Jesus of the Bible vs. the Watchtower Jesus

By Dave Jenkins
A Contending for the Word Feature

Short Answer:

While Jehovah’s Witnesses use the name “Jesus,” their doctrine denies the Jesus of the Bible—replacing Him with a created being who cannot save.

No. Jehovah’s Witnesses do not believe in the same Jesus as biblical Christianity. Though they use the name “Jesus,” they redefine His identity in ways that directly contradict Scripture and essential doctrines of the Christian faith.

1. Who Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Say Jesus Is?

Jehovah’s Witnesses hold to a radically different Christology than biblical Christianity. According to their teachings, Jesus is a created being—the first creation of Jehovah God. In their book Reasoning from the Scriptures, they plainly state that Jesus is “the first creation by God” (p. 409). They also identify Him as Michael the Archangel in human form, as outlined in The Watchtower magazine (Feb. 15, 1984, p. 29).

Not only do they deny that Jesus is God, but they also teach that He should not be worshiped (The Watchtower, Jan. 1, 1992, p. 22). Perhaps most significantly, Jehovah’s Witnesses reject the bodily resurrection of Jesus. In You Can Live Forever on Paradise Earth (pp. 143–144), they assert that Jesus “did not take back his human body… he dissolved it” and was raised as a spirit creature.

These teachings stand in stark opposition to the clear witness of Scripture, which affirms the deity, eternal nature, and bodily resurrection of Christ:

“In the beginning was the Word… and the Word was God.” – John 1:1
“Before Abraham was, I AM.” – John 8:58
“Thomas answered Him, ‘My Lord and my God!’” – John 20:28

2. What Does the Bible Teach About Jesus?

Biblical Christianity proclaims that Jesus is eternally God, the second Person of the Trinity (John 1:1; Colossians 2:9). He is not a created being, but the Creator of all things (John 1:3). He took on flesh through the virgin birth (Matthew 1:23), lived a sinless life, died as a substitutionary sacrifice, and rose bodily from the dead (Luke 24:39).

He is exalted as Lord and is worthy of worship (Revelation 5:12–14). Any redefinition of Jesus that strips Him of His full deity, true humanity, or bodily resurrection results in a false gospel.

“Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.” – John 5:23

To believe in a counterfeit Christ—even one who shares the name “Jesus”—is to reject the true gospel (2 Corinthians 11:3–4; Galatians 1:6–9).

3. What Are the Dangers of Their View?

The early Church fiercely defended the deity of Christ. At the Council of Nicaea in A.D. 325, church leaders condemned Arianism—the heresy that Jesus was a created being—and affirmed from Scripture that Jesus is “true God of true God… begotten, not made.” What Jehovah’s Witnesses teach today is not new. It is a modern revival of ancient errors that the early Church rightly rejected as incompatible with the gospel.

The theological errors of the Watchtower organization are not peripheral—they strike at the heart of the gospel. Denying the deity of Christ means denying the saving power of the gospel itself. Rejecting the Trinity results in a fundamentally distorted understanding of God.

Jehovah’s Witnesses promote a works-based system of salvation. In The Watchtower (Feb. 15, 1983, p. 12), they write: “To receive everlasting life in the earthly Paradise we must identify that organization and serve God as part of it.” In other words, salvation is tied not to faith in Christ alone, but to loyalty to the Watchtower Society.

Additionally, their New World Translation alters the text of Scripture to fit their theology. For example:

• John 1:1 is rendered, “the Word was a god,” rather than the correct translation, “the Word was God.”
• Colossians 1:16–17 inserts the word “other” multiple times to make Jesus appear as part of creation: “by means of him all other things were created.”

They have a high view of the Watchtower—but a low view of Christ and a low view of Scripture itself.

4. How Should Christians Respond?

Speak the Truth in Love

We must approach Jehovah’s Witnesses with compassion and humility, yet without compromising the truth. As 1 Peter 3:15 reminds us, we are to give a reason for our hope “with gentleness and respect.” Asking thoughtful questions like, “Why did Thomas call Jesus ‘My Lord and my God’?” can help expose inconsistencies.

Point Them to the True Jesus of Scripture

Encourage them to read passages such as John 1, Colossians 1–2, and Hebrews 1, which present a clear and exalted view of Christ. Emphasize not only who Jesus is, but what He has done—and that His work is fully sufficient.

Pray for Them

Ultimately, only the Holy Spirit can open blind eyes and change hearts. Paul writes, “The god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers…” (2 Corinthians 4:4). Our role is to bear faithful witness, speak truth in love, and leave the results to God.

5. Call to Action

The name “Jesus” alone doesn’t save—only the true, biblical Jesus does. False Christs cannot redeem, forgive, or reconcile sinners to God. A distorted Christ leads to a distorted gospel, and a distorted gospel cannot save.

If you’ve encountered Jehovah’s Witnesses or have friends influenced by their teachings, don’t be silent. Lovingly and boldly point them to the Jesus of Scripture—the eternal Son of God who saves by grace alone through faith alone.

“Test the spirits to see whether they are from God…” – 1 John 4:1
“For in Him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily.” – Colossians 2:9

Further Study and Reflection

To better understand the true gospel of Jesus Christ, read What Is the Gospel? or listen to our episode on gospel clarity.

Scripture to study: John 1, Colossians 1–2, Hebrews 1, Philippians 2
Topics to explore: Christology, False Teaching, Apologetics
Reflection question: Have you encountered people who use Christian language but redefine key truths? How can you lovingly share the true Jesus of Scripture with them this week?

Recommended Resource

• James R. White, The Forgotten Trinity – An excellent, accessible defense of Christ’s deity and the biblical doctrine of the Trinity.
• For more of your questions answered please visit us here.