What are the major beliefs among Jehova'w Witnesses?

Question

I am not very familiar with the religion and was wondering the basic rules of thought. Please no links, I would just like a few comments on the basics.

Answer 1

Ok, well I am a Christian, one of Jehovah's Witnesses.

We believe that it is important to follow the principles of the Bible and teachings of God's son Jesus as found within the Bible.

We believe in offering to share our beliefs with others, as is mandated in the Bible.

We believe in remaining politically nuetral, which means, We won't support Either side in a war.

We believe in trying to be good people.

Meanwhile, isn't it amazing how many people put links in their answers. I wonder what would happen if someone asked for answers composed entirely of links. Maybe then no one would post links.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Jws dont believe that God, Jesus, and the holy spriit are one, they do not believe there is a hell, they belive hell is mans second grave, that only 144,000 go to heaven while all others that God has accepted will live here on the earth making it new again, they belive only the 144,000 are born agian, even the bible says that you all must be born again. This here is a basic view of what the Jws are about, they are nice people, but there teachings are wrong. they say that they adhere to the bilbe only, they why do they first change the bible to fit there teachings, and use so much liteature when God says his word is suffcient. If you do research you find a lot of failed prohecies they have made and never come true.

Answer 3

WHAT JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES BELIEVE

BELIEF SCRIPTURAL REASON

Bible is God’s Word and 2 Tim. 3:16, 17;

is truth 2 Pet. 1:20, 21; John 17:17

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

than tradition

God’s name is Jehovah Ps. 83:18; Isa. 26:4; 42:8, AS;

Ex. 6:3

Christ is God’s Son and Matt. 3:17; John 8:42; 14:28;

is inferior to him 20:17; 1 Cor. 11:3; 15:28

Christ was first of God’s Col. 1:15; Rev. 3:14

creations

Christ died on a stake, Gal. 3:13; Acts 5:30

not a cross

Christ’s human life was Matt. 20:28; 1 Tim. 2:5, 6;

paid as a ransom for Titus 2:14; 1 Pet. 2:24

obedient humans

Christ’s one sacrifice Rom. 6:10; Heb. 9:25-28

is sufficient

Christ was raised from 1 Pet. 3:18; Rom. 6:9;

the dead as an immortal Rev. 1:17, 18

spirit person

Christ’s presence is in John 14:19; Matt. 24:3;

spirit 2 Cor. 5:16; Ps. 110:1, 2

Kingdom under Christ will Isa. 9:6, 7; 11:1-5;

rule earth in righteousness Dan. 7:13, 14; Matt. 6:10

and peace

Kingdom brings ideal living Ps. 72:1-4;

conditions to earth Rev. 7:9, 10, 13-17; 21:3, 4

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

or depopulated

God will destroy present Rev. 16:14, 16; Zeph. 3:8;

system of things in the Dan. 2:44; Isa. 34:2

battle at Har–Magedon

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

destroyed

People God approves will John 3:16; 10:27, 28; 17:3;

receive eternal life Mark 10:29, 30

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

life

We are now in the ‘time of Matt. 24:3-14; 2 Tim. 3:1-5;

the end’ Luke 17:26-30

Human death is due to Rom. 5:12; 6:23

Adam’s sin

The human soul ceases to Ezek. 18:4; Eccl. 9:10;

exist at death Ps. 6:5; 146:4; John 11:11-14

Hell is mankind’s common Job 14:13, Dy;

grave Rev. 20:13, 14, AV (margin)

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

resurrection 11:25, 26

Adamic death will cease 1 Cor. 15:26; Rev. 21:4;

Isa. 25:8; 1 Cor. 15:54

Only a little flock of Luke 12:32; Rev. 14:1, 3;

144,000 go to heaven and 1 Cor. 15:40-53; Rev. 5:9, 10

rule with Christ

The 144,000 are born again 1 Pet. 1:23; John 3:3;

as spiritual sons of God Rev. 7:3, 4

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

spiritual Israel

Christ’s congregation is Eph. 2:20; Isa. 28:16;

built upon himself Matt. 21:42

Prayers must be directed only John 14:6, 13, 14; 1 Tim. 2:5

to Jehovah through Christ

Images must not be used in Ex. 20:4, 5; Lev. 26:1;

worship 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 1 John 5:19; 2 Cor. 4:4;

world John 12:31

A Christian must have no part 2 Cor. 6:14-17; 11:13-15;

in interfaith movements Gal. 5:9; Deut. 7:1-5

A Christian must keep Jas. 4:4; 1 John 2:15;

separate from world John 15:19; 17:16

All human laws that do not Matt. 22:20, 21;

conflict with God’s laws 1 Pet. 2:12; 4:15

should be obeyed

Taking blood into body Gen. 9:3, 4; Lev. 17:14;

through mouth or veins Acts 15:28, 29

violates God’s laws

Bible’s laws on morals must 1 Cor. 6:9, 10; Heb. 13:4;

be obeyed 1 Tim. 3:2; Prov. 5:1-23

Sabbath observance was given Deut. 5:15; Ex. 31:13; Rom. 10:4;

only to the Jews and ended Gal. 4:9, 10; Col. 2:16, 17

with Mosaic Law

A clergy class and special Matt. 23:8-12; 20:25-27;

titles are improper Job 32:21, 22

Man did not evolve but was Isa. 45:12; Gen. 1:27

created

Christ set example that must 1 Pet. 2:21; Heb. 10:7;

be followed in serving God John 4:34; 6:38

Baptism by complete immersion Mark 1:9, 10; John 3:23;

symbolizes dedication Acts 19:4, 5

Christians must give public Rom. 10:10; Heb. 13:15;

testimony to Scriptural truth Isa. 43:10-12

Answer 4

Jehovah's Witnesses are relatively unique among self-described Christians in that they understand the Scriptures to teach that God's Kingdom by Christ Jesus is a real government which 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.
(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.co.uk/e/lmn/index.htm?article=article_10.htm
http://watchtower.co.uk/e/rq/index.htm?article=article_06.htm
http://jw-media.org/beliefs/trueworship.htm
http://watchtower.co.uk/e/jt/
http://watchtower.co.uk/e/dg/index.htm?article=article_11.htm

Answer 5

They were formed in an attempt to reform all of the corruption within Christianity. They believe they are correct in their interpretations of the Bible and other religions are wicked.

Answer 6

that Jesus is really the Arch angel Michael and not the spirit of God incarnate. They do not believe that Jesus and God are one and the same. They also do not believe in giving worship to Christ they believe in worship to Jehova alone

Answer 7

Dear Alex:

What Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Believe?

“We think it proper to hear from you what your thoughts are, for truly as regards this sect it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against.” (Acts 28:22) These community leaders in first-century Rome set a fine example. They wanted to hear from the source, rather than from outside critics alone.

Similarly, Jehovah’s Witnesses today are often spoken against, and it would be a mistake to expect to learn the truth about them from prejudiced sources. So we are pleased to explain to you some of our principal beliefs.

We believe that “all Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial.” (2 Timothy 3:16.) And although some have claimed that we are not really Christians, this is simply not true. We endorse completely the apostle Peter’s testimony regarding Jesus Christ: “There is not another name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must get saved.”—Acts 4:12.

However, since Jesus said that he is “God’s Son” and that the “Father sent me forth,” Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that God is greater than Jesus. (John 10:36; 6:57) Jesus himself acknowledged: “The Father is greater than I am.” (John 14:28; 8:28.) Thus we do not believe that Jesus is equal with the Father, as the Trinity doctrine says. Rather, we believe that he was created by God and that he is subordinate to Him.—Colossians 1:15; 1 Corinthians 11:3.

In the English language, God’s name is Jehovah. The Bible says: “Thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth.” (Psalm 83:18, "King James Version") In keeping with this declaration, Jesus placed great emphasis on God’s name, teaching his followers to pray: “Our Father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified.” And he himself prayed to God: “I have made your name manifest to the men you gave me.”—Matthew 6:9; John 17:6.

Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that they should be like Jesus in making God’s name and purposes manifest to others. Hence we have taken the name Jehovah’s Witnesses because we imitate Jesus, “the Faithful Witness.” (Revelation 1:5; 3:14) Appropriately, Isaiah 43:10 says to God’s representative people: “‘You are my witnesses,’ is the utterance of Jehovah, ‘even my servant whom I have chosen.’”

Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that the Kingdom is a real government from heaven, that it will rule over the earth, and that Jesus Christ is its appointed invisible King. “The government shall be upon his shoulder,” the Bible says. “Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end.”—Isaiah 9:6, 7, "King James Version."

Of course, any government must have subjects, and Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that billions more will receive everlasting life. Eventually the earth, transformed into a beautiful paradise, will be filled with these worthy subjects of God’s Kingdom, all submitting to the reign of Christ and his corulers. Thus Jehovah’s Witnesses are firmly convinced that the earth will never be destroyed and that the Bible’s promise will be fulfilled: “The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it.”—Psalm 37:29; 104:5.

But how will God’s Kingdom come? The Kingdom will require God’s direct intervention in earth’s affairs: “The God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be brought to ruin. And the kingdom itself . . . will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it itself will stand to times indefinite.”—Daniel 2:44.

Because we ‘love Jehovah our God with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength, and our neighbor as ourself,’ we are undivided nationally, racially, and socially. (Mark 12:30, 31) We are widely noted for the love that is manifested among our Christian brothers who are found in all nations. (John 13:35; 1 John 3:10-12) Thus we maintain a neutral position toward the political affairs of those nations.

Hope for the Future -

Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that our present life in this world is not all there is. We believe that Jehovah sent Christ to earth to pour out his lifeblood as a ransom so that humans can have a righteous standing with God and receive everlasting life in a new system of things. As an apostle of Jesus said: “We have been declared righteous now by his blood.” (Romans 5:9; Matthew 20:28.) Jehovah’s Witnesses are deeply grateful to God and his Son for this ransom provision that makes a future life possible.

Jehovah’s Witnesses have complete confidence in a future life, based on a resurrection from the dead under God’s Kingdom. We believe, as the Bible teaches, that when a person dies his existence really ceases, that “in that day his thoughts do perish.” (Psalm 146:3, 4; Ezekiel 18:4; Ecclesiastes 9:5) Yes, future life for the dead is based on God’s remembrance of them in a resurrection.—John 5:28, 29.

However, Jehovah’s Witnesses are convinced that many now living will survive when God’s Kingdom brings an end to all present governments and, as Noah and his family survived the Flood, they will live on to enjoy life forever on a cleansed earth. (Matthew 24:36-39; 2 Peter 3:5-7, 13.) But we believe that survival is dependent upon meeting Jehovah’s requirements, as the Bible says: “The world is passing away . . . , but he that does the will of God remains forever.”—1 John 2:17; Psalm 37:11; Revelation 7:9, 13-15; 21:1-5.

Obviously, it is not possible here to cover all the beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses, but we invite you to obtain further information.

If you would like further information & learn more - please get in touch with Jehovah's Witnesses at the local Kingdom Hall. Or visit their official web site -

Answer 8

www.watchtower.org
Please look and read for yourself.
Get the answer straight from God's Organization.

Answer 9

Hi Alex, here is a link for you I believe it will help.


hris http://www.bible.ca/jw.htm

Answer 10

http://towerwatch.com
http://freeminds.org
http://silentlambs.com
http://cliff.org