I replied "The Ethiopian charioteer that Philip baptized." The JW looked stunned for a moment, then said "Good guess, but it was Cornelius, the Roman centurion." I indicated that he had a Bible with him and to look it up in Acts Chapter 8 (Ethiopian baptism) and Acts Chapter 10 (centurion baptism). The JW replied that just because the story of the charioteer came first in the Bible didn't mean that it necessarily happened first as many parts of the Bible are not in chronological order. It seemed that he went out of his way to stretch a point so he could be the correct one? Why do they always do that? No matter whet - they are right!

Wow, that's all I can say. Wow. - I was raised as a JW. I never heard of one challenging someone else's biblical knowledge, but I did know one who put his foot in someone's door when they tried to close it on him.

(Cor·ne′lius). An army officer (centurion, KJ) in command of 100 soldiers of the Italian band. Stationed at Caesarea, he had his own house. His Roman name suggests that he may have belonged to a noble family in the imperial city. He was “a devout man” who “made many gifts of mercy to the people and made supplication to God continually,” “a man righteous and fearing God and well reported by the whole nation of the Jews.” It was to this man that an angel appeared in a vision in the fall of 36 C.E., saying: “Your prayers and gifts of mercy have ascended as a remembrance before God.” The angel also told Cornelius to send to Joppa for Peter.—Ac 10:1-22. When Peter arrived, Cornelius, in the presence of “his relatives and intimate friends,” said to the apostle: “We are all present before God to hear all the things you have been commanded by Jehovah to say.” (Ac 10:24, 33) “While Peter was yet speaking . . . the holy spirit fell upon all those hearing the word.” Thus this group of which Cornelius is named as the most notable became the first uncircumcised Gentiles or non-Jews to receive “the free gift of the holy spirit.” (Ac 10:44, 45) Water baptism immediately followed. Nothing more is known of the life and activity of Cornelius after this. Why was the conversion of Cornelius a particularly noteworthy event? Cornelius was not a proselyte member of the Jewish community as some contend, even though he was acquainted with the writings of the prophets, gave gifts of mercy to the Jews, feared God, prayed continually, and used the name Jehovah. The Scriptures prove conclusively that this army officer was an uncircumcised Gentile in the fullest sense. If Cornelius had been a proselyte, Peter would not have said it was unlawful for him, a Jew, to associate with this “man of another race,” in view of what was written in the Law concerning an alien resident. (Le 19:33, 34; Ac 10:28) If he had been a proselyte, the six other Jews with Peter would not have been “amazed” at seeing the holy spirit poured out “upon people of the nations.” (Ac 10:45; 11:12) If he had been a proselyte, why did “supporters of circumcision” contend with Peter over this matter?—Ac 11:2. In reality, Cornelius was the firstfruits of the uncircumcised non-Jews to become a Christian, showing that by this time it was not necessary for Gentiles to become Jewish proselytes like the Ethiopian eunuch before being accepted into the Christian congregation. “For a certainty,” Peter exclaimed on that historic occasion, “I perceive that God is not partial, but in every nation the man that fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him.” (Ac 10:34, 35) As Peter was the first to open up The Way to the Jews at Pentecost, so in this instance he was the first to bring good news of salvation to the uncircumcised Gentiles. James also agreed that it was “the first time” that God turned his attention to “the nations.”—Ac 15:7, 14.

��— How could the Ethiopian eunuch be brought into the Christian congregation before Cornelius, especially in view of Deuteronomy 23:1?—The Ethiopian was returning to his homeland after a trip to Jerusalem to worship, which shows that he was a Jewish proselyte, worshiping with the Jews at the temple. There were many of such proselytes, and had been since the beginning of the nation, the law covenant even making provision for them. They were not uncircumcised Gentiles like Cornelius. On the basis of their conversion to the Jewish religion the good news could be preached to them and they could and did become a part of the early Christian congregation, without waiting for the message to go to uncircumcised Gentiles. So the Ethiopian eunuch could be brought into the Christian congregation in view of his previous conversion to the Jewish religion.—Ex. 12:38, 48, 49; Lev. 24:17-23; Num. 15:15, 16; 35:15; Acts 8:5, 14, 27-39. Deuteronomy 23:1 (NW) states: “No man castrated by crushing the testicles or having his male member cut off may come into the congregation of Jehovah.” But this would not affect entry into the Christian congregation, since the law covenant that prohibited this was no longer valid. However, when it was valid in the Jewish system of things would it not have forestalled the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch? Yes, if the Ethiopian was a eunuch in the fleshly way mentioned at Deuteronomy 23:1. But the word “eunuch” (Hebrew, sa·ris′) in a broad or special sense also meant an officer, as at Genesis 39:1, where an officer of Pharaoh, Potiphar, a married man, is called a sa·ris′. It is in this sense of the word that we view the Ethiopian that Philip met and baptized, for the Ethiopian was obviously a Jewish convert or proselyte and he was also an officer, “a man in power under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, and who was over all her treasure.” (Acts 8:27, NW) Had he been an actual eunuch he would not have been a proselyte, and if not a proselyte Philip would not have baptized him before the good news had gone to the uncircumcised Gentiles.

they shouldn't be intrusive. i'm sorry that happened to you. when they knock on my door, i don't answer. they stand there for 10 or 15 minutes waiting... waiting...

You must have way too much time on your hands.

I get this quite often, two of them came to my door recently and I politely told them that I was a Christian and that I am happy with my religion. He then asked me ''well how do you know that you are in the right religion the only true religion is JW''). They both then started to challenge me on the bible, I was so angry because they were beginning to get quite rude and obnoxious I eventually just shut my door and they still had the nerve to post a leaflet through my door.

I would have punched him in the face

It shouldn't have been a question of right and wrong in my opinion. If someone knocks on my door and asks me an insignificant question about the Bible, then tries to prove me wrong then the door will be slammed on them while they flip pages. I already don't like what those people are doing, why make it worse by being arrogant about something stupid, even if they were right? Is that really why you knocked on my door?

Last week when you mentioned going to a meeting with a friend and posed the question about feeling like a prized pig and then agreeing with anyone who spoke bad about witnesses, I thought you were sincere and not very familiar with them. I now get the impression that you are very familiar with them and are trying to put them in a bad light. Quite often, people who are already biased are the ones who experience these extremes. If my wife and I had experienced this when they came to our door, I doubt we would have accepted a study. Witnesses usually try to find common ground, however sometimes people have a particular question about why Witnesses believe certain things that may be controversial and then a scriptural answer may be given. How familiar are you with the Witnesses? Did this conversation really happen this way? http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/967663. http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/1414019 [debodun Apr, 21 2009 at 03:23 PM Thank you for clarifying that. It just crossed my mind that it was like saying to the others "Look, I snagged one!" Everyone also commented on my bright green New World Translation Bible saying they haven't seen one like that in many years. My uncle gave it to me in 1973.]

Jehovah's witnesses are pretty crazy people. you're lucky they didn't kill you!

Yea when they come around I just tell them to leave as I lvoe God and am headed toheaven and do not talk religion with street people as the Bible speaks agains preachhing in the streets to draw attention. they usually are backing up before I finish.

Paul Washer said what he does is,Ask them what their gospel is,and when they tell you,then ask them to tell you one more time,to make sure you understood it.Then repeat it.They will talk about works,the kingdom,baptism.Then tell them what Paul said the gospel of Jesus Christ really is,and then go to Galatians 1:8,9 If any man come to you with any other gospel,let him be accursed.When they say well we meant that too,tell them,no i gave you 3 chances to say what your gospel is and you didn't say the gospel of the bible.

Why do you even open the door?

1) Concerning the discussed issue, I found this: "Although Peter's encounter with the Roman centurion Cornelius is generally regarded as the first incident in which a Gentile was converted to Christianity, it is possible that Philip's encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch is actually the first conversion of a Gentile to Christianity. Please see the account of this conversion and baptism at Acts 8: 26-40. However, it is also possible that the Ethiopian eunuch was Jewish and thus not the first Gentile convert. For centuries certain Ethiopians have claimed Jewish ancestry, and in recent decades many sought to immigrate to the State of Israel. [...] There thus appears that the Ethiopian eunuch may have been an ancient Ethiopian Jew and not a Gentile." Source and further information: "Christian Faith in Contemporary Society By Mike Liles Jr" http://books.google.com/books?id=lw6AzBwNJRcC&pg=PA158&lpg=PA158&dq=Who+was+the+first+Gentile+baptized+into+Christianity+ethiopian+centurion&source=bl&ots=y6EBqnpm0J&sig=cuZmKbuGIFumcDFlcLF9Rz4POZ0&hl=en&ei=EcH4Se_9EJCJsAaL6KT4AQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3 2) It looks like the JW was pretty sure about their point, for coming with such an argument like contesting the chronological order of the acts. I had some discussions with JWs and I got the impression that they frequently see themselves as quite superior in their knowledge and interpretation of the Bible, which, it must also be said, might generally apply. But you are right, I could also sometimes observe some rigidity in this respect. Even if they were right, I think that they should have used another argument in this case, like: "As far as I know, it was the centurion, but it looks like you could be right, I shall ask some of the other JWs what they think." If a challenge could have taken place, it should rather have been seen as a pleaseant discussion about common interests, not something where someone has to beat the other. But of course, we all make errors.

there was Jew and Gentile in Jerusalem at the time of John the Baptist..many went to hear, many were baptized .Jesus and the Apostles on HIS WALK ,also baptized ...the Apostles baptized and disciples could too...there is absolutely no way of knowing this..i am pretty sure the centurions culture is not mentioned but it really does not matter....that would be like asking the FIRST GENTILE on Pentecost Day that converted....Jerusalem was full of Jew and Gentile ,as it was a holiday so to speak..thats why God made the opening of Jesus churc/him , on this very day....but who was first is irrelevant...the point is there were thousands in times of NT ,Jew and Gentile , who were baptised..:)Justme

Perhaps there should be a category for grips about religion and then under that the denomination instead of using the Jehovah Witnesses category just to complain.

8-30-2017 The correct answer in that case is "I don't have to prove anything. I am not the one trying to peddle my religion."

Me: not a Jehovah's Witness. . . . . The simple answer is: apparently the Ethiopian eunuch was a Jew and - therefore - not a Gentile. After all, when Philip happened upon him, the Ethiopian fellow was reading Isaiah. (Interesting! I wonder what language the scroll was in?) Given that Judaism has existed in Ethiopia since ancient times, it seems extremely likely that the fellow was Jewish.

Friend why don't you ask Google that question who was the first gentile to be baptized as a Christian. Google will tell you Cornelius. Guess what ask Google what is the most accurate Bible Google will tell you the New world translation that's the Jehovah witness Bible guess what the three leading major encyclopedias of the world will tell you the exact same thing. When the leading authorities in the field start telling me otherwise then I'm going to believe it.

You know that's a problem that I see between Jehovah's witnesses and the public that they're preaching to although I went on the internet and screen captured the answer to your question. Didn't do you any good knowing that Google corrected your answer? Did it make you feel any better? Probably not! See friend this is my objection! Did Jehovah's witnesses will tell you that Jesus was hanged on a pole the majority of religions will tell you that Jesus was hanged on a cross. And friend while we stand here with our spiritual swords drawn stabbing each other Jesus came and we got left behind! We need to get to the heart of Christianity this is not about being a Pharisee this is about getting along with each other no matter if I think you're right or wrong or if you think I'm right or wrong. That's why the word of God says there's nobody righteous no not one all of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. So if we're all short on this. Why do Christians even draw their swords on each other? Is it really for a friendly Ghost or is it to stab each other? I'm a Christian I was baptized as one of Jehovah's witnesses but then I went on to get my own degree. I learned to read my own Bible I learned to teach and I'm not going to spend the rest of my life standing there with a group of people telling me do this do that do this and do that. Because those people honestly don't know any more than I do! And to pretend that you do well that's just a sinful as not knowing anything! So friend I would rather move on to things that you and me and everybody else agree upon as Christians.