166 lines
12 KiB
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166 lines
12 KiB
HTML
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<div class="head"> Redi-Answers on Jehovah's Witness Doctrine</DIV>
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<div class="subhead"> Deity of Jesus</DIV>
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<DIV CLASS="main-just"><DIV CLASS="pad2030">
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<P><b>The Current Teaching of the Watchtower Society:</b></P>
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<div class="center"><p>In His Pre-existence, Jesus Christ was the angelic being described in the Bible as Michael the Archangel. He has only the power and nature of a created angelic being. The Society has drawn this conclusion and teaches this as a doctrine as a result of their understanding of certain Scripture references (<a id="si-Col 1:15-17" onClick="return mV('Col',1,'15-17');">Col 1:15-17</a> and <a id="si-Jhn 1:1" onClick="return mV('Jhn',1,1);">Jhn 1:1</a>. Also see <a id="si-Rev 3:14" onClick="return mV('Rev',3,14);">Rev 3:14</a>).</p></DIV>
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<P><b>What the Bible Says about The DEITY OF JESUS:</b></P>
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<p>In order to understand the Society's position on this issue and in order to be able to see the way in which they have deviated from and even deliberately changed the plain teaching of the Scriptures, we examine their translation of two key passages (as found in the 1984 edition of the Society's New World Translation):</p>
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<TABLE class="centertable">
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<tr><TD STYLE="border-color:#000;border-style:solid;border-width:1px 1px 1px 1px;color:#000;padding:2px 5px 2px 5px;font-size:80%;text-align:left;" WIDTH="175" VALIGN="top">
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He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; because by means of him all [other] things were created in heavens and upon the earth, the thing visible and the things invisible, no matter whether they are thrones or lordships or governments or authorities. All [other] things have been created through him and for him. Also, he is before all [other] things and by means of him all [other] things were made to exist.<a id="si-Col 1:15" onClick="return mV('Col',1,15);">Col 1:15</a> NWT</td>
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<TD STYLE="border-color:#000;border-style:solid;border-width:1px 1px 1px 0px;color:#000;padding:2px 5px 2px 5px;font-size:80%;text-align:left;" WIDTH="175" VALIGN="top">
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Who is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of every creature:<BR><BR>
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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:<BR><BR>
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all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. <a id="si-Col 1:15-17" onClick="return mV('Col',1,'15-17');">Col 1:15-17</a> KJV</td></tr>
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</table>
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<br>
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<TABLE class="centertable">
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<tr>
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<TD STYLE="border-color:#000;border-style:solid;border-width:1px 1px 1px 1px;color:#000;padding:2px 5px 2px 5px;font-size:80%;text-align:left;" WIDTH="175" VALIGN="top">
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In [the] beginning the Word was, and the Word was with God, and the word was a god.<a id="si-Jhn 1:1" onClick="return mV('Jhn',1,1);">Jhn 1:1</a> NWT</td>
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<TD STYLE="border-color:#000;border-style:solid;border-width:1px 1px 1px 0px;color:#000;padding:2px 5px 2px 5px;font-size:80%;text-align:left;" WIDTH="175" VALIGN="top">
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In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.<a id="si-Jhn 1:1b" onClick="return mV('Jhn',1,1);">Jhn 1:1</a> KJV</td></tr>
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</TABLE>
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<P><B>1. The Society Alters Bible Words & Their Meanings To Conform To Their Particular Views About The Deity Of Jesus Christ:</B></P>
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<BLOCKQUOTE>a. Words That Are Misunderstood…</BLOCKQUOTE>
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<P STYLE="text-align:center;">The Meaning of: "Beginning"</P>
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<TABLE class="centertable">
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<tr><TD STYLE="border-color:#000;border-style:solid;border-width:1px 1px 1px 1px;color:#000;padding:2px 5px 2px 5px;font-size:80%;text-align:left;" WIDTH="175" VALIGN="top">
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The Society understands the word to mean "that which comes at the start of something," but the Bible also uses this word to mean "the origin, source, and first cause, or, that which stands in the prime position."</td>
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<TD STYLE="border-color:#000;border-style:solid;border-width:1px 1px 1px 0px;color:#000;padding:2px 5px 2px 5px;font-size:80%;text-align:left;" WIDTH="175" VALIGN="top">
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See <a id="si-Rev 3:14" onClick="return mV('Rev',3,14);">Rev 3:14</a></td></tr>
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</TABLE>
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<P STYLE="text-align:center;">The Meaning of: "Firstborn"</P>
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<TABLE class="centertable">
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<tr><TD class="td1">Priority, pre-eminence, prime position</td>
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<TD class="td2"><a id="si-Col 1:15" onClick="return mV('Col',1,15);">Col 1:15</a></td></tr>
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<tr><TD class="td1">Although Esau was the firstborn, he could legitimately sell that position (his birthright) to his brother</td>
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<TD class="td2"><a id="si-Gen 24:31" onClick="return mV('Gen',24,31);">Gen 24:31</a></td></tr>
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<tr><TD class="td1">Birthright transferred</td>
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<TD class="td2"><a id="si-1Ch 5:1" onClick="return mV('1Ch',5,1);">1Ch 5:1</a></td></tr>
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<tr><TD class="td1">Firstborn Manasseh, second Ephraim—yet the reverse order is spoken of in terms of birthright</td>
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<TD class="td2"><a id="si-Gen 41:51-52" onClick="return mV('Gen',41,'51-52');">Gen 41:51-52</a></td></tr>
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<tr><TD class="td1">Ephraim is my "firstborn"</td>
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<TD class="td2"><a id="si-Jer 31:9" onClick="return mV('Jer',31,9);">Jer 31:9</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="td3">David is firstborn, even though David was actually the youngest son in his family</td>
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<TD class="td4"><a id="si-Psa 89:27" onClick="return mV('Psa',89,27);">Psa 89:27</a></td></tr>
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</TABLE>
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<BLOCKQuOTE>b. Words That Have Been Altered…</BLOCKQUOTE>
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<TABLE class="centertable">
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<tr>
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<TD class="td1">Inserted the word "other"</td>
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<TD class="td2"><a id="si-Col 1:16-17" onClick="return mV('Col',1,16,17);">Col 1:16-17</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="td3">Added "a" making Jesus <i>a</i> God</td>
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<TD class="td4"><a id="si-Jhn 1:1" onClick="return mV('Jhn',1,1);">Jhn 1:1</a></td></tr>
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</TABLE>
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<P><B>2. FACT: The Bible Reveals That There Is Only One God…</B></P>
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<TABLE class="centertable">
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<tr><TD class="td1">There is no God with me</td>
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<TD class="td2"><a id="si-Deu 32:39" onClick="return mV('Deu',32,39);">Deu 32:39</a></td></tr>
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<tr><TD class="td1">No God formed before me or after</td>
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<TD class="td2"><a id="si-Isa 43:10-11" onClick="return mV('Isa',43,10,11);">Isa 43:10-11</a></td></tr>
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<tr><TD class="td1">No God</td>
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<TD class="td2"><a id="si-Isa 44:6, 8" onClick="return mV('Isa',44,6,8);">Isa 44:6, 8</a></td></tr>
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<tr><TD class="td1">None else</td>
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<TD class="td2"><a id="si-Isa 45:5-6, 21" onClick="return mV('Isa',45,5,6,21);">Isa 45:5-6, 21</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="td3">None like me</td>
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<TD class="td4"><a id="si-Isa 46:9" onClick="return mV('Isa',46,9);">Isa 46:9</a></td></tr>
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</TABLE>
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<P><B>3. FACT: The Bible Reveals That Jesus Is Called God…</B></P>
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<TABLE class="centertable">
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<tr><TD class="td1">The Word was God</td>
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<TD class="td2"><a id="si-Jhn 1:1" onClick="return mV('Jhn',1,1);">Jhn 1:1</a></td></tr>
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<tr><TD class="td1">Thomas said: "My Lord and My God"</td>
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<TD class="td2"><a id="si-Jhn 20:28" onClick="return mV('Jhn',20,28);">Jhn 20:28</a></td></tr>
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<tr><TD class="td1">God calls Jesus God</td>
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<TD class="td2"><a id="si-Hbr 1:8" onClick="return mV('Hbr',1,8);">Hbr 1:8</a></td></tr>
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<tr><TD class="td1">I AM-God's name in the Old Testament</td>
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<TD class="td2"><a id="si-Exd 3:14" onClick="return mV('Exd',3,14);">Exd 3:14</a></td></tr>
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<tr><TD class="td1">I AM-Before Abraham I AM</td>
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<TD class="td2"><a id="si-Jhn 8:58" onClick="return mV('Jhn',8,58);">Jhn 8:58</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="td3">Not robbery to be equal to God</td>
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<TD class="td4"><a id="si-Phl 2:6" onClick="return mV('Phl',2,6);">Phl 2:6</a></td></tr>
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</TABLE>
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<P><B>4. FACT: The Bible Teaches That Jesus Is Deity…</B></P>
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<TABLE class="centertable">
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<tr><TD class="td1">It was prophesied</td>
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<TD class="td2"><a id="si-Isa 9:6" onClick="return mV('Isa',9,6);">Isa 9:6</a></td></tr>
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<tr><TD class="td1">Acknowledged by Thomas</td>
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<TD class="td2"><a id="si-Jhn 20:18" onClick="return mV('Jhn',20,18);">Jhn 20:18</a></td></tr>
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<tr><TD class="td1">Affirmed by the Apostles</td>
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<TD class="td2"><a id="si-Rom 9:5" onClick="return mV('Rom',9,5);">Rom 9:5</a>; <a id="si-Hbr 1:8" onClick="return mV('Hbr',1,8);">Hbr 1:8</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="td3">Acclaimed by witnesses</td>
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<TD class="td4"><a id="si-Jhn 1:14, 18" onClick="return mV('Jhn',1,14,18);">Jhn 1:14, 18</a></td></tr>
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</TABLE>
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<P><B>5. FACT: The Bible Teaches That Jesus Has The Attributes Of God The Father…</B></P>
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<TABLE class="centertable">
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<tr><TD class="td1">All powerful</td>
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<TD class="td2"><a id="si-Mat 28:18" onClick="return mV('Mat',28,18);">Mat 28:18</a></td></tr>
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<tr><TD class="td1">All knowing</td>
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<TD class="td2"><a id="si-Col 2:3" onClick="return mV('Col',2,3);">Col 2:3</a></td></tr>
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<tr><TD class="td1">Ever present</td>
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<TD class="td2"><a id="si-Mat 18:20" onClick="return mV('Mat',18,20);">Mat 18:20</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="td3">Eternal</td>
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<TD class="td4"><a id="si-Jhn 1:1-2, 15" onClick="return mV('Jhn',1,1,2,15);">Jhn 1:1-2, 15</a></td></tr>
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</TABLE>
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<P><B>6. FACT: The Bible Teaches That Jesus Is Worshipped By…</B></P>
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<TABLE class="centertable">
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<tr><TD class="td1">The Old Testament saints</td>
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<TD class="td2"><a id="si-Jos 5:13-15" onClick="return mV('Jos',5,'13-15');">Jos 5:13-15</a></td></tr>
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<tr><TD class="td1">The Demons</td>
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<TD class="td2"><a id="si-Mar 5:6" onClick="return mV('Mar',5,6);">Mar 5:6</a></td></tr>
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<tr><TD class="td1">A certain blind man</td>
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<TD class="td2"><a id="si-Jhn 9:38" onClick="return mV('Jhn',9,38);">Jhn 9:38</a></td></tr>
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<tr><TD class="td1">The Angels</td>
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<TD class="td2"><a id="si-Hbr 1:6" onClick="return mV('Hbr',1,6);">Hbr 1:6</a></td></tr>
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<tr><TD class="td1">The Disciples</td>
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<TD class="td2"><a id="si-Luk 24:52" onClick="return mV('Luk',24,52);">Luk 24:52</a></td></tr>
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<tr><TD class="td1">The Saints in glory</td>
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<TD class="td2"><a id="si-Rev 7:9-10" onClick="return mV('Rev',7,9,10);">Rev 7:9-10</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="td3">Eventually, by everyone</td>
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<TD class="td4"><a id="si-Phl 2:10-11" onClick="return mV('Phl',2,10,11);">Phl 2:10-11</a>; <a id="si-Mat 9:18" onClick="return mV('Mat',9,18);">Mat 9:18</a>; <a id="si-Mat 15:25" onClick="return mV('Mat',15,25);">Mat 15:25</a>; <a id="si-Mat 28:19" onClick="return mV('Mat',28,19);">Mat 28:19</td></tr>
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</TABLE>
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<P><B>7. FACT: The Bible Teaches That Jesus Is Not An Angel…</B></P>
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<TABLE class="centertable">
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<tr><TD class="td1">No angel is or can ever be called God's son</td>
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<TD class="td2"><a id="si-Hbr 1:5-6" onClick="return mV('Hbr',1,5,6);">Hbr 1:5-6</a></td></tr>
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<tr><TD class="td1">World not in subjection to any angel</td>
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<TD class="td2"><a id="si-Hbr 2:5" onClick="return mV('Hbr',2,5);">Hbr 2:5</a></td></tr>
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<tr><TD class="td1">He did not take on the nature of angels</td>
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<TD class="td2"><a id="si-Hbr 2:16" onClick="return mV('Hbr',2,16);">Hbr 2:16</a></td></tr>
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<tr><TD class="td1">Glorified with God—not the angels</td>
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<TD class="td2"><a id="si-Jhn 17:5" onClick="return mV('Jhn',17,5);">Jhn 17:5</a></td></tr>
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<tr><TD class="td1">All power given to Him, in heaven and earth</td>
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<TD class="td2"><a id="si-Mat 28:18" onClick="return mV('Mat',28,18);">Mat 28:18</a></td></tr>
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<tr><TD class="td1">He has a name that is above all names</td>
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<TD class="td2"><a id="si-Phl 2:9-10" onClick="return mV('Phl',2,9,10);">Phl 2:9-10</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="td3">God will not share His glory with any other</td>
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<TD class="td4"><a id="si-Isa 42:8" onClick="return mV('Isa',42,8);">Isa 42:8</a></td></tr>
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</TABLE>
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</div></div>
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<DIV CLASS="return">
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<a href="#top">Return to Top</a><br>
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<A HREF="./study/cults/rajwd/index.html">Return to Table of Contents</a>
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</DIV>
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<div class="cite2"><p class="bibliobox"><strong>Bibliographic Information:</strong><br>Author: Grieshaber, Erich and Jean Grieshaber<br>Title: "Deity of Jesus"<br>Work: <em>Redi-Answers on Jehovah's Witness Doctrine</em><br>Date Added: 1 Jul 2002</p></DIV>
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