It’s not uncommon to see Jehovah’s Witnesses from the Watch Tower Society in Ukraine. They often have their book stand set up on the sidewalk offering free Bible studies and materials to those passing by. I have had many conversations with them about faith and I want to share with you an approach I often use.
Jehovah’s witnesses may claim to be “Christian” but in reality their teachings are in opposition to Christianity. They deny central aspects of the Christian faith such as the deity of Christ and forgiveness of sins through faith in Jesus Christ. Whenever I talk with Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, or another group that falsely claims they are Christian, I always try to focus on the most significant difference between us, which is belief or denial of the deity of Christ.
It’s no secret that the name “Jehovah” plays an important role in their faith. That’s why when I talk to Jehovah’s Witnesses I usually start by saying, “I believe that the name ‘Jehovah’ is very important. Do you want to know why?” Of course they also believe the name is important and are curious to see what I have to say about it.
I then take them to Exodus 3:14
God replied to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM,” and then said, “Tell the Israelis: ‘I AM sent me to you.'”
Exo 3:14
I tell them that this is an important verse in the Bible because it reveals God’s name to us. Here God replies to Moses, who asked him earlier “who should I say sent me?” God gives a short and powerful statement, “I AM WHO I AM.” Moses took what God said here and changed it just slightly. The word “Jehovah” or “Yahweh” can be translated as “HE IS.” This is significant, it means that Jehovah God is completely self-existent, he is uncreated and therefore has no beginning and no ending, he eternally exists.
My Jehovah’s Witness friends are happy to agree to this. They usually nod their heads and smile as I explain the meaning of Exodus 3:14 and the name “Jehovah.” The next step is to now point them to Jehovah in the New Testament. I ask them to now take a look at Jesus’ interaction with the Pharisees in John chapter 8. Here Jesus claims that Abraham looked forward to the day when Christ would appear, and now he has rejoiced because he has seen it. (John 8:56)
The Jews quickly respond by saying,
“You are not yet 50 years old and yet you have seen Abraham!” (John 8:57)
Jesus’ reply produces a violent reaction.
58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” 59 So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.
Joh 8:58-59
Why did they pick up stones, because the Jews understood very clearly that Jesus was claiming that he and Yahweh/Jehovah are one and the same. The Greek used in this passage is “ἐγώ εἰμι” this is an exact quote from the Septuagint in Exodus 3:14 when Jehovah says “I AM.” During Jesus’ time the Septuagint was the accepted and well used Greek translation of the Old Testament. Jesus was unmistakably claiming that he was Jehovah, the God who appeared to Moses in the burning bush and told him to deliver the people from Egypt.
The truth that Jesus and Jehovah are one can be clearly proved by using Exodus 3:14 and John 8:58 and pointing Jesus and Jehovah exclusively refer to themselves as “I am”. Those who reject this teaching reject the truth claims that Jesus made and can not truly be called Christian.
