Jehovah’s Witnesses believe in a myriad of unbiblical ideas. Jehovah’s Witnesses try to claim that they are Christians, but they are not. Similar to the Church of the Latter-Day Saints, previously known as the Mormon Church, the Jehovah’s Witnesses are a cult.
This means they are not true Christians, and they do not truly know the truth of Jesus. In this article, we are going to discover what Jehovah’s Witnesses believe.
1. They Do Not Believe Jesus Is God
Jehovah’s Witnesses do not believe Jesus is God. Instead of believing Jesus to be God, Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that Jesus was created by Jehovah as Michael the archangel at some time prior to the creation of the world.
The Jehovah’s Witnesses believe Jesus is a lesser “god,” but not the God of the universe. They only see Jehovah as the true mighty God, not Jesus or the Holy Spirit. Jehovah’s Witnesses are wrong because Jesus is God.
The Lord declared Himself to be God through His seven “I AM” statements (John 6, 8, 10, 11, 14, 15). Jesus also proved Himself to be God through His many signs and wonders. The resurrection of the Lord also attests to Jesus’ divinity.
No mere man could live a sinless life, die for the sins of the world, and rise up from the grave. Only God in the flesh could do all these things.
Jehovah’s Witnesses do not believe Jesus is God, which means that they do not place faith in Christ as their Savior and Lord. Since they do not place faith in Jesus, they are not saved. As believers, we need to help them know the truth of Jesus and the gospel.
2. They Deny the Trinity
In addition to denying the divinity of Jesus, Jehovah’s Witnesses also deny the Trinity. Jehovah’s Witnesses do not believe the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are the Trinity. In the mind of Jehovah’s Witnesses, there is not a Trinity.
They only see Jehovah as being God. As previously mentioned, Jehovah’s Witnesses view Jesus as a lesser “god.” The Holy Spirit is not seen as God either as Jehovah’s Witnesses teach the Holy Spirit is just a “force.”
The Bible never directly uses the term “Trinity,” yet the truth of the Trinity is present. The Trinity is the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Three distinct Persons, yet one God. The Bible teaches the truth of the Trinity in multiple passages.
Matthew 28:19-20 says, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
This is the Great Commission commandment established by Jesus. In this statement, the Lord is telling His disciples to baptize others in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, thus equating each of the three Members of the Trinity. The Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are God.
3. They Do Not Believe Jesus Was Physically Resurrected
Jehovah’s Witnesses do not believe Jesus was physically resurrected. Rather than believing Jesus was physically resurrected from the dead, Jehovah’s Witnesses believe Jesus was only spiritually resurrected.
This is an erroneous belief because Jesus was physically resurrected from the grave. Jesus was not only a spirit when He was resurrected. The Bible tells us that Jesus was resurrected with a true flesh and bone body (Luke 24:39; John 2:19-21).
The Lord also demonstrated Himself to be physically raised from the dead because His disciples touched Him, and Thomas placed his hands and fingers into Jesus’ wounds (Matthew 28:9; John 20:27-29).
The Lord also ate food multiple times after His resurrection, which proved His body was physically resurrected (Luke 24:30; John 21-12-13). Thus, Jesus was physically resurrected from the dead.
4. False Beliefs of the Holy Spirit
As previously mentioned, Jehovah’s Witnesses have a false view of the Holy Spirit. Instead of seeing Him as God, Jehovah’s Witnesses view the Holy Spirit as an impersonal force of God. They do not view the Holy Spirit as being a true Person — only a force.
This is wrong because the Holy Spirit is God, and He is divine. He is not an impersonal force. The Bible tells us the Holy Spirit has a personality and the Bible describes the Holy Spirit with personal pronouns (Acts 13:2).
Ephesians 4:30 urges us not to grieve the Holy Spirit, which demonstrates that the Holy Spirit has emotions. The Holy Spirit is in charge of administering spiritual gifts, which this shows the Holy Spirit has an independent will of His own (1 Corinthians 12:11).
In addition to all of these things, the Holy Spirit can do things that a person can do such as giving commands (Acts 8:29), interceding for others (Romans 8:26), teaching (John 14:26), and testifying of the Father (John 15:26).
Therefore, the Holy Spirit is not just an impersonal force as the Jehovah’s Witnesses believe. The Holy Spirit is a real independent Person, who is the Third Member of the Trinity.
5. A Wrong View of Salvation
Jehovah’s Witnesses have a wrong view of salvation in addition to their other erroneous beliefs. Rather than placing faith in Jesus for salvation, Jehovah’s Witnesses believe you have to work for salvation by doing good deeds, being involved with Kingdom Hall, and obeying the rules of Kingdom Hall.
While many Jehovah’s Witnesses will tell you they have “faith” in Jesus, they have a wrong view of having faith in Jesus. They believe having faith in Jesus means believing in Him, but they do not see Him as being sufficient to give them salvation.
Instead, Jehovah’s Witnesses believe Jesus has opened the way to salvation and that by following the rules of Kingdom Hall, anyone can also become a Jehovah’s Witness.
This is an erroneous view of salvation because salvation is only by placing faith in Jesus by believing that He died for your sins, was buried, and rose again (John 3:16-17: 1 Corinthians 15:1-4).
Outside of Jesus, there is no way to salvation. The Bible is clear that salvation is only by grace through faith as Paul tells us, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Salvation is only by placing faith in Christ, not by following rules.
6. Belief in Annihilationism
Jehovah’s Witnesses also hold to the belief of annihilationism. Annihilationism teaches that when a person dies, they cease to exist. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that if someone dies who is not a Jehovah’s Witness that they will be annihilated.
Jehovah’s Witnesses deny the existence of hell; therefore, they believe God simply annihilates anyone who never becomes a Jehovah’s Witness during their life. Yet again, this is another wrong belief being taught by Jehovah’s Witnesses.
The Bible teaches that if a person places faith in Christ, they are given forgiveness of sins, redemption, and eternal life. If a person fails to place faith in Christ, they go to hell and ultimately the lake of fire.
Hell is a real place. Individuals who do not place faith in Christ are not annihilated. Rather, unbelievers spend eternity separated from God in hell and later in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15).
If You Know a Jehovah’s Witnesses
If you are a Jehovah’s Witness or you know one, share these truths with them. Help them understand the truth of the Bible and how the Jehovah’s Witnesses' beliefs do not align with the truth of God’s Word.
Jehovah’s Witnesses are a very dangerous culture that nobody needs to be involved in. If you are a Jehovah’s Witness, you can come to know Christ today and experience His saving grace by placing faith in Him. The Lord wants you to come to Him and trust in Him as your Savior and Lord.
For further reading:
Why Are There So Many Christian Interpretations?
Should Christians Seek Revelation from God Apart from the Bible?
Why Do Cults Use God Falsely in Their Mission?
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Tero Vesalainen
