AboutBrenda Martin Expertise I have been one of Jehovah`s Witneses now for over 30 years, in those years I have brought up 4 children, teaching each of them the bible.Being one of Jehovah`s Witnesses has helped me cope with my Epilepsy and bring up a daughter with learning difficulties.I have conducted bible studies with people from nearly every denomination i.e. Muslim. Having used the bible all these years to answer peoples questions, I feel I am qualified to give any answer regarding Jehovah`s Witnesses and the bible.
Experience My experience has been one of attending bible lectures 5 times a week,taking part in these lectures in front of an audience and being with thousands of J.W. at conventions where I have seen the bible at work in peoples lives.It is truly a miracle when you see thousands of people meeting together and not one policeman needed, and not even a piece of litter in sight.It is like another world.
Question 1. What is the difference between Jehovah's Witnesses and Baptist Christians?
2. How many days a week is service held at the Kingdon Hall?
3. What are the important holidays and traditions of this religion?
4. How has religion shaped your life?
5. How long have you been a Jehovah's Witness?
6. WHat does it mean to you, to be a Jehovah's Witness?
7. What are the challenges, if any, to practicing this religion?
8. Do the men, women, and children congregate together?
9. Why does it seem that people of your religion are so puchy when it comes to trying to get others to convert?
10. Do Jehovah's Witnesses have 'Watchtower' service on New Years Eve like Baptist?
Answer 1. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES AND BAPTIST CHRISTIANS?
Oh dear me there are too many to list, so I will highlight a few okay—
1. Baptist Christians celebrate Christmas, JW's don't—I quote; “The early Baptist and Congregationalist churches found no Scriptural grounds for celebrating Christ's birth. One source notes that it was not until December 25, 1772, that the Baptist Church of Newport [Rhode Island] observed Christmas for the first time.”
2. JW's believe what the bible says regarding “God's Kingdom” (Daniel 2;44) it is a heavenly government in the hands of Jesus Christ, and that kingdom or government will soon bring destruction to all other earthly governments. Whereas Baptists adopt this view--
“The Kingdom of God is the reign of God in the heart and life of the individual in every human relationship, and in every form and institution of organized society. . . . The Kingdom of God will be complete when every thought and will of man shall be brought into captivity to the will of Christ.”
3. Baptist believe and teach the TRINITY doctrine—“The Baptist Encyclopædia says: “[Jesus] is . . . the eternal Jehovah . . . The Holy Spirit is Jehovah . . . The Son and Spirit are placed on an exact equality with the Father. If he is Jehovah so are they.”
JW's of course do not, as it is not scriptural; Jesus' early followers drew clear distinctions between God, Christ, and the holy spirit. In fact, they baptized disciples (1) in the name of the Father, (2) in the name of the Son, and (3) in the name of the holy spirit, not in the name of a Trinity. Jehovah's Witnesses similarly teach Scriptural truth and therefore differentiate between God, his Son, and the holy spirit.—Matthew 28:19.
I have only mentioned 3 differences; Christmas, Kingdom, Trinity, but there are many, many more, but I think these 3 alone illustrate how different the 2 religions are. There is only ever ONE truth on any matter, so either it is acceptable to celebrate Christmas or its not, either the Kingdom is a heavenly government or its not, and last but not least ,either God is a Trinity or he's not, both views cannot be correct ,so hence both religions cannot be acceptable to God.
2. HOW MANY DAYS A WEEK IS SERVICE HELD AT THE KINGDOM HALL?
Three; we have an hour long meeting on a Tuesday to discuss “what the bible really teaches”
Then we have a 2 hr meeting on a Thursday night to discuss various scriptural issues and we are trained for the ministry, so all give bible talks, demonstrations etc.
Then on Sunday morning we have a 2 ,1hr meetings, the first is a public talk at 11am to which all are invited, then following the talk we have a study of a scriptural subject using the watchtower magazine.
3. WHAT ARE THE IMPORTANT HOLIDAYS AND TRADITIONS OF THIS RELIGION?
We do not follow “tradition” as such, worldwide we meet together to celebrate the “Lord's evening meal” or “last supper” as you perhaps know it, on the date of Jesus death once a year.
We also have conventions 3 times a year, twice in the Caird Hall Dundee where roughly 2,000 attend for 2 days. Then we have our major convention in Perth where roughly 10,000 attend for 4 days.
4. HOW HAS RELIGION SHAPED YOUR LIFE?
My religion IS my life, it affects every thought and decision I make, from whom I choose to asscociate with, to how I bring up my children and grandchildren, to which venues I would or would not attend, to which food I eat, and so on.
5. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A JEHOVAH'S WITNESS?
Someone called at my door in 1974 and in time showed me from the bible all the answers to my questions. I was baptized in 1975, so that's 31 years.
6. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU, TO BE A JEHOVAH'S WITNESS?
Life or death, there is nothing in my life that is more important to me than my relationship with God. I honestly don't know how people get through life without knowing what we call; “the truth” God heard my questions and sent one of his people to answer them from his word, for that I am and always will be, extremely grateful to God. I have comfort and hope in a world full of hate, I have a hope for the future that no-one can take away, it means everything to me to be one of Jehovah's Witnesses.
7. WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES, IF ANY, TO PRACTICING THIS RELIGION?
In everyday life there are challenges, because to be a Jehovah's Witness is to be completely different from those around you, to stand out as different, and make a stand when everyone around you doesn't can be difficult, to knock on strangers doors when you know the majority are not interested can be difficult, but I don't view these things as a burden to serving God, I just look on it ,its my way of saying thank you and showing my appreciation for what I've been given.
8. DO THE MEN, WOMEN, AND CHILDREN CONGREGATE TOGETHER?
Yes, families, single people, teenagers, the elderly, all congregate together to enjoy spiritual food and participate also. Children as young as 5 give bible talks (so sweet too)
9. WHY DOES IT SEEM THAT PEOPLE OF YOUR RELIGION ARE SO PUSHY WHEN IT COMES TO TRYING TO GET OTHERS TO CONVERT?
Ah that's because we know what the bible says regarding the future of our earth and the people on it, we know people's lives are involved. Jesus said to “preach the good news of the Kingdom and then the END WILL COME”
When that time comes, only the “meek will inherit the earth” only those “doing the will of God will survive” (1 john 2;15-17) only those who listen to the good news that is being preached, then act accordingly, will be in that “new earth”
So if we seem a little “pushy” sorry, its only because we genuinely care for those we are talking to and have their eternal welfare in mind.
10. DO JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES HAVE 'WATCHTOWER' SERVICE ON NEW YEARS EVE LIKE BAPTIST?
No, Jehovah's Witnesses do not celebrate; “New Year” either (so that's another difference) and we don't have any services called “Watchtower” only our magazines are called that.
