Yesterday the Jehovah's Witnesses came to my door, and as might be expected, began their attack on the deity of Christ. We did a round or two on that, and I pointed out to them that Christ claimed equality with His Father. Of course they expected me to quote John 10:30, "I and my Father are one", in fact they preempted the argument by quoting the verse themselves.
Instead I referred them to John 5 where Jesus made several statements equating Himself with the Father, and I specified that Jesus had equal power of resurrection, and pointed them to John 5:21, "For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will."
They said that Jesus could not have raised himself from the dead, since the dead do not exist. I pointed out that Jesus said He had the power to lay down His life , and that He had the power to take it up again. They said this power was the Father's power, and again reiterated the dead do not exist.
So I asked them this, (and I am sure the Lord brought this thought to mind, as I have never used it with a J.W., before): I said, if that is so, why is Jesus calling Lazarus from the grave in John 11, if Lazarus does not exist? They were clearly stumped. Then one of them said Lazarus did not exist. So I asked them what is the point in Jesus calling out the name of someone who does not exist? Then the other one, said, "Well, he did exist." Now they were huffing and puffing and contradicting each other. I then pointed out if Lazarus did not exist, not only did that make Jesus foolish for calling out his name, but it ultimately resulted in a re-creation of Lazarus, and not a resurrection.
At this point they accused me of being rude for not allowing them to share their opinions. I pointed out to them that they had knocked my door, and not the other way around, and it was in fact they who were rude if they thought having done so that I should stand there and allow them to preach at me without opportunity of reply. At this point they said I was not interested in anything they had to say (which was true) and left.
But I thought I would share this thought on Lazarus' resurrection with you, as I never have read this argument before (that I recall), and felt it was one of the most effective responses I have ever given a J.W.
Instead I referred them to John 5 where Jesus made several statements equating Himself with the Father, and I specified that Jesus had equal power of resurrection, and pointed them to John 5:21, "For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will."
They said that Jesus could not have raised himself from the dead, since the dead do not exist. I pointed out that Jesus said He had the power to lay down His life , and that He had the power to take it up again. They said this power was the Father's power, and again reiterated the dead do not exist.
So I asked them this, (and I am sure the Lord brought this thought to mind, as I have never used it with a J.W., before): I said, if that is so, why is Jesus calling Lazarus from the grave in John 11, if Lazarus does not exist? They were clearly stumped. Then one of them said Lazarus did not exist. So I asked them what is the point in Jesus calling out the name of someone who does not exist? Then the other one, said, "Well, he did exist." Now they were huffing and puffing and contradicting each other. I then pointed out if Lazarus did not exist, not only did that make Jesus foolish for calling out his name, but it ultimately resulted in a re-creation of Lazarus, and not a resurrection.
At this point they accused me of being rude for not allowing them to share their opinions. I pointed out to them that they had knocked my door, and not the other way around, and it was in fact they who were rude if they thought having done so that I should stand there and allow them to preach at me without opportunity of reply. At this point they said I was not interested in anything they had to say (which was true) and left.
But I thought I would share this thought on Lazarus' resurrection with you, as I never have read this argument before (that I recall), and felt it was one of the most effective responses I have ever given a J.W.