Jehovah's Witnesses came to my house one day, saw my cross on the
wall, and taking offense, informed me that Jesus didn't die on that, but
on a "torture stake". I told them I was familiar with the meaning of
the Koine Greek word "stauron", showing it to them from one of their own
interlinear bibles. Then I explained to them it was an "hendiadys"--one
word standing for 2 things. Looking dumbfounded, I explained that if I
say "husband" it implies that he has a wife. If I say "pass the pepper", instinctively, they'll probably pass the salt too.
Then I further explained that, while indeed "stauron" was technically
the term for the upright piece of the cross, it was never used by the
Romans apart from the cross-piece that always went with it. I even
showed them how this Greek word was written in a caligraphic "cross
shape" in early bible manuscripts. (If you have an old Beck Bible, this
is the Greek word on the cover, explained on one of the first pages.)
They told me they didn't believe in such a thing as an "hendiadys". So I asked them if they wanted some water. They said, "sure", so I took a pitcher of water and poured it directly on one of their faces. They were shocked. I explained to them that since they didn't ask for a "glass" along with the water (not believing in such a thing as an "hendiadys"), I assumed they wanted the water without one. No Jehovah's Witness has ever returned to my house.
They told me they didn't believe in such a thing as an "hendiadys". So I asked them if they wanted some water. They said, "sure", so I took a pitcher of water and poured it directly on one of their faces. They were shocked. I explained to them that since they didn't ask for a "glass" along with the water (not believing in such a thing as an "hendiadys"), I assumed they wanted the water without one. No Jehovah's Witness has ever returned to my house.
My own view is that it is better to just tell JW's at your door that you are a Christian and you are not interested in joining their cult, which teaches ideas contrary to God's word. And as for pouring water on them....you behaved in an unChristian manner and it is not acceptable. You might consider praying for them instead, and perhaps a kind word of truth rather than a debate, would work much better. I hope you learned something from this encounter and you will handle these circumstances better in the future.
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