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Brother Russell Founded the Bible Students, not Jehovah’s Witnesses

This early Bible Student history book is written by Bro. Ken Rawson, a Bible Student elder who knew more Bible Students from Pastor Russell’s and JF Rutherford’s time than any other Bible Student elder alive today.

After the death of Pastor Russell in 1916, the purpose of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society changed drastically. Joseph Rutherford, whom Pastor Russell had recently dismissed from his staff, seized legal control of the Watch Tower, dismissed the majority of the Board of Directors, and established dictatorial authority. The Watch Tower became the central head and authority over all congregations willing to yield their sovereignty. Basic doctrines of the “new society” seriously digressed from the teachings of Pastor Russell as the writings of Pastor Russell were discarded. The methods of conducting the evangelistic work were altered. The more sensational digressions, such as refusing blood transfusion and saluting the flag, caught the public’s eye.  But many individuals and whole congregations refused to surrender their Christian liberty or accept the new teachings. As early as 1917, the exodus from the newly declared sovereign headquarters
began. By 1918 one-fourth of the Bible Students left Judge Rutherford and remained true to the teachings of the late Pastor Russell.

To read more click on the pdf file below.

Bible Students not Jehovah Witnesses.pdf final

115 comments to Brother Russell Founded the Bible Students, not Jehovah’s Witnesses

  • Noah

    Hello! I am a 17 year old in CT. I have been infatuated by Pastor Russell’s ideas and studies, however, I was also wary of the modern JW organization. While being glad I found independent Bible Students, I sadly do not have a congregation near me either established or still open. What are some tips you have for worship and study to follow Jehovah the best way possible?

  • I just read and listened to the information on Israel being punished a double portion
    It makes so much sense!
    Of course God has not forgotten Israel, and still loves them very much.
    We would not expect less from a God who,loves those who do not love or even know him.
    As Paul said, they will remain blind, until the fullness of the Gentiles have come in.

    Is there some place to find out locations where the various groups of Bible students meet?

    • Peter K. (admin)

      Hi Robert.

      Yes, the Bible teaches that they would be regathered to the land (Isa. 43:5-6 & Jer 30:3), never again to be removed (Amos 9:14)

      Isa 11:10-12 (ESV) “10 In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples–of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious. 11 In that day the Lord will extend his hand yet a second time to recover the remnant that remains of his people, from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, from Cush, from Elam, from Shinar, from Hamath, and from the coastlands of the sea. 12 He will raise a signal for the nations and will assemble the banished of Israel, and gather the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.”

      You can find Bible Student groups through their conventions. Check out this link.
      https://www.brownbearsw.com/hosted/WB/Conventions

  • victor

    Hello,after leaving the Jehovah Witnesses 38 years ago as a teenager i have been searching for a religion with similar teaching to mine but they all fell short. I’m happy i found this website.I currenly live in Alberta Canada and noticed the only Canadian branch is in Winnipeg but there’s only a link but no further information.

    • Peter K. (admin)

      Hi Victor – Glad to hear from you. I can have a Bible Student in Canada email you directly. Does that work for you? Let me know.

      In the meantime, feel free to have a discussion with me on this website or we can correspond privately if you would like. Let me know your thoughts.

      Peter K

  • andré

    It’s hard to answer when you’re caught, isn’t it?
    the end will come and you will be judged like goats

    • Peter K. (admin)

      Hi André,

      Are you implying that anyone who leaves the JW organization is a goat and will go into second death – eternal destruction? Do you include those who were never baptized?

      Where is your scriptural evidence?

      The Matthew 25 Sheep and Goats parable applies to the future, not now since Pentecost. The timing is set in verse 31.

      31 ¶ “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory.
      32 “All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.

      The resurrection of the dead is not the focus because this includes nations existing and living after Armageddon into God’s Kingdom arrangement on earth. So someone leaving the JW organization would not be a goat in the context of this parable. At least that is my view. What do you think?

      • André

        Pierre
        81 / 5 000
        Résultats de traduction
        Résultat de traduction
        I insinuate that you are playing a double game
        and that you are the other watchtower religion

        • Peter K. (admin)

          Hi André – I am sorry you feel that we are playing a “double game.” We are not.

          Let’s have a discussion. Let me know your thoughts on any topic related to the Bible that is important to you.

          God bless.

  • DJ

    Rutherford changed the name to Jehovah’s Witnesses because you had 2 groups calling themselves the same thing, but the teachings had changed some! He had to do something to keep down confusion. The Jehovah’s Witnesses were born!!!

  • ANDY

    you IBSA are linked to Jehovah’s Witnesses
    legally AND IN FRONT OF NGOS AND GOVERNMENTS
    why don’t you admit it?

    https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/6242816141819904/ong-watchtower

    • Peter K. (admin)

      Hi Andy. Thanks for commenting. Bible Students are NOT linked to Jehovah’s Witnesses legally AND IN FRONT OF NGOS AND GOVERNMENTS. Present day Bible Student congregations have no connections with any modern day IBSA Corporation if it exists. Each congregation of Bible Students is independent of other congregations with NO central administrative control. Bible Students are managed from the bottom up. Consecrated and baptized congregation members vote annually to select elders and deacons. See Volume 6 of Studies in the Scriptures for an explanation of how this is done. The Jehovah’s Witness Organization is a NEW religious organization created largely by JF Rutherford between 1917 and 1931. Approximately 75% of the original Bible Students left the association with the Watchtower as over these years of this hostile takeover when it transformed from a supportive publishing house into a controlling and managing organization. Much historical information relating to this and expanding on it are found on this website.

      If you disagree, please provide evidence to support your claims.

      • M phillips

        Totally agree. I was a born in JW from 1958-2015. Growing up and until recently I was under the impression that 75% left the Bible students with only the minority “staying faithful” and that it was only a name change in line with Isaiah 43:10 to make us stand out as a people for His name and to differentiate us from all the “other false Christians” (How evil) I, and all other JW’s know nothing of the hostile takeover and the total disregard of Russels Will ect. Glad to have my Christian freedom from that controlling, manipulative destructive organisation that is managed from the top down, not the bottom up! That evil organisation changed its own history in its publications. If you dare to research your own history and challenge them, you are disfellowshipped and shunned by your entire community and any believing family members, thats how they control their members. I (and hubby) just stopped going to their meetings and didn’t make waves so have been left alone, none of our children/grandchildren are in that religion thats all I care about.

        • Peter K. (admin)

          Thanks M Phillips. I imagine you had some difficult experiences in the organization. The important thing it to continue to study the Bible (Colossians 3:16) and fellowshipping for mutual encouragement in the body of Christ (Romans 12:4–8).

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