If we are going to go out and share the Gospel with others I believe it’s important to understand what other faiths believe in. This enables us to speak the truth in Love (Ephesians 4:15) because it shows respect to the other person who will see that you took the time to understand their point of view thus opening the door to give them the truth of the Gospel. Here is a summary of my understanding of the Jehovah Witness core beliefs based on my studies. Most of the information here is quoted and summarized from the articles, video, and the JW’s website which contains the NWT version. I welcome any Jehovah Witness to contact me if anything in this article is in error.
What they believe:
1 – Jehovah is the only true God, Jesus is a creation. They deny the deity of Christ, & the deity of the Holy Spirit.
2 – Michael the Arc angel is Jehovah’s first and only direct creation. “direct” God only created Michael then all other things where created through the Arc Angel Michael. He’s the Master Worker. Michael is ‘the means’ by which all “other” things were created. If we look at their NWT (new world translation)
Colossians 1:16
He is the image of the invisible God,+ the firstborn of all creation;+ 16 because by means of him all other things were created in the heavens and on the earth, the things visible and the things invisible,+ whether they are thrones or lordships or governments or authorities. All other things have been created through him+ and for him. 17 Also, he is before all other things,+ and by means of him all other things were made to exist,
3 – Michael is a spirit creature who then became Jesus. Jesus lived 33 years, died, became Michael (recreated again.) Man doesn’t have a spiritual nature. There is no spiritual aspect to man. They believe when they die you simply cease to exist, and when you are resurrected you are recreated. Almost like a clone. It wont ‘really’ be you but an exact copy with all of your memories.
Jesus is a creation not the creator.
4 – The Holy Spirit is an impersonal force(like electricity), not a person. If you ever witness to a JW you may notice they frequently say ‘holy spirit’ and wont say “The Holy Spirit.” ‘Holy spirit’ is Jehovah Gods impersonal, active force. You will notice ‘holy spirit’ is lower case in NWT and the word ‘the’ is removed
Acts 19:2.
There he found some disciples 2 and said to them: “Did you receive holy spirit when you became believers?
5 Jehovah has an organization. The faith and discreet slave of: Matthew 24:25. This is Jehovah’s only organization on Earth. You are either with your organization or you are in rebellion against God. That’s all there is too it.
6 – There are Three groups in salvation.
Group #1: The anointed Class a.k.a. “The Christ Class” made up of 144,000 individuals (Rev. 14:1). not more, not less. The vast majority of people that claim to be of the anointed class are in Brooklyn New York.
Group #2: The Great Crowd (vast majority claim this group). The anointed class has a heavenly hope. This group has an earthly hope. They are resurrected as physical beings and they live forever on Earth.
Group #3: Everyone else. Apostates. you are under Jehovah’s wrath. when armageddon takes place everyone who is not associated with watchtower society is wiped off the face of the earth. They cease to exist. There is no eternal separation from God (Hell).
“Some” in group #3 will be resurrected, and given a chance along with group #2. Still, there will be a test after a millennium and if we don’t pass Jehovah will eliminate us. again.
Finally if you ‘sway’ a Jehovah Witness into entertaining the possibility that Jesus is Jehovah, & armageddon happens tomorrow they are told that they will be eliminated with no chance of resurrection.
For my brothers and sisters in Christ I hope this helps you so the next time one of these folks knock on your door it can give you the opportunity to preach the Gospel to them. I plan to put together my notes on how you can witness to them using their own Bible version.
Sources:
https://www.jw.org/en/publications/bible/nwt/
https://carm.org/biblical-response-to-jehovahs-witnesses