First, the watchtower has never been given an official meaning it has simply been associated with Jehovah's witnesses since Charles Taze Russell used the symbol when the first variation of the religion was created. Please select which sections you would like to print: While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Author of. This Christian denomination dates back to the late 19th century. Chryssides states, "For the Jehovah's Witnesses prophecy serves more as a way of discerning a divine plan in human history than a means to predicting the future." Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. When Christ did not return as Miller prophecied, Adventists divided into a number of factions. ^ par. Jehovah's Witnesses are Christians who believe that the Bible is God's word and that Jesus is their Savior. The subject of intense international criticism, lawsuits and … Under Knorr’s direction, a group of Witnesses produced a new translation of the Bible. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). He established the Watch Tower Bible School of Gilead (South Lansing, New York) to train missionaries and leaders, decreed that all the society’s books and articles were to be published anonymously, and set up adult lay-education programs to train Witnesses to teach prospective converts. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. (Matthew 19:​4-9) We are convinced that the wisdom found in the Bible helps families to succeed.​—Ephesians 5:22–​6:1. Jehovah God, Jesus Christ, and the faithful angels reside in the spirit realm. In 1909 he transferred the headquarters of the movement to Brooklyn. We worship the one true and Almighty God, the Creator, whose name is Jehovah. Short video lessons that answer essential Bible questions. Jesus is the King of God’s Kingdom in heaven. Corrections? We recognize that parts of the Bible are written in figurative or symbolic language and are not to be understood literally.​—Revelation 1:1. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Updates? The Jews scrupulously avoided every mention of this name of God, substituting in its stead one or other of the words with whose proper vowel-points it may happen to be written. Distinguished Professor of American Religious History, Institute for Studies in Religion, Baylor University; Director, Institute for the Study of American Religion, Woodway, Texas. Jehovah's Witnesses focus on God the Father, so their name is taken from the Tetragrammaton, written as YHWH or JHVH and articulated either as Yahweh or Jehovah. Jehovah’s Witness, member of a millennialist denomination that developed within the larger 19th-century Adventist movement in the United States and has since spread worldwide. It would be easier to list the things that are allowed than the things that are … Jehovah's Witnesses' practices are based on the biblical interpretations of Charles Taze Russell (1852–1916), founder (c. 1881) of the Bible Student movement, and of successive presidents of the Watch Tower Society, Joseph Franklin Rutherford and Nathan Homer Knorr.Since 1976 practices have also been based on decisions made at closed meetings of the group's Governing Body. We recognize the Bible as God’s inspired message to humans. Each Witness makes decisions in harmony with his or her own Bible-trained conscience.​—Romans 14:​1-4; Hebrews 5:​14. They believe sins require two witnesses. The Scripture appellation of the supreme Being, usually interpreted as signifying self-derived and permanent existence. Jesus. Our organization. The Jehovah's witnesses are a religious organization known for their medical interest. They believe God, who they call Jehovah, will end crime, violence, sickness and death by destroying all wickedness in the world. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. This article summarizes our basic beliefs. Our worship. (Matthew 10:8; 23:8) We do not practice tithing, and no collections are ever taken at our meetings. To better understand the significance of this change it is crucial to understand the importance they place on the year 1914 and how their beliefs concerning that year have radically changed throughout their history. Jehovah's Witnesses are members of a Christian-based religious movement probably best known for their door-to-door evangelistic work. TERMS OF USE Our conduct. Constructing and maintaining Kingdom Halls and other facilities used to further our worldwide Bible educational work.​—Psalm 127:1. (Genesis 3:​1-6; Romans 5:​12) In order to settle the moral issues raised by Satan, God has allowed evil and suffering, but He will not permit them to continue forever. 6 Things This Letter From a Jehovah’s Witness Taught Me About Capturing Attention. Jehovah's witnesses definition, a Christian sect, founded in the U.S. in the late 19th century, that believes in the imminent destruction of the world's wickedness and the establishment of a theocracy under God's rule. Read why Charles Taze Russell was not the founder of a new religion. (John 8:​44) This angel, who after his rebellion was called “Satan” and “Devil,” persuaded the first human couple to join him, and the consequences have been disastrous for their descendants. First off 2 of the most common symbols of the Jehovah's Witness religion is the watchtower and the un common church building structure and configuration. Children of Jehovah's Witnesses are raised to feel like the odd-ones-out at school, prevented from engaging in many normal childhood activities such as birthdays, Christmas, Easter and a range of public holidays. Three points in particular make the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures worthy to include in your studies. (2 Corinthians 9:7) All our activities are supported by anonymous donations. Jehovah's Witnesses are a religious group with more than eight million members around the world. 349,746 posts in 18,209 topics Beliefs, Doctrine & Practices. The Jehovah’s Witnesses are an outgrowth of the International Bible Students Association, which was founded in 1872 in Pittsburgh by Charles Taze Russell.. History. If you have further questions about the beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses, you can read more about us on our website, contact one of our offices, attend a meeting at a Kingdom Hall near you, or speak to one of the Witnesses in your area. The beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses are based on the Bible teachings of Charles Taze Russell—founder of the Bible Student movement—and successive presidents of the Watch Tower Society, Joseph Franklin Rutherford, and Nathan Homer Knorr. divides punishment of wrongdoers into two categories, those deserving of marking(4) and those deserving of disfellowshipping (or \"disassociation\"(5)). Jesus commanded: “You must love your neighbor as yourself.” He also said that Christians “are no part of the world.” (Matthew 22:39; John 17:16) So we try to “work what is good toward all,” yet we remain strictly neutral in political affairs and avoid affiliation with other religions. Noun. Family. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Jehovah’s Witness, member of a millennialist denomination that developed within the larger 19th-century Adventist movement in the United States and has since spread worldwide. Matthew 28:19, 20 identifies three steps. Jehovah's Witnesses employ various levels of congregational discipline as formal controls administered by congregation elders. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. PRIVACY POLICY, https://assetsnffrgf-a.akamaihd.net/assets/m/502015242/univ/art/502015242_univ_sqr_xl.jpg. He began ruling in 1914.​—Revelation 11:15. Everything is Forbidden. The movement has been accused of doctrinal inconsistency and reversals, failed predictions, mistranslation of the Bible, harsh treatment of former members and autocratic and coercive leadership. They usually do investigations before reccomending their members to do certain things, even so, they never force anyone to take a certain medical treatment. (Psalm 104:5; 115:16; Ecclesiastes 1:4) God will bless obedient people with perfect health and everlasting life in an earthly paradise.​—Psalm 37:11, 34. psis (apocalypse), means “Uncovering” or “Disclosure.” This name indicates the meaning of Revelation​—it uncovers matters that had been hidden and discloses events that would happen long after it was written. (1 Corinthians 1:​10) We also work hard to have no social, ethnic, racial, or class divisions. Predictions (by date of publication) include: God will bring billions back from death by means of a resurrection. In 2000 Henschel stepped down in a reorganization of the leadership and was replaced by Don A. Adams. (Deuteronomy 4:​15-​19; 1 John 5:​21) Key aspects of our worship include the following: Reading and studying the Bible.​—Psalm 1:​1-3. (Daniel 2:​44; Matthew 6:​9, 10) It will take these actions soon, for Bible prophecy indicates that we are living in “the last days.”​—2 Timothy 3:​1-5; Matthew 24:​3-​14. During the 1870s, Charles Taze Russell established himself as an independent and controversial Adventist teacher. (Matthew 20:28; Acts 4:​12) To benefit from that sacrifice, people must not only exercise faith in Jesus but also change their course of life and get baptized. Bible. What Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Believe? Definition of Jehovah's Witness : a member of a group that witness by distributing literature and by personal evangelism to beliefs in the theocratic rule of God, the sinfulness of organized religions and governments, and an imminent millennium First Known Use … As Jehovah’s Witnesses, we strive to adhere to the form of Christianity that Jesus taught and that his apostles practiced. While we accept the entire Bible, we are not fundamentalists. We strive to show unselfish love in all our actions. Our unity. Russell was succeeded as president in 1917 by Joseph Franklin Rutherford (Judge Rutherford; 1869–1942), who changed the group’s name to Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1931 to emphasize its members’ belief that Jehovah, or Yahweh, is the true God and that the Witnesses were his specially chosen followers. We are organized into congregations, each of which is overseen by a body of elders. Rutherford molded the Witnesses into a cadre of dedicated evangelists, even equipping members with portable phonographs to play his “sermonettes” on street corners and in the living rooms of prospective converts. Criticism has also focused on their rejection of blood transfusions, particularly in life-threatening medical situations, and failing to r… Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Have Their Own Bible? He also interpreted the Second Coming in accordance with the literal translation of the original Greek term, parousia (“presence”), suggesting that Christ would come as an invisible presence and that the Parousia, or “Millennial Dawn,” already had occurred, in 1874. Jehovah's Witnesses believe the Bible was inspired by God and is historically accurate. … Knorr was followed as president of the Jehovah’s Witnesses by Frederick W. Franz (1893–1992) in 1978 and then by Milton G. Henschel in 1992 (1920–2003). (Acts 11:26) However, we have learned from the Bible that Jesus is not Almighty God and that there is no Scriptural basis for the Trinity doctrine.​—John 14:28. ... That the definition … The Jehovah’s Witnesses are an outgrowth of the International Bible Students Association, which was founded in 1872 in Pittsburgh by Charles Taze Russell. God created the earth to be mankind’s eternal home. Ring in the new year with a Britannica Membership, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Jehovahs-Witnesses, CALS Encyclopedia of Arkansas - Jehovah's Witnesses, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum - Holocaust Encyclopedia - Jehovah's Witnesses, New Georgia Encyclopedia - Arts and Culture - Jehovah's Witnesses, HistoryNet - What we Owe Jehovah's Witnesses, Jehovah’s Witnesses - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), Jehovah’s Witnesses - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). (Galatians 6:​10; 2 Corinthians 6:​14) However, we respect the choices that others make in such matters.​—Romans 14:12. Jehovah's Witnesses' literature teaches that their refusal of transfusions of whole blood or its four primary components—red cells, white cells, platelets and plasma—is a non-negotiable religious stand and that those who respect life as a gift from God do not try to … Although the kingdom did not come, Russell’s teachings motivated a number of volunteers to circulate his many books and pamphlets and a periodical, The Watchtower, and to recalculate the time of the Parousia. 1,442,987 posts in 67,256 topics Bible Research & Study Articles. Jehovah's Witnesses - Protestant denomination founded in the United States by Charles Taze Russell in 1884. This Bible study course requires no commitment and is interactive, self-guided, and free of charge. Copyright © 2021 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. Knowing its meaning and using it freely in our worship are powerful aids in drawing closer to our heavenly Father, Jehovah. 3 For more information on God’s name, its meaning, and reasons to use it in worship, see the brochure The Divine Name That Will Endure Forever, published by Jehovah’s Witnesses. Who Was the Founder of Jehovah’s Witnesses? (Psalm 146:4; Ecclesiastes 9:​5, 10) They do not suffer in a fiery hell of torment. Under Rutherford’s leadership, Russell’s group became a tightly knit organization. (Matthew 20:28; Acts 5:​31) Thus, we are Christians. The Bible. Because we witness, or talk, about Jehovah God and his Kingdom, we are known as Jehovah’s Witnesses. a Christian religious sect rooted in the Adventist movement of the late 1800s in the United States. Heaven. Members who engage in conduct that is considered inappropriate may be counseled privately by elders and congregational responsibilities may be withheld or restricted. Rutherford’s successor, Nathan Homer Knorr (1905–77), assumed the presidency in 1942 and continued and expanded Rutherford’s policies. (Matthew 5:9; Isaiah 2:4) We respect the government where we live and obey its laws as long as these do not call on us to disobey God’s laws.​—Matthew 22:21; Acts 5:​29. (John 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:​16) We base our beliefs on all 66 of its books, which include both the “Old Testament” and the “New Testament.” Professor Jason D. BeDuhn aptly described it when he wrote that Jehovah’s Witnesses built “their system of belief and practice from the raw material of the Bible without predetermining what was to be found there.” *. (John 13:34, 35) We avoid practices that displease God, including the misuse of blood by taking blood transfusions. 1. Protestant - an adherent of Protestantism. (Matthew 28:19, 20; John 3:​16; Acts 3:​19, 20) A person’s works prove that his faith is alive. The Governing Body, a small group of mature Christians who serve at our world headquarters, provides direction for Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide.​—Matthew 24:45. The Adventist movement emerged in the 1830s around the predictions of William Miller, who proclaimed that Jesus Christ would return in 1843 or 1844. Share How to capture attention the right way. (Acts 24:15) However, those who refuse to learn God’s ways after being raised to life will be destroyed forever with no hope of a resurrection.​—Revelation 20:14, 15. Jehovah's Witness - believer in imminent approach of the millennium; practitioner of active evangelism. Since 1976 all doctrinal decisions have been made by the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses, a group of elders at the denomination's headquarters. We do our best to imitate Jesus Christ and are proud to be called Christians. Jehovah's Witnesses and the History of 1914. These began when one of God’s angels rebelled. Many of … This Christian denomination dates back to the late 19th century. We are globally united in our beliefs. Engaging in 'competitive' sport is frowned upon, as is associating with worldly friends. Watchtower or JW.org specific topics. Russell... | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples (Acts 15:28, 29; Galatians 5:​19-​21) We are peaceful and do not participate in warfare. What Jehovah's Witnesses believe and why they do what they do Salvation. Sharing in disaster relief.​—Acts 11:27-​30. Would you like to read this article in %%? Meeting together to pray, study the Bible, sing, express our faith, and encourage fellow Witnesses and others.​—Colossians 3:​16; Hebrews 10:23-​25. That of Jehovah’s Witnesses is really “gospel,” or “good news,” as of God’s heavenly kingdom that was established by the enthronement of his Son Jesus Christ at the end of the Gentile Times in 1914.” 1 Notice that the date of 1914 is included in the “gospel” of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Audio download options ^ par. Consider four aspects of birthday celebrations that show why God is not pleased with them. What Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Believe? This may not seem like such a big deal, but Jehovah's Witnesses ignore the fact that people died for the right to vote. God. Critical analysis of the WatchTower Bible & Tract Society publications and the bible. Jehovah's Witnesses have received criticism from mainstream Christianity, members of the medical community, former members and commentators regarding their beliefs and practices. The group was originally called the Watch Tower Society because founder Charles Taze Russell published a magazine called Zion's Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence. Omissions? (Acts 10:34, 35; James 2:4) Our unity allows for personal choice, though. Jehovah's Witnesses definition: a millenarian , actively proselytizing Christian sect founded by Charles T . Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that Jesus is God’s only direct creation, that everything else was created through Christ by means of God’s power, and that the initial unassisted act of creation uniquely identifies Jesus as God’s “only-begotten Son”. He rejected belief in hell as a place of eternal torment and adopted a non-Trinitarian theology that denied the divinity of Jesus. Jehovah's Witness definition: 1. a member of a religious organization that believes that the world will end soon: 2. a member of…. Preaching the “good news of the Kingdom.”​—Matthew 24:14. * (Psalm 103:19-​21; Acts 7:​55) A relatively small number of people​—144,000​—will be resurrected to life in heaven to rule with Jesus in the Kingdom.​—Daniel 7:​27; 2 Timothy 2:​12; Revelation 5:​9, 10; 14:​1, 3. People who die pass out of existence. Evil and suffering. In the 1 November 1995 Watchtower magazine, the Jehovah's Witnesses made a major doctrinal change concerning the "Generation of 1914." Death. Above all, we want to honor Jehovah, the God of the Bible and the Creator of all things. Deliverance from sin and death is possible through the ransom sacrifice of Jesus. 2 See Truth in Translation, page 165. The movement’s headquarters were transferred to Warwick, New York, in 2016. Our relationships with others. Why Don’t Jehovah’s Witnesses Celebrate Birthdays. (James 2:​24, 26) However, salvation cannot be earned​—it comes through “the undeserved kindness of God.”​—Galatians 2:​16, 21. Meditating on what we learn from the Bible.​—Psalm 77:12. It will replace human governments and accomplish God’s purpose for the earth. We follow the teachings and example of Jesus Christ and honor him as our Savior and as the Son of God. The group took on the name International Bible Students Association and … We adhere to God’s original standard of marriage as the union of one man and one woman, with sexual immorality being the only valid basis for divorce. no social, ethnic, racial, or class divisions, speak to one of the Witnesses in your area. However, the elders do not form a clergy class, and they are unsalaried. Using a variety of Bible translations can enhance your study of the Bible. The Kingdom of God. See more. Jehovah's Witnesses originated as a branch of the Bible Student movement, which developed in the United States in the 1870s among followers of Christian Restorationist minister Charles Taze Russell.Bible Student missionaries were sent to England in 1881 and the first overseas branch was opened in London in 1900. Each of us regularly spends time helping people learn about the Bible and God’s Kingdom. In addition to the International Bible Students Association, Russell formed the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania (1884), with himself as president. Learn more. How Do I Become One of Jehovah’s Witnesses? According to the Jehovah’s Witnesses teachings, in order to have a happy marriage, all that one needs to do is find a “ spiritual brother or sister ” to marry. This is a real government in heaven, not a condition in the hearts of Christians. The coming of Christ’s invisible presence signaled the end of the current order of society and would be followed by his visible presence and the establishment of the millennial kingdom on earth in 1914. Jesus served as a redeemer and a ransom sacrifice to pay for the sins of humanity. Earth. 6 Wicked angels have been cast out of heaven, although they continue to exist in the spirit realm.​—Revelation 12:​7-9. ^ par. We do not venerate the cross or any other images. 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