MormonsJehovah’s Witnesses. MormonsJehovah’s Witnesses Elohim is one of many gods Jehovah is the only true God

Mormons Jehovah’s Witnesses

MormonsJehovah’s Witnesses

Elohim is one of many gods

Jehovah is the only true God




The Bible is one of several Scriptures

The Bible is the only Scripture




The Bible is one of several Scriptures

The Bible is the only Scripture

Man can become a God after this

life

Man can never achieve Godhood



Jesus was created by God





Salvation by works

Salvation by works

THE JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES

(Watchtower Bible & Tract Society)Founder-

Charles Taze Russell (1852-1916)


(Watchtower Bible & Tract Society)Key writings-

Bible (New World Translation only)

The New World (Mis)Translation? For years the JW’s desired to keep the members of its translating committee a secret so as to remain “anonymous and humble”


(Watchtower Bible & Tract Society)

The New World (Mis)Translation? When the identities of the 5 primary translators became known to the public in the 1950’s, it became evident that they were highly unqualified:



The New World (Mis)Translation?- 4 of the 5 had no language training (only a HS education)- the 5th member had no theological training (dropped out of college after his sophomore year)



The New World (Mis)Translation? Thus, the NWT has been universally discredited by every legitimate biblical and linguistic scholar




(Watchtower Bible & Tract Society)Key writings-

Bible (New World Translation only)

You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth

Reasoning from the Scriptures

Watchtower magazine Awake! magazine

Who is God? One-person God called “Jehovah”

(“Strict Monotheism”) No Trinity!



The name “Jehovah” The primary Hebrew name for God

found in the Old Testament is YHWH (“Yahweh”)

Fearing a violation of the 3rd commandment, orthodox Jews would substitute Adonai (Lord) whenever YHWH appeared in Scripture



The name “Jehovah” Eventually, Hebrew scribes began

to insert the vowels of Adonai (a,o,a) into YHWH, resulting in Yahowah (Jehovah)

Ironically, Watchtower literature acknowledges the fact that Jehovah is not a biblical name for God- it is man-made!



Who is Jesus? The Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Jesus is

not God Jesus is believed to be the first

being Jehovah created Before he lived on earth, he was

Michael, the archangel



Who is Jesus? On earth he was a man

who lived a perfect life After dying on a stake

(not a cross), he was resurrected as a spirit



Who is Jesus? He is not coming again- he

already “returned” invisibly in 1914 in spirit

Very soon, he and the angels will destroy all non-Jehovah’s Witnesses



Beliefs and Practices Meet in “Kingdom Halls” Once a year, members observe

“Lord’s Evening Meal” (like communion)



Beliefs and Practices Members are not allowed to…observe holidays or birthdaysvote salute the flagwork in the militaryaccept blood transfusions



John 1:1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

NASBIn the beginning the Word was, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god.

NWT



In the beginning was the WordEn archē ēn ho logosand the Word was with Godkai ho logos ēn pros ton theonand the Word was Godkai theos ēn ho logos



A short Greek language lesson might be helpful…1. “ēn” is the verb “was” in the imperfect past tense (a continuous action usually occurring in the past)2. “ho”, which is the definite article “the”, typically points to the subject



A short Greek language lesson might be helpful…3. “ton” is also the definite article “the”, yet it doesn’t point to the subject4. If John wanted to say the Word was divine-like, he could have chosen the adjective “theios”



In the beginning was the WordEn archē ēn ho logosand the Word was with Godkai ho logos ēn pros ton theonand the Word was Godkai theos ēn ho logos



“The Alpha and the Omega” passages in Revelation

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says Jehovah God, “the One who is and who was and who is coming, the Almighty.”

Revelation 1:8, NWT




“Do not be fearful, I am the First and the Last, and the living one; and I became dead, but look! I am living forever and ever”

Revelation 1:17-18, NWT




“Look! I am coming quickly, and the reward I give is with me, to render to each one as his work is. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”

Revelation 22:12-13, NWT




He that bears witness of these things says, “Yes; I am coming quickly.” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus.

Revelation 22:20, NWT




The Alpha and the Omega:- is Jehovah God- died but now is living forever- is coming quickly- is the Lord Jesus!



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MormonsJehovah’s Witnesses. MormonsJehovah’s Witnesses Elohim is one of many gods Jehovah is the only true God