Are Jehovah's Witnesses Christians?

Question

I don't know a whole lot about their specific beliefs, but from the ones I have talked to I get the impression that they don't believe in Christ the same way as most Christians. Can anyone shed some light on this for me (preferably a Jehovah's Witness.) Thanks

Answer 1

They are Christians. Christianity comes in different shapes and colors.

Answer 2

Statements such as: They do not believe that Christ is the Son of God...

Are simply incorrect.

The Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses do believe in Christ as the Son of God. They have the same teachings as Christ before Greek philosophy started to make it's way into the church.

Answer 3

Reading some the responses from people here talking about Jehovah' Witnesses is Mind boggling. some even calling Them a Cult? Wow. That reminds me of the account of Jesus.
Remember that Jesus Christ was accused of being a drunkard, a glutton, a Sabbath breaker, a false witness, a blasphemer of God, and a messenger of Satan. He was also accused of being subversive.
After Jesus’ death and resurrection, his disciples were likewise the target of serious accusations. One group of first-century Christians were dragged to the city rulers by people crying out: ‘These men have overturned the inhabited earth.’ (Acts 17:6) On another occasion the apostle Paul and his companion Silas were taken to the authorities and charged with greatly disturbing the city of Philippi.
Paul was later accused of being a “pestilent fellow and stirring up seditions among all the Jews throughout the inhabited earth” and of trying “to profane the temple.” (Acts 24:5, 6) The principal men of the Jews in Rome accurately described the situation of Jesus’ followers when they acknowledged: “For truly as regards this sect it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against.”—Acts 28:22.
Evidently, this new group established by Jesus Christ was considered by some to be a religious group with radical views and practices that clashed with what was accepted in those days as normal social behavior. Undoubtedly, many today would have considered the Christians a destructive cult. The accusers were often prominent and respected members of the community, and this seems to have added weight to the allegations. Many believed the accusations against Jesus and his disciples. Yet, as you probably know, every one of these charges was false! The fact that people said these things did not make them true.

Answer 4

If they believe that Christ is their savior then they are christian. That is the only part of any sects doctrine that matters when determining christianity. The rest is just personal interpretations and beliefs.

Not believing the nature of christ like you do does not make a person non christian.

What right does your church have to define some other sect as non christian just because they dont believe just like you?

Answer 5

The ignorance of some people amazes me. The fact that some people believe everything they read on the internet amazes me even more. If you want to know the REAL beliefs and teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses, visit the official website at www.watchtower.org.

Answer 6

Many seem to believe that being Christian means believing that Jesus is God Almighty. The Bible does NOT teach that!!

Here are some of the basic beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses. Look up the scriptures in your own Bible and see for yourself whether what we believe and teach is from the Bible.


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; 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 7

I enjoyed going through some of the JW responses and picking out some of the logical fallacies. Thank you.

JWs are only "Christians" in the loosest sense of the term, especially since they don't elevate Christ to the position of "fully God" as found in mainstream Christianity.

Answer 8

We exercise faith in Jesus Christ, he is the Son of God but not God, we do not believe in the manmade doctrine of the trinity. Jesus Christ is the only means of salvation provided by God for the saving of mankind and is the only mediator between God and man. Jesus sits at his Father's right hand and is now enpowered and ruling in heaven. Jesus Christ as the Bible states is our exempler, we will follow Jesus unto death. We are true Christians, we have what no-one else does, truth, and this angers the rest of the world because we are no part of the world just as Jesus said his followers should be. Satan uses many against us to spread his lies to make us look bad to keep others from learning the truth and finding the true God, Jehovah. We have many Bible aids based on Bible Scripture just on the life of Jesus.

Answer 9

I don't "get it". What's the big deal about Son of God and God himself. Aren't you guys tired making repititions of the same-o, same-o? Whether Jesus is the son of God or God himself, it will not change the NT! All what Jesus did, all his teachings, and all his sacrifice, he did it ALL because he's JESUS CHRIST. Agreed?

Answer 10

No they are counterfeit Christians.
Close scrutiny of their doctrinal position on such subjects as the Deity of Jesus, Salvation, the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, the Atonement, etc., shows beyond a doubt that they do not hold to orthodox Christian positions on these subjects. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe Jesus is Michael the archangel, the highest created being. This contradicts many Scriptures which clearly declare Jesus to be God (John 1:1,14; 8:58; 10:30). Jehovah’s Witnesses believe salvation is obtained by a combination of faith, good works, and obedience. This contradicts countless Scriptures which declare salvation to be received by faith (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5). Jehovah’s Witnesses reject the Trinity, believing Jesus to be a created being and the Holy Spirit to essentially be the power of God. Jehovah’s Witnesses hold to a ransom theory of the atonement, in which Jesus' death paid only for what mankind lost when Adam sinned - namely, the right to perfect life on earth. Thus, they believe in a faith + works arrangement, where sin and death are freely atoned for by Christ, but physical perfection is attained through personal effort, coupled with faith in Christ.