Radio Transcript

Denominational Doctrines (12)

The Jehovah’s Witnesses

One of the most intensely evangelistic religious groups in the world is the Jehovah’s Witnesses. In addition to door-to-door canvassing, they use the printed page in a very effective manner. In 1985, it was estimated that there were more than 600,000 people who were Jehovah’s Witnesses. There were more than 6,000 trained missionaries. They are actively involved in the distribution of their publications and literature. The Watchtower Magazine has a circulation in excess of ten million people. It has been estimated that more than one billion pieces of literature in 176 different languages have been distributed since 1920. But, although many of their members possess a great zeal, it is a misguide zeal.

Let’s consider the origin and history of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Charles Russell founded the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. Russell was "pastor" of an Adventist organization in Allegheny, Pennsylvania. In 1879, he began publishing "Zion’s Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence." He wrote six of the seven volumes in the series, "Studies in the Scriptures." He predicted Jesus would return in 1914. Russell died in 1916.

"Judge" Joseph Rutherford, legal counsel for the Watchtower Society, replaced Russell as head of the organization. In 1920, Rutherford wrote, "Millions Now Living Will Never Die." He prophesied, "Therefore we may confidently expect that 1925 will mark the return of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the faithful prophets of old. When Rutherford died in 1942, Nathan Knorr became head of the Society.

Some of the things the Jehovah’s Witnesses teach are true. For example, the Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that every member is a minister, or servant, and is to be active. They understand that baptism is immersion but they err concerning its purpose. The Jehovah’s Witnesses assert that the Bible is the infallible, inspired word of God upon which they base all their beliefs. However, they have their own translation called "The New World Translation" which is not an accurate translation of the Bible, but is changed to support their own views. They believe that a person must have the Watchtower magazine as a key to "unlocking the scriptures." Therefore, they actually follow what the Watchtower Society says rather than what the scriptures actually teach.

The Jehovah’s Witnesses teach many things that are in opposition to the Bible. First, Jehovah’s Witnesses are seriously mistaken in their teaching concerning the nature of God. The web site of the Watchtower Society contains the following statement, "The testimony of history is clear. The Trinity teaching is a deviation from the truth, an apostasizing from it." What the Jehovah’s Witnesses call the Trinity the Bible calls the Godhead. Notice the following from Acts 17:29, "Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto old, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device." Also notice Paul’s words from Romans 1:20, "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse."

The Bible teaches there is only one God (Deuteronomy 6:4). There is only one "divine nature." However, there are three persons who possess this divine nature – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The concept of the Godhead can be seen in Matthew 3:16-17, "And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Also notice the following from Matthew 28:19, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." For further consideration, notice Paul’s words in II Corinthians 13:14, "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all."

Notice that the Father is called God. "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all" (Ephesians 4:4-6). The Son is called God. But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of thy kingdom" (Hebrews 1:8). The Holy Spirit is called God. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? While it remained, was it not thine own? And after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? Why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God (Acts 5:3-4).

Because Christ is called the "first-born of all creation" (Colossians 1:15), Jehovah’s Witnesses argue that he is a created being. But the idea conveyed by the word "firstborn" is that of preeminence, or first place. In connection with this, notice Paul’s words from Colossians 1:18, "And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he might have the preeminence."

In Revelation 3:14, Christ is said to be the "beginning of the creation of God." But the meaning of this phrase is simply that Christ is the origin, or source, the creator.

Second, the Jehovah’s Witnesses are wrong in their concept of the kingdom. They teach that the kingdom began in 1914. But what does the Bible say? Isaiah prophesied the kingdom would begin in Jerusalem in the last days. Notice the following from Isaiah 2:2-3, "And it shall come to pas sin the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem."

Joel prophesied that the Spirit would be poured out in the last days in Jerusalem. Notice the following from Joel 2:28-32, "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my Spirit. And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord come. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call."

Daniel prophesied that the Lord’s kingdom would be set up in the days of the Roman kings. This can be found in Daniel 2:1-45. John preached that the kingdom was "at hand," meaning it was very near (Matthew 3:1-2). Jesus also preached the kingdom was near (Mark 14-15). Jesus taught that some of his disciples would not die until they had seen the kingdom come with power (Mark 9:1). Jesus promise dot build his church which is his kingdom (Matthew 16:18-19). The power of the Holy spirit came upon the apostles in Jerusalem, in the last days, salvation was offered to those who called on the name of the Lord, and the kingdom began (Acts 2:1-47). From the second chapter of Acts onward, Christ’s kingdom is not spoken of in the future tense, as if it did not yet exist. It is spoken of in the present tense, indicating it is already in existence. Notice Paul’s words from Colossians 1:13, "Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son." Friends, the Bible plainly teaches that Christ’s kingdom is already in existence and began on the day of Pentecost as recorded in Acts the second chapter.

Third, the Jehovah’s Witnesses are wrong in their teaching concerning the second coming of Christ. They teach that Christ’s second coming occurred in 1914. Notice the following quote from the book, "From Paradise Lost to Paradise Regained," "So in 1914, unseen to human eyes, Christ’s second coming into the kingdom took place." But the Bible teaches that Christ’s second coming will not be unseen, but will be seen by all. Paul wrote, "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a great shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first." Also notice Acts 1:9-11, "And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." Also notice Revelation 1:7, where John wrote "Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him."

Fourth, the Jehovah’s Witnesses are in error in their teaching concerning hell. They deny there will be a place of eternal torment. But what does the Bible say? The word "hell," in the King James Version often has reference to "Hades," the place where disembodied spirit s go to await the resurrection. This is true in such instances as Luke 23:42-43; Acts 2:27-31; and II Peter 2:4. But when the word "hell" is the translation of the Greek word "Gehenna," it has reference to the place of eternal punishment. This is true in Matthew 25:41; 46, where it is taught that the punishment of hell will last for all eternity. Hell is not simply annihilation, as the Jehovah’s Witnesses teach, but will last as long as heaven lasts, for all of eternity.

Fifth, the Jehovah’s Witnesses are in error because they deny the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. They teach he was resurrected an invisible spirit creature. But what does the Bible say? Christ’s resurrection declared him to be the Son of God (Romans1:4). If Christ was not raised, then our faith is in vain (I Corinthians 15:12-19). Notice that Thomas came to believe in Christ’s resurrection when he saw the wounds in Christ’s body (John 20:24-29). Christ’s body was place in the tomb. The later empty tomb served as evidence of Christ’s resurrection (Luke 23:50-24:3).

The Jehovah’s Witnesses teach many false doctrines, these are just a few of them. It is obvious that the Jehovah’s Witnesses are far removed from the teachings of the Bible.