An Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) chatbot allows people to ask it questions of practically any kind, and it “works by processing large amounts of text data and using patterns in that data to generate responses that are relevant and coherent” (chatgpt.com). The most widely used chatbot is called ChatGPT: “As of September 2024, ChatGPT is the most popular AI tool in the world. The AI chatbot receives 3.1 billion monthly website visits from over 180 million users” (explodingtopics.com). ChatGPT was also ranked the “Best Overall” A.I. chatbot of 2024 by multiple sources, including tomsguide.com. This writer asked ChatGPT about the “Jehovah’s Witnesses,” and it had much to say. The formatting and wording of its answers have not been altered.
Question for ChatGPT:
What are differences between “Jehovah’s Witnesses” and the churches of Christ that existed in the first century A.D.?
ChatGPT said:
There are significant differences between Jehovah’s Witnesses and the churches of Christ that existed in the first century A.D., particularly in doctrine, organization, and practices. Here are the key differences:
1. Origin and Founding
- First-Century Churches of Christ: These congregations were established by the apostles under the guidance of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit (Acts 2). They were independent, autonomous groups of believers who followed the teachings of Christ and the apostles.
- Jehovah’s Witnesses: This religious group was founded in the late 19th century by Charles Taze Russell (1870s) and later developed under Joseph Rutherford into the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. It did not exist in the first century.
2. View of Jesus Christ
- First-Century Churches of Christ: Taught that Jesus is the Son of God and divine, part of the Godhead (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) (John 1:1-14; Colossians 2:9).
- Jehovah’s Witnesses: Teach that Jesus is not God but a created being, specifically Michael the Archangel, and deny the doctrine of the Trinity.
3. Authority of Scripture
- First-Century Churches of Christ: Followed only the Bible (Old Testament and the apostolic writings, later called the New Testament) as their guide for faith and practice (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
- Jehovah’s Witnesses: Use their own Bible translation, the New World Translation (NWT), which differs from traditional translations. They also rely on Watch Tower Society publications for doctrinal interpretation.
4. Church Organization
- First-Century Churches of Christ: Each congregation was autonomous, led by elders (also called bishops or pastors) and deacons (Acts 14:23; Philippians 1:1). No central human authority controlled multiple churches.
- Jehovah’s Witnesses: Have a highly centralized authority led by the Governing Body in Brooklyn, New York (now in Warwick). Local congregations follow directives from this leadership.
5. Evangelism and Worship
- First-Century Churches of Christ: Spread the gospel through preaching and personal teaching (Acts 8:4), worshiped on the first day of the week (Sunday), partook of the Lord’s Supper weekly, and engaged in a cappella singing (Ephesians 5:19).
- Jehovah’s Witnesses: Known for door-to-door evangelism, publishing materials, and holding meetings in Kingdom Halls. They do not celebrate birthdays, Christmas, or Easter. Their singing is often accompanied by instrumental recordings.
6. Baptism
- First-Century Churches of Christ: Practiced baptism by immersion for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3-4).
- Jehovah’s Witnesses: Also practice baptism by immersion, but they require a dedication to Jehovah’s organization rather than solely to Christ.
7. Beliefs About the Soul and Afterlife
- First-Century Churches of Christ: Believed in the eternal existence of the soul, a literal heaven for the saved and hell for the wicked (Matthew 25:46).
- Jehovah’s Witnesses: Reject the idea of eternal hell, teaching that the wicked are annihilated. They believe only 144,000 will go to heaven, while most faithful followers will live forever on a paradise earth.
8. Second Coming of Christ
- First-Century Churches of Christ: Believed in the visible, bodily return of Christ (Acts 1:9-11).
- Jehovah’s Witnesses: Teach that Jesus returned invisibly in 1914 and now rules from heaven. They expect a future battle of Armageddon where Jehovah will destroy the wicked.
Conclusion
The first-century churches of Christ followed the teachings of Jesus and the apostles without a centralized governing body, whereas Jehovah’s Witnesses are a modern religious organization with unique doctrines and a strong hierarchical structure. Their teachings on Jesus, salvation, the afterlife, and church authority differ significantly from the New Testament model of the early church.
Would you like more details on any of these differences?
Another question for ChatGPT:
If a person wants to be sure he is following what God taught in the Bible, would it be better for him to be a member of the church of Christ, or a “Jehovah’s Witness”?
ChatGPT said:
If a person wants to be sure they are following what God taught in the Bible, they should seek a religious group that adheres as closely as possible to the teachings and practices found in the New Testament. Based on a comparison of the first-century church and these two groups, the church of Christ aligns much more closely with biblical teachings than Jehovah’s Witnesses. Here’s why:
1. The Authority of the Bible
- Church of Christ: Teaches that the Bible alone is the authority in matters of faith and practice (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:3). They reject extra-biblical creeds or modern revelations.
- Jehovah’s Witnesses: Rely heavily on the Watch Tower Society’s teachings and their own New World Translation of the Bible, which has been altered in key places to fit their doctrines.
✅ Biblical Alignment: The church of Christ follows the New Testament without additional doctrines from human organizations.
2. The Identity and Divinity of Jesus
- Church of Christ: Teaches that Jesus is the Son of God, divine, and was with God in the beginning (John 1:1-3, 14; Colossians 2:9).
- Jehovah’s Witnesses: Teach that Jesus is not God, but rather Michael the Archangel, a created being.
✅ Biblical Alignment: The church of Christ correctly upholds the deity of Christ, which is essential to salvation (John 8:24).
3. The Church’s Organization
- Church of Christ: Follows the New Testament pattern—independent congregations overseen by elders and deacons, as seen in Acts 14:23 and 1 Timothy 3.
- Jehovah’s Witnesses: Have a central governing body that controls all congregations worldwide, which is not found in the New Testament.
✅ Biblical Alignment: The church of Christ follows the biblical model of church leadership rather than a man-made hierarchy.
4. The Gospel and Salvation
- Church of Christ: Teaches that salvation comes by grace through faith, requiring:
- Hearing the Gospel (Romans 10:17)
- Believing in Jesus as the Son of God (John 8:24)
- Repenting of sins (Acts 17:30)
- Confessing faith in Christ (Romans 10:9-10)
- Being baptized (immersed) for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16)
- Living faithfully (Revelation 2:10)
- Jehovah’s Witnesses: Teach that salvation requires faith in Jehovah and obedience to their organization. They do not teach that baptism is for the remission of sins in the biblical sense.
✅ Biblical Alignment: The church of Christ follows the New Testament plan of salvation, while Jehovah’s Witnesses require loyalty to their organization rather than Christ alone.
5. The Afterlife
- Church of Christ: Believes in a literal heaven for the saved and eternal punishment for the lost (Matthew 25:46).
- Jehovah’s Witnesses: Teach that only 144,000 go to heaven and that the rest of the faithful will live on a paradise earth, while the wicked will be annihilated (cease to exist).
✅ Biblical Alignment: The church of Christ teaches what Jesus and the apostles taught—eternal life or punishment (Matthew 25:46), not annihilation.
Final Conclusion
A person who truly wants to follow God’s teachings as found in the Bible should seek to follow the New Testament pattern, and the church of Christ adheres more closely to it than Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Would you like help finding a church of Christ near you or more information about their teachings?
Another question for ChatGPT:
Above you said that Jehovah’s Witnesses do not celebrate Christmas and Easter, but the churches of Christ generally do not celebrate these as religious “holy days,” since they are not really in the Bible. Most churches of Christ have no problem with families holding traditional gatherings in their homes on such occasions, but not as a religious observance or to be kept as a requirement of faithfulness. Would you agree with that?
ChatGPT said:
Yes, that is an accurate distinction!
- Jehovah’s Witnesses completely reject Christmas, Easter, and even birthdays, believing they are pagan in origin and should not be observed in any form, religious or secular.
- Churches of Christ do not observe Christmas or Easter as religious “holy days” because there is no biblical command or example for doing so. However, most recognize that these dates have become cultural traditions for many families, and they do not condemn individuals for having family gatherings, exchanging gifts, or participating in non-religious festivities.
- Most members of the churches of Christ emphasize that the Lord’s Supper is the only memorial of Christ’s death and resurrection commanded in Scripture, observed every Sunday (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).
So, while Jehovah’s Witnesses outright reject these holidays in all forms, churches of Christ do not bind or forbid them, as long as they are not treated as required religious observances.
Concluding thoughts from Jason: There are other critical differences between the church of Christ and the “Jehovah’s Witnesses,” but these are some of the clearest differences. Some of the wording ChatGPT chose could be improved upon, but overall, its assessment is unbiased and accurate. The reader is kindly encouraged to investigate and visit a local church of Christ and see firsthand if they truly follow God’s Word. Please contact me if you need help finding a sound congregation in your area. “…The churches of Christ salute you” (Romans 16:16).