Have Jehovah's Witnesses Changed the Bible to Fit their Beliefs? Part 4

The article quoted in my title is here at JW.ORG. JW speak is in BLUE.

Two questions in the WT article, are asked and answered. Question #1, “Have Jehovah’s Witnesses Changed the Bible to Fit their Beliefs?” had three (3) Examples. In Part 1 here, I looked at Example #1. In Part 2 here, I looked at Example #2. In Part 3 here, I looked at Example #3. 

In this blog, I will be looking at Question #2 which is: Do Jehovah’s Witnesses depend on The New World Translation to support their beliefs?

The WT answer: “No, for we continue to use many translations of the Bible in our witnessing work. In fact, while we provide a copy of The New World Translation at no charge as part of our free Bible study program, we are also happy to study with those who prefer to use other translations.”

A careful reading of the Question and Answer will reveal that the WT failed to answer their own question. Their Answer would go along with this question: Are you willing to use other translations in your Bible study program?

I will now Answer the question the WT failed to address, “Do JW’s depend on the NWT to support their beliefs.” I am going to look at one (1) doctrine. The WT Doctrine that Jesus Christ is not God but a creation of God. I am going to look at several key verses concerning the Deity of Christ and compare The New World Translation (NWT) with The King James Version (KJV), The New American Standard Bible (NASB), The English Standard Version (ESV) and The Amplified Bible (AMP). After each comparison, I will ask this question, "Which Bible supports the JW belief that Jesus is not God."

Comparison #1. John 1:1

NTW -- In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god.

KJV -- In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

NASB -- In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

ESV -- In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

AMP -- In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself.

QUESTION? Which Bible supports the WT Doctrine that Jesus is NOT God.

ANSWER: Only the New World Translation—The WT Bible

Comparison #2: Colossians  1:16

NWT -- because by means of him all other things were created in the heavens and on the earth, the things visible and the things invisible, whether they are thrones or lordships or governments or authorities. All other things have been created through him and for him.

KJV -- For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

NASB -- For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-- all things have been created through Him and for Him.

ESV -- For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.

AMP -- For by Him all things were created in heaven and on earth, [things] visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities; and exist through Him [that is, by His activity] and for Him.

QUESTION? Which Bible supports the WT Doctrine that Jesus is not God and therefore could not create ALL THINGS but could only created "ALL OTHER THINGS."

ANSWER: Only the New World Translation—The WT Bible

Comparison #3. Acts 20:28

NWT -- Pay attention to yourselves and to all the flock among which the holy spirit has appointed you overseers to shepherd the congregation of God, which he purchased with the blood of his own Son.

KJV -- Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

NASB -- Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

ESV -- Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.

AMP -- Take care and be on guard for yourselves and for the whole flock over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd (tend, feed, guide) the church of God which He bought with His own blood.

QUESTION? Which Bible supports the WT Doctrine that Jesus, not God, shed His own blood.

ANSWER: Only The New World Translation—The WT Bible

Comparison #4. Titus 2:13

NWT – while we wait for the happy hope and glorious manifestation of the great God and of our Savior, Jesus Christ,

KJV -- looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

NASB – looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus,

ESV -- waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

AMP – awaiting and confidently expecting the [fulfillment of our] blessed hope and the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus,

QUESTION? Which Bible supports the WT Doctrine that Jesus is the Savior not God.

ANSWER: Only The New World Translation—The WT Bible

Comparison #5. 2 Peter 1:1

NWT -- Simon Peter, a slave and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have acquired a faith as precious as ours through the righteousness of our God and the Savior Jesus Christ:

KJV -- Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:

NASB -- Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ:

ESV -- Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:

AMP -- Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle (special messenger, personally chosen representative) of Jesus Christ, To those who have received and possess [by God’s will] a precious faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ:

QUESTION? Which Bible supports the WT Doctrine that Jesus is the Savior not God.

ANSWER: Only The New World Translation—The WT Bible

In these five (5) key verses, which speak to the deity of Jesus Christ, the WT doctrine that Jesus is not God is only supported by the WT’s own Bible, The New World Translation, that the WT refuses to reveal the qualifications of the translators.

Thus, we can now answer Question #2 with confidence.  "Do Jehovah’s Witnesses depend on The New World Translation to support their beliefs?" JW's ABSOLUTELY rely on their own Bible, The New World Translation, to support their Jesus is not God doctrine.



A related blog, "Is the WT Bible (The New World Translation) Reliable" is here.