For most Christians, the first identity with a church is often associated with an organized religion. In most cases, Christians attend a number of different denominations over the course of a lifetime. What many do not realize, is that when it comes to Jehovah's Witnesses, the founder Charles Russell who created RUSSELLISM and THE BIBLE STUDENT MOVEMENT gave birth to the Jehovah' Witness denomination.
Charles Russell was born in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, the son of a shopkeeper and housewife. While the couple gave birth to five children, only two would survive to become adults. After which, Ms. Russell became very ill and passed away when Charles was only nine years of age.
The family then moved to Pittsburgh and joined the local Presbyterian church. As Charles did not feel a connection to God through the church, the young boy left and joined the Congregational Church. During this time, Charles would chalk chapters and verses of the Bible on sidewalks and fence posts hoping to convert non-believers.
When sixteen, Charles had a discussion with a childhood friend with regards to faults in the Christian belief system and other traditions. While having a brief period of questioning the faith once so boldly held, it was not long before the young pastor would be found attending a presentation by an Adventist Minister, Jonas Wendell. After which, Russell experienced a renewal of faith as well as the belief that the Bible truly was the Word of God.
Later Russell became involved in The Bible Student Movement. As a part of the movement, Russell was the first to publish a pamphlet known as Zion's Watch Tower, a publication now known as the Watch Tower. While Charles also published the Herald of Christ with co-founder William Henry Conley, that publication was never as popular as the first. Whereas, the Watch Tower still remains one of the most popular religious publications among Jehovah's Witnesses.
Russell continued to create a number of books, pamphlets, tracts, sermons and study materials throughout life. In fact, the series Millennial Dawn, now known as Studies in the Scriptures was a popular six chapter Biblical study series at the time. Later, there was an additional chapter provided by Rutherford, the man whom succeeded Charles as leader of the group after death.
After Russell's passing, there was an organizational crisis based on Rutherford's leadership compared that of Charles. As a result, a number of students left the movement and established a number of individual churches. After which, those whom stayed changed the name from the Bible Study Movement to Jehovah's Witnesses, a change that was adopted and finalized in 1931.
Most excuses for leaving were with regards to difference in opinion with regards to organizational matters. While the movement lost a number of members, it was still quite successful, especially after having been adopted in 1931 with the name change to Jehovah's Witnesses. While there was a big split in the earlier organization, eventually many returned to become members of the Jehovah's Witnesses churches and congregations.
Charles Russell was born in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, the son of a shopkeeper and housewife. While the couple gave birth to five children, only two would survive to become adults. After which, Ms. Russell became very ill and passed away when Charles was only nine years of age.
The family then moved to Pittsburgh and joined the local Presbyterian church. As Charles did not feel a connection to God through the church, the young boy left and joined the Congregational Church. During this time, Charles would chalk chapters and verses of the Bible on sidewalks and fence posts hoping to convert non-believers.
When sixteen, Charles had a discussion with a childhood friend with regards to faults in the Christian belief system and other traditions. While having a brief period of questioning the faith once so boldly held, it was not long before the young pastor would be found attending a presentation by an Adventist Minister, Jonas Wendell. After which, Russell experienced a renewal of faith as well as the belief that the Bible truly was the Word of God.
Later Russell became involved in The Bible Student Movement. As a part of the movement, Russell was the first to publish a pamphlet known as Zion's Watch Tower, a publication now known as the Watch Tower. While Charles also published the Herald of Christ with co-founder William Henry Conley, that publication was never as popular as the first. Whereas, the Watch Tower still remains one of the most popular religious publications among Jehovah's Witnesses.
Russell continued to create a number of books, pamphlets, tracts, sermons and study materials throughout life. In fact, the series Millennial Dawn, now known as Studies in the Scriptures was a popular six chapter Biblical study series at the time. Later, there was an additional chapter provided by Rutherford, the man whom succeeded Charles as leader of the group after death.
After Russell's passing, there was an organizational crisis based on Rutherford's leadership compared that of Charles. As a result, a number of students left the movement and established a number of individual churches. After which, those whom stayed changed the name from the Bible Study Movement to Jehovah's Witnesses, a change that was adopted and finalized in 1931.
Most excuses for leaving were with regards to difference in opinion with regards to organizational matters. While the movement lost a number of members, it was still quite successful, especially after having been adopted in 1931 with the name change to Jehovah's Witnesses. While there was a big split in the earlier organization, eventually many returned to become members of the Jehovah's Witnesses churches and congregations.
About the Author:
RUSSELLISM and THE BIBLE STUDENT MOVEMENT is finally here to make a difference. To learn more, visit this website at http://www.nowthink.com/russellism.
ليست هناك تعليقات:
إرسال تعليق