General Tips Jehovah’s Witnesses

Witnessing to Jehovah’s Witnesses (JWs) requires sensitivity, preparation, and a clear understanding of their beliefs, which differ significantly from biblical Christianity. JWs are devoted to their faith, often spending hours in door-to-door ministry, and they are trained to defend their doctrine. This article provides practical tips for Christians sharing the gospel with Jehovah’s Witnesses, along with key differences between JW teachings and biblical Christianity.

Tips for Witnessing to Jehovah’s Witnesses

Show Genuine Love and Respect

Build trust by demonstrating kindness and respect for JWs as individuals. Avoid confrontational or argumentative tones, as these can reinforce their training to disengage from perceived opposition. Share your personal testimony of faith in Christ, emphasizing the hope and assurance you have in Him, to create a relational foundation for dialogue.

Understand Their Terminology

JWs use Christian terms like “God,” “Jesus,” and “salvation,” but with distinct meanings. For example, “salvation” to a JW involves surviving Armageddon through faithfulness to the Watchtower organization, not justification by faith alone. Clarify definitions gently during conversations to ensure mutual understanding and focus on biblical truths.

Use Their Bible Translation Strategically

JWs rely on the New World Translation (NWT), which is tailored to support Watchtower doctrine (e.g., John 1:1 renders Jesus as “a god”). While you may prefer other translations, using the NWT can help avoid debates about textual reliability. Highlight passages like Titus 2:13 (calling Jesus “our great God and Savior”) or Hebrews 1:8 (God addressing the Son as God) in their own translation to spark discussion.

Ask Thought-Provoking Questions

Encourage JWs to reflect on their beliefs by asking questions like, “How do you know the Watchtower is God’s sole channel of truth?” or “What does John 5:23 mean when it says to honor the Son just as we honor the Father?” Questions challenge their assumptions without triggering defensiveness, opening doors to explore biblical perspectives.

Emphasize the Deity of Christ

A core difference is the JW view of Jesus as a created being, not God. Share scriptures that affirm Christ’s divinity, such as John 1:1–3, Colossians 2:9, or Isaiah 9:6 (where the Messiah is called “Mighty God”). Explain how trusting in Jesus as fully God and Savior is central to salvation, contrasting this with the JW reliance on works and organizational loyalty.

Be Prepared for Watchtower Responses

JWs are trained to counter common Christian arguments using Watchtower publications. Study their key texts, like Should You Believe in the Trinity?, to anticipate their objections. Respond calmly with scripture, focusing on the context of passages they cite (e.g., John 14:28, where Jesus’ functional subordination does not negate His divine nature). Resources like the Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry (CARM) can help you prepare.

Pray for Wisdom and Perseverance

Witnessing to JWs often involves multiple conversations, as their commitment to the Watchtower is deeply ingrained. Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide your words and soften their hearts. Be patient, recognizing that leaving the Jehovah’s Witnesses organization can involve significant personal and social costs for them.

Key Differences Between Jehovah’s Witnesses and Biblical Christianity

Understanding theological differences is essential for effective witnessing. Below are major distinctions between JW beliefs and biblical Christianity:

The Nature of God  

Jehovah’s Witnesses: Believe in one God, Jehovah, who is a singular person, rejecting the Trinity as a pagan doctrine. The Holy Spirit is God’s “active force,” not a person, and Jesus is a created being, the archangel Michael (What Does the Bible Really Teach?, ch. 4).  

Biblical Christianity: Affirms one God in three coequal, coeternal persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14). Jesus is fully God and fully man (John 1:1, 14; Colossians 2:9), and the Holy Spirit is a divine person (Acts 5:3–4).

The Person of Jesus Christ  

Jehovah’s Witnesses: Teach that Jesus is the first creation of Jehovah, a lesser “god” (John 1:1, NWT) who became human and returned to heaven as a spirit creature. His death provides a ransom but requires works for salvation (Reasoning from the Scriptures, p. 199–200).  

Biblical Christianity: Teaches that Jesus is the eternal Son of God, uncreated and equal with the Father (John 8:58; Philippians 2:6). His atoning death fully satisfies God’s justice, granting salvation to those who trust in Him alone (Romans 5:1; Hebrews 10:14).

Scripture and Authority  

Jehovah’s Witnesses: View the New World Translation as the most accurate Bible, but ultimate authority lies with the Watchtower Society’s Governing Body, which interprets scripture and provides “new light” (Watchtower, Feb. 15, 2017, p. 26). Disagreement with the organization is equated with rejecting God.  

Biblical Christianity: Holds the Bible (Old and New Testaments) as the sole inspired, infallible Word of God, sufficient for all matters of faith (2 Timothy 3:16–17; Psalm 119:160). No human organization supersedes scripture’s authority.

Salvation  

Jehovah’s Witnesses: Believe salvation is earned through faith, obedience to the Watchtower organization, and good works, with only 144,000 “anointed” JWs going to heaven while others live on a paradise earth (What Does the Bible Really Teach?, ch. 7). Salvation can be lost through disobedience or leaving the organization.  

Biblical Christianity: Teaches salvation by grace through faith alone, apart from works (Ephesians 2:8–9; Romans 3:28). All believers are assured eternal life with Christ in heaven (John 10:28; Philippians 3:20–21), with no distinction between classes of saved people.

The Afterlife  

Jehovah’s Witnesses: Teach that the dead are unconscious until the resurrection. The 144,000 rule in heaven, while faithful JWs live forever on earth after Armageddon. Non-believers and apostates face annihilation, not eternal punishment (Insight on the Scriptures, vol. 2, p. 792).  

Biblical Christianity: Affirms that believers enter God’s presence at death (2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23), while unbelievers face eternal, conscious separation from God (Matthew 25:46; Revelation 20:15). The new heaven and new earth are for all believers (Revelation 21:1–4).

Final Encouragement

Witnessing to Jehovah’s Witnesses is a challenging but rewarding opportunity to share the gospel of grace. By approaching conversations with love, scripture, and patience, Christians can point JWs to the true Jesus Christ, who offers salvation freely. Trust the Holy Spirit to work through your efforts, knowing that even small seeds of truth can make a lasting impact.