Any experience with Jehovah Witnesses?

[shazeep]

Originally Posted by Esaias

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.

i think you did good! I don't doubt that the Spirit will guide you with them

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by J.A. Perez

I'm sorry brother Esaiah,
I can't speak about JW's, but God has used this to open the doors of many of the Mormon persuasion we have talked to.

I do have a friend who is Apostolic for 2 1/2 years now, and his wife is Jehovah's Witness.

I'll let you know how that works out.

Surely there's a testimony of a converted JW to apostolic.

I think Mormons are more open to the truth because they do not have a built in ANTI Pentecostal position. Mormons believe in prophets, prophesying, dreams, visions, even tongues and healings and so forth. (The entire body of fundamental Oneness Pentecostal doctrine, concerning the identity of Jesus Christ as GOD THE ALMIGHTY FATHER,repentance and baptism in HIS ONE SAVING NAME, and receiving the Holy Ghost with tongues, and living holy can all be taught straight out of the book of Mormon if one so chose. I know they don;t actually follow the BoM as they prefer the Doctrines and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price, but a lot of Mormons I imagine have a deep respect for the Book of Mormon as a 'revelation' or 'another testament' and i imagine that would carry quite a bit of weight with them?)

What I have found is there are people in various sects who regardless of their doctrine do indeed believe in THE WORD OF GOD. They follow their leaders because they believe it is commanded in the Word of God. But once they see that the Word of God contradicts their sect's teachings, they have to choose between God and men. Such people actually value the Word of the Lord over ANYBODY'S doctrine, they just often are ignorant of what the Word actually teaches.

Unfortunately, such people are rare (in ANY denomination, including 'apostolic' denominations... sadly).

[Jermyn Davidson]

Well, due to their doctrines and because of the Apostle Paul's admonishment about dealing with people who spread another gospel, I don't know how else to respond to them.

Can God save them? Sure. Not only do I believe that, but I implied that in this very thread. They are able to repent. I am able to repent. You are able to repent. We are all able to repent-- if the Lord draws us all.

Some people aren't drawn to Christ (at least not in the present)-- making the Grace of God that has appeared to us that much more precious!

I don't see how I am exalting myself. Not once have I done that in this thread.

The jw's are not close kin in the least bit!

What do you want from me? I say the jw's are lost, cursed and I am the bad guy?

You don't think I should have this attitude towards the jw's? Is my attitude bad? Explain to me what it is that I am doing/saying that is wrong?

[shazeep]

Don't you see that you are fine, until you start assuming that you are able to judge someone else's doctrine, thus exalting your own, to your ego's delight? It doesn't matter if you have the doctrine right, if your heart is wrong.

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by shazeep

Don't you see that you are fine, until you start assuming that you are able to judge someone else's doctrine, thus exalting your own, to your ego's delight? It doesn't matter if you have the doctrine right, if your heart is wrong.

Here you go again, doing what you condemn in others...

[Jermyn Davidson]

Originally Posted by shazeep

Don't you see that you are fine, until you start assuming that you are able to judge someone else's doctrine, thus exalting your own, to your ego's delight? It doesn't matter if you have the doctrine right, if your heart is wrong.

The Bible is clear.

Their doctrine is damnable.

If you see ego in my posts, it isn't my intent.

What kind of heart am I supposed to have towards these people?

What kind of heart do you see displayed in my posts right now?

[shazeep]

one should assume that any JW truly seeking God will eventually leave the religion--same with any Pentecostal. No need to beat them over the head with doctrines, which come from men. JW horror stories are no worse than OP ones. God will not judge your doctrine, but your heart.

[shazeep]

Originally Posted by Esaias

Here you go again, doing what you condemn in others...

well, i am not condemning you, E--the Bible is!
see how easy that is? It is a trap.

[Jermyn Davidson]

If I am wrong, I am wrong with a whole lot of other people-- including people who post on AFF.

I make a definitive, no-brainer statement of fact, based on orthodox Christianity, and thousands of years of Christian history, and the testimony of the Holy Bible and I am the one who is wrong.

[shazeep]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

The Bible is clear.

Their doctrine is damnable.

If you see ego in my posts, it isn't my intent.

What kind of heart am I supposed to have towards these people?

What kind of heart do you see displayed in my posts right now?

if their doctrine is wrong, then it will fade away, like OP doctrine is. I know you are not meaning to be egotistical; that sneaks in when you decide you are qualified to tell someone they are doing it wrong, rather than just showing them love. Demonstrate a better way, and you will win them over.

Again, to show what kind of heart to have, i would ask
1) How does assuming someone is lost change how you are supposed to treat them, and
2) How do you determine if someone is saved?