Part
Five: Is the Watchtower necessary for
salvation?
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Our
discussion will take the form of a simulated conversation
between a Jehovah's Witness named Joe and a Christian named
Chris.
Chris:
Joe, is the Watchtower necessary for salvation?
Joe:
Yes. The Nov. 15, 1981 Watchtower on page 21 says the
witness that Jehovah's Witnesses are giving includes the
invitation to come to Jehovah's organization for
salvation.
Chris:
So then, your purpose in witnessing to me and to others is
to bring people to the Watchtower?
Joe:
Well, yes. The Watchtower August 15, 1967 page 499 says that
we cannot remain outside the organization of God's people,
separated from it, if we want to have Jehovah's protection.
You see, Chris, no one outside of Jehovah's organization
will survive Armageddon. That's why we are preaching door to
door.
Chris:
So, would you say that the Watchtower is the name by which
we must be saved?
Joe:
Jesus is involved as well. He died so that we can be
saved.
Chris:
But the Watchtower is necessary for
salvation?
Joe:
Yes. The Watchtower is God's organization and is necessary
for salvation.
Chris:
Joe could you read me a verse from your Bible?
Joe:
Sure.
Chris:
Read Acts 4:12.
Joe:
"Furthermore, there is no salvation in anyone else, for
there is not another name under heaven that
has been given among men by which we must get
saved."
Chris:
Joe, what name is the only name that has been
given by which men are to be saved?
Joe:
It is Jehovah.
Chris:
What do the verses before Acts 4:12 say?
Joe:
"let it be known to all of you and to all the people of
Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ the
Naz·a·rene', whom you impaled but whom God raised
up from the dead, by this one does this man stand here sound
in front of you. This is 'the stone that was treated by you
builders as of no account that has become the head of the
corner.' Furthermore, there is no salvation in anyone else,
for there is not another name under heaven that has been
given among men by which we must get saved."
Chris:
Whose name is the only name by which we must be
saved?
Joe:
It says it is the name of Jesus. But Jehovah is the name we
must call on and we must go through God's
organization.
Chris:
Can you show me any verse in the Bible that says that there
is another name by which we must be saved? Can you show me a
verse where a human organization will become necessary for
one to get saved?
Joe:
The Watchtower tells us that to assure our everlasting
salvation we must stay within the boundary of the visible
organization.
Chris:
Joe, how long have you been a Jehovah's Witness?
Joe:
I have been in the truth for 25 years. I was baptized when I
was 15 years old.
Chris:
You have been in the Watchtower for a very long time. After
spending such a long time working for the Society and doing
many works, can you tell me how sure are you
that if you should die you would be accepted by
Jehovah?
Joe:
I don't know...I'm not sure... I hope that I have done
enough, ...but I'm not sure.
Chris:
Did you know that 1 John was written to Christians to give
them confidence in their own salvation? Joe,
read 1 John 5:13 from your Bible.
Joe:
"I write you these things that you may know that you have
life everlasting, you who put your faith in the name of the
Son of God."
Chris:
Joe, if you have the truth, why is it that you don't have
any confidence in your salvation?
Joe:
But we can't know for sure if we are saved. It would be
arrogant to assume that we have salvation right now. Doesn't
the Bible say that we must work out our own salvation? If
belief in Jesus is all we need then why aren't the demons
saved? James 2:19 says that the demons believe and shudder.
Chris:
Those are good questions, Joe. Let's discuss them next
week.
Joe:
Ok.
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