Revised October 12, 2022

Jehovah’s Witnesses (JW’s) have historically been best known for their public and door-to-door witnessing, distributing literature such as The Watchtower and Awake! magazines. But how could Jehovah’s Witnesses be reasoned with about Biblical beliefs?

First, you will not be able to prove JW’s wrong on such things as:

• Trinity
• Hell
• Immortal Soul
• Birthdays
• Christmas
• Political Involvement
• War/Fighting for Country

JW’s are taught that these are some primary reasons they’re the only true Christians. JW’s are very well trained on these subjects and armed with scriptures. The scriptures actually do support their positions on the above issues, except for birthdays.

Second, you can easily prove JW’s wrong on:

1. The Cross

“They nailed him to the stake.” (John 19:18 NWT)

“They crucified him”—John 19:18 NIV

“This Jesus whom you executed on a stake.” (Acts 2:36 NWT). In other words, a pole.

“This Jesus whom you crucified”—Acts 2:36 NIV

The point that the New Testament emphasizes is that “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3,4 NIV).

JW’s believe that Jesus was killed on a stake, not a cross. Historical and archaeological evidence, however, is not clear cut. The Greek word “stauros” basically means stake or pole. However, we do know from history that the Romans did, in fact, execute people on both crosses and stakes. JW’s believe that Christians should not use crosses for any purpose, since crosses have been used in idolatrous worship from ancient times. Crosses definitely should not be used for idolatrous purposes, such as worshipping them, and should not be used as good-luck charms. There is no evidence in the New Testament that early Christians made or displayed crosses. Christians should follow the counsel to: “Keep yourselves from idols” (1 John 5:21 NIV).

Problem  – There are lots of scriptures that indicate poles were also worshipped, however, such as:

“They abandoned the Temple of Yahweh, God of their ancestors, for the worship of sacred poles and idols.” (2 Chronicles 24:18 NJB). JW’s seem to be unaware that poles are strongly linked to idolatrous worship in the Bible.

2. Predictions of the End of the World

JW’s have made many failed predictions – most notably 1914, 1925, 1975, and other dates.

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. ” (Matthew 24:36 NIV) JW’s have claimed to know what Jesus doesn’t know.

“So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” (Matthew 24:44) No Christian individually, or collectively, will be able to figure out the end time. Jesus said that each Christian “must be ready” for the end AT ALL TIMES!.

“Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name claiming… ‘the time is near.’ Do not follow them.” (Luke 21:8) Avoid those who claim to know the timing of the end time, such as “the time is near”.

All of their predictions of the end have proven false. JW’s are indoctrinated to believe that their 1914 predictions were accurate – but they were false.

3. False Prophets

“Watch out for false prophets. They will come to you in sheep’s clothing.” (Matthew 7:15 NIV)

“Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord did we not prophesy in your name?'” (Matthew 7:22 NIV)

“Many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.” (Matthew 24:11 NIV)

“At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it.” (Matthew 24:23 NIV)

JW’s fit the description of “false prophet(s).”

Why? The principle expressed at Deuteronomy 18:22 tells us: “When the prophet speaks in the name of Jehovah and the word is not fulfilled or does not come true, then Jehovah did not speak that word. The prophet spoke it presumptuously. You should not fear him.” (NWT) Since all of their predictions of the end have proven false, they are false prophets . Even if only one prediction was false, they still would be ‘false prophets’, according to the scriptures.

JW’s deny they are/have been false prophets. This was predicted in the Bible also:

“On that day every prophet will be ashamed of their prophetic vision… Each will say, ‘I am not a prophet.'” (Zechariah 13:4-5 NIV) This describes JW’s. They denied that they weren’t predicting the end, and have whitewashed their history to sweep away most of the dirt of their false predictions.

4. The Faithful and Wise Servant (Matthew 24:45)

“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? ” (Matthew 24:45 NIV)

JW’s claim that their leaders fulfill this “prophecy.” However, it is actually a parable, encouraging each Christian to be faithful and wise at all times. JW’s claim their leaders have fulfilled this by giving out spiritual “food at the proper time.” As you can see from their many failed predictions alone, this could not be the case.

Additionally, they have changed what they claim the Bible said many times, including what is supposedly right or wrong. They have changed their view on exactly who this “faithful and wise servant” is, and when he (or the “class”) was appointed by Jesus to serve as such. Their claims of divine guidance fall flat when we consider:

“God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind.” (Numbers 23:19 NIV). God does not make mistakes, or provide tainted spiritual food.

5. Many Unwritten Rules

“Not that we lord it over your faith.” (2 Corinthians 1:24 NIV)

Yet this is exactly what JW’s do. They makes lots rules, despite the scriptural counsel to the contrary:

“You should learn from us to not go beyond what is written in Scripture”—1 Corinthians 4:6 GWT

One notable example is that for most of the 20th century, and until the winter of 2023/24, JW men who grew beards were treated with suspicion and contempt. In most cases, men who want to become baptized JW’s were told they must shave their beard first, because having a beard would “stumble” people, according to the JW viewpoint. Of course, the Bible has no such requirement.

6. Lack of Love

“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (Jn 13:35 NIV) Although JW’s claim to be outstanding in this regard, especially since they don’t support wars in any way, the facts show this is not entirely the case. JW’s treatment of their own members who do not follow their rules is harsh. They practice a strict form of shunning former members who have been “disfellowshipped,” or excommunicated, even family members, and those who simply disagree with some of the things JW’s uniquely believe are disfellowshipped.

With these topics in mind, one can more effectively witness to Jehovah’s Witnesses, hopefully opening their minds to a better understanding of the Bible.

NWT – New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, revised 2013. This is the JW Bible. Despite what you’ve heard, it is fairly accurate. It’s nicknamed by JW’s as the “Silver Bullet.”

NIV – New International Version Bible, revised 2011.

NJB – New Jerusalem Bible, revised 1998.