Quote:
Originally Posted by thephnxman
Apparently not to you!
|
I was asking if you had any experiences with JWs, not theories about what may (or may not) be effective, but actual experiences.
God allowed these folks to come to our door. We live in a VERY rural area, NOBODY and I mean N.O.B.O.D.Y. just goes driving down the road in this area knocking on doors unless they live in this area (and even then...)
I have encountered JWs before. The first time, years ago, they asked 'We were wondering if you were concerned about the lack of love in the world today?' to which I responded with 'Have you been born again? Have you repented, been baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins and received the gift of the Holy Ghost?' I went into a testifyin' mode about the Holy Ghost and how our great God the creator became a man and died on a cross to save us all from the Second Death, and how we can have the Holy Ghost today just like they did in the Bible. The two women literally had their eyes buggin out as they backed down the sidewalk and said 'well, we have to go now...'
Never came back, never saw them again. I know JWs believe that 'pentecostals' are the worst of the worse 'cults', and they generally just run (not walk) away as soon as they figure out you are pentecostal (specially if they discover you are one of those Jesus Only types...lol).
So I took a different approach when they came by this time. I was friendly, listened to everything they had to say, never interrupted, established 'rapport' (it's not hard if you are GENUINELY friendly and interested in other people!) and just asked a few questions I had about how they understood certain passages of Scripture.
We had a nice time on my porch. They were shocked to find that there are people in this area that actually do read and study the Bible, and try to live it as well. Since we believe in what people call 'soul sleep' and conditional immortality that totally disarmed them on that front. They were likewise surprised when I started talking about how 'you know, some people think there's a trinity, and they believe that God sent somebody ELSE to create the heavens and earth...' They weren't quite sure what to do with that.
I actually had the elder lady (obviously the more experienced worker) admitting 'well, you got me there! I really don't know...'
They went next door (and ran into my daughters) and the man whose turn it was to door knock got a clear presentation of the apostles' doctrine. In fact, at one point they had him on the ropes pointing out what scripture says and then asking him 'do you deny that?' He had no answer, then at one point he actually agreed with the fact Jesus is God. He got scared (eyes buggin out, just like the first ones I ever met) when the Holy Ghost baptism came up.
Unlike my previous experiences with JWs however, these folks left on good terms. They didn't just try to extricate themselves from our porches, and get away, they seemed genuinely intrigued about us. I am praying somehow God will open a door of utterance to present the truth of what a wonderful Saviour JESUS CHRIST really is, and how they too do not have to be content with just reading about God in the Bible but can actually have what the apostles and early Christians had.
I just am at a loss as to the best way to handle this from this point on, I've never had anything more than a 'battle' with JWs, this seems different.
For Jermyn, keep in mind - JWs are people, too, lost JUST LIKE YOU WERE. But somebody has to reach out to them. They may be 'heretics' but hey when I was a SATANIST the Lord reached out to me ANYWAY and thank God he didn't write me off.
We shouldn't write these people off, either. Now, if the Word is opened up to them and they DECIDE to close their eyes and go back to sleep, that's their decision and God help them but we have to move on. But until somebody REJECTS the gospel, we are COMMANDED to do what we can by the grace of God to preach it to them, one way or another.
Linear Mode
