| | 2 They primarily use the ''[[New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures]]'', their Modern translation of the Bible. It was produced because in their words: "No translation of the Bible can ever be considered final. Translations must keep pace with the growth in biblical scholarship and the changes in language."<ref>The Watchtower October 15, 1999 p.28</ref> They accept, use, quote from, and cite other Bible versions and translations freely in their literature and sermons, and acknowledge their value, but the Bible version that they mainly and mostly use, read from, and quote is the NWT (in whatever language) that is produced by their organization, The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, and specifically the New World Translation Committee. | | 2 They primarily use the ''[[New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures]]'', their Modern translation of the Bible. It was produced because in their words: "No translation of the Bible can ever be considered final. Translations must keep pace with the growth in biblical scholarship and the changes in language."<ref>The Watchtower October 15, 1999 p.28</ref> They accept, use, quote from, and cite other Bible versions and translations freely in their literature and sermons, and acknowledge their value, but the Bible version that they mainly and mostly use, read from, and quote is the NWT (in whatever language) that is produced by their organization, The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, and specifically the New World Translation Committee. |
| − | 3 Jehovah's Witnesses believe their faith is 'The' restoration of the early 'Way', or Christian Congregation. This belief is based on their attempts to align their organizational structure and scriptural interpretation as closely as possible to that of the Christian congregation of the first century. There is no clergy-laity distinction as all, male and female members, are considered to be ordained ministers at the time of [[baptism]] (note that Witnesses do not practice [[infant baptism]]). | + | 3 Jehovah's Witnesses believe their faith is 'The' restoration of the early 'Way', or Christian Congregation. This belief is based on their attempts to align their organizational structure and scriptural interpretation as closely as possible to that of the Christian congregation of the first century. There is no clergy-laity distinction as in other types of churches, although there are elders, overseers (bishops), and ministerial servants (deacons), and a governing body, in their ecclesiastical structure, and leadership, but all are 'brothers' to each other, and both male and female members are considered to be ordained ministers (authorized by God and Christ to teach and preach the word of God) at the time of [[baptism]] (note that Witnesses do not practice [[infant baptism]]). |
| | 4 Jehovah's Witnesses believe that there is only one God, Jehovah, and that Jesus Christ is God's First-begotten Son rather than Almighty God himself. They teach that the references to Jesus as "God" is in an indefinite sense, as in John 1:1, and that Jesus was made "God" or Divine over the circumstances, by the Father's permission and power. They do not believe that God is three persons or gods or beings in One, but rather One God (who is the infinite Father alone) that created all things, and thus reject the doctrine of a co-equal or co-eternal trinity. They support such teachings using scriptures such as (Matthew 4:10), (Deuteronomy 6:4), and (Psalms 83:18) in their Bible translation where God is spoken of as the One God Alone. | | 4 Jehovah's Witnesses believe that there is only one God, Jehovah, and that Jesus Christ is God's First-begotten Son rather than Almighty God himself. They teach that the references to Jesus as "God" is in an indefinite sense, as in John 1:1, and that Jesus was made "God" or Divine over the circumstances, by the Father's permission and power. They do not believe that God is three persons or gods or beings in One, but rather One God (who is the infinite Father alone) that created all things, and thus reject the doctrine of a co-equal or co-eternal trinity. They support such teachings using scriptures such as (Matthew 4:10), (Deuteronomy 6:4), and (Psalms 83:18) in their Bible translation where God is spoken of as the One God Alone. |