Why should a Jehovah's Witness consider becoming a Christian?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The Bible is clear that eternal life is available only through faith in Jesus Christ. Acts 4:12 states, "There is no salvation in anyone else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." Both Jehovah’s Witnesses and Evangelical Christians affirm the importance of faith in Jesus, but they differ in what it means to exercise that faith. The teachings of the Watchtower organization, Jehovah's Witnesses, emphasize faith accompanied by works, such as attending meetings, Bible study, and evangelistic service, as necessary components of salvation. However, the Bible teaches that salvation is a gift of grace received by faith alone, not earned through human effort. A Jehovah's Witness should consider becoming a Christian because biblical Christianity teaches that salvation is a gift of grace through faith in Jesus Christ, who is fully God and fully man and the only way to eternal life (John 14:6). Embracing the true gospel offers the assurance of a personal relationship with God, based on His completed work on the cross, rather than relying on human effort or religious works.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Isaiah 53:5: "But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed." The prophet Isaiah foretold the sacrificial work of the Messiah, showing that salvation is secured through Christ’s atonement, not our works.
• Habakkuk 2:4: "The righteous shall live by his faith." Righteousness before God has always been through faith, not by human merit.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." Jesus offers eternal life to all who believe in Him, emphasizing faith over works.
• Ephesians 2:8–9: "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Paul teaches that salvation is entirely God’s gift, received through faith, eliminating the basis for human boasting.
• Romans 10:9: "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Salvation involves confessing Jesus as Lord and believing in His resurrection, affirming His deity and victory over sin and death.
• Luke 24:39: "See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have." Jesus’s physical resurrection is central to the Christian faith, providing assurance of the promise of eternal life.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Jehovah’s Witnesses and Evangelical Christians agree on the need for faith in Jesus Christ, but the Bible affirms that salvation is a gift of grace, not something earned by works. This distinction offers assurance of salvation to those who trust in Jesus’s finished work on the cross and His resurrection. Believing in the biblical Jesus, who is eternal and fully divine, is key to receiving eternal life. For anyone seeking salvation, it begins with acknowledging one’s sin and need for a Savior. Confessing faith in Jesus Christ as the risen Son of God secures the promise of eternal life. This faith is not about striving to earn favor with God but about resting in the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice. If you feel called to place your faith in Jesus, there is no prescribed formula or special prayer required. Simply acknowledge your need for Him and trust in His work on your behalf.

UNDERSTAND

• A Jehovah’s Witness should consider becoming a Christian because salvation is received by grace through faith in Jesus alone, not by works.
• A Jehovah’s Witness should consider becoming a Christian because Jesus is fully God and the only way to eternal life, according to the Bible.
• A Jehovah’s Witness should consider becoming a Christian because trusting in Jesus in this lifetime is the only guarantee of our heavenly home.

REFLECT

• How does salvation by grace through faith challenge your current understanding of faith and works?
• How does recognizing Jesus as fully God and the only way to eternal life influence your relationship with Him?
• How can you personally rest in the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice, rather than striving to earn favor with God?

ENGAGE

• How does Jehovah's Witnesses' emphasis on works impact their understanding of salvation?
• How does the Bible emphasize the need for faith in Jesus, as opposed to human effort, and what is the significance of works according to the Bible?
• What are some practical ways we can share the gospel with Jehovah's Witnesses, focusing on the grace and sufficiency of Christ’s work?