The heresies and blasphemies of Jehovah’s Witnesses – said in Alexandria

The lecture offers a precise explanation of the teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses and clarifies their deviations from the Orthodox Christian faith, showing their historical and doctrinal roots. His Holiness Pope Shenouda III presents their main beliefs and refutes each one using the Holy Bible and Orthodox theology.

1. Definition and Origin of the Heresy

• The Pope explains that Jehovah’s Witnesses mix ideas from Judaism (keeping the Sabbath, believing Jerusalem will be the world’s capital), Arianism (denying Christ’s divinity), and Macedonianism (denying the divinity of the Holy Spirit).

• They are similar to the Sadducees, since they deny the immortality of the soul and the existence of spirits.

• He also calls them a kind of atheistic heresy, because they see religions as the work of Satan and reject the Church and her sacraments.

2. Their Doctrinal Errors

• They deny the Holy Trinity and believe Christ was created by God, not equal to Him in essence.

• They teach that Christ is the Archangel Michael in human form.

• They reject the bodily crucifixion and resurrection, claiming His body disappeared and He rose only in spirit.

• They deny the immortality of the soul, saying humans cease to exist after death.

• They reject the intercession of saints, honor of the Virgin Mary, icons, relics, and all church sacraments such as baptism, priesthood, confession, and Eucharist.

3. Their View of Society and Government

• They refuse to honor national flags or anthems, seeing them as idolatry.

• They refuse military service, believing governments are works of Satan.

• They reject church buildings and organized worship, preferring home gatherings.

4. Pastoral Warning and Practical Teaching

• The Pope advises believers not to welcome them or engage in debate, citing St. John’s command: “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house nor greet him” (2 John 10).

• He emphasizes that defending faith must rely on scriptural knowledge and commitment to the apostolic Orthodox faith.

Spiritual and Educational Message

• The lecture stresses that Orthodox faith is built on the mystery of the true Incarnation and Redemption, that Christ is fully God and fully man, who rose and ascended bodily.

• It calls for spiritual vigilance against distorted teachings and for steadfastness in the true apostolic faith.

• It urges believers to combine firmness in doctrine with humility and gentleness in response.

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