Jehovah's Witnesses, did Thomas believe Jesus was God?

Justin108 · Post by **Justin108** » Fri May 26, 2017 5:30 am

John 20:26 Well, eight days later his disciples were again indoors, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and he stood in their midst and said: â€œMay you have peace.â€� 27 Next he said to Thomas: â€œPut your finger here, and see my hands, and take your hand and stick it into my side, and stop doubting* but believe.â€� 28 In answer Thomas said to him: â€œMy Lord and my God!â€�

JehovahsWitness · Post by **JehovahsWitness** » Fri May 26, 2017 6:00 am

[Replying to post 1 by Justin108]

Re: Jehovah's Witnesses, did Thomas believe Jesus was God?

Yes he did in our opinion believe Jesus was God.

Not YHWH Almighty God the Creator of course but a Mighty God nonetheless.

JW

Justin108 · Post by **Justin108** » Fri May 26, 2017 6:18 am

JehovahsWitness wrote: [Replying to post 1 by Justin108]

Re: Jehovah's Witnesses, did Thomas believe Jesus was God?

Yes he did in our opinion believe Jesus was God.

Not YHWH Almighty God the Creator of course but a Mighty God nonetheless.

JW

So Jehovah's Witnesses aren't monotheistic then?

JehovahsWitness · Post by **JehovahsWitness** » Fri May 26, 2017 6:48 am

[Replying to post 3 by Justin108]

QUESTION: Are Jehovah's Witnesses "monotheists"?

That would depend.

If by "belief" one means "worship" only one God then, yes, we are monotheists.

If by "God" one means Almighty Supreme Creator, then ditto.

Jehovah's Witnesses believe that there is only one omnipotent, omniscient Creator and Supreme ruler of the universe, who had no beginning. Everyone and everything else (including Jesus) we believe were created by that One (YHWH/JEHOVAH) and we (Jehovah's Witnesses) only worship that one Almighty God, Jehovah.

If by "belief" one means "recognize the existence of other gods" and by "other gods" one is referring to these created beings whether real or fictional, then no Jehovah's Witnesses are not, by THAT definition "monotheists".

The Official Statement on this matter can be found on the Jehovah's Witness website and is as follows:

We (JWs) worship the one true and Almighty God, the Creator, whose name is Jehovah. (Psalm 83:18; Revelation 4:11) He is the God of Abraham, Moses, and Jesus.â€”Exodus 3:6; 32:11; John 20:17

source: https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesse ... s-beliefs/

Further Reading: What do Jehovah's Witnesses believe?
https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesse ... s-beliefs/

John and monotheism (onewithim)
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 160#824160

gods in the bible: men judges, angels
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 770#824770

Justin108 · Post by **Justin108** » Fri May 26, 2017 6:56 am

JehovahsWitness wrote: [Replying to post 3 by Justin108]

That would depend.

If by "belief" one means "worship" and by "God" one means Almighty Supreme Creator, then yes. We are monotheists.

So in order to maintain your status as a monotheist, you resort to redefining "belief"?

"Belief" and "worship" are in no way synonymous. I believe in many things. I worship none of these things.

JehovahsWitness · Post by **JehovahsWitness** » Fri May 26, 2017 7:12 am

[Replying to post 5 by Justin108]

The only "status" we are concerned with is our "status" before God. We define our worship in biblical terms which I have tried to outline above. Jehovah's Witnesses hold strictly to bible standards when it comes to worship. The word "monotheist" is not in the bible but the idea of only worshipping YHWH (Jehovah) with the exception of no others is. This is the standard to which we hold.

The world is free to define us as they like. I hope I have explained what we believe and provided the documented proof thereof, I also hope I have communicated fully how vey little we care of how others catagorize us.

JW

Justin108 · Post by **Justin108** » Fri May 26, 2017 7:19 am

JehovahsWitness wrote: [Replying to post 5 by Justin108]

The only "status" we are concerned with is our "status" before God. We define our worship in biblical terms which I have tried to outline above. The word "monotheist" is not in the bible so the world is free to define us as they like.

Then why do you not simply openly and proudly admit that "yes, by definition, I am not a monotheist" instead of attempting to redefine words in an attempt to provide alternate definitions?

The fact that you made an effort to create a definition that would define you as a monotheist (despite needing to literally redefine the word "belief" in order to fit this definition) suggests that you are reluctant to accept the fact that you are not a monotheist. Why did you not simply say "no, I am not a monotheist"?

JehovahsWitness wrote: I hope I have explained what we believe and provided the documented proof thereof.

Do you have any documented proof that "belief" is synonymous to "worship" as your alternate definition requires?

JehovahsWitness wrote: How other's define us is of absolutely not consequence to us at all.

How "others" define you? Are you suggesting that definitions are subjective opinions? Are you denying the fact that you do not fit the definition of a monotheist?

polonius · Post by **polonius** » Fri May 26, 2017 8:47 am

JehovahsWitness wrote: [Replying to post 1 by Justin108]

Re: Jehovah's Witnesses, did Thomas believe Jesus was God?

Yes he did in our opinion believe Jesus was God.

Not YHWH Almighty God the Creator of course but a Mighty God nonetheless.

JW

RESPONSE:

Thank you for your opinion based on a nonwitness writing 60 years after the fact in an attempt to gain converts.

The belief that Jesus was divine himself started around 80 AD. The Matthew, Mark, and Luke gospels written before that don't make that claim. And Peter's dialogue in Acts of the Apostles, written about 80 AD, demonstrates that Jesus was not considered divine at that point by the Christians.

In 85 AD the Jews excluded the Christians from their synagogues (as minim) for apostasy. By raising Jesus to divine status, Christians had violated the basic Jewish teaching. "Hear O Israel, the Lord is One."

JehovahsWitness · Post by **JehovahsWitness** » Fri May 26, 2017 8:53 am

polonius.advice wrote:Thank you for your opinion...

You are most welcome! I have provided links if you would like to know more about the Jehovah's Witness position. Many people are confused because we are not trinitarians and do not believe Jesus to be (Almighty) God, so I welcome the opportunity to post on this topic.

JEHOVAH'S WITNESS

Further Reading: What do Jehovah's Witnesses believe?
https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesse ... s-beliefs/

John and monotheism (onewithim)
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 160#824160

gods in the bible: men judges, angels
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 770#824770