Defend the Faith 101 Jehovah’s Witnesses

Jehovah’s Witnesses History Founder: Charles Taze Russell Founding Date: 1879 Official Publications: New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, The Watchtower and Awake! magazines

Birth of Jehovah’s Witnesses Charles Taze Russell, grew up Presbyterian and Congregationalist, encounters an Second Adventist congregation. Russell meets with Nelson Barbour, publisher of the Adventist newspaper Herald of the Morning. This particular newspaper taught Christ returned to reign invisibly, and begins the ”Great Harvest” in 1874. After a falling out (not sure of the reason), between Barbour and Russell, Russell publishes the Zion’s Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence (later called The Watchtower) in 1879.

Birth of Jehovah’s Witnesses Russell told his followers to proselytize (evangelize) others using his publications Russell began his own prophetic system with his 1889 book, The Time is at Hand. In The Time is at Hand, Russel claimed that 1872 marked the beginning of the seventh millennium since the creation of the world, but also precipitates the second return of Christ in 1874. Russell believed that God’s judgment began in 1878 and then in 1914 it would end after God would destroy the “Gentile kingdoms” This would be a false prophecy as the world did not come to an end in 1914.

1914 and the Failed Prophecy After not altering the dates, for fear of getting what God prophesied to Russell, 1914 comes without the world ending. World War 1 had just begun in 1914, which Russell said would end with the battle of Armageddon. Russell then dies in 1916, this sends many of his followers (called Bible Students) into a tailspin because of the failed prophecy.

Joseph Rutherford and the Failed Prophecy of 1925 Joseph Rutherford becomes the leader and makes another prophecy in 1920. He says the end of the world will happen in 1925. “We may confidently expect that 1925 will mark the return of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the faithful prophets of old, particularly those named by the Apostle in Hebrews chapter eleven, to the condition of human perfection.” After this failed prophecy, the Watchtower Society (the ruling elders of Jehovah’s Witnesses) moved the return of Christ to an indefinite time. Both failed prophecies by Russell and Rutherford lead to a decline in membership.

The Jehovah’s Witnesses As morale declined, several groups splintered from the core of Bible Students, which lead the Watchtower Society to name themselves the “Jehovah’s Witnesses.” The Watchtower then claimed that 1975 would see the end of the world, after a slight altering of the Russell’s timeline. “The seventh period of a thousand years of human history will begin in the fall of 1975 CE...It may be the purpose of God for Christ's reign to run parallel with the 7th millennium of man's existence.” Again the end of the world does not happen.

The Watchtowers Response to failed prophecy As a response, the Watchtower said it was implying the probability that the end of the world would happen in 1975, but also put the blame on individuals. “persons having to do with the publication of the information that contributed to the buildup of hopes centered on that date “Do you know why nothing happened in 1975...It was because YOU expected something to happen!” Watchtower President Frederick Franz. The Watchtower society still struggles with prophecy.

Doctrine and Practices The Trinity: Jehovah’s Witnesses do not believe in the doctrine of the Trinity. “Beyond a doubt, the Trinity doctrine has confused and diluted people’s understanding of God’s true position. It prevents people from accurately knowing the Universal Sovereign, Jehovah God, and from worshiping him on his terms.” The come to this conclusion by saying there is no Trinitarian language in the Bible.

Doctrines and Practices God the Father: The only true God called Jehovah, “the true God is one Person, separate from Jesus Christ.” Jesus Christ: The First created creature by God the Father, not pre- existent. Before he became known as Jesus, he was the angel Michael. Because Jesus was perfectly obedient to Jehovah’s will, he serves as “the key to the knowledge of God. Part of this obedience was his death on an upright pole, or “torture stake;” the Society argues there is no biblical evidence for Christ having undergone crucifixion. The Watchtower, believing that Jesus to be ”a god” not God, they translate John 1:1 as “In the beginning the Word was, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god.”

Doctrines and Practices Jesus is not be worshiped, but he is worthy of honor. Jesus died on a stake and not a cross, because the cross is a pagan symbol. (This is proven false archaeologically, and historically) Again, the Society argues there is no biblical evidence to support Jesus being crucified. Jesus did not rise physically from the dead. Rather, Jehovah raised his spirit from the death and then provided another body for his appearance to his disciples (Again, what about Jesus appearing to Thomas and tells him to touch the wounds in his hands and side)

Doctrines and Practices The Holy Spirit: ”a force, not a person,” it is “Jehovah’s active force, used by the Almighty to accomplish his purposes.” The Society argues that the word used for ”Spirit” is neuter (no gender) in Greek and the holy spirit allegedly lacks personal identification. What about John 14:15-17, where Jesus designates the Holy Spirit as “he?” The Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses: These are constituted by the “faithful and discreet slave” mentioned in Matthew 24:45-47. They are the only body on Earth that can properly interpret the Bible. Eternal Life: Only 144,000 will be in heaven. Non-Jehovah’s Witnesses will not have an eternal existence, they are destroyed by Jehovah in the end. There is no eternal punishment in hell.

Doctrines and Practices Birthdays and Holidays: They do not celebrate holidays or birthdays for they believe they are idolatrous and they link these to such things as pagan celebrations as the birth of the gods. They would also not celebrate Christmas or Easter, since both of these have links to pagan festivals. Sin: Jehovah’s Witnesses do not believe in sin. They believe that each person is capable of living sin free. Therefore, Jesus’ death has no atonement for sin because there is no sin to atone for. Blood Transfusions: Do not participate in blood transfusions as this would be a violation of the biblical commandment to abstain from blood. All Jehovah’s Witnesses must refuse blood transfusions to them, their children and even their pets. Government and Military Involvement: Any involvement in the military or running for public is strictly forbidden as this would be seen as traitorous and illicit support for the enemies of God’s kingdom.

Doctrines and Practices Obstacles to witnessing to a Jehovah’s Witnesses: 1. Handling the “expert” in the group. 2. Any material critical of the Society is seen as ”spiritual pornography” so even getting them to read any conflicting views will be hard. 3. Disassociation with those that have left or been excommunicated. If a family member leaves to follow genuine Christianity, then it will be hard for them to talk with their families or even members in the church.

Sharing the Gospel with a Jehovah’s Witnesses So, how do we share the Gospel? 1. With humility. 2. With kindness. 3. With knowledge. We have to answer their objections to the Bible to what the Bible actually says. 4. With an opportunity for them to respond.