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Jehovah Witnesses

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1. Jehovah Witnesses
What are its key dogmas?
How does it contradict Christianity?
Witnessing to a JW.

Cult Fact Sheet

Originators:
Charles Russell 1870’s, called himself the Angel of Laodocia (Russellite movement today).
J. F. Rutherford 1900’s

Writings:
Watchtower Bible and Tract Society.
New World Translation, Kingdom Interlinear Translation.

Distinctives:
1. Background of 1840’s Millerite movement.

2. In 1914 Jesus returned invisibly for 3 years until 1918 and then chose them.

3. The Church went apostate after the death of the last Apostle and modern Bible translations cannot be trusted.

4. Origins in occult and Pyramid power. Use “mind control” methods.

5. Emphasize the name Jehovah not Yahweh.

6. Their New World Translation arbitrarily takes all reference to Jesus as being referred to as Lord and place Jehovah.

7. Neo-Arian. Anti-Trinitarian. The Holy Spirit is just a force not a person.

8. Those who have received their “heavenly calling” all before 1938 (Rev.14) 144,000 already chosen “spirit begotten” to reign with Christ in heaven, others to live forever as friends of God in "paradise" on a new earth. Communion celebrated once a year like the Passover only with bread and water and only one of the 144,000 can partake not those with an “earthly calling”.

9. Gather in a Kingdom Hall on Sunday for 2 hours, not called a church. Thursdays they have the “theocratic ministry school.”

10. Jesus will be the Arch-angel Michael based on (I Thes.4:16). On earth he was just a man and died on a stake to pay for the sin of Adam. They will insist on the word torture stake instead of cross.

11. Teach that Jesus was not “physically” raised from the dead, only spiritually.

12. Against celebrating birthdays (creature worship).

13. Against blood transfusions because they considered it to be blood consumption, contradicting the idea of the understanding of the circulatory system.

14. After Rutherford they stopped celebrating “Christian Holidays.”

15. Past unfulfilled prophecy’s of Jesus’ and other biblical patriarchs return.

16. No Hell, just soul annihilation.

17. Conscientious objectors. Politically neutral and don’t vote.

18. Anti-intellectual, higher education.

19. Dis-fellowship dissenters. Fear of losing family. Fear of going into churches. Fear of apostates and non-believers. They are taught that if they left, other churches would not accept them. A great fear of God and the devil. No assurance of salvation. A fear of Armageddon. Self fulfilling prophecy’s of immorality for those who leave.

20. All given a chance after death to become JW during the Millennium if you never rejected JW.

Similarities:
Witnessing efforts.

Presenting the Gospel to Jehovah’s Witnesses

There are three major points that Christians can share with Jehovah’s Witness visitors effectively. Choose one of the following points to share and remain on this topic with them during the visit:

1. All Christians are children of God and will spend eternity with Christ: The Jehovah’s Witness teach that only 144,000 people (which has already been filled) are considered sons and daughters of God. The 144,000 have the hope of going to heaven to be glorified with Jesus for eternity. The rest of the Jehovah’s Witnesses are not sons and daughters of God but merely “friends of God” including them who have the hope of living forever in paradise on earth. This is clearly contrary to scripture. (See Romans 8:14-17)

2. No one can predict the Second Coming of Christ: The Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that Jesus returned invisibly in the year 1914 A.D. and that their first leader, Charles T. Russell predicted this. They also teach that the time of the end of the world began in that year. This is clearly contradicted in scripture. (See Matthew 24:23,24; Luke 21:8)

3. Jesus is not Michael the Archangel: The Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that Jesus is Michael the Archangel. This teaching is clearly contradicted in scripture. (See Hebrews 1:5,6) If a Jehovah’s Witness realizes that scripture does not support the belief that Jesus is Michael the Archangel, it will help them to ask questions about the true identity of Jesus.

Witnessing for Christ

You have prepared to share Christ with Jehovah’s Witnesses. How should you proceed the next time you receive a visit?

1. Your Jehovah’s Witness visitor will have a short presentation prepared for you. This presentation is usually dealing with some piece of literature they want you to read. Allow them to complete their short presentation. This way your visitor will be more likely to listen to your message without worrying about how he will complete his presentation.

2. When the Jehovah’s Witness’ presentation is complete, you will be asked if you want to accept the literature. I do not recommend accepting the literature because you will probably be asked to make a donation. The money from the literature finances their religious organization. We do not want our money to go to a religious organization that teaches false doctrine.

3. Politely refuse to accept the literature and tell your Jehovah’s Witness visitors that you have a message for them. Have a copy of the Bible handy and share with your Jehovah’s Witness friend one of the points listed above. For example you could share with them the following scripture: “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, "Abba, Father!" The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.” Romans 8: 14-17

4. Explain to your Jehovah’s Witness friend what this scripture means to you. Tell them how the Lord has adopted you as his child. Usually, the Jehovah’s Witness in his presentation will mention the hope of living forever in paradise on earth. Tell him that you have no interest in living forever in the paradise that he has described because your hope is to be with Jesus forever.

5. There is no need to argue with your Jehovah’s Witness visitor or even to go scripture hopping with him. Never attack your Jehovah’s Witness visitor personally. Remember your Jehovah’s Witness visitor has been deceived by his religious leaders. When you have made your point and shared your message simply excuse yourself and end the discussion.

6. Let them know that if they ever left the JW that they would be openly accepted among other churches. After the discussion, pray for their conversion.

Websites:

Official website

JW Bible

Topic Search

Articles

Other Links

Audio Roundtable

Ex-JWS

Ex-JW

JW info line

Doc Bob

Video on JW