The beliefs of jehovah s witnesses are based on the bible teachings of charles taze russellfounder of the bible student movementand successive presidents of the watch tower society, joseph franklin rutherford, and nathan homer knorr. How do i defend a bible translation as accurate in comparison to the new world transation from the jehovah s witnesses. If caught, some things jehovah s witnesses cant do are very serious and can result in. Comparison of biblical doctrine and jehovah s witness doctrines doctrine biblical doctrine jehovah s witness doctrines details bible reference details watchtower society reference examples organization you can live forever in paradise on earth, p. George storrs, jonas wendell, george stetson and nelson barbour. Jehovah s witnesses may have nagging doubts about their beliefs, but if they want to avoid excommunication disfellowshipping, they must completely trust the guidance given by their. Literature distribution and doortodoor promotion of the group was emphasized, resulting in a worldwide following today of around 7 million, with well over a million in the us. Many jehovah s witnesses will tell you that they derive their doctrines from the bible and only from the bible. April 4, 2012 howard culbertson, southern nazarene university 25. It could have originated only in one mind, and that.
Links labeled category contain links to information from. The jehovah s witnesses are an outgrowth of the international bible students association, which was founded in 1872 in pittsburgh by charles taze russell history. To witness for the organization is considered a necessary. Why do jehovahs witnesses observe the lords supper differently from the way other religions do.
E category jehovah s witnesses and the date of 607 b. Jehovahs witnesses and the secular state oxford academic. Readers are especially advised to closely examine these truths if they are considering studying the bible with, or joining jehovah s witnesses. Guidelines for health care providers interacting with jehovah s witnesses and their families this quick reference is meant to assist health care workers in emergency situations. Jehovahs witness history, beliefs and practices 4jehovah. The brochure school and jehovah s witnesses was provided to help school authorities understand why witness youths do not share in certain school functions and programs. Jehovahs witness, member of a millennialist denomination that developed within the larger 19thcentury adventist movement in the united states and has since spread worldwide. They dont participate because most are overwhelmed by fear and guilt at the mere thought of displeasing jehovah. A rigid schedule of classes, lectures, and demonstrations of doortodoor techniques is continually in progress in local kingdom halls. Below are 10 facts about this group which branched off from orthodox christianity in the late 1800s. New world translation for years, jehovah s witnesses have taught that the vast majority of their followers will resurrect to everlasting life upon an earthly paradise and that only a select group of 144,000 followers will live and reign with jesus christ in heaven.
They are the basis for its leaders claim to spiritual authority over the community of jehovah s witnesses. Their theology includes a doctrine of progressive revelation, however, which allows their leaders to change biblical interpretations and doctrines frequently penton 1997. It is against the doctrine of the watchtower and bible. Pdf jehovahs witnesses are members of a puritanical religious movement that. Jehovah s witness doctrine is not from the bible alone. This book, witnesses of jehovah, was written to expose the watch tower as a false religion, and not as a persecution or vendetta. It also serves to help jehovah s witnesses explain why, as a result of their beliefs, they take the position that they do. Russell said that the world would end in 1914 with the second coming of christ and that the jews would be assembled together and govern the earth. Russell and his successors made numerous false prophecies. The doctrine of the jehovah s witness sect is challenging because it teaches. Nationwide, there are approximately 1 million jehovah s witnesses with 50,000 residing in the metropolitan chicago area.
In reality, they derive their doctrines from what the watchtower says about the bible. Russell originally denied the doctrine of hell, and would go on to reject. They first must renounce the unbiblical teaching of the watchtower bible and tract society. The resultant implication is very important current doctrines are equally likely to be incorrect. Jehovah s witnesses is a millenarian restorationist christian denomination with nontrinitarian beliefs distinct from mainstream christianity. Contains the most important changes in years 18792015 on 430 pages. Russell claimed that reading his writings was more useful for gaining than reading the bible itself. However, the prophecy was not fulfilled and he died shortly afterwards in 1916. Jehovahs witnesses report friends and family members who are breaking the rules three more things jehovahs witnesses cant do. The group reports a worldwide membership of approximately 8. The jehovah s witnesses teach it is wrong according to the ot and still in the nt acts 21. Distinctive beliefs of the jehovahs witnesses catholic.
Development of jehovahs witnesses doctrine eschatology of jehovahs witnesses. Jehovah s witnesses base their beliefs on the bible, which they regard as the inspired, inerrant word of god. We worship the one true and almighty god, the creator, whose name is jehovah. We want to examine their doctrine using their books and see what the bible says. Biblical evidence against watchtower society chronology. Jehovah s witnesses are directed by the governing body of jehovah s witnesses, a group of elders. The publications of jehovahs witnesses are organized into the year that the works were published, and in descending order. The translation is full of alternate readings that do not have textual warrant in either the greek or the hebrew. Jehovahs witnesses originated as a branch of the bible student movement, which developed. As though eating is tantamount to transfusion, in 1944 watchtower made an assertion that initiated development of its doctrine against accepting blood transfusion. April 4, 2012 howard culbertson, southern nazarene university 23. Prior to 1931, jehovah s witnesses had also gone by the names of millennial dawn, peoples pulpit association, the brooklyn tabernacle, and the international bible students association. G eneral jehovah s witnesses believe in almighty god, jehovah, the creator of the heavens and. The new world translation, first published in 1950, and now translated into over 150 different languages.
The jehovah s witnesses insist that there is one translation that is faithful to the word of god. The more recent publications are used by jehovahs witnesses for their ministry and for their own personal study to understand jehovahs witnesses doctrine. The most important changes in the doctrine of the watchtower society in the years 18792015. Jehovahs witnesses 10 things to know about their beliefs.
Comparison of biblical doctrine and jehovahs witness. The jehovahs witness tradition advocate health care. The adventist movement emerged in the 1830s around. It is eternally sad that thousands upon thousands of dedic ated indivi duals have had. The following article summarizes the doctrines of jehovah s witnesses, noting where they agree and disagree with mainstream christian doctrines. This group points to their door to door activity as being proof of their claim of being gods true witnesses. Frequently asked questions about jehovahs witnesses. A woman should not pray in the presence of a baptized male jw. As jehovahs witnesses, we strive to adhere to the form of christianity that jesus taught and that his apostles practiced. If youre unfamiliar with jehovah s witness beliefs, here are some basics that may answer some of your questions. We answer the questions of how they got their start, what their core beliefs are, and how many people ascribe to this faith in the world today below. Answering questions your jehovah s witness friends ask introduction.
Baptism by complete immersion symbolizes dedication jehovahs witnesses in the twentieth century, watch tower bible and tract society of pennsylvania, c. Jehovah s witnesses jws believe their bible forbids them from accepting blood transfusions. Following are various quotes that demonstrate this fact. Their religion, unlike mormonism, isnt an esoteric one with secret doctrines known only to an initiated few. Jehovahs witnesses base their beliefs on the bible, which they regard as the inspired, inerrant word of. Never was there a more deceptive doctrine advanced than that of the trinity. Also called the last supper or the memorial of christs death, it is the most sacred event for jehovah s witnesses. According to the jehovah s witnesses, there is no trinity. The jehovah s witnesses will reply that it was a temporary body materialized so the apostles would believe that he was raised.
Jehovah s witnesses are a people of faith that many of us likely dont know that much about. Jehovahs witness doctrine is not from the bible alone. Women cannot assume the role of a male and instruct the congregation. Disproving jehovahs witnesses using their own bible. The jehovahs witnesses were founded by charles taze russell in 1884. The original scripture index has been replaced with one using the page numbers of this revision. Pdf jehovahs witnesses are members of a puritanical religious movement. Jehovah s witnesses can technically do some of the things on this list, but they dont. Jehovah has not presented through them an accurate and unified body of truth. Jehovah s witnesses and jesus christ, theology today, april, 1953. This lesson, various peculiar doctrines of the jehovahs witnesses, is one that will show how the misguide d doctrines of thi s man made religion do not come from the will of god, but from the arrogant mind of man. Prophecies one of the most amazing doctrines preached by jehovah s witnesses is that dealing with the second coming.
In their booklet entitled jehovahs witnesses in the twentieth century, for example, may be found a chart titled what jehovahs witnesses believe. Jehovahs witnesses and the new blood transfusion rules. Probably the most comprehensive compendium about doctrinal changes within the jehovah s witnesses formerly bible students movement. Tract society for their followers, the jehovahs witnesses, to accept blood transfusions. Religious beliefs jehovah s witnesses believe in almighty god, jehovah, the creator of the heavens and earth. Since 1976 all doctrinal decisions have been made by the governing body of jehovah s witnesses, a group of elders at the denominations headquarters. Disproving jehovah s witnesses using their own bible jehovah s witnesses are some of the hardest bunch to evangelize because they are trained from.
Russell died in 1916 and was replaced by the second president. Also called the last supper or the memorial of christs death, it is the most sacred event for jehovahs witnesses. How do i refute the teachings of jehovah witnesses. The jehovahs witnesses are quite forthcoming about their religious beliefs. The doctrine of jehovah s witnesses represents a challenge because its advocates are usually well drilled in their doctrine. If any jw accepts one of these procedures, he will be excommunicated from his community and jeopardize his eternal life. The trinity does not exist, and is an evil doctrine that teaches the existence of 3 gods. In agreement with most orthodox christians, jehovah s witnesses affirm the full inspiration of the bible by god and the preservation of its copies over the centuries.
The watchtower magazine is one of the jws main sources of doctrine, and is. Watchtower books publications of jehovahs witnesses. We feel that the public should have full disclosure as to what jehovah s witnesses are taught and are in turn teaching the public. Never was there a more deceptive doctrine advanced than that of the trinity reconciliation, 1928. Jehovahs witnesses and christians have some things in common. In 1870, russell was exposed to the teachings of william miller, one of the founders of the second adventist movement and acquired an interest in end time prophecies. Among the watchtower societys fundamental doctrines are those concerning 1914. An overview of jehovah s witnesses why do people say jehovah s witnesses are not christians.
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