Jehovah’s Witnesses

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Jehovah’s Witnesses

Apologetics Defending the Faith

February 11, 2024 • Pastor Dallas Sandoval

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This is not a mean-spirited attack on Jehovah’s Witnesses.

We must separate the people whom the Lord Jesus Christ died for from these organizations whose teachings deceive people.

At CCT, we do not hate Jehovah’s Witnesses. Our issue is with the false religion that propagates false teachings that cause division and keep people in bondage to the organization.

The Founder and Origin

William Taze Russell was born in a small town in Pennsylvania before moving to Philadelphia, and then later to Pittsburgh.

He was raised in a well-to-do home. He helped his dad in his Haberdasher, a Men’s fine clothing store. He was raised in the Presbyterian Church.

When he was 13 years old, he left the Presbyterian Church to join the Congregational Church.

When he was 16 years old, a childhood friend led him to question his Christian faith.

Beginnings

In 1870, at the age of 18, he was being influenced by Adventist teachings. He and his father, and others formed a group in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to study the Bible.

Russell disputed many of mainstream Christianity's teachings.

· In July 1879, Russell began publishing the magazine Zion's Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence,

· From 1879, Watch Tower supporters gathered as independent congregations to study the Bible. There were 30 churches planted, and during 1879 and 1880, Russell visited them to provide the format he recommended for conducting meetings.

· In 1884, Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society was incorporated as a nonprofit business to distribute tracts and Bibles.

· By about 1900, Russell had organized thousands of part-time and full-time peddlers of books, magazines and periodicals. He was also appointing foreign missionaries and establishing branch offices.

· By the 1910s, Russell's organization maintained nearly a hundred "pilgrims", or traveling preachers. Russell engaged in significant global publishing efforts during his ministry, and by 1912, he was the most distributed Christian author in the United States.

· Russell moved the Watch Tower Society's headquarters to Brooklyn, New York, in 1909, combining printing and corporate offices with a house of worship; volunteers were housed in a nearby residence he named Bethel. He called the religious movement "Bible Students", and more formally as the International Bible Students Association.

· By 1910, about 50,000 people worldwide were associated with the movement and every year congregations reelected him as their pastor.

· Russell died on October 31, 1916, at the age of 64 while returning from a ministerial speaking tour.

Reorganization (1917–1942)

In January 1917, the Watch Tower Society elected James Rutherford as its next president. His election was disputed, and members of the Board of Directors accused him of acting in an autocratic and secretive manner. The divisions between his supporters and opponents triggered a major split and loss of members over the next decade.

· In June 1917, Rutherford centralized organizational control of the Watch Tower Society.

· In 1919, he instituted the appointment of a director in each congregation, and a year later all members were instructed to report their weekly preaching activity to the Brooklyn headquarters. Significant changes in doctrine and administration were regularly introduced during Rutherford's 25 years as president, including the 1920 announcement that the Hebrew patriarchs (such as Abraham and Isaac) would be resurrected in 1925, marking the beginning of Christ's thousand-year earthly kingdom.

· Because of disappointment over the changes and unfulfilled predictions, tens of thousands of people defected from the organization during the first half of Rutherford's presidency, leading to the formation of several Bible Student organizations independent of the Watch Tower Society, most of which still exist.

· By mid-1919, as many as 1 in 7 of Russell-era Bible Students had ceased their association with the Society, and as many as ¾ by the end of the 1920s.

· On July 26, 1931, at a convention in Columbus, Ohio, Rutherford introduced the new name Jehovah's witnesses, based on Isaiah 43:10: "'Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me'" (King James Version). It was adopted by resolution. The name was chosen to distinguish his group of Bible Students from other independent groups that had split from the Watchtower Society.

· In 1932, Rutherford eliminated the system of locally elected elders and in 1938, he introduced what he called a theocratic (literally, God-ruled) organizational system, under which appointments in congregations worldwide were made from the Brooklyn headquarters.

· In the mid-1930s, they began to teach that Christ's presence had come, and his kingdom started in 1914.

Nathan Knorr was appointed as the 3rd president of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society in 1942.

· He commissioned a new translation of the Bible, the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, the full version of which was released in 1961.

· He organized large international assemblies, instituted new training programs for members, and expanded missionary activity and branch offices throughout the world. Knorr's presidency was also marked by increased use of explicit instructions guiding Witnesses' lifestyle and conduct and a greater use of congregational judicial procedures to enforce a strict moral code.

· From 1966, Witness publications and convention talks built anticipation of the possibility that Christ's thousand-year reign might begin in 1975 or shortly thereafter.

· The number of baptisms increased significantly, from about 59,000 in 1966 to more than 297,000 in 1974. By 1975, the number of active members exceeded two million.

· Membership declined during the late 1970s after expectations for 1975 were unfulfilled. Watch Tower Society literature did not say that 1975 would definitely mark the end, but in 1980 the Watch Tower Society admitted its responsibility in building up hope for that year.

· In a major organizational overhaul in 1976, the power of the Watch Tower Society president was diminished, with authority for doctrinal and organizational decisions passed to the Governing Body.

· In 1995, Jehovah's Witnesses abandoned the idea that Armageddon must occur during the lives of the generation that was alive in 1914.

The Jehovah’s Witnesses Today

Organization

· Jehovah’s Witnesses are equipped to defend views from their materials.

· They are known officially as, “The Watchtower Bible & Tracts Society.”

· They distribute over 25 million pieces of literature twice a month in 148 different languages.

· They are the largest religious publisher in the world.

· All members of the Jehovah’s Witness Church are required to distribute their literature door to door, or in public places.

· When Covid put a restriction on public interaction, they resorted to mailing letters to people in replacement of door-to-door evangelism and handing out literature in public places.

· Jehovah's Witnesses have an active presence in most countries.

· In 2023, Jehovah's Witnesses reported approximately 8.6 million publishers—the term they use for members actively involved in preaching—in about 118,000 congregations. For the same year, they reported over 1.8 billion hours spent in preaching activity, and conducted Bible studies with more than 7.3 million individuals (including those conducted by Witness parents with their children).

· In 2023, Jehovah's Witnesses reported a worldwide annual increase of 1.3%.

· The 2008 US Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life survey found a low retention rate among members of the denomination: about 37% of people raised in the group continued to identify as Jehovah's Witnesses. The study also found that 65% of adult U.S. Jehovah's Witnesses are converts.

· It is among the most ethnically diverse U.S. religious groups.

They are known for.

· Living in tension with society.

· Imposing tests of merit on potential members.

· Exercising stern discipline, regulating the declared beliefs and the life habits of members and prescribing and operating sanctions for those who deviate, including the possibility of excommunication.

· Demanding sustained and total commitment from its members, and the subordination, and perhaps even the exclusion of all other interests in life.

The Jehovah’s Witness Organization

Jehovah's Witnesses calls their organization “a theocratic organization,” because the believe that they are God's visible organization on earth. The organization is led by the Governing Body—an all-male group that varies in size.

· People undergoing baptism must affirm publicly that dedication and baptism identify them "as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in association with God's spirit-directed organization.

Sources of doctrine

Jehovah's Witnesses believe their denomination is a restoration of first-century Christianity.

· Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses are established by the Governing Body, which assumes responsibility for interpreting and applying scripture.

· The Governing Body does not issue a single, comprehensive statement of faith, but expresses its doctrinal positions in a variety of ways through publications published by the Watch Tower Society. The publications teach that doctrinal changes and refinements result from a process of progressive revelation in which God gradually reveals his will and purpose, and that such enlightenment or "new light" results from the application of reason and study, the guidance of the holy spirit, and direction from Jesus Christ and angels.

· The Society also teaches that the holy spirit helps the Governing Body discern "deep truths", which the Governing Body considers before making doctrinal decisions.

· The group's leadership, while disclaiming divine inspiration and infallibility, is said to provide "divine guidance" through its teachings described as "based on God's Word thus ... not from men, but from Jehovah."

· The Governing Body, through Watch Tower Society publications, carry almost as much weight as the Bible.

· Adherents are told to have "complete confidence" in the leadership, to avoid skepticism about what is taught in the Watch Tower Society's literature, and to "not advocate or insist on personal opinions or harbor private ideas when it comes to Bible understanding."

· Witnesses are taught they are under a biblical command to engage in public preaching. They are instructed to devote as much time as possible to their ministry and required to submit an individual monthly "Field Service Report". Those who do not submit reports for six consecutive months are termed "inactive".

New World Translation

As of today, the Watch Tower Society has produced over 227 million copies of the New World Translation in whole or in part in over 185 languages.

· Various Bible scholars, including Bruce M. Metzger and MacLean Gilmour, have said that while scholarship is evident in New World Translation, its rendering of certain texts is inaccurate and biased in favor of Witness practices and teachings. Critics of the group such as Edmund C. Gruss, and Christian writers such as Ray C. Stedman, Walter Martin, Norman Klann, and Anthony Hoekema state that the New World Translation is scholastically dishonest. They intentionally manipulate the text to support their false teachings.

· Most criticism of the New World Translation relates to its rendering of the New Testament, particularly regarding the introduction of the name Jehovah and in passages related to deity of Christ and the Trinity.

The Teachings of the Jehovah’s Witnesses

Jehovah's Witnesses have been criticized by mainstream Christians, members of the medical community, and former members and commentators for their beliefs and practices.

· The movement has been accused of doctrinal inconsistency and reversals, failed predictions, mistranslation of the Bible, harsh treatment and shunning of former members.

· They reject the teaching of the Trinity.

· They reject the teaching of the deity of Christ, or that Jesus is God, but that Jesus is a created being, who then God created everything through.

· They teach that Jesus is Michael the archangel who became a man. They twist 1 Thessalonians 4:16 to make Jesus, Michael.

· They teach that the Holy Spirit is not the third person of the Godhead, but merely God’s active force, or an essence.

· They teach that the Lord Jesus Christ returned in 1914 and that He established His kingdom in heaven, and He rules secretly from the watchtower Society.

· Jehovah's Witnesses teach that Satan and his demons were cast down to earth from heaven after October 1, 1914, at which point the end times began.

· They are known for unfulfilled predictions. They’re known for changing views and dates, supposedly because of a better understandings of biblical chronology, and therefore, they’re not failed predictions.

· They teach that Jesus did not die on the cross, but on a stake.

· They teach that Jesus did not resurrect in bodily form, and that He assumed a human form only temporarily after His resurrection. In “Studies in the Scriptures,” volume 5, page 454, it’s stated that, “The man Jesus is dead, forever dead.”

Ø The Bible teaches in John 20:27 ”Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.”“

· They teach that God, the Father, has a spirit body, and is therefore not omnipresent.

· They teach that God should be called Jehovah, based on Tetragrammaton, YHVH.

· They teach that based on Revelation 14:1-5, only 144,000 special Jehovah’s Witnesses will actually go to heaven, while the rest of the good J.W.s live in a paradise on earth. The possibility of being one of the special 144,000 was done away with in 1935.

· They teach that there is no literal place of eternal punishment, but that the wicked are annihilated.

· They teach that all Christian organizations outside of the Jehovah’s Witness church are apostate.

· They teach that there is not salvation outside of the WTS.

· They teach that salvation can be gained by good works.

· They teach that salvation can be lost.

· Baptism is a requirement for membership in the Jehovah's Witnesses.

· Baptisms performed by other denominations are not considered valid.

· Their literature emphasizes that members must be obedient and loyal to Jehovah and "his organization," and that people must remain part of it to receive God's favor and survive Armageddon.

· They teach that only the 144,000 special Jehovah’s Witnesses are allowed to partake of communion, which means the overwhelming majority of Jehovah’s Witnesses do not take the Lord supper.

· They teach a future millennial reign of Christ, which during that time those who died in ignorance, will get a second chance to receive Jesus.

· They teach an unconscious state after death referred to as, “soul sleep.”

· They reject blood transfusions.

· Jehovah’s Witnesses are taught that association with "worldly" people presents a danger to their faith.

· They reject war.

· They reject voting.

· They do not salute or pledge allegiance to flags or sing national anthems or patriotic songs.

· They don’t celebrate the birth of Christ, or the resurrection of Christ.

· They don’t celebrate birthdays.

· They blacklist people who leave their Jehovah’s Witness church.

· They teach their people reject literature that is against the Jehovah’s Witness organization and are forbidden to read it.

· They teach that the New World Translation is the only accurate authority, and that all other translations of the Bible have been corrupted.

· They teach that obedience to the eight men, governing body of the Jehovah’s Witness organization is the basis for salvation.

Sharing the Gospel with Jehovah’s Witnesses

· Do you have any Jehovah’s Witness family, friends or coworkers.

· Address them respectfully.

· Share the Truth in love.

· Finds common ground.

· Befriend them genuinely.

· Stick to the Gospel as much as possible.

· Share your testimony.

Roman Catholicism

January 28, 2024 • Pastor Dallas Sandoval

This is a study, examining the origin of the church, and the teachings of the church. · This is not a mean-spirited attack on Roman Catholics. · 1 Thessalonians 5:21 ”Test all things; hold fast what is good.“ · Acts 17:11 NLT ”And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.“ The word catholic means “universal” or “concerning the whole.” · One in six people in the world today refer to themselves as Catholics, that’s over 1 billion people in the world. The Origin of Roman Catholicism. · The book of Acts records the birth of the first church in Jerusalem, and its first 30 years of existence. · The Roman Catholic Church claims that Peter was the first pope appointed by Christ Himself. · They take Christ’s own words out of context. · Matthew 16:13-19 ”When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”“ · The apostle Peter was never an overseer of the church in Rome. · Recorded history, never lists Peter as the overseer of the church in Rome. · Irenaeus, an overseer from Lyons in France from AD 178-200, records the first 12 church leaders in Rome, and lists Linus as the very first overseer of the Church in Rome. · Who was Irenaeus? He was a disciple of Polycarp, who was a disciple of the Apostle John. · The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, doesn’t mention the Apostle Peter at all, despite greeting dozens of others. · The Apostle Peter did not make it to Rome, until the very end of his life where he was crucified upside down. · Gregory the first would technically be the first pope of the Roman Catholic Church in 590 AD. · The Roman Catholic Church had a split in the year 1054 AD, when the Churches in the eastern part of that region broke away from Rome’s self-imposed authority over all Churches, thus creating the Eastern Orthodox Church (Greek Orthodox Church). · The Roman Catholic Church went through another major split on October 31, 1517, when Catholic monk, Martin Luther, nailed his 95 theses to the door of the Catholic church in Wittenberg Germany, protesting 95 teachings held by the Roman Catholic Church. This not only lead to the formation of the Lutheran Church, but it also was the beginning of the Reformation Movement. · Most of Martin Luther‘s objections to the Catholic Church's teachings were centered on the Gospel. This led to defectors of the Catholic Church, being called both protestants and evangelicals. The Teachings of Catholicism. · In the 3rd century, the Church in Rome began to claim that they were the supreme Mother Church and the final authority over other Churches and their teachings. · By the 6th century, the Roman Catholic Church was exercising authority over other churches in that part of the world. · “There is no salvation outside of the Catholic Church, even among the evangelicals.” · For a very long time, the Roman Catholic Church viewed itself as the one and only true church. · In 1965, @ Vatican 2, the Roman Catholic Church changed their teaching to now read, “Evangelicals are separated brethren,” and added that you can be saved in any world religion. · They claim that Christianity is not the only way to God. The Catholic Church agrees with much of Evangelical Christianity: Ø The God of Abraham is the Creator and the God of the Bible. Ø The Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Ø The virgin birth, the sinless Lamb of God, His death, His burial, His resurrection, and His second coming in judgment. Ø The future resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. Ø The Old Testament and New Testament are the inspired word of God. · There are genuine born-again believers who identify themselves as Catholics. Catholics and Evangelicals disagree on many important teachings: · How a person is saved from the wrath of God. According to Catholicism, salvation is a process that takes place in the seven sacraments; baptism, penance (confession & prayers), the Eucharist (Mass), confirmation (priestly blessing), marriage, holy orders (ordination), anointing of the sick. Ø At the council of Trent in 154, the Roman Catholic Church stated, “If anyone teaches or believes that they are saved by faith alone, let them be anathema.” According to evangelical Christians, salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone in Christ alone. Ephesians 2:8-9 ”For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.“ Romans 5:1 ”Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,“ Galatians 1:8-9 ”But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.“ · The teaching of purgatory. Ø According to Roman Catholicism, the purpose of purgatory is to cleanse a believer of impurities through suffering after death. Ø A member of the Roman Catholic Church can pay the church to have their dead family member released from Purgatory. Ø They teach that if you don’t believe in purgatory, you’re cursed. According to evangelical Christians, we were purged of all of our sins when Christ died for us. Hebrews 1:3 ”who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,“ Revelation 1:5 ”and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood,“ Hebrews 10:14 ”For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.“ Luke 23:43 ”And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”“ · The teaching of praying for the dead to the dead. According to Roman Catholicism, you can pray to those who lived good lives, and died as good Catholics and they will intercede for you. Ø There is not one single prayer in the Scriptures that is offered to anyone else, but the Lord Himself. Ø The Scriptures give strong warnings about praying to the dead. Deuteronomy 18:10-12 Leviticus 20:6, 27 1 Samuel 28:5-18 Ø 1 Timothy 2:5, 6 ”For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time,“ Ø We have direct access because of Christ. · The teachings regarding the person of Mary. Roman Catholicism teaches the immaculate conception, which teaches that God preserved the Virgin Mary from the taint of original sin when she was conceived. Luke 1:47 ”And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.“ Roman Catholicism teaches the perpetual virginity of Mary. Matthew 13:55-56 ”Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas? And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this Man get all these things?”“ Ø Roman Catholicism teaches the ascension of Mary, which teaches that after Mary died, she was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory. Ø Roman Catholicism teaches that Mary is a co-redeemer, which teaches that because she sacrificed her son and suffered for it, she is worthy to mediate for sinners. · The Books of the Bible. Ø “To not accept the entire apocrypha as sacred is to be anathema.” Ø The Protestant Bible contains 66 Books. Ø In 1546 at the Council of Trent, the Roman Catholic Church added 14 Jewish writings. The word “apocrypha” means hidden, secret. Ø The teachings of the Apocrypha are neither authoritative or inspired. *The Lord Jesus Christ, nor any of the New Testament writers, quoted from the Apocrypha, as Scripture. *Contains both historical and geographical errors. In Judith, it says that Nebuchadnezzar was ruling in Nineveh and not in Babylon. *The Jews never accepted the Apocrypha in the Hebrew Bible. *It doesn’t contain any Biblical prophecies to prove their claims of Divine origin. *It never claims to be the inspired holy word of God. *It was rejected by the majority of the early Church fathers. *Jerome rejected the Apocrypha and left it out of his Latin translation. The Roman Catholic Church inserted the Apocrypha after Jerome died. *Contains both unbiblical, heretical teachings, such as; the pre-existence of the human soul; salvation by works; prayer for the dead; purgatory; salvation by giving money to the poor. *The Apocrypha was not declared to be authoritative until 1546, 1,500 years after they were written, and only after Martin Luther’s renunciation of the Catholic Church’s teachings on salvation. · Communion, the Lord’s Supper According to Roman Catholicism, the Communion elements become the actual body and blood of Christ, a teaching called transubstantiation. · Indulgences Doing something or giving money to the Church to receive forgiveness of sins prior to committing the sins. · Only the Catholic Church has authority to interpret Scripture. “The Pope is the Voice of God on earth.” In 1870, Vatican 1 declared “Papal Infallibility,” which means that the pope is incapable of error in pronouncing dogma. The pope stands in the authority of Jesus Christ on earth, and he is responsible for the salvation of all the souls throughout the whole world. The pope is the supreme teacher of faith and morals. When the pope speaks, it is God speaking. 12/18/23 ROME (AP) — Pope Francis has formally approved allowing priests to bless same-sex couples, with a new document explaining a radical change in Vatican policy by insisting that people seeking God’s love and mercy shouldn’t be subject to “an exhaustive moral analysis” to receive it. The document from the Vatican’s doctrine office, released Monday, elaborates on a letter Francis sent to two conservative cardinals that was published in October. In that preliminary response, Francis suggested such blessings could be offered under some circumstances if they didn’t confuse the ritual with the sacrament of marriage. The Vatican holds that marriage is an indissoluble union between man and woman. As a result, it has long opposed same-sex marriage. And in 2021, the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith said flat-out that the church couldn’t bless the unions of two men or two women because “God cannot bless sin.” That document created an outcry, one it appeared even Francis was blindsided by even though he had technically approved its publication. Soon after it was published, he removed the official responsible for it and set about laying the groundwork for a reversal.

Islam

February 4, 2024 • Pastor Dallas Sandoval

Islam Introduction I love all human beings, regardless of what religion that they identify with. I love Muslims. I don’t wish them any harm or ill-will. This is not a mean-spirited attack on Muslims. This is an examination of the facts regarding the religion of Islam; the origin and founder of Islam; the current state of Islam; and the teachings of Islam, and how they differ from Christianity. The Origin and Founder of Islam Muhammad · The prophet Muhammad was born in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, in A.D. 570. Islam teaches that he was the final prophet sent by Allah, to reveal the faith of Islam to humanity. · According to Islamic writings and tradition, in AD 610, an angel named Gabriel visited Muhammad while he was in a cave meditating. The angel Gabriel commanded Muhammad to write the words of Allah. · Islam teaches that Muhammad continued to receive revelations from Allah for the rest of his life. · In AD 613, Muhammad began preaching around Mecca the revelations that he received. He taught that there was no other God, but Allah and that Muslims should submit their lives to Allah. The word “Islam” means “submission to the will of God.” Followers of Islam are called Muslims. Muslims are monotheistic and worship one, all-knowing God, who in Arabic is known as Allah. Followers of Islam aim to live a life of complete submission to Allah. They believe that nothing can happen without Allah’s permission, but humans have free will. Mosques are places where Muslims worship. Friday is their day of worship. Muhammad is quoted as saying "The best day the sun rises over is Friday; on it Allah created Adam. On it, he was made to enter paradise, on it he was expelled from it, and the Last Hour will take place on no other day than Friday." [Ahmad and at-Tirmithi]. Some important Islamic holy places include the Kaaba shrine in Mecca, the Al-Aqsa mosque and the Dome of the Rock, both in Jerusalem, and the Prophet Muhammad’s mosque in Medina. · In 622, Muhammad traveled from Mecca to Medina with his disciples. This journey became known as the Hijra which now marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar. · Some seven years later, Muhammad and his many disciples returned to Mecca and conquered the area. He continued to preach until his death in 632. · After Muhammad’s passing, Islam began to spread rapidly. Islam teaches that he’ll be the first to be resurrected. A series of leaders, known as caliphs, became successors to Muhammad. This system of leadership, which was run by a Muslim ruler, became known as a caliphate. · The first caliph was Abu Bakr, Muhammad’s father-in-law and close friend. · Abu Bakr died about two years after he was selected and was succeeded in 634 by Caliph Umar, another father-in-law of Muhammad. · When Umar was assassinated six years after being named caliph, Uthman, Muhammad’s son-in-law, took the role. · Uthman was also killed, and Ali, Muhammad’s cousin and son-in-law, was selected as the next caliph. · Under the rule of the first 4 caliphs, Arab Muslims conquered, by the sword, large regions in the Middle East, including https://www.history.com/topics/the-history-of-syria, https://www.history.com/topics/palestine, https://www.history.com/tag/iran and Iraq. Islam also spread throughout areas in Southern Europe, Northern Africa, and parts of Asia. The caliphate system lasted for centuries and eventually evolved into the http://www.history.com/topics/ottoman-empire, which controlled large regions in the Middle East from about 1517 until 1917, when https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-i ended the Ottoman reign. The Franks in Germany put a stop to the advance of Islam in that area of Europe. Islam was relatively quiet from the end of the first World War I to the beginning of the 1980s. The Current State of Islam Today, Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world, a main reason being that the average Muslim family has 8 children. · In 1982, there were around 450 million Muslims in the world. In 2024, there are an estimated 1.9 billion Muslims in the world. Muslims are the majority in 49 countries in the world. · There are more Muslims than Catholics in the world today. · There are an estimated 4 million Muslims living in the United States of America. There are approximately 30,000 converts to Islam per year in the USA. · In recent years, Islam’s supposed association with terrorism and mass murder has sparked a political debate in many countries. The controversial term “radical Islam” has become a well-known label to describe the religion’s connection to acts of violence. · Recent surveys have found that in countries with high Muslim populations, the majority of Muslims have overwhelmingly negative views of terrorist groups like https://www.history.com/topics/isis, Hezbollah, Hamas, and others. · Experts predict that Islam will surpass Christianity by the end of the century. · A recent survey stated that approximately 50,000 Muslims per year are converting to Christianity. Sunnis and Shiites When Muhammad died, there was debate over who should replace him as leader. This led to a schism in Islam, and two major sects emerged: the Sunnis and the Shiites. · Sunnis make up nearly 90 percent of Muslims worldwide. They accept that the first four caliphs were the true successors to Muhammad. · Shiite Muslims believe that only the caliph Ali and his descendants are the real successors to Muhammad. They deny the legitimacy of the first three caliphs. Today, Shiite Muslims have a considerable presence in Iran, Iraq and Syria. Other, smaller Muslim denominations within the Sunni and Shiite groups exist. Some of these include: Wahhabi: This Sunni sect, made up of members of the Tameem tribe in Saudi Arabia, was founded in the 18th century. Followers observe an extremely strict interpretation of Islam that was taught by Muhammad bin Abd al-Wahhab. Alawite: This Shiite form of Islam is prevalent in Syria. Followers hold similar beliefs about the caliph Ali but also observe some Christian and https://www.history.com/topics/religion/zoroastrianism holidays. Nation of Islam: This primarily Black, Sunni sect was founded in the 1930s in Detroit, Michigan. Black Muslims now comprise one-fifth of all Muslims in the United States. Louis Farrakhan was its leader. Malcolm X was a member before converting to Sunni Islam. Sufism: A mystical denomination of Islam, those who follow the Sufi faith seek to attain a purer state of existence through their personal and direct relationship with God. Kharijites: This sect broke from the Shiites after disagreeing over how to select a new leader. They are known for radical fundamentalism, and today are called Ibadis. A central idea in Islam is “jihad,” which means “struggle.” While the term has been used negatively in mainstream culture, Muslims believe it refers to internal and external efforts to defend their faith. This can include military jihad if a “just war” is needed. The Teachings of Islam · Christianity and Islam are the two largest monotheistic religions in the world. They are similar in that both are Abrahamic religions that believe that the prophet Abraham was one of the original founders of the faith and rely on the teachings of a holy book, the Bible for Christians and the Quran for Muslims. Muslims believe several prophets were sent to teach Allah’s law. They respect some of the same prophets as https://www.history.com/topics/religion/judaism and Christians, including Abraham, Moses, Noah and https://www.biography.com/religious-figure/jesus-christ. Muslims contend that Muhammad was the final prophet. · The Quran (means recitation) is considered the most important holy book among Muslims and is Allah’s final revelation to the world. The Hadith is another important book. Muslims also revere some material found in the Judeo-Christian https://www.history.com/topics/religion/bible. · It contains some basic information that is found in the Hebrew Bible as well as revelations that were given to Muhammad. The text is considered the sacred word of God and supersedes any previous writings. · Most Muslims believe that Muhammad’s scribes wrote down his words, which became the Quran. (Muhammad himself was never taught to read or write.) · The book is written with Allah as the first person, speaking through Gabriel to Muhammad. It contains 114 chapters, which are called surahs. Muslim Scholars believe the Quran was compiled shortly after Muhammad’s death, under the guidance of Caliph Abu Bakr. Muhammad’s disciples wrote the Quran from memory. Muslims practice their faith by worshipping Allah through prayer 5 times per day and reading the Quran. They believe there will be a day of judgment, and life after death. The 4 Books of Allah · Moses · David’s Psalms · Gospel of Jesus · The Quran (Surah 4:82; 34:50; 65:4;) Five Pillars of Islam Muslims follow five basic pillars that are essential to their faith. These include: Shahada: to declare one’s faith in God and belief in Muhammad Salat: to pray five times a day (at dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, and evening) Zakat: to give to those in need Sawm: to fast during http://www.history.com/topics/holidays/ramadan Hajj: to make a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once during a person’s lifetime if the person is able Sharia Law · Islam’s legal system is known as Sharia Law. This faith-based code of conduct directs Muslims on how they should live in nearly every aspect of their lives. · Sharia law requires men and women to dress modestly. It also outlines marriage guidelines and other moral principles for Muslims. · If crimes are committed, Sharia law is known for its harsh punishments. For example, the punishment for theft is amputating a person’s hand. Adultery can carry the penalty of death by stoning. However, many Muslims do not support such extreme measures. · Islam’s goal is global domination. Conclusion: The Quran agrees with the Bible on some things, but it does not agree with the Bible on the most important things, such as the crucifixion of Christ, the resurrection of Christ, and the Deity of Christ. · Islam teaches that Christ was a prophet, but He failed on His mission to bring the people back to God. · Islam believes in the inspiration of the Bible, but the teachings of Quran contradict the Bible, why? · Islam teaches that the Bible has been corrupted. 5 Reasons Islam is not of God. · The continuation error of the Quran. It claims to be a final revelation in a series of revelations from God, the order being the Torah, the Gospel, and then the Quran. · The denial of the Crucifixion of Christ. (Surah 4:156-157) Ø The replacement theory. Judas replaced Jesus. Ø The swoon theory. He survived Crucifixion. · The misunderstanding of the Trinity. (“Don’t say 3 only say 1.”) Ø The Quran falsely identifies the Trinity as God, Jesus and Mary. (Surah 5:116) Ø 400 years before Muhammad, the Church fathers were writing about the Trinity. · Apostasy from Islam deserves the death penalty. Ø This teaching is barbaric and breeds fear in those who would think of leaving. · The lack of love in Islam. Ø In Islam, God‘s love is restricted to those who love him first. (Surah 30:43-45) Ø The Quran calls, Jews, and Christians the worst of creatures. (Surah 98:6) Ø Matthew 5:43-48 10 Contradictions in the Quran. · 6 or 8 Days of Creation. (Surah 7:54; 41:9-12) · Will Christians go to paradise or hell? (Surah 5:72; 2:62) · Blood, clay, dust, or nothing? (Surah 96:2; 15:26; 19:67; 16:4) · No compulsion on religion. (Surah 2:256; 9:3) · The first Muslim. (Surah 39:12; 2:132) · Forgive or not forgive? (Surah 4:48; 4:133) · Drinking wine: good or bad? (Surah 5:90; 47:15; 83:22-25) · Did Noah’s son drown? (Surah 21:76; 11:53) · Is evil from God? (Surah 4:78; 4:79) · A day with Allah? (Surah 22:47; 32:5; 70:4) How does a Muslim get to go to Paradise? The Following are some ways regarding the hadiths of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) which will show us how to get Jannah in the hereafter. o Faith and good deeds will lead us to get Jannah. In Holy Quran, Allah Almighty says: “But those who have faith and work righteousness, they are the Companions of the Garden: Therein shall they abide forever.” (Quran, 2:82) o Seeking knowledge also leads to Paradise. Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said in one of His hadith in these words: “Whosoever takes a path that leads to knowledge, Allah, the Almighty will pave his way to Jannah.”(Muslim) o Another simple way that can play a vital role in a Muslim’s life leads to Jannah is going to the mosque. Holy Prophet (PBUH) said regarding this: “Whosoever goes to the Masjid and returns back from it, purely for the sake of Allah, Allah the Almighty will prepare an abode in Jannah for every time he goes and comes back.”(Muslim) o Being good to parents also a reason to get Jannah. In one of hadith of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “A father’s pleasure is Allah’s pleasure, a father’s displeasure is Allah’s displeasure”(Tirmidhi). Further, He (SAW) said about mother: “Paradise lies at the feet of your mother.” (Nasai) o Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said in one of His hadith: “Whoever believes in Allah and His Messenger (PBUH), and establishes the prayer and fasts in the month of Ramadan, it is incumbent upon Allah that He enters him in Jannah.” (Sahih Bukhari) o Whoever remained righteous will lead towards Jannah. “Indeed, truthfulness leads to righteousness and indeed righteousness leads to Jannah.” (Sahih Bukhari) o Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Anyone whose soul leaves his body and he is free of three things, will enter Jannah: Arrogance, stealing from the spoils of war, and debt.” (Sunan Ibn Majah) o Above all, Quran recitation is perhaps one of the most effective ways of getting Jannah. o Many Muslims also argue that death in jihad as a martyr assures one of Paradise based on Sura 3:157: "And if ye are slain, or die, in the way of Allah, forgiveness and mercy from Allah are far better than all they could amass." Sharing Christ with Muslims: · Most Muslims in America are not jihadists, although there are some. · Most Muslims believe that Christians hate them and love the Jews. · Not all Muslims hate Jews and Christians. · Ask them how they are doing in the 5 pillars of Islam. · Don’t start debating but stick to the message of the Gospel. · Address them respectfully. · Don’t stereotype them. · Share the Truth in Love. · The foundation of the religion crumbles under closer examination of the facts.

Mormonism

February 25, 2024 • Pastor Dallas Sandoval

Mormonism Introduction: Mormons are commonly called The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, or LDS for short. Mormonism is the theology and tradition of the LDS organization. Like the Jehovah’s Witnesses, they see themselves as a restoration of true Christianity. Founder & Origin : Joseph Smith, a farm boy, started the Mormon church in the 1820s in western New York. He began teaching during the period known as the second great awakening. At the age of 14, he was searching for a true church that taught the truth of God’s word. He was confused by the contradictions in teachings among the various Churches of his day. One day while he was laboring to make sense of these discrepancies of doctrines, he read James 1:5, which reads, “If anyone lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all freely, without reproach, and it will be given to him.” So he prayed about which denomination that he should be a part of, he claims to have received his first vision. He claims that God the Father and his son, Jesus Christ, appeared to him and told him not to join any of the churches around him, because they were all wrong in their teachings of the truth. In the 1820s, he began to write out visitations from the angel Moroni. The angel is said to have commanded Joseph Smith to re-establish the true Christian church. The angel led Joseph to some buried golden plates written by Moroni’s father Mormon, and these plates contained the true gospel. On April 6, 1830, Joseph Smith started the church of Christ, which later became known as the church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints. The LDS church underwent persecution, mainly because of their unorthodox teachings, one of them being polygamy. This persecution caused them to move from New York to Ohio. From Ohio to Missouri. They teach that Joseph Smith was martyred for the Mormon faith on June 27, 1844 which caused Brigham Young to lead the people out to Salt Lake City, Utah. Mormonism Today The Teachings of Mormonism: A prominent part of Mormon theology is the book of Mormon. Mormons, teach that the book of Mormon is another Testament of Jesus Christ, and includes God’s outreach to the indigenous peoples of the Americas. They teach that the Lord Jesus Christ came to the North American continent after his resurrection. They teach that the Bible contains errors. They have another holy book, called doctrine and covenants. Another holy book of the LDS church is the Pearl of great price. They believe in God, but do not believe that Jesus is God. Teachings on Revelation/Inspiration of Scripture: They believe that the Book of Mormon is the most accurate Book ever written. They believe that the writings of their prophets are as inspired by God as the Bible. Teachings about God: They teach that God used to be a man but He became a God of earth through His obedience. “As man now is, God once was.” -Mormon teaching. They teach that God has a physical body and that he was married and call his wife “the heavenly mother.” Teachings about Jesus: They teach that Jesus was a created being and that he is the older spirit brother of Lucifer. They teach that Jesus had a wife. Teachings about Salvation: They teach that salvation is a process of good works which leads to becoming the god of your own planet. They teach that you must be baptized in a Mormon temple to receive the salvation. They teach that there are 3 levels of Heaven. They teach that hell is for the devil and his angels, and those who turn away from the Mormon faith. 2 Nephi 25:23 “For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.” They reject the teaching of the Trinity. Essential Practices of the LDS Church: 2 hour Sunday meetings which includes sacrament meetings, and alternating Sunday school meetings. only Mormons in good standing can enter a Mormon temple. Baptisms for the dead, and the sealing of eternal marriages take place in the temples. The LDS church practices sharing the Mormon faith through missionaries, starting with men at the age of 18, and women at the age of 19. Mormons teach that families can be sealed together for time and eternity. This takes place in the Temples. Mormons practice F.H.E. Family home evening which encourages studying the Book of Mormon and playing games. The church officially renounced polygamy in 1890. Key Beliefs: Faith in Jesus Christ, Repentance, Baptism, and receiving the Holy Ghost, Family seal, baptism for dead family members who didn’t die as Mormons. This is why they emphasize very strongly the need to know your ancestry. Organization; 1st President with 2 counselors. The president is referred to as the seer, prophet and revelatory. He is called God‘s representative on earth. The president is chosen by seniority. Under the president and his two counselors, you have the 12 apostles, Under the 12 apostles you have the quorum of the 70. under the quorum of the 70 you have the presiding bishops over the various regions and under them are the stakes, and under them are the wards with local bishops presiding over the local churches. Galatians 1:1-9 Witnessing to Mormonism Be cordial. They are nice people because they’re trying to earn their way.