I know that JWs like to preach and that Christians are more concerned with actually being Christians, but what other differences are there?
2007-03-02 02:31:32 · 21 answers · asked by Monica 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Christians believe the bible is the inerrant word of God.
Jehovah's Witnesses (JW) have created their own bible (The New World Translation), making revisions where needed to back-up their beliefs, as in John 1:1. The bible says: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." The JWs New World Translation says: "In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was a god."
Christianity is the belief that Jesus of Nazareth is the one and only Son of God and is in fact God incarnate (God in human form).
JWs believe that Jesus is a created being, an angel called Michael the Archangel.
Christians believe, as the bible teaches, that heaven is the final home for ALL who believe.
JWs believe that only 144,000 will get into heaven and the rest will live in a paradise on earth.
Christians believe in the FINISHED work of Jesus (Ephesians 2: 8&9).
JWs must earn their way into paradise on earth (because the 144,000 person limit for heaven has been filled), by going door-to-door passing out Watchtower materials and remaining faithful to the Watchtower organization.
Christians believe there is a literal hell.
JWs believe in annihilation.
Finally, the old testament bible was originally written in the Hebrew and Aramaic languages. This where the JWs say they get the name Jehovah. They say that they are the only ones who call God by his real name (everyone else is in error). However, these languages do not contain vowels. The word that they translated Jehovah from is YHWH. This is what most recognize as the word YAHWEH. Hebrew and Aramaic languages do not have a "JA" sound, but they do have a "YA" sound.
It is well known that the Watchtower Organization refuses to reveal who their "scholars" were who translated their NWT bible, because they in fact were NOT scholars at all.
The Watchtower teaches its adherants that Jesus returned to earth invisibly in 1914 and that he personally presides over the Watchtower Organization, but what does the bible say? "Behold He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him." Revelation 1:7a
There are many many other differences, and time does not permit me to list tham all.
I recommend a book called "Jehovah's Witnesses Answered Verse By Verse"
2007-03-02 03:19:33 · answer #1 · answered by JV 5 · 9⤊ 4⤋
Does a Jehovas Witness believe that the Bible is inspired by God? Of coarse, YES. Now, do they believe that ALL publications from the Watchtower are also inspired by God? No. The Watchtower has stated that they are not inspired by God because man is fallible. So, with that said....what is the message of the Jehovahs Witness without the Watchtower? There is none. Why would they trust in non-inspired Watchtower instead of the inspired Word of God? You see, all teachings to Jehovahs Witnesses can only be from the Watchtower. Apparently they believe that God has purposely given us His Word in way that only the Watchtower can interpret. Wrong.
Do not be fooled by the wolves in sheeps clothing. Many false prophets or angels will arise and try to preach another gospel. The bible says to "let them be accursed" (Gal 1;8)
Read your Bible (II Tim 3;16). Get to know Jesus Christ (John 14;6) as your personal Saviour (Rom 10;9-10). Study to show yourself approved (II Tim 2;15)
God Bless you
2013-10-22 17:22:02 · answer #2 · answered by Saxman 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They both strongly believe the word of God to be true. The christians on the other hand take a little further (or to the extreme, if you like), they believe that Jesus Christ is The WORD of God. With the Christian, there isn't much different in nature (essence, character, substance) between the Lord Jesus Christ and God the Father - even if there is a difference, it is immaterial (makes no big different) in matters relating to what God requires of them.
Whether we (christians) worship Jesus Christ or God the Father or the Holy Spirit, there isn't much difference (we haven't broken any commandment). For it is written "He who does not receive the son, does not receive the Father who sent him" and "If you dishonour the son you dishonour us both" also "Me and the Father are one". These quotations from scripture clearly indicate there is no difference between the Father and the son.
The Jehovahs Witnesses clearly and outwardly disagree with this assertion. This is a fundamental difference between the two.
However, it is worth noting that both have a tremendous respect and high regard of the written word of God (Holy Bible). As a result they both spend some amount of time studying it, which is commendable and plausibe.
2007-03-02 02:58:02 · answer #3 · answered by RealArsenalFan 4 · 3⤊ 3⤋
actually, Jw's are more concerned with not being a part of society and following people into hell. They are collectively very intelligent when it comes to understanding the sciptures.
Christians dont always have the equal amount of knowledge of their own bible.
Jehova witnesses dont believe in the doctrine of the trinity and they dont celebrate christmas as a holiday. i think also they believe in not partaking of blood, which means transfusions can be poison to the body and against Gods will. However some may understand that they can get plasma donations from themselves and it is just as safe.
The Godhead is a much truer biblical concept but dont let any protestant get a hold of you, ive heard plenty of stories that are whoppers in trying to explain the 3 in 1 theory. whereas the godhead itself is a major doctrine that proves men become sons of God and sons of God are invited to sit on the throne of jesus.
see rev 3:21 and 21:7
2007-03-02 02:39:48 · answer #4 · answered by Priestcalling 3 · 4⤊ 5⤋
Jehovah's Witnesses are Christians. However, there are differences in doctrinal beliefs.
We do believe that Jesus is God's only begotten Son and the Messiah, and by his ransom we can have forgiveness of our sins and have the hope of everlasting life. So yes, we do accept Jesus.
We worship Jehovah, the Almighty God and Father of Jesus.
He was the God of the Israelites, they were his chosen people.
Ps 83:18 says "That people may know that you whose name is Jehovah, you alone are the most high over all the earth."
Please look it up in your own bible. Jesus never claimed to be the almighty God, he said his father is greater, he prayed to his father, Jesus died and was resurrected. If Jesus is the Almighty God..then God died for three days and who resurrected him? The bible says that God can not die. He is the Alpha and the Omega. John 17: 3 says "This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you the only true God, and the one whom you sent forth Jesus Christ."
We do not believe the bible teaches a burning hell. Jesus was in hell for three days. He was without sin, why would he go to hell if it is a burning place of torment? The Hebrew word Sheol which is often translated hell, is the common grave of mankind.
The bible shows that the "dead are conscious of nothing". (Ecc. 9:5, 6 & 10) Ps. 146: 4 shows when a man dies, "his thoughts do perish." Jesus spoke of Lazarus as being asleep in death. John 11:11-14 Paul spoke about some in his day who had "fallen asleep" in death. 1 Cor. 15:6
We do not celebrate holidays due to their pagan orgins. Please look up each holiday on the internet and it will tell you where it came from. Jehovah's Witnesses do not feel that it is right to mix pagan worship with our christian worship. As 2 Cor. 6:14 & 15 & 17" says "Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers. For what fellowship do righteousness and lawlessness have? Or what sharing does light have with darkness? Further, what harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what portion does a faithful person have with an unbeliever? ......"Therefore, get out from among the them, and separate yourselves, say Jehovah, and quit touching the unclean thing, and I will take you in."
Yes we are the ones following Jesus command at Matt 24:14 "This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth, and then the end will come." The end has not come, so we will continue to preach about the hope and promises of God's Kingdom.
2007-03-02 03:38:55 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 9⤋
http://www.watchtower.org/e/jt/index.htm?article=article_03.htm
This is from their website. Scan down to the box and it gives their beliefs.
One of the most peculiar of the WTS’s teachings is their assertion that Jesus is actually Michael the Archangel.
2007-03-02 02:45:55 · answer #6 · answered by tebone0315 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Minor differences aside, there's one HUGE difference between the two:
Christians believe Jesus is divine, part of the Triune nature of God, also known as the Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit.) They reject the concept of the Trinity as being made up; in the process, they purposefully ignore at least 50 portions of Scripture that proves God's Triune nature.
JWs mistranslated the New World Translation to support the notion that Jesus isn't divine and that He's the incarnate Angel Michael.
Main-stream Christians believe this difference alone is enough to label JWs as apostate and non-Christian.
2007-03-02 02:37:07 · answer #7 · answered by Suzanne: YPA 7 · 10⤊ 7⤋
Jehovah's Witnesses are always proclaiming the end of the world. Most Christians just remember Jesus' words: No one can know the day, or the hour, but my Father in Heaven.
2007-03-02 02:35:54 · answer #8 · answered by Captain Moe 5 · 7⤊ 6⤋
the Jehovah's don't believe in Christ our Savior and that are lord made every thing and they don't celebrate Christmas boy are they in for a hot awaking if you know what i mean they also don't believe in the bible and Christians do believe that Jesus saved us our sent Jesus his own son which is our lord in human form to die on the cross for us an he arose three days later to appear so people could see him then he went to heaven and is seated at the right hand of our lord do you know him read john 3:16
2007-03-02 02:43:36 · answer #9 · answered by aljohn316 2 · 3⤊ 5⤋
Anyone who accepts the LORD Jesus is a Christian. There's all kinds of flavors of Christianity. The Seventh Day Adventist/Jehovah's Witnesses wing of Christianity just has some beliefs that aren't commonly accepted by mainstream Protestant/Catholic/Orthodox Christianity. JW's tend to take some parts of the bible too literally and downplay other parts, in the same fashion as any other Christian faith.
Added: hahaha, down votes from ignorant people that feel special about their understanding of "Jesus". LMAO. Learn a little history before you are so sure of yourselves. (This applies to any JW's voting and any body that believes the word "Christian" only applied to their particular Church.)
2007-03-02 02:37:37 · answer #10 · answered by Pint 4 · 2⤊ 9⤋