It is not with any ill-will for the people that we point out some of the fundamental errors of the "Jehovah's Witness" organization. In their book, Let God Be True, page 221, we read, "False principles of all religions are attacked by the Jehovah's Witnesses." Since they attack all others, they should not be offended if their own doctrines are examined. The Jehovah's Witness organization was unknown to Christ and his apostles. The name was never used until 1931, when it was adopted in Columbus, Ohio, according to their book, What Has Religion Done For Mankind?, copyrighted 1952, page 311. Now, in outline form, let us examine some of their doctrines.

I. They claim that the name, "Jehovah's Witness" is the right name to wear.

A. Their proof texts: Isa. 43:10; 62:2 ; Acts: 1:8.

B. Bible Teaching:

• Isa. 43:10 refers to the Jews.

• Isa. 62:2 refers to the same name as Acts 11:26.

3. Acts 1:8 refers to the Apostles only (see Acts 1: 4, 21-2 2 )

• The apostles were the only qualified witnesses-Acts 10:39-41. (To be a witness one must have seen or heard. Christ appointed those who had truly witnessed his resurrection to give this testimony to the world.)

II. They claim that the God-head is only one person.

A. Their proof-text - Isa: 44:6.

B. Bible Teachings:

• Isa: 44:6 shows that gods made by men are vain and useless- See also Psa: 115:1-8.

2. Plural pronoun "us" shows that there is, more than one person Gen. 1:26; 11:7.

3. Baptism is commanded in the name of three - Matt. 28:19.

4. The Son prayed to the Father for the Holy Spirit to come - John 14:16, 26; 15:26.

• The Father and the Son spoke to each other and about each other Matt. 3:16-17; 17:5; 27:46.

III. They claim the Holy Spirit is not a personality.

A. Bible Teaching:

1. He can teach - John 14:26.

2. He can testify - John 15:26.

3. He can talk - Acts 8:29; 10:19-20.

4. He selected fields of labor and sent preachers - Acts 13:2; 16:6-10.

5. These things (above) are attributes of a personality.

IV. They teach that the Kingdom of Christ is future.

A. Their proof texts: Dan. 2:44; Matt. 6:10; Rev. 21:1-4.

B. Bible Teaching:

1. The Kingdom was under prophecy by the prophets - Dan. 2:44; Isa.. 2:2-3.

• The Kingdom was under preparation by 84 preachers (John the Baptist; Christ; 12 apostles; 70 disciples) Matt. 3:2; 6:9-10; Mark 9:1; Luke 10:1-9.

3. The Kingdom was in existence from Pentecost - Acts 2:1-47; Col: 1:13; Heb: 12:28; Rev. 1:6, 9.

4. The Kingdom will be glorified at Second Coming - I Cor: 15:24.

V. They claim that only 144,000 will go to heaven.

A. Their proof text: Rev.: 7:4; 14:3-4.

B. Bible Teaching:

• The number has a symbolic reference to the Israelites. Rev. 7:9 shows that another great multitude will go to the same place, from all nations.

2. If the number, 144,000 is taken literally, then' other parts of the text must also be taken literally, which would mean that only unmarried men could go to heaven - Rev. 14:4, etc.

3. Christ invites all - Matt. 11:28: John 6 : 3 7 ; Acts 10:34-3 5 ; Rev. 22:17.

VI. They claim that certain people will inherit the earth after death.

A. Their proof texts: Matt. 5:5; Ps. 37:11; etc.

B. Bible Teaching:

1. Matt. 5 teaches proper characteristics of Christians today.

2. The meek do inherit the earth today. God did not create it in vain - Isa. 45:18, but has given it to the human race to use - to be inhabited now.

3. No text says the people will inherit the earth after death.

4. The earth will be destroyed - 2 Pet. 3:10; Rev. 21:1.

VII. They claim that Hell is the grave and no more.

A. Their proof texts: Ps. 16:10; Jonah 2:2; Matt. 16:18.

B. Bible Teaching:

1. "Hell" in the King James Version has two meanings: (1) The grave, as their texts show; and (2) Everlasting Fire - Ps. 9:17; Matt. 10:28; Mark 9:43-48.

2. Illustrate: the word "light" may mean either "not heavy" or "not dark." The word "lie" may mean "a falsehood" or "to recline." So "Hell" in the King James Version is used differently.

VIII. They claim that the Devil is ruling the world.

A. Their proof texts: Ezek. 28:14; Matt.4:8; 2 Cor. 4:4.

B. Bible Teaching:

1. Examination of context of above verses does not reveal that the Devil rules at all. He does have much influence over men.

2. Christ is King - I Tim. 6:14-15; Acts 2:36.

3. Christ has all authority - Matt. 28: 18; Heb. 1:4-9; Phil. 2:9-11; I Cor. 15:24-26.

4. Christ will judge - John 5:22; 2 Cor. 5:10.

• They claim that Christ is to reign upon David's throne on the earth, and that the Jews should return to Jerusalem in fulfillment of scripture.

A. Their proof texts: Isa. 65:19-25; Rev. 20:1-7.

B. Bible Teaching:

1. Isa. 65 has reference to reconciliation of Jews and Gentiles - Eph. 2:1119; Col. 1:20-21.

2. Rev. 20 does not teach: (1) Literal reign on earth; (2) Bodily resurrection; (3) Jerusalem in Palestine.

3. Taken symbolically, the passage may refer to a period of righteousness for the washed, justified and sanctified people during the present dispensation.

4. Jesus is now reigning on David's throne - Acts 2:29-36.

5. The sure mercies of David (Isa. 55: 3-4) are received through Christ -Acts 13:29-38.

6. The gospel is for both Jew and Gentile alike - Matt. 28:19; Mark 16: 15; Rom. 1:16-17.

7. The fallen tabernacles of David (Amos 9:11) has been fully set up -Acts 15:13-17.

X. They claim that Christ has already come, invisibly, in 1914.

A. Their proof text: Matt. 24: 1-34.

B. Bible Teaching

1. Passage has reference to destruction of Jerusalem, A. D. 70. See Matt 24:2. In verse 3, their first question was "When shall these things be?"

2. Those things were to be concluded in that generation - Matt. 24:34.

3. Christ ascended visibly and will so return - Acts 1:11; 1 Thess. 4:16.

4. Every eye ,shall see him-Rev. 1: 7.

5. No man knows the date - Matt. 24:36; Mark 13:32-37.

Truth Magazine, V:8, pp. 1, 15-16
May 1961