What do Jehovah's Witnesses believe in that's different from main stream Christianity?

Answer 1

Their critics continue to cite issues which are not actually central to the differences between Jehovah's Witnesses and other self-described "Christians". The main difference is that Jehovah's Witnesses understand that God's Messianic Kingdom by Christ Jesus is a REAL GOVERNMENT which will really rule over mankind.

Jehovah's Witnesses understand the Scriptures to teach that God's Kingdom will soon replace all earthly governments.
(Daniel 2:44) God of heaven will set up a kingdom... It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it itself will stand to times indefinite

That Kingdom will rule over the vast majority of mankind, most of whom will have been raised from the dead after Armageddon.
(John 11:23,24) Jesus said to her: “Your brother will rise.” Martha said to him: “I know he will rise in the resurrection on the last day.”
(Acts 24:15) There is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.

Until that resurrection, there is no suffering in "hell", or the grave. Sometime after the resurrection, death and "hell" will themselves be destroyed.
(Ecclesiastes 9:5) For the living are conscious that they will die; but as for the dead, they are conscious of nothing at all
(Ecclesiastes 9:10) there is no work nor devising nor knowledge nor wisdom in Sheol ["hell"]
(Revelation 20:14) And death and Hades ["hell"] were hurled into the lake of fire

While a limitted number of humans will be resurrected to heaven to share in ruling over mankind, the vast majority (literally more than 99.9%) of Jehovah's Witnesses expect an EARTHLY hope, the same hope given to Adam and Eve.
(Genesis 1:28) God blessed them and God said to them: “Be fruitful and become many and fill THE EARTH and subdue it [caps added]
(Genesis 2:17) You must not eat from it, for in the day you eat from it you will positively die [so never eating from that tree means never dying]

Interestingly, the Scriptures are full of references to this earthly hope, and other Scriptures show that the lame will walk and the blind will see in this restored paradise earth with restored health and perfect human bodies.
(Psalms 37:11) 'the meek will possess the earth'
(Proverbs 2:21) 'upright will reside in the earth'
(Isaiah 45:18) 'God formed the earth to be inhabited'
(Matthew 5:5) 'the mild will inherit the earth'
(Revelation 21:3) The tent of God is with mankind

Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/jt/
http://watchtower.org/e/20001001/

Answer 2

Jehovah Witnesses believe

Jesus was Gods only begotton son, and not God in a different form. Which is what the trinity suggests (Acts 7:55-56, Matthew 15:9)
Jesus is our saviour, and we can only approach God through Him (Romans 5:1).
Gods name is Jehovah (Exodus 6:3 KJV)
Christmas is pagan based and should not be celebrated (Galatians 4:8-11 ).
The resurrection won't happen until after armgeddon (2 Timothy 2:18)
Most people will live forever on a paradise earth after armageddon (Psalms 337:29)
There is no hell, you just don't exist anymore if that's your judgement (Revelation 20:14-15)
144,000 will be kings and priests with Jesus in heaven, and rule over a 'great crowd' of people on the earth (Revelation 14:3, 7:4,9).

If you have a free Bible study with the Jehovah's Witnesses, they will be able to back all this up using the Bible, and show you more.

And be carefull what you hear about from non Jehovah's Witnesses, because they sometimes get things wrong. There is no Saturday Sabbath, and we do believe that Jesus is Christ our saviour.

Answer 3

You could wait until next May when this program is shown on PBS, or you can order a copy now. It was done by an independent film company.

http://www.knocking.org/

Setting aside any Bible issues, they believe in obeying the law, even the inconvenient ones, such as speed limits when late for work.

They believe in paying taxes, even though there are many ways they could avoid them, as many religions do.

They believe in keeping their word, such as to the IRS that they will not promote politics in the church, and they actually mean it.

They teach their youth that waiting until marriage is preferable to using protection, and for the most part, the youths actually believe it. As a result, they have the lowest rates of out-of-wedlock births and STDs. Yes, there is the occasional ones who would rather have their fun now than wait, but there are far more who choose to wait.

They treat their youth with respect, not just "do what you're told!"

Youths are taught side by side with the adults, the Bible as a whole, and not just Bible stories. The very young may not understand what they are being taught, but by the time you reach the age of understanding, they have a good basic knowledge of the scriptures.

The congregations never get so large that the individual gets lost in the crowd. Since everyone is taught the same, it is easy to start a new congregation, with a set of elders.

Everyone knows everyone, whether in their congregation, or in their circuit. When Katrina happened, every Jehovah’s Witnesses living in New Orleans could be found in Texas, with every individual accounted for. How many other religions could say for certain they knew that none of those left behind belong to one of their churches?

They believe their Kingdom Halls should compliment a neighborhood, and not overwhelm it, so they are small and don’t include a lot of expensive decorative features. Each KH can hold up to four congregations.

The greatest difference between JWs and the rest of Christendom can be answered with just one question.

WHAT DAY DO YOU OBSERVE THE MEMORIAL ON?

Everyone else will falter around and perhaps come up with a day in May, but all JWs will say at sunset on Niacin 14, which falls on the first full moon after the vernal equinox, the Memorial of the Last Supper. This is the only day, aside from wedding anniversaries, that Christ said to continue keeping, yet Jehovah's Witnesses are the only Christian organization that does.

Whatever you may say about whether it is right or wrong to observe the man-made holidays created since the first congregations, the fact remains that Christendom does not observe the one day Christ said to keep. What does that say for the leaders of Christendom, that they ignore that one important day of the year, and don't even know what day it falls on?

The question of holidays gets asked a lot, yet the facts of why are clearly evident. Even the Churches of Christendom recognize that the holidays and observances are not in keeping with Bible teachings, yet they fear that doing anything about it will jeopardize their positions and power. Check any religious encyclopedia about the holidays and their history.

So the question is not why don't witnesses celebrate the holidays, but why does Christendom celebrate something not taught in the Bible? Further, why don't they know what day Christ said to observe and why don't you observe it on that day?

Whatever you may think of any of the other beliefs of JWs, you have to ask yourself is the need to observe these holidays more important than observing the day Christ said to keep?

Answer 4

They belive that Jesus was the son of God but not God the son.

this one belief seperates them from main stream christianity.

Jehovah's Witnesses do not believe in the Trinity. As mentioned above, God is the all-knowing, all-powerful Creator. The relationship between him and Jesus is like that of father and son: Jesus is the first creation of God. He is fully human. The Holy Spirit is an active force which intervenes for God on earth. All the above mentioned are separate entities.

Heaven: Heaven is where Jesus Christ and the other "True Christians" will live. There they will rule over the kingdom which will be on earth. Seats are limited: only 144,000 will gain access to heaven.

Hell is non-existent for the Jehovah's Witnesses. There is not a fiery-torment, claims Russell, because it runs contradictory to God's loving nature. Those who don't qualify for heaven or the kingdom that will be established on earth will simply dissappear, as if they had never existed.


ps I do not endorse these beliefs.

Answer 5

WHAT JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES BELIEVE

-Bible is God's Word and is truth:
2 Tim. 3:16, 17; 2 Pet. 1:20, 21; John 17:17

-Bible is more reliable than tradition: Matt. 15:3; Col. 2:8

God's name is Jehovah Ps. 83:18; Isa. 26:4; 42:8, AS; Ex. 6:3

-Christ is God's Son and is inferior to Him: Matt. 3:17; John 8:42; 14:28; 20:17; 1 Cor. 11:3; 15:28

-Christ was first of God's creations: Col. 1:15; Rev. 3:14

-Christ died on a stake, not a cross: Gal. 3:13; Acts 5:30

-Christ's human life was paid as a ransom for obedient humans: Matt. 20:28; 1 Tim. 2:5, 6; 1 Pet. 2:24

-Christ's one sacrifice was sufficient: Rom. 6:10; Heb. 9:25-28

-Christ was raised from the dead as an immortal spirit person: 1 Pet. 3:18; Rom. 6:9; Rev. 1:17, 18

-Christ's presence is in spirit: John 14:19; Matt. 24:3; 2 Cor. 5:16; Ps. 110:1, 2

-We are now in the 'time of the end': Matt. 24:3-14; 2 Tim. 3:1-5; Luke 17:26-30

-Kingdom under Christ will rule earth in righteousness and peace: Isa. 9:6, 7; 11:1-5; Dan. 7:13, 14; Matt. 6:10

-Kingdom will bring ideal living conditions to earth: Ps. 72:1-4; Rev. 7:9, 10, 13-17; 21:3, 4

-Earth will never be destroyed or depopulated: Eccl. 1:4; Isa. 45:18; Ps. 78:69

-God will eliminate present system of things in the battle at Har-Magedon: Rev. 16:14, 16; Zeph. 3:8; Dan. 2:44; Isa. 34:2; 55:10, 11

-Wicked will be eternally destroyed: Matt. 25:41-46; 2 Thess. 1:6-9

-People God approves will receive everlasting life: John 3:16; 10:27, 28; 17:3; Mark 10:29, 30

-There is only one road to life: Matt. 7:13, 14; Eph. 4:4, 5

-Human death is due to Adam's sin: Rom. 5:12; 6:23

-The human soul ceases to exist at death: Ezek. 18:4; Eccl. 9:10; Ps. 6:5; 146:4; John 11:11-14

-Hell is mankind's common grave: Job 14:13, Dy; Rev. 20:13, 14, AV (margin)

-Hope for dead is resurrection: 1 Cor. 15:20-22; John 5:28, 29; 11:25, 26

-Adamic death will cease: 1 Cor. 15:26, 54; Rev. 21:4; Isa. 25:8

-Only a little flock of 144,000 go to heaven and rule with Christ: Luke 12:32; Rev. 14:1, 3; 1 Cor. 15:40-53; Rev. 5:9, 10

-The 144,000 are born again as spiritual sons of God: 1 Pet. 1:23; John 3:3; Rev. 7:3, 4

-New covenant is made with spiritual Israel: Jer. 31:31; Heb. 8:10-13

-Christ's congregation is built upon himself: Eph. 2:20; Isa. 28:16; Matt. 21:42

-Prayers are to be directed only to Jehovah through Christ: John 14:6, 13, 14; 1 Tim. 2:5

-Images should not be used in worship: Ex. 20:4, 5; Lev. 26:1; 1 Cor. 10:14; Ps. 115:4-8

-Spiritism must be shunned: Deut. 18:10-12; Gal. 5:19-21; Lev. 19:31

-Satan is invisible ruler of world: 1 John 5:19; 2 Cor. 4:4; John 12:31

-A Christian ought to have no part in interfaith movements: 2 Cor. 6:14-17; 11:13-15; Gal. 5:9; Deut. 7:1-5

-A Christian should keep separate from world: Jas. 4:4; 1 John 2:15; John 15:19; 17:16

-Obey human laws that do not conflict with God's laws: Matt. 22:20, 21; 1 Pet. 2:12; 4:15

-Taking blood into body through mouth or veins violates God's laws: Gen. 9:3, 4; Lev. 17:14; Acts 15:28, 29

-Bible's laws on morals must be obeyed: 1 Cor. 6:9, 10; Heb. 13:4; 1 Tim. 3:2; Prov. 5:1-23

-Sabbath observance was given only to Israel and ended with Mosaic Law: Deut. 5:15; Ex. 31:13; Rom. 10:4; Gal. 4:9, 10; Col. 2:16, 17

-A clergy class and special titles are improper: Matt. 23:8-12; 20:25-27; Job 32:21, 22

-Man did not evolve but was created: Isa. 45:12; Gen. 1:27; Matt. 19:4

-Christ set example that must be followed in serving God: 1 Pet. 2:21; Heb. 10:7; John 4:34; 6:38

-Baptism by complete immersion symbolizes dedication: Mark 1:9, 10; John 3:23; Acts 19:4, 5

-Christians gladly give public testimony to Scriptural truth: Rom. 10:10; Heb. 13:15; Isa. 43:10-12

Answer 6

They don't believe the Word of God is the Creator as the Word part of Elohim, the Father, Word & Holy Spirit.

They believe Jesus was the first Angel Michael that Jehovah (Yahweh) created.

But it is written that God so honored Him (who shed his own blood for the remission of our sins & rose from the dead) with a name above all. That at the name of Yeshua (Jesus) every knee shall bow and tongue confess, "Yeshua Messiah is Yahweh.". Or "Jesus Christ is LORD.".

Salvation (everlasting life) is the gift of God, not by works lest any one boasts. JWs also are stuck in relgious works as attaining righteousness. For the true born of God Christian. Christian puts on Christs righteousness at the moment born of God through faith. Nothing a Christian can do can add or take away from ones righteousness. Person is spiritually reborn and restored in relationship with God. God sees the righteousness of Christ when looking at His Own born of God.

Answer 7

Jesus is Lord, (lord means master, not God)

Though Jesus is my Lord (Master), there is only one God the Father, whose name is Jehovah. (Ps 83:18)

1 Cor 8:5 For even though there are those who are called “gods,” whether in heaven or on earth, just as there are many “gods” and many “lords,” 6 there is actually to us one God the Father, out of whom all things are, and we for him; and there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things are, and we through him.

When Paul said that Jesus' name is above everyones, note what Paul said at

1 Cor 15:27 For [God] “subjected all things under his feet.” But when he says that ‘all things have been subjected,’ it is evident that it is with the exception of the one who subjected all things to him.

Jehovah excluded himself from that subjection.

1 Cor 11:3 But I want YOU to know that the head of every man is the Christ; in turn the head of a woman is the man; in turn the head of the Christ is God

Jehovah is above Christ, as Christ is above man.


Rev 1:6 and he made us to be a kingdom, priests to his God and Father—yes, to him be the glory and the might forever. Amen.

The apostle John did not believe Jesus to be God Almighty

Rev 3:12 “‘The one that conquers—I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will by no means go out [from it] anymore, and I will write upon him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem which descends out of heaven from my God, and that new name of mine.

Jesus 60 years after his resurrection didn't believe he was God.

If Paul, Jesus, and John not believe Jesus to be God, Why should go beyond what they taught?

Rom 15:5,6.

Answer 8

Jehovah's Witnesses believe:

* God's name is Jehovah.
* Only Jehovah existed from "everlasting to everlasting.
* Jesus is not one with God.
* The Holy Spirit it not part of a triune God, He is simply the "force" of God.
* God was once alone in the universe.
* Satan originated the doctrine of the trinity.

Jesus is the truth, the way and the life!

Answer 9

question: Is it honest to declare that Jehovah's Witnesses are spiritually ineffective ? no. Jehovah's Witnesses are properly understand for preaching the arriving kingdom of God. "Jesus responded, "enable people who're spiritually ineffective look after their very own ineffective. Your accountability is to pass and carry forth the arriving of the dominion of God. yet another mentioned, "sure, Lord, i'm going to stay with you, yet first enable me say goodbye to my relatives. yet Jesus instructed him, "anybody who places a hand to the plow and then looks back is not greater healthful for the dominion of God." curiously, Jesus makes no point out of being born returned. became into Moses born returned? became into he spiritually ineffective for not being born returned? The Greek be conscious "nekros" ability to be with out being dedicated to God. the place Moses, Jehovah's Witnesses and our neighbor the Trinitarians are all dedicated to God.

Answer 10

http://www.watchtower.org/e/god_and_your_future.htm

Thanks for your conclusions.

-JWs believe in the sovereign God, Jehovah

-We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Messiah and Saviour, but he himself said it is only his Father we should worship. God on the other hand has given him all authority so we follow Christ's teachings in honor of him

-We believe that the Bible is the Word of God

-We believe in the Kingdom of God that will be the solution to all of man's problem,,,wars,poverty,sickness,famine, even death

-We believe hell is the common grave of mankind...for the wages sin pays is death, when a person dies he paid his sins, and a loving God would not
torment his children

-We believe that 144,000 were anointed to be co-rule Christ in his heavenly kingdom to rule over the meek ones who will possess the earth as a paradise

for more,visit the website