Witnessing to the Jehovah's Witnesses

This material offers a non-confrontational approach of witnessing to the Jehovah's Witnesses (legally known as The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society) that is gracious and respectful (Colossians 4:5,6; 1 Peter 3:15).

The JWs present their beliefs with reasoning and Scripture. To outsiders it appears as if JWs hold the Bible to be their final authority and they apply reason to determine truth. But that is not how they really come to their beliefs. They have another authority, another master, that determines what they believe.

JWs have two kinds of doctrines, their religious doctrines (dealing with faith and morals) and second, their organizational doctrines (dealing with the role and authority of their religious directors). The JWs are generally more attached to their organizational doctrines than their religious doctrines. While the history of the JWs shows continual changes in their religious doctrines, their belief in the authority of their directors has been constant. As you will discover from using the approach detailed below, some JWs will even abandon current fundamental religious doctrines to stay loyal to their directors. In such cases JWs cannot be convinced of even their own doctrines, so they certainly will not be open to any religious ideas you might present. For those who wish to witness to the JWs, I recommend an approach that graciously helps them see the conflict between the esteem they give their directors and the worship they give to God. The principle underlying this presentation is Jesus' statement "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other . . ." (found at Luke 16:13; Matthew 6:24). While this was said in reference to the love of money it applies to human masters as well. A person may imagine he can serve two masters but Jesus explained eventually one will be forced to choose between the two and thus, in effect, love one and hate the other. The JWs, without realizing it, serve two masters, the Watchtower directors and "Jehovah" (their preferred name for God - see Psalm 83:18). Through the approach detailed below, the JWs will discover that their religious doctrines collide with their organizational doctrines, forcing them to choose between Jehovah or the Watchtower directors.

This presentation is based on these five facts:

1. The JWs have always insisted the name "Jesus" is just another name for Michael the archangel.
2. Unknown to most JWs, the Watchtower's official charter teaches that all JWs must worship Jesus, that is, Michael the archangel. The 1944 amendment stated the purpose of their organization was for the "worship of Almighty God and Christ Jesus". Thus this charter amendment advocated angel-worship.
3. Although in 1954 they officially dropped their belief in worshiping Jesus, today they still claim this charter amendment fulfilled biblical prophecy and brought their organization into a "holy" and right relationship with God (see the References:  note below).
4. The Watchtower's primary organizational doctrine is that their directors ("the faithful and discreet slave" from Matthew 24:45), were appointed by Jesus in 1919 to be the channel of true religion on earth with the authority to tell mankind what they should believe. Ever since 1919 (including 1944!), if they were to teach something incorrect, God would still approve of them and they would still be in line to become earth's heavenly rulers.
5. The Watchtower organization has always taught that idolatry, including angel-worship, is false worship, causing one to be disapproved by God.

In the following witnessing method it is very important that you do this carefully. JWs are not comfortable listening to any ideas that come from anyone other than their religious directors and their representatives. They will listen to questions about Scripture but NOT to your explanations about Scripture. They will listen and reason on scriptures but ONLY if the presentation originated with their religious teachers. So it is vital that you carry out this method while only asking questions. These questions will lead the JWs to a point where they must choose between their two masters. But to do this you must let them do their own thinking. If you present any reasoning at all, they will reject most and maybe all of what you say. Do not present any religious ideas that conflict with theirs. After they make a choice of which master they love, then you may present your thoughts on the Bible. Thus, at first, instead of insisting on being a teacher, you must adopt a speaking technique similar to that of a newspaper interviewer and only ask questions. Remember, JWs have been directed to talk only with those who are "sheep-like", that is, those who are willing to ask questions on the subjects JWs like to discuss and then calmly listen to their answers.

You are probably not accustomed to witnessing this way. You may wonder if you should alter this method by presenting the same information in a more direct way, with teachings and explanations. The approach described here may seem so unnatural that it is unethical. You may wonder if it might not be better to just state clearly to the JWs that they are wrong and then explain why. Unfortunately, if you do that, they will NOT listen. What do you think is more important, having them ponder your explanations or to have them ponder God's word? Is it really unethical in a ministry to use speech that is indirect, thus leaving room for them to wonder about your personal beliefs? Let us see how Scripture answers:

• 1 Kings 18:21,24
"²¹ Elijah came near to all the people and said, 'How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.' But the people did not answer him a word." . . . ²⁴ 'Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord . The god who answers by fire-he is God.' Then all the people said, 'What you say is good.' "
 
Elijah certainly knew the True God, but he presented his case by letting the audience decide for themselves rather than dogmatically push his belief. Why do it this way? Because the aggressive approach would not have persuaded the people. This example shows that we can present our message in a way that allows the audience to reason for themselves without forcing our views.
• Acts 21:23-27
²³ " 'Therefore do this that we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow; ²⁴ take them and purify yourself along with them, and pay their expenses so that they may shave their heads; and all will know that there is nothing to the things which they have been told about you, but that you yourself also walk orderly, keeping the Law. ²⁵ But concerning the Gentiles who have believed, we wrote, having decided that they should abstain from meat sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled and from fornication.' ²⁶ Then Paul took the men, and the next day, purifying himself along with them, went into the temple giving notice of the completion of the days of purification, until the sacrifice was offered for each one of them. ²⁷ When the seven days were almost over, the Jews from Asia, upon seeing him in the temple, began to stir up all the crowd and laid hands on him"

This example may surprise you. Paul took part in a ceremony involving an animal sacrifice; for a personal vow, NOT for sins (Jesus is our sacrifice for sins). Is it unethical for Paul to share in this Jewish ceremony? Is he not a Christian? Yes, but he is also a Jew, from a nation that was given holy ceremonies ordained by God. The Apostles and elders in Jerusalem asked Paul to share in one of those ceremonies. But what would observing Jews think? They might think that Paul embraced all the ceremonial Laws, including circumcision. Was not Paul against circumcision? No, for he circumcised Timothy (Acts 16:1-3). Rather Paul was against the belief that circumcision was needed for salvation (Galatians 5:1,2). Might an observing Jew think Paul may have repented of his view and now believed circumcision was required of all male believers? Maybe. Paul's acts left that issue open. An observer might also think Paul simply accepted the ceremonies but not necessarily believed they were required. Was it unethical for Paul to allow such an interpretation? This example shows that we can present ourselves in ways that allow others to wonder about the details of our own beliefs while getting them to focus on more relevant issues.
 

• 1 Corinthians 9:20-22
^{20 "}To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law; ²¹ to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law. ²² To the  weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some."

Here Paul explains his position, and clearly shows it is not unethical to emphasize some aspects of our beliefs while leaving other areas unknown. But we are always submissive to God's lordship and always truthful in our presentations.

If you simply said "But what about ..." that is a very short introduction (3 words) but it will directly challenge the JW and block communication. There is a way to introduce the verses but instead of 3 words it is much longer, over 140 words:

"I think I misunderstood something. I would imagine that you believe the Bible is consistent, it does not contradict itself. That is what I believe. I hope you are not telling me the Bible contradicts itself. Right? [... pause while they explain ...] For a moment I must have misunderstood you because I got the impression you think the Bible contradicts itself. If you say something that sounds like that, should I interrupt and ask you to explain? [... pause ...] OK, because that is how I feel right now. I thought you said [... recall the issue ...] but I thought the Bible also taught the opposite so I am going to need help seeing how the Bible is consistent on this issue. Do you know the verse that I am thinking of? [... pause ...] I think it is [... mention just the Bible book and chapter but not the verse ...] So my preference is that you help me see how the Bible is consistent by harmonizing these verses."

Now that you understand the technique, prepare for your encounter by writing the following notes on a piece of paper:

To further prepare, since the JWs will likely not know how to get a copy of their charter,  you may need to get a copy from one of the sources listed above (Pittsburgh Recorder of Deeds or the internet). There are also several questions you will need to memorize (see below). Then, after the JWs have read their charter, you will ask them these questions and persist until you receive a "yes" or a "no" to each question. Since this discussion will likely take place over several visits, be sure to ask them for their name and phone number so you can call them if your schedule changes.

You should be mentally prepared for their desperate excuses when they see their charter and how it promoted angel-worship. Their view of the world does not allow for the possibility that their directors did this. So they will suggest that the charter was not meant to teach Bible doctrine or that the word "worship" as used in the charter was different from how they used it in their doctrinal literature or the word as used in 1945 meant something different from what it means today. There are many quotes from their literature from that time period that show "worship" was wrong to give to humans and angels but was proper to give to Jesus (as Michael the archangel). If you were to show only one or two that would be fine but to show more would be upsetting to them. Remember that most JWs love their religious directors and since they can only love ONE master, they will wrestle with which master they will turn against, and that wrestling takes time. 

The following presentation can be used anytime the JWs talk to you about worshiping God. To make it easy I will explain it in connection with a specific JW publication, their small, brown, "Knowledge" book. You do not necessarily need this book but it clearly teaches their doctrine on angel worship and is useful in this presentation. When the JWs visit, ask them if they have any literature that explains in depth their fundamental beliefs. They will usually offer you their publication "Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life". Accept this book and say you wish to look through it. They will probably leave it with you and make arrangements to come back in a week or so. This will give you time to examine it. It will also give you time to practice asking the final questions.

When they come back, say you have a question about something you saw in chapter 5, ("Whose Worship Does God Accept", page 49, paragraph 14), where it says angel-worship:

1. offends God,
2. is unacceptable,
3. contaminates true worship and
4. is idolatry

"I heard a surprising rumor about your religion . . .  or read it somewhere . . . that was rather odd. I know I can't believe everything I read or hear but if some of the things I heard were true, well, it would be a hurdle to anyone being very interested in learning about your group. But I suppose you did not come to answer questions about such things. Did you? . . . (They will usually give you permission to ask about this.) . . .  Angels are receiving a lot of attention in the media lately and there are so many odd religious beliefs in the world. I had heard that the Jehovah's Witnesses believe in angel-worship. At least I thought what I heard was about the Jehovah's Witnesses . . . or was it a different religion? . . . No, I think it was about yours. I heard that your church leaders advocated worshiping someone other than God. Well, whatever group I heard about supposedly has a divinely provided 'statement of faith' or 'charter' that tells church members to worship some special angel. I also heard that the contents of this document are so secret and embarrassing that if anyone mentions it to you, you are told to stop the conversation, leave, and never come back. Is that true about your group?  . . . What do you believe about angel-worship?"

"Do you believe that worshiping an angel, even a special angel, would always be false worship and any church that did this would be offensive to God? (pause) Do you see why I hesitate to study with a church that is said to worship an angel?"

Next, ask if they have a charter and if it is a secret document. Ask if JWs are allowed to talk about it with the public and whether the public is allowed to see it. Let them answer.

Then say you recall having a piece of paper somewhere with some notes about that charter and that it may have a clue about what church had this special document that taught the worship of some special angel. Find that piece of paper and show it to them. Ask if there are any clues to indicate whether this refers to their church. When they admit that it indicates their church, ask if they could bring a copy of their 1999 Book "Pay Attention to Daniel's Prophecy!" and explain what it means (on page 178) regarding the charter. Could they comment on the other references? Then ask if it would be all right for you to obtain a copy of the charter and see whether it truly promotes angel-worship.

Obtain a copy of their charter (from either the Recorder of Deeds or the internet) and have the JW read it. Then ask the questions below. Memorize them beforehand. After asking each question, be sure to get a "yes" or a "no" answer.

Prepare your questions by remembering that your key issues must be progressive, starting with a point they agree with, then gradually moving towards the contradiction. That contradiction is this: their Knowledge book claims angel-worship offends God and contaminates true worship but their commentary on Daniel claims their charter, which advocated angel-worship, fulfilled prophecy by restoring their religious organization to a right relationship with God.

Here are the questions, in a logical progression starting with the easiest first. Note that you should use the words "offend" and "contaminate" because those words are used in their Knowledge book.

1) Does angel-worship always offend God and contaminate true worship?
    Next, replace the abstract reference to "angel-worship" with the specific reference to the charter.
2) Did the charter's statement about worshiping an archangel offend God and contaminate true worship?
    Take a small logical step and ask them to re-state the point from their Daniel book.
3) Did the charter amendment restore your religious organization to a right relationship with God?
    Ouch. So now, if one logically concludes that the charter is offensive, then what about the people connected with it, the ones who God supposedly chose as His approved channel?
4) Do you believe God found the charter's authors to be offensive because of this? What about the members in the religion who approved and supported the charter amendment?

Remember to get a "yes" or "no" for each question.

They can only choose one master. Either God's worship must be kept holy and the Watchtower leaders are tossed out OR their leaders are in heaven with all the other JW angel-worshipers.

If a J-W answers that God was not offended when their charter promoted angel-worship, then the JW has rejected his own religious doctrine condemning angel idolatry. If he rejects his own theological doctrines, how could he be persuaded to accept another theology, one that elevates Christ? He loves his church directors more than God and His true worship. He serves a human master. On the other hand, if the JW answers that God was offended by the directors and their charter because it advocated false worship, then he has rejected the authority of the directors and could be expelled for disloyalty. Which master will they choose?

This final question should touch their heart. They would like to think that their church, being true, would never reject someone who cherishes pure worship. Their church would never be so cruel. So now ask:

5) If I conclude that this charter, which promoted angel-worship, offended God and could not possibly have restored anyone to true worship, would I be welcome to become a member in your church?

The JW is sure in his heart that any sincere seeker of God who wants to worship God in truth would be invited to join his organization. But they will admit that if you reject angel-worship, at all times, you will necessarily reject their charter, the charter they insist fulfills prophecy. Therefore their church leaders will never LET you join, even if you begged them. To say this simply, now that you believe their doctrine on angel-worship, they will not let you join!

If the JW remains indecisive, say this: "When you take a firm stand at rejecting angel-worship, please come back so we can continue our conversation." Then terminate the discussions. Later the JW will be asked by other JW friends why the discussions stopped and will be compelled to say it was because you were against angel-worship. If asked to explain, he will repeat the whole troublesome issue to another JW. And so it continues.

Then if another J-W ever comes by your house, simply say: "I heard this odd rumor some time ago about your church worshiping some special angel . . ."

You can also ask this: "It seems that the Watchtower leadership has wrestled with the issue of whether Jesus should be worshiped. For some reason some of them concluded that Jesus should be worshiped. I may have an idea of why they believed that. It sounds persuasive. Can I show you what I found?" Then go to this list of basic teachings of Christianity.

References: 
Pay Attention to Daniel's Prophecy! ([1999] pages 177 - 179 paragraphs 26 and 28):
"²⁶ For 'the holy place' to be 'brought,' or restored, to what it should be, the 2,300 days must have begun when it previously was in the 'right condition' from God's standpoint.  . . . Counting 2,300 days . . . brings us to October 8 or 22, 1944.  . . . At the annual corporate meeting on October 2, the Society's charter was amended in an effort to bring it as close to a theocratic arrangement as the law would allow. With the publication of clarified Biblical requirements, theocratic organization was soon more fully installed in the congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses. . . In fact, The Watchtower of October 15, 1944, contained an article entitled 'Organized for Final Work.' It and other service-oriented articles of the same period indicated that the 2,300 days had ended and that 'the holy place' was again in its 'right condition.' "

Light, Book 2 (1930)
In this book on pages 161-166 it condemns the worship of humans and angels, implies worship goes only to God and yet commands the worship of Christ (emphasis added).

p. 161 - 162 (referring to  Revelation 19:10-13)
"“And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not : I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” (Vs. 10) Here is a lesson for the consecrated that many have utterly failed to learn. Since the days of the apostles there has been a tendency to honor and worship men. Doubtless this has led to many of the more prominent elders’ receiving special attention from the brethren. When one of these would ascend the platform or pulpit wearing a long, black coat and a solemn face, members of the congregation would look on in awe and solemnity. When he had finished his speech, much of which probably was not understood, many would say, “Is not he a wonderful man!” Paul resented such treatment and hero worship; but since his day many have liked it and to them it has been a snare, as well as to others. Now in the light from the temple shining upon God's people the faithful see that creature worship is not right.

John, being so greatly favored by being given the vision and message at the hand of the angel, states that he fell at the feet of the angel to worship him, but the angel of the Lord forbade him to do so. He said to John: “Worship God.” He who is the Creator of heaven and earth, and the Giver of everything that is good, is the One entitled to worship. The lesson that all faithful ones must now learn is that the truth belongs to Jehovah, and not to man, and that no creature is to be honored or worshiped because he is privileged to serve the truth to others."

p. 166
"He has the diadem which God removed from Israel and which now rightfully belongs to Christ. (Ezek. 21: 26) His power and authority extend throughout the universe, and, he being Jehovah's right arm, the great Jehovah commands : “Let all the angels of God worship him.” --Heb. 1: 6." 
 
p. 251
"All the restored human race will discern the blessedness of God and will delight to worship him and the great King. ... Christ Jesus is the “King of kings”. (Rev. 1: 5)"

p. 266 - 267
"John was overwhelmed by the vision and he fell down before the angel to worship. This did not mean that he intended to be disloyal to God, but, moved by his impulses and his great gratitude to the messenger who had shown him these wonderful things, he wished to worship before his feet; but the angel stopped him: “And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which showed me these things. Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God. -Vss. 8, 9.

In vision John had witnessed the destruction of the hypocritical religion and had heard the angels of heaven singing the praises of Jehovah; and that thrilled his soul, and he desired to worship the messenger, but was stopped. Then when he was shown in vision the new heaven and the new earth, the holy city with Christ Jesus as the Head thereof, and, above all, the glory and grandeur of Jehovah God, and the blessings that would flow out therefrom to the human race, again he would have worshiped the messenger; but the messenger impressed upon him that all honor and glory and worship is due to Jehovah."

p. 321-322
"Jesus went into death with nothing, not even a place to lay his head. Because of his faithfulness God raised him up out of death and then announced that all the angels of heaven should worship him and that every knee to him shall bow and every tongue shall confess that he is Jehovah's anointed One and the high officer of the Most High. -Phil. 2: 11."