What is a JW?

[Jwanon]

How would you, in a simple single sentence, define what it means to be one of Jehovah's Witnesses?

[trottigy]

I like the definiton on the jw.org site -> a person who "strives to adhere to the form of Christianity that Jesus taught and that his apostles practiced."

 

https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/jehovah-witness-beliefs/

 

 

[Jwanon]

7 minutes ago, trottigy said:

I like the definiton on the jw.org site -> a person who "strives to adhere to the form of Christianity that Jesus taught and that his apostles practiced."

 

https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/jehovah-witness-beliefs/

 

 

 

Hmmm...but anyone can pretend that, including someone from another church

 

I was looking for something more objective

[computerwiz]

Someone who accepts that Jehovah is God and strives to tell others about Him at every opportunity & live by His principles, while rejecting traditions that are not found in the Bible.

[dljbsp]

“One of Jehovah’s Witnesses is a dedicated, baptized servant of Jehovah who actively participates in preaching the good news of God’s Kingdom and lives by Bible principles as taught by Jesus Christ.”

 

This definition highlights both dedication and action, making it more objective.

[Jwanon]

1 minute ago, computerwiz said:

Someone who accepts that Jehovah is God and strives to tell others about Him at every opportunity & live by His principles, while rejecting traditions that are not found in the Bible.

 

But if a brother is in a coma for example, he can't tell others about him or live by his principles

 

What would remain would be his faith in God, so wouldn't faith be what makes him one of Jehovah's Witnesses and not his actions?

 

Or would faith alone make someone a Christian but not a JW since they don't witness to others?

[Jwanon]

2 minutes ago, dljbsp said:

“One of Jehovah’s Witnesses is a dedicated, baptized servant of Jehovah who actively participates in preaching the good news of God’s Kingdom and lives by Bible principles as taught by Jesus Christ.”

 

This definition highlights both dedication and action, making it more objective.

 

My grandma is baptized and has been preaching all her life, but she has Alzheimer's so she can't participate in the preaching work anymore.

 

She still believes in Jehovah, prays, attends meetings on Zoom and reads her Bible. 

 

According to the definition you provided, she is not a JW, correct?

Edited February 6 by Jwanon

[computerwiz]

2 minutes ago, Jwanon said:

But if a brother is in a coma for example, he can't tell others about him or live by his principles

 

You have to do those things (witness & change) to become one first.  Circumstances, like the one you mention, can happen, but that doesn't stop you from being a JW.

 

We live in a world that is so "politically correct"....we shouldn't have to spell out all the exceptions to the rule.  Stuff happens...

[dljbsp]

Faith in Jehovah is essential, but being one of Jehovah’s Witnesses also involves dedication and action.

 

If someone is physically unable to witness, their faith and dedication remain intact, as Jehovah sees their heart (2 Chron. 16:9). However, an able-bodied person who has faith but does not engage in witnessing would not fully align with the identity of being one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, since bearing witness is a key characteristic (Matt. 24:14; Rom. 10:10).

 

Jehovah does not forget what we have done.

[dljbsp]

Our relationship with Jehovah is deeply personal, and He deals with each of us individually (Ps. 103:14; Rom. 14:12). However, being one of Jehovah’s Witnesses includes more than just faith—it involves dedication and actively supporting the work Jesus commanded (Matt. 28:19, 20).

 

While personal circumstances may vary, Jehovah understands our limitations, and our identity as His Witnesses remains tied to our dedication to Him and His purpose (Isa. 43:10-12).

[Jwanon]

22 minutes ago, dljbsp said:

Faith in Jehovah is essential, but being one of Jehovah’s Witnesses also involves dedication and action.

 

If someone is physically unable to witness, their faith and dedication remain intact, as Jehovah sees their heart (2 Chron. 16:9). However, an able-bodied person who has faith but does not engage in witnessing would not fully align with the identity of being one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, since bearing witness is a key characteristic (Matt. 24:14; Rom. 10:10).

 

Jehovah does not forget what we have done.

 

So my grandma is a JW despite not witnessing?

Edited February 6 by Jwanon

[Jwanon]

21 minutes ago, computerwiz said:

we shouldn't have to spell out all the exceptions to the rule. 

 

I'm looking for a definition that includes everything, even exceptions

 

21 minutes ago, computerwiz said:

You have to do those things (witness & change) to become one first

 

But if someone does these things before and then stops, he is considered inactive. Are inactives still JWs?

[Jwanon]

24 minutes ago, dljbsp said:

being one of Jehovah’s Witnesses includes more than just faith—it involves dedication and actively supporting the work Jesus commanded (Matt. 28:19, 20).

 

Then, would faith make someone a Christian but not a JW?

 

Basically I'm asking if I'm correct in saying that there is a difference between being a Christian (faith) and a JW (faith + actions)

 

Would a brother in a coma be a Christian but not a JW for example 

[Parale]

2 hours ago, Jwanon said:

How would you, in a simple single sentence, define what it means to be one of Jehovah's Witnesses?

 

It means that a person's "Congregation's Publisher Record" card (S-21) is being kept in the front portion of the box file in the records held by the congregation that they are associated with.

 

The Body of Elders deal with each individual's circumstances, abilities, and exceptions.

[Jwanon]

1 minute ago, Parale said:

It means that a person's "Congregation's Publisher Record" card (S-21) is being kept in the front portion of the box file in the records held by the congregation that they are associated with.

 

So the moment the card is not in front they cease to be a JW?

 

1 minute ago, Parale said:

The Body of Elders deal with each individual's circumstances, abilities, and exceptions.

 

So there is no definition of JW that englobes all exceptions and all circumstances?

[Ludwika]

3 hours ago, Jwanon said:

Would a brother in a coma be a Christian but not a JW for example

So you actually think a faithful servant of Jehovah who has suffered a medical emergency and is in a coma is no longer considered one of Jehovah's witnesses? 

That doesn't line up with what the bible says regarding how Jehovah feels about his people, in all situations and circumstances. 

[Jwanon]

4 minutes ago, Ludwika said:

So you actually think

 

 

I didn't make any affirmation, I'm just asking what is a JW

Edited February 6 by Jwanon

[New World Explorer]

I am so sorry but I do find the question to the topic at best "strange" as the answer to it is part of our basic understanding. 

Person who desires to be baptized knows what it means to be dedicated and be JW. 

 

Why such basic and strange questions float here? Are they taken from other sources from Internet? What is the point of the question? 

[Ludwika]

6 minutes ago, Jwanon said:

 

I didn't make any affirmation, I'm just asking what is a JW

I would say, in answer to your question re being in a coma for instance, a person who is a Jehovah's witness is someone who has devoted themselves to Jehovah, has worked faithfully in his service, and is still one of Jehovah's witnesses even when now totally incapacitated. In Jehovah's eyes, their situation hasn't changed. And wouldn't the fact that, when they were previously able to fill in a medical directive, still be furnishing a witness even though they can't now speak? 

[Jwanon]

2 minutes ago, New World Explorer said:

the answer to it is part of our basic understanding

 

So how would you define JW please

[Jwanon]

4 minutes ago, Ludwika said:

a Jehovah's witness is someone who has devoted themselves to Jehovah

 

This is a good definition, thank you

[Hope]

Just now, Jwanon said:

 

So how would you define JW please

 

Someone who is one of Jehovah's Witnesses is one who was baptized (with all that entails, notwithstanding any physical or mental disabilities) and has not been removed from the congregation.

 

There are no true Christians who are not Witnesses of Jehovah, as Jesus was. His way is the only Way.

[New World Explorer]

4 minutes ago, Jwanon said:

 

So how would you define JW please

The answer was already provided taken from official website, but if you looking for something more “objective” then please explain why? As the subject is simple, basic and fundamental to our understanding. 
 

To satisfy your curiosity I would define JW as a “Supporter of Jehovah’s Sovereignty and his arrangements” 

Edited February 6 by New World Explorer

[Jwanon]

Just now, Hope said:

Someone who is one of Jehovah's Witnesses is one who was baptized (with all that entails, notwithstanding any physical or mental disabilities) and has not been removed from the congregation.

 

Hmm...but there are baptized persons who have not been removed but lead a double life, or have fallen away and have no intention of coming back

 

I don't think they fit the definition

[Jwanon]

1 minute ago, New World Explorer said:

the subject is simple

 

Doesn't look like it

 

2 minutes ago, New World Explorer said:

I would define JW as a “Supporter of Jehovah’s Sovereignty and his arrangements” 

 

Would you consider a Bible student to be a JW if they support Jehovah's Sovereignty and his arrangements even if they are not yet baptized?