Jehovah's Witnesses - Is anything wrong with it?

[Oloche Moses Okwori]

What are the doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses? Is anything wrong with their beliefs? Please I need your information

 

[Albion]

What are the doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses? Is anything wrong with their beliefs? Please I need your information

Be sure to read the "Very discouraged seeker...." thread on the "Introduce Yourself" forum and get back to us.

 

[AlexDTX]

The kingdom hall do not believe in the deity of Jesus Christ. They believe he is the angel Michael. They are also a works oriented organization. While believing in the trinity is not necessary for salvation, it does help in understanding how God became a man. Furthermore, to buttress their beliefs the publishers have made significant translation changes in their version of the Bible. Finally, while not a major error, but ironic nonetheless, there is no name Jehovah in the Hebrew text. The tetragrammaton, YHWH, had vowels added by the Masoretic Jews in the 900's AD to deliberately mispronounce the name since they believe that His name should not be spoken. Thus they say Adonai, Ha Shem, etc. to avoid speaking the name. So they took the vowel sounds of Adonai and inserted them between the tetragrammaton to gain the hybrid name Y(a)H(o)W(a)H.

 

[Jim Langston]

The main problem I find with the Jehovah Witnesses is that they teach that only 144,000 get saved and go to heaven, the rest might go back to earth. This is unbiblical.

The Jehovah witnesses teach that Jesus is not God, but a god. As long as one accepts Jesus' sacrifice for their sins, however, I do not believe this would effect one's salvation. They also teach that Michael and Jesus are one in the same. As long as Michael is considered the son of God, again I do not believe it effects one's salvation.

The Jehovah witnesses salvation is works based. Now, I believe that we must love our neighbors as ourselves to be saved, but this is not works, this is simpmy trying not to sin. The Jehovah witnesses teach, however, that you must actually do works to earn salvation. Salvation is not earned, it is a gift to those that repent.

The Jehovah witnesses teaching that we don't go to heaven and salvation by works is what I believe make them a false teligion.

 

[bbbbbbb]

I remember sharing a motel room once with a member of the Jehovah's Witnesses. We did agree on one thing - he was not going to heaven.

 

[Minoa]

From personal experience, it is awkward trying to invite your friend to your birthday party and them saying they were not allowed to do birthdays. Maybe she was fine with it all, but maybe deep down she was depressed? Actually, recently now as an adult, I saw she admitted having depression on her social media...oh, what a coincidence?

Yes, it is good to teach your child not to be spoiled with materialism and all that, but it felt as if part of her childhood was being denied. I also think it's hard these days to gather people together, now as an adult in this fast paced way of life, I really miss those birthdays---how often do you get together with friends nowadays in person? all these things we judged, we now take for granted we even had.

Also, I recall a childhood (almost like a cousin) friend was dating a girl of this denomination, and her parents forced them to break up (he wasn't even a bad kid: didn't smoke, do drugs, didn't party or anything like that---she was probably in far better hands than with most boys in school). I think at the time, he even did church choir? but nope. I also heard other stories online about people who grew up as a JW, but were literally cast aside from all relations. Even the parents toss aside the children as if they are strangers....it sounded quite emotionally abusive.

Also, I recall hearing that they alone think they are special enough to go to heaven, and only a certain particular number of them.

Also, I say Also way too much! ha

 

[prodromos]

They are also false prophets. They've had their 'prophets' make a number of end times claims in the past, none of which eventuated when those dates came around.

 

[seashale76]

They're also not even Christian. Asking about them on a Christian denominational forum is like asking about Islam or Hinduism.

ETA: Also- as a nurse- I've seen a few Jehovah's Witnesses that have not been able to have surgeries and must live in pain because they refuse to have blood transfusions. Surgeons won't risk it. If your hemoglobin is low and you're a Jehovah's Witness, then good luck.

 

[Paul Yohannan]

What are the doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses? Is anything wrong with their beliefs? Please I need your information

They are Arian, which means they dent that Jesus Christ is God incarnate. They are a cult, run on Scientology-like pronciples of control; if a former JW leaves they are shunned by their family. Their beliefs include a rejection of blood transfusions, which causes many to die needlessly (for this reason I believe they should be shut down).

The Watchtower Organization, which runs the JW cult, employs a large number of well paid individuals to publish their tracts, but as for the ordinary members, studies show they are the poorest denomination on a per capita basis and also the most socially marginalized, due to the manner in which the cult preys upon vulnerable people and then keeps such persons dependent on it.

The JWs publish their own Bible "translation" intentionally modified to support their Arian theology (John 1:1 was tampered with in a manner entirely unsupported by ancient manuscripts).

JWs are classified as non-Christian on CF.com

 

[DeaconDean]

They are Arian, which means they dent that Jesus Christ is God incarnate. They are a cult, run on Scientology-like pronciples of control; if a former JW leaves they are shunned by their family. Their beliefs include a rejection of blood transfusions, which causes many to die needlessly (for this reason I believe they should be shut down).

The Watchtower Organization, which runs the JW cult, employs a large number of well paid individuals to publish their tracts, but as for the ordinary members, studies show they are the poorest denomination on a per capita basis and also the most socially marginalized, due to the manner in which the cult preys upon vulnerable people and then keeps such persons dependent on it.

The JWs publish their own Bible "translation" intentionally modified to support their Arian theology (John 1:1 was tampered with in a manner entirely unsupported by ancient manuscripts).

JWs are classified as non-Christian on CF.com

I was going to mention that.

The "New World Translation" of the Jehovah Witnesses, changes, rather, ignores one rule for Greek.

They translate John 1:1 to read "In the beginning was the word and the word was with God, and the word was "a" God".

In the first place, there is no word for "a".

What became known as "Colwell's Rule" we see:

"Definite predicate nouns which precede the verb usually lack the article ... a predicate nominative which precedes the verb cannot be translated as an indefinite or a 'qualitative' noun solely because of the absence of the article; if the context suggests that the predicate is definite, it should be translated as a definite noun ..."

Source

As with most people, JW's cannot grasp the idea of the "Trinity", so they seek to explain it in some other fashion.

Another heresy they teach is the doctrine of annihilationism.

If I know beyond a shadow of a doubt, that in 100,000 years or even a million years, that my sin debt would be paid for and I would eventually burn up into nothing. And thereby escape the "lake of fire", then I wouldn't fear God, I would fear death, heck, I wouldn't even worry about being saved.

Rather then endure the ridicule of others for using CARM's website about Jehovah's Witnesses, I'll let you read for yourself another.

What Do Jehovah's Witnesses Teach About Hell?

See for yourself.

God Bless

Till all are one.

 

[Jim Langston]

I was going to mention that.

The "New World Translation" of the Jehovah Witnesses, changes, rather, ignores one rule for Greek.

They translate John 1:1 to read "In the beginning was the word and the word was with God, and the word was "a" God".

In the first place, there is no word for "a".

What became known as "Colwell's Rule" we see:

"Definite predicate nouns which precede the verb usually lack the article ... a predicate nominative which precedes the verb cannot be translated as an indefinite or a 'qualitative' noun solely because of the absence of the article; if the context suggests that the predicate is definite, it should be translated as a definite noun ..."

Source

As with most people, JW's cannot grasp the idea of the "Trinity", so they seek to explain it in some other fashion.

Another heresy they teach is the doctrine of annihilationism.

If I know beyond a shadow of a doubt, that in 100,000 years or even a million years, that my sin debt would be paid for and I would eventually burn up into nothing. And thereby escape the "lake of fire", then I wouldn't fear God, I would fear death, heck, I wouldn't even worry about being saved.

Rather then endure the ridicule of others for using CARM's website about Jehovah's Witnesses, I'll let you read for yourself another.

What Do Jehovah's Witnesses Teach About Hell?

See for yourself.

God Bless

Till all are one.

My salvation rests on Jesus Christ, the Son of God's sacrifice for my sins after I came to repentance.

I can't find anywhere in the bible where I have to accept or understand more than that.

I believe the soul that repents and comes to Jesus Christ is God will be saved just as surely as the soul that repents coming to Jesus Christ as just the Son of God will be saved.

Our salvation is not based on the rules of men.

 

[Albion]

Our salvation is not based on the rules of men.

This isn't a matter of the rules of men. The Bible either affirms that Jesus is God incarnate or he is not. There is plenty of evidence there that it's the first of these. But if he were not, there would be a serious question as to whether his death could really atone for the sins of the world. For sure, I'd say the Archangel Michael in human form giving his physical life for something wouldn't accomplish that.

 

[Jim Langston]

This isn't a matter of the rules of men. The Bible either affirms that Jesus is God incarnate or he is not. There is plenty of evidence there that it's the first of these. But if he were not, there would be a serious question as to whether his death could really atone for the sins of the world. For sure, I'd say the Archangel Michael in human form giving his physical life for something wouldn't accomplish that.

Do you remember Paul saying there is one man who esteems one day over another, leave him alone? Heavily paraphrased, yes, but the sentinent is there.

If someone believes Jesus is not God, and it does not affect their salvation, are you following Paul's advice?

If some follows Jesus' core teachings, follow the commandments, your neighbor as themselves and accepts Jesus' sacrifice for their sins, that is what the bible teaches. The rest is arguing over words. A god, the god, no, a trilogy, that is God's realm, that whole thing of you can't comprehend God, so why are we arging that which God says is incomprehendable in the first place?

Teaching salvation by works, however, is against the core of Christianity. We do works because we are saved, not to be saved. We repent to be saved.

 

[Albion]

If some follows Jesus' core teachings, follow the commandments, your neighbor as themselves and accepts Jesus' sacrifice for their sins, that is what the bible teaches. The rest is arguing over words.

I hardly think that WHO HE IS is a minor matter, especially when it comes to thinking that he can absolve you of your sins.

 

[Jim Langston]

I hardly think that WHO HE IS is a minor matter, especially when it comes to thinking that he can absolve you of your sins.

That's the difference. O do not think Jesus can absolve me of my sins, I know Jesus can absolve me of my sins. I know by faith. By faith are you saved, again to paraphrase, to know things that can't be proven. I also know that having to understand the nature of God or His agenda isn't part of it.

Show me in the bible where it says someone has to believe Jesus is God to be saved. When Jesus asked the apostles who He was what did they say, you are god or you are the Messiah? Yes, we need be not deny Jesus is the Messiah. Show me in the bible where it says we have to know or believe other than that.

We may agree that Jesus said He was God "You are god?", "You say that I am." but I see Paul teachung if it doesn't matter in your salvation why are you arguing about it?

If Jesus is God or not has no part to say if we are saved by God's plans.

 

[Albion]

That's the difference. O do not think Jesus can absolve me of my sins, I know Jesus can absolve me of my sins. I know by faith. By faith are you saved, again to paraphrase, to know things that can't be proven. I also know that having to understand the nature of God or His agenda isn't part of it.

If you had faith in a great rabbi who taught good things and his name was Jesus/Yeshua...would your faith be misplaced or not?

Show me in the bible where it says someone has to believe Jesus is God to be saved.

It's easy to show that one has to believe in Jesus in order to be saved, and it's easy to show that he is God incarnate. If you believe half of this proposition, you are believing in someone else, aren't you?

 

[prodromos]

Only God can forgive sins and only God is to be worshipped. Jesus forgives sins and is worshipped thus the gospels testify that Jesus is God. If you don't believe that then you believe another gospel and are consequently accursed.

 

[Jim Langston]

If you had faith in a great rabbi who taught good things and his name was Jesus/Yeshua...would your faith be misplaced or not?

It's easy to show that one has to believe in Jesus in order to be saved, and it's easy to show that he is God incarnate. If you believe half of this proposition, you are believing in someone else, aren't you?

This is who the bible says is unsaved.

If you are trying to show other than these please show scripture.

Revelation 22:15 Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

1 Corinthian 6:9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

Galations 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions,divisions, 21 envy,drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Ephesians 5:5 For you may be sure this that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

 

[DeaconDean]

My salvation rests on Jesus Christ, the Son of God's sacrifice for my sins after I came to repentance.

I can't find anywhere in the bible where I have to accept or understand more than that.

I believe the soul that repents and comes to Jesus Christ is God will be saved just as surely as the soul that repents coming to Jesus Christ as just the Son of God will be saved.

Our salvation is not based on the rules of men.

I quote this:

"What does it mean to believe in Jesus?"

Answer: “Do you believe in Jesus?” seems like a strange question. It sounds like the same question as “Do you believe in Santa Claus?” or “Do you believe in aliens?” But the question “Do you believe in Jesus?” is asking far more than “Do you believe that Jesus Christ existed/exists?” The true meaning of the question is “Do you believe Jesus Christ is who the Bible says He is, and are you trusting Him as your Savior?”

So, do you believe in Jesus?

Do you believe that Jesus is God in human form (John 1:1, 14)? Do you believe that Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for your sins (1 Corinthians 15:3; 2 Corinthians 5:21), for which you deserve eternal separation from God (Romans 6:23)? Do you believe that the sacrifice of Jesus, God incarnate, is the only adequate payment for your sins (1 John 2:2; John 14:6; Acts 4:12)?

Do you believe these things? If so, great, but believing the facts about Jesus is only part of the equation. Biblical faith/belief is far more than believing certain things to be true. Biblical saving faith is also trusting/relying on those facts.

A chair is a good illustration. You can look at a chair and believe it is made of materials strong enough to support your weight, and you can believe that it was assembled correctly. But that is not biblical faith. Biblical faith is sitting in the chair. It is actually relying on the chair to hold your weight off the ground.

Are you trusting that Jesus is your Savior? Are you relying on His death as the full payment for your sin debt? Are you depending on His resurrection as the guarantee that you, too, will be raised to eternal life after death? Not that it could ever happen, but if the “chair” of Jesus Christ were pulled out from beneath you, spiritually speaking, would you hit the ground, or are you also relying on things in addition to the chair?

If you understand and believe what the Bible says about Jesus, and if you are trusting in those truths as the basis for salvation—you are saved! You “believe in Jesus” in the biblical sense."

Source

While you and I differ, I also believe that you have to believe what the scriptures say about the second person of the God-head.

I believe that Jesus was the God-man, word made flesh.

I also believe:

"I and my Father are one." -Jn. 10:30 (KJV)

And what did Paul write to Titus?

"Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;" -Titus 2:13 (KJV)

What did Peter write and call Jesus?

"to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:" -2 Pet. 1:1 (KJV)

What did Thomas declare?

"My Lord and my God." -Jn. 20:28 (KJV)

Oh well, I shall not argue any further, and I take my leave of you and this thread.

Nothing good can come from any further discourse between us.

God Bless

Till all are one.

 

[Jim Langston]

I quote this:

"What does it mean to believe in Jesus?"

Answer: “Do you believe in Jesus?” seems like a strange question. It sounds like the same question as “Do you believe in Santa Claus?” or “Do you believe in aliens?” But the question “Do you believe in Jesus?” is asking far more than “Do you believe that Jesus Christ existed/exists?” The true meaning of the question is “Do you believe Jesus Christ is who the Bible says He is, and are you trusting Him as your Savior?”

So, do you believe in Jesus?

Do you believe that Jesus is God in human form (John 1:1, 14)? Do you believe that Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for your sins (1 Corinthians 15:3; 2 Corinthians 5:21), for which you deserve eternal separation from God (Romans 6:23)? Do you believe that the sacrifice of Jesus, God incarnate, is the only adequate payment for your sins (1 John 2:2; John 14:6; Acts 4:12)?

Do you believe these things? If so, great, but believing the facts about Jesus is only part of the equation. Biblical faith/belief is far more than believing certain things to be true. Biblical saving faith is also trusting/relying on those facts.

A chair is a good illustration. You can look at a chair and believe it is made of materials strong enough to support your weight, and you can believe that it was assembled correctly. But that is not biblical faith. Biblical faith is sitting in the chair. It is actually relying on the chair to hold your weight off the ground.

Are you trusting that Jesus is your Savior? Are you relying on His death as the full payment for your sin debt? Are you depending on His resurrection as the guarantee that you, too, will be raised to eternal life after death? Not that it could ever happen, but if the “chair” of Jesus Christ were pulled out from beneath you, spiritually speaking, would you hit the ground, or are you also relying on things in addition to the chair?

If you understand and believe what the Bible says about Jesus, and if you are trusting in those truths as the basis for salvation—you are saved! You “believe in Jesus” in the biblical sense."

Source

While you and I differ, I also believe that you have to believe what the scriptures say about the second person of the God-head.

I believe that Jesus was the God-man, word made flesh.

I also believe:

"I and my Father are one." -Jn. 10:30 (KJV)

And what did Paul write to Titus?

"Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;" -Titus 2:13 (KJV)

What did Peter write and call Jesus?

"to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:" -2 Pet. 1:1 (KJV)

What did Thomas declare?

"My Lord and my God." -Jn. 20:28 (KJV)

Oh well, I shall not argue any further, and I take my leave of you and this thread.

Nothing good can come from any further discourse between us.

God Bless

Till all are one.

You quoted someone, wasn't someone from the bible so I didn't bother to read it.

Show me some scripture, not commentary. I am tired of hearing what some other man said some time ago. I am not talking to that other man and I am talking of the bible, not religions take on it.

Edit: I am not saying I don't believe the bible teaches that Jesus is God, because I believe it does. I am saying if someone doesn't believe that Jesus is God, yet they follow his commandments, the bible doesn't, to me, teach that they are condemned.