Jehovah’s Witnesses

[Carbon]

Who are the Jehovah’s Witnesses?​

Over the past century and a half, the Jehovah’s Witnesses have become one of the most significant cults in the world. As of 2019, an estimated 8.7 million people adhere to the teaching and practice of this false religion worldwide.

 

[Carbon]

What are the main beliefs?​

Jehovah’s Witnesses are most well known for denying the Trinity, the deity of Christ, the personhood of the Holy Spirit, and the doctrine of eternal punishment. Their false teaching on these subjects can be summarized under two main headings:

1. The Father alone is God. The Jehovah’s Witnesses hold to the sole deity of the Father on the basis that Jehovah (a frequently used English rendering of God’s covenant name in Hebrew) is represented as the only God in Scripture. Denying classical Trinitarian doctrine, the Jehovah’s Witnesses adamantly reject the idea that there are three persons in the Godhead. In their attack on historic Christian doctrine, the Jehovah’s Witnesses insist that a belief in three persons in the Godhead is equivalent to a belief in three gods.

Since the Jehovah’s Witnesses do not believe in the triune God, they teach that Jesus is a created being—specifically, He is the archangel Michael. Although they refer to Him as “the only begotten of God,” Jehovah’s Witnesses insist that Jesus is the first of the created beings of God. They teach that Jesus agreed to be placed in the womb of the Virgin Mary in order to be a sacrifice for the sins of humanity. However, Jehovah’s Witnesses do not believe that Jesus’ death propitiated the eternal wrath of God, since they do not believe in the deity of Jesus or in eternal punishment.

According to the Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Holy Spirit is not a person, let alone God. Rather, the Spirit is merely an emanating and active force of God.

1. No eternal punishment. Jehovah’s Witnesses insist that there is no eternal torment for unbelievers in the afterlife. In Jehovah’s Witness theology, the body and the soul are inseparable, so the soul dies with the body. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that physical death was the only thing Adam suffered when he fell in the garden. According to the Jehovah’s Witnesses, there is no immortal soul.

The Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that the 144,000 mentioned in Revelation 7:4 are 144,000 faithful Jehovah’s Witnesses who will go to heaven. The remainder of faithful Jehovah’s Witnesses will be resurrected and live forever on earth. Those who die without hearing of Christ or knowing God’s will in the Bible will be raised in the resurrection of the unrighteous and will have a second chance to believe in the teachings of the Jehovah’s Witnesses and obey God and to be included in the final inheritance of eternal life on earth. Anyone who does not attain to the eternal inheritance by failing to believe and obey the teachings of the Jehovah’s Witnesses will be annihilated.

 

[Carbon]

Why do people believe this form of false teaching?​

The Jehovah’s Witnesses insist that Scripture is the only source of divine revelation. This leads to the faulty conclusion that the Jehovah’s Witnesses are simply teaching the Bible. However, the organization also publishes and distributes millions of copies of The Watchtower magazine, which they treat as the infallible interpreter of Scripture, as well as other publications. Proselytizing is the central feature of their religion; the organization equips and sends all its members out into the world to make converts. The Jehovah’s Witnesses offer people a moralistic, monotheistic religion. Presenting a picture of morally clean families, good health, and upright behavior, the Jehovah’s Witnesses hold to false teaching that can feed a self-righteous spirit. Additionally, the Jehovah’s Witnesses are a multiethnic organization, a characteristic that is often lacking in other religious groups.

 

[Carbon]

How does it hold up against biblical Christianity?​

1. The triune God is the true and living God. Scripture consistently teaches that there are three persons in the Godhead (Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14). The Father is God (Isa. 63:16; Luke 11:2; John 4:23). The Son is God (John 1:1; Rom. 9:5; Col. 1:15–16; Heb. 1:3). The Holy Spirit is also God (Acts 5:3–4). The three persons of the Godhead are not three gods but three persons subsisting in the one God.

The Son of God is fully God. Jesus reveals Himself to be Jehovah (Ex. 3:14; John 8:58). Jesus claimed equality with the Father in the Godhead (John 8:58; 10:30). The Bible teaches that Jesus is God in every way that God is defined as God (Rom. 9:5; Phil. 2:5–6). Scripture reveals that “all things” were made through the Son (John 1:3; Col. 1:16). It is impossible for “all things” to be created by Him if He Himself was created. Scripture teaches that the Holy Spirit is a communicative divine person, the personal agent of supernatural revelation. David said, “The Spirit of the Lord speaks by me” (2 Sam. 23:2). Jesus affirmed the Spirit’s personal inspiration of Scripture when He cited Psalm 110, saying, “David, in the Spirit, calls him Lord” (Matt. 22:43). The writer of Hebrews appealed to the Spirit’s divine authorship of Psalm 95 when he wrote, “As the Holy Spirit says, ‘Today, if you hear his voice’” (Heb. 3:7). The Apostle Peter acknowledged the deity of the Spirit when he confronted Ananias, saying: “Why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit? . . . You have not lied to man but to God” (Acts 5:3–4).

The Nicene Creed (the early Christian statement of faith from AD 325) declares what Scripture teaches about the deity of Christ in relationship to the Trinity over against all early church heresies on the Trinity.

 

[fastfredy0]

The Watchtower magazine, which they treat as the infallible interpreter of Scripture

I'd never heard that before so I googled it.
Do Jehovah's Witnesses consider the Watchtower organization to be infallible?
The authority of the Watchtower is the Bible.
From the very start of Watchtower no one has ever claimed to be inspired and no one has ever claimed that the WT was infallible

Else where I read: "The Watch Tower Society rejects accusations that it is a false prophet. It admits its explanations of Bible prophecy are not infallible and that its predictions are not claimed explicitly as "the words of Jehovah"."

... so I am hesitant to accept your statement. The rest of the posts ring of truth, not that I am a JW expert.

Re: The Holy Spirit
The doctrine of the Trinity is a profound mystery. Herman Hoeksema – Reformed Dogmatics

The church confesses the Trinity to be a mystery beyond the comprehension of man. This is not a statement that the doctrine is inherently contradictory or irrational. It is not an excuse to ignore biblical passages or believe things not taught in Scripture. It is an admission that Deuteronomy 29:29 is true: there are certain secret things that belong only to the Lord. James White

The personal God is known to us as Three Persons; and the term which has been long established stands simply as the symbol of an incomprehensible mystery. As to the latter, the indivisible Person of Christ signifies the result of the union of His two natures. William Pope Systematic Theology Vol. 1

...so the Reformed theologians have issue with the understanding of the trinity also .... though, I like their explanation more than the others.

 

[makesends]

I'd never heard that before so I googled it.
Do Jehovah's Witnesses consider the Watchtower organization to be infallible?
The authority of the Watchtower is the Bible.
From the very start of Watchtower no one has ever claimed to be inspired and no one has ever claimed that the WT was infallible

Else where I read: "The Watch Tower Society rejects accusations that it is a false prophet. It admits its explanations of Bible prophecy are not infallible and that its predictions are not claimed explicitly as "the words of Jehovah"."

... so I am hesitant to accept your statement. The rest of the posts ring of truth, not that I am a JW expert.

Like the RCC, what the JW says is full of double-speak. They will say, for example, that Jesus is indeed the Son of God. But then you find out that he is the archangel Michael, and Lucifer's brother, if I remember right about the JW. They claim not to be inspired, but look at their sure claims, and rejection of all who do not agree with them in every detail.

 

[Arial]

1. No eternal punishment. Jehovah’s Witnesses insist that there is no eternal torment for unbelievers in the afterlife. In Jehovah’s Witness theology, the body and the soul are inseparable, so the soul dies with the body. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that physical death was the only thing Adam suffered when he fell in the garden. According to the Jehovah’s Witnesses, there is no immortal soul.

The Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that the 144,000 mentioned in Revelation 7:4 are 144,000 faithful Jehovah’s Witnesses who will go to heaven. The remainder of faithful Jehovah’s Witnesses will be resurrected and live forever on earth. Those who die without hearing of Christ or knowing God’s will in the Bible will be raised in the resurrection of the unrighteous and will have a second chance to believe in the teachings of the Jehovah’s Witnesses and obey God and to be included in the final inheritance of eternal life on earth. Anyone who does not attain to the eternal inheritance by failing to believe and obey the teachings of the Jehovah’s Witnesses will be annihilated.

There are a couple of deep flaws in that if I am reading it right.

If there is no immortal soul----what is raised in the resurrection? If body and soul are forever dead when we die----what is resurrected. If the "faithful 144,000 Jehovahs's witnesses go to heaven" and there is no immortal soul, what exactly goes to heaven?

Biggest flaw of all. The Bible never mentions Jehovah's Witnesses, certainly not that all must believe their teachings. It does not even say believe in the teachings of Christ and you will be saved. It says "Believe in him." Though the Bible says believe in Christ (who he is and what he did and how he did it) it never says he is the archangel Michael. It mentions the archangel Michael but never says he is the Messiah. Messiah and Michael are never equated as being one and the same.

 

[Carbon]

Who are the Jehovah’s Witnesses?​

Over the past century and a half, the Jehovah’s Witnesses have become one of the most significant cults in the world. As of 2019, an estimated 8.7 million people adhere to the teaching and practice of this false religion worldwide.

It is amazing that so many people blindly follow this damming cult.
Their leader, Charles Russel who was brought to court, when he was questioned on the Greek language, here is what was said.

Questions by Attorney Staunton.

Question: Do you know the Greek Alphabet?
Russell: Oh, yes.

Question: can you tell me the correct letters if you see them?
Russell: Some of them; I might make a mistake on some of them.

Question: Would you tell me the names of those on top of the page, page 447, I have got here?
Russell: Well, I don't know that I would be able to.

Question: You can't tell what those letters are? Look at them and see if you know.
Rusell: My way. [he was interrupted at this point and not allowed to explain.]

Question: Are you familiar with the Greek language?
Russell: No.

You may have noticed that Russell frequently contradicted himself. Claiming at first to know the Greek alphabet, then claiming under pressure that he might make a mistake in identifying the letters, and then finally admitting that he couldn't read the alphabet at all when confronted with a copy of it.

From this, it is easy to see that Russell did not know the Greek alphabet in any proper sense of the term, since it is assumed that when we say we know the English alphabet, for example, we shall be able to upon request to name the letters by their correct titles.

By Russell failing to name the letters of the Greek alphabet, therefore proved himself a perjurer, for he had previously stated that he knew them, thereby implying the ability to recite them, which he could not do.

It makes little difference, therefore, whether the Watchtower wants to admit Russell's guilt or not since their transcript shows that Russell said he knew what was later proved he did not know.

Here is conclusive evidence: The pastor under oath perjured himself beyond question. Can one sincerely trust the teachings of a man who thought nothing of such evidence? This is taken from Walter Martin's "Kingdom of the Cults.

It's amazing anyone who has checked the history of the JW's, and they should, would want anything to do with staying and being ministered to buy a liar. Not only did he lie, and lie in court but lied to all his people. Makes me wonder how he translated anything from the Greek.

It's obvious he didn't. I'm sure he just changed some thing around in the bible that he didn't like.

 

[Carbon]

It is amazing that so many people blindly follow this damming cult.
Their leader, Charles Russel who was brought to court, when he was questioned on the Greek language, here is what was said.

Questions by Attorney Staunton.

Question: Do you know the Greek Alphabet?
Russell: Oh, yes.

Question: can you tell me the correct letters if you see them?
Russell: Some of them; I might make a mistake on some of them.

Question: Would you tell me the names of those on top of the page, page 447, I have got here?
Russell: Well, I don't know that I would be able to.

Question: You can't tell what those letters are? Look at them and see if you know.
Rusell: My way. [he was interrupted at this point and not allowed to explain.]

Question: Are you familiar with the Greek language?
Russell: No.

You may have noticed that Russell frequently contradicted himself. Claiming at first to know the Greek alphabet, then claiming under pressure that he might make a mistake in identifying the letters, and then finally admitting that he couldn't read the alphabet at all when confronted with a copy of it.

From this, it is easy to see that Russell did not know the Greek alphabet in any proper sense of the term, since it is assumed that when we say we know the English alphabet, for example, we shall be able to upon request to name the letters by their correct titles.

By Russell failing to name the letters of the Greek alphabet, therefore proved himself a perjurer, for he had previously stated that he knew them, thereby implying the ability to recite them, which he could not do.

It makes little difference, therefore, whether the Watchtower wants to admit Russell's guilt or not since their transcript shows that Russell said he knew what was later proved he did not know.

Here is conclusive evidence: The pastor under oath perjured himself beyond question. Can one sincerely trust the teachings of a man who thought nothing of such evidence? This is taken from Walter Martin's "Kingdom of the Cults.

It's amazing anyone who has checked the history of the JW's, and they should, would want anything to do with staying and being ministered to buy a liar. Not only did he lie, and lie in court but lied to all his people. Makes me wonder how he translated anything from the Greek.

It's obvious he didn't. I'm sure he just changed some thing around in the bible that he didn't like.

Well, it went on in court.

The attorney Staunton, pressed him further:
Russell admitted he knew nothing about Latin and Hebrew, and that he had never taken a course in philosophy or systematic theology, much less attended schools of higher learning. Bear in mind now that Russell a short time before had sworn he did have such knowledge by denying Mr. Ross's allegations (Ross is the one I believe that took him to court). This is all part of history for anyone to view.
But there was no way out now, Russell was caught in a bold-faced fabrication and he knew it. However, all was not over yet. It will be remembered that Russell claimed "ordination" and equal if not superior status to ordained and accredited ministers, who at the time were almost all graduates of at least bible college if not a graduate program in a seminary. Counselor Staunton next smashed this illusion by demanding that Russell answer "yes" or "no" to the following questions:

Question: Is it true you were never ordained?
Russell: It is not true.

It was necessary at this point for Staunton to appeal to the magistrate in order to make Russelll answer the question directly. The magistrate preciding ruled that Russell must answer the question put to him. Here is the rest of the cross examination.

Question: Now, you never were ordained by a bishop, clergyman, presbytery, council, or any body of men living?
Russell: After a long pause: I never was.

 

[Carbon]

Russell, although he styled himself a pastor and was so addressed by thousands of followers all over the world, he had never been ordained and had no ministerial standing in any other religious sect than his own.

 

[John Bauer]

No eternal punishment. Jehovah’s Witnesses insist that there is no eternal torment for unbelievers in the afterlife. In Jehovah’s Witness theology, the body and the soul are inseparable, so the soul dies with the body. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that physical death was the only thing Adam suffered when he fell in the garden. According to the Jehovah’s Witnesses, there is no immortal soul.

Well, even a broken clock is right twice a day (re: no eternal conscious torment), so I wouldn't give them much credit for getting this one right.

 

[John Bauer]

There are a couple of deep flaws in that, if I am reading it right.

If there is no immortal soul, then what is raised in the resurrection? If body and soul are forever dead when we die, then what is resurrected?

If they believe (as I do) that soul and person are interchangeable terms, then what's resurrected is the person. The soul (person) is born, lives, dies, and is resurrected in the end, some to eternal life and some to eternal punishment (not eternal punishing).

 

[Mr GLee]

Like the RCC, what the JW says is full of double-speak. They will say, for example, that Jesus is indeed the Son of God. But then you find out that he is the archangel Michael, and Lucifer's brother, if I remember right about the JW. They claim not to be inspired, but look at their sure claims, and rejection of all who do not agree with them in every detail.

I would offer.

The RCC, JW as well as Mormons hold the authority of scripture in second place to their own what they must call "sacred oral tradition of dying mankind". Their own private interpretation, oral tradition called a heresy. Using their own private personal commentary the sacred interpretations man as the fact checker.

Making all things written in the law and prophets (sola scriptura without effect.) the true fact checker.

Like the signified number 144,000 used in a parable to represent the whole chaste virgin bride or church.

2 Corinthians 11:2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

No man can serve two written authorities. They who serve their own called sacred tradition of dying mankind. They are identified as the "confederacy". . "those of the number" . . . no faith, the invisible things of Christ .

Every religion has a written law, but not all have the approval of the unseen Holy Father's religion. . . Christianity

.Some deny it by violating the loving commandment to call no man on earth Holy Father.

One is our adopting Abba in heaven ( James 1:27)

The Catholic book of law their personal fact checker . . .80 "Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture, then, are bound closely together, and communicate one with the other. For both of them, flowing out from the same divine well-spring, come together in some fashion to form one thing, and move towards the same goal."

Isaiah 8:12 Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.

2 Corinthians 10:12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise

In that we use sola scriptura as the fact checker compare it to one's own sects written creed . Never trust the government (confederacy)

Looks like the left are leaving

Sound the Trump pray he has a humble spirit . . . . it comes before pride making things better, greater. Giving honor of the nations.

 

[John Bauer]

The Roman Catholic church, the Jehovah's Witnesses, as well as Mormons ... [make] all things written in the law and prophets ... the true fact checker.

If only they did this literally and consistently, for the law and the prophets testify of Christ.

Like the signified number 144,000 used in a parable to represent the whole chaste virgin bride or church.

I agree, but with a careful articulation: The amillennial, partial preterist Reformed view presents the 144,000 as a symbolic expression of God's comprehensive preservation of his elect throughout redemptive history.

 

[Carbon]

The JW's have some really messed up and some silly doctrines.

Here are a few.

They believe Satan was a great angel who rebelled against Jehovah and challenged His sovereignty. Through satan, sin, and death came upon man. his destiny is annihilation with all his followers.


Can anyone see the false, anti-biblical teachings here?

 

[Carbon]

How about this one?

The atonement is a ransom paid to Jehovah God by Christ Jesus and is applicatable to all who accept it in righteousness. In brief, the death of Jesus removed the effects of Adam's sin on his offspring and laid the foundation of the New World of righteousness including the Millennium of Christ's reign.


Id love to hear this explained by a JW. I know there are a couple here, so, please do.

 

[Carbon]

And here is another. They teach,

Jesus Christ has returned to earth in A.D. 1914, has expelled Satan from Heaven, and is proceeded to overthrow Satan's organization, establish the Theocratic Millennial Kingdom, and vindicate the name of Jehovah God. He did not return in physical form and is invisible as the Logos.

 

[ElectedbyHim]

It has been many moons since I have researched the JW's position.

Here is a summary of their core beliefs.

Core Theological Beliefs:

• God and Jesus:
  • Strict monotheism: Only Jehovah is God.
  • Jesus is Michael the Archangel, a created being, and not God incarnate.
  • Rejection of the Trinity.
• Holy Spirit:
  • The Holy Spirit is an impersonal active force, not a person.
• Salvation and Afterlife:
  • Salvation is achieved through faith and works, as defined by the Watchtower Society.
  • The 144,000 "anointed" go to heaven.
  • A "great crowd" of faithful Witnesses will live on earth.
  • Those outside the organization will be annihilated.
  • Rejection of the traditional concept of Hell.
• Scripture:
  • The Bible is considered corrupted, except for the New World Translation, which is their own translation.
  • The Watchtower Society is the only authorized interpreter of scripture.
• Jesus's role:
  • Jesus died on a stake, not a cross.
  • Jesus's invisible presence began in 1914.
  • Jesus's ransom sacrifice did not include Adam.

Practices and Social Stance:

• Organizational Authority:
  • The Watchtower Society is considered God's sole channel of communication.
  • Exclusive loyalty to the organization is demanded.
• Social Restrictions:
  • Refusal of blood transfusions.
  • Rejection of most holidays (Christmas, Easter, birthdays).
  • Political neutrality: Refusal to vote, hold office, or participate in patriotic activities (saluting the flag, singing national anthems).
  • Limited interactions with those outside of the religion.
• Proselytizing:
  • Active door-to-door ministry.
  • Distribution of Watchtower and Awake! magazines.
• Doctrinal Control:
  • Strict adherence to Watchtower teachings.
  • Discipline for those who deviate.

Key Observations:

• This list emphasizes the stark differences between Jehovah's Witnesses' beliefs and traditional Christian doctrines.
• It highlights the strong organizational control and restrictive practices of the Watchtower Society.
• The inclusion of the quotes from watchtower publications provides source material to back up the listed claims.
• The information provided regarding the creation time line is also very particular to the Jehovah's witness faith.

 

[Mr GLee]

The JW's have some really messed up and some silly doctrines.

Here are a few.

They believe Satan was a great angel who rebelled against Jehovah and challenged His sovereignty. Through satan, sin, and death came upon man. his destiny is annihilation with all his followers.


Can anyone see the false, anti-biblical teachings here?

I would offer.

Satan as Lucifer was to protect the glory of Christ's creation from the false pride of the creature. The devil added to it and taking away the gospel hidden understanding.

Satan the king of lying wonders Putting his lying wonders in the mouth of the most beautiful creature in the garden. Perhaps like the deep-sea creatures that can illuminate in multiple colors . Its legs were cut off to show he cannot walk in agreement with God not seen.

Violated the law not to add or subtract from (sola scriptura) Satan added four lying words to wonder after as if true prophecy "neither shall you touch"

In Eden the Garden city used as a parable hiding the spiritual understnding to represent the bride of Christ. In the forest outside of the city in the middle was the tree of eternal life. Lucifer the father of lies using his weapon of warfare make "sola scriptura" without effect

Introduces the two-building blocks of false pride. Lust of the flesh . . . it drew them to the center . then part two took over the lust of the eye .

Touching it and not dying instantly they both ate Adam failed to protect for false prophecy sent by the false apostle Satan.

1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

 

[John Bauer]

...

• Strict monotheism: Only Jehovah is God.

...

This part is not accurate. Jehovah's Witnesses are not strict monotheists but rather henotheists, which is the religious practice of worshiping one primary deity while recognizing the existence of other gods (which JWs do not worship). This can be seen by their translation of John 1:1, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god."