Below you will find a brief description of what Jehovah’s Witnesses believe, along with what the Bible actually teaches, printed among the many articles and resources at the back of the book. (posted with permission).
1. The divine name
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that the only true name of God, the name by which He should be identified, is Jehovah.
However, biblically God is identified by many names, including:
- God (hb. ‘elohim; Gen 1:1),
- God Almighty (hb. ‘El Shaddai; Gen 17:1),
- Lord (hb. ‘Adonay; Ps. 8:1) and
- Lord of hosts (Heb. Yhwh tseba’ot; 1 Sam 1:3).
In New Testament (NT) times, Jesus referred to God as “Father” (Gr. patēr; Mt 6:9), as well as the apostles (1 Cor 1:3).
2. The Trinity
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that the Trinity is unbiblical because the word is not in the Bible and because the Bible emphasizes that there is only one God.
Biblically, while it is true that there is only one God (Is 44:6; 45:18; 46:9; Jn 5:44; 1 Co 8:4; James 2:19), it is also true that three persons are called God in the Scriptures:
- the Father (1 Pet 1:2),
- Jesus (Jn 20:28; Heb 1:8) and
- the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3-4).
Each of these three possesses the attributes of the deity, including:
- omnipresence (Ps 139:7; Jer 23:23-24; Mt 28:20),
- omniscience (Ps 147:5; Jn 16:30; 1 Cor 2:10-11),
- omnipotence (Jer 32:17; Jn 2:1-11; Ro 15:19) and
- eternity (Ps 90:2; Heb 9:14; Rev 22:13).
Furthermore, each of the three is involved in doing the works of the deity, such as creating the universe:
- the Father (Gen 1:1; Ps 102:25),
- the Son (Jn 1:3; Col 1:16; Heb 1:2), and
- the Holy Spirit (Gen 1:2; Job 33:4; Ps 104:30).
The Bible indicates that there are three in one in the Godhead (Mt 28:19; cf. 2 Cor 13:14).
Thus, doctrinal support for the Trinity is convincingly strong.
3. Jesus Christ
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that Jesus was created by Jehovah as Michael the Archangel before the physical world existed and that he is a lesser, albeit powerful, god.
Biblically, however, Jesus is eternally God (Jn 1:1; 8:58; cf. Ex 3:14) and has exactly the same divine nature as the Father (Jn 5:18; 10:30; Heb 1:3). .
In fact, a comparison of the Old Testament (OT) and the NT equates Jesus with Jehovah (cf. Is 43:11 with Tit 2:13; Is 44:24 with Col 1:16; Is 6:1-5 with Jn 12:41).
Jesus himself created the angels (Col 1:16; cf. Jn 1:3; Heb 1:2, 10) and is worshiped by them (Heb 1:6).
4. The Incarnation
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that when Jesus was born on earth, he was a mere human being and not a God in human flesh.
This violates the biblical teaching that in the incarnate Jesus, “all the fullness of the Godhead resides bodily in Him” (Col 2:9; cf. Phil 2:6-7).
The word for “fullness” (Gr. plērōma) carries the idea of the sum total. “deity” (Gr. theotēs) refers to the nature, being, and attributes of God.
Therefore, the incarnate Jesus was the sum total of God’s nature, being, and attributes in bodily form.
In fact, Jesus was Emmanuel or “God with us” (Mt 1:23; cf. Is 7:14; Jn 1:1, 14, 18; 10:30; 14:9-10).
5. Resurrection
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that Jesus rose from the dead spiritually, but not physically.
Biblically, however, the resurrected Jesus claimed that he was not simply a spirit, but had a body of flesh and blood (Lk 24:39; cf. Jn 2:19-21).
He ate food on several occasions, thus proving that he had a genuine physical body after the resurrection (Lk 24:30, 42-43; Jn 21:12-13).
This was confirmed by his followers who physically touched him (Mt 28:9; Jn 20:17).
6. The Second Coming
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that the Second Coming was an unseen spiritual event that occurred in the year 1914.
Biblically, however, the yet-to-happen Second Coming will be physical, visible (Acts 1:9-11; cf. Tit 2:13) and will be accompanied by visible cosmic disturbances (Mt 24:29-30). Every eye will see him (Rev 1:7).
7. The Holy Spirit
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that the Holy Spirit is an impersonal force of God and not a distinct person.
However, biblically the Holy Spirit has the three main attributes of a personality:
- one mind (Rom 8:27),
- emotions (Eph 4:30) and
- will (1 Cor 12:11).
In addition, personal pronouns are used to refer to Him (Acts 13:2) and He does things that only a person can do, including:
- teach (Jn 14:26),
- testify (Jn 15:26),
- commission (Acts 13:4),
- give commandments (Acts 8:29) and
- intercede (Rom 8:26).
The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity (Mt 28:19).
8. Salvation
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that salvation requires faith in Christ, association with God’s organization (ie, his religion), and obedience to his rules.
Biblically, however, viewing rule-keeping as a requirement for salvation nullifies the gospel (Gal 2:16-21; Col 2:20-23). Salvation is based entirely on God’s unmerited favor (grace), not on the believer’s performance.
Good works are the fruit or result, not the basis, of salvation (Eph 2:8-10; Tit 3:4-8).
9. Two peoples redeemed
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe there are two peoples of God: (1) the Anointed Class (144,000) who will live in heaven and rule with Christ; and (2) the “other sheep” (all other believers) who will live forever on a paradise earth.
Biblically, however, a heavenly destiny awaits all who believe in Christ (Jn 14:1-3; 17:24; 2 Cor 5:1; Phil 3:20; Col 1:5; 1 Thes 4:17; Heb 3:1), and these same people will also inhabit the new earth (2 Pet 3:13; Rev 21:1-4).
10. Soulless Immaterial
Jehovah’s Witnesses do not believe that humans have an immaterial nature. The “soul” is simply the life force within a person. At death, that life force leaves the body.
However, biblically, the word “soul” is multifaceted. A key meaning of the term is the immaterial being of man who consciously survives death (Gen 35:18; Rev 6:9-10). Unbelievers are in conscious affliction (Mt 13:42; 25:41, 46; Lk 16:22-24; Cp 14:11) while believers are in conscious blessing in heaven (1 Cor 2:9; 2 Cor 5:6-8; Phil 1:21-23; Rev 7:17; 21:4).
11. Hell
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that hell is not a place of eternal suffering, but rather the common grave of mankind. The wicked are annihilated, removed from conscious existence forever.
Biblically, however, hell is a real place of conscious, eternal suffering (Mt 5:22; 25:41, 46; Jude 7; Rev 14:11; 20:10, 14).
These additional resources may be helpful to you:
Originally posted on . Translated by Felipe Ceballos.