It was late afternoon when I arrived at my destination—a quiet, old cemetery on the outskirts of Pittsburgh.  I walked up a small hill to a stone pyramid about six feet high.  Each of the four sides had a carved image of an open book surmounted by a cross and crown.  Nearby was a headstone whose inscription read “Charles T. Russell…  The Laodicean Messenger.”  I had journeyed several hours just to see this grave of a man considered by many to be an end-time prophet of God.

Who was Charles Russell?  Born in 1852, he began as a Pittsburgh haberdasher.  He would become famous as a religious leader.  He attended both Presbyterian and Congregationalist churches as a child, but would reject much of their teaching.  As a youth he came under the influence of Adventism and accepted their concept of “soul sleep,” that is, the soul is not immortal and ceases to exist at death.  Consequently, hell is simply the grave.  Having an intense fear of an eternal hell, Russell wholeheartedly accepted this idea.

About 1870 he began to meet with a group to study the Scriptures.  They called themselves simply “Bible Students.”  Russell had no religious education but being a charismatic figure the group soon appointed him their pastor.  He would be known as “Pastor Russell” for the rest of his life.

Russell taught these Bible Students his views on the soul and hell.  He also emphasized his belief that Christ’s Second Coming was imminent, although it would not be physical.  Instead, he predicted that Christ would return invisibly and spiritually in 1874.  In addition to Adventism, he was influenced by a variety of religious and mystical disciplines, including pyramidology.  (Hence the monument to his memory.)  Within a few years he would establish the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society—later known as Jehovah’s Witnesses.  By his death in 1916 he had quite a substantial following.

Based on the teachings of Russell and subsequent Watchtower leaders, the Jehovah’s Witnesses developed a number of distinctive beliefs.  Foremost among these is the idea that God’s end-time prophet is the ultimate authority for all spiritual truth.  Originally, of course, this was Russell himself.  Later, the Watchtower Society would be accorded this status.  For this reason, any teaching that comes from the Society is viewed as the authoritative truth of God.  Everything a Jehovah’s Witness believes is based completely on the Society’s view of the Bible.  Unfortunately, this has resulted in the acceptance of many false doctrines.

One of the Society’s most grievous errors is a categorical rejection of the Trinity—which they view as a satanic and pagan idea.  They also reject the Trinity because they consider it contrary to reason.  Such a rationalistic approach to theology helps explain why Watchtower teaching appeals to many.  People tend to like simple answers to tough questions.

For the Witnesses, there is only one person in the Godhead, Jehovah.  Of course, this raises the question of who Jesus is.  The Watchtower teaches that Jesus is a divine being, but not the Almighty God.  Instead, he is the first and greatest creation of Jehovah.  Before coming to earth he existed as the archangel Michael.  Then as a man, he died as a ransom for sin.  He did this by giving his life on the “ransom stake” (a singular upright pole, not a cross).  Belief in Christ’s ransom sacrifice is necessary for salvation.  However, good works are also necessary.  (In actuality, the Watchtower view of salvation is very much works-oriented.)  After Christ offered his life on the “torture stake” he was resurrected, but not in a physical body.  Rather he returned to his previous angelic nature as a “spirit creature.”  As for the Holy Spirit, according to the Watchtower he is not even a “he.”  The “holy spirit” is an it, the active power of God at work.

Many people are fascinated by prophecy and the last days, which also explains the appeal of the Watchtower Society.  End time prophecy and the Kingdom of God are key concepts in Watchtower theology.  Anticipation of the coming Kingdom is also a great motivating force in the life of a Witness.  The Witnesses believe that Christ invisibly and spiritually returned to earth in 1914, thus initiating the end times.  (Note, the change from Russell’s original date of 1874).  Ever conscious of this idea, the Witnesses diligently labor to tell the world about God’s Kingdom.   That is the reason they work so hard at witnessing.  They must prove to God their worth as his followers.  This is also their only hope to escape Armageddon, the final showdown between good and evil.  This is the event when God will destroy Babylon the Great, the great spiritual harlot which is comprised of all counterfeit churches—Roman Catholic and Protestant.

Of course, the Watchtower’s rejection of essential biblical teaching has historically caused them a great many problems.  Though they claim biblical authority for their doctrine, it is clearly contradicted by the Scriptures.  However, such contradictions were largely resolved for them with the completion in 1961 of their own Bible, the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (NWT).  The NWT is actually not a genuine translation.  Instead, it is a wholesale revision of the Bible.  Anywhere the Watchtower found verses or passages that contradicted their beliefs, they simply changed the text.

How does a Bible-believing Christian respond to the Jehovah’s Witnesses?  First, stress the confidence you have in your own salvation experience.  I recall one conversation I had with an elder of a local Kingdom Hall.  I testified to him that I was a born-again believer in Jesus, and had complete assurance that I would go to the heaven when I die.  His response to me was interesting: “That cannot be true.  You are too young!”  I understood what he meant by this.  The Watchtower claims that only 144,000 people will be born again and comprise the Bride of Christ.  In the mind of this elder, I was “too young” because the limited membership of the “little flock” had been reached many years ago.  Because of this teaching, the average Witness has no assurance of eternal life.

Also let them know about the peace and joy that you have in Christ.  They do not have anything like this.  Theirs is largely a fear-based religion.  As noted previously, Watchtower teaching demands that they earn their salvation through their own efforts.  Of course, this perpetual striving to please God is a hopeless task in itself.  In addition, the Witnesses view Jehovah as an angry deity, full of judgment.  It is their terror at Jehovah’s impending wrath that compels them to labor so hard for the Kingdom.  This very fear can be your opportunity.  Share with them the promise of God’s grace and the free gift of salvation provided in Christ’s completed work.

When you listen to a Jehovah’s Witness, you may think that they know the Bible well.  Yet, this is likely not true.  What they do know well is Watchtower literature, rather than the actual biblical text.  Remember their faith in the Watchtower is virtually absolute.  To counter this, you must emphasize what the Scriptures actually teach about the Trinity, Christ’s deity, and salvation.  Take them to the verses.  Have them read the context.  Point out the contradictions between Watchtower teaching and biblical truth.  Yet, be sure you do this with a gentle spirit.

Finally—love them.  This may seem obvious, and simple.  Yet it so important.  They are taught that those who disagree with them are “opposers” of the Watchtower.  Don’t act like an “opposer.”  Instead be kind and caring.  It is difficult to reject someone who demonstrates true Christian love.  Be a friend—then a witness to them.

For more on Jehovah’s Witnesses, please click here.  Or if you want to learn some additional tips on witnessing to a JW, just click here.