Witnesses of Jehovah

View the classic film below. Still pretty much just as relevant today as when it first came out.

The Bible or Watchtower Literature?

Jehovah's Witnesses often pride themselves as being a group who refer to the Bible, and this is true. Even a cursory glance at any Watchtower literature soon reveals many scriptural quotations.

This appeal to the Bible is indeed commendable. However, are Jehovah's Witnesses really faithful to God's Word alone or is it, rather, the interpretation of the Bible through the literature of the Watchtower Society that the Jehovah's Witness is really under the authority of? Numerous quotations could be put fourth to show that it is the latter, some of which are presented below:

"All who want to understand the Bible should appreciate that the "greatly diversified wisdom of God" can become known only through Jehovah's channel of communication, the faithful and discreet slave." (The Watchtower; Oct. 1, 1994; p. 8).

"We have the opportunity to show love for our brothers who take the lead in the congregation or in connection with Jehovah's visible organization worldwide. This includes being loyal to "the faithful and discreet slave." (Matthew 24:45-47) Let us face the fact that no matter how much Bible reading we have done, we would never have learned the truth on our own." (The Watchtower, December 1, 1990, p. 19).

"No matter where we may live on earth, God's Word continues to serve as a light to our path and a lamp to our roadway as to our conduct and beliefs. (Ps. 119:105) But Jehovah God has also provided his visible organization, his "faithful and discreet slave," made up of spirit anointed ones, to help Christians in all nations to understand and apply properly the Bible in their lives. Unless we are in touch with this channel of communication that God is using, we will not progress along the road to life, no matter how much Bible reading we do." (The Watchtower; December 1, 1981, p. 27).

"They say that it is sufficient to read the Bible exclusively, either alone or in small groups at home. But, strangely, through such 'Bible reading,' they have reverted right back to the apostate doctrines that commentaries by Christendom's clergy were teaching 100 years ago,..." (Watchtower; Aug. 15, 1981; p. 29).

Of course, what is especially revealing about this last quote (aside from the erroneous belief that it is only through Watchtower material that the Bible can be understood) is that it is saying that if you read the Bible, and the Bible alone, without any Watchtower study aids or literature, then you will believe as other Christian churches have done for centuries! - i.e. Reading the Bible alone will lead you to believe that Christ is God, the Holy Spirit is a Divine Person, the dead are conscious, being born again is for all people, etc., etc.

Many millions throughout the centuries have become Christians by reading the Bible alone. Is it really possible to become one of Jehovah's Witnesses, and believe as they do, by reading the Bible alone without exposure to any Watchtower literature or influence beforehand? I think that the above quotes reveal a lot in relation to this question. Unless anyone feels otherwise?