As I said last week, the youth at Fellowship Bible Church in Fort Smith are learning what makes a cult a cult. Last night we talked about the difference between Christians and Jehovah's Witnesses. Many evangelicals have a difficult time answering this question because, like Mormons, JW's often use biblical language to explain their belief system. Below I have properly defined these terms.WHAT JW'S BELIEVE ABOUT...
GOD
- They believe God is one solitary being.
- The trinity is a "false, unbiblical" doctrine that was originated by Satan.
- Believe Jesus is not equal with God.
JESUS
- Jesus was the first created being.
- He was originally Michael, the archangel.
- He died on a stake and was resurrected spiritually (but not physically).
- He is the Son of God, but not God.
HOLY SPIRIT
- The "holy spirit" is not God.
- The "holy spirit" is an impersonal force.
SALVATION
- Baptism is the essential first step and then one must become actively associated with the Watchtower Society.
- Salvation is not achieved apart from the society.
- There are two classes of saved people:
- The 144,000 who will rule with Christ in heaven.
- The other sheep who will live forever in a new earth (paradise).
DEATH AND THE HEREAFTER
- There is no hell; all not resurrected are annihilated.
- Only JW's will live in the hereafter.
WHAT CHRISTIANS BELIEVE ABOUT...
GOD
- Beliefs are monotheistic.
- Believe that God is one in essence and three in person.
JESUS
- Jesus is God.
- He has always and will always exist (John 1:1; 14).
- Because Jesus is fully God, one of His attributes is immutability, which means He is unchanging (Mal. 3:6).
- He died on a cross, was buried and was physically resurrected (John 20:24-29).
- He is infinitely greater than all spiritual and earthly beings because He has created all things that exist (Col. 1:16-17).
HOLY SPIRIT
- The Holy Spirit is God (Matthew 28:19 classifies the Holy Spirit on an equal level with both the Father and the Son.
- The Holy Spirit is a person (John 14:26; 15:26; 16:13-14 apply the masculine pronoun he (Gk. ekeinos) to the Holy Spirit.
SALVATION
- Salvation is by God-given grace through faith in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9).
- Nothing is to be added or taken away from this Gospel.
DEATH AND THE HEREAFTER
- The Bible teaches that Hell is a real place of eternal conscious punishment for the wicked (Matt. 25:30, 41, 46; Mark 9:43, 48; Revelation 14:9-11).
- Those who have not repented of their sins and are not trusting in Christ for salvation will go there (John 3:16; Romans 6:23, 8:1).
