History Founded in the 1870’s by Charles Taze Russell First called the Zion’s Watch Tower and Tract Society The name Jehovah's Witnesses was not adopted officially until 1931

Facts 6.6 million members are actively invovled in preaching 1 hour of service is the minimum requirement per month 1.3 billion hours as of million adult members in the U.S. 1 million active in the U.S. Over 5 million active in U.S., Mexico, Brazil, and Zambia Gradual decline in membership

Beliefs 1. Source of Authority JWs claim the Bible is their final source of authority JWs claim the Bible is their final source of authority The JWs have their own translation of the Bible called the New World Translation The JWs have their own translation of the Bible called the New World Translation The Watchtower magazine is also one of their main authorities The Watchtower magazine is also one of their main authorities 2. The Trinity JWs believe that God is not a triune God, but only “Jehovah God” JWs believe that God is not a triune God, but only “Jehovah God” They believe Trinitarianism is a belief in three gods They believe Trinitarianism is a belief in three gods

Beliefs (continued) 2. The Trinity (continued) They also believe that Satan inspired polytheism, and that those who believe in the Trinity are polytheists 3. G od the Father They know him as Jehovah Considers Him to be the only true eternal God, the Almighty They believe God was once alone in the universe and his first creation was His son

Beliefs (continued) 4. J esus Christ Since JWs do no believe in the Trinity, they also do not believe that Jesus is God in the flesh In Colossians 1:16, 17 they add the word “other” four times, to teach that Jesus Christ in the reincarnation of the archangel Michael The “Watchtower” teaches that Michael is God’s son, that he was created before the world, and that he was the only person created directly by God

Beliefs (continued) 5. Resurrection of Christ JWs deny the bodily resurrection of Christ JWs deny the bodily resurrection of Christ Through their teachings the body of Christ was annihilated by God, not risen Through their teachings the body of Christ was annihilated by God, not risen They claim Jesus arose spiritually and only “materialized” various times after His resurrection so He could be seen alive They claim Jesus arose spiritually and only “materialized” various times after His resurrection so He could be seen alive 6. The Holy Spirit JWs claim that the holy spirit is only an impersonal “active force of the Almighty God which moves His servants to do his will” JWs claim that the holy spirit is only an impersonal “active force of the Almighty God which moves His servants to do his will”

Beliefs (continued) 7. Sin JWs believe in the Adam and Eve story and that Adam disobeyed Jehovah when tempted by the angel Lucifer JWs believe in the Adam and Eve story and that Adam disobeyed Jehovah when tempted by the angel Lucifer They believe that as a result of his disobedience Adam and all his descendents lost the right to life They believe that as a result of his disobedience Adam and all his descendents lost the right to life 8. Salvation JWs claim everlasting life is a reward for doing the will of God JWs claim everlasting life is a reward for doing the will of God

Beliefs (continued) 8. Salvation (continued) According to their theology there are three possible destinies, the anointed, the 144,00 that go to heaven, the rest who are not the anointed live forever on a paradise Earth, and the rest who are not a Jehovah’s Witness are demolished by God According to their theology there are three possible destinies, the anointed, the 144,00 that go to heaven, the rest who are not the anointed live forever on a paradise Earth, and the rest who are not a Jehovah’s Witness are demolished by God 9. The Body of Christ They believe that the members of the spiritual Body of Christ are the chosen 144,00 They believe that the members of the spiritual Body of Christ are the chosen 144,00 Only 8,000 of theses chosen ones are still on earth Only 8,000 of theses chosen ones are still on earth

Beliefs (continued) 10. Soul Sleep JWs deny the immortality of the soul JWs deny the immortality of the soul They do not believe the soul can exist apart from the body, but a corpse remains in an in the grave waiting for resurrection They do not believe the soul can exist apart from the body, but a corpse remains in an in the grave waiting for resurrection 11. Annihilation of the Wicked They teach the “second death” is annihilation and extiction They teach the “second death” is annihilation and extiction They claim the wicked will cease to exist and will not suffer everlasting torment, because they deny the doctrine of hell They claim the wicked will cease to exist and will not suffer everlasting torment, because they deny the doctrine of hell

Discipline Administered by congregation of elders 1. marking- someone is deemed unscriptual someone is deemed unscriptual social interaction outside of formal worship is restricted social interaction outside of formal worship is restricted 2. reproof- public punishment is in front of all on lookers public punishment is in front of all on lookers 3. disfellowshipping- excommunication excommunication all baptized members cut off all association with that person all baptized members cut off all association with that person

Practices Always address each other as “brother” and “sister” Always address each other as “brother” and “sister” Weddings, anniversaries, and funerals are typically observed Weddings, anniversaries, and funerals are typically observed Common, religious, or natural holidays: birthdays, thanksgiving, and christmas aren’t celebrated because they have pagan origins Common, religious, or natural holidays: birthdays, thanksgiving, and christmas aren’t celebrated because they have pagan origins Family structure is patriarchal Family structure is patriarchal

Practices (continued) PPPPolitical Neutrality refuse to salute flag or sing nationalistic songs refuse to serve in the military refuse to participate in political processes such as elections refuse to hold political office TTTThey don’t believe in blood transfusion or gambling

How they communicate their beliefs to others (share their good news) They don’t feel that they use pressure or force to convert people They try to find those who are “sighing and groaning over all of the detestable things being done” to help They do this by going from house to house They practice this because they feel that is was what Christ did- “He went journeying from city to city”