Jehovah’s Witnesses – A Continuation of the Apostles
Jehovah’s Witnesses – A Continuation of the Apostles
Jehovah’s Witnesses: A Continuation of Apostolic Teaching
Introduction
From the time of Jesus Christ and his Apostles, the message of God’s Kingdom has always centered on Jehovah as the Almighty God and Jesus as His faithful Son, Messiah, and appointed King. Though the first-century congregations established by the Apostles eventually disappeared as organized groups, the truth they preached did not. Today, Jehovah’s Witnesses see themselves as continuing in that same line of teaching and faith.
Jesus’ Example
- John 17:3 — “This means everlasting life, their coming to know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ.”
- Matthew 4:10 — “It is Jehovah your God you must worship, and it is to him alone you must render sacred service.”
Jesus identified Jehovah as the only true God and directed worship to Him alone. He positioned himself as the Son, the one sent to do the Father’s will.
The Apostles’ Teaching
- Acts 2:36 — “God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you executed on a stake.”
- 1 Corinthians 8:6 — “…there is actually to us one God, the Father, from whom all things are and we for him; and there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things are and we through him.”
The Apostles consistently distinguished Jehovah as God and Jesus as Lord, pointing believers to Jehovah as the source of all and Christ as His appointed mediator.
Jehovah’s Witnesses Today
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that they are carrying forward this original pattern:
- Worshiping Jehovah as the Almighty, Alpha and Omega.
- Honoring Jesus as King of God’s Kingdom and Head of the congregation.
- Refusing unscriptural traditions (such as the Trinity, immortal soul, or eternal torment) and instead clinging to the plain teachings of Scripture.
First-Century Christians vs. Jehovah’s Witnesses Today
Category | First-Century Christians | Jehovah’s Witnesses Today |
|---|---|---|
Worship | Worshiped Jehovah as the one true God (John 4:23–24; Matthew 4:10). | Worship Jehovah exclusively as the Almighty, Alpha and Omega. |
View of Jesus | Recognized Jesus as Messiah, Lord, and Head of the congregation (Acts 2:36; Colossians 1:18). | Honor Jesus as Lord, Messiah, and King of God’s Kingdom, but not Almighty God. |
Teachings | Taught only what Jesus and the Apostles received from God (John 7:16; Galatians 1:8–9). | Teach directly from the Bible, rejecting unscriptural traditions (Trinity, immortal soul, eternal torment). |
Good News | Preached the Kingdom of God worldwide (Matthew 24:14; Acts 1:8). | Known globally for preaching the Kingdom message in over 200 lands. |
Organization | Met in congregations under the guidance of elders (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5). | Organized in congregations overseen by elders, with a Governing Body providing guidance. |
Lifestyle | Sought to remain separate from the world, avoiding its politics and immorality (John 17:16; James 1:27). | Remain politically neutral, morally clean, and focused on Bible living. |
Unity | “One faith, one Lord, one baptism” (Ephesians 4:5). | Over 15 million members united worldwide in worship, teaching, and humble lifestyle. |
Conclusion
Though the visible congregations of the first century did not survive, the truth they carried did. Jesus promised that “the word of our God endures forever” (Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 24:35). Jehovah’s Witnesses see themselves as part of that endurance — not a new religion, but a restoration and continuation of what Jesus and the Apostles taught.
This is why their focus remains simple and direct: worship Jehovah, follow Christ, and preach the good news of God’s Kingdom to all nations.