Just as any other religious organization, the Jehovah’s Witness have their own set of beliefs and doctrines. Professing to be a Christian organization, the Watchtower Society denies every major doctrine that Christianity holds dear.
1.The Godhead (Trinity)
2.The Deity of Christ
3.The Atonement (death) of Christ
4.The Resurrection of Christ
5.The Second Coming of Christ
6.Salvation
7.Eternal Punishment (Hell)
The Godhead (Trinity)
Jehovah’s Witness teach that the doctrine of the Trinity is “a false, unbiblical doctrine” originated by Satan. They also claim that is doctrine originated with the ancient Babylonians around 2200 BC. According to their teachings, Jehovah is the only true God, in one person. To them, the teaching of the doctrine of the Trinity is an unreasonable theory that is full of nonsense.
What does the Bible say about the Trinity? In Genesis 1:26 we read, God says, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness…” Notice the plural pronouns “us” and “our”. Here, God is speaking to Himself, and again He speaks, “Come let Us go down and there confuse their language.”(Gen 11:7) In Isaiah 6:8, we read, “Also, I heard the voice of the Lord, saying whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” The use of the word “us” refers to the Trinity. During the baptism of Jesus, John records that, “he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matt. 3:16-17) Here John witnesses the Trinity appearing together. In the Great Commission, Jesus commanded, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” (Matt. 28:19)
1.The Godhead (Trinity)
2.The Deity of Christ
3.The Atonement (death) of Christ
4.The Resurrection of Christ
5.The Second Coming of Christ
6.Salvation
7.Eternal Punishment (Hell)
The Godhead (Trinity)
Jehovah’s Witness teach that the doctrine of the Trinity is “a false, unbiblical doctrine” originated by Satan. They also claim that is doctrine originated with the ancient Babylonians around 2200 BC. According to their teachings, Jehovah is the only true God, in one person. To them, the teaching of the doctrine of the Trinity is an unreasonable theory that is full of nonsense.
What does the Bible say about the Trinity? In Genesis 1:26 we read, God says, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness…” Notice the plural pronouns “us” and “our”. Here, God is speaking to Himself, and again He speaks, “Come let Us go down and there confuse their language.”(Gen 11:7) In Isaiah 6:8, we read, “Also, I heard the voice of the Lord, saying whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” The use of the word “us” refers to the Trinity. During the baptism of Jesus, John records that, “he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matt. 3:16-17) Here John witnesses the Trinity appearing together. In the Great Commission, Jesus commanded, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” (Matt. 28:19)
We do not believe in three Gods, but believe within the nature of the one true God (Is. 43:10; 1 Cor. 8: 4-6; Luke 1:35) there are three eternally distinct persons, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Since the time of the apostles, the Trinity has been part of the churches confession of faith.
The Deity of Christ
Concerning the deity of Christ, the Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that Jesus existed as a spirit before he was made flesh. At that time, as well as subsequently, he was properly known as “a god”- a mighty one. They claim that while Jesus was in heaven, he was chief of the angels, whose name was Michael, the archangel. As the highest of all Jehovah’s creation, he also was the first, the direct creation of Go, the “only begotten”, and by Jehovah’s power, and in his name, created all things. They also teach that God had (created) two sons: Jesus and Satan. They claim that while Christ was this earth, he was not part God and part man, but that he was only a man and not divine.
Here is what the Bible says about the deity of Jesus Christ. John begins off his gospel account, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” (John 1:1) Noticed the three tremendous assertions: (1) “In the beginning was the Word.” This affirms the eternal existence of Jesus. (2) “And the Word was with God.” The use of the word “with”, affirm the distinct personality of Jesus. (3) “And the Word was God.” This of course, affirms the deity of Christ.
Also, from the Bible we have the testimonies of Jesus, Peter, Paul, and John concerning the deity of Christ.
Jesus claimed of Himself:
“I and my Father are One.” (John 10:30)
“He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9)
“Before Abraham was, I AM.” (John 8:58)
Peter testified:
“You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God” (Matt. 16:16)
Paul’s teachings:
“God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself.” (2 Cor. 5:19)
“It pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness (all divine powers and attributes of deity) should dwell. (Col. 1:19)
“In Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily” (Col. 2:9)
John defends:
“Who is a liar, but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either, he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.” (1 John 2: 22, 23) See also 1 John 5: 10-12.
The Blood Atonement (death) of Christ
What do the Jehovah’s witnesses teach concerning the blood atonement of Christ? According to them, the death of Jesus does not guarantee anyone eternal life. A person can accept this for his/her past sins, but the only guarantee of salvation is continual striving to obey God.
Here is what the Bible has to say about the blood atonement of God’s Son:
“For God so loved the world (man kind) that He gave His only begotten Son (Jesus), that whoever believes (exercises faith) in Him (who He was and what He did) should not (will not) perish (die-go to hell) but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“He who believes in Me has everlasting (never ends) life” (John 6:47)
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.” (Acts 16:31)
The Deity of Christ
Concerning the deity of Christ, the Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that Jesus existed as a spirit before he was made flesh. At that time, as well as subsequently, he was properly known as “a god”- a mighty one. They claim that while Jesus was in heaven, he was chief of the angels, whose name was Michael, the archangel. As the highest of all Jehovah’s creation, he also was the first, the direct creation of Go, the “only begotten”, and by Jehovah’s power, and in his name, created all things. They also teach that God had (created) two sons: Jesus and Satan. They claim that while Christ was this earth, he was not part God and part man, but that he was only a man and not divine.
Here is what the Bible says about the deity of Jesus Christ. John begins off his gospel account, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” (John 1:1) Noticed the three tremendous assertions: (1) “In the beginning was the Word.” This affirms the eternal existence of Jesus. (2) “And the Word was with God.” The use of the word “with”, affirm the distinct personality of Jesus. (3) “And the Word was God.” This of course, affirms the deity of Christ.
Also, from the Bible we have the testimonies of Jesus, Peter, Paul, and John concerning the deity of Christ.
Jesus claimed of Himself:
“I and my Father are One.” (John 10:30)
“He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9)
“Before Abraham was, I AM.” (John 8:58)
Peter testified:
“You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God” (Matt. 16:16)
Paul’s teachings:
“God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself.” (2 Cor. 5:19)
“It pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness (all divine powers and attributes of deity) should dwell. (Col. 1:19)
“In Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily” (Col. 2:9)
John defends:
“Who is a liar, but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either, he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.” (1 John 2: 22, 23) See also 1 John 5: 10-12.
The Blood Atonement (death) of Christ
What do the Jehovah’s witnesses teach concerning the blood atonement of Christ? According to them, the death of Jesus does not guarantee anyone eternal life. A person can accept this for his/her past sins, but the only guarantee of salvation is continual striving to obey God.
Here is what the Bible has to say about the blood atonement of God’s Son:
“For God so loved the world (man kind) that He gave His only begotten Son (Jesus), that whoever believes (exercises faith) in Him (who He was and what He did) should not (will not) perish (die-go to hell) but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“He who believes in Me has everlasting (never ends) life” (John 6:47)
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.” (Acts 16:31)
“But as many as received Him (through faith), to them He gave the power to become children of God.” (John 1:12)
“In whom (Christ) we have redemption through His blood (atoning sacrifice), the forgiveness of sins.” (Col. 1:14)
Jesus “by Himself purged (cleansed) our sins” (Heb. 1:3) Also see Heb. 9:12, 14.
The Resurrection of Christ
The Jehovah’s Witnesses do not deny the resurrection of Christ. They teach, however, that His body was removed, not raised. They say that Christ was raised up as a spirit. Therefore, they deny a bodily resurrection, but instead, they assert a spiritual resurrection of Jesus.
The Bible has a different view concerning Christ’s resurrection. In the Gospel According to Luke, Jesus appeared before the disciple in the flesh, “Jesus stood in the midst of them, and said to them, Peace to you. But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit (ghost). And He said to them, why are you trouble? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? Behold (see, look) My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle (touch) Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have. When He had said this, He showed them His hands and feet.” (Luke 24:36-40)
Luke also records in the Book of Acts that Christ, “presented (showed) Himself alive after His sufferings by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking (teaching) of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3)
In First Corinthians, chapter 15, the apostle Paul declares the “Gospel (the good news)…that Christ died for our sins, according to the (Old Testament) Scriptures and that He was buried and that He rose again the third day, according to the Scriptures. And that He was seen by Peter, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once. He was seen by James and by all the apostles. Then last of all, Paul says, He was seen by me also.” (1 Cor. 15:1-8) See also Acts 2:22-32.
How important is the resurrection of Christ? By it all the doctrines and teaching of Scripture hinge on it. It is the foundation of our faith. Paul sates, “If Christ is not risen (is not alive), then our preaching is empty and your faith (what you believe about Jesus) is also empty. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. If in this life only we have hope in (a dead, not risen) Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. But Christ…is risen from the dead!” (1 Cor. 15:14,17,19,20) To destroy the truth of the bodily resurrection of Christ would be to undermine the Christian faith.
The Second Coming of Christ
The Jehovah’s Witnesses do teach about the second coming of Christ. However, they teach that his return will be an invisible one. Since Christ is no longer a human being. Human eyes will not be able to see him at his second coming. They also claim that Christ returned in 1914 to establish God’s kingdom on the earth, and ever since, he has been wrestling with the forces of evil.
Scripture claims the second coming of Christ will be a visible, fleshly return. At the ascension of our Lord, the celestial messengers said to the disciples, “Men of Galilee, why do stand gazing up into (sky) heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11) notice the emphasis-“this SAME JESUS”, shall come again. This same Jesus that was crucified and buried and rose again from the grave in His new glorified body; which bore the print of the nails in His hands and feet, and mark of the spear in His side; which appeared before the disciples, will come again in a visible, bodily, human form. “Behold, He is coming with (in the air) the clouds, and every eye shall see Him…” (Rev. 1:7) See also, Daniel 7: 13-14.
Salvation
The Bible teaches that salvation is by “grace through faith and not by works.” (Eph. 2:8-9) The salvation of the believer is dependant upon acceptance of Christ’s finished work on the cross. However, this is not, what is taught by the Jehovah’s Witnesses.
For the Jehovah’s Witnesses, more is required that a mere confession of faith. It is necessary that, belief, must be demonstrated by works. But they also, maintain that, “life (eternal) cannot not be earn by imperfect humans, but is the free gift through faith in Jesus Christ.” What is the “free gift” that the Jehovah’s Witnesses speak about? The free gift is that Christ’s death only wiped away the sin inherited from Adam. They teach that without this work of atonement, men could not work their way toward salvation. But the “gift” of Christ’s ransom sacrifice is freely made available to all who desire it. So, without Christ’s sacrifice, the individual wouldn’t have a chance to get saved. In view of his work, however, the free gift which removed the sin inherited from Adam, the individual now has a chance.
Eternal Punishment (Hell)
The Jehovah’s Witnesses believes also that there is no eternal punishment of lost sinners. They teach that the Bible Hell is the tomb-the grave. They say eternal torture is nowhere suggested in the Old Testament Scriptures, and only a few statements in the New Testament can be misconstrued as to appear to teach it. They hold Satan himself as the promulgator of this God dishonoring doctrine and that his purpose in introducing it has been to frighten people away from studying the Bible and to make them hate God. Therefore, according to their beliefs, the doctrine of eternal punishment after death cannot be true, mainly for four reasons: (1) Because it is wholly unscriptural; (2) Because it is unreasonable; (3) Because it is contrary to God’s love; and (4) Because it is repugnant to justice.
The Bible is explicit in its teaching that those who spurn to call Christ and die without Him, will spend eternity in Hell, separated from the Love of God. (Ps. 9:17; Prov. 5:5, 9:13-18, 15:24; Is. 30:33; Matt. 3:12. 5:29-30, 7:13-14; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 3:17, 16:23-28; Rev. 20:10, 15, 21:8)
“The Lord is not slack concerning His Promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering to ward us, not willing that any should perish (die in their sins and go to hell), but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Pet. 3:9)
Conclusion: The Jehovah’s Witnesses may claim to have all truth, but what a time of confusion and consternation and cataclysm it will be for thousands of the cult when they have to bow and confess before the assembled universe that Jesus Christ, whose deity they denied, is Lord to the glory of God the Father. (Phil. 2:9-11)
