What JW.ORG Says
“No. We engage regularly in our door-to-door ministry, but we don’t believe that we earn our salvation by doing such work. (Ephesians 2:8) … We endeavor to share our faith with others, hoping that they will benefit from God’s promises. But we don’t believe that we earn our salvation by engaging in our ministry. (Romans 1:17; 3:28) Really, no human could ever do enough to merit such an astounding blessing from God. “He saved us because of his mercy, and not because of any good things that we have done.”—Titus 3:5, Contemporary English Version.“
The Truth
Jehovah’s Witnesses do believe that they will earn salvation by means of their preaching work, a fact which is stated outright in their publications.
It is by our endurance in proclaiming “this good news of the kingdom” that we may attain to salvation.”
Watchtower July 15th, 1979 pg. 14 p. 4
A part of Jehovah’s merciful provision for salvation is the maintaining of a continued preaching campaign. Even those who do not believe must be told of the impending execution of divine judgment. And it is the privilege of Jehovah’s witnesses to do this preaching. Yes, that is why Jehovah’s witnesses must continue to preach until Jehovah himself brings about the termination of this work at Armageddon.”
Watchtower September 15th, 1965 pp. 571-574
This public declaration for salvation, made at the time of one’s baptism, also includes the public preaching of the good news of Jehovah’s Kingdom.”
Watchtower January 1st, 1988 pp. 20-24
Participation in preaching and teaching God’s Word is vitally related to your salvation.”
Watchtower December 1st, 1968 pp. 707-711
The Frequently Asked Questions article on JW.ORG is, to be blunt, a lie. It is true that Jehovah’s Witnesses do not believe that the preaching work alone will grant them salvation, but even a cursory glance at their publications shows that they don’t believe they can attain salvation without it.
The writer of the article seems to be focused on the word “earn,” clarifying that humans, in fact, cannot earn their salvation. But consider the above citations. If one is told that “It is by our endurance in proclaiming “this good news of the kingdom” that we may attain to salvation,” that the preaching campaign is “a part of Jehovah’s merciful provision for salvation,” and that preaching is “vitally related” to one’s salvation, what is the impression one would get? The answer is clear to Jehovah’s Witnesses: if they do not regularly engage in the preaching work, they will not survive Armageddon.
Per another FAQ article on their official website, a Jehovah’s Witness’ membership to the organization is dependent on being “active” in the preaching work on a monthly basis:
We count as Jehovah’s Witnesses only those who are actively preaching the good news of God’s Kingdom each month.”
Frequently Asked Questions – How Many of Jehovah’s Witnesses Are There Worldwide?
In conclusion, uh…yeah. It’s just a straight up lie, this one.
JW FAQ 