What is the biblical basis for the belief held by Jehovah's Witnesses that Jehovah and Jesus Christ are separate entities?
score:10
I think the Jehovahs Witnesses make the matter pretty clear on their website.
TL;DR - Jehovah used to appear to the ancient prophets as "God Almighty", Jesus Christ never identified as "God Almighty".
Does God Have a Name?
The Bible’s answer
Humans all have personal names. Wouldn’t it be reasonable for God to have a name? Having and using personal names is a vital part of human friendships. Should it be different when it comes to our friendship with God?
In the Bible, God says: “I am Jehovah. That is my name.” (Isaiah 42:8) Although he also has many titles, such as “God Almighty,” “Sovereign Lord,” and “Creator,” he honors his worshippers by inviting them to address him by his personal name.—Genesis 17:1; Acts 4:24; 1 Peter 4:19.
Many translations of the Bible contain God’s personal name at Exodus 6:3. That passage says: “I used to appear to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as God Almighty, but as respects my name Jehovah I did not make myself known to them.”
Jehovah is a rendering of God’s name in English that has been used for centuries. While many scholars prefer the spelling “Yahweh,” Jehovah is the form of the name that is most widely recognized. The first part of the Bible was written not in English but in Hebrew, a language that is read from right to left. In that language, the divine name appears as four consonants, יהוה. Those four Hebrew characters—transliterated YHWH—are known as the Tetragrammaton.
Is God’s Name Jesus?
The Bible’s answer
Jesus referred to himself as “God’s Son” or “the Son of God.” (John 10:36; 11:4) Jesus never identified himself as Almighty God.
Moreover, Jesus prayed to God. (Matthew 26:39) And while teaching his followers how to pray, Jesus said: “Our Father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified.”—Matthew 6:9.
Jesus revealed God’s name when he quoted an ancient passage of Scripture and said: “Hear, O Israel, Jehovah our God is one Jehovah.”—Mark 12:29; Deuteronomy 6:4.
Is Jesus Almighty God?
The Bible’s answer
Jesus’ opposers accused him of making himself equal to God. (John 5:18; 10:30-33) However, Jesus never claimed to be on the same level as Almighty God. He said: “The Father is greater than I am.”—John 14:28.
Jesus’ early followers did not view him as being equal to Almighty God. For example, the apostle Paul wrote that after Jesus was resurrected, God “exalted him [Jesus] to a superior position.” Obviously, Paul did not believe that Jesus was Almighty God. Otherwise, how could God exalt Jesus to a superior position? —Philippians 2:9.
www.JW.org, Jehovah's Witnesses Bible Questions Answered - God, Jesus.
Upvote:-2
As an ex-JW:
- I do not recall a single lecture of the form "Today, we're going to prove that Jesus != God"
Instead, it was things like:
Jesus = Michael the ArchAngel ( http://www.jw.org/en/publications/books/bible-teach/who-is-michael-the-archangel/ ) [ Mainstream Christianity views this as heretical, since mainstream Christianity views Jesus as God. ]
Angels are below God
Therefore, Jesus != God [ Thus, a heretical conclusion ]
========================
As an aside, this creates all sorts of problems:
Satan was initially thrown down for wanting to be above God.
If Jesus = Arch Angel
If JW believers are to be above Angels (in particular, to judge Angels)
Then, JW believers have the authority to judge Jesus / be above Jesus -- which is heretical from a mainstream Christianity view.
This is basically similar to Satan's original sin -- to be above God.
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