Click on picture above for video. This is Part 1 of Rolando’s Testimony. How I joined the Jehovah’s Witnesses and found my way into the Bible Students association. Part 1 deals with his journey into the Witness movement, his time with them, and ends with finding the Bible Students. Click below to watch Part 2, which deals with how and why he left the Witnesses.
My journey to becoming a Bible student was unconventional. During my middle age, I experienced a sudden and profound pursuit of truth that prompted a shift away from my strictly atheistic worldview, by the assistance of Jehovah’s Witnesses from overseas who briefly during my short stay there showed me how to study the bible individually. A few years later, I was pleased to have the opportunity to meet Jehovah’s Witnesses at my door. After participating in several Bible studies, I was invited to attend their Kingdom Hall in my neighborhood.
I began participating publicly by responding verbally on the microphone during each of their Bible studies. I was encouraged by their appreciation for my input and was impressed by their organized approach, which allowed me to acquire precious accurate knowledge in support of the Kingdom cause in an very effective manner.
Although I was open to participating in their programs when invited, I observed that after attending at each of the three congregations, their initial enthusiasm regarding my comments seemed to diminish. Additionally, I was only given the opportunity to respond via microphone once during each of their Bible study sessions.
Whenever I was asked, without any pressure, if I was interested in being rebaptized, I consistently referenced Ephesians 4:5-6, which I couldn’t ignore, given that I was previously baptized in the name of Jesus and under the empowerment of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38; 19:5).
I understood that their response was influenced by my decision not to proceed with their recommendation of undergoing re-baptism. Consequently, I experienced a sense of being excluded and isolated, similar to being disfellowshipped, which made me feel rejected. So, painfully I had to leave my last congregation. This was in contrast to Jesus’s statement, “For whoever is not against us is for us” (Mark 9:40).
As I have remained committed to advancing my biblical studies and embracing the truth (Proverbs 23:23), I believe that the division between the two branches from the same trunk—originally rooted in the Bible Students and later separated by the Jehovah’s Witnesses—should be reconciled prior to the glorious return of Jesus. This is particularly important given that the signs of His return are more evident now than at any other time.
With a diligent and open-minded attitude, I have observed that the Bible Students movement represents a meaningful expression of Christian worship on earth, recognizing that no individual within this system of things is without imperfection.
As we are all on a continuous journey of scriptural understanding along “the path of righteousness,” these two elite groups have the opportunity to come together in unity, collaborating, and learning from one another, embracing only those principles that promote the spiritual growth of humanity. (Proverbs 4:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:21)
Indeed, the message of Christian unity is divinely designed to be embraced voluntarily by all of Christendom, serving as a corrective to the divisions that arose shortly after the formation of the earliest congregations and unfortunately persisted to the present day. (1 Corinthians 1:10, 12-13; 3:5-6)
We should keep in mind that each of us has a primary responsibility to Jehovah, as Peter and the apostles stated: “We must obey God as the ruler rather than men.” (Acts 5:29; Rev 20:12-13)
As an imperfect individual, I appreciate any constructive feedback or concerns regarding my comments and I’m open to considering and making appropriate revisions based on sound biblical understanding.
Continue having love and unity in Christ.
Dear Mihai,
Thank you for opening your heart and sharing your remarkable personal journey. Your transition from a strictly atheistic worldview to an earnest, lifelong pursuit of biblical truth (Proverbs 23:23) is a testimony to the subtle, providential drawing of Jehovah’s Holy Spirit.
Your experience at the Kingdom Hall—the initial warmth, followed by gradual marginalization, restrictions on your participation, and the eventual painful isolation when you conscientiously declined rebaptism—is an experience shared by many sincere searchers. Your reflections deserve a warm, empathetic, and scripturally grounded response.
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### 1. The Scriptural Standing on Baptism: Consecration vs. Organizational Allegiance
Your refusal to undergo rebaptism based on **Ephesians 4:5–6** (*”one Lord, one faith, one baptism”*) was biblically sound and deeply conscientious.
In the New Testament, water baptism is an outward symbol of an inward, personal **consecration**—a solemn vow of full surrender to God through our Redeemer, Jesus Christ (Romans 6:3–4; Acts 2:38; 19:5). It represents being baptized into Christ’s body, not into an earthly institution or publishing society “.
However, in 1985, the Watchtower Society fundamentally altered its baptismal questions, explicitly requiring candidates to affirm that their baptism identifies them as being associated with *”God’s spirit-directed organization”* “. By placing loyalty to a human corporate entity alongside dedication to God, human leadership created an organizational threshold unknown to the early Church “.
When you stood firmly on your prior baptism in the name of Jesus, you demonstrated that your primary allegiance was to God rather than to men (Acts 5:29). It was heartbreaking—yet revealing—that your adherence to Scripture led to coldness and informal exclusion “. In a centralized corporate environment, independent “Berean” thinking (Acts 17:11) and a refusal to submit unconditionally to organizational policy are often viewed as a threat, resulting in restricted participation “. As Jesus observed, human religious systems frequently invalidate the Word of God by their traditions (Mark 7:13).
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### 2. Can the Two “Branches” Reconcile?
Your desire for reconciliation between Jehovah’s Witnesses and the independent Bible Student movement reflects a noble, peacemaking Christian spirit (Matthew 5:9; Mark 9:40; 1 Corinthians 1:10). You rightly note that both groups share common historical roots tracing back to the early Watchtower era under Pastor C.T. Russell “.
However, when we examine why the separation occurred in the first place, we understand why a **formal, organizational reconciliation** is impossible under current conditions:
* **The 1917–1931 Historical Split:** Following the death of Pastor Russell in 1916, J.F. Rutherford seized administrative control of the Watch Tower Society, dismantled local congregational voting for elders, and transformed a voluntary publishing enterprise into a centralized administrative hierarchy “. In 1931, Rutherford adopted the name “Jehovah’s Witnesses” specifically to distinguish his centralized organization from the thousands of independent Bible Students who separated to preserve their Christian liberty “.
* **Two Incompatible Models of Governance:**
1. **The Watchtower Model:** Teaches that salvation requires total submission to its Governing Body as “God’s sole channel,” enforcing uniformity through judicial disfellowshipping and shunning “.
2. **The Bible Student Model:** Rejects all human hierarchies and “Governing Bodies,” recognizing **Jesus Christ alone** as the sole Head of the Church (Matthew 23:8; Ephesians 1:22–23) “. Each local congregation (*ecclesia*) remains an autonomous, voluntary association of equal brethren who elect their own local servants and study the Bible freely “.
Because the Watchtower hierarchy demands “unconditional Watch Tower assenting” and treats any deviation from its leadership as disloyalty to God, it cannot scripturally or structurally accommodate independent fellowship “. As long as one system insists on lording over faith while the other stands fast in the “glorious liberty of the children of God” (Galatians 5:1; Romans 8:21), corporate merger cannot take place “.
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### 3. True Christian Unity in the Present Age
While institutional reconciliation between human organizations cannot occur, **true spiritual unity** among individual believers is already a reality!
Jesus prayed that His followers would be “one”—not through enforced corporate uniformity, but through a shared “unity of the Spirit” rooted in truth, divine love, and personal consecration (John 17:21–23; Ephesians 4:3) “.
Pastor Russell eloquently described the Church during this Gospel Age as a **”voluntary association of believers”** bound together not by man-made creeds, corporate charters, or organizational coercion, but by the bonds of love, common faith in the Ransom for all, and mutual encouragement in character development “.
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### Moving Forward on “The Path of the Just”
Mihai, your journey is far from over. Proverbs 4:18 assures us that *”the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.”*
Please know that among independent Bible Students, you will find an open door and a “fear-free zone” “. You do not need an organizational passport, forced rebaptism, or human approval to study God’s Word, participate in discussion, and fellowship with fellow footstep followers of Jesus “.
We warmly encourage you to keep your lamp trimmed, continue testing all things by the infallible Word of God (1 Thessalonians 5:21), and rest in the peace of knowing that your standing before Jehovah is settled by your personal faith and heart-consecration to Him through Jesus Christ “.
In Christian love and liberty,
Peter K. (Admin)
Hi JWR, glad you enjoyed my testimony. I have no ill feelings towards the Society and Witnesses. In fact, had it not been for them, I dont think I would have even looked at a Bible, so to them I am grateful. I eventually grew spiritually stagnant and it was time to move on once I discovered the Bible Students. I’m a bit behind in my reading, but “Of Masks and Shadows” is on my reading list. Lord Bless
I really appreciated your testimony. It’s encouraging to see individuals who, instead of remaining in disappointment, continue their search for Scriptural truth with sincerity and intellectual integrity.
A book that personally helped me during this journey is Of Masks and Shadows by Eusebius Veritas. It is written as a novel, but it is far from being mere fiction. The narrative is accompanied by extensive footnotes and documented references that engage seriously with historical and theological material.
What I especially appreciated is that the book treats the early Bible Students with respect and intellectual fairness. It speaks positively about the original movement and about figures such as Charles Taze Russell, while also encouraging careful examination of later doctrinal developments. It is not polemical but it is reflective and well-documented.
For those transitioning from Watchtower theology while still valuing the heritage of the early Bible Students, it offers a thoughtful and balanced perspective.
The book is available on platforms such as Amazon and Apple Books for anyone interested.
It may be worth exploring for those walking a similar path.
Let read the whole topic:
http://brothersofchrist.forumsland.com/brothersofchrist-about313.html
Hi!
Let’s read in the Bible … Isaiah 2
2. And it shall come to pass in the latter days, that the mountain of Jehovah’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.
3. And many peoples shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, to the house of the God of Jacob;
and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in his paths:
for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of Jehovah from Jerusalem.
I understand that Bro Rolando wanted to go to this mountain, but when he went there what he found it was not “the word of Jehovah” nor His laws!
WHY?
Simple, because another prophecy had to be fulfilled.
Let’s read it … Jeremiah 17
3. O my mountain in the field, I will give thy substance and all thy treasures for a spoil, and thy high places, because of sin, throughout all thy borders.
4. And thou, even of thyself, shalt discontinue from thy heritage that I gave thee; and I will cause thee to serve thine enemies in the land which thou knowest not: for ye have kindled a fire in mine anger which shall burn for ever.
.
Yes, with Bro Russell the “exalting” of God’s house [in the latter days] begun, but the enemy immediately sowed “tares”, and the good “word of God” was choked by the words of the tares, and overall the inhabitants of the “house” sinned and aroused the wrath of Jehovah which was manifested by letting to be plundered of His House … Deuter. 32:19
… and this desolation of His house was to last seven times or 70 years … Zechariah 1:12.
Brother Rolando happened to be there exactly during this period of punishment of this house, so he did not find “worship in spirit and truth” there! It was deserted there!
After the seven times the rebuilding of this House must take place …. and the prophecy of Isaiah 2 actually shows us the period of this re-building when Jehovah no longer allows idolatry and other sins of his people, – read the rest of chapter 2 of Isaiah!
The resettlement of this house is done by the gathering together of the remnant of spiritual Israel – Isaiah 43:1-7 / Isaiah 49:6 / Zephaniah 3:13 / Micah 7.
And these things have their fulfillment with and among Jehovah’s people – Daniel 10:14.
Now brother Ronaldo together with all the brothers should watch carefully HOW Jehovah fulfills His word, and brings back “His sons and daughters” from the places where they were scattered, and serve Jehovah all together. Isaiah 49:22/Isaiah 60:4 /Isaiah 57:18.
Thanks for sharing seeker4godskingdom. You can find Rolando here: http://www.BibleStudentsForum.com
I am trying to understand your thoughts. When Isaiah 2:2 says, “all nations shall flow unto it,” are you saying that this is just a spiritual remnant?
When Isaiah 2:2 says, “all nations shall flow unto it,” are you saying that this is just a spiritual remnant?
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Answer> Read 1Cor.3:16,17/6:19 – So, “the House of God” are(means) those “called and chosen and faithful” (Apoc.17:14) ,
while “the nations” are individuals of every nation who comes to the “mountain of Jehovah’s house” to learn “His ways”
why I said “individuals”? – because God created us with free-will, and it is obviously that not all individuals have the will to worship Jehovah and obey Christ.
Thanks Seeker – I appreciate your sharing your perspective. The early Bible Students before the JWs took this verse as it states “all nations shall flow unto it,” not a remnant from all the nations. They believed even the wicked would be raised from the dead to a judgement period during the 1,000 years (Matt 25:31-46).
My question for you. Can you list out the types or groups of people who have already received final judgement and will not ever be awakened from the dead and have an opportunity to receive eternal life?
Hi! Yes, the summary is that the biblical expression “the remnant” means those who remains faithful of the anointed group after their fight with the “beast” (the beast is what cause to them the great tribulation), so the remnant is reestablished by God and are given the title “My witnesses” , they are made clean and became “the mountain of God’s house” (the second time) and will remain so forever with Christ – they are “the righteous [that] will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father” after being finally separated by the tares – the final fulfilment of Isaiah 2, which is not yet, this gathering has only begun.
I do not do lists of those who have suffered final judgement, I let Jesus do that: Matthew 12
31 “Therefore I say to you, any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven.
32 Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him;
but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him,
>>either in this age or in the age to come.<<.
Jesus words are very clear.
Seeker – Thanks for quoting Matt 12:31-32. Why can one be forgiven for speaking against Jesus, but cannot be forgiven for speaking against the Holy Spirit?