what do Jehovah's Witnesses believe?

The sect known today as the Jehovah's Witnesses started out in Pennsylvania in 1870 as a Bible class led by Charles Taze Russell. Russell named his group the “Millennial Dawn Bible Study.” Charles T. Russell began writing a series of books he called “The Millennial Dawn,” which stretched to six volumes before his death and contained much of the theology Jehovah’s Witnesses now hold. After Russell's death in 1916, Judge J. F. Rutherford, Russell's friend and successor, wrote the seventh and final volume of the “Millennial Dawn” series, “The Finished Mystery,” in 1917. The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society was founded in 1886 and quickly became the vehicle through which the “Millennial Dawn” movement began distributing their views to others. The group was known as the “Russellites” until 1931 when, due to a split in the organization, it was renamed the “Jehovah’s Witnesses.” The group from which it split became known as the “Bible students.”

What do Jehovah’s Witnesses believe? Close scrutiny of their doctrinal position on such subjects as the deity of Christ, salvation, the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, and the atonement shows beyond a doubt that they do not hold to orthodox Christian positions on these subjects. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe Jesus is Michael the archangel, the highest created being. This contradicts many Scriptures which clearly declare Jesus to be God (John 1:114, 8:58; 10:30). Jehovah’s Witnesses believe salvation is obtained by a combination of faith, good works, and obedience. This contradicts countless scriptures which declare salvation to be received by grace through faith (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5). Jehovah’s Witnesses reject the Trinity, believing Jesus to be a created being and the Holy Spirit to essentially be the inanimate power of God. Jehovah’s Witnesses reject the concept of Christ’s substitutionary atonement and instead hold to a ransom theory, that Jesus’ death was a ransom payment for Adam’s sin.

How do the Jehovah’s Witnesses justify these unbiblical doctrines? First, they claim that the church has corrupted the Bible over the centuries; thus, they have re-translated the Bible into what they call the New World Translation. The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society altered the text of the Bible to make it fit their false doctrine, rather than basing their doctrine on what the Bible actually teaches. The New World Translation has gone through numerous editions, as the Jehovah’s Witnesses discover more and more Scriptures that contradict their doctrines.

The Watchtower bases its beliefs and doctrines on the original and expanded teachings of Charles Taze Russell, Judge Joseph Franklin Rutherford, and their successors. The governing body of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society is the only body in the cult that claims authority to interpret Scripture. In other words, what the governing body says concerning any scriptural passage is viewed as the last word, and independent thinking is strongly discouraged. This is in direct opposition to Paul's admonition to Timothy (and to us as well) to study to be approved by God, so that we need not be ashamed as we correctly handle the Word of God. This admonition, found in 2 Timothy 2:15, is a clear instruction from God to each of His children to be like the Berean Christians, who searched the Scriptures daily to see if the things they were being taught lined up with the Word.

This is more in response to Bella, because I don't really care what the JWs, believe, though it is interesting that the "light" can't make up its mind.

Anyway:

"The Millennial Dawn,” which stretched to six volumes before his death and contained much of the theology Jehovah’s Witnesses now hold."

Not true at all. I find very little in common with JW theology and what Russell wrote. Witnesses do not agree on the resurrection, ransom, and kingdom, Great Multitude to name a few. The only thing they agree with Russell on is the Trinity and Hell and that is about it.

"The group was known as the “Russellites” until 1931"

Others may have labeled Bible Students as Russellites, but that is now what they called themselves, they called themselves Bible Students and still do.

I am currently one of Jehovah's Witnesses and the reason I always say "currently" is that if you have anything better to offer please let me know. I'm wide open for suggestion. Just make sure that your denomination follows the pattern listed in the scriptures. I'll research their doctrine once you identify them for me.

They respect the bible as GOD’s word- 2 Timothy 3:16

All members believe the same teachings- Galatians 1:8-9

There are no divisions- 1 Corinthians 1:10

They are identified by love- John 13:35

They understand the “mystery” of GOD- Colossians 1:9b-10, 25-26

They know GOD’s will and teach it to others- Matthew 13:11 and 28:19-20a

They understand Jesus and the Father’s relationship- Matthew 11:27b

They understand the scriptures regarding Jesus- Luke 24:44-45

They are persecuted- Acts 28:22

They are found world wide- Matthew 24:14

They are taken to court due to their faith- Matthew 10:18

If complaint is all that anyone has to offer there are plenty of people that complained in the bible that were not chosen by GOD. Myriam and Aaron complained against Moses along with Korah, Dathan, Abiram, On, and 250 chieftans of the assembly. The pharisees complained about Jesus.

The WTBTS will always have people to complain along with any other religion. The complaint line is rather long against GOD's kingdom in general so........what's your alternative? Anyone?

The JW's believe that the Governing Body gives them the meat at the due time and that the changed teachings is from the "New Light" they receive from God.

It was from this "New Light" that we get the disco lights of today, don't knock the JW's they will believe every change no matter how many times it changes. Just look at their blood teachings and how many time that has changed.

Tell me, this really bothers you, huh?

Aren't you concerned that this world is dying?

If you spent this amount of time discrediting the Jehovah's Witness.....think about what you could have done that will benefit more than 3 people who bothered to read this. And who have already got the memo.

Why is that so important to you? The Witnesses do not claim to be infallable, so if a mistake is made its corrected. We don't blindly follow anyone. As for those who died at Sodom & Gomorrah, I'll wait and see if they are ressurected or not.

They believe in dressing up very smartly and combing their hair with a side parting. Then with their children by their side they walk around housing estates during easter and knock on people's doors. I usually answer the door and ask them if they fancy a game of monopoly? Although they usually walk out when they land on community chest and the card says advance to the hospital for a blood transfusion

With the flashes of light from this belief alone the Governing Body could host a rave party!

Isn't there a scripture condemning the indecisive ones??

We do we dont we do we dont!

In the end. They believe what they are told to believe;

Or be disfellowshipped! No matter how many changes of mind

in their teachings.

They believe that by knocking on my door, I'll accept their religion.