Bible
Students Online - FAQ's
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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.
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