What Does Jehovah Witness Believe About Jesus Christ

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.

The Witnesses of Jehovah believe that God has just one real name, which is Jehovah, and that this is the name by which he must be identified. God, on the other hand, is known by several other names throughout the Bible, including:

  • 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

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 the Lord of hosts (Hb.yhwh tseba’ot; Ps. 8:1); and

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.

  1. 44:24 with Col.
  2. 6:1-5 with John 12:41).
  3. 1:16; cf.
  4. 1:2, 10) and because he is worshiped by them (Heb.

4. The incarnation.

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 still powerful, in the eyes of the world. 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 have the same divine character as the Father (John 5:18; 10:30; Heb. 1:3). The Bible compares Jesus to Jehovah in several places, including the Old Testament and the New Testament (compare Isa.

  1. 44:24 with Col.
  2. 6:1-5 with John 12:41).
  3. 1:16; cf.
  4. 1:2, 10) and because he is the one who made them (Heb.

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 asserted that he was more than a spirit and that he had a flesh-and-bone body (Luke 24:39; cf.

John 2:19-21). He consumed food on a number of occasions, demonstrating that he retained a genuine physical body following his resurrection (Luke 24:30, 42-43; John 21:12-13). This was confirmed by his followers, 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:

  • The Holy Spirit, according to Jehovah’s Witnesses, is not a distinct individual but rather an impersonal energy of God. According to the Bible, the Holy Spirit, on the other hand, possesses three primary characteristics that define his character:

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.

  1. 13:42; 25:41, 46; Luke 16:22-24; Rev.
  2. (1 Cor.
  3. 5:6-8; Phil.
  4. 7:17; 21:4).

11. Hell.

Humans do not have an immaterial nature, according to Jehovah’s Witnesses. In its most basic definition, the “soul” is the life-force that exists within a person. After death, the body’s life energy departs. The term “soul” has a number of meanings in the Bible. Man’s immaterial self, which is mindful of his mortality, is one of the most important interpretations of the phrase (Gen. 35:18; Rev.

6:9-10). Those who do not believe are in conscious agony in hell (Matt. 13:42; 25:41, 46; Luke 16:22-24; Rev. 14:11), whilst those who do believe are in conscious joy in paradise (Matt. 13:42; 25:41, 46; Luke 16:22-24; Rev. 14:11). (1 Cor. 2:9; 2 Cor. 5:6-8; Phil. 1:21-23; Rev. 7:17; 21:4).

  • 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

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.

  1. 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.
  2. The Trinitarian God, according to the Christian perspective, is criticized by Jehovah’s witnesses as being false.
  3. The most obvious point of dispute between Jehovah’s witnesses and Christians is their understanding of the deity of Jesus Christ.
  4. 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.
  5. In accordance with what is written in the Book of Revelation, Christians believe the apocalypse is coming.
  6. 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.
  7. The fact that a date was provided is most likely the most noteworthy of these.
  8. Summary: 1.
  9. 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.
  10. 3.
  11. 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.

Search DifferenceBetween.net:

Custom SearchLoading is currently underway. If you like this post or our website, please share it with your friends. Please help us to spread the news. Please forward this to your friends and family. CiteAPA 7, for example (2010, August 7). There is a distinction between Jehovah’s witnesses and Christian believers. There is a distinction between similar terms and objects. “Differences between Jehovah’s witnesses and Christians,” according to MLA 8. Identifying the Difference Between Similar Terms and Objects, August 7, 2010.

Unless otherwise stated, the articles on DifferenceBetween.net are designed to provide general information and are not a substitute for professional advice.

The risk of usage, damage, or harm is entirely assumed by the user.

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. The writings of Charles Taze Russell Scripture studies are respected, but they are no longer shared or relied upon.

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.
  • All other entities are subordinate to Jehovah
  • He is the only one. Everything that exists was created by Jehovah
  • A son named Jesus Christ has been born to Jehovah.
  • 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.
See also:  How Many Times Does Jesus Talk About Prayer

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.

After death, there is no location where sinners may be punished because their existence has come to an end and nothing can be done to or for them anymore.

Death, on the other hand, is not the end of the story: each individual can be remembered by God and, in time, raised from the dead.

John 5:28-29 (KJV)

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. The truth is that God’s original plan for mankind, which included placing Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, will be fulfilled by billions of others, including not just Jehovah’s Witnesses, but by billions more people across the world.

Jehovah’s Witness – Beliefs

Witnesses hold a number of traditional Christian beliefs, as well as a number of beliefs that are distinctively their own. Their belief is that God, or Jehovah, is the most lofty. Jesus Christis God’s representative, and it is through him that sinful humanity may be reconciled with God. The word “Holy Spirit” refers to God’s active presence in the universe. A large number of witnesses believe that the end times have arrived. They look forward to the imminent creation of God’s kingdom on earth, which will be headed by Christ and jointly managed by 144,000 human corulers, as described in the Book of Revelation (Revelation 7:4).

  • New members are baptized by immersion and are required to adhere to a stringent code of personal conduct when they join the congregation.
  • A memorial service for Jesus’ death is held on the 14th of Nisan (March or April in the Gregorian calendar) every year.
  • Only those believed to be among the 144,000 corulers are allowed to eat and drink from the loaves of bread and wine.
  • Despite the fact that they typically follow the law, believing that governments were formed by God to promote peace and order, they refuse to comply with specific laws on biblical grounds.
  • As a result of these tactics, they have come under the attention of government authorities.
  • Prior to World War II, the Nazis deported Witnesses to concentration camps in Germany, and Witnesses were also persecuted in other countries, including Britain, Canada, and the United States.
  • The fact that they continue to experience persecution in numerous nations, notably for refusing to serve in the military, is a source of public embarrassment, and they are frequently criticized for their door-to-door evangelizing.

They are against the use of terminology such as minister and church.

Certain medical treatments, which some Witnesses think are in violation of Scripture, are likewise opposed by them.

Because of this notion, which runs counter to established medical practice, it continues to be a source of contention with authorities, particularly when it comes to situations involving minors.

Members of local congregations, referred to as “publishers,” gather in Kingdom Halls and engage in door-to-door preaching campaigns.

“Special pioneers” are salaried full-time workers of the society who work on a project-by-project basis.

The number of visits, return calls, Bibleclasses, and books and periodicals delivered are meticulously recorded, and the records are kept in a secure location.

Its most important publications include a semimonthly journal called theWatchtower, as well as a companion magazine called Awake!

More than eight million Witnesses are at work all across the world, carrying out their tasks. J. Gordon Melton’s full name is J. Gordon Melton. Those in charge of editing the Encyclopaedia Britannica

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:

  1. Jehovah of the Old Testament is represented by the Christ of the New Testament.
  • 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.

All of these scriptures illustrate that the word “Jehovah” is used for God theFather, as well as for God theSon of God. Despite the fact that they are unique individuals, they are all referred to be “Jehovah” since they each possess divinity.

  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. Christ’s characteristics demonstrate that He is God. Jesus Christ is the only one who understands everything (John1:48
  4. 2:25
  5. 6:64
  6. 14:30
  7. 21:17). Matthew 28:18
  8. 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
  9. Certain deeds of Christ demonstrate that He is God. Among his many abilities are the ability to forgive sins (Mark 2:5-7
  10. Eph. 1:7), provide eternal life (John 10:28
  11. 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
  12. 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 worship should be directed solely to God (Matt. 4:10), yet He graciously accepted worship. Is it possible that Jesus, in His pre-existent state, was the archangel Michael and thus received worship, given that angels are not permitted to receive worship (Revelation 19:10)? If Christ were not God, then worshiping Him would be considered idolatry
  13. 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 explain that Christ is “the mighty god,” 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
  14. 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
  15. 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.
See also:  How To Talk About Jesus Without Being That Guy

It is stated in Scripture that Christ is God and that he is divinity. The name “Immanuel,” which literally translates as “God with us,” is given to Christ in Matthew 1:23. When Thomas felt Jesus’ wounds after his resurrection, he cried, “MyLordand myGod,” indicating that he was referring to the Lord and God (John 20:28). When Thomas stated “my Lord,” he was referring to Christ, not God (Jehovah), as some JW’s claim. However, when Thomas said “my God,” he was talking to God (Jehovah), not Christ.

  • Christ, on the other hand, did not correct him.
  • According to Acts 7:59 and 60, Stephen referred to Jesus as “Lord,” and we, too, are to refer to Jesus as Lord (Rom.
  • 12:3).
  • That Christ the Lord (kurios) is Jehovah God may be inferred from the above; Christ’s attributes demonstrate that He is God.
  • Matthew 28:18; Hebrews 1:3), sinless (John 8:46), everlasting (Mic.
  • 13:8).
  • Forgiveness of sins (Mark 2:5-7; Eph.

8:26).

But even if the angels (Heb.

14:33) adore Jesus, only God is to be worshipped (Matt.

(Ex.

In Matthew 4:10, Christ himself stated that all adoration should be directed to God alone, although He received worship from everyone around him.

When Isaiah 9:6 refers to Jesus Christ as “the powerful God,” it is clear that if He were not God, worshiping Him would be considered idolatry.

“The great god,” they say, not “the almighty,” as others have suggested.

Jehovah, on the other hand, demonstrates that He is the Mighty One in Jeremiah 32:18.

In terms of Godhead, they are both equal; Christ, according to Colossians 1:15-17, is God, the Creator of all things.

Based on the phrase “firstborn of all creation” in verse 15, this is a reasonable assumption.

These are two distinct terms in the Greek language, each with a distinct meaning in the original language.

To describe an heir, begotten, or first in rank, the Greek word prototokos is used.

He is the first and most important thing in the universe.

There is, however, no justification for including the word “other” in the sentence structure.

“Other” is included within brackets to indicate this by the translators of New World Translation.

Firstborn does not mean “firstborn,” as demonstrated, and it is thus incorrect to include the word “other” at the end of the sentence.

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 form or substance.

Even they were under the impression that His goal was the same as God’s goal. According to John 10:33, they sought to stone Him because He claimed to be God, which was considered blasphemy at the time.

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?

In order to emphasize the importance of God the Father, Jehovah’s Witnesses chose the Tetragrammaton, which may be written as YHWH or JVH and articulated as Yahweh or Jehovah, as their official name. Zion’s Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence was the title given to the organisation by its founder, Charles Taze Russell, when it first started out as the Watch Tower Society. Wikimedia Commons has provided the image.

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

The answer to this is a categorical no. It is one of the most significant ways in which Jehovah’s Witnesses vary from the numerous Christian faiths in which they are found. More information about this may be found in the next two points. Those who believe in the doctrine of the trinity point to the fact that the term “trinity” is never clearly spoken in the Bible. It has been said that its “doctrine evolved gradually over several centuries and through several debates.” The image is courtesy of Thinkstock/luchschen

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 observe Christmas or Easter because they believe that Jesus is not equal to God, which makes sense when you consider that they do not believe Jesus is equal to God. In an effort to maintain their independence from the rest of the world, they do not observe other national holidays or birthdays. Featured image courtesy of Thinkstock/AlexRaths

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.

A Jehovah’s Witness is a member of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, which is affiliated with the religious organization Jehovah.

Since its founding in 1879, the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society has become well-known for its outreach initiatives, which are carried out through publications such as Watchtower Magazine, which is the official magazine of the Jehovah’s Witnesses faith.

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.

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.

According to eyewitnesses, the majority of these places have already been grabbed, with only roughly 8,500 spots available.

It’s also vital to note that they believe in a spiritual rather than a physical resurrection, similar to how Jesus was raised from the dead after he was killed.

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.

4. What Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Believe About Jesus Christ?

According to the TeachingtheWordBible Knowledgebase They reject that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, deny that He is God manifested in flesh, deny that He is worthy of worship, and deny that it was God who shed His own blood on the cross to atone for sin on the behalf of sinners. Several sections of Scripture in the New World Translation have been mistranslated solely for the purpose of bringing them into agreement with these incorrect ideas. JWs adhere to a kind of Arianism, the incorrect concept that Jesus Christ was created rather than being God the Son from all eternity, which is taught by other religions.

Comparing the New King James Version with the Watchtower Society’s New World Translation is seen below in the paragraphs that follow.

According to Genesis 1, “In the beginning there was a word, and the word was with god, and the word was God.” (John 1:1, New King James Version) In the beginning, there was the Word, and the Word was in the presence of Deity, and the Word was a god.

“No one has ever seen God at any point in time.” God the Father has declared Him to be the only born Son, who is in the bosom of the Father.” “No man has ever seen God; the only-begotten god, who is in the bosom position with the Father, is the one who has described him.” (John 1:18, NKJV) “No man has ever seen God; the only-begotten god, who is in the bosom position with the Father, is the one who has explained him.” In John 1:18, the New World Translation says, “The Jews responded by saying, “We do not stone You for doing good, but for blasphemy and becauseYou, being a man, make Yourself God.” “The Jews said, ‘We are stoning you, not for a great job, but for blasphemy, even because you, despite your being a man, proclaim yourself a deity,'” says John 10:33 in the New King James Version.

See also:  According To The Bible, Which Animals Were Present At The Birth Of Baby Jesus

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation,” says John 10:33 in the New World Translation.

All things were made byHimand for the purpose ofHim.

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of the fall creation.

Also, he exists before all other things, and all other things came into being as a result of his existence.” (Colossians 1:15-17, New World Translation) Comment: While “firstborn” (protokos) refers to a son’s social standing and inheritance rights, it has nothing to do with his chronological birth.

  • There are two Greek terms for “other”: heteros (meaning “another of a different sort”) and allos (meaning “another of the same kind”) (another of the same kind).
  • As originally written, Jesus is identified as the Creator of all things, who is also known as God Himself.
  • Because Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that Jesus is only a “god,” they have altered the Bible to conform to their beliefs on the subject.
  • In order to defend their mistranslation of the New Testament, the Jehovah’s Witnesses have likewise mistranslated Psalm 45:6 in the New World Translation.
  • In both the KJV and the NKJV, it is regularly interpreted as “worship.” When the word proskyneoa is used in connection with God, Jehovah’s witnesses interpret it as “worship” in the New World Translation (NWT) (e.g., Luke 4:8, John 4:21-22, 1 Corinthians 14:25).
  • “Therefore, declares the Lord.
  • ‘Yes, they will weep for Him as a father would lament for his only son, and they will grieve for Him as a mother would grieve for her firstborn.” (Zechariah 12:1, 10, New King James Version)”the word of Jehovah.

Also, Jehovah’s Witnesses in this country (as well as many other countries) refuse to capitalize references to the Holy Spirit because they believe the “spirit” is merely an impersonal force, rather than the Third Person of the Godhead, as is commonly believed.

The purpose of this addition to God’s Word is to deny that it was God Himself who shed His blood on the cross for sinners, but rather that it was a created entity who did so on God’s behalf.

Christ, God the Son, has existed from eternity, has been God from all eternity, and is the Creator of all things.

In Psalm 45:6-7, he is referred to as “the Son,” and the writer of Hebrews (1:8ff) ascribes the appellation “Son” to Christ, based on this text.

Jesus claimed to be on an equal footing with God (John 5:19-31).

The name Immanuel, which means “God with us,” is given to the virgin-born Christ (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23).

Scripture teaches Christ’s deity by referring to Him by His given names (e.g., Hebrews 1:8, John 20:28, Titus 2:13, Matthew 22:44, John 5:25).

By His works as creator of the universe (John 1:3), sustainer (Colossians 1:17; Hebrews 1:3), forgiver of sin (Mark 2:1-12), and performer of miracles (Matthew 28:20), Scripture demonstrates Christ’s deity even more clearly than before (e.g., Psalm 146:8, John 9:32).

(Deuteronomy 10:20; Matthew 4:10; Acts 10:25-26) (John 5:23).

TeachingtheWordMinistriesmmmmmwww.teachingtheword.org All intellectual property rights are retained.

Unless otherwise stated, this item may be reprinted in its entirety for non-commercial uses only, provided that the following copyright notice is also included. For the convenience of your readers, we also recommend that you add a direct link to this site in your article.

7. What Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Teach About Salvation?

Christ’s Godhead, the fact that He is God in the flesh, the fact that He is deserving of worship, and the fact that He shed His own blood on the cross for sinners are all denied by Jehovah’s Witnesses. Many sections of Scripture have been mistranslated in the New World Translation in order to bring them into agreement with these incorrect ideas. JWs adhere to a version of Arianism, the erroneous concept that Jesus Christ was created rather than being God the Son from all eternity, which is taught by other religious groups.

  1. The New King James Version and the Watchtower Society’s New World Translation are contrasted in the paragraphs that follow.
  2. According to Genesis 1, “In the beginning there was a word, and the word was with god, and the word became God.” According to the New King James Version (NKJV), John 1:1 is the first verse in the Bible.
  3. It is impossible to translate “a god” from the Greek term theos without the use of a prepositional article.
  4. “At no point in history has anyone seen God.
  5. “No man has ever seen God; the only-begotten God, who is in the position of the bosom with the Father, is the one who has described him.” (John 1:18, NKJV) “No man has ever seen God; the only-begotten god, who is in the position of the bosom with the Father, is the one who has explained him.

In response, the Jews said to him, “We are stoning you, not because you have done a good deed, but because you have made yourself a deity, even though you are a man.” (John 10:33, NKJV) “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of the entire creation,” says John 10:33 in the New World Translation (NKJV).

For Him, all was created throughHimand.

The Bible says in Colossians 1:15-17, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of the fall creation; for it was through him that all other things were created in the heavens and on the earth, both visible and invisible, whether they be thrones or lordships or governments or authorities.” He is the image of God, the firstborn of the fall creation.

  • Throughhim and forhim, all other things have come into being.
  • The term “other,” which appears four times in the New Testament, does not appear in the original Greek language and is not inferred by the translation.
  • In this section, neither term is mentioned at all.
  • Although they have added the word “other” not once, but four times, the Jehovah’s Witnesses have done so in order to bolster their erroneous doctrine that Jesus is a created creature who existed before all “other” things and thus denies that He is God.
  • In the New King James Version, Hebrews 1:8 says, In the case of the Son, “God is your throneforever and ever, and the scepter of your dominion is the scepter of uprightness,'” the prophet says.
  • Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that Jesus is only a “god,” and as a result, they have altered the Bible to reflect their beliefs.
  • The Jehovah’s Witnesses have likewise mistranslated Psalm 45:6 in the New Testament in order to defend their New Testament mistranslation.

The New King James Version (NKJV) of Hebrews 1:6 states that when God brings his Firstborn onto the inhabited world again, he adds, “And let all God’s angels bow down to him.” The Bible states in Hebrews 1:6, New World Translation, that Comment: “Worship” is rendered as proskyneo in the New King James Version of the Bible.

However, when the Greek word proskyneo is used in connection with Jesus, they translateitas “do obeisance” (as in these and other texts like as Matthew 2:2, 2:11, 14:33, and 28:9) because they think that Jesus is a created entity and as such should not be worshipped.

‘Yes, they will weep for Him as a father would lament for his only son, and they will grieve for Him as a mother would grieve for her firstborn’ Jehovah’s speech is described in Zechariah 12:1, 10 (New King James Version).

The Holy Spirit, on the other hand, is not capitalized by Jehovah’s Witnesses in this country (or in many other countries), since they think the “spirit” is essentially an impersonal force, rather than the Third Person of the Trinity.

Pay close attention to yourselves and to all the flock, among which theholyspirithas appointed you overseers, to shepherd the congregation of God, which he purchased with the blood of his own Son.” (Acts 20:28, NKJV) “Pay close attention to yourself and to all the flock, among which theholyspirithas appointed you overseers, to shepherd the congregation of God, which he purchased with the blood of his own Son.” New World Translation of Acts 20:28 As a point of clarification, the Watchtower Society has translated this verse in order to distinguish the words “God” and “blood” by including the term “Son,” which does not appear in the original.

  • The purpose of this addition to God’s Word is to deny that it was God Himself who shed His blood on the cross for sinners, but rather that it was only a created creature who did it on their behalf.
  • Lord Jesus Christ is God’s only begotten Son, who has existed from all eternity, has always been God, and is the source of all creation (John 1:1-3, 8:58).
  • According to Philippians 2:6, the Son existed in the form of God (morphe, which means that the outer appearance corresponded to the internal essence) and on an equal footing with God before His birth as a human person in the flesh (isa,the same as).
  • Rather than being born of a human father, Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin in His incarnation (Isaiah 7:14, Luke 1:31-35, Matthew 1:20).
  • All of the Godhead is contained within a human body in the person of Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:9).

Several other aspects of Christ’s divinity are taught in Scripture, including omnipresence (Matthew 28:20, John 14:23, Ephesians 3:17, Colossians 1:27, Acts 7:55-56), omniscience (e.g., Matthew 9:4, John 2:25, John 16:30), omnipotence (e.g., Matthew 28:18, Mark 2:5-10), immutability (e.g., Hebrews (e.g., John 1:4, 14:6; 1 John 5:11).

According to the Scriptures (Deuteronomy 10:20, Matthew 4:10, Acts 10:25-26), only God is to be worshipped, and Jesus stated that He is to be worshipped in the same way as God the Father is to be worshipped (John 5:23).

TeachingtheWordMinistriesmmmmmwww.teachingtheword.org All intellectual property rights are protected by law.

Unless otherwise stated, this item may be reprinted in its entirety for non-commercial uses only, with a copyright notice included. As an added convenience to your readers, we recommend that you provide a direct link to this page in your text.

It is the teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses that Jesus’ death on the cross was the death of an ordinary man who merely made salvation possible. However, salvation is only possible if you will fully submit to the teachings of the Watchtower Society and if you ultimately prove yourself worthy of eternal life. The Jehovah’s Witnesses’ system of false teaching, as we’ve discussed earlier, elevates human reason to the level of authority over the Bible. According to their doctrines, Christ’s atonement on the cross is simply the beginning of redemption, not the completion of salvation, because Jesus is not God: “Jesus, who was neither more nor less than a perfect human being, was made into a ransom that repaid Adam for precisely what he had lost – the right to live a flawless human life on earth.

Even in human justice, it is a fundamental idea that the price paid should be proportionate to the evil done.

According to Watchtower teaching, salvation is contingent on the fulfillment of the following conditions: “To become a friend of God, you must first acquire a thorough knowledge of biblical truth (see 1 Timothy 2:3, 4), then put your faith in what you have learned (see Hebrews 11:6), repent of your sins (see Acts 17:30, 31), and change your direction in life (see Romans 12:2).

  • This implies that you tell him in a particular, private prayer that you are handing yourself over to him in order to carry out his desire.
  • According to the cult’s definition, obtaining “a good grasp of Bible truth” entails a rigorous daily study of Watchtower materials, in addition to regular contacts with other Jehovah’s Witnesses who have already received a complete indoctrination into the religion.
  • A new convert’s first lesson is that God’s rightful name is Jehovah (their term for a “god” who is not the Triune God of the Bible), and that God’s foremost concern is the sanctification of that name.
  • They believe that Jesus was not bodily, genuinely raised from the grave as taught by the Christian faith.
  • Since that “spiritual resurrection,” they claim, Jesus has reigned at Jehovah’s right side, He will never physically return to earth, but He “invisibly” returned in the year 1914, according to the Bible.

They teach that Jesus’ atonement only made salvation possible for those who subsequently prove themselves worthy of it by attaining perfection, and that this is what Jesus’ atonement made possible: “All of those who have proven themselves trustworthy in the eyes of Jehovah will have their names permanently recorded in heaven as being perfect in integrity and deserving of the right to everlasting life on earth.

Then Jehovah himself will pronounce them to be righteous in the fullest meaning of the word.” 3 According to the Scriptures, in contrast to the Watchtower Society’s false teachings, Jesus Christ, God incarnate, has accomplished complete and final salvation for those who place their faith in Him.

It is only through faith that descendants of fallen Adam can receive the righteousness that He has provided through his perfect life.

And this salvation is provided solely by God’s grace, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone, and is not dependent on human effort.

And, of course, the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ response to both questions is a categorical “No.” 2.

Italics are used in the original text to emphasize important points.

tq0037 Copyright is protected from 1998 until 2022.

Unless otherwise stated, this item may be reprinted in its entirety for non-commercial uses only, provided that the following copyright notice is also included. For the convenience of your readers, we also recommend that you add a direct link to this site in your article.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.