(John 13:34, 35) We avoid practices that displease God, including the misuse of blood by taking blood transfusions. The Witnesses understand Jesus' words at John 3:3"except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God"to apply to the 144,000 who are "born again" as "anointed" sons of God in heaven. Now, try the right place. Witnesses participate in the annual commemoration of Christs death, celebrated on 14 Nisan of the Jewish calendar (March or April of the Gregorian calendar); Witnesses pass around bread and wine, symbols of the body and blood of Christ. Christianity.com is a member of the Salem Web Network of sites including: Copyright 2023, Christianity.com. 1. They do not believe in the Trinity. This violates the biblical teaching that in the incarnate Jesus, "the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily" (Col. 2:9; cf. It Is So Painful to Care: How Do I Conquer Apathy? They believe that Jesus Christ is St. Michael the archangel. "[210] Apostates must be shunned and Witnesses are warned that those who greet one become "a sharer in his wicked works". Catholic Church: History, Tradition & Beliefs In Germany prior to World War II, the Nazis sent Witnesses to concentration camps, and Witnesses were also persecuted in Britain, Canada, and the United States. The result is that you look like an asshole every time someone sneezes as you just sit there staring at them blankly. Jehovah's Witnesses with 1.3 million members in the U.S. who hand out brochures on sidewalks and subway platforms and ring doorbells are one of the most visible religious groups in the. Members of local congregations, known as publishers, meet at Kingdom Halls and engage in doorstep preaching. [44][45] The organization is said to be theocratic, "ruled from the divine Top down, and not from the rank and file up". "Mum, I haven't died. Jehovahs Witnesses believe that if someone dies who is not a Jehovahs Witness that they will be annihilated. They believe they have the only true religion and that all other religions are under Satan. As previously mentioned, Jehovahs Witnesses view Jesus as a lesser god. The Holy Spirit is not seen as God either as Jehovahs Witnesses teach the Holy Spirit is just a force.. [70] Jehovah's Witnesses consider the Bible to be scientifically and historically accurate and reliable[71] and interpret much of it literally, while also accepting it contains much symbolism. They believe God, who's name is Jehovah (Ps. Basically, Jehovah's Witnesses believe that their own members will survive Armageddon, and live on earth after everyone else dies in the day of destruction. This, of course, is a major diversion from orthodox Christianity. New members are baptized by immersion and are expected to live by a strict code of personal conduct. Witnesses also oppose certain medical practices that they believe violate Scripture. We follow the teachings and example of Jesus Christ and honor him as our Savior and as the Son of God. They will be given the opportunity to join Jesus' "other sheep" and live forever on a paradise earth. Jehovah's Witnesses truly believe that they are the one and only true religion and that their leaders are directly appointed by God and should be obeyed as such. Witnesses believe that they are living in the last days, and they look forward to the imminent establishment of Gods kingdom on earth, which will be headed by Christ and jointly administered by 144,000 human corulers (Revelation 7:4). "[21], Watch Tower Society literature states that Jesus' use of the term "other sheep" at John 10:16 indicates a separate class with an earthly hope. [86][89], Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Jesus is God's "only-begotten Son", and that his life began in heaven. [189] At the end of the thousand years, Christ will hand all authority back to God. (Acts 15:28, 29; Galatians 5:19-21) We are peaceful and do not participate in warfare. As Jehovahs Witnesses, we strive to adhere to the form of Christianity that Jesus taught and that his apostles practiced. Sierra leone family of jehovah's witnesses dating network for true faith to use your phone. They do not view the Holy Spirit as being a true Person only a force. They urge young Witnesses to pursue higher education only to gain skills to obtain a reasonable living while maintaining flexibility to pursue their "true" vocation, serving God. [35], The leadership makes no provision for members to criticize or contribute to official teachings. [46] Witnesses teach that people must choose between God's organization and Satan's. [100] Witnesses reject the doctrine of the perpetual virginity of Mary, who they believe bore more children after Jesus. Satan persuaded Adam and Eve to obey him rather than God, raising the issueoften referred to as a "controversy"of whether people, having been granted free will, would obey God under both temptation and persecution. [201] Other identifying behavior is said to include deviation from the truth, twisted, empty speech, hypocrisy and involvement in deeper forms of ungodliness. The Lord also demonstrated Himself to be physically raised from the dead because His disciples touched Him, and Thomas placed his hands and fingers into Jesus wounds (Matthew 28:9; John 20:27-29). Marriage is considered a holy covenant, and divorce is disapproved of except in cases of adultery. Does the Bible Mention What to Give Up for Lent? Mormons: The Church of Latter Day Saints & Their Beliefs (Acts 24:15) However, those who refuse to learn Gods ways after being raised to life will be destroyed forever with no hope of a resurrection.Revelation 20:14, 15. [101], The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society used the Cross and Crown symbol on tombstones, and on its publications until 1931. [94] While on earth, Jesus was executed as a sacrifice to atone for mankind's sins, becoming the "eternal father" to the human family. [160] Those who die without faithfully serving God will receive the "resurrection of the unrighteous" ("unjust" KJV). [110], Writers including James Beckford and former members James Penton and Barbara Grizzuti Harrison have stated that Jehovah's Witnesses' have a fear of demons, which Penton says is "sometimes so extreme that it becomes quite superstitious". Who are the Jehovah's Witnesses? Despite widespread excitement over a cure, Jehovah's Witnesses contend that a plasma-based solution would be a gross violation of their beliefs. They believe that all intelligent creatures are endowed with free will, and that salvation is dependent on God's "undeserved kindness", but also requires faith in God and in the "ransom sacrifice" of Jesus Christ,[142] demonstrated by "zealous" preaching activity. Buddhist Patients and Health Care: Nine Practical Points for non-Buddhist Providers. Our organization. This date is said to also mark when the Last Days began. What is the condition of the dead? Answer (1 of 14): In their defense, I could argue that every religion has its own peculiarities and "weird" beliefs (transubstantiation [1]anyone?). The Witnesses distrust of contemporary institutions extends to other religious denominations, from which they remain separate. It is a religion where people believe in one god. [174][175] They believe that their preaching is also part of that sign, citing Matthew 24:14. We believe that the Bible gives solid reasons for following this course," states JW.org. Why? Historically, . For example, we dont accept blood transfusions because the Bible forbids taking in blood to sustain the body. 10 Things Everyone Should Know about Jehovah's Witnesses and Their Beliefs. [195] Individuals who choose to depart and announce their decision to terminate their membership are regarded as abandoning God's organization and protection. Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World NewslettersPressDonateMy Account Read our research on: Congress| Economy| COVID-19 Research Topics Three distinct Persons, yet one God. [182] The Society's publications make no explicit claim about whether small children or the mentally ill will survive, but say God's judgment will be righteous and merciful. They say it's to maintain unity. [178], The current world era, or "system of things", is considered to be in its "last days",[179] facing imminent destruction through intervention by God and Jesus Christ, leading to deliverance for those who worship God acceptably. The Lord wants you to come to Him and trust in Him as your Savior and Lord. This article is part of our Denomination Series listing historical facts and theological information about different factions within and from the Christian religion. [37] Watch Tower Society publications strongly discourage Witnesses from formulating doctrines and "private ideas" reached through independent Bible research. Why Are There So Many Christian Interpretations? Jehovahs Witnesses have a wrong view of salvation in addition to their other erroneous beliefs. [105][106] They believe that demons were originally angels who rebelled against God and took Satan's side in the controversy. The Jehovah's Witnesses believe and teach, that the body of Jesus was buried in a tomb, where it was not raised to life again after three days and three nights, as according to scripture, but rather totally destroyed by God forever. (Matthew 20:28; Acts 4:12) To benefit from that sacrifice, people must not only exercise faith in Jesus but also change their course of life and get baptized. He is not an impersonal force. [119][120] Watch Tower Society publications attempt to refute the theory of evolution, in favor of divine creation. The instead believe the Holy Spirit is a force applied by God. [180] This will mark the beginning of the great tribulation. [163] Those of the "other sheep" who survive Armageddon without needing a resurrection, are referred to as the "great crowd". People who die pass out of existence. "Jehovahs Witnesses remain politically neutral for religious reasons, based on what the Bible teaches. Photo courtesy: Thinkstock/NexTser, There are reportedly 8.3 million Jehovah's Witnesses around the world and nearly 120,000 congregations. An elder, one of the group's leaders, anxiously shares an . 9. The Jehovah's Witnesses believe that there are 144,000 individuals whom God has chosen to be resurrected as "spirit creatures" or angelic beings and who will reign in heaven as the "kingdom of God" in the age to come while all other Jehovah's Witnesses will live on a paradise earth: | God (the Father): God is a single being whose personal name is Jehovah they also accept the name Yahweh and other. California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Regarding the Jehovah's Witnesses and their Organization. Three points in particular make the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures worthy to include in your studies. Death. Many people are curious about who Jehovahs Witnesses are. Jehovah's Witnesses (hereafter JWs) consider themselves to be Christians ( but not Protestants ), even though they reject the doctrine of the Trinity. 2. Before this translation was released specifically by and for Jehovah's Witnesses, most relied on the King James Version. They affirm that GodJehovahis the most high. They believe Jesus died for humankind's sins, however they do not believe that he was physically resurrected after his crucification. Their religion, unlike Mormonism, isn't an esoteric one with secret doctrines known only to an initiated few. The Bible tells us that Jesus was resurrected with a true flesh and bone body (Luke 24:39; John 2:19-21). They consider the cross to be of pagan origins and an object of idol worship. Regarding sin. 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. Jehovah's Witnesses do not believe in Hell but do believe in Heaven. Our relationships with others. [148][149] Watch Tower Society publications state that salvation at Armageddon is also contingent on baptism, accurate knowledge of Bible truth, adherence to God's standards of conduct and morality, use of the divine name "Jehovah" in worship,[150] membership of God's "organization",[151] and active support of anointed Christians. b (Psalm 103:19-21; Acts 7:55) A relatively small number of people144,000will be resurrected to life in heaven to rule with Jesus in the Kingdom.Daniel 7:27; 2Timothy 2:12; Revelation 5:9, 10; 14:1,3. JW.org explains, "[W]e take Jesus at his word when he said: 'The Father is greater than I am.' [187][188] This judgment will be based on their actions after resurrection rather than past deeds. (Acts 15:20) Likewise, the Bible prohibits health treatments or procedures that include occult practices.Galatians 5:19-21," explains JW.org. Seventh-Day Adventists & Their Beliefs We worship the one true and Almighty God, the Creator, whose name is Jehovah. They only see Jehovah as the true mighty God, not Jesus or the Holy Spirit. "Jehovah's Witnesses Beliefs." Instead, Jehovahs Witnesses believe Jesus has opened the way to salvation and that by following the rules of Kingdom Hall, anyone can also become a Jehovahs Witness. Ephesians 4:30 urges us not to grieve the Holy Spirit, which demonstrates that the Holy Spirit has emotions. However, the elders do not form a clergy class, and they are unsalaried. They continue to face persecution in several countries, however, particularly for their refusal to serve in the military, and they are often publicly derided for their door-to-door evangelism. [83] Being respectful of the principle of free will, he does not force his sovereignty on people, choosing to save only those who want to serve him, even though the course of mankind in general may lead them to harm. Those with an earthly hope are said to be beneficiaries of that covenant. No mere man could live a sinless life, die for the sins of the world, and rise up from the grave. There are many false teachings and false doctrines that the Jehovah's Witnesses have been taught to believe about God, the Trinity doctrine, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the Gospel. Explore the various characteristics of different denominations from our list below! [95], They believe that after his death, Jesus appeared to his disciples, convinced them of his resurrection, and then ascended into heaven to sit at Jehovah's right hand until he would become the promised king of God's heavenly kingdom. [77][87] The title, LORD (Greek: Kyrios), is rarely used by Witnesses when speaking about God. Congregations . They teach that Jesus was created by God and not coexistent wth Him. Heaven. [125] The kingdom is viewed as the means by which God will accomplish his original purpose for the earth,[126][127] bringing about a world free of crime, sickness, death and poverty, and ultimately transforming the earth into a paradise. Evil and suffering. This, of course, is a major diversion from orthodox Christianity. They disavow terms such as minister and church. They believe that Jesus can be called a deity or a god, but only in the sense that an angel can be thus called. [203] It is grounds for expulsion from the group and subsequent shunning. The Bible tells us the Holy Spirit has a personality and the Bible describes the Holy Spirit with personal pronouns (Acts 13:2). The Trinity. Wear or own a cross. Jack Zavada is a writer who covers the Bible, theology, and other Christianity topics. But, ok, because most people have no idea what Jehovah's Witnesses believe, here's a list of some of the more "weird" beliefs they have or are suppo. Rather, unbelievers spend eternity separated from God in hell and later in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15). Witnesses believe that the only hope for life after death is in the resurrection, which they say involves re-creation by God of the same individual with a new body. [111][112][113][114] Watch Tower Society publications state that Witnesses need not harbor dread or superstitious fear of demons, because their power over humans is limited. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. [217] According to Carrie S. Ingersoll-Wood, "By eliminating access to external knowledge, the congregation as a whole surrenders autonomy and willingly subjects themselves and their children to the external regulation of the religion. A select few (144,000) of Christ's most faithful followers will be chosen to rule alongside him. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that it is the Christian's duty to remain "neutral" during warfare. I'm still here, and I'm still the . Special pioneers are full-time salaried employees of the society. [183] After Armageddon, Satan will be cast into an abyss and unable to influence humanity, then God will extend his heavenly kingdom to include earth,[184][185] which will be transformed into a paradise similar to the Garden of Eden. Outside of Jesus, there is no way to salvation. Jehovahs Witnesses deny the existence of hell; therefore, they believe God simply annihilates anyone who never becomes a Jehovahs Witness during their life. During his ministry, Russell quarreled with many tenets of mainstream Christianity, including immortality of the soul, hellfire, predestination, the fleshly return of Jesus Christ, the Trinity, and the burning up of the world. The impulse to sin is in the blood. [193] They believe coerced worship is unacceptable to God. Jehovah's Witnesses use a Bible translation called the New World Translation. In the 1870s Russell organized the Watchtower Society, which directs, administers, and disseminates all doctrine. Consequently, they refuse all ecumenical relations with other religious denominations. no social, ethnic, racial, or class divisions, speak to one of the Witnesses in your area. The Lord also ate food multiple times after His resurrection, which proved His body was physically resurrected (Luke 24:30; John 21-12-13). They are also known for their evangelical work going door-to-door attempting to make converts. Jehovah's Witnesses are a people of faith that many of us likely don't know that much about. After the war the Witnesses brought several suits in American courts dealing with their beliefs and practices, resulting in 59 Supreme Court rulings that were regarded as major judgments on the free exercise of religion. [157] Jehovah's Witnesses believe that being "anointed" involves a personal revelation by God's spirit which "gives positive assurance of adoption" to the individual alone. (Exodus 15:8, 10) A craftsmans hands cannot function independent of his mind and body; likewise, Gods holy spirit operates only as he directs it. [60] Sociologist Andrew Holden has observed that Witnesses see no distinction between loyalty to Jehovah and to the movement itself,[61] and other researchers have claimed that challenging the views of those higher up the hierarchical ladder is regarded as tantamount to challenging God himself. Jehovah's Witnesses hold services on Sunday and twice during the week, in a Kingdom Hall, an unadorned building. They believe that Jesus, as St. Michael the archangel, was God's first . [9][10] All members of the denomination are expected to take an active part in preaching. Jehovah's Witnesses started in 1870 when a man named Charles Taze Russell led Bible studies in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. We provide these articles to help you understand the distinctions between denominations including origin, leadership, doctrine, and beliefs. Sylviane is a relationship coach for women . Jehovah's Witnesses Beliefs. They think the Holy Spirit is an "impersonal force" and not actually God and Lord Himself. These include literacy classes, Pioneer Service School, School for Kingdom Evangelizers and Gilead School. Jehovah's Witnesses don't celebrate any holidays, a category which they believe includes birthdays.. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that only 144,000 people will go to heaven and that the rest of humanity will live forever on a paradise earth. The present study of 50 Jehovah's Witnesses admitted to the Mental Health Service facilities of Western Australia suggests that members of this section of the community are more likely to be admitted to a psychiatric hospital than the general population. This is wrong because the Holy Spirit is God, and He is divine. This means they are not true Christians, and they do not truly know the truth of Jesus. (Matthew 28:19, 20; John 3:16; Acts 3:19, 20) A persons works prove that his faith is alive. In 1876, Russell encountered Nelson H. Barbour; later that year, they together produced the book Three Worlds, which combined restitution views with end-time prophecy. 83:18), will end crime, violence, sickness and death by destroying all wickedness in the world. Ex . If any Jehovah's Witness is deemed to be an apostate, she or he will be disfellowshipped. [202], Jehovah's Witnesses regard secular education as fundamental, but they emphasize their preaching work as the top priority in their life. JW.org explains, " [W]e take Jesus at his word when he said: 'The Father is greater than I am.' https://www.learnreligions.com/jehovahs-witnesses-beliefs-700792 (accessed March 4, 2023). We're a post and chat jehovah's witnesses of this reason the preferred religious beliefs and proper etiquette. "Some treatments conflict with Bible principles, though, and we reject these. This article summarizes our basic beliefs. [198] Individuals who commit serious sins and are unrepentant are considered disfellowshipped. Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, Muslims and others say Jesus was merely a human prophet, an angel, or some other created being. The BBC reports that Witnesses believe the end times began in 1914. ", The answer to this is no. [204] Watch Tower Society literature says apostates are motivated by vitriolic bitterness and that their writings are poisonous, distorted and false, display the characteristics of "cunning, contrived error, prideful intelligence, lack of love and dishonesty" and are designed to undermine the faith of Jehovah's Witnesses. The leaders of some mainstream Christian churches have denounced the Witnesses for doctrinal deviation (especially their non-Trinitarian teachings) and have condemned them as a cult.. God. Development of Jehovah's Witnesses doctrine, Organizational structure of Jehovah's Witnesses, 1980 purge of high-level members at the group's Brooklyn headquarters, New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, "Bioethics of the Refusal of Blood by Jehovah's Witnesses, Part 1", "Sect-State Relations: Accounting for the Differing Trajectories of Seventh-day Adventists and Jehovah's Witnesses", "Eternal Torment Why a Disturbing Doctrine? [24][25][26] The view is based on their interpretation of Proverbs 4:18, which they believe refers to a continuous progressive advancement in doctrinal knowledge and scriptural understanding for "righteous ones",[27][28] with the holy spirit helping "responsible representatives of 'the faithful and discreet slave' at world headquarters to discern deep truths that were not previously understood". Thus, Jesus was physically resurrected from the dead. [121][122] The Society teaches that the first human, Adam, was created in 4026 BCE. Witnesses hold a number of traditional Christian views but also many that are unique to them. [136] They reason that complete destruction does not allow for literal "torture" of the wicked, as the deceased person is not conscious. The group was initially called the Watch Tower Society because founder Charles Taze Russell published Zion's Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence magazine. (1Corinthians 1:10) We also work hard to have no social, ethnic, racial, or class divisions.