Path: christian Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian From: king@cs1.sequoia.com (Jack King) Subject: JW FAQ Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu Charlie-- A while back you solicited a FAQ for Jehovah's Witnesses. A group of us put the following FAQ together, and we were hoping it could be posted on s.r.c. I wasn't sure whether to send this to "christian@cs.rutgers.edu" or "soc-rel-christian@spss.com". If this doesn't reach you, I'll try the other address. Jack King king@sequoia.com ------------------------- cut here -------------------------------------- Jehovah's Witnesses What Do They Believe? Jehovah's Witnesses today form an international organization that is completely seperate from all other religious organizations. Since we are often misrepresented, it would be a mistake to expect to learn the truth about us from prejudiced sources. So we are pleased to explain to you some of our principal beliefs. God's Name God has a personal name, and Jehovah's Witnesses believe that those who worship him should use that name. Almighty God declared to Moses that his name is "Jehovah". (Exodus 3:15; Psalms 83:18) Moses, Abraham, and many others faithful men of old used this name of God. In fact the name Jehovah occurs thousands of times in the Sacred Scriptures. Therefore, like those faithful men of ancient times, we use God's name and serve in behalf of that name. (Isaiah 43:10) The Bible Jehovah's Witnesses firmly believe that the Sacred Scriptures, known also as the Bible, are inspired by God and that they constitute his chief means of communication with mankind today. King David expressed it this way: "The spirit of Jehovah it was that spoke by me, and his word was upon my tongue." (2 Samuel 23:2) We follow the scriptures closely, allowing these to interpret themselves. Jesus Christ Jehovah's Witnesses accept Jesus as the Messiah that the ancient Hebrew prophets foretold. Jesus is the means by which mankind can be saved. The prophet Jeremiah spoke of a "new covenant" that would bring complete and lasting forgivness of sin. (Jer.31:31-34) This "new covenant", based on a perfect sacrifice (Jesus' sacrificial death), would provide the means for bringing faithful people into the promised earthly paradise. (Isaiah 53:4-6,10-12; 65:21-25) Basic Teachings Jehovah's Witnesses are no part of Christendom. In fact, Christendom was founded nearly 300 years after Jesus' death, and it's beliefs have greatly deviated from what Jesus taught. For example, we do not accept Christendom's belief in the Trinity, which teaches that Jesus is God himself. We do not use the cross as a symbol, nor do we employ statues in any way as part of our worship. These are all things that the Bible condemns. (Exodus 20:3-5; 1 John 5:21). The Kingdom of God Clearly, the Kingdom of God is the dominant theme that runs throughout the Sacred Scriptures. The prophet Daniel speaks of the Messiah and says: "To him there were given rulership and dignity and kingdom, that the peoples, national groups and languages should all serve even him. His rulership is an indefinately lasting rulership that will not pass away, and his kingdom one that will not be brought to ruin." (Daniel 7:13-14) Jehovah's Witnesses believe that God's Kingdom by his Messiah is a real government and that the rule of this government will restore true peace to the earth. (Isaiah 9:6,7; Psalms 46:8,9; 72:7). The Scriptures show that the seat of this government is in the heavens and that the Messiah, resurrected from death to God's right hand, is its Ruler. (Psalms 110:1,2) Jehovah's Witnesses believe that eventually billions will receive everlasting life on earth as subjects of the Messianic Rule. Thus, we are firmly convinced that the earth will never be destroyed and that the Bible promise will be fulfilled: "The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it." (Psalms 37:29) But how will God's Kingdom come? The Bible realistically shows that the coming of the Kingdom will require God's direct intervention in earth's affairs: "The God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be brought to ruin. And the kingdom itself....will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it itself will stand to times indefinate." (Daniel 2:44) When will God's Kingdom come? On the basis of Bible prophecies now being fulfilled, Jehovah's Witnesses believe that it will come in our generation. The Greek Scriptures (New Testament) contain prophecies that foretell in detail features of "the last days" of this system of things. We invite you to consider some of these prophesies recorded at Math 24:3-14; Luke 21:7-13, 25-32; 2 Tim 3:1-5. Because we love Jehovah our God with out whole heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love our neighbors as ourselves, we are not divided nationally, racially, or socially. (Lev 19:18; Deut 6:4,5; Mark 12:30,31) We are widely known for the love and unity that is manifested among our spiritual brothers, who are found in all nations. This is in harmony with prophesies concerning "the final part of the days" that speak of people of all the nations worshipping God in unity and 'not learn war anymore'. (Isaiah 2:2-4; Zeph 3:9; John 13:35) Thus, we maintain a neutral stand toward the political affairs of all nations. We believe that worshipping God properly means avoiding immoral conduct, including lying, stealing, fornication, adultery, homosexuality, the misuse of blood, idolatry, and other such things condemned in the Scriptures. (Exodus 20:3-5, 13-17; Lev 17:10; 20:13; Psalms 15:1-5; 1 Cor 6:9-11) Hope For The Future Jehovah's Witnesses believe that the present system of things, with its cycle of birth, life, death, is not all there is. We have complete confidence in a future life, including a resurrection from the dead under God's Kingdom. We believe, as the Bible teaches, that when a person dies, his existence really ceases. (Psalms 146:4; Ecc 9:5; Ez 18:4) Therefore, the Bible does not teach the concept of an immortal soul or reincarnation. Rather, future life for the dead is based on God's remembrance of them in a resurrection. (Isaiah 25:8; Dan 12:1,2,13) However, Jehovah's Witnesses are convinced that many now living will survive when God's Kingdom brings an end to all present governments. Then, just as Noah and his family survived the flood, these survivors will live on to enjoy life on a cleansed earth. (Isaiah 11:1-9; 65:17; Math 24:36-39) In order to survive the end of the world, one must meet Jehovah's requirements, for the Bible says: "The upright are the ones that will reside in the earth, and blameless are the ones that will be left over in it." (Prov 2:20-22; Psalms 37:9-11,29) Obviously, it is not possible here to cover all the beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses, but we invite you to obtain further information from Jehovah's Witnesses in your neighborhood.