquote>"<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:58&version=KJV">John 8:58</a>, `Jesus said unto them ... Before Abraham was [born], I am' (KJV). In comparing this with the Septuagint translation of <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%203:14&version=KJV">Exodus 3:14</a> and <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2043:10-13&version=KJV">Isaiah 43:10-13</a>, we find that the translation is identical. In Exodus 3:14, Jehovah, speaking to Moses, said, `I AM,' which is synonymous with God. Jesus literally said to them, `I AM Jehovah' (I AM), and it is clear that they understood Him to mean just that; for they attempted, as the next verse [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:59&version=KJV">Jn 8:59</a>] reveals, to stone Him. ... [for] blasphemy." (Martin, W.R. & Klann, N., 1953, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/JEHOVAH-WATCH-TOWER-Walter-Norman-Martin/dp/B0017GTPX4/">Jehovah of the Watchtower</a>," Bethany House Publishers: Bloomington MN, Reprinted, 1981, p.52).</p></blockquote> <p> But "... the closest Old Testament antecedent to <a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/john/8-58.html">John 8:58</a> is to be found in the Isaianic `I am' sayings. ... the conclusion cannot be avoided that Jesus was claiming to be Yahweh":<blockquote>"<i>Jesus as Jehovah in <a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/john/8-58.html">John 8:58</a></i> Among biblical scholars a growing consensus has formed behind the opinion that John 8:58 deliberately echoes Yahweh's `I am' statements in Isaiah 40-55. The NWT obscures the parallels in Isaiah by rendering them `I am the same One' or `I am the same'; but the Hebrew in each case reads simply ANI.HU (literally, `I [am] he'), which the LXX renders as <i>ego eimi</i> (<a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/isaiah/passage.aspx?q=isaiah+41:4;isaiah+43:10;isaiah+46:4;isaiah+52:6">Isa. 41:4; 43:10; 46:4; 52:6</a>; compare with <a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/deuteronomy/32-39.html">Deut. 32:39</a>). There is evidence, moreover, to show that in the Judaism of Jesus day these words were sometimes used as substitutes for the divine name Yahweh itself, in particular at the Feast of Tabernacles, which from <a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/john/7-2.html">John 7:2</a> was apparently the occasion of Christ's `I am' sayings in <a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/john/8.html">John 8</a>. This suggests that the reason for the anger of the Jews at Jesus absolute use of the expression <i>ego eimi</i> was that on that occasion his language was instantly recognizable as that of Yahweh. ... Considerations such as these have led most scholars to conclude that the closest Old Testament antecedent to <a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/john/8-58.html">John 8:58</a> is to be found in the Isaianic `I am' sayings. If this is correct, the conclusion cannot be avoided that Jesus was claiming to be Yahweh. Notable in this light is <a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/isaiah/45-18.html">Isaiah 45:18</a>, where God says, `I am Yahweh' (Hebrew, ANI HU YHWH), and the LXX translates simply by the predicate absolute <i>ego eimi</i>. " (Bowman, R.M., Jr., 1989, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jehovahs-Witnesses-Jesus-Christ-Gospel/dp/0801009553/">The Jehovah's Witnesses, Jesus Christ, and the Gospel of John</a>," Baker: Grand Rapids MI, Reprinted, 1995, pp.120-121. Emphasis original). </p></blockquote> <p> <b>(2)</b> <b> Christ is the spiritual Rock who accompanied the Israelites in the Exodus (</b><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%2010:4;%20Ex%2017:1-7;%20Num%2020:7-11&version=ESV">1</a><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%2010:4;%20Ex%2017:1-7;%20Num%2020:7-11&version=ESV">Cor 10:4; Ex 17:1-7; Num 20:7-11</a><b>)</b><blockquote><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%2010:4&version=ESV">1Cor 10:4</a>. "and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ."<br> <br><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%2017:5-6&version=ESV">Ex 17:5-6</a>. "And the LORD said to Moses, `Pass on before the people, taking with you some of the elders of Israel, and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb, and you shall strike the rock, and water shall come out of it, and the people will drink.' And Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel."</p></blockquote> <p>"Paul places Christ himself in the desert: as the Rock who was with Israel, supplying them with `spiritual water'":<blockquote>"<i>Christ as Preexistent with Israel</i> On his way toward a final word of prohibition regarding attendance at temple meals ([1Cor ]<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%2010:20-22&version=ESV">10:20-22</a>), Paul sets out to establish the Corinthians' spiritual connectedness with biblical Israel, who are seen to have experienced God in a `baptism' and `Lord's Supper' analogous to their own. Thus `our fathers' were `baptized' unto Moses in the cloud and the sea (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%2010:1-2&version=ESV">vv. 1-2</a>), and they too had `spiritual food and drink' in the wilderness-manna and water from the rock (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%2010:3-4&version=ESV">vv, 3-4</a>). But God had not been pleased with them and overthrew them in the desert (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%2010:5&version=ESV">v 5</a>), which story is to serve as a warning to the Corinthians (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%2010:6&version=ESV">v 6</a>). From there, Paul launches into four specific ways Israel had sinned, which had brought about their demise: idolatry (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%2010:7&version=ESV">v. 7</a>); sexual immorality (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%2010:8&version=ESV">v 8</a>); testing God (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%2010:9&version=ESV">v. 9</a>); and grumbling against God and Moses (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%2010:10&version=ESV">v. 10</a>)-all of which sins are being repeated in Corinth. Our present interest is with the two instances where Paul places Christ himself in the desert: as the Rock who was with Israel, supplying them with `spiritual water' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%2010:4&version=ESV">v. 4</a>), and as the one whom Israel thus put to the test (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%2010:9&version=ESV">v 9</a>). Both passages reflect not just analogies but, from Paul's perspective, actualities. That is, the same Christ who now supplies the Corinthians with the Spirit, and whom they are testing by going to pagan feasts, had already experienced such `testing' by Israel; and the Israelites had been overthrown in the desert so that they did not reach their goal. It is precisely the presence of Christ in Israel's story that will make all of this work as a warning to the Corinthians." (Fee, G.D., 2007, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pauline-Christology-Exegetical-Theological-Gordon-Fee/dp/1598560352">Pauline Christology: An Exegetical-Theological Study</a>," Hendrickson Publishers: Peabody MA, pp.94-95. Emphasis original).</p></blockquote> <p> "Despite Christ's supplying Israel with `spiritual' water, they fell in the desert. Paul's point [is] in ... placing the preexistent Christ in Israel's own history":<blockquote>"<i><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%2010:4&version=ESV">1 Corinthians 10:4</a></i> In retelling Israel's story, Paul alludes to the double narrative of water from the rock (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%2017:1-7;%20Num%2020:7-11&version=ESV">Exod 17:1-7; Num 20:7-11</a>), and he does so by picking up a rabbinic tradition that `they drank from the (spiritual) rock that followed them.' But he replaces that tradition by interpreting the `spiritual rock' as the presence of Christ himself ... That is, this interpretation is not about how the biblical passage applies in the present but with how the Corinthians are to understand what was actually going on with ancient Israel. ... Paul is insisting that by their idolatrous actions, the Corinthians are in grave danger of repeating Israel's folly. Despite Christ's supplying Israel with `spiritual' water, they fell in the desert. Paul's point in making this association for the church in Corinth-placing the preexistent Christ in Israel's own history-seems clear enough. The Corinthians, too, face the same danger of testing Christ by their idolatry." (Fee, 2007, pp.95,97).</p></blockquote> <p> "... and the Rock was Christ'. [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%2010:4&version=ESV">1Cor 10:4</a>b] This is an example of ... what A. T. Hanson has called the `real presence' of Christ in Old Testament history": <blockquote>"When Paul reminds the Corinthian Christians that the Israelites in the wilderness had supernatural food and drink, he has in mind not only the bread from heaven and the water from the rock, but the spiritual and eternal reality to which these pointed. For them, as for the people of God today, Christ was the true source of strength and refreshment: `they drank from the supernatural Rock which followed them, and the Rock was Christ'. [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%2010:4&version=ESV">1Cor 10:4</a>b] This is an example of a further New Testament principle of Old Testament interpretation - what A. T. Hanson has called the `real presence' of Christ in Old Testament history. [Hanson, A.T., "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Christ-Testament-Anthony-Tyrrell-Hanson/dp/0281006458">Jesus Christ in the Old Testament</a>," London, 1965, p.7] " (Bruce, F.F., 1968, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/This-that-Testament-development-themes/dp/0853640866/">This is That</a>: The New Testament Development of Some Old Testament Themes," Paternoster: Exeter UK, p.35).</p></blockquote> <p> "Paul ...refers to Christ and sees him as following the Israelites and continually giving them drink. He transfers to Christ the title, 'the Rock', used of Yahweh": <blockquote>"[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%2010:4&version=NIV1984">1Cor 10:4</a>] When he refers to their spiritual drink Paul adds an explanation, as he did not do with his reference to food. Moses got water from a rock at the beginning and end of the wilderness wanderings (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%2017:1-7;%20Num%2020:2-13&version=NIV1984">Ex. 17:1-7; Nu. 20:2-13</a>), and this apparently was the origin of a Jewish legend that a rock travelled with the people. Paul may have had this legend at the back of his mind, hut he does not refer to it. He refers to Christ and sees him as following the Israelites and continually giving them drink. He transfers to Christ the title, 'the Rock', used of Yahweh (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Dt%2032:15;%20Ps%2018:2&version=NIV1984">Dt. 32:15; Ps. 18:2</a>, etc.), a transfer that is significant for Christology, as of course is the clear implication of Christ's pre-existence." (Morris, L.L., 1985, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/First-Epistle-Corinthians-Introduction-Commentary/dp/B000IWSB5G/">The First Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians</a>: An Introduction and Commentary," The Tyndale New Testament commentaries, [1958], Inter-Varsity Press: Leicester UK, Second edition, Reprinted, 1987, pp.139-140).</p></blockquote> <p> <b>(3)</b> <b> Christ is Jehovah who was put to the test by the Israelites in the wilderness (</b><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%2010:9;%20Num%2021:5-6&version=ESV">1Cor 10:9</a><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%2010:9;%20Num%2021:5-6&version=ESV">; Num 21:5-6</a>).<blockquote><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%2010:9&version=ESV">1Cor 10:9</a>. "We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents,"<br> <br><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Num%2021:5-6&version=ESV">Num 21:5-6</a>. "And the people spoke against God and against Moses, `Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food.' Then the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died."</p></blockquote> <p>"Here, Paul states that some of the Israelites in the wilderness `put Christ to the test,' ...what Paul says here about Christ is what the Old Testament said about the Lord [Jehovah] God: that the Israelites had put him to the test":<blockquote>"<i>The Israelites and Christ in the Wilderness</i> Paul's rather enigmatic statement about the Israelites in the wilderness probably refers to Christ as having been involved in its earliest history: `For they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ' (<a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/1-corinthians/10-4.html">1 Cor. 10:4</a>). This statement appears to be a reference to Christ's real preexistence ... A few sentences later, Paul warns the Corinthian Christians, `We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did, and were destroyed by serpents' (<a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/1-corinthians/10-9.html">v. 9</a>). Here, Paul states that some of the Israelites in the wilderness `put Christ to the test,' and he warns the Corinthians not to make the same mistake. ... Therefore, we should understand Paul to have been affirming that Christ existed during the time of the Israelites' wandering in the wilderness. Moreover, what Paul says here about Christ is what the Old Testament said about the Lord God: that the Israelites had put him to the test (<a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/passage.aspx?q=numbers+14:22;numbers+21:5-6;psalm+78:18-20;psalm+95:9">Num. 14:22; 21:5-6; Pss. 78:18-20; 95:9</a>). Once again, the New Testament affirms not only Christ's preexistence but also his <i>divine</i> preexistence." (Bowman, R.M., Jr. & Komoszewski, J.E., 2007, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Putting-Jesus-His-Place-Christ/dp/0825429838/">Putting Jesus In His Place</a>: The Case for the Deity of Christ," Kregel: Grand Rapids M, p.95).</p></blockquote> <p>"Paul has no qualms in pointing out that the `Lord' whom they are putting to the test is the same Christ whom Israel tested in the desert and that the Israelites were overthrown because of it": <blockquote>"<i><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%2010:9&version=ESV">1 Corinthians 10:9</a></i> The second instance where Paul asserts Christ's preexistence is equally striking. .... Paul's original text reads, `Let us not put Christ to the test ... as some of them tested [him] and were destroyed by the snakes.' This is an allusion to the event in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Num%2021:4-7,37&version=ESV">Num 21:4-7,37</a> where Israel complained against God and Moses about the length, nature, and provisions of their long stay in the wilderness. Although the Numbers text does not have the verb <i>ekpeirazo</i> (<i>put to the test</i>), it does occur in the poetry of <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2078:18&version=ESV">Ps 78:18</a>, which refers to the similar events recorded in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Num%2014,%2016,%2020&version=ESV">Num 14, 16, 20</a>. Paul's use of this verb seems to be a deliberate echo of the Septuagint of <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Dt%206:16&version=ESV">Deut 6:16</a>, `You shall not put the LORD your God to the test as you put him to the test at Peirasmos' ... As with <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%2010:4&version=ESV">v. 4</a>, Paul's point in context seems clear. By insisting on their `right' ... to go to the temple meals (see <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%208:9-10&version=ESV">8:9-10</a>), the Corinthian believers are putting Christ himself to the test, as Paul concludes in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%2010:21-%2022&version=ESV">10:21- 22</a>. Thus he is once more tying the situations of Israel and of the Corinthians together christologically. Paul has no qualms in pointing out that the `Lord' whom they are putting to the test is the same Christ whom Israel tested in the desert and that the Israelites were overthrown because of it." (Fee, 2007, pp.97-98. Emphasis original. My transliteration).</p></blockquote> <p><b>(4)</b> <b> Jesus is Jehovah who saved a people out of Egypt and destroyed those who did not believe in Him (</b><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jude%205;%20Ex%2012:51;%2013:21;%20Num%2014:20-24;%20Dt%201:34-39&version=ESV">Jude 5<b>; </b>Ex 12:51; 13:21<b>; </b>Num 14:20-24; Dt 1:34-39</a><b>)</b><blockquote><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jude%201:5&version=ESV">Jude 1:5</a>. "Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe."</p></blockquote> <p>"...the remarkable statement in the Epistle of Jude, `that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterwards destroyed those who did not believe' [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jude%201:5&version=ESV">Jude 5</a>]<blockquote>"Another [example of ... what A. T. Hanson has called the `real presence' of Christ in Old Testament history. [Hanson, A.T., "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Christ-Testament-Anthony-Tyrrell-Hanson/dp/0281006458">Jesus Christ in the Old Testament</a>," London, 1965, p.7] is the remarkable statement in the Epistle of Jude, `that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterwards destroyed those who did not believe' [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jude%201:5&version=ESV">Jude 5</a>] True, the name `Jesus' is not read in all forms of the text: in its place some authorities read `the Lord', others `God' and yet others, giving us no name at all, read `he who saved...' .... But the principle that the more difficult reading is to be preferred points to `Jesus' as the original, and indeed the variety of other readings can best be explained as substitutions for `Jesus'. `Jesus' in this context cannot be understood as the Greek form of Joshua (as in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%207:45;%20Heb%204:8&version=ESV">Acts 7:45; Heb 4:8</a>), for Joshua neither led Israel out of Egypt nor destroyed the unbelievers in the wilderness. It was Moses who led his people out of Egypt, but Moses did so under superior leadership. It was <i>the Lord</i> who `brought the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their hosts', [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%2012:51&version=ESV">Ex 12:51</a>] it was <i>the Lord</i> who `went before them', [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%2013:21&version=ESV">Ex 13:21</a>] and it was by the decree of the Lord that the `evil generation' that came out of Egypt died in the wilderness [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Num%2014:20-24;%20Dt%201:34-39&version=ESV">Num 14:20 ff.; Deut. 1:34 ff</a>]. While <i>Yahweh</i> stands in the Hebrew text, the Greek version used by Jude, as by other New Testament writers, had <i>Kyrios</i> in its place, and for Greek-speaking Christians to whom Jesus was the <i>kyrios</i> or Lord <i>par excellence</i> it was an easy matter to understand <i>Kyrios</i> in the Greek Old Testament to refer to Him." (Bruce, 1968, pp.35-36).. Emphasis original).</p></blockquote> <p> "So it is ... virtually certain that it is to Jesus, in his preincarnate state as the Yahweh of the Old Testament, that he [Jude] ascribes, first, the deliverance of Israel from Egypt and then the destruction of those within the nation who rebelled ...":<blockquote>"But there is still more that Jude implies about Jesus. For in addition to the six direct references to Jesus by name, there is sound reason to think that he may well have had Jesus in mind when he refers to `the Lord' in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jude%201:5,14&version=NIV1984">verses 5 and 14</a>. ... In the former verse (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jude%201:5&version=NIV1984">vs 5</a>), apart from the fact that `Jesus' may well be the original reading instead of `Lord,' [Bruce M. Metzger... affirm[s] that `Critical principles seem to require the adoption of ... <i>Iesous</i>, [Jesus] which admittedly is the best attested reading among Greek and versional witnesses ... and some significant church fathers] even with the reading `the Lord,' there is every reason to believe that Jesus may still have been Jude's intended referent. Consider the following facts. First, there is no question that Jude employed `Lord' to refer to Jesus four times (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jude%201:4,17,21,25&version=NIV1984">vss 4, 17, 21, 25</a>). Second, we have just seen that the almost certain referent of `Lord' in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jude%201:14&version=NIV1984">verse 14</a> is Jesus. And third, this occurrence of `Lord' in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jude%201:5&version=NIV1984">verse 5</a> comes hard on the heels of Jude's certain reference to Jesus in the immediately preceding verse as `our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.' So it is not only possible but also virtually certain that it is to Jesus, in his preincarnate state as the Yahweh of the Old Testament, that he ascribes, first, the deliverance of Israel from Egypt and then the destruction of those within the nation who rebelled; second, the judgment of the angels at the time of their primeval fall; and third, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. And if all this is true, Jude was clearly thinking of Jesus Christ in terms that encompass the Old Testament Deity." (Reymond, R.L., 2003, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Divine-Messiah-Reymond-Robert/dp/1857928024">Jesus, Divine Messiah: The New and Old Testament Witness</a>," [1990], Mentor: Fearn UK, p.484).</p></blockquote> <p>"Also, whether the original reading in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jude%201:5&version=NIV1984">Jude 5</a> referred to `Jesus' or `the Lord,' ... this verse likewise portrays the preincarnate Jesus rescuing Israel from Egypt":<blockquote>"In fact, the conviction that one could find Old Testament passages in which the preincarnate Jesus was manifested is reflected in first-century Christian texts. Most obviously, of course, the New Testament references to Jesus as the one through whom God created all things (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%208:4-6;%20Jn%201:1-2;%20Col%201:15-17&version=NIV1984">1 Cor. 8:4-6; John 1:1-2; Col. 1:15-17</a>) all reflect such a reading of Old Testament statements about the creation of the world. Furthermore, Paul's statement in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%2010:4&version=NIV1984">1 Corinthians 10:4</a> that the rock from which Israel drank in their wilderness trek `was Christ' must surely be taken as asserting that in his preincarnate mode Jesus was the divine figure who engaged Israel in the Exodus narrative. Also, whether the original reading in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jude%201:5&version=NIV1984">Jude 5</a> referred to `Jesus' or `the Lord,' it is a good bet that this verse likewise portrays the preincarnate Jesus rescuing Israel from Egypt. Further, as we noted in an earlier chapter, <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2012:41&version=NIV1984">John 12:41</a> asserts that the divine figure seen by the prophet in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%206:1&version=NIV1984">Isaiah 6:1</a> was `the Lord' Jesus. These references to passages in Exodus and Isaiah exhibit first-century christological interpretations of Old Testament theophanic passages." (Hurtado, L.W., 2005, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lord-Jesus-Christ-Devotion-Christianity/dp/0802831672">Lord Jesus Christ: Devotion to Jesus in Earliest Christianity</a>," Eerdmans: Grand Rapids MI, pp.576-577).</p></blockquote><p><hr> </p> <p>My next post in this series is part #7, "<a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com/2011/11/jesus-is-jehovah-2c-jehovah-promised.html">2C. Jehovah promised that He would come to Jerusalem in Person</a>."<br> <br><a href="http://members.iinet.net.au/~sejones/index.html">Stephen E. Jones</a>, BSc., Grad. Dip. Ed.<br>My other blogs: <a href="http://creationevolutiondesign.blogspot.com/">CreationEvolutionDesign</a> & <a href="http://theshroudofturin.blogspot.com/">The Shroud of Turin</a></p>Stephen E. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16183223752386599799noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574858940069385599.post-58602106501703996172011-10-30T20:11:00.008+08:002011-12-23T16:18:48.582+08:00Jesus is Jehovah!: 2A. Plurality in Jehovah was revealed in the Old Testament<p>This is part #5, "2A. Plurality in Jehovah was revealed in the Old Testament," of my series, "<a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com/2011/10/jesus-is-jehovah-contents.html">Jesus <i>is </i>Jehovah!</a>" by topic, which will be based on my morning `quiet time' Bible reading. </p> <a href="http://www.globalgallery.com/prod_images/600/80192.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://www.globalgallery.com/prod_images/600/80192.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><p>[<a href="http://www.globalgallery.com/prod_images/600/80192.jpg">Above</a> (click to enlarge): "Abraham and the Three Angels" [sic](c. 1896-1902), by <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/James_Tissot">James Jacques Joseph Tissot</a> (1836-1902), at the <a href="http://www.thejewishmuseum.org/onlinecollection/object_collection.php?objectid=26696&artistlist=1&an=James">Jewish Museum, New York</a>: <a href="http://www.globalgallery.com/enlarge/80192/">Global Gallery</a>]</p> <p>My previous post in this series was part #4, "<a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com/2011/10/jesus-is-jehovah-1c-quotes-by-christian.html">1C. Quotes by mainstream Christian authors that Jesus is Jehovah</a>." See the <a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com/2011/10/jesus-is-jehovah-contents.html">Contents</a> page for more details.</p> <p> <hr> </p> <center><b>JESUS <i>IS </i>JEHOVAH! <br> © Stephen E. Jones</b></p> </center> </p> <p><a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com/2011/10/jesus-is-jehovah-contents.html">Jesus <i>is</i> Jehovah!: Contents</a></p> <p><b>2. JESUS IS JEHOVAH IN THE OLD TESTAMENT</b></p> <p><b>A. Plurality in God was revealed in the Old Testament </b><br>"The Old Testament in several places indicates plurality in the Godhead":<blockquote>"The Old Testament in several places indicates plurality in the Godhead (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%201:1-3,%2026;%203:22,%2011:7,9;%2018:1-33;%2019:24;%20Ex%2023:20-23;&version=ASV">Gen 1:1-3, 1:26, 3:22, 11:7,9, Gen 18,19:24, Ex 23:20-23</a> [cp. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%2010:4;&version=ASV">1 Cor 10:4</a>], <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2048:12,16,%2063:7-14,%20Zec%202:8-11,%203:2;&version=ASV">Is 48:12,16, 63:7-14, Zech 2:8-11, 3:2</a>). As mentioned above, the Bible indicates both the deity of Christ and the personality and deity of the Holy Spirit. These factors, together with the deity of the Father (undisputed), produce a description of the Godhead in trinity. Especially in the New Testament, these three Persons are repeatedly spoken of as cooperating collectively (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%203:16-17;%20Mk%201:9-11;%20Lk%203:21-22;%20Mt%2028:19;%20Lk%201:35;%20Jn%203:34-35;%2014:26;%2016:13-15;%20Ac%202:32-33,%2038-39;%20Rom%2015:16,30;%201Cor%2012:4-6;%202Cor%203:4-6;%2013:14;&version=ASV">Matt 3:16-17, Mark 1:9-11, Luke 3:21-22, Matt 28:19, Luke 1:35, John 3:34-35, John 14:26, 16:13-15, Acts 2:32-33, 38-39, Rom 15:16,30, 1 Cor 12:4-6, 2 Cor 3:4-6, 13:14</a> [cp. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Jn%201:3;&version=ASV">1 John 1:3</a>], <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gal%204:4-6;%20Eph%204:4-6;%20Heb%2010:12,15;%201Pet%201:2;&version=ASV">Gal 4:4-6, Eph 4:4-6, Heb 10:12,15, 1 Pet 1:2</a>)." (Quick, K.R., 1989, "<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pilgrimage-Through-Watchtower-Kevin-Quick/dp/0801075513">Pilgrimage Through the Watchtower</a>," Baker: Grand Rapids MI, pp.59-60).</p> </blockquote> <p><b>i. </b><b>The usual Hebrew word for "God" (<i>'elohim</i>) is plural</b><br>"... the Hebrew names for God-<i> Elohim</i>. .... The <i>im</i> in <i>Elohim</i> is a plural suffix added to the singular noun <i>El</i> ":<blockquote>"The Old Testament definitely implied the existence of more than one Person within the divine oneness. The first clue is to be found in one of the Hebrew names for God-<i> Elohim</i>. Found in the first verse of the Bible (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%201:1&version=KJV">Gen. 1:1</a>), it is used repeatedly by the Old Testament writers. The <i>im</i> in <i>Elohim</i> is a plural suffix added to the singular noun <i>El</i>. Some have called this literary phenomenon `the plural of majesty,' but isn't God's singular name <i>El </i>majestic enough? In the temptation, Satan enticed Eve: `ye shall be as gods [<i>Elohim</i>]' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%203:5&version=KJV">3:5</a>). The word `gods' should have been translated `God,' a reference to the God of creation." (Gromacki, R.G., 1974, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1934952036/">The Virgin Birth: A Biblical Study of the Deity of Jesus Christ</a>," Kregel: Grand Rapids MI, Reprinted, 2002, p.20).</p> </blockquote> <p>"The very name which is usually employed for designating God in the original Hebrew .... <i>Elohim</i>, is in plural form":<blockquote>"Nevertheless, despite the fact that the oneness of God is so strongly emphasized, and, as it were, constitutes the first article of Israel's basic law, the distinctions within that unity of the Godhead come to light also as in that revelation His fulness of Being progresses. The very name which is usually employed for designating God in the original Hebrew has a certain significance here. For this name. <i>Elohim</i>, is in plural form, and therefore, although it does not, as was formerly generally supposed, designate the three persons of the divine Being, it does, in its character as an intensive plural, point to the fulness of life and of power which are present in God. It is, no doubt, in connection with this same fact, that God sometimes, in speaking of Himself, uses a plural referent, and by this means makes distinctions within Himself that bear a personal character (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gen%201:26-27;%203:22;%20Isa%206:8&version=ASV">Gen. 1:26-27; 3:22; and Isa. 6:8</a>)." (Bavinck, H., 1977, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Our-Reasonable-Faith-Christian-Doctrine/dp/B004YJRNTE/">Our Reasonable Faith: A Survey of Christian Doctrine</a>," [1956], Zylstra, H., transl., Baker: Grand Rapids MI, Fourth printing 1984, p.147).</p></blockquote> <p>"... the Hebrew word for God, <i>Elohim</i>, is a plural form. This form is, in view of the pervasive monotheism of the Old Testament, a striking stylistic usage, to say the least":<blockquote>"Yet the church has always believed that the God who reveals himself in Christ is the God who revealed himself to Israel. The Bible may be in two parts, but it does not reveal two Gods. Hence, there must be data in the Old Testament concerning God that are at least amenable to the Christian understanding of God. Given this assumption, theologians have noted, for example, that the Hebrew word for God, <i>Elohim</i>, is a plural form. This form is, in view of the pervasive monotheism of the Old Testament, a striking stylistic usage, to say the least. When it occurs in the first creation narrative together with the use of plural pronouns - `Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion' (<a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/genesis/1-26.html">Gn. 1:26</a> NRSV) surely it is an intimation that God is not a solitary monad, especially since the creature, who is like him, is a fellowship of male and female." (Jewett, P.K., 1991, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/God-Creation-Revelation-Neo-Evangelical-Theology/dp/0802804608/">God, Creation, and Revelation</a>: A Neo-Evangelical Theology," Wm. B. Eerdmans: Grand Rapids MI, p.269).</p></blockquote> <p><b>ii.</b> <b>In the Old Testament God speaks to Himself using the plural pronouns "us," "our" (</b><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%201:26;%203:22;%2011:7;%20Isa%206:8&version=ESV">Gn 1:26; 3:22; 11:7; Isa 6:8</a><b>)</b><br>"A second hint [of "the existence of more than one Person within the divine oneness"] is found in plural pronouns ascribed to God":<blockquote>"A second hint is found in plural pronouns ascribed to God. God said: `Let <i>us</i> make man in <i>our</i> image' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%201:26&version=KJV">1:26</a>, italics mine). This usage of the first personal plural pronouns also occurs elsewhere (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%203:22;%2011:7;%20Isa%206:8&version=KJV">3:22; 11:7; Isa. 6:8</a>). To explain them away as joint references to God and His angels or to an editorial `we' is just too simplistic. In fact, both the oneness of God and the plurality of Persons are taught in these passages. After God said: `Let us make man in <i>our</i> image, after our likeness' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%201:26&version=KJV">Gen. 1:26</a>), Moses wrote: `So God created man in his own image' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%201:27&version=KJV">v. 27</a>). Isaiah `heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%206:8&version=KJV">Isa. 6:8</a>). Note the interchange of the singular and the plural in both of these incidents. Since God is one, He can say `I.' Because of the plurality of Persons, He can also say `us.'" (Gromacki, 1974, pp.20-21. Emphasis original).</p></blockquote> <p>"The Bible does not say that God was speaking to someone else, that is, to someone other than God. ...We must allow that `us' means at least two!":<blockquote>"IN THE BEGINNING `In the beginning God created ...' `And God said, Let US make man in OUR image (singular), after OUR likeness (singular) ... So God created man in HIS own IMAGE (singular)' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%201:1,26-27&version=ASV">Genesis 1:1, 26, 27</a>). The Bible does not say that God was speaking to someone else, that is, to someone other than God. Notice how the plural US refers to a singular image and likeness. When they had built the tower of Babel, God said: `Let US go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech. So THE LORD scattered them abroad ..: ' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%2011:6-7&version=ASV">Genesis 11:6, 7</a>). We must allow that `us' means at least two!" (Dencher, T., 1985, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Why-I-Left-Jehovahs-Witnesses/dp/0875081606">Why I Left Jehovah's Witnesses</a>," [1966], Christian Literature Crusade: Fort Washington PA, Revised, p.142. Emphasis and ellipses original). </p> </blockquote> <p>"... the New Testament relates these verses [<A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%206:8-10%20&version=NIV1984">Isa 6:8-10</A>] to both the Lord Jesus ... and the Holy Spirit ... thus finding here what will yet accommodate the full revelation of the Holy Trinity":<br /><blockquote>"[<A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%206:8%20&version=NIV1984">Isa 6:8</A>] ... <I>Us</I>: a plural of consultation (<A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Ki%2022:19-23&version=NIV1984">1 Ki. 22:19-23</A>), but the New Testament relates these verses to both the Lord Jesus (<A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2012:39-41&version=NIV1984">Jn. 12:41</A>) and the Holy Spirit (<A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2028:25-27&version=NIV1984">Acts 28:25</A>), thus finding here what will yet accommodate the full revelation of the Holy Trinity." (Motyer, A., 1999, "<A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/Prophecy-Isaiah-Introduction-Commentary/dp/0830815937">Isaiah: An Introduction and Commentary</A>," Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries," InterVarsity Press: Leicester UK, Reprinted, 2005, p.72. Emphasis original. Typo corrected).</blockquote></p><p><b>iii.</b> <b>Plurality in Jehovah was revealed in the Old Testament </b><br>"Abraham addressed three men as `Jehovah', and offered to wash his (or <i>their</i>?) feet!":<blockquote>"Abraham addressed three men as `Jehovah', and offered to wash his (or <i>their</i>?) feet! Read the account at <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%2018:1-22&version=ASV">Genesis 18:1-22</a>. The Watch Tower Society says they were all angels. The only clue given as to whether any of them were angels or not is <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%2019:1&version=ASV">Genesis 19:1</a>, where two angels arrive at Sodom. Compare this with <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%2018:22&version=ASV">18:22</a>. If two of them were angels, Abraham had still seen Jehovah! It is very obvious that if they were <i>all</i> angels they would have <i>all</i> left. Why three angels to <i>represent</i> Jehovah? If the one who remained was also an angel, why did the other two leave? And why doesn't the Bible say that this one was also an angel? Why does it indicate he was Jehovah Himself? If this remaining one were simply. an angel <i>representing</i> Jehovah (as the Watch Tower Society indicates), representing this mean that the other two angels were <i>not</i> representing Him? Yet, if those three angels <i>did</i> represent Jehovah, why <i>three</i> when one would have been sufficient? Could Abraham tell the difference between the <i>representative</i> angel and the <i>non-representative</i> angels?" (Dencher, T., 1985, "Why I Left Jehovah's Witnesses," pp.142-143. Emphasis original).</p> </blockquote> <p>"Abraham addressed the three as `Jehovah' ... And, when the city of Sodom was destroyed, the <i>New World Translation</i> says ... `Then Jehovah made it rain sulphur and fire from Jehovah, from the heavens'":<blockquote>"In explaining to Witnesses the fact that <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%20110:1&version=ASV">Psalm 110</a> shows God, the Father in heaven, talking to the Son (also God) upon the earth, it may help to invite them to turn to <a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/ge/chapter_018.htm">Genesis 18</a> and <a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/ge/chapter_019.htm">19</a> in their own <i>New World Translation</i>. There it says that `Jehovah appeared to him' [Abraham] as `three men' or angels (<a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/ge/chapter_018.htm">18:1-2</a>). Abraham addressed the three as `Jehovah' (<a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/ge/chapter_018.htm#bk3">18:3</a>). Two of them left Abraham and went toward the city of Sodom, but Abraham continued to address the remaining individual as `Jehovah' (<a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/ge/chapter_018.htm#bk22">18:22</a>, <a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/ge/chapter_019.htm">19:1</a>). When the other two reached Sodom and spoke with Abraham's relative Lot, he addressed the two of them as `Jehovah' (<a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/ge/chapter_019.htm#bk18">19:18</a>). And, when the city of Sodom was destroyed, the <i>New World Translation</i> says at <a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/ge/chapter_019.htm#bk24">Genesis 19:24</a>: `Then Jehovah made it rain sulphur and fire from Jehovah, from the heavens... .'" (Reed, D.A., 1986, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jehovahs-Witnesses-Answered-Verse/dp/0801077397/">Jehovah's Witnesses Answered Verse by Verse</a>," Baker: Grand Rapids MI, Thirty-first printing, 2006, pp.36-37. Ellipses original).</p> </blockquote> <p>"One Jehovah sends another Jehovah in this account! ... Here we see where there are two persons, both of whom are Jehovah!":<blockquote>"There are certain descriptions of this Jehovah that the Witnesses are unprepared to accept. One of these is found at <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zec%202:8-11&version=ASV">Zechariah 2:8-11</a>, quoting here from the <i>A.S.V.</i>: For thus saith JEHOVAH OF HOSTS: After glory hath HE SENT ME unto the nations which plundered you; for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his [Jehovah of hosts'] eye. For behold, I will shake my hand over them, and they shall be a spoil to those that served them; and ye shall know that JEHOVAH OF HOSTS HATH SENT ME. Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion; for lo, I (Jehovah) come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith JEHOVAH. And many nations shall join themselves to Jehovah in that day, and shall be my people; and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that JEHOVAH OF HOSTS HATH SENT ME (Jehovah) unto thee. The reason the Witnesses cannot accept this portion of Scripture is very obvious: One Jehovah sends another Jehovah in this account! According to them, Jehovah is just one person. Here we see where there are two persons, both of whom are Jehovah! At Zechariah chapter three, one person of Jehovah refers to another Jehovah: Reading verses one and two ([<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zec%203:1-2&version=ASV">Zec 3:1-2</a>] <i>A.S.V.</i>): `And he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of Jehovah, and Satan standing at his right hand to be his adversary. And Jehovah said unto Satan, JEHOVAH REBUKE THEE, O Satan; yea, Jehovah that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee ...' At Isaiah chapter forty-eight Jehovah is sent by the Lord God! In verse twelve [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2048:12&version=ASV">Isa 48:12</a>] He says: `I am the first, I also am the last' (<i>A.S.V.</i>). In verse sixteen He says: `Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; from the beginning I have not spoken in secret; from the time that it [the beginning] was, there am I [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2048:16&version=ASV">Isa 48:16</a>]: and now THE LORD JEHOVAH HATH SENT ME, and his Spirit.'" (Dencher, 1985, pp.143-144. Emphasis original).</p> </blockquote> <p><b>iv.</b> <b>The Angel of Jehovah is God, yet is distinct from God</b><br>"Then, there are references to the Angel of the LORD who is identified with, yet distinct from, God ":<blockquote>"<i>Old Testament</i> For Israel the fundamental unity of God is an axiom, `Hear O Israel: the LORD our God is one' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Dt%206:4&version=NIV1984">Dt. 6:4</a>). This insistence on the divine unity was most important because of the idolatrous, depraved polytheism of the surrounding nations. The OT, however, contains intimations of a `fulness' in the Godhead which foreshadow NT trinitarian teaching. First, there are the occasions where God refers to himself in plural terms (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%201:26;%203:22;%2011:7;%20Isa%206:8&version=NIV1984">Gn. 1:26; 3:22; 11:7; Is. 6:8</a>); the evangelist John treats the Isaiah passage as a vision of Jesus (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2012:41&version=NIV1984">Jn. 12:41</a>). Then, there are references to the Angel of the LORD who is identified with, yet distinct from, God (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%203:2-6;%20Jdg%2013:2-22&version=NIV1984">Ex. 3:2-6; Jdg. 13:2-22</a>). The OT also refers to the Spirit of God as God's personal agent (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%201:2;%20Neh%209:20;%20Ps%20139:7;%20Isa%2063:10-14&version=NIV1984">Gn. 1:2; Ne. 9:20; Ps. 139:7; Is. 63:10-14</a>). It speaks of the wisdom of God, particularly in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Prov%208&version=NIV1984">Proverbs 8</a>, as a personalized outgoing of God to the world, and of the Word of God, the creative utterance of God (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2033:6,9;%20Gn%201:26&version=NIV1984">Ps. 33:6, 9; cf. Gn. 1:26</a>). There are also prophecies which identify the long-awaited Messiah with God (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%202;%20Isa%209:6-7&version=NIV1984">Ps. 2; Is. 9:6f.</a>). This clearly does not amount to the full doctrine of the Trinity, but in presenting plurality within God's unity these OT passages anticipate the fuller NT teaching." (Milne, B., 1982, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Know-Truth-Handbook-Christian-Belief/dp/083081793X">Know the Truth: A Handbook of Christian Belief</a>," Inter-Varsity Press: Leicester UK, 1988, Fifth printing, pp.59-60. Emphasis original).</p></blockquote> <p>"The angel of the Lord thus appears as a manifestation of Jehovah himself, one with Jehovah and yet different from him":<blockquote>"While any angel sent to execute the commands of God might be called the angel of the Lord (<A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2Sam%2024:16;%201Ki%2019:5,7&version=KJV">II Sam. 24:16; I Kings 19:5, 7</A>), yet mention is made of an angel under circumstances that justify one in always thinking of the same angel, who is distinguished from Jehovah, and yet is identified with him (<A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%2016:10,13;%2018:2-4,13-14,33;%2022:11-12,15-16;%2031:11,13;%20Ex%203:2,%204;%20Jos%205:13-15;%206:2;%20Zec%201:10-13;%203:1-%202&version=KJV">Gen. 16:10, 13; 18:2-4, 13, 14, 33; 22:11, 12, 15, 16; 31:11, 13; Ex. 3:2, 4; Josh. 5:13-15; 6:2; Zech. 1:10-13; 3:1, 2</A>), who revealed the face of God (<A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%2032:24-30&version=KJV">Gen. 32:30</A>), in whom was Jehovah's name (<A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%2023:21&version=KJV">Ex. 23:21</A>), and whose presence was equivalent to Jehovah's presence (<A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%2032:34;%2033:14;%20Isa%2063:9&version=KJV">Ex. 32:34; 33:14; Isa. 63:9</A>). The angel of the Lord thus appears as a manifestation of Jehovah himself, one with Jehovah and yet different from him." (Gehman, H.S. & Davis, J.D., 1944, "<A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/Westminster-Dictionary-Bible-Revised-Rewritten/dp/B000BANMSG/">The Westminster Dictionary of the Bible</A>," [1898], Collins: London, 1924, Revised, p.29).</p></blockquote><p>"The older writers discovered intimations of the Trinity in ... the remarkable phenomena connected with the appearances of the Angel of Jehovah":<blockquote>"It is another question, however, whether there may not exist in the pages of the Old Testament turns of expression or records of occurrences in which one already acquainted with the doctrine of the Trinity may fairly see indications of an underlying implication of it. The older writers discovered intimations of the Trinity in such phenomena as the plural form of the Divine name <i>Elohim</i>, the occasional employment with reference to God of plural pronouns ('Let us make man in our image,' <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%201:26;%203:22;%2011:7;%20Isa%206:8&version=ASV">Gen. i. 26; iii. 22; xi. 7; Isa. vi. 8</a>), or of plural verbs (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%2020:13;%2035:7&version=ASV">Gen. xx. 13; xxxv. 7</a>), certain repetitions of the name of God which seem to distinguish between God and God (P<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2045:6-7;%20110:1;%20Hos%201:7&version=ASV">s. xlv. 6, 7; cx. l; Hos. i. 7</a>), threefold liturgical formulas (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Num%206:24,%2026;%20Isa%206:3&version=ASV">Num. vi. 24, 26; Isa. vi. 3</a>), a certain tendency to hypostatize the conception of Wisdom (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Prov%208&version=ASV">Prov. viii</a>.), and especially the remarkable phenomena connected with the appearances of the Angel of Jehovah (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%2016:2-13,%2022:11,16;%2031:11,13;%2048:15-16;%20Ex%203:2,4-5;%20Jdg%2013:20-22&version=ASV">Gen. xvi. 2-13, xxii. 11, 16; xxxi. 11, 13; xlviii. 15, 16; Ex. iii. 2, 4, 5; Jgs, xiii. 20-22</a>)." (Warfield B.B., 1958, "The Biblical Doctrine of the Trinity," in "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Biblical-foundations-Selected-theological-studies/dp/B0007EK5GS/">Biblical Foundations</a>," Tyndale: London, p.86).</p></blockquote> <p> "There is also the striking Old Testament phenomenon of the angel of the Lord ... whose title and task distinguish him from God, yet whose presence evokes a response at the human level appropriate only when one is in the presence of God":<blockquote>"Theologians have also noted the way in which the wisdom of God is personified in the Old Testament as God's Architect and Counselor in creation, the Instructor of the wise who bestows the divine Spirit upon all who seek understanding (<a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/proverbs/8.html">Prv. 8</a>). It is this usage that the writers of the New Testament reflect in their view of Jesus as the Logos (Word/Wisdom) who was in the beginning with God and by whom all things were made (<a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/john/passage.aspx?q=john+1:2-3">Jn. 1:2-3</a>). There is also the striking Old Testament phenomenon of the angel of the Lord, the mysterious messenger of the covenant (<a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/passage.aspx?q=genesis+16:2-13;genesis+22:11;genesis+22:16;genesis+31:11;genesis+31:13;genesis+48:15-16;exodus+3:2;exodus+3:4-5;judges+13:20-22">Gn. 16:2-13; 22:11, 16; 31:11, 13; 48:15-16; Ex. 3:2, 4-5; Jgs. 13:20-22</a>). Here is One whose title and task distinguish him from God, yet whose presence evokes a response at the human level appropriate only when one is in the presence of God." (Jewett, 1991, p.270).</p> </blockquote> <p><b>v.</b> <b>The Word, Spirit and Wisdom of Jehovah are distinct from Jehovah</b><br>"... passages in which the Word or Wisdom of God is personified ... point to ... a plurality of persons":<blockquote>"It is far more plausible that the passages in which God speaks of Himself in the plural, <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%201:26;%2011:7&version=ASV">Gen. 1:26; 11:7</a>, contain an indication of personal distinctions in God, though even these do not point to a trinity but only to a plurality of persons. Still clearer indications of such personal distinctions are found in those passages which refer to the Angel of Jehovah, who is on the one hand identified with Jehovah, and on the other hand distinguished from Him, <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%2016:7-13;%2018:1-21;%2019:1-28;%20Mal%203:1&version=ASV">Gen. 16:7-13; 18:1-21; 19:1-28; Mal. 3:1</a>; and also in passages in which the Word or Wisdom of God is personified, <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2033:4,%206;%20Prov%208:12-31&version=ASV">Ps. 33:4, 6; Prov. 8:12-31</a>. In some cases more than one person is mentioned, <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2033:6;%2045:6-7&version=ASV">Ps. 33:6; 45:6, 7</a> (comp. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Heb%201:8-9&version=ASV">Heb. 1:8, 9</a>), and in others God is the speaker, and mentions both the Messiah and the Spirit, or the Messiah is the speaker who mentions both God and the Spirit, <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2048:16;%2061:1;%2063:9-10&version=ASV">Isa. 48:16; 61:1; 63:9, 10</a> . Thus the Old Testament contains a clear anticipation of the fuller revelation of the Trinity in the New Testament." (Berkhof, L., 1958, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Systematic-Theology-Louis-Berkhof/dp/0802838200">Systematic Theology</a>," [1932], Banner of Truth: London, British Edition, Third printing, 1966, pp.86-87. Emphasis original).</p></blockquote> <p>"A tendency is pointed out to hypostatize [ascribe real existence to] the Word of God ... and ... the Spirit of God":<blockquote>"The tendency of more recent authors is to appeal, not so much to specific texts of the Old Testament, as to the very `organism of revelation' in the Old Testament in which there is perceived an underlying suggestion `that all things owe their existence and persistence to a threefold cause,' both with reference to the first creation, and, more plainly, with reference to the second creation. Passages like <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2033:6;%20Isa%2061:1;%2063:9-12;%20Hag%202:5-%206&version=ASV">Ps. xxxiii. 6; Isa. lxi. 1; lxiii. 9-12; Hag. ii. 5, 6</a>, in which God and His Word and His Spirit are brought together, co-causes of effects, are adduced. A tendency is pointed out to hypostatize the Word of God on the one hand (e.g., <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%201:3;%20Ps%2033:6;%20107:20;%20147:15-18;%20Isa%2055:11&version=ASV">Gen. i. 3; Ps. xxxiii. 6; cvii. 20; cxlvii. 15-18; Isa. lv. 11</a>); and, especially in Ezek. and the later Prophets, the Spirit of God, on the other (e.g., <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%201:2;%20Isa%2048%2016;%2063:10;%20Ezk%202:2;%208:3;%20Zec%207:12&version=ASV">Gen. i. 2; Isa. xlviii. 16; lxiii. 10; Ezek. ii. 2; viii. 3; Zec. vii. 12</a>). Suggestions - in Isa. for instance (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%207:14;%209:6&version=ASV">vii. 14; ix. 6</a>) - of the Deity of the Messiah are appealed to. And if the occasional occurrence of plural verbs and pronouns referring to God, and the plural form of the name <i>Elohim</i>, are not insisted upon as in themselves evidence of a multiplicity in the Godhead, yet a certain weight is lent them as witnesses that `the God of revelation is no abstract unity, but the living, true God, who in the fulness of His life embraces the highest variety' (Bavinck)." (Warfield, 1958, pp.86-87).</p> </blockquote> <p><b>vi. The Hebrew word for "one" (<i>'echad</i>) in "Jehovah our God is one" (</b><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Dt%206:4&version=ASV">Dt 6:4</a> ASV<b>) can mean a <i>compound</i> unity</b></p> <p>The same Heb. word <i>'echad</i> "one" in "God is one" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Dt%206:4;&version=ASV">Dt 6:4</a>) can be a <i>compound unity</i>. For example the same word <i>'echad</i> is used of the "one flesh" of husband and wife (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%202:24;&version=ASV">Gn 2:24</a>); "one people" comprising many individuals (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%2011:6;%2034:16,22;&version=ASV">Gn 11:6; 34:16,22</a>); " one voice" of "all the people" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%2024:3;&version=ASV">Ex 24:3</a>); "one cluster of grapes" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Num%2013:23;&version=ASV">Num 13:23</a>); and "one stick" joined to "another stick" making a compound "one stick" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eze%2037:16-17;&version=ASV">Eze 37:16-17</a>).</p> <p> </p> <p>" <i>'ehad</i> ... <i>one ...</i> It stresses unity while recognizing diversity within that oneness ... In the famous Shema of <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Dt%206:4;&version=NASB">Deut 6:4</a>, `Hear, O Israel ... the LORD is one,' ... the usage of the word allows for the doctrine of the Trinity":<blockquote>"... <i>'ehad</i> ... <i>one ...</i> It is closely identified with <i>yahad</i> `to be united' ... It stresses unity while recognizing diversity within that oneness ... in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%2024:3;&version=NASB">Ex 24:3</a> `with one voice' expresses that all Israel was involved in entering into the Covenant with Yahweh. The concept of unity is related to the tabernacle, whose curtains are fastened together to form one unit (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%2026:6,11;%2036:13;&version=NASB">Ex 26:6, 11; 36:13</a>). Adam and Eve are described as `one flesh' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%202:24;&version=NASB">Gen 2:24</a>) ... In <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%2034:16;&version=NASB">Gen 34:16</a> the men of Shechem suggest intermarriage with Jacob's children in order to become `one people.' Later, Ezekiel predicted that the fragmented nation of Israel would someday be reunited, as he symbolically joined two sticks (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eze%2037:17;&version=NASB">37:17</a>). Once again Judah and Ephraim would be one nation with one king (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eze%2037:22;&version=NASB">37:22</a>) ... Diversity within unity is also seen from the fact that <i>'ehad</i> has a plural form, <i>'ahadim</i> ... In the famous Shema of <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Dt%206:4;&version=NASB">Deut 6:4</a>, `Hear, O Israel ... the LORD is one,' the question of diversity within unity has theological implications. Some scholars have felt that, though `one' is singular, the usage of the word allows for the doctrine of the Trinity ... The NT also is strictly monotheistic while at the same time teaching diversity within the unity (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jas%202:19;%201Cor%208:5-6;&version=NASB">Jas 2:19; 1 Cor 8:5-6</a>) ... The lexical and syntactical difficulties of Deut 6:4 can be seen in the many translations offered for it in the NIV. The option `the LORD is our God, the LORD alone' has in its favor both the broad context of the book and the immediate context ... Zechariah employs the text with this meaning and applies it universally ..: `The LORD will be king over all the earth; in that day the LORD will be (the only) one, and His name (the only) one' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zec%2014:9;&version=NASB">14:9</a> NASB)." (Wolf, H., "<i>'ehad</i>," in Harris, R.L., Archer, G.L. & Waltke, B.K., eds, 1980, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Theological-Wordbook-Old-Testament-2-vol/dp/0802486312">Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament</a>," Moody Press: Chicago IL, Twelfth printing, 1992, Vol. I, p.30).</p></blockquote> <p>"There is a Hebrew word that does mean an absolute unity and that is <i>yachid</i> ... If Moses intended to teach God's absolute oneness as over against a compound unity, this would have been a far more appropriate word":<blockquote>"<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Dt%206:4&version=ASV">Deuteronomy 6:4</a>, known as the <i>Shema</i>, has always been Israel's great confession. It is this verse more than any other that is used to affirm the fact that God is one and is often used to contradict the concept of plurality in the Godhead. But is it a valid use of this verse? On one hand, it should be noted that the very words `our God' are in the plural in the Hebrew text and literally mean `our Gods.' However, the main argument lies in the word `one,' which is a Hebrew word, <i>echad</i>. A glance through the Hebrew text where the word is used elsewhere can quickly show that the word echad does not mean an absolute `one' but a compound `one.' For instance, in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%201:5&version=NIV">Genesis 1:5</a>, the combination of evening and morning comprise one (<i>echad</i>) day. In <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%202:24&version=NIV">Genesis 2:24</a>, a man and a woman come together in marriage and the two `shall become one (<i>echad</i>) flesh.' In <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezr%202:64&version=NIV">Ezra 2:64</a>, we are told that the whole assembly was as one (<i>echad</i>), though of course, it was composed of numerous people. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eze%2037:17&version=NIV">Ezekiel 37:17</a> provides a rather striking example where two sticks are combined to become one (<i>echad</i>). The use of the word <i>echad</i> in Scripture shows it to be a compound and not an absolute unity. There is a Hebrew word that does mean an absolute unity and that is <i>yachid</i>, which is found in many Scripture passages, the emphasis being on the meaning of `only.' If Moses intended to teach God's absolute oneness as over against a compound unity, this would have been a far more appropriate word." (Fruchtenbaum, A.G., "<a href="http://jewsforjesus.org/publications/issues/1_8/jewish">Jewishness and the Trinity</a>," Jews for Jesus, July 1, 1981).</p></blockquote> <p>Messianic Jews interpret <i>'echad</i> "one" in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Dt%206:4&version=KJV">Deut. 6:4</a> as being a compound unity: <blockquote>"Messianic Jews believe in the Shema ... <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Dt%206:4&version=KJV">Deuteronomy 6:4</a>: 'Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD' ... The Shema is a confirmation in Torah that Adonai/God is a compound unity ('echad') not as is commonly misunderstood.')" ("<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messianic_Judaism">Messianic Judaism</a>," Wikipedia, 23 January 2010).</p></blockquote> <p>In fact the Messianic Jewish <a href="http://www.tofy.net/">Torah Observant Followers of Yeshua</a> in its <a href="http://www.tofy.net/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=238&pop=1&page=0&Itemid=27">Statement of Beliefs</a> cites Dt 6:4 as <i>evidence</i> that "The nature of YHWH is a <i>compound unity</i>" and adds that "Yeshua of Natzeret ... <i>is YHWH</i> who appeared among mankind in the flesh": <blockquote>"<i>Statements of Belief</i> .... YHWH [the LORD] is our Elohim. He is echad [One]. He alone is YHWH. <a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/cjb/deuteronomy/6-4.html">Deuteronomy 6:4</a>. .... The nature of YHWH is a compound unity expressed in the aspects of Abba [God, the Father], Yeshua [Salvation, Jesus, the Son, Messiah] and the Ruach HaKodesh [the Holy Spirit/Breath] in this age. <a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/cjb/matthew/28-19.html">Matthew 28:19</a>. ... Yeshua of Natzeret [Nazareth] is the Messiah of Israel, the Savior of the world, the King of kings and Lord of lords. He is YHWH who appeared among mankind in the flesh, and now is glorified with all power in Heaven and in Earth, at the right hand of Abba. <a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/cjb/john/passage.aspx?q=john+1:12-14;john+1:18">John 1:12-14, 18</a>." ("<a href="http://www.tofy.net/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=238&pop=1&page=0&Itemid=27">Torah Observant Followers of Yeshua - Statement of Beliefs</a>," December 28, 2006).</p></blockquote> <p>Therefore, that "God is one" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jas%202:19;%20Rom%203:30;%201Cor%208:6;%20Gal%203:20;%20Eph%204:6;%201Tim%202:5;%20Dt%206:4&version=ASV"><FO size="2" T N>Jas 2:19; Rom 3:30; 1Cor 8:6; Gal 3:20; Eph 4:6; 1Tim 2:5; Dt 6:4), </a>does not preclude Him from being a <i>compound unity</i>, a <i>tri-unity</i> of Father, Son and Holy Spirit (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2028:19;%202Cor%2013:14;%201Pet%201:2;&version=ASV">Mt 28:19; 2Cor 13:14; 1Pet 1:2</a>). </p> <p><b>vii</b> <b>Intimations of the Trinity in the Old Testament </b><br>"Yet even in the OT we have clear intimations of the Trinity":<blockquote>"Yet even in the OT we have clear intimations of the Trinity. The frequent mention of the Spirit of God (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%201:2;&version=ASV">Gen. 1:2</a> and <i>passim</i>) may be noted, as also, perhaps, the angel of the Lord in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%2023:23;&version=ASV">Exod. 23:23</a>. Again, the plural in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%201:26;%2011:7;&version=ASV">Gen. 1:26 and 11:7</a> is to be noted, as also the plural form of the divine name and the nature of the divine appearance to Abraham in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%2018;&version=ASV">Gen. 18</a>. The importance of the word (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2033:6;&version=ASV">Ps. 33:6</a>), and especially the wisdom, of God (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Pr%208:22-31;&version=ASV">Prov. 8:22</a>ff.) is a further pointer, and in a mysterious verse like <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2048:16;&version=ASV">Isa. 48:16</a>, in a strongly monotheistic context, we have a very close approach to Trinitarian formulation." (Bromiley, G.W., "Trinity," in Elwell, W.A., ed., 1984, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Evangelical-Dictionary-Theology-Walter-Elwell/dp/0801034132">Evangelical Dictionary of Theology</a>," Baker: Grand Rapids MI, Seventh printing, 1990, p.1112).</p></blockquote> <p> "But even in the opening pages of the OT we are taught to attribute the existence and persistence of all things to a threefold source":<blockquote> "<i>In the Old Testament</i> It can be understood that in ages when revealed religion had to hold its own in the environment of pagan idolatry, nothing that would imperil the oneness of God could be freely given. The first imperative, therefore, was to declare the existence of the one living and true God, and to this task the OT is principally dedicated. But even in the opening pages of the OT we are taught to attribute the existence and persistence of all things to a threefold source. There are passages where God, his Word and his Spirit are brought together, as, for example, in the narrative of the creation where Elohim is seen to create by means of his Word and Spirit (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%201:2-3;&version=ASV">Gn. 1:2-3</a>). It is thought that <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%201:26;&version=ASV">Gn. 1:26</a> points in the same direction, where it is stated that God said: `Let us make man in our image, after our likeness', followed by the statement of accomplishment: `So God created man in his own image', a striking case of plural and singular interchanged, suggesting plurality in unity." (Finlayson, R.A., "Trinity," in Douglas, J.D., et al., eds. , 1982, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/New-Bible-dictionary-J-Douglas/dp/B00072AN0I/">New Bible Dictionary</a>," [1962], Inter-Varsity Press, Leicester UK, Second edition, Reprinted, 1988, p.1221. Emphasis original).</p></blockquote> <p> "There are many scriptural indications for three-in-oneness in the Godhead":<blockquote>"<i>Scriptural Indications for Three-in-Oneness</i> There are many scriptural indications for three-in-oneness in the Godhead. For example, when God was about to create man, he said: `Let <i>us</i> make man in <i>our</i> image, in <i>our</i> likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%201:26&version=NIV1984">Gen. 1:26</a>, italics added). Though scholars have offered different suggestions as to what may be meant by the plural pronouns in this verse, there is good reason to interpret it as a reference to the Trinity. (Note that the phrase `our image' in this verse is explained in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%201:27&version=NIV1984">verse 27</a> as `God's image.') ... After Adam and Eve had been created and fell into sin in the Garden of Eden, God said: `The man has now become like <i>one of us</i>, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%203:22&version=NIV1984">Gen. 3:22</a>, italics added). Note that the phrase `like one of us' in this verse refers back to <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%203:5&version=NIV1984">verse 5</a>, `like God.' As is true with Genesis 1:26, this verse supports plurality within the Godhead. Later, when sinful human beings were attempting to erect the Tower of Babel, God said: `Come, let <i>us</i> go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%2011:7&version=NIV1984">Gen. 11:7</a>, italics added). Again, plurality within the Godhead. Many centuries later, Isaiah had a vision in the temple in which God commissioned him to service. God asked Isaiah, `Whom shall <i>I</i> send? And who will go for <i>us</i>?' And Isaiah said, `Here am I. Send me!' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%206:8&version=NIV1984">Isa. 6:8</a>, italics added)." (Rhodes, R., 1992, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Christ-Before-Manger-Times-Preincarnate/dp/1579105629/">Christ Before the Manger</a>: The Life and Times of the Preincarnate Christ," Baker: Grand Rapids MI, p.27. Emphasis original).</p></blockquote> <p> "Although the great emphasis of the Old Testament is the unity of God, hints of plurality in the Godhead are not lacking, nor are suggestions that this plurality is a trinity":<blockquote>"INTIMATIONS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT Although the great emphasis of the Old Testament is the unity of God, hints of plurality in the Godhead are not lacking, nor are suggestions that this plurality is a trinity. It is interesting that God used plural pronouns (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%201:26;%203:22;%2011:7;%20Isa%206:8&version=KJV">Gen. 1:26; 3:22; 11:7; Isa. 6:8</a>) and plural verbs (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%201:26;%2011:7&version=KJV">Gen. 1:26; 11:7</a>) to refer to himself. The name for God (<i>Elohim</i>) is plural and may imply plurality, though this is dubious. The plural form is probably used for intensity, rather than for expressing plurality. More definite indications that this plurality is a trinity are found in the following facts: (1) The Lord is distinguished from the Lord. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%2019:24&version=KJV">Gen. 19:24</a> states, `Then the Lord rained on Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven,' and <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hos%201:7&version=KJV">Hosea 1:7</a> declares, `I will have compassion on the house of Judah and deliver them by the Lord their God' (cf. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zec%203:2;%202Tim%201:18&version=KJV">Zech. 3:2; 2 Tim. 1:18</a>). (2) The Son is distinguished from the Father. The Son speaking through Isaiah the prophet said, `The Lord God has sent Me, and His Spirit' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2048:16;%20Ps%2045:6-7;%20Isa%2063:9-10&version=KJV">Isa. 48:16; cf. Ps. 45:6f.; Isa. 63:9f</a>.). <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%202:7&version=KJV">Ps. 2:7</a> reads, `Thou art My Son, today I have begotten Thee.' Jesus is not only called the Son of God (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom%201:4&version=KJV">Rom. 1:4</a>), but also the only begotten Son (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%203:16,18&version=KJV">John 3:16, 18</a>) and his first-born Son (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Heb%201:6&version=KJV">Heb. 1:6</a>). Christ did not become the eternal Son of God at the incarnation; he was the Son before he was given (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%209:6&version=KJV">Isa. 9:6</a>). `His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mic%205:2&version=KJV">Mic. 5:2</a>). (3) The Spirit is also distinguished from God. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%201:1&version=KJV">Gen. 1:1</a> reads, `In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.' Then <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%201:2&version=KJV">v. 2</a> states, `The Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters.' Note also the quotation, `The Lord said, 'My Spirit shall not strive with man forever' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%206:3;%20Num%2027:18;%20Ps%2051:11;%20Isa%2040:13;%20Hag%202:4-5&version=KJV">Gen. 6:3; cf. Num. 27:18; Ps. 51:11; Isa. 40:13; Hag. 2:4f</a>.). (4) Other such matters as the triple use of `holy' in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%206:3&version=KJV">Isa. 6:3</a> may imply a trinity (cf. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev%204:8&version=KJV">Rev. 4:8</a>), as well as the triple benediction of <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Num%206:24-26&version=KJV">Num. 6:24-26</a>." (Thiessen, H.C. & Doerksen, V.D., 1979, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lectures-Systematic-Theology-Henry-Thiessen/dp/0802835295">Lectures in Systematic Theology</a>," [1949], Eerdmans: Grand Rapids MI, Revised, pp.90-91. Emphasis original).</p></blockquote> <p><b> <hr> </b></p> <p>My next post in this series is part #6, "<A HREF="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com/2011/11/jesus-is-jehovah-2b-jehovah-seen-in-old.html">2B. Jehovah seen in the Old Testament was the pre-incarnate Jesus</A>."</p> <p><a href="http://members.iinet.net.au/~sejones/index.html">Stephen E. Jones</a>, B.Sc., Grad. Dip. Ed. <br>My other blogs: <a href="http://creationevolutiondesign.blogspot.com/">CreationEvolutionDesign</a> & <a href="http://theshroudofturin.blogspot.com/">The Shroud of Turin</a></p>Stephen E. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16183223752386599799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574858940069385599.post-18564668551960154352011-10-22T09:52:00.012+08:002011-12-23T16:16:25.118+08:00Jesus is Jehovah!: 1C. Quotes by Christian authors that Jesus is Jehovah<p>Here is part #4, "1C. Quotes by mainstream Christian authors that Jesus is Jehovah," of my series, "<a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com/2011/10/jesus-is-jehovah-contents.html">Jesus <i>is </i>Jehovah!</a>" by topic, which will be based on my morning `quiet time' Bible reading. </p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41I-IY%2BNvWL.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41I-IY%2BNvWL.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <p>[<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41I-IY%2BNvWL.jpg">Above</a>: Front cover of Humber, P.G., 1997, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jehovah-Jesus-Reference-Handbook-Christ/dp/B003OFWCHM/">Jehovah Jesus</a>: A Reference Handbook and Study Guide on the Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ," Skilton House Ministries: Philadelphia PA]</p> <p>My previous post in this series was part #3, "<a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com/2011/10/jesus-is-jehovah-1b-what-i-mean-by.html">1B. What I mean by `Jesus is Jehovah'</a>." For more details of this series, see part #1, the <a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com/2011/10/jesus-is-jehovah-contents.html">Contents</a> page.</p> <p> <hr> </p> <p><center><b>JESUS <i>IS </i>JEHOVAH! <br>© Stephen E. Jones</b></center> </p> <p><a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com/2011/10/jesus-is-jehovah-contents.html">Jesus <i>is</i> Jehovah!: Contents</a></p> <p><b>1. INTRODUCTION (continued)</b></p> <p><b>C. Quotes by Christian authors that Jesus is Jehovah" </b></p> <p>I am posting these quotes by mainstream Christian authors stating that Jesus is Jehovah for two reasons: </p> <p>1) I have been a Christian for 40-plus years, and have regularly attended a variety of evangelical churches over those years, yet I have rarely (if <i>ever</i>) heard preached the central Biblical truth that Jesus of the New Testament is Jehovah of the Old Testament, come in the flesh. So some (if not most) of my readers might wrongly think that this is a personal heresy of mine!</p> <p>2) These quotes provide a sort of overview of this series, in the lines of evidence and Bible verses presented, which show that the Lord Jesus Christ is indeed Jehovah God the Son, come in a human body and nature.</p> <p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_M._Bowman,_Jr.">Robert M. Bowman, Jr</a> "The amount of material in the Bible supporting the teaching that Jesus Christ is Jehovah God is actually quite staggering": <blockquote>"<i>Jesus as Jehovah</i> The amount of material in the Bible supporting the teaching that Jesus Christ is Jehovah God is actually quite staggering. Here we can summarize only some of the remaining highlights. Mention has already been made of <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Php%202:9-11;&version=NASB;">Philippians 2:9-11</a>, which says that Jesus has been given `the name which is above every name,' the name <i>Lord</i>, or Jehovah. Even clearer is <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom%2010:9-13;&version=NASB;">Romans 10:9-13</a>. Here we are told to confess Jesus as <i>Lord</i> (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom%2010:9-10;&version=NASB;">vv. 9-10</a>), confident that no one trusting in him, that is, in Jesus, the rock over which the Jews stumbled, will be disappointed (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom%2010:11;%209:33;&version=NASB;">v. 11; cf. 9:33</a>), because he is <i>Lord</i> for both Jew and Greek, rich to all who call upon him for salvation (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom%2010:12;&version=NASB;">v. 12</a>). Then <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom%2010:13;&version=NASB;">verse 13</a> concludes that whoever will call upon the name of the <i>Lord</i> will be saved. In context, this must be Jesus, because he is the Lord on whom all must call to be saved, as<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom%2010:9-12;&version=NASB;"> verses 9-12</a> have said; but the NWT translates `Lord' here as `Jehovah,' because it is a quote from <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joel%202:32;&version=NASB;">Joel 2:32</a>, where the original Hebrew has the divine name! Thus Jesus is here identified as Jehovah. Similar is <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Pet%202:3;&version=NASB;">1 Peter 2:3</a>, which is nearly an exact quotation from <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2034:8;&version=NASB;">Psalm 34:8</a>, where the <i>Lord</i> is Jehovah; but from <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Pet%202:4-8;&version=NASB;">verses 4-8</a> it is also clear that the <i>Lord</i> in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Pet%202:3;&version=NASB;">verse 3</a> is Jesus." (Bowman, R.M., 1989, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Why-You-Should-Believe-Trinity/dp/0801009812">Why You Should Believe in the Trinity: An Answer to Jehovah's Witnesses</a>," Baker: Grand Rapids MI, Third printing, 1990, pp.108-109. Emphasis original).</p></blockquote> <p> "By the same reasoning, however, Jesus himself must be recognized to be Jehovah":<blockquote>"By the same reasoning, however, Jesus himself must be recognized to be Jehovah. He is identified in Scripture as `the Mighty God' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%209:6&version=NASB">Isa. 9:6</a>; compare <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2010:21&version=NASB">10:21</a>), as `God' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:1&version=NASB">John 1:1</a>), `my God' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2020:28&version=NASB">John 20:28</a>), `our great God and Savior' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Tit%202:13;%202Pet%201:1&version=NASB">Titus 2:13; 2 Peter 1:1</a>), and `the true God and eternal life' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Jn%205:20&version=NASB">1 John 5:20</a>). Moreover, the Bible in more than one place explicitly says, `Jesus is Lord,' which is the clearest way the New Testament <i>could</i> affirm that Jesus is Jehovah (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom%2010:9;%201Cor%2012:3;%20Php%202:11&version=NASB">Rom. 10:9; 1 Cor. 12:3; Phil. 2:11</a>). Elsewhere the New Testament calls Jesus Lord in contexts where it is quoting or paraphrasing Old Testament texts which in Hebrew used the divine name (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Heb%201:8,10-12;%201Pet%202:3;%203:15&version=NASB">Heb. 1:10-12; 1 Peter 2:3; 3:15</a>). Moreover, when the apostle Paul uses the expression <i>one Lord</i>, it is clear from the context that he always has <i>Jesus</i> in mind, even though <i>one Lord</i> in the Old Testament means `one Jehovah' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Dt%206:4&version=NASB">Deut. 6:4</a>)." (Bowman, R.M., Jr., 1991, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Jehovahs-Witnesses-They-Bible/dp/0801009952">Understanding Jehovah's Witnesses: Why They Read the Bible the Way They Do</a>," Baker: Grand Rapids MI, p.120. Emphasis original).</p></blockquote> <p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._Oliver_Buswell">J. Oliver Buswell, Jr.</a> "<i>Jesus Is Jahweh</i> Not only is Jesus called God in the New Testament but he is called Lord in quotations from the Old Testament where the Old Testament word is Jahweh": <blockquote>"<i>Jesus Is Jahweh</i> Not only is Jesus called God in the New Testament but he is called Lord in quotations from the Old Testament where the Old Testament word is Jahweh. In the prophecy of Zacharias (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Lk%201:76;&version=31;">Luke 1:76</a>) it is said of John the Baptist, `And thou, child, shalt be called Prophet of the Most High; thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways.' It is obvious that Luke understood this prophecy as referring to John as the forerunner of Jesus. But Zacharias was alluding to <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mal%203:1;&version=8;">Malachi 3:1</a> in which the word `the Lord' is Jahweh. `Behold I will send my messenger and he shall prepare the way before me, saith Jahweh of hosts:' Thus `the Lord,' whose ways John was to prepare, is none other than Jahweh Himself. Paul gives great emphasis to the prophecy of Joel. `Whosoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom%2010:13;&version=31;">Rom. 10:13</a>). It is clear in the context that Paul is calling Christ `the Lord,' but in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joel%202:32;&version=8;">Joel 2:32</a>, in the phrase, `Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be delivered,' `the Lord' in the Hebrew text is Jahweh. In the <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom%2014:10-12;&version=31;">Romans 14:10</a> reference to the judgment of the saints, Paul adds a quotation from <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2045:23;&version=8;">Isaiah 45:23</a>. `As I live saith the Lord, every knee will bow to me and every tongue will confess to God:' That Jahweh is the speaker in Isaiah's words is evident from <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2045:24-25;&version=8;">verses 24 and 25</a>. These passages indicate that Christ and God and Jahweh are one." (Buswell, J.O., Jr., 1962, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Systematic-Theology-Christian-Religion-VOLUMES/dp/0310221900">A Systematic Theology of the Christian Religion</a>," Zondervan: Grand Rapids MI, Vol. I, 1968, Second printing, pp.104-105. Emphasis original).</p></blockquote> <p> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Geisler">Norman L. Geisler</a> "<i>Jesus Claimed to Be Yahweh</i>. <i>...</i> the special name given by God for himself in the Old Testament.":<blockquote>"<i>Jesus Claimed to Be Yahweh</i>. <i>Yahweh</i> (<i>YHWH</i>; sometimes appearing in English translations as `Jehovah' or in small capital letters as `LORD') is the special name given by God for himself in the Old Testament. It is the name revealed to Moses in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%203:14;&version=8;">Exodus 3:14</a>, when God said, `I AM WHO I AM.' Other titles for God may be used of humans, such as <i>Adonai</i> ('Lord') in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%2018:12;&version=8;">Gen. 18:12</a>, or false gods, such as <i>elohim</i> ('gods') in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Dt%206:14;&version=8;">Deut. 6:14</a>. <i>Yahweh</i>, however, only refers to the one true God. No other person or thing was to be worshiped or served (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%2020:5;&version=8;">Exod. 20:5</a>), and his name and glory were not to be given to another. Isaiah wrote, `This is what the LORD says.... I am the first, and I am the last; apart from me there is no God' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2044:6;&version=8;">Isa. 44:6</a>) and, `I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another, or my praise to idols' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2042:8;&version=8;">42:8</a>). <i>Jesus claimed to be Yahweh</i>. He prayed, `And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2017:5;&version=8;">John 17:5</a>). But <i>Yahweh</i> of the Old Testament said, `my glory will I not give to another' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2042:8;&version=8;">Isa. 42:8</a>). Jesus also declared, `I am the first and the last' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev%201:17;&version=8;">Rev. 1:17</a>)-precisely the words used by Jehovah in Isaiah 42:8 [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2044:6;&version=8;">Isa 44:6</a>]. He said, `I am the good shepherd' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2010:11;&version=8;">John 10:11</a>), but the Old Testament said, `<i>Yahweh</i> is my shepherd' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2023:1;&version=8;">Ps. 23:1</a>). Further, Jesus claimed to be the judge of all people (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mat%2025:31-32;%20Jn%205:26-27;&version=8;">Matt. 25:31f.; John 5:27f.</a>), but Joel quotes Jehovah as saying, `for there I will sit to judge all the nations on every side' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joel%203:11-12;&version=8;">Joel 3:12</a>). Likewise, Jesus spoke of himself as the `bridegroom' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2025:1;&version=8;">Matt. 25:1</a>) while the Old Testament identifies Jehovah in this way (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2062:4-5;%20Hos%202:16;&version=8;">Isa. 62:5; Hos. 2:16</a>). While the Psalmist declares, `The LORD is my light' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2027:1;&version=8;">Ps. 27:1</a>), Jesus said, `I am the light of the world' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:12;&version=8;">John 8:12</a>). Perhaps the strongest claim Jesus made to be <i>Yahweh</i> is in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:58;&version=8;">John 8:58</a>, where he says, `Before Abraham was, I am.' This statement claims not only existence before Abraham, but equality with the `I AM' of <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%203:14;&version=8;">Exodus 3:14</a>. The Jews around him clearly understood his meaning and picked up stones to kill him for blaspheming (cf. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:58;%2010:31-33;&version=8;">John 8:58 and 10:31-33</a>). The same claim is made in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mk%2014:62;%20Jn%2018:5-6;&version=8;">Mark 14:62 and John 18:5-6</a>." (Geisler, N.L., 1999, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Encyclopedia-Christian-Apologetics-Reference-Library/dp/0801021510">Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics</a>," Baker Books: Grand Rapids MI, p.129. Emphasis original).</p></blockquote> <p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Hodge">Charles Hodge</a> "Christ is called Lord in the New Testament with the same constancy and with the same preeminence that Jehovah is called Lord in the Old Testament":<blockquote>"<i>The </i><i>Sense in which Christ is called Lord</i>. The first argument from the New Testament in proof of the divinity of Christ, is derived from the fact that He is everywhere called Lord; the Lord; our Lord. It is admitted that the Greek word <i>kurios</i> means owner ... whether of men or things. ... It is, therefore, not merely the fact that Jesus is called Lord, that proves that He is also God; but that He is called Lord in such a sense and in such a way as is consistent with no other hypothesis... In the first place, Christ is called Lord in the New Testament with the same constancy and with the same preeminence that Jehovah is called Lord in the Old Testament. This was the word which all the readers ... were accustomed to use to express their relation to God. ... The same feelings of reverence, adoration, and love, the same sense of dependence and desire of protection are expressed throughout the New Testament in calling Jesus Lord. Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%208:2;%20Lk%205:12;&version=KJV;">Mt 8:2; Lk 5:12</a>]. Lord, save me [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2014:30;&version=KJV;">Mt 14:30</a>]. Joy of thy Lord [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2025:21,23;&version=KJV;">Mt 25:21,23</a>]. Lord, when saw we thee a hungered? [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2025:37,44;&version=KJV;">Mt 25:37,44</a>] He that judgeth me is the Lord [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%204:4;&version=KJV;">1Cor 4:4</a>]. If the Lord will [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%204:19;%20Jas%204:15;&version=KJV;">1Cor 4:19; Jas 4:15</a>]. To be present with the Lord [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%205:8;&version=KJV;">1Cor 5:8</a>]. Them that call on the Lord [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2Tim%202:22;&version=KJV;">2Tim 2:22</a>]. Which the Lord shall give me in the last day [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2Tim%204:8;&version=KJV;">2Tim 4:8</a>]. Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev%2014:13;&version=KJV;">Rev 14:13</a>]. Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour. [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev%204:11;&version=KJV;">Rev 4:11</a>]. Jesus Christ, therefore, is Lord to Christians in the same sense that Jehovah was Lord to the Hebrews. The usage referred to is altogether peculiar; no man - not Moses, nor Abraham, nor David, nor any of the prophets or Apostles, is ever thus prevailingly addressed or invoked as Lord. We have but one Lord [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%208:6;%20Eph%204:5;&version=KJV;">1Cor 8:6; Eph 4:5</a>]; and Jesus Christ is Lord [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Php%202:11;&version=KJV;">Php 2:11</a>]. But in the second place, Jesus Christ ... is declared to be the Lord of lords [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev%2017:14;%2019:16;&version=KJV;">Rev 17:14; 19:16</a>]; to be the Lord of glory [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%202:8;%20Jas%202:1;&version=KJV;">1Cor 2:8; Jas 2:1</a>]; the Lord of all [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ac%2010:36;&version=KJV;">Ac 10:36</a>]; the Lord of the living and the dead [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom%2014:9;&version=KJV;">Rom 14:9</a>]; the Lord of all who are in heaven and on earth, and under the earth. All creatures, from the highest to the lowest, must bow the knee to Him [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Php%202:10;%20Rom%2014:11;%20Isa%2045:23;&version=KJV;">Php 2:10; Rom 14:11; Isa 45:23</a>], and acknowledge his absolute dominion [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2028:18;%20Eph%201:20-21;%20Php%202:9-10;&version=KJV;">Mt 28:18; Eph 1:20-21; Php 2:9-10</a>]. He is in such a sense Lord as that no man can truly call Him Lord but by the Holy Ghost [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%2012:3;&version=KJV;">1Cor 12:3</a>]. In the third place, Christ is called Lord, when that word is used for the incommunicable divine names and titles Jehovah and Adonai. ... In <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Lk%201:76;&version=KJV;">Luke i. 76</a>, it is said of John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, that he should go before the face of the Lord; but in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mal%203:1;&version=KJV;">Malachi iii. 1</a>, of which this passage declares the fulfilment, the person speaking is Jehovah. The day of Christ [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Php%201:10;%202:16;%201:6;%201Cor%205:5;&version=KJV;">Php 1:10; 2:16; 1:6; 1Cor 5:5</a>], in the New Testament, is called `the day of the Lord;' [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ac%202:20;%201Th%205:2;%202Th%202:2;%202Pet%203:10;&version=KJV;">Ac 2:20; 1Th 5:2; 2Th 2:2; 2Pet 3:10</a>] in the Old Testament it is called `the day of Jehovah [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%202:12;%2013:6,9;%20Eze%2013:5;%2030:3;%20Joel%201:15;%202:1,11,31;%203:14;&version=ASV;">Isa 2:12; 13:6,9; Eze 13:5; 30:3; Joel 1:15; 2:1,11,31; 3:14; Amos 5:18,20; Ob 1:15; Zep 1:7; Zec 14:1; Mal 4:5</a> ASV], the great day.' [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zep%201:14;&version=ASV;">Zep 1:14</a> ASV] ... <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom%2010:13;&version=KJV;">Romans x. 13</a>, quotes <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joel%202:32;&version=KJV;">Joel ii. 32</a>, which speaks of Jehovah, and applies it to Christ, saying, `Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.'<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=%20Rom%2014:10-11;&version=KJV;"> Rom xiv. 10, 11</a>, quotes <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2045:23;&version=KJV;">Isaiah xlv. 23</a>, `We shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord (Jehovah), every knee shall bow to me,' etc. This is common throughout the New Testament, and therefore Christ is there set forth as Lord in the same sense in which the Supreme God is Lord." (Hodge, C., 1892, "<a href="http://www.ccel.org/ccel/hodge/theology1.iv.vii.ii.html">Systematic Theology</a>," James Clark & Co: London, Reprinted, 1960, Vol. I, pp.495-497). </p></blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.regentradio.net/speaker_info.php?speaker_last_name=Milne&speaker_first_name=Bruce">Bruce Milne</a> "On several occasions NT writers apply OT passages concerning Yahweh directly to Jesus ... These passages clearly identify Jesus with Yahweh": <blockquote>"<i>JESUS' IDENTITY WITH YAHWEH/JEHOVAH</i> The NT attributes to Jesus many of the perfections of Yahweh (or, Jehovah), the creator/redeemer God of the OT. There are seven main points of identity. <i>God's name</i> When the OT was translated into Greek in the 2nd and 3rd centuries BC (the Septuagint), the sacred name of God, <i>YHWH</i>, usually rendered Yahweh or Jehovah, was translated by the Greek word <i>Kyrios</i> (<i>Lord</i>); there are approaching 7,000 instances of this. This sacred and exalted title was attributed directly to Jesus (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom%2010:9;%201Cor%2012:3;%20Php%202:11;&version=NIV1984;">Rom. 10:9; 1 Cor. 12:3; Phil. 2:11</a>; <i>etc., cf</i>. also <i>Lord of lords</i>, <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Tim%206:15;%20Rev%2017:14;%2019:16;&version=NIV1984;">1 Tim. 6:15; Rev. 17:14; 19:16</a>). Indeed the confession <i>Jesus is Lord</i> is probably the earliest confession of faith (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom%2010:9;%201Cor%2012:3;%202Cor%204:5;&version=NIV1984;">Rom. 10:9; 1 Cor. 12:3; 2 Cor. 4:5</a>). On several occasions NT writers apply OT passages concerning Yahweh directly to Jesus (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%202:34-35;%20Rom%208:34;%20Heb%2010:12-13;%201Pet%203:22;&version=NIV1984;">Acts 2:34f.; Rom. 8:34; Heb. 10:12f.; 1 Pet. 3:22</a> apply <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%20110:1;&version=NIV1984;">Ps. 110:1</a>. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom%2010:13;&version=NIV1984;">Rom. 10:13</a> applies <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joel%202:32;&version=NIV1984;">Joel 2:32</a>. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Php%202:9-11;&version=NIV1984;">Phil. 2:9-11</a> applies <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2045:23;&version=NIV1984;">Is. 45:23</a>. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2012:39-41;&version=NIV1984;">Jn. 12:41</a> applies <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%206:1-10;&version=NIV1984;">Is. 6:10</a>. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eph%204:8;&version=NIV1984;">Eph. 4:8</a> applies <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2068:18;&version=NIV1984;">Ps. 68:18</a>). These passages clearly identify Jesus with Yahweh. Another link is provided by self-designations of God appropriated by Jesus or referred to him. Supremely significant is the <i>I AM</i> (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%203:14;&version=NIV1984;">Ex. 3:14</a>; <i>cf</i>. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:58;%206:35;%208:12,24;%2011:25;%2014:6;%2018:5-8;%20Mk%2014:62;&version=NIV1984;">Jn. 8:58; 6:35; 8:12,24; 11:25; 14:6; 18:5f.; Mk. 14:62</a>). Others are <i>bridegroom</i> (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2062:5;%20Jer%202:2;%20Ezk%2016:8;&version=NIV1984;">Is. 62:5; Je. 2:2; Ezk. 16:8</a>; <i>cf</i>. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mk%202:19-20;%20Jn%203:29;%202Cor%2011:2;%20Rev%2019:7;&version=NIV1984;">Mk. 2:19f.; Jn. 3:29; 2 Cor. 11:2; Rev. 19:7</a>); <i>shepherd</i> (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2023:1;%2080:1;%20Isa%2040:11;%20Ezk%2034:15;&version=NIV1984;">Pss. 23:1; 80:1; Is. 40:11; Ezk. 34:15</a>; <i>cf</i>. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2010:11-16;%20Heb%2013:10;%201Pet%202:25;%205:4;&version=NIV1984;">Jn. 10:11-16; Heb. 13:10; 1 Pet. 2:25; 5:4</a>); <i>the first and the last</i> (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2044:6;%2048:12;&version=NIV1984;">Is. 44:6; 48:12</a>; <i>cf</i>. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev%202:8;%2022:13;&version=NIV1984;">Rev. 2:8; 22:13</a>). (Milne, B., 1982, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Know-Truth-Handbook-Christian-Belief/dp/083081793X">Know the Truth: A Handbook of Christian Belief</a>," Inter-Varsity Press: Leicester UK, Fifth printing, 1988, pp.129-130. Emphasis original).</p> </p></blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.ronrhodes.org/RonRhodes.html">Ron Rhodes</a> "A comparison of the Old and New Testaments provides powerful testimony to Jesus' identity as Yahweh": <blockquote>"Jesus <i>Is</i> Yahweh ... A comparison of the Old and New Testaments provides powerful testimony to Jesus' identity as Yahweh. Support for this is found, for example, in Christ's crucifixion. In <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zec%2012:10%20;&version=NIV1984;">Zechariah 12:10</a>. Yahweh is speaking prophetically: `They will look on me, the one they have pierced.' Though Yahweh is speaking, this is obviously a reference to Christ's future crucifixion. We know that `the one they have pierced' is Jesus, for He is described this same way by the apostle John in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev%201:7;&version=NIV1984;">Revelation 1:7</a>. ... The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Septuagint">Septuagint</a> provides us with additional insights on Christ's identity as Yahweh. The Septuagint is a Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament that dates prior to the birth of Christ. It renders the Hebrew phrase for `I AM' (God's name) in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%203:14;&version=NIV1984;">Exodus 3:14</a> as <i>ego eimi</i>. On a number of occasions in the Greek New Testament, Jesus used this term as a way of identifying Himself as God. For example, in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:24;&version=NASB;">John 8:24</a> (NASB) Jesus declared, `Unless you believe that I am [I AM or <i>ego eimi</i>] He, you shall die in your sins.' The original Greek text for this verse does not have the word <i>he</i>. The verse is literally, `If you do not believe that I AM, you shall die in your sins.' Then, according to <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%208:28;&version=NIV1984;">verse 28</a>, Jesus told the Jews, `When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am [I AM, or <i>ego eimi</i>] He.' Again, the original Greek text reads, `When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I AM' (there is no <i>he</i>). Jesus purposely used the phrase as a means of pointing to His identity as Yahweh. It is also highly revealing that Old Testament passages about Yahweh were directly applied to Jesus in the New Testament. For instance, <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2040:3;&version=NIV1984;">Isaiah 40:3</a> says: `In the desert prepare the way for the LORD [<i>Yahweh</i>]; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God [<i>Elohim</i>].' Mark's Gospel tells us that Isaiah's words were fulfilled in the ministry of John the Baptist preparing the way for Jesus Christ (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mk%201:2-4;&version=NIV1984;">Mark 1:2-4</a>). Still another illustration is <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%206:1-5;&version=NIV1984;">Isaiah 6:1-5</a>, where the prophet recounts his vision of Yahweh `seated on a throne, high and exalted' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%206:1;&version=NIV1984;">verse 1</a>). He said, `Holy, holy, holy is the LORD [<i>Yahweh</i>]Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%206:3;&version=NIV1984;">verse 3</a>). Isaiah also quotes Yahweh as saying: `I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2042:8;&version=NIV1984;">42:8</a>). Later, the apostle John-under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit-wrote that Isaiah `saw Jesus' glory' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2012:41;&version=NIV1984;">John 12:41</a>). Yahweh's glory and Jesus' glory are equated." (Rhodes, R., 1993, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Reasoning-Scriptures-Jehovahs-Witnesses-Rhodes/dp/1565071069">Reasoning from the Scriptures with the Jehovah's Witnesses</a>," Harvest House: Eugene OR, Reprinted, 2006, pp.62-64. Emphasis original).</p></blockquote> <p> <a href="http://recollections.liblog.wheaton.edu/2009/11/23/thiessen-and-determinisms-cold-and-chilling-effects/">Henry C. Thiessen</a> <i>"His identification with the Old Testament Jehovah.</i> Things that are in the Old Testament said of Jehovah are in the New Testament said of Christ":<blockquote>"The doctrine of the deity of Christ is crucial to the Christian faith. `What think you of Christ?' is the paramount question of life (cf. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2016:15;%2022:42;&version=49;">Matt. 16:15; 22:42</a>). Surely Jesus Christ is the greatest of all men, but he is infinitely more than mere man. It can be demonstrated that he is God in several ways.... <i>His identification with the Old Testament Jehovah.</i> Things that are in the Old Testament said of Jehovah are in the New Testament said of Christ. He was the creator (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%20102:24-27;%20Heb%201:10-12;&version=49;">Ps. 102:24-27; Heb. 1:10-12</a>), was seen by Isaiah (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%206:1-4;%20Jn%2012:41;&version=49;">Isa. 6:1-4; John 12:41</a>), was to be preceded by a forerunner (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2040:3;%20Mt%203:3;&version=49;">Isa. 40:3; Matt. 3:3</a>), disciplines his people (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Num%2021:6-9;%201Cor%2010:9;&version=49;">Num. 21:6f.; 1 Cor. 10:9</a>), is to be regarded as holy (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%208:13;%201Pet%203:15;&version=49;">Isa. 8:13; 1 Pet. 3:15</a>), is to lead captivity captive (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2068:18;%20Eph%204:8;&version=49;">Ps. 68:18; Eph. 4:8</a>), and is to be the object of faith (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joel%202:32;%20Rom%2010:9,13;&version=49;">Joel 2:32; Rom. 10:9, 13</a>)." (Thiessen, H.C. & Doerksen, V.D., 1979, "<a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Lectures-Systematic-Theology-Henry-Thiessen/dp/0802835295">Lectures in Systematic Theology</a>," [1949], Eerdmans: Grand Rapids MI, Revised, pp.92-93. My emphasis).</p></blockquote> <p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_F._Wells">David F. Wells</a> "Paul moves easily into a complete linguistic identification of Christ with Yahweh.":<blockquote>"Consequently, Paul moves easily into a complete linguistic identification of Christ with Yahweh. If Yahweh is our sanctifier (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%2031:13;&version=8;">Ex. 31:13</a>), is omnipresent (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%20139:7-10;&version=8;">Ps. 139:7-10</a>), is our peace (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%20139:7-10;&version=8;">Judg. 6:24</a>), is our righteousness (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jer%2023:6;&version=8;">Jer. 23:6</a>), is our victory (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%2017:8-16;&version=8;">Ex. 17:8-16</a>), and is our healer (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%2015:26;&version=8;">Ex. 15:26</a>), then so is Christ all of these things (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%201:30;%20Col%201:27;%20Eph%202:14;&version=8;">1 Cor. 1:30; Col. 1:27; Eph. 2:14</a>). If the gospel is God's (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Th%202:2,%206-9;%20Gal%203:8;&version=8;">1 Thess. 2:2, 6-9; Gal. 3:8</a>), then that same gospel is also Christ's (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Th%203:2;%20Gal%201:7;&version=8;">1 Thess. 3:2; Gal. 1:7</a>). If the church is God's (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gal%201:13;%201Cor%2015:9;&version=8;">Gal. 1:13; 1 Cor. 15:9</a>), then that same church is also Christ's (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom%2016:16;&version=8;">Rom. 16:16</a>). God's Kingdom (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Th%202:12;&version=8;">1 Thess. 2:12</a>) is Christ's (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eph%205:5;&version=8;">Eph. 5:5</a>); God's love (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eph%201:3-5;&version=8;">Eph. 1:3-5</a>) is Christ's (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom%208:35;&version=8;">Rom. 8:35</a>); God's Word (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Col%201:25;%201Th%202:13;&version=8;">Col. 1:25; 1 Thess. 2:13</a>) is Christ's (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Th%201:8;%204:15;&version=8;">1 Thess. 1:8; 4:15</a>); God's Spirit (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Th%204:8;&version=8;">1 Thess. 4:8</a>) is Christ's (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Php%201:19;&version=8;">Phil. 1:19</a>); God's peace (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gal%205:22;%20Php%204:9;&version=8;">Gal. 5:22; Phil. 4:9</a>) is Christ's (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Col%203:15;%201:2;%20Php%201:2;%204:7;&version=8;">Col. 3:15; cf Col. 1:2; Phil. 1:2; 4:7</a>); God's `Day' of judgment (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2013:6;&version=8;">Isa. 13:6</a>) is Christ's `Day' of judgment (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Php%201:6,10;%202:16;%201Cor%201:8;&version=8;">Phil. 1:6, 10; 2:16; 1 Cor. 1:8</a>); God's grace (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eph%202:8,%209;%20Col%201:6;%20Gal%201:15;&version=8;">Eph. 2:8, 9; Col. 1:6; Gal. 1:15</a>) is Christ's grace (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Th%205:28;%20Gal%201:6;%206:18;&version=8;">1 Thess. 5:28; Gal. 1:6; 6:18</a>); God's salvation (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Col%201:13;&version=8;">Col. 1:13</a>) is Christ's salvation (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Th%201:10;&version=8;">1 Thess. 1:10</a>); and God's will (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eph%201:11;%201Th%204:3;%20Gal%201:4;&version=8;">Eph. 1:11; 1 Thess. 4:3; Gal. 1:4</a>) is Christ's will (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eph%205:17;%201Th%205:18;&version=8;">Eph. 5:17; cf. 1 Thess. 5:18</a>). So it is no surprise to hear Paul say that he is both God's slave (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom%201:9;&version=8;">Rom. 1:9</a>) and Christ's (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom%201:1;%20Gal%201:10;&version=8;">Rom. 1:1; Gal. 1:10</a>), that he lives for that glory which is both God's (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom%205:2;%20Gal%201:24;&version=8;">Rom. 5:2; Gal. 1:24</a>) and Christ's (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom%205:2;%20Gal%201:24;&version=8;">2 Cor. 8:19, 23; cf. 2 Cor. 4:6</a>), that his faith is in God (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom%205:2;%20Gal%201:24;&version=8;">1 Thess. 1:8, 9; Rom. 4:1-5</a>) and in Christ Jesus (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gal%203:22;&version=8;">Gal. 3:22</a>), and that to know God, which is salvation (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gal%204:8;%201Th%204:5;&version=8;">Gal. 4:8; 1 Thess. 4:5</a>), is to know Christ (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2Cor%204:6;&version=8;">2 Cor. 4:6</a>)." (Wells, D.F., 1992, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Person-Christ-Historical-Incarnation-Foundations/dp/0891073159">The Person of Christ: A Biblical and Historical Analysis of the Incarnation</a>," Bible Scholar Books: Alliance OH, pp.64-65).</p></blockquote> <p><a href="http://books.google.com.au/books?id=wLyX8b_rCsQC&pg=PA466&lpg=PA466&dq=%22Thomas+Whitelaw%22+Kilmarnock&source=bl&ots=19HFbfOWZT&sig=VzxFGzllGq0FLa0plhtmkpml-9M&hl=en#v=onepage&q=%22Thomas%20Whitelaw%22%20Kilmarnock&f=false">Thomas Whitelaw</a> "All attempts to reduce Jesus of Nazareth to the dimensions of a mere man ... shatter themselves on this plain fact, that the New Testament writers ... distinctly identify Him with the Jehovah of the Old Testament." <blockquote>"THE IDENTITY OF THE TWO. It may justly be contended that if the claim of Jesus to be the pre-existent Son of the Father can be established-as we believe it can be and practically has been in what has just been written concerning His supernatural history, character, and teaching-then the identity of the Two, though not in all respects, has been conclusively made out. For if Jehovah was the manifested God under the Old Testament dispensation, and Jesus was the manifested God under the New Testament dispensation, as the just-cited evidence shows, it will be hard to prove that they were not the same Person though in diverse forms. The language used by Jesus Himself in His high-priestly prayer-'And now, O Father, glorify Thou Me with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was' [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2017:5&version=KJV">Jn 17:5</a>] implies that He regarded Himself as having pre-existed with God in eternity; in other words, as having been the Son of the Father, or Jehovah, the manifesting God who had in former times appeared to the patriarchs and had been in the Church in the Wilderness in the days of Moses. John also looked upon Him as the only begotten Son who had been from everlasting in the bosom of the Father, and who had become incarnate in order to reveal the Father [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:14,18&version=KJV">Jn 1:14,18</a>]. Peter in his Pentecostal sermon calls Him `Lord' [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%202:36&version=KJV">Acts 2:36</a>] (<i>Kurios</i>, the word used in the Septuagint as the translation of' Jehovah'). Paul employs the same designation in the phrase ` the Lord Jesus Christ,' [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom%201:7;%2013:14;%201Cor%201:3;%2016:22;%202Cor%201:2;%2013:14;%20Eph%201:2;%206:23;%20Php%201:2;%203:20;%20Col%201:2;%201Th%201:1;%202Th%201:1,2,%2012;%201Tim%205:21;%202Tim%204:1,22;%20Tit%201:4;%20Phm%201:3&version=KJV">Rom 1:7; 13:14; 1Cor 1:3; 16:22; 2Cor 1:2; 13:14; Eph 1:2; 6:23; Php 1:2; 3:20; Col 1:2; 1Th 1:1; 2Th 1:1,2, 12; 1Tim 5:21; 2Tim 4:1,22; Tit 1:4; Phm 1:3</a>] and expressly states that He existed originally in the form of God, which He laid aside, taking upon Himself the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of sinful flesh and being found in fashion as a man [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+2:5-7&version=KJV">Php 2:5-7</a>], exactly as Jehovah temporarily did under the Old Testament. James likewise employs the appellation `Lord' when speaking of Jesus [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jas%201:1;%202:1&version=KJV">Jas 1:1; 2:1</a>]; and the writer to the Hebrews, besides styling Him `Lord' [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Heb%201:10&version=KJV">Heb 1:10</a>] and calling Him `God's Son,' [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Heb%201:2,%205,%208&version=KJV">Heb 1:2, 5, 8</a>] `the brightness of His Father's glory and the express image of His person,' [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Heb%201:3&version=KJV">Heb 1:3</a>] assigns to Him an everlasting throne [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Heb%201:8&version=KJV">Heb 1:8</a>], and ascribes to Him the works that were peculiar to Jehovah, the creation of the universe [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Heb%201:10;%20Ps%20102:25-27&version=KJV">Heb 1:10 = Ps 102:25-27</a>] and the accomplishment of God's gracious scheme of redemption [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Heb%209:12-15&version=KJV">Heb 9:12-15</a>], - from all which it is apparent that Jesus was not merely a man filled with God's spirit and ethically one with God, but was Jehovah Himself become incarnate, God manifest in the flesh. All attempts to reduce Jesus of Nazareth to the dimensions of a mere man, though probably the best of men, must, apart from considerations and arguments to the contrary, shatter themselves on this plain fact, that the New Testament writers, the authorised interpreters of Christianity to subsequent ages, distinctly identify Him with the Jehovah of the Old Testament." (Whitelaw, T., 1913, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jehovah-Jesus-Thomas-Whitelaw/dp/1103870823">Jehovah-Jesus</a>," T. &T. Clark: Edinburgh, pp.17-19).</p></blockquote> <p> <a href="http://4jehovah.org/">Witnesses for Jesus</a>: "Numerous titles and attributes of Jehovah found in the Hebrew Scriptures are applied directly to Jesus in the Christian Greek Scriptures":<blockquote>"WHO IS JESUS? Numerous titles and attributes of Jehovah found in the Hebrew Scriptures are applied directly to Jesus in the Christian Greek Scriptures. <i>Jehovah</i> knows `all things.' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Jn%203:20;%20Ps%20147:5&version=ESV">1Jn 3:20; Ps 147:5</a>). Jesus knows `all things.' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2016:30&version=ESV">Jn 16:30</a>). Jehovah is the <i>only</i> one <i>who knows the hearts of all men.</i> (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Ki%208:39;%20Jer%2017:9-10&version=ESV">1Ki 8:39; Jer 17:9-10</a>). Jesus knows the hearts of all men. (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%202:24-25;%20Rev%202:18,23&version=ESV">Jn 2:24-25; Rev 2:18,23</a>). Jehovah is our <i>sanctifier.</i> (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%2031:13&version=ESV">Ex 31:13</a>). Jesus sanctifies us. (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Heb%2010:10&version=ESV">Heb 10:10</a>). Jehovah is our <i>peace.</i> (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jdg%206:23&version=ESV">Jdg 6:23</a>). Jesus is our peace. (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eph%202:14&version=ESV">Eph 2:14</a>). Jehovah is our <i>righteousness</i>. (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jer%2023:6&version=ESV">Jer 23:6</a>). Jesus is our righteousness. (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor%201:30&version=ESV">1Cor 1:30</a>). Jehovah is our <i>healer.</i> (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%2015:26&version=ESV">Ex 15:26</a>). Jesus heals us. (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%209:34&version=ESV">Acts 9:34</a>). Jehovah God <i>dwells</i> in us. (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2Cor%206:16&version=ESV">2Cor 6:16</a>). Jesus is in us. (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom%208:10&version=ESV">Rom 8:10</a>). Jehovah is the <i>giver of life</i> who will not allow His people to be <i>`snatched' out of His hand</i>. (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Dt%2032:39&version=ESV">Dt 32:39</a>). Jesus is the giver of life who will not allow His people to be `snatched' out of His hand. (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2010:28&version=ESV">Jn 10:28</a>). Jehovah's voice is `like the roar of <i>rushing waters.</i>' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eze%2043:2&version=ESV">Eze 43:2</a>). Jesus' `voice was like the sound of rushing waters.' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev%201:15&version=ESV">Rev 1:15</a>). Jehovah is <i>present everywhere.</i> (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Prov%2015:3;%20Jer%2023:24;%201Ki%208:27&version=ESV">Prov 15:3; Jer 23:24; 1Ki 8:27</a>). Jesus is omnipresent. (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:48;%20Mt%2018:20;%2028:20&version=ESV">Jn 1:48; Mt 18:20; 28:20</a>). Jehovah's <i>nature does not change.</i> (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mal%203:6&version=ESV">Mal 3:6</a>). Jesus' nature does not change. (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Heb%2013:8&version=ESV">Heb 13:8</a>). Jehovah is the <i>only</i> God we are to <i>`serve.'</i> (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2Ki%2017:35&version=ESV">2Ki 17:35</a>). Jesus is to be served. (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Col%203:24&version=ESV">Col 3:24</a>). Jehovah is the <i>only</i> God to be <i> `worshipped.'</i> (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%2034:14&version=ESV">Ex 34:14</a>). Jesus receives the same honor and `worship' that the Father receives. (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%205:23;%20Rev%205:11-14&version=ESV">Jn 5:23; Rev 5:11-14</a> compare with <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev%204:10-11&version=ESV">Rev. 4:10-11</a>). No angel can receive `worship.' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev%2022:8-9&version=ESV">Rev 22:8-9</a>). Jehovah the Lord is to be <i>set apart as holy.</i> (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%208:12-13&version=ESV">Isa 8:12b-13</a>). Jesus as Jehovah is to be set apart as holy. (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Pet%203:14-15&version=ESV">1Pet 3:14b-15a</a>). Jehovah's <i>glory</i> is not to be given to another. (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2042:8&version=ESV">Isa 42:8</a>). Jesus shares Jehovah's glory. (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2017:5&version=ESV">Jn 17:5</a>). <i>God's name</i> is Jehovah (or Yahweh--YHWH). (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2042:8&version=ESV">Isa 42:8</a>). Jesus has Jehovah's name. (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2017:11;%2016:14-15&version=ESV">Jn 17:11; 16:14-15</a>). Jehovah is the <i>only God</i> to be mentioned in <i>prayer.</i> (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%2023:13&version=ESV">Ex 23:13</a>). Christians are to pray to Jesus. (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2014:14&version=ESV">Jn 14:14</a>). <i>Calling upon Jehovah</i> (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joel%202:32&version=ESV">Joel 2:32</a>) is the same as calling upon Jesus. (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%202:21;%20Rom%2010:9-13&version=ESV">Acts 2:21; Rom 10:9-13</a>). Jehovah `the true God' is called <i>`eternal life.'</i> (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Jn%205:20&version=ESV">1Jn 5:20</a>). Jesus is called `the eternal life.' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Jn%201:2&version=ESV">1Jn 1:2</a>). Jehovah is the <i>`mighty God.'</i> (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jer%2032:17-18;%20Isa%2010:20-21&version=ESV">Jer 32:17-18; Isa 10:20-21</a>). Jesus is the `mighty God' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%209:6&version=ESV">Isa 9:6</a>) who is `Almighty.' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev%201:7-8&version=ESV">Rev 1:7-8</a>). <i>THERE IS ONLY ONE GOD.</i> (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Tim%201:17;%20Isa%2044:8&version=ESV">1Tim 1:17; Isa 44:8</a>). Jehovah is an <i>`everlasting light.'</i> (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2027:1;%20Isa%2060:19-20&version=ESV">Ps 27:1; Isa 60:19-20</a>). Jesus is the light of men and the everlasting light of the future city. (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:4-9;%20Rev%2021:23&version=ESV">Jn 1:4-9; Rev 21:23</a>). Jehovah is<i> `the first and the last.'</i> (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2044:6;%2048:12&version=ESV">Isa 44:6; 48:12</a>). Jesus is the `first and the last.' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev%201:17-18;%2022:12-13,20&version=ESV">Rev 1:17-18; 22:12-13,20</a>). Jehovah is the <i>`Alpha and the Omega.'</i> (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev%201:8;%2021:6-7&version=ESV">Rev 1:8; 21:6-7</a>). Jesus is the `Alpha and the Omega.' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev%2022:12-13,20&version=ESV">Rev 22:12-13,20</a>). Jehovah's title is <i>`the Holy One.'</i> (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2047:4&version=ESV">Isa 47:4</a>). Jesus is `the Holy One.' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%203:14;%20Jn%206:69&version=ESV">Acts 3:14; Jn 6:69</a>). Jehovah is the `stumbling stone' of Israel. (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%208:13-15&version=ESV">Isa 8:13-15</a>). Jesus is the <i>`stumbling stone'</i> of Israel. (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Pet%202:6-8&version=ESV">1Pet 2:6-8</a>). John the Baptist was to <i>prepare the way</i> for Jehovah. (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2040:3&version=ESV">Isa 40:3</a>). The Jehovah who came was Jesus. (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mk%201:1-4;%20Jn%201:6-7,23&version=ESV">Mk 1:1-4; Jn 1:6-7,23</a>). Jehovah is the one who was <i>`pierced.'</i> (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zec%2012:10&version=ESV">Zec 12:10</a>). Jesus is the pierced Jehovah. (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2019:34;%20Rev%201:7-8&version=ESV">Jn 19:34; Rev 1:7-8</a>). The Jehovah who was <i>sold for 30 pieces of silver</i> (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zec%2011:13&version=ESV">Zec 11:13</a>) is Jesus. (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2027:2-6&version=ESV">Mt 27:2-6</a>). Jehovah is <i>Lord of the elements.</i> (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2089:8-9&version=ESV">Ps 89:8-9</a>). Jesus is Lord of the elements. (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%208:26-27;%20Jn%202:7-9&version=ESV">Mt 8:26-27; Jn 2:7-9</a>). Jehovah is the <i>great Judge</i> who gives life to whom he wishes and who renders to each man `according' to his `deeds.' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2098:9;%20Dt%2032:39;%20Jer%2017:9-10&version=ESV">Ps 98:9; Dt 32:39; Jer 17:9-10</a>). Jesus is the <i>only judge</i> who gives life to whom he wishes and renders to each man `according' to his `deeds.' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%205:21-22;%20Rev%202:18,23&version=ESV">Jn 5:21-22; Rev 2:18,23</a>). Jehovah is the <i>only</i> one who can <i>forgive sins.</i> (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mk%202:7;%20Dn%209:9&version=ESV">Mk 2:7; Dn 9:9</a>). Jesus forgives sins. (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mk%202:10-11;%20Lk%2024:46-47&version=ESV">Mk 2:10-11; Lk 24:46-47</a>). Jehovah is <i>the great `shepherd'</i> who leads his people to `the spring of the <i>water of life.'</i> (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2023:1-2;%20Rev%2021:6-7&version=ESV">Ps 23:1-2; Rev 21:6-7</a>). Jesus as the `shepherd' of His people, leads them `to springs of the water of life.' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2010:11-18;%20Rev%207:17&version=ESV">Jn 10:11-18; Rev 7:17</a>) <i>THERE IS ONLY ONE SHEPHERD</i> (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2010:16&version=ESV">Jn 10:16</a>). Jehovah is <i>`Lord of Lords.'</i> (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Dt%2010:17&version=ESV">Dt 10:17</a>). Jesus is `Lord of Lords.' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev%2017:14;%2019:16&version=ESV">Rev 17:14; 19:16</a>). The Father is <i>Lord of all</i> (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2011:25;%20Acts%2017:24&version=ESV">Mt 11:25; Acts 17:24</a>). Jesus is `Lord of all.' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2010:36&version=ESV">Acts 10:36</a>). <i>THERE IS ONLY ONE LORD.</i> (Jude 4). Jehovah is <i>the Savior.</i> (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2045:21-22&version=ESV">Isa 45:21-22</a>). Jesus is the Savior. (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Tit%202:13;%202Pet%201:1&version=ESV">Tit 2:13; 2Pet 1:1</a>). <i>THERE IS ONLY ONE SAVIOR.</i> (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2043:11&version=ESV">Isa 43:11</a>). Jehovah <i>created the universe.</i> (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%20102:25-27&version=ESV">Ps 102:25-27</a>). Jesus created the universe. (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:3;%20Col%201:15-19;%20Heb%201:10-12&version=ESV">Jn 1:3; Col 1:15-19; Heb 1:10-12</a>). <i>THERE IS ONLY ONE CREATOR.</i> (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2044:24&version=ESV">Isa 44:24</a>). <i>Isaiah saw Jehovah.</i> (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%206:1-5&version=ESV">Isa 6:1-5</a>). The Jehovah that Isa saw was Jesus. (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2012:41&version=ESV">Jn 12:41</a>)." ("<a href="http://4jehovah.org/jehovahs-witness-archangel.php">Is Jesus Christ the Archangel Michael?</a>," Witnesses for Jesus, 11 October 2011. Emphasis original. My verse abbreviation and links.).</p></blockquote> <p></p> <hr> </p> <p>My next post in this series is part #5, "<a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com/2011/10/jesus-is-jehovah-2a-plurality-in.html">2A. Plurality in Jehovah was revealed in the Old Testament</a>."</p> <p><a href="http://members.iinet.net.au/~sejones/index.html">Stephen E. Jones</a>, B.c., Grad. Dip. Ed. <br>My other blogs: <a href="http://creationevolutiondesign.blogspot.com/">CreationEvolutionDesign</a> & <a href="http://theshroudofturin.blogspot.com/">The Shroud of Turin</a></p>Stephen E. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16183223752386599799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574858940069385599.post-40977876972743567842011-10-19T08:20:00.009+08:002011-12-10T14:45:05.675+08:00Jesus is Jehovah!: 1B. What I mean by "Jesus is Jehovah"<p>Continuing from my previous post, part #2, "<a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com/2011/10/jesus-is-jehovah-1a-why-i-use-jehovah.html">1A. Why I use `Jehovah' instead of `Yahweh'</a>," with this part #3, "1B. What I</p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.artchive.com/artchive/t/tanner/annunciation.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://www.artchive.com/artchive/t/tanner/annunciation.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <p>[<a href="http://www.artchive.com/artchive/t/tanner/annunciation.jpg">Above</a> (click to enlarge): "The Annunciation," by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Ossawa_Tanner">Henry Ossawa Tanner</a>, 1898, Philadelphia Museum of Art. That is, "the announcement by the angel Gabriel to a virgin called Mary, that she would conceive and become the mother of Jesus the Son of God." ("<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annunciation">Annunciation</a>," Wikipedia, 28 September 2011. I like Tanner's version of the Annunciation because it is so realistic.]</p> <p>mean by "Jesus is Jehovah," of my new series, "<a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com/2011/10/jesus-is-jehovah-contents.html">Jesus <i>is </i>Jehovah!</a>" by topic, which will be based on my morning `quiet time' Bible reading. See the <a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com/2011/10/jesus-is-jehovah-contents.html">Contents</a> page for more details.</p> <p> <hr> </p> <center><b>JESUS <i>IS </i>JEHOVAH! <br>© Stephen E. Jones</b></center> </p> <p><a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com/2011/10/jesus-is-jehovah-contents.html">Jesus <i>is</i> Jehovah!: Contents</a></p> <p> </p> <p><b>1. INTRODUCTION</b></p><p><b>B. What I mean by "Jesus is Jehovah" </b><br>What I mean by "Jesus is Jehovah" is that Jesus of the New Testament is Jehovah (or Yahweh) of the Old Testament, come in the flesh.</p> <p>That is, Jehovah God the Son, took upon Himself a human body and nature at His <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incarnation_(Christianity)">Incarnation</a> in the womb of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_(mother_of_Jesus)">Virgin Mary</a>, while retaining His God-nature (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Php%202:6;%20Jn%201:14&version=ESV">Php 2:6; Jn 1:14</a>).</p> <p>"The Incarnation represents the belief that Jesus, who is the non-created second hypostasis of the triune God, took on a human body and nature and became both man and God":<blockquote>"The Incarnation in traditional Christianity is the belief that the second person in the Christian Godhead, also known as God the Son or the Logos (Word), `became flesh' when he was miraculously conceived in the womb of the Virgin Mary. The Incarnation is a fundamental theological teaching of orthodox (Nicene) Christianity, based on its understanding of the New Testament. The Incarnation represents the belief that Jesus, who is the non-created second hypostasis of the triune God, took on a human body and nature and became both man and God. In the Bible its clearest teaching is in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:14&version=ESV">John 1:14</a>: `And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us.' In the Incarnation, as traditionally defined, the divine nature of the Son was joined but not mixed with human nature in one divine Person, Jesus Christ, who was both `truly God and truly man'. The Incarnation is commemorated and celebrated each year at Christmas, and also reference can be made to the Feast of the Annunciation; `different aspects of the mystery of the Incarnation' are celebrated at Christmas and the Annunciation. This is central to the traditional faith held by most Christians. Alternative views on the subject ... have been proposed throughout the centuries (see below), but all were rejected by mainstream Christian bodies." ("<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incarnation_(Christianity)">Incarnation (Christianity)</a>," Wikipedia, 10 September 2011).</p></blockquote> <P>"The doctrine of the Incarnation teaches that the eternal Son of God ... became human without in any manner or degree diminishing his divine nature":<blockquote>"INCARNATION The doctrine of the Incarnation is taught or assumed throughout the Bible (e.g., <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:14;%20Rom%208:3;%20Php%202:5-11;%201Tim%203:16&version=ESV">John 1:14; Rom 8:3; Phil 2:5-11; 1 Tim 3:16</a>). `Incarnation' is from the Latin meaning `becoming flesh,' that is, `becoming human.' The doctrine of the Incarnation teaches that the eternal Son of God ... became human without in any manner or degree diminishing his divine nature. In the process of ordinary birth, a new personality begins. The Virgin Birth was a miracle, wrought by the Holy Spirit, whereby the eternal Son of God `became flesh,' i.e., took a genuine human nature in addition to his eternal divine nature. It was a <i>virgin</i> birth, a miracle. The Holy Spirit has never been thought of as the father of Jesus. Jesus was fully God, the Second Person of the Trinity (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Col%202:9&version=ESV">Col 2:9</a>), and genuinely human (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Jn%204:2-3&version=ESV">1 John 4:2-3</a>). The council of Chalcedon, A.D. 451 declared that Christ is `to be acknowledged in two natures, inconfusedly, unchangeably, indivisibly, inseparably ... the property of each nature being preserved, and concurring in one Person....' <a href="http://www.reformed.org/documents/WSC.html">The Westminster Shorter Catechism</a>, Question 21 states: `The only Redeemer of God's elect is the Lord Jesus Christ, who, being the eternal Son of God, became man, and so was, and continueth to be, God and man, in two distinct natures and one Person for ever.' The person who was God and with God `in the beginning' before the created universe is the same person who sat wearily at the well of Sychar, the same person who said, `Father, forgive them,' on the cross. The distinction of his natures means, and has always meant to the church, that Jesus is just as truly God as the Father and the Spirit are God, and at the same time, without confusion or contradiction, he is just as truly human as we are human." (Douglas, J.D. & Tenney, M.C., 2008, "<a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Zondervan-Bible-Dictionary-International-Version/dp/0310293049">Zondervan Bible Dictionary: New International Version</a>," Zondervan: Grand Rapids MI, Reprinted, 2009, p.261. Emphasis original).</p></blockquote> <P>"The Word was God; the Word now becomes what he was not - flesh. Yet he became this without ceasing to be what he eternally was - God":<blockquote>"INCARNATION. The words incarnation or incarnate do not occur in the Bible. Their two component parts, however, <i>in carne</i>, (<i>en sarki</i>), come several times in the NT, with a verb describing either the incarnation in itself or the work of the incarnate Christ. Thus, the Johannine Epistles speak of his `coming in the flesh' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Jn%204:2;%202Jn%201:7&version=KJV">I John 4:2; II John 7</a>), Romans of his being `sent in the flesh' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom%208:3&version=KJV">Rom. 8:3</a>), and the ancient hymn in I Timothy of his `appearing in the flesh' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Tim%203:16&version=KJV">I Tim. 3:16</a>). On the other hand, the first Petrine Epistle says that he `suffered in the flesh' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Pet%204:1&version=KJV">I Pet. 4:1</a>), and `died in the flesh' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Pet%203:18&version=KJV">3:18</a>), Ephesians that he made peace by abolishing `in his flesh the enmity' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eph%202:15&version=KJV">Eph. 2:15</a>), and Colossians that `he made reconciliation in the body of his flesh' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Col%201:21-22&version=KJV">Col. 1:21-22</a>). But the central and most comprehensive verse is <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:14&version=KJV">John 1:14</a>, `And the word became flesh (<i>kai ho Logos sarx egeneto</i>).' We will explain incarnation by expounding these words. 1. <i>ho Logos</i>. The subject of this sentence, <i>ho Logos</i> receives its meaning and substance both from its object, <i>sarx</i>, and from the preceding verses. To him is ascribed eternity: `In the beginning was the Word'; relationship to the Deity: `And the Word was with God'; and quite bluntly and directly, Deity itself: `And the Word was God.' He is described as the maker of all created things: `All things were made by him'; the possessor and imparter of life: `In him was life and the life was the light of men'; and as being the true light.' Hence the Logos who became flesh was in himself eternal, God, the Creator, life and light. ... 2. <i>sarx</i>. ... The Word became a man .... The assumption of flesh by the Son of God involved a unity with sinful man sufficient for the bearing and destruction of sin, and able to do justice to such verses as <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom%208:3&version=KJV">Rom. 8:3</a> ('sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh'), <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2Cor%205:21%20&version=KJV">II Cor. 5:21</a> ('he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin') and <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gal%203:13%20&version=KJV">Gal. 3:13</a> ('Christ ... being made a curse for us'). 3. <i>egeneto</i>. This word must be taken in apposition to the four times repeated <i>en</i> of <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%201:1-2&version=KJV">vss. 1-2</a>. In the beginning the Word <i>was</i>, and <i>was</i> with God, and <i>was</i> God. But now the Word <i>became</i> flesh. That is, whereas the earlier verses had spoken of the continued state and activity of the Word, a completely new and different state and activity is now posited. The Word was God; the Word now becomes what he was not - flesh. Yet he became this without ceasing to be what he eternally was - God." (Parker, T.H.L., "Incarnation," in Harrison, E.F., Bromiley, G.W. & Henry, C.F.H., eds, 1960, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bakers-Dictionary-Theology-Everett-Harrison/dp/0801042895/">Bakers Dictionary of Theology</a>," Baker Book House: Grand Rapids MI, Eleventh printing, 1982, pp.282-283. Emphasis original).</p></blockquote> <P>What I do <i>not</i> mean by Jesus is Jehovah is that the Father and Holy Spirit are therefore not Jehovah. As I have previously stated in my "<a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com/2009/01/jesus-is-jehovah-in-new-testament-index.html">Jesus <i>is</i> Jehovah in the New Testament</a>" series:<blockquote>"That Jesus is Jehovah does not preclude the other two Persons of the Holy Trinity (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2028:19;%202Cor%2013:14;%201Pet%201:2;&version=ESV;">Mt 28:19; 2Cor 13:14; 1Pet 1:2</a>), the Father (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Dt%2032:6;%20Isa%2063:16;%2064:8;%20Mal%201:6;&version=ASV;">Dt 32:6; Isa 63:16; 64:8; Mal 1:6</a>) and the Holy Spirit (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Lk%204:18;%20Isa%2061:1;%20Acts%205:3-4,9;%202Cor%203:17&version=ESV">Lk 4:18 = Isa 61:1; Acts 5:3-4,9; 2Cor 3:17</a>), also being, as revealed in the New Testament, Jehovah: the <i>one Triune God</i>."</p></blockquote> <p>Or, as I put it in my post, "<a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com/2009/02/re-is-jesus-jehovah-please-answer.html">Re: Is Jesus Jehovah? Please answer the following #1</a>":<blockquote>"The Bible (in all mainstream translations by qualified scholars) reveals there is ONE Jehovah (Heb. <i>Yahweh</i>) God (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Dt%206:4;%20Mk%2012:29;&version=ASV;">Dt 6:4; Mk 12:29</a>). Yet the Bible also reveals THREE who are called Jehovah:</p> <p>1. The Father is Jehovah (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Dt%2032:6;%20Isa%2064:8;%20Mal%202:10;&version=ASV;">Dt 32:6; Isa 64:8; Mal 2:10</a>).</p> <p>2. The Son is Jehovah (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mk%201:1-3;%20Jn%208:24,58;%2012:41;%2020:28;%20Rom%2010:9;%201%20Cor%208:6;%2010:4;%2012:3;%20Php%202:9-11;&;version=ASV;">Mk 1:1-3; Jn 8:24,58; 12:41; 20:28; Rom 10:9; 1 Cor 8:6; 10:4; 12:3; Php 2:9-11; Heb 1:8-12; Jude 1:4-5; Rev 1:7-8,17; 2:8; 21:6; 22:13</a>).</p> <p>3. The Holy Spirit is Jehovah (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Lk%204:1,18;%20Ac%205:3-9;%202Cor%203:17;%20Heb%203:7-11;&version=ASV;">Lk 4:1,18; Ac 5:3-9; 2Cor 3:17; Heb 3:7-11</a>)."</p></blockquote> <p>So in affirming the Bible's teaching that Jesus <i>is</i> Jehovah, I am not denying the Bible's teaching that the Father and the Holy Spirit are also Jehovah. I am merely focusing on the first-mentioned Bible teaching, that Jesus <i>is </i>Jehovah, come in the flesh!</p> <p><b> <hr> </b></p> <p>My next post in this series, part #4, is "<a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com/2011/10/jesus-is-jehovah-1c-quotes-by-christian.html">1C. Quotes by mainstream Christian authors that Jesus is Jehovah</a>."</p> <p><a href="http://members.iinet.net.au/~sejones/index.html">Stephen E. Jones</a>, B.Sc., Grad. Dip. Ed. <br>My other blogs: <a href="http://creationevolutiondesign.blogspot.com/">CreationEvolutionDesign</a> & <a href="http://theshroudofturin.blogspot.com/">The Shroud of Turin</a></p>Stephen E. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16183223752386599799noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574858940069385599.post-14370119237970625112011-10-16T18:23:00.014+08:002011-12-13T19:51:52.788+08:00Jesus is Jehovah!: 1A. Why I use "Jehovah" instead of "Yahweh"<p>Continuing from <a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com/2011/10/jesus-is-jehovah-contents.html">Jesus is Jehovah!: Contents</a>, with this part #2, "1A. Why I use `Jehovah' instead of `Yahweh,'" of my new </p> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f5/Mesha_Stele_%28511142469%29.jpg/450px-Mesha_Stele_%28511142469%29.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f5/Mesha_Stele_%28511142469%29.jpg/450px-Mesha_Stele_%28511142469%29.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><p>[<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f5/Mesha_Stele_%28511142469%29.jpg/450px-Mesha_Stele_%28511142469%29.jpg">Above</a> (click to enlarge): The Mesha Stele or Moabite Stone: "The inscription was set up about 840 BC ... It bears what is generally thought to be the earliest extra-biblical Semitic reference to the name Yahweh (YHWH) ...." ("<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesha_Stele">Mesha Stele</a>," Wikipedia, 10 September 2011]</p> <p>series, "Jesus <i>is</i> Jehovah!" by topic, which is based on my morning `quiet time' Bible reading.</p> <p>This new series is the successor of my "<a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com/2009/01/jesus-is-jehovah-in-new-testament-index.html">Jesus is Jehovah in the New Testament</a>" series, the last part of which (for the time being at least) was part #12, "<a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com/2011/10/jesus-is-jehovah-in-ephesians.html">Jesus <i>is</i> Jehovah in Ephesians!</a>" See the <a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com/2011/10/jesus-is-jehovah-contents.html">Contents</a> page for more details.</p> <p> <hr> </p> <p><center><b>JESUS <i>IS </i>JEHOVAH!<br>© Stephen E. Jones</b></center> </p> <p><a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com/2011/10/jesus-is-jehovah-contents.html">Jesus <i>is</i> Jehovah!: Contents</a></p> <p><b>1. INTRODUCTION</b><br><br><b> A. Why I use the name "Jehovah" and not "Yahweh" </b><br>I use the name "Jehovah," instead of the probably more correct English translation "Yahweh," of the Hebrew <i>YHWH</i>, is because: </p> <p>1. It is the translation of <i>YHWH </i>used by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah's_Witnesses">Jehovah's Witnesses</a>. But if Jesus is Jehovah (which <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah's_Witnesses#Jehovah_and_Jesus_Christ">they deny</a>), then they are <i>not</i> Jehovah's witnesses, and Christians, who are Jesus' witnesses (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%201:8&version=ESV">Acts 1:8</a>) are the <i>true </i>Jehovah's witnesses!:<blockquote>"<i>God's witness</i> One final link between Jesus and Yahweh may be noted. In the OT God commissions his people ` "You are my witnesses," declares the LORD' (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2043:10&version=NIV">Is. 43:10</a>); yet in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%201:8&version=NIV">Acts 1:8</a> Jesus sends out his apostles with identical words `You will be my witnesses'." (Milne, B., 1982, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Know-Truth-Handbook-Christian-Belief/dp/083081793X">Know the Truth: A Handbook of Christian Belief</a>," Inter-Varsity Press: Leicester UK, Fifth printing, 1988, pp.131-132. Emphasis original).<br> <br>"True witnesses of Jehovah will honor the <i>meaning</i> of Jehovah's name, which is that he is the absolute sovereign Lord of all. They will not diminish his greatness by denying that he knows all things, denying that he transcends space and time, or denying that he was able to incarnate himself in Jesus Christ. True witnesses of Jehovah will follow the teaching of the `faithful and true witness,' Jesus Christ (<a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/revelation/3-14.html">Rev. 3:14</a>), who taught his disciples to be <i>his</i> witnesses (<a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/acts/1-8.html">Acts 1:8</a>). They will also accept the New Testament teaching that Jesus himself is Jehovah (<a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/passage.aspx?q=romans+10:9-13;1+corinthians+12:3;philippians+2:9-11;hebrews+1:10-12;1+peter+2:3;1+peter+3:15">Rom. 10:9-13; 1 Cor. 12:3; Phil. 2:9-11; Heb. 1:10-12; 1 Peter 2:3; 3:15</a>). We conclude, then, that Jehovah's Witnesses are not truly on Jehovah's side (<a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/exodus/32-26.html">Exod. 32:26</a>). Though they mouth his name, they distort his word, diminish his greatness, and deny his incarnation in the Lord Jesus Christ. No clearer proof could be given that Jehovah's Witnesses are unfaithful to God in their interpretation of the Bible." (Bowman, R.M., Jr., 1991, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Jehovahs-Witnesses-They-Bible/dp/0801009952/">Understanding Jehovah's Witnesses</a>: Why They Read the Bible the Way They Do," Baker: Grand Rapids MI, p.122. Emphasis original).<br> <br>"Among the last recorded words that God's Son spoke on earth to his disciples is the command: `You will be witnesses of me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria and to the most distant parts of the earth.' [<a href="http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/ac/chapter_001.htm#bk8">Acts 1:8</a> NWT] By what right, then, do men who claim to be footstep followers of God's Son select a name which does not even bear witness to the Christ? How do they justify choosing a name that reaches back some 700 years before his appearance as the Messiah, back to words spoken to the Jewish people under the Law Covenant?" (Franz, R., 2007, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Search-Christian-Freedom-Raymond-Franz/dp/0914675176/">In Search of Christian Freedom</a>," [1991], Commentary Press: Atlanta GA, Second edition, p.490. Emphasis original).</p></blockquote><p></p><p> Note that the last quote was by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raymond_Franz">Raymond Franz</a> (1922-2010), a former member of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Governing_Body_of_Jehovah%27s_Witnesses">Watchtower Society's Governing Body</a>!</p> <p>2. The translation "Jehovah" has a centuries-long history in English-speaking Christianity, being in the 1611 <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah#Usage_in_English_Bible_translations">King James Version </a>of the Bible in seven places (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=JEHOVAH&qs_version=KJV">Gn 22:14; Ex 6:3; 17:15; Jdg 6:24; Ps 83:18; Isa 12:2; 26:4</a>), and having been sung for centuries by Christians in hymns like "<a href="http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/g/u/guideme.htm">Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah</a>" (1771):<blockquote>"Early modern translators disregarded the practice of reading <i>Adonai </i>(or its equivalents in Greek and Latin, <i>Kurios</i> and <i>Dominus</i>) in place of the Tetragrammaton and instead combined the four Hebrew letters of the Tetragrammaton with the vowel points that, except in synagogue scrolls, accompanied them, resulting in the form <i>Jehovah</i>. This form, which first took effect in works dated 1278 and 1303, was adopted in Tyndale's and some other Protestant translations of the Bible. In the 1611 King James Version, Jehovah occurred seven times. In the 1901 American Standard Version the form "Je-ho'vah" became the regular English rendering of the Hebrew YHWH all throughout, in preference to the previously dominant `the LORD', which is generally used in the King James Version. It is also used in Christian hymns such as the 1771 hymn, `Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah'" ("<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah#Pronunciation">Jehovah: Pronunciation</a>," Wikipedia, 8 October 2011. My transliteration. Footnotes omitted);</p></blockquote> <p>and "<a href="http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/g/o/godofabe.htm">The God of Abraham praise</a>" (c. 1775):<blockquote>"The God of Abraham praise, who reigns enthroned above;<br />Ancient of everlasting days, and God of Love;<br />Jehovah, great I AM! by earth and Heav’n confessed;<br />I bow and bless the sacred Name forever blessed."</p></blockquote> <p>3. A major English Bible translation, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Standard_Version">American Standard Version </a>of 1901, translated the Hebrew <i>YHWH</i> as "Jehovah" the nearly 7,000 times it occurs in the Old Testament, over a <i>half-century </i>before the Jehovah's Witnesses produced their own <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_World_Translation_of_the_Holy_Scriptures">New World Translation </a></i>of the Old Testament (1953-60):<blockquote>"Notably, in the year 1901, the <i>American Standard Version</i> of the Bible (produced by scholars of Christendom) rectified the practice of substituting `LORD' or `GOD' for the Tetragrammaton in translating the Hebrew Scriptures, a practice typical of most previous English versions, including the most popular, the <i>King James</i> or <i>Authorized Version</i>. Whereas the <i>Authorized Version</i> rendered the Tetragrammaton by the name `Jehovah' only four times in the entire Hebrew Scriptures or Old Testament, the <i>American Standard Version</i> restored it in its nearly 7,000 occurrences. Though the inaccuracy of rendering the Hebrew `YHWH' by `Jehovah' is acknowledged, this was nonetheless an improvement over the use of `GOD' and `LORD' employed to represent the Tetragrammaton in other English-language versions. Although the <i>American Standard Version</i>, with its rendering of the name `Jehovah' thousands of times, was available from 1901 onward, the <i>Watch Tower</i> magazine did not adopt that translation as its basic translation but continued to employ primarily the <i>King James</i> or <i>Authorized Version</i> with its use of `LORD' and `GOD' as substitutes for the Tetragrammaton. Even after the death of Russell in 1916 and during the presidency of Rutherford this continued to be the case. Following Rutherford's death, in 1944 the Watch Tower Society obtained rights for printing an edition of the <i>American Standard Version</i> on their own presses. Yet, although frequently quoting from this translation and numerous others, they continued to use the <i>Authorized Version</i> as their basic version in all their publications up until the year 1950 when they published their own <i>New World Translation</i> of the Bible. (See <i>Jehovah's Witnesses in the Divine Purpose</i>, pages 215, 255.)" There is no question then that the Watch Tower Society did not `restore' the name `Jehovah,' because there was no need for any 'restoring' of it at the time that society came on the scene. It was a definitely established term, found in many Bible translations and religious writings long before the appearance of that society." (Franz, R., 2007, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Search-Christian-Freedom-Raymond-Franz/dp/0914675176/">In Search of Christian Freedom</a>," pp.493-494. Emphasis original).</p></blockquote> <p>4. "There is evidence that Yahweh may not have been the original pronunciation because "the Tetragrammaton [<i>YHWH</i>] was likely tri-syllabic originally, and that modern forms should therefore also have three syllables" which would mean that "Jehovah is preferable to Yahweh":<blockquote>"Some argue that Jehovah is preferable to Yahweh, based on their conclusion that the Tetragrammaton was likely tri-syllabic originally, and that modern forms should therefore also have three syllables." ("<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah#Pronunciation">Jehovah</a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah#Pronunciation">: Pronunciation</a>," Wikipedia, 29 September 2011). </p></blockquote> <p>5. The more correct translation of "Jesus" is <i>Yeshua o</i>r <i>Yehoshua</i> but the New Testament writers used the Greek equivalent <i>Iesous:</i><blockquote>"`Jesus' is a transliteration, occurring in a number of languages and based on the Latin <i>Iesus</i>, of the Greek ... <i>Iesoûs </i>.., itself a Hellenisation of the Hebrew ... Yehošua` (Joshua) or Hebrew-Aramaic Yešûa` meaning `Yahweh delivers (or rescues)'." (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus#Etymology_of_name">Jesus: Etymology of name</a>, Wikipedia, 29 September 2011).</p></blockquote> <p>Here are quotes by Christian theologians that support, or at least allow, the use of "Jehovah" rather than "Yahweh":</p> <p>"The actual form of the name might have been <i>Yahweh</i>, but it might not have been; the original form is not known with certainty ... <i>Jehovah</i> is now the customary, conventional form in English ... and as such is the most easily recognizable form of the divine name":<blockquote>"<i>Jehovah or Yahweh?</i> ... 1. The actual form of the name might have been <i>Yahweh</i>, but it might not have been; the original form is not known with certainty. The reason for this uncertainty is that the original Hebrew alphabet had no vowels; thus, the divine name was spelled <i>YHWH</i> (in English this could be Anglicized to <i>JHWH</i> or <i>JHVH</i>). Medieval Jewish scribes added marks called vowel points next to the consonants to aid pronunciation. However, since for centuries Jews had avoided pronouncing the divine name and had instead said <i>Adonay</i> whenever they came to <i>YHWH</i> in the Hebrew text, the Jewish scribes added the vowel points for <i>Adonay</i> (a-o-a) to <i>YHWH</i>, resulting in <i>Yahowah</i> or <i>Jehovah</i>. Although scholars are fairly certain that <i>Yahweh</i> was the original form, this does not appear to be proved beyond dispute. On the other hand, as the above history proves, and as the Witnesses admit, it is absolutely certain that <i>Jehovah</i> was not the original form.[<i>The Divine Name That Will Endure Forever</i>, WB&TS, 1984, p.8] 2. All names vary somewhat from language to language; for example, <i>Jesus</i> in Hebrew might have been pronounced either <i>Yeshua</i> or <i>Yehoshua</i>, and in modern languages it varies in form as well .An even more striking example is the fact that <i>James</i> in English Bibles translates the Greek <i>Iakobos</i>, that is, <i>Jacob</i>. 3. <i>Jehovah</i> is now the customary, conventional form in English (and with minor variations in many other languages as well), and as such is the most easily recognizable form of the divine name. Although this is much less true today than it was a century ago, it cannot be denied that the form <i>Jehovah</i> is still widely used outside Jehovah's Witness circles. For these reasons I do not criticize Jehovah's Witnesses for using the form <i>Jehovah</i> rather than <i>Yahweh</i>. And I would add a fourth, more theological, reason: God does not care about the exact form of the divine name or he would have ensured its preservation. In the rest of this article I shall use the form <i>Jehovah</i>; those who prefer may read this as <i>Yahweh</i> or <i>YHWH</i>. (Bowman, R.M., Jr., 1991, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Jehovahs-Witnesses-They-Bible/dp/0801009952">Understanding Jehovah's Witnesses</a>," pp.110-111). </p></blockquote> <p> "Though there is no biblical justification for the term Jehovah ... scholars are not precisely clear as to the correct way to pronounce the Hebrew word <i>YHWH</i>. ... some legitimate Bible translations (in the Old Testament) use the term Jehovah as well":<blockquote>"<i>The Origin of the `Divine Name'</i> ... I am sometimes asked where the name Jehovah came from. Many Bible students realize this name is not found in the Hebrew and Greek manuscripts from which English translations of the Bible are derived. (The Old Testament contains the name `Yahweh'-or, more literally, <i>YHWH</i> [the original Hebrew had only consonants].) This being so, then, where did the name Jehovah come from? To answer this question, we must recognize that the ancient Jews had a superstitious dread of pronouncing the name YHWH. They felt that if they uttered this name, they might violate the Third Commandment, which deals with taking God's name in vain (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%2020:7&version=ESV">Exodus 20:7</a>). So, to avoid the possibility of breaking this commandment, the Jews for centuries substituted the name `Adonai' (Lord) or some other name in its place whenever they came across it in public readings of Scripture. Eventually, the fearful Hebrew scribes decided to insert the vowels from Adonai (a-o-a) within the consonants YHWH. The result was Yahowah, or Jehovah. Hence, the word Jehovah is derived from a consonant-vowel combination from the words YHWH and Adonai. Watchtower literature acknowledges this fact. [<i>Reasoning from the Scriptures</i>, Watchtower Bible & Tract Society: Brooklyn NY, 1989, p.195] ... There are other Bible translations besides the <i>New World Translation</i> ... that have used the name Jehovah-either consistently, as in the <i>American Standard Version</i> (1901), or in isolated instances. An example of a version that uses Jehovah only in isolated instances (just four [actually seven] times) is the <i>King James Version</i> (see <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%206:3;%20Ps%2083:18;%20Isa%2012:2;%2026:4&version=KJV">Exodus 6:3; Psalm 83:18; Isaiah 12:2; 26:4</a> [also <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%2022:14;%20Ex%2017:15;%20Jdg%206:24&version=ESV">Gn 22:14; Ex 17:15; Jdg 6:24</a>]). The <i>New English Bible</i> also uses Jehovah in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%203:15;%206:3&version=ESV">Exodus 3:15 and 6:3</a>. ... Though there is no biblical justification for the term Jehovah, it is important to recognize that scholars are not precisely clear as to the correct way to pronounce the Hebrew word <i>YHWH</i>. Though most modern scholars believe Yahweh is the correct rendering (as I do), we really cannot criticize the Jehovah's Witnesses for using the term Jehovah where the Hebrew consonants YHWH appear in the Old Testament (though they <i>can</i> be criticized and proven wrong regarding the insertion of this name in the New Testament). After all, some evangelical Christians and some legitimate Bible translations (in the Old Testament) use the term Jehovah as well." (Rhodes, R., 1993, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Reasoning-Scriptures-Jehovahs-Witnesses-Rhodes/dp/0736924515/">Reasoning from the Scriptures with the Jehovah's Witnesses</a>," Harvest House: Eugene OR, Reprinted, 2006, pp.51-52. Emphasis original).</p></blockquote> <p> "Actually, there is a problem with the pronunciation `Yahweh.' It is a strange combination of old and late elements. ... if the word were spelled with four letters in Moses' day, we would expect it to have had more than two syllables": <blockquote>"... YHWH (<i>yhwh</i>) <i>Yahweh</i> ... The Tetragrammaton YHWH, the LORD, or Yahweh, the personal name of God and his most frequent designation in Scripture, occurring 5321 times (TDNT, III, p. 1067) in the OT (KJV and ASV, the LORD, or, in those contexts where the actual title `Lord' also occurs, GOD, except KJV, Jehovah, in seven passages where the name is particularly stressed (Ex 6:3; Ps 83:18 [H 19]; Isa 12:2; 26:4] or combined with other elements, such as Jehovah Jireh [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gn%2022:14;%20Ex%2017:15;%20Jdg%206:24;&version=ASV">Gen 22:14; cf. Ex 17:15; Jud 6:24</a>; ASV, consistently <i>Jehovah</i>]). ... The tetragrammaton YHWH is not ordinarily written with its appropriate Hebrew vowels. But that the original pronunciation was YaHWeH seems probable, both from the corresponding verbal form, the imperfect of <i>hawa</i>, anciently <i>yahweh</i>, and from later representation of YHWH in Greek <i>iaoue</i> or <i>iabe</i>. ... Actually, there is a problem with the pronunciation `Yahweh.' It is a strange combination of old and late elements. The first extra-Biblical occurrence of the name is in the Moabite Stone of about 850 B.C. At that time vowel letters were just beginning to be used in Hebrew. If YHWH represents a spelling earlier than 900 B.C. (as would seem likely), the final `h' should have been pronounced. ... So the `<i>w</i>' of Yahweh represents a pre-mosaic pronunciation but the final `<i>eh</i>' represents probably a post-davidic form. ... However, if the word were spelled with four letters in Moses' day, we would expect it to have had more than two syllables, for at that period there were no vowel letters. All the letters were sounded. ... In the post-biblical period, reverence for the ineffable name `Yahweh' caused it to be supplanted in synagogue reading (but not in writing) with the noun <i>'adonay</i>, `my master,' or Lord. Next, when medieval Jewish scholars began to insert vowels to accompany the consonantal OT text, they added to YHWH the Masoretic vowel points for <i>'adonay</i>; and the actual writing became ... YaHoWaH, the ASV `Jehovah.'" (Payne, J.B., "Yahweh," in Harris, R.L., Archer, G.L. & Waltke, B.K., eds, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Theological-Wordbook-Old-Testament-2-vol/dp/0802486312">Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament</a>," Moody Press: Chicago IL, 1980, Twelfth printing, 1992, Vol. I, pp.210-211. My transliterations).</p></blockquote> <p> "The true pronunciation of this name, by which God was known to the Hebrews, has been entirely lost, the Jews ... continued to write <i>Yhwh</i>, but read <i>Adonai</i>. ... When the vowel points were added to the Hebrew text ... they attached to <i>Yhwh</i> the points of <i>'adonay</i>; hence the form <i>Yehowah</i>":<blockquote>"<i>Jeho'vah</i> ... Heb. YHWH LXX usually <i>ho Kurios</i>, the name of God most frequently used in the Hebrew Scriptures; but commonly represented-we cannot say rendered-in the A.V. by `Lord.' 1. <i>Pronunciation</i>. The true pronunciation of this name, by which God was known to the Hebrews, has been entirely lost, the Jews themselves scrupulously avoiding every mention of it, and substituting in its stead one or other of the words with whose proper vowel points it may happen to be written, usually the name <i>Adonai</i>. They continued to write <i>Yhwh</i>, but read <i>Adonai</i>. Where God is called `<i>My Lord Jehovah</i>' (Heb. <i>Adonai Yhwh</i>), to avoid the double <i>Adonai</i>, <i>Elohim</i> was substituted. When the vowel points were added to the Hebrew text the rule, in the case of words written but not read, was to attach to these words the vowels belonging to the words read in place of them. Thus they attached to <i>Yhwh</i> the points of <i>'adonay</i>; hence the form <i>Yehowah</i> and the name <i>Yeh'v'h</i>. The strong probability is that the name Jehovah was anciently pronounced <i>Yahweh</i>, like the <i>Iabe</i> of the Samaritans. This custom, which had its origin in reverence, and has almost degenerated into a superstition, was founded upon an erroneous rendering of <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Lev%2024:16&version=ASV">Lev. 24:16</a>, from which it was inferred that the mere utterance of the name constituted a capital offense. According to Jewish tradition, it was pronounced but once a year by the high priest on the Day of Atonement when he entered the Holy of Holies; but on this point there is some doubt. ..." (Unger, M.F., 1966, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/New-Ungers-Bible-Dictionary/dp/0802490662/">Unger's Bible Dictionary</a>," [1957], Moody Press: Chicago IL, Third edition, Fifteenth printing, 1969, pp.564-565. Emphasis original).</p></blockquote> <p> <hr> </p> <p>The next post, part #3, of this series is "<a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com/2011/10/jesus-is-jehovah-1b-what-i-mean-by.html">1B. What I mean by `Jesus is Jehovah'</a>".</p> <p><a href="http://members.iinet.net.au/~sejones/index.html">Stephen E. Jones</a>, B.Sc., Grad. Dip. Ed. <br>My other blogs: <a href="http://creationevolutiondesign.blogspot.com/">CreationEvolutionDesign</a> & <a href="http://theshroudofturin.blogspot.com/">The Shroud of Turin</a></p>Stephen E. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16183223752386599799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574858940069385599.post-53472819929619140382011-10-06T10:56:00.026+08:002012-01-16T19:40:47.286+08:00Jesus is Jehovah!: Contents<p>This is the Contents page and part #1 of my new series, "Jesus <i>is </i>Jehovah!" by topic, based on my morning `quiet time' Bible reading. </p> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF8HGkT086zHbbHjp-KSXHQcQ80K1UiIBFW3erc0PVnXTP0lGPJhIaCpSCqTmPsnnZ2cyLrFGiA010cGiqduZGstbjGDRhhErY9ymH-opg84jO6OV_UZHJVcHeUKX5G_B6Vhyphenhyphen5HRpf8bM/s1600/CetnarWheel.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF8HGkT086zHbbHjp-KSXHQcQ80K1UiIBFW3erc0PVnXTP0lGPJhIaCpSCqTmPsnnZ2cyLrFGiA010cGiqduZGstbjGDRhhErY9ymH-opg84jO6OV_UZHJVcHeUKX5G_B6Vhyphenhyphen5HRpf8bM/s320/CetnarWheel.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660214782338938754" /></a><p>[Above (click to enlarge): "Jesus is Yahweh" wheel, Cetnar, W.I. & J., 1983, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Questions-Jehovahs-Witnesses-William-Cetnar/dp/0875521622">Questions for Jehovah's Witnesses</a>," Bill & Joan Cetnar: Kunkletown PA, Reprinted, 2001, back cover. Old Testament passages about Jehovah (Yahweh) that are applied in the New Testament to Jesus are on diametrically opposite sides of the wheel.]</p> <p>It follows on from my "<a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com/2009/01/jesus-is-jehovah-in-new-testament-index.html">Jesus is Jehovah in the New Testament</a>" series, the last post in which was <A HREF="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com/2011/10/jesus-is-jehovah-in-ephesians.html">Jesus is Jehovah in Ephesians!</A>. Many of the topics are similar to those in that series and in my post <a href="http://creationevolutiondesign.blogspot.com/2007/09/jesus-is-jehovah-off-topic.html">Jesus <i>is</i> Jehovah!</a> on my CED blog (before I started this blog).</p> <p>I will post pages on each topic and link them back to this page. So click on a link to go to that page. At this early stage the Contents are incomplete. I will add new topics as they occur to me in my Bible reading.</p> <p>The Bible version I will mostly be using is the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_Standard_Version">English Standard Version</a> because it is more faithful than other modern versions to the underlying Hebrew and Greek text.</p> <p> <hr> </p> <p><center><b>JESUS <i>IS </i>JEHOVAH!</b> <br><b>© Stephen E. Jones</b></center></p><p><b>1. INTRODUCTION</b><br>A. <a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com/2011/10/jesus-is-jehovah-1a-why-i-use-jehovah.html">Why I use "Jehovah" instead of "Yahweh."</a> <br>B. <a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com/2011/10/jesus-is-jehovah-1b-what-i-mean-by.html">What I mean by "Jesus is Jehovah."</a> <br>C. <a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com/2011/10/jesus-is-jehovah-1c-quotes-by-christian.html">Quotes by Christian authors that Jesus is Jehovah</a>.</p> <p><b>2. JESUS IS JEHOVAH IN THE OLD TESTAMENT</b><br>A. <a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com/2011/10/jesus-is-jehovah-2a-plurality-in.html">Plurality in Jehovah was revealed in the Old Testament.</a><br>B. <A HREF="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com/2011/11/jesus-is-jehovah-2b-jehovah-seen-in-old.html">Jehovah seen in the Old Testament was the pre-incarnate Jesus</A>.<br>C. <a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com/2011/11/jesus-is-jehovah-2c-jehovah-promised.html">Jehovah promised that He would come to Jerusalem in Person</a>.</p><p><b>3. JESUS CLAIMED TO BE JEHOVAH</b><br>A. <a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com/2011/12/jesus-is-jehovah-3a-jesus-claimed-to-be.html">Jesus claimed to be "I AM."</a><br>B. <a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com/2012/01/jesus-is-jehovah-3b-jesus-claimed-and.html">Jesus claimed and accepted the titles "Lord" and "God" of Himself.</a><br>C. Jesus claimed and accepted the title of "<i>The</i> Son of God" of Himself.<br>D. Jesus claimed and accepted other names and titles of Jehovah for Himself.</p><p><b>4. JESUS IS STATED OR IMPLIED TO BE JEHOVAH</b><br>A. Jehovah who Isaiah saw (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%206:1-10&version=ESV">Isa 6:1-10</a>) was the pre-incarnate Jesus (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2012:36-41&version=ESV">Jn 12:36-41</a>).</p> <p><b>5. JEHOVAH'S NAMES AND TITLES ARE APPLIED TO JESUS</b><br>A. Jesus is "Lord"<br>B. Jesus is "God"<br>C. Jesus is <I>the</i> "Son of God."<br>D. Other</p><p><b>6. OLD TESTAMENT PASSAGES ABOUT JEHOVAH ARE APPLIED TO JESUS</b></p><p><b>7. UNIQUE ATTRIBUTES OF JEHOVAH ARE APPLIED TO JESUS</b></p> <p><b>8. UNIQUE WORKS OF JEHOVAH ARE ATTRIBUTED TO JESUS</b></p> <p><b>9. WORSHIP AND SERVICE DUE TO JEHOVAH ARE PAID TO JESUS</b><br>A. Prayer to Jesus.<br>B. Praise to Jesus.<br>C. Worship of Jesus.</p> <p><b>10. OBJECTIONS TO JESUS BEING JEHOVAH</b></p> <p><b>11. CONCLUSION</b></p><p> <hr> </p> <p>My next post, part #2, in this series is, "<a href="http://jesusisyhwh.blogspot.com/2011/10/jesus-is-jehovah-1a-why-i-use-jehovah.html">1A. Why I use "Jehovah" instead of "Yahweh."</a></p> <p><a href="http://members.iinet.net.au/~sejones/index.html">Stephen E. Jones</a>, B.Sc., Grad. Dip. Ed. <br>My other blogs: <a href="http://creationevolutiondesign.blogspot.com/">CreationEvolutionDesign</a> & <a href="http://theshroudofturin.blogspot.com/">The Shroud of Turin</a></p>Stephen E. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16183223752386599799noreply@blogger.com3