Associated Bible Students

The Associated Bible Students is the branch of the Bible Student movement that follows the teachings and views of Charles Taze Russell, best known as "Pastor Russell". The Bible Students practice regular reading and study of the Bible and hold Bible Study classes utilizing the six volumes of "Studies in the Scriptures", written by Pastor Russell.

History

In the late nineteenth century, the Bible Students formed congregations, referred to as Ecclesia, from the Greek word meaning "A Gathering", (or "A Gathering of those summoned"). These congregations first formed in the northeastern section of the United States, most prominently in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and throughout New England.

In 1914 the International Bible Students Association was incorporated in London, and local congregations were requested to stop using that name to advertise themselves, so as to reserve it for the national or international level. The name "Associated Bible Students" was recommended and used instead.

After the death of Brother Russell in October 1916, the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society took a more dominant, central role under the guidance of Joseph Franklin Rutherford, who was elected the second president of the Society in January 1917.

Not everyone was supportive of Rutherford and his new methods. Russell had left an outline in his Last Will & Testament instructing an Editorial Committee of five to determine the contents of Zion's Watch Tower magazine following his death, and specified that no newly written material was to be published. Controversy erupted when interpreting parts of his Will that dealt with these issues. Those defending Rutherford believed that God's due time for better understanding the Scriptures had come, and that Russell's views were outdated. These disagreements and changes lead to a significant schism in which three-fourths of the original membership left by 1928.

On July 26 1931 in Columbus, Ohio those supportive of the Watch Tower Society, and encouraged by the increasing numbers of new members resulting from Rutherford's "advertising" approach, (maintained to the present day) adopted the new name Jehovah's Witnesses.

The International Bible Students Association, and other legal organs, were under the control of Jehovah's Witnesses following a disputed election process which lead to Rutherford becoming the second president of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. Early efforts by Bible Students to reclaim control of the Society by legal means was eventually dropped by them due to the belief that 'bringing your brother to court' was unscriptural. As a result, all of the incorporated organizations founded by Russell remained firmly in the hands of Joseph Rutherford, and the succeeding presidents.

Eventually, a core group of individuals who had broken away attempted to informally reorganize. From the 1920s through the 1950s a slow, but successful effort at regathering many of the individuals who had left the Watch Tower Society progressed. Such efforts were criticized in both the pages of "The Golden Age" and Watchtower magazine, published by Jehovah's Witnesses. This group, continuing to maintain the name "Bible Students", came to be seen by the evolving "Watchtower Society" as fulfilling Jesus statement of an 'evil slave' class. Although membership grew steadily from the 1950s onward, current membership stands at less than 10,000 worldwide. They believe, for Scriptural reasons, that their numbers are meant to increasingly decline, but continue their distribution of an all-inclusive gospel message.

Beliefs

Charles Russell in 1911

Although believing in the divinity of Jesus Christ, Bible Students reject the doctrine of the Trinity as a pagan myth forced into Christian belief under the power of the Roman Catholic Church. They believe the soul is not some mysterious entity which leaves the body at death, but rather the breath, or spark, of life which will be restored in an earthly resurrection. They hold that the purpose of the second advent is to bless all mankind, and renew the earth into the paradise conditions that existed in the Garden of Eden. They reject infant baptism, believing that Baptism requires an intelligent and mature decision-making process.

Due to common origins, many Bible Student beliefs are similar to those held by Jehovah's Witnesses. The most significant differences relate to their prophetic expectations, and the role of Jesus and his ransom price. Bible Students believe that Jesus died for all mankind, (including Adam) and that eventually all humanity, and the earth itself, will benefit from the power of that ransom.

Bible Students also differ from Jehovah's Witnesses in that, while they maintain the congregational arrangement of fellowship, elders are elected with a hand vote by each congregation's membership. Bible Students have no central headquarters, no chief elders, and no clergy/laity divisions. Despite having no centralized leadership, Bible Students worldwide cooperate and participate in regional, national, and international conventions, seminars, youth-camps, and events throughout the year, maintaining a strong and fervent fellowship.

See also

• Bible Students
• Dawn Bible Students Association

External links

• Official CT Russell website
• Associated Bible Students