Differences between Jehovah's Witnesses and Christianity
by Rich Deem

 

Jehovah's Witness Belief

Bible Says

Scriptures

1 Bible is God's word and is truth Bible is God's word and is truth Agreement
2 Bible is more reliable then tradition Bible is more reliable then tradition Agreement
3 God's name is Jehovah Bible says God's name is YHVH (YHVH):  Pronunciation "Jehovah" was instituted by Christian scholars in 12th century none
4 Christ is God's Son and is inferior to him Christ is God. He took on the form of man to come to earth. *John 1:1, 1 Timothy 3:16,
5 Christ was first of God's creations Christ is co-eternal with God, and as such was not created Isaiah 9:6, John 1:1, Hebrews 13:8
6 Christ died on a stake, not a cross Christ died on a cross *John 20:25, Matthew 27:37, 27
7 Christ's human life was paid as a ransom for obedient humans Christ life was paid as a ransom for sinners Matthew 9:13, 1 Timothy 1:15
8 Christ's one sacrifice was sufficient Christ's one sacrifice was sufficient Agreement
9 Christ was raised from the dead as an immortal spirit person Christ was raised from the dead bodily Luke 24:39, John 2:21, John 20:27
10 Christ's presence is in spirit Christ lives in believers Matthew 28:20, John 14:23
11 Kingdom under Christ will rule earth in righteousness and peace Christ will rule Millennial Kingdom on earth in righteousness and peace *Revelation 5:12, Revelation 20:6
12 Kingdom brings ideal living conditions to earth New heavens/earth will bring ideal living conditions to God's people Revelation 21:1-5, Isaiah 66:22
13 Earth will never be destroyed or depopulated God will create new heavens and earth and new physical laws. God's people will be removed from earth. Matthew 24:31, Mark 13:27, 1 Thess. 4:16-17
14 God will destroy present system of things in the battle of Har-Magedon Christ will destroy present system of things in the battle of Har-Magedon 1 Corinthians 15:24, Revelation 19:15-16
15 Wicked will be eternally destroyed Wicked will be eternally punished *Daniel 12:1-2, Matthew 25:46, Mark 3:29
16 People God approves will receive eternal life People who confess Christ as Lord and Savior will receive eternal life Matthew 19:29, John 3:14-15, 16
17 There is only one road to life Jesus Christ is only way to life John 14:6, Acts 4:12, Acts 15:11
18 We are now in the "time of the end" We are probably in the "time of the end" (no one knows for sure) Matthew 24:36, Mark 13:32, John 7:27
19 Human death is due to Adam's sin Both human Spiritual death and physical death is due to Adam's sin Genesis 2:17, 1 Corinthians 15:22
20 The human soul ceases to exist at death The spirit of man goes to be with God *Ecclesiastes 3:21, Ecclesiastes 12:7
21 Hell is mankind's common grave Before Christ, all went to Hades, after Christ only non-believers *Psalms 9:17, Matthew 23:33
22 Hope for dead is resurrection Hope and dread for dead is resurrection: all are resurrected John 5:29, Acts 24:15
23 Adamic death will cease Adamic death will cease Agreement
24 Only a little flock of 144,000 go to heaven and rule with Christ All people who confess Christ as Lord and Savior will be with Him at death *Romans 6:8, 2 Corinthians 13:4, 2 Timothy 2:11-12
25 The 144,000 are born again as spiritual sons of God All people who confess Christ as Lord and Savior are born again *John 3:3, John 3:3-7
26 New covenant made with spiritual Israel New covenant made with all people who confess Christ as Lord and Savior Jeremiah 31:31-33, Hebrews 10:16-19, Hebrews 9:14-15
27 Christ's congregation is built upon himself Christ's congregation is built upon himself, not a religion Agreement
28 Prayers must be directed only to Jehovah through Christ Prayers may be directed to God, Christ, or the Holy Spirit only Matthew 6:9, Acts 7:59, Romans 8:14
29 Images must not be used in worship Images must not be used in worship Agreement
30 Spiritism must be shunned Spiritism must be shunned Agreement
31 Satan is invisible ruler of world Satan rules only those who allow him Psalms 109:4-6, 1 Corinthians 7:5
32 A Christian must have no part in interfaith movements Unity of the body of Christ is taught. Unity outside the body of Christ is prohibited *Psalms 133:1, Ephesians 4:3-5, Ephesians 4:11-13
33 A Christian must keep separate from the world A Christian must keep separate from the world Agreement
34 All human laws that do not conflict with God's laws should be obeyed All human laws that do not conflict with God's laws should be obeyed Agreement
35 Taking blood into the body through mouth or veins violates God's laws The Bible says nothing about taking blood through veins see #37
36 Bible's laws on morals must be obeyed Bible's laws on morals should be obeyed, we have all sinned Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:10
37 Sabbath observance was given only to the Jews and ended with Mosaic Law All laws were given only to the Jews and ended with Mosaic Law. We are not under the law. Romans 6:14, Galatians 3:13, 1 Corinthians 6:12
38 A clergy class and special titles are improper A New Testament clergy class is described and given titles Romans 13:6-7, 1 Timothy 3:1, 10
39 Man did not evolve but was created Man did not evolve but was created Agreement
40 Christ set an example that must be followed in serving God Christ set an example that we try to follow in serving God Romans 7:15, Romans 7:18
41 Baptism by complete immersion symbolizes dedication Baptism symbolizes death to our old nature and rebirth as Christ's disciple. Baptism in the Holy Spirit Acts 1:5, Acts 1:5, Acts 11:16, 1 Corinthians 12:13
42 Christians must give public testimony to Scriptural truth Christians must give public testimony to the gospel of Jesus Christ Romans 1:16, Romans 15:19, 1 Corinthians 1:17
43 Christ is Michael the Archangel Christ is not an angel, but God *Hebrews 1:13
44 Two classes of believers: "John" class only will inherit Heaven All believers are equal in Christ *1 Corinthians 12: 13, Galatians 3:28
45 The greatest name is Jehovah The greatest name is Jesus Christ Ephesians 1:20-22
Philippians 2:9
46 Birthdays and holidays are not to be observed Anything done unto the Lord is legal and pleasing to Him Romans 14:5-6
47 Man does not have a spirit Man has a spirit *Ecclesiastes 3:21
48 We are to worship Jehovah only We are to worship Father, Son, and Holy Spirit Hebrews 1:6, Revelation 5:13
49 Jesus second coming occurred invisibly in 1914 and His kingdom was established in heaven Jesus will return physically to earth and all alive will see Him as His kingdom is established on earth Matthew 24:30
Revelation 1:7

Captives of a Concept (Anatomy of an Illusion)#1-42 taken from Jehovah's Witnesses' publication "Jehovah's Witnesses in the Twentieth Century" (� 1989 Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania)

*Additional scriptures are found in other pages. See pages listed below.


References

3. God's name is Jehovah:

The Old Testament gives the personal name of God as YHVH (YHVH). The Hebrews thought the name so sacred that it was not to be spoken. Therefore, the vowels that go with the four consonants are uncertain, although there are certain rules of Hebrew that allow one to make an educated guess. My boss, an orthodox Jew who studies the scriptures only in Hebrew, confirms that the pronunciation "Jehovah" is incorrect. The most likely pronunciation is "Yahweh."

4. Christ is God. He took the form of a man to come to earth:

For additional verses, see page, "Is Jesus God?"

5. Christ is co-eternal with God:

For additional verses, see page, "Jesus Christ: The First of God's Creations?"

6. Christ died on a cross:

For additional verses, see page "Did Christ Die on a Cross?"

7. Christ life was paid as a ransom for sinners:

9. Christ was raised from the dead bodily:

10. Christ lives in believers:

11. Christ will rule Millennial Kingdom on earth in righteousness and peace:

For additional verses, see page "Who has all power and authority?"

12. New heavens and earth will bring ideal living conditions to God's people:

13. God's people will be removed from earth:

14. Christ will destroy present system of things in the battle of Har-Magedon:

15. Wicked will be eternally punished:

*For additional verses, see page "What is the Fate of Those Who Reject Jesus Christ?"

16. People who confess Christ as Lord and Savior will receive eternal life:

17. Jesus Christ is only way to life:

18. We are probably in the "time of the end" (no one knows for sure):

19. Spiritual death is due to Adam's sin:

20. The spirit of man goes to be with God:

*For additional verses, see page "Where do we (believers) go when we die?"

21. Before Christ, all went to Hades, after Christ only non-believers:

*For additional verses, see page "Who goes to Hell?"

22. Hope and dread for dead is resurrection: all are resurrected:

24. All people who confess Christ as Lord and Savior will be with Him at death:

*For additional verses, see page "Where do we(believers) go when we die?"

25. All people who confess Christ as Lord and Savior are born again:

For additional verses see page "Who are the sons (children) of God?"

26. New convenant made with all people who confess Christ as Lord and Savior :

28. Prayers may be directed to God, Christ, or the Holy Spirit only:

31. Satan rules only those who allow him:

32. Unity of the body of Christ is taught:

For additional verses see page "One body of believers"

36. Bible's laws on morals should be obeyed, we have all sinned:

37. All laws were given only to the Jews and ended with Mosaic Law. We are not under the law

38. A New Testament clergy class is described and given titles:

40. Christ set an example that we try to follow in serving God:

41. We are also baptized to receive the Holy Spirit

42. Christians must give public testimony to the gospel of Jesus Christ:

43. Christ is not an angel:

*For additional verses see page, "Is Jesus God?"

44. All believers are equal in Christ:

For additional verses see page, "One body of believers"

45. The greatest name is Jesus Christ:

46. Anything done unto the Lord is legal and pleasing to Him:

One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. (Romans 14:5-6)

47. Man has a spirit:

Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth? (Ecclesiastes 3:21)

Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. (Ecclesiastes 12:7)

For additional verses see page, "Does Man have a spirit?"

48. We are to worship Father, Son, and Holy Spirit:

And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. (Hebrews 1:6)

And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. (Revelation 5:13)

For additional verses see page, "Should we worship Jesus?"

49. Jesus will return physically and all alive will see Him:

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Last Modified June 8, 2008

 

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