A Few Major Differences between Jehovah's Witnesses and Christianity

Recently, I was in a conversation with my father-in-law about some of the major differences between the Jehovah's Witnesses and Christianity. That led me to put together a short list of those differences.

Interestingly, however, I also recently spoke with a Christian who said that she did not understand why Christians call the JWs a cult. "After all," she said, "the one I talked to said he believes in Jesus."

I told her that it just so happened that I had recently put together a short (not exhaustive) list of some of the major differences between the Jehovah's Witnesses and Christianity, and I sent her a copy.

Knowing that this small list may be useful to other Christians, I decided to put it here in my Coffee Talk page.

-Jehovah's Witnesses teach that there is no Holy Trinity.
-Christianity teaches that there is the Holy Trinity, i.e., the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

-Jehovah's Witnesses teach that the Holy Spirit is only “a force” and not a real person.
-Christianity teaches that the Holy Spirit is a Divine Person, i.e., the third Person of the Trinity.

-Jehovah's Witnesses teach that Jesus Christ is not God, and that he is in fact only a creation of God.
-Christianity teaches that Jesus is God, and He is in fact the Creator of all things.

-Jehovah's Witnesses teach that Jesus Christ was Michael the archangel who became a man.
-Christianity teaches that Jesus is almighty God who created Michael the archangel.

-Jehovah's Witnesses teach that Jesus Christ was only a perfect man.
-Christianity teaches that Jesus Christ was God in flesh.

-Jehovah's Witnesses teach that Jesus Christ did not rise from the dead in his physical body.
-Christianity teaches that Jesus Christ did rise from the dead in his physical (though glorified) body.

-Jehovah's Witnesses teach that they are the only true church, all others are going to hell.
-Christianity teaches that any church who believes in proper Christian theology is a true church.

-Jehovah's Witnesses teach that only their church members will be saved.
-Christianity teaches that any person who believes in Jesus Christ as his/her savior will be saved.

-Jehovah's Witnesses teach that good works are necessary for salvation.
-Christianity teaches that faith in Jesus Christ sacrifice alone is necessary for salvation.

-Jehovah's Witnesses teach that the soul ceases to exist after death.
-Christianity teaches that the soul goes on in the afterlife to either be with God in heaven or to hell (if the person has never accepted Jesus Christ as his savior).

-Jehovah's Witnesses teach that only 144,000 Jehovah's Witness will actually go to heaven.
-Christianity teaches that any person who believes in Jesus Christ as his/her savior will go to heaven.

-Jehovah's Witnesses teach that medical blood transfusions are a sin.
-Christianity teaches no such thing.

-Also, Jehovah's Witnesses refuse to vote, salute the flag, sing the "Star Spangled Banner," or celebrate Christmas or birthdays, and they are not allowed to serve in the armed forces.

All Christians must remember, however, that while they need to know these significant differences so as to be forewarned, and to warn others, our goal is also to reach members of the cults with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Evangelism, not conquest, should be our aim.