Jehovah’s Witnesses are a Christian denomination known for their distinctive beliefs and practices, often differing from mainstream Christianity. Understanding “What Do Jehovah Witnesses Believe” requires examining their core doctrines and how they interpret the Bible. This article provides a comprehensive overview of Jehovah’s Witnesses’ key beliefs compared with traditional biblical teachings, drawing upon insights from theological scholarship.
1. The Divine Name: Jehovah
Jehovah’s Witnesses strongly emphasize the use of God’s name, Jehovah, believing it to be his unique and essential designation. They assert that using this name is crucial for proper worship and identification of the true God.
However, while the name Jehovah (YHWH in Hebrew) is undoubtedly significant in the Bible, scriptural texts also employ numerous other names and titles for God. These include:
- God (‘elohim): A generic term for deity, used extensively in the Old Testament (Genesis 1:1).
- God Almighty (‘El Shadday): Highlighting God’s power and sovereignty (Genesis 17:1).
- Lord (‘Adonay): Signifying mastership and authority (Psalm 8:1).
- Lord of hosts (yhwh tseba’ot): Emphasizing God’s command over heavenly armies and universal power (1 Samuel 1:3).
In the New Testament, Jesus himself referred to God as “Father” (Patēr) (Matthew 6:9), a practice continued by the apostles (1 Corinthians 1:3). The Bible’s richness in divine names suggests a multifaceted understanding of God beyond a single, exclusive name.
2. The Trinity: Rejecting the Three-in-One God
A central tenet of Jehovah’s Witnesses’ belief system is the rejection of the Trinity. They argue that the term “Trinity” is absent from the Bible and that the scriptures emphasize the singularity of God. They maintain that the Trinity doctrine, which posits God as one being existing in three co-equal persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—is unbiblical.
Conversely, traditional Christian theology affirms the Trinity based on a comprehensive interpretation of scripture. While the word “Trinity” may not appear directly, the Bible presents a triune nature of God:
- One God: The Bible undeniably affirms monotheism (Isaiah 44:6; James 2:19), stating there is only one God.
- Deity of Three Persons: However, scripture also identifies three distinct persons as God:
- The Father: Explicitly called God (1 Peter 1:2).
- Jesus Christ: Declared God (John 20:28; Hebrews 1:8).
- The Holy Spirit: Identified as God (Acts 5:3-4).
Each of these three persons possesses attributes inherent to deity, such as:
- Omnipresence: Being present everywhere (Psalm 139:7; Matthew 28:20).
- Omniscience: Knowing everything (Psalm 147:5; John 16:30).
- Omnipotence: Having unlimited power (Jeremiah 32:17; Romans 15:19).
- Eternality: Existing without beginning or end (Psalm 90:2; Revelation 22:13).
Furthermore, all three persons are active in divine works, including creation:
- Father: Creator (Genesis 1:1; Psalm 102:25).
- Son (Jesus): Creator (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16).
- Holy Spirit: Creator (Genesis 1:2; Job 33:4).
Passages like Matthew 28:19 (baptism in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) and 2 Corinthians 13:14 (apostolic blessing invoking all three) are interpreted as supporting the triune nature of God. The doctrine of the Trinity aims to reconcile the biblical truth of one God with the scriptural witness to the deity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
3. Jesus Christ: Not God but a Created Being
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that Jesus Christ is not God but rather the first creation of Jehovah, specifically the archangel Michael in his pre-human existence. They view Jesus as a mighty spirit creature, subordinate to God, and not co-equal with the Father.
In contrast, mainstream Christianity affirms the full deity of Jesus Christ, asserting that he is eternally God, co-equal with the Father, and not a created being. Biblical texts strongly support Jesus’ divine nature:
- Eternal God: Jesus is described as existing from the beginning and being God (John 1:1; 8:58, referencing Exodus 3:14’s “I AM”).
- Divine Nature: Jesus possesses the same divine essence as the Father (John 5:18; 10:30; Hebrews 1:3).
- Equated with Jehovah: The New Testament equates Jesus with Jehovah from the Old Testament (compare Isaiah 43:11 with Titus 2:13; Isaiah 44:24 with Colossians 1:16; Isaiah 6:1-5 with John 12:41).
- Creator of Angels: Jesus, as God, created the angels (Colossians 1:16; John 1:3; Hebrews 1:2, 10), indicating his superiority over them, not being one of them.
- Worshiped by Angels: Angels worship Jesus (Hebrews 1:6), something they would not do for a fellow created being.
4. The Incarnation: Jesus as Only Human on Earth
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that when Jesus came to earth, he became a perfect human being, but not God in human flesh. They argue that Jesus relinquished his divine nature to live as a man.
However, traditional Christian doctrine of the Incarnation teaches that Jesus was fully God and fully man simultaneously. The Bible emphasizes the union of deity and humanity in Christ:
- Fullness of Deity in Bodily Form: Colossians 2:9 states that in Jesus “the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily.” The Greek word plērōma signifies the totality, and theotēs refers to the nature and attributes of God.
- God With Us (Immanuel): Matthew 1:23 identifies Jesus as Immanuel, meaning “God with us,” referencing Isaiah 7:14. John 1:1, 14, 18, 10:30, and 14:9-10 further reinforce Jesus as God incarnate.
The Incarnation is not seen as God ceasing to be God, but God taking on human nature in addition to his divine nature, uniting both in the person of Jesus Christ.
5. Resurrection: Spiritual, Not Physical
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that Jesus was resurrected as a spirit being, not in a physical body. They interpret the resurrection as primarily spiritual, denying the physical resurrection of Jesus’ body.
In contrast, the Bible strongly affirms the physical resurrection of Jesus Christ. Scriptural accounts highlight the tangible and bodily nature of Jesus’ resurrection:
- Flesh and Bones: Jesus himself declared after resurrection, “See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have” (Luke 24:39).
- Eating Food: Jesus ate food on multiple occasions after resurrection, demonstrating his physical reality (Luke 24:30, 42-43; John 21:12-13).
- Physical Touch: Jesus allowed his followers to touch him, further confirming his physical presence (Matthew 28:9; John 20:17).
- Empty Tomb: The narrative of the empty tomb further supports the physical resurrection, as the body was no longer there.
The physical resurrection of Jesus is foundational to Christian faith, signifying victory over death and the promise of bodily resurrection for believers.
6. The Second Coming: Invisible and Spiritual in 1914
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that the second coming of Christ was an invisible, spiritual event that occurred in 1914. They teach that Christ returned invisibly to begin his reign in heaven in that year.
However, biblical prophecy consistently describes the second coming as a visible, physical, and future event. Scriptural descriptions emphasize the observable and global nature of Christ’s return:
- Visible Return: Acts 1:9-11 describes Jesus’ ascension and the angelic promise of his return “in the same way as you saw him go into heaven,” implying a visible return. Titus 2:13 speaks of the “appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,” also suggesting visibility.
- Cosmic Disturbances: Matthew 24:29-30 describes dramatic cosmic events accompanying Christ’s return, making it a universally observable phenomenon.
- Every Eye Will See Him: Revelation 1:7 explicitly states, “Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him.”
The Bible portrays the second coming as a climactic, public, and undeniably visible event, not an invisible occurrence in a specific year.
7. The Holy Spirit: An Impersonal Force
Jehovah’s Witnesses consider the Holy Spirit to be God’s active force or impersonal energy, not a distinct person within the Godhead. They deny the personhood of the Holy Spirit, viewing it as an extension of God’s power.
Conversely, the Bible presents the Holy Spirit as a distinct person, possessing the attributes and actions of personhood. Scriptural evidence for the Holy Spirit’s personhood includes:
- Attributes of Personality:
- Mind: The Spirit has a mind (Romans 8:27).
- Emotions: The Spirit can be grieved (Ephesians 4:30).
- Will: The Spirit has a will (1 Corinthians 12:11).
- Personal Pronouns: Personal pronouns (“he,” “him”) are used in reference to the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:2).
- Personal Actions: The Holy Spirit performs actions that only a person can do:
- Teaching: (John 14:26).
- Testifying: (John 15:26).
- Commissioning: (Acts 13:4).
- Issuing Commands: (Acts 8:29).
- Interceding: (Romans 8:26).
- Third Person of the Trinity: The Holy Spirit is identified as the third person in the Trinitarian formula (Matthew 28:19).
These scriptural indicators point to the Holy Spirit as not merely a force, but a distinct person with intellect, emotions, and will, co-equal with the Father and the Son.
8. Salvation: Works and Organization-Dependent
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that salvation requires faith in Christ, but also necessitates association with God’s organization (which they identify as their own) and obedience to its rules and regulations. They emphasize works and organizational affiliation as essential components of salvation.
However, the core message of the Gospel emphasizes salvation by grace through faith alone, apart from works. Biblical teaching underscores that salvation is a gift of God’s grace, not earned by human effort or organizational membership:
- Salvation by Grace: Galatians 2:16-21 refutes justification by works of the law. Ephesians 2:8-9 clearly states, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Titus 3:5-7 reiterates salvation based on God’s mercy, not our righteous deeds.
- Works as Fruit, Not Root: Ephesians 2:10 clarifies that good works are the result of salvation, prepared by God for believers to walk in, not the means to obtain salvation.
Adding requirements like organizational obedience to salvation contradicts the grace-centered nature of the Gospel. Salvation is presented in the Bible as a free gift received through faith in Christ’s atoning sacrifice.
9. Two Redeemed Peoples: Heavenly and Earthly Classes
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe in two distinct groups of saved people: (1) a limited “Anointed Class” of 144,000 who will reign with Christ in heaven, and (2) the “other sheep,” a larger group of believers who will live forever on a paradise earth. They differentiate between heavenly and earthly destinies for believers.
However, the Bible presents a unified destiny for all believers in Christ: heavenly and earthly aspects are not mutually exclusive but rather stages of God’s redemptive plan for all the faithful.
- Heavenly Destiny for All Believers: Jesus promised all believers a place in heaven (John 14:1-3; 17:24). Paul speaks of a heavenly dwelling (2 Corinthians 5:1; Philippians 3:20; Colossians 1:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:17; Hebrews 3:1).
- New Earth for All Redeemed: The same people destined for heaven will also inherit the new earth (2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1-4). The new earth is not a secondary destination for a separate class but the renewed creation where God’s people will dwell.
The Bible does not support a permanent class distinction among believers with fundamentally different eternal destinies. The promise of eternal life, both in heavenly presence with Christ and on the renewed earth, is for all who are united to Christ by faith.
10. No Immaterial Soul: Soul as Life Force
Jehovah’s Witnesses do not believe in an immaterial soul that survives death. They define the “soul” as simply the life force within a person, which ceases to exist at death. They deny the concept of a conscious soul separate from the body.
Conversely, the Bible indicates that humans possess an immaterial soul or spirit that continues to exist consciously after death. Scriptural passages point to the soul’s survival beyond physical death:
- Soul Survives Death: Genesis 35:18 describes Rachel’s soul departing at death. Revelation 6:9-10 portrays souls of martyrs consciously crying out from under the altar in heaven.
- Conscious Afterlife: The Bible describes both conscious torment for unbelievers in hell (Matthew 13:42; 25:41, 46; Luke 16:22-24; Revelation 14:11) and conscious blessedness for believers in heaven immediately after death (2 Corinthians 5:6-8; Philippians 1:21-23; Revelation 7:17; 21:4).
The concept of an immaterial soul is crucial for understanding the nature of human existence beyond physical life and the immediate, conscious experience of the afterlife.
11. Hell: Annihilation, Not Eternal Suffering
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that hell is not a place of eternal conscious torment but rather the common grave of humankind. They teach that the wicked are ultimately annihilated, ceasing to exist after death.
However, the Bible depicts hell (Gehenna, Hades) as a place of real, conscious, and eternal punishment for the unrighteous. Scriptural descriptions emphasize the ongoing and unending nature of hell:
- Eternal Suffering: Matthew 25:41, 46 describes “eternal fire” and “eternal punishment.” Revelation 14:11 speaks of the smoke of torment ascending “forever and ever.” Revelation 20:10, 14 describes eternal torment in the lake of fire.
- Conscious Torment: Parables like the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) depict conscious suffering in Hades. Jude 7 speaks of the “eternal fire” as punishment.
While the concept of eternal hell is difficult, the Bible consistently portrays it as a reality of unending conscious punishment for those who reject God.
This overview highlights key differences between “what do Jehovah witnesses believe” and traditional Christian doctrines, particularly concerning the nature of God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, salvation, and the afterlife. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for engaging in informed discussions about faith and theology.
