The Spirit of Truth And The Spirit of Error Comparing Christianity with Jehovah's Witness Redi - Answers on Jehovah's Witness Doctrine
Table of Contents
Introduction Jesus is Lord God Deity of Jesus Who is the Holy Spirit Holy Spirit Trinity Cross Sin Redemption Salvation Afterlife Understanding the Scriptures
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Introduction Jude 3-4 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.
he Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, its followers known as Jehovah’s Witnesses, claim to be the only true Christians on earth today. They also claim to have exclusive understanding of the Bible According to the Watchtower, Jehovah’s Witnesses are the only ones who serve the true God, whom they say is Jehovah, and everyone else serves Satan. Note: Jehovah’s Witnesses are followers of the interpretations of Charles T. Russell and J.F. Rutherford. From a theological viewpoint, the cults contain many major deviations from historic Christianity. ( a representative list of passages altered in the Society’s Bible is provided later on in this article) Yet they continue to insist that they are entitled to be classified as Christians.
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Because of these claims, we as Christians, have taken the Bible which we believe is the Inspired Word of God, and used it to expose the doctrines of Jehovah’s Witnesses. We would like to share with you some important matters regarding the Bible? By having them in writing, you can consider them carefully and, I trust, objectively. This pamphlet has been set up in an easy to understand format. Under the heading Jehovah’s Witness you will find the teaching of the Watchtower Society, followed by a direct quote from The Watchtower Publications or scripture reference. Under the heading God’s Word, you will find what the Bible Teaches about the doctrine. Scriptures are listed leading to a study on the subject of the reference in the Bible in order to receive a complete understanding of what the Bible teaches on each doctrine. We encourage you to look up each of the reference in the Bible in order to receive a complete understanding of what the Bible teaches on each doctrine. If you intend to share this information with a Jehovah’s Witness, please do this with much love and compassion. ( 1 Peter 3:15 ) But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready to give an answer to every man that asked you a reason for the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.
Jehovah's Witnesses are trained in the art of verbal battle. Do not engage them. Pray first and share the scriptures verse by verse, point by point. Abbreviations of the aforementioned books and magazine titles are in parentheses. Quotations are from standard writings and leading teachers of the Watchtower Society Scripture taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
King James Version - public domain
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Let us consider what is the most important issue, namely, the person of Christ.
JESUS IS LORD Colossians 2:9 clearly confirms the deity of Christ, when it states that in Him “all the fullness of the divine quality dwells bodily” (New World Translation). Jehovah's Witnesses translation.
However, they teach that before His earthly life, Christ was a spirit creature, Michael the archangel, who was created by God and became the Messiah at His baptism. According to the well-known Jehovah’s Witness publication Let God Be True (p. 33), Jesus is “a mighty one, although not almighty as Jehovah God is.” According to John 1:1 in their Bible, The New World Translation, Christ is “a god” but not “the God.” In other words, they teach that Jesus “was and is and always will be beneath Jehovah” and that “Christ and God are not coequal” (The Watchtower, 15 April 1957). Does the Bible substantiate these statements, or does it teach that Christ is God? This is an extremely important question. Please consider prayerfully the following points. 1. Several Bible verses specifically affirm the deity of Christ. In Matthew 1:23, Christ is called “Immanuel,” which means “God with us.” When Thomas touched the wounds of the risen Lord, he exclaimed, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). There is no basis whatsoever for saying, as some Jehovah’s Witnesses say, that Thomas was referring to Christ when he said “my Lord” but was referring to God the Father when he said “my God.” Instead Thomas called Christ both his Lord and his God, and Christ did not correct him.
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God Jehovah’s Witness
Bible Teaches
God’s personal name is Jehovah(The Truth Shall Make You Free, pg.17)
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis (1:1)
Only Jehovah is from everlasting to everlasting(Make Sure of All Things, pg.486)
He is the only God. (Deuteronomy 4:35) God is Spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth(John 4:24)
Jesus Christ is not One God with the Father(MS.pg.485 There was a time when Jehovah was alone in universal space. All life and energy and thought were contained in him alone.(Let God be True,pg.25) The obvious conclusion is that Satan is the originator of the trinity doctrine.(LG,pg.101)
And God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:(Genesis 1:26) There is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus( 1 Timothy 2:5) Make disciples of all Nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit(Matthew 28:19)
If Jehovah was alone in the universal space, who was he talking to in Genesis 1:26 ?
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Deity of Jesus In the 1984 edition of the Society's New World Translation we have quoted two key passages in which the society have deviated from and even deliberately changed the plain teaching of the Scriptures.
Jehovah Witness
Bible Teaches
Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; because by means of him all other things were created in heavens and upon the earth, the thing invisible, no matter whether they are thrones of 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. (Colossians 1:15 NWT)
Who is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him and he is before all things, and by him all things consist. (Colossians 1:15-17 KJV)
In the beginning the Word was, and the Word was with God, and the word was a god. (John 1:1 NWT)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1 KJV)
Words Misunderstood: The meaning of "beginning" The Society understands the word to mean "that comes at the start of something, " but the Bible also uses this word to mean "the origin, source, and first cause, or, that which stands in the prime position. The meaning of "Firstborn" Priority, pre-eminence, prime position Col 1:15 Although Esau was the firstborn, he could legitimately sell that position(his birthright) to his brother Gen 24:31 Birthright transferred 1 Ch 5:1 David is firstborn, even though David was actually the youngest son in his family Psalm 89:27 The Society alters Bible Words & their meaning to conform to their particular views about the Deity of Christ: Words that have been altered: Inserted the word "other" Col 1:16,17 Added "a" making Jesus a god John 1:1
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According to the New World Translation of John 1:1—one who was created by Jehovah. How could Christ be “a god” when in Isaiah 43:10 Jehovah says there is no God before Him or after Him? No god would ever be created by Jehovah because, as He stated, “Before me there was no God formed, and after me there continued to be none” (NWT). John 1:1 states that the Word (Christ) was with God. And yet in Deuteronomy 32:39 Jehovah states, “There is no god besides Me.” If Christ is not God but “a god,” then Deuteronomy 32:39 is contradicted.
Fact: The Bible teaches that Jesus is worshipped by: The Old Testament saints The Demons A certain blind man The Angels The Disciples The Saints in glory Eventually, by everyone 28:29
Jos 5:13-15 Mar 5:6 Jhn 9:38 Hbr 1:6 Luk 24:52 Rev 7:9, 10 Phl 2:10, 11; Mat 9:18; 15:25;
Fact: The bible teaches that Jesus is Not an Angel No angel is or can ever be called God's son World not in subjection to any angel He did not take on the nature of angels Glorified with God - not the angels All power given to Him, in heaven and earth He has a name that is above all names God will not share His glory with any other
Hbr 1:5, 6 Hbr 2:5 Hbr 2:16 Jhn 17:5 Mat 28:18 Phl 2:9, 10 Isa 42:8
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Who Is the Holy Spirit? A Person The Holy Spirit is a person. He grieves (Eph. 4:30); intercedes (Rom. 8:26–27); testifies (John 16:12–15); speaks (Mark 13:11); creates (Gen. 1:2; Luke 1:35); has a mind (Rom. 8:27); and can be blasphemed (Mark 3:28–29).2 (Of course, the Scriptures are also said to “testify” and “speak,” and no one thinks the Scriptures are human. Yet context shows in such cases that this is a personification of Scripture, signaling, in fact, that God speaks and testifies through the Scriptures.) In the Farewell Discourse (John 14–16), Jesus promises to send “another parakletos [variously rendered “helper,” “counselor,” “advocate”],” namely, the Holy Spirit, who is Jesus’ successor in earthly ministry and in some respects Jesus’ replacement, and an impersonal force or the like simply will not fit the descriptions of what Jesus’ bequeathed Spirit will do. God The Holy Spirit is not just a person; he is a divine person. Psalm 139:7 hints at his omnipresence. He is “the eternal Spirit” (Heb. 9:14). Lying to the Holy Spirit is the same as lying to God (Acts 5:3–4). Paul uses the phrase “God’s temple” interchangeably with “temple of the Holy Spirit,” thus equating the two (1 Cor. 3:16; 6:19). Distinct from the Father and Son The Holy Spirit shares the same essence with the Father and the Son, and yet he is distinct from them.3 Simply put, the Holy Spirit is God, but the Holy Spirit is not the Father or the Son. He is his own divine person. Though he is distinct from the Father and the Son, the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Christ (Rom. 8:9). To say, “the Spirit of God lives in you,” or, “the Spirit of Christ is in you,” or, “Christ dwells in you,” are three ways of saying the same thing (Rom. 8:10). 4 The Spirit is sent from the Father (John 14:26) and from the Son (16:7; 20:22).5 In fact, the identity of the Son and the Spirit so overlap that Paul can even say “the Lord is the Spirit” (2 Cor. 3:17– 18). This does not mean the Son and the Spirit are one in terms of their being, but rather that their mission is so united they are one in their shared redemptive activity. Jesus is the truth (John 14:6), and the Spirit will lead the disciples into all truth (16:13). Jesus came to bear witness to God the Father (1:14–18), and the Spirit comes to bear witness to Christ (15:26). The sinful world did not receive Christ (1:11; 5:43), and the sinful world will not receive the Spirit (14:17). The Holy Spirit is simply and gloriously another Helper (14:16), the very power and presence of the resurrected and ascended Christ on earth.
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Holy Spirit Jehovah Witness
Bible Teaches
The Holy Spirit is the invisible active force of Almighty God that moves his servants to do his will (LG, p. 108).
When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth … he will testify about me (John 15:26 NIV).
Holy Spirit is God’s Active Force, not a person, and has no voice or personality of its own, and is not part of any Trinity. (MS, p. 487).
When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment (John 16:8 NIV). When he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth (John 16:13). But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit … will teach you all things (John 14:26 NIV). His Spirit, who lives in you (Romans 8:11). Be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18; see also 3:16; 1 Corinthians 3:16).
You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ (Romans 8: 9,14,16) The bible reveals that the Holy Spirit has the attributes of God The Father: Mat 28:19; 2Cr 13:14, Hbr 9:14, Luk 1:35, 1Chr 2:10,11, Psa 139:7-13, Gen 1:2, 1 Cr 12:6;11
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Trinity Jehovah Witness
Bible Teaches
Jehovah's Witnesses do not believe in the Trinity. They believe God is almighty, Jesus is a mighty god, and the Holy Spirit is God's active force. (Let God be true, p. 100-101; Make Sure of All Things p. 386)
The Doctrine of the Trinity is implied in the Old Testament (Genesis 1:26, ect.) and revealed in the New Testament (Matthew 3:16, 17, ect.) The Trinity of God(sometimes and more properly designated "Triunity" of God) means his tri-personality exists as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in three distinct persons in one God. Each is distinct in their personal characteristics, being clearly distinguished from the other, but equal in power, glory and being (ie, nature) Each is called God: Father Eph 4:6; Jhn 6:27 Son Hbr 1:8; Tts 2:13; Jhn 1:1;20:28,29; 1 Jo 5:20 Holy Spirit Act 5:3,4 Each is described as Creator: Father Isa 44:24 Son Jhn 1:1-3 Holy Spirit Job 33: 26:13 Each is described as Omnipresent: Father Jer23:24 Son Mat 28:20 Holy Spirit Psa 139:7-10 Each is described as Omiscient: Father Jer17:10 Son Jhn 2:24 Holy Spirit 1 Cr 2:10-12 Each is described as Omnipotent: Father Mat 19:26 Son Hbr 1:3 Holy Spirit Rom 15:19
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The Cross Jehovah's Witness
The Bible
The cross is a pagan symbol and was not the instrument of death used by the Romans to kill Jesus. Jesus died on a torture stake (or pole). The cross does not picture the death or the resurrection of Jesus. It is not the Christian symbol nor is it a symbol of hope. (Kingdom Interlinear, pages 1155 and 1156)
There is no question that Jesus died on a Cross rather than a torture stake: A torture stake required on nail in the hands (nailed over the head), but the Bible says there were two nails used in the hands. Jhn 20:25
To support their case, they cite a reference to Decruce Liber Primus by the 16th century author, Justus Lipsius. Included with this reference is a copy of an etching fro page 19 of Decruce Liber Primus in which the torture stake is detailed with a victim suffering on it. But, at another point in the same work, Justus himself states explicitly that such a device was not used in the torture death of Jesus; on page 47 he pictures Jesus on a conventional 4 piece cross (vertical stake, foot board, cross bar, and sign). As evidence for his conclusion about the cross he cites various early church fathers who were aware of the Roman practices in Jerusalem during the era in which Christ died.
The bible says Jesus' hands were outstretched, not over His head during his death. Jhn 21:18,19 the Romans placed a sign above Jesus' head, not above his hands; if He had died on a stake, the normal reference would have been to the hands which would have been nailed over the head Mat 27:37 The thieves that died with Him were described as being on the right hand and the left, as opposed to "at the side of or "at His left and right". Mar 15:25-27 The Bible indicates there will be confusion concerning the Cross as an emblem for Christ. The Cross is foolishness to unbelievers. 1Cr 1:18, 23; 2:2 There will be enemies of the Cross. Phl 3:18,19 The Cross, though demeaned by men, will bring glory. Gal 6:14 Believers are to pick up their cross and follow Jesus. Mat 16:24
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Sin Jehovah's Witness Sin is a falling short of God's mark of perfection, transgression of His righteous law(Make Sure of All Things, pg. 456) Adam and Eve sinned by disobeying God's plainly stated law(MS, pg. 457) At death, Adam was to return to the dust, a return to non-existence (New Heavens and New Earth, pg. 88)
The Bible There is no one righteous, not even one(Romans 3:10) For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23) If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives (John 1:10)
No descendant of Adam is free from sin: all inherit it from the first man (MS, pg. 458)
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us (1 John 1:10)
Everyone is born in sin(imperfect, with wayward tendencies) (MS, pg. 456)
Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness (1 John 3:4)
Adam brought death not only upon himself, but also upon all of those descended from him (NH, pg 89)
All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death(1 John 5:17)
Perfect human life was lost with its rights and earthly prospects (Let God Be True, pg. 114)
Everything that does not come from faith is sin (Romans 14:23) Anyone. then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins (James 4:17)
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Redemption Jehovah's Witness The Bible plainly shows that 144,000 will share in heavenly glory, while the others will enjoy the blessings of life down here on earth (LG, pg. 298) All who by reason of faith in Jehovah God and in Christ Jesus dedicate themselves to do God's will and then faithfully carry out their dedication will be rewarded with everlasting life (LG, pg. 298) An unnumbered crowd of faithful persons do not expect to go to heaven. They have been promised everlasting life on earth if they prove their faithfulness (LG, pg. 231), by faith in Jehovah's baptism, "provided...they abide in him, keeping their good conscience through faith and loyal service" (NH, pg. 311) Armageddon survivors and the mass of humankind will find life here on earth amid paradise conditions (LG, p. 279)
The Bible In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins(Ephesians 1:7) For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver and gold that you were redeemed...but with the precious blood of Christ(1 Peter 1:18-19) To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father (Revelation 1:5-6) Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness (Hebrews 9:22) By making peace through his blood, shed on the cross (Colossians 1:20) But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God...because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy(Hebrews 10:12,14)
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Salvation Jehovah's Witness Adam is not included in those ransomed. He had perfect life, and this he deliberately forfeited(LG, pg.119) Jesus Christ laid down in sacrifice a perfect human life, equal to that which Adam forfeited(You May Survive Armageddon, pg.39) The ransom, or redemptive price with which redemption is made, is "the man Christ Jesus" (LG, pg. 113) His perfect human life with all its rights and prospects, was laid down in death, but not for sin and in punishment(LG pg. 116). In other words, Jesus was raised as a divine spirit creature. That which is redeemed or bought back is perfect human life with its rights and earthly prospects (LG, pg. 114)
The Bible Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved(Acts 16:31) To all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God(John 1:12) Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son (John 3:18) Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life (John 3:36) He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5)
The value of the perfect human life was now available for use on behalf of faithful men (LG, pg. 116)
It is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Thus, makes possible general resurrection for mankind with opportunity for eternal life (MS, pg. 411)
We are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus (Romans 3:24)
It is a gross twisting of the Scriptures to throw Jesus' words of John 3:3 to make them embrace all mankind (The Watchtower, Nov. 15, 1954, pg. 681) This "great crowd of people is not "born again," nor do they need to be "born again," because they gain everlasting life on the earth(Ibid., pg. 682)
Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes (Romans 10:4)
Only their Church Members will be saved (The Watchtower, Feb. 15, 1979 pg 30
Whoever believes that Jesus is Lord will be saved. (John 3:16 John 14:4-6; (Romans 3:2326)
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Afterlife Jehovah's Witness
The Bible
The doctrine of a burning hell where the wicked are tortured eternally after death cannot be true(LG, pg. 99)
The wages of sin is death(Romans 6:23)
Only 144,000 Jehovah's Witness go to heaven (Reasoning from the Scriptures, 1985, pgs. 166-167, 361;LG, pg. 121)
All that believe that Jesus is Lord will enter into Heaven. (John 14:1-5, 23; Matthew 16:19)
A dead person is unconscious, inactive. the soul (entire being) itself is Dead(MS, pg. 143)
Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt(Daniel 12:2)
The millennial judgment day (the 1,000-year judgment day) will take place after Armageddon(LG, pgs. 284-86) The final test will come by the loosing of Satan out of his restraint(at the end of the Millennium) (LG, pg. 293) Those supporting Satan (at, the end of Millennium) will with the Devil himself, be cast into the "lake of fire and sulfur They are drowned in everlasting destruction(annihilated) and for them there is no resurrection" (LG, pg. 270) All who reject the Kingdom message will be destroyed(LG, pg. 190;YM, pg. 341)
Man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment(Hebrews 9:27) I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne...The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books (Revelation20:12) When the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven... He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel...They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord (2Thessalonians 1:7-10) If your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell(Mark 9:45)
Current teaching of the Watchtower Society: The Watchtower Society claims that only the 144,000 individuals (a figure arrived at from the pages of the Book of Revelation) can actually understand the Bible. It is an organizational book - a book given to an organization and not to individuals. It can be interpreted and explained
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only by God's own designated organization, the Watchtower Society. The organization's interpretations and explanations are found on the pages of the Watchtower publications.
What the Bible Says about...Understanding the Scriptures: The Bible teaches that ANY Spirit-Filled Believer In Jesus Christ can have a practical understanding of the Bible: If he is spiritual
1 Cr 2:4-16
If he has the Holy Spirit
Jhn 14:25-26
If he lets the Holy Spirit guide him
Jhn 16:13-15
If he does not depend on Man's wisdom
1 Cr 2:9-14
If he lets the Bible instruct him - not the Watchtower Society
2Ti 3:16
If he searches the scriptures regularly, daily
Act 17:11
If he seeks to get his approval from the Bible
2Ti 2:15
If Christ is his only Master
Mat 23:8-12
The Bible teaches that all true believers are of equal value before God; No one has a special interpretive right to the Bible: Believers are one in Christ
Jhn 17:20-23
Believers share a common teacher, the Holy Spirit
Eph 4:4,5
"They received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true." - Acts 17:11
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