Watchtower Doctrine vs. Christianity

Scaling the language barrier is of utmost importance when witnessing to a Jehovah’s Witness. Witnesses will use the same words as Christians but the meaning behind the word is often radically different. Before any significant biblical dialogue can take place, a Christian must know the meaning behind the cultists’ terms. Although this list is somewhat brief, it will give you a start on some of the basic words used when dialoguing, and the definitions.

God-
Watchtower- Jehovah, the Father.

Christianity-  Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:18-20) 

Jesus Christ-
Watchtower-  First created being by Jehovah, a god, Michael the Archangel.
    
Christianity-  Fully God and fully man, equal to the Father in nature, Eternal, Omnipotent Creator. (John 1:1, 5:18, 20:28)

Holy Spirit-
Watchtower- God’s active force, impersonal.

Christianity- Third member of Trinity, fully God, personal. (Acts 5:3-4, 8:29, 13:2, 1 Co. 2:10-11, Eph. 4:30)

Trinity-
Watchtower- False doctrine originating with Satan, stems from Babylonian and Greek Mythology.

Christianity- The essence and Nature of God, One God manifested in 3 Persons, all equal in Nature but different in position. (see above verses)

Hell-
Watchtower- The common grave of mankind, no conscious existence and/or punishment.

Christianity- Eternal separation from God, conscious everlasting punishment. (Matt. 25:41,46)            

Death-
Watchtower- A state of nonexistence, soul sleep, deny an immaterial soul and/or spirit.                  

Christianity- Soul and spirit remain conscious after physical death. (Matt. 10:28, Luke 23:43, 2 Co. 5:8, Rev. 6:9)                          

Resurrection of Christ-
Watchtower- Rose as an invisible spirit being.

Christianity- Rose bodily and visibly. (John 2:19-21, Luke 24:36-39) 

Atonement (Ransom)-
Watchtower- Jesus’ death paid for Adam’s (inherited) sin only.

Christianity- Jesus’ death paid for all sins, personal and inherited. (1 Peter 2:24, Galatians 1:4, Isaiah 53:5)

Salvation-
Watchtower- Living forever on a restored earth, or Paradise.

Christianity- Eternal life in heaven in the presence of God. (Phil. 3:20) 

Second Coming of Christ-
Watchtower- Occurred invisibly in 1914.

Christianity-  A future event that will be plainly visible. (Matt. 24:27,30 ; Rev. 1:7)

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