Posts by davidl7

1

"Christians 'Declining Sharply' in America; Unaffiliated Rising, Now Hold Greater Population Share Than Catholics, Pew Study Reveals"

by davidl7 in

the latest pew study shows continued decline in church memberships, including catholics, protestants and even evangelical protestants.

the overall "christian population" feel from 78.4% to 70%, from to 2007 to 2014. according to a short christian post article on the pew findings, "the only christian groups to register minimal growth at 0.1 percent were jehovah's witness, at 0.8 percent of the population, and those in the "other christian" category, at 0.4 percent.

" i wonder if the increase for the jws is higher, since the number of jw participants in the pew study was very small compared to their population in the us.

davidl7

The latest PEW study shows continued decline in church memberships, including Catholics, Protestants and even Evangelical Protestants. The overall "Christian population" feel from 78.4% to 70%, from to 2007 to 2014. According to a short Christian Post article on the Pew findings, "The only Christian groups to register minimal growth at 0.1 percent were Jehovah's Witness, at 0.8 percent of the population, and those in the "Other Christian" category, at 0.4 percent." I wonder if the increase for the JWs is higher, since the number of JW participants in the PEW study was very small compared to their population in the US. A footnote in the PEW study notes that and gives a margin of error of plus or minus 7.

See below for the link to the Christian Post article:

http://m.christianpost.com/news/christians-declining-sharply-in-america-unaffiliated-rising-now-hold-greater-population-share-than-catholics-pew-study-reveals-139023/

29

Did Jehovah's Witnesses Plagiarize HWA's False Prophecy Of 1975?

by Bangalore in

did jehovah's witnesses plagiarize hwa's false prophecy of 1975?.

http://livingarmstrongism.blogspot.com/2013/10/did-jehovahs-witnesses-plagiarize-hwas.html.

bangalore.

davidl7

They did not plagiarize any false prophecy....Herbert W. Armstrong taught that the world will COME to an end in 1975. On the other, hand, the WT publications taught that 6,000 years of man's existance will be completed in 1975, based on the accepted year of 4026 BC as the year of man's creation. Whether or not 1975 correspended with the Jubilee of God's rest was unknown. Several times in the WT publicationsiy was stated in clear language that no man can say for sure. The publications, for instance, mentioned it is not known when Eve was created, and it may have been years after Adam was created, and the date when the first sin occurred is also not known. So the implication was, as far as I can see, that the end was unknown, and most likely NOT come in 1975. Although, one WT publication SPECULATED, that it MAY not be far off from 1975. However, a lot of stress was put on Jesus words "that no man knows the hour", although the sign of the times indicated it was near. The WT never stated the end WILL come in 1975, not even the book used to introduce potential new Christians to bhe basic bible truth mention it. The book the The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life only quoted Jesus' words that "no man knows the hour" when the end of the age would come. That is one reason why the vast majority of those associated with the Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses did not believe the end was coming in 1975, although, based on Bible prophecy, they believed, and still believe, we are now living in the last days. So Unlike Armstrong who taught the END WILL come in 1975, the WT publications and associated Christians never made a predication that END WILL come that year.

35

The new translation of John 17:3 seems like a major shift.

by paul from cleveland in

up until now, everlasting life was dependent on "taking in knowledge".

it was a perfect fit for a publishing house to interpret that scripture that way.

if we didn't keep up with the endless stream of publications from the watchtower our salvation would be in jeopardy.

davidl7

Rosygray wrote 1st time poster but long time lurker (edit: oops technically this is my 2nd post, completely forgot about that)

"Coming to know you, coming to know you" lol

Quote from David Splane:

"It is not the act of taking in knowledge in itself, but the actual coming to know God that's important. Developing a firm, close, warm, personal relationship with Jehovah God, that is what is going to lead to everlasting life and that is what we wish for you."

As soon as I heard this, I seemed to remember that they had made a point in the past about other translations using the terminology "to know."

So low and behold, a search of the Watchtower Library brought me to:

*** w02 12/15 p. 8 par. 5 “Draw Close to God” ***

According to John 17:3, Jesus said: “This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ.” Many translations of this verse differ slightly from the New World Translation. Instead of saying “taking in knowledge” of God, they simply render the verb “to know” God or “knowing” God. However, a number of scholars note that the sense of the word used in the original Greek involves something more—a continuous process, one that may even lead to intimate acquaintance with another.

So first they criticize other translations for simply rendering the verb "to know" and now they have deemed it holy in their "New" New World Translation! Such hypocrites!!!! Ugh!!!"

I don't see the hypocripsy here...In fact, when interpreting John 17:3, the WT has always emphasized that it refers to a having a relationship with Jehovah God and Jesus, NOT just head knowledge. Once you know the true God, God himself would KNOW YOU...that's the way it was always interpreted. Many NT lexicons also included the term "taking in knowledge" or "having knowledge" as an alternative rendition for John 17:3. And the WT has quoted numerous times from other translations when citing John 17:3. So I don't see the hypcripsy there...all the nitty-gritty over a word, which basically has the same root meaning. It reminds when people would some would get hysterical over the NWT rendering of "underserved kindness", instead of "grace", when the Greek Bible dictionaries and lexicons clearly state that CHARIS means "undeserved favor" or kindness or "unmerited loving kindness". It means the same thing!!!!

2

Billy Graham's grandson openly admtis that Evangelicals protect pedophiles

by davidl7 in

billy graham's grandson openly admitted that evangelicals protect the pedophiles that have penetrated the churches.

he is aware of the non-stop reports coming up in the news of one pedophile after one baptist minisiter or preacher who has been protected by the evangelical community.

in fact, in his opinion, the evangelicals are worse than catholics.

davidl7

Billy Graham's grandson openly admitted that Evangelicals protect the pedophiles that have penetrated the churches. He is aware of the non-stop reports coming up in the news of one pedophile after one Baptist minisiter or preacher who has been protected by the Evangelical community. In fact, in his opinion, the Evangelicals are worse than Catholics. (In my opinion, they are about the same. It is true the Catholic church is now defrocking priests that have been proven to be pedophiles, and supposedly if a priest confesses to abusing children he is immediately defrocked. However, it was not until after 2007 that a policy as such as put in place, and there are still reports of priests getting away with. And the pedophiliac priests are still considered "brothers" of the church; they are not expelled, but just allowed to join the laity, where they can have access to children. Unrepentant priests are defrocked, but not expelled. So I disagree with Graham's grandson point of view. Catholics are just as negligent as Evangelicals...

http://www.abpnews.com/ministry/organizations/item/8889-evangelicals-worse-than-catholics-on-abuse#.UlH-OVPD9Mw

32

Is (a possible) revised NWT prompted by lapsing copyright?

by slimboyfat in

in the united states i gather that copyright lasts for the lifetime of the author plus 70 years.

if copyright only lasts for 70 years from publication of anonymous works, then copyright for the nwt of the christian greek scriptures would be due to run out in a few years.

watchtower leaders probably don't like the idea of others being able to publish hard copies or circulate the nwt in ebook format.

davidl7

Well, a new updated revised 2013 edition was released yesterday in annual meeting of the Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses. It includes many footnotes. In John 1:1 it still says the "the Word was a god", and includes a footnote that reads "or divine". Gen. 2:7 reads the the first man Adam "became a living person", but a footnote alludes to Nephesh, and reads or "a living soul". TGhe word "impale" was removed in regards to Jesus execution. Instead we now read "was put on a stake" or the crownd yelling "put him on a stake". "System of things" is retained, but a footnote reads "or age". Those are just some of the changes, although similiar footnotes and notes on the appendix appeared in earlier editions. The 2013 edition is only available in English now, and includes study help, including a brief synopsis of what each Bible book is about at the beginning of each book. The appendix includes an extensive explanation as to why the form Jehovah is used, in both the OT and NT. The NT added the long list of over 40 vernacular missionary translations that also include a form of the name of God in the NT, such as Jehovah, or Yave, etc. Surprisely, it does not include a discussion regarding the translation of certain so-called "christological significant texts", such as John 1:1, Romans 9:5, Acts 20:28, Col. 1:15-18, Titus 2:13, etc. But that may be because many versions, for most of those texts, agree with the NWT rendering in either the main text or footnotes of their renditions. Though, I think, it would have been a nice to include it, especially since several news translations have come out, many of which agree with the NWT renderings. It includes many additional study helps. The new edition is in a grey leather-like cover, with embossed silver page. A very nice edition.

11

Wesley Hubert Mills, age 74, JW ex-elder, convicted of molesting boy

by Scully in

http://stoppedophiles.ca/articles/on-wesley-mills.html.

wesley hubert millsex-church elder sentenced for indecent assault on boy.

the saint john times globe - posted: jan 9, 2013. a former jehovah's witness church elder was sentenced yesterday to one year in jail for indecently assaulting a young boy in the late 1970s.. .

davidl7

Flipper wrote "Thanks for posting this. Very disgusting. And like ALL JW sexual abuse cases the rank & file Witnesses are TRAINED to respect the elders- no matter what. Thus elders in power positions can and do very often take advantage of this position and become serial, psycopathic child molesters. It's sick. And also sick is the WT Society leaders supporting this by not informing JW parents about it. Thus the child abuse continues because parents don't know who is or who is not a child molester among them. WT leaders are just a bunch of #@%& ing criminals. Peace out, Mr. Flipper." Anyone who is an elder, and there is evidence that he molesting a child in the Christian congregation, will be removed from his position, and will most likely be disfellowshipped or expelled from the congregation. And he will no longer be an elder, and, as such, will lose the respect of the congregation. We are not like the other churches that don't do anything. In fact, the Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses, is the first religious that had a policy to remove anyone who had a teaching position in the congregation, whether elder or ministerial servant, if he was involved in abusing children. Other religious group are starting to CONSIDER taking that route. Generally, the churches don't expel or excommunicate pedophiles that have penetrated the clery-class of their churches. It now known that for years the Catholic Church transferred pedophiles priests from one church to another, even after the priests confessed to multiple abuses of boys or girls. They got a few months of "psychological treatment" by another Catholic priest, and told to recite several hail Mary's and then forgiven, only to molest more children. That is a fact. In the 1980's several Pentecostal churches in the Lower East Side in NYC, and in Harlem, were exposed of having pedophilic pastor and associate pastors, and even when church members knew about, nothing was done. In one instance, a 12 year old girl became pregnant, and her deviant pastor was exposed, when a school social worker reported him. And it turned out she was not the only victim. Case after case revealed, that even though church leaders and members knew about it, nothing was done. They said he confessed and was repentant, at least 10 times, and anyway he was "saved" so the church members had to forgive him. The book Brother Tony's Boys, reports on specific Pentecostal reverend that molested at least 100 boys, confessed multiple times, but was just forgiven over and over again. There is no such thing as disfellowshipping unrepentant wrong in that church. People said he a "gift from God", to preach. He was later reported to the authorities, and is now in jail. The site, www.stopbaptistpredators.org, includes almost weekly articles of Baptist clergymen that molested children. Leaders and members of the church were aware of the abuse...Again, the pedophilic Baptist preachers and reverends, were able to keep teaching as church leaders did nothing. A recent article states that Evangelicals are now worse than Catholics when it comes to handling church leaders that are pedophiles (I don't know if I agree with that author...I think Evangelicals are just as bad as the Catholics and other churches). Why can't the churches take even the simple step of expelling and exposing pedophiles in the churches, like the Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses. The fact that the Witnesses expel, not only the elders, but ANY MEMBER of the congregation that is an unrepentant abuser, explains why the incidence of child abuse is relatively rare among the Wtinesses when compared to other religious groups that do absolutely NOTHING. In my opinion, those pseudo-Christians are the real criminals.

41

1914 BREATHTAKING BLASPHEME

by DannyHaszard in

articulator manipulator

the "truth" is worth lying for

breathtaking blaspheme!

davidl7

The individual quoted was not referring to the beginning of Christ's PRESENCE (PAROUSIA - NT Greek), not his coming (ERCHOMAI - NT Greek). Witnesses have always taught that date when Jesus' comes at Armageddon is unknown, we don't when that will happen. In Matt. 24:3 the disciples asked Jesus for a sign of his PRESENCE, not COMING, as mistranslated by many English Bible versions (however many Lexicons and some popular translation do us the correct word presence instead of coming). I believe the composite sign indicates that Christ has been present in the special manner as taught by the Bible, and just as in the days of Noah, most people are ignoring the sign of his presence. After about 120 years or so of Noah preaching, the great flood occur. Witnesses have been pointing out from the Bible and preaching the about what Matt. 24:3 really teaches since the time of Russell, in which it is emphasized that the text in question refers to Jesus presence in kingdom power and not his future coming at Armageddon. The Emphasised Bible by Rotherman uses PRESENCE in each of the 24 times PAROUSIA occurs in the NT. Another translation that has "presence" rather than "coming" at Matthew 24:3, is Ferrar Fenton's The Complete Bible in Modern English.(1922) At Matthew 24:37 he reads; "And as in the days of Noah, so will also be the appearence of the Son of Man." This verse also plays a part in how parousia might more correctly be translated, especially in reference to the "parousia" of Jesus Christ. The two volume encyclopedia Insight on the Scriptures, published by the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society, makes a valid and pertinet point regarding the meaning of the original Greek word in the article 'Presence': " That Jesus parousia is not simply a momentary coming followed by a rapid departure but is, rather, a presence covering a period of time is also indicated by his words recorded at Matthew 24:37-39 and Luke 17:26-30. Here "the days of Noah" are compared to "the presence of the Son of man" (" the days of the Son of man," in Luke's account). Jesus, therefore, does not limit the comparison just to the coming of the Deluge as a final climax during Noah's days, though he shows that his own "presence" or "days" will see a similar climax. Since "the days of Noah" actually covered a period of years, there is basis for believing that the foretold "presence [or "days"] of the Son of man" would likewise cover a period of some years, being climaxed by the destruction of those not giving heed to the opportunity afforded them to seek deliverance." The Emphatic Diaglott, by Benjamin Wilson reads: "....and "What will be the SIGN of THY PRESENCE[parousia].and of the CONSUMATION of the AGE?"; and "For as the DAYS of NOAH, thus will be the PRESENCE[parousia] of the SON of MAN."-Matthew 24: 3, 37. The Concordant Literal New Testament with the Keyword Concordance reads at Matthew 24:3: "....And what is the sign of Thy presence[PAROUSIA] and the conclusion of the eon?" -Concordant Publishing Concern, 1983 3rd printing. The 1901 edition of ASV includes the word "presence" in the footnotes to Matt. 24:3 and other texts. Youngs Literal Translation also uses presence. Jay Greens NT interlinear also correctly uses the word "Presence" in it interlinear reading of Matt. 24:3 and the other texts. The Spanish Version Moderna include a footnote indicating that parousia really means "presencia (presence)", not "venida" (coming). So no, the individual was not making any "breathtaking" blasphemous statement. He was telling the truth. Since while we conclude Christ's presence began in 1914, the time of his coming at Armageddon is not known to man.

57

Watchtower softens position on Jehovah' Witnesses and blood transfusions? Canadian National Post Story.

by Balaamsass in

without fanfare, jehovahs witnesses quietly soften position on blood transfusionstom blackwell, national post staff | dec 20, 2012 9:59 pm et.

davidl7

More & more hospitals and medical centers are respecting Jehovah's Christian Witnesses beliefs regarding the sanctity of blood and understand or respect their point of view. At the same time, there are many alternatives to blood transfusions out there, and, thanks to the Witnesses, they are now regularly used by a growing number of hospitals and have helped both Witness and non-Witness patients. Many documentaries and news reports confirm that fact. There is also a growing number of surgeons that specialize in non-blood surgery techniques, a few of these who themselves are Witnesses or were raised in the Witness faith. The Watchtower Society itself has donated several hundred blood salvage machines (which transfuses one's own blood back to his or her body during a surgical procedure) to several hospitals in many countries.

When it comes to transfusing children, it appears that more hospitals are also repecting the Witness belief, and will do everything possible to avoid a blood transfusion, opting instead for the many new alternatives that have been tried on the Witnesses for the past several years. That has been the case in hospitals in Montreal, Canada, where I know at least 3 Witness families in which there children were operated without the use of blood.

They sign a form, which has been standard for a couple years now, in which the hospital and medical staff essentially promises to use non-blood products as the alternative to blood, and may only use blood as a last resort. This specifically only applies to child medical care. The Witnesses I spoke to, view this very much as a similar case to when a Witness mother who is giving birth is in danger of losing her life or her the child aobut to be born's life. In that case, the husband and family will not choose, due to conscience reasons, who will live or who die. They will leave that decision about to the doctor, and hope that in the end, both live.

The thing is, why bother litigating a case in which in the end it appears the Witnesses will most likely lose? It has already been decided that a child old enough to make his or her own decision (14 and over), that hospitals must respect his or her beliefs. However, in the case of younger children, courts usually decide in favor of the hospital. It is best then that the Witnesses work with the hospitals to ensure that all alternatives to blood transfusions are used.

19

In all US states, the Courts do NOT require two witnesses or even corroborating evidence in child sex abuse cases

by yadda yadda 2 in

pages 433-437 inter alia, of the book "myers on evidence in child, domestic or elder abuse cases" fourth edition refers.. you can view this very informative material at google books.

this shows how the watchtower's strict interpretation of the biblical two-witness rule is very much out of harmony with the modern legal system in matters of child sex abuse.

j.r. brown, watchtower spokesman, is reported by the associated press on february 11, 2001 to have said:"...corroborating evidence can be used instead of a second witness to prove wrongdoing.

davidl7

DNA evidence is used as a "second witness" by the courts. I remember serving as a juror in a grand jury, deciding whether or not to indict certain individuals. We had a case in a which a young girl accused her father of fondling her. Since a medical exam found no evidence of abuse and her parents were involved in a divorce, we did not get the 12 jurors to indict the individual. I was extremely angry since I wanted him to be indicted. 3 women kept arguing since the parents are in the process of being divorced and the medical exam showed no evidence we cannot indict. And anyway the mother was not showing too much emotion when cross-examined by the attornies. Others and myself pointed out that it was a fondling accusation, not actual penetration, etc., so there may not be any medical/DNA evidence. And indicting the individual does not necessarily mean he will in the end be convicted...but the accusation alone is enough to convict and then the court can work out other evidence during the trial. Unfortanately, due to 3 individuals, we were not able to indict. It left me feeling sick to my stomach. It is possible that the individual may have been innocent, but I felt, as instructed by the grand jury guideline, that the individual should have been indicted and allow a trial to proceed and prove his guilt or innonence.

I spoke to the prosecutor involved in the case, and she said when there is only the testimony of one individual, even if it is a child, it may be very difficult to convict one if there is no additional evidence, such as physical or DNA evidence. She said if she is being abused, then if additional evidence comes to light in the future, or if she accuses him again of a future abuse, then the case can be re-open again.

With regard to the Witnesses, although they may not congretation immediately disfellowship or expel one accused of that crime, but yet denies it, the individual's privileges will be removed pending an investigtion by secular authorities, and congregants may be privately informed by elders of the accusation. Elders can warn parents. If later on, DNA or other physical evidence comes to light, the elders will then expel the individual. Parents of an abused child will report the abuse to secular authorities who will then investigate further, including gather physical and other DNA evidence. And the evidence may serve as a "second witness".

148

Jehovah's Witnesses View of Jesus Compared to the Early Church

by cofty in

the following is an extract from something i wrote 16 years ago soon after leaving the watchtower.

i am posting it because it may help honest jws consider how far their beliefs are at odds with new testament christians.

if they have "the truth" then their attitude to jesus ought to reflect that of the apostles.

davidl7

Cofty wrote -

1] Early Christians were WITNESSES of Jesus.

On his last evening with his disciples Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit who would;

"Bear witness about me, and you in turn are to bear witness, because you have been with me from when I began." (Jhn.15:26,27)

Yes, early Christians were Witnesses of Jesus...but they were at the same time Witnesses of Jehovah. In fact, you CANNOT be a true Witness of Jesus without being a Jehovah's Witness. The NT writings clearly bear that out. The early Christian Congregation were originally made up Jews who were Jehovah's Witnesses (Isa. 43:10-12). But as followers of Jesus, they followed his example, given testimony to the Kingdom of God, making Jehovah God the Father's name known, and yes, preaching the Jesus was God's Son who was resurrected by his Father.

Acts 1:8

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth

Acts 2:32-33

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

32 This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses.

Acts 3:13-15

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

13 The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus, the one whom you delivered and disowned in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release Him. 14 But you disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 but put to death the [ b ] Prince of life, the one whom God raised from the dead, a fact to which we are witnesses.

Acts 5:30-32

English Standard Version (ESV)

30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

Acts 5:42

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

42 And every day, in the temple and [ a ] from house to house, they [ b ] kept right on teaching and [ c ] preaching Jesus as the [ d ] Christ.

Acts 20:20-21

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly andfrom house to house, 21 solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Revelation 1:2

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

2 who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw.

Revelation 1:9

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

The Patmos Vision

9 I, John, your brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and [ a ] perseverance which are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.

Acts 15:14-17

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

14 Simeon has related how God first concerned Himself about taking from among the Gentiles a people for His name. 15 With this the words of the Prophets agree, just as it is written,

16 ‘ After these things I will return,
And I will rebuild the tabernacle of David which has fallen ,
And I will rebuild its ruins ,
And I will restore it ,
17 So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord ,
And all the Gentiles who are called by My name ,’

Revelation 6:9

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

9 When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained;

Revelation 14:1

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

The Lamb and the 144,000 on Mount Zion

14 Then I looked, and behold, the Lamb was standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His name and the name of His Father written on their foreheads.

Hebrews 2:12

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

12 [Jesus] saying, “I will proclaim Your name to My brethren ,
In the midst of the con gregation I will sing Your praise .”

John 17:6

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

6 “I have manifested Your name to the men whom You gave Me out of the world; they were Yours and You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word.

Isaiah 43:10-12

Darby Translation (DARBY)

10 Ye are my witnesses, saith Jehovah , and my servant whom I have chosen; that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I [am] HE: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.

11 I, I [am] Jehovah; and besides me there is no saviour.

12 It is I that have declared, and have saved, and have shewed, when there was no strange [god] among you; and ye are my witnesses, saith Jehovah, that I [am] God.

Revelation 1:5

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins [ a ] by His blood—

Revelation 3:14

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

14 “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this:

Luke 4:43

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

43 But He [Jesus] said to them, “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, for I was sent for this purpose.

John 12:48-50

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

48 He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day. 49 For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak. 50 I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me.”

John 18:37

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

37 Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”

Hebrews 12:1-2

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

12 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 [a ] fixing our eyes on Jesus, the [ b ] author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Acts 3:13-15

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

13 The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His [ a ] servant Jesus, the one whom you delivered and disowned in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release Him. 14 But you disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 but put to death the [ b ] Prince of life, the one whom God raised from the dead, a fact to which we are witnesses.

1 Corinthians 15:14-15

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

14 and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. 15 Moreover we are even foundto be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised.

Other quotes NASB (unless otherwise indicated)

Acts 8:12
But when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdomof God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, men and women alike.

Acts 28:23
When they had set a day for Paul, they came to him at his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly testifying aboutthe kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening.

Acts 28:31
preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered.

John 4:8-14

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

8 The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 By this the love of God was manifested [a] in us, that God has sent His [b] only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us. 13 By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. 14 We have seenand testify that the Father has sent the Son to be theSavior of the world.

Yes, the first Christian Congregation were Jehovah’s Witnesses following the example of Jesus, and also testified that Jesus was SENT by God to save the world and that God resurrected Jesus. In short, you cannot be a true Witness to Jesus if you’re not a Jehovah’s Christian Witness. They also worshipped the same God and ONLY true God, which Jesus worshipped and praised. True Christians have the same God as Jesus does:

Matthew 27:46

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

46 About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “ Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani ?” that is, “ My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me ?”

John 17:1-6

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

17 Jesus spoke these things; and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You, 2 even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life. 3 This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. 4 I glorified You on the earth, [ b ] having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do. 5 6 “I have manifested Your name to the men whom You gave Me out of the world; they were Yours and You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.

John 20:17

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

17 Jesus said to her, “Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.’”

Hebrews 5:7-8

New Century Version (NCV)

7 While Jesus lived on earth, he prayed to God and asked God for help. He prayed with loud cries and tears to the One who could save him from death, and his prayer was heard because he trusted God. 8 Even though Jesus was the Son of God, he learned obedience by what he suffered.

Ephesians 1:3

New Century Version (NCV)

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In Christ, God has given us every spiritual blessing in the heavenly world.

Ephesians 1:17

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.

2 Corinthians 1:3

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,

Romans 15:6

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

6 so that with one accord you may with one [ a ] voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus.

Corinthians 8:6

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

6 yet for us there isbut one God, the Father,from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we existthrough Him.

John 14:28

Amplified Bible (AMP)

28 You heard Me tell you, I am going away and I am coming [back] to you. If you [really] loved Me, you would have been glad, because I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater and mightier than I am.

Mark 15:34
At the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “ ELOI, ELOI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?” which is translated, “MYGOD, MYGOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?”

Revelation 3:12

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

12 He who overcomes, I [Jesus] will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God,and My new name.

Revelation 5:9-10

Amplified Bible (AMP)

9 And [now] they sing a new song, saying, You are worthy to take the scroll and to break the seals that are on it, for You were slain (sacrificed), and with Your blood You purchased men unto God from every tribe and language and people and nation.

10 And You have made them a kingdom (royal race) and priests to our God, and they shall reign [as kings] over the earth!