Taken From Religions of America, Edited by Leo Rosten

Copyright © 1975 by Cowles Communications, Inc.

[Pages 132-141]

 

 

WHO ARE JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES?

 

MILTON G. HENSCHEL / Milton G. Henschel is a director of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania and is a member of the governing body of Jehovah's Witnesses.

A third-generation Witness, Mr. Henschel was born in Pomona, New Jersey, in 1920. He began house-to-house preaching at the age of eight. By the time he was fourteen, he was devoting himself entirely to the work of the ministry.

Mr. Henschel is an ordained minister of Jehovah's Witnesses and has traveled to 120 countries in his official duties as executive aide to the president of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society.

 What Is the Basic Creed Professed by Jehovah's Witnesses?

 The Witnesses have no creed. They follow the Bible all the way, not halfway. They feel the Bible is entirely consistent-both the Hebrew and the Greek Scriptures-and practical for our day.

 Where Did the Name Come From?

 The name "Jehovah's Witnesses" is found in the Bible in Isaiah 43:12: "Ye are my witnesses, saith Jehovah, and I am God." A history of Jehovah's Witnesses and their service to God takes us back 6,000 years. Abel and other men of faith before Christ are called "witnesses" in Hebrews 11 and 12:1. Christ is "the faithful and true witness" in Revelation 3:14. He designated others to continue the testimony, saying, "Ye shall be witnesses unto me . . . unto the uttermost part of the earth"-Acts 1:8.

Jehovah's Christian Witnesses today are merely the last of a long line of servants of God. They are not an incorporated body. They use the nonprofit Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, which was incorporated in Pennsylvania by Charles Taze Russell and associated Christians in 1884, as the legal agency.

   

What Are the Teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses?

 That Jehovah is the only true God. His sovereignty has been challenged by Satan, who caused the rebellion in Eden and who puts the integrity of all men to the test. God's primary purpose is the vindication of this sovereignty. In carrying out this purpose, God sent Jesus to earth to provide the ransom sacrifice and to lay the foundation for God's new system of things.

Jehovah will not tolerate wickedness on earth forever. The beginning of the end for Satan came when Christ took power in heaven as King. This happened in 1914. Christ's first act was casting Satan out of heaven, and this was followed by great troubles on earth.

In the coming "great tribulation," God will destroy the entire wicked system of things, and then the Devil himself will be completely put out of action. This is the vindication of Jehovah's name and the beginning of the thousand-year reign of Christ. Then all that breathe will praise Jehovah.

Christ is now invisibly present. He will aways remain invisible to humans; but his presence is proved by world events since 1911. which fulfill all the predictions of Matthew 24.

Now the Christian's duty is to keep integrity to Jehovah, to announce the King's reign, and to help neighbors find the way to godly service and everlasting life.

  

Do Jehovah's Witnesses Believe in the Virgin Birth?

 Jesus was born miraculously, a virgin birth in fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14. He died a ransom to relieve man from sin inherited from the first parents in the Garden of Eden. As I Corinthians 15 shows, Christ died a human body but was resurrected as a mighty spirit creature.

 

Do Witnesses Believe in the Holy Trinity?

 Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Jehovah God and Christ Jesus are two distinct persons and are not combined with a so-called "Holy Ghost" in one godhead called a Trinity. The "Holy Spirit" is not a person. It is God's active force.

 

Do Witnesses Salute the Flag?

 Saluting a flag, of any nation, is regarded by Jehovah's Witnesses as unchristian image worship. Any national flag is a symbol of sovereign power, regarded by people as sacred.

Jehovah's Witnesses cannot conscientiously participate in an act that ascribes salvation to the national emblem and to the nation for which it stands, for, in the Ten Commandments, it says: "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them."

Jehovah's Witnesses do not wish to incur the wrath of God by acts of worship contrary to his commands. They do not oppose anyone's desire or right to salute the flag. Each must decide for himself what he will do. That is true freedom of worship. The Supreme Court of the United States has so declared in a case involving Jehovah's Witnesses: Its decision was that there is no requirement of the conscientious to salute the flag of the United States.

  

Do the Witnesses Deny Government Authority?

 No. Without governments, anarchy and chaos would reign. Earthly governments have the right to make laws to regulate morals, protect persons and property, and maintain public order. Jehovah's Witnesses obey all such laws, if they are in accord with God's laws. When there is direct conflict between God's law and that of a government, they obey the supreme law of God as set forth in the Bible.

  

Why Do the Witnesses Claim Service Exemption?

 Because they have conscientious objections, based on the commandments of God, against taking part in the world's wars. Wars between nations today are not the same as Israel's wars in ancient times. Israel was Jehovah's theocratic nation, and the Israelites were fighters in God's wars. No political nation today can properly claim that status.

Though not pacifists, Jehovah's Witnesses fight only when God commands them to do so. Since the days of ancient Israel, God has not commanded men to fight in wars between nations. That is why Christians of the first century refused to serve in the imperial arnucs of Rome. Besides, ministers of religion are exempted from military service by law in many countries. Because the vocation of each Jehovah's Witness is the ministry, all Witnesses claim exemption under such laws.

They do not oppose the desire of any person to serve in the armed forces of any nation. Nor do they oppose the efforts of any nation to raise an army by conscripting its manpower. They merely keep their own neutrality, refusing to break their allegiance to their God and Savior. Their position is that of neutral ambassadors for Christ the King.

Having a good conscience toward God does not make a person a weakling or a coward. Fear of death does not cause the Witnesses to take this position; in some lands, they are executed by firing squads because of it. It takes more courage to stand up for unpopular principles than it does to go along with the majority.

  

What Bible Do Jehovah's Witnesses Use?

 In our publications and in our public preaching we use many Bible translations, including all the most popular Protestant, Catholic, Jewish and Orthodox Bibles. And since we preach in more than two hundred lands, we use Bibles in hundreds of languages.

In 1961, the Watchtower Society published in one volume The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures. Rendered from the original Bible languages, this translation is available in English, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish. This Bible is widely used by Jehovah's Witnesses (though not exclusively) where it is available in the language of their country.

  

What Do the Witnesses Believe About Hell?

 Hell is the grave; it is not a place of fiery, eternal torment. Hell is a place of rest, in hope of resurrection, not a place of torture from which one can never escape. Peter said Jesus was in hell after his death. Death and hell will both be destroyed at the end of the thousand-year rule of Christ. Purgatory is not mentioned once in the Bible. It is an invention of men. There is no "intermediate" state of the dead. Such ideas are found in the ancient pagan religions, not in the Bible.

  

What Do Witnesses Believe About Heaven?

 Heaven is the habitation of spirit creatures; it is the place of God's throne. The reward of spiritual life with Christ Jesus in heaven for men on earth is limited to those who inherit the kingdom of God. In Revelation 7:4, the number of these is given as exactly 144,000.

  

What Will Become of the Billions of People Who Have Lived on the Earth?

 After mentioning the 144,000 who will go to heaven, Revelation f tells of "a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations," standing before the throne. These are destined to live forever on the earth.

The apostle Peter said: "We, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth." This means the removal of the wicked and oppressive system under Satan and the ushering in of the righteous rule of Christ.

Then the earth will be made a paradise. "There shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain"-Revelation 21:4. Jehovah will provide all things needed by the human family, and animals now ferocious will be at peace with man-Isaiah 65. There will be no more national boundaries, no political divisions and no war-Micah 4. It is to such a world that those in the graves will be resurrected, with the opportunity of living forever if they prove themselves obedient to God.

Do Witnesses Believe in Baptism?

Yes. Baptism is a symbol of dedication to the will of Jehovah. We consider baptism to be complete submersion, not just sprinkling. The baptism that started with Jesus is not meant for cleansing from sin, because Jesus was no sinner-Hebrews 7. Matthew 28 shows that the baptized ones must first be taught. This, with Jesus' baptism at the age of thirty, shows that baptism is not for infants but for persons of responsible age who have the ability to learn.

 

Can Any Witness Be an Ordained Minister?

Yes, for true ordination comes from God. Jehovah, through Christ, ordains his witnesses to serve as ministers-John 15:16. Jesus chose fishermen, tax collectors, and other untrained men, as well as the learned Paul. Similar men may become ordained ministers today. Jehovah's Christian Witnesses are, indeed, a society or body of ministers.

The public ceremony of water immersion identifies one as a minister of God. It marks him as a person who has dedicated his entire life to the service of Jehovah; it implies acceptance of the obligations that the ministry imposes. Jesus set the example by his baptism in the River Jordan, after which he devoted his life to the ministry. We believe that titles like "Reverend" and "Father" are not properly applied to ministers but belong to God alone-Matthew 23:9. Clerical garb is never used.

 

Are Boys and Girls Allowed to Preach?

Yes. Youths are not only permitted to preach, but they are invited to do so-just as Samuel, Jeremiah, and Timothy did in their youth. Jesus was only twelve when he was about his "Father's business," discussing the Scriptures.

 

Are Ministers and Workers Paid?

Ministers at our international headquarters in Brooklyn, New York, and in the field are voluntary workers. All officers of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society and others at headquarters receive a $14 allowance per month for personal needs. They are given free room and board. As a means of support, most of the Witnesses do secular work.

 

What Is Your Position on Black People?

Jehovah's Witnesses practice no discrimination, nor show any partial distinctions toward people of any race, color, or nationality.

The Bible (Acts 17:26, 27) says: "He [God] made out of one [man] every nation of men, to dwell upon the entire surface of the earth, and he decreed the appointed times and the set limits of the dwelling of [men], for them to seek God."

It is also written (Acts 10:34, 35) : "God is not partial, but in every nation the man that fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him."

Jehovah's Witnesses hold this Bible view and look upon people of all colors and races as equals, descendants of the one man Adam.

 

What Is the Nature and Status of Women in the Congregation?

Under inspiration of the holy spirit, the apostle Paul wrote that "the head of a woman is the man" (I Corinthians 11:3). This is God's arrangement. It is shown in the order of creation, in that Adam was created first and the woman was created as a complement of the man (Genesis 2:20-23 ).

This does not allow for a man to lord it over the woman, as in a master-slave relationship. Rather, the apostle Paul shows us that in the marriage relationship the husband is to love his wife as he does himself. The two are one flesh (Ephesians 5:28, 29, 31).

 

May Women Be Ordained as Ministers?

As for the ordination of women as ministers, the Bible Book of Acts (2) shows that on the day of Pentecost, fifty days after the death of Jesus, the holy spirit from God was poured out upon 120 persons gathered in Jerusalem-and women were included among that group.

However, there are some limits on the ministerial activity of women, based upon the Bible: for example, Phoebe serving the congregation at Cenchreae, as a helper of many; and the four daughters of Philip, who spoke God's Word to others (Romans 16:1, 2; Acts 21:9).

Women did not preside over a congregation of men and teach them; for Paul, under inspiration, instructed us: "I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man" (I Timothy 2:12; see also I Corinthians 14:34).

Women may share in our congregational Bible studies and meet ings, but they- would never enter into debates with men in the congregation, challenging them.

Christian women do have a large share in ministerial activity outside of congregational meetings-explaining God's Word to others, as did the daughters of Philip.

 

What Is Your Attitude Toward Divorce?

Divorces may be obtained only on the ground of marital unfaithfulness: that is, when there have been sexual relations, whether natural or unnatural, outside the marriage relationship.

If a Witness obtains a divorce on other grounds and remarries, he must be expelled from the congregation.

 

What Is the Attitude of the Witnesses Toward Birth Control?

The purpose of marriage is the rearing of children. Jehovah's Witnesses regard birth control as an entirely personal matter.

 

Do Jehovah's Witnesses Practice Abortion?

No. According to God's law, given through Moses, the human embryo or fetus is considered as a life, and anyone causing a miscarriage or abortion was to be put to death (Exodus 21:22, 23 ).

Jehovah's Witnesses believe that God's Word thus condemns abortion, and it is viewed as taking away life, directly contrary to the Bible's teaching on the sacredness of human life.

 

Why Do Witnesses Refuse Blood Transfusions?

Leviticus 17:10 says: "Whatsoever man . . . eateth any manner of blood; I will . . . cut him off from among his people." And Acts 15:20: "Abstain from . . . things strangled, and from blood." This is explicit.

Jehovah's Witnesses see no difference between being fed blood through the mouth or nose or intravenously. In emergencies, blood substitutes may be used. The Witnesses would risk "temporary" death rather than accept a blood We do not condemn medical practice; there are many physicians and dentists among Jehovah's Witnesses.

Some people defend transfusions because they save lives and refer to Jesus as the greatest example of giving a blood transfusion. This is shallow reasoning: Christ Jesus' blood was not drained off and preserved. What little of his blood was literally shed, fell to the ground. None of his blood was used to put into the veins of someone else.

 

Why Do Witnesses Enter People's Homes to Try to Convert Them?

Jehovah's Witnesses preach at the homes of the people because Christ Jesus did and they are to take him as their example and follow in his footsteps. Paul said that he taught "publicly and from house to house."

We believe we have the most urgent message of all time and should follow the example in the Bible and take it to peoples homes.

 

Do Jehovah's Witnesses Consider Homosexuality a Sin?

Although governments may legalize homosexuality between consenting adults, this is not the criterion for establishing whether homosexuality is right or wrong.

The Creator of men gives the answer that can be relied upon as accurate and true: God's Word (Leviticus 18:22) plainly says: "And you must not lie down with a male the same as you lie clown with a woman. It is a detestable thing."

Under the law of Moses such an act was punishable by death. The law of Christ, as found in the writings of the Christian Greek Scriptures, is just as explicit. I Corinthians 6:9, 10 says this: "Do not be misled. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men kept for unnatural purposes, nor men who lie with men . . . will inherit God's kingdom."

Romans (1:26, 27, 32) shows that in God's sight those who practice Lesbianism or sodomy are deserving of death.

No homosexuals are permitted to be members of the congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses.

Why Do Witnesses Distribute Literature on Street Corners?

Many people cannot be reached at their residences. Jehovah's Witnesses believe they must preach to people around the world before this generation passes away, and they use all possible ways of doing it. Preaching in the streets is one way. The apostle Paul preached in the marketplaces. Jesus taught on the streets of the people. Hence this method has its foundation in the Bible.

 

Why Are Witnesses Persecuted?

The Bible says, "All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution"-II Timothy 3:12. Jehovah's Witnesses believe their work is of God. They know their real persecutor is the Devil. They have been arrested, beaten, and jailed in many countries, including communist countries where they are banned.

 

Do Jehovah's Witnesses Believe Theirs Is the Only True Faith?

Certainly. If they thought someone else had the true faith, they would preach that. There is only "one faith," said Paul.

Jehovah's Witnesses do not believe that there is more than one way to gain salvation or that the majority of people will meet the strict requirements of true faith. Jesus showed that only a minority would be right: "Narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it"

 

How Are Jehovah's Witnesses Governed?

All of Jehovah's Witnesses govern their activities in accord with God's Word, the Bible, and thus look to Jehovah God to guide them. They recognize and submit themselves to the Lord Jesus Christ, and no man, as the one whom Jehovah has appointed to be Head of the congregation.

A governing body made up of ten ordained ministers oversees our preaching and teaching activity.

On legal matters, Jehovah's Witnesses use the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, a nonprofit religious corporation, and similar corporations, worldwide, as agencies in their preaching-and for publishing Bibles and religious periodicals.