The False Gospel of Jehovah’s Witnesses Is Works-Based

Jehovah’s Witnesses are not Christians. They believe God has only one name, Jehovah, but many titles and descriptions.

Christians believe God has many names: God (Genesis 1:1), God Almighty (Genesis 17:1), Lord of hosts (1 Samuel 1:3), Lord (Psalm 8:1), and Father (Matthew 6:9, 1 Corinthians 1:3), among others.

Jehovah’s Witnesses do not believe in the Trinity because the Bible does not use the word. They believe there is one God.

The Bible agrees that there is one God but calls three different persons God—the Father (1 Peter 1:2), Jesus (John 20:28, Hebrews 1:8), and the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3–4).

All three have God’s characteristics and are everywhere present (Psalm 139:7; Jeremiah 23:23-24; Matthew 28:20), all-knowing (Psalm 147:5; John 16:30; 1 Corinthians 2:10-11), all-powerful (Jeremiah 32:17; John 2:1-11; Romans 15:19), and eternal (Psalm 90:2; Hebrews 9:14).

The Father had a part in creating the universe (Psalm 102:25). So did the Son (John 1:3) and the Holy Spirit (Genesis 1:2).

Matthew 28:19 and 2 Corinthians 13:14 point to the three-in-one-ness of the Godhead. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that Jehovah created Jesus as the archangel Michael before he created everything else.

The Bible teaches that Jesus has always been God (John 1:1, 8:58). His nature is exactly like the Father’s (John 5:18; 10:30; Hebrews 1:3).

The Bible equates Jesus and Jehovah (Isaiah 43:11 and Titus 2:13; Isaiah 44:24, Colossians 1:16; Isaiah 6:1-5 and John 12:41). Jesus created the angels (Colossians 1:16). They worship Him (Hebrews 1:6).

Jehovah’s Witnesses do not believe Jesus was God in the flesh. But the Bible teaches that Jesus was “God with us” (Matthew 1:23; John 1:1, 14, 18; 10:30; 14:9-10).

Jehovah’s Witnesses believe God resurrected Jesus spiritually but not physically.

The Bible teaches that Jesus ate after his resurrection, proving He had a physical body. (Luke 24:30; John 21:12-13). His followers touched Him after His resurrection (Matthew 28:9; John 20:17).

Jehovah’s Witnesses claim that Jesus returned to earth invisibly in 1914. The Bible teaches that every eye will see Jesus’ return (Revelation 1:7).

Jehovah’s Witnesses believe the Holy Spirit is not a person but a force. The Bible teaches the Holy Spirit has a will (1 Corinthians 12:11, emotions (Ephesians 4:30), and a mind (Romans 8:27).

The Bible describes Him using personal pronouns (Acts 13:2). He teaches (John 14:26), testifies (John 15:26), commissions (Acts 13:4), commands (Acts 8:29), and intercedes (Romans 8:26). He is the third person of the Trinity (Matthew 28:19).

Jehovah’s Witnesses believe salvation depends on faith in Christ, being a Jehovah’s Witness, and obeying the organization’s rules.¹ 

The Bible rejects salvation based on rule-keeping. (Galatians 2:16-21; Colossians 2:20-23). Good works are the fruit of salvation, not its requirement (Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 3:4-8). What is your takeaway? See additional free spiritual growth resources for Christians.

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The 11 Beliefs You Should Know about Jehovah's Witnesses When They Knock at the Door

God has empowered me to write His Power for Your Weakness—260 Steps Toward Spiritual Strength. It’s a free, evangelistic, devotional, and discipleship e-book. Pastors have used it in Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia to lead 6,090 people to Christ and teach the basics of Christianity to 15,150 people. I invite you to explore and use it in your setting. 

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