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JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES: A CULT STUDY

Explore the history, beliefs, and key writings of Jehovah's Witnesses, emphasizing their unique views on God, Jesus, and salvation. Learn about their distinctive teachings and practices, including door-to-door work and refusal of certain activities.

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JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES: A CULT STUDY

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  1. JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES:A CULT STUDY Richard R. Roberts, M.Ed.

  2. Charles Taze Russell (1852-1916) JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES Watchtower Bible and Tract Society • FOUNDERS DATE • Began 1879 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania LOCATION • Headquarters in Brooklyn, New York • later Joseph F. Rutherford (1869-1942)

  3. Include… Bible (New World Translation only) JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES Watchtower Bible and Tract Society KEY WRITINGS

  4. JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES Watchtower Bible and Tract Society Gen. 1:1-2 - "In [the] beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth proved to be formless and waste and there was darkness upon the surface of [the] watery deep; and God's active force was moving to and fro over the surface of the waters." (New World Translation, Emphasis added)

  5. JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES Watchtower Bible and Tract Society John 1:1 - They mistranslate the verse as "a god." Again it is because they deny who Jesus is and must change the Bible to make it agree with their theology. The Jehovah's Witness version is this: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god."

  6. JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES Watchtower Bible and Tract Society Hebrews 1:6- “But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: Let all the angels of God worship Him.” In this verse they translate the Greek word for worship, proskuneo, as "obeisance." Obeisance is a word that means to honor, show respect, even bow down before someone. Since Jesus, to them, is created, he cannot be worshiped.

  7. JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES Watchtower Bible and Tract Society Colossians 1:15-17 “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature. For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”

  8. JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES Watchtower Bible and Tract Society Colossians 1:15-17 NWT: "because by means of him all OTHER things were created in the heavens and upon the earth, the things visible and the things invisible, no matter whether they are thrones or lordships or governments or authorities. All OTHER things have been created through him and for him. Also, he is before all OTHER things and by means of him all OTHER things were made to exists."

  9. Include… Bible (New World Translation only) JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES Watchtower Bible and Tract Society KEY WRITINGS • You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth • Reasoning from the Scriptures • Watchtower magazine • Awake! magazine

  10. JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES Watchtower Bible and Tract Society • One-person God called “Jehovah.” • No Trinity. • Jesus is the first thing Jehovah created. WHO IS GOD?

  11. JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES Watchtower Bible and Tract Society • The Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Jesus is not God. • Before he lived on earth, he was Michael, the archangel. • Jehovah made the universe through him. • On earth he was a man who lived a perfect life. WHO IS JESUS?

  12. JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES Watchtower Bible and Tract Society • After dying on a stake (not a cross), he was resurrected as a spirit. WHO IS JESUS? • He is not coming again; he already “returned” invisibly in 1914 in spirit. • Very soon, he and the angels will destroy all non-Jehovah’s Witnesses.

  13. JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES Watchtower Bible and Tract Society • The impersonal “holy spirit” is not God. • Instead, the “holy spirit” is an invisible, active force from Jehovah. WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT?

  14. JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES Watchtower Bible and Tract Society • Be baptized as a Jehovah’s Witness. • Most followers must earn everlasting life on earth by “door-to-door work.” • Salvation in heaven is limited to 144,000 “anointed ones.” (This number has already been reached.) HOW TO BE SAVED

  15. JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES Watchtower Bible and Tract Society • The 144,000 “anointed ones” live as spirits in heaven. • The rest of the righteous (“the great crowd”) live on earth and must obey God perfectly for 1,000 years or be annihilated. WHAT HAPPENS AFTER DEATH

  16. JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES Watchtower Bible and Tract Society • Meet in “Kingdom Halls instead of churches.” • Active members are encouraged to distribute literature door-to-door. OTHER BELIEFS AND PRACTICES • Once a year, members observe “Lord’s Evening Meal” (like communion); only “anointed ones” may actually partake.

  17. JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES Watchtower Bible and Tract Society • Members are not allowed to… • observe holidays or birthdays • vote • salute the flag • work in the military • accept blood transfusions • Members believe Armageddon will occur soon. OTHER BELIEFS AND PRACTICES

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