The core belief of the Jehovah’s Witnesses[1] is that Jesus is the Son of God and part of a trinity with Jehovah (God) and the Holy Spirit. They worship Jesus as their Lord and Savior and accept his teachings as applicable to their lives today. They believe God sent him to bring salvation to mankind through his death on the cross and resurrection from the dead.
Jehovah’s Witnesses view Jesus as an example for them to follow, believing that he lived a sinless life and submitted himself completely to God’s will. As such, they strive to imitate his behavior in all areas of their lives, including how they treat others.
Contents
- 1 What Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Believe?
- 2 Do Jehovah Witnesses Believe In Jesus Christ?
- 3 The 10 Beliefs About Jehovah’s Witnesses When They Knock At The Door
- 3.1 1. Belief In The Bible
- 3.2 2. Belief In Jesus Christ
- 3.3 3. Belief In Angels
- 3.4 4. Belief In Heaven And Hell
- 3.5 5. Belief In The Kingdom of God
- 3.6 6. Belief In Final Judgment Day
- 3.7 7. Belief In The Sabbath Day
- 3.8 8. Belief In Baptism And Holy Communion
- 3.9 9. Belief In Evangelism
- 3.10 10. Belief In Separation From The World System
- 4 Conclusion
What Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Believe?
Jehovah’s Witnesses are a millenarian restorationist Christian denomination with nontrinitarian beliefs distinct from mainstream Christianity. They believe that God—Jehovah—is the highest and affirm that Jesus is distinct from God, not united as one person with him.
The “Holy Spirit,” then, refers to the active force of Jehovah. If Christ is not God, then the Witnesses deny the traditional Christian doctrine of the Trinity.
Witnesses had some traditional Christian views but also many of their own. They practice door-to-door evangelism and distribute literature that they believe to be spiritually beneficial. Jehovah’s Witnesses also have their own places of worship called Kingdom Halls, where members meet for Bible study and prayer.
The group has faced persecution in many countries due to their refusal to salute national flags or participate in military service, as well as other religious practices such as refusing blood transfusions. Despite this, they remain a global movement with millions of adherents around the world.
In terms of belief, Jehovah’s Witnesses believe in the one and only God, who is the Creator and Supreme Being. They accept Jesus as the Son of God and the Messiah, with a subordinate role to that of Yahweh (God).
Jehovah’s Witnesses deny the Trinity doctrine, which they take as a false teaching from paganism, and believe that Jesus was resurrected in spirit form rather than in bodily form. They also believe that the Bible, specifically the New World Translation, is God’s inspired word and is free of error, though they interpret certain passages differently from other Christian denominations.
Witnesses emphasize strict moral conduct, including abstaining from practices such as premarital sex, homosexuality, abortion, and tobacco use.
Do Jehovah Witnesses Believe In Jesus Christ?
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe in Jesus Christ and have faith that he is the way, the truth, and the life. They believe that Jehovah created Jesus as the archangel Michael before the physical world existed and that Jesus is a lesser being than God. Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that Jesus’ life began in heaven, and he is described as God’s first creation.
Jehovah’s Witnesses do not believe that Jesus is Almighty God but rather his agent, through whom sinful men can be reconciled to God. They also deny the physical resurrection of Jesus from the dead, which is a radical departure from historic Christian teaching.
In addition to these beliefs, Jehovah’s Witnesses identify as Christians, but their beliefs are different from those of other Christians in some ways. For instance, they teach that only 144,000 people will go to heaven, while others will live forever on a paradise earth.
The 10 Beliefs About Jehovah’s Witnesses When They Knock At The Door
When a Jehovah’s Witness comes knocking at your door, it is important to understand their beliefs and their religion’s culture. Here are 10 beliefs and practices of the Jehovah’s Witnesses that you should be aware of when they approach you. Knowing these will help ensure a respectful, informed conversation.
1. Belief In The Bible
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that the Bible is God’s inspired word and should be studied, obeyed, and applied to our lives (2 Timothy 3:16).
2. Belief In Jesus Christ
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that Jesus is both fully human and fully divine, the only begotten son of God sent to redeem mankind from sin through his death on the cross (John 3:16; Romans 5:6–8).
3. Belief In Angels
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe angels are spirit creatures created by God and serve as messengers for him (Matthew 28:20; Colossians 1:16).
4. Belief In Heaven And Hell
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe in a literal heaven and hell, with eternal life in the former for those who have accepted Jesus Christ and obeyed God’s will (Matthew 25:46; Luke 23:43).
5. Belief In The Kingdom of God
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that God is actively ruling through the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth, which was established by Jesus during his time on Earth (Matthew 6:10; Revelation 11:15).
6. Belief In Final Judgment Day
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that one day all human beings will be judged according to their deeds and rewarded accordingly (Revelation 20:12–13).
7. Belief In The Sabbath Day
Jehovah’s Witnesses observe Saturday as the Sabbath day, a special time of worship and meditation on God’s word (Exodus 20:8–11).
8. Belief In Baptism And Holy Communion
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that baptism is an outward sign of inner commitment to serve God and obedience to his will (Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26).
9. Belief In Evangelism
Jehovah’s Witnesses recognize their responsibility to spread the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ by preaching from house to house (Acts 20:20; Revelation 14:6–7).
10. Belief In Separation From The World System
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that Christians should remain separate from worldly influences so they can be an example to the world by living according to God’s laws (Romans 12:2; James 4:4).
Conclusion
Only Jehovah’s Witnesses believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and their savior, who sacrificed his life so that people may receive forgiveness from God and have hope for eternal life in heaven. His teachings emphasize love, justice, humility, and obedience to God’s will.
They also look forward to his return, when he will establish the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth. By understanding these beliefs, one can have an informed conversation with Jehovah’s Witnesses or gain insight into their religion and its culture.