The Teachings of the Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Bible
Jehovah’s Witnesses adopt major teachings that clearly contradict the Bible. Here are their major beliefs in relation to God’s Word:
1-Jehovah’s Witnesses reject the Godhead. The Bible teaches that Our “One God” is revealed in the three distinct persons – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (1 John 5:7). Each is God (John 1:1; Ephesians 4:6; Titus 2:13; Acts 5:3, 4; 1 John 5:20), yet the three are One. They are one in nature, character, and purpose (Matthew 28:19; John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 13:14).
2-Jehovah’s Witnesses don’t believe in the deity of Jesus. They believe that Jesus is merely a created being. But the Bible clearly teaches that Jesus is divine (John 1:1, 14, 8:58, 10:30; 1 John 5:7; John 20:28; Matthew 1:23; Isaiah 9:6; John 10:30). He is eternal (Micah 5:2; John 8:58). He is worshiped which is forbidden unless He is God (Revelation 22:9; John 9:38; Matthew 14:33; Luke 24:52).
Jesus forgives sins which only God can do (Mark 2:5-7). He is Omnipresent (Matthew 18:20; 28:20; I John 5:7), Omniscient (Mark 11:2-6; Matthew 12:40) and Omnipotent (Revelation 19:6; Matthew 28:18). He is the Creator (John 1-3; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:2). And He is sinless (Romans 3:23; 2 Corinthians 5:21).
3-Jehovah’s Witnesses don’t believe in the deity of the Holy Spirit. They believe the Holy Spirit is only an active force and not a person. But the Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit is divine (Mathew 28:19; Luke 3:22; 2 Corinthians 13:14; John 14:16, 26). Though a spirit, He has all the characteristics of a separate person. The Holy Spirit speaks (Acts 8:29;13:2), teaches (2 Peter 1:21), guides (John 16:13), witnesses (Hebrews 10:15), comforts (John 14:16), helps (John 16:7, 8), and can be grieved (Ephesians 4:30). These are all traits that belong to a person and not just a force.
4-Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that Jesus only rose from the grave spiritually. But the Bible speaks of a literal and physical resurrection for the Son of God (Luke 24:38-39; John 20:27; John 2:18-22).
5-Jehovah’s Witnesses believe salvation is obtained by a combination of faith, good works, and obedience. But the Bible declares that salvation is received by grace through faith alone (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5). The right kind of faith will produce good works by the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer.
6-Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that there will be no literal and physical Second Coming of Christ. But the Bible teaches that there will be a literal and physical Second Coming (Revelation 1:7; Matthew 24:30; Zechariah 14:4; 2 Thessalonians 1:8).
7-Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that Hell is not a literal place for the wicked. While the Bible teaches that hell is not forever, it confirms that God will destroy the wicked in a literal hell for wicked (Deuteronomy 32:22; Matthew 5:22; 18:9; James 3:6).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team