Proving the Deity of Jesus (2)

I.  Introduction.

A.    Continue our study exposing the error of Jehovah’s witnesses.

B.    As discussed in the previous lesson the JW’s deny the deity of Jesus Christ and claim that the Godhead is nonexistent – as far as three separate distinct personalities therein is concerned.

1.       Organization got started in late 1800’s and were generally regarded as religious quacks.

2.       Known for their “date setting” concerning the return of Jesus and the end of the world as we know it.

3.       Known for their non-celebrating of holidays and their refusal to salute the flag, etc.

C.   Governed by the Watch Tower society in NY.  Is the largest printing institution in the world.  Each year millions of pieces of material distributed.

1.     scary thought that so much religious error being placed out in the world to the unsuspecting.

2.     Must be ready to present the truth at all times – 2 Tim. 4:2

D.   Are you prepared?

E.    Wish to answer some of the proof texts they use to prove their error tonight.  I have some of their material downstairs if you wish to look at it.

 

II.  JW’s teach Jesus was the first creation by God.

A.    In support of their claim they first go to Rev. 3:14.

1.    Gk. Wd for beginning is defined: 746  arche (ar-khay'); abstract) a commencement, or (concretely) chief (in various applications of order, time, place, or rank): KJV-- beginning, (at the, the) first (estate), magistrate, power, principality, principle, rule.

2.    Notice: beginning = commencement of a thing. 

a.    Hmmmmm….do they have a point?

b.    Well…if they do then the bible contradicts itself in light of Jhn. 1:3

3.    “primacy in regard to rank and authority.”  Notice the end of the definition cited above.

a.      the same word beginning (arche) translated as power; rule; and principality in other verses. 

b.      Lk. 20:20; 1 Cor. 15:24; Eph. 1:21

4.    Jesus not the first part of God’s creation .. but the HEAD and PRINCE of God’s creation.  Refer to being executor of God’s plan in bulletin article.

5.    Jesus created all things and sustains all things.

B.    Col. 1:15 is also used to support their claim.

1.    Notice the context.  Read v. 16.

a.    Jesus holds the elevated rank of a firstborn.  For by Him were all things created in heaven and on earth.

2.    Jesus is the firstborn – not by actual generation – but by authority!

a.    How do we know this? 

b.    Term firstborn used in this sense many times when it is obvious that the literal meaning is not appropriate!

1.     Psa. 89:27 – was God promising to make David firstborn by natural generation?  NO.  David was the 8th of Jesse’s sons.

2.     Ex. 4:22 – firstborn is used to indicate privilege & preeminence.  Israel was God’s chosen people and He had them placed above all other nations.

3.  Christ is therefore firstborn or preeminent because by Him all things were created & all things consist or are held together b/c of Him.

III.  JW’s Teach that Through Christ All Other Things Were Created.

A.    Read their proof text from Col. 1:16-17

1.       this from the NWT – David Riggs has called it an outright perversion of the text.

2.       Fact that they thought necessary to insert other into the text shows that the passage when rendered correctly is a devastating blow to their doctrine.

B.    Word other does not appear in original Greek Text and in no other translation of the Bible except theirs!  Do you know anyone who uses the New World Translation besides JW’s?

1.    Adding to God’s word is a very serious offence.

a.    Rev. 22:18-19; Deut. 4:2; Prov. 30:5-6

2.    Jesus is set forth as the Creator of all things, but never as the Creator of all other things.

III.  JW’s teach that Jesus is a Mighty God but not Almighty God.

A.    Isa. 9:6 – proof text.

1.    wait – I thought that we used this today to prove that Jesus is God.

a.    JW’s acknowledge that this passage refers to Jesus.

b.    Yet they say He (Jesus Christ) is a “Mighty God” but not the “Almighty God” who is Jehovah.

2.    They claim that the text in 9:6 does not equate Jesus to God b/c a definite article (the) is missing before the words Mighty God.

3.    Isa. 10:21 – Mighty God refers to God (the Father).  In Hebrew – there is no definite article there before the word translated Mighty God. 

4.    It is clear the term Mighty God can refer to Jesus and God because they are both God i.e., possessing the attributes of deity.

B.    JW’s have destroyed the passage in Jhn. 1:1.  As I read the passage from the NWT, read along w/me in your Bible & see where the difference is.

1.          They have defended their translation by stating careful translators recognize that the articular construction of the noun (that is, the construction in which a noun appears with the definite article) points to an idenity, a personality, whereas an anarthrous construction points to a quality about someone.  (p. 774 – appendix if 1951 edition of NWT)

2.          They are saying when God (Theos) appears w/o the definite article (The) it must be rendered “a god.”

3.          This is not true.

a.    Theos is used in the NT many times in reference to the true God, sometimes with and sometimes w/o the article.

b.    JW’s do not even follow their own rule in their NWT.

c.     In Jhn. 1 alone they make four mistakes.

d.    Jhn. 1:6, 12, 13, 18 theos appears w/o a definite article and they render it “God” and not “a god.”

4.          JW’s do not believe their own statement about the Greek language since they don’t follow their own rule in their translation.

V.  JW’s teach that Jesus is lesser than Jehovah.

A.    Proof text = Phil. 2:5-8.

1.     deny the equality of the Father and the Son & contradict Paul plain affirmation of it.  Read 5-8 from NWT.  Notice especially v. 6 that I just read.

2.     What is Paul teaching here?

a.       Jesus is the perfect example of humility – instructs Christians to have the same mind – v. 5.

b.       The JW’s assertion that Christ failing to attempt a seizure equal to God is not be an example of humility.  What did he empty himself of in v. 7?

1.     According to them, He was not equal to God to start with.

2.     Another example of what they are saying could be likened to a servant was humble because he did not consider a seizure to be king.

3.     Their mutilation of the text destroys the entire point of what Paul was teaching.  They have to do this b/c they can’t have Jesus being = w/God.

c.       Paul rather, was teaching that humility was demonstrated by Christ b/c he was equal w/God – gave that up to become a servant & ultimately death on cross– this is humility!

B.    Compare what the NKJV & the KJV say compared w/the NWT.

1.   6   Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: (KJV)

2.   6   who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, (NKJ)

3.  6  who, although he was existing in God’s form, gave no consideration to a seizure, namely, that he should be equal to God.

C.   The KJV and NKJV say it would not have been robbery for Him to hold or retain His equality with God.

D.   Compare what the ASV, NASV, and the NIV say compared to the NWT.

1.    6  who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, (ASV)

2.    6    who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, (NAS)

3.    6    Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, (NIV)

VI.  Conclusion.

A.    We have shown beyond any shadow of a doubt that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.  Jhn. 1:1-3

1.    Will you not confess Him as your Lord and God?

2.    Jhn. 20:27-29; Rom. 10:9

B.    Will you not continue to confess Him as Lord and God in your daily living?  1 Tim. 6:11-14

C.   I N V I T A T I O N