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Bible Student Ministries
Proclaiming the Herald of Christ,
as Bridegroom, Reaper and King

What Are Bible Students?

Bible Students are Christians interested in the study of God's Word for the promotion of true knowledge.

Where are the Bible Students Located?

Bible Students can be found in all walks of life and in every land and country.

What is the origin of the Bible Students?

The Bible Students Association was formed in the 1860s, in Alleghney, Pa.  A group of Christians under the eldership of Pastor Charles Taze Russell, who helped form a Bible study group to unearth the hidden mysteries of the Word of God.

Isn't Charles Taze Russell the Founder of the Jehovah's Witnesses?

That is a misconception.  Pastor Russell was the organizer of the International Bible Students Association.  It was this loosely formed association that helped published the [Zion's] Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence journal, and the [Zion's] Watch Tower Society.

This Society was an organizer of Bible Student conventions and other activities, but it did not dictate any creeds or rules to the independent congregations.

After Pastor Russell's death, The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society began to rise as a hierarchy over the once independent congregations. Many refused to surrender their Christian liberty and here started the work of separation. As early as 1917 this exodus from the Society began, and those who appreciated the wonderful harmony of the Bible as taught by Pastor Russell are today known as Associated Bible Students.

By 1930, the Society no longer resembled that of its former self.  Many Bible Students abandoned the Society, and by 1931, the name "Jehovah's Witnesses" was adopted by the new leadership to differentiate between the Society's Bible Students and those independent of the Society.

What are the doctrinal differences between the two groups, if any?

There are some similarities between the two groups.  Both believe in two salvations, an earthly and a heavenly.  Both believe in the Kingdom of God as the means of bringing about true peace on earth. Both deny the existence of a place of fiery torment and deny the Trinity doctrine. Apart from these similarties, the two groups are world's apart.

The following doctrines are an example as to how Bible Students still retain the basic teachings of Pastor Russell in contrast with "Jehovah's Witnesses," who do not.

BIBLE STUDENTS: Pastor Russell was led to believe in a future probation because millions have died and continue to die without hearing the Gospel. Of those that do hear, uncertainty and confusion exists in their minds because Christianity of today is burdened with contradictory beliefs and teachings.

JW'S: "Jehovah's Witnesses" see no further probation for any of the present generation who do not subscribe to their teachings - which means that a large percentage of the world's population is to perish eternally in Armageddon. In this respect their views are less generous than most established Churches. They not only see no hope for those who live today, who do not subscribe to their teachings, but they entertain no hope for a large percentage of the millions who have gone into the grave since the creation of man. For example, JW'S believe that the people of Sodom and Gomorrah, etc. have perished eternally, with no hope for a resurrection.

BIBLE STUDENTS: Pastor Russell pointed to the Scriptures, such as Ezek.16:55, where it declares that these are all going to return to their "former estate." And our Lord, in Matt. 10:15, confirms this thought when he said, "It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city"- (speaking of the Jews). Thus our Lord pointed forward to a day of judgment for those people who died centuries ago. And again it says, in Acts 17:31 that, "He hath appointed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness."

JW'S: "Jehovah's Witnesses" deny that Adam will ever have a resurrection, while the Scriptures plainly state that Jesus Christ tasted death "for every man." Heb. 2:9; 1 Tim. 2:5,6.

BIBLE STUDENTS: Pastor Russell pointed to these scriptures and many others such as 1 Cor. 15:22 - "As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." Also Hosea 13:14 - "I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be they plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction."

Pastor Russell taught, according to the Scriptures, that now is "the day of salvation" for those who are to be the Bride of Christ, the Little Flock; and that another day - a day of salvation is awaiting mankind in general, in the Millennial Age - "the times of restitution of all things which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began."

One of the main teachings of Pastor Russell was that all would be enlightened with a knowledge of God's Truth before they are placed on trial and judged for their final destiny. For the majority of mankind this would be when they are raised from the dead at the time of the general resurrection. Their final judgment would be based on their conduct while enlightened, not while in ignorance. This teaching separated Bible Students from all other religious groups. Now it separates them from "Jehovah's Witnesses" as well. This view broke with the concept of salvation current in his day. At that time nearly all evangelists taught a literal hell of torment for those who did not accept Christ in this life. They felt hell-fire threats were necessary to restrain evil and, if need be, to bring salvation by fear. Many theologians have since broadened their concept of salvation beyond this life, but "Jehovah's Witnesses" hold strongly to the position that those who reject their message are rejecting salvation.

Contrary to our Lord's Word, every "Jehovah's Witness" becomes a missionary of life or death, using the fear of eternal destruction or second death as their final appeal.

The Jewish People: Israel, and the Jewish people, present another major difference between Pastor Russell and the JW's. After applying the Scripture, "Ye are my witnesses saith Jehovah" (Isa. 43:12) to themselves, "Jehovah's Witnesses" declare that the Jewish people have no special role in the Divine Plan since the death of Jesus. On the contrary, Pastor Russell taught that the Jewish people and nation have a leading role in the Divine Plan for man, and accordingly during the year 1910 he spoke to vast Jewish audiences, comforting them according to the Scripture, Isa. 40:2 - "Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned; for she hath received of the Lord's hand double for all her sins." He encouraged them not to join the various churches of today but to wait for the fulfillment of the many Old Testament promises that they would be blessed as a nation.

While they were yet a scattered and dispersed people, he said, upon the basis of these promises, that they would be regathered to Palestine and established as an independent nation. Time has proven this to be so. Although denied by "Jehovah's Witnesses," Bible Students today teach that the new state of Israel emerged in Divine Providence and is a precursor to the fulfillment of God's promise to that nation that, - "Lo the days come, saith the Lord, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith the Lord: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it." (Jer. 30:3)

And again, Jer.24:6, 7, says, - "I will set mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again to this land: and I will build them and not pull them down; and I will plant them and not pluck them up. And I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart."

And a further promise in Jer. 31:27-34 was that, - "Like as I have watched over them to pluck up, and to destroy and to afflict; so will I watch over them to build and to plant, saith the Lord... and I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah; not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in that day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they break... but this shall be the covenant that I will make... I will put my Law in their inward parts and write it in their hearts... and they shall be my people... I will forgive their iniquity and I will remember their sin no more."

From these facts it can be seen that Pastor Charles Taze Russell was neither in principle nor in spirit, the founder of "Jehovah's Witnesses."

How are Bible Students governed?

The Bible Students are autonomous.  Meaning they are self-governing.  The ecclesia [congregation] itself elects it's own officers [i.e. elders, deacons, etc.] and committees [i.e. witness, comfort, convention] to help the class run as smoothly as possible.  There are no paid clergy and no collections are taken during the meetings.

How are the services organized?

The congregation itself determines what is to be studied, the elected elders [those spiritually mature-minded] conduct the meetings in an orderly fashion.

How is the work financed?

The work is financed by voluntary contributions of it's members.  Bible Students for over one hundred years have prided themselves on the motto: SEATS FREE  - NO COLLECTIONS.

Where do Bible Students meet and have their services?

Unlike the more established churches, the Bible Students meet in individual homes and rented halls, depending on the size of the congregation.  We do not own our own church buildings, as this affords us the opportunity to direct our monetary resources in spreading God's Word.

Do Bible Students preach/witness?  And if so, how?

BIble Students, individually and congregationally, have the liberty to witness in whatever fashion is suitable to them. We realise that their are many different avenue to witness, thus what may suit one class or individual, may not suit another. Thus we leave it to each consecrated member and class to determine what best suits their environment. That said, let it be known that we take advantage of every avenue open to us, this would include going door to door, tracting in the neighborhood, public showings, advertisments in newspaper, magazines and billboards, county fairbooths, etc.

What are public showings?

Publics showings are shown in rented halls.  They can be in the form of a public discourse on a timely Bible topic, or they can be in the form of a movie or slide presentation.

Do Bible Students publish any literature?

Yes.  The Association as a whole and as individual congregations have published throughout the years volumeously. The six volumes of Studies in the Scriptures by the late Pastor Charles Taze Russell are still republished today.  Along with many other older and current writings, reflecting over 100 years of service.

Are there any Bible Student publishing houses?

Yes.  There are quite a few throughout the United States and Europe.  Some have come and gone in recent years. There are also individual congregations and Bible Students who published independent of each other.  These publication however are used and distributed by the association worldwide, regardless of who publishes them.

Are there any Bible Student Journals and Magazine in print?

Most congregations publish a monthly newsletter, distributed to those they come in contact with through their independent witness work.  However there are several journals and newsletters published for the general public and the association.

How many Bible Students are there?

Since Bible Students do not take roll-call, that is a difficult question to answer.  Bible Students can be seen in all four corners of the earth, some are isolated, and others have abundant association.

Since the congregations are autonomous, are all Bible Students in agreement, doctrinally? Just how closely are the Bible Students in harmony?  Do you still hold to the doctrinal teachings as espoused by Charles Taze Russell?

To say that all Bible Students think alike would be to undermine the freedom in Christ we share. Most Bible Students accept the teachings of Scriptures as set forth in the Studies in the Scriptures as being doctrinally sound and supported by God's Word.  However since Pastor Russell never claimed infallibility, it is safe to say that some of his thoughts are opened to interpretation.  However, these interpretations, do not take away from The Divine Plan of the Ages, as espoused by Pastor Russell.

It is safe to say there are those, individually and as publishing houses who have taken liberty with the Plan of Salvation as espoused by Pastor Russell.

Thanks: Bible Students Ministries

இந்த பதிவின் நோக்கம் வேத மாணாக்கள் மற்றும் யெகோவா சாட்சிகள் யார் என்றும் அவர்கள் எப்படி மாறு படுகிறார்கள் என்பதையும் சொல்லவே!! பலர் இவர்கள் இருவரும் ஒரே கூட்டத்தார் தான் என்றும், யெகோவா சாட்சிகளை துவங்கியவர் ரஸ்ஸல் தான் என்கிற தவறான போதனையில் இருக்கிறார்கள்!!