Witnessing to Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons & Other Groups

WITNESSING TO JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES
MORMONS & OTHER GROUPS

By Jonathan Khan
(edited and resource recommendations by Tony Zabala)

YOU: Would you consider yourself to be a good person?

THEM: I’m trying to be.

YOU: Do you think you’ve kept the 10 Commandments?

THEM: I’m doing my best.

YOU: Let’s go thru a few of them. Have you ever told a lie? What does that make you? (then ask if they’ve ever stolen, blasphemed, or lusted which is the same as committing adultery in your heart. You can even take them thru some of the other commandments as well. Hatred is the same as murder.)

YOU: So, by your own admission, you’re a lying, thieving, blasphemous adulterer at heart. If God were to judge you by the 10 Commandments, would you be guilty or innocent?

THEM: Guilty. (Some Mormons will insist that they’ve been forgiven because Jesus is their Lord and Savior. If that’s the case, just simply say “IF” God were to judge us by the Commandments we’d all be guilty.)

YOU: So, if you’re guilty, and if there’s a heaven and a hell, where do you think you’d be going? (If the JW doesn’t say hell, just simply say “IF” there’s a heaven and a hell and we’ve broken the law we should all be headed for hell. If they still object, just ask them if they should be rewarded or punished for breaking God’s laws.)

YOU: Do you know what God did so you wouldn’t have to go to hell (or be punished)? God came to earth in the person of Jesus Christ (they may try to interrupt you at this point, but simply say, “Just give me two minutes.”) God came to earth in the person of Jesus Christ. He died on the cross to pay the penalty for your crimes -- He took the punishment for our sins and rose bodily from the grave and conquered death. And Jesus said if you repent, that is, turn from your sin and place your faith in Him -- what He did -- not what you can do, but in what He did for you, He’ll instantly forgive all your sins and grant you the gift of eternal life. No amount of good works you do will erase the crimes from your record. No amount of good deeds will wipe your slate clean. And, if you don’t believe God paid the penalty for your crimes, do you know who will be punished for your sins?

THEM: We will be.

YOU: That’s right. You don’t want what’s fair or right or what you deserve -- you want mercy, grace and forgiveness. It’s as simple as this: we broke the law -- Jesus paid our fine. If you repent and put your trust in Him, you’ll instantly pass from death to life, and that’s why Jesus could say to the thief on the cross, “Today you’ll be with Me in paradise.”

Mormons and JW’s will then say they don’t believe Jesus is God.

YOU: Who in the Bible, more than anyone else, would know who Jesus Christ is? Jesus Christ, right?

THEM: Yes.

YOU: So, if Jesus claims to be God, that settles the issue on who He is. Go to Revelation 22.

Have them read out loud verses 7, 12, 13, 20. Sometimes, before the cultist gets to verse 20, they will admit that the person in verse 13, who is claiming to be Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last, is Jesus Christ. (Go to Isaiah 44:6 if they don’t see this.)

YOU: So Jesus Christ is claiming to be God . (To the Mormon say: He’s not the brother of the devil. To the JW say: He’s not Michael the Arch Angel.)

The cultist will immediately start searching thru their Bible to find Scriptures to prove that Jesus is not God.

YOU: Wait a second. Do you realize what you’re doing? Jesus Christ is claiming to be God, and you don’t believe Him! You’re calling Him a liar! That’s blasphemy! You need to repent of that sin and place your trust in the real Jesus Christ! If you want to know what the Bible teaches about Jesus, I’ll be more than glad to share that with you, but I will not allow you to blaspheme my Savior nor pervert my Father’s Word!

THEM: (sometimes) Why are you doing this to us? Why are you attacking us?

YOU: Go to Galatians 1:8, 9. (Have them read out loud.) God says that if an angel or man preach any other Gospel, let them be accursed. The Bible says you’re accursed and on your way to hell. I don’t want you to go there, and if I don’t warn you, I’m not loving you!

Sometimes the cultist will leave. But you’ve done your part. You’ve taken them thru the Law and given them the Gospel. God’s Word will not return void. Pray the Lord would open their spiritual eyes that they may see the true Jesus, repent and put their trust in the Savior! Stay humble and be compassionate. Remember, we were once enemies of the Cross!

If the cultists haven’t left by now, lead them to Ephesians 2:8, 9. Have them read it out loud.

YOU: So the Bible says that Salvation is a gift. Can you work for a gift? (Sometimes they will actually say “Yes”. If so, simply say: It’s your birthday and I give you a gift, but you owe me 5 bucks for it. Is it still a gift? Then say: If someone tells you that you have to be baptized to receive the gift, is it still a gift? If you have to do anything to receive the gift, is it still a gift?)

They may take you to James 2:26 which states that faith without works is dead.

YOU: Your works don’t save you. James is simply saying your works only give evidence that your faith is alive. Without works your faith is dead. And if you’re trying to get into heaven by your good works, Isaiah 64:6 says your good works are filthy rags!

Cultists have a perverted definition of the Trinity.

YOU: This is the definition of the Trinity: The Bible says there’s only one God, Isaiah 43:10. That one God eternally exists in three persons: the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I don’t know how God can be what He is, but it’s what the Bible teaches. God is perfect -- I’m imperfect. God’s mind is infinite -- my mind is finite. If I could understand everything about God, I’d be God.

TO THE JEW: The Jews are God’s chosen people! Have you kept the Law of Moses -- the 10 Commandments? Take him thru the Law and give him the Gospel. Show him Zechariah 12:10. If he’s stubborn, leave him with this warning: Jesus said if you believe not that He is God, you will die in your sins, John 8:24. You better hope you’re right!

TO THE MUSLIM: Have you kept the Law of Moses -- the 10 Commandments? Take him thru the Law and give him the Gospel. He will deny that Jesus is God.

YOU: Who do you say that Jesus Christ is?

MUSLIM: He is a prophet of God.

YOU: And a prophet of God always tells the truth, right?

MUSLIM: Right.

YOU: Well, according to the Bible, Jesus claimed to be God.

MUSLIM: Well, we don’t believe the Bible is God’s word.

YOU: Jesus said the Bible is God’s truth, John 17:17. If He’s lying, then He’s not a prophet of God. (Additional info: The Koran affirms the truth of Scripture, Sura 5:48. And it says that, if Muhammad had any questions regarding the Scriptures, he’s to ask those who were reading the Book before him (Christians), Sura 10:94.) (Additional info if people say that Islam is a peaceful religion: The Koran says to fight those who don’t believe in Allah, Sura 9:29 -- Jesus said to love your enemies, Matthew 5:44.)

MUSLIM: Have you ever read the Koran?

YOU: I don’t need to. Jesus said that Satan is the father of lies, John 8:44. If any religion denies that Jesus Christ is God, it’s Satanically inspired. And if anyone teaches that Jesus is not God, he is an agent of Satan.

The Muslim may now want to rearrange your face, but kindly remind him: You believe that Christ is a prophet, right? A prophet always tells the truth. If I were to get you a Bible, would you read it? If he says yes, get him one and tell him to start with the Book of John. If he is hostile, leave him with the same warning as you would a Jew: Jesus said if you believe not that He is God, you will die in your sins, John 8:24. You better hope you’re right.

TO A ROMAN CATHOLIC: Have you kept the 10 Commandments? Take him thru the Law and give him the Gospel. Show them that salvation is a gift, Ephesians 2:8,9 and Titus 3:5.

TO A PRIEST: (after you take him thru the Law and the Gospel, if he lets you): Are we saved by grace alone thru faith in Christ alone? If he says yes, then ask him what’s the purpose of purgatory? Do your works play a part in salvation? Show him Ephesians 2: 8, 9. He may come back with Philippians 2:12. Tell him Paul is simply saying in that verse it is the believer’s responsibility to actively pursue obedience in the process of sanctification. Look at the context -- it has nothing to do with justification, Titus 3:5.

Ask: Are you saved by what you can do? Or are you saved by what Christ did? It can’t be a combination, Romans 11:6. What about the thief on the cross? He placed his trust in Christ and he was saved! He never got baptized, took Communion, did the rosary, recited “Hail Marys” or went to a confessional!

YOU: Can you lose your salvation?

PRIEST: Yes.

YOU: If you can lose your salvation, then you have to work to keep it. It is no longer a gift. Have you been born again? (the last priest I asked said no.) Jesus said that, unless you’re born again, you will not see the Kingdom of God, John 3:3. (The priest got a little miffed after this, then scrammed.)

TO A BUDDHIST OR ATHEIST: Do you think you’re a good person?

THEM: Yes.

YOU: Do you think you’ve kept the 10 Commandments?

THEM: I don’t believe in them.

YOU: (kindly) I didn’t ask if you believed in them. I asked if you’ve kept them. (Hopefully, you can now proceed with the Law and the Gospel. You can also leave out the question about the Commandments and just start with: Have you ever told a lie? Take them thru the Law initially without mentioning they are the 10 Commandments.)

YOU: Do you think you’re a good person?

BUDDHIST OR ATHEIST: Yes.

YOU: Have you ever told a lie?…

ATHEIST: I believe in science.

YOU: So what you’re saying is, you tend to be more rational and logical?

ATHEIST: Yes.

YOU: When you see a painting, it’s only logical to conclude there was a painter, right? And when you see a building, it’s only logical to conclude there was a builder, right? And when you see a red rose, isn’t it only logical to conclude there was a designer? Your cell phone… did someone make it?

ATHEIST: Yes.

YOU: How do you know? You can see it, right? Well, can’t you see flowers, animals and humans? They’re much more intricate and complex than your cell phone. Would you consider yourself to be a good person?…

TO AN EVOLUTIONIST: Who evolved first? A man or a woman? (If they think this thru, they’ll be stumped.) Isn’t it incredibly amazing that a man and a woman, each with different parts, each with different functions, both evolved at the same rate so they could procreate and perpetuate the species?! That’s just incredibly amazing! Would you consider yourself to be a good person?…

IF SOMEONE SAYS THERE’S EVIDENCE FOR EVOLUTION: If there were scientific evidence for evolution, it wouldn’t be called a theory. Would you consider yourself to be a good person?…


ANSWERS TO COMMON OBJECTIONS

1. “Religion is the cause of most wars.” Answer: Jesus said to love your enemies. If anyone goes around killing in the name of Christ, that’s hypocrisy, and Jesus said hypocrites will not enter the Kingdom of God. What about you? Have you ever killed anyone? The Bible says that hatred is the same as murder. (The Roman Catholics were responsible for the crusades and inquisitions -- not Christians!)

2. “How do we know the Bible hasn’t been mistranslated ?” Answer: If God couldn’t preserve His Word, He wouldn’t be God. Besides, Jesus said the Bible is God’s truth and He never lied, John 17:17 What about you? Have you ever lied?

3. “If God is so loving, why do babies die? Why is there so much suffering in the world?” Answer: The reason why there’s so much suffering in the world is because of sin. The reason why there’s so much pain in the world is because of evil. If God were to wipe out all the evil on this planet, you and I and the rest of humanity would instantly go up in a puff of smoke! What about you? Do you think you’re a good person?

4. “What about those who’ve never heard the Gospel?” Answer: Those who’ve never heard the Gospel will get justice. If they’ve ever lied, stolen, lusted or broken any of the other Commandments, they will be punished, not because of their ignorance, but because they’ve broken God’s laws and violated their conscience which God gave them.

The question you should be asking is: How can such a holy, righteous, perfect God let any of us live when we offend Him everyday by what we say, do and think! What about you? Do you think you’ve kept the 10 Commandments?

5. “How do I know I can trust you or your interpretation of Scripture?” Answer: You shouldn’t. In fact, I encourage you not to. Instead, go read it in the Bible and see for yourself. (It’s not your job to convince someone of the truth -- that’s the Holy Spirit’s job.)

PHRASES NOT TO USE WHEN WITNESSING! (using these phrases will create false converts)

"You need to make a decision to be a Christian." You cannot make a decision to become a Christian. You can decide the Bible is right! You can decide that Jesus died on the cross for the forgiveness of your sins. You can decide it's true that He rose from the grave and He's going to come again to judge the world in righteousness and that He offers you salvation if you repent and trust! You can decide that's right! But that's as far as your decision can go. Then, when you humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, He will decide to save you!

"You need to accept Jesus." Jesus doesn’t need our acceptance. We need His!

"You need to make Jesus your Lord and Savior." You can’t -- He is! You’re just living in rebellion to Him. You must surrender to Him -- repent and put your trust in Him!

"Invite Christ into your life." Repent and place your faith in Christ -- He will invite you into His Kingdom!

"Ask Jesus into your heart." You need to repent and trust Jesus with all your heart!

Recommended Resources for Further Study (Books, DVDS, Web Sites):

General

Kingdom of the Cults by Walter Martin

Marks of a Cult: A Biblical Analysis produced by Nicene Council (DVD)

Atheists

Always Ready: Directions for Defending the Faith by Greg Bahnsen

The Case for Atheism, There Isn't One by Todd Friel (DVD)

The Great Debate: Does God Exist? (Video debate between Greg Bahnsen & Gordon Stein)

Jehovah's Witnesses

How to Answer a Jehovah's Witness, Robert Morey

Reasoning from the Scriptures with Jehovah's Witness by Ron Rhodes

Questions for Jehovah's Witnesses by William & Joan Cetnar

Witnesses to Jehovah (DVD)

Mormons

God Makers I & II (DVD)

Reasoning from the Scriptures with Mormons by Ron Rhodes

Letters to a Mormon Elder by James White

Muslims

Reasoning from the Scriptures with Muslims by Ron Rhodes

Roman Catholicism

Reasoning from the Scriptures with Roman Catholics by Ron Rhodes

Catholicism: Crisis of Faith (DVD)

Seventh Day Adventism

Seventh Day Adventism: The Spirit Behind the Church (DVD)

Apologetic Web Sites:

Alpha and Omega Ministries (James White)

Ankerberg Theological Research Institute (John Ankerberg)

Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry (CARM) (Still recommending, but watch out for Matt Slick's view on universalism)

Walter Martin's Religious InfoNet (Walter Martin the original "Bible Answer Man")