Jul 11, 2018 jehovahs witnesses would be happy to converse from any common translations available since their beliefs have nothing to do with new world translation nwt. The watchtower message touched my parents enough to eventually become baptized jehovah s witnesses in 1984. God is not a triune god they dont believe in the father, son, and holy spirit as being all equally one and fully god jesus christ died and did not physically rise again from the grave. I will compare king james verses with the jehovah witnesses bible, the new world translation. What makes jehovahs witnesses different from other.
The new world translation of the holy scriptures nwt is a translation of the bible published. Finally, in 1961, the entire set of wbts translations was published as the new world translation of the holy scriptures nwt. Jehovahs witnesses do have their own bible the new world translation but they also use other bible translations. What makes jehovah s witnesses different from other christians. And you can see how much the new world translation deviates from kjv, asv, and byington in their own online library. We used whatever translation was available and formed our beliefs accordingly. Yhwh, the proper name of the god of israel in the hebrew bible and one of the seven names of god in judaism the consensus among scholars is that the historical vocalization of the tetragrammaton at the time of the redaction of the torah 6th century bce is. What are the basic differences between jehovahs witnesses and christians. Some revisions have been made since that initial edition, but the nwt essentially remains as it was originally published. Apr 26, 2011 the jehovah witnesses love to knock on your door and promote their new world translation nwt as the best bible available to read and study. It is one of the more major ways in which jehovahs witnesses differ from various christian denominations.
We answer the questions of how they got their start, what their core beliefs are, and how many people ascribe to this faith in the world today below. See the next couple points for more details on this. For example, jehovah s witnesses believe in one god, the authority of the bible i. Jehovah s witnesses have deep respect for all translations and have no issue with using other translations in their bible education work.
I was raised as a jehovah s witness and remained one until age 11. The niv and nasb are the same bibles as the jehovah. What are the differences between most christian bibles and. Pentecostals and jehovahs witnesses what is the difference. The group reports a worldwide membership of approximately 8. Rather than bore ourselves with the corrupt history of the watchtower bible and tract society, we shall get straight to the main issue at hand.
Jehovahs witnesses do not believe in the trinity god in three persons. The bible reminds us that if we are quick to get angry, we will have many disagreements with others and we will. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading getting through to jehovah s witnesses. The jehovah s witnesses are not honest bible students. Perhaps the most important commonality between evangelical christians and jehovahs witnesses is our belief and trust in the bible as the ultimate authority inspired by god, on issues concerning god and his expectations for us. Likewise, jehovah s witnesses teach a belief system that is almost identical. What are the biggest differences between christianity and the. Jehovahs witnesses believe the second coming of christ is imminent and could happen very soon.
Nov 15, 20 at dare 2 share, our goal is to help you feel comfortable sharing the gospel. As their interpretations of the bible evolved, witness publications decreed that saluting national flags is a form of idolatry, which led to a new outbreak of mob violence and government opposition in the united states, canada, germany, and other countries. Sep 14, 2011 if the person is truly sure of baptizing as a jehovah s witness then the only way to do it is by the person getting married to be able to get baptized as a now jehovah s witness and not sin in. Jehovah s witnesses and jesus christ, theology today, april, 1953. God has been selecting faithful christians in order to complete the number 144,000. See more of jehovahs witnesses 4 jehovah on facebook. Jehovahs witnesses base all of their beliefs on the bible, as interpreted by the governing body. The differences are significant enough that jehovah s witness christians and mainstream christians sometimes question each others legitimacy as christians. Jehovah s witnesses regard the nwt as the best, if not the only, reliable bible translation. Periodically jehovah s witness doctrine will change. The differences are that the watchtower pickandchose those verses from whatever manuscripts they could find that agreed with their warped theology. Throughout the various moves from place to place, my parents were contacted by jehovah s witnesses.
Is the new world translation a valid version of the bible. The jehovah s witnesses insist that there is no actual difference between body and soul in the scriptures. Jehovahs witnesses memorial 2020 to remember what jesus. When a jw says the bible he means the new world translation. It is one of the more major ways in which jehovahs witnesses differ from. Today this organization has branches in over one hundred countries, and it has missionary works in over two hundred and fifty. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. If not what are some important differences in them. It is true that jehovah s witnesses and christians are both following the teachings brought about by the words of. The jehovah s witness version in the new world translation says, in the beginning was the word, and the. The major doctrinal difference between the bible students and jehovahs witnesses regards the breadth of salvation. Again, because the jehovah s witnesses deny god in flesh for the scriptures john 1. I recently had some interaction with someone who informed me that russell would have never approved of the organization started by judge rutherford.
How do catholic and jehovah witness beliefs differ. What is the difference between christianity and jehovah. Jehovahs witnesses believe that gods one true namethe name. This chart list beliefs and the supposed scriptural authority for them. Christian vs jehovah witness the main difference between christian and jehovah s witness is in the kinds of christ they believe in. Mar 14, 2011 the major doctrinal difference between the bible students and jehovahs witnesses regards the breadth of salvation.
I was saved in 1994 after reading the bible and realizing that it was indeed the true word of god repeatedly god has blessed me with the passion and privilege. Here are nine things you should know about the obscure religious group that emerged from the bible student movement in the late 1870s. Id like to ask all of the readers who use the niv as their final authority if they consider the rusellites, better known as the jehovahs witnesses, a cult, or do you call them your brothers. Jehovah s witnesses bible is known as the new world translation of the holy scriptures. Jehovahs witnesses have deep respect for all translations and have no issue with using other translations in their bible education work. It holds the reputation for being the most accurate bible translation in english. Jehovah s witnesses believe that after death the spirit goes to sleep. It is true that jehovahs witnesses and christians are both following the teachings brought about by the words of jesus christ.
Jehovah s witnesses do not believe in the trinity god in three persons. Good, detailed article on the differences between jehovahs witnesses and christianity, and why jw will never become a pure, true branch of. In their booklet entitled jehovahs witnesses in the twentieth century, for example, may be found a chart titled what jehovahs witnesses believe. Jehovahs witnesses regard the new world translation of the holy scriptures as an accurate, easytoread translation of the bible. Jun 07, 2004 compare jehovah s witnesses and protestant christianity. This is clearly demonstrated by the fact that, as new editions of the new world translation were published, additional changes were made to the biblical text. Translation into other languages is based on the english text, supplemented by comparison with the hebrew and greek. One only has to pick up a copy of their new world translation of the holy scriptures to see how dishonest and unfaithful they are with gods word. Jehovah s witnesses regard the new world translation of the holy scriptures as an accurate, easytoread translation of the bible. Greek scholar bruce metzger said that the jehovah s witnesses have incorporated in their translation of the new testament several quite erroneous renderings of the greek. Growing up as a jehovah s witness was difficult at times, but it was also very rewarding.
Jehovahs witnesses asserts that they are christians however, mainstream christians consider jehovahs witnesses as heretics for the latter believes that jesus christ and god is not one and the same, a very stark contrast from christianitys view of a. Distinctive beliefs of the jehovahs witnesses catholic. Jehovahs witnesses consider themselves christian but they consider mainstream christian groups such as catholics and protestants incorrect in their beliefs. Shortly after rutherford founded the jehovahs witnesses in 1931, they developed a narrow salvation theology similar to that taught by evangelical christians. Mainstream christians believe jesus to be both almighty god and almighty gods son while. I was wondering if you could help me to understand the differences between followers of charles t. The witnesses do not in any way claim that the translation. The new american standard bible nasb was first published in 1963, with the most recent edition published in 1995. The niv and nasb are the same bibles as the jehovah witnesses nwt. With over onehalf million volunteer workers, the jehovahs witnesses have become a serious threat to bible believers throughout the world.
Approaching bible discussions in unexpected ways kindle edition by englund, david. Bad translations of the jehovahs witness bible, the new. The apostacy is a result of the jehovah s witnesses interpretation of the bible. Jehovah s witnesses is a millenarian restorationist christian denomination with nontrinitarian beliefs distinct from mainstream christianity. Russell who call themselves bible students, and jehovah s witnesses. Main differences between jehovah s witnesses and christianity 1. The following chart provides a quickreference guide to the major similarities and differences between the beliefs and practices of jehovah s witnesses and mainstream protestant christianity. Jehovahs witnesses also have a free bible museum open to the public in warwick, n. It is not true that pentecostals and jehovahs witnesses are satanists. The view of christians about this trinitarian god is condemned by jehovahs witnesses. This article is only intended as a limited discussion of some of the similarities and the differences between the jehovah s witnesses jw and the continuing church of god ccog the doctrinal differences between the two groups are many. Following are some verses concerning these two teachings of the witnesses, which they have totally corrupted. Jehovah s witnesses can purchase any translation of the bible for personal use. A few months back i responded to a question concerning the nwt and decided to post my answer.
Settle differences in a spirit of love watchtower online. Lets examine some of the beliefs, which are peculiar to the jehovahs witnesses. Oct 29, 2015 one of the most glaring differences between christianity and the jehovah witnesses is that jesus is either god and has always existed or he was a created being and thus, not fully god. Coming out of this cult, i entered my teenage years as a bitter atheist where i remained until i graduated from college. Jehovahs witness christians believe in the bible as gods word like other. Jehovah s witnesses have also other differences with other religions. Then, whats is that they put pentecostals and jehovahs witnesses in the same category. The main difference between the new world translation nwt and other bibles is that the nwt has attempted to eliminate almost all references to the divinity of jesus in the new testament. The 11 beliefs you should know about jehovahs witnesses when. Worldwide membership of jehovah s witnesses reached 1,624 in 5,323 congregations by the time of rutherfords death in january 1942. The jehovah witnesses love to knock on your door and promote their new world translation nwt as the best bible available to read and study. Check out our videos from the jw conferences in duluth ga where. Organizational structure of jehovahs witnesses wikipedia. What many dont realize is that four of the five men on the translation committee producing the complete 1961 edition had no hebrew or.
And that, further, there is no immaterial part of man that survives physical death. How is jehovahs witness different than christianity. The new world translation of the holy scriptures the jehovah. In fact, jehovahs witnesses publish several translations of the bible, and they are available online on our website. Jehovah s witnesses also have a free bible museum open to the public in warwick, n.
But even though their teachings are only based on one religious text, which is the bible, differences are still transparent between the two. What is the difference between the jehovah witness bible. However, the doctrines of the christian church are clear from the bible and the writings of the early church fathers. In this article i will explore the very significant differences between historical christianity and the jehovahs witnesses beliefs. Jehovahs witnesses main differences with christianity.
Jehovahs witnesses 10 things to know about their beliefs. Difference between christian and jehovah witness compare. This is the last in a threepart series on jehovah s witnesses. Jehovahs witnesses beliefs compared to christianity. They use a specific translation of the bible called the new world translation. Jehovah s witnesses use the standard 66book 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. Jehovahs witnesses refer to the fact that the bible never explicitly mentions the term trinity. The purpose of the bible study program is for the student to become baptized as a jehovah s witness. They teach that he is a created beinga sort of highest angel, but not deity. Sep 06, 2016 the watch tower society in 1961 published its own copy of scriptures, called the new world translation of holy scriptures, this was to be superior to the king james version and any other present. As you can see from all of the above main differences, jehovahs witnesses can in no way qualify as being a pure true branch of christianity. Indeed, a comparison of the ot and nt equates jesus with jehovah compare isa. Have jehovahs witnesses changed the bible to fit their beliefs. Until the release of the new world translation, jehovahs witnesses in englishspeaking countries.
Witnessing to jehovahs witnesses effective evangelism. Another obvious difference is the introduction of the name jehovah into the new testament. The secret jehovahs witness database of child molesters. The very apparent disagreement between jehovahs witnesses and christians is their view of jesus christ. The jehovahs witnesses are perhaps best known to other americans as people who wont allow themselves or their children to have blood transfusions. However, there are some scriptures omitted from their bible but are found in other bibles. By the end, i think you will see that gulf is indeed wide between true, biblical christianity, and the theology taught by the watch. How to share the gospel with a jehovahs witness dare 2 share. One main difference between them is that the jehovah s witnesses speak and tell people that the name of god is jehovah or yahweh. Distinctive beliefs of the jehovahs witnesses catholic answers.
Jehovahs witnesses used other bible translations before producing the new world translation. Compare jehovahs witnesses and protestant christianity. Whats the difference between christianity and jehovahs witnesses. When he died last week at the age of 57, pop singer prince was arguably the most famous jehovahs witness in the world. Jul 11, 2016 a survey of jw beliefs from a christian perspective. The jehovahs witnesses movement came out of the bible student. Jehovah s witnesses have a very beautiful and very reliable hope for the future from gods word, the bible. Jan 02, 2020 the new world bible translation committee went through the bible and changed any scripture that did not agree with jehovahs witness theology. The jewish people practice not pronouncing the name of the. Do jehovahs witnesses have their own version of the bible.
What are the biggest differences between christianity and. What is the difference between christians and jehovahs. Dear steve, the new world translation used by jehovah witnesses comes from. Jehovah s witnesses base all of their beliefs on the bible, as interpreted by the governing body. Four examples of where the new world translation gets it wrong. This is an authorized web site of jehovah s witnesses. The translators did not know biblical hebrew and greek and no scholar takes the nwt seriously. The watchtower bible calls the new world translation of the holy scriptures one of the best translations to be found. Its fair to say that the nwt is quite, lets say, distinctive in places, and has received a fair amount of criticism. You can find the date and location for the special bible talk from jehovah s witnesses next to your home. Settle differences in a spirit of love keep peace with one another. We generally use the new world translation because of its demonstrated faithfulness.
If its available in their language they may prefer to use it for its accuracy and clarit. Jehovah s witnesses are christians but are not generally considered to be mainstream christians. Like most religions, the witness belief system has evolved over time, shaped by developing interpretations of the bible and by world events. The niv and nasb are the same bibles as the jehovah witnesses. Russell who call themselves bible students, and jehovahs witnesses. Dec 21, 2015 this is the last in a threepart series on jehovahs witnesses.
Knorr died in 1977, and frederick franz took over the leadership of the watchtower society. Jehovah s witnesses memorial of jesus christs death is based on gods word, the bible. I live in a jehovah wittiness family, so i know quite well what jehovah wittinesss believe the catholics do not. Jehovahs witness quick reference guide study resources. If the person is truly sure of baptizing as a jehovah s witness then the only way to do it is by the person getting married to be able to get baptized as a now jehovah s witness and not sin in. Have jehovahs witnesses changed the bible to fit their. Jw bible exposedthe new world translation of the holy.
Below are 10 facts about this group which branched off from orthodox christianity in the late 1800s. According to the 1984 edition of the new world translation, in the forward by the new world bible translation. In march 1997, the watchtower bible and tract society, the nonprofit organization that oversees the jehovah s witnesses, sent a letter to each of its. Jehovah s witnesses are a people of faith that many of us likely dont know that much about. The religious beliefs of jehovah s witnesses are in some ways similar to those of orthodox christians, but in other ways they are quite different. This teaching is a good beginning for understanding jehovah s witness teachings and knowing where to look to learn more. Jan 03, 2011 christian vs jehovah witness the main difference between christian and jehovahs witness is in the kinds of christ they believe in. It is a literal translation which holds to the wordforword school of thought mentioned above. They teach that there is no trinity, and that god the father alone is god, and that jesus christ is a demigodlike creature, known in heaven as the archangel michael. Difference between jehovahs witnesses and christians. What are the differences between bible students and jehovahs witnesses. First and foremost, the jehovah witness group teaches that jesus is not god. For jehovah witnesses, is there an issue with your. Jehovah s witnesses cannot talk to them or even greet them on the street.
The origin of jehovahs witnesses the modern day jehovah s witness organization is officially known as the watchtower bible and tract society. Both mainstream christians and jehovah s witnesses claim to believe and follow the bible, however there are marked differences between both groups. Here is a guide on how to share the gospel with a jehovah s witness. Jehovah s witnesses follow the model of firstcentury christians, subscribing to bible principles in the old and new testaments.
It is a research tool for publications in various languages produced by jehovah s witnesses. Are most christian bibles and jehovahs witnesses bible the same. Jws come to my door this morning, little did they know what they were in store for. Compare their beliefs with the king james and douay versions.
Here is a list of things that jehovah wittinesss, including me considering im not 18 or older, dont do or believe that catholics d. In the days of these kings shall the god of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed. Franz is the current leader of the jehovah s witnesses 1991. Religious organizations who claim to have maintained christianity are growing in number. Dec 15, 2018 jehovah s witnesses are a people of faith that many of us likely dont know that much about. Consider a few examples of longstanding beliefs of jehovahs witnesses, and decide for yourself whether they match what the bible really teaches.
These are lies that are spoken and spread by ignorant and fool people, as the scriptures say. Similarities and differences between the jehovah s witnesses and the continuing church of god by cogwriter. Although jehovah s witnesses claim to be christian, there are major differences in theology, which they attribute to apostacy. The differences are significant enough that jehovahs witness. Five key issues that distinguish jehovah s witness christians from other christians are. For many years it was taught that blacks were that color as a result of gods curse on canaan. What many dont realize is that four of the five men on the translation committee producing the complete 1961 edition had no hebrew or greek training whatsoever. A jehovah s witness can lie to someone if they are not entitled to know the truth. Jul 01, 2019 every jehovahs witness will tell you that they are christians. How and why is the jehovahs witness translation of the.
New world translation of the holy scriptures wikipedia. They think the holy spirit is an impersonal force and not actually god and lord himself. Jan 14, 2020 the bible says exactly what it means and there is simply no other way you can spin or reinterpret these words out of scripture. The one major difference between classical arianism and modern jehovah s witnesses is this. What is the difference between the jehovah witness bible and. Long before we started producing the new world translation of the holy scriptures in 1950, we examined the bible.
662 137 1175 1135 280 1258 354 1591 866 593 1179 206 1326 407 1209 464 445 825 450 1344 556 390 403 103 314 1138 324 834 1199 688 427 1075 1203 711 319 1422 366 485 1105