Jehovah’s Witnesses & Jesus Christ. What do the Jehovah’s Witnesses believe about Jesus? Is He really Michael the archangel?
My wife did a short quiz the other day. One question went something like: “Which Christian denomination….?” Among the selected “Christian denominations” was the Jehovah’s Witnesses group. Now I’m sure that some people who read this will immediately get their hackles up because of my quotation marks. They’ll guess where I’m going with this.
The Jehovah’s Witnesses aren’t a Christian denomination. They are a cult which denies the Trinity and the relationship between Christ and the father. They deny that Christ is God. The Jehovah’s Witnesses Jesus is Michael the Archangel – a created being.
We have regular door-knocks by the JWs at our house. They usually come in pairs. The calls are so frequent that I printed out material to hand to them when they offer me theirs. This has made for some interesting conversations. I tell them that I’m already a Christian. The general response I receive is that they are as well. So I ask them if they believe that Jesus is the Son of God; that He is God and that He died for our sins. On at least two occasions the JW representative agreed. On one occasion, I contradicted the JW by noting the JWs teach that Jesus is Michael. This was quickly confirmed by her partner.
While some JW door-knockers may come across as vague, others are well versed. They can easily trip the average Christian up. The following piece comes from a Jehovah’s Witnesses information page:
Is Jesus Almighty God?
The Bible’s answer
Jesus’ opposers accused him of making himself equal to God. (John 5:18; 10:30-33) However, Jesus never claimed to be on the same level as Almighty God. He said: “The Father is greater than I am.” – John 14:28.
Jesus’ early followers did not view him as being equal to Almighty God. For example, the apostle Paul wrote that after Jesus was resurrected, God “exalted him [Jesus] to a superior position.” Obviously, Paul did not believe that Jesus was Almighty God. Otherwise, how could God exalt Jesus to a superior position? – Philippians 2:9.
Take a look at the last point first. Notice that it only quotes one verse from Philippians 2. Here is the full context:
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phil 2:5-11
Jesus was in the form of God. Christ wasn’t a god (as the JWs insist in their New World Translation) – He was equal to God. This cannot be said of any of the angels.
On the first point – Jesus’ critics accused Him of claiming to be God because that is what He did. Cults are prone to overlook Christ’s self-identification in John 8:56-59. Yet the Pharisees didn’t miss the point of Jesus’ statement:
“Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.” Then the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.
And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, `I AM has sent me to you.'” Exodus 3:14
“I am who I am” – Jesus claimed not only to be eternal but also to be the God who appeared to Moses at the burning bush. This is why the Pharisees proceeded to stone Him.
Much more needs to be said. But it cannot be covered in a single article here. However, there are many resources which can equip Christians defend the True Gospel when cults knock at their doors. The JW’s deny that Jesus is God. But only God can forgive sin. Hence, they are not a Christian denomination.
Here are a few great information sites:
Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Deity of Christ
Always Be Ready – Jehovah’s Witnesses
Jesus is Jehovah! [Yahweh]
See also our article on The Doctrine of the Trinity
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