What do JW's Believe ?

[civic]

The sect known today as the Jehovah’s Witnesses started out in Pennsylvania in 1870 as a Bible class led by Charles Taze Russell. Russell named his group the “Millennial Dawn Bible Study,” and those who followed him were called “Bible students.” Charles T. Russell began writing a series of books he called The Millennial Dawn, which stretched to six volumes before his death and contained much of the theology Jehovah’s Witnesses now hold.

The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society was founded in 1886 and quickly became the vehicle through which the “Millennial Dawn” movement began distributing their views. Group members were sometimes disparagingly called “Russellites.” After Russell’s death in 1916, Judge J. F. Rutherford, Russell’s successor, wrote the seventh and final volume of the Millennial Dawn series, The Finished Mystery, in 1917. That was also the year that the organization split. Those who followed Rutherford began calling themselves “Jehovah’s Witnesses.”

What do Jehovah’s Witnesses believe? 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 positions on these subjects. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe Jesus is Michael the archangel, the highest created being. This contradicts many passages of Scripture that clearly declare Jesus to be God (John 1:1, 14; 8:58; 10:30). Jehovah’s Witnesses believe salvation is obtained by a combination of faith, good works, and obedience. This contradicts Scripture, which declares salvation to be received by grace through faith (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8–9; Titus 3:5). Jehovah’s Witnesses reject the doctrine of the Trinity, believing Jesus to be a created being and the Holy Spirit to essentially be the inanimate power of God. Jehovah’s Witnesses reject the concept of Christ’s substitutionary atonement and instead hold to a ransom theory, that Jesus’ death was a ransom payment for Adam’s sin.

How do the Jehovah’s Witnesses justify these unbiblical doctrines? First, they claim that the church has corrupted the Bible over the centuries; thus, they have re-translated the Bible to reflect their unique doctrines—the result is the New World Translation. The New World Translation has gone through numerous editions, as the Jehovah’s Witnesses discover more and more passages of Scripture that contradict their doctrines.

The Watchtower bases its beliefs and doctrines on the original and expanded teachings of Charles Taze Russell, Judge Joseph Franklin Rutherford, and their successors. The governing body of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society claims sole authority to interpret Scripture. In other words, what the governing body says concerning any scriptural passage is viewed as the last word, and independent thinking is strongly discouraged. This is in direct opposition to Paul’s admonition to Timothy (and to us as well) to study to be approved by God, so that we need not be ashamed as we correctly handle the Word of God (2 Timothy 2:15). God’s children are to be like the Berean Christians, who searched the Scriptures daily to see if the things they were being taught lined up with the Word (Acts 17:11).

There is probably no religious group that is more faithful than the Jehovah’s Witnesses at spreading their message. Unfortunately, the message is full of distortions, deceptions, and false doctrine. May God open the eyes of the Jehovah’s Witnesses to the truth of the gospel and the true teaching of God’s Word.got?

hope this helps !!!

 

[Keiw1]

The sect known today as the Jehovah’s Witnesses started out in Pennsylvania in 1870 as a Bible class led by Charles Taze Russell. Russell named his group the “Millennial Dawn Bible Study,” and those who followed him were called “Bible students.” Charles T. Russell began writing a series of books he called The Millennial Dawn, which stretched to six volumes before his death and contained much of the theology Jehovah’s Witnesses now hold.

The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society was founded in 1886 and quickly became the vehicle through which the “Millennial Dawn” movement began distributing their views. Group members were sometimes disparagingly called “Russellites.” After Russell’s death in 1916, Judge J. F. Rutherford, Russell’s successor, wrote the seventh and final volume of the Millennial Dawn series, The Finished Mystery, in 1917. That was also the year that the organization split. Those who followed Rutherford began calling themselves “Jehovah’s Witnesses.”

What do Jehovah’s Witnesses believe? 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 positions on these subjects. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe Jesus is Michael the archangel, the highest created being. This contradicts many passages of Scripture that clearly declare Jesus to be God (John 1:1, 14; 8:58; 10:30). Jehovah’s Witnesses believe salvation is obtained by a combination of faith, good works, and obedience. This contradicts Scripture, which declares salvation to be received by grace through faith (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8–9; Titus 3:5). Jehovah’s Witnesses reject the doctrine of the Trinity, believing Jesus to be a created being and the Holy Spirit to essentially be the inanimate power of God. Jehovah’s Witnesses reject the concept of Christ’s substitutionary atonement and instead hold to a ransom theory, that Jesus’ death was a ransom payment for Adam’s sin.

How do the Jehovah’s Witnesses justify these unbiblical doctrines? First, they claim that the church has corrupted the Bible over the centuries; thus, they have re-translated the Bible to reflect their unique doctrines—the result is the New World Translation. The New World Translation has gone through numerous editions, as the Jehovah’s Witnesses discover more and more passages of Scripture that contradict their doctrines.

The Watchtower bases its beliefs and doctrines on the original and expanded teachings of Charles Taze Russell, Judge Joseph Franklin Rutherford, and their successors. The governing body of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society claims sole authority to interpret Scripture. In other words, what the governing body says concerning any scriptural passage is viewed as the last word, and independent thinking is strongly discouraged. This is in direct opposition to Paul’s admonition to Timothy (and to us as well) to study to be approved by God, so that we need not be ashamed as we correctly handle the Word of God (2 Timothy 2:15). God’s children are to be like the Berean Christians, who searched the Scriptures daily to see if the things they were being taught lined up with the Word (Acts 17:11).

There is probably no religious group that is more faithful than the Jehovah’s Witnesses at spreading their message. Unfortunately, the message is full of distortions, deceptions, and false doctrine. May God open the eyes of the Jehovah’s Witnesses to the truth of the gospel and the true teaching of God’s Word.got?

hope this helps !!!

Catholicism by satans will erred in translating to mislead, to fit false council teachings, removed Gods name by satans will to mislead. When the protestants translated not much info was readily available, so they didn't fix the errors. Catholicism = 2 Thess 2:3= the great apostasy, the son of peredition( destruction) and all her branches.
You try to say the JW,s teachings are false, but the teachings of Jesus in every translation on earth back the Jw,s. True God worship history back the JW,s as well. You listen to deceivers.
Every time a problem came up with teachings. They went to Jerusalem to the apostles and elder men( governing body) to fix the problems.
Best for you to actually study what Jesus taught, and talk to Hebrew scholars on the God they served from Moses on up. YHWH(Jehovah) He is a single being God=undeniable fact of reality.
Trinity religions cant even understand simple bible milk-1Cor 1:10-Unity of thought( all of Gods 1 truth) no division. They are a mass of confusion= a house divided will not stand.

 

[synergy]

Catholicism by satans will erred in translating to mislead, to fit false council teachings, removed Gods name by satans will to mislead. When the protestants translated not much info was readily available, so they didn't fix the errors. Catholicism = 2 Thess 2:3= the great apostasy, the son of peredition( destruction) and all her branches.
You try to say the JW,s teachings are false, but the teachings of Jesus in every translation on earth back the Jw,s. True God worship history back the JW,s as well. You listen to deceivers.
Every time a problem came up with teachings. They went to Jerusalem to the apostles and elder men( governing body) to fix the problems.
Best for you to actually study what Jesus taught, and talk to Hebrew scholars on the God they served from Moses on up. YHWH(Jehovah) He is a single being God=undeniable fact of reality.
Trinity religions cant even understand simple bible milk-1Cor 1:10-Unity of thought( all of Gods 1 truth) no division. They are a mass of confusion= a house divided will not stand.

@civic mentioned about 10 Bible passages that denounce JW heresies and you haven't offered even one counterargument. How do you know that the 2 passages you quoted are not talking about heretical group like the JWs or Mormons?

 

[Keiw1]

@civic mentioned about 10 Bible passages that denounce JW heresies and you haven't offered even one counterargument. How do you know that the 2 passages you quoted are not talking about heretical group like the JWs or Mormons?

Facts of the true God Israel served-a single being God=YHWH(Jehovah), and the teachings of Jesus in every translation on earth back the JW,s as correct. There is nothing on earth better than those 2 backings.

 

[synergy]

Facts of the true God Israel served-a single being God=YHWH(Jehovah), and the teachings of Jesus in every translation on earth back the JW,s as correct. There is nothing on earth better than those 2 backings.

In Greek, the word "God" denotes God's Nature, not God's Person. I have linguistic evidence that you will probably just scoff at.

As I tell every JW that knocks on my door, learn some Greek first or bring a JW who knows Greek and them we can talk. The same goes for you, my friend.

 

[Keiw1]

In Greek, the word "God" denotes God's Nature, not God's Person. I have linguistic evidence that you will probably just scoff at.

As I tell every JW that knocks on my door, learn some Greek first or bring a JW who knows Greek and them we can talk. The same goes for you, my friend.

I know some Greek-In Greek the word used for capitol G God ends in a v--For a small g god ends in a g-like the word got in the last line at John 1:1 and every small g god got. So i don't need to listen to men's twisted analogy's of what words mean.

 

[synergy]

I know some Greek-In Greek the word used for capitol G God ends in a v--For a small g god ends in a g-like the word got in the last line at John 1:1 and every small g god got. So i don't need to listen to men's twisted analogy's of what words mean.

Basically, the Greek names of God are κύριος (Lord), θεὸς (God), and Δέσποτα (Lord-from Adonai).
God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are all called κύριος in the NT.
That is the Trinity in a nutshell.

 

[Keiw1]

Basically, the Greek names of God are κύριος (Lord), θεὸς (God), and Δέσποτα (Lord-from Adonai).
God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are all called κύριος in the NT.
That is the Trinity in a nutshell.

The word you posted for God that ends in g is god, not God--God ends in v in Greek.

 

[synergy]

The word you posted for God that ends in g is god, not God--God ends in v in Greek.

Can you tell me exactly which Greek words are you talking about?

 

[Olde Tymer]

.
Were John Que and/or Jane Doe Watchtower Society missionary to be questioned if
they believe that Jesus Christ rose from the dead, I can assure you they would
answer in the affirmative. However, they and the interviewer wouldn't be speaking
the same language as the conversation would be talking about two very different
processes that go by the same name. In other words: the interviewer would soon
find themselves thrown off by semantic double speak.

In Watchtower Society theology, an angel named Michael volunteered to come to
the earth to die for humanity's sins. But in order to do so; he had to relinquish his
angel existence to become a human existence seeing as how in Society theology it
is impossible to exist as a spirit being and a material being simultaneously.
However, when Michael expired, he didn't go completely out of existence. Instead,
his so-called "life force" remained intact and was transferred to a human form.

"the transferal of the life of his firstborn Son from the spirit realm to earth. Only in
this way could the child eventually born have retained identity as the same person
who had resided in heaven as the Word." (Aid to Bible Understanding, 1971, p.920)

"He had to become a perfect man and yet not lose his continuity of life. His life
force was not to be extinguished but would be transferred to the ovum of the virgin
girl, Mary." (Watchtower magazine, 2-15-82, p.7)

But Michael's existence as a material being was only temporary. When his human
form passed away on the cross, the Society claims that God transferred Michael's
life force back into his angel corpse thus restoring him to his former spirit
existence; leaving the corpse of his human existence in a permanent state of
decease.

In other words: The Watchtower Society's Jesus is still dead, and his remains are
squirreled away on Earth somewhere in a condition and a location known only to
God.

FAQ: What about Jesus' post resurrection appearances?

REPLY: Those weren't really Jesus. The Society would have us believe they were an
angel disguised in a materialized body, i.e. an avatar. I say "disguised" because
never once did their angel give himself away to Jesus' friends, rather, the angel led
them all to believe the real Jesus was back from the grave.
_

 

[Olde Tymer]

.
● Col 1:15 . . He is the firstborn of all creation

The Greek word translated "firstborn" in that verse is prototokos, which never
means created first; no, it always means born first. The correct Greek word for
created first is protoktistos.

* John Que and Jan Doe JW probably don't know the difference between prototokos
and protoktistos; and no doubt would care little about it anyway. To some; born
first and created first are one and the same.

The thing to note is that "firstborn" doesn't always refer to birth order. The term
also refers to superiority, and as such is transferrable, viz: it's possible to
circumvent the eldest son and give his advantages to a younger, e.g. Ishmael to
Isaac (Gen 20:11-12) Esau to Jacob (Gen 25:23) Reuben to Joseph (Gen 49:3-4,
1Chr 5:1) and Manasseh to Ephraim. (Gen 48:13-14)

The rank of firstborn isn't limited to family circles. For example the people of Israel
are God's firstborn among the world's nations (Ex 4:22) and David is God's
firstborn among the world's kings (Ps 89:20-27)
_

 

[civic]

Thanks for those insights @Olde Tymer !

 

[Olde Tymer]

.
Below is the text of Col 1:16-17 quoted verbatim from the Watchtower Society's
New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures ©1969.

"Because by means of him all [other] things were created in the heavens and upon
the earth, the things visible and the things invisible, no matter whether they are
thrones or lordships or governments or authorities. All [other] things have been
created through him and for him. Also, he is before all [other] things and by means
of him all [other] things were made to exist."

The word "other" is in brackets. This alert readers that "other" is not in the Greek
manuscript; viz: the Society's translators took the liberty to pencil it in; which gives
the impression that God's son was His first creation; and thereafter, the Son
created everything else.

NOTE: I heard it from a JW that the Society's translators added "other" because
that's what Col 1:16-17 means to say even though it doesn't say so in writing. In
other words; that portion of the Society's Bible is an interpretation rather than a
translation.

One day, a pair of Watchtower missionaries came to my door consisting of an
experienced worker and a trainee. I immediately began subjecting the trainee to a
line of questioning that homed in on the Society's rather dishonest habit of
embellishing the Bible in order to reinforce its line of thinking.

I had him read the Society's text of Col 1:16-17 and then pointed out that the word
"other" is in brackets to alert him to the fact that "other" is not in the Greek
manuscript. The experienced worker corroborated my statement.

I then proceeded to have the trainee read the passage sans "other". It comes out
like this:

"By means of him all things were created in the heavens and upon the earth, the
things visible and the things invisible, no matter whether they are thrones or
lordships or governments or authorities. All things have been created through him
and for him. Also, he is before all things and by means of him all things were made
to exist."

The trainee's eyes really lit up; and he actually grinned with delight to discover that
Col 1:16-17 reveals something quite different than what he was led to believe.

Had I pressed the attack; I would have pointed out that the Society is inconsistent
with its use of the word "other" by neglecting to pencil it into John 1:3

FYI: The 1984 revised version of the New World Translation omits brackets around
the word "other" in Col 1:16-17. However, it's readily seen from the Watchtower
Society's Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures ©1969 that
"other" is nowhere to be found in the Greek text. Caveat Lector.
_

 

[Wrangler]

Aside from doctrine, in another forum I detailed their disturbing control and abuse of members and former members. My son-in-love is a shell of a man after a life time of being Jay-dub (as he calls them now).

His parents are supposed to shun him indefinitely. The way they adhere to that is to make plans with my daughter. If she happens to bring her husband (their son), that's on her.

His extended family is torn apart. Half are ostracized and the other half are still practicing members. His grandmother was disfellowshipped shortly after he was. His grandmother is a problem after 70 years of being a member in good standing?! Wow!

 

[Keiw1]

Can you tell me exactly which Greek words are you talking about?

Look up John 1:1 in Greek, its very simple nowadays-The true God Greek word ends in v = God, The words Greek word ends in g=god.

 

[Wrangler]

Basically, the Greek names of God are κύριος (Lord), θεὸς (God), and Δέσποτα (Lord-from Adonai).
God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are all called κύριος in the NT.
That is the Trinity in a nutshell.

The trinity debunked again. The Greek word of God is theos. There are not just the 3 that might be referred to kurios but dozens of lords in Scripture yet only one theos.

Beyond that, the all mighty Creator YHWH god is a Being, (supreme being to be exact), not a thing. And we all know that words are things. So, obviously not Jesus' god. In modern parlance, we would not use capitals but switch from the definite to indefinite article. Oxen with THE champion and oxen for a champion. In our language, this makes it clear that we are talking about different "champions" with no mysticism involved in how a champ can be with THE champ and remains a champ.

 

[Olde Tymer]

.
My first encounter with a Watchtower Society missionary (a.k.a. Jehovah's Witness)
occurred in 1969. At the time I was young and inexperienced; and thus assumed
that the missionary coming down my dad's driveway was a typical Christian.

But when I talked this over with an elder; he became alarmed; and urged me to
read a little book titled "30 Years A Watchtower Slave" by William J. Schnell; whom
the Society at one time demonized as an agent of Satan. I would not be surprised if
it still does.

After getting my eyes opened by Mr. Schnell's book, I was afterwards steered
towards another book titled "Kingdom Of The Cults" by Walter Martin. No doubt the
Society demonizes Mr. Martin too.

Around late 1980, my wife and I attended a series of lectures sponsored by a local
church titled "How To Witness To Jehovah's Witnesses". The speaker (call him Pete)
was an ex JW who had been in the Watchtower Society system for near three
decades before terminating his involvement; so he knew the twists and turns of its
doctrines pretty good.

Pete didn't train us to hammer the Society's missionaries in a debate because even
if you best them scripture for scripture, they will not give up on the Society. Their
mind's unflinching premise is that the Society is right even when it appears to be
totally wrong. They are thoroughly convinced that the Society is the voice of God,
while your voice has no more validity than that of a squeaky little gerbil.

Later on, I read a book titled "Why I Left The Jehovah's Witnesses" by Ted Dencher.
I also read thru the Society's little brown book titled "Reasoning From The Scriptures".

(This was all before the internet and the ready volume of information available
online, e.g. YouTube.)

From all that vetting, study, and training I quickly discovered that although the
Watchtower Society uses many of Christianity's standard terms and phrases, those
terms and phrases mean something entirely different in the JW mind than what
you'd expect because the Society has re-defined the meanings of those
terminologies.

So your first challenge with Jehovah's Witness teachings is to scale the language
barrier. That by itself is an Herculean task because you'll not only be up against a
tangle of semantics, but also a confusing maze of twisted scriptures, double
speak, humanistic reasoning, rationalizing, and clever sophistry.
_

 

[Olde Tymer]

.
FAQ: Why does the Watchtower Society capitalize God in John 10:28 when that
spelling contradicts their opposition to Jesus' deity?

REPLY: It is a Watchtower Society rule of grammar that capitalization is required
when the Greek word "theos" is modified by the article "ho".

However, I don't recommend making an issue of capitalization in this particular
case because skilled Witnesses can easily dodge that bullet. Instead, focus the
attention upon Thomas' possessive pronoun because he didn't just declare that
Jesus is a deity, instead he declared that Jesus is "my" deity.

Now if Thomas was a Jew; then his association with Jehovah was governed by the
covenant that Moses' people entered into with God per Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers,
and Deuteronomy. The very first of the covenant's ten commandments forbids Jews
to have more than one deity.

Now had Thomas been mistaken calling Jesus "my God" then Jesus would've been
in violation for neglecting to correct him.

● Lev 19:17 . .You should by all means reprove your associate, that you may not
bear sin along with him.

Well; my question is: If Jesus was the apostle Thomas' God, then why isn't Jesus
the Watchtower Society's God? I would really like to know how it is that the apostle
Thomas and the Watchtower Society are poles apart in their opinions of Christ's
status when Thomas actually associated with Jesus and was one of his close
personal friends.
_

 

[civic]

The trinity debunked again. The Greek word of God is theos. There are not just the 3 that might be referred to kurios but dozens of lords in Scripture yet only one theos.

Beyond that, the all mighty Creator YHWH god is a Being, (supreme being to be exact), not a thing. And we all know that words are things. So, obviously not Jesus' god. In modern parlance, we would not use capitals but switch from the definite to indefinite article. Oxen with THE champion and oxen for a champion. In our language, this makes it clear that we are talking about different "champions" with no mysticism involved in how a champ can be with THE champ and remains a champ.

And He is called Theos by Thomas in John 20:28.

 

[Wrangler]

And He is called Theos by Thomas in John 20:28.

Yes being called something. Being that thing. Not the same thing.

In addition, you are again assuming the exclamation was calling Jesus God. When I drop my toast, I am not literally calling the toast feces.