What Do Jehovah's Witnesses Believe?

                   What Do Jehovah's Witnesses Believe?

Jehovah's Witnesses in some ways put most Christians to shame. They are often more knowledgeable and better trained in answering questions and defending their faith. They meet in Kingdom Halls rather than Churches and are earnest in Bible studies. They are zealous in presenting their faith even engaging people door-to-door. They're sometimes called the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, but better known as Jehovah's Witnesses. I will briefly discuss their founders, key writings, beliefs about God, how to be saved, what happens after death, and other interesting beliefs and practices in contrast to biblical Christian teachings. Then I will make some Christian comments.

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Their Founders. The original founders were Charles Taze Russell (1852-1916) and later Joseph F. Rutherford (1869-1942). with headquarters in Brooklyn, New York. They were business men, not Bible trained, church ordained, didn't believe many Bible teachings they felt unreasonable, and they control their followers thinking. So they ignore or distort Bible passages they don't agree with and have developed their own religion of Bible interpretations which have spread to millions  worldwide. They are one of the world's largest publishers.

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In contrast, Biblical Christianity began with the resurrection of Jesus (A.D. 30-33) who claimed he was the Son of God and the Jews Messiah. At the same time, Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecies, performed many miracles, died to save sinners, arose from the dead, and ascended into heaven before hundreds of witnesses. Many died to testify to this truth. And yes, Bible teachings may seem unreasonable, but only if you don't or won't accept a just and loving, sovereign Creator, Sustainer, and rightful Judge and Authority over the universe and humanity. All these things are discussed in my other articles.

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Their key writings. The only Bible JW accept is their own New World Translation. Their other real authoritative writings are Reasoning from the Scriptures, You Can live Forever in Paradise on Earth, and the Watchtower and Awake! magazines. While they claim to follow the Bible, their other writings are their real authorities and they won't allow anyone in their organization to disagree or question their teachings.

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It's unknown who produced their New World Translation, but scholars who know the original Hebrew and Greek languages say their New World Translation isn't correctly translated, and that they differ and distort passages that show Christian beliefs. Christians believe that is putting human opinion over God's inspired and proven revelation. Further, when Hebrew and Greek authorities say their New World Translation is incorrect;  how can JW feel honest to use it for their teaching?

Their beliefs about God. Among the teachings Jehovah's Witnesses deny are: the trinity, deity of Christ, his bodily resurrection, visible return, the Holy Spirit as God, God's promise of heaven for believers, their eternal security, and conscious eternal punishment of God-rejectors in Hell.

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All these teaching they deny are clearly taught many times in the Bible, and have been challenged ever since Jesus arose from the dead. There are so many evidences that support Bible teachings, but the Bibles God of love doesn't force himself on us. And being in his image and likeness is what gives us our dignity, freedom, ethics, love, justice, absolute authoritative truth, assurance of life after death, and his Word, the Bible is the basis for it all. No other world religion, worldview, or system of beliefs can compare with it.

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Their way to be saved. If God Created the universe, then it's reasonable he has infinite knowledge and wisdom making ours almost nothing (Isa. 40:13-14; 55:8-9). We show arrogance to think God must agree with our limited thinking. If God is perfect, then our thoughts, words, deeds can never measure up. The Bible is clear, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us (1 John 1:8-10). We can't achieve perfection to earn salvation nor erase our sins against God. Therefore, door-to-door telling people our beliefs won't make us fit for a perfect Heaven or earth. That's why, "God made Christ who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ" (2 Cor. 5:21 NLT; Also see Eph. 2:8-10; John 3:16-21; Acts 16:31.
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Their beliefs about after death. Since JW taught so openly that only 144,000 persons will go to heaven, when their numbers exceeded that, they had to say the others will live on earth. They deny the Bible teaching of Hell and say unbelievers will be annihilated..

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But every time throughout the Bible the twelve tribes of Israel are mentioned, that's exactly what they were (Revelation 7), not JW that came into being centuries later when more persons became JW (Rev. 14). The loving Jesus mentioned Hell more than Heaven as a real conscious place of punishment. Jesus, being the God-man, is the one person absolutely certain. He cared enough to warn us of the truth. In Matthew 25:46, Jesus said conscious punishment of God-rejections is as real and long as eternal life is for the righteous. Are we to believe Jesus lied or meant to deceive us?

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Their other interesting beliefs and practices. They do not observe holidays or birthdays. They don't accept blood transfusions since we're commanded not to eat blood in Leviticus 17: 13-14. They are forbidden to vote, salute the flag, or work in the military since it's idolatry to show allegiance to any government  except Jehovah's Kingdom. But Romans 13;1-7 and 1 Pet. 2:13-14 says to submit to governments since governments are ordained of God to keep peace and punish evil doers.  Shouldn't we be sure of what the Bible really teaches?

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Christian comments. The Bible nowhere says that Jesus was Jehovah's first created being, was Michael, the archangel before his incarnation, and or Jesus died on a stake, not a cross. It doesn't say the Holy Spirit is a force from Jehovah, or that door-to-door engagements earns the way to heaven. JW firmly believe that Revelation 1:8 & Rev. 21:5-7 describe Jehovah God. But that same description describes Jesus in Rev. 1:17-18. JW are correct that the Latin term "trinity" is not mentioned the Bible, but it is taught in the Bible. It's no different than JW use the term "theocratic kingdom" in  their literature that's not mentioned in the Bible.
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Founder Russell predicted Christ would return in 1874, but when Jesus didn't show up, he recalculated the date 1914. When he didn't return then, Russell said he came to earth as a spirit. Founder Rutherford predicted Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob would return to earth to promote the Kingdom of God between 1925-1929. He even built them a mansion in San Diego, California. But when they failed to show up, he moved into the mansion for himself.
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To set the record straight, carefully compare these verses in your Bible with JW New World Translation to see their many distortions: Isa. 7:14; 9:6; Micah 5:2; John 1:1; 8:58; Philippians 2:11; Colossians 1:16; 2:9; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 1:3, 8. Remember language experts don't agree with unknown JW translators.
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"How will we know whether or not a prophecy is from the Lord? If the prophet speaks in the Lord's name but his prediction does not happen or come true, you will know that the Lord did not give that message. That prophet has spoken without my authority and need not be feared (Deut. 18:21-22) 
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In the beginning the Word already existed, the Word was with God, and the Word was God. So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. "Jesus told him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me" (John 1:1; 14; 14:6 NLT). Only believe, love, and follow.
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