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Explore the beliefs and practices of Jehovah's Witnesses to determine what is true and what is false. Learn about their history, theology, and essential doctrines.
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Fiction or Non? Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that Jesus came back in 1914. True
Fiction or Non? Jehovah’s Witnesses do not celebrate Christmas, Thanksgiving, or Birthdays. True
Fiction or Non? Jehovah’s Witnesses are very patriotic with a strong emphasis in supporting the troops and singing patriotic songs. False
Fiction or Non? Jehovah’s Witnesses have helped provide aid for Hurricane Katrina Relief. True
Fiction or Non? Jehovah’s Witnesses don’t believe that Jesus was born of a virgin. False
Fiction or Non? Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that democracy is the ideal government. False
Fiction or Non? Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that only 144,000 people will get to live in heaven. True
Fiction or Non? Jehovah’s Witnesses typically believe that blood transfusions are wrong. True
Fiction or Non? Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that hell is a fiery place of torment for those who do not trust in Christ. Fasle
Fiction or Non? Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that you must be a baptized member of the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society in order to be saved. True
Know Your Cults! Jehovah's Witnesses
History • Founded in 1870 by Charles Taze Russell • He founded the Watchtower Publication in 1878 • Watchtower and Tract Society incorporated in 1884 • Russel's "Studies in the Scriptures," written from 1886 to 1916 form the basis of the Jehovah's Witnesses' theology. • Joseph Franklin Rutherford, 1917-1942 • Under presidents Nathan Knorr, Frederick Franz, and Milton Henschel, Jehovah's Witnesses' expand from 113,000 in 1942 to over 6 million in 2000. • The current president is Don Adams.
Why a cult? • A full denial of Jesus' deity. • Salvation not purely by grace alone. You must be a part of the WBTS and strive to be good, upstanding, active Jehovah's Witness.
Oops! • The New World Translation, a horribly slanted version. • Jesus merely the first created being. • Anti-Trinity • Jesus' resurrection only spiritual, not physical. • Jesus was Michael. • Requirements of salvation • Two classes of saved people • A warped eschatology • No hell; just non-existence.
Our Response • Try to connect through relationships, even though it may be very hard. • Focus on the person of Jesus, the divinity of Jesus, and your relationship with Jesus being your sole source of salvation. • Tell your story. • Know your beliefs (and theirs); know the Bible; and be ready to stand for your faith.
The Final Word • Ephesians 2:8-9 • John 14:6 • Colossians 1:11-17