Who Do Jehovah'S Witnesses Believe Jesus Is

The 11 Beliefs You Should Know about Jehovah’s Witnesses When They Knock at the Door

A brief explanation of what Jehovah’s Witnesses believe, as well as what the Bible actually teaches, is included in the ESV Study Bible’s back matter, which includes several articles and resources (posted by permission).

1. The divine name.

There are several articles and resources at the back of the ESV Study Bible that provide a comprehensive review of what Jehovah’s Witnesses believe, as well as what the Bible actually teaches (posted by permission).

God (Hb.’elohim
Gen. 1:1)
God Almighty (Hb.’El Shadday
Gen. 17:1)
Lord (Hb.’Adonay
Ps. 8:1)
And the Lord of hosts (Hb.yhwh tseba’ot
1 Sam. 1:3)
And

In the New Testament, Jesus and the apostles both addressed God as “Father” (Gk.Patr; Matt. 6:9), a term that originated in the Greek language (1 Cor. 1:3).

2. The Trinity.

The Trinity, according to Jehovah’s Witnesses, is unbiblical since the word “trinity” does not appear in the Bible and because the Bible emphasizes that there is only one God. While it is true that there is only one God (Isa. 44:6; 45:18; 46:9; John 5:44; 1 Cor. 8:4; James 2:19), it is also true that three individuals are referred to as God in Scripture: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

The Father (see 1 Peter 1:2), Jesus (see John 20:28
Hebrews 1:8), and the Holy Spirit (see Acts 5:3–4) are all mentioned.

Each of these three individuals possesses the characteristics of a god, including

God’s omnipresence (Ps. 139:7
Jer. 23:23-24
Matt. 28:20)
Omniscience (Ps. 147:5
John 16:30
1 Cor. 2:10-11)
Omnipotence (Jer. 32:17
John 2:1-11
Rom. 15:19)
And eternality (Ps. 90:2
Heb. 9:14
Rev. 22:13).

Furthermore, each of the three is involved in the accomplishment of divine tasks, like as the creation of the universe:

Father (Genesis 1:1
Psalm 102:25)
Son (John 1:3
Col. 1:16
Heb. 1:2)
And the Holy Spirit (Genesis 1:2
Job 33:4
Psalm 104:30)
And

According to the Bible, there are three persons in the Godhead who are one and the same (Matt. 28:19; cf. 2 Cor. 13:14). As a result, the doctrine of the Trinity has overwhelming theological backing.

3. Jesus Christ.

They believe that Jesus was formed by Jehovah as the archangel Michael before the physical universe began, and that he is a lesser deity, albeit nonetheless powerful, in comparison to other gods. Rather than being a temporary god (cf. John 1:1; 8:58; Ex. 3:14), Jesus is revealed in the Bible to be eternally God and to possess the exact same divine essence as the Father (John 5:18; 10:30; Heb. 1:3). Indeed, a comparison between the Old Testament and the New Testament shows that Jesus is equated with Jehovah (compare Isa.

44:24 with Col.
6:1-5 with John 12:41).
1:16; cf.
1:2, 10) and because he is worshiped by them (Heb.

4. The incarnation.

They think that when Jesus was born on earth, he was only a human being, and not God manifested in human form as some believe. In doing so, it goes against the scriptural teaching that in the incarnation Jesus, “the entire fullness of god lives physically” (Col. 2:9; cf. Phil. 2:6-7). The Greek word for “completeness” (Gk.plrma) conveys the sense of the whole of everything. When we talk of God’s nature, existence, and qualities, we’re talking about theots (Gk.theots). As a result, the incarnate Jesus represented the complete amount of God’s existence, being, and qualities manifested in physical form.

1:23; cf.

7:14; John 1:1, 14, 18; 10:30; 14:9-10).

5. Resurrection.

They believe that Jesus was raised from the dead spiritually rather than physically, and that he was crucified and resurrected. According to the Bible, however, the resurrected Jesus declared that he was more than a spirit and that he possessed a flesh-and-bone body (Luke 24:39; cf.

John 2:19-21). He consumed meals on a number of times, demonstrating that he retained a true physical body upon his resurrection (Luke 24:30, 42-43; John 21:12-13). This was corroborated by his supporters, who came up to him and touched him physically (Matt. 28:9; John 20:17).

6. The second coming.

Those who follow Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that the second coming took place in the year 1914 and was an unseen, spiritual occurrence. But according to biblical prophecy, Christ’s yet-to-come second coming will be tangible and visible (cf. Acts 1:9-11; Titus 2:13), and it will be accompanied by visible celestial disturbances (Matt. 24:29-30). Every single eye will be on him (Rev. 1:7).

7. The Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit, according to Jehovah’s Witnesses, is not a distinct individual but rather an impersonal energy of God that operates in the universe. According to the Bible, the Holy Spirit, on the other hand, possesses three fundamental characteristics of personality:

A mind (Rom. 8:27), emotions (Eph. 4:30), and will (1 Cor. 12:11) are all mentioned in the Bible.

Furthermore, he is addressed with personal pronouns (Acts 13:2). Additionally, he does actions that only a human being can perform, such as:

Teaching (John 14:26), testifying (John 15:26), commissioning (Acts 13:4), issuing directives (Acts 8:29), and interceding (Rom. 8:26) are all examples of what the Bible says about ministry.

The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, and he is the most important (Matt. 28:19).

8. Salvation.

They believe that salvation needs trust in Christ, affiliation with God’s organization (i.e., their religion), and adherence to the regulations of that organization (i.e., their religion). According to the Bible, on the other hand, considering conformity to laws as a prerequisite for salvation renders the gospel ineffective (Gal. 2:16-21; Col. 2:20-23). Not the believer’s performance, but God’s unmerited favor (grace) is entirely responsible for his or her salvation. Good actions are the fruit or effect of salvation, rather than the cause of it (Eph.

9. Two redeemed peoples.

Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that God has divided his people into two groups: (1) the Anointed Class (144,000), who will rule with Christ in heaven, and (2) the “other sheep,” who will dwell forever on a paradise world with no need for food or water. According to the Bible, however, all who believe in Christ will have a heavenly destiny (John 14:1-3; 17:24; 2 Cor. 5:1; Phil. 3:20; Col. 1:5; 1 Thess. 4:17; Heb. 3:1), and these same people will also dwell on the new earth (John 14:1-3; 17:24; 2 Cor.

3:20; Col.

4:17; Heb.

3:13; Rev.

10. No immaterial soul.

Humans do not have an immaterial nature, according to Jehovah’s Witnesses, according to their beliefs. The term “soul” refers to the life-force that exists within a person. When a person dies, the life-force exits the body. The term “soul” has a variety of meanings throughout the Bible, though. One of the most important meanings of the phrase is man’s immaterial self, which is cognizant of his existence after death (Gen. 35:18; Rev. 6:9-10). Unbelievers are in conscious agony in hell (Matt. 13:42; 25:41, 46; Luke 16:22-24; Rev.

13:42; 25:41, 46; Luke 16:22-24; Rev.
(1 Cor.
5:6-8; Phil.
7:17; 21:4).

11. Hell.

According to Jehovah’s Witnesses, hell is not a location of perpetual torment, but rather the common tomb of all people, where all will perish. The wicked are annihilated—their conscious existence is extinguished for all time.

Hell, on the other hand, is a real location of conscious, perpetual torture according to the Bible (Matt. 5:22; 25:41, 46; Jude 7; Rev. 14:11; 20:10, 14). Here are a number of extra resources that you might find useful:

A gospel tract prepared by a former Jehovah’s Witness who has since left the organization
Using the back of a napkin, you may demonstrate to a Jehovah’s Witness that Jesus is the Son of God

BBC – Religions – Witnesses: Beliefs

Jehovah’s Witnesses consider themselves to be part of a global brotherhood that transcends geographical boundaries as well as national and ethnic sympathies and affiliations. They think that, in the same way that Christ declared that his kingdom was not a part of the world and refused to take a temporal crown, they must also maintain a separation from the world and refrain from participating in political activities as well. Nieman Reports, Fall 1997; Gene Owens, Nieman Reports The Witnesses, like many other reforming religions, base their lives and beliefs on the example of the early Christian Church and the teachings of the Bible, as did the early Christian Church.

The Bible

Those who follow Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that the Bible was inspired by God and that it contains historically true information. They consider the Bible to be the primary means through which God communicates his will to human people, and they interpret it literally (except for passages that are obviously meant to be symbolic or poetic). If a religious thought or teaching does not accord with the Bible, witnesses consider it to be incorrect. If an idea or teaching does not agree with the Bible, witnesses consider it to be incorrect.

It demonstrates that the Bible was written by the Supreme Being, the all-powerful God, the Creator who wrote the entire cosmos.
What is the ultimate goal of one’s life?
The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures is the Bible used by the Witnesses, which is their own translation of the Bible.
Despite the fact that they do not consider them to be scripture, Witnesses hold the different doctrinal articles published in The Watchtower in high regard.

God

The following are the beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses:

It is “the one and only real God” who is God the Father (whose name is Jehovah)
The fact that Jesus Christ is his firstborn son, who is inferior to God, and who was made by God, is significant. In fact, the Holy Spirit is not a person, but rather the active energy of God.

The beliefs of the Jehovah’s Witnesses on God are discussed in further depth below. God (the Father) explains himself as follows:

Essentially, God is a singular deity whose given name is Jehovah

Besides the name Yahweh, they accept different transliterations of the name.

Jehovah is the only entity who exists, and he is superior to all other creatures. Everything that exists was created by Jehovah. Jehovah has a son who goes by the name of Jesus Christ.

Jesus is not the Son of God
Jesus is not on a same footing with God
Jesus was the very first thing that God created. After then, Jehovah created everything else via the person of Jesus Christ.

Love, justice, knowledge, and strength are some of Jehovah’s most notable characteristics.

Jesus Christ (Hebrew: ):

Jesus Christ is a smaller and distinct spirit entity
He is not God. In terms of strength or eternity (i.e., age), Jesus Christ is not on a par with God. Jesus Christ never considered himself to be God or to be on a same level with God.

It is true that Jesus Christ is the son of God
In the beginning, Jehovah created Jesus Christ as his first creature.

As a result, Jesus had a beginning and hence could not be everlasting

In terms of divinity, Jesus Christ is lower to Jehovah but superior to the angels. In the celestial kingdom, Jesus Christ reigns as a representative of God. Jesus Christ is the Messiah who was prophesied by the prophets of the Old Testament. Jesus Christ descended to the earth from the heavenly realm

In his human form throughout his time on earth, Jesus was a flawless human being, yet he was not in any sense divine

As a sacrifice, Jesus Christ laid down his human life in order to make human salvation possible. It is believed by witnesses that Jesus did not die on a cross, but rather on a single rod or stake. Witnesses believe that Jesus had a spiritual resurrection rather than a physical resurrection
God has selected Jesus Christ as the one who will judge and decide on the fate of each and every human being. In order to raise the dead, God will utilize Jesus Christ as a means.

The Holy Spirit (also known as the Holy Ghost):

The holy spirit is Jehovah’s active energy, which he employs to carry out his purpose on earth. The holy spirit is not a person
It is a force. The Holy Spirit is not a member of the Trinity
He is a separate entity.

The Trinity is composed of the following three persons:

The traditional Christian concept of God as a “Trinity” consisting of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit is incorrect and based on pagan concepts. The belief of the Trinity is in conflict with the teachings of the Bible. What the prophets, Jesus, the apostles, and the early Christians believed and preached are all in direct conflict with the dogma of the Trinity.

The cross

Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that Jesus did not die on a cross, but rather on a single stake, as is traditionally believed. This concept is based on the Greek terms for the cross that are used in the Bible, which are literally translated as’stake’ and ‘tree’, respectively.

Modern Witnesses consider the Cross to be a pagan symbol and do not use it, despite the fact that it was recognized by the movement until 1931 and is still in use today.

Death, Heaven and Hell

Those who belong to the Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that when a person dies, their existence comes to an end totally. This is due to the fact that the Bible makes it plain that human people do not possess an eternal spirit that survives the death of their physical bodies. The living are mindful of the fact that they will die; yet, the dead are conscious of nothing at all during their final moments. Because there is no labor, no devising, no understanding, and no wisdom in (the tomb), the location to which you are about to be transported.

End times

Witness belief is heavily focused on the’End Times,’ and Witnesses have pointed to a number of historical dates as being Biblically significant, though they have not said explicitly when the world, or “conclusion of the system of things,” is anticipated to come to an end. Nobody, not even the angels of the sky nor the Son, is aware of the precise time and day of that event. Only the Father knows. Matthew 24:36 (KJV) Witnesses believe that the end times began in 1914, but they recognize that the vast majority of human beings were not aware of this at the time.

The anointed

The process of becoming an anointed person does not take place through a vote or selection process. Rather, the anointed one receives clear confirmation from God that he or she has been selected. At the yearly Memorial of Christ’s death, only those who believe they have been anointed are permitted to partake of the bread and wine. The vast majority of Jehovah’s Witnesses are not anointed, and as a result, they will not spend eternity in the presence of God. They will spend the rest of their lives in a paradise on Earth.

Difference Between Jehovah’s witnesses and Christians

Miscellaneous, Religion|Difference Between Jehovah’s Witnesses and Christians is a topic covered in this category. Christians as opposed to Jehovah’s witnesses Christian belief systems are defined as those that mirror the teachings of Jesus Christ, which legally qualifies Jehovah’s witnesses as Christians because they actually adhere to the teachings of Jesus Christ. Jehovah’s witnesses, on the other hand, believe in a distinct interpretation of Christ, which has drawn a great deal of attention from other Christ-centered religions.

Mainstream Christians, on the other hand, consider Jehovah’s witnesses to be heretics because they think that Jesus Christ and God are not one and the same person, which is in sharp contrast to Christianity’s idea of a Trinitarian God, which considers three different persons to be one God.
The Trinitarian God, according to the Christian perspective, is criticized by Jehovah’s witnesses as being false.
The most obvious point of dispute between Jehovah’s witnesses and Christians is their understanding of the deity of Jesus Christ.
However, the Jehovah’s Witnesses are adamant that Jesus is not God and that, while divine, he is not equal to and always below God.
In accordance with what is written in the Book of Revelation, Christians believe the apocalypse is coming.
They just think that it will happen, and some Christians even believe that it is now taking place, but no specific date or event has been established as the beginning of the end of time.
The fact that a date was provided is most likely the most noteworthy of these.
Summary: 1.
Jesus is considered to be the archangel Michael by Jehovah’s witnesses, who believe that he is God’s (Jehovah) son and that he is wholly different from God.
3.
Whereas Christianity, although believing in the end of time, has no way of knowing when it will occur, and has no set date for when it will happen.

4. While both Jehovah’s witnesses and Christians believe in the Holy Spirit as God’s active power, Christians believe that the Holy Spirit is also God himself.

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10 Things Everyone Should Know about Jehovah’s Witnesses and Their Beliefs

‘Jehovah’s Witnesses’ are a religious group that many of us are unlikely to be familiar with or understand. Many of us are familiar with them as the folks that frequently visit our houses in order to evangelize, but do we really understand what they believe? The following are ten interesting facts about this religious movement that sprang from orthodox Christianity in the late 1800s. Here we provide answers to the questions of how they got their start, what their main beliefs are, and how many people in the globe now adhere to their faith.

1. When were the Jehovah’s Witnesses founded?

It was in 1870 that a man called Charles Taze Russell began teaching Bible studies in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, which was the beginning of the Jehovah’s Witnesses movement. A branch of the Bible Student movement, which Taze also helped to create, grew into the Jehovah’s Witnesses organization. The Jehovah’s Witnesses came into being when Taze began challenging some of the established beliefs held by Christians at the time. Featured image courtesy of Wikipedia

2. Where did Jehovah’s Witnesses get their name?

Because Jehovah’s Witnesses are primarily concerned with God the Father, their name is derived from the Tetragrammaton, which can be written as YHWH or JHVH and articulated as Yahweh or Jehovah. The organisation was initially known as the Watch Tower Society because its founder, Charles Taze Russell, produced a journal known as Zion’s Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence, which was the inspiration for the name of the organization. Featured image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

3. Do Jehovah’s Witnesses use the same Bible as Christians?

Jehovah’s Witnesses employ a Bible translation known as the New World Translation to communicate with one another. Prior to the advent of this translation, which was created expressly by and for Jehovah’s Witnesses, the majority of people depended on the King James Version. According to the website TowerWatch.com, “No other religious group makes use of the New World Translation of the Bible, and Jehovah’s Witnesses make very limited use of any other Bibles. The New World Translation of the Bible is the translation developed by Jehovah’s Witnesses for themselves.

Nathan Knorr, Albert Schroeder, George Gangas, Fred Franz, and M. Henschel were the translators for The New World Translation, which was published in 2010.” Featured image courtesy of Thinkstock/B-C-Designs

4. Do Jehovah’s Witnesses believe in the Trinity?

It is the New World Translation of the Bible that is used by Jehovah’s Witnesses. Most people depended on the King James Version prior to the introduction of this translation, which was created expressly by and for Jehovah’s Witnesses. As reported by TowerWatch.com, the following: “No other religious group makes use of the New World Translation of the Bible, and Jehovah’s Witnesses make very limited use of any other Bibles. The New World Translation of the Bible is the translation developed by Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Henschel were the translators for The New World Translation.” Thinkstock/B-C-Designs provided the photograph.

5. What do Jehovah’s Witnesses teach about Jesus?

The Witnesses of Jehovah believe that Jesus is not on an equal footing with God. They believe that Jesus was created by God and did not previously exist alongside Him. This, of course, represents a significant departure from traditional Christian beliefs. According to JW.org, “It is appropriate to take Jesus’ words to heart when he declared, ‘The Father is greater than I am.’ (See also John 14:28) As a result, we do not worship Jesus since we do not think that he is the Supreme Being.” Thinkstock/kevinschreiber provided the photograph.

6. What do Jehovah’s Witnesses believe about the Holy Spirit?

Jehovah’s Witnesses do not think that the Holy Spirit is on an equal footing with the Father, which is similar to their view of Jesus. Instead, they think that the Holy Spirit is a supernatural power sent by God. They assert that the Holy Spirit is “impersonal”: “The Holy Spirit is impersonal.” “When God’s spirit is referred to as “hands,” “fingers,” or “breath,” the Bible illustrates that the holy spirit is not a physical being but a force. (8 and 10) Exodus 15:8 and 10. The hands of a craftsman cannot act independently of his mind and body, and God’s holy spirit can only function in the manner in which he commands it.

Every one of these examples emphasizes the impersonal character of the holy spirit.” Featured image courtesy of Thinkstock/RomoloTavani

7. Do Jehovah’s Witnesses celebrate holidays?

They do not think that the Holy Spirit is on an equal footing with the Father, which is similar to their position on Jesus. Instead, they think that the Holy Spirit is a supernatural power that God has sent to work in their lives. They assert that the Holy Spirit is “impersonal”: “The Holy Spirit is impersonal. “When God’s spirit is referred to as “hands,” “fingers,” or “breath,” the Bible illustrates that the holy spirit is not an individual. (1 Kings 15:8, 10; Exodus 15:8) The hands of a craftsman are unable to act independently of his mind and body, and God’s holy spirit is unable to function unless it is directed by the will of the Creator.

(Luke 11:13) The Bible states that Also likened to water, God’s spirit is associated with things like faith and wisdom, according to the Scriptures. All of these similarities testify to the fact that the holy spirit is impersonal.” Thinkstock/RomoloTavani provided the image.

8. What do Jehovah’s Witnesses believe politically?

Jehovah’s Witnesses make an effort to maintain a political neutral stance. They do not believe in serving in politics or the military, mostly because it is another means of distancing oneself from the society in which they live. Instead, they stress the importance of being a citizen of God’s heavenly kingdom. “According to what the Bible teaches, Jehovah’s Witnesses choose to remain politically neutral for religious reasons. We do not lobby, support or oppose political parties or candidates, run for public office, or take any other action to bring about political or social change.

9. What do Jehovah’s Witnesses believe about medical help?

Jehovah’s Witnesses maintain the controversial belief that blood transfusions should be avoided at all costs, including in life-threatening situations. The Russian government recently outlawed Jehovah’s Witnesses, citing this issue as one of the grounds for their decision. “Some therapies, on the other hand, are in opposition with biblical principles, and we reject them. Examples include not accepting blood transfusions because the Bible prohibits taking in blood in order to sustain the body.

Featured image courtesy of Thinkstock/NexTser

Learn More About Jehovah’s Witness and Cremation.

JWs adhere to the disputed belief that blood transfusions should be avoided at all costs, including in life-threatening situations. One of the grounds given for the recent ban on Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia was that the organization was causing problems. “There are therapies, however, that are incompatible with biblical values, and we reject these. For example, we do not accept blood transfusions since the Bible bans taking in blood in order to maintain the body’s health. In the book of Acts, verse 20 says, Health treatments or procedures that incorporate occult practices are also prohibited by the Bible (Galatians 5:19-21) “As JW.org notes, ” Thinkstock/NexTser provided the image.

What Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Believe?

Witnesses believe in an one God, rather than the triune God of the Bible. They believe, like the majority of Christians, that Jesus Christ died on the cross for the sins of the world; nevertheless, they do not believe that he was bodily raised after his death. They think that he was simply spiritually resurrected, rather than physically. It is one of the most important aspects of the Jehovah’s Witness religion because they believe the end of the world is approaching quickly. Witnesses believe that we have been living in the end times since 1914 and that their branch of the Christian faith is the only one that can provide salvation to those who want it.

They are also barred from participating in procedures that they deem unclean, such as obtaining blood transfusions, and they are prohibited from serving in the military.

When the world ends, members think that only a small number of the most loyal Jehovah’s Witnesses will be rescued; nevertheless, they do not believe this is the case. Witnesses believe in Heaven, but they do not believe in Hell or anything like it.

Jehovah’s Witness Beliefs About Death

The Witnesses, in contrast to many other religions, believe that death is not only the loss of one’s physical body but also the death of one’s spirit (soul death). In the event of a person’s death, he ceases to exist. Death is the complete polar opposite of life. The dead are unable to see, hear, or think. Even the most insignificant portion of us does not survive the death of the body. “We do not have an immortal soul or spirit,” says the author. They do, however, think that the possibility of resurrection exists.

Jehovah’s Witness Beliefs About Cremation

Because Witnesses believe in a spiritual rather than a physical resurrection, there are no restrictions on cremation within the faith. The following is the response to the topic of whether cremation is a permitted practice for Jehovah’s Witnesses (or for Christians in general) as stated in the June 2014 issue of Watchtower Magazine: “There is no fundamental opposition to the practice of cremation in the Bible. The resurrection, or God’s restoration of the individual to life, is the only hope for the dead according to the Scriptures.

(2 Corinthians 6:3, 4) The decision to cremate or not to cremate the body of a deceased individual is thus a personal or familial decision.” For the most part, a funeral or memorial service for a Jehovah’s Witness should be a straightforward event, ideally as close as possible to the straightforward burial that took place for Christ.

Flowers are permitted, but they must not be used in a way that suggests a pagan ritual.

More pieces in this series may be found in our religion and cremation article archive, which can be found here.

Who are the Jehovah’s Witnesses and what are their beliefs?

QuestionAnswer Known now as the Jehovah’s Witnesses, the organization got its origin as a Bible study in Pennsylvania in 1870, under the direction of Charles Taze Russell. When Russell founded the “Millennial Dawn Bible Study,” those who followed him were referred to as “Bible students,” a term that has stuck ever since. During his lifetime, Charles T. Russell began writing what would become a series of books titled “The Millennial Dawn,” which he completed in six volumes before his death and which contained much of the theology that Jehovah’s Witnesses adhere to today.

Members of the group were sometimes referred to as “Russellites,” which was a derogatory term.
F.
That was also the year in which the organization was forced to dissolve.
What are the beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses?
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that Jesus is the archangel Michael, the highest created person in the universe.
Faith, good actions, and obedience, according to Jehovah’s Witnesses, are required in order to achieve salvation.
Those who follow Jehovah’s Witnesses do not believe in the Trinity, considering Jesus to be a created creature and the Holy Spirit to be primarily the inanimate force of God.

What is the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ justification for these unbiblical beliefs?

To fit their incorrect theology, the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society changed the wording of the Bible to make it more palatable, rather than basing its doctrine on the teachings of the Bible as it is written.

According to the Watchtower, its beliefs and doctrines are based on the original and enlarged teachings of Charles Taze Russell, Judge Joseph Franklin Rutherford, and other Watchtower leaders.

Thus, whatever the ruling body says about any scripture verse is considered to be the last word, and independent thought is severely discouraged in the church.

This is in direct contradiction to Paul’s admonition to Timothy (and to us as well) to study so that we will not be ashamed when we correctly handle God’s Word.

In terms of spreading their message, the Jehovah’s Witnesses are unquestionably the most dependable religious organization on the planet.

The Jehovah’s Witnesses need to be opened to the reality of the gospel, as well as to the genuine teaching of God’s Word. Return to: Cults and Religions: Questions and Answers What are the beliefs of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, and who are they and what do they believe?

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How do Jehovah’s Witnesses’ teachings about Christ compare with Scriptures?

A lot of people are perplexed by the Jehovah’s Witnesses and what they are. People have written to question if they are Christians or if they worship a different God than the one they claim to serve. The following article may be of assistance in answering these vital questions. There are several things that Jehovah’s Witnesses and Christians have in common. For example, they have similar worries about religious apostasy and oppose evolution in their own religions. However, there are significant differences between Jehovah’s Witnesses and Christians on a number of major concepts.

Rather…

…let us investigate the most important issue, THE PERSON OF JESUS CHRIST.

According to the JWs, Jesus Christ was a perfect man and that He is a separate and distinct person from God the Father. It is also taught that Jesus was originally a spirit entity known as Michael the Archangel, who was created by God and then became theMessiah through His baptism before His earthly life. According to Jehovah’s Witnesses, Jesus is a powerful individual, albeit not as powerful as Jehovah God. According to the New World Translation of the Bible, Christ is “a god,” not “the God,” as stated in John 1:1 in their Bible.

The Bible either confirms or teaches the traditional Christian doctrine that Christ is God, depending on your point of view.

Take into consideration the following points:

Christians believe that Jesus Christ was a sinless man who exists as a separate being from God the Father. It is also taught that Jesus was originally a spirit entity known as Michael the Archangel, who was created by God and then became theMessiah via His baptism before entering into His earthly life. According to Jehovah’s Witnesses, Jesus is a powerful one, however not as powerful as Jehovah God. Jesus Christ is “a god,” not “the God,” according to the New World Translation of the Bible, which they use. There is a teaching that Jesus “was, is, and always will be under Jehovah” and that “Christ and God are not co-equal.” The Bible either confirms or teaches the traditional Christian view that Christ is God, depending on who you talk to. This is a critically essential question to consider. Take a look at the points listed below.

Jesus’ splendor was seen by Isaiah, who wrote about it in Isaiah 6:1-10
In John 12:31-42, we are told that Isaiah saw Jesus’ glory and spoke of Him
We are told in Exodus 34:14 that we are not to worship anyone else but Jehovah
In Hebrews 1:6, the angels praise Christ
In Isaiah 44:6, Jehovah is referred to as both the first and the last (as confirmed in Revelation 1:8)
But in Revelation 22:13, Christ is referred to as both the first and the last.

Jesus’ splendor was seen by Isaiah, who wrote about it in Isaiah 6:1-10; in John 12:31-42, we are told that Isaiah saw Jesus’ glory and talked about Him; When we read Exodus 34:14, we are told that we are not to worship anyone but Jehovah; when we read Hebrews 1:6, we learn that the angels worship Christ; when we read Isaiah 44:6, we are told that Jehovah is called the first and the last (as is confirmed in the book of Revelation), but when we read Revelation 22:13, we are told that Christ is called the first and last.

The doctrine of Christ’s divinity is taught throughout the Bible. In Matthew 1:23, Christ is addressed as “Immanuel,” which literally translates as “God with us.” When Thomas felt Jesus’ wounds after his resurrection, he cried, “MyLordand myGod,” indicating that he was addressing both the Lord and the God (John 20:28). Some JWs assert that Thomas was referring to Christ when he said “my Lord,” but that Thomas was in fact referring to God (Jehovah) when he said “my God.” However, there is no evidence to support this claim. Thomas, on the other hand, addressed Christ as both his Lord and his God. Christ, on the other hand, did not correct him! As stated in Colossians 2:9, Christ’s divinity is unmistakably established when it is said that “all the fullness of the divine character lives bodily” in Him (New World Translation). Stephen referred to Jesus as “Lord” (Acts 7:59, 60), and we, too, are to refer to Jesus as “Lord” (Rom. 10:9
I Cor. 12:3). The Greek term for “Lord” in these lines is Kurios, which is the same word used in the Septuagint, the Greek version of the Old Testament, for “Jehovah.” Because of this, it is clear that Christ the Lord (kurios) is Jehovah God
Christ’s characteristics demonstrate that He is God. Jesus Christ is the only one who understands everything (John1:48
2:25
6:64
14:30
21:17). Matthew 28:18
Hebrews 1:3), sinless (John 8:46), everlasting (Mic. 5:2), and unchangeable are some of the attributes of God (Heb. 13:8). In light of the fact that only God possesses these characteristics, Christ must therefore be God
Certain deeds of Christ demonstrate that He is God. Among his many abilities are the ability to forgive sins (Mark 2:5-7
Eph. 1:7), provide eternal life (John 10:28
17:2), judge the world (John 5:22, 27), and regulate nature (John 5:22, 27). (Matt. 8:26). Because only God is capable of doing these feats, Christ must be God
Thus, Christ was worshipped as God. Despite the fact that Jesus is worshiped by the angels (Heb. 1:6) and by humans (Matt. 14:33), only God is to be worshiped (Ex. 34:14). Christ Himself stated that all adoration should be directed solely to God (Matt. 4:10), but He graciously welcomed worship. Is it possible that Jesus, in His pre-existent form, was the archangel Michael and so received adoration, given that angels are not permitted to receive worship (Revelation 19:10)? If Christ were not God, then worshiping Him would be considered idolatry
In Isaiah 9:6, Jesus Christ is referred to as “the great God.” The JW’s are prepared to respond to this passage. They go on to argue that Christ is “the strong deity,” rather than “the all-powerful.” They claim that Christ is the powerful God, but never the almighty, and that Jehovah is the almighty God, but never the mighty God of the Old Testament. Jehovah, on the other hand, demonstrates in Jeremiah 32:18 that He is the Mighty One. Consequently, because Christ is the great God (Isaiah 9:6) and Jehovah is the mighty God (Jeremiah 32:18), they are both Gods in the same sense. According to Colossians 1:15-17, they both possess complete divinity
Christ is God, theCreatorofallthings, and they both possess full deity. The JW’s use this verse to buttress their belief that Christ was created by Jehovah in the beginning (for example,Let God Be True, p.35). Specifically, the phrase “the firstborn of all creation” in verse 15 serve as the foundation for this claim. Instead of the term “firstborn,” the word “first-created” would have been used to refer to Jesus Christ if this passage were teaching that he is the first created being created by God, rather than the word “firstborn.” These are two separate terms in the Greek language, each having a distinct meaning. Isprotoktistos and isprototokos are Greek terms meaning “first-created” and “firstborn,” respectively. There is no usage of theprotoktistos, which means “first-created,” in Colossians 1:15. Instead, it employs the term prototokos, which literally translates as “heir,” “born one,” and “first in rank.” This passage teaches that Christ is first in rank above all of creation, and that He is the heir of all things, as taught in Colossians 1:15. He is the first and most important creation, and he is superior to it. When the New World Translation inserts the word “other” four times inColossians 1:15-17, the verse becomes “Christ created all other things,” meaning all else than Himself, according to the JW’s. There is, however, no justification for include the word “other.” It is almost clear that it does not appear in the Greek texts. The translators of the New World Translation acknowledge this by inserting the word “other” in brackets after their translation. According to the idea that firstborn signifies first-created, this “translation” makes an attempt to conform with that belief. However, as demonstrated, this is not the meaning of the phrase “firstborn,” and as a result, it is incorrect to include the word “other.” There is not a single text in the entire Bible that claims that Christ was created by Jehovah
Christ claimed to be on an equal footing with God in the Gospel of John. They think that the phrase “I and the Fatherare one” refers to the fact that Christ was united with God the Father in purpose, rather than in physical appearance or substance. When all Christ was saying, why did the Jews want to stone Him if that was all he was saying? They were under the impression that his goal was the same as God’s. In John 10, verse 33 states that they sought to stone Him because He claimed to be God, which was considered blasphemy at the time.

The doctrine of Christ’s divinity is the focal point of the whole Bible. It unequivocally states that Christ is the Son of God. Regarding Jesus Christ, the doctrines of the Jehovah’s Witnesses are in direct conflict with the teachings of the Bible. We learn through passages such as Philippians 2:5-11 that Jesus Christ, who lived in the form of God, came to earth in the corporeal form of a lowly servant in order to suffer on the cross in our place. For this reason, God exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, so that at the mention of Jesus’ name, every knee should bow, whether in heaven, on earth, or beneath the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (kurios), to the glory of the Father.

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A Simple Way to Speak to Jehovah’s Witnesses

Christians are generally aware that Jehovah’s Witnesses (JWs) are a cult with some bizarre doctrines, and that they should be avoided. Those who believe in God and his Son Jesus, who ask questions about faith and salvation, who use what looks to be a regular Bible, and who speak in the “Christian language” are sometimes at a loss for what to say in response. What methods do you use to communicate the gospel with them? Is it even necessary to do so? How can you avoid becoming sidetracked by all of their secondary views and becoming entangled in ‘dead-end’ arguments?

And it begins with acknowledging that their rejection of Jesus Christ’s Godhead is the one, most essential point on which they disagree.
As Christians, we believe that Jesus descended from heaven and offered his sinless human life as a payment for the sins of mankind (Matthew 20:28).
We also believe that Jesus has ascended to the throne of God’s heavenly Kingdom, and that this reign will soon bring peace to the entire world (Revelation 11:15).
In this case, we do not worship Jesus because we do not think he is the Almighty God.
1:1-4), and they do not worship in spirit and truth (John 4:23-24).
In the end, who is the liar save the one who rejects that Jesus is the Christ?
23 No one has the Father if they deny the existence of the Son.
“There is no God for anybody who continues on his or her way without abiding by the teachings of Christ.
Consequently, the most effective strategy for communicating the gospel with JWs is to direct their attention to the divinity of Jesus.
When you’re talking to someone at your front door, keep in mind that getting into complicated and technical disputes about the Trinity is not a smart place to begin.

Furthermore, you cannot simply pull out your favorite translation of the Bible and refer to your proof-texts because they have their own translation—the New World Translation (NWT)—in which verses clearly indicating the divinity of Jesus are rendered in a different way than in your favorite translation.

“And the Word was a deity,” says the New Testament.
God, who reigns supreme, be praised forever and ever.
As a result, the most straightforward and successful apologetic for a meeting with JWs is to demonstrate to them that Jesus is indeed God through the use of their translation of the Scriptures.
Using the New Testament to demonstrate Christ’s deity Instead than fighting over which Bible has the most accurate translation of John 1:1, look at John 1:3.

Because John 1:3 reads the same in all of our Bibles, direct them to that verse in their own Bible: According to the ESV, “All things were created through him, and without him, nothing was created that was created.” According to the New International Version, “All things came into existence through Him, and apart from Him, nothing came into being that has come into being.” According to the New Testament, “All things came into being through him, and without him, not even one thing came into existence.” The argument, in their translation of the language, is as follows:

The existence of everything depends on whether it came into being or did not come into existence. God was the only “thing” that never existed: he was created by chance (Jehovah). It is apparent from John 1:3 that “all things came into being through him”—him being the Word, Jesus—that everything else that existing came into existence as a result of the creation of something new. This cannot be rejected, regardless of how one interprets John 1:1
John then reiterates the same reality, for clarity and emphasis, by saying: “and without him, not even one thing came into being.” In other words, everything that has ever existed owes its existence to the person and work of Jesus. The important point is as follows: This states that “since Jesus brought all of creation into being, then He must have existed prior to the creation of all of creation.” This rule excludes creation of the Word from consideration”
The only alternative is to include Jesus in the category of things that already exist but did not come into being
He is the eternal Word who existed with God in the beginning and was God himself. In because he is the eternal Son, he possesses the same essence as his Father.

It is critical that you do not allow them to pull you all over the New Testament, asking you “But what about.?” and leading you to their proof-texts for their arguments. A genuine understanding of Jesus’ divinity is required in order for them to be correctly interpreted once more. Make them struggle to understand this content! One other verse that demonstrates that Jesus is the uncreated Creator is Hebrews 1:8-12, which includes a quotation from Psalm 102 as evidence. Hebrews 1:8-12 (New World Translation): 8 “God is your throne forever and ever, and the scepter of your Kingdom is the scepter of uprightness,” he declares of the Son.

And it’s for this reason that God, your God, anointed you with the oil of exultation more than your friends.” 10 Additionally, “In the beginning, O Lord, you established the foundations of the world, and the heavens are the fruits of your labor.” 11 However, you will survive; and just as a garment wears out, so will they; and you will wrap them up just like a cloak or garment does and they will be transformed into something else.

“However, you are the same as before, and your years will never come to a close.” Rather than focusing on the “son,” Jesus, they should focus on the fact that both verses 8-9 and verses 10-12 are about him; the conjunction “and” at the beginning of verse 10 makes this apparent.

Before they get there, have them look at Psalm 102:1, so that they may have a sense of the overall picture.

25 You established the foundations of the world a long time ago, and the skies are the result of your labors of love.

They will be replaced, just as you would replace clothing, and they will pass away.

In verse 25, ask them who they believe the pronoun “you” refers to.

He receives the honor and glory that are exclusively due to Jehovah as the Creator!

However, Colossians 1:15-16 (New World Translation) states of the Son that “all things have been created through him and for him.”” It is apparent from John 1:3 and other passages that Jesus was not created by the Father.

There are various more comparable methods in which the divinity of the Son may be demonstrated utilizing their Bible, including the following: Jehovah does not share his glory with anyone else, but Jesus does share his glory with the world via his death and resurrection.

That is my given name, and no one else has any claim to my honor.” (See also 48:11) John 17:1, 5 (New World Translation): 1 As he uttered these words, Jesus raised his eyes to the heavens and exclaimed, “Father, the hour is at hand.

So now, Father, glorify me by your side with the glory that I shared with you before the world was created” (also John 8:54; 16:13-14; Heb.

5:13).

Isaiah 43:11 (New World Translation): “”I—I am Jehovah, and there is no other rescuer other from me.” (See also 45:21.) Titus 1:4 (New World Translation): “May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior shower you with undeserved love and happiness.” Additionally, Luke 2:11 and Acts 13:23.

New World Translation (NWT): “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” declares Jehovah God, “the One who is and who was and who is coming, the Almighty.” New World Translation (NWT): “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end,” declares Jehovah God.

This will be the inheritance of anybody who succeeds in conquest, and I will be his God, and he will be my son.” “Do not be scared,” says Revelation 1:17-18 in the New World Translation.

I am alive forever and ever, and I have the keys to death and the grave” (also 2:8); 22:12-13 (NWT): “Look!

I am alive forever and ever, and I have the keys to death and the grave I’m on my way, and the prize I’ve promised is with me, so that each person may be repaid in accordance with his or her contribution.

Finally, but certainly not least, here are two other proofs of Jesus’ divinity that are worth mentioning: Isaiah 9:6 (New World Translation):For a child has been born to us, and a son has been given to us; and the rulership will be placed on his shoulder.

29 “Have you believed because you have seen me?” Jesus asked him.

He is the “Mighty God” of whom Isaiah spoke in the book of Isaiah.

However, go to my brothers and tell them, “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, as well as to my God and your God.” However, their view of John 20:17 is diametrically opposed to the understanding of 20:28.

None of this is intended to demonstrate that Jesus is the Son of the Father!

If they believe we are coming to such a conclusion, you might explain to them the fundamental teaching of the Trinity, which states that there is only one God who exists in three distinct people.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * If Jehovah’s Witnesses do not acknowledge the Son as God, they do not acknowledge Jehovah.

The teachings of Christ Jesus are incompatible with their existence if they do not adhere to them.

For want of a better phrase, JWs are not sincere and trustworthy witnesses of Jehovah’s Kingdom.

They are not acquainted with him, and he is not acquainted with them.

This is why they require the message of the gospel.

We would do well to recall the words of John Calvin: “It was his responsibility to swallow up death.” Who else save the Life itself could accomplish such a feat?

Who else but the Most High could accomplish such a feat?

Who else except a force greater than the planet and the air could accomplish such a feat?

Consequently, when it was determined that we should be rescued, our most compassionate God took upon himself the role of Savior in the form of his only-begotten Son.

Encourage them to continue looking over the scriptures you showed them and to grapple with the texts you have shown them.

And you hope that God would open their eyes to see the beauty of Jesus in saving faith, just as you have done for them.

Podcasts that are related: “Reforming Apologetics” is the title of this article.

Zachary Groff’s “A Resolution for the Church” is a powerful piece of writing.

Gloria Furman is an American actress and singer who was born in the United States.

Lewis “Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Believe in Jesus?” – JW.org, a religious organization.

” “Can you tell me why I should consider becoming a Christian?” Do you have any questions?

John T.

Ford Lewis Battles, vol.

1, The Library of Christian Classics (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2011), 466. John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion2, ed. John T. McNeill, trans. Ford Lewis Battles, vol. 1, The Library of Christian Classics (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2011).