Are Jehovah’s Witnesses Christians? There are different points of view on this subject. Until recently, the picture was fairly clear-cut. Religious studies scholars considered Jehovah’s Witnesses to be Christians, while “anti-cultists” called Jehovah’s Witnesses a “pseudo-Christian”¹See: A. L. Dvorkin, The Pseudo-Christian Sect “Jehovah’s Witnesses.” About the People Who Never Part with the Watchtower, St. Petersburg: Formica, 2002, p.160; N. V. Krivelskaya, Sect: The Threat and the Search for Protection, Moscow, Blagovest, 1999, p.268, and others. [both only in Russian] or “para-Christian”²See, for example: How does the Orthodox Church refer to blood transfusions? Archpriest Maxim Kozlov, Tatiana’s Day (http://archive.taday.ru/vopros/20373/85013.html?for_print=1). [only in Russian] sect, thus denying them their right to be called Christians.

In recent years, the situation in Russia has become more complicated. Pressure from the “anti-cult lobby” on religious studies scholars has increased, and some researchers have “wavered” and begun to look for “academic” arguments in favor of the claim that Jehovah’s Witnesses cannot be considered Christians.

In December 2021, for example, there was a debate among participants in the Encyclopedia of Protestantism project about whether Jehovah’s Witnesses are Christians.³See: Protestant themes in modern Russian religious scholar studies: a scientific discussion, A. V. Appolonov, A. P. Zabiyako, Ye. V. Zaitsev, S. I. Ivanenko, I. I. Ivanova, O. V. Kuropatkina, T. K. Nikolskaya, M. Yu. Smirnov, N. V. Shaburov, Ye. S. Elbakian, Bulletin of Pushkin Leningrad State University, 2022, №1, pp.195-222. Only one participant in the discussion, Professor A. P. Zabiyako (Blagoveshchensk), argued that Jehovah’s Witnesses are not Christians because they do not recognize the Nicene Creed.⁴The Niceo-Constantinople Creed was composed by the First Ecumenical Council (Nicea, Asia Minor) in 325; in 381 it was expanded and supplemented by the Second Ecumenical Council (Constantinople, or Tsargrad, as it was called in Russia). However, this cannot be considered a scholarly criterion for defining Christianity. Many Christian churches use the more ancient Apostolic Creed.

The Oriental Orthodox Churches do not recognize the Nicene Creed. This group of Christian churches includes the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria, the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch, the Assyrian Orthodox Church of the East, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, the Eritrean Tewahedo Orthodox Church, the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, and the Maronite Church.

Clearly, some Christians recognize the Nicene Creed and others do not. Therefore, we need to look for other criteria for Christian identity.

First, I would ask if an organization has a baptismal rite and whether it is conducted as prescribed in the Gospel of Matthew “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit.”⁵Matthew 28:19, 20. The organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses meets this criterion.⁶See: Are You Ready to Get Baptized? The Watchtower (study edition), March 2020 (https://www.jw.org/en/library/magazines/watchtower-study-march-2020/are-you-ready-to-get-baptized/). Before a new follower of the beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses is baptized, he is interviewed and asked to confirm his faith in the Father – Jehovah, the Son – Jesus Christ, and the holy spirit – the power by which Jehovah leads his people.⁷See: Baptism “Into the Name Of,” The Watchtower, October 15, 1992 (https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1992764#h=1). Thus, every one of Jehovah’s Witnesses is baptized “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit.”

The next characteristic feature to ask about is, do the followers of this religious organization pray in the name of Jesus Christ? As regards Jehovah’s Witnesses, every prayer is said in the name of Jesus Christ.⁸See: Why Pray in Jesus’ Name? (https://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/questions/pray-in-jesus-name/). I have listened to many prayers of Jehovah’s Witnesses. They do not recite memorized texts, but use their own words, and I can testify that in each of these prayers the believers mention Jesus Christ.

Important features of a Christian organization are the belief of its followers that one can only be saved by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and the endeavor to follow Jesus’ teachings and example. Jehovah’s Witnesses have both.⁹See: How Is Jesus’ Sacrifice “a Ransom for Many”? (https://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/questions/jesus-sacrifice-ransom/), What Is Salvation? (https://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/questions/what-is-salvation/). It is interesting to talk to Jehovah’s Witnesses about the life of Jesus Christ. They know the Gospel stories well; you sense that through these accounts they see Jesus Christ – the person and his qualities, and they ask themselves: what should I change in my life to follow the example of Jesus Christ more closely? The religious identity of a denomination’s follower is also important. Religious identity is a form of collective and individual self-awareness built on a sense of belonging to a particular religion or denomination. Jehovah’s Witnesses have a very clear and definite religious identity: Jehovah’s Witnesses consider themselves Christians and are well aware that their Christian identity is to be Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Thus, from the perspective of a religious studies scholar, Jehovah’s Witnesses are Christians; there is no reason to call Jehovah’s Witnesses a “pseudo-Christian” or “para-Christian” denomination.

However, Jehovah’s Witnesses do differ from other religious denominations that call themselves Christian. For example, they believe that, according to the Bible, Jesus Christ is the Son of God, not God. Jehovah’s Witnesses firmly believe that Jesus is God’s first creation, his firstborn Son. According to the teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses, the role of Jesus Christ in God’s purpose for saving mankind is multifaceted. “Jesus Christ serves as mankind’s Redeemer, as High Priest, as Head of the Christian congregation, and now as King of God’s Kingdom,” notes the literature of Jehovah’s Witnesses. “Meditating on these roles heightens our appreciation for God’s arrangement and deepens our love for Christ Jesus.”¹⁰Organized to Do Jehovah’s Will. Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2019, p.2.

Jehovah’s Witnesses do not believe that the soul is immortal, that there is any Biblical basis for claiming that God tortures sinners in eternal hellfire, or that those who take the lead in religious activities should have self-elevating titles. Jehovah’s Witnesses are a Christian denomination that believes in the imminent fulfillment of the prophecy from the Book of the Revelation to the Apostle John (Book of Revelation 20:1-4) about the thousand-year Kingdom of God on Earth at the end of history. This teaching is called Christian Millennialism, or Chiliasm.

Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that God’s Kingdom is a real government ruled by Jesus Christ. For a thousand years, Christ will rule from heaven over the earth, where paradise will be restored.

The authoritative Encyclopedia of Religion views Jehovah’s Witnesses as one of the Protestant denominations “seeking to restore Christianity to its original doctrines and practices.”¹¹Jehovah’s Witnesses, Encyclopedia of Religion. Second edition. Macmillan Reference USA, Detroit: Thomson Gale, 2005, Vol. 7, pp.4820-4824. The Encyclopedia Britannica defines Jehovah’s Witnesses as a Millenarian denomination, that is, as a Christian denomination within Protestantism.¹²However, Jehovah’s Witnesses do not consider themselves to be a Protestant denomination for several reasons. See: Are Jehovah’s Witnesses Protestants? (https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/are-jehovahs-witnesses-protestants/).

Jehovah’s Witnesses are an independent denomination (Latin:“confessio”); that is, they represent a specific movement within Christianity that has distinct characteristics. When describing themselves they use the spiritual term “religious organization” (or “international religious organization”), which is an integral part of the name of this confession and is not associated with any secular association (legal entity). The believers understand this organization as a theocratic arrangement of the world order (from the Greek θεός – God, and κράτος – rule) organized in accordance with the Bible and consisting of a heavenly part (spirit creatures) and an earthly part (the totality of all followers of this religion on earth). As of September 1, 2021, the religious organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses had about 8.7 million actively practicing followers in 239 lands. Jehovah’s Witnesses were organized into 119,297 congregations (religious communities).¹³2021 Service Year Report of Jehovah’s Witnesses Worldwide (https://www.jw.org/en/library/books/2021-service-year-report/).

The emergence of the religious organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses and its further development. The modern-day history of Jehovah’s Witnesses began with a group of Bible Students gathered in 1870 in the United States in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, by Charles Taze Russell (1852–1916). Until 1931, Jehovah’s Witnesses called themselves Bible Students and were officially registered as the International Bible Students Association.

The personal name of God is Jehovah. The Bible Students concluded that one should worship the only true and almighty God, the Creator, whose unique personal name is Jehovah. This is also the name that should be used when addressing Him in prayers. This name is associated with the Hebrew verb “to become,” and according to some Bible scholars, it can mean “He causes to become.” This meaning of God’s name, according to Jehovah’s Witnesses, is consistent with his role as Creator of all things. “Jehovah” is the traditional form of the name of God, which in Hebrew is rendered by the four letters יהוה (English transliteration YHWH or JHVH), known as the tetragrammaton. God’s name in the form of the tetragrammaton appears approximately 7,000 times in the Old Testament. Unfortunately, in most Russian translations of the Bible, God’s name has been deliberately removed and replaced with “Gospod” (“Lord”). In my opinion, this has impoverished the text of the Bible. Thus, the Synodal translation uses “Jehovah” only eight times (Genesis 22:14; Exodus 6:3 (footnote), 15:3, 17:15, 33:19, 34:5; Judges 6:24; Hosea 12:5). The Catholic Church replaced the tetragrammaton with the word “Lord” in translations of the Bible, but in many countries God’s name “Jehovah” or “Yahweh” was sometimes heard in chants and in some prayers at Catholic services. In the United States, for example, the hymns “I will bless Yahweh” and “Arise, O Yahweh” were part of Catholic worship. On June 29, 2008, the papal Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments¹⁴The Congregation for Divine Worship monitors the correctness of worship, the proper veneration of relics, and the conformity of prayer and devotional practices to doctrine. The Congregation is concerned with liturgical texts, reviewing translations of liturgical texts into national languages, and matters of church music. sent an official instruction to bishops’ conferences, instructing them to stop using God’s name “Jehovah” or “Yahweh” in chants and prayers during Catholic services.¹⁵Nancy Fraser O’Brien, No ‘Yahweh’ in songs, prayers at Catholic Masses, Vatican rules, Catholic News Service, August 12, 2008 (https://web.archive.org/web/20120114125015/, http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0804119.html). Jehovah’s Witnesses firmly believe that in the Bible – a book written under God’s inspiration – the Almighty himself made sure that his personal name, Jehovah, appears some 7,000 times. God also commanded his servants to pronounce his name (Isaiah 42:8; Joel 2:32; Malachi 3:16; Romans 10:13). Furthermore, God condemned false prophets who tried to make his people forget his name (Jeremiah 23:27).

The name “Jehovah’s Witnesses,” based on words from the book of the prophet Isaiah, was officially adopted on July 26, 1931. It was used more actively in the preaching activity, reminding people of God’s personal name. “‘You are my witnesses,’ says the Lord , ‘and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and have faith in me and understand that it is I: before me there was no God, and after me there will be none. I – I am the Lord, and besides me there is no Savior. I foretold and saved, and made known; and you have no other, and you are my witnesses,’ declares the Lord, ‘that I am God’” (The Book of the Prophet Isaiah 43:10-12).¹⁶Unofficial translation into English. The quote is from the Synodal translation, so “Lord” is used in the text. Below is the text from the New World Translation, which uses the name “Jehovah” instead of “Lord”:
“You are my witnesses,” declares Jehovah,
“Yes, my servant whom I have chosen,
So that you may know and have faith in me
And understand that I am the same One.
Before me no God was formed,
And after me there has been none.
I–I am Jehovah, and besides me there is no savior.”
“I am the One who declared and saved and made known
When there was no foreign god among you.
So you are my witnesses,” declares Jehovah, “and I am God.”

A new Bible translation. For many years Jehovah’s Witnesses used, printed, and distributed various translations of the Bible. But over time, they realized that they needed a new translation that would more effectively help people receive “an accurate knowledge of truth” – for this is the will of God (1 Timothy 2:3, 4). The New World Translation Committee was formed in 1947 to work on a new translation of the Bible. As early as 1950, the first part of the New World Translation was published in modern English. Today this translation is available in many languages, including Russian.¹⁷In Russia in July 2018, the Russian translation (March 2014 edition) was added to the Federal List of Extremist Materials. In 2021, a revised edition of the translation was published in Russian, entitled The Bible. New World Translation.

The title “New World Translation” is based on a verse from The Second Letter of Peter (2 Peter 3:13). This verse speaks of “new heavens and a new earth” in which righteousness dwells. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that present day human society is in its last days and is on the threshold of a new world. Jehovah’s Witnesses firmly believe that at this time of transition from the old world to the new, it is particularly important to have a translation of the Bible that will help to gain “an accurate knowledge of truth.” This was the reason for the choice of the title “New World Translation.”

The fundamental difference between the New World Translation and many other Bible translations is the extensive use of God’s name “Jehovah” in all those places where the tetragrammaton occurs in the original Hebrew text. In the text of the New World Translation, the name Jehovah appears 7,216 times – 6,979 times in the Hebrew-Aramaic Scriptures and 237 times in the Christian Greek Scriptures. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that they have restored the use of God’s personal name to those places in the Bible where it was likely present in the original text.

Anti-cultists often claim that Jehovah’s Witnesses have their own Bible, but this is completely incorrect.

First, Jehovah’s Witnesses respect and use all quality translations of the Bible in their preaching.

Second, scholars recognize that translations of the Holy Scriptures made by Jehovah’s Witnesses are of a high standard. For example, Professor Nikolay Vitalyevich Shaburov, a renowned religious and culture studies scholar, noted: “The New World Translation occupies, I would say, its own legitimate niche. Moreover, there are some interesting “finds” in it, one could say… Within academic circles, the New World Translation can be criticized just as the Synodal translation can be. And, by the way, an important question remains: if we compare these translations with the Hebrew and Greek originals, in some places the Synodal translation may be more accurate, and in other places the New World Translation may be, and so on. But it is a translation of the Bible. Any attempt to claim that it is some other book is simply ignorant. Everyone who picks up this translation understands that it is a translation of the Bible.”¹⁸Nikolai Shaburov: “This is a translation of the Bible. Attempts to assert otherwise are simply ignorant.” (https://jw-russia.news/news/2017/12/266.html).

In the opinion of Professor Mikhail Ivanovich Odintsov, Doctor of Historical Sciences, the New World Translation is not inferior to other Russian translations of the Bible in its accuracy. This translation of the Holy Scriptures “is widely known in the community of religious studies scholars as one of the Bible translations, and it can be put on a par with such confessional, interdenominational, and secular Russian translations of the Bible as the Synodal Translation (Bible or Books of the Holy Writings of the Old and New Testament in Russian Translation. St. Petersburg: Synodal typography, 1876); the Vienna Translation (Sacred Books of the Old and New Testament. Vienna: Great British and Foreign Bible Society, 1877); Tanakh, D. Yosifon (Five Books of the Torah / Translated by D. Yosifon. Jerusalem: Mossad HaRav Kook, 1975); the Modern Translation (The Bible. Modern Translation of Bible Texts. Moscow: World Bible Translation Center, 2000); and the Paraphrase Translation (Scripture. A Paraphrase Translation of the Taurat, Books of the Prophets, Zabur and Injil. Atascadero: Istanbul, 2003).”¹⁹M. Odintsov. Religious expert conclusion. The Bible (https://jw-russia.org/docs/252.html). [only in Russian]

Memorial of the Death of Jesus Christ. Since the 1870s, the Bible Students – since 1931, known as Jehovah’s Witnesses – have been observing the Memorial of Jesus Christ’s death (also called the “Lord’s Supper,” the “Lord’s Evening Meal”) after sunset once a year on the day that coincides with the 14th day of the Jewish month of Nisan (the day of the Jewish Passover). Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that according to the Bible, the Memorial of Jesus Christ’s death is the only sacred holiday that Christians should observe. For this reason, the Memorial is the only religious holiday that Jehovah’s Witnesses observe. On this day, Jehovah’s Witnesses, as well as their relatives and guests, gather for a solemn commemoration dedicated to the life, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ. At the meeting, emblems symbolizing the body and blood of Jesus Christ are passed from hand to hand: unleavened bread (unfermented bread) made from unleavened dough (symbolizing Christ’s sinless body) and unadulterated red wine (symbolizing his blood). The procedure for the commemoration is based on the Gospels and on Paul’s letter to the Corinthians. On the evening before his death, Jesus met with his disciples to observe the Passover (Mark 14:14-16). Matthew writes, “As they continued eating, Jesus took a loaf, and after saying a blessing, he broke it, and giving it to the disciples, he said: ‘Take, eat. This means my body.’ And taking a cup, he offered thanks and gave it to them, saying: ‘Drink out of it, all of you, for this means my “blood of the covenant,” which is to be poured out in behalf of many for forgiveness of sins’” (Matthew 26:26-28). According to Luke and Paul, Jesus, in introducing the commemoration of his death, said: “Keep doing this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19; 1 Corinthians 11:24).

In 2021, more than 21.4 million people attended the Memorial of Christ’s death. This figure shows how many people around the world have expressed interest in the doctrine and religious practice of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

The canonical leadership of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that they are God’s earthly organization, which is ruled theocratically by Jehovah and Jesus Christ as the appointed head of the Christian congregation.

The Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses. The canonical leadership of the religious organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses is exercised by a collective body – the Governing Body. As a model for their present Governing Body, Jehovah’s Witnesses have taken the council that in the first century consisted of apostles and elders in Jerusalem (Acts 15:2). This small group of Christians made important decisions and gave instructions to all Christian congregations.²⁰For example, the Bible book “Acts of the Apostles” (chapter 15) describes how the question of whether Christians should adhere to the rite of circumcision was discussed and decided upon. Before making a decision, they discussed exactly what the Scriptures said about the subject and acted in harmony with the guidance of holy spirit (Acts 15:28). Jehovah’s Witnesses view the Governing Body as “the faithful and discreet slave whom his master appointed over his domestics, to give them their food at the proper time.” The parable of the faithful and discreet slave is a parable of Jesus Christ found in the gospels of Matthew (24:42-51) and Luke (12:35-48). The parable says that the master of a faithful slave appointed him over his household or all the other servants in his household, to give them food in his absence. If, when the master returned (from a certain journey), the slave gained his master’s approval, he would be rewarded by being given authority over all the master’s belongings. The master figuratively represents Jesus Christ himself, whose hour of return is unknown, so his servants (slaves) need to be vigilant. The slave who would faithfully perform his duties and would do as the master (that is, Jesus Christ) commanded, is the “faithful and discreet slave;” he would be placed “over all his belongings” (Matthew 24:46, 47).²¹See: Faithful and Discreet Slave, Insight on the Scriptures, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, 2018, p.805. The Governing Body serves to provide Jehovah’s Witnesses all over the world with timely spiritual food, consisting of what they consider to be true Bible-based teachings. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that in 1919, three years after the death of Charles Russell, Jesus Christ appointed the “faithful and discreet slave” to give the Bible Students spiritual “food at the proper time.” Even in those early years, a small group of anointed²²Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that the anointed belong to the group of 144,000 persons anointed with holy spirit spoken of in Revelation chapter 14. After God’s Kingdom is established, the anointed ones will rule from heaven with Jesus Christ as part of God’s Kingdom. Only the anointed have the right to eat and drink the symbolic bread and wine during the Memorial of the death of Jesus Christ (Lord’s Supper). Christians who served at the headquarters in Brooklyn, New York, were busy preparing and distributing “spiritual food” to Christ’s followers. In the 1940s Jehovah’s Witnesses began to use the phrase “Governing Body” in their literature, but in those years it was closely associated with the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, which was more a legal instrument than a pastoral entity. In 1971, however, Jehovah’s Witnesses drew a clear distinction between the Governing Body and the Watch Tower Society. Since 1971, the Governing Body has included anointed Christians who are not directors of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society.²³See: Who is Leading God’s People Today?, The Watchtower, February 2017, pp.23-28. In recent years, those serving as directors of the Watch Tower Society and other legal entities used by Jehovah’s Witnesses have not been anointed, but are responsible brothers from among the “other sheep.”²⁴The term goes back to the words of Jesus, “And I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; those too I must bring in, and they will listen to my voice, and they will become one flock, one shepherd” (John 10:16). As understood by Jehovah’s Witnesses, the “other sheep” are God’s faithful servants who will live on earth in paradise under the rule of Jesus Christ after God’s Kingdom has been established. Thanks to this arrangement, the Governing Body can focus on teaching Jehovah’s servants spiritual truths and giving them Bible-based guidance. In the July 15, 2013 issue of The Watchtower, it was explained that the “faithful and discreet slave” is the small group of brothers who make up the Governing Body.²⁵Jehovah’s Witnesses point out that in the first century, Christians called each other “brother” and “sister” (Philemon 1, 2). Similarly, among Jehovah’s Witnesses it is customary to call each other brother and sister. The Governing Body does not claim infallibility, nor does it claim that members of the Governing Body fully understand everything written in the Bible. “At times, they have made mistakes in doctrinal matters and in organizational direction,” The Watchtower notes…“Jehovah reveals the truth gradually, and we must be willing to wait patiently for the light of truth to get brighter (Proverbs 4:18).²⁶Proverbs 4:18 says: But the path of the righteous is like the bright morning light That grows brighter and brighter until full daylight.…When those taking the lead realize that our understanding on a certain point of truth needs to be clarified, they do not hesitate to make the needed adjustments.”²⁷“Hold Fast to the Truth With Strong Conviction,” The Watchtower, October 2021, paragraph 12. As of 2024, there are eleven members of the Governing Body, all of whom are anointed Christians. They come from different countries: Jody Jedele (born in USA), Geoffrey Jackson (born in Australia), Kenneth Cook, Jr. (born in the USA), Stephen Lett (USA), Gerrit Lösch (from Austria), Jacob Rumph (USA), Mark Sanderson (USA), David Splane (Canada), Jeffrey Winder (USA), Gage Fleegle (USA), and Samuel Herd (USA). They serve at our world headquarters in Warwick, New York, U.S.A. Thus, the Governing Body is a small group of spiritually mature Christians who direct the activity of Jehovah’s Witnesses around the world. This group works in two directions:

• They are responsible for the preparation of a program of Bible-based instruction through publications, Christian meetings, and schools of Jehovah’s Witnesses;
• They organize the worldwide activity of Jehovah’s Witnesses by directing the preaching work and the allocation of donated funds.

Jehovah’s Witnesses firmly believe that holy spirit helps the Governing Body to progressively understand Bible truths. The Governing Body has the challenging task of coordinating a worldwide preaching activity involving more than 8 million preachers. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe this work is successful because it is supported by angels.²⁸See: Who Is Leading God’s People Today? The Watchtower, February 2017, pp.23-28. The members of the Governing Body do not see themselves as leaders and do not claim any special privileges. They have the necessary conditions for work and rest, comfortable but modest. They live and work in full view of other Jehovah’s Witnesses who work at the World Headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses, designing buildings for worship, coordinating the activity of congregations, and doing many other things. I am sure that anyone who has managed to meet any of the members of the Governing Body can attest to their modesty and sense of accountability to God, which in the Bible is called “the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1). The anointed men who serve on the Governing Body highly esteem the Bible and have a great deal of experience in everyday life and spiritual matters. They meet every week to discuss the needs of Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide. The Governing Body is responsible for preparing spiritual food and appointing responsible brothers, as well as furthering the progress of the Kingdom preaching work. In imitation of the apostles, members of the Governing Body provide Bible-based pastoral guidance through letters and through other ministers. Thanks to modern technology, Jehovah’s Witnesses have their own television channel on the Internet. The Governing Body regularly releases videos of its updates on the most pressing issues, as well as talks on various Bible topics. Jehovah’s Witnesses around the world see their shepherds on computer screens and listen to their guidance and advice. The purpose of this arrangement is to strengthen the spiritual unity of Jehovah’s Witnesses throughout the world.

The Governing Body is located at the World Headquarters in the United States. For more than a century, beginning in 1909, World Headquarters was located in Brooklyn, New York City; in 2016 it moved to Warwick, New York.²⁹The town of Warwick was established in 1788 and is located in southwestern Orange County, New York. Population ca. 32,000 (2010 census).

A brief overview of the main activities of Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide:

The Governing Body has established six committees to assist it in the daily work of providing spiritual guidance to Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide: the Publishing Committee, the Coordinators’ Committee, the Personnel Committee, the Writing Committee, the Service Committee, and the Teaching Committee.³⁰See: God’s Kingdom Rules! Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2014, p.129. Each member of the Governing Body serves on one or more committees. These committees organize the primary aspects of the activity of Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide: production of spiritual literature and release of videos; translation into a multitude of languages; aid for victims of natural disasters; legal support; appointment of headquarters and branch personnel; construction; etc.

The Publishing Committee is responsible for the production and delivery of Bible literature, as well as the construction of buildings for worship, translation offices, and administrative centers or branches. The scope of Jehovah’s Witnesses’ publishing activity is vast. To give just one example, The Watchtower magazine is published in 419 languages. The bi-monthly distribution issue has a circulation of 74.2 million copies, the Study Edition (published monthly) has a circulation of 13.8 million copies. In terms of the circulation of each issue and the number of languages in which it is published, The Watchtower is one of the most widely distributed magazines in the world.

The Coordinators’ Committee oversees legal matters and is also responsible for providing help in cases of natural disasters, persecution for faith, and other emergencies. Among other things, the Coordinators’ Committee sends volunteers to help Jehovah’s Witnesses. Volunteer teams distribute food and drinking water to victims of hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, and armed conflicts, also providing tents to victims. They repair the homes of their fellow believers, or even build new homes for them if their homes have been destroyed and cannot be repaired. They also do not refuse help to people of other faiths.

The Personnel Committee takes care of the Bethel family members worldwide. The word “Bethel” is from ancient Hebrew and means “house of God” (Genesis 28:17, 19). It is the name of the complexes in which members of the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses and believers engaged in organizational activity at the World Headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses and its branches live and work. The Governing Body oversees the congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses around the world through its local branches (there are 87 branches in all). The main assignment for each Bethel is to acquaint as many people as possible with Bible truth. Jehovah’s Witnesses usually refer to those serving at Bethel as the “Bethel family.” Like a large, close-knit family, Bethelites live and work together, eat together, and study the Bible together. In 2021, there were 20,595 ministers assigned to work in branches around the world.³¹2021 Service Year Report of Jehovah’s Witnesses Worldwide, p.2. Bethelites devote their time and energy fully to the work of the religious organization. All of them are volunteers and all are provided with a room, meals, and a small allowance to cover personal expenses. Each Bethelite is assigned to serve in a department. Some work in the office, others in the kitchen or dining room. Some are assigned to work in the printery or bindery, while others are assigned to do laundry or repairs, or to care for other assignments.

The Writing Committee is responsible for preparing spiritual food in print and on the jw.org website, as well as organizing the work of translators. The committee prepares the publications that are issued by Watch Tower Society. They are prepared collectively and as a rule are not signed by the authors, as they express the position of the organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Each article in The Watchtower and Awake! is carefully reviewed by members of the Governing Body. The publications of Jehovah’s Witnesses have their own distinctive style. The text is written simply – not so that it can be understood, but so that it cannot be misunderstood. The content of The Watchtower is based mainly on quotations from the Bible. Jehovah’s Witnesses value truth and therefore carefully check all the facts they publish. If any quote, fact, or figure appears in the publications or videos of Jehovah’s Witnesses, it has been repeatedly checked and double-checked. For this purpose, the Writing Research Department was created to thoroughly research the accuracy of the information.³²Information about how scrupulously the numbers, facts, and quotes are checked can be found in the video “Promoting Love and Respect for Truth” (https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/activities/publishing/love-and-respect-for-truth/). For example, when the Awake! magazine discusses a topic – whether it is ways to overcome stress (2020, №1), “12 Secrets of Successful Families” (2018, №2), or “Teen Depression – Why? What Can Help?” (2017, №1), the reader can expect to get a complete and objective view of the situation. Jehovah’s Witnesses have a distinctive style for illustrations: they strive for authenticity and clarity, to accurately depict cultural and historical details of Bible events in their artwork and video productions.

The Service Committee oversees the activity of preaching the “good news of the Kingdom” (Matthew 24:14). It looks for ways to spread the good news in various countries. For example, on the recommendation of the Service Committee, Jehovah’s Witnesses began preaching with carts in major cities in many countries, with good results. When the good news is received better or worse than usual in some countries, the Service Committee studies the experience, draws conclusions, and sends recommendations to the Writing Committee. The members of the Service Committee, like those of other committees, respond to questions from elders and preachers from around the world.

The Teaching Committee is responsible for the preparation of spiritual instruction that includes audio and video materials and is presented at assemblies and conventions, congregation meetings, and various seminars for traveling ministers, elders, and missionaries.

How the branches of the World Headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses operate. In each branch, the Governing Body appoints a Branch Committee, which consists of three or more experienced elders.

The Committee reports to the Governing Body on how the Kingdom preaching work is progressing in the countries for which the branch is responsible, and on any problems that arise. This helps the Governing Body decide what topics should be discussed in publications, congregation meetings, assemblies, and conventions. The Governing Body regularly sends representatives to branches. They visit the branches and give the Committee members pastoral guidance to help them fulfill their assignments. A special meeting is organized for those who live in a branch territory, at which a representative of the World Headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses gives a talk. Looking after local congregations is one of the main responsibilities of each branch. The responsible brothers in the branch make decisions on establishing new congregations. In addition, these brothers coordinate the activity of pioneers³³All active Jehovah’s Witnesses are publishers and preach the good news and devote as much time as they possibly can to it. Some manage to organize their lives so that they can preach 70 hours a month. Such ministers are called pioneers. In 2021, there were an average of 1.35 million pioneers per month. The word “pioneer” was applied to a person who found a new path for others to follow, but some English translations of the Bible even apply the word to Jesus. For example, James Moffat’s English translation of Hebrews 12:2 says, “our eyes fixed upon Jesus as the pioneer and the perfection of faith.” To succeed in the pioneer ministry, many pioneers change to part-time jobs. Pioneers lead a simple life. They are confident that Jehovah will not abandon them and will give them everything they need to live. Those whose circumstances do not allow them to preach full-time, i.e., 70 hours a month, can serve as auxiliary pioneers, preaching 30 or 50 hours a month. In 2021, on average, there were about 400,000 auxiliary pioneers per month. Thus, in 2021 about 20 percent of Jehovah’s Witnesses were pioneers or auxiliary pioneers. From March 1, 2023, the hours were reduced: pioneers can preach 50 hours a month; auxiliary pioneers 30 hours a month or 15 hours (during circuit overseer visits or special preaching campaigns). This should lead to an increase in the numbers of pioneers and auxiliary pioneers. and circuit overseers³⁴The “circuit overseer” attends about 20 congregations (one circuit) twice a year and spends a week with each of them. He tries to get to know everyone in the congregation and enjoys preaching with them from house to house and attending Bible studies. The circuit overseers give talks at congregation meetings. The goal of circuit overseers is to strengthen the congregation spiritually. who serve in the branch territory. They organize conventions, coordinate the building of Kingdom Halls, and oversee the shipment of literature to the congregations. All branch activity is designed to ensure that the preaching work is done in a uniform and organized manner.

Given the possibilities of modern technology, the Governing Body decided in 2012 to reduce the number of branches and assign larger branches to oversee work in some 30 countries where Jehovah’s Witnesses had previously had relatively small branches.³⁵By reducing the number of branches, they wanted to increase the number of preachers. Another main reason for this change was to train more full-time preachers. For example, oversight of preaching activity in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama was assigned by the Governing Body to the branch in Mexico. The Central Europe Branch (Germany) began supporting the preaching work in Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, and Switzerland. The Scandinavian branch (Denmark) began supporting the preaching work not only in Denmark and Greenland but also in other countries: Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. Therefore, the branches in these countries were closed.³⁶See: 2013 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses, pp.11-14.

The question of exactly how the canonical leadership of congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses is exercised in Russia today requires further study. A country, or several countries covered by a branch, is divided into theocratic circuits comprising about 20 congregations. The care of the circuit is exercised by the circuit overseer.

Christian elders and ministerial servants.³⁷Jehovah’s Witnesses have no paid clergy. Elders are spiritually mature men; they take the lead in preaching, participating in all types of ministry, and training preachers. The requirements that elders must meet are recorded in the Bible (1 Timothy 3:1-10, 12 and Titus 1:5-9). Elders are appointed by circuit overseers, who are themselves appointed by the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses.A congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses (which has up to 200 people, but usually about 100) is cared for by the body of elders. The word “elder” is a translation of the Greek words “presbyteros” and “episkopos” which appear many times in the New Testament. Other Protestant denominations use the word “presbyter” in their spiritual practice. Elders (sometimes compared to caring shepherds who know every sheep in the flock) try to get to know every member of their congregation.

They care for their spiritual needs. To provide support and comfort from the Holy Scriptures to their fellow believers, the elders may come to their homes or meet with them at the Kingdom Hall for a shepherding visit.

Most elders have families, so in addition to their responsibilities in the congregation, they also need to work and make time for family obligations. Elders are not paid for their shepherding work.

Ministerial servants of Jehovah’s Witnesses correspond to the New Testament concept of “diakonos.” Among Jehovah’s Witnesses, these are spiritually mature men on whom one can rely. They take care of important, mostly organizational and administrative matters related to the activity of the congregation. With their help, the elders can concentrate on teaching and pastoral work.

Some ministerial servants serve as attendants – they greet everyone who comes to the meetings. Others are in charge of sound equipment, literature distribution, and accounting for voluntary donations. They also help with the maintenance and cleaning of the Kingdom Hall. Elders may ask them to help the elderly in the congregation. In time, ministerial servants may qualify to serve as elders.

Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia

The history of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia began over a century ago, in the second half of the 1880s. Thus, the Witnesses’ main publication, The Watchtower magazine, published a letter in February 1887 in which the author reported that he was sending publications of the Bible Students to Russia.

The first Bible Student known by name in the Russian Empire was Semyon Kozlitsky (1835-1935), who went to the United States in 1891. There he met with Charles Russell and became a Bible Student. After returning to Moscow, Semyon Kozlitsky began actively preaching, and later in 1891 he was sentenced to a life of hard labor in the village of Bukhtarma in the Ust-Kamenogorsk District of the Semipalatinsk Region (now Kazakhstan). He continued to zealously preach the doctrine of Jehovah’s Witnesses, gathering a group of disciples and followers around him, until his death.³⁸See: A. I. Artemyev, Jehovah’s Witnesses in Kazakhstan: A Socio-historical and Theological Analysis, Almaty, 2020, p.88. [only in Russian]

In 1891 and 1912, Charles Russell traveled to the Russian Empire, where he met with believers and delivered sermons. From the start of the 20th century, groups of Bible Students appeared in various parts of the Russian Empire.

To lay the necessary groundwork for preaching in Russia and Finland (which was then part of the Russian Empire), on September 24, 1913, Charles Russell appointed Kaarlo Harteva³⁹Kaarlo Harteva (1882-1957), one of the first Bible Students in Finland, was baptized in 1910. Until 1950 he was the editor of the Watch Tower magazine in the Finnish language and the supervisor (head) of the Jehovah’s Witnesses branch in Finland (see: God’s Kingdom Rules! Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2014, p.121). to represent the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania in Finland.

The certificate issued by the Society’s president Charles Russell, to Kaarlo Harteva, the representative of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society in Finland, was authenticated by the Russian Imperial Consulate General in New York on September 25, 1913, and provided government authorization to the Bible Students, giving them the right to conduct missionary work throughout the Russian Empire.

I believe that in view of the official registration of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Finland, the year 1913 can tentatively be considered the beginning of the history of the religious organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses in the Russian Empire.⁴⁰Note that with the outbreak of World War I in 1914, restrictions on freedom of conscience in Russia intensified, including persecution of “sectarians.” See, for example: V. A. Popov. Hostages of “militant Germanism.” Russian Protestants in the First World War became a victim of spy mania, NG Religii, July 16, 2014.

The history of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia is described in many scholarly publications⁴¹See: A. I. Artemyev, Jehovah’s Witnesses in Kazakhstan: A Socio-historical and Theological Analysis, 3^rd edition, Almaty, 2020, p.416; N. S. Gordienko, The Russian Jehovah’s Witnesses: History and Modernity, 2^nd edition, St. Petersburg, 2002, p.240; M. I. Odintsov, The Council of Ministers of the USSR Rules to “Deport Forever!” Moscow, Publishing house Art-Business-Center, 2002, p.240 and others. [only in Russian] as well as in a detailed report published in the 2008 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses.⁴²2008 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2008, pp.65-255. It is important to note that throughout most of their history in Russia, with the exception of 1991-2016 (that is, about 25 years), Jehovah’s Witnesses have worshipped underground, under ban.

Despite persecution, the number of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia has grown steadily and substantially. Here are a few examples:

Following the annexation to the Soviet Union, between 1939 and 1941, of a series of territories in which a significant number of Jehovah’s Witnesses were living (Western Ukraine, Western Belarus, Moldova, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia), by 1946 approximately 8,000 were attending meetings of Jehovah’s Witnesses in the Soviet Union.⁴³Ye. S. Elbakian, Religions of Russia, Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia, Dictionary, Moscow, Encyclopedia Publishing House LLC, 2014, p.241. [only in Russian] Between 1947 and 1950, state security forces apprehended more than 1,000 Jehovah’s Witnesses. In 1951, during Operation North, all Jehovah’s Witnesses and their family members from the European part of the USSR who were identified by the authorities and had not renounced their faith (about 10,000 persons in all) were deported “forever” to Siberia (Irkutsk and Tomsk Regions).⁴⁴By a decree of the Presidium of the USSR Supreme Soviet of September 30, 1965, Jehovah’s Witnesses were released from serving in exile, but were not allowed to return to their native territory.

However, contrary to the intentions of the authorities and the state security agencies, the deportations and even harsh criminal prosecution did not stop the missionary activities of Jehovah’s Witnesses, but instead, contributed to the increase of their followers in the USSR. In 1956, for example, meetings of Jehovah’s Witnesses in the USSR were regularly attended by 17,000 people—almost twice as many as in 1946.⁴⁵See: 2008 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses, p.10. The number of Jehovah’s Witnesses in the Soviet Union, who, according to the Council on Religious Affairs under the USSR Council of Ministers, were the most active of all religious movements in their missionary work, continued to grow in subsequent years, increasing from 18,700 to 25,600 in only five years, from 1974 to 1979.⁴⁶See: S. Yu. Sadchenkov, Realization of principles of freedom of conscience and religion in Volgograd Region in 1980s, State and church in the XX century: evolution of relationship, political and socio-cultural aspects. Experience of Russia and Europe, executive director. I. Filimonova, Moscow, Book house LIBROCOM, 2011, p.63. [only in Russian] The majority of Jehovah’s Witnesses in the USSR lived not in the territory of Russia but in what is now Moldova and Ukraine.

The number of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia during the period when their activity was legally recognized – from 1991 to 2016 – shows a more than tenfold increase. While in 1991 there were about 16,000 active followers in the Russian Federation, by 2016 there were 171,800.⁴⁷2016 Service Year Report of Jehovah’s Witnesses Worldwide, 2017 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2017, p.184.

How do Jehovah’s Witnesses worship God?

The worship of Jehovah’s Witnesses is based on their understanding of the Bible and includes the following fundamental features:

Prayer to God. “… in everything by prayer and supplication along with thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6).

Reading and studying the Bible. “Happy is the man who does not walk according to the advice of the wicked. And does not stand on the path of sinners And does not sit in the seat of scoffers. But his delight is in the law of Jehovah, And he reads His law in an undertone day and night. He will be like a tree planted by streams of water, A tree that produces fruit in its season, The foliage of which does not wither. And everything he does will succeed” (Psalms 1:1-3).

Meditating on what they read in the Bible (Psalms 77:12).

Meetings in which they pray, study the Bible, sing, talk about their faith, and encourage their fellow believers and others (Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 10:23-25). Jehovah’s Witnesses hold their religious meetings twice a week to study the Bible. On the evening of one weekday, there is a meeting based on Our Christian Life and Ministry Meeting Workbook. On the weekend there is a meeting with a discourse on a Bible topic and a study of an article from The Watchtower. Meetings begin and end with song and prayer and feature short answers from the believers to questions asked by the conductor, based on the content of The Watchtower article. One does not have to be one of Jehovah’s Witnesses to attend these meetings. Admission is free and there are no collections.

Preaching the “good news of the Kingdom.” “And this good news of the Kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14). Just as Jesus Christ taught his followers to preach the good news from house to house (Matthew 10:11-13), Jehovah’s Witnesses preach door to door, from heart to heart. During the COVID-19 pandemic, precautions were put in place that precluded face-to-face contact during preaching; the focus was on preaching by letter writing, telephone, and video conference. In 2022, Jehovah’s Witnesses returned to their usual practice – speaking to people about the Bible wherever possible: door to door, on the street, in business centers, and in parks. In addition, Jehovah’s Witnesses talk about the Bible to neighbors, coworkers, classmates, and relatives whenever there is a suitable opportunity.

Helping those in need. Jehovah’s Witnesses are guided by the Bible principle “… let us work what is good toward all, but especially toward those related to us in the faith” (Galatians 6:10). In Russia, hundreds of Jehovah’s Witnesses who have been prosecuted for their faith have been added by the Federal Financial Monitoring Service of the Russian Federation (Rosfinmonitoring) to the List of organizations and individuals about whom there is information regarding their involvement in extremism or terrorism. People who are on this “blacklist” find themselves living below the poverty line. They are allowed to withdraw no more than a total of 10,000 rubles (about 100 USD) per month from all their accounts. In addition, many of Jehovah’s Witnesses have lost their jobs because they ended up in pre-trial detention or under house arrest. Many families of believers have found themselves in a difficult financial situation because the head of the family was given a prison sentence and is serving it in a penal colony. All of them would be on the verge of starvation were it not for the material support of their fellow believers.

Construction and maintenance of Kingdom Halls and other buildings used by Jehovah’s Witnesses. In Russia, this activity has been suspended due to the decision of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation on April 20, 2017, № AKPI17-238 to liquidate the religious organization “the Administrative Center of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia” and the legally registered local religious organizations included in its structure, and to turn the property of the liquidated religious organization remaining after the satisfaction of creditors’ claims over to the Russian Federation.

This decision violated the legal rights of many thousands of believers, depriving them of buildings that were honestly and conscientiously constructed for worshipping God. The complex of the Administrative Center of Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Assembly Hall (St. Petersburg) and hundreds of Kingdom Halls⁴⁸A Kingdom Hall is a building for worship of Jehovah’s Witnesses. It has an auditorium for 100-300 people, chairs or benches and a small library. Typically, these halls are not lavishly decorated, are well lit so that believers can comfortably follow discourses from their own Bibles, have sound amplification equipment, and are well heated and ventilated. There are no items of religious paraphernalia or altars in the Kingdom Halls, as these are considered idolatrous by Jehovah’s Witnesses. The name “Kingdom Hall” was coined in the 1930s. It was meant to emphasize that Jehovah’s Witnesses preach the good news of God’s Kingdom (Matthew 24:14). were built throughout the Russian Federation. Believers constructed all the buildings with their own resources and did not approach the state for material assistance. According to the European Court of Human Rights judgment dated June 7, 2022, Russia is required to return the seized property (or pay compensation of EUR 59,617,458).⁴⁹European Court of Human Rights Acquits Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia (https://jw-russia.org/en/news/2022/06/071622.html).

Helping those affected by natural disasters or military conflicts (Acts 11:27-30). Jehovah’s Witnesses help their fellow believers and non-Witnesses in times of disaster, following the Bible command: “Let us work what is good toward all, but especially toward those related to us in the faith” (Galatians 6:10). Congregation elders in areas affected by natural disasters or warfare immediately try to contact all members of their congregation to find out if they have been affected and what kind of help they need. The information they receive, and a report on what has been done for those affected, is passed on by the elders to the local branch of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

If the congregations in the affected areas are unable to provide the necessary assistance, the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses arranges for the delivery of what is needed. The local branch appoints relief committees to coordinate these efforts. Witnesses from other places donate funds, time, and energy to help those affected.

For example, in Ukraine in 2022 the local branch appointed 27 relief committees to support Jehovah’s Witnesses in war zones.

Some unique features of the beliefs and practices of Jehovah’s Witnesses

Virtually every one of Jehovah’s Witnesses believes that he belongs to the only religious organization that does the will of God.⁵⁰Jehovah’s Witnesses consider only their religion is true. They do not agree with the view that there are many religions, many roads, all leading to salvation. Regarding this, they refer to the words of Jesus who said: “Narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are finding it” (Matthew 7:14). They believe that they have found that road (https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/true-religion/).

God’s Kingdom. Most Christian religions agree with the statement that after his resurrection Jesus Christ sat at the right hand of his Father, waiting for God to give him kingly authority. But only Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that Jesus Christ already received kingly authority in heaven, in the year 1914, and that Satan and his demons have been hurled down from heaven to earth.

Thus, according to the teaching of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 1914 marked the beginning of the “last days” – the transitional period from human rule to the Millennial Kingdom of Jesus Christ, which will be established on earth after Armageddon (the decisive battle between the forces of good and evil, in which the forces of good will achieve a final victory and bind Satan for a thousand years).

Activists battling “sects” want to discredit Jehovah’s Witnesses; they claim that the Witnesses are preparing to participate in the war against the forces of evil, to kill Satan’s agents during Armageddon. They have no proof of this; so, for example, the most famous “anti-sectarian” in Russia, A. L. Dvorkin, cites an unnamed Dane who was born into a family of Jehovah’s Witnesses, but “found the strength to break with the sect.” This Dane allegedly remembers that when he was in school, he “knew that Christ would come soon, and then they would hand him a machine gun and he would have to mow down all his fellow students.”⁵¹A. L. Dvorkin, Sectology. Totalitarian Sects. Experience of Systematic Research, 3^rd edition, Nizhny Novgorod, Publishing house of the Brotherhood in the name of the Holy Prince Alexander Nevskiy, 2002, p.116. [only in Russian]

Such claims are malicious lies and slander. Jehovah’s Witnesses do not take up arms, do not learn to wage war, and do not intend to fight the forces of evil during Armageddon. As explained in the literature of Jehovah’s Witnesses, “Har–Magedon is thus seen to be a fight, not merely among men, but one in which God’s invisible armies take part.”⁵²Armageddon (Har-Magedon), Insight on the Scriptures vol. 1, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2021, p.1038. In explaining their position during Armageddon, they quote the Bible, “You will not need to fight this battle. Take your position, stand still, and see the salvation of Jehovah in your behalf” (2 Chronicles 20:17).

Let us briefly mention the view of Jehovah’s Witnesses on God’s Kingdom. Like other teachings, it is based on the Bible: God’s Kingdom refers to the exercise of God’s sovereignty over His creatures (Psalms 103:19) through a government headed by a king – the Son of God, Christ Jesus.

Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that after Armageddon, on the earth, a one-thousand-year government ruled by Jesus Christ will be established – it will be paradise on earth. Satan will be restrained for a thousand years. On the earth, which once revolved around Adam and Eve’s rebellion against God, there will once again be no place for sin and evil.

However, after this a final test awaits all earthly subjects of God’s government… Satan will be loosed from his restraint in the abyss. Those he is able to ensnare will raise the same issue that arose in Eden: the rightfulness of God’s sovereignty… Those who do not remain loyal to God will not be able to appeal to Christ Jesus as a ‘propitiatory helper.’ Jehovah God will be ‘all things’ to people, which excludes the possibility of any sort of intercession or mediation. God will sentence all rebels, on the earth and in the spirit realm, to ‘the second death’ (Revelation 20:7-15).⁵³Kingdom of God, Insight on the Scriptures, Vol. 2, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2021, p.170.

This is not easy to understand for someone who is not familiar with the Bible’s view of the world. But those who wish to learn more about the views of Jehovah’s Witnesses can do so by consulting the Bible and the Bible-based literature published in abundance by the Watch Tower Society.

“You are no part of the world.”⁵⁴John 15:19. Jehovah’s Witnesses firmly believe that they should be “no part of the world” as Jesus Christ taught. For this reason, Jehovah’s Witnesses do not participate in political life (including voting in elections, joining political parties, and participating in rallies and demonstrations). They do not sing the national anthem, salute the national flag, or celebrate national holidays.

The attitude of Jehovah’s Witnesses toward the state is defined by the Bible principle: “Pay back Caesar’s things to Caesar, but God’s things to God.”⁵⁵Mark 12:17. That is, Jehovah’s Witnesses are conscientious and disciplined in their work, pay their taxes honestly, and promote public welfare, but stay away from areas of life in which the state tries to force them to violate Bible principles and norms.

For Jehovah’s Witnesses, military service is unacceptable, because the Bible says that “In the final part of the days… Nation will not lift up sword against nation, nor will they learn war anymore” (Isaiah 2:2, 4). As understood by Jehovah’s Witnesses, this prophecy refers to the present time and to Jehovah’s Witnesses themselves, who do not take up arms or serve in the army.

At the same time, Jehovah’s Witnesses believe it is acceptable to perform alternative civilian service.

Jehovah’s Witnesses respect state authority and obey the laws of their country as prescribed by the Bible (Romans 13:1-7). However, when the authorities demand a renunciation of faith or a violation of Bible commandments, Jehovah’s Witnesses are guided by the principle established in the Bible: “We must obey God as ruler rather than men” (Acts 5:29).

Strengthening the family on the basis of Bible principles. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that God established the norm that marriage is the union of one man and one woman. The only legal grounds for divorce, according to the beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses, is adultery, which they consider a grave sin.⁵⁶Jehovah’s Witnesses refer to the words of Jesus Christ as the Bible basis for their position, “whoever divorces his wife, except on the grounds of sexual immorality, and marries another commits adultery” (Matthew 19:9). Marriage is viewed as a lifelong union; however, the death of one of the spouses allows the other to start a new family.

Within the communities of Jehovah’s Witnesses, men and women are encouraged to marry fellow believers. However, Jehovah’s Witnesses do not consider the differing religious beliefs of their partner as legitimate grounds for divorce. They refer in particular to the advice of the Apostle Paul: “If any brother has an unbelieving wife and she is agreeable to staying with him, let him not leave her; and if a woman has an unbelieving husband and he is agreeable to staying with her, let her not leave her husband. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified in relation to his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified in relation to the brother; otherwise, your children would be unclean, but now they are holy” (1 Corinthians 7:12-14). Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that by applying Bible-based counsel, families can be happy.⁵⁷For example, Jehovah’s Witnesses seek to follow the admonitions about the relationship between husband and wife and between parents and children found in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians 5:22-33 and 6:1-4.

To explain these Bible principles, the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society has published a considerable number of books and brochures on the subject of strengthening family ties and on relationships with relatives.⁵⁸See: The Secret to Family Happiness, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, 2012, p.191; Your Family Can Be Happy, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, 2014, p.32; and many others.

Bible Principles for Raising Children. Much of the literature published by the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society focuses on various aspects of parenting. These publications advise parents to see each child as a unique individual, educate children from an early age, and raise their “child in such a way that the child has every opportunity to grow into a responsible adult, who will continue actively to worship God and demonstrate love for his fellowman.”⁵⁹How to Be a Successful Parent, The Watchtower, May 1, 1988, pp.3-6.

Jehovah’s Witnesses recognize a child’s right to freedom of conscience. The Watchtower and other publications of the Society draw parents’ attention to the fact that children have the right to choose their own religion, and if they participate in Christian preaching, they should preach out of love for God Jehovah, not out of compulsion.⁶⁰See: Religion – My Choice or My Parents’?, The Watchtower, September 15, 2009, pp.3-6.

In families where parents have differing religious views and only one parent is a Jehovah’s Witness, “the Witness parent is encouraged to recognize the right of the non-Witness parent also to instruct the children according to his or her religious convictions. Children exposed to different religious views experience few, if any, ill effects,” notes the brochure Jehovah’s Witnesses and Education. “In practice, all children have to decide what religion they will follow. Naturally, not all youths choose to follow the religious principles of their parents, whether Jehovah’s Witnesses or not.”⁶¹Jehovah’s Witnesses and Education, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, 2019, pp.24-25.

It is important to parents that their children discuss all problems with them. Families foster an atmosphere of mutual trust that allows them to address sensitive topics such as intimate relationships between the sexes. Publications addressed to parents contain advice to teach children a healthy attitude toward their sexuality, romantic love, reproduction, and family life.⁶²See, for example: “Questions Parents Ask” in Questions Young People Ask – Answers That Work, Vol. 1, pp.289-290. Jehovah’s Witnesses even address the topic of sex education in cartoons addressed to children, in which, among other things, they teach children how to act in situations where an adult infringes on their sexual integrity. Notably, to preclude any instances of the sexual abuse of minors, Jehovah’s Witnesses do not sponsor any kindergartens, after-school groups, Sunday schools, classes, workshops, camps, or youth clubs in which children are separated from their parents.

The religious and ethical position of Jehovah’s Witnesses regarding medical care, including blood transfusions. Their refusal of blood transfusion is the most common reason why Jehovah’s Witnesses are criticized. What is true and what is speculation? When Jehovah’s Witnesses refuse blood transfusions, are they really risking their lives and defying the law? To begin with, Jehovah’s Witnesses do not practice “faith healing,” but rather seek quality medical care. At the same time, they believe that the Biblical requirement to “keep abstaining from… blood” (Acts 15:20,29) refers not only to the prohibition against eating blood,⁶³The Bible frequently repeats the prohibition against eating blood, for example: “…Flesh with its life, its blood, you must not eat” (Genesis 9:4); “…I said to the Israelites: ‘You must not eat the blood of any sort of flesh because the life of every sort of flesh is its blood. Anyone eating it will be cut off’” (Leviticus 17:14). but also to blood transfusion.

As a result, Jehovah’s Witnesses refuse transfusions of whole blood⁶⁴In modern medicine, transfusion of whole blood is almost never used because it causes too many complications. and its four basic components (red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma). However, Jehovah’s Witnesses have no prohibition against the use of blood fractions. Each individual is free to decide whether to accept immunoglobulins or serum prepared using blood fractions. It is up to the believer to decide whether or not to accept the use of methods such as hemodilution (in which some of the patient’s blood is temporarily diverted from the body and replaced with a volume expander), filtration and immediate return to the bloodstream of blood from a surgical site (cell salvage), the use of a heart-lung machine, and hemodialysis.⁶⁵Hemodialysis (Ancient Greek for “blood” and “separation”) is a method of extrarenal blood purification for acute and chronic renal failure.

Many of Jehovah’s Witnesses carry a written directive not to give them a blood transfusion under any circumstances.⁶⁶This document is needed in case the believer, for whatever reason, loses consciousness and is unable to express his or her will. This document may state their wishes regarding the use of minor blood fractions, procedures involving the use of their own blood, and other medical matters.

Jehovah’s Witnesses give great attention to collaborating with medical institutions and physicians who employ surgical methods without blood transfusion.⁶⁷See: Clinical Strategies to Avoid Blood Transfusion, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, 2012 (https://www.jw.org/en/medical-library/medical-information/clinical-strategies-avoid-blood-transfusion/).

This is one of the approaches aimed at developing technology that make possible more complete preservation of the patient’s own blood and the elimination of the use of donor blood in surgical procedures. One of the compelling reasons why many doctors and medical centers support the development of what is called patient blood management is the threat of transmitting AIDS, hepatitis, and other infections, the risk of which increases with the transfusion of donor blood.

In more than 110 countries, ministers of Jehovah’s Witnesses serve on an international network of 2000 Hospital Liaison Committees.⁶⁸See Hospital Liaison Committees for Jehovah’s Witnesses (https://www.jw.org/en/medical-library/strategies-downloads/hospital-liaison-committees-jehovahs-witnesses/). Jehovah’s Witnesses who require medical treatment view them as caring shepherds who help them in their time of need (Proverbs 17:17).

Hospital Liaison Committees provide spiritual and practical assistance to hospitalized patients and collaborate with the hospitals’ doctors, staff, and lawyers.

At the patient’s request, the members of the Committees help ailing fellow believers to find clinics and doctors that provide effective treatment without the transfusion of donor blood.⁶⁹See: Hospital Liaison Committees for Jehovah’s Witnesses. Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2012, pp.1-16 (https://www.jw.org/en/medical-library/strategies-downloads/hospital-liaison-committees-jehovahs-witnesses/).

The transfusion of donor blood or its main components belongs to the category of “medical intervention” under Russian law. Article 20 of Federal Law № 323-FZ of November 21, 2011 on Fundamentals of Health Care in the Russian Federation stipulates both the right to informed voluntary consent to medical intervention and refusal of medical intervention.^{70At the same time, in cases stipulated by part 9 of the mentioned article, there are grounds for medical intervention without the consent of a citizen, a parent or other legal representative, including if medical intervention is urgently needed to eliminate a threat to a person’s life or if their condition does not allow them to express their will.}

Thus, when Jehovah’s Witnesses refuse transfusions of donor blood and its major components, they have every right to do so and are not violating Russian law.

The position of Jehovah’s Witnesses on bioethical issues. The Bible, according to the opinion of Jehovah’s Witnesses, does not prohibit birth control (contraception). Couples decide for themselves what methods of contraception they will use (Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that sexual relations are acceptable only in marriage). However, they refuse methods of contraception that, in their view, are tantamount to abortion. For them, artificial insemination, in which eggs or sperm are obtained from persons who are not married to each other, constitutes adultery.

Abortion is unacceptable to Jehovah’s Witnesses. In cases where a choice must be made between the life of the mother and the life of the child during childbirth, the decision rests with the parents. However, Jehovah’s Witnesses do not impose their views about abortion on other denominations or on secular society.

They tolerate neither physical nor psychological violence in the family; they respect the view of couples on contraception and childbearing. Jehovah’s Witnesses try to resolve all issues of family life based on mutual respect.

Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that the Bible permits the moderate use of alcoholic beverages, however, Bible principles do not allow for the use of tobacco and the non-medical use of narcotics. The only restriction regarding food is the refusal to eat meat that has not been properly bled or food made from blood (Acts 15:28, 29).⁷¹See: Religious and Ethical Position on Medical Therapy and Related Matters. Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, 2012 (https://www.jw.org/en/medical-library/medical-information/religious-and-ethical-position-medical-therapy/).

Thus, the religious and moral position of Jehovah’s Witnesses regarding medical care and key bioethical issues does not contain any radical or strange views, and is consistent with the law.

Why don’t Jehovah’s Witnesses accept the doctrine of the Trinity? Jehovah’s Witnesses consider themselves to be true Christians, Jesus Christ to be the head of their Christian congregation (that is, their religious organization), and their doctrine to be based on the Bible. For Jehovah’s Witnesses, Jesus Christ is their Savior, the Son of God, their Counselor, and their Heavenly King. In every prayer, Jehovah’s Witnesses address Jehovah God through his son Jesus Christ.

Jehovah’s Witnesses recognize as true only those doctrines that are based directly on the Bible, whereas much of Christianity in its modern, rather than its New Testament, form was borrowed from ancient philosophy and the pagan beliefs and rituals of communities that have embraced Christianity.

For example, one of the key Christian dogmas⁷²Dogma – Church-approved statements of doctrine, generally formulated and revealed at Ecumenical Councils, declared to be binding and immutable truth, not subject to criticism or doubt. – that of the Trinity⁷³The Nicene Creed (adopted by the Second Ecumenical Council in 381 C.E. and amplified and confirmed by the Fourth Ecumenical Council in 451 C.E.), which established the doctrine of the Holy Trinity, is central to the doctrine and liturgical practice of many Christian churches. According to the doctrine of the Holy Trinity, God is one in three Persons (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit). All three Persons (Personalities) of the Trinity exist in complete unity. The three divine Persons act as one essence of the Triune God. – is not shared by Jehovah’s Witnesses because, in their view, there is no basis for it in the Bible. Indeed, the concept of the Trinity is not found in the text of the Bible, and, according to the testimony of Orthodox theologians, “the word ‘Trinity’ itself is not of Bible origin. It was introduced into the Christian lexicon in the second half of the second century by St. Theophilus of Antioch.”⁷⁴Hierey Oleg Davydenkov, Dogmatic Theology: Textbook, Moscow: Publishing house of the Saint Tikhon’s Orthodox University of Humanities, 2005, 2^nd edition, p.102. [only in Russian]

There have been and are other movements within Christianity that do not accept the doctrine of the Trinity. They are known as antitrinitarians (from Latin anti “against” + trinitas “trinity”). Antitrinitarians honor Jesus Christ as the Son of God, but do not recognize him as God, and they consider the doctrine of the Trinity to be a distortion of original Christianity. Antitrinitarian movements in Christianity have never had a unified doctrine; their rejection of the Trinity is all they have in common.

The following were antitrinitarian Christians: the great physicist Isaac Newton (1642-1727); the Spanish thinker, naturalist, and physician Michael Servetus (1511-1553), who was executed in Geneva at the instigation of one of the prominent figures of the Reformation, John Calvin, for denying the dogma of the Trinity; the English philosopher John Locke (1632-1704), author of the remarkable aphorism: “The only defense against the world is a thorough knowledge of it;” and one of the greatest Russian writers and thinkers, Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910) – in 1901, the Synod ruled that Tolstoy had fallen away from the Church because he “subverted all the dogmas of the Orthodox Church,” including the doctrine of the Trinity.⁷⁵“The Ruling of the Holy Synod of February 20-22, 1901, № 557, with a message to the faithful children of the Orthodox Greek-Russian Church about Count Leo Tolstoy” (published on February 24, 1901, in the official organ of the Holy Synod “Church Bulletin of the Holy Governing Synod”). L. N. Tolstoy’s work, An Inquiry into Dogmatic Theology, Chapter II. “On God, the Trinity in Persons” is devoted to criticizing the dogma of the Trinity (L. N. Tolstoy, Complete Works in 90 Volumes, Academic Jubilee Edition. Vol. 23, works 1879-1884, Moscow, State Publishing House of Fiction, 1958, pp.103-123). [only in Russian]

For centuries, antitrinitarians were severely persecuted. Only in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries did it become legal to disseminate antitrinitarian views in Western Europe. Of today’s 2.4 billion Christians, there are fewer than 30 million antitrinitarians (about 1 percent). Currently, Jehovah’s Witnesses are the most organized and numerous antitrinitarian denomination.

Antitrinitarianism evokes rejection and hostility from many representatives of Christian religious organizations that believe in the doctrine of the Trinity. Jehovah’s Witnesses are often targeted and called a “pseudo-Christian destructive sect” primarily because they “reject the notion of the Holy Trinity and consider its teaching to be a false doctrine.”⁷⁶See: Priest Lev Semenov, A. L. Dvorkin, Jehovah’s Witnesses, The Orthodox Encyclopedia, Vol. 2, p.186. [only in Russian]

Can Jehovah’s Witnesses be called a sect, or do they belong to another type of religious organization?

Jehovah’s Witnesses are not a sect; they are a denomination. Opponents of Jehovah’s Witnesses call them nothing other than a “sect.” Is there any basis for this?

There are three main types of religious organizations generally recognized by religious studies scholars: sects, denominations, and churches.

The word “sect” comes from the Latin “secta” (school, path, doctrine, movement). As a rule, a sect emerges in opposition to one or another religion predominant in society and the state. Thus, the Explanatory Dictionary of the Russian Language, edited by Professor D. N. Ushakov, a corresponding member of the USSR Academy of Sciences, notes that a sect is “a religious community consisting of people who have broken away from the predominant church and have adopted a new doctrine.” In the vast majority of cases, a sect is characterized by a tendency toward insularity and isolationism. This fact is reflected in the description of a sect, given in Ushakov’s Explanatory Dictionary: “A self-contained group of persons cut off from communication with others.”⁷⁷D. N. Ushakov, Sect, Explanatory Dictionary of the Russian Language, Vol. 4. Moscow, State Publishers of Foreign and National Dictionaries, 1940, p.132. [only in Russian] A similar definition of a sect is given in the Dictionary of Foreign Words: “Sect – a religious community that has broken away from the dominant church, a self-contained group alienated from the general public.”⁷⁸I. V. Lekhin, F. N. Petrov, Dictionary of Foreign Words, 3^rd edition, Moscow, State Publishing House of Foreign and National Dictionaries, 1949, p.805. [only in Russian]

As for Jehovah’s Witnesses, they emerged as a Bible study group rather than an opposing movement within another denomination; to date they continue to show a keen interest in the study of the Holy Scriptures. Jehovah’s Witnesses do not shut themselves off from other people; they are not what one would call a “closed group, alienated from the general public.” On the contrary, they are well-known for taking the initiative to go out and preach, talking to people about the Bible.

Thus, there is no reason to consider Jehovah’s Witnesses a sect. Can they be called a church?

The word “church” is formed from the Greek word κυρικόν meaning “house of the Lord.” In the fourth and fifth centuries, the Greeks used this term to denote a church in the sense of a building or a temple where sacred rites were performed.

When the word “church” is used to describe a type of religious organization, it means a religious association of which almost anyone who wishes to can become a member. Most churches practice infant baptism, so church membership in many cases is determined not by a person’s conscious choice but by his or her background, and traditions rooted in family and society. As a rule, church members are divided into laity and clergy (religious leaders). The clergy receive specialized education, take special vows, and are ordained.

The organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses does not have these features. Jehovah’s Witnesses do not practice infant baptism; they baptize only those who consciously choose their denomination, have completed a Bible study course, lead a moral life, and do not smoke. Nor do they have a separate clergy class.

Thus, the religious organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses lacks the basic features of a church.

Jehovah’s Witnesses correspond most closely to the characteristics of a Christian denomination⁷⁹Ye. S. Elbakian, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Religions of Russia Dictionary, Moscow, Encyclopedia Publishing House LLC, 2014, p.241. [only in Russian] that arose as a denomination from the moment of its inception and has continued unchanged through all stages of its subsequent development.⁸⁰Sergei Ivanenko, Jehovah’s Witnesses – A Traditional Religious Organization in Russia, Moscow, 2002. p.14. [only in Russian]

A denomination (from the Latin “denominatio” – renaming, designating, giving a special name), according to religious studies scholars and sociologists of religion, is a natural stage in the evolution of a religious organization from sect to church.⁸¹The concept of “denomination” as a type of religious organization was first introduced by American theologian Helmut Richard Niebuhr (1894-1962) in 1929 in his book The Social Sources of Denominationalism. Denominations have developed primarily in Protestantism and are most widespread in the United States.

As a rule, denominations are characterized by a high degree of centralization and hierarchical governance policies; a clearly defined organizational structure; no division of believers into laity and clergy (religious leaders); permanent membership; supervision of members’ compliance with moral standards; and a sense of being “chosen by God” along with openness to new followers.⁸²See: R. A. Kobyzov, Denominationalism, Religion Studies, Encyclopedic Dictionary, Moscow, Academic Project, 2006, pp.282-283. [only in Russian]

• 1
  See: A. L. Dvorkin, The Pseudo-Christian Sect “Jehovah’s Witnesses.” About the People Who Never Part with the Watchtower, St. Petersburg: Formica, 2002, p.160; N. V. Krivelskaya, Sect: The Threat and the Search for Protection, Moscow, Blagovest, 1999, p.268, and others. [both only in Russian] ↩︎
• 2
  See, for example: How does the Orthodox Church refer to blood transfusions? Archpriest Maxim Kozlov, Tatiana’s Day (http://archive.taday.ru/vopros/20373/85013.html?for_print=1). [only in Russian] ↩︎
• 3
  See: Protestant themes in modern Russian religious scholar studies: a scientific discussion, A. V. Appolonov, A. P. Zabiyako, Ye. V. Zaitsev, S. I. Ivanenko, I. I. Ivanova, O. V. Kuropatkina, T. K. Nikolskaya, M. Yu. Smirnov, N. V. Shaburov, Ye. S. Elbakian, Bulletin of Pushkin Leningrad State University, 2022, №1, pp.195-222. ↩︎
• 4
  The Niceo-Constantinople Creed was composed by the First Ecumenical Council (Nicea, Asia Minor) in 325; in 381 it was expanded and supplemented by the Second Ecumenical Council (Constantinople, or Tsargrad, as it was called in Russia). ↩︎
• 5
  Matthew 28:19, 20. ↩︎
• 6
  See: Are You Ready to Get Baptized? The Watchtower (study edition), March 2020 (https://www.jw.org/en/library/magazines/watchtower-study-march-2020/are-you-ready-to-get-baptized/). ↩︎
• 7
  See: Baptism “Into the Name Of,” The Watchtower, October 15, 1992 (https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1992764#h=1). ↩︎
• 8
  See: Why Pray in Jesus’ Name? (https://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/questions/pray-in-jesus-name/). ↩︎
• 9
  See: How Is Jesus’ Sacrifice “a Ransom for Many”? (https://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/questions/jesus-sacrifice-ransom/), What Is Salvation? (https://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/questions/what-is-salvation/). ↩︎
• 10
  Organized to Do Jehovah’s Will. Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2019, p.2. ↩︎
• 11
  Jehovah’s Witnesses, Encyclopedia of Religion. Second edition. Macmillan Reference USA, Detroit: Thomson Gale, 2005, Vol. 7, pp.4820-4824. ↩︎
• 12
  However, Jehovah’s Witnesses do not consider themselves to be a Protestant denomination for several reasons. See: Are Jehovah’s Witnesses Protestants? (https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/are-jehovahs-witnesses-protestants/). ↩︎
• 13
  2021 Service Year Report of Jehovah’s Witnesses Worldwide (https://www.jw.org/en/library/books/2021-service-year-report/). ↩︎
• 14
  The Congregation for Divine Worship monitors the correctness of worship, the proper veneration of relics, and the conformity of prayer and devotional practices to doctrine. The Congregation is concerned with liturgical texts, reviewing translations of liturgical texts into national languages, and matters of church music. ↩︎
• 15
  Nancy Fraser O’Brien, No ‘Yahweh’ in songs, prayers at Catholic Masses, Vatican rules, Catholic News Service, August 12, 2008 (https://web.archive.org/web/20120114125015/, http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0804119.html). ↩︎
• 16
  Unofficial translation into English. The quote is from the Synodal translation, so “Lord” is used in the text. Below is the text from the New World Translation, which uses the name “Jehovah” instead of “Lord”:
  “You are my witnesses,” declares Jehovah,
  “Yes, my servant whom I have chosen,
  So that you may know and have faith in me
  And understand that I am the same One.
  Before me no God was formed,
  And after me there has been none.
  I–I am Jehovah, and besides me there is no savior.”
  “I am the One who declared and saved and made known
  When there was no foreign god among you.
  So you are my witnesses,” declares Jehovah, “and I am God.” ↩︎
• 17
  In Russia in July 2018, the Russian translation (March 2014 edition) was added to the Federal List of Extremist Materials. ↩︎
• 18
  Nikolai Shaburov: “This is a translation of the Bible. Attempts to assert otherwise are simply ignorant.” (https://jw-russia.news/news/2017/12/266.html). ↩︎
• 19
  M. Odintsov. Religious expert conclusion. The Bible (https://jw-russia.org/docs/252.html). [only in Russian] ↩︎
• 20
  For example, the Bible book “Acts of the Apostles” (chapter 15) describes how the question of whether Christians should adhere to the rite of circumcision was discussed and decided upon. ↩︎
• 21
  See: Faithful and Discreet Slave, Insight on the Scriptures, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, 2018, p.805. ↩︎
• 22
  Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that the anointed belong to the group of 144,000 persons anointed with holy spirit spoken of in Revelation chapter 14. After God’s Kingdom is established, the anointed ones will rule from heaven with Jesus Christ as part of God’s Kingdom. Only the anointed have the right to eat and drink the symbolic bread and wine during the Memorial of the death of Jesus Christ (Lord’s Supper). ↩︎
• 23
  See: Who is Leading God’s People Today?, The Watchtower, February 2017, pp.23-28. ↩︎
• 24
  The term goes back to the words of Jesus, “And I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; those too I must bring in, and they will listen to my voice, and they will become one flock, one shepherd” (John 10:16). As understood by Jehovah’s Witnesses, the “other sheep” are God’s faithful servants who will live on earth in paradise under the rule of Jesus Christ after God’s Kingdom has been established. ↩︎
• 25
  Jehovah’s Witnesses point out that in the first century, Christians called each other “brother” and “sister” (Philemon 1, 2). Similarly, among Jehovah’s Witnesses it is customary to call each other brother and sister. ↩︎
• 26
  Proverbs 4:18 says: But the path of the righteous is like the bright morning light That grows brighter and brighter until full daylight. ↩︎
• 27
  “Hold Fast to the Truth With Strong Conviction,” The Watchtower, October 2021, paragraph 12. ↩︎
• 28
  See: Who Is Leading God’s People Today? The Watchtower, February 2017, pp.23-28. ↩︎
• 29
  The town of Warwick was established in 1788 and is located in southwestern Orange County, New York. Population ca. 32,000 (2010 census). ↩︎
• 30
  See: God’s Kingdom Rules! Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2014, p.129. ↩︎
• 31
  2021 Service Year Report of Jehovah’s Witnesses Worldwide, p.2. ↩︎
• 32
  Information about how scrupulously the numbers, facts, and quotes are checked can be found in the video “Promoting Love and Respect for Truth” (https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/activities/publishing/love-and-respect-for-truth/). ↩︎
• 33
  All active Jehovah’s Witnesses are publishers and preach the good news and devote as much time as they possibly can to it. Some manage to organize their lives so that they can preach 70 hours a month. Such ministers are called pioneers. In 2021, there were an average of 1.35 million pioneers per month. The word “pioneer” was applied to a person who found a new path for others to follow, but some English translations of the Bible even apply the word to Jesus. For example, James Moffat’s English translation of Hebrews 12:2 says, “our eyes fixed upon Jesus as the pioneer and the perfection of faith.” To succeed in the pioneer ministry, many pioneers change to part-time jobs. Pioneers lead a simple life. They are confident that Jehovah will not abandon them and will give them everything they need to live. Those whose circumstances do not allow them to preach full-time, i.e., 70 hours a month, can serve as auxiliary pioneers, preaching 30 or 50 hours a month. In 2021, on average, there were about 400,000 auxiliary pioneers per month. Thus, in 2021 about 20 percent of Jehovah’s Witnesses were pioneers or auxiliary pioneers. From March 1, 2023, the hours were reduced: pioneers can preach 50 hours a month; auxiliary pioneers 30 hours a month or 15 hours (during circuit overseer visits or special preaching campaigns). This should lead to an increase in the numbers of pioneers and auxiliary pioneers. ↩︎
• 34
  The “circuit overseer” attends about 20 congregations (one circuit) twice a year and spends a week with each of them. He tries to get to know everyone in the congregation and enjoys preaching with them from house to house and attending Bible studies. The circuit overseers give talks at congregation meetings. The goal of circuit overseers is to strengthen the congregation spiritually. ↩︎
• 35
  By reducing the number of branches, they wanted to increase the number of preachers. ↩︎
• 36
  See: 2013 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses, pp.11-14. ↩︎
• 37
  Jehovah’s Witnesses have no paid clergy. Elders are spiritually mature men; they take the lead in preaching, participating in all types of ministry, and training preachers. The requirements that elders must meet are recorded in the Bible (1 Timothy 3:1-10, 12 and Titus 1:5-9). Elders are appointed by circuit overseers, who are themselves appointed by the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses. ↩︎
• 38
  See: A. I. Artemyev, Jehovah’s Witnesses in Kazakhstan: A Socio-historical and Theological Analysis, Almaty, 2020, p.88. [only in Russian] ↩︎
• 39
  Kaarlo Harteva (1882-1957), one of the first Bible Students in Finland, was baptized in 1910. Until 1950 he was the editor of the Watch Tower magazine in the Finnish language and the supervisor (head) of the Jehovah’s Witnesses branch in Finland (see: God’s Kingdom Rules! Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2014, p.121). ↩︎
• 40
  Note that with the outbreak of World War I in 1914, restrictions on freedom of conscience in Russia intensified, including persecution of “sectarians.” See, for example: V. A. Popov. Hostages of “militant Germanism.” Russian Protestants in the First World War became a victim of spy mania, NG Religii, July 16, 2014. ↩︎
• 41
  See: A. I. Artemyev, Jehovah’s Witnesses in Kazakhstan: A Socio-historical and Theological Analysis, 3^rd edition, Almaty, 2020, p.416; N. S. Gordienko, The Russian Jehovah’s Witnesses: History and Modernity, 2^nd edition, St. Petersburg, 2002, p.240; M. I. Odintsov, The Council of Ministers of the USSR Rules to “Deport Forever!” Moscow, Publishing house Art-Business-Center, 2002, p.240 and others. [only in Russian] ↩︎
• 42
  2008 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2008, pp.65-255. ↩︎
• 43
  Ye. S. Elbakian, Religions of Russia, Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia, Dictionary, Moscow, Encyclopedia Publishing House LLC, 2014, p.241. [only in Russian] ↩︎
• 44
  By a decree of the Presidium of the USSR Supreme Soviet of September 30, 1965, Jehovah’s Witnesses were released from serving in exile, but were not allowed to return to their native territory. ↩︎
• 45
  See: 2008 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses, p.10. ↩︎
• 46
  See: S. Yu. Sadchenkov, Realization of principles of freedom of conscience and religion in Volgograd Region in 1980s, State and church in the XX century: evolution of relationship, political and socio-cultural aspects. Experience of Russia and Europe, executive director. I. Filimonova, Moscow, Book house LIBROCOM, 2011, p.63. [only in Russian] ↩︎
• 47
  2016 Service Year Report of Jehovah’s Witnesses Worldwide, 2017 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2017, p.184. ↩︎
• 48
  A Kingdom Hall is a building for worship of Jehovah’s Witnesses. It has an auditorium for 100-300 people, chairs or benches and a small library. Typically, these halls are not lavishly decorated, are well lit so that believers can comfortably follow discourses from their own Bibles, have sound amplification equipment, and are well heated and ventilated. There are no items of religious paraphernalia or altars in the Kingdom Halls, as these are considered idolatrous by Jehovah’s Witnesses. The name “Kingdom Hall” was coined in the 1930s. It was meant to emphasize that Jehovah’s Witnesses preach the good news of God’s Kingdom (Matthew 24:14). ↩︎
• 49
  European Court of Human Rights Acquits Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia (https://jw-russia.org/en/news/2022/06/071622.html). ↩︎
• 50
  Jehovah’s Witnesses consider only their religion is true. They do not agree with the view that there are many religions, many roads, all leading to salvation. Regarding this, they refer to the words of Jesus who said: “Narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are finding it” (Matthew 7:14). They believe that they have found that road (https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/true-religion/). ↩︎
• 51
  A. L. Dvorkin, Sectology. Totalitarian Sects. Experience of Systematic Research, 3^rd edition, Nizhny Novgorod, Publishing house of the Brotherhood in the name of the Holy Prince Alexander Nevskiy, 2002, p.116. [only in Russian] ↩︎
• 52
  Armageddon (Har-Magedon), Insight on the Scriptures vol. 1, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2021, p.1038. ↩︎
• 53
  Kingdom of God, Insight on the Scriptures, Vol. 2, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2021, p.170. ↩︎
• 54
  John 15:19. ↩︎
• 55
  Mark 12:17. ↩︎
• 56
  Jehovah’s Witnesses refer to the words of Jesus Christ as the Bible basis for their position, “whoever divorces his wife, except on the grounds of sexual immorality, and marries another commits adultery” (Matthew 19:9). ↩︎
• 57
  For example, Jehovah’s Witnesses seek to follow the admonitions about the relationship between husband and wife and between parents and children found in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians 5:22-33 and 6:1-4. ↩︎
• 58
  See: The Secret to Family Happiness, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, 2012, p.191; Your Family Can Be Happy, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, 2014, p.32; and many others. ↩︎
• 59
  How to Be a Successful Parent, The Watchtower, May 1, 1988, pp.3-6. ↩︎
• 60
  See: Religion – My Choice or My Parents’?, The Watchtower, September 15, 2009, pp.3-6. ↩︎
• 61
  Jehovah’s Witnesses and Education, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, 2019, pp.24-25. ↩︎
• 62
  See, for example: “Questions Parents Ask” in Questions Young People Ask – Answers That Work, Vol. 1, pp.289-290. ↩︎
• 63
  The Bible frequently repeats the prohibition against eating blood, for example: “…Flesh with its life, its blood, you must not eat” (Genesis 9:4); “…I said to the Israelites: ‘You must not eat the blood of any sort of flesh because the life of every sort of flesh is its blood. Anyone eating it will be cut off’” (Leviticus 17:14). ↩︎
• 64
  In modern medicine, transfusion of whole blood is almost never used because it causes too many complications. ↩︎
• 65
  Hemodialysis (Ancient Greek for “blood” and “separation”) is a method of extrarenal blood purification for acute and chronic renal failure. ↩︎
• 66
  This document is needed in case the believer, for whatever reason, loses consciousness and is unable to express his or her will. ↩︎
• 67
  See: Clinical Strategies to Avoid Blood Transfusion, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, 2012 (https://www.jw.org/en/medical-library/medical-information/clinical-strategies-avoid-blood-transfusion/). ↩︎
• 68
  See Hospital Liaison Committees for Jehovah’s Witnesses (https://www.jw.org/en/medical-library/strategies-downloads/hospital-liaison-committees-jehovahs-witnesses/). ↩︎
• 69
  See: Hospital Liaison Committees for Jehovah’s Witnesses. Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2012, pp.1-16 (https://www.jw.org/en/medical-library/strategies-downloads/hospital-liaison-committees-jehovahs-witnesses/). ↩︎
• 70
  At the same time, in cases stipulated by part 9 of the mentioned article, there are grounds for medical intervention without the consent of a citizen, a parent or other legal representative, including if medical intervention is urgently needed to eliminate a threat to a person’s life or if their condition does not allow them to express their will. ↩︎
• 71
  See: Religious and Ethical Position on Medical Therapy and Related Matters. Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, 2012 (https://www.jw.org/en/medical-library/medical-information/religious-and-ethical-position-medical-therapy/). ↩︎
• 72
  Dogma – Church-approved statements of doctrine, generally formulated and revealed at Ecumenical Councils, declared to be binding and immutable truth, not subject to criticism or doubt. ↩︎
• 73
  The Nicene Creed (adopted by the Second Ecumenical Council in 381 C.E. and amplified and confirmed by the Fourth Ecumenical Council in 451 C.E.), which established the doctrine of the Holy Trinity, is central to the doctrine and liturgical practice of many Christian churches. According to the doctrine of the Holy Trinity, God is one in three Persons (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit). All three Persons (Personalities) of the Trinity exist in complete unity. The three divine Persons act as one essence of the Triune God. ↩︎
• 74
  Hierey Oleg Davydenkov, Dogmatic Theology: Textbook, Moscow: Publishing house of the Saint Tikhon’s Orthodox University of Humanities, 2005, 2^nd edition, p.102. [only in Russian] ↩︎
• 75
  “The Ruling of the Holy Synod of February 20-22, 1901, № 557, with a message to the faithful children of the Orthodox Greek-Russian Church about Count Leo Tolstoy” (published on February 24, 1901, in the official organ of the Holy Synod “Church Bulletin of the Holy Governing Synod”). L. N. Tolstoy’s work, An Inquiry into Dogmatic Theology, Chapter II. “On God, the Trinity in Persons” is devoted to criticizing the dogma of the Trinity (L. N. Tolstoy, Complete Works in 90 Volumes, Academic Jubilee Edition. Vol. 23, works 1879-1884, Moscow, State Publishing House of Fiction, 1958, pp.103-123). [only in Russian] ↩︎
• 76
  See: Priest Lev Semenov, A. L. Dvorkin, Jehovah’s Witnesses, The Orthodox Encyclopedia, Vol. 2, p.186. [only in Russian] ↩︎
• 77
  D. N. Ushakov, Sect, Explanatory Dictionary of the Russian Language, Vol. 4. Moscow, State Publishers of Foreign and National Dictionaries, 1940, p.132. [only in Russian] ↩︎
• 78
  I. V. Lekhin, F. N. Petrov, Dictionary of Foreign Words, 3^rd edition, Moscow, State Publishing House of Foreign and National Dictionaries, 1949, p.805. [only in Russian] ↩︎
• 79
  Ye. S. Elbakian, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Religions of Russia Dictionary, Moscow, Encyclopedia Publishing House LLC, 2014, p.241. [only in Russian] ↩︎
• 80
  Sergei Ivanenko, Jehovah’s Witnesses – A Traditional Religious Organization in Russia, Moscow, 2002. p.14. [only in Russian] ↩︎
• 81
  The concept of “denomination” as a type of religious organization was first introduced by American theologian Helmut Richard Niebuhr (1894-1962) in 1929 in his book The Social Sources of Denominationalism. ↩︎
• 82
  See: R. A. Kobyzov, Denominationalism, Religion Studies, Encyclopedic Dictionary, Moscow, Academic Project, 2006, pp.282-283. [only in Russian] ↩︎