Founder:
Charles Taze Russell (1870)
Joseph Franklin Rutherford (1917)
Many of today’s Christians are familiar with or perhaps have limited experiences with Jehovah’s Witnesses. Too often, however we are not altogether familiar with the Watchtower doctrine. How are these zealous people who share their understanding of Scripture, engaging us door to door, somehow different, although they seem to talk about G-D? We will examine what truly makes the Watchtower an offense to Christianity. Boundaries defining true followers of Christ are becoming blurred; some of the reasons include Biblical illiteracy, doctrinal ignorance and apostasy, along with the societal push for tolerance. Meanwhile, as the tide of deception rises, true followers of Christ must accurately proclaim what G-D requires for Salvation, according to His Word. We must also recognize, discern and confront error, extending an authoritative Biblical defense against that which would jeopardize the salvation of many.
Please click on the link below to see the comparison between Christianity and Jehovah’s Witnesses (JW) and why JW is detrimental to one’s soul.
JW and Christianity Doctrine Comparison (Charts)
1. What footprints of Jehovah’s Witnesses has been seen in the Body of Christ?
Idolatry
Just as the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society has its glance perversely fixed on Russell, Rutherford, and the Governing Body; the Church at large elevates its own celebrities over and above the Word of G-D. In search of a false anointing, Christians pack venues for conferences and concerts, rush to bookstores, and quote the mantras of their celebrity of the day, meanwhile Bibles are unread, and Biblical principles such as purity of heart, meekness, and repentance are unheeded.
False prophecy or claims of exclusive knowledge, also ascribing a character or teaching to G-D that is not in line with His Word and does not glorify Him.
False prophecy includes tailoring Scripture to support the stance of the speaker. The speaker’s heart is revealed as he/she ascribes a teaching or character to G-D that is not revealed in His Word. Meanwhile, claims of exclusive knowledge seek to draw attention to the speaker, rather than the Lord. As Believers, the Lord may choose to share His desires with us, but it is never for the purpose of bringing glory to ourselves. This is a covetous anti-christ spirit which manifests itself in a desire for power, influence, control, prestige, or importance.
Reliance on intellect and methodologies for evangelism instead of submission to the Holy Spirit
The stronghold of intellect is in full operation, as Christians strategize and create checklists for winning souls for Christ. This work of the flesh has the potential to attract the false prophet; as it seeks to replace the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit’s role in the Body of Christ has been misunderstood and largely ignored. In doing so the Church has not realized the victory harvest of souls that is awaiting us.
Use of clichés, buzz phrases and semantics instead of practicing clear communication
These obstacles to clear communication actually hinder truth. As we receive the cliché or buzz word; or perhaps assume to understand the sender’s intent, honest open dialogue stops and a true heart change is thwarted.
Book Studies, instead of Bible Study
Watch Tower and Awake magazines and other Watchtower publications are the sole source of Bible knowledge for the Jehovah’s Witness, in the same way, Christians are grabbing hold to every cleverly marketed “Christian book”, instead of allowing the Word of G-D to be sufficient for teaching, doctrine, reproving, and correcting.
Mass marketing and conglomeration strategies
Like the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, so called “progressive” churches are moving into multiple streams of revenue sources using what is coined ‘cultural innovation’. They are Mega church conglomerates collecting on tours, speaking engagements, books, and music. The appearance of prosperity and affluence usually includes publishing a book on the Bestseller’s List, celebrity status for the pastor and often times a musician. Mass marketing of the Mega church offers multiple service times and multiple locations, concert quality audio, visuals, and print materials, high definition Jumbotrons mounted in the sanctuary, perhaps a coffee shop, and a bookstore/souvenir shop.
2. How has Jehovah’s Witnesses impacted believers? (Perversion or otherwise)
Jehovah’s Witnesses has impacted Believer’s in several ways. The more obvious evidence is seen in the Believer’s reluctance to share our faith in Yeshua and properly communicate Biblical Christian doctrine. The average Christian’s lack of foundational Biblical knowledge is exposed in the web of Watchtower semantics and double speak. Perversely, others take on a spirit of antagonism in a ‘you against me’ attitude. This attitude makes the Christian an offense instead of a bridge to truth. Also reluctance to share our faith in Yeshua reveals the Believer is not seeking a personal relationship with the Lord, but has simply chosen the church as an option to other alternatives. Conversely, Jehovah’s Witnesses diligently ‘preach’ door to door, proclaiming this is the Lord’s work of evangelism, spend countless hours over a lifetime in indoctrination, and believe salvation is based on works. Class divisions and church hierarchies based on carnality and selfish ambition rather than Godly order and authority are seen in both the Watchtower and Christianity. Because of this error, arrogance and spiritual immaturity are the result. Additionally the Church has been impacted by tolerance of The New World Translation book used by the Watchtower. It has opened the door of acceptance for alternative versions of the Holy authorized Bible. The impact of man determining and replacing words of Scripture has brought about commonality instead of holiness, causing a loss of reverence, and the essence of the Scripture to be lost. The Lord says His Word is pure, tried by fire, accomplishes what it was sent out to do, and is useful for teaching, doctrine, reproving, and correcting.
3. What do you recognize as the stronghold or strongman of this cult or religion?
The strongman of the false religion of Islam is greed. It is out of the demonic spirit of greed that the stronghold spirits of control and conquest take up residence (Matthew 12:43-45).
- Greed (1 Timothy 6:6-10, Revelations 3:14-22, Psalm 10:3, Proverbs 28:16, Jeremiah 22:17, Mark 7:21-23, Romans 1:28-32, Colossians 3:5 and 2 Peter 2:3&14)
- Control (Matthew 20:25-28, Luke 22:25-27, and 1 Peter 5:1-8)
- Conquest (Revelation 6:1-2, Psalm 13:2-4, Psalm 83, and Lamentations 1:1-10)
4. In recognizing the spiritual warfare, what characteristics of Yeshua should we pray to be released in the Body of Christ and in us?
- Sonship: Rom 8:14-15
- Singlemindedness: 2 Cor. 11:4
- Self-control: Rom 12:2-3, 2 Tim 2:22
- Sober, wise, yet walking in love: 1 Peter 5:8, Eph 5:2
- Alert, discerning, steadfast: Matt 7:13-16, 2 Tim 3:14-15, Titus 1:9
- Meekness, not easily angered: 1 Peter 3:18, 2 Tim 2:14-16
- Intimacy with the Father by way of the Son: John 17:3
- Desire righteousness and holiness lay aside falsehood, speak truth: Eph 4:24-25
- Zeal for the truth, the Word, and the Kingdom: Ps. 119:139, 1 Peter 3:13, 15-16, Titus 1:14, 2 Tim 2:15
- Desire salvation for the lost: Luke 19:10
- Equipped for every good work: 2 Tim. 3:16-17