The fundamental doctrine held by Jehovah’s Witnesses[1] posits that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, forming a triad with Jehovah (God) and the Holy Spirit. They revere Jesus as their redeemer and lord, adhering to his guidelines as relevant to their contemporary lives. They uphold the belief that God dispatched him to deliver salvation to humanity, achieved through his crucifixion and subsequent resurrection.
Jehovah’s Witnesses view Jesus as an example for them to follow, believing that he lived a sinless life and submitted himself completely to God’s will. As such, they strive to imitate his behavior in all areas of their lives, including how they treat others.
Key Takeaways
- Jehovah’s Witnesses affirm that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, but they do not subscribe to the traditional Christian doctrine of the Trinity. Instead, they view Jesus as a separate and distinct entity from God (Jehovah) and the Holy Spirit, which they consider an active force rather than a person.
- In their theology, Jesus is believed to have originally existed as Michael the Archangel before being created as a human by Jehovah. This belief underscores their view of Jesus as a sublime being, though not equal to God in status or nature.
- Jehovah’s Witnesses reject the notion of Jesus’ physical resurrection, asserting instead that he was resurrected spiritually. They also hold unique views on salvation, teaching that only 144,000 selected individuals will ascend to heaven, while the rest of humanity who are deemed righteous will live forever on a restored paradise Earth.
Contents
- 1 Key Takeaways
- 2 What Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Believe?
- 3 Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Believe In Jesus Christ?
- 4 The 10 Beliefs About Jehovah’s Witnesses When They Knock At The Door
- 4.1 1. Belief In The Bible
- 4.2 2. Belief In Jesus Christ
- 4.3 3. Belief In Angels
- 4.4 4. Belief In Heaven And Hell
- 4.5 5. Belief In The Kingdom of God
- 4.6 6. Belief In Final Judgment Day
- 4.7 7. Belief In The Sabbath Day
- 4.8 8. Belief In Baptism And Holy Communion
- 4.9 9. Belief In Evangelism
- 4.10 10. Belief In Separation From The World System
- 5 Summary
- 6 Frequently Asked Questions
What Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Believe?
Jehovah’s Witnesses are a millenarian restorationist Christian denomination with nontrinitarian beliefs distinct from mainstream Christianity. They believe that God—Jehovah—is the highest and affirm that Jesus is distinct from God, not united as one person with him.
The “Holy Spirit,” then, refers to the active force of Jehovah. If Christ is not God, then the Witnesses deny the traditional Christian doctrine of the Trinity.
Witnesses had some traditional Christian views but also many of their own. They practice door-to-door evangelism and distribute literature that they believe to be spiritually beneficial. Jehovah’s Witnesses also have their places of worship called Kingdom Halls, where members meet for Bible study and prayer.
The group has faced persecution in many countries due to their refusal to salute national flags or participate in military service, as well as other religious practices such as refusing blood transfusions. Despite this, they remain a global movement with millions of adherents around the world.
In terms of belief, Jehovah’s Witnesses believe in the one and only God, who is the Creator and Supreme Being. They accept Jesus as the Son of God and the Messiah, with a subordinate role to that of Yahweh (God).
Jehovah’s Witnesses deny the Trinity doctrine, which they take as a false teaching from paganism, and believe that Jesus was resurrected in spirit form rather than in bodily form. They also believe that the Bible, specifically the New World Translation, is God’s inspired word and is free of error, though they interpret certain passages differently from other Christian denominations.
Witnesses emphasize strict moral conduct, including abstaining from practices such as premarital sex, homosexuality, abortion, and tobacco use.
Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Believe In Jesus Christ?
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe in Jesus Christ and have faith that he is the way, the truth, and the life. They believe that Jehovah created Jesus as the archangel Michael before the physical world existed and that Jesus is a lesser being than God. Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that Jesus’ life began in heaven, and he is described as God’s first creation.
Jehovah’s Witnesses do not believe that Jesus is Almighty God but rather his agent, through whom sinful men can be reconciled to God. They also deny the physical resurrection of Jesus from the dead, which is a radical departure from historic Christian teaching.
In addition to these beliefs, Jehovah’s Witnesses identify as Christians, but their beliefs are different from those of other Christians in some ways. For instance, they teach that only 144,000 people will go to heaven, while others will live forever on a paradise earth.
The 10 Beliefs About Jehovah’s Witnesses When They Knock At The Door
When a Jehovah’s Witness comes knocking at your door, it is important to understand their beliefs and their religion’s culture. Here are 10 beliefs and practices of the Jehovah’s Witnesses that you should be aware of when they approach you. Knowing these will help ensure a respectful, informed conversation.
1. Belief In The Bible
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that the Bible is God’s inspired word and should be studied, obeyed, and applied to our lives (2 Timothy 3:16).
2. Belief In Jesus Christ
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that Jesus is both fully human and fully divine, the only begotten son of God sent to redeem mankind from sin through his death on the cross (John 3:16; Romans 5:6–8).
3. Belief In Angels
According to Jehovah’s Witnesses, God created angels as spirit creatures who serve as His messengers (Matthew 28:20; Colossians 1:16).
4. Belief In Heaven And Hell
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe in a literal heaven and hell, with eternal life in the former for those who have accepted Jesus Christ and obeyed God’s will (Matthew 25:46; Luke 23:43).
5. Belief In The Kingdom of God
According to Jehovah’s Witnesses, Jesus established the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth during his time here, and God is actively ruling through it (Matthew 6:10; Revelation 11:15).
6. Belief In Final Judgment Day
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that one day all human beings will be judged according to their deeds and rewarded accordingly (Revelation 20:12–13).
7. Belief In The Sabbath Day
Jehovah’s Witnesses observe Saturday as the Sabbath day, a special time of worship and meditation on God’s word (Exodus 20:8–11).
8. Belief In Baptism And Holy Communion
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that baptism is an outward sign of inner commitment to serve God and obedience to his will (Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26).
9. Belief In Evangelism
Jehovah’s Witnesses recognize their responsibility to spread the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ by preaching from house to house (Acts 20:20; Revelation 14:6–7).
10. Belief In Separation From The World System
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that Christians should remain separate from worldly influences so they can be an example to the world by living according to God’s laws (Romans 12:2; James 4:4).
Summary
Only Jehovah’s Witnesses believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and their savior, who sacrificed his life so that people may receive forgiveness from God and have hope for eternal life in heaven. His teachings emphasize love, justice, humility, and obedience to God’s will.
They also look forward to his return, when he will establish the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth. By understanding these beliefs, one can have an informed conversation with Jehovah’s Witnesses or gain insight into their religion and its culture.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do Jehovah Witness believe about Jesus?
What Jehovah’s Witnesses believe about Jesus is that He is the Son of God, the first creation of Jehovah, and is distinct from God. They do not believe in the doctrine of the Trinity. Instead, they teach that Jesus is Jehovah’s most significant creation, who lived in heaven as the archangel Michael before being born on earth.
What is the main difference between Jehovah’s Witness and Christianity?
The main difference between Jehovah’s Witnesses and Christianity is their belief in the Trinity. Jehovah’s Witnesses reject the Trinity, believing instead that Jehovah is the Almighty God and Jesus is His Son, a separate being. Mainstream Christianity holds that God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are three persons in one Godhead.
Is Jesus Christ the same as Jehovah God?
Jesus Christ is not the same as Jehovah God according to Jehovah’s Witnesses. They teach that Jesus is the Son of God, created by Jehovah and distinct from Him. This contrasts with mainstream Christian doctrine, which posits that Jesus is God the Son, coequal and coeternal with God the Father and the Holy Spirit.
What Bible do Jehovah Witnesses use?
The Bible that Jehovah’s Witnesses use is the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures. This translation is produced by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, the publishing arm of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. It is known for its unique renderings of some biblical texts, particularly those that relate to key doctrinal points like the nature of Jesus and the concept of the Trinity.