Jehovahs Witnesses Jehovahs Witnesses What is it A

Jehovah’s Witnesses

Jehovah’s Witnesses What is it? - A millenarian restorationist Christian denomination with some of the principles borrowed from Christianity excluding the Trinity.

Jehovah’s Witnesses History Jehovah’s Witnesses began from Charles Taze Russell’s teachings. Charles Taze Russell was born in 1852 in Allegheny, Pennsylvania. He was one of five children. His mother wanted him to become a missionary some day. In 1861, she died.

Jehovah’s Witnesses History The family continued to go the a Presbyterian church. Eventually Russell was discouraged with some of the teachings of the Presbyterian Church and he joined the Congregational Church. He was elected a fundraiser for the church, and then decided it was against God’s will to ask other Christians for money; he believed that God would give funds for what is needed.

Jehovah’s Witnesses History He also tried to convert as many people as he possibly could to his religion. After having a conversation with a childhood friend about contradicting Christian creeds and people, his faith was shaken and began to search out for the answers to if the Christian faith was empty and baseless. His pastor gave him books to read, but that lead him to an even more inconclusive thought. He began to look at other religions, then finally settling that Christianity must be true due to its historical events and accuracy.

Jehovah’s Witnesses History Russell along with his family and friends started a bible study. The bible study was very analytical and focused on determining the accuracy of the Bible. They tried to determine what part of the Bible was tradition and which are actually commanded.

Jehovah’s Witnesses History Independent bible study was a new idea and still condemned by the Catholic church during this time. He, his father, and sister decided that they have identified what it means to be a Christian and took a vow, and were all rebaptized.

Jehovah’s Witnesses History Russell read the Herald of the Morning magazine and found that others were doing analytical bible studies. He contacted the publisher Nelson H. Barbour. Both compared their studies and believed that Jesus would return in 1874. Nelson H. Barbour

Jehovah’s Witnesses History When the date passed, the men were discouraged and thought he may come in 1878; he sold his businesses with expectations of the rapture. Barbour recanted his faith after the rapture did not happen. They did not meet eye to eye on their views anymore so Russell and Barbour split. Nelson H. Barbour

Jehovah’s Witnesses History After Russell and Barbour relinquished ties, Russell started the newspaper Zion’s Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence in July 1879. He wanted to reach the globe about the false Christian teachings and which beliefs were really true.

Russell’s Relationship In 1879, Russell married Maria Frances Ackley. They were both fond of preaching the gospel and that is what their marriage was based on. It was not based on romantic ties, but the love of preaching the gospel. In the same year they separating, citing the differences about how the Zion Watch Tower magazine was to be run.

Jehovah’s Witnesses History In 1881, Russell founded “Zion’s Watch Tower Tract Society. ” With Russell’s dream of being heard globally, he made this society to spread his message through tracts, papers, doctrinal treaties and Bibles. While his tracts were getting the message out, his Bible study attendance also grew to 200 local members. He also published Food for Thinking Christians, Tabernacle and its Teachings, and Tabernacle Shadows of the Better Sacrifices in the same year. He also published textbooks called The Divine Plan of the Ages. He published several more books and volumes.

Jehovah’s Witnesses History In 1903, newspapers decided to print some of Russell’s sermons and the print reached global proportions. He was also known for not holding collections, which made churches lose money. After his popularity was gaining momentum, many tried to slur his name, which made him even more famous. There are various rumors that went around such as him being a false prophet, a free mason, made money off his followers, and the immoral treatment and abuse of his wife.

Christ to return in 1914 Christ was to physically return to earth and set up his kingdom in 1914. When this date passed other dates where set for his return. Today Jehovah Witnesses say Christ returned invisibly and was crowned king in 1914. Jehovah’s Witnesses continued to believe that Christ would return physically during this generation, but since 80 plus years have passed, his return is now seen as symbolic.

Russell’s death In 1916, Russell died of diverticulitis. He was touring the U. S. in a train car and died there. His death was heard around the world. The devastating rumors that once plagued him soon died off as well. People fought over his estate and the fate of the Zion Watch Tower magazine.

Russell’s death The Society’s lawyer Joseph Rutherford took control, voided Russell’s last will and testament, fired board members dismissed some of Russell’s views. In 1928, 75% of the society left; the remaining small groups of bible studies were renamed by Rutherford as Jehovah’s Witnesses to distinguish them in 1931. The name was from Isaiah 43. Many Jehovah’s Witnesses views Russell as their founder, but it was really Rutherford who did. Rutherford died in 1942. Jehovah’s Witnesses are a prominent religion today. Joseph Rutherford

Jehovah’s Witnesses • History: • The Jehovah s Witnesses movement was organized by Charles Taze Russell, who was influenced by the Adventist movement in America. The earliest group of followers was organized in Pittsburg in 1870. Russell s books became the foundation for the system of belief of his disciples. Various names were attached to these people in their early days, such as “Russellites, ” “Millenial Dawn People, ” and “International Bible Students. ”

Jehovah’s Witnesses • History: • The society was incorporated in New York, and its name was changed to “Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Incorporated” in 1939. “Judge” Joseph Rutherford succeeded Russell as leader of the Jehovah s Witnesses in 1916 and was the author of numerous writings, which sometimes replaced or altered the publications of Charles Russell.

Historical Background • Influenced by Adventist movement • William Miller, October, 1844 • Russel establishes The Watchtower, 1879 • Rejects the Trinity 1882 • Predicts the end of the world in October, 1914 • Dies 1916

• “Judge” Rutherford takes the reigns • Predicts the resurrection of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to occur in 1925 • Changes name to Jehovah’s Witness, 1931 • Began predicting Armageddon to occur in 1975 • Oops…. . !

Jehovah’s Witnesses • Organization: • Local congregations ØCircuits (c. 20 congregations) ØDistricts (40 in US) ØWatchtower Society (President, 7 Directors)

Today Over 6 million followers in 230 different lands. Their Bible is translated into 429 different languages. There are over 107, 000 congregations world wide. Their main website is the watchtower. org. Their main location is in Brooklyn, New York. They spend 1. 2 billion hours a year trying to convert people.

The Watchtower Society God’s faithful and discreet slave Matthew 24: 45 -47 “God’s sole channel of communication to His people. ” “Avoid independent thinking or questioning the counsel that is provided by God’s invisible organization. ” “We recognize not only Jehovah God as our father, but his organization (The Watchtower Society) as our mother and the wife of our Father, Jehovah God” (The Watchtower, May 1, 1957, p. 285)

Jehovah’s Witnesses • Personnel: Each circuit utilizes a visiting minister, who spends one week with each group. Members are called “publishers of the Kingdom” and are assisted in their work by “pioneers. ” These are full-time ministers who devote 100 hours each month to their duties. Others who help in the establishment of new congregations are called “special pioneers” and “missionaries” and give 150 hours to the society.

Jehovah’s Witnesses • Creeds: All the writings of Charles Russell (Millenial Dawn and Studies in the Scriptures, six volumes) and those of Judge Rutherford (The Hope of God, Deliverance, Where are the Dead? and others) are held to be “indispensable” to a clear understanding of the Scriptures. “But we see also that if anyone lays the Scripture Studies aside, even after he has read them for ten years-- if he lays them aside and ignores them and goes to the Bible alone, though he has understood the Bible for ten years, our experience shows that within two years he goes into darkness. ” (Charles Russell, “Watchtower, ” September 15, 1910)

The New World Translation of the Bible • Done by JW members only • Designed to protect members from corrupted non-Christian translations (like KJV and so forth) • John 1: 1 The word was a god….

Jehovah’s Witnesses • Membership: 990, 340 members distributed among 11, 257 congregations (Data: 1999)

Jehovah’s Witnesses ON AUTHORITY: 1. The writings of Charles Russell, Judge Rutherford, and other leaders in the movement are superior to the Bible as the means of achieving a full understanding of God’s will for men. 2. Russell claimed that no one had understood God’s revelation before him. He said Jesus meant Russell when He spoke of “that faithful and wise servant whom his Lord hath set over his household to give them their food in due season. ” (Matthew 24: 45)

Jehovah’s Witnesses ON AUTHORITY: THE BIBLE SAYS: 1. The Bible is complete to save the souls of men. (2 Timothy 3: 16, 17; 2 Peter 1: 3; James 1: 18, 25)

Jehovah’s Witnesses ON AUTHORITY: THE BIBLE SAYS: 2. Their own false “prophecies” expose these “prophets” as frauds. (Deuteronomy 18: 22) a. Russell predicted the end of all world kingdoms to occur in 1914. b. Rutherford said that in 1925: (1) Abraham would return to earth in human perfection; (2) Isaac and Jacob would be resurrected; (3) millions then living would not die; (4) the old and infirm would be rejuvenated and live on earth forever. NONE of these “prophecies” came to pass! (Isaiah 9: 15) c. Russell applied “king of the north” in Daniel [11: 40, 41] to England, and “king of the south” to Egypt. In their Yearbook of 1942, these same two terms became the “democracies and the Nazis. ”

Jehovah’s Witnesses • ON JESUS: • 1. Jesus was a created being, an angel. He is the “beginning of the creation (created beings) of God. ” • 2. There is only one (person) God (Jehovah). He alone is divine and eternal. • 3. Jesus is not equal to God as one of the Godhead (Trinity).

Jehovah’s Witnesses ON JESUS: THE BIBLE SAYS: 1. The eternal existence of Jesus is affirmed in the Bible. He was not created by the Father. (John 1: 1 -3; Colossians 1: 16) a. Jesus claimed eternal existence. (John 8: 58; Revelation 1: 8) b. He was with the Father “before the world was. ” (John 17: 5; 17: 24) c. He was never an angel. (Hebrews 1: 4, 5; Philippians 2: 6)

Jehovah’s Witnesses ON JESUS: THE BIBLE SAYS: 2. The Bible identifies Jesus as God. (John 1: 1; 17: 21) 3. Jesus is equal with the Father as one of the Godhead. (Colossians 2: 9) a. He participated fully in the creation. (Genesis 1: 1, 26, 27; John 1: 3; Colossians 1: 26, 27) b. He existed in the form of God before His physical birth. (Philippians 2: 6)

Beliefs about Christ They do not believe in the Trinity. They believe that there is only one God, and his name Is Jehovah. Jesus is not God, and he reports to God as the chief spokesman. He was brought to earth to lead a perfect example, teach the truth, and to free humanity from sins. He was raised from the dead as a spiritual body and then went to heaven. He did not die on a cross, but a stake. They believe cross was mistranslated from the Greek. He was made king in 1914.

Jehovah’s Witnesses • ON DIVINITY: Christ was only a perfect human being while on earth. He gave up His spiritual being at His incarnation.

Jehovah’s Witnesses ON DIVINITY: THE BIBLE SAYS: 1. Jesus was divine while on earth. (Hebrews 10: 5; John 10: 30) 2. Only “deceivers” deny that Jesus has come in(to) the flesh. (2 John 7) 3. Jesus was “Immanuel, ” which is “God with us. ” (Matthew 1: 23) 4. While on earth, Jesus accepted worship as a divine being. (Matthew 8: 2)

The Deity of Christ • Jesus is the first and highest of Jehovah’s creation. • Jesus is the archangel Michael. • The Arian heresy (Arius, 3 rd Century AD). • Claim: Jesus is never worshipped in the NT.

JW Proof-texts · John 1: 1 …. The Word was a god… • John 3: 16 (NWT) Jehovah’s first creation was his only begotten Son. • Coll 1: 15 -17 The first-born of (vs over) all creation. • Jn 14: 28 The Father is greater than I • Jn 20: 17 My God • 1 Cor 15: 28 … the head of Christ is God

Response • Compare Col 1: 16 to Hebrews 2: 10 • Titus 2: 13 • Hebrews 1: 2 • Zech 12: 10 • John 8: 58 (Exodus 3: 14) • Isaiah 9: 6, 7 • John 10: 30 (see vs. 33) • Col 2: 9 • John 20: 28 • Phil 5, 6

Jehovah’s Witnesses • ON ATONEMENT: • 1. The atonement on the cross was the work of Christ as a man. • 2. All Christians are the “blood of Christ” and have a part in the atonement as they live “sacrificial” lives.

Jehovah’s Witnesses • ON ATONEMENT: - THE BIBLE SAYS: 1. Divinity was sacrificed for humanity on the cross. (Philippians 2: 5 -7) • a. Jesus’ blood was “precious” and not the “common” blood of humanity. (1 Peter 1: 18 -20) • 2. The atonement is not ongoing; it has been received. (Romans 5: 11) • a. His blood was offered for atonement once, having obtained eternal re demption for us. (Hebrews 9: 12) • b. By one offering Jesus perfected the saved forever. (Hebrews 10: 14)

Jehovah’s Witnesses • ON SPIRITUAL JESUS: 1. Christ became a spirit at His resurrection; his body was not raised. • 2. Jesus is in heaven only as a spirit without the body He had on earth. • 3. Christ’s body was probably “dissolved into gases” or preserved as a corpse.

Jehovah’s Witnesses ON SPIRITUAL JESUS: THE BIBLE SAYS: 1. Jesus’ body was raised from the grave. (John 2: 19 -22; Luke 24: 39) 2. Jesus still possesses His human qualities. (Hebrews 4: 15; 1 Timothy 2: 5) 3. His body was real and tangible, not “dissolved. ” (John 20: 27, 28) a. Our resurrection is dependent on His. (1 Corinthians 15: 13, 15, 16, 17)

Jehovah’s Witnesses • ON MORTALITY OF MAN: • 1. Man is wholly mortal, not both mortal and immortal (spiritual). • 2. Man does not have a soul; man is a soul. • 3. “The Bible shows that both man and beasts are souls, and that man’s pre eminence is due to the fact that he is a higher form of creature and was originally given dominion over the lower forms of animal life” (Let God Be True, 2 nd edition, page 68).

Jehovah’s Witnesses ON MORTALITY OF MAN: THE BIBLE SAYS: 1. The whole man is more than just a mortal body. (1 Thessalonians 5: 23) a. Man can be absent from the body but present with the Lord. This demonstrates the separate existence of body and spirit. (2 Corinthians 5: 8)

Jehovah’s Witnesses ON MORTALITY OF MAN: THE BIBLE SAYS: 2. Man not only is a soul, he has a soul. (Genesis 2: 7 [KJV]; 2 Corinththians 4: 16; Matthew 10: 28) a. Death is the separation of body and spirit (soul). (James 2: 26) b. Rachel’s soul departed from her body in death. (Genesis 35: 18)

Jehovah’s Witnesses • ON MORTALITY OF MAN: • THE BIBLE SAYS: c. The words translated “soul” in the Old (nephesh) and New (psuche) Testaments, have several meanings each. No translation may be made which flatly contradicts plain Bible teaching about the nature of man: • Nephesh may mean “animal life. ” (Genesis 1: 20 ff. ) • Nephesh may mean “heart” or “inner man. ” (1 Samuel 30: 6) • Psuche may mean “physical life. ” (Acts 20: 24) • Psuche may mean “the spirit”or “inner man. ”(Matthew 10: 28) • Note-- The word “soul” in the KJV is often translated “person, ” “being, ” etc. in later versions to reflect the whole man-- body and spirit.

Jehovah’s Witnesses • ON MORTALITY OF MAN: • THE BIBLE SAYS: • 3. Only man was made in God’s image. (Genesis 1: 26, 27; Genesis 1: 25) • a. God’s image is a spiritual image. (John 4: 24; Luke 24: 39) • b. Man’s spirit (soul) is incorruptible like God’s. (1 Peter 3: 4) • (1) No Bible reference suggests that the animal body (soul)-- man’s or beast’s-- is incorruptible. (John 11: 39)

Jehovah’s Witnesses • ON DEATH: • 1. Death is the absence of all life. • 2. The dead cease to exist altogether.

Jehovah’s Witnesses • ON DEATH: • THE BIBLE SAYS: • 1. The spirit of man lives after the body is dead. (Luke 16: 19 -31; 1 Samuel 28: 7 -14; James 2: 26) • a. God is the God of the living, not the dead (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were dead but still living). (Mark 12: 26, 27) • 2. The real, inner man continues to exist after the death of the body. (see scripture references in number 1) • a. Jesus, according to this doctrine, would not have existed for three days. • But, He went “to the Father, ” not into nonexistence. (John 16: 16)

Jehovah’s Witnesses • ON ETERNITY: • 1. Only the righteous will be given life (existence) in eternity. • 2. There is no place of eternal punishment; “hell” is the grave. • 3. The wicked will be annihilated-become nonexistent. This is their “punishment. ”

Jehovah’s Witnesses • ON ETERNITY: • THE BIBLE SAYS: • 1. The wicked will exist during eternity. • a. “Blackness of darkness” is reserved for them. (Jude 13; 2 Peter 2: 17) • b. Blasphemers are “subject” to eternal condemnation. (Mark 3: 29) • c. An eternal judgment is planned for “the world. ” (Acts 17: 30, 31; Hebrews 6: 2; Revelation 20: 12) • d. The unjust will appear at the judgment. (See 2 Peter 2: 9) • e. ALL men will receive (the consequences of) good and bad things done in the body. (2 Corinthians 5: 10, 11)

Jehovah’s Witnesses • ON ETERNITY: • THE BIBLE SAYS: • 2. The wicked will be raised from the grave. (John 5: 28, 29) • a. The righteous are warned not to allow themselves to be cast into the “everlasting fire. ” (Matthew 18: 8; 25: 46) • b. Sodom and Gomorrah are examples of the wicked’s fate. (Jude 7) • c. If “hell” is the grave, only the wicked should be buried. (Psalm 9: 17) • d. Hell is the “place” into which the lost will be cast. (Mark 9: 43 -48)

Jehovah’s Witnesses • ON ETERNITY: • THE BIBLE SAYS: 3. The wicked will exist in their punishment as long as the righteous will exist in their blessings. Notice these “couplets” of truth about eternity: • a. The righteous look forward to everlasting life. (Matthew 19: 29) The wicked may expect everlasting punishment. (Matthew 25: 46) • b. The righteous have everlasting consolation. (2 Thessalonians 2: 16) The wicked will have everlasting destruction. (2 Thessalonians 1: 9) c. The righteous will reign for ever and ever. (Revelation 21: 5) The wicked will be tormented for ever and ever. (Revelation 20: 10)

Jehovah’s Witnesses • ON ETERNITY: • THE BIBLE SAYS: • 4. “Destruction” is not "annihilation" (as claimed by Witnesses). • a. God’s people were “destroyed” by ignorance. (Hosea 4: 6) • b. Saul (Paul) tried to “destroy” the gospel. (Galatians 1: 23)

Hell Not a Place of Punishment • No conscious existence after death. • There is no soul apart from a physical body • Jesus himself ceased to exist when he died • All go to a common hell called “soul sleep” when they die to await being recreated by God. • If they are not re-embodied by God, they simply cease to exist—no punishment at all for sins.

Soul Sleep • 144, 000 of Revelation 7 will be in spiritual heaven with Jesus (the “little flock” of Luke 12: 32) • The rest (“my other sheep of John 10: 16) will live in physical bodies on a paradise earth. JW Proof-texts: • Matthew 6: 10 NWT “Let your will take place, as in heaven, also upon earth” • Ecclesiastes 9: 5 “The dead know nothing. ” • Luke 23: 43 NWT “I tell you today, you will be with me in Paradise. • Matt 25: 46 NWT “And these will depart into everlasting cutting-off. ”

Response • Rev 14: 9 -12 forever and ever • Matthew 25: 46 everlasting comtempt • Daniel 12: 2 Can you have one without another? • Mark 9: 44 blessing and curses • Luke 12: 46 -48 degrees of punishment

Jehovah’s Witnesses • ON THE KINGDOM: • 1. The rule of God’s kingdom began in heaven in 1914. • 2. The kingdom (those saved initially) was selected when “Christ came to the temple” in 1918. Christ’s “presence” is invisible to men. Membership in the kingdom is limited to 144, 000 saints (based on Revelation 7: 4). • 3. The 144, 000 is now completed. Only they will live in heaven. Other converts will live on earth throughout eternity.

Jehovah’s Witnesses • ON THE KINGDOM: • THE BIBLE SAYS: • 1. Jesus began ruling through His kingdom long before 1914. • a. It was “at hand” during Jesus’ work on earth. (Matthew 3: 2; Mark 9: 1) b. It was established on earth at Pentecost, A. D. 33. (Acts 1: 8; 2: 4, 47) • c. People were in it on earth during New Testament days. (Colossians 1: 13 [64 A. D. ]; Revelation 1: 9 [96 A. D. ])

Jehovah’s Witnesses • ON THE KINGDOM: • THE BIBLE SAYS: • 2. Christ has not “come to the temple” invisibly to live with Jehovah’s Witnesses. • a. Jesus is now in heaven (for)ever interceding of us in the presence of God. (Romans 8: 34; Hebrews 7: 25) • b. Christ’s return will be visible to all. (Acts 1: 11; Revelation 1: 7) • c. His appearance will not be concealed from any. (1 Thessalonians 4: 16)

Jehovah’s Witnesses • ON THE KINGDOM: • THE BIBLE SAYS: • d. Either the “ 144, 000” is a figurative number, or only unmarried men will be in the literal number. (Revelation 14: 1 -3) Yet-- (most of) the apostles were married. (1 Corinthians 9: 5) (a) Are the apostles included in the kingdom of “ 144, 000”?

Jehovah’s Witnesses • ON THE KINGDOM: • THE BIBLE SAYS: • e. The kingdom includes more than 144, 000 saints as Witnesses contend. (1) Revelation 7: 9 -17 adds a “great multitude” to the “ 144, 000. ” (symbolic) • (2) People are in the kingdom after being born again. (John 3: 3, 5) • (3) Everyone “in Christ” has been born again. (2 Corinthians 5: 17)

Jehovah’s Witnesses • ON THE KINGDOM: • THE BIBLE SAYS: • (4) Thus, people are: [1] baptized into Christ, [2] become born-again Christians, and [3] enjoy participation in the kingdom. (Galatians 3: 27) • Note-- It is ironic that Jehovah’s Witnesses continue to baptize people, yet deny them membership in the kingdom. Scriptural baptism would surely add them to God’s kingdom. (Acts 2: 38, 41, 47)

Jehovah’s Witnesses • ON THE KINGDOM: • THE BIBLE SAYS: • 3. God is not a respecter of persons. (Romans 2: 11; Acts 10: 34, 35) • a. All may enjoy the same blessings: citizenship in the kingdom and eternal life in heaven. (Revelation 22: 17; Matthew 11: 28) • b. Our hope is to be someday in heaven, not on earth. ( Colossians 3: 1, 2)

Jehovah’s Witnesses • ON CHRIST’S RETURN: • 1. A millennial reign will begin on earth at Christ’s return. • 2. The lost will have 100 years to accept Jesus; those who do will receive 1, 000 years’ probation. • 3. Those who still reject Him will be annihilated. • 4. The faithful converts will be given eternal life on this (rejuvenated) earth.

Jehovah’s Witnesses • ON CHRIST’S RETURN: • THE BIBLE SAYS: • 1. The coming of Christ is the end of all things. (1 Corinthians 15: 23, 24) a. There will be no millennial reign afterward. (1 Thessalonians 4: 16 -18) • 2. There will be no second chance for anyone. (2 Thessalonians 2: 10 -12) a. The state of the lost is fixed after death. (Luke 16: 19 -31) • 3. No one will be annihilated; all will be judged by God’s word. (See above. ) • 4. This earth will be burned up--dissolved. (2 Peter 3: 10 -12)

Fundamental Theology of JW’s • Jesus is not God • The Holy Spirit is not Deity or a person, but a force of God. • God’s only acceptable name is Jehovah. • Only JW’s will be in heaven. • Hell is not a place of punishment. • The Church became completely apostate until 1870’s

Jehovah’s Witness Theology (cont. ) • Emphasis on OT law • No blood transfusions • Miscelaneous (attempts to mark JW’s as unique) • Birthdays, etc. • No Military Service • No Wearing Crosses • No pledging

Beliefs They believe the Bible was inspired by God and only use their own unique version that is not flawed. Other versions of the Bible are not true. They use the New World Translation. They believe sin was inherited by Adam and Eve, but do not focus on the consequence's of sin. They believe that God will have his kingdom on Earth and want to spread the gospel to save others.

Beliefs They believe to be saved that they must have faith, but also learn about Jehovah and obey Jehovah’s requirements to be worthy to reside in his presence. They do not believe in hell, but believe sinner’s souls will be destroyed. Followers will exist forever in heaven.

Beliefs Only 144, 000 people will go to heaven, and the rest will remain on Earth in God’s paradise. They base the afterlife on the books, Daniel and Revelation. They believe Revelation started in 1914. They believe we are living in the last days. They consider themselves Christians, but do not believe that others are Christians. When people die, they just die and nothing lives on and God will resurrect them.

Other Beliefs They do not allow blood transfusions. Followers are to refuse them even if it means death. The Bible requires them to abstain from blood and they can try other medical treatments to solve their problems. They must not eat blood. Smoking or other drugs for pleasure is forbidden. Safety of themselves and animals must be considered. Animals may not be killed for sport or mistreatment.

Other Beliefs They do not believe in abortion; a child is sacred. They are not allowed to celebrate any holidays or birthdays including Christmas. They must not pledge allegiance to any nation, no voting, or any other political practices. Limited higher education and contact with non-Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Other Beliefs They are not allowed to celebrate any holidays or birthdays including Christmas. The memorial of Christ’s death is celebrated, not any other religious holidays. They must not pledge allegiance to any nation, no voting, or any other political practices. They must do a certain amount of hours of door to door missionary work. Limited higher education.

Other Beliefs Limit the contact with non-Jehovah’s Witnesses. Shunning of former Jehovah’s Witnesses. Forbids literature of critical literature of Jehovah’s Witnesses and other beliefs being broadcast through the church. No premarital sex or homosexuality.

Other Beliefs False Prophetic Dates: 1874: Date for Christ’s “invisible presence, ” changed to 1914: End of the world 1915: Replaced 1914 for the end of the world 1918: End of the world, the destruction of churches 1925: End of the world with the return of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob Source: http: //4 jehovah. org/jehovahs-witness-beliefs. php

Other Beliefs False Prophetic Dates: 1929: “Beth Sarim” House of Princes built in San Diego, deeded to king David and other biblical prophets for their “soon” return upon the earth Source: http: //4 jehovah. org/jehovahs-witness-beliefs. php

Other Beliefs False Prophetic Dates: 1940’s: End of the World would come with the “soon” battle of Armageddon 1975: 6, 000 -years of human history, the end of the world would come within “months, not years. ” 1994: 80 -year Generation of 1914 should bring the end of the world, 1995 redefined the word “generation” to be symbolic of general readiness for the end. Source: http: //4 jehovah. org/jehovahs-witness-beliefs. php

Jehovah’s Witnesses • ON VARIOUS DOCTRINES: • 1. Salvation is by “faith only. ” Baptism by immersion is practiced, but it has no connection with salvation. (See Baptist Doctrines, pages 23 -25; Methodist Doctrines, page 31)

Jehovah’s Witnesses • ON VARIOUS DOCTRINES: • 2. “Righteous princes” (Abraham, David, and others) will rule with Christ on earth following Armageddon, a battle in which Jesus will lead an army of angels against Satan. The righteous will observe but will not participate in it.

Jehovah’s Witnesses • ON VARIOUS DOCTRINES: • 3. The Holy Spirit is not a distinct Person. There is only (person) in the Godhead. (See Matthew 28: 19; l. John 5: 7, etc. )

The Holy Spirit is not Deity • “The Holy Spirit is not a person, but is a powerful force that God causes to emanate from himself to accomplish his holy will (Reasoning From Scriptures, 1989, p. 381) Arguments: • The Holy Spirit is never given a name • Mark 1: 10, Acts 2: , etc describe the Holy Spirit coming on or filling up people. A person cannot do this. (see Eph 3: 19) • Genesis 1: 2 (NWT) “God’s active force was working to shape the earth”

Response • 1 Cor 2: 10 • Eph 4: 30 • Acts 16: 6, 8: 29 • Matthew 12: 32 (see Rev 13: 6, Matt 27: 39) • 1 Cor 12: 11 • Acts 13: 2 • John 14: 15 -17 • John 16: 7 -11 • Matthew 28: 18

Jehovah’s Witnesses • ON VARIOUS DOCTRINES: • 4. Christ was not the same person before and after the resurrection. He is not now our Mediator. (See 1 Timothy 2: 5; Hebrews 8: 6; 9: 15; 12: 24)

Jehovah’s Witnesses • ON VARIOUS DOCTRINES: • 5. Men die spiritually because of Adam’s sin. (See Presbyterian Doctrines, page 37)

Jehovah’s Witnesses • ON VARIOUS DOCTRINES: • 6. The “kingdom” members (only) eat the Lord’s Supper annually.

Jehovah’s Witnesses • ON VARIOUS DOCTRINES: • 7. Matthew 24 is fulfilled by wars and catastrophes which began in 1914.

Jehovah’s Witnesses • ON VARIOUS DOCTRINES: • 8. The righteous should not participate actively in the civil government or in the military, nor should they salute the flag of any country.

Jehovah’s Witnesses • ON VARIOUS DOCTRINES: • 9. Neither should the righteous give or take blood transfusions.

Is Jehovah God’s Name? In the Hebrew it is YHWH. Early Scholars translated the Hebrew name for God as “Jehovah”. Today scholars translate God’s name as Yahweh. The masoretes (7 th to 10 th centuries AD) added vowel points to the Hebrew so one would know how to read and pronounce the Hebrew words. When they came to God’s name it was so holy that no one was to speak his name. So the masoretes put the vowel points for “Lord” (Adoni), so that one would know to say the name “Lord” and not the holy name “Yahweh”. So if they want to be correct they should call themselves Yahweh Witnesses, because Jehovah is the wrong translation of the Hebrew YHWH.

Jehovah is God’s Only Name • Ezekiel 39: 6 • Matthew 6: 9 • Exodus 3: 15 • Romans 10: 13 Claim: Jesus is never called Jehovah— Therefore he cannot be God. Claim: The word Jehovah was removed from most of the OT by superstitious Jews. Claim: The word Jehovah was removed from the NT by early apostate Christians.

Response • To the ancients, the name of a person stood for the person. • YHWH + ADONAI’s vowels = YAHOWAH → Yiddish → German as Jehovah. • God has many names in the OT and the NT (Elohim, Adonai, Father, God, Lord, etc. ) • Jesus never called his Father Jehovah. • Manuscript evidence (ex the Rylands Papyrus) absolutely rules out even the possibility of Jehovah being removed from the NT.

Jehovah’s Witnesses • TACTICS OF JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES: • Jehovah’s Witnesses place great emphasis on at least four points when trying to attract other people to their movement: • 1. They stress that man is a soul; he does not have a soul. This makes man incapable of suffering eternally in hell.

Jehovah’s Witnesses • TACTICS OF JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES: • 2. They claim that death is destruction-utter annihilation. This means that the wicked will not be punished in hell after death. • 3. They admit that heaven is limited to 144, 000 and that the number is filled. However, they portray a “cleansed and beautiful” earth to offer to converts for eternity. • 4. They use their own New World Translation of the Bible to slant verses and terms toward their false doctrines.