AS A FORMER MEMBER of the Watchtower organization we were taught many things. Salvation for example. Watchtower teachings purport two separate and distinct groups: (1) Anointed class (only 144,000 are born again going to heaven), (2) All others (those who will live on earth forever). The majority of Watchtower members fall into this second group. Both groups however must fall under the authority of Scripture. Unfortunately therein lies the problem. Jehovah’s Witnesses hold Watchtower doctrine above God’s word. They are not unlike the Mormons as they too hold their man-made Book of Mormon (Joseph Smith) over Scripture. Nevertheless, Scripture will be our only authority. First we will examine the Watchtower salvation doctrine.
Watchtower publication October 1, 1967, “Make haste to identify to the visible theocratic organization of God that represents his king, Jesus Christ. It is essential for life. Doing so, complete in accepting every aspect.”
Summary: Life is only given to those who identify with the Watchtower as God’s visible organization accepting all their teachings.
Watchtower February 15th, 1983 pg. 12: “To receive everlasting life in the earthly Paradise we must identify that organization and serve God as part of it.”
Summary: Salvation is predicated upon identifying the Watchtower as God’s organization and serving God as part of it.
Watchtower November 15th, 1981 pg. 212: “Come to Jehovah’s organization for salvation.”
Summary: Salvation is contingent upon coming to the Watchtower.
The Watchtower references reveal their salvation doctrine. First and foremost Scripture must be our only authority. Scripture must authenticate Watchtower material. That said no Scripture references are made. For example: Watchtower members must … come and identity the Organization as God’s instrument and … accept all of their teachings as a salvation prerequisite. The Watchtower did not show any biblical support to substantiate their salvation doctrine. I will now use Scripture to illuminate the Bible teaching on this topic.
God’s Love For Mankind
John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”
Eternal life is given by God when you believe in His son Jesus Christ.
God’s Perfect Salvation Formula
Romans 10:9: “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Salvation encompasses confessing Jesus as Lord, and believing in your heart that God raised Him from the dead.
Note: This is a major problem for Jehovah’s Witnesses because they do not believe the body of Christ rose from the dead. They do not know what happened to His body.
God Saves Us
Ephesians 2:8-9: “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
(1) God sets the Eternal Salvation guidelines (not man)!
(2) God’s Grace allows Eternal Salvation (not man’s rules).
(3) Believing Jesus Christ is Lord is an imperative for Eternal Salvation (not Watchtower teachings)!
(4) Eternal Salvation is God’s free gift (no man-made rules to qualify)!
(5) Eternal salvation can never be earned (no amount of religiosity will earn you salvation)!
Bible Salvation Vs Watchtower Salvation
As I said at the beginning, “Jehovah’s Witnesses hold Watchtower doctrine above God’s word.” So does the Bible affirm or reject the Watchtower salvation doctrine? Based upon Scripture God’s free gift of salvation is given to anyone but only because of His grace through our faith in Jesus Christ. As demonstrated the Bible categorically contradicts the Watchtower salvation premise.
My article intent was to shine light over this topic in hopes of giving Jehovah’s Witnesses a new path to follow or at the very least something to think about. God allows us to choose our path in life. He allowed me to join the Watchtower as He has allowed you (the reader) to walk yours. After years of walking the Watchtower trail and then discovering the path I chose was not what I had imagined (thinking it was God’s path), I came to a crossroad. We are free to change course at any time. It is my hope and prayer that this article shines light on your path.
Tags: 144.000, Bible, Bible vs. Watchtower, Christian, Christianity, Cochise Pendleton, faith, Faithful and Discreet Slave, Jehovah's Witnesses, jesus, Salvation, Watchtower
The Bible vs. The Watchtower 
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