This magazine was the precursor to todays watchtower wt magazine. The literature they use are writing interpretation no different then a priest, reverent or pastor would. However, in a number of ways, we are different from other religious groups. Jehovah s witnesses teach that the present world order, which they perceive as being under the control of satan, will be ended by a direct intervention of jehovah god, who will use jesus christ to fully establish his heavenly government over earth, destroying existing human governments and nonwitnesses, and creating a cleansed society of. The watchtower does well in disproving the watchtowers claim at being gods organization it does very little at giving an effective approach towards teaching jehovahs witnesses the truth. The jehovahs witness beliefs about god are outlined in detail below. Jehovahs witnesses are a people of faith that many of us likely dont know that much about. The jehovahs witnesses are an outgrowth of the international bible. They say the term god, is merely a title, and that the real name for god is jehovah. Jehovahs witnesses emphasise a separateness from society.
I studied two books over the next 9 months or so, and was baptised as a jehovahs witness on january 6th. I had no reason to doubt, but god had different plans for my life. If a jehovahs witness believes youre, sincere, humble, confused and possibly interested in becoming a jehovahs witness, the internet is the one of the very best ways for you to create doubt. Jehovahs witness christians have distinct beliefs about the end times, as well. Why russia is afraid of jehovahs witnesses the conversation. As is always the case with charts and summaries, the information is simplified for brevity and should be used alongside more complete explanations. Here is a quote taken from the no defunct carm website. Answering jehovah s witnesses walks you through the doctrines of the jws, revealing where and why theyre wronggiving special attention to favorite verses and standard topics that a jw will use in rejecting the catholic faith. However, our bible tells us in the book of revelation that the 144,000 people being talked about are 144,000 jewish witnesses that god marks and seals during. Hypertexting means that if you click on the underlined text, youll go to that place in the document. I remember that first year after id left the jehovahs witness faith. Jan 14, 2020 the rest of the jehovahs witnesses still living can only hope to inherit the earth, not actually make it into heaven, since this is only reserved for the special 144,000 chosen ones. Jehovahs witnesses and orthodox christians disagree on some very basic issues. Christians arent expected to spend their lives knocking door to door on peoples.
Watch tower publications teach that the bible is an organizational book that does not belong. Here is what jehovahs witnesses say about the holy spirit. Jehovah witness is a denomination of christianity base solely on the bible. Nov 25, 2011 biblical christianity jehovah s witnesses mormonism church of jesus christ of latter day saints founded. Mulslims do not believe in the trinity and consider them to be a blasphemy signifying belief in. The forums in the christian congregations category are now open only to christian members.
Christianity is built on the written word of god alone. Comparison grid of roman catholicism, mormonism, jehovahs. First, this is the area where watchtower theology deviates most dramatically from orthodox christianity. Testimony by fred franz, transcript, lord strachan vs. You absolutely can use the bible to refute jehovah s witnesses claim that they are who they are. Jehovah s witnesses are a people of faith that many of us likely dont know that much about. Jehovahs witnesses is a millenarian restorationist christian denomination with nontrinitarian beliefs distinct from mainstream christianity. The network of christian apologetics comparing beliefs. Jun 23, 2010 jehovah s witnesses and the watchtower society. The beliefs of jehovahs witnesses and how they differ from. The group reports a worldwide membership of approximately 144,000 adherents involved in evangelism and an annual memorial attendance of over 20 million. Whats the difference between christianity and jehovahs. Leaving the jehovahs witnesses and coming to christgordon. By the end, i think you will see that gulf is indeed wide between true, biblical christianity, and the theology taught by the watch tower.
We believe that jesus is the head, or the one appointed to have authority, over every man. Five questions for the jehovahs witnesses catholic answers. The nwt christian greek scriptures new testament is mainly taken from the westcott and hort translation, but has been altered and changed to support the views of jehovah s witnesses that the premortal jesus was created by jehovah and that jesus is not part of the one being of god. In fact, of the six theological tenets above, jehovah s witnesses agree with islam on four, and christianity on zero. Is jehovahs witness considered another abrahanic religion which is similar to christianity but not christianity, or is it considered christianity. To return to the previous place, use altleft arrow. For the jehovahs witness, the watchtower society is gods voice on earth.
Jehovahs witnesses have used many different translations in their study of the bible. About the jehovah s witnesses pro and con resources. But like all christians, none are willing to listen to each other. The jehovahs witnesses are an outgrowth of the international bible students association, which was founded in 1872 in pittsburgh by charles taze russell. When i was 12, i had read the bible two and a half times through. The following chart provides a quickreference guide to the major similarities and differences between the beliefs and practices of jehovah s witnesses and mainstream protestant christianity. However, the doctrines of the christian church are clear from the bible and the writings of the early church fathers. When i was eight, i knew the bible so well my mom would ask me how to spell hard words. We answer the questions of how they got their start, what their core beliefs are, and how many people ascribe to this faith in the world today below. While we may understand things differently, jehovahs.
In contrast to the trinitarian concept of one god in three personsfather, son, and holy spiritthe jws have been taught to believe that god the father. A closer look at jehovahs witnesses living in the u. Aug 30, 2014 jehovahs witnesses state that gods true name is jehovah. Can the bible be used to disprove the jehovahs witnesses. The trinity does not exist, and is an evil doctrine that teaches the existence of 3 gods. Matt slick of the christian apologetics and research ministry carm asks that very question is the jehovah s witnesses religion christian. The beliefs of jehovahs witnesses are based on the bible teachings of charles taze. Of course credit is duly given to the original author and a link is normally placed at the bottom of the article which will take you to the source of the material or the author and the source will be mentioned at the beginning of the article itself.
Among christians there may be inconsequential differences of opinion e. Im an ex jehovahs witness trying to become a christian self. If three is good for god, why not 4, 5, 7,10,12 ore more. So that jehovah s witness children do not feel deprived from the lack of birthday celebration, some opt for spontaneous giving of gifts. The bbc reports that witnesses believe the end times began in 1914. In order for someone to worship jesus and believe hes the archangel michael, he would have to commit sin in order to worship. Jun 12, 20 christianity is a religion, jehovah s witnesses are at best a cult but they are much more likely a publishing corporation taking advantage of tax code and unpaid volunteers. A book about a childs experience being raised in a jehovahs witness home. I hesitate to put this grid up only because i do not want to needlessly assail the catholic belief system in an offensive manner. About the jehovahs witnesses pro and con resources. The two tenets jehovah s witnesses and islam disagree on are highlighted in italics. Jehovahs witnesses are taught that reading the bible alone, without guidance and interpretation from the watchtower.
The watchtower does well in disproving the watchtowers claim at being gods organization it does very little at giving an effective. Jehovah s witness christians have distinct beliefs about the end times, as well. Like many cults, they think they are the only true church on earth. A fourth avenue of effective evangelism with jehovahs witnesses is the subject of the deity of the holy spirit. Jehovah s witnesses and jesus christ, theology today, april, 1953. Similar religions to jehovah s witnesses where else would i go. Books and internet resources about the jehovahs witnesses. However, this question is not unique to followers of the watchtower society. Leaving the jehovahs witnesses and coming to christ. So i started a bible study with them, in that they use a book with their doctrines in and use bible verses to back them up.
This book gives you the necessary knowledge and insight to defend your faith and clearly present the gospel when talking with jehovahs witnesses. What are the basic differences between jehovahs witnesses and christians. Biblical christianity jehovahs witnesses mormonism church of jesus christ of latter day saints founded. A young womans courageous flight from the grip of a religious cult, robert d. The major part of this site is constructed by sourcing interesting stuff copy pasta from other sources. Im an ex jehovahs witness trying to become a christian. Difference between christian and jehovah witness compare. Perhaps the most important commonality between evangelical christians and jehovahs witnesses is our belief and trust in the bible as the ultimate authority inspired by god, on issues concerning god and his expectations for us. When people become jehovahs witnesses, they are baptized in the name of jesus. These pages describe how the watchtower society deviates from classical christianity.
There are over eight million jehovahs witnesses in 240 countries. Its a small book that gives an overall general look at the big differences jehovah witnesses have with christianity. What are the differences between most christian bibles and. Similar religions to jehovahs witnesses where else would i go. Thus all jehovah s witnesses need to fully co operate with the 144,000. Christian members please remember to read the statement of purpose threads for each forum within christian congregations before posting in the forum. How is jehovahs witness different than christianity. How to convert a jehovahs witness to christianity by. Jehovahs witnesses that claim to be the only true church of jesus christ. The beliefs of jehovahs witnesses are based on the bible teachings of charles taze russellfounder of the bible student movementand successive presidents of the watch tower society, joseph franklin rutherford, and nathan homer knorr. This period will conclude with judgment day, the 1,000 year reign of christ with the 144,000 anointed resurrected people who are chosen by god. The apostacy is a result of the jehovah s witnesses interpretation of the bible.
James penton, jehovahs witnesses and the third reich. Jehovahs witness bible, jewish, christian, muslim books banned. As i mentioned earlier, the jehovahs witnesses believe that the holy spirit is not a person because they see the holy spirit as a forcemuch like electricity or fire. Jun 07, 2004 the following chart provides a quickreference guide to the major similarities and differences between the beliefs and practices of jehovah s witnesses and mainstream protestant christianity. Unlike catholics they actually read and use the bible. Christians shy away from presenting the good news of the gospel. Jehovah s witnesses believe they dont have a direct relationship with jesus. Although jehovahs witnesses claim to be christian, there are major differences in theology, which they attribute to apostacy. Comparison grid of roman catholicism, mormonism, jehovah s witnesses, and christianity. In law, this question might be considered a leading question.
Thus all jehovahs witnesses need to fully co operate with the 144,000. Compare jehovahs witnesses and protestant christianity. Following some scriptural citations, you may see gr. Close scrutiny of their doctrinal position on such subjects as the deity of christ, salvation, the trinity, the holy spirit, and the atonement shows beyond a doubt that they do not hold to orthodox christian po. The sect known as jehovahs witnesses jws began with charles taze russell in the 1870s.
In reality, the nwt is the work of a bible translation committee with no working knowledge of biblical languages. Comparing roman catholicism belief system noted serious theological problems. A book about a childs experience being raised in a jehovah s witness home. Russell was raised a presbyterian, then joined the congregational church, and was finally influenced by adventist teachings. For example, they dont celebrate christmas, easter, birthdays, national holidays or any occasion that appears to honour someone other than jesus.
Islam, mohammeds early life, and the differences between sunni and shia. Jehovahs witnesses believe they dont have a direct relationship with jesus. Christians arent expected to spend their lives knocking door to door on peoples houses trying to get them to convert with their magazines. Scripture that will strengthen your faith and understanding gods word. Christians overall, jehovahs witnesses are especially likely to say they attend religious services at least once a week. Christian vs jehovah witness the main difference between christian and jehovah s witness is in the kinds of christ they believe in. Jehovahs witness, member of a millennialist denomination that developed within the larger 19thcentury adventist movement in the united states and has since spread worldwide. In this book, biblical truth is presented in an effective way that challenges the. Witnessing to jehovahs witnesses effective evangelism. Jehovahs witnesses is a millenarian restorationist christian denomination with nontrinitarian. Never was there a more deceptive doctrine advanced than that of the trinity reconciliation, 1928.
Jehovah s witnesses emphasise a separateness from society. Difference between jehovahs witnesses and christians. The book, published as the posthumous work of russell, was a compilation of his commentaries on the bible books of. Jehovah s witnesses are more closely aligned to islam than to christianity. Below are 10 facts about this group which branched off from orthodox christianity in the late 1800s. In languages where it is available, though, we especially appreciate the new world translation of the holy scriptures for its use of gods name, for its accuracy, and for its clarity. Actually this is more of a statement and than a real question. Jehovah s witnesses is a millenarian restorationist christian denomination with nontrinitarian beliefs distinct from mainstream christianity. A glass of orange juice and a cup of coffee will make the start of a great day. In june 1879 the two split over doctrinal differences, and in july, russell began publishing the magazine. Jehovahs witnesses beliefs compared to christianity. The bible, divinely inspired verbal revelation, word of god. For jehovahs witnesses, the trinity is a satanic dogma of apostate christianity that prevents people from knowing the true god, jehovah. Now since 2012, theyre saying gods faithful and discreet slave is a small group of men serving at watchtower headquarters since 1919.
They do not believe in the trinity of course, it is not biblical. In 1879 he started publishing a magazine to promote his beliefs. Jehovahs witnesses main differences with christianity. They refer to the new testament as the christian greek scriptures, and they call. You pour the syrup and prepare to take that tasty first bite, when there is a knock on your door. The view of christians about this trinitarian god is condemned by jehovahs witnesses. In languages where it is available, though, we especially appreciate the new world translation of the holy scriptures for its use of gods name, for its accuracy, and for its clarity use of gods name.
Is jehovah s witness considered another abrahanic religion which is similar to christianity but not christianity, or is it considered christianity. The main false doctrines taught by the jws henceforth used to abbreviate jehovah s witnesses are as follows. So for jehovah s witnesses and islam, the agreement ratio. Jehovahs witnesses 10 things to know about their beliefs. The jehovah s witnesses consider themselves to be christians because they believe they are serving the true and living god. Jan 16, 2017 david reed, an ex witness, says that the new world translation came into being in 1961 for the sole purpose of eliminating the deity of christ. Are the jehovahs witnesses outside biblical christianity. All scripture is given by inspiration of god, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness 2 timothy. The next time jehovahs witnesses knock on your door, you will be prepared to explain your religious beliefs. The very apparent disagreement between jehovahs witnesses and christians is their view of jesus christ.
God is a single being whose personal name is jehovah. Every jehovah s witness will tell you that they are christians. Although jehovah s witnesses claim to be christian, there are major differences in theology, which they attribute to apostacy. Charles taze russells books studies in scriptures are respected but are no. Conversely, they contend that other bible translations are corrupted by religious traditions that are rooted in paganism. Christs deity, the way of salvation, and the reality of christs resurrectionhow to confidently share your faith with jehovah s witnesses how to respond to jehovah s witnesses 3rd edition 9780758616234 by herbert kern. Matt slick of the christian apologetics and research ministry carm asks that very question is the jehovahs witnesses religion christian. In this article i will explore the very significant differences between historical christianity and the jehovah s witnesses beliefs. The main false doctrines taught by the jws henceforth used to abbreviate jehovahs witnesses are as follows. You are about to sit down for a late breakfast on a saturday morning. This way youre not saying anything that can be interpreted as an attack on their god or a visible organization run by jehovah himself. Before doing that, however, i must say to you that the veil that allows them to be blind is not easily removed and so you must realize that although the bible says what it does, that they will see it is n. Christianity is a religion, jehovahs witnesses are at best a cult but they are much more likely a publishing corporation taking advantage of tax code and unpaid volunteers. Sometimes the anglicized original language word is given like gehenna, sometimes the meaning of the original language word is given like soul, and sometimes.
Yet, they deny the trinity, the deity of christ, the personhood of the holy spirit, jesus physical resurrection, and salvation by grace through faith. In fact they go so far as to say that unless one calls on the true name of god, jehovah, one cannot be saved. Because of this idea, they tend to avoid reading any material which contradicts their beliefs. For example the jesus of jehovahs witnesses is a different person than the jesus of christianity.
Jehovahs witnesses claim that the new world translation nwt is the work of competent scholars. Jehovahs witness bible, jewish, christian, muslim books. In my experience in discussing beliefs with jws i have found that attacking the organization is the last thing you want to do. I had already been going out on the doortodoor ministry that jehovahs witnesses are known for, very difficult to do when you are a shy person. They are expected to follow the watchtowers teachings with unquestioning obedience.
If a jehovah s witness believes youre, sincere, humble, confused and possibly interested in becoming a jehovah s witness, the internet is the one of the very best ways for you to create doubt. Jehovah s witnesses have been told that all information from sources other than the watchtower society is from satan. Jehovahs witnesses believe that the bible, including all 66 books of the hebrew and greek. The bible is our infallible rule of faith, being sufficient to give us the sure knowledge of the gospel.
It is not jehovahs witnesses vs christianity as jehovahs witnesses are christians. The rest of the jehovahs witnesses still living can only hope to inherit the earth, not actually make it into heaven, since this is only reserved for the special 144,000 chosen ones. The mere claim should make one to be skeptical, since jesus described the church as the body of believers who follow him. Compare jehovah s witnesses and protestant christianity. How to understand and set free jehovahs witnesses is a book that helps. My main questions are learning more about christianity, i started visiting a local free methodist church and it has been a positive experience unlike anything i ever experienced at my old kingdom hall.
It is true that jehovah s witnesses and christians are both following the teachings brought about by the words of jesus christ. The following chart provides a quickreference guide to the major similarities and differences between the beliefs and practices of jehovahs witnesses and mainstream protestant christianity. But much of their doctrine is unique among christian faiths. By his own admission, he had a hard time accepting the existence of hell.
621 820 658 1255 807 540 632 1259 839 749 430 1063 285 1059 814 1489 879 212 1143 721 800 116 1266 638 929 698 1218 951 1375 48 733 1140 263 1382 646