Jehovah witness the religious convictions of jehovah s witnesses are in various methods comparable to those typical christians george 2008. Its fair to say that the nwt is quite, lets say, distinctive in places, and has received a fair amount of criticism. The watchtower bible calls the new world translation of the holy scriptures one of the best translations to be found. The witnesses do not in any way claim that the translation. Oct 03, 2019 exjehovahs witness elder explaining why my family and i left the watchtower organization duration. Jehovah s witnesses along with a few other dissidents rejected this policy. They also go by the designation jehovahs witnesses. In addition, we ourselves have beheld and are bearing witness that the father jehovah has sent forth his son as savior of the world. Jehovah s witness christians have distinct beliefs about the end times, as well.
The new word translation of the holy scriptures is the selfpublished version of the bible that is translated, published and used by members of the watchtower organization. Why mormons and jehovahs witnesses are not christians. Jehovahs witnesses are well known in western society for their avid, doortodoor preaching and proselytizing of the religion to outsiders. What about that a god translation in the jehovahs witness. Jehovahs witnesses believe the second coming of christ is imminent and could happen very soon. Mar 22, 2019 a former jehovah s witness is using stolen documents to expose allegations that the religion has kept hidden for decades. For example, witnesses rely on the power of the bible, adore only one god, and believe in jesus death and resurrection for salvation. This, of course, is a major diversion from orthodox christianity. It is used by jehovah s witnesses to support their worldwide work, which includes publishing bibles and biblebased literature. Jehovahs witnesses have experienced maltreatment at points of their history. Jan 20, 2017 though written predominantly with the nonwitness reader in mind, special boxes are also provided for jehovahs witness readers. The bearing witness to jesus is what inspires prophesying literally, is the spirit of the prophecy. Historical watchtower publications recent publications appear on the watchtowers official site at wol the most comprehensive site to download historical publications is.
What do jehovahs witnesses believe answers christians need. Bible readers are intrigued by john chapter 1 verse 1 and want to. Buy a cheap copy of the facts on jehovahs witnesses the. Dec 15, 2018 jehovah s witnesses believe that jesus is not equal with god.
When a jehovah s witness knocks on your door, do you know what to say. This is one of the most common verses of contention between the jehovah s witnesses and christians. Oct 04, 2006 the bible firmly, and clearly, shows that jesus was created. Jehovah s witnesses are one of the most successful evangelical movements of all time, well known for their doorknocking and refusal of blood transfusions, but few people know much about them. The new world translation of the holy scriptures is published by jehovah s witnesses. In the new world translation bible produced by the watchtower bible and tract society a legal organization in use by jehovahs witnesses, john 1. And in the very last book of the bible john quotes the glorified jesus christ as. The writer of this gospel is not identified by name. This is one in a long list of unfulfilled jehovahs witness bible prophecies that are revealed in this book. The new world translation does not translate the words sheol, hades, gehenna, and tartarus as hell because jehovah s witnesses do not believe in hell. Many jehovahs witnesses are publicizing new manuscript evidence they claim supports their preferred rendition of john 1.
You really should read the entire book of john, not just a few scriptures. Older watchtower publications have also been scanned and made available on the internet archive at. The new world translation of the holy scriptures is published by jehovahs witnesses. I assume that in particular you are referring to the idea that many people have that it is wrong to add nay words to the bible. Using the new world translation to refute the new world. Jehovahs witness is characterized by a rigid set of beliefs that are millenarian, restorationist and nontrinitarian. Jehovah s witness leaders and other supporters of modern translations claim that 1 john 5. The jehovahs witness version of the bible the nwt translates these verses as. Discuss anything jehovah witness, or watchtower society related.
The question jehovah witnesses cannot answer without denying their false theology. The jehovahs witnesses are an outgrowth of the international bible students association, which was founded in 1872 in pittsburgh by charles taze russell. This is one of the most common verses of contention between the jehovahs witnesses and christians. Do jehovahs witnesses have their own version of the bible. Email answers to questions from a jehovahs witness about their beliefs. The watchtower organization prides itself as a whole on being biblical experts, able to quickly look up any number of scriptures in order to back up their organizations teachings and their faith, but, oddly, when it comes to one of the most recognizable scriptures in all of orthodox christianity, the jehovah s witnesses seem strangely reluctant to discuss this particular scripture, john 1. Has the jehovah s witness god performed the greatest act of love. Simply click on a link to view or download a publication. John s account highlights jesus love for us and provides many details of what jesus said and did while on earth. It is important to identify the worldview of each of the groups we consider. In the beginning the word was, and the word was with god, and the word was a god. The jehovahs witnesses, jesus christ, and the gospel of john robert m. Why jehovahs witnessess have a difficult time with john 1.
The jehovah s witnesses official web site briefly answers the question, do jehovahs witnesses believe in jesus. In fact, the sahidic coptic translation was primarily intended to proclaim the gospel throughout egypt where the copts lived. The gospel of john is the last of the four gospels. The angel that john envisioned can be none other than the glorified lord jesus christ.
When witnessing, never forget that you are the child of god. The more recent publications are used by jehovahs witnesses for their ministry and for their own personal study to understand jehovahs witnesses doctrine. Ankerbergs interviews with three former jehovah s witnesses and two experts on this growing religious movement. Jun 28, 2016 jehovahs witness is characterized by a rigid set of beliefs that are millenarian, restorationist and nontrinitarian. The secret jehovahs witness database of child molesters. My overwhelming misgiving with this book is in regard to the persecution of jehovah s witness in malawi. Response to has the jehovah s witness god performed the greatest act of love.
In the watchtower societys 1988 reference book, insight on the scriptures vol. Their false assumption is that jesus is not god in flesh but michael the archangel who became a man. What about that a god translation in the jehovahs witness bible. Jehovah s witnesses are well known in western society for their avid, doortodoor preaching and proselytizing of the religion to outsiders. Jehovahs witnesses admire the qualities he possessed as a man, but were we to give the honor and credit to pastor russell, we would be saying that the works and success were his. The group reports a worldwide membership of approximately 8. Jesus is quite literally the word of god brought forth from god, not created. John plainly classified himself as a witness of the one god whose name is jehovah. You are worthy, jehovah, even our god, to receive the glory and the honor and the power, because you created all things, and because of your will they existed and were created. Revelation of christ and the two witnesses the watchmans post.
What is the difference between jehovahs witnesses and. Historical watchtower publications jehovahs witnesses. Jehovah s witnesses are utterly convinced that their churchs leadership the governing body is both trustworthy and unquestionable. This evidencean early translation of the new testamentcomes from the same century as the earliest greek witness to the new testament. The nwt gives the translation presence instead of coming for the greek word parousia because jehovah s witnesses believe that christ has already returned in the early 1900s. However, jehovahs witnesses are quick to condemn their fellow brethren for their sins, disfellowshipping them and thus mentally torturing them with their evil act of shunning. The jehovah s witness version of the bible the nwt translates these verses as. Likewise, jehovah s witnesses have claimed that all of the churches of christendom are part of false religious babylon and that one must come to jehovah s organization i.
Jehovahs witnesses believe god inspired the bible, and they interpret it literally. What are the differences between most christian bibles and. Here the same greek word refers to the confirmation or declaration that john the baptist made concerning jesus. The adventist movement emerged in the 1830s around. If the jw knows youre a christian, he considers you part of christendom the great whore of babylon in the book of revelation. The church requires devoted adherence from its practitioners. This is one in a long list of unfulfilled jehovah s witness bible prophecies that are revealed in this book. They use a specific translation of the bible called the new world translation. One of the few things that can be said for jehovahs witnesses is that they believe in one god who is supreme in the universe. The jehovahs witnesses, jesus christ, and the gospel of john bowman jr. For one, he wrote revelation before he wrote the the book of john or the three letters. Therefore, since they deny that jesus is divine, they have altered the bible in john 1. Reasoning from the scriptures with the jehovahs witnesses. Does the jehovah s witness really think that john would be saying that there was another god besides jehovah even if it were jesus.
These are the things that the amen says, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation by god. Jehovah s witnesses believe death is a state of nonexistence with no consciousness. The main false doctrines taught by the jws henceforth used to abbreviate jehovah s witnesses are as follows. Jehovah s witnesses is a millenarian restorationist christian denomination with nontrinitarian beliefs distinct from mainstream christianity. According to jehovahs witnesses why did john write the words. Hades and sheol are understood to refer to the condition of death, termed the common grave. That question has to be considered when bible translators handle the first verse of the gospel of john. Initially called bible students, they adopted the name jehovahs witnesses in 1931.
Jehovah s witnesses use the standard 66 book protestant bible, but usually use their own translation thereof they do reference other translations from time to time, but generally use the new world translation. John ankerberg, john weldon, and dillon burroughs team up to revise and update the facts on jehovahs witnesses, part of the popular facts on series more than 1. The holy biblethe book by jehovahs witnesses watchtower. Therefore, since they deny that jesus is divine, they have altered the bible in john. It should say, the word was godlike or a god or a great prophet, a great angel, and then god used him for great things, you can know thats not true just because of john 1. How to talk to jehovahs witnesses about jesus desiring god. Consider that if the jehovah s witnesses consistently followed their own rule just in the opening verses of the book of john. Based on the jehovah s witness new world translation, revised 1984 edition whole bible verses deleted in the new world translation the following whole verses have been removed in the jehovah s witness biblewhether in the text or. People of east asian origin report the abuse targeted at them over coronavirus. New light on the watchtowers faithful discreet slave. Sit down and read all the way through the gospel of john and his three letters in. Jul 18, 20 which is why no baptized in good standing jehovahs witness has ever been shown to have been granted a postgraduate degree in biblical greek.
Because you have this exact same situation 282 times, and the jehovah s witnesses translators only follow their own rule on sixteen occasions just six percent of the time. Sep, 2017 if a muslim or a jehovahs witness, both of whom are arians, say, youve got this translation wrong. Jehovahs witnesses 10 things to know about their beliefs. Bobby talks about the new world translation and the inconsistency of jehovahs witnesses interpretation of john 1. Jehovahs witness, member of a millennialist denomination that developed within the larger 19thcentury adventist movement in the united states and has since spread worldwide. The apostle john, writer of the last bible book, recorded this profound declaration about the creator. The 11 beliefs you should know about jehovahs witnesses when. During the 1960s malawian president for life hastings banda made his country a oneparty state requiring all citizens to become members of the malawi congress party. The jehovah s witnesses, jesus christ, and the gospel of john. In this revised and updated version of the topselling reasoning from the scriptures with the jehovah s witnesses more than 90,000 copies sold, author and bible expert ron rhodes helps readers delve into the bible and use practical tools to share gods truths with those who come calling. Since 1976 all doctrinal decisions have been made by the governing body of jehovah s witnesses, a group of elders at the denominations headquarters.
I would suggest first that you spend a significant amount of time familiarizing yourself with the basic doctrines of the jehovah s witnesses. They also go by the designation jehovah s witnesses. Jehovah s witnesses are directed by the governing body of jehovah s witnesses, a group of elders. To put it simply, jesus is jehovah gods outward expression of his word from the person of himself in the person of his son, jesus christ. A jehovah s witness is upset at some of our articles that affirm the divine nature of jesus christ. The context makes no such demand in the gospel of john, for this statement cannot be regarded as strange in the prologue of the gospel which reaches its climax in the confession of thomas john 20. Im studying to become jehovah s witness because im a child.
For more than a hundred years, the john class has used the watchtower magazine in announcing jehovah s name and purpose. Why is it that the word god is translated as a god in john 1. The report of the inquiry into the actions of a disgraced surgeon is published today. The former jehovah s witnesses suing the church over child sex abuse. The watch tower bible and tract society of pennsylvania is a nonprofit corporation formed in 1884 under the laws of the commonwealth of pennsylvania, u. John also says that the book is for the purpose of showing gods slaves the things that must shortly take place. This period will conclude with judgment day, the 1,000 year reign of christ with the 144,000 anointed resurrected people who are chosen by god. The english equivalent of the hebrew name jehohanan or johanan, meaning jehovah has shown favor. The jehovahs witnesses are an outgrowth of the international bible students association, which was founded in 1872 in pittsburgh by charles taze russell history. The reason why is because they like other christians believe that the context of johns whole gospel is jesus and his role in salvation.
Honestly, i searched it on goodreads because i was curious if it was here,i misplaced my other book, and i wanted to know if i could get school credit for it. Although it appeared in second century writings, watchtower leaders would have their followers believe that it was added in the fourth century by trinitarians. In the apostle johns symbolic vision, the glorified jesus christ is depicted as riding a white horse and as being accompanied by an army, all of whose members are seated on white horses. Most truly i say to you, before abraham came into existence, i have been. The jehovah s witnesses do not seem to understand that if the watchtower really felt that it was so important to give them a name that would identify them as true christians, that it would seem fiiting, and would appear to have made more sense, to have named them witnesses of jesus, as per jesus own words at acts 1. The beliefs of jehovah s witnesses are based on the bible teachings of charles taze russellfounder of the bible student movementand successive presidents of the watch tower society, joseph franklin rutherford, and nathan homer knorr. Confronting religious doctrines with biblical teaching by gordon ferguson. Our official website provides online access to the bible, biblebased publications, and current news. They teach that jesus was created by god and not coexistent wth him. The beauty of these three opening verses in the book of john is enhanced by a theological understanding of what john succeeded in accomplishing. Theists teach that there is one god and he is supreme.
The book of john niv audio holy bible high quality and best speed book 43 duration. Jehovah s witnesses believe that the archangel michael, the word of john 1. Examples of numerous misquotes are included in this article, showing that such trust is not warranted. How do i refute the teachings of jehovah witnesses. Watchtower books publications of jehovahs witnesses. In response to bitter persecutions during the two world wars, the watchtower aroused jehovah s witnesses to renewed zeal by publishing articles such as blessed are the fearless 1919, a call to action 1925. The publications of jehovahs witnesses are organized into the year that the works were published, and in descending order. He is also the author of books such as understanding jehovahs witnesses. Christians have great news to offer jehovah s witnesses. In their translation, the gospel of john begins in this way. This evidencean early translation of the new testamentcomes from the same century as the earliest greek witness. Reviews both memoir and reference book, lloyd evans work is an extensive compilation of jehovahs witness history and theology. How do i respond to the claim of a jehovahs witness that. The jehovahs witnesses, jesus christ, and the gospel of john.
Many jehovah s witnesses are publicizing new manuscript evidence they claim supports their preferred rendition of john 1. Discuss anything jehovahs witness or watchtower society related and meet new friends. The jehovah s witnesses, jesus christ, and the gospel of john bowman jr. Nov 26, 2014 in the new world translation bible produced by the watchtower bible and tract society a legal organization in use by jehovahs witnesses, john 1. The jehovahs witnesses, jesus christ, and the gospel of.
The next time a jehovahs witness knocks on your door anxious to engage you in a bible study, courteously ask this question. Being raised a good jew, the apostle john would never believe that there was more than one god in existence. Jehovah s witnesses are told to have complete trust in the information the governing body provides them. Is the new world translation a valid version of the bible. Therefore, because the bible does not contradict itself, the translating of john 1. The bbc reports that witnesses believe the end times began in 1914.
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