Understanding Jehovah's Witnesses: Beliefs and Practices

Summary

### Summary

In this sermon, we explored the beliefs and practices of Jehovah's Witnesses, focusing on their history, theology, and organizational structure. The modern-day Jehovah's Witnesses began in the late 19th century with a group of Bible students led by Charles Taze Russell. They aimed to promote the teachings of Jesus Christ and follow the practices of the first-century Christian congregation. Russell founded the Watchtower Society in 1881, and after his death, Joseph Rutherford introduced the name Jehovah's Witnesses in 1931.

Jehovah's Witnesses hold distinct theological views, particularly their rejection of the Trinity. They believe Jehovah is the one true God, Jesus is His first creation and not divine, and the Holy Spirit is God's active force rather than a person. They emphasize that Jesus is not to be worshipped and remains subordinate to God even after His resurrection.

Their beliefs extend to various aspects of Christian doctrine and practice. For instance, they reject the use of the cross in worship, considering it a pagan symbol. They also believe that Jesus was resurrected as a spirit being and not in a physical body. Baptism is by full immersion and is a public declaration of one's dedication to God. They observe the Memorial of Christ's Death annually, where only those with the hope of heaven partake in the bread and wine.

Jehovah's Witnesses have a unique eschatology, teaching that only 144,000 faithful Christians will go to heaven, while the rest will live eternally on a paradise earth. They believe in a future great tribulation followed by a 1,000-year reign of Christ. They also hold that the dead are unconscious and will be resurrected to have an opportunity for salvation.

Their organizational structure is hierarchical, with a governing body providing guidance and instructions. They maintain a strict code of conduct, including disfellowshipping unrepentant wrongdoers and discouraging independent thinking that questions the organization's teachings. Women have limited roles in ministry, and all baptized members are considered ordained ministers.

Jehovah's Witnesses are known for their door-to-door evangelism and abstaining from political activities, military service, and blood transfusions. They do not celebrate traditional holidays or birthdays, viewing them as incompatible with their faith.

### Key Takeaways

1. Theological Distinctions: Jehovah's Witnesses reject the Trinity, viewing Jehovah as the one true God, Jesus as His first creation, and the Holy Spirit as God's active force. This belief shapes their understanding of worship and the nature of God, emphasizing a clear hierarchy where Jesus remains subordinate to Jehovah even after His resurrection. [03:16]

2. Eschatological Beliefs: They believe that only 144,000 faithful Christians will go to heaven, while the rest will live eternally on a paradise earth. This belief underscores their focus on a future great tribulation and a 1,000-year reign of Christ, during which the dead will be resurrected to have an opportunity for salvation. [20:48]

3. Organizational Structure: The governing body of Jehovah's Witnesses provides centralized guidance and instructions, maintaining a strict code of conduct. This includes disfellowshipping unrepentant wrongdoers and discouraging independent thinking that questions the organization's teachings, ensuring unity and adherence to their interpretation of the Bible. [32:48]

4. Distinct Practices: Jehovah's Witnesses abstain from political activities, military service, and blood transfusions, viewing these as incompatible with their faith. They also do not celebrate traditional holidays or birthdays, believing these practices are rooted in paganism and not aligned with their understanding of true worship. [30:59]

5. Role of Women: Women in Jehovah's Witnesses have limited roles in ministry and are barred from serving in official teaching capacities within the congregation. They can teach other women and children and may participate in certain functions under specific circumstances, but always with a head covering when performing duties typically reserved for men. [35:46]

### YouTube Chapters

1. [0:00] - Welcome
2. [00:57] - Early History and Charles Taze Russell
3. [02:13] - Joseph Rutherford and the Name Change
4. [03:16] - Theological Beliefs: God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit
5. [04:17] - Rejection of the Trinity
6. [05:17] - God's Nature and Omnipresence
7. [06:13] - Jesus' Life and Teachings
8. [07:12] - Jesus' Death and Resurrection
9. [08:20] - Baptism and Memorial of Christ's Death
10. [09:27] - Bible Translation and Inerrancy
11. [10:23] - Creation and Evolution
12. [11:18] - Science and the Bible
13. [12:28] - Adam, Eve, and Original Sin
14. [13:38] - Salvation and Requirements
15. [14:53] - Endurance and Obedience
16. [16:08] - Free Will and Predestination
17. [17:20] - Speaking in Tongues and Miraculous Gifts
18. [18:35] - 1914 and Jesus' Invisible Return
19. [19:40] - The 144,000 and Great Crowd
20. [20:48] - Born Again and Eternal Life
21. [22:24] - Hell and Resurrection
22. [23:09] - Judgment and Final Test
23. [24:48] - Annihilation of the Wicked
24. [25:30] - Satan and Demons
25. [26:07] - Sexuality and Marriage
26. [27:32] - Divorce and Remarriage
27. [28:20] - Abortion and Sanctity of Life
28. [29:17] - Kingdom Halls and Meetings
29. [30:03] - Tithing and Contributions
30. [30:59] - Holidays and Political Neutrality
31. [31:54] - Blood Transfusions and Medical Treatment
32. [32:48] - Organizational Structure and Elders
33. [33:27] - Unity and Independent Thinking
34. [34:08] - Disfellowshipping and Association
35. [35:01] - Role of Women in Ministry
36. [35:46] - Global Presence and Evangelism
37. [36:49] - Conclusion and Further Resources

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Isaiah 9:6-7 - "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this."
2. John 1:1, 18 - "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known."
3. Ecclesiastes 9:10 - "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom."

#### Observation Questions
1. According to Jehovah's Witnesses, how is Jesus described in relation to God and the Holy Spirit? ([03:16])
2. What is the significance of the 144,000 in Jehovah's Witnesses' eschatology? ([20:48])
3. How do Jehovah's Witnesses view the use of the cross in worship? ([07:12])
4. What are some of the distinct practices that Jehovah's Witnesses abstain from, and why? ([30:59])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How do Jehovah's Witnesses' beliefs about Jesus' nature and role differ from traditional Christian views? What implications does this have for their worship practices? ([03:16])
2. What might be the reasons behind Jehovah's Witnesses' strict organizational structure and their discouragement of independent thinking? ([32:48])
3. How does the belief in a literal 144,000 who will go to heaven shape the overall eschatological outlook of Jehovah's Witnesses? ([20:48])
4. In what ways do Jehovah's Witnesses' practices of abstaining from political activities and blood transfusions reflect their theological convictions? ([30:59])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the Jehovah's Witnesses' rejection of the Trinity. How does this challenge your understanding of the nature of God? How can you deepen your understanding of the Trinity in your own faith journey? ([03:16])
2. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that only 144,000 will go to heaven. How does this belief compare to your understanding of salvation and eternal life? How does it affect your view of inclusivity in God's kingdom? ([20:48])
3. Consider the Jehovah's Witnesses' practice of disfellowshipping. How does your church handle discipline and restoration? What can be learned from both approaches? ([32:48])
4. Jehovah's Witnesses abstain from celebrating traditional holidays and birthdays. How do you view the role of cultural practices in your faith? Are there any practices you feel conflicted about? ([30:59])
5. Reflect on the role of women in Jehovah's Witnesses' ministry. How does your church involve women in ministry, and what steps can be taken to ensure their contributions are valued and respected? ([35:46])
6. Jehovah's Witnesses emphasize door-to-door evangelism. How can you be more intentional in sharing your faith with others in your daily life? ([35:46])
7. How do you balance the need for unity in your church with the importance of independent thinking and questioning? What steps can you take to foster a healthy environment for both? ([33:27])

Devotional

Day 1: The Hierarchy of God and Jesus
Jehovah's Witnesses hold a distinct theological view that rejects the Trinity. They believe that Jehovah is the one true God, Jesus is His first creation and not divine, and the Holy Spirit is God's active force rather than a person. This belief shapes their understanding of worship and the nature of God, emphasizing a clear hierarchy where Jesus remains subordinate to Jehovah even after His resurrection. This theological stance influences their practices and how they relate to God and Jesus in their daily lives. [03:16]

John 14:28 (ESV): "You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I."

Reflection: How does understanding the hierarchy between God and Jesus influence your personal relationship with each of them? Can you identify ways to honor this hierarchy in your daily worship and prayers?

Day 2: The Hope of a Paradise Earth
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that only 144,000 faithful Christians will go to heaven, while the rest will live eternally on a paradise earth. This eschatological belief underscores their focus on a future great tribulation and a 1,000-year reign of Christ, during which the dead will be resurrected to have an opportunity for salvation. This hope of a paradise earth shapes their worldview and provides a unique perspective on life, death, and the afterlife. [20:48]

Revelation 21:3-4 (ESV): "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.'"

Reflection: How does the promise of a paradise earth affect your outlook on current challenges and future hopes? What steps can you take today to align your life with this hope?

Day 3: Unity Through Organizational Structure
The governing body of Jehovah's Witnesses provides centralized guidance and instructions, maintaining a strict code of conduct. This includes disfellowshipping unrepentant wrongdoers and discouraging independent thinking that questions the organization's teachings, ensuring unity and adherence to their interpretation of the Bible. This hierarchical structure is designed to maintain doctrinal purity and organizational unity. [32:48]

1 Corinthians 1:10 (ESV): "I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment."

Reflection: In what ways can you contribute to the unity and doctrinal purity of your own faith community? Are there areas where you need to align more closely with the teachings and guidance of your church leadership?

Day 4: Distinct Practices and Their Significance
Jehovah's Witnesses abstain from political activities, military service, and blood transfusions, viewing these as incompatible with their faith. They also do not celebrate traditional holidays or birthdays, believing these practices are rooted in paganism and not aligned with their understanding of true worship. These distinct practices set them apart and are a testament to their commitment to their beliefs. [30:59]

Romans 12:2 (ESV): "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Reflection: Are there practices or traditions in your life that may not align with your faith? How can you make intentional choices to live out your beliefs more fully in your daily actions and decisions?

Day 5: The Role of Women in Ministry
Women in Jehovah's Witnesses have limited roles in ministry and are barred from serving in official teaching capacities within the congregation. They can teach other women and children and may participate in certain functions under specific circumstances, but always with a head covering when performing duties typically reserved for men. This reflects their interpretation of biblical teachings on gender roles within the church. [35:46]

1 Timothy 2:11-12 (ESV): "Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet."

Reflection: How do you view the roles of men and women in your faith community? Are there ways you can support and honor the contributions of both genders while adhering to your understanding of biblical teachings?

Quotes

1. "Since Jesus is the founder of Christianity, we view him as the founder of our organization. Charles Russell founded the Watchtower Society in 1881 and led the early movement that later produced the Jehovah's Witnesses. The early movement self-identified as Bible Students and didn't use the name of Jehovah's Witnesses. There was some Adventist influence upon Russell and early Bible Students." [00:57] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Jehovah's Witnesses are not Trinitarian. Although they don't self-identify with the term, their theology is Unitarian, meaning that God is one person. Jehovah is this one true God. They also clarify, The Scriptures do at times refer to actual persons as gods. However, a careful examination clearly reveals that the term God, in these instances, is not intended to designate these individuals as deities." [03:16] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "The Holy Spirit is God's power in action. His active force. God sends out his Spirit by projecting his energy to any place to accomplish his will. By referring to God's Spirit as his hands, fingers, or breath, the Bible shows that the Holy Spirit is not a person. The Bible gives the names of Jehovah God and of his Son, Jesus Christ, yet nowhere does it name the Holy Spirit." [04:17] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Of who Jesus is, Jehovah's Witnesses believe that he is God's promised Messiah, that he lived in heaven before he came to earth. He is Jehovah's most precious son and first creation. He is the only one directly created by God and the one God used to create all other things. He willingly left heaven and came down to earth to live as a human, and Jehovah transferred his life to the womb of the Virgin Mary." [05:17] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "On creation, the JW.org article, Do Jehovah's Witnesses Believe in Creationism? says, No. Jehovah's Witnesses do believe that God created everything. But we do not agree with creationism. Why not? Because a number of creationist ideas actually conflict with the Bible. Consider the following two examples. 1. Length of the six days of creation. Some creationists assert that these six days of creation were literal 24-hour days, but the word day in the Bible can refer to a considerable length of time." [10:23] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "On salvation in the article is belief in Jesus enough for salvation on jw.org it is said what must i do to be saved you must believe that jesus sacrificed his life for our sins this includes believing that jesus was a real person and that all of what the bible account says about him is accurate learn what the bible really teaches the bible says that the apostle paul and silas told a jailer believe in the lord jesus christ and you will get saved then after that they begin to teach the word of jehovah to the jailer this indicates that the jailer could not truly believe in jesus unless he had a basic understanding of god's word he needed accurate knowledge based on the scriptures repent you must also repent or feel deep sorrow over previous wrong attitudes and conduct your repentance will be obvious to others as you stop practices that offend god and do works that befit repentance get baptized jesus said that those who become his disciples would be baptized" [14:53] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "On the idea of a sinner's prayer they say some people think that after expressing a sinner's prayer a person is assured of eternal salvation but no prayer in itself guarantees salvation as imperfect humans we continue to make mistakes that is why jesus taught his followers to pray regularly for forgiveness of sins furthermore some christians who are in line for eternal salvation lost that prospect because they fell away or turned away from god jehovah's witnesses reject calvinism on predestination for example they say, just as the creator is free to do as he chooses, he has created man with a free will. Out of regard for this, the creator does not fix or foreordain the path each individual will take." [16:08] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "Jehovah's Witnesses do not teach a post-salvation entire sanctification experience, as is taught in many holiness denominations. Jehovah's Witnesses are not Pentecostal or charismatic. On speaking in tongues, they say, speaking in tongues refers to a miraculous ability some early Christians had that enabled them to speak a language without first having learned it. Was speaking in tongues too complex? Was it too complex? Was it too complex? Was it too complex? No. The gifts of the Holy Spirit, including that of speaking in tongues, were a temporary provision. The Bible foretold, if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away with. If there are tongues, they will cease." [17:20] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "The term hell for Jehovah's Witnesses simply means the location of the dead, who are unconscious regardless of their spiritual condition. They say, Those in hell are unconscious and so cannot feel pain. There is no work, nor devising, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in Sheol. Ecclesiastes 9.10 Good people go to hell. The faithful men Jacob and Job expected to go there. Death, not torment in a fiery hell, is the penalty for sin. He who has died has been acquitted from his sin. Romans 6.7" [22:24] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "Of women in ministry, they say, Women are barred from serving in an official teaching capacity in the congregation and from exercising spiritual authority over fellow congregation members. In the congregation, only men are to be teachers and overseers. And also, Women are free to teach Christian doctrine and are invited to do so. In what context and under what circumstances? Older women can be teachers of what is good to the younger women. And just as Eunice and her mother Lois instructed Timothy, so Christian women still follow their example in training children in the way of the truth." [35:01] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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