What is the history of the Jehovah's Witnesses?

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. After collaborating 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 split with Barbour in May 22, 1879 over a theological difference of opinion. 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. Their numbers grew after the Second World; there are currently 7 million Jehovah's Witnesses in 236 lands across the globe.

Answer 2

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 3

Information about Jehovah's Witnesses can be obtained from their Official Website (see RELATED LINKS below).

Their main beliefs are as follows:

**Jehovah's Witnesses believe the bible is God's Word and that all doctrines should be based solely on scripture(2 Tim. 3:16, 17; 2 Pet. 1:20, 21; John 17:17).

*they believe there to be only One True God and Creator (Deut 6:4); They believe that God's name is JEHOVAH (Psalms 83:18; Math 6:9)

*Jehovah's Witnesses believe Jesus to be God's only begotten son that died to save mankind. They hold that Jesus inferior to his Father. (Luke 3:21-22; Matt. 3:17; John 8:42; 14:28; 20:17; 1 Cor. 11:3; 15:28; Col. 1:15; Rev. 3:14.

*Jehovah's Witnessed do not believe God to be "three Gods in one" and reject the teaching of the Trinity as unscriptural.

*Jehovah's Witnesses consider all their members "ministers" and believe preaching the gospel is part of the Christian calling. (Math 28:19:20 Matthew 23:9)

Jehovah's Witnesses believe God's Kingdom is actually a Government under Christ. They believe this Government will rule earth in righteousness and peace Isa. 9:6, 7; 11:1-5; Dan. 7:13, 14; Matt. 6:10 Ps. 72:1-4; Rev. 7:9, 10, 13-17; 21:3, 4

*Jehovah's Witensses believe "the meek shall inherit the earth" and that soon this will be a peaceful place for millions to live in paradise under God's rule (Matthew 6: 10). They believe the earth will NEVER be destroyed or depopulated. Mat 5: 5 Eccl. 1:4; Isa. 45:18; Ps. 78:69

*Jehovah's Witnesses do not believe in the "immortality of the soul"

The believe the word "soul" is just another word for "person" or "life"; They believe that the human soul (the person) ceases to exist at death Ezek. 18:4; Eccl. 9:10; Ps. 6:5; 146:4; John 11:11-14 Matthew 10:28. )

*JW believe God is love and that eternal torture in hell is not a biblical teaching (Jer 7:21); they understand that "Hell" as mentioned in the bible is simply mankind's common grave Job 14:13, Dy; Rev. 20:13, 14, AV (margin))

*Jehovah's Witnesses insist on remaining politically neurtral and do not participlate in Wars of any kind. (John 15:19; Mat 5:44; Jas. 4:4; 1 John 2:15)

*Jehovah's Witnesess reject all celebrations and ceremonies with pagain origins (2 Cor 6:15)

*They reject the use of idols (1 Cor 1:14)

*Jehovah's Witnesses apply the bible principle of removing unrependent members that insist on living contrary to scriptural norms (1 Cor 6: 9, 10)

*Jehovah's Witnesses believe the bibles command to "abstain from blood", covers refusing to take blood into body through any means. Acts 15:28,29 ; Gen. 9:3, 4; Lev. 17:14

*Jehovah's Witnesses believe all Christians should maintain high moral standards; 1 Cor. 6:9, 10; Heb. 13:4; 1 Tim. 3:2; Prov. 5:1-23

*Jehvah's Witnesses do not believe in modern day miraculous gifts such as "speaking in tongues" and "faith healing"; they believe love is the identifying mark of true Christians (John 13:35 Exodus 20:13)

*All Jehovah's Witnesses are considered "Ministers"; they do not have a clergy class that is forbidden to marry. They have no clergy class and believe special titles which would be improper for true christians. Matt. 23:8-12; 20:25-27; Job 32:21, 221 Tim 4:1-3

*Jehovah's Witnesses believe that true Christianity should have no part in interfaith movements 2 Cor. 6:14-17; 11:13-15; Gal. 5:9; Deut. 7:1-5

Further beliefs:

--We are now in the 'time of the end' Matt. 24:3-14; 2 Tim. 3:1-5; Luke 17:26-30

--God will eliminate present system of things in the battle at Har Magedon Rev. 16:14, 16; Zeph. 3:8; Dan. 2:44; Isa. 34:2; 55:10, 11

--Wicked will be eternally destroyed Matt. 25:41-46; 2 Thess. 1:6-9

--People God approves will receive everlasting life John 3:16; 10:27, 28; 17:3; Mark 10:29, 30

--Human death is due to Adam's sin Rom. 5:12; 6:23

--Hope for dead is resurrection 1 Cor. 15:20-22; John 5:28, 29; 11:25, 26

--Adamic death will cease 1 Cor. 15:26, 54; Rev. 21:4; Isa. 25:8

--Only a little flock of 144,000 go to heaven and rule with Christ Luke 12:32; Rev. 14:1, 3; 1 Cor. 15:40-53; Rev. 5:9, 10

--The 144,000 are born again as spiritual sons of God 1 Pet. 1:23; John 3:3; Rev. 7:3, 4

--New covenant is made with spiritual Israel Jer. 31:31; Heb. 8:10-13

--Christ's congregation is built upon himself Eph. 2:20; Isa. 28:16; Matt. 21:42

--Prayers are to be directed only to Jehovah through Christ John 14:6, 13, 14; 1 Tim. 2:5

--Baptism by complete immersion symbolizes dedication Mark 1:9, 10; John 3:23; Acts 19:4, 5

Answer 4

The very first Witness of Jehovah was Abel, Adam's son. (See Hebrews 11:4-12:1)

Answer:The Witnesses emerged from the Bible Student movement in the late 19th Century and was founded by Charles Taze Russell. The forerunner of the Jehovah's witnesses was formed in 1876 as a journal was published called Zion's Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence. In 1879 he published a series of seven books from "Zion's Watchtower and Tract Society" After his death in 1916 the society split - those remaining in it becoming the 'Jehovah's Witnesses'.

Answer 5

We would need to go back pretty far; and a preliminary explanation would convey true understanding regarding the question. (Since you did not capitalize the 'w' in 'witness', this changes the question somewhat.)

a) 'Jehovah' is the personal name of Almighty God, the Creator.

b) A 'witness' is: 1) someone who 'observes' (witnesses something); and 2) someone who testifies, or 'speaks' (presents the case as a witness).

c) At one time in Universal history, God existed all alone (God is eternal and has no beginning). Then God decided to 'created'. The very first thing God created was 'someone like himself'. God is a spirit, and the first thing God created was an 'angel', which is also a spirit.

d) When God created this first spirit creature, this one became the very first 'witness' regarding Jehovah. He 'observed' his Maker. He communicated with his Maker.

e) Then when the very next creature was created (another angel), then is when the first angel would become the very first 'witness' of Jehovah God. That's the bottom line of how it all 'started'. It started upon God's creating the very first creatures who could 'observe' and 'speak' or 'witness' about their Maker, Jehovah God.

f) Therefore all the angels are truly 'witnesses' of Jehovah God. They have been 'witnessing'; and also 'witnesses' for millions of years.

g) In the Bible, in Isaiah 43, Jehovah calls 'the Israelites' His 'witnesses'. So the Israelites were also all witnesses of Jehovah their God.

h) In Revelation, Jesus is called the 'true and faithful witness'.

i) In Hebrews 11 it lists a whole bunch of faithful servants of Jehovah over the course of 'earth's' history. Then in Hebr 12:1 it calls them all: 'a cloud of witnesses'. Some were Israelites; some were pre-Israelites (non-Israelites).

j) Moving forward in history - - Before 1931, anyone on earth could have labeled themselves 'Jehovah's Witnesses'. But no one wanted to be associated with that name. They all wanted to be called 'Christian' instead. Many despise that name 'Jehovah' to this day. If you ask them: 'Are you one of Jehovah's Witnesses?' they quickly and emphatically say 'No!'. Therefore by their own mouth, they are not 'witnesses of Jehovah God.'

But a small group of Bible Students, gladly associated themselves with God's personal name. In 1931, by means of a 'resolution', they adopted the name 'Jehovah's Witnesses' for themselves. And it stuck. Now, even all the 'Christians' call us 'Jehovah's Witnesses'.

That's the story of how it all started, and proceeded down in history. You can learn more about Jehovah God from His 'witnesses'. Jehovah's Witnesses can also help you become one of His witnesses, if this is what you wish.