1954

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Fred

Well-known member
Prior to 1954 the JW's affirmed the Lord Jesus is the proper recipient of worship. However, beginning from that year they forbid worshiping the Lord Jesus.

Jehovah's Witness historical worship of Jesus until 1954

Jehovah's Witnesses worshiped Jesus until 1954, making them polytheists. This was a critical doctrinal flaw, proving beyond doubt that Jehovah does not direct the Watchtower Society
www.jwfacts.com

Interestingly, even after 1954 there are times when the JW's still affirm the worship of the Lord Jesus. The light of this truth is so powerful that even though they so staunchly oppose it they still end up affirming it.
The underlined and boldface below are mine.
1. The Watchtower: You can be helpful to those doing shepherding and teaching work; you can aid others in their worship and service to God and Christ; you can make known the good news to others. (The Christian Ministry—What Does It Include?, August 1, 1971, page 459).
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1971562
2. The Watchtower: Though the book of Revelation is largely symbolic, there is truly much food for thought and fine counsel and encouragement in its plain statements. In particular are its messages to the seven congregations in Asia Minor very beneficial. Also, repeatedly we find the need of endurance stressed and the bright hope given of the eventual triumph of righteousness. (Rev. 1:9; 2:3, 19; 3:10; 13:10; 14:12) Also, throughout, it tells of or calls for worship, praise, and honor to be given to the Creator, Jehovah God, and to the Lamb. (A Revelation—of Jehovah's Will and Purposes, November 15, 1976, page 700)
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1976847
 
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Fred

Well-known member
Fred said:
Prior to 1954 the JW's affirmed the Lord Jesus is the proper recipient of worship. However, beginning from that year they forbid worshiping the Lord Jesus.
Click to expand...
In addition to the two citations found in the OP, there are several others where the JW's affirmed the Lord Jesus is the proper recipient of worship even after 1954.

1. John 20:28
Since Thomas referred to the Lord Jesus as "my God" (John 20:28) demonstrates that he was "a worshiper" of the Lord Jesus.
The Watchtower: Only an inferior, a worshiper, can refer to another as "my God." (The Trinity—Should You Believe It?, February 1, 1984, page 5).
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1984081

2. Acts 7:59
The Watchtower: The prayer offered by Stephen when he was being martyred is recorded at Acts 7:59, 60 (Questions From Readers, February 1, 1959, page 96).
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1959086

3. 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13
(11) Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus make a way for us to come to you.
(12) Moreover, may the Lord cause you to increase, yes, to abound in love for one another and for all, just as we do for you,
(13) so that he may make your hearts firm, blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the presence of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones. (New World Translation)
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/l/r1/lp-e?q=1+Thessalonians+3%3A11-13
a. The Watchtower: The apostle prayed that they abound in love and that their hearts be made firm. (Be Ready for Jehovah's Day!, January 15, 1991, page 22)
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1991047

b. The "Lord" to whom the apostle prayed to is the Lord Jesus.
Insight on the Scriptures: Other references to Christ's presence generally present encouragement to faithfulness and endurance until and during that time.- 1 Th 2:19; 3:12, 13; Jas 5:7, 8, 1 Jo 2:28. (Presence, page 679)
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200003548

4. 2 Thessalonians 3:16
Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all! (NASB)
a. All Scripture Is Inspired of God and Beneficial: Paul expresses the prayer that the Lord of peace may give them "peace constantly in every way," and he concludes his letter with greetings in his own hand—2 Thess. 3:16. (Bible Book Number 53—2 Thessalonians, page 233).
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1101990114

b. The "Lord of peace" that Paul expresses this "prayer" to is the Lord Jesus.
The Watchtower: Even as Jehovah is the God of peace, so his Son, Jesus Christ, is the "Prince of peace," and the "Lord of peace." (Isa. 9:6; 2 Thess. 3:16) (The Christians' Possession of Peace, August 15, 1966, page 486)
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1966601
 
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F

Fred

Well-known member
5. Revelation 1:4-5
(4) John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne,
(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 by His blood (NASB)
The Watchtower: Consequently the apostle John could pray for grace and peace to the Christian congregations from God and "from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth.” (Rev. 1:4, 5, AV) He is the Chief of the Christian witnesses of Jehovah God. (Back to John 1:1, 2, October 1, 1962, page 603)
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1962726

6. Revelation 5:8-10
Insight on the Scriptures: Instrumental music in connection with true worship is mentioned only in a figurative sense in the Greek Scriptures (Re 14:2); yet singing seems to have been quite common among God's servants. Jesus and his apostles sang praises after the Lord's Evening Meal. (Mr 14:26) Luke tells of Paul and Silas singing when in prison, and Paul's encouragement to fellow believers was to sing songs of praise to Jehovah. (Ac 16:25; Eph 5:18, 19; Col 3:16) Paul's statement at 1 Corinthians 14:15 concerning singing appears to indicate that it was a regular feature of Christian worship. In recording his inspired vision, John tells of various heavenly creatures singing to God and Christ.—(Re 5:8-10 14:3; 15:2-4) (Music, January 1, 1988, page 453).
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200003137

7. Revelation 22:20
He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming quickly." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. (NASB)
Revelation—Its Grand Climax At Hand!: Thus, with John, we fervently pray: "Amen! Come, Lord Jesus." (Revelation and You, January 1, 1988, page 319)
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1101988044

8. Walking with Jesus entails praying to Jesus.
a. The Watchtower: So in order to walk with God, we need to walk with Jesus. ('Go On Walking in Union With Christ,' June 1, 1998, page 9)
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1998403

b. The Watchtower: Also urging prayer upon us are the many Scriptural injunctions and expressions that imply prayer. Only by prayer can we keep "calling upon the Father." Only by prayer can we 'throw our burden upon Jehovah, letting him sustain us.' And for us to 'trust in Jehovah with all our hearts' and for us to 'take notice of him in all our ways' we must come to him in prayer as well as search his Word. Nor can we 'walk humbly with our God' without prayer; for who does not engage in conversation with one with whom he is walking...? ("Be Vigilant with a View to Prayers," August 15, 1958, page 501)
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1958608
 
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F

Fred

Well-known member
Fred said:
the Lord Jesus is the proper recipient of worship.
Click to expand...

The Watchtower: Some older Bibles, such as the King James Version, end the Lord’s Prayer with what is known as a doxology (an expression of praise to God): “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” The Jerome Biblical Commentary states: “The doxology . . . is not found in the most reliable [manuscripts].” (Jehovah Provides Our Daily Needs, February 1, 2004, footnote)

Since a doxolgy is "an expression of praise to God" the Jehovah's Witnesses ought to realize the Lord Jesus is the proper recipient of a doxology in 2 Timothy 4:18; 2 Peter 3:18 and Revelation 1:6. Thus, these are expressions of praise to God in reference to the Lord Jesus.
 
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imJRR

Well-known member
Fred, these compilations of JW "flip-flops" are EXCELLENT! Any JW who is not thoroughly "programmed" and can still think for himself/herself somewhat needs to seriously think about these.
 
F

Fred

Well-known member
imJRR said:
Fred, these compilations of JW "flip-flops" are EXCELLENT! Any JW who is not thoroughly "programmed" and can still think for himself/herself somewhat needs to seriously think about these.
Click to expand...

Thank you.

To God alone be the glory.
 
F

Fred

Well-known member
Fred said:
the Lord Jesus is the proper recipient of worship.
Click to expand...

Even when the Jehovah's Witnesses attempt to remove the fact that the Lord Jesus is God Almighty in John 1:1 they manage to affirm it by the worship He is to receive.

John 1:1 (New World Translation)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god.

Pure Worship of Jehovah—Restored At Last!: Worship may be defined as "the act of showing respect and love for a god." (Teaching Box 1A, What Is Worship?, page 10)

Examining the Scriptures Daily—2022: As we meditate on the Bible accounts of Jesus’ life, we come to love and respect Jesus because of the kind way he dealt with people. (Sunday, September 4, page 89)
 
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F

Fred

Well-known member
2 Timothy 1:16-18
(16) May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus for he often refreshed me, and he did not become ashamed of my prison chains.
17) On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he diligently looked for me and found me.
(18) May the Lord grant him to find mercy from Jehovah in that day. And you well know all the services he rendered in Ephesus. (New World Translation)
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/l/r1/lp-e?q=2+Timothy+1:16-18

1. The Jehovah's Witnesses teach that Paul prayed in 2 Timothy 1:16 and 2 Timothy 1:18.
The Watchtower: Paul prayed that the Lord might grant this man "to find mercy from Jehovah in that day," along with his household—2 Tim. 1:16-18 ("Mercy Exults Triumphantly Over Judgment"—How?, September 15, 1972, page 555).
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1972682

2. The Jehovah's Witnesses teach the Lord to whom Paul prayed refers to the Lord Jesus. This corresponds with the Jehovah's Witnesses affirming He is the proper recipient of worship.
The Watchtower: After Jesus' death, the Bible record shows, some, including young John Mark, Timothy and others, ministered to certain of the apostles (Acts 13:5; 19:22; 2 Tim. 4:11), and some 'rendered services' (from di·a·ko·ne'o) to Paul while he was in prison (2 Tim. 1:16-18; Philem. 13)...Yes, there are many ministries within the Christian ministry. For the Christian congregation is like a body, and for that body to function properly under its Lord and Head, Jesus Christ, there are many services, many ministries, that must be performed. All of them are essential, though some are more vital than others. Clearly, then, there is something available for everyone to do and, among the "varieties of ministries" to be performed under the direction of the one Lord, there is a wide field of opportunity and privileges...How then, can you share in the Christian ministry? By accepting Christ Jesus as your God-appointed Head and submitting to his direction, serving with his congregation. You can be helpful to those doing shepherding and teaching work; you can aid others in their worship and service to God and Christ; you can make known the good news to others. (The Christian Ministry—What Does It Include?, August 1, 1971, paragraph 11 on page 457, paragraph 18 on page 458, and the last paragraph on page 459).
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1971562
 
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F

Fred

Well-known member
Fred said:
Acts 7:59
The Watchtower: The prayer offered by Stephen when he was being martyred is recorded at Acts 7:59, 60 (Questions From Readers, February 1, 1959, page 96).
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1959086
Click to expand...

Awake!: The tools employed by Christ and his followers in their ministry were reason and persuasion. (Matthew 22:41-46; Acts 17:2; 19:8) And they prayed for their enemies and persecutors.—Matthew 5:44; Acts 7:59-60. (Do You Discuss Religion?, February 22, 1999, page 4)
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/101999121
 
F

Fred

Well-known member
In 2021 the Jehovah's Witnesses affirmed it is proper to sing and pray to the Lord Jesus.
The Watchtower: At the Memorial, we have the opportunity to praise God and Christ in song and prayer. (The Great Crowd of Other Sheep Praise God and Christ, Study Article 3, January 2021, page 18)

Two Jehovah's Witnesses on CARM do not approve of the web site I use to demonstrate the contradictory teachings of the Jehovah's Witnesses.
1. keiw: That isnt taught anymore--its easy to keep up to date-JW.org. You refuse. you remain in darkness.
https://forums.carm.org/threads/the-real-jesus.9808/page-2#post-728092
2. Lilel01: In our official website you will see what we have learn recently or any new understanding. If you want to quote from us, quote from there.
www.jw.org
https://forums.carm.org/threads/did-jesus-teach-he-was-god-himself.1983/page-83#post-618719

Their deception won't work because the same quote is also found here:
https://www.jw.org/en/library/magazines/watchtower-study-january-2021/The-Great-Crowd-of-Other-Sheep-Praise-God-and-Christ/
 
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