JEHOVAH WITNESSES

WHY JEHOVAH WITNESSES IS A CULT? 

A "cult" is a group that claims to follow Jesus or the Bible but denies one or more essential doctrines of historic Christianity.  Some of the key core doctrines denied by Jehovah Witnesses are,

• JW rejects Trinity (God as one being existing in three persons). They believe in one God, Jehovah
• JW do not believe that Jesus is fully divine and fully human. They believe Jesus is a created being (Michael the Archangel).
• JW do not believe in the divinity of the Holy Spirit. They believe the Holy Spirit as an impersonal force.
• JW do not believe in salvation by faith through grace alone. They believe salvation is through combination of faith + works + loyalty to Watchtower.

FACTS & STATS - JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES 

• Total members approximately 9,043,460 worldwide 
• Number of Congregations: about 118,767 
• Territories (Lands) where they preach: 240 
• Annual Memorial Attendance: roughly 21,119,442
• Baptisms (2024): about 296,267 new baptized publishers
• The Watchtower publications circulated to 21.7 million readers annually
• The Watchtower publications available in 444 languages 
• The Watchtower Study Edition released monthly, in 463 languages
• About 2.4% worldwide annual increase in members in 2024
• There are 56,747 Ministers in India who teach the Bible. 
• The group has 947 congregations in India.

ORIGIN OF JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES 

• In the late 19th century, Charles Taze Russell (1852–1916)  began studying the Bible independently and rejected many traditional Christian doctrines, like the immortality of the soul and the Trinity. 
• He formed a Bible study group called the Zion’s Watch Tower Tract Society in 1884 and renamed as Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society in 1896.
• Russell published a series of books called “Studies in the Scriptures” that introduced his unique teachings about prophecy, the second coming of Christ, and God’s Kingdom. 
• Early followers were attracted by his literal interpretation of prophecy, especially regarding the imminent return of Christ and the restoration of God’s kingdom on earth.

GROWTH OF JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES

After Russell’s death in 1916, Joseph Franklin Rutherford took leadership and introduced the name “Jehovah’s Witnesses” in 1931. 

• Emphasis on prophecy and end-times: People hungry for answers about the future were drawn to their detailed timelines.
• Strong community and discipline: A tight-knit group with clear rules attracted people seeking belonging.
• Innovative evangelism: Systematic door-to-door preaching and literature distribution spread their message widely.
• Appeal to personal Bible study: Encouraging individuals to read and interpret Scripture created committed followers.

THE WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY

• Legal and administrative body for Jehovah's Witnesses.
• Based in Warwick, New York, USA.
• JW consider it as the “faithful and discreet slave” (Matthew 24:45–47).
• JWs believe the Watch Tower Society is God’s sole channel of communication on earth.
• Controlled by the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses, a small group of men who claim to be part of the anointed 144,000.
• They make all decisions on doctrine, organizational rules, and publications.
• Members must follow its teachings and instructions without question.
• Produces all official literature: Awake! Magazine, books, tracts, videos, and online contents on JW.org

KINGDOM HALL

• A place of worship for Jehovah’s Witnesses.
• No stained glass, crosses, statues, etc.
• Built and maintained by Jehovah’s Witnesses themselves.
• No tithes or collections during services. 
• All construction, maintenance, and utilities are funded by voluntary donations.
• As of 2024, there are about 118,000 congregations-each usually has its own Kingdom Hall or shares one.
• Usually two meetings per week: Weekend Meeting - Public talk + Watchtower Study; Midweek Meeting - Bible reading, training, discussion
• All elders and ministers are unpaid volunteers. 
• Most Kingdom Halls have audio-visual equipment for videos and online JW content.

JEHOVAH WITNESSES’ ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

Jehovah (God)

   ↓

Governing Body (at world headquarters in Warwick, New York)

   ↓

Branch Committees (oversee countries or regions)

   ↓

Regional Committees (coordinate large geographic areas within a branch’s oversight)

   ↓

Circuit Overseers (visit and supervise about 20 congregations in a circuit)

   ↓

Local Congregation Elders (body of elders in each congregation)

   ↓

Ministerial Servants (assist elders in practical duties)

   ↓

Publishers (regular members who actively preach)

   ↓

Bible Students (new learners not yet baptized)

STEPS BEFORE FORMALLY BECOMING JEHOVAH WITNESS

1. Initial Contact & Interest : Usually begins when someone meets Jehovah’s Witnesses through their door-to-door ministry, public witnessing, or personal invitation. 

2. Bible Study with a Witness : Interested individuals are offered free, personalized Bible studies with a Jehovah’s Witness. This phase can take weeks or months, depending on the individual’s pace and questions.

3. Regular Meeting Attendance : The person is encouraged to attend meetings at the Kingdom Hall, including public talks, Watchtower study sessions, and congregation meetings. 

4. Lifestyle Changes and Commitment : As understanding grows, individuals are expected to align their life with JW teachings (e.g., moral standards, abstaining from certain activities). 

5. Baptism : When the person fully agrees with the beliefs and demonstrates a committed lifestyle, they may be invited to be baptized by full immersion. Baptism is considered the formal step of becoming a Jehovah’s Witness and publicly identifying with the organization.

6. Membership & Active Participation : After baptism, the person is officially recognized as a Jehovah’s Witness. They continue participating in meetings, ministry, and living by the organization’s standards.

ANOINTED CLASS & GREAT CROWD

Rev 7:4 : Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel. 

Rev 14:1 : Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. 

Rev 7:9 : After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. 

Their teaching from the above verses are

144,000 = Anointed Jehovah’s Witnesses (heavenly rulers – rule with Jesus).

Great Crowd = Faithful Jehovah’s Witnesses live in new Earth.

Mainstream Christians = Not saved unless they become JWs before Armageddon.

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES’ VIEW ABOUT JESUS CHRIST

JW believe Jesus is 

• God’s first creation — Michael the Archangel.
• Jesus is the promised Messiah sent by Jehovah to redeem humanity. 
• Jehovah’s Witnesses focus heavily on Jesus’ teachings about the Kingdom of God as a real government in heaven that will soon bring peace and restore earth to paradise. 
• They stress Jesus’ command to preach this Kingdom message.
• Jesus is viewed as the mediator between God and humans.
• JW believe that Jesus is currently ruling invisibly from heaven and will judge humanity at Armageddon.

JW’s VIEW ABOUT BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST

• JWs believe that Jesus existed as a spirit being in heaven before coming to earth. 
• He was God’s first creation (the Archangel Michael).
• JWs fully accept the virgin birth. They believe Jehovah transferred Jesus’ life from heaven to Mary’s womb by holy spirit. 
• JWs emphasize that Jesus’ birth was the beginning of the ransom arrangement to save obedient humans from sin and death 

JW’s VIEW ABOUT CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS CHRIST

• JW teach that Jesus was executed on a single upright stake, not on a traditional cross.
• The New Testament uses: σταυρός (staurós) – primarily means stake, pole, or upright piece of wood in classical Greek. ξύλον (xýlon) – means wood, tree, or timber. 
• In the 1st century, staurós could refer to a simple upright stake or a stake with a crossbeam (T or † shape). By the 1st century, crosses with a crossbeam were common for crucifixion. The condemned often carried the crossbeam (patibulum) to the execution site, then it was fastened to an upright post. Early Christian writings and archaeology show crosses with crossbeams. The church fathers described Jesus’ execution instrument as a cross with a crossbeam.

JW’s VIEW ABOUT RESURRECTION AND ASCENSION OF JESUS CHRIST

Resurrection

JWs believe Jesus was resurrected as a spirit creature, not in his human body: body was not resurrected but disposed of by God. 
After resurrection, he materialized temporary bodies to appear to disciples.

Ascension and Kingship

After 40 days, Jesus ascended to heaven and resumed his role as Michael the Archangel.

He sat at Jehovah’s right hand and began ruling in 1914 as King of God’s Kingdom. 

What they Reject

Jesus as God – They reject the Trinity.

Christmas and Easter celebrations – viewed as pagan in origin.

Use of the cross – considered a pagan symbol.

JW’s VIEW ABOUT  SECOND COMING OF JESUS CHRIST

• JWs teach that Jesus’ second coming is invisible, as a spirit being, not in the flesh.
• They teach that Jesus will not appear on earth in bodily form because he gave up his human body forever misinterpreting 1 Peter 3:18 (For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit)
• JWs believe Jesus’ second coming already happened in 1914, starting His invisible heavenly rule as King of God’s Kingdom. 

JW’s VIEW ABOUT  END TIME EVENTS

According to JWs, the following events will happen in end times:

Great tribulation - Political power destroys all religions including Christianity.

Armageddon - Governments will turn against Jehovah’s Witnesses. Jehovah will then intervene through Jesus and will destroy all wicked humans.
Christ’s Reign of 1,000 Years - After Armageddon, Satan will be  bound for 1,000 years. Jesus will rule as King along with the 144,000 anointed in heaven. The Great Crowd, who are alive and loyal to Jehovah along with the resurrected ones (faithful servants from the past like Abraham, Moses and those people who never knew Jehovah or didn’t get a real chance to learn about Jehovah) will remain on earth and will start turning the earth into a paradise.
End of Millennium and Final test: After 1,000 years, Satan will be released for a final test. Satan will attempt to mislead people again from following JW and Jehovah. Those who remain loyal will gain everlasting life. Those who do not follow JW and Jehovah will be destroyed forever along with Satan.

SOME FAILED PREDICTIONS OF JW

• 1874 : Charles Taze Russell taught that Christ’s invisible presence began in 1874 and that the end would soon follow.
• 1914 : Early Watch Tower literature claimed “the end of the present system” would occur in 1914. They teach Jesus became king in Heaven in 1914.
• 1918 :  The Watchtower said God would destroy all churches and members of Christendom, and millions would die in 1918. (Great Tribulation)
• 1925 : The book “Millions Now Living Will Never Die” (1920) claimed:
• “We may confidently expect that 1925 will mark the return of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the faithful prophets of old.” (1000 years reign will start)
• 1975 : In the 1966 book “Life Everlasting in Freedom of the Sons of God,” they strongly suggested 6,000 years of human history would end in 1975, leading to Armageddon.

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES’ VIEW OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that the Holy Spirit is not a distinct person. They do not attribute divinity to the Holy Spirit.

• They describe the Holy Spirit as God’s invisible, impersonal active force.
• They believe that the Holy Spirit is a mean by which Jehovah accomplishes His will.
• They believe that the Holy Spirit is the power God uses to inspire prophets, guide Jesus, and empower Jehovah’s Witnesses today in preaching and living.

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES’ VIEW ON LIFE AFTER DEATH 

• Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that when a person dies, they cease to exist — the body returns to the dust, and the “soul” is not immortal. 
• JWs reject the idea of an immortal soul going immediately to heaven or hell after death. They do not believe in eternal torment in hell. 
• Jehovah’s Witnesses believe in a future resurrection when God will bring people back to life on earth. This resurrection will happen during Christ’s 1,000-year reign (the Millennium). 
• Only 144,000 “anointed” Christians will go to heaven to rule with Christ. 
• The majority of faithful Jehovah’s Witnesses (the crowd) hope to live forever on earth.

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES’ VIEW OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD

• Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that the Kingdom of God is a literal government established by God in heaven. 
• Jesus Christ is the King of this Kingdom, reigning since 1914. 
• Along with Jesus, 144,000 anointed Christians will reign with him in heaven as kings and priests. 
• Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that this Kingdom will soon replace all earthly governments and bring peace, righteousness, and restoration to the earth. This is a central part of their preaching and hope.

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES’ VIEW OF SALVATION

• JW believe that Salvation is a process involving both faith and works — believing in the sacrifice of Jesus and being loyal to the directions and teachings of Watchtower society and along with living a morally clean life.
• Faith + Works + Organization = Salvation
• They believe that Jesus’ sacrifice is necessary for salvation because it made resurrection and forgiveness possible. 
• They are expected to be loyal to Watch tower society, participate in regular door-to-door preaching and ministry work, obeying the commands and teachings coming through Watch Tower Society.

FIRSTBORN

"Firstborn" (Greek: prototokos)

Colossians 1:15 – "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation."

Romans 8:29 – "…that He might be the firstborn among many brothers."

Revelation 1:5 – "Jesus Christ… the firstborn from the dead…"

In Jewish culture, the “firstborn” son had special rights and status, even if not born first (Psalm 89:27 – “I will make him the firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.”)

In Colossians 1:15, Paul is not saying Jesus is a created being, but that He holds supremacy over all creation.

In Revelation 1:5 and Romans 8:29, "firstborn" refers to Jesus being the first to rise from the dead in a glorified body, showing He is the prototype of the future resurrection.

The Greek word prototokos (πρωτότοκος) means "firstborn". 

While it can refer to the first child of a human or animal, it also carries the meaning of "first in rank" or "preeminent". In a biblical context, it is used to describe both the first child of a human or beast and, in reference to Jesus, as the firstborn over all creation and the firstborn from the dead, signifying His supreme status and preeminence.

BEGOTTEN

 "Begotten" (Greek: monogenēs, or "only-begotten")

John 1:14 : "We have seen His glory, glory as of the only-begotten from the Father."

John 3:16 : "For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son…"

The Greek word monogenēs (μονογενής) translates to English as "only begotten" or "one of a kind", depending on context. 

For Jesus Christ, 

monogenēs refers to His unique relationship with God the Father, meaning He is "one of a kind" and "unique" rather than simply the "only begotten" son in a biological sense. The Greek word combines mono ("only") with genos ("kind" or "class"), emphasizing that Jesus is of the same divine nature as the Father, making Him the only one in existence with such an eternal, filial relationship with God. 

NEW WORLD TRANSLATION (MANIPULATED BIBLE TRANSLATION OF JW)

• The New World Translation (NWT) is the Bible translation produced by the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. It was first published in English in 1950 and later in many languages. The NWT is available in more than 115 languages 
• They have inserted the name “Jehovah” over 7,000 times in the Old Testament and in 237 places to suit their doctrine disclaiming the deity of Jesus Christ. Original Greek texts use Kyrios (Lord) in the New Testament.
• Passages traditionally used to support the deity of Christ are translated differently.
• Words like hell are replaced with Hades or Sheol; cross is replaced with torture stake.

EXAMPLES – NEW WORLD TRANSLATION MANIPULATIONS

John 1:1 – "The Word was God"

NWT: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god.”

JW Interpretation: Jesus is a god, a lesser, created being—not Almighty God.

The Greek (Ἐν ἀρχῇ ἦν ὁ Λόγος...) clearly implies that Jesus (the Word) is God in essence, not “a god.”

 

Colossians 1:15–17 : The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 

  

NWT : He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation;  because by means of him all other things were created in the heavens and on the earth, the things visible and the things invisible, 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 exist,

JW Interpretation: Jesus is the first created being, and then created everything else.

“Firstborn” refers to preeminence or rank, not literal birth (see Psalm 89:27).

The word “other” does not appear in the Greek text; it’s inserted to fit Watchtower doctrine.

Revelation 3:14 : “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation.

 

NWT : “To the angel of the congregation in La·o·di·ceʹa write: These are the things that the Amen says, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation by God.

JW Interpretation: Jesus was the first creation of God.

The Greek word archē (ἀρχή) means origin, ruler, or source — so Jesus is the originator of creation, not part of it.

John 1:3 – “All things were made through him…”

      

Romans 9:5   Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.

NWT: To them the forefathers belong, and from them the Christ descended according to the flesh God, who is over all, be praised forever. Amen.

They restructure the sentence to prevent Christ from being called “God over all.”

But the Greek grammar most naturally applies “God over all” to Christ — even many non-Trinitarian scholars admit this.

       

John 14:14   “If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.”

NWT: “If you ask anything in my name, I will do it.”

They omit “me”, which is in the majority of Greek manuscripts.

Because praying to Jesus contradicts their teaching that prayer is only to Jehovah.

      

Matthew 25:46  “And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

NWT: These will depart into everlasting cutting-off, but the righteous ones into everlasting life.”

Jehovah’s Witnesses deny the existence of Hell as conscious punishment

They soften “eternal punishment” into “cutting-off” — not a valid translation of the Greek word kolasis (which refers to punishment, not annihilation).