 2007 by David A. Prentice Make Sure to Get the New Notes Make Sure to Get the New Notes

 2007 by David A. Prentice copyright 2003 by David Prentice, M.Ed., M.A.S.T. REVISION DATE 09/05/2009 This material is made available by the author at no charge. It may be reproduced for use in a Christian environment such as Sunday schools or Bible classes, but it may not be used for any commercial purposes.

 2007 by David A. Prentice It Matters What YOU Believe! It Matters What YOU Believe! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! 

Jehovah’s Witnesses

 2007 by David A. Prentice n Jehovah’s have made many false prophesies: TrueFalse n This Bible passage commands not to take away from or add to God’s Word: Last Book of the Bible, Last Chapter, Last Paragraph n When their prophesies don’t come true, they admit it: True False

 2007 by David A. Prentice HELP! MY FRIEND IS INTERESTED IN BECOMING JW!

 2007 by David A. Prentice They’re False Prophets n They’ve named several years in which Jesus was supposed to come back but He didn’t n If they say, “Well, He came back spiritually.” n Ask, “Which year: 1874 or 1914?”

 2007 by David A. Prentice What if they say He came back spiritually? n Matt. 28:20 “I will never leave you, nor forsake you” the Bible says He never left spiritually n Rev. 1:7 – “Every eye will see Him” – it won’t be secret; more than just JW’s will know!

 2007 by David A. Prentice Matthew 24:26 – Believe Not! n If someone tells you His coming will be secret – you are to BELIEVE THEM NOT!!!

 2007 by David A. Prentice Tell Them You Want to Get Down to the Facts! n Ask them how they are assured of eternal life: JW’s believe: n - They’ll never get to go to heaven n - God may or may not accept the amount of works that they do n Share Ephesians 2: 8 – 9 – it’s the same in their Bible

 2007 by David A. Prentice My Risk and Yours John 6:47 “Truly, Truly, I say to you, he who believes HAS eternal life” 1. If I’m right, then Christ has already made me a special place in heaven 2. If you’re right and I’m wrong, then I’ll probably just stop existing. So, I’ll never know I was wrong 3. If you’re right – you may or may not earn eternal life 4. If you’re wrong and I’m right... You’ll spend eternity in hell 4. If you’re wrong and I’m right... You’ll spend eternity in hell Be a Real Witness to the “Witness” Be a Real Witness to the “Witness” 1-30

 2007 by David A. Prentice I’m Ready to Dig into Something New!!!

 2007 by David A. Prentice

Review is Over!! Return to pg. 37

Last Time We saw the insides of the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Religion

This time, we’ll look at two religions based on the Bible and the two testaments in it! Judaism and Finally, Christianity! Old and New Testaments

 2007 by David A. Prentice This Class is Dedicated to: n Supporting the truth that the Bible is exactly what it claims to be – the Word of God! n “We will examine the evidence which supports that claim after we finish a quick scan of world religions” – David Prentice

Judaism 3 Major Divisions: Orthodox, Conservative and Reformed & the less recognized but awesome – Messianic Jews

 2007 by David A. Prentice MAJOR DIVISIONS OF JUDAISM: 1. ORTHODOX. Still trying to follow Old Testament laws such as diet and clothing; synagogue services in Hebrew; still awaiting the Messiah. 1. ORTHODOX. Still trying to follow Old Testament laws such as diet and clothing; synagogue services in Hebrew; still awaiting the Messiah. 2. REFORM. Judaism more cultural than religious; don’t follow Old Testament laws; hold services in the language of the land; believe each person is his own Messiah. 2. REFORM. Judaism more cultural than religious; don’t follow Old Testament laws; hold services in the language of the land; believe each person is his own Messiah. 4. MESSIANIC. You don’t stop being Jewish just because you receive Y’shua (Jesus) as Messiah! 4. MESSIANIC. You don’t stop being Jewish just because you receive Y’shua (Jesus) as Messiah! 3. CONSERVATIVE. Somewhere in the middle. Follow many Old Testament laws; most await the Messiah. Religious activities conducted in the language of the land but services in Hebrew 3. CONSERVATIVE. Somewhere in the middle. Follow many Old Testament laws; most await the Messiah. Religious activities conducted in the language of the land but services in Hebrew 2-35 Pg. 37: Messianic

 2007 by David A. Prentice The Jewish Bible (Tenach) n Exactly the same contents as the Protestant Old Testament, but arranged in a different order n Also used: commentaries called Talmudim and Midrashim

 2007 by David A. Prentice The 2 Talumds Babylonian & Palestinian n 3 rd / 4 th Centuries n Include Torah (1 st 5 books) n & rabbinic law – Mishnah n + many traditions & commentaries = Gemara

 2007 by David A. PrenticeMidrash n General name for Jewish writings from several centuries before Christ to several after n Some on legal matters in the Bible n Others as an inspirational source for preaching

 2007 by David A. Prentice No Room for Prejudice! n Christianity has solid roots in Judaism n We believe all OT messianic prophecies are fulfilled in Jesus Christ (Jewish) n There is no room for prejudice – especially not against the Jewish people

Christianity Not All are Believers Most Believe the Following

 2007 by David A. Prentice BELIEFS MOST CHRISTIANS SHARE: 1.Jesus’ Bodily Resurrection: Christianity is not just a system of ethics; it depends entirely on the Resurrection of Jesus Christ 2.The Trinity: The God of the Bible created everything. God is three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit 3.Deity of Christ: Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is not a created being; he is God in human flesh. He was miraculously born of a virgin 4.Original Sin: Every one is a sinner in need of a savior; all are born with a sin nature 2-36 Pg. 38: 100% God & 100% Man

 2007 by David A. Prentice BELIEFS MOST CHRISTIANS SHARE: 5.Salvation: Jesus was crucified, died, and was buried in payment for our sins. He rose from the dead and is seated at the right hand of the Father. We can only be saved through faith in Him 6.The Second Coming: Jesus is one day coming back to earth in bodily form to judge the living and the dead and set up an eternal kingdom 7.The Holy Spirit: is not an impersonal force; He is the third Person of the Trinity. He dwells in those whose confidence is in Jesus Christ 8.The Bible: both Old and New Testaments, is the revealed Word of Almighty God. 2-36

The 2 Testaments Of the Bible!!!

 2007 by David A. Prentice Old Testament n Focuses on the law n Still Demonstrates God’s Grace –God spares Cain –God forgives King David Pg. 39: Law

 2007 by David A. Prentice New Testament n Focuses on Grace n Still Demonstrates God’s hatred of sin – Ananias & Sapphira – Paul strikes Elymas blind Pg. 39: Grace

 2007 by David A. Prentice No Contradictions Between the Two n God is always a God of grace and always a God who hates sin n So, He sent His Son to pay for the sin He could not leave unpunished

 2007 by David A. Prentice His Servants are to Be Like Him n Is it any wonder that almost all the world’s disaster relief organizations have Judaeo- Christian roots? n As well as many of the groups unafraid to stand against sin

Roman Catholicism “Sacred Tradition”

 2007 by David A. Prentice Example of Contradiction It is supposed to be infallible, but it keeps contradicting itself Ex: David Prentice was raised Roman Catholic but became convinced in Christ, found that baptism was to be his next step So he sought it only to find that his church called it a heresy - Anabaptism It is supposed to be infallible, but it keeps contradicting itself Ex: David Prentice was raised Roman Catholic but became convinced in Christ, found that baptism was to be his next step So he sought it only to find that his church called it a heresy - Anabaptism 2-33

 2007 by David A. Prentice They Changed Their Minds? A few years later the Catholic Church reversed its centuries- old Sacred Tradition and declared that Anabaptism was no longer a formal heresy So now he’s not condemned to hell It’s a good thing he didn’t die before the Catholic Church changed its mind... A few years later the Catholic Church reversed its centuries- old Sacred Tradition and declared that Anabaptism was no longer a formal heresy So now he’s not condemned to hell It’s a good thing he didn’t die before the Catholic Church changed its mind

 2007 by David A. Prentice Before 1. Eating Meat on Fridays used to result in hell 2. Missing Sunday Mass used to result in hell 3. Girls couldn’t be altar servers at mass After 1. Now it doesn’t 2. Now it doesn’t 3. Now they can

More Contradictions On several occasions more than one man claimed to be pope Sometimes one was recognized and the others excommunicated At least once, ALL of them were thrown out On several occasions more than one man claimed to be pope Sometimes one was recognized and the others excommunicated At least once, ALL of them were thrown out 2-33

 2007 by David A. Prentice Unbroken Line of Apostles? Some popes & Councils excommunicated earlier popes after their deaths and declared them heretics All their ordinations were invalidated – priests and bishops trace their ordinations to these men... Some popes & Councils excommunicated earlier popes after their deaths and declared them heretics All their ordinations were invalidated – priests and bishops trace their ordinations to these men

 2007 by David A. Prentice Heretics? Over 3 million people killed for believing the Bible was sufficient as the final guide in everything Ever heard “Holy Toledo”? Purgatory, indulgences, transubstantiation, Mary going physically into heaven, etc. Over 3 million people killed for believing the Bible was sufficient as the final guide in everything Ever heard “Holy Toledo”? Purgatory, indulgences, transubstantiation, Mary going physically into heaven, etc. 2-33

 2007 by David A. Prentice Tell Them How to Get the Gift John 6:47 “Truly, Truly, I say to you, he who believes HAS eternal life” NOT John 6:47 “Truly, Truly, I say to you, he who believes HAS eternal life [IF he follows the Watchtower]” NOT John 6:47 “Truly, Truly, I say to you, he who believes HAS eternal life [IF he does enough good works]” “HAS” Eternal Life there are no IF’S about it!!! John 6:47 “Truly, Truly, I say to you, he who believes HAS eternal life” NOT John 6:47 “Truly, Truly, I say to you, he who believes HAS eternal life [IF he follows the Watchtower]” NOT John 6:47 “Truly, Truly, I say to you, he who believes HAS eternal life [IF he does enough good works]” “HAS” Eternal Life there are no IF’S about it!!! 2-33

 2007 by David A. Prentice Tell Them How to Get the Gift John 5:24 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.” 2-33