The Jehovah's Witnesses' doctrine regarding the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit differs significantly from biblical Christian theology. Any effective witnessing must focus on Jesus Christ, His identity, and propitiation of sins for our salvation.
Jehovah's Witnesses believe the idea of the Trinity is pagan. They misrepresent the doctrine as tri-theism. They do agree that the Father and Son are two Persons, but do not understand how three Persons can be One God. Jehovah's Witnesses teach that Jesus was created (Arianism) by God and is a little god. So there are two gods—a Big God and a little god. According to Jehovah's Witnesses, Jesus was once Michael the archangel and when He died on the cross He was not resurrected bodily, but as a spirit creature. They say the Holy Spirit is not a Person but is Jehovah's force or energy.
Jehovah's Witnesses say that Jesus' death atoned only for Adam's sin and that our deaths pay the penalty for our sins. Only some of those living today can claim to have a heavenly hope with Jesus as their mediator as part of a "remnant" of the 144,000. The others say they want to live forever on a paradise earth (Restorationism). If they can live obediently until the end of the Millennial Reign of Jesus, they believe they will earn the right to be declared righteous. To survive Armageddon, they must obey the Watchtower Society and its Governing Body, who they say is appointed by Jehovah. Jesus, the Governing Body says, began to rule earth from heaven in 1914 as an invisible "second presence." They know this due to their "spiritual eyes of discernment." Teachings say that Jesus will not return to earth, but will rule with 144,000 from heaven. Jehovah's Witnesses have no assurance of salvation, yet continue to strive in hopes that they will earn life on a paradise earth.
Foundational to orthodox Christianity is the divinity of Jesus. His divinity is what makes His death on the cross the atonement for everyone who calls on His Name and believes. Those who do—Christians—have the assurance of salvation (Romans 8:16) and are indwelt by the Holy Spirit—the third member of the Trinity. They do not have to keep striving for salvation or some future hope of acceptance by God.
As with anyone Christians share the gospel with, an attitude of love and compassion must be maintained. Jehovah's Witnesses are believing a lie, a deception. There should be no fear in approaching a Jehovah's Witness to share the truth about Jesus (1 John 4:17–19). Care about their eternal destiny, and about them. Share your relationship with Jesus, how it got started, and how the Holy Spirit has ministered to you since. Help Jehovah's Witnesses to understand that they must be born again to have their sins forgiven and that they can be born again because of Jesus. Helping them to see who Jesus is and the reality of atonement is key in debunking the lies they believe.
Be cautious when a Jehovah's Witness introduces you to a "Bible study." Their usual tact is to use their literature to convince you of their beliefs. They generally will not read anything not produced by Watchtower, nor will they easily agree to attend a church service. They will rely on the New World Translation of what they call the Bible, which has been altered to parallel their theology, including removal of any passage referencing the deity of Jesus. Productive conversations about doctrine might not be possible until a Jehovah's Witness begins to doubt his faith in The Watchtower Society. Show them that you care about their eternal destiny and direct conversation to the person of Christ and the need for faith in Him.
Speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) and use the Bible as your basis for your faith (Hebrews 4:12). Jehovah's Witnesses are usually surprised to find those who genuinely love the Lord, demonstrate the fruit of the Holy Spirit, and use the Bible as the basis of faith. Continue to stress your reliance upon Jesus for salvation. Most importantly, pray for Jehovah's Witnesses.
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