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.
Born in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Russell was two of five children, Charles was one of only two whom lived into adulthood. After which, Ms. Russell passed away when Charles was only 9 years of age. In search of a new life, the Russells later moved to Pittsburgh. As such, growing up was not easy for the future pastor. Still, the teenager continued grow and learn by working hard and studying the scriptures when and where possible.
Once relocated in Pittsburgh, the Russell family became members of the local Presbyterian church. Sometime later, Charles then left the Presbyterian church at age 13 to join the more open-minded Congregational church. In order to spread the news about Christianity, Charles could often be found writing scriptures on fence posts or using chalk to share the word of God as a method of converting agnostics and atheists to the Christian church and faith.
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.
In most cases, the excuses provided were based on the development of the several smaller groups. While those whom had separated from the group created individual groups, two of which were the Pastoral Bible Institute and the Laymen's Home Missionary Movement. Regardless, the beliefs of each group remained similar in nature to those whom had began a walk of faith with Pastor Russell.
Born in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Russell was two of five children, Charles was one of only two whom lived into adulthood. After which, Ms. Russell passed away when Charles was only 9 years of age. In search of a new life, the Russells later moved to Pittsburgh. As such, growing up was not easy for the future pastor. Still, the teenager continued grow and learn by working hard and studying the scriptures when and where possible.
Once relocated in Pittsburgh, the Russell family became members of the local Presbyterian church. Sometime later, Charles then left the Presbyterian church at age 13 to join the more open-minded Congregational church. In order to spread the news about Christianity, Charles could often be found writing scriptures on fence posts or using chalk to share the word of God as a method of converting agnostics and atheists to the Christian church and faith.
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.
In most cases, the excuses provided were based on the development of the several smaller groups. While those whom had separated from the group created individual groups, two of which were the Pastoral Bible Institute and the Laymen's Home Missionary Movement. Regardless, the beliefs of each group remained similar in nature to those whom had began a walk of faith with Pastor Russell.
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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.
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