Πεποιθήσεις των Μαρτύρων του Ιεχωβά

Οι πεποιθήσεις και οι δοξασίες των Μαρτύρων του Ιεχωβά βασίζονται στην Βιβλική κατανόηση που έχουν με βάση τη μελέτη και την ερμηνεία της Αγίας Γραφής. Εκτός από ζητήματα που αφορούν τις πεποιθήσεις τους, περιλαμβάνονται ζητήματα ηθικής καθαρότητας και το αίσθημα έντονου ευαγγελιστικού καθήκοντος.

Αγία Γραφή

Jehovah's Witnesses believe that the Bible is God's main current communication to mankind, and that it contains vital information about God, his purposes and his requirements. They consider the books of the Old Testament (without the Apocrypha) and also those of the New Testament to comprise the Biblical_Canon, similar to most Christian_denominations. According to their teachings, the Bible is harmonious in content and its central theme is: The sanctification of Jehovah’s name and the vindication of his sovereignty by means of the Messianic kingdom, with Jesus Christ as King.

Witnesses favor a literal interpretation of most historical Bible passages, except when the text obviously is a prophecy, or a parable (e.g. the Book of Revelation, or the parables of Jesus). Thus, they accept the literalness of the Genesis account of the Flood, and the historicity of Bible personages such as Noah, Samson and Jonah. Though they do not consider the Bible a scientific book, they believe that where it touches on science it is completely accurate. For a discussion of Jehovah's Witnesses views regarding the Genesis creation account see the "Creation and the Flood" section below.

Although the group has used a variety of translations over the decades, and continues to do so, they generally use a translation of the Bible that they commissioned in the mid-twentieth century, known as the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (NWT).

The Witnesses' attitude to other Bible translations is expressed in the foreword to The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures, a version of the New Testament that includes the Greek text with a literal, word-for-word English translation underneath. It states: "From the time of the Roman Catholic clergyman John Wycliffe, of the 14th century, until the final decades of this 20th century, many English translations of the inspired writings of Christ's disciples have been made. All of these have had their own commendable features. They have considerably met the needs of the day for a rendering of God's Word into the common language of the people. Much good has been accomplished by them and yet will be. However, it is to be noted that, while each of them has its points of merit, they have fallen victim to the power of religious traditions in varying degrees." In this context, it should be noted that the New World Translation is heavily influenced by (some might say "has fallen victim to") the religious tradition of the Jehovah's Witnesses. Witnesses explain that the majority of their doctines were solidified before the New World Translation was prepared, and some were refined afterwards.

Πεποιθήσεις σχετικά με τον Θεό

Το όνομα του Θεού

Witnesses emphasize the importance of God's name, Jehovah, which is an English form of the Hebrew Tetragrammaton. The Tetragrammaton is used extensively throughout the Hebrew Scriptures, or "Old Testament"), appearing some 7,000 times in the original text.

Citing Christ's words in the Lord's Prayer, "hallowed be thy name", as well as other biblical passages, they believe that "our salvation is closely linked with a proper appreciation of God's name." [1]. The Witnesses' New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures reflects this emphasis by using the name Jehovah in both the Hebrew and Greek Scriptures ("New Testament").

Jehovah's Witnesses teach that the Tetragrammaton originally appeared in some places in the autographs of the New Testament, but was subsequently removed by scribes. There is currently no proof that this claim is true. What they use to support this claim is that some ancient fragments of the Septuagint Greek Old Testament contain the Tetragrammaton in Hebrew letters. They do not explain how the Tetragrammaton being in the Septuagint is related to it possibly being in the autographs of the New Testament. They do acknowledge, however, that no extant NT manuscript contains the Tetragrammaton.

They further note that certain church fathers discuss the Tetragrammaton. For instance, Origen discussed the use of the Tetragrammaton in his Hexapla stating that "in the most accurate LXX (Septuagint) manuscripts THE NAME occurs in Hebrew characters." Again, the relationship between the Septuagint and New Testament autographs that the Jehovah's Witnesses are trying to make is unclear.

They identify God using the most commonly accepted English rendering of the Tetragrammaton: "Jehovah". The English form "Jehovah" is a romanised transliteration of the Hebrew name for God. Jehovah's Witnesses worldwide identify God by whatever form of the Tetragrammaton is common in their language.

They believe that the use of God's personal name is required in order to build a personal relationship with him, and to be saved. (Acts 2:21).

Στις Εβραϊκές Γραφές (Παλαιά Διαθήκη)

The Hebrew divine name of God, ("YHWH" in Latin characters), is found in the Old Testament 6,828 times. In the process of translation into modern languages, most Bibles, in keeping with a Jewish tradition, either remove the proper name entirely (replacing it with a (possibly ambiguous) title: "God" or "LORD" in all capitals), or transliterate it (as either "Jehovah" or "Yahweh") only a handful of times. The New World Translation of Jehovah's Witnesses (NWT), as well as the Roman Catholic Jerusalem Bible and New Jerusalem Bible, differ significantly here from almost all other Bibles. The NWT consistently renders all 6,828 instances of the Hebrew Tetragrammaton (divine name) as "Jehovah" and, for a variety of other reasons, is preferred by Jehovah's Witnesses to other translations which also use the proper name of God. Among these is the introduction in the Old Testament of 145 more instances where they believe the name should appear, even though it is not found in the available and commonly recognized sources. They cite the works of C.D. Ginsburg to justify these additional uses. Such deliberate use of the name is a result of what they believe to be a deep respect for the "Author of our salvation."

Στις Χριστιανικές Ελληνικές Γραφές (Καινή Διαθήκη)

One key belief of Jehovah's Witnesses is that the early Christians used the divine name in their worship, preaching, and writings, even though the earliest manuscripts available for the New Testament do not indicate that this was the case. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that the divine name was removed from New Testament manuscripts and replaced by the word for Lord in the first and second centuries due to the influence of the Jewish tradition which also affected the Septuagint from which writers of Biblical Greek would have been quoting. With this belief in mind, the New World Translation is unique in having 237 instances of the divine name in the New Testament.

To support the belief in the prominent usage of the divine name, they refer to scriptures such as this as evidence: "I have revealed your name to those whom you took from the world to give me." (John 17:6) "Making God's name known" is believed by Jehovah's Witnesses to have been a fundamental emphasis of early Christians, as a reaction to the Jewish tradition of not uttering the divine name. The act of using the name in the New Testament is considered a continuation of this supposed early Christian precedent. Therefore, in the New World Translation, New Testament passages that quote Old Testament scriptures containing the divine name are assumed to require "restoration" of the divine name, since based on the translaters' interpretation of scriptures such as John 17:6, it would be inconceivable that the author of a New Testament writing would have used a word such as Lord in place of the divine name.

Jehovah's Witnesses also cite evidences of early use of the divine name including:

• Ten manuscript fragments rendering the divine name by the Tetragrammaton written in ancient, archaic, square Hebrew characters or in the form of a double letter Yodh.
• The "J Texts", which are primarily other translations or translation aids to the Bible, were looked at as a guide to see where other translations introduced the divine name, and why.

Η (μη Τριαδική) φύση του Θεού

Jehovah's Witnesses believe the Bible teaches that God has four cardinal attributes: love, justice, wisdom, and power. Similar to other monotheists in the Judeo-Christian tradition, they believe God to be "personal" and not an impersonal "higher power." In addition, God is believed to reside in the spirit realm (i.e. heaven), and not present in all things (pantheism). He therefore takes an interest in human affairs and can be communicated to via prayer.

Unlike most other Christian churches, the Witnesses reject the doctrine of the Trinity, holding it to be of pagan origin and unscriptural. They believe that Jehovah God (the Father) and Jesus (the Son) are distinct spirit persons; that Jesus is a separate spirit being created by God and is in no sense God's equal; and that the holy spirit is not a person, but God's active force. They believe that this is a restoration of the beliefs of the first-century Christian Chuch.

The polemic, Should You Believe in the Trinity?, is an example of the Jehovah's Witnesses arguments against the doctrine of the Trinity, and their view of the nature of God. In this work they primarily attack a modalist theory of the trinity.

Πεποιθήσεις σχετικά με τον Ιησού Χριστό

Jehovah's Witnesses believe that, in the entire Universe, Jesus is second in authority to - and subject to - only his father Jehovah (God). They view Jesus as the perfect reflection of Jehovah's very being (Hebrews 1:3) as God's only begotten Son. They believe Jesus is a god, even a 'Mighty God', and the "Prince of Peace" (a title applied to him from Isaiah 9:6). They believe that the Greek term theos, applied to Jesus at John 1:1 is correctly interpreted to mean: "divine," or of a "divine nature" that exactly mirrors the Father's (Hebrews 1:3). Jehovah's Witnesses reject the Trinity doctrine, particularly in the equality of the persons, as well as the notion that Jesus is Jehovah (Oneness). As a result, many conclude that Jehovah's Witnesses deny the divine nature of the Christ Jesus. Jehovah's Witnesses affirm the divine nature of Jesus, however, in the sense that he is the "reflection" of the Fathers' glory, and the "exact representation of His very being" (Hebrews 1:3 NWT); as opposed to an Orthodox view of the phrase ("divine nature") meaning that the Christ literally is God, one with God the Father and the Holy Spirit. Witnesses teach that He is "the firstborn of all creation" (Proverbs 8:22; Colossians 1:15; Revelations 3:14) in a literal sense as opposed to the Orthodox notion of His being "Eternally Begotten." Jehovah's Witnesses believe Jesus is the highest order of created being, but not self-existent, uncreated God as Jehovah is. (See Arianism.)

They believe He was born of the virgin Mary as the fulfilment of Old Testament prophecy in order to bring the means of salvation not just to the Israelites, but for the first time ever, to the whole world. After his ministry on Earth, his death on a stake (they do not believe Jesus died on a cross), subsequent resurrection, and exaltation to the "right hand of God" (Acts 2:33-36), Jesus was given authority over all things (1 Corinthians 15:27, 28). They hold that Jesus did not rise from the dead in his physical body, as most Christians (referring to Luke 24:39 "Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have") believe, but was raised "not a human creature, but a spirit." They also believe that he is (in his non-human form prior to Incarnation and after Resurrection) Michael the Archangel (literally "The Preeminent Angel"). It is believed that this change in name is consistant with the change in names of the various patriarchs.

They believe that "Jesus Christ, is not the Mediator between Jehovah God and all mankind. He is the Mediator between his heavenly Father, Jehovah God, and the nation of spiritual Israel, which is limited to only 144,000 members." (Worldwide Security Under the "Prince of Peace" Copyright 1986, p. 10 paragraph 16) Only about 8,500 Jehovah's Witnesses claim to be of the 144,000 today.

Το πρόβλημα του κακού

Central to the Witnesses' basic beliefs is: Jehovah's Witnesses believe in the literalness of the bibles account or premise for explaining the existence of evil, so as the bible states the existence of a literal [Satan], the [Devil],(slanderer, manslayer) who has made certain accusations (implied in the serpent's words to Eve in Book of Genesis chapter 3), casting aspersions on God's sovereignty (or right to rule) over humans. Witnesses' believe that in order to be just, God has to answer the claims made by Satan in the Garden of Eden, namely whether or not individual creatures have the right to make independent choices or follow the will of God.

This is usually portrayed using symbolism similar to a court drama. Jehovah is cast as the accused and witnesses are called by both the devil and Jehovah to testify on behalf of current conditions among free mankind. Jehovah's Witnesses believe they act as witnesses in this heavenly court. Specifically, that their adherence to good moral conduct shows the devil's philosophy of choice independent of God is fatally flawed.

The witnesses also believe that the devil raised a second issue in the Book of Job. In that book Satan is depicted as accusing Job of following God's commands out of self-interest. Witnesses believe that this charge has been leveled at all of humanity through the example of Job. Jesus' is said to have overcome this defense by being willing to serve God while suffering.

God, therefore, allows the world to suffer, (as seen from a human standpoint a long time but from a standpoint of someone [Jehovah] who is forever only a microsecond), so that Man is allowed freedom of choice. Intervening before all significant choices are exhausted could reduce the freedom of Man and also act to reduce the loyalty of the angels who are viewed as watching human history unfold with intense interest.

Βάφτισμα

Jehovah's Witnesses believe that "Christian water baptism is an outward symbol that the one being baptized has made a complete, unreserved, and unconditional dedication through Jesus Christ to do the will of Jehovah God." (Reasoning From the Scriptures, page 54.) This is viewed in connection with their understanding of Jesus command to his followers at Matthew 28:19: "Go therefore and make disciples ... baptizing them."

• They believe that baptism involves complete immersion in water.

• Because infants are incapable of making a personal dedication to God, Infant baptism is not practiced among Jehovah's Witnesses.

• They do not baptize using the traditional formula of, "in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit." This causes their baptism to be viewed as invalid in some churches.

• They do not recognize baptisms from any other church and so converts from all other churches must be baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses.

NOTE: This is true even concerning baptisms of churches that practice Believers Baptism (e.g. Baptists, Pentecostals, Adventists). Although these churches have a similar understanding of the meaning of the term "baptism", Jehovah's Witnesses consider that other doctrinal differences are so great that baptisms performed in these churches do not represent a "complete, unreserved, and unconditional dedication ... to Jehovah God" made in accurate knowledge. This would be so whether the baptism was of an infant or a "Believer."

Σωτηρία

Jehovah's Witnesses reject the doctrine of universal salvation. They teach that salvation requires faith in Jesus Christ. They believe that salvation is a free gift from God, and that Christian works are evidence of their genuine faith—indeed, "faith without works is dead" (James 2:24). They reject the concept "once saved, always saved," believing that salvation will be granted to those who endure faithfully until the end. (Matthew 10:22) Jehovah's Witnesses believe that people currently alive must be actively associated with their religion alone, and become one of them as an essential requirement for salvation. Their literature states: "A third requirement is that we be associated with God's channel, his organization. . . Jehovah is using only one organization today to accomplish his will. To receive everlasting life in the earthly Paradise we must identify that organization and serve God as part of it." (Watchtower 15 Feb 1983 p. 12) They also believe faithful Christians and worshippers of God in the past will also gain salvation via a resurrection, along with the non-Christian resurrected who then choose to serve God.

The group rejects the doctrine of predestination or fate, believing that all intelligent creatures are endowed with free will.

Witnesses believe and teach that only 144,000 Christians who are of the "anointed" class will go to heaven, and when there will take part in a heavenly government with Jesus Christ as King. This is based on their literal interpretation of the texts at Revelation 7:4; 14:1-3:

"I saw, and, look! the Lamb standing upon the Mount Zion, and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand having his name and the name of his Father written on their foreheads. . . . And they are singing as if a new song . . . and no one was able to master that song but the hundred and forty-four thousand, who have been bought from the earth." - (NWT) (See also Rev. 7:4-8)

Only those in the anointed class partake of the unleavened bread and wine at the yearly commemoration of Christ's death, commonly referred to as the Memorial. (Compare with the Eucharist.)

Jehovah's Witnesses believe that the hope for mankind is to live forever on a paradise earth. The hope for the dead is the resurrection to life on the restored earth.

Jehovah's Witnesses hold that baptized believers are classified into two groups. The one class is called "the little flock" (Luke 12:32). These are limited in number to 144,000 based on Revelation 14:1 and 4 , and those of this class remaining alive today are called "the remnant." (Revelation 12:17). They are also considered to be "God’s sons" and "joint heirs" (Romans 8:14-16) with the son of God, Christ Jesus, and, consequently, they will co-rule with him in the "Kingdom of heavens". This class, therefore, has the hope of entering heaven after death. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that the Word of God is primarily directed to his 'sons', the "little flock" class, and therefore may not apply to the other Jehovah's Witnesses in a direct way. One example of this is the passage John 3:3. Jehovah's Witnesses hold that only his "sons" are "anointed" or "born again" in accordance to Jesus' words to Nicodemus, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

The other class according to Jehovah's Witnesses' beliefs was identified in 1935, and was then called the "Jonadab class." Today they are referred to as the "other sheep", based on the passage at John 10:16 where Jesus speaks of having "other sheep. . . that are not of this fold." This identification for the "other sheep" differs radically from the current mainstream view of this passage, namely that Jesus would bring his Jewish believers (little flock) and Gentile believers (other sheep) together into one fold.

This "other sheep" class of Jehovah's Witnesses make up more than 99% of their believers today. Though they are not "born again" as reigning "kings and priests" in God's Heavenly Kingdom, they anticipate being subjects of God's kingdom, enjoying everlasting life on a peaceful, paradisaic earth (Psalms 37:9-11, 29). This doctrine of two classes of believers is unique to Jehovah's Witnesses.

The "ingathering" of this heavenly class of "anointed" Witnesses is believed to have ceased for the most part in the early 1930's, when the ingathering of believers expressing an earthly hope rose sharply. Rarely will one find a younger "anointed" one, but the idea that individual "anointed" ones can be rejected and replaced is not unheard of. "Anointed" believers are generally given no more consideration than other elderly believers. They can be disfellowshipped (excommunicated) for the same sins as the "other sheep," and hold no special office within the congregational arrangement. Having the "anointed" status is, by Scriptural definition, a personal discovery during one's conversion, and an innate knowledge to be positively held by the individual alone. While falsely claiming to have this inner knowledge is a sin, it is in reality not the place of any other person to make this assessment for him or her, Witness or otherwise; the individual's publicly known in-depth understanding of Bible truth (including the role of the "anointed class") and his or her own "testimony" is what the congregation must accept. Historically, only male "anointed" members have been chosen to serve on their Governing Body.

Jehovah's Witnesses believe God's Kingdom is a real heavenly government, established in 1914 and headed by Jesus Christ, along with a group of 144,000 faithful Christians (Dan. 7:13, 27; Lu 22:28; Rev. 14:1-4). They refer to their witnessing activity as "preaching 'this Good News of the Kingdom'" (Matthew 24:14). This Kingdom or government will rule over the earth and restore the earth to its previous Edenic condition (Ps. 37:29; Mt 6:9, 10; Rev. 5:9, 10). At Armageddon, Jehovah God will remove wicked persons from the Earth once and for all and God's Kingdom will replace all human kingdoms, or governments. (Ps 37:9-11, 29; Dan. 2:44; Rev. 12:7-12)

Ουδετερότητα

As they feel that their allegiance and subjection belongs, above all, to God's Kingdom, Jehovah's Witnesses remain politically neutral. For this reason, they refrain from saluting the flag of any country. Additionally, they believe that such an act would be tantamount to worshipping an idol. Correspondingly, they do not use any images [1 John 5:21] or icons in their worship, including the symbol of the cross.

The political neutrality of Jehovah's Witnesses is also expressed by their refusal to participate in military service, even when such is of a compulsory nature, and by their detachment from secular politics. Jehovah's Witnesses are discouraged, but not prohibited under all circumstances, from voting in elections. (Watchtower 1 Nov 1999. p.28) They do not run for any political office, following the example Jesus set in fleeing from those who sought to make him king. (John 6:15)

Δημιουργία και Κατακλυσμός

According to Jehovah's Witnesses, the biblical view of creation encompasses all things living and non-living and extends to the very creation of the Universe itself. They believe that Jehovah is the First Cause of creation, bringing all things into existence.

They believe that Jesus (in his pre-human existence as a spirit creature) was the first direct creation of God and that, after that, Jesus was actively involved in the creation of all other things. (Colossians 1:16; see also Christology below)

Witnesses' understanding of the Bible's account of creation differs from "Young Earth creationist." They do not believe in a "young earth", created only a few thousand years ago; they acknowledge that the universe has existed for billions of years, believing the creative days took place after the creation of heaven and earth described in Genesis 1:1. The "days" referred to in the Bible book of Genesis, chapter 1, were not literal 24-hour days, but are longer periods of time. In the 1940’s this was set at 7,000 years. As time passed, they came to believe that this time could encompass a much longer time based on the definition of the Hebrew world yohm, which could mean a non-24-hour day such as "the days of Uzziah." (Isaiah 1:1) Another example given is that all days in Genesis are said to have a beginning and an end, except for the last day. According to Paul, this 7th day was still continuing when he lived. (Hebrews 4:1-10) and could therefore not have been a 24 hour day. Therefore, thousands of years can be as one long continuing day to God. (Psalm 90:2, 4; 2 Peter 3:8)

Jehovah's Witnesses do not accept the modern theory of evolution of species based upon Darwin's theory of natural selection. They do not believe that life on Earth arose as a result of purely naturalistic processes, but instead hold that the first human, Adam, and indeed all things, were created directly by God.

Witnesses acknowledge the existence of microevolution, or progressive developments and adaptation within the limits of a 'kind' (a word used in the Genesis account). They say Noah took a limited number of ‘kinds’ aboard the ark, and that these diverged after the flood - for example, a 'big cat' 'kind' would have diverged into lions and tigers. They do not accept that one 'kind' may evolve to the extent it is no longer fertile with the original animal, and thus reject macroevolution or speciation. Further, they believe that all animals existing today are descendants of ones that survived Noah's flood.

As Witnesses believe that the chronology contained in the Bible is accurate, they date Adam’s creation as occurring 4026 Before Common Era and the flood as taking place in 2370 Before Common Era.

Θρησκευτικά σύμβολα

The group categorically rejects the use of images or icons in worship as they believe this violates Biblical prohibitions against idolatry. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that an idol is any image or symbol that is an object of intense devotion, veneration, or worship; whereas, other Christian denominations would disagree.

Regarding the cross as a religious symbol, Jehovah's Witnesses cite three additional reasons why Christians should not use it as a symbol for Christianity.

1 - They consider that the instrument of Christ's suffering and death should not be viewed with reverence, even as most people would not love or venerate a knife or a revolver that had been used to murder a loved one.

2 - They believe that Christ was executed on a stake, rather than a cross. (see section on New_World_Translation_of_the_Holy_Scriptures Characteristics)

3 - They believe that the cross was adopted due to converted pagans introducing pagan symbols into early Christianity, citing uses of the cross in ancient pagan religions such as the religions of Egypt and Babylon.

Εσχατολογία: η κατάσταση των νεκρών και η Ημέρα της Κρίσης

Christ's presence (Greek: parousia) is considered to be his invisible rule from heaven and is believed to have begun in 1914. Witnesses believe that Jesus' prophecy recorded in Matthew 24 have been being fulfilled since that time. They identify the same period with the 'last days' referred to by the Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 3:1-5. It is taught that starting with World War I in 1914 (which actually began several months before the prophesied October fulfilment), as well as increases in other conflicts and natural disasters since then are proof that world conditions have gotten worse since the alleged expulsion of Satan from heaven in 1914. (This logical fallacy of correlation implying causation is parodied in Flying Spaghetti Monsterism.)

The group teaches that the dead are unconscious, citing Ecclesiastes 9:5, "the dead know not any thing." They view death as the end of the existence of a "soul" or person. Right from their movement's inception, they have rejected the concept of a literal hell fire as repugnant and incompatible with God's qualities, and interpret the references to fire in connection with the fire that destroyed garbage outside Jerusalem, ie., a synonym of destruction, not punishment. Their doctrine has no equivalent of the Catholic concept of purgatory.

Jehovah's Witnesses do not believe in an immortal soul that is separate from the body, but rather understand the Hebrew word nephesh and the Greek word psyche - both often translated as soul - to mean the person as one indivisible whole. Similarly, they make a sharp distinction between the soul and the spirit (Hebrew: ruach, Greek: pneuma), considering the latter to be the impersonal life-force in every human, sustained by breathing.

This has clear consequences for their beliefs about the afterlife. They believe that people who die merely cease to exist, except it be in God's memory. They therefore consider the resurrection to be a re-creation of the person.

A seemingly distinctive feature of Jehovah's Witnesses' doctrine is their belief that the earth will continue to exist and be inhabited forever. The word "seemingly" is used because most people do not realize that this belief is also taught by some other Protestant denominations and by the Roman Catholic church (with some slight variations). In their view, God's intention is for faithful humans to eventually live forever in a state of robust and perfect physical health on earth, which will have been restored to a state of splendor similar to the Garden of Eden. They believe that literally 144,000 faithful Christians will be taken to heaven to be Governors with Christ for 1,000 years. - Revelation 14:1-3; Revelation 20:6.

The Devil will be sealed for 1,000 years in the 'Pit' and the Just shall learn of God's ways along side those humans whom God judges deemable to be resurrected to a new life in Paradise. After the 1,000 year period, all humans living within this paradise shall achieve perfection as was intended from the start, and the Devil shall be released for one last attempt to tempt those perfect humans on Earth with the temptations that once lured them when they were imperfect.

The group teaches that all other human beings, except for those deemed by God to be incorrigibly wicked, will be restored to life (resurrected) in the thousand-year period directly after Armageddon, known as Judgement Day. During Judgement Day, the dead will be resurrected, "righteous and unrighteousness" (Acts 24:14), and that people will have the opportunity to learn righteousness (Isaiah 26:9, 10). God will provide a new communication to humankind to augment the Bible, and gradually restore all humans to a state of physical perfection. At the end of judgment day, there will be a final test when Satan the Devil will be let out of his prison (Rev. 20:3). Those rebelling against God at that time, or even earlier during judgment day, will be destroyed, along with the Devil (Revelation 20:7-10). Those who fall to their old ways shall be eternally eliminated, given the 'second and final death from which there is not escape', the Devil shall be eliminated for good at the hands of Jehovah and the just, good, and perfect humans shall inherit everlasting life on Paradise Earth to worship Jehovah and to learn fully of the His Purposes for them as 'new Scrolls shall be opened' and many new things shall be learned.

Ηθικά πρότυπα

Jehovah's Witnesses believe that the Bible strictly forbid all sexual relations outside of marriage and they oppose all homosexual activities. (See Homosexuality and Christianity) Only when one's spouse has committed adultery can one of Jehovah's Witnesses divorce and remarry. Other circumstances where divorce is allowed but remarriage is not an option include such situations as a violent marriage. They are against polygamy in any case. In countries where polygamy is common, men are required to separate from all wives but their first before being eligible for baptism.

Moderate use of alcohol is viewed as acceptable, but drunkenness is forbidden, along with all recreational use of drugs, including tobacco.

All forms of gambling are prohibited.

Witnesses view dating, or courtship, not simply as a recreational activity, but as a means of getting to know a prospective marriage partner. Courtship is therefore not taken lightly. Courting couples are encouraged to avoid potentially compromising situations that could lead to fornication.

Parties and other festivities are usually supervised by elders (overseers of the congregation), ministerial servants (assistants of elders), or any other experienced and/or well-respected congregational member.

Members are expected to dress modestly.

A major focus of Witness publications and meetings is the development of Christlike personality traits. Physical or verbal aggression and the use of threats or obscenities are strongly discouraged.

Strict honesty is expected in all aspects of life. They are strictly expected to obey the government, as long as it is not against their beliefs. Witnesses are expected to pay taxes conscientiously, avoid lying and stealing, even in relatively minor matters and give their employers an honest day's work.

Το ζήτημα του αίματος

Based on their understanding of the Bible admonition to "keep abstaining from blood" (Acts 15:28, 29), Jehovah's Witnesses refrain from accepting any blood transfusion or whole blood products. The command to abstain from blood was the results of the apostles of the Jerusalem congregation considering a question of controversy and handing down a decision led by Holy Spirit. It is therefore considered binding for all Christians. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that the successor to that body is the Governing Body who heads the Jehovah's Witness religion, and therefore, their decisions are equally binding. Therefore, when questions come up as to how to interpret "abstinence from blood", they similarly consider the matter, and issue a decision.

In addition to the scriptures in Acts, Jehovah's Witnesses take into consideration other parts of the Bible in formulating their view of blood. First, they believe that, due to the sacredness of blood as the symbol of life, the proper use of blood is to be "poured out" and not stored for some other purpose. Also, they note that the command to not eat blood was given during Noah's time, and therefore not purely a Jewish dietary law, which Jehovah's Witnesses consider to no longer be binding upon Christians.(Genesis 9:4; Leviticus 17:10)

Therefore, Jehovah's Witnesses consider blood transfusion to be both a misuse of blood, as well as violating an explicit admonition to not "eat" or consume blood in any fashion. A common illustration that is used is if a physician tells a patient to "abstain from alcohol" it would not follow that the patient can inject it into his bloodstream. Therefore, abstinence from blood is similarly believe to include transfusion.

See Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses: Medicine and Health for additional information on how this doctrine manifests itself in the practice of Jehovah's Witnesses.

Ανάπτυξη των δοξασιών

The official dogma and policies of most religious organizations, the Catholic Church and many Protestant groups included, have developed and been modified over time. Similarly, Witness teachings and practices have evolved over the past century to reach their present form. This has generated considerable controversy among critics, who maintain that Jehovah's Witnesses have made many significant changes to their teachings over the past century.

Since Jehovah's Witnesses' doctrines have been openly published for over 120 years in The Watchtower magazine, all changes in teaching are a matter of record. Rather than concealing these doctrinal developments, the organization often presents them in a positive light, as evidence of the fact that God is blessing their efforts to understand the Bible better. A Bible verse frequently quoted in this context is Proverbs 4:18: "The path of the righteous ones is like the bright light that is getting lighter and lighter until the day is firmly established."

The book Jehovah's Witnesses: Proclaimers of God's Kingdom, published by the group in 1993, discusses the history of their religion including changes in doctrinal issues, acknowledging that doctrinal changes have been necessary and outlining many of the former beliefs and expectations held by the group. It states (page 709) that their understanding of the Bible gets progressively clearer at the proper time and that because of human error or misguided zeal, it has been necessary for them to adjust their viewpoint from time to time. It also includes photographic material showing that Witnesses at the beginning of the century celebrated Christmas and accepted the use of the cross as a symbol of Christianity. Additionally, The Watchtower of 15 May 1995 listed over 20 doctrinal changes that had been made over the years.

It should be noted that some of these changes in doctrine have led to the formation of several splinter groups.

Χρονοδιάγραμμα της Προοδευτικής Ανάπτυξης των Διδασκαλιών των Μαρτύρων του Ιεχωβά

Διδασκαλίες που έμειναν απαράλλακτες από τότε που εμφανίστηκαν οι ΜτΙ (δεκαετία 1870):

• Η Αγία Γραφή είναι ο αλάθητος λόγος του Θεού.
• Το όνομα του Θεού είναι Ιεχωβά.
• Άρνηση του δόγματος της Τριάδας.
• Ο Ιησούς είναι πλάσμα που δημιουργήθηκε από τον Πατέρα του.
• Το άγιο πνεύμα δεν είναι πρόσωπο.
• Η ψυχή είναι θνητή.
• Δεν υπάρχει Κόλαση.
• Απολυτρωτική θυσία του Ιησού Χριστού, η πίστη στον Ιησού απαραίτητη για σωτηρία.
• Ο πνευματισμός απορρίπτεται.
• Η πορνεία, η μοιχεία και η ομοφυλοφυλία θεωρούνται αμαρτίες.
• Η διάκριση κληρικών-λαϊκών θεωρείται αντιγραφική.

Αλλαγές στις απόψεις τους που έλαβαν χώρα ως το 1939:

• 1921 - Άρνηση χρήσης εμβολίων.
• 1927 - Εγκαταλείφθηκε ο εορτασμός των Χριστουγέννων και των γενεθλίων.
• 1928 - Η Μεγάλη πυραμίδα δεν σχετίζεται καθόλου με τον σκοπό του Θεού.
• 1930 - Η ουράνια ενθρόνιση του Ιησού ως Βασιλιά κατανοήθηκε τότε ότι δεν είχε λάβει χώρα το 1874 αλλά το 1914, το έτος που ξεκίνησαν και οι «τελευταίες ημέρες» αυτού του συστήματος πραγμάτων.
• 1931 - Υιοθέτηση του ονόματος «Μάρτυρες του Ιεχωβά».
• 1932 - Εφαρμογή των Βιβλικών προφητείων αποκατάστασης του Ισραήλ στην Χριστιανική εκκλησία παρά στους κατά γράμμα Ιουδαίους
• 1935 - Προσδιορίζεται η ταυτότητα του "μεγάλου πλήθους" της Αποκάλυψης κεφάλαιο 7.
• 1936 - Εγκαταλείπεται η χρήση του σταυρού στη λατρεία.
• 1939 - Πλήρης ουδετερότητα στις υποθέσεις του κόσμου.

Σημαντικές αλλαγές στς διδασκαλίες τους από το 1940 ως σήμερα:

• 1944 - Αποκοπή από την Χριστιανική συναναστροφή όσων εμμένουν να αμαρτάνουν (αν και αυτό ήδη εφαρμοζόταν σε κάποια μορφή και προηγουμένως).
• 1945 - Οι μεταγγίσεις αίματος δεν γίνονται αποδεκτές (διευκρίνιση της τρέχουσας στάσης για το αίμα και συγκεκριμένη εφαρμογή στις μεταγγίσεις).
• 1952 - Τα εμβόλια γίνονται αποδεκτά. Διευκρινίστηκε ότι η θέση των Μαρτύρων για το αίμα δεν εφαρμόζεται στον εμβολιασμό. (Κάποιοι Μάρτυρες ήδη δέχονταν να εμβολιαστούν τουλάχιστον από την εποχή του Β' Παγκοσμίου Πολέμου.)
• 1954 - Έγινε κατανοητό ότι δεν πρέπει να αποδίδεται λατρεία στον Ιησού Χριστό αλλά αποκλειστικά και μόνο στον Ιεχωβά Θεό.
• 1962 - Προσδιορισμός της ταυτότητας των "ανωτέρων εξουσιών" που αναφέρονται στο εδάφιο Ρωμαίους 13:1.
• 1967 - Οι μεταμοσχεύσεις οργάνων αποθαρρύνονται. (Η Σκοπιά, 1 Μαρτίου 1968, σελ. 158, στην ελληνική έκδοση)
• 1973 - Η χρήση καπνού θεωρείται ανάρμοστη. (Σε όλη την ιστορία της οργάνωσης τους αποθαρρύνονταν έντονα η χρήση του.)
• 1980 - Οι μεταμοσχεύσεις οργάνων είναι αποδεκτές.
• 1995 - Αλλαγή της κατανόησης του όρου "αυτή η γενιά" που αναφέρεται στο εδάφιο Ματθαίος 24:34.
• 1995 - Αλλαγή της κατανόησης του χρόνου κατά τον οποίο εκπληρώνεται η προφητική παραβολή του Ιησού για τον διαχωρισμό των προβάτων από τα κατσίκια.

Η σημασία των αλλαγών αυτών των δοξασιών

If there is little doubt that Jehovah's Witnesses have changed some of their doctrines over the past century, there is considerable controversy over the significance of the changes.

Critics feel that the nature and extent of the changes is such that the organization's claim to be uniquely guided by God's spirit is disproved and seriously problematic in view of the degree to which adherents are urged to rely on the Watchtower organization's guidance in the interpretation of Scripture.

Watch Tower literature recognizes that doctrinal changes have taken place but states: "Matters on which corrections of viewpoint have been needed have been relatively minor when compared with the vital Bible truths that they have discerned and publicized." (Reasoning from the Scriptures, page 136-137)

Thus, Jehovah's Witnesses' publications, while recognizing that adjustments have been made, emphasize that the core elements of their belief are constant. They maintain that their understanding of the Bible gets clearer at the proper time, just as the understanding of doctrine among Christ's first-century disciples was also clarified gradually. Witnesses see these changes as evidence of divine blessing on their efforts to understand the Bible.

In general, Witnesses take a positive view of such adjustments. A new explanation of some verse or topic in The Watchtower magazine is likely to generate enthusiasm and interest, as well as considerable discussion. It is expected that further study of the Bible will result in an improved understanding, which of course necessitates alteration in viewpoints.

Some alleged 'doctrinal changes' are simply differences in the interpretation of a particular verse, with few practical implications. For instance, in 1962, The Watchtower identified the 'superior authorities' of Romans 13:1 as the worldly governments, rather than God and Christ as had previously been stated. However, this had little practical effect, as the Witnesses both before and after this change always considered it necessary to obey the laws of the land, unless these conflict with God's laws. Similarly, in 1988, The Watchtower reevaluated the Bible texts referring to Sodom and Gomorrah, and concluded that the inhabitants of those cities would not be resurrected. This position differed from what had previously been published. Most Witnesses would not however feel that adjustments of this type make a substantial difference to their lives or to their relationship with God.

Other 'doctrinal changes' are really clarifications, in response to developments in the world in general. For instance, as early as 1927, The Watchtower discussed the sacredness of blood. It did not discuss blood transfusions specifically, as the practice was still in its infancy. As transfusions became commonplace during World War II, the organization confirmed that its stance on the sacred nature of blood applied to transfusions too.

Η σημασία των δοξασιών

Most Jehovah's Witnesses are well-grounded in the doctrines of their religion and are able to explain what they believe and what they consider to be the basis for these beliefs in the Bible. Before baptism, they go through a period of weekly study of doctrinal matters, and doctrines are discussed frequently at their congregational meetings.

Οι Μάρτυρες του Ιεχωβά και οι άλλες θρησκείες

Like many conservative Christian denominations, Witnesses believe that there is only one true religion - that taught by Jesus Christ in the Bible, namely true Christianity (Ephesians 4:4-6). However, Jehovah's Witnesses believe that the doctrine propagated by the Watchtower Society is the only true restoration of that first-century Christianity. They believe that the existence of absolute truth precludes the possibility that different religions, confessing a multitude of conflicting doctrines, are equally acceptable. Because they deem it inappropriate to engage in forms of organizational cooperation with "unbelievers", they do not participate in interfaith initiatives or the ecumenical movement (1 Corinthians 15:33).

While considering the teachings of other religious organizations to be in error, Jehovah's Witnesses recognize that there are sincere individuals in all religious traditions and respect the right of each person to choose his religion. However, they believe that people need to take action joining them in order to survive at God's imminent battle of Armageddon (2 Peter 3:11-13). This is one reason why door-to-door preaching is considered to be an urgent life-saving work.

Marrying of "unbelievers" (i.e. non-Jehovah's Witnesses) is strongly discouraged due to the scriptural exhortation to "marry only in the Lord" but is not a disfellowshipping offense. However, in general "mixed homes" occur when one of the spouses converts to another faith (whether a non-Jehovah's Witness becomes a Jehovah's Witness or visa versa). Children are encouraged to respect both their parents, even if one does not share their convictions. In such cases, the parent who is a Jehovah's Witnesses is expected to teach children the tenets of the Jehovah's Witness faith.