Sermon Notes About Jehovah's Witnesses

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES

  John 8:24 — “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.”

 

I. Introduction: Sincerity vs. Truth

The goal of this study is not to attack individuals, but to examine the doctrines of Jehovah’s Witnesses against the standard of Scripture. Many Witnesses are morally upright, diligent, and sincere. But sincerity does not equal salvation (Matthew 7:21–23). The stakes are eternal, and love demands we speak the truth.

●    Paul warned that even an angel preaching another gospel is accursed (Galatians 1:8–9)

●    The question is not whether JWs are moral, but whether they preach the correct Christ

●    The gospel of Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven (John 14:6); any deviation leaves men and women in their sins

  Galatians 1:8 — “Though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.”

 

Key themes we will address:

●    The historical origins and failed prophecies of the organization

●    Doctrinal deviations regarding God, Christ, salvation, and the afterlife

●    Translation problems in the New World Translation

●    Control mechanisms and how to evangelize Witnesses effectively

II. Origins and History

Understanding the human origins of the Watchtower organization is essential. Unlike Scripture, which is eternal and unchanging (Hebrews 13:8), the doctrines of the organization have shifted repeatedly over 150 years—a pattern inconsistent with divine revelation.

A. Charles Taze Russell (1852–1916)

●    Raised in a Presbyterian home; rejected the Trinity, Christ’s deity, and eternal punishment

●    Influenced by Second Adventist thinkers; began developing his own theological system

●    In 1879, began publishing Zion’s Watch Tower, laying the movement’s foundation

●    Predicted Christ returned invisibly in 1874 and that the world would end in 1914

●    Both predictions failed—clear evidence of human, not divine, origin

B. Joseph Rutherford (1869–1942)

●    Became president after Russell’s death; renamed the group “Jehovah’s Witnesses” in 1931

●    Centralized authority and established the Governing Body structure still used today

●    Predicted the resurrection of Old Testament saints in 1925; built the mansion “Beth Sarim” (House of Princes) in San Diego to house them

●    When Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob did not appear, the prediction quietly disappeared

●    Marked the shift from loosely organized Bible Students to a tightly controlled movement

C. Later Leadership and Ongoing Changes

●    Nathan Knorr and Frederick Franz continued to revise doctrines and maintain central authority

●    Major new predictions made for 1975 (Armageddon); another failure that caused mass member losses

●    Each doctrinal shift reveals that Watchtower theology is man-made, not Spirit-revealed

  Hebrews 13:8 — “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”

 

III. Organizational Structure and Control

The Watchtower organization operates through a tight hierarchy that demands unquestioning submission. Understanding this structure helps explain why Witnesses find it so difficult to examine their beliefs independently.

A. The Governing Body

●    Claims to be God’s sole channel of spiritual truth on earth

●    Members must accept their interpretations without question or risk being labeled “apostates”

●    All spiritual study is filtered through Watchtower publications, not direct Scripture examination

B. Shunning and Social Control

●    Those who leave or question the organization are “disfellowshipped” and shunned by all members—including family

●    This is a powerful psychological control mechanism: belonging is conditional on conformity

●    The threat of losing all social ties keeps many Witnesses from honestly evaluating their beliefs

C. The Berean Standard

●    The Bible praises the Bereans for independently verifying what even an apostle taught (Acts 17:11)

●    Encouraging Witnesses to be like the Bereans is a non-threatening way to invite honest inquiry

  Acts 17:11 — “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”

 

IV. The New World Translation (NWT)

A. Background and Credibility Issues

●    Produced by a secret committee; the translators’ names were never publicly disclosed

●    No member of the translation committee held recognized credentials in biblical languages

●    Outside Greek scholars have widely criticized its handling of key passages

B. Key Translation Distortions

John 1:1

●    NWT: “…and the Word was a god.”

●    Every major Greek manuscript and standard translation reads: “the Word was God”

●    The Greek construction (predicate nominative without article) does not make the Word indefinite; it defines His nature

●    Greek scholar Dr. Julius Mantey publicly rebuked the Watchtower for misusing his grammar to justify this rendering

Colossians 1:16–17

●    NWT inserts the word “other” four times (“all other things”) to suggest Christ is a created being

●    The Greek text contains no word for “other” in any of these verses—it was fabricated to support doctrine

Hebrews 1:6

●    NWT changes “worship” (proskuneo) to “do obeisance” to deny that Christ receives worship

●    Ironically, the same Greek word (proskuneo) is translated “worship” in the NWT when directed toward Jehovah—revealing selective translation

Other Altered Passages

●    John 8:58 – “I am” changed to “I have been” (erasing the connection to Exodus 3:14)

●    Philippians 2:6 – Altered to deny Christ’s equality with God

●    Titus 2:13; 2 Peter 1:1 – Constructions altered to separate “God” and “Savior” as two persons

C. Practical Implication

When witnessing to a JW, be prepared to use their own Bible where it still clearly supports orthodox doctrine, while also drawing their attention to the alterations above. This can open the door to honest inquiry.

V. Doctrine of God — The Trinity

JWs deny the Trinity, insisting Jehovah alone is God and that the Trinity is a pagan invention. A sound biblical response does not require the word “Trinity”—the concept is fully biblical.

●    Matthew 28:19 – Baptism commanded in the “name” (singular) of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—three persons, one name

●    2 Corinthians 13:14 – All three persons mentioned in a benediction of grace, love, and fellowship

●    At Christ’s baptism (Matthew 3:16–17): the Son is baptized, the Spirit descends as a dove, the Father speaks from heaven—three distinct persons, one event

●    John 10:30 – “I and my Father are one” (the Jews immediately attempted to stone Him for blasphemy, v.33)

  Matthew 28:19 — “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”

 

VI. Doctrine of Jesus Christ — His Deity

This is the most critical doctrinal issue. JWs teach that Jesus is Michael the Archangel, a created being—not God in the flesh. If Christ is not God, His atonement cannot save. The denial of His deity destroys the gospel itself.

A. Jesus Is Not an Angel

●    Hebrews 1:5 – “For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son?”—Christ’s sonship is categorically different from angels

●    Hebrews 1:6 – God commands all angels to worship Christ—no angel worships another angel

●    Hebrews 1:8 – The Father addresses the Son directly: “Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever”

B. Direct Biblical Claims of Christ’s Deity

●    John 20:28 – Thomas declares “My Lord and my God” and Jesus accepts it without correction

●    John 8:58 – “Before Abraham was, I am” (echoing Exodus 3:14; the Jews understood this as a claim to deity)

●    Isaiah 9:6 – The Messiah is called “Mighty God, Everlasting Father”

●    Titus 2:13 – “the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ”

●    Colossians 2:9 – “In him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily”

  John 20:28 — Thomas answered and said unto him, “My Lord and my God.”

 

C. Why This Matters

A merely created being cannot bear the infinite weight of human sin. Only a Savior who is truly God could provide an atonement of infinite worth. Denying Christ’s deity renders salvation impossible.

VII. Doctrine of Salvation

JW theology blends faith with works, organizational loyalty, and door-to-door ministry as requirements for salvation. This is a different gospel (Galatians 1:6–9).

●    Ephesians 2:8–9 – Salvation is by grace, through faith—“not of works, lest any man should boast”

●    Titus 3:5 – “Not by works of righteousness which we have done”—explicitly excludes human merit

●    Romans 4:4–5 – Righteousness is credited (imputed) to the one who believes, not to the one who labors

●    1 John 5:13 – Believers can know they have eternal life—JW theology denies this assurance, leaving members in perpetual uncertainty

  Ephesians 2:8–9 — “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.”

 

Key witnessing point: Ask a Witness directly, “Do you know for certain that you have eternal life?” If they say no, open 1 John 5:13 and show them that Scripture offers that assurance to every believer.

VIII. Doctrine of the Soul and Hell

JWs teach “soul sleep” and annihilation—that the wicked simply cease to exist. This denies both Scripture and God’s justice.

●    Matthew 25:46 – “Everlasting punishment” is set in direct parallel with “eternal life”—both use the same Greek word (aionios), so both must be equally permanent

●    Luke 16:19–31 – The rich man is in conscious torment after death, aware of his surroundings and able to speak—annihilation cannot account for this

●    Revelation 14:11 – “The smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever; and they have no rest day nor night”

●    2 Thessalonians 1:9 – Everlasting destruction is described as “everlasting,” not momentary

  Matthew 25:46 — “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.”

 

IX. The 144,000 and the “Great Crowd”

JW theology divides humanity into two classes: 144,000 anointed who go to heaven, and a “great crowd” who live on earth. This has no biblical foundation.

●    Revelation 7:4–8 – The 144,000 are explicitly identified as Israelites (12,000 from each tribe) during the Great Tribulation—not a modern religious organization

●    Revelation 7:9 – The great multitude stands “before the throne” (in heaven)—the same location as the 144,000 and the elders in Revelation 4–5

●    John 14:2–3 – Jesus promised to prepare a place and take His followers to be with Him in the Father’s house—no mention of an earthly second tier

●    John 10:16 – “One fold, one shepherd”—not two classes with different eternal destinations

X. The Cross and the Resurrection

A. The Cross vs. the Stake

●    JWs teach Christ was crucified on an upright torture stake with arms overhead, not a cross

●    Philippians 2:8 and Colossians 2:14 use the Greek stauros, but the historical and textual evidence strongly supports a cross with a crossbeam

●    John 20:25 – Thomas refers to “nails” (plural) in Jesus’ hands—suggesting hands were separated, not together

B. The Bodily Resurrection

The denial of Christ’s bodily resurrection is among the most serious JW errors. They teach Jesus rose as a spirit being; His body was “dissolved.” This contradicts Scripture directly.

●    Luke 24:39 – Jesus says, “A spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have”

●    Luke 24:42–43 – Jesus eats broiled fish and honeycomb after the resurrection

●    John 20:27 – Jesus invites Thomas to touch His wounds—physical, tangible proof

●    1 Corinthians 15:17 – “If Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins”

  Luke 24:39 — “Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.”

 

XI. The Holy Spirit as a Person

JWs teach the Holy Spirit is merely an active force, like electricity—not a person. Scripture teaches otherwise.

●    Acts 13:2 – The Holy Spirit speaks in the first person: “Separate me Barnabas and Saul”—forces do not speak

●    Ephesians 4:30 – “Grieve not the holy Spirit of God”—you cannot grieve an impersonal force

●    John 14:26 – The Spirit “teacheth” and “bringeth all things to your remembrance”—personal cognitive actions

●    Acts 5:3–4 – Lying to the Holy Spirit is equated with lying to God—the Spirit is both personal and divine

XII. The Name of God — “Jehovah” vs. Jesus

JWs insist the name “Jehovah” must be used and that the name “Jesus” has been substituted wrongly. However, the New Testament consistently places emphasis on the name of Jesus for salvation.

●    Historical note: “Jehovah” is a medieval hybrid of the Hebrew consonants YHWH combined with the vowels of “Adonai”; most scholars prefer “Yahweh”

●    Acts 4:12 – “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved”—the context is explicitly the name of Jesus Christ (v.10)

●    Philippians 2:9–11 – God has given Christ a name above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow

●    Romans 10:13 – “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved”—Paul applies this to Jesus (v.9)

XIII. The Lord’s Supper

JWs teach that only the 144,000 anointed may partake of communion; the great crowd merely observes. The vast majority of Witnesses never partake—ever.

●    Luke 22:19–20 – Jesus said “do this in remembrance of me” to all the disciples, with no distinction of class

●    1 Corinthians 11:26 – “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come”—addressed to the whole Corinthian church

●    1 Corinthians 10:16 – The cup of blessing is “the communion of the blood of Christ”—all believers participate in this fellowship

XIV. Blood Transfusions

JWs refuse blood transfusions on the basis of Old Testament dietary laws, leading to preventable deaths. This misapplication of Scripture is serious and life-threatening.

●    The passages cited (Genesis 9:4; Acts 15:29) prohibit eating blood as food—not the medical use of blood in transfusion

●    Matthew 12:11–12 – Jesus taught it is “lawful to do well on the sabbath”—preserving life takes priority over ceremonial law

●    Mark 7:15, 19 – Jesus declared all foods clean, removing the dietary context on which this restriction was based

●    No Mosaic or New Testament law directly addresses intravenous medical procedures

XV. Failed Prophecies

Scripture provides a clear test for prophets: if a prediction fails, the prophet did not speak from God (Deuteronomy 18:20–22). The Watchtower Society has failed this test repeatedly.

  1874

 Russell predicted Christ’s invisible return. Failed.

 

  1914

 Predicted the end of the world. Reinterpreted after the fact as Christ beginning to reign invisibly.

 

  1918

 Predicted the destruction of Christendom and the rapture of the anointed. Failed.

 

  1925

 Rutherford predicted the resurrection of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and other Old Testament worthies. Failed. Beth Sarim mansion was built to house them.

 

  1975

 The organization strongly implied Armageddon would come in 1975. Hundreds of thousands left when it did not.

 

  Deuteronomy 18:22 — “If the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.”

 

XVI. Doctrinal Changes — “New Light”

When predictions fail or doctrines become indefensible, the Watchtower claims to have received “new light”—progressive revelation that corrects previous error. But this is not progressive revelation; it is damage control.

●    Proverbs 4:18 is used by JWs to justify changes (“path of the just shineth more and more”), but the verse speaks of personal moral growth, not organizational doctrine changing wholesale

●    If God truly directed the organization in 1914, 1925, and 1975, why was He wrong? True light does not produce false prophecy

●    John 17:17 – “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth”—God’s Word is the standard; the organization is not

●    The unchanging nature of Scripture (Matthew 24:35) stands in contrast to the ever-shifting “light” of the Watchtower

XVII. Key Questions to Ask a Jehovah’s Witness

These questions are not intended to embarrass but to open honest conversation. Ask gently and let Scripture do its work.

●    If the Governing Body speaks for God, why have so many of their predictions failed? (Deuteronomy 18:22)

●    Hebrews 1:6 says angels worship the Son—why would angels worship Michael, one of their own kind?

●    When Thomas called Jesus “My Lord and my God,” why did Jesus accept it instead of correcting him? (John 20:28)

●    Why does your translation insert the word “other” in Colossians 1:16–17 when it is not in the Greek?

●    The NWT translates proskuneo as “worship” toward Jehovah but “do obeisance” toward Jesus—why the difference for the same Greek word?

●    Do you know for certain that you have eternal life? (1 John 5:13 promises this is knowable)

●    If salvation requires organizational loyalty, what did the thief on the cross do to earn it? (Luke 23:43)

XVIII. Biblical Witnessing Strategy

A. Foundational Principles

●    Your goal is not to win an argument but to win a soul (Proverbs 11:30)

●    Pray before every conversation; only God can open spiritually blinded eyes (2 Corinthians 4:4)

●    Treat the Witness with dignity and genuine respect—they believe they are doing God’s will

●    Avoid attacking the organization directly at first; ask honest questions that lead them to examine Scripture

B. Focus Points

●    The deity of Christ—this is the hinge on which everything else turns

●    The bodily resurrection of Christ—ground the conversation in the empty tomb

●    Salvation by grace through faith alone—offer them the assurance they have never been allowed to feel

●    The failed prophecies—not as a “gotcha” but as a biblical reason to question the organization’s authority

C. Practical Tips

●    Use their Bible where possible (many passages still clearly teach Christ’s deity even in the NWT)

●    Have a Greek interlinear available to show John 1:1, Colossians 1:16, Hebrews 1:8 in the original

●    Keep conversations focused—do not let them redirect to 144,000, holidays, or other secondary issues until the primary issue (Who is Christ?) is addressed

●    Be patient; most Witnesses leave gradually after years of internal doubt. You may be planting a seed

  Romans 1:16 — “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.”

 

XIX. Illustrations and Testimonies

A. Scriptural Illustration: The Bereans

The Bereans checked Paul’s teaching against Scripture—and Paul was an apostle! How much more should we examine the claims of an organization whose prophets have repeatedly failed? (Acts 17:11)

B. Historical Illustration

Former Witnesses who have come to faith in Christ consistently describe the same experience: years of doubt suppressed by fear of shunning, followed by the terrifying but liberating act of opening a Bible without Watchtower literature. Many describe reading John 1:1 in a standard translation for the first time as a turning point.

C. Personal Illustration: Assurance of Salvation

Imagine spending your entire life faithfully attending meetings, knocking on doors in all weather, studying Watchtower publications—and still not knowing if you will be saved. Contrast that with 1 John 5:13: “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life.” This assurance is available to every believer—not earned by works, but given freely in Christ.

XX. Conclusion — The Call of Christ

The Jehovah’s Witnesses deny the Trinity, the deity of Christ, the bodily resurrection, salvation by grace, eternal punishment, and the assurance of salvation. These are not peripheral issues—they strike at the heart of the gospel.

The words of Jesus in John 8:24 are solemn: “if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.” The Greek ego eimi (“I am”) is a direct claim to deity—the same words of Exodus 3:14. To believe in a created, false Christ is to die in one’s sins.

But the invitation of Christ is open:

  John 14:6 — “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

 

  John 6:37 — “…and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”