Category Archives: Featured

Flooding Hits Western India

Leave a reply

2019-08-16

NEWS RELEASES

Flooding Hits Western India

Warsaw, Poland—2019 “Love Never Fails”! International Convention

Leave a reply

2019-08-15

NEWS RELEASES

Warsaw, Poland—2019 “Love Never Fails”! International Convention

Phoenix, United States—2019 “Love Never Fails”! International Convention

Leave a reply

2019-08-15

NEWS RELEASES

Phoenix, United States—2019 “Love Never Fails”! International Convention

The Bible – tips

1 Reply

The Bible – tips

The Bible was originally written in continuous, unbroken lines of letters.  Also “Neither of the original languages distinguished between upper and lower-case letters.{IBHG  preface}”  It was not until the ninth century C.E. that any system of dividing sentences by punctuation marks was devised.

The main features of our modern system of punctuation began in the fifteenth century C.E. as a result of the introduction of printing. Subdivision of the Bible into chapters and verses (the King James Version has 1,189 chapters, 31,102 verses) was not done by the original writers either. This came centuries later. The Masoretes, Jewish scholars, divided the Hebrew Scriptures into verses. Then in the thirteenth century C.E. chapter divisions were added.

[So we can see it was up to the translator where they would put the punctuation marks and upper case letters, and if they had a certain belief most likely they would put the punctuation where they chooses to support their believe(s).

Did Three Wise Men Really Visit Baby Jesus?

Leave a reply

Our Readers Ask

Did Three Wise Men Really Visit Baby Jesus?

Christmastime lore from South America to Eastern Europe to Asia depicts a Nativity scene with three kings, or wise men, bearing precious gifts for the babe Jesus. Is this story true? Does it line up with the facts? Let us see.

Two Gospels, Matthew and Luke, chronicle the birth of Jesus. These accounts show that only lowly shepherds from nearby fields visited Jesus at his birth. The so-called kings, or wise men, were in reality astrologers, not royalty, and they are not numbered. The astrologers did not journey to the side of a newborn in a manger but arrived when Jesus was a child and was living in a house. Their presence even jeopardized the life of Jesus!

Look closely at the account of Jesus’ birth by Bible writer Luke, and you will find that it says: “There were . . . shepherds living out of doors and keeping watches in the night over their flocks. And suddenly Jehovah’s angel stood by them, and . . . said to them: ‘. . . You will find an infant bound in cloth bands and lying in a manger.’ . . . And they went with haste and found Mary as well as Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger.”​—Luke 2:8-16.

Only Joseph, Mary, and the shepherds were present with baby Jesus. No one else is listed in Luke’s report.

Now examine the account at Matthew 2:1-11 from the King James Bible: “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem . . . And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother.”

Notice that the account states just “wise men,” not “three wise men,” and that they first traveled from the east to Jerusalem, not to the birth city of Jesus, Bethlehem. By the time they finally reached Bethlehem, Jesus was a “young child”​—no longer a baby—​and no longer in a stable but in a house.

Also, while the King James Bible uses the words “wise men” in describing these visitors, other translations use “Magi” or “astrologers.” According to A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew, the expression “wise men” translates “a Greek noun which originally referred to Persian priests who were experts in astrology.” And The Expanded Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words defines the word as “a wizard, sorcerer, a pretender to magic powers, a professor of the arts of witchcraft.”

Although astrology and witchcraft are still popular today, the Bible warns against their use. (Isaiah 47:13-15) They are forms of spiritism and are practices that Jehovah God abhors. (Deuteronomy 18:10-12) That is why no angel of God announced the birth of Jesus to the astrologers. However, by means of divine intervention in a dream, they were warned not to report back to wicked King Herod, since he sought to kill Jesus. So “they withdrew to their country by another way.”​—Matthew 2:11-16.

Would true Christians want to perpetuate a fabled Nativity that distorts the truth surrounding the birth of Jesus? Surely the answer is no.

An Interesting Chronological Chart

1 Reply

An Interesting Chronological Chart

Since the issuance of the book The Time Is at Hand in 1889 the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society has not published a consecutive chronology from man’s creation onward. In recent years, especially since the revising of our dates back from Jerusalem’s destruction and reconstruction in the 7th and 6th centuries before Christ, some have evidenced the desire to have such a chronology available for ready reference. So on the next two pages we seek to date events of importance to students of God’s Word and incorporate material that has appeared in various recent publications of the Society. The reader will note that many dates are approximate, and these, of course, are subject to revision as we get better evidence concerning the time of the events thus involved.

[Chart on page 221, 222]

(For fully formatted text, see publication)

CHART OF OUTSTANDING HISTORICAL DATES

Symbols: “a” for “after”; “b” for “before”; “c” for “circa or “about”

DATE EVENT REFERENCE

4025 B.C. Adam’s creation (in the fall) Gen. 2:7

a 4025 B.C. Adam writes Doc. No. I, Gen. 1:1-2:4 Gen. 2:4

a 4025 B.C. Edenic covenant made, first prophecy Gen. 3:15

b 3895 B.C. Cain slays Abel Gen. 4:8

3403 B.C. Birth of righteous Enoch Gen. 5:18

3338 B.C. Birth of Methuselah Gen. 5:21

3151 B.C. Birth of Lamech Gen. 5:25

b 3096 B.C. Adam writes Doc. No. II, Gen. 2:5-5:2 Gen. 5:1

3096 B.C. Death of Adam, within his 930th yr. Gen. 5:5

3038 B.C. Transference of Enoch Gen. 5:24

Ends his period of prophesying Jude 14

2969 B.C. Birth of Noah Gen. 5:28, 29

2490 B.C. God’s pronouncement as to mankind Gen. 6:3

2469 B.C. Birth of Japheth Gen. 5:32;

Ge 9:24;

Ge 10:21

2468 B.C. Birth of Shem Gen. 7:11;

Ge 11:10

c 2420- Noah begins to build the ark Gen. 6:14

2410 B.C. Noah’s preaching of righteousness

begins 2 Pet. 2:5

2370 B.C. Methuselah dies, within his 969th

year Gen. 5:27

2370 B.C. Flood waters begin to fall (in Nov.) Gen. 7:11

Noah 599 years old or in his 600th yr.

c 2370 B.C. Noah writes Doc. III, Gen. 5:3-6:9 Gen. 6:9

2369 B.C. Flood on earth—Noah 600 years old Gen. 7:6

2369 B.C. Making of the covenant after the

flood Gen. 8:13;

Ge 9:16

2368 B.C. Birth of Arphaxad Gen. 11:10

a 2239 B.C. Building of the Tower of Babel Gen. 11:4

2020 B.C. Death of Noah, within his 950th yr. Gen. 9:28, 29

a 2020 B.C. Shem, Ham, Japheth write Document IV, Gen. 10:1

Gen. 6:9—10:1

2018 B.C. Birth of Abraham Gen. 11:26

a 1978 B.C. Terah writes Doc. No. VI,

Gen. 11:10-27 Gen. 11:27

1943 B.C. Abraham enters Canaan. Abrahamic Gen. 12:4, 7

covenant made Ex. 12:40;

Beginning of the 430-year period Gal. 3:17

b 1933 B.C. Lot rescued. Abraham visits

Melchizedek Gen. 14:16,

Ge 14:18;

Ge 16:3

1932 B.C. Ishmael born Gen. 16:15,

Ge 16:16

1919 B.C. Covenant of circumcision made Gen. 17:1,

Ge 17:10,

Ge 17:24

a 1919 B.C. Judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah Gen. 19:24

1918 B.C. Birth of Isaac the true heir Gen. 21:2

Beginning of the “about 450 years” Acts 13:19

1913 B.C. Weaning of Isaac. Ishmael sent away Gen. 21:8;

Ge 15:13

Beginning of the 400-year oppression Acts 7:6

c 1893 B.C. Isaac offered on Moriah. God adds

oath Gen. 22:2, 16

1881 B.C. Death of Sarah, age 127 Gen. 23:1

1878 B.C. Marriage of Isaac and Rebekah Gen. 25:20

b 1868 B.C. Shem writes Doc. No. V,

Gen. 10:2—11:10 Gen. 11:10

1868 B.C. Death of Shem, within 600 years Gen. 11:11

1858 B.C. Birth of Esau and Jacob Gen. 25:26

1844 B.C. Death of Abraham, within 175 years Gen. 25:7

a 1843 B.C. Ishmael (and Isaac) writes Document Gen. 25:12

No. VII, Gen. 11:27—25:12

1818 B.C. Esau marries Judith, the Hittitess Gen. 26:34

1796 B.C. Death of Ishmael, within his

137th yr. Gen. 25:17

a 1795 B.C. Isaac writes Document No. VIII, Gen. 25:19

Gen. 25:13-19

1781 B.C. Jacob flees to Haran; his vision at Gen. 28:2,

Bethel Ge 28:13,

Ge 28:19;

Ge 30:25,

Ge 30:26;

Ge 31:41

1774 B.C. Jacob marries Leah and Rachel Gen. 29:23-30

1767 B.C. Birth of Joseph Gen. 30:23,

Ge 30:24

1761 B.C. Jacob returns to Canaan from Haran Gen. 31:18,

Ge 31:41

c 1761 B.C. Jacob wrestles angel, is named Israel Gen. 32:24-28

1750 B.C. Joseph sold as a slave by his

brothers Gen. 37:2

1739 B.C. Death of Isaac within his 180th year Gen. 35:28,

Ge 35:29

a 1739 B.C. Esau writes Doc. No. IX,

Gen. 25:19—36:1 Gen. 36:1

a 1739 B.C. Esau writes Doc. No. X, Gen. 36:2-9 Gen. 36:9

1737 B.C. Joseph made prime minister of Egypt Gen. 41:40,

Ge 41:46

b 1728 B.C. Jacob writes Doc. No. XI,

Gen. 36:10—37:2 Gen. 37:2

1728 B.C. Jacob with his whole family enters Gen. 45:6;

Egypt Ge 46:26

Ge 47:9

1712 B.C. Death of Jacob, within his 147th

year Gen. 47:28

1657 B.C. Death of Joseph, age 110 Gen. 50:26

b 1613 B.C. Job’s trial Job 1:8;

Job 42:16

c 1600 B.C. Egypt begins growth as 1st world

power Ex. 1:8

1593 B.C. Birth of Moses Ex. 2:2

1553 B.C. Moses offers himself as a deliverer;

flees to Midian Ex. 2:11, 14,

Ex 2:15

Acts 7:23

c 1514 B.C. Moses at the burning thornbush Ex. 3:2

1513 B.C. Passover; Egypt’s power shaken; Ex. 12:12;

Red Sea disaster; Israelites leave Ex 14:27

Egypt; end of 400-yr. period of Ex. 14:29, 30

affliction Gen. 15:13,

Ge 15:14

Giving of the Law at Mt. Sinai Ex. 19:3-8

End of the 430-year period Gal. 3:17;

Ex. 12:40;

Moses compiles Genesis in wilderness John 5:46

1512 B.C. Tabernacle construction completed Ex. 40:17

Consecration of the Aaronic Lev. 8:34-36

priesthood

Moses writes Exodus and Leviticus Lev. 27:34;

Num. 1:1

c 1490 B.C. Moses writes the book of Job

1473 B.C. Moses completes Numbers in Moab Num. 35:1;

Nu 36:13

Covenant of faithfulness in Moab Deut. 29:1

Moses writes Deuteronomy Deut. 1:1, 3

Moses dies on Nebo in Moab, age 120 Deut. 34:5, 7

Israel enters Canaan under Joshua Jos. 4:19

1467 B.C. End of Joshua’s war operations in Jos. 11:23;

Canaan Jos 14:7,

Jos 14:10-15

End of the “about 450 years” Acts 13:19,

Ac 13:20, NW

b 1454 B.C. Joshua writes the book of Joshua Jos. 1:1;

Jos 24:26

c 1454 B.C. Death of Joshua, age 110 Jos. 24:29

c 1192 B.C. Birth of Samuel 1 Sam. 1:20

c 1173 B.C. Jephthah’s victory over Ammon Judg. 11:26,

Jg 11:33

b 1137 B.C. Ark removed from Shiloh 1 Sam. 4:3,

1Sa 4:11

Eli’s judgeship ends 1 Sam. 4:18

Samuel continues judging 1 Sam. 6:1,

1Sa 6:21;

1Sa 7:1, 2,

1Sa 7:15

c 1137 B.C. Jonathan, son of Saul born 1 Sam. 13:1,

1Sa 13:2

1117 B.C. Samuel anoints Saul as king of Israel 1 Sam. 10:24

Acts 13:21

1107 B.C. Birth of David at Bethlehem 1 Sam. 16:1

2 Sam. 5:4

c 1100 B.C. Samuel writes Judges Judg. 21:25

c 1097 B.C. Samuel anoints David as king

designate 1 Sam. 16:13

c 1097 to David writes his many Psalms Ps. 72:20

1037 B.C.

c 1090 B.C. Samuel writes the book of Ruth Ruth 4:18-22

b 1082 B.C. Samuel writes 1 Samuel 1:1—24:22 1 Sam. 25:1

1077 B.C. Death of King Saul 1 Sam. 31:7

David anointed king of Judah at

Hebron 2 Sam. 2:4

1070 B.C. David’s 3d anointing, over all Israel 2 Sam. 5:3-5

1069 B.C. David takes Jerusalem; makes it

capital 2 Sam. 5:6, 7

a 1069 B.C. The Ark brought into Jerusalem 2 Sam. 6:15

Kingdom covenant made with David 2 Sam. 7:12-16

c 1040 B.C. Gad and Nathan write 1 Samuel 25:1 2 Sam. 24:18

to 2 Samuel 24:25

1037 B.C. Death of King David, age 70 1 Ki. 2:10, 11

Solomon anointed as king of Israel 1 Ki. 1:39;

1Ki 2:12

1034 B.C. Construction of Solomon’s temple

begun 1 Ki. 6:1

1027 B.C. Solomon’s temple in Jerusalem

completed 1 Ki. 6:38

c 1010 B.C. Solomon writes most of Proverbs Prov. 1:1;

Pr 10:1;

Pr 25:1;

Eccl. 12:9

c 1010 B.C. Solomon writes Song of Solomon Ca. 1:1

c 1000 B.C. Solomon writes Ecclesiastes Eccl. 1:1

997 B.C. Rehoboam succeeds Solomon, kingdom 1 Ki. 11:43;

split 1Ki 12:19

980 B.C. Abijam succeeds Rehoboam 1 Ki. 15:1, 2

978 B.C. Asa succeeds Abijam 1 Ki. 15:9, 10

938 B.C. Jehoshaphat succeeds Asa 1 Ki. 22:41,

1Ki 22:42

917 B.C. Jehoram succeeds Jehoshaphat 2 Ki. 8:16, 17

c 917 B.C. Joel writes the book of Joel Joel 1:1

910 B.C. Ahaziah succeeds Jehoram 2 Chron. 22:1,

2Ch 22:2

909 B.C. Queen Athaliah usurps throne 2 Ki. 11:1-3

903 B.C. Jehoash succeeds Ahaziah 2 Ki. 12:1

866 B.C. Amaziah succeeds Jehoash 2 Ki. 14:1, 2

c 852 B.C. Jonah writes the book of Jonah Jonah 1:1, Jonah 1:2

837 B.C. An interregnum begins in Judah 2 Ki. 14:1, 2;

2Ki 15:1

826 B.C. Uzziah becomes king 2 Chron. 26:1-3

c 811 B.C. Amos writes the book of Amos Amos 1:1

c 782 B.C. Assyria, second world power, begins

to dominate Israel 2 Ki. 15:19

774 B.C. Jotham succeeds Uzziah 2 Chron. 27:1

759 B.C. Ahaz succeeds Jotham 2 Chron. 28:1

745 B.C. Hezekiah succeeds Ahaz 2 Chron. 29:1

742 B.C. Hosea writes the book of Hosea Hosea 1:1

740 B.C. Assyria subjugates Israel, takes

Samaria 2 Ki. 17:6,

2Ki 17:13 ,18

a 732 B.C. Isaiah writes the book of Isaiah Isa. 1:1

716 B.C. Manasseh succeeds Hezekiah 2 Ki. 21:1

c 716 B.C. Micah writes the book of Micah Micah 1:1

661 B.C. Amon succeeds Manasseh 2 Ki. 21:19

659 B.C. Josiah succeeds Amon 2 Ki. 22:1

c 655 B.C. Zephaniah writes the book of

Zephaniah Zeph. 1:1

b 632 B.C. Nahum writes the book of Nahum Nah. 1:1

c 632 B.C. Nineveh falls to Chaldeans and Medes Nah. 3:7

628 B.C. Jehoahaz succeeds Josiah 2 Ki. 23:31

628 B.C. Jehoiakim succeeds Jehoahaz 2 Ki. 23:36

c 628 B.C. Habakkuk writes the book of Habakkuk Hab. 1:1

625 B.C. Nebuchadnezzar rules as king of

Babylon Jer. 25:1

Nebuchadnezzar defeats Neco of Egypt Jer. 46:2

620 B.C. Nebuchadnezzar makes Jehoiakim

tributary king 2 Ki. 24:1

618 B.C. Jehoiachin becomes king after

Jehoiakim 2 Ki. 24:6

Nebuchadnezzar takes first Jewish Dan. 1:1-4

captives to Babylon 2 Chron. 36:6,

2Ch 36:7

617 B.C. Zedekiah is made king 2 Chron. 36:10

609 B.C. Nebuchadnezzar attacks Judah 3d time 2 Ki. 25:1

He begins 3-year siege of Jerusalem 2 Ki. 25:2

607 B.C. Fifth month (Ab 7-10) temple razed 2 Ki. 25:8-10

Jerusalem destroyed Jer. 52:12-14

607 B.C. Seventh month. Jews abandon Judah 2 Ki. 25:25,

2Ki 25:26

Babylon becomes the third world power

Jeremiah writes Lamentations Lam. preamble, LXX

c 607 B.C. Obadiah writes the book of Obadiah Obadiah 1

591 B.C. Ezekiel writes the book of Ezekiel Ezek. 40:1;

Eze 29:17

a 581 B.C. Jeremiah writes the books 1 and Jer. 52:31

2 Kings and Jeremiah 2 Ki. 25:27

539 B.C. Babylon falls to the Medes and

Persians. Dan. 5:30, 31

Medo-Persia becomes 4th world power

537 B.C. Cyrus, the Persian, issues decree 2 Chron. 36:22

permitting Jews to return to 2Ch 36:23

Jerusalem. Ezek. 1:1-3;

Jerusalem’s 70-year desolation ends Eze 3:1

Jer. 25:12;

Jer 29:10

520 B.C. Haggai writes the book of Haggai Hag. 1:1

518 B.C. Zechariah writes the book of

Zechariah Zech. 1:1

516 B.C Zerubbabel completes second temple Ezra 6:14, 15

474 B.C. Mordecai writes the book of Esther Esth. 3:7;

Es 9:32

468 B.C. Ezra and priests return to Jerusalem Ezra 7:7

c 460 B.C. Ezra writes the books 1 and 2 Chron. 36:22

2 Chronicles and Ezra Ezra 1:1

455 B.C. Jerusalem’s walls rebuilt by Neh. 1:1; 2:1,

Nehemiah Ne 2:11;

Ne 6:15

Prophecy of 70 weeks begins Dan. 9:24

fulfillment

443 B.C. Nehemiah writes the book of Nehemiah Neh. 5:14

c 442 Malachi writes the book of Malachi Mal. 1:1

406 B.C. Jerusalem fully rebuilt to ancient

glory Dan. 9:25

332 B.C. Greece, 5th world power, rules Judea Dan. 8:21

c 280 B.C. The Greek Septuagint translation

begun Deut. 32:43

165 B.C. Renewal of temple after desecration

by Greek idolatry. Feast of

Dedication John 10:22

63 B.C. Rome, 6th world power, rules John 19:15

Jerusalem Rev. 17:10

37 B.C. Herod (appointed king by Rome) takes

Jerusalem by storm

17 B.C. Herod begins building the third

temple John 2:20

2 B.C. Birth of John the Baptist and of

Jesus Luke 1:60; 2:7

A.D. 29 John and Jesus begin their

ministries Luke 3:1, 2, 23

(For detailed record of the events in

their ministries see chart in “Equipped

for Every Good Work”, pp. 284-287.)

A.D. 32 John the Baptist beheaded Matt. 14:10

A.D. 33 Nisan 14. Jesus provides sacrifice Luke 22:20;

for the new covenant. Is impaled Lu 23:33

A.D. 33 Nisan 16. The resurrection of Jesus Matt. 28:1-10

A.D. 33 Sivan 6, Pentecost. Outpouring of

spirit Acts 2:1:17

Peter opens the way for Jews to Matt. 16:19

Christian congregation, uses 1st Acts 2:38

key

A.D. 36 End of the 70 weeks of years Dan. 9:24-27

Peter uses 2d key, people of the Acts 10:1, 45

nations enter Christian

congregation

c A.D. 41-50 Matthew writes “Matthew” Matt. 28:15

A.D. 49 Governing body rule against

circumcision for peoples of the Acts 15:28

nations

A.D. 50 Paul writes 1 and 2 Thessalonians Acts 18:11, 12

from Corinth 1 Thess. 1:1

A.D. 51 Paul writes his letter to the Gal. 1:1

Galatians from Antioch Acts 18:22, 23

A.D. 55 Paul writes 1 Corinthians 1 Cor. 15:32

from Ephesus Acts 19:1

A.D. 55 Paul writes 2 Corinthians from 2 Cor. 2:12,

Philippi 2Co 2:13

Acts 20:1

A.D. 56 Paul writes his letter to the Romans Rom. 16:1

from Corinth Acts 20:2

A.D. 56-58 Luke writes his history entitled Acts 23:33

“Luke” from Caesarea Luke 1:1, 2

A.D. 60 From Rome Paul writes: Ephesians Eph. 3:1

Philippians Phil. 4:22

Colossians Col. 4:18

Philemon Phm. 1:1

c A.D. 60 James, Jesus’ brother, writes “The Jas. 1:1

Letter of James” from Jerusalem Gal. 1:18, 19

A.D. 60-65 Mark writes his history entitled

“Mark” Col. 4:10;

1 Pet. 5:13;

2 Tim. 4:11

A.D. 61 Paul writes “Hebrews” from Rome Heb. 13:24;

Heb 10:34

A.D. 61 Luke completes writing Acts in Rome Acts 28:30

A.D. 61-64 Paul writes 1 Timothy from Macedonia 1 Tim. 1:3

Paul writes Titus from Ephesus Titus 1:5

A.D. 62-64 Peter writes 1 Peter from Babylon 1 Pet. 1:1;

1Pe 5:13

c A.D. 64 Peter writes 2 Peter from Babylon 2 Pet. 3:15,

2Pe 3:16

A.D. 65 Paul writes 2 Timothy from Rome 2 Tim. 4:16-18

c A.D. 65 Jude, Jesus’ brother, writes “Jude” Jude 1, 17, 18

A.D. 70 Jerusalem and its temple destroyed Dan. 9:27

by the Romans Matt. 23:27

Luke 19:42-44

c A.D. 96 John on Patmos writes Revelation Rev. 1:9

c A.D. 98 John writes history entitled “John” John 21:22, 23

and his letters 1, 2 and 3 John

A.D. 325 Beginning of organized apostate

Christianity at Nicea

A.D. 440 Roman Catholic sect organized at Rome

by Pope Leo I. An East-West split

A.D. 800 Beginning of the Thousand years of the

Holy Roman Empire under the joint

control of the pope and Western

European rulers

A.D. 1229 Beginning of the Catholic “Inquisition”

Persecutions of Christians reach new heights

A.D. 1456 Bibles began to be printed from movable type

A.D. 1517 The Reformation begins the severing of

many sects in protest to the Roman Catholic

Hierarchy

A.D. 1600 British Empire begins rise as 7th Dan. 7:8

world power; charters East India Rev. 13:11;

Company Re 16:13

[It should be noted by the reader that many early Bible events occurred within years that ran from fall to fall. The Jews even today have a “civil year” that runs from fall to fall. After the Exodus in 1513 B.C. “sacred years” were inaugurated which counted from spring to spring. “Regnal years” of the kings of Israel, Judah, Babylon and Persia likewise ran from spring to spring. Where a king died before he completed his last “regnal year” his successor completed his term as an “accession year”. However, the successor did not reckon the beginning of his own first “regnal year” until the next spring. This chart seeks to adapt the above years” to our present B.C. and A.D. system of reckoning and recording of “years”.]

Original Songs

1 Reply

Original Songs

Here is a link to where you can download the recent original songs in MP3 format in various languages.

Is the Trinity a Bible teaching?

Leave a reply

Our Readers Ask . . .

Is the Trinity a Bible teaching?

▪ The Trinity doctrine is defined this way, although there are many variations: “Three divine Persons (the Father, the Son, the Holy Ghost), each said to be eternal, each said to be almighty, none greater or less than another, each said to be God, and yet together being but one God.” Is this a Bible teaching?

Matthew 28:19 is usually cited to prove the doctrine. The text from the King James Version quotes Jesus: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” True, the Father, the Son, and the holy ghost (or spirit) are all mentioned in this text. However, nothing is said about their being one. Jesus was commissioning his Jewish followers to teach and baptize people in the name of the Father, the Son, and the holy spirit. As a nation, what did the Jews believe?

When the nation of Israel received the Law covenant, which forms part of the Bible, they were commanded: “You must never have any other gods against my face.” (Deuteronomy 5:7) How many persons were speaking here? Without any confusion, Deuteronomy 6:4reads: “Listen, O Israel: Jehovah our God is one Jehovah”​—not three in one. Israel had just been liberated from Egypt, where Osiris, Isis, and Horus (shown at left)​—one of a number of triads of gods—​were worshipped. Therefore, Israel was commanded to worship just one God. How important was it for people to understand this command? According to Dr. J. H. Hertz, a rabbi: “This sublime pronouncement of absolute monotheism was a declaration of war against all polytheism . . . The Shema excludes the trinity of the Christian creed as a violation of the Unity of God.”*

Since Jesus was a Jew by birth, he was instructed to follow this same command. After his baptism, when tempted by the Devil, he said: “Go away, Satan! For it is written, ‘It is Jehovah your God you must worship, and it is to him alone you must render sacred service.’” (Matthew 4:10; Deuteronomy 6:13) We can learn at least two things from this incident. First, Satan was trying to entice Jesus to worship someone other than Jehovah, an attempt that would have been absurd if Jesus were part of the same God. Second, Jesus made it clear that there is just one God who must be worshipped when he said “him alone,” not “us,” which he would have said if he were part of a Trinity.

When people come to an accurate knowledge of God and want to serve him, they are baptized “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit.” (Matthew 28:19) They understand and accept the authority of Jehovah and the role of Jesus Christ in the outworking of Jehovah’s purpose. (Psalm 83:18; Matthew 28:18) They also comprehend the function and activity of God’s holy spirit, which is his active force.​—Genesis 1:2;Galatians 5:22, 23; 2 Peter 1:21.

The Trinity doctrine has confused people for centuries. On the other hand, Jesus enlightened his followers and directed them to “the only true God,” Jehovah.​—John 17:3.

[Footnote]

The confession of the oneness of God as expressed in the Shema, a prayer based on Deuteronomy 6:4, forms a central part of synagogue worship.

[Picture Credit Line on page 23]

Musée du Louvre, Paris

Must You Believe in the Trinity to Be a Christian?

Leave a reply

Our Readers Ask . . .

Must You Believe in the Trinity to Be a Christian?

A high-school textbook, World Religions in Denmark, published in 2007, described Jehovah’s Witnesses as a Christian minority who follow the Bible closely. In fact, Jehovah’s Witnesses are the third-largest Christian denomination in Denmark.

However, a bishop of the Danish National Church severely criticized the author’s decision to include the Witnesses in the textbook. Why? “I have yet to meet a theologian who considers [Jehovah’s Witnesses] to be Christians,” said the bishop. “They deny the Trinity, which is the heart of the Christian religion.”

The author of the book, religion sociologist Annika Hvithamar, pointed out that when people are asked why they consider themselves to be Christians, they hardly ever answer that it is because they believe that God is a Trinity. Moreover, a section in the textbook entitled “Are You a Christian?” states: “The doctrine of the Trinity is one of the more difficult problems of Christian theology.” It adds: “At all times, it has been difficult to explain to unschooled Christians why the Christian God is still one god and not three gods.”

“The doctrine of the Trinity is one of the more difficult problems of Christian theology”

What the Bible teaches about God and Jesus is clear and simple. It is not difficult to understand. Neither the word “Trinity” nor the concept is found in God’s Word. The Bible clearly states that Jesus Christ is God’s firstborn Son. (Colossians 1:15) It also points to Jesus as being the “mediator between God and men.” (1 Timothy 2:5) About the Father, the Bible says: “You, whose name is Jehovah, you alone are the Most High over all the earth.”​—Psalm 83:18.

Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that faith in Jesus is vital. (John 3:16) For this reason, they take seriously Jesus’ command: “It is written, ‘It is Jehovah your God you must worship, and it is to him alone you must render sacred service.’” (Matthew 4:10) Surely, someone who strives to obey Jesus’ commands can be called Christian.

Does It Really Matter to God Whether I Use Tobacco?

Leave a reply

Our Readers Ask . . .

Does It Really Matter to God Whether I Use Tobacco?

▪ A sincere person may ask that question, since no law in the Bible mentions tobacco products. Does that fact mean that God’s thinking on the matter is difficult to discern? No, not at all.

The Bible says that “all Scripture is inspired of God.” (2 Timothy 3:16) The Scriptures contain clear principles and statements that reveal how God wants us to care for our health. First, let us review what researchers have discovered about the impact that tobacco use has on human health. Then we will consider how Bible principles relate to those findings.

Tobacco damages a user’s health and is a leading cause of preventable death. In the United States, tobacco use is to blame for 1 out of every 5 deaths. In that country, it kills more people each year than “alcohol, illegal drug use, homicide, suicide, car accidents, and AIDS combined,” states a report from the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

Those who smoke tobacco harm others. There is no safe amount of exposure to cigarette smoke. Nonsmokers who inhale secondhand smoke increase the risk of developing lung cancer and heart disease by up to 30 percent. In recent years, doctors have identified another danger that they call “third-hand smoke.” This term refers to the chemical residues left on clothes, carpets, and other surfaces that linger long after the visible smoke dissipates. Those poisonous chemicals especially harm the health of children and can retard their ability to learn.

Tobacco is addictive. It makes the user a slave to the damaging habit. In fact, researchers believe that addiction to nicotine, a key chemical in tobacco, is one of the most difficult addictions to break.

How do Bible principles relate to those facts? Note the following:

God wants us to respect life. In the Law, which God gave to the nation of Israel, he indicated that those who want to please him must respect human life. (Deuteronomy 5:17) Israelites had to build a parapet, or low wall, around the edge of the roof of their houses. Why? The roofs were flat and were used as a living space. The wall prevented the family and others from falling and being injured or killed. (Deuteronomy 22:8) In addition, the Israelites had to ensure that the animals they owned did not cause injury to others. (Exodus 21:28, 29) A person who uses tobacco violates the principles that underpin those laws. He willingly damages his own health. In addition, his smoking endangers the health of those around him.

God expects us to love him and to love our neighbor. Jesus Christ stated that his followers should obey the two greatest commandments. They must love God with their whole heart, soul, mind, and strength and love their neighbor as themselves. (Mark 12:28-31) Since life is a gift from God, a person who uses tobacco shows a gross lack of respect for that gift and thus a lack of love for God. (Acts 17:26-28) That person’s habit can cause serious harm to others, so he belies any claim he makes to love his neighbor.

God requires that we avoid unclean habits. The Bible instructs Christians to cleanse themselves of “every defilement of flesh and spirit.” (2 Corinthians 7:1) Tobacco use obviously defiles a person. Those who want to quit smoking to please God face a difficult challenge. But with God’s help, they can break free from this defiling addiction.