Did the Apostle Paul Know JWs?

Notes on Colossians:


10.20.2010



One thing I’ve noticed as the LORD led me to Colossians, in a situation with a friend who has a brother who is JW, and is struggling with the whole JW argument, and thinks it makes a lot of sense. In my reading of Colossians, it seems that the book hits some points that speak directly to his struggle.



19 For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, 20 and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven .

21 And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, 22 yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach— 23 if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister . Col 1:19-23 (NASB95)

· False religions always diminish the nature of sin and Christ’s work on the cross. That’s the one thing Satan knows restores us to God, and to a true understanding of who we are and our true spiritual needs. So in other religions, if you notice, he changes the focus off the work of Christ on the cross. Mormons think the cross is despicable. New Agers think so too, and believe it’s a sign for the un-progressed, un-enlightened fundamentalists.

· False religions are always works based, something we’ve got to do or achieve. Only in Christianity do you have salvation by grace alone through faith in Christ’s work on the cross.



2 that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God's mystery, that is, Christ Himself, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument. Col 2:2-4 (NASB95)

· coming to know Christ Himself, “Christ in you, the hope of glory,” gives us a wealth of assurance of being in Christ, of being adopted sons and daughters of God. 

8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. 9 For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, 10 and in Him you have been made complete , and He is the head over all rule and authority. Col 2:8-10 (NASB95)

· JWs may make some persuasive arguments. Many young believers will cuaght up in doing "topical studies," instead of reading the Bible fully through.  I did it.  What is needed, is for a time to stay away from false religions' websites and studies, and as baby Christians, you need to ground yourself in God’s word. Let Him grow you up. He gets the glory. If you try it in your strength, that most always fails. I’ve been there, done that, and fell on my face. You need to just take some time, and saturate yourself with God’s word, His Truth, the only Truth, and just rejoice in Him!


18 Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self -abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind, 19 and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments , grows with a growth which is from God. Col 2:18-19 (NASB95)

· JW’s teach Jesus is the angel Michael. Even if your brother has a spiritual vision or dream, it is not truth, because it is not in worship of the true Biblical Jesus. 10 The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son. 11 And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. 1 John 5:10-12 (NASB95)

Friend, all false religions contain some truth. That’s Satan's tactic. He takes some truth and slightly distorts it or adds to it. Like Mormons teach we are saved by grace through faith after we’ve done all we can do. The Bible says it’s not of works, lest any man should boast (Eph 2:8,9).