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Our discussion will take the form of a simulated conversation between a Jehovah's Witness named Joe and a Christian named Chris.
Chris: Joe, is the Watchtower necessary for salvation?
Joe: Yes. The Nov. 15, 1981 Watchtower on page 21 says the witness that Jehovah's Witnesses are giving includes the invitation to come to Jehovah's organization for salvation.
Chris: So then, your purpose in witnessing to me and to others is to bring people to the Watchtower?
Joe: Well, yes. The Watchtower August 15, 1967 page 499 says that we cannot remain outside the organization of God's people, separated from it, if we want to have Jehovah's protection. You see, Chris, no one outside of Jehovah's organization will survive Armageddon. That's why we are preaching door to door.
Chris: So, would you say that the Watchtower is the name by which we must be saved?
Joe: Jesus is involved as well. He died so that we can be saved.
Chris: But the Watchtower is necessary for salvation?
Joe: Yes. The Watchtower is God's organization and is necessary for salvation.
Chris: Joe could you read me a verse from your Bible?
Joe: Sure.
Chris: Read Acts 4:12.
Joe: "Furthermore, there is no salvation in anyone else, for there is not another name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must get saved."
Chris: Joe, what name is the only name that has been given by which men are to be saved?
Joe: It is Jehovah.
Chris: What do the verses before Acts 4:12 say?
Joe: "let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ the Naz·a·rene', whom you impaled but whom God raised up from the dead, by this one does this man stand here sound in front of you. This is 'the stone that was treated by you builders as of no account that has become the head of the corner.' Furthermore, there is no salvation in anyone else, for there is not another name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must get saved."
Chris: Whose name is the only name by which we must be saved?
Joe: It says it is the name of Jesus. But Jehovah is the name we must call on and we must go through God's organization.
Chris: Can you show me any verse in the Bible that says that there is another name by which we must be saved? Can you show me a verse where a human organization will become necessary for one to get saved?
Joe: The Watchtower tells us that to assure our everlasting salvation we must stay within the boundary of the visible organization.
Chris: Joe, how long have you been a Jehovah's Witness?
Joe: I have been in the truth for 25 years. I was baptized when I was 15 years old.
Chris: You have been in the Watchtower for a very long time. After spending such a long time working for the Society and doing many works, can you tell me how sure are you that if you should die you would be accepted by Jehovah?
Joe: I don't know...I'm not sure... I hope that I have done enough, ...but I'm not sure.
Chris: Did you know that 1 John was written to Christians to give them confidence in their own salvation? Joe, read 1 John 5:13 from your Bible.
Joe: "I write you these things that you may know that you have life everlasting, you who put your faith in the name of the Son of God."
Chris: Joe, if you have the truth, why is it that you don't have any confidence in your salvation?
Joe: But we can't know for sure if we are saved. It would be arrogant to assume that we have salvation right now. Doesn't the Bible say that we must work out our own salvation? If belief in Jesus is all we need then why aren't the demons saved? James 2:19 says that the demons believe and shudder.
Chris: Those are good questions, Joe. Let's discuss them next week.
Joe: Ok.
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