1. Why are so many people confused?
It is estimated that there are tens of thousands of religions that claim to be Christian and that claim to worship God as he pleases. No wonder so many people are confused and wonder: "Is there only one true religion, or does God accept all religions?" And we? Are we fully convinced that Jehovah's Witnesses teach the truth and that our way of worshiping God today is the only one that he accepts? Is it really possible to be so convinced? Let's see what the tests indicate.
2. Why was the apostle Paul convinced that what he believed was the truth? (1 Thessalonians 1: 5).
The Apostle Paul was fully convinced that what he believed was the truth (read 1 Thessalonians 1: 5). And that assurance was not a simple emotion. It was the result of a deep study of the Word of God. He believed that "all Scripture is inspired by God" (2 Tim. 3:16). By studying it, Paul found indisputable evidence that Jesus was the promised Messiah. However, the Jewish religious leaders chose to ignore those tests. Those hypocrites claimed to represent God, but their works said otherwise (Titus 1:16). In contrast, Paul did not choose which parts of God's Word he wanted to believe and which he did not. He was willing to teach and apply "all the will of God" (Acts 20:27).
3. Para estar convencidos de que tenemos la verdad, ¿necesitamos saber las respuestas a todas nuestras preguntas? (Vea también el recuadro “ Las obras y los pensamientos de Jehová son más de los que podemos contar”).
There are those who believe that true religion should be able to answer all questions, even those that are not specifically answered in the Bible. Is it realistic to expect that? Let's look at the example of Paul. It is true that he told Christians to “Check all things,” but he also recognized that there were many things that he did not understand(1 Thess. 5:21) .He explained that "we have incomplete knowledge" and that "we see blurred images in a metal mirror" (1 Cor. 13: 9, 12). Pablo didn't know everything, and neither did we. But he understood the basic teachings about Jehovah, he had enough knowledge to be convinced that he had the truth.
Jehovah's Works and Thoughts Are More Than We Can Count
To be fully convinced that we have the truth, is it essential now to know the answers to all of our questions or to be able to answer any question that is asked of us? No. As the following biblical texts show, we will never know everything about Jehovah's works and thoughts. We will continue to learn from our God for all eternity. Meanwhile, what Jehovah has taught us about him and his purpose is enough for us to have strong faith in him and for us to explain the basic teachings of the Bible to others.
Psalm 40: 5: “How many things have you done, O Jehovah my God! There are many wonderful works and your thoughts on our behalf - no one can compare with you. If I tried to narrate them and talk about them, there would be too many, more than I can count ”.
Ecclesiastes 3:11: “He has made everything beautiful in due time. He has even put eternity in their hearts; yet mankind will never fully understand the works that the true God has done. "
Isaiah 55: 9: "As the heavens are above the earth, so my ways are above your ways, and my thoughts are above your thoughts."
Romans 11:33: “Oh, how deep are God's riches, wisdom, and knowledge! How inexplicable are his judgments and his ways inexplorable! ”.
4. How can we strengthen our conviction that we have found the truth, and what will we see in this article?
How can we strengthen our conviction that we have found the truth? One way is by comparing Jesus' way of worshiping God with the way Jehovah's Witnesses worship him today. In this article, we will see that true Christians 1) reject idolatry, 2) respect Jehovah's name, 3) love the truth, and 4) have intense love for one another.
WE REJECT IDOLATRY
5. What example did Jesus set in worshiping God, and how can we follow him?
Because Jesus loved Jehovah very much , he worshiped only him, both when he was in heaven and when he was on earth. --Luke 4: 8. And he taught his disciples to do the same. Neither he nor his faithful disciples ever used images in their worship. Since God is a spirit, nothing that man does to represent him can ever come close to his incomparable glory (Isa. 46: 5). And what about making images of the so-called saints and praying to them? In the second of the Ten Commandments, Jehovah said: “Do not make for yourself any carved image or anything in the shape of something that is above in the heavens, below on the earth, or below in the waters. Do not bow down to such things ” (Ex. 20: 4, 5). For those who want to please God, these words leave no room for doubt.
6. What example do Jehovah's Witnesses follow today?
Historians acknowledge that first century Christians only worshiped God. For example, a book on the history of Christianity says that early Christians "would have been horrified" at the very idea of placing pictures in their places of worship (History of the Christian Church). Today, Jehovah's Witnesses follow the example of first-century Christians. We do not pray to images of "saints" or angels, we do not even pray to Jesus. And we also do not perform acts of worship to symbols of the State, such as saluting the flag or others. Whatever happens, we are determined to obey these words of Jesus: “Worship the Lord your God” (Matt. 4:10).
7. What clear differences are there between Jehovah's Witnesses and other religions?
Today, many people enthusiastically follow very popular religious leaders, to the point that they almost idolize them. They crowd their churches, buy their books, and donate tons of money to support them. Some believe everything they are told. Not even seeing Jesus in person would they get so excited! In contrast, true servants of Jehovah do not follow any human leader. Although we respect those who lead us, we are guided by this clear teaching of Jesus: “You are all brothers” (Matt. 23: 8-10). We do not idolize men, be they religious leaders or political rulers. And we do not support their causes, but remain neutral and separate from the world. In all of these fields we are very different from many groups who claim to be Christians (John 18:36).
WE RESPECT THE NAME OF JEHOVAH
8. How do we know that Jehovah wants us to glorify his name and make it known to the whole world?
On one occasion, Jesus prayed, "Father, glorify your name." Jehovah himself responded with a thunderous voice from heaven promising to glorify his name. --John 12:28. Throughout his ministry, Jesus brought glory to his Father's name (John 17:26). So it stands to reason that true Christians take pride in using God's name and making it known to others.
9. How did first century Christians show that they respected God's name?
In the first century, shortly after the Christian congregation was formed, Jehovah “turned his attention to the nations to bring out from among them a people for his name” (Acts 15:14). Those Christians were proud to use God's name and make it known to others. They used the divine name openly in their ministry and in writing the books of the Bible. * Thus they demonstrated that they were a people for the name of God (Acts 2:14, 21).
10. What evidence is there that Jehovah's Witnesses are a people for God's name?
Are Jehovah's Witnesses a People for Jehovah's Name? Let's look at the tests. Today many religious leaders have done everything in their power to hide the fact that God has a name. They have removed it from their Bible translations and in some cases have banned it from being used in their religious services. * But it is undeniable that Jehovah's Witnesses are the only ones who give God's name the honor and respect it deserves. No other religious group makes the name of God known to as many people as we do.We do our best to be what our name says we are: Jehovah's Witnesses (Isa. 43: 10-12). We have published more than 240 million copies of the New World Translation, which uses Jehovah's name in places where other Bible translators have omitted it. And we publish Bible publications using Jehovah's name in more than 1,000 languages.
ILUSTRACION:
Serie de imágenes: 1. El hermano Gerrit Lösch presenta la “Traducción del Nuevo Mundo”. 2. Hermanos y hermanas predicando en diferentes partes del planeta.
Los cristianos verdaderos se sienten orgullosos de hablarles a otros de Jehová. (Vea los párrafos 8 a 10). *
AMAMOS LA VERDAD
11. How did first century Christians show that they loved the truth?
Jesus loved the truth, that is, the truth about God and his purposes. He lived in harmony with it and made it known to others (John 18:37). True followers of Jesus also had a deep love for her (John 4:23, 24). In fact, the Apostle Peter called Christianity the "way of truth" (2 Pet. 2: 2). Christians in the first century loved the truth very much, and so they rejected religious ideas, cultural traditions, and personal opinions that went against it (Col. 2: 8). In the same way, true Christians today strive to keep “walking in the truth” (3 John 3, 4). How? Making sure all your beliefs and way of life are in accordance with Jehovah's Word.
12. What do the brothers who lead the work do when they realize that we need to make some adjustment, and why do they do so?
Jehovah's Witnesses do not claim to have an absolutely perfect knowledge of the Bible. Sometimes they have made mistakes in the way they explain some biblical teaching or organize the congregation . But this should not surprise us, for the Scriptures make it clear that God's people would understand the truth better and better as time went by (Col. 1: 9, 10). Jehovah gradually reveals the truth, so we must be willing to wait patiently for the light of truth to grow brighter. --Prov. 4:18. When the brothers who direct the work realize that we need to make some adjustment in our way of understanding or doing something, they do not hesitate to change what is necessary.Many churches in Christendom make changes to please their parishioners or to win the sympathy of the world. But Jehovah's Witnesses make changes to draw closer to God and to worship him as Jesus taught (James 4: 4). When we make a change, it is not because we want to adapt to the ideas or opinions that are in vogue, but because we have come to better understand what the Bible says. We love the truth (1 Thess. 2: 3, 4).
WE FEEL INTENSE LOVE FOR EACH OTHER
13. What is the most important quality of true Christians, and how do Jehovah's Witnesses demonstrate it today?
Christians in the first century were known for many qualities, but the most important was love. Jesus said, "In this way everyone will know that you are my disciples: if you have love for one another" (John 13:34, 35). Today, Jehovah's Witnesses enjoy love and unity throughout the world. Unlike other religions, we form a true family that overcomes all social, racial and national barriers. And we see that love in action in our meetings and assemblies. This makes us even more convinced that we are the only ones who worship Jehovah as he wishes.
14. According to Colossians 3: 12-14, what is an important way to show intense love for one another?
The Bible says, "Have intense love for one another" (1 Pet. 4: 8). One way to show that love is by forgiving and supporting each other for our imperfections. We also look for opportunities to be generous and hospitable to all brothers and sisters, even those who may have offended us (read Colossians 3: 12-14). Without a doubt, this love is the greatest proof that we are true Christians.
"ONE FAITH ONLY"
15. In what other ways do we follow the model of the first century Christian congregation?
There are other facets of our worship in which we also follow the pattern of the first century Christian congregation. For example, the structure of our organization — including traveling overseers, elders, and ministerial servants — mimics the pattern established by the apostles in the first century (Philippians 1: 1; Titus 1: 5). And the same can be said of our views on sex and marriage, our respect for the sanctity of blood, and our desire to protect the congregation from those who commit grave sins and do not repent (Acts 15:28, 29; 1 Cor. 5: 11-13; 6: 9, 10; Heb. 13: 4).
16. What does Ephesians 4: 4-6 teach us?
Jesus said that many would claim to be his disciples, but not all would really be (Matt. 7: 21-23). And God's Word also prophesied that, in the last days, many would only appear to “have devotion to God” (2 Tim. 3: 1, 5). But the Bible makes it clear that there is “one faith” that has God's approval (read Ephesians 4: 4-6).
17. Who follows the example of Jesus and practices the only true religion today?
So who today practice the only true religion? After looking at the evidence and looking at the example set by Jesus and followed by first-century Christians, the answer is clear: Jehovah's Witnesses. Being part of God's people and knowing the truth about Jehovah and his purposes is certainly a great privilege. Therefore, let us continue to hold onto the truth with strong conviction.
HOW DO JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES SHOW THAT WE DO THESE THINGS?
That we only worship Jehovah and that we respect his name.
Only Jehovah, the Creator and Sovereign of the universe, deserves exclusive devotion. We worship Jehovah when we respect his sovereignty and honor his name, our worship is not just what we feel. True worship involves action. By dedicating our lives to Jehovah, we pledge to obey him as sovereign in every area of life and to show our deepest respect for his name.
That we love the truth.
The Bible explains that true love is not demonstrated "in word or tongue, but in fact and truth", it means that it is not always enough to tell someone that we love them. For example, if a sibling does not have enough food or clothing, he needs more than a few words of encouragement. Similarly, because we love God and neighbor, we not only ask Jehovah to send out laborers to the harvest, but we also participate fully in the preaching work.
That we feel intense love for each other.
One way to show that love is by forgiving and supporting each other for our imperfections. We also look for opportunities to be generous and hospitable to all the brothers, even those who may have offended us.
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