1. Doctrine of Jehovah Witness

Only the Watchtower Society can interpret the Bible. Individuals cannot.

Basis for JW’s doctrine:

"...the Bible is an organizational book and belongs to the Christian congregation as an organization, not to individuals, regardless or how sincerely they may believe that they can interpret the Bible...the Bible cannot be properly understood without Jehovah's visible organization in mind" (Watchtower, October 1, 1997, p. 587).

True Biblical Position

Ephesians 1:17, 18 states that the Spirit will provide wisdom and illumination to the revelation of God in the Bible. According to the belief espoused by JW's, all people that lived until the JWs were Founded by Charles Russell must have been doomed to failure, not being able interpret the Bible.

2. Jehovah Witnesses Bible

The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (the JW Bible version) is the best translation of the Bible, and should be used over any other version.

Basis for Jehovah Witnesses Claim:

"Outstanding among Bibles is the New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures...Accuracy, uniformity, clarity, and up-to-date language mark this excellent work. Bible study aids without equal make this an indispensable help to sincere searching students of God's Word" (What Has Religion Done For Mankind, 1951, p. 351.

True Position

The JW Bible actually is plagued with errors. Greek scholar Bruce Metzger said that "the Jehovah's Witnesses have incorporated in their translation of the New Testament several quite erroneous renderings of the Greek." ("Jehovah's Witnesses and Jesus Christ," Theology Today, April, 1953).

3. Jehovah Witnesses on Trinity

The Trinity does not exist, and is an evil doctrine that teaches the existence of 3 gods.

Basis for JW’s claim:

"Never was there a more deceptive doctrine advanced than that of the trinity" (Reconciliation, 1928 )

"...sincere persons who want to know the true God and serve him find it a bit difficult to love and worship a complicated, freakish-looking, three-headed God" (Let God Be True, 1946) "Satan is the originator of the trinity doctrine" (Ibid.)

True Biblical Position on Trinity

Many religions have difficulty with an infinite God, and try to put Him in a box - to define Him in terms they can understand. While the word "trinity" does not appear in the Bible as a description of God, the scriptures definitely indicate one God with a triune nature - existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (2 Cor. 13: 14)

4. Jesus Christ was Michael the Archangel before becoming a man. Basis for JW’s Claim: "...the Son of God was known as Michael before he came to earth" (Reasoning from the Scriptures, p. 218).

True Biblical Position There is no basis for this anywhere in the Bible.

5. After Jesus died, he was resurrected with His original identity as Michael the Archangel.

Basis for JW’s Claim:

"Read carefully the following Bible account: 'War broke out in heaven: Michael [who is the resurrected Jesus Christ] and his angels battled with the dragon'" (You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth, 1982, p. 21).

True Biblical Position

Michael, on his own, could not rebuke Satan (Jude 1:9), yet in Mark 9:25 Jesus Himself rebukes Satan. Hebrews 2:5 says an angel can't rule the world, but Luke 1:32-33 and Revelation 19:16 show Jesus Christ to be the one who will reign. Therefore, Jesus and Michael can't be one and the same.

6. Hell does not exist

There is no eternal hell for the wicked. All "unbelievers" will be annihilated, and simply cease to exist.

Basis for JW’s Position:

"The fiendish concepts associated with a hell of torment slander God and originate with the chief slanderer of God (the Devil)" (Reasoning from the Scriptures, 1985).

True Biblical Position

The "fiendish" concept of hell actually comes from the Bible, not from a slanderer. (Matthew 25:46, Revelations 14:11, 19:20, and 20:10).

It is hoped that Jehovah's Witnesses will see that their true point of authority is not the Bible (which does not change), but the ever-changing views of the Governing Body. www.contenderministries.org

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:32