Here are 10 facts about this group which branched off from orthodox Christianity in the late 1800's. We answer the questions of how they started, what their core beliefs are, and how many people ascribe to this faith in the world today. How long after death is a Jehovah's Witness funeral? [57] Former Governing Body member Raymond Franz, who was expelled as part of the purge, subsequently criticized the Watch Tower concept of organization,[58] claiming the conceptwhich posits that God does not deal with individuals apart from an organizationhas no scriptural support and serves only to reinforce the group's authority structure, with its strong emphasis on human authority. Jehovah's Witnesses Beliefs. [56], Disagreement with the Watch Tower Society's concept of God's organization, figured prominently in events that led to a 1980 purge of high-level members at the group's Brooklyn headquarters. [190] Then Satan is released for a final opportunity to mislead perfect mankind;[191] Satan, his demons, and any who fail the test will be destroyed, leaving a fully tested, perfect human race who will live forever. Since they do not place faith in Jesus, they are not saved. (Acts 24:15) However, those who refuse to learn Gods ways after being raised to life will be destroyed forever with no hope of a resurrection.Revelation 20:14, 15. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that only 144,000 people will go to heaven and that the rest of humanity will live forever on a paradise earth. Jehovah's Witnesses are among the most racially and ethnically diverse religious groups in America. In addition to denying the divinity of Jesus, Jehovahs Witnesses also deny the Trinity. While their practices broke with the Adventists . Until late 2012, the Governing Body described itself as the representative[13] and "spokesman" for God's "faithful and discreet slave class",[14][15][16][17] a limited number of "anointed" Jehovah's Witnesses. [136] They reason that complete destruction does not allow for literal "torture" of the wicked, as the deceased person is not conscious. Jesus. Repent of your sins, believe in Jesus Christ's death and resurrection to save you . [174][175] They believe that their preaching is also part of that sign, citing Matthew 24:14. Her favorite things to do are spending time with her family and friends, reading, and spending time outside. This is an erroneous view of salvation because salvation is only by placing faith in Jesus by believing that He died for your sins, was buried, and rose again (John 3:16-17: 1 Corinthians 15:1-4). [68][69], The entire Protestant canon of scripture is seen as the inspired, inerrant word of God. Zavada, Jack. Wear or own a cross. Salvation is only by placing faith in Christ, not by following rules. Vivian Brickerloves Jesus, studying the Word of God, and helping others in their walk with Christ. The beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses are based on the Bible teachings of Charles Taze Russellfounder of the Bible Student movementand successive presidents of the Watch Tower Society, Joseph Franklin Rutherford, and Nathan Homer Knorr. [105][109] Witnesses believe that Satan and his demons influence individuals, organizations and nations, and that they are the cause of human suffering. The Lord declared Himself to be God through His seven "I AM" statements ( John 6, 8, 10, 11, 14, 15). [182] The Society's publications make no explicit claim about whether small children or the mentally ill will survive, but say God's judgment will be righteous and merciful. [133], Watch Tower publications teach that hell (hades or sheol) is not a place of fiery torment, but rather the "common grave of mankind", a place of unconscious non-existence. Thus, Jesus was physically resurrected from the dead. Jehovah's Witnesses are a Christian religious sect rooted in the Adventist movement of the late 1800s in the United States. Jehovah's Witnesses believe and teach that Jesus Christ is the . [214][215] Because evangelistic activities take priority over educational success, young Witnesses rarely progress to college or university,[216] which Holden describes as a source of regret in subsequent years among those who are raised in the organization and later choose to leave. [173] Witnesses believe their doctrine is confirmed by world events since 1914, including wars, famine, earthquakes and increasing lawlessness, which they see as fulfillment of the "sign" of Christ's presence. What Do I Need to Know about the Anglican Church? 2. Know this: The beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses must be accepted and followed by each and every member. The Jehovahs Witnesses believe Jesus is a lesser god, but not the God of the universe. They believe God, who's name is Jehovah (Ps. (Matthew 10:8; 23:8) We do not practice tithing, and no collections are ever taken at our meetings. This article summarizes our basic beliefs. [194] However, Jehovah's Witness doctrines provide no method for members to terminate membership and remain in good standing. [165] They assert that the Greek word parousia (translated in most English Bible translations as coming when referring to Christ) is more accurately rendered presence, perceived only by a composite "sign". [202] They are described as "anti-God" and doomed to destruction. [195] Watch Tower publications define three different types of defection. Be in any employment that "makes one an accomplice, or a promoter" of any other church or religion. Main Differences Between Jehovah's Witnesses and Christianity. Jehovahs Witnesses are a very dangerous culture that nobody needs to be involved in. The Jehovah's Witnesses believe that there are 144,000 individuals whom God has chosen to be resurrected as "spirit creatures" or angelic beings and who will reign in heaven as the "kingdom of God" in the age to come while all other Jehovah's Witnesses will live on a paradise earth: [101], The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society used the Cross and Crown symbol on tombstones, and on its publications until 1931. They do not view the Holy Spirit as being a true Person only a force. [1][2][3] Since 1976, all doctrinal decisions have been made by the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses,[4] a group of elders at the denomination's headquarters. While we accept the entire Bible, we are not fundamentalists. Earth. Henschel. Jehovah's Witnesses cite the Old and New Testaments as the Biblical basis for refusing transfusions. The terms "little flock" and "other sheep" are drawn from Luke 12:32 and John 10:16 respectively. The Trinity is the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. He is not an impersonal force. [79][107] Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Satan is God's chief adversary[107] and the invisible ruler of the world. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. [54] Loyalty to the organization is said to require full involvement in public preaching[55] and regular meeting attendance. [103] According to the Watch Tower society, some Jehovah's Witnesses have been persecuted or killed for not venerating a cross. Basically, Jehovah's Witnesses believe that their own members will survive Armageddon, and live on earth after everyone else dies in the day of destruction. The leaders of some mainstream Christian churches have denounced the Witnesses for doctrinal deviation (especially their non-Trinitarian teachings) and have condemned them as a cult.. Why Are There So Many Christian Interpretations? (BX 8526 .J44 1993) [Find in a library near you] Describes the teachings, beliefs, and history of Jehovah's Witnesses, including a section on instances of religious persecution. [80] They believe God is "infinite, but approachable"; he is not omnipresent, but has a location in heaven;[81] it is possible to have a personal relationship with him as a friend;[82] he is kind and merciful, and would not eternally "torture" wicked people. [5] Our conduct. Each congregation has an assigned territory and each Witness a particular neighbourhood to canvass. Does the Bible Mention What to Give Up for Lent? The Bible tells us the Holy Spirit has a personality and the Bible describes the Holy Spirit with personal pronouns (Acts 13:2). The Jehovah's Witnesses are quite forthcoming about their religious beliefs. They believe that Daniel chapter 4 prophesied a period of 2,520 years starting with 607 BCE and ending at 1914 CE. The Bible tells us that Jesus was resurrected with a true flesh and bone body (Luke 24:39; John 2:19-21). Satan and his demons are said to have been cast down from heaven to the earth in 1914, marking the beginning of the "last days". [72] Jehovah's Witnesses base all of their beliefs on the Bible, as interpreted by the Governing Body.[73]. 1. The Holy Spirit is the name of God's active force in the world. The Holy Spirit is the name of Gods active force in the world. [154] They associate the terms "Israel of God" (Galatians 6:16), "little flock" (Luke 12:32), and "the bride, the Lamb's wife" (Revelation 21:9) in the New Testament with the "anointed". (Matthew 20:28; Acts 5:31) Thus, we are Christians. Therefore, the Holy Spirit is not just an impersonal force as the Jehovahs Witnesses believe. The Bible teaches the truth of the Trinity in multiple passages. See the next couple points for more details on this. They believe that Jesus Christ is St. Michael the archangel. Historically, . We do not lobby, vote for political parties or candidates, run for government office, or participate in any action to change governments. (2021, February 8). [51] Watch Tower Society publications urge Witnesses to demonstrate loyalty to the organization without dissent,[52][53] even at the cost of family ties. And they claim to have support for their views in the Bible. [65], Although many of their eschatological teachings have changed over the years,[66] Jehovah's Witnesses have consistently claimed to be the only true religion. Audio download options Why Do Cults Use God Falsely in Their Mission? [201] Other identifying behavior is said to include deviation from the truth, twisted, empty speech, hypocrisy and involvement in deeper forms of ungodliness. Do Jehovahs Witnesses Have Their Own Bible. [84], Witnesses teach that God must be distinguished by his personal nameJehovah. Matthew 28:19-20 says, Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. They also identify him with the "rider of the white horse" at Revelation 6 and 19. "[21], Watch Tower Society literature states that Jesus' use of the term "other sheep" at John 10:16 indicates a separate class with an earthly hope. The Bible teaches in the Old Testament and the New Testament that . [137] Based on this, they believe that parables such as that of "the rich man and Lazarus" should not be interpreted literally, and that such references are speaking of symbolic death, not the physical death of actual individuals. [169], Witnesses base their beliefs about the significance of 1914 on the Watch Tower Society's interpretation of biblical chronology,[170] based on their belief that the destruction of Jerusalem and the beginning of the Babylonian captivity both occurred in 607 BCE. | Jehovah's Witnesses with 1.3 million members in the U.S. who hand out brochures on sidewalks and subway platforms and ring doorbells are one of the most visible religious groups in the. Share any teaching or belief that is contrary to what Jehovah's Witnesses are taught. Annihilationism teaches that when a person dies, they cease to exist. [215] Author James Penton's major study of the Witnesses, Apocalypse Delayed, noted that of those Witnesses who do progress to university level, few are likely to take studies in such areas as the humanities and the social sciences, "disciplines that are most threatening to the Witness world-view". [208] Witnesses are told they must loathe and hate in the "biblical sense of the word" those who are defined as apostates and show no curiosity about their ideas,[209] and that apostates' "whole purpose is to tear down God's people and to distort the truth. According to their website, "Jehovah is the personal name of God, as found in the Bible. [67] Based on their interpretation of Revelation 18:2-24, Jehovah's Witnesses believe all other religions are part of "Babylon the Great", a "world empire of false religion" under the control of Satan. Jehovah's Witnesses were not among the five major religious groups that two weeks ago gave support to the Government's COVID-19 vaccination programme; however, the millenarian restorationist Chri. [138], Witnesses teach that wicked angels (demons) sometimes pretend to be spirits of the dead, and that their deception is the basis for many beliefs about ghosts. [148][149] Watch Tower Society publications state that salvation at Armageddon is also contingent on baptism, accurate knowledge of Bible truth, adherence to God's standards of conduct and morality, use of the divine name "Jehovah" in worship,[150] membership of God's "organization",[151] and active support of anointed Christians.