The Current Teaching Of The Watchtower Society:
In His Pre-existence, Jesus Christ was the angelic being described in the Bible as Michael the Archangel. He has only the power and nature of a created angelic being. The Society has drawn this conclusion and teaches this as a doctrine as a result of their understanding of certain Scripture references (Col 1:15-17 and Jhn 1:1. Also see Rev 3:14).
What the Bible Says about The DEITY OF JESUS:
In order to understand the Society's position on this issue and in order to be able to see the way in which they have deviated from and even deliberately changed the plain teaching of the Scriptures, we examine their translation of two key passages (as found in the 1984 edition of the Society's New World Translation):
| He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; because by means of him all [other] things were created in heavens and upon the earth, the thing visible and the things invisible, no matter whether they are thrones or lordships or governments or authorities. All [other] things have been created through him and for him. Also, he is before all [other] things and by means of him all [other] things were made to exist.Colossians 1:15 NWT |
Who is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. Colossians 1:15-17 KJV |
| In [the] beginning the Word was, and the Word was with God, and the word was a god.John 1:1 NWT | In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.John 1:1 KJV |
1. The Society Alters Bible Words & Their Meanings To Conform To Their Particular Views About The Deity Of Jesus Christ:
a. Words That Are Misunderstood...
The Meaning Of: "Beginning"
| The Society understands the word to mean "that which comes at the start of something," but the Bible also uses this word to mean "the origin, source, and first cause, or, that which stands in the prime position." | See Rev 3:14 |
The Meaning Of: "Firstborn"
| Priority, pre-eminence, prime position | Col 1:15 |
| Although Esau was the firstborn, he could legitimately sell that position (his birthright) to his brother | Gen 24:31 |
| Birthright transferred | 1Ch 5:1 |
| Firstborn Manasseh, second Ephraim -- yet the reverse order is spoken of in terms of birthright | Gen 41:51-52 |
| Ephraim is my "firstborn" | Jer 31:9 |
| David is firstborn, even though David was actually the youngest son in his family | Psa 89:27 |
b. Words That Have Been Altered...
| Inserted the word "other" | Col 1:16, 17 |
| Added "a" making Jesus a God | Jhn 1:1 |
2. FACT: The Bible Reveals That There Is Only One God...
| There is no God with me | Deu 32:39 |
| No God formed before me or after | Isa 43:10, 11 |
| No God | Isa 44:6, 8 |
| None else | Isa 45:5, 6, 21 |
| None like me | Isa 46:9 |
3. FACT: The Bible Reveals That Jesus Is Called God...
| The Word was God | Jhn 1:1 |
| Thomas said: "My Lord and My God" | Jhn 20:28 |
| God calls Jesus God | Hbr 1:8 |
| I AM-God's name in the Old Testament | Exd 3:14 |
| I AM-Before Abraham I AM | Jhn 8:58 |
| Not robbery to be equal to God | Phl 2:6 |
4. FACT: The Bible Teaches That Jesus Is Deity...
| It was prophesied | Isa 9:6 |
| Acknowledged by Thomas | Jhn 20:18 |
| Affirmed by the Apostles | Rom 9:5; Hbr 1:8 |
| Acclaimed by witnesses | Jhn 1:14, 18 |
5. FACT: The Bible Teaches That Jesus Has The Attributes Of God The Father...
| All powerful | Mat 28:18 |
| All knowing | Col 2:3 |
| Ever present | Mat 18:20> |
| Eternal | Jhn 1:1, 2, 15 |
6. FACT: The Bible Teaches That Jesus Is Worshipped By...
| The Old Testament saints | Jos 5:13-15 |
| The Demons | Mar 5:6 |
| A certain blind man | Jhn 9:38 |
| The Angels | Hbr 1:6 |
| The Disciples | Luk 24:52 |
| The Saints in glory | Rev 7:9, 10 |
| Eventually, by everyone | Phl 2:10, 11; Mat 9:18; 15:25; 28:29 |
7. FACT: The Bible Teaches That Jesus Is Not An Angel...
| No angel is or can ever be called God's son | Hbr 1:5, 6 |
| World not in subjection to any angel | Hbr 2:5 |
| He did not take on the nature of angels | Hbr 2:16 |
| Glorified with God -- not the angels | Jhn 17:5 |
| All power given to Him, in heaven and earth | Mat 28:18 |
| He has a name that is above all names | Phl 2:9, 10 |
| God will not share His glory with any other | Isa 42:8 |
Cite This Page:
Grieshaber, Erich, and Jean Grieshaber. "Deity of Jesus," Redi-Answers on Jehovah's Witness Doctrine. Blue Letter Bible. 1 Jul 2002. .
<http://blueletterbible.org/study/cults/rajwd/rajwd11b.html>.
