What sets jehovahs witnesses apart from christians?

Question

don't give me the holidays answer. i want to know what is different about their beliefs if anything. i don't know much about the subject..obviously.

Answer 1

I am about to become a "marked man" after I answer this question, but the Bible says to always be ready to give an answer to them that asks of the hope that lies within you (1 Peter 3:15) and to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) and to speak as the oracles of God (1 Peter 4:11).

What sets Jehovah's Witnesses apart from Christians is their doctrine. It is not God inspired (or God breathed), it was never taught by Jesus, nor the Apostles (Galatians 1:6-9), and is based upon taking several Old Testament and New Testament scriptures out of context. I've had numerous run-ins with these people and from my personal experience, along with research of their organization and practices, I will show you what is different from them and the Christian doctrine.

1. A Christian is a "follower of Christ." A Christian is a servant of Christ. Jehovah's Witnesses are pro-Jehovah. They insist upon using God's name, while, at the same time, demoting the devine status of Jesus.

2. A Christian believes that Jesus is the Son of God (Matthew 16:16), was in Heaven with God and is God. Jehovah's Witnesses insist that Jesus was formerly known as Michael the Archangel, the one who led the heavenly armies in battle against Lucifer (Satan). They also reduce Jesus to the status of "a god."

3. A Christian believes that Jesus died upon the cross for the sins of mankind. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Jesus died upon a stake.

4. Christians are baptized into Christ (Galatians 3:27), for the remission of their sins (Acts 2:38), and God adds them to the church (Acts 2:47). Jehovah's Witnesses are baptized, for what reason is still vague.

5. Christians believe that Jesus will one day return to take his chosen ones (the church) back to Heaven with him. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that only 144,000 will go to Heaven, that this number is now complete, and that everyone else will have to settle on living for eternity on a paradise-like Earth. Plus, they believe that Jesus has already returned, but was only able to be perceived by the eye of faith. Somebody never read Revelations 1:7 or Matthew 24:30-31.

6. Christians believe that Heaven and Hell exists. Jehovah's Witnesses do not believe in Hell. Which takes us to...

7. Christians believe that God has given them an immortal soul that will live on after death and will one day occupy either Heaven or Hell. Jehovah's Witnesses do not believe that man possesses a soul, but equates the soul spoken of in the Bible as the breath of life. Ask them to explain (Matthew 10:28) regarding that notion.

These are only a few doctrinal differences (and there are plenty more) that show that Christians and Jehovah's Witnesses are worlds apart from each other. Which brings me to another point. Not to be mean or malicious, but, though Jehovah's Witnesses count themselves among Christians, they are far from such.

*Jehovah's Witnesses refuse to accept tracts or other media from Christians, considering them apostate.

*Jehovah's Witnesses, when teaching a class, refuse to deviate from the prearranged script, even if someone has a legitimate question that is off topic.

*Jehovah's Witnesses have their own translation of The Bible, which can neither be considered holy or inspired. It takes numerous scriptures out of context or changes them altogether until its in harmony with their teachings.

I would love to give you more info, but I'm presses for time and have another appointment elsewhere. However, take into consideration everything that's been said. Also, research them for yourself. Don't take my word for it. Their entire organization was started by man, namely Charles Taze Russell and J.F. Rutherford.

Jesus established the Christian church (Matthew 16:18) and that's the only one that he's coming back for.

Answer 2

The question should read: "What sets Jehovah's Witnesses apart from OTHER Christians"

The Watchtower Organization, despite criticisms from other Christian groups, is a self-proclaimed Christian organization based on one acceptable definition of "Christian."

Jehovah's Witnesses believe Jesus is the Son of God. They believe he was the Creator of the world and that He will participate in judging the world. They believe that He is the promised Messiah of the Old Testament, and that without His sacrifice on the cross (they infer that it was more of a post than a cross), salvation would not be possible.

Jehovah's Witnesses base all of their beliefs on the Bible, and while they technically have no OFFICIAL preference of translation, the New World Translation (produced by the Watchtower Society, international parent of the Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses) is the one that is most commonly referenced, and that is regarded as the "most accurate."

Jehovah's Witnesses receive a lot of criticism from evangelical Christian organizations because these organizations claim that the Witnesses believe in a "different Jesus" than the Trinitarian view prescribes. Although they do not believe Jesus is a god, they do believe he was granted Divine Power by His Father (whom they refer to as Jehovah, according to the Old Testament name-title for the Abrahamic God). They also believe that the Holy Spirit is not a person or entity, but the "acting force" of God.

Other criticisms come due to certain practices and doctrines which they hold (or held previously), most notably the principal organizer's belief that Egyptian pyramids contained secrets to God's mysteries, the organization's abhorrence of blood transfusions, its refusal to honor or pay tribute to any secular symbol or ideal, and its oft-misunderstood belief that the Society will play a key role in Jesus' worldwide government after His final victory over Satan.

As a general rule of thumb, Jehovah's Witnesses lead good, clean Christian lives. The society itself is fairly intolerant of dissent and shuns unrepentant sinners, but this is believed to be for the benefit of the whole and is motivated by love for each other, rather than hate for the sinner.
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That being said, I disagree with many doctrines of the Jehovah's Witnesses, but celebrate their right to believe as they choose and help people lead good lives and please their perception of God. If they would just wait an extra hour on Saturday morning before knocking doors, I would like them even more.

Answer 3

Jehovahs do not believe that Jesus was the Messiah. They believe that only 144,000 are going to heaven and that it is by works that you get into heaven.

Christians believe that Jesus is the Messiah. That He died on the cross for our sins and was raised 3 days later. It is by grace you are saved though Jesus Christ not by works.

Those are some of the differences but there are so many.

Answer 4

Wel, I can tell you what I've learned at least. My father in law is a Witness, and when we go visit we have to cover up our tattoos and take out any visible piercings; we are by NO means to mention any birthdays in his presence; no even vaguely "bad" words can be spoken within his hearing; and all hell breaks loose if my daughter wears her swimsuit out when it's hot or I wear a tank top or any shirt that's cut below my collarbone. But maybe he's just weird.

Answer 5

The Jehovah's witness are Christians. But one big difference is they don't believe in the Trinity, they don't believe that the Holy Spirit is a person of the three God head. Also they don't believe in blood transfusions.

Answer 6

Well they are gullible enough to believe in the word of a man who set the whole scam up around 1870, and "foresaw" the second coming...which when it inevitably didn't happen, he just kept on changing the date, and they kept right on lapping it up. They are stupid/zealous/blind enough to refuse blood transfusions, even though the Bible (having been translated from Hebrew to Aramaic to Greek to Latin, to English-how can ANYBODY take the resulting words seriously??) mentions nothing about them-probably because the first successful ones wouldn't occur for another 1900 years or so after the Old Testament was written. They believe in resurrection, and in not voting, as they are awaiting the Government of God. The fact that we have to something in the meantime till God can finally be arsed to put in an appearance seems to have eluded them. Not to mention the fact that refusing to use their extremely hard won vote (as demonstrated by the slaughter in WW1 & WW2) pis$es on the memory of the men who died to secure it.

I could go on, but hopefully by now you'll have heard enough to avoid this utterly detestable cult like the plague.

Answer 7

Here's a link from the brochure What do Jehovah's Witnesses believe?

Yes, we believe Jesus is the Messiah, God's son. We no more believe he is God Almighty though than we believe Moses was (he is twice called God in the Bible.. Exodus 4:16, 7:1 and humans are called Gods also John 10:43)...

We do not believe you can "earn" salvation, it is a free gift. But the Bible requires we obey Jesus and obey his Father's commands to gain life...Eph. 2:8, 9, Romans 6:23, Hebrews 5:8, 9, 1 John 5:3 (door to door preaching is commanded in the Bible and Jesus mentioned himself as being at your door knocking...Rev. 3:20, Matthew 10:12-15, 40)

We believe there are only 144,000 king/priests who go to heaven to rule. We do NOT believe only that number gain eternal life. Revelation 5:9, 10, 14:3 (only 144,000 sing the new song of priesthood/kingship)....Billions inherit the earth as Jesus taught (Matthew 5:5, 6:10, Psalm 37, Isaiah 11:6-9....animals live on earth not go to heaven and they stop eating meat)....

There are no salaries, costs, collection plates, tithes, etc. We are not after money.

Here is more at the link. You are welcome to ask me if you want to know more.
http://www.watchtower.org/e/jt/index.htm

Debbie
[e-mail]

Answer 8

They do not believe in the deity of Jesus. Christians believe that Jesus is co-equal and co-eternal with the Father and Holy spirit. JW, believe that Jesus was created to be the Father's master worker.

This is the foundational issue. There and many more but this is the big one.

--edit Jesus Christ being God is by definition is the foundation of Christianity. What they believe was declared heretical by a consensus of Christians about 1700 years ago. It is nothing more than the teachings of Arius.

There is no reason for JW's to be uncomfortable with what they are. Let them be proud of their beliefs! They are free to be what they are but it is not Christian. They should not be ashamed of this fact.


edit--- to those JWs who believe that they are Christian, how can you claim to follow Christ when you don't believe what he said about himself?

Jesus said he was God, either believe that or you are not Christian end of story.

Contact me if you need biblical references.

Answer 9

the norrispenguin is completely right. If you would like to know more, go to http://www.watchtower.org or have one of Jehovah's Witnesses contact you. https://watch002.securesites.net/contact/submit.htm or call a local Kingdom hall.

Answer 10

Probably a restraining order that is the only way youi can keep the Jehovahs away.