Jehovah's Witnesses (Part 3)

BACKGROUND

Originated in 1870 in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania by Charles Taze Russell who started a Bible study group he called the “Millennial Dawn Bible Study.”

Russell disagreed with many of the beliefs of mainstream Christianity including:

The deity of Christ,

The doctrine of the Trinity,

The immortality of the soul, and

Eternal punishment in hell.

In 1881, Russell formed the Zion’s Watchtower Tract Society that was later renamed the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society.

Joseph Franklin Rutherford took over as president after Russell’s death in 1916.

Rutherford began implementing changes that took the Society further away from Biblical truth.

By 1930, 75% of the original Bible students had dropped out because of conflicting doctrinal positions.

It was under Rutherford’s tenure that the term “Jehovah’s Witnesses” was first used to describe those who remained in the organization.

As of 2024, the JW’s have grown to over 8.8 million members in 239 countries across the world.

THE DIVINE NAME OF GOD

Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that Jehovah is the only true name of God and therefore the only name He should be called.

The Bible identifies God by many names:

God (Elohim) – Genesis 1:1

God Almighty (El Shaddai) – Genesis 17:1

Lord (Adonai) – Psalm 8:1

Father (Pater) – Matthew 6:9

The Name of Jesus is the name of God:

Acts 4:12

Philippians 2:9-11

THE TRINITY

Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that the Trinity is unbiblical because the word is not found in the Bible and the Bible emphasizes that there is only one God.

The Bible declares that there is only one true God:

Deuteronomy 6:4

John 5:44

1 Corinthians 8:4

James 2:19

The Bible declares that there are three divine persons that are called God:

God the Father (1 Peter 1:2)

God the Son - Jesus Christ (John 20:28 and Hebrews 1:8)

God the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3-4)

The Bible declares that each of the these three divine persons possess all of the attributes of God.

Omnipresence (Jeremiah 23:23-24; Matthew 28:20; Psalm 139:7)

Omniscience (Psalm 147:5; John 16:30; 1 Corinthians 2:10-11)

Omnipotence (Jeremiah 32:17; John 2:1-11, Romans 15:19)

Eternality (Psalm 90:2; Revelation 22:13; Hebrews 9:14)

The Bible declares that all three persons are involved in Creation:

God the Father (Genesis 1:1; Psalm 102:25)

God the Son (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:2)

God the Holy Spirit (Genesis 1:2; Job 33:4; Psalm 104:30)

The Bible declares that God is a Triune Godhead:

Matthew 28:19

2 Corinthians 13:14

JESUS CHRIST

Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that Jesus was created by Jehovah as the archangel Michael before the physical world existed.

The Bible declares that Jesus is eternally God.

John 1:1

John 8:58 and Exodus 3:14

The Bible declares that Jesus has the same divine nature as God the Father.

John 5:18; 10:30

Hebrews 1:3

The Bible declares that Jesus is Jehovah.

Compare Isaiah 43:11 with Titus 2:13

Compare Isaiah 44:24 with Colossians 1:16

Compare Isaiah 6:1-5 with John 12:41

The Bible declares that Jesus created the angels.

Colossians 1:16

John 1:3

Hebrews 1:2, 10

THE INCARNATION

Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that when Jesus was born on earth, He was a mere human and not God in human flesh.

The Bible declares that Jesus is the incarnate God.

Colossians 2:9

Philippians 2:6-7

The Bible declares that Jesus is Immanuel (God with us).

Matthew 1:23

Isaiah 7:14

John 1:1, 14, 18; 10:30

THE RESURRECTION

Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that Jesus was resurrected spiritually from the dead, but not physically.

The Bible declares Jesus rose physically from the dead with a flesh and bone body.

Luke 24:39

John 2:19-21

The Bible declares Jesus ate food and was touched after His resurrection.

Luke 24:30, 42-43

John 21:12-13

Matthew 28:9; John 20:17

THE SECOND COMING

Jehovah’s Witnesses believe the second coming of Christ was an invisible, spiritual event that occurred in the year 1914.

The Bible declares that the second coming will be physical and visible.

Acts 1:9-11

Titus 2:13

Revelation 1:7

The Bible declares that the second coming will be accompanied by natural cosmic disturbances.

Matthew 24:29-30

THE HOLY SPIRIT

Jehovah’s Witnesses believe the Holy Spirit is an impersonal force of God and not a distinct person.

The Bible declares that the Holy Spirit has three primary attributes of personality.

Mind (Romans 8:27)

Will (1 Corinthians 12:11)

Emotions (Ephesians 4:30)

The Bible uses personal pronouns to describe the Holy Spirit.

Acts 13:2

The Bible declares that the Holy Spirit does things only a person can do.

Teach (John 14:26),

Testify (John 15:26),

Commission (Acts 13:4),

Command (Acts 8:29), and

Intercede (Romans 8:26).

SALVATION

Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that salvation requires faith in Christ and obedience to their doctrine and practices.

The Bible declares that salvation comes by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.

Ephesians 2:8-9

Titus 3:4-8

The Bible declares that obedience to rules as the basis of salvation nullifies the Gospel.

Galatians 2:16-21

Colossians 2:20-23

TWO CLASSES OF BELIEVERS

Jehovah’s Witnesses believe there are two classes of believers of God: (1) The Anointed Class (144,000) who will live in heaven and rule with Christ, and (2) the “other sheep” who will live forever in paradise on earth.

The Bible declares that heaven awaits all believers in Christ.

John 14:1-3; 17:24

2 Corinthians 5:1

Philippians 3:20

Colossians 1:5

1 Thessalonians 4:17

Hebrews 3:1

The Bible declares that all believers will ultimately dwell in a new heaven and on a new earth.

2 Peter 3:13

Revelation 21:1-4

THE SOUL

Jehovah’s Witnesses do not believe that humans have an immortal soul. They believe that the soul is simply a life-force that leaves the body at death.

The Bible declares that we have an immortal soul.

Genesis 35:18

Revelation 6:9-10

The Bible declares that the soul will live on after death.

Matthew 13:42

Luke 16:22-24

HELL

Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that hell is not a place of eternal torment, but is simply the common grave of all humanity. The wicked are completely annihilated and do not live on forever.

The Bible declares that hell is a real place of conscious eternal torment.

Matthew 5:22; 25:41, 46

Jude 7

Revelation 14:11, 20:10, 14

THE WORD OF GOD

Jehovah’s Witnesses use their own translation of the Bible called the “New World Translation.”

The NWT changes the names of God throughout the Bible to Jehovah.

The NWT has been modified to follow their doctrinal beliefs.

For example John 1:1 in the NWT reads, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god.”

The NWT also omits certain scriptures or places them in footnotes with explanations based on their beliefs.

HOLIDAYS

Jehovah’s Witnesses do not celebrate Christmas, Easter, or their own birthdays.

The JW’s believe that these celebrations have their origins in pagan practices.

The JW’s also do not celebrate Christmas and Easter because they do not believe Jesus is equal to God.

MEDICAL TREATMENT

Jehovah’s Witnesses refuse certain types of medical treatment.

The JW’s traditionally reject blood transfusions, even in life or death situations. Their beliefs and acceptance of blood transfusions have changed many times over the years.

The JW’s also reject any type of medical treatment that they believe uses occult practices.

EVANGELISM

Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that door-to-door evangelism is an essential part of their relationship with God.

The JW’s believe that this method of evangelism fulfills the biblical commands to spread the gospel.

This is not just a commission to spread the gospel, it is also a requirement to try to be part of “the other sheep” to live in paradise on earth since the 144,000 who go to heaven have already been determined.

The JW’s primary focus is to warn people about the end times.

WORSHIP

Jehovah’s Witnesses meet in buildings they refer to as Kingdom Halls for worship.

They are very simple; not decorated with religious symbols.

There are several types of meetings:

Public Meeting – includes a song, prayer and 30 minute Bible study.

Watchtower Study – follows the Public Meeting and is an interactive session where member discuss articles from the Watchtower magazine.

Service Meeting – aimed at preparing members for evangelism

DISFELLOWSHIPPING

Jehovah’s Witnesses exercise the ecclesiastical discipline of disfellowshipping for serious sins.

Those who are disfellowshiped are done so publically in front of the congregation.

Those who are disfellowshiped are shunned by the rest of the congregation.

Family interactions are limited to only what is essential contact required for those living in the same household.

For example, eating a meal together is forbidden.

CHRISTIAN RESPONSE

General guidelines for all false religions and cults:

Understand that they are deceived by false doctrine.

They are likely sincere and dedicated to their beliefs.

They may not be open to listening to your beliefs initially.

Be willing to invest time and develop a level of trust and respect with them.

Demonstrate Godly love and that you truly care about them.

Do not act arrogant or condescending toward their beliefs.

Share your testimony of what Jesus has done for you.

Offer to pray with them and allow an opportunity for the Holy Spirit to speak to their heart.

Specific way to witness to Jehovah’s Witnesses:

One of the key false doctrines of the JW’s is their belief that Jesus is not equal with God.

The difficultly is the difference between their NWT Bible and the version that we use. You will likely not convince them to read another version.

However, a key passage that can be used to demonstrate the deity of Jesus Christ is found in John 1:1-3.

As we’ve seen already, there is a major difference in John 1:1 between the NWT and say the KJV or NKJV.

The NWT reads, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god.”

The KJV or NKJV ends with, “the Word was God.”

This is a major difference that reflects their belief that Jesus is not equal with God.

However, John 1:3 almost reads very similar to the KJV or NKJV in the NWT: "All things came into existence through him, and apart from him not even one thing came into existence.“

So this verse identifies the Word (who is Jesus) as the Creator of all things.

This contradicts the JW belief that Jesus is a created being.

The only thing or being that is uncreated is God.

If Jesus is the Creator of all things other than God, then He himself must also be the uncreated God.

Share the assurance we have of our salvation and the promise that we will live with Jesus in Heaven for eternity.

Understand that it will be difficult for them to leave the JW’s because they will be shunned by their family and friends who are JW’s.

Do not accept their tracts or other materials. Once you do, they will use it to their advantage to discuss their beliefs. Stick to the Bible and try to get them to study the Word for themselves. They are discouraged from studying the Word of God for themselves and rely on the Watchtower Society.

QUESTIONS?