Jehovah’s Witnesses-Twisting the Scriptures on Blood

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES—TWISTING THE SCRIPTURES ON BLOOD

The entire world reeled in shock when Jim Jones led over 900 people to their deaths in the jungle. I cannot help but wonder how many Jehovah’s Witnesses have died without fanfare, one by one, refusing blood transfusions. I was very nearly a statistic also while a Jehovah’s Witness. Let’s consider this dangerous doctrine.

A key scripture used by the Jehovah’s Witness leaders is Genesis 9:4, which they teach is binding on all inhabitants of the earth, “Only flesh with its soul—its blood—you must not eat” (NWT).

This Scripture is telling the flood survivors not to eat unbled meat. Nothing more is implied, except by the Jehovah’s Witnesses, who say “eating” means “transfusing.” The Old Law Covenant given to the nation of Israel did contain dietary laws on blood, but they were not binding on Gentiles (see Deuteronomy 14:21). Also, Jehovah’s Witnesses are taught that they will lose their eternal life if they take a blood transfusion. This excessive penalty for “eating blood” does not even agree with the Old Law! Here is the Old Law penalty contained in Leviticus 17:14,15:

“For the soul of every sort of flesh is its blood by the soul in it. Consequently I said to the sons of Israel: ‘You must not eat the blood of any sort of flesh, because the soul of every sort of flesh is its blood. Anyone eating it will be cut off.’ As for any soul that eats a body (already) dead or something torn by a wild beast, whether a native or an alien resident, he must in that case wash his garments and bathe in water and be unclean until the evening; and he must be clean.” (New World Translation)

Yes, the penalty for eating (or in Jehovah’s Witness reasoning, taking a blood transfu­sion) was being “cut off,” until you had washed your clothes and taken a bath, and then you could return! Why then believe an organization that would take your eternal life as a pen­alty for a blood transfusion? God never would.

Likewise, the New Testament scriptures in Acts, chapter 15, verses 20 and 29, saying among other things to “abstain from blood,” are not by any stretch of interpretation referring to blood transfusions.

It is interesting that at one point in the history of the Watchtower Society all the Scrip­tures they now use to refuse blood transfusions were used to refuse vaccinations! Remem­ber that in the past the Society rejected the theory that diseases were caused by germs and ridiculed Pasteur for this scientific truth. The founder of the Society, Charles T. Russell, also taught that appendicitis and typhoid fever were really caused by biting worms in the colon. With their history of advice on medical issues, one would do well to ignore their “truths” on blood transfusions as well.

We are encouraged by the recent “revolt” against this unbiblical practice by a secret group of Jehovah’s Witnesses themselves. Since they are operating on the internet, the elders can’t catch them and dispose of them. They produce excellent medical information on blood transfusions and expose the hypocrisy of the Watchtower Society.

Their promotional material reads, “The Associated Jehovah’s Witnesses for Reform on Blood is a diverse group of Witnesses from many countries, including elders and other organization officials, Hospital Liason Committee members, Doctors, Lawyers, Child Advo­cates as well as members of the general public who have volunteered their time and ener­gies in an effort to bring about an end to a tragic and misguided policy that has claimed thousands of lives, many of them children.”

We applaud their efforts to save lives, and invite you to visit their website: http:// www.ajwrb.org

Perhaps you could tactfully bring up this subject the next time a Jehovah’s Witness visits at your door and hand them a piece of paper with this website address on it!

We offer these general tips for witnessing to Jehovah’s Witnesses at your door.

Do not attempt to pray with the Jehovah’s Witness (this offends them), but do pray before they come, or excuse yourself briefly and pray before you speak with them.

Listen politely to their presentation of three or four scriptures, and do not enter into an argument or discussion. Let them make their point, even if it is incorrect, and when they look to you for a response, just smile and say “please go on.” This will ensure that they will quickly finish and offer you the literature.

When offered the literature, say something like, “You people have come to my home because you really believe you are in the true faith. I also believe I am in the true faith, and yet we believe differently. I think we should take a moment to take the Bible test as to whether we are in the true faith or not.” Have a Bible handy and marked at 2 Corinthians 13:5, which reads, “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that JESUS CHRIST IS IN YOU—unless indeed you fail the test” (NAS).

Explain to them that you know you are in the true faith, because you have Jesus Christ within you, and then share your testimony with them. If they interrupt, remind them that you listened politely to them while they shared, so they should quietly listen to you.

They may object that their New World Translation says in this scripture that Jesus Christ is “IN UNION WITH” you, not “IN YOU.” This is a perfect time to direct them to their “Kingdom Interlinear Translation” so they can check out the English words under the Greek and learn about the indwelling Christ first hand.

Remember always, that the Jehovah’s Witnesses at your door went into that organiza­tion because they were honestly seeking for God in their hearts. They were given instead a counterfeit Christ and a counterfeit gospel. They are busy and programmed, but they are still hungry in the deepest part of their hearts, and with the help of the Holy Spirit you can reach them for Christ. Pray for them.