How did Jehovahs witnesses start?

Answer 1

The modern day history of Jehovah's Witnesses started in 1870. Charles Taze Russell*, raised as a Presybyterian who later associated with the Congregational Church, was searching for convincing answers to his questions. His frustration in not finding them in the established churches lead him to eventually undertake an independent study of The Bible with some close associates from 1870 - 1875.

This small bible study group grew to about 30 individuals. He collaborated briefly with Nelson Homer Barbour, (1824-1908) a "Millerite" Adventist who agreed with him on the invisible nature of Christ's return to produce the journal "Herald of the Morning from 1876-1878.

Russell however was never an Adventist and voiced his disagreed with much of the Adventist teachings (notably in the physical return of Christ); that having been said, Russell's group found that there other individuals that had had similar views to theirs and publically acknowledged the value of the works of individuals such as Adventist Jonas Wendell, Henry Grew (1781-1862), Baptist Minister William Miller (1782-1849), Methodist-Episcopal minister George Storrs (1796-1879) and others.

Russell's study group of around 30 members merged with Barbours larger group in 1876 but due to a difference of opinion, the two groups split in May 22, 1879 and Russell cut of all contact with Barbour and it was at this point that Russell undertook to produce his own journal "Zion's Watchtower". The first issue was in July 1979.

The readers of "The Watchtower" formed bible study groups all over the country and sought to share the things they were learning. Russell died in 1916 but the Bible Students continued. They adopted the name "Jehovah's Witnesses" in 1931.

*Jehovah's Witnesses do not view Russell as their "founder" or a Prophet but a Minister in a position of leadership during the early days of their modern day organization.

Answer 2

The very first witness of Jehovah was the faithful man, Abel, as recorded in the Bible at Genesis 4. Many other faithful witnesses are mentioned in the scriptures at Hebrews 11:4-12:1.

The current worldwide organization of Jehovah's Witnesses had its modern day start in the early 1870's. This is when a small group of men from several different religious denominations got together to seriously study the Bible. In 1879, the journal The Watchtower: Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom was first printed publication offered by this organization, and has been available ever since.

Originally this small (but growing) group called themselves the International Bible Students, but in 1931, based on the scriptures at Isaiah 43:10-12, these ones adopted the name Jehovah's Witnesses. Today there are over seven million witnesses of Jehovah God who are actively preaching the good news of God's Kingdom in many different languages and in over 235 lands around the globe.

This worldwide organization officially adopted their present name in the 1930's.

Before that time they weren't a well-known official religion because the prophecy (in Daniel) about the 7 times (from the time of Nebuchadnezzar up until 1914) said there would be no representatives of Jehovah on the throne until his son Jesus became King in heaven. Remember, it wouldn't be until the time of the "last days" or "end times" that Jehovah's prophesy would become clear. Daniel 12:1-4

Answer 3

The modern day history of Jehovah's Witnesses started in 1870. Charles Taze Russell, raised as a Presybyterian who later associated with the Congregational Church, was searching for convincing answers to his questions. His frustration in not finding them in the established churches lead him to eventually undertake an independent study of the bible with some close associates from 1870 - 1875.

This small bible study group grew to about 30 individuals. He collaborated briefly with Nelson Homer Barbour, (1824-1908) a "Millerite" Adventist who agreed with him on the invisible nature of Christ's return to produce the journal "Herald of the Morning from 1876-1878.

Russell however was never an Adventist and voiced his disagreed with much of the Adventist teachings (notably in the physical return of Christ); that having been said, Russell's group found that there other individuals that had had similar views to theirs and publically acknowledged the value of the works of individuals such as Adventist Jonas Wendell, Henry Grew (1781-1862), Baptist Minister William Miller (1782-1849), Methodist-Episcopal minister George Storrs (1796-1879) and others.

Russell's study group of around 30 members merged with Barbours larger group in 1876 but due to a difference of opinion, the two groups split in May 22, 1879 and Russell cut of all contact with Barbour and it was at this point that Russell undertook to produce his own journal "Zion's Watchtower". The first issue was in July 1979.

The readers of "The Watchtower" formed bible study groups all over the country and sought to share the things they were learning. Russell died in 1916 but the Bible Students continued. They adopted the name "Jehovah's Witnesses" in 1931.

Answer 4

In the late 1800's Charles T. Russell was a disenchanted Presbyterian who visited a gathering of "Adventists" and liked some of what he heard. Later he, along with others, organized a Bible study group made up of men from several different denominations. This group eventually evolved into what is now known as the organization called Jehovah's Witnesses.

Jehovah's Witnesses today believe that Jesus has already returned in Kingdom power (ruling from heaven as King-designate under Jehovah God) and has proclaimed the JW's as the "faithful and discreet slave" and true Christian church.

Of course the group of Russell's time and the JW church of today teach some different things. Russell taught against alcohol use; today they allow it. Russell taught that all JW's would go to heaven; now they teach that the majority of JW's will live forever on a paradise earth.

They also have published another Bible, translated from the oldest Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek manuscripts available. (You can do research online as to how credible that translation is.)

Answer 5

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