Friends views do not. . .

[Wanderer]

My best friend of nearly 14 years has some views that do not align with mainstream Christian ideology. We went out for ice cream tonight and had a nice civil mature conversation about the holy spirit, death, and gifts.

He follows The Way International's teachings, although he has not actively studies in nearly a decade.

After spending some time reading their description about Jesus is not God, I feel they're not letting the Bible interpret the Bible and instead this organization believes scripture about the Holy Trinity was later added by man and not inspired by God.

My explanations basically used John 1:1 and John 1:14, but feel this was not enough to persuade him otherwise.

He states Jesus was Man first, God second, and because of this plus his first death this makes Him not God and nothing more than a 'mediator'.

This argument is going to go around and around. Does anyone know a better way to explain the Holy Trinity?

The death issue is another topic for another time and would rather focus on one problem at a time for quality reasons.

Thanks!

-David

 

[annsni]

This should be very helpful to you. I have used it and it's very effective.

https://blogs.thegospelcoalition.or...rove-to-a-jehovahs-witness-that-jesus-is-god/

 

[TCassidy]

I have used the following to prove to JWs that Jesus of the NT is Jehovah of the OT.

It should work on anyone who denies the Deity of Christ.

Isaiah 40:3 The voice of one who calls out, “Prepare the way of Jehovah in the wilderness! Make a level highway in the desert for our God.
Matthew 3:3 For this is he (Jesus) who was spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, saying, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, make ready the way of the Lord. Make his paths straight.”

When we compare Isaiah with Matthew we see that Jesus is Jehovah.

Num 21:5 The people spoke against God, and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no bread, and there is no water; and our soul loathes this disgusting bread.”
Num 21:6 Jehovah sent venomous snakes among the people, and they bit the people. Many people of Israel died.

1Co 10:9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.

The OT says it was Jehovah Who was tested and the NT says it was Jesus. Therefore, Jehovah is Jesus.

Gen 2:4 This is the history of the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that Jehovah God made the earth and the heavens.
Joh 1:3 All things were made by him (Jesus); and without him (Jesus) was not any thing made that was made.

The OT says Jehovah made the heavens and the earth. The NT says it was Jesus.

Therefore Jesus is Jehovah.

 

[Iconoclast]

In jn17....Jesus speaks of having the glory that he had with God the Father before the world was....
17 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:

2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

 

[HankD]

Exodus 3:14 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

John 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
59 Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

 

[Wanderer]

Thanks for all the information. I am going to write up a nice paper and have it prepared for our next talk. Probably wont be for a little while though. Want be well prepared.