The recent doctrinal clarification by the Jehovah’s Witnesses (JW) has again rekindled the debate about the Church’s position on doctrinal teachings and modernization, especially in a technology driven society.
As of March 2026, Jehovah’s Witnesses updated its policy allowing members to accept medical procedures involving their own stored, autologous blood.
The Governing Body clarified that allowing one’s own blood to be stored and then reinfused is a personal decision.
According to the body, this change allows members to decide whether to have their blood removed, stored, and reinfused during surgery, though strict bans on receiving donor blood remain.
This updated policy marks a notable adjustment in a long-standing, 75-year stance of (JW), which is now being framed as a ‘clarification’ of doctrine.
However, the use of stored, pre-donated blood from another person still violates JW religious doctrines.
While some say it is a long overdue doctrinal update, some are of the opinion that it came too late in the day after many have lost loved ones to what is termed as ‘needless’ teachings that places doctrinal teachings far above human lives.
“What we knew years back, may not be the same today. It takes a courageous leader to come to the fact and say; there’s a new understanding of this scripture,” Joseph Ojo, national president, United International Association of Pentecostal Bishops (UNIAPEB Global) College, said.
According to him, doctrinal teachings should be flexible to accommodate current realities of today’s world. He added that some denominations believe baptism must be done in the name of the ‘Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit.’ While some denominations teach that baptism is only in the name of Jesus Christ.
“But the central truth of it is that the name of Jesus Christ offers salvation. It doesn’t matter whether you pronounce it from right or from left. Jesus Christ is Lord,” Ojo said.
The Archbishop cited William Kumuyi, the general superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, who in the recent past has had to revisit some of the church’s teachings and practices.
According to Ojo, it takes a leader with courage to review doctrinal teachings or believe. “Pastor Kumuyi has been revisiting some of the things he taught before. This was the way we taught before, but that’s not exactly what the scripture says.
“This law in Deeper Life is not scripture, but we did this or said it, so that people can be put in the right way.
“That’s one of the things I respect that man for. Not everyone will be able to come out and explain that kind of thing that way,” Ojo said.
While the JW doctrinal update continues to generate reaction, a recent court rulings, including one in Scotland, have allowed doctors to perform blood transfusions on children when lives are at risk, despite objections based on the faith’s teachings.
Toyin Kehinde, senior/founding pastor, Agape Generation International Church, said the mode of delivery could change, but the doctrine itself might not change. “So, the way, the manner, the form of presentation can change based on whatever is happening in the present condition where you are presenting, but the truth remains eternal. It does not change.”
Kehinde said that the way and manner of delivering the ‘good news’ to people who are digital natives will be different from those who are illiterate. According to him, people can leverage innovative modes of delivery without altering the message. “So, the way we are presenting the gospel in such a way would definitely be different than the way we used to present the gospel in the days when literacy was very low.”
He added that the doctrine of the Church are eternal, and are not subject to change. They are eternal means that they are not subject to changes, either with time or location, or age, or people, or tribe, or tongue, or whatever. The Bible says, forever, O Lord, your word is set in heaven. The book of Revelation says, you should not add to it.”
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