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:

• La sua origine: Credono che Gesù sia esistito in cielo prima di venire sulla terra.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
• Via per la vita eterna: La sua morte e la successiva risurrezione da parte di Dio rendono possibile per gli individui che esercitano fede in lui ottenere la vita eterna.²
• Re regnante: 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
• Esempio e maestro: Guardano a Gesù come al modello perfetto da seguire nella vita, sforzandosi di aderire ai suoi insegnamenti e di imitare il suo esempio di amore e ubbidienza a Dio.²

It is noteworthy that while Jehovah’s Witnesses strongly affirm their belief Nel Gesù e si considerano cristiani, spesso fanno seguire immediatamente a questa affermazione un chiarimento sulla loro distinta comprensione di chi sia Gesù in relazione all'Iddio Onnipotente.² Questo schema di affermare un terreno comune prima di evidenziare specifiche differenze dottrinali è comune nelle loro spiegazioni. Comprendere questo aiuta a cogliere come presentano la loro fede, iniziando con il ruolo essenziale di Gesù prima di approfondire i particolari della loro cristologia. Sottolineano che, sebbene Gesù occupi una posizione significativa come mediatore tra Dio e l'umanità, le loro preghiere sono rivolte esclusivamente a Geova, il Padre. Questa distinzione gioca un ruolo cruciale nel Jehovah’s Witnesses view on prayer, poiché sottolinea la loro convinzione nel corretto incanalamento del culto e della comunicazione con Dio. Mantenendo questo focus, mirano a sostenere quella che vedono come la forma più vera di culto in armonia con gli insegnamenti biblici. Questo approccio rispecchia la loro posizione su altri argomenti, come la salute e i trattamenti medici, dove spesso articolano valori condivisi prima di affrontare le loro prospettive uniche. Ad esempio, quando discutono di 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.

Chi credono che sia Gesù è? È Dio?

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 non l'Iddio Onnipotente, che identificano esclusivamente con il nome Geova.² Secondo la loro visione, Gesù è un essere distinto e separato, creato da Dio e a Lui subordinato.¹³

Rifiuto della Trinità:

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

Status unico come Figlio e Parola:

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:

• Sostengono che nel greco originale, la parola per Dio (theos) in the final clause lacks the definite article (“the”), whereas it proibisce have the definite article earlier in the verse when referring to Almighty God (“the Word was con Dio“). They believe this grammatical distinction signifies that Jesus (the Word) possesses divine divine – è simile a un dio o un potente – ma non è l'unico Iddio Onnipotente.²⁶
• They support this by pointing out that the Bible uses the term “god” (or its Hebrew equivalents ‘el e ‘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 “altre” 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

La seguente tabella fornisce un confronto semplificato dei punti chiave:

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°

La sua natura prima della terra:

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

Il suo ruolo nella creazione:

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

La sua relazione con il Padre:

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.

Il suo arrivo sulla terra:

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.

Il Messia/Cristo:

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

Il sacrificio di riscatto (ruolo di Salvatore):

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

Perché il riscatto era necessario:

Quando il primo uomo, Adamo, disobbedì a Dio, peccò. Di conseguenza, perse la sua perfezione e la prospettiva della vita eterna, e trasmise questo peccato ereditato e la sua conseguenza, la morte, a tutti i suoi discendenti – tutta l'umanità.¹ Pertanto, l'umanità era in schiavitù al peccato e alla morte e aveva bisogno di essere salvata.¹

Come funziona il riscatto:

Secondo la loro comprensione, la giustizia divina richiedeva un prezzo di equilibrio – una vita umana perfetta che corrispondesse esattamente alla vita umana perfetta che Adamo aveva perso. Nessun discendente imperfetto di Adamo poteva pagare questo prezzo.¹ Gesù nacque perfetto perché la sua vita proveniva dal cielo e non ereditò il peccato da un padre umano.¹ Pertanto, solo lui era qualificato per offrire la sua vita perfetta e senza peccato. Morendo volontariamente, fornì il sacrificio necessario per pagare la pena per i peccati degli altri, specificamente per tutta l'umanità ubbidiente che esercita fede.¹ Questo concetto di un corrispondente prezzo — un uomo perfetto per un uomo perfetto — è fondamentale per la loro visione e rafforza il motivo per cui credono che Gesù dovesse essere pienamente umano (e non Dio Onnipotente) durante il suo sacrificio. Se Gesù fosse Dio, l'equivalenza necessaria per il riscatto, come la intendono loro, non esisterebbe.¹⁶

La motivazione: 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

Il risultato:

Il sacrificio di riscatto rende possibile la liberazione dal peccato e dalla morte.² Apre la porta a coloro che esercitano fede in Gesù, si pentono dei propri peccati e si battezzano per ricevere il perdono e la speranza della vita eterna, principalmente in un paradiso restaurato sulla terra.¹

Insegnante ed esempio:

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

Altri ruoli importanti:

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

• Sommo Sacerdote: 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
• Capo della congregazione: He actively leads and directs the Christian congregation today through God’s holy spirit and appointed elders.⁸
• Mediatore: He serves as the “one mediator between God and men” (1 Timothy 2:5), specifically the Mediator of the New Covenant.⁹
• Leader e comandante: 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

Argomentazioni dalla terminologia greca:

La loro convinzione si basa significativamente sul significato dei termini greci utilizzati nel Nuovo Testamento:

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 era semplicemente un palo verticale, un'asta, un palo o un legno.³â ¹ Citano vari lessici e dizionari biblici che affermano che staurosʹ non significava necessariamente o originariamente due pezzi di legno uniti insieme.³â ¹ Ad esempio, A Critical Lexicon and Concordance to the English and Greek New Testament è citato dicendo staurosʹ “never means two pieces of wood joining each other at any angle”.⁴⁰

Xyʹlon:

Gli scrittori della Bibbia usarono anche la parola greca xyʹlon in modo intercambiabile con 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 (Galati 3:13).³â ¹ Questo uso, sostengono, supporta ulteriormente l'idea di una singola trave di legno piuttosto che di una croce a due travi. The Companion Bible is cited concluding, “There is nothing in the Greek of the Nuovo testamento 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

Rifiuto del simbolo della croce:

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:

• Inesattezza storica: They believe the cross symbol does not accurately represent the instrument of Jesus’ death.
• Origini pagane: 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
• Evitare l'idolatria: Credono che la Bibbia metta fortemente in guardia contro l'uso di qualsiasi immagine o simbolo nel culto (1 Corinzi 10:14; 1 Giovanni 5:21). Venerare lo strumento dell'esecuzione, che sia una croce o un palo, costituirebbe idolatria.³⁸ Sottolineano che l'attenzione dovrebbe essere rivolta al significato of Jesus’ sacrifice, not the physical object.³â¹
• Vero segno distintivo: Gesù stesso dichiarò che l'amore abnegato, non un simbolo fisico, sarebbe stato il segno distintivo dei suoi veri seguaci (Giovanni 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 Natura della sua risurrezione differisce significativamente dalle opinioni tradizionali.

Credenza fondamentale: Risurrezione come spirito:

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 risuscitato in the spirit” (1 Peter 3:18).¹ They believe he was raised as a glorious, immortal spirit creature, regaining a heavenly existence.²

Perché non una risurrezione fisica?

Il loro ragionamento è strettamente legato alla loro comprensione del sacrificio di riscatto:

• 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
• Sostengono che se Gesù avesse ripreso il suo corpo fisico al momento della risurrezione, avrebbe effettivamente annullato o invalidato il sacrificio di riscatto. Il prezzo pagato (la sua vita umana perfetta) sarebbe stato ripreso, lasciando l'umanità ancora sotto la pena del peccato e della morte.â ´â ´ Pertanto, il corpo fisico fu permanentemente abbandonato.

Spiegazione delle apparizioni post-risurrezione:

Come spiegano allora i resoconti dei Vangeli in cui Gesù risuscitato apparve ai suoi discepoli in forma fisica, poteva essere toccato e persino mangiò con loro? Spiegano queste apparizioni come materializzazioni temporanee.â ´â ´

Precedente angelico:

Indicano i resoconti dell'Antico Testamento in cui gli angeli (che sono creature spirituali) assunsero forma umana per interagire con gli esseri umani, a volte mangiando e bevendo con loro, prima di smaterializzarsi (Genesi 18:1-8; 19:1-3; Giudici 13:15-21).â ´â ´ Credono che Gesù, come spirito risuscitato, abbia fatto lo stesso.

Forme temporanee e varie:

Questi corpi materializzati erano strumenti temporanei per interagire con i suoi discepoli. Non erano necessariamente identici ogni volta, il che spiega perché i suoi seguaci a volte non lo riconoscevano immediatamente, identificandolo solo attraverso le sue parole o azioni (Luca 24:13-16, 30-31, 35; Giovanni 20:14-16; 21:4, 6-7).â ´â ´

• Abilità soprannaturali: La sua capacità di apparire improvvisamente all'interno di stanze chiuse (Giovanni 20:19, 26) o di svanire istantaneamente (Luca 24:31) è vista come prova della sua natura spirituale non fisica.â ´â ´
• Apparizione a Tommaso: 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

Significato della risurrezione:

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

Questa visione di una risurrezione spirituale si inserisce coerentemente nel loro più ampio quadro teologico. Sostiene la loro comprensione del riscatto (il corpo fisico rimane sacrificato) e si allinea con la loro convinzione che Gesù non sia l'Iddio Onnipotente, ma un essere che è passato dall'esistenza spirituale all'esistenza umana e di nuovo all'esistenza spirituale glorificata.â ´â ´

È vero che credono che Gesù sia l'arcangelo Michele?

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 prima venne sulla terra come uomo e dopo 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

Argomentazioni scritturali utilizzate:

La loro conclusione si basa sul collegare diverse linee di prove scritturali:

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 è l'Arcangelo, Michele.â ´⁷

Comandante delle schiere angeliche:

Revelation 12:7 explicitly states, “Michael and i suoi 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

Precedente biblico per nomi multipli:

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.

Implicazioni teologiche:

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.

Cosa dissero i primi scrittori cristiani (Padri della Chiesa) riguardo al fatto che Gesù fosse Dio?

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.

Prime espressioni e formule:

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:

Molti scrittori influenti nel secondo e terzo secolo si riferirono esplicitamente a Gesù come Dio o affermarono con forza la sua natura divina ed esistenza eterna:

• Ignazio di Antiochia (morto c. 110 d.C.): Referred to Jesus as “our God” on multiple occasions in his letters.⁶⁰
• Giustino Martire (c. 100–165 d.C.): 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
• Ireneo di Lione (c. 130–202 d.C.): 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
• Taziano il Siro (scrisse c. 170 d.C.): Boldly declared, “God was born in the form of a man”.²³
• Melitone di Sardi (morto c. 180 d.C.): Spoke of Jesus’ miracles revealing the “deity hidden in his flesh” and described him as “Being God and likewise perfect man”.⁶³
• Teofilo di Antiochia (scrisse c. 181 d.C.): È il primo scrittore conosciuto a usare lo specifico termine greco trias (“Trinity”) to refer to God, his Word (Logos), and his Wisdom (Sophia).⁵⁸
• Clemente Alessandrino (c. 150–215 d.C.): Called the Word (Christ) “truly God” and stated, “He alone is both God and man”.²³
• Tertulliano (c. 155–240 d.C.): Coniò il termine latino Trinitas (Trinità) e sostenne l'unità di sostanza tra tre persone distinte (Padre, Figlio, Spirito Santo), difendendo questa visione contro insegnamenti che confondevano le distinzioni.⁵â ¹
• Ippolito (c. 170–235 d.C.): Called Christ “the God over all” and refuted the teaching of Noetus, who claimed the Father suffered on the cross (Patripassianism).⁵⁹
• Origene (c. 185–254 d.C.): 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
• Origene parlò del Padre come la fonte da cui il Figlio deriva ciò che è, pur affermando la loro unità di sostanza.⁵â ¹

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

Formalizzazione e divergenza:

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.

Conclusione: Accogliere la comprensione

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: credenze dei Testimoni di Geova spiegate 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 delle credenze dei testimoni di geova. 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, Le opinioni cattoliche sui Testimoni di Geova 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. Le credenze dei Testimoni di Geova su Dio enfatizzano ulteriormente l'idea che Dio, o Geova, sia un'entità distinta, separata da Gesù Cristo, il che porta a diverse interpretazioni dell'autorità divina e delle pratiche di adorazione. Questa prospettiva rafforza la loro visione secondo cui Gesù, sebbene venerato come Figlio di Dio, non dovrebbe essere adorato come Dio stesso. Di conseguenza, le loro dottrine promuovono una relazione unica con il divino, segnata da una rigorosa aderenza a ciò che interpretano come verità bibliche.

• Jesus is God’s Son not Almighty God; he is God’s first and only direct creation.¹
• La dottrina della Trinità è considerata non scritturale.²
• Gesù morì su un palo verticale, non su una croce.³⁸
• Fu risuscitato come creatura spirituale immortale, non nel suo corpo fisico.â ´²
• Gesù ebbe un'esistenza preumana come l'arcangelo Michele.â ´⁷
• La preghiera dovrebbe essere rivolta a a Geova Dio attraverso Gesù Cristo.⁵¹
• L'adorazione, nel senso di sacro servizio, appartiene esclusivamente a Geova, mentre Gesù riceve potente onore e sottomissione.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!