What Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Believe About Jesus?

Understanding What Jehovah’s Witnesses Believe About Jesus Christ

So, Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Actually Believe in Jesus?

Absolutely, yes! A core conviction for Jehovah’s Witnesses is their belief in Jesus Christ. They identify themselves as Christians, and faith in Jesus is fundamental to their worship and understanding of God’s purpose.² They see Jesus as indispensable for a relationship with God.

Jehovah’s Witnesses acknowledge several key roles that Jesus fulfills:

• His Origin: They believe Jesus existed in heaven before coming to earth.¹
• His Sacrifice: They firmly believe he gave his perfect human life as a ransom sacrifice. This act is seen as essential for saving humankind from the sin and death inherited from the first man, Adam.¹ This ransom wasn’t just a symbolic act; it was a necessary payment to satisfy divine justice.⁸
• Path to Everlasting Life: His death and subsequent resurrection by God make it possible for individuals who exercise faith in him to gain everlasting life.²
• Reigning King: They teach that Jesus is currently ruling as the King of God’s heavenly Kingdom, a real government that they believe will soon intervene in world affairs to bring peace and restore paradise conditions to the earth.¹
• Example and Teacher: They look to Jesus as the perfect model to follow in life, striving to adhere to his teachings and imitate his example of love and obedience to God.²

It is noteworthy that while Jehovah’s Witnesses strongly affirm their belief in Jesus and consider themselves Christians, they often immediately follow this affirmation by clarifying their distinct understanding of who Jesus is in relation to Almighty God.² This pattern of affirming shared ground before highlighting specific doctrinal differences is common in their explanations. Understanding this helps grasp how they present their faith, starting with the essential role of Jesus before delving into the particulars of their Christology. They emphasize that while Jesus holds a significant position as the mediator between God and humanity, their prayers are directed exclusively to Jehovah, the Father. This distinction plays a crucial role in the Jehovah’s Witnesses view on prayer, as it underscores their belief in the proper channeling of worship and communication with God. By maintaining this focus, they aim to uphold what they see as the truest form of worship in alignment with biblical teachings. This approach mirrors their stance on other subjects, such as health and medical treatments, where they often articulate shared values before addressing their unique perspectives. For instance, when discussing jehovah’s witnesses and vaccination beliefs, they typically emphasize the importance of personal conscience and faith in God’s guidance. This careful navigation of doctrine allows them to maintain their identity while engaging in broader conversations about contemporary issues.

Who Do They Believe Jesus Is? Is He God?

This question touches the heart of the distinction between Jehovah’s Witness beliefs and those of mainstream Christianity. Jehovah’s Witnesses teach clearly that Jesus Christ is the Son of God crucially, they believe he is not Almighty God, whom they identify exclusively by the name Jehovah.² In their view, Jesus is a distinct, separate being created by God and subordinate to Him.¹³

Rejection of the Trinity:

A foundational aspect of their belief system is the firm rejection of the doctrine of the Trinity.² They consider the teaching of one God existing as three co-equal persons (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) to be unscriptural, believing it originated not from the Bible but from pagan philosophies that influenced Christianity after the time of the apostles.¹³ They argue that the word “Trinity” itself does not appear in the Bible.¹⁶ they contend that the concept is illogical and confusing, citing 1 Corinthians 14:33 (“God is not a God of confusion”) to suggest that such an incomprehensible doctrine cannot be from God.¹⁶ Their literature sometimes employs caricatures, like questioning a “three-headed god,” to argue against the doctrine’s plausibility.¹⁵ They believe the Bible teaches strict monotheism – that God is one single person, Jehovah.²

Jesus as God’s First Creation:

Central to their understanding of Jesus is the belief that he was God’s very first creation – the beginning of God’s creative works.¹ They point to titles like “the firstborn of all creation” (Colossians 1:15) as evidence.⁶ For Jehovah’s Witnesses, “firstborn” (prototokos in Greek) primarily signifies the first being brought into existence by God, the starting point of all creation.¹⁹ This interpretation contrasts with views that emphasize “firstborn” as a title of preeminence or rank, like David being called “firstborn” in Psalm 89:27 despite being the youngest son.²² Their understanding that Jesus was created is foundational; therefore, scriptures like Colossians 1:15 must, in their view, refer to him being the first creature. They address the argument that if Jesus created “all things” (Colossians 1:16), he couldn’t be created himself by interpreting “all things” to mean “all other things,” a reading reflected in their New World Translation (NWT).¹⁹

Unique Status as Son and Word:

Jesus is also called God’s “only-begotten Son” (John 3:16), which they interpret to mean he is the only being directly created by Jehovah God alone. All other things, including angels and the physical universe, were subsequently created by God through Jesus, who acted as God’s agent or “master worker”.¹ He is also identified as “the Word” (Greek: Logos) from John 1:1. This title is understood to describe his crucial role as God’s chief Spokesman, communicating God’s will and messages to others, both before coming to earth and during his ministry.¹

Interpreting John 1:1 – “The Word was a god”:

Perhaps the most well-known distinction is their translation and interpretation of the final clause of John 1:1. The New World Translation (NWT), the Bible version primarily used by Jehovah’s Witnesses, renders this verse: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god”.²⁶ The use of the lowercase “a god” is deliberate and based on specific reasoning 24:

• They argue that in the original Greek, the word for God (theos) in the final clause lacks the definite article (“the”), whereas it does have the definite article earlier in the verse when referring to Almighty God (“the Word was with God“). They believe this grammatical distinction signifies that Jesus (the Word) possesses divine qualities – he is godlike or a mighty one – but is not the one Almighty God.²⁶
• They support this by pointing out that the Bible uses the term “god” (or its Hebrew equivalents ‘el and ‘elohim) for beings other than Almighty God, such as angels or even powerful humans (Psalm 82:6; John 10:34).²⁶ They also note that the Messianic prophecy in Isaiah 9:6 calls the coming ruler “Mighty God” (Hebrew: ‘El Gibbohr) but not “Almighty God” (Hebrew: ‘El Shaddai).¹⁵
• They also cite early Sahidic Coptic translations of the Bible (dating from the 3rd century CE, before the doctrine of the Trinity was formally defined) which used an indefinite article before “god” in John 1:1, suggesting an early understanding consistent with their view.³¹

This interpretation of John 1:1, along with the insertion of “other” in Colossians 1:16-17 in the NWT 19, is central to their Christology. It aligns perfectly with their foundational rejection of the Trinity and their belief that Jesus is a created being subordinate to Jehovah. Critics often view these translation choices as being driven by pre-existing theological commitments rather than solely by linguistic necessity.¹³ But Jehovah’s Witnesses maintain that their renderings are grammatically sound and contextually accurate based on their understanding of the Scriptures.¹⁹

The following table provides a simplified comparison of key points:

Did Jehovah’s Witnesses Believe Jesus Lived Before Coming to Earth?

Yes, unequivocally. The belief in Jesus’ pre-human existence is a cornerstone of Jehovah’s Witness theology.¹ They teach that his life did not begin in Bethlehem; rather, he existed for an immense period before his human birth.²â°

His Nature Before Earth:

Before coming to earth, Jesus existed in heaven as a powerful spirit creature.¹ He was known as “the Word” (Logos), signifying his role as God’s primary communicator.²⁶ Crucially, they identify him as God’s very first creation, the absolute beginning of Jehovah’s creative activity.¹ They cite scriptures like Micah 5:2 (“whose origin is from early times, from the days of time indefinite”) and Jesus’ own statements about having “come down from heaven” (John 6:38) as proof of this ancient origin.⁶

His Role in Creation:

As God’s first creation and “master worker” (applying Proverbs 8:22, 30 to Jesus), he collaborated closely with Jehovah in the creation of everything else.¹ All other things – the vast angelic host, the physical universe, the earth, and all life upon it – were brought into existence by Jehovah through the agency of his Son.¹⁸ While Jesus was the agent or instrumentality, the creative power itself originated from Jehovah God, acting through His holy spirit (active force).¹⁷

His Relationship with the Father:

During these eons before the creation of the earth, Jesus enjoyed an unparalleled, intimate relationship with his Father, Jehovah. They shared deep love and association for billions of years.⁶ Jesus learned his Father’s qualities and personality so perfectly that he is called “the image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15).⁶ This pre-human existence as the first creation is fundamental to the JW understanding of Jesus’ subordination. He exists because of the Father; his life originates from Jehovah.¹⁷ His role as the agent through whom God created further solidifies his distinction from the ultimate, uncreated Source of all.

His Arrival on Earth:

How did this powerful spirit creature become a human? Jehovah’s Witnesses believe God performed a miracle: He transferred the life-force of his firstborn Son from heaven into the womb of a young Jewish virgin named Mary, through the power of His holy spirit.¹ Consequently, Jesus was born as a perfect human, without an earthly father and free from the sin inherited from Adam.¹

What is Jesus’ Role as Savior and Messiah in Their View?

Jesus holds multiple vital roles in the beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses, central among them being the Messiah and Savior.

The Messiah/Christ:

They fully accept Jesus as the promised Messiah (the Hebrew term) or Christ (the Greek equivalent) – the one specially chosen and anointed by God to fulfill His purposes.⁶ They teach that Jesus officially became the Messiah at the moment of his baptism by John, when God anointed him with holy spirit and declared, “This is my Son”.⁶

The Ransom Sacrifice (Savior Role):

This concept is paramount in their understanding of salvation.¹ They believe Jesus’ primary mission in coming to earth was to offer his perfect human life as a “ransom”.³

Why the Ransom Was Necessary:

When the first man, Adam, disobeyed God, he sinned. As a result, he lost his perfection and the prospect of everlasting life, and he passed down this inherited sin and its consequence, death, to all his descendants – all of humankind.¹ Thus, humanity was in bondage to sin and death and needed rescuing.¹

How the Ransom Works:

According to their understanding, divine justice required a balancing price – a perfect human life to correspond exactly to the perfect human life Adam had forfeited. No imperfect descendant of Adam could pay this price.¹ Jesus was born perfect because his life came from heaven and he did not inherit sin from a human father.¹ Therefore, he alone was qualified to offer his perfect, sinless life. By willingly dying, he provided the necessary sacrifice to pay the penalty for the sins of others, specifically for all obedient mankind who exercise faith.¹ This concept of a corresponding price—a perfect human for a perfect human—is key to their view and reinforces why they believe Jesus had to be fully human (and not Almighty God) during his sacrifice. If Jesus were God, the equivalence needed for the ransom, as they understand it, would not exist.¹⁶

The Motivation: This sacrificial act is seen as the ultimate expression of Jehovah’s immense love for humanity and also demonstrated Jesus’ own powerful love and perfect obedience to his Father’s will.¹

The Result:

The ransom sacrifice makes deliverance from sin and death possible.² It opens the door for those who exercise faith in Jesus, repent of their sins, and get baptized to receive forgiveness and the hope of everlasting life, primarily in a restored paradise on earth.¹

Teacher and Example:

Beyond the ransom, Jesus also came to reveal the truth about his Father, Jehovah, and to set the perfect example for humans to follow in living according to God’s will.¹ His teachings, particularly those found in the Sermon on the Mount, emphasize love for God and neighbor as the key to living a fulfilling life.¹¹

King of God’s Kingdom:

Following his death and resurrection, Jesus ascended to heaven and was eventually enthroned by Jehovah as the King of God’s heavenly Kingdom.¹ Jehovah’s Witnesses have a specific belief that this enthronement occurred invisibly in the year 1914.² They believe that Jesus, as reigning King, will soon exercise his authority to eliminate wickedness and suffering from the earth and usher in a global paradise where obedient humans will live forever.¹

Other Important Roles:

The Bible assigns other major roles to Jesus, which Jehovah’s Witnesses acknowledge:

• High Priest: He acts as a compassionate High Priest who can “sympathize with our weaknesses” and applies the benefits of his ransom sacrifice to forgive the sins of believers.⁸
• Head of the Congregation: He actively leads and directs the Christian congregation today through God’s holy spirit and appointed elders.⁸
• Mediator: He serves as the “one mediator between God and men” (1 Timothy 2:5), specifically the Mediator of the New Covenant.⁹
• Leader and Commander: Jehovah appointed him as a “leader and commander to the nations” (Isaiah 55:4).⁸
• “Amen”: He is the guarantee that all of God’s promises will be fulfilled.¹⁸

How Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Understand Jesus’ Death – Stake or Cross?

Jehovah’s Witnesses hold a distinct view regarding the instrument of Jesus’ execution. They firmly believe that he died, not on a traditional cross with a crossbeam on a simple upright stake or pole.³⁸

Arguments from Greek Terminology:

Their belief is significantly based on the meaning of the Greek words used in the New Testament:

Staurosʹ:

This is the primary Greek word used in the Gospels to refer to the implement on which Jesus died (Matthew 27:40; John 19:17). While commonly translated as “cross,” Jehovah’s Witnesses emphasize that in classical Greek and the Koine Greek of the New Testament era, the fundamental meaning of staurosʹ was simply an upright stake, pole, pale, or timber.³â¹ They cite various lexicons and Bible dictionaries stating that staurosʹ did not necessarily or originally mean two pieces of timber joined together.³â¹ For instance, A Critical Lexicon and Concordance to the English and Greek New Testament is quoted as saying staurosʹ “never means two pieces of wood joining each other at any angle”.⁴⁰

Xyʹlon:

The Bible writers also used the Greek word xyʹlon interchangeably with staurosʹ in reference to Jesus’ execution device (Acts 5:30; 10:39; 13:29; Galatians 3:13; 1 Peter 2:24).³â¹ The basic meaning of xyʹlon is “wood,” “timber,” “tree,” or “stake”.⁴⁰ They point out that when the Apostle Paul quoted Deuteronomy 21:22, 23 (“something accursed of God is the one hung up” on a “stake” or “tree”), he used the word xyʹlon (Galatians 3:13).³â¹ This usage, they argue, further supports the idea of a single beam of wood rather than a two-beamed cross. The Companion Bible is cited concluding, “There is nothing in the Greek of the New Testament even to imply two pieces of timber”.⁴⁰

They also point to historical evidence suggesting that impalement on a simple stake, known in Latin as a crux simplex, was a method of execution employed by the Romans.⁴⁰ Some historical sources, like Hermann Fulda’s The Cross and Crucifixion, are referenced as supporting the idea that Jesus died on a simple stake, citing customary usage in the Orient at the time.³â¹

Rejection of the Cross Symbol:

Based on their understanding of Jesus dying on a stake, Jehovah’s Witnesses do not use the cross symbol in their worship.⁵ Their reasons include:

• Historical Inaccuracy: They believe the cross symbol does not accurately represent the instrument of Jesus’ death.
• Pagan Origins: They teach that the cross symbol was used in pagan worship long before Christianity and was only adopted by what they consider apostate Christianity centuries after Christ’s death, when the church deviated from original teachings.⁴⁰
• Avoiding Idolatry: They believe the Bible strongly warns against using any images or symbols in worship (1 Corinthians 10:14; 1 John 5:21). Venerating the instrument of execution, whether cross or stake, would constitute idolatry.³⁸ They emphasize that the focus should be on the meaning of Jesus’ sacrifice, not the physical object.³â¹
• True Identifying Mark: Jesus himself stated that self-sacrificing love, not any physical symbol, would be the identifying mark of his true followers (John 13:34, 35).³⁸

This insistence on the stake over the cross serves not just as an interpretive point but also functions as a clear visual and theological boundary. It distinguishes Jehovah’s Witnesses from mainstream Christian denominations and underscores their claim to practice a form of Christianity free from traditions they view as unscriptural or pagan-influenced.² The stake, in their view, represents adherence to biblical accuracy over later tradition.

What Do They Teach About Jesus’ Resurrection?

The resurrection of Jesus is a vital belief for Jehovah’s Witnesses, confirming his Messiahship and providing the basis for hope.⁴² But their understanding of the nature of his resurrection differs significantly from traditional views.

Core Belief: Resurrection as a Spirit:

Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that when God resurrected Jesus, He did not bring him back to life in the physical, human body that had died on the stake. Instead, Jesus “was put to death in the flesh but made alive resurrected in the spirit” (1 Peter 3:18).¹ They believe he was raised as a glorious, immortal spirit creature, regaining a heavenly existence.²

Why Not a Physical Resurrection?

Their reasoning is closely tied to their understanding of the ransom sacrifice:

• Jesus stated he would give his “flesh in behalf of the life of the world” (John 6:51).⁴⁴
• His sacrifice of his perfect human body and blood was made “once for all time” (Hebrews 9:11, 12).⁴⁴
• They argue that if Jesus had taken back his physical body upon resurrection, he would have effectively cancelled or invalidated the ransom sacrifice. The price paid (his perfect human life) would have been taken back, leaving humanity still under the penalty of sin and death.⁴⁴ Therefore, the physical body was permanently relinquished.

Explaining Post-Resurrection Appearances:

How, then, do they account for the Gospel accounts where the resurrected Jesus appeared to his disciples in physical form, could be touched, and even ate with them? They explain these appearances as temporary materializations.⁴⁴

Angelic Precedent:

They point to Old Testament accounts where angels (who are spirit creatures) took on human form to interact with humans, sometimes eating and drinking with them, before dematerializing (Genesis 18:1-8; 19:1-3; Judges 13:15-21).⁴⁴ They believe Jesus, as a resurrected spirit, did likewise.

Temporary and Varied Forms:

These materialized bodies were temporary tools for interacting with his disciples. They were not necessarily identical each time, which explains why his followers sometimes failed to recognize him immediately, only identifying him through his words or actions (Luke 24:13-16, 30-31, 35; John 20:14-16; 21:4, 6-7).⁴⁴

• Supernatural Abilities: His ability to appear suddenly inside locked rooms (John 20:19, 26) or vanish instantly (Luke 24:31) is seen as evidence of his non-physical, spirit nature.⁴⁴
• Appearance to Thomas: When Jesus appeared to Thomas and invited him to touch his wounds (John 20:24-29), they believe he materialized a body with those specific features precisely to overcome Thomas’s doubt and strengthen his faith.⁴⁴

Significance of the Resurrection:

For Jehovah’s Witnesses, Jesus’ resurrection was a unique and paramount miracle, far surpassing earlier resurrections (like Lazarus) where individuals were restored to physical life only to die again later.⁴² Jesus was raised with an incorruptible, immortal spirit body.⁴² This event confirmed his status as the Son of God and Messiah, validated his sacrifice, and guarantees the hope of a future resurrection for faithful humans.⁴² It also marked the beginning of his exaltation to God’s right hand, eventually leading to his kingship.¹

This view of a spiritual resurrection fits coherently within their broader theological framework. It upholds their understanding of the ransom (the physical body remains sacrificed) and aligns with their belief that Jesus is not Almighty God but a being who transitioned from spirit existence to human existence and back to glorified spirit existence.⁴⁴

Is it True They Believe Jesus is Michael the Archangel?

Yes, this is a specific and well-known teaching of Jehovah’s Witnesses. They believe that Michael the Archangel is, in fact, another name for Jesus Christ.⁴⁷ This identity applies specifically to Jesus’ existence before he came to earth as a human and after his resurrection and return to heaven.⁴⁷ They do not believe Jesus was merely an angel rather the Archangel, the chief of all angels, God’s first spirit creation.¹³

Scriptural Arguments Used:

Their conclusion is based on connecting several lines of scriptural evidence:

The Title “Archangel”:

The term “archangel” appears only twice in the Bible (Jude 9 referring to Michael; 1 Thessalonians 4:16 referring to the Lord’s descent). It is always used in the singular, never plural, implying there is only one chief angel.⁴⁷ Since 1 Thessalonians 4:16 states that the resurrected Lord Jesus will descend “with a commanding call, with an archangel’s voice,” they reason that Jesus possesses this voice because he is the Archangel, Michael.⁴⁷

Commander of Angelic Armies:

Revelation 12:7 explicitly states, “Michael and his angels battled with the dragon.” This clearly shows Michael commanding a loyal angelic army.⁴⁸ The Bible also describes Jesus as the leader of powerful angelic forces (Revelation 19:11-16; Matthew 16:27; 2 Thessalonians 1:7) and states that after his ascension, “angels and authorities and powers were made subject to him” (1 Peter 3:22).⁴⁸ Jehovah’s Witnesses find it inconsistent for God to appoint two separate supreme commanders over His heavenly forces. Therefore, they conclude that Michael and Jesus must be the same individual fulfilling this role.⁴⁸

Action in the “Time of Distress”:

Daniel 12:1 prophesies that during an unprecedented “time of distress,” “Michael will stand up, the great prince who is standing in behalf of Daniel’s people”.⁴⁷ In Daniel, the phrase “stand up” often signifies a king taking decisive action (e.g., Daniel 11:2-4, 21).⁴⁸ They link this prophetic action of Michael to the role of Jesus Christ, the “King of kings,” who takes action against God’s enemies and protects God’s people during the prophesied “great tribulation” (Matthew 24:21; Revelation 19:11-16).⁴⁷

Meaning of the Name “Michael”:

The name Michael means “Who Is Like God?”.⁴⁷ Jehovah’s Witnesses see this name as fitting for God’s firstborn Son, who acts as the great Champion of Jehovah’s sovereignty, defending God’s name and fighting His enemies, thereby demonstrating that no one can successfully challenge Jehovah.⁴⁷

Biblical Precedent for Multiple Names:

They also note that it’s common in the Bible for individuals to be known by more than one name (e.g., Jacob also called Israel; Simon also called Peter or Cephas).⁴⁹ Thus, it is plausible for God’s Son to have the personal heavenly name Michael in addition to the name Jesus given for his earthly existence.

Theological Implications:

This identification of Jesus with Michael the Archangel firmly places Jesus within their theological structure as the highest of all God’s creations, the chief angelic being distinctly separate from and subordinate to the uncreated Jehovah God.¹⁴ It provides a specific identity for the pre-human Word and the resurrected Christ that aligns with their non-Trinitarian view, positioning him as the pinnacle of creation directly under the Almighty.

What Did Early Christian Writers (Church Fathers) Say About Jesus Being God?

Sometimes understanding why groups believe differently today involves looking back at the stream of history. The beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses about Jesus differ significantly from the doctrines formalized later in church history, particularly the doctrine of the Trinity. Exploring what some of the earliest Christian writers after the apostles, often called the Church Fathers, said about Jesus can provide valuable context for understanding both the development of traditional Christian thought and the perspective from which Jehovah’s Witnesses diverge.

Early Expressions and Formulas:

From very early on, Christian writings and practices linked the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Baptism was performed “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,” as recorded in the Didache (an early church manual, c. 70-120 AD) and mandated by Jesus in Matthew 28:19.⁵⁸ Blessings and greetings also sometimes used triadic formulas, like Paul’s in 2 Corinthians 13:14.⁵⁸ These early formulas show a consciousness of the threeness of God in the life and worship of the early church.⁵⁹

Affirmations of Jesus’ Divinity:

Many influential writers in the second and third centuries explicitly referred to Jesus as God or strongly affirmed his divine nature and eternal existence:

• Ignatius of Antioch (died c. 110 AD): Referred to Jesus as “our God” on multiple occasions in his letters.⁶⁰
• Justin Martyr (c. 100–165 AD): Called Jesus the “Son of the true God himself” and stated that the Logos (Word) is God, though he also spoke of the Son holding a “second place”.²³
• Irenaeus of Lyons (c. 130–202 AD): Wrote of faith in “one Christ Jesus, the Son of God, who became flesh” and asserted that Jesus is “in his own right God and Lord”.⁵⁹
• Tatian the Syrian (wrote c. 170 AD): Boldly declared, “God was born in the form of a man”.²³
• Melito of Sardis (died c. 180 AD): Spoke of Jesus’ miracles revealing the “deity hidden in his flesh” and described him as “Being God and likewise perfect man”.⁶³
• Theophilus of Antioch (wrote c. 181 AD): Is the earliest known writer to use the specific Greek word trias (“Trinity”) to refer to God, his Word (Logos), and his Wisdom (Sophia).⁵⁸
• Clement of Alexandria (c. 150–215 AD): Called the Word (Christ) “truly God” and stated, “He alone is both God and man”.²³
• Tertullian (c. 155–240 AD): Coined the Latin term Trinitas (Trinity) and argued for the unity of substance among three distinct persons (Father, Son, Holy Spirit), defending this view against teachings that blurred the distinctions.⁵⁹
• Hippolytus (c. 170–235 AD): Called Christ “the God over all” and refuted the teaching of Noetus, who claimed the Father suffered on the cross (Patripassianism).⁵⁹
• Origen (c. 185–254 AD): Taught that although Jesus took flesh, “he remained what he was: God.” He wrote about the “eternal generation” of the Son from the Father and the “unity of nature and substance” between them.⁵⁹

Development, Debate, and “Subordinationism”:

Although these affirmations are strong, the precise language used to describe the relationship between the Father and the Son was still developing. Some early writers used expressions that could be interpreted as implying a certain subordination of the Son to the Father, either in origin or rank.²³ This is sometimes referred to by scholars as “subordinationism.”

• For example, the Apologists (like Justin Martyr) sometimes spoke of the Logos being “generated” or “put forth” by the Father before creation, which some later interpreted as implying the Son was not co-eternal.²³ Justin also referred to the Son’s “second place”.²³
• Origen spoke of the Father as the source from which the Son derives what he is, even while affirming their unity of substance.⁵⁹

These early writers were grappling with how to articulate the powerful mystery of Christ’s relationship to God using available philosophical and biblical language, often in response to specific challenges like Gnosticism (which denied Jesus’ humanity or saw the Creator God as evil) or Modalism (which denied the distinctness of the Persons).⁶⁶

Formalization and Divergence:

The differing interpretations and emerging challenges, particularly the teachings of Arius in the early fourth century (who taught that the Son was a created being and “there was a time when he was not”), led to the First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD.⁵⁹ This council formally condemned Arianism and affirmed the Son’s full divinity, declaring him to be “true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial (homoousios – of one substance) with the Father”.⁵⁸ The full divinity and personhood of the Holy Spirit were formally clarified later at the First Council of Constantinople in 381 AD.⁵⁸

The historical journey of articulating these doctrines is viewed differently. Mainstream Christianity generally sees the councils as faithfully clarifying and defending the truth about God revealed in Scripture and present implicitly from the beginning.⁵⁹ Jehovah’s Witnesses, rejecting the Trinity as unscriptural and influenced by paganism 12, may point to the historical debates, the developing language, and the earlier “subordinationist” tendencies as evidence that the Nicene doctrine was a later deviation from the supposedly simpler, original apostolic teaching.²³ This historical background helps frame the context in which Jehovah’s Witnesses understand their own beliefs as a restoration of that earlier, non-Trinitarian understanding of Jesus Christ.

Conclusion: Embracing Understanding

We’ve taken a thoughtful journey together, exploring the specific ways our Jehovah’s Witnesses, view Jesus Christ. It’s clear they hold him in very high regard – as God’s uniquely beloved Son, the promised Messiah, the Savior of mankind through his ransom sacrifice, and the reigning King of God’s heavenly Kingdom.² They strive to follow his teachings and example closely.² Additionally, there are various Christian perspectives on Jehovah’s Witnesses, often highlighting the distinct beliefs that set them apart from mainstream Christianity. Many Christian denominations emphasize the traditional doctrines of the Trinity and the divine nature of Jesus, which differ from the views held by Jehovah’s Witnesses. This divergence in beliefs fosters ongoing discussions about faith, interpretation of scriptures, and the essence of Christian fellowship.

At the same time, we’ve seen that their understanding of Jesus’ fundamental nature and his relationship to Almighty God, Jehovah, differs significantly from the traditional doctrines held by many other Christian denominations.¹³ Key takeaways from their perspective include the beliefs that: Jehovah’s Witness beliefs explained emphasize the importance of God’s name, believing that true worship must be directed to Jehovah alone. They also hold that Jesus is not part of a Trinity but rather the Son of God, who serves a distinct role in God’s purpose and plan for salvation. Additionally, they assert that human life is sacred and must be respected, which is reflected in their stance against blood transfusions. Moreover, Jehovah’s Witnesses place a strong emphasis on the importance of evangelism, actively sharing their beliefs with others as part of their duty to fulfill God’s commission. This dedication to spreading their message is a critical aspect of their faith, as highlighted in a Jehovah’s Witnesses beliefs overview. Furthermore, they believe in living a moral life guided by their interpretation of the Bible, which shapes their social practices and community values. In contrast to the beliefs held by Jehovah’s Witnesses, Catholic views on Jehovah’s Witnesses emphasize the significance of the sacraments and the tradition of the Church, which they believe plays a crucial role in the life of the faithful. While Jehovah’s Witnesses focus on direct interpretation of Scripture, Catholics adhere to the authority of the Church to guide understanding of faith and morals. This fundamental difference highlights the broader theological divides between these groups, particularly regarding the nature of Christ and salvation. Jehovah’s Witnesses beliefs about God further emphasize the notion that God, or Jehovah, is a distinct entity, separate from Jesus Christ, which leads to different understandings of divine authority and worship practices. This perspective reinforces their view that Jesus, while revered as the Son of God, should not be worshipped as God himself. As a result, their doctrines foster a unique relationship with the divine, marked by a strict adherence to what they interpret as biblical truths.

• Jesus is God’s Son not Almighty God; he is God’s first and only direct creation.¹
• The Trinity doctrine is considered unscriptural.²
• Jesus died on an upright stake, not a cross.³⁸
• He was resurrected as an immortal spirit creature, not in his physical body.⁴²
• Jesus had a pre-human existence as Michael the Archangel.⁴⁷
• Prayer should be directed to Jehovah God through Jesus Christ.⁵¹
• Worship, in the sense of sacred service, belongs exclusively to Jehovah, while Jesus receives powerful honor and obeisance.⁵⁵

Learning about the beliefs of others, especially on matters so central to faith, can stretch our hearts and minds. It calls for humility and respect. Although we naturally hold fast to the truths we cherish based on our own understanding of God’s Word, may we always approach those with different perspectives with kindness, a willingness to listen accurately, and a genuine desire to understand their devotion. Seeking to understand, even where we disagree, builds bridges rather than walls. Blessings to you on your continued journey of faith and understanding!