Jehovah's Witnesses

Founder: Charles Taze Russell (1852-1916)
Beginning: 1878, under the name of "Dawn Bible Students", in Pittsburg, Penn.(the group went through many name changes until finally taking on the name of "Jehovah's Witnesses)
Membership: 5,413,769 (end of 1996)
 

Having their small beginning under the leadership of Charles T. Russell, the Jehovah's Witnesses have grown to a formiddable size. And with the rapid dissemination of their periodicals, their growth is bound to continue at a rapid pace.
  
Many people are under the impression that the Jehovah's Witnesses accept the Bible as their final authority. They don't. They accept the Watchtower's interpretation of the Bible as their final authority, which is given in their semi-monthly publications "Watchtower" and "Awake". As a matter of fact the Witnesses do very little Bible reading without the Watchtower magazine.
So what we're dealing with is a group a people who are bound under a doctrinal system given to them, not from scripture, but mostly from their founder Charles T. Russell and by succeding presidents by way of their magazine publications.

Russell was raised in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, and as a member of the Congregational Church as a child, and as a young man became the manager of several clothing stores in North Pittsburgh.  He eventually got involved in the Seventh-Day Adventist Church and became a Bible teacher, though he was never formally ordained.  It was very evident that most of his writings had a strong Adventist flavor to them.  He first produced his own magazine in 1879, Zion's Watchtower and Herald of Christ's Presence.   In 1884 he founded Zion's Watchtower Tract Society.  In 1896 the name was changed to Watchtower Bible and Tract Society and the headquarters were moved to Brooklyn, New York in 1908.

One of his most influential writings was entitled Studies in the Scriptures.  Russell was a very dynamic speaker, which is why he gained a large following.  Many JW's today attempt to disconnect themselves from having anything to do with Russell, mainly because of his fraudulent activities, and lying in court.  He was charged with fraudulent activites by the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, and in court testified that he knew the Greek language, but when asked to indentify Greek letters, he retracted.   He was successfully sued for divorce by his wife in 1913 on the grounds of adultery, conceit, egotism and domination.  Witnesses today attempt to deny any connection with Russell, but the teachings of the Jehovah's Witnesses today are identical to the teachings of  Russell back then.

Russell was succeeded as president by Joseph Franklin Rutherford in 1917.   Rutherford was a lawyer and assistant judge in Booneville, Missouri (which is how he got the name "Judge Rutherford").  Rutherford was succeeded by Nathan Homer Knorr, who became the Society's third president in 1942.  Under Russell and Rutherford, the Society outwardly denounced other christian churches, but under Knorr's leadership they began a softer more gentler tone of message.  However, they still matain the belief that one must be a member of their church in order to be saved.

Today, the Society trains and ordains their ministers in South Lansing, New York's "Gilead Missionary Training School".  Their churches are called "Kingdom Halls".  They don't celebrate Christmas, Easter, birthdays and don't participate in the armed forces.  The Jehovah's Witnesses are one of the most mysterious religous organizations to the christian church. Many christians don't know what the Jehovah's Witnesses actually believe.

Many are unaware (and that with good reason, for the JW's have done their best to hide it) that the group has a history of making false predictions. Having said that the world would come to an end in 1914, 1918, and 1975, its amazing how the Witnesses have kept this hidden from the knowledge of the general public.  The Jehovah's Witnesses have made it clear in the past that they are God's Prophet in the earth.  However the Bible teaches that if one has made a prediction for an event to happen at a particular time, and it does not happen, that individual is a false prophet. Duet.18:21-22

However, in order to deal with, witness to, or defend the faith effectively against the Witnesses, one needs to know a little about exactly what they believe. It must be mentioned at this point that if you want to witness to a JW, you must first help the JW to see that the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society (their corporate name) has made FALSE PREDICTIONS. And then once that individual has seen that they have made false predictions in the past, then you can move on into matters of doctrine with a JW.  For until then, you'll only be throwing scriptures at each other, for the JW sees the organization as "God's Prophet" and sees all scripture through the organization's interpretation.  

Now, what exactly is it that the Jehovah's Witnesses believe???

New World Translation — “This is what Jehovah has said, the King of Israel and the Repurchaser of him, Jehovah of armies, 'I am the first and I am the last, and besides me there is no God. (Isaiah 44:6))
(KJV — Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God. (Isaiah 44:6)

New World Translation — “I – I am Jehovah, and besides me there is no savior.” (Isaiah 43:11)
(KJV — I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour. (Isaiah 43:11)

New World Translation — “However, when the kindness and the love for man on the part of our Savior, God, was manifested,... This [spirit] he poured out richly upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior” (Titus 3:4,6)
(KJV — But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,... Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour (Titus 3:4,6)

New World Translation — And they began to say to the woman: “We do not believe any longer on account of your talk; for we have heard for ourselves and we know that this man is for a certainty the savior of the world.”(John 4:42) (Note: “this man” is “the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (II Peter 2:20)
(KJV — And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world. (John 4:42)

New World Translation — “One body there is, and one spirit, even as you were called in the one hope to which you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism;” (Ephesians 4:4,5)
(KJV — There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, (Ephesians 4:4,5)

New World Translation — Certainly if, after having escaped from the defilements of the world by an accurate knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they get involved again with these very things and are overcome, the final conditions have become worse for them than the first. (II Peter 2:20)
(KJV — For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. (II Peter 2:20)

New World Translation — and every tongue should openly acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:11)
(KJV — And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:11)

New World Translation — He sent out the word to the sons of Israel to declare to them the good news of peace through Jesus Christ: this One is Lord of all [others]. (Acts 10:36) (Note: no New Testament manuscript has the word "others" in this passage, which is why the NWT uses brackets.)
(KJV — The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) (Acts 10:36)

New World Translation — “I and the Father are one.” (John 10:30)
(KJV — I and my Father are one (John 10:30)

New World Translation — Jesus said to him: “Have I been with you men so long a time, and yet, Philip, you have not come to know me? He that has seen me has seen the Father [also]. How is it you say, 'Show us the Father'?(John 14:9) (Note: no New Testament manuscript has the word "also" in this passage, which is why the NWT uses brackets.)
(KJV — Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? (John 14:9)

New World Translation — "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says Jehovah God, "the One who is and who was and who is coming, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1:8)
(KJV — “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. (Revelation 1:8)

New World Translation — “ '.... I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.
¹⁶ 'I, Jesus, sent my angel to bear witness to you people of these things for the congregations. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright morning star.' ” (Revelation 22:13,16)
(KJV — I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
¹⁶ I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. (Revelation 22:13,16)

The context of the above scriptures is transparently clear to anyone with an open heart and mind. Jesus said, “Do ye not yet understand...?” (Matt. 16:8): “have ye your heart yet hardened?” (Mark 8:17): “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.” (John 8:24).

Could these be mistranslations in the Jehovah's Witness' New World Translation of the scriptures? The interpretations or explanations given by some JW's are ambiguous or obscure. The JW organization teaches that their “Entire Bible” is “inspired” (New World Translation, 1984 Ed., p. 1648). If you believe that the above texts are accurately translated, then you must accept the fact that Jesus Christ is the one and only true God. If you concede that the above texts are “mistranslations” or “mistakes”, then you are forced to conclude that the New World Translation is not the “inspired” word of God; and you must therefore re-evaluate every other JW doctrine and accept the fact that this organization is teaching errors.

The New World Translation states: “In 1969 the committee released The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures, which presented under the Greek text revised by Westcott and Hort (1948 Reprint) a literal word-for-word translation into English.”(NWT, 1984 Ed., p. 5). This would explain many of the errors in the New World Translation of the scriptures. Westcott and Hort, as we know, did not simply revise the traditional Greek New Testament that had been preserved and used by faithful Christians throughout history; they, instead, created an entirely new Greek text, translated primarily from two of the most corrupt manuscripts ever produced, the same text underlying the Catholic bible and all modern bible versions.

Let us now consider the JW organization's prophesies and predictions —

      If you truly hunger and thirst after righteousness and sincerely desire to serve and please God with your whole heart, please read God's warnings to us about “any man” or even “an angel from heaven” preaching “another Jesus”, “another spirit” “or another gospel” “Which is not another; but there be some that... would pervert the gospel of Christ” (Galatians 1:6-9 ;II Corinthians 11:3,4,13-15). Jesus Christ said, “Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ [from the Greek word christos meaning ANOINTED (a prophet - divinely appointed by God)]; and shall deceive many.” (Matt. 24:4,5). To believe that anyone, including a priest or prophet (or religious organization), is infallible is naive to say the least (“for there is no man that sinneth not” (I Kings 8:46)). As a man, Jesus Christ said that “there is none good but one, that is, God” (Mark 10:18). “For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.” (Ecclesiastes 7:20). No church, no lodge, no good works can save you. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8,9). Because “we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags” in the sight of God (Isaiah 64:6), and “every man at his best state is altogether vanity.” (Psalms 39:5). “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Only the Lord Jesus Christ can claim this glory! “But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:7) “in the likeness of sinful flesh” (Romans 8:3) and “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15). “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12).

      You can have absolute assurance of your salvation, here and now. “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” (I Cor. 1:18). “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.” (I Cor. 15:1,2). “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” (I John 5:13). “and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.” (James 1:21). “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith” (Heb. 12:2). “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,” (Eph. 1:13). “For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:” (Col. 1:5,6). “Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” (I Pet. 1:9). Jesus said to “rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:20). “We know that we have passed from death unto life” (I John 3:14).

      Jehovah's Witnesses are discouraged by their Elders from reading the KJV Holy Bible and searching “the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11), and as a result are unfamiliar with much of its contents. The Lord said, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). Jesus said, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they [the scriptures] are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.” (John 5:39,40). Jesus said that “Ye must be born again.” (John 3:7): “not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” (I Peter 1:23). God's promise to “preserve” his “pure words” “forever” “to all generations” of believers “of every nation under heaven” is well documented by the overwhelming majority of manuscript evidence (aprox. 99% of the New Testament manuscripts, some dating back to the first century, are in agreement with the text of the KJV) (Psa. 12:6; 33:11, 119:90; Luke 21:33; Acts 2:6,7).

      God has kept his promise of preserving his “pure words” as faithful Christians passed down from generation to generation the holy scriptures uncorrupted. It is a myth that few people had scriptures or could read during the first centuries after Christ and through the middle ages (The Cambridge History of the Bible vol. 2, pp. 389-390 et al.). The myth, that the common folks “had only scraps of scriptures” before John Wycliffe (1325-1384) who faithfully translated the Holy Bible into English in the 14th century, is perpetuated to degrade God’s promise of “the word which he commanded to a thousand generations” and “to all nations” (1 Chron. 16:15, Romans 16:26). When the impression is given that the common man has no preserved and infallible scriptures, the position and authority of the word of God can more easily be pirated by “Popish Persons” and “self conceited Brethren, who...give liking unto nothing, but what is framed by themselves, and hammered on their anvil” (“The Epistle Dedicatory,” King James Bible). “If mythmakers can convince us that generation upon generation of men and women went to their graves without reading or hearing the word of God, they can implant the false impression that we do not need scriptures (but need Catholic sacraments, ecstatic experiences, or myth-makers [or “prophets”]).... Foxe’s Acts and Monuments (A.D. 1563) traces Christianity from the first century to the 1500s. A thorough reading of all eight of its large volumes makes it abundantly clear that all who wanted scriptures, had them, in hand or in heart, as much or as little as they wanted.” (In Awe Of Thy Word, pp. 774, 778)

      “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31,32). Please, dear reader, examine the historical records and the manuscript evidence for yourself with an open heart and mind and let the truth set you free from these and other un-biblical and anti-biblical doctrines and commandments of men.

A.
They all teach that you cannot trust nor believe the Holy Bible; and that you must put your faith in their theologies, traditions, customs and rituals in order to please God and have everlasting life.

If you are a Mormon, Mason, Catholic, Jehovah's Witness, Scientologist or similar sect, please read these Scriptures and let God speak to your heart. SCRIPTURES FROM THE HOLY BIBLE

Hell or Death? (see IS HELL REAL ?) Judgment or Interment? "God is love." 1 John 4:8 "God is a consuming fire." Hebrews 12:29 "Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God." Romans 11:22     These two attributes of God are shown most clearly at the cross. God's justice required judgement for our sins. "Cursed is everyone that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them." (Galatians 3:10) Yet God's love moved him to take that punishment due each of us. "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is everyone that hangeth on a tree." (Galatians 3:13)     A place of "everlasting fire" exists and was spoken of by Jesus. He lovingly forewarned of his final words to those who reject his free gift of salvation and remain under the curse. "Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels." Matthew 25:41     As seen in the above scriptures, hell was not created for man, but "...hell hath enlarged herself" (Isaiah 5:14) to accommodate those of mankind who reject the love of God. The existence of hell does not diminish the love or loveliness of God. It speaks only of the rabid [fanatical] villainy [evildoing] of creatures--Satan, his angels, and mankind, who as Matthew records, could "spit in his face" (Matthew 26:67), the face of their creator. Often the unwillingness of man to face his own culpability [guilt] and sinfulness prompts him to saddle God with the burden of blame for the existence of hell. Truthfully, hell pronounces the malfeasance [wrongdoing] of the creatures, not of the creator. The doctrine of hell is an affront [insult] to proud mankind.     Hell's presentation in the bible can hardly be extinguished, but recent [bible] versions have diluted it by submerging the reader in a welter of words, substituting 'death', 'grave', 'sheol', 'hades' and 'the depths' for the word, 'hell'. Using five additional ambiguous words fractures the impact. The shatterment flies in the face of clarity, obscuring God's warning. Descending progressively downward from "death," to the "grave," then to "sheol" or "hades," then "the depths," and finally to "hell," the NIV offers a station, waiting to prove the afterlife theory of every philosophy and cult afloat. Excerpt from New Age Bible Versions "Hell" is the correct translation! The word “hell” as translated in the KJV Bible is the absolute correct rendering of the Hebrew and Greek in both philological meaning and etymological history. The Hebrew word, helel, which is translated Lucifer in Isaiah 14:12, wandered into English through Greek and German. In the Greek we have Helios, the sun god. In German, this became hellen, from which came the word helder, meaning, "clear" or "shiny." But there is also a sense of "blinding," that is, blinded by the light, in this; and thus helel entered English as "hell," a covered place, a place of darkness as if blinded, a place "far off from God." So, the source of our word hell is from the original Hebrew and Greek scriptures. The early Christian church clearly understood the meaning of the words “sheol”, “hades”, “gehenna”, — hell. But many modern-day "Christians" don't seem to share the same understanding and conviction. Jesus said, “And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.” (Mark 4:15) New Age occult 'bible' translations including the Jehovah's Witness New World Translation have omitted the word "hell" from their texts. Most bible versions (excluding the KJV) substitute secular words often used in mythology, such as 'death', 'grave' and 'the depths', for the biblical word, 'hell'. Some bible versions leave the Hebrew Sheol and the Greek hades and gehenna untranslated, leaving each reader to decide for themselves: "the common abode of departed spirits"?, "purgatory"?, "the grave"? — whatever suits your fancy. Such “cunningly devised fables” abound in world literature and in today's brave new world of 'Christianity' (II Tim. 4:; II Pet. 1:16).