LET GOD BE TRUE
CHAPTER XVII
WHO ARE JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES?
EVERYWHERE Jehovah's witnesses are spoken against. Why? Misinformed and prejudiced persons are the cause. There are two sides to every question. Honest persons who are fair desire to hear the truth. Accordingly they ask: "Who are Jehovah's witnesses?" On this question everyone is entitled to hear the side of Jehovah's witnesses. Any fair person can agree that Jehovah's witnesses are better qualified to state the facts from the record than is one who opposes them. In order that unbiased judgment can be exercised the evidence is given here from the record available to all.
2 Jehovah's witnesses constitute a body or group of persons consecrated to do the will of Almighty God, under the leadership of his Son, Christ Jesus. They have drawn together for the purpose of declaring that he whose name alone is JEHOVAH is the Universal Sovereign, and that he is the Author and Creator of earth's permanent heavenly government of righteous-
1. (a) What does every honest person desire to know about Jehovah's witnesses? (b) Who are more qualified to give the facts about Jehovah's witnesses?
2. Who are Jehovah's witnesses? and for what purposes have they drawn together?
ness for which Christ Jesus taught his disciples to pray to Almighty God. To everyone they point out the only way to that kingdom which shall permanently take the place of all earth's present governments that shall be destroyed soon in Jehovah's battle at Armageddon.
3 Although Jehovah God has had His witnesses on earth for about sixty centuries, only in modern times did they draw together for organized world-wide work. In 1872 (A.D.), in America, at Allegheny near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Charles Taze Russell began a Bible class that met regularly to study the Scriptures about Jehovah's kingdom and the second coming of Christ Jesus. Within a few years thereafter similar groups of students of the Bible, having these same interests, were organized throughout the United States. In due time such Bible-study classes were established in other countries. By following the course of study outlined by the headquarters in the United States those classes were unified and the students became of one mind, throughout the world, on what Almighty God through his Word teaches.
4 In time the printed courses of studies in the Scriptures used by such students were offered from door to door by special representatives in many lands for the purpose of spreading the understanding of the Bible among all peoples.
3. (a) For how long has Jehovah had active witnesses among men? (b) In modern times how and when did organizing of Jehovah's witnesses begin?
4. (a) How were others drawn to understand Bible truths and to have part in aiding still others to understand? (b) How widely has the work and the organization of it increased?
As a result other schools or congregations of students were organized throughout the earth. Ever since Jehovah's witnesses have been and now continue to be an international organization. They are to be found in every nation under the sun.
5 In 1884 the legal servant body of this international association was incorporated under Pennsylvania law. That non-profit corporation, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, and the governing body of Jehovah's witnesses have been inseparably associated ever since. In 1909 the corporate headquarters were transferred from Pittsburgh to New York (Brooklyn) and then an associate charitable corporation was formed and used for carrying on the worldwide publishing work of Jehovah's witnesses. It is a New York corporation now known as Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, Inc. In other lands other associate corporations are used, such as International Bible Students Association in Great Britain and Canada.
THEIR NAME
6 Since the beginning of their modern-day organization Jehovah's witnesses have been called various names. Their enemies and uninformed persons have falsely called them a "sect", naming them Russellites, Millennial Dawnites, Rutherfordites, etc. Although for nearly half
5. What is the legal servant body of Jehovah's witnesses, together with some of its history?
6. (a) In modern times what false names have Jehovah's witnesses been called, and by whom? (b) What true name was given to them, by whom, and why?
a century these servants of Almighty God used no distinctive name, referring to themselves as Christians, their friends and other interested persons called them "Bible students" or "international Bible students". In 1931 their representatives from many countries, assembled in convention in America, resolved that they 'desire to be known as and called by the name which the mouth of the Lord God has named, to wit, Jehovah's witnesses': "Ye are my witnesses, saith Jehovah." (Isaiah 43:10; 44:8, A.S.V.) Thereafter all local congregations or companies of Jehovah's witnesses throughout the earth declared themselves as recognizing this God-given name. (See 1941 Yearbook of Jehovah's witnesses, pages 30-35.) True, in recent times men such as C. T. Russell and J. F. Rutherford participated prominently in this world-wide work as Jehovah's witnesses, even as in ancient days Christ Jesus, Paul, Peter, John the Baptist, Moses, Abraham, Noah, Abel and many others participated prominently in the work as Jehovah's witnesses. Yet it is Scripturally and factually manifest that only Almighty God JEHOVAH himself founded and continues to found or ordain His witnesses, and in proof thereof gives them His name. — Jeremiah 15:16.
MANNER OF PREACHING
7 The method of teaching and preaching em-
7. (a) How and according to whose example do Jehovah's witnesses preach? (b) Why do Jehovah's witnesses preach in the primitive manner, and in so doing how do they differ from the clergy?
ployed by Jehovah's witnesses is primitive. That is to say, they use the original method of preaching instituted by Jehovah's Great Witness, Christ Jesus. He and his apostles preached publicly and from house to house. (Acts 20: 20) Every true Christian minister of the gospel is commanded to follow in their footsteps and must do likewise. (1 Peter 2:21; Luke 24:48; Acts 1:8; 10: 39-42) Since Jehovah's witnesses take the message to the people, their preaching is distinguishable from that of the religious clergy, who require people to come to them and sit at their feet to be preached to.
8 Jehovah's witnesses do not waste time and money by building large church edifices to invite people to such to hear them preach. Experience and statistics prove that not all people can be reached in that manner, because they will not all come to such buildings. In many countries more than half the people do not belong to any religious organization. Millions belonging to churches of the clergy do not attend. Many of those who do not choose to go to the clergy are, however, sufficiently interested in the truth of the Word of Almighty God to willingly receive the message at their homes when brought to them by a minister of the Lord Christ Jesus. Therefore Jehovah's witnesses establish free Bible studies in the people's homes. They go even farther than that by pro-
8. (a) Why do not Jehovah's witnesses build and use costly cathedrals and temples for their preaching? (b) Where else are those served who have no opportunity to receive the message from Jehovah's witnesses at their homes?
viding the people with opportunities to receive the message in public places and streets. There, throughout the world, Jehovah's witnesses stand daily offering the Word of life in printed form to the people as they pass along the streets. — Acts 17:17-22.
9 Books and booklets are used by Jehovah's witnesses in their preaching work for the convenience of the people. Such publications contain the truths of the Bible in a permanent form for study by the interested person at his convenience. Today such persons cannot afford to have the minister stay with them hours and days at a time, as was customary centuries ago or in less recent years. Literature used by Jehovah's witnesses is a substitute for the oral sermon or Bible discourse that is available to only the few. The literature is not printed and distributed selfishly for commercial gain or to achieve a large volume of profits. Indeed the literature is offered on a contribution basis. Persons unable to donate toward the work but who are interested may have the literature free or upon such terms as they desire to receive it. (1 Corinthians 9:11-14) Contributions received when the literature is distributed are used to help defray cost of publishing and distributing more like literature. Any deficit is taken care of by Jehovah's witnesses.
9. (a) In their preaching, why, and in place of what, do Jehovah's witnesses use literature? (b) Do Jehovah's witnesses sell printed publications which they distribute, and if not, how is their work carried on?
10 Each one of Jehovah's witnesses is a minister of the gospel. One who preaches not the gospel in the manner of Christ Jesus is not one of Jehovah's witnesses. Because one claims to be a minister does not, alone, make him a minister. It is his preaching in harmony with God's revealed Word that proves him to be a minister. Jehovah's witnesses are a society of ministers. As a body they are a missionary group. It is a group of evangelists, all being ministers, just as those in the first congregation of apostles and disciples of Christ Jesus were ministers, each and all. (Acts 2:44-47; 5:42) Each active minister has as his congregation a group of people of good-will to whom he ministers at their homes in territory assigned to him. Such minister goes to the people; they do not have to seek him out to learn about God's kingdom.
11 While Jehovah's witnesses of today do not attend any theological seminary or religious universities in preparing for their ministry, neither did Christ Jesus nor his apostles nor any others of Jehovah's witnesses who performed their God-given ministry even in the many centuries before Christ Jesus' days on earth. Today, however, they do receive an adequate and regular course of instruction and training before their ordination as ministers of Jehovah God and Christ Jesus. Each congre-
10. (a) Why is each one of Jehovah's witnesses a minister? (b) Of what sort of group is each of Jehovah's witnesses a part, and whom and where does he serve?
11. (a) How and why are Jehovah's witnesses prepared to work as ministers? (b) Where and out of what textbooks do Jehovah's witnesses receive instruction?
gation or company of Jehovah's witnesses maintains regular classes for instruction of ministers and for students preparing for the ministry. The main textbook is the Bible. Other books and courses of instruction, free of all religious traditions and dogmas, are provided to thoroughly equip the student for the good works of the ministry he expects to enter. Moreover, actual practice in the ministry is provided the student under the direction of a mature minister in order that the training provided will be complete.
12 Although school classes for ministers and students preparing for the ministry are continuous, considerable time must be spent by the student preparing for the ministry before he becomes equipped to enter the ministry. Some establish their qualifications quicker than others. To acquire the needed knowledge might take many months, or even years, for some; while others may become informed adequately in a few months. The time required depends entirely upon the diligence and ability of the student. In every case the student must show that he has consecrated himself to Jehovah to do His will under leadership of Christ Jesus, and that he is apt to teach and preach. Such prime requirement is essential before the student is recognized and sent forth as a regularly ordained minister of Jehovah's witnesses. — 2 Timothy 2: 24, 25.
12. (a) Within what time does one qualify to minister as one of Jehovah's witnesses? (b) Before ministering as one of Jehovah's witnesses what requirements must he meet?
ORDINATION
13 Each such minister sent forth is ordained or authorized primarily by Jehovah God. (Isaiah 61:1,2) Christ Jesus was ordained in like manner simultaneously with his baptism in the Jordan river. (Luke 4:17-19) However, the corporate legal servant body of Jehovah's witnesses issues to each minister credentials. Such show that he is duly authorized to preach and that he has been regularly ordained in accordance with the regulations of the organization, based on the Bible.
14 The ministry is not confined to adult persons or to the aged. Women as well as men are privileged to engage in the field service on the streets and from house to house. (Joel 2: 28, 29; Acts 2:16-18) Youths not only are permitted to preach, but are invited to do so. (Psalm 148:12,13) All children of Jehovah's witnesses should be brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, being trained for the ministry at a very early age. After being thoroughly schooled, they may enter the ministry, if they so desire, although yet children or youths. Ancient outstanding examples are Samuel, Jeremiah and Timothy, whose faithfulness as Jehovah's witnesses in very early youth is proof of the propriety of children's acting as ministers. (1 Samuel 1:24; 2:11; 3:1; Jeremiah 1:4-7) Paul the apostle declares that he
13. (a) By whom and how are Jehovah's witnesses ordained to preach? (b) What earthly evidence of authority to preach do they have?
14. To whom is the call for ministers and the privilege to preach as Jehovah's witnesses extended?
sent Timothy forth as a minister. (1 Corinthians 4:17) Timothy was instructed by Paul to let none despise his youthfulness. — 1 Timothy 4:12.
15 Although the literature distributed by Jehovah's witnesses costs more to print and distribute than the sum of contributions received, the organization is maintained by voluntary donations of Jehovah's witnesses and people of good-will. The part-time minister contributes to the Society the cost of the literature he distributes, and he receives contributions to help toward defraying the expense of distribution. The full-time minister is provided literature at less than its cost in order that some of the contributions he receives will cover his expense of distribution and also help him to provide necessities to sustain himself. This Scriptural and apostolical practice Paul describes at 1 Corinthians 9:7-14. Additionally, full-time ministers doing special missionary work as Jehovah's witnesses may call upon the Society each month for a nominal expense allowance to sustain them in their special work.
16 Jehovah's witnesses are not trying to convert the whole world. It is neither their purpose nor obligation to convert every person on earth to Christianity. Indeed they recognize that it is impossible to convert the wicked and ungodly.
15. (a) Where do Jehovah's witnesses get money they use in carrying on their work? (b) While preaching, some full time, others part time, how do Jehovah's witnesses sustain themselves?
16. (a) Are Jehovah's witnesses trying to convert the whole world to Christianity, and, if not, why not? (b) What is the purpose of Jehovah's witnesses in carrying the message to the people?
They seek only to help toward Almighty God those persons who are of good-will and upright in heart, as He counsels. (Psalm 97:11) To set up God's glorious kingdom would be impossible if such were dependent upon conversion of the whole world, for many never would take their stand for Jehovah and His kingdom, regardless of how long and how persistently the gospel might be preached among them. Announcements which Jehovah's witnesses make as to God's kingdom and the way to it are a mere testimony or witness to all the people, the wicked as well as the righteous. Everyone who has a good heart will embrace the message. Scoffers and ungodly ones will reject the testimony as not worthy of credence.
17 While some object to Jehovah's witnesses' preaching on Sunday, the customary day of rest in "Christendom", they nevertheless continue to preach on that day, even as Jesus and His apostles and disciples did on the Jewish sabbath day. It is a most desirable day to do missionary work from house to house, because more people are to he found at home, and, as Jesus said, it is lawful to do good on the sabbath or rest day. (Luke 6: 6-9) Since the clergy make use of the day to preach from their pulpits, Jehovah's witnesses properly employ the same day to preach from door to door. That they receive contributions from some to whom
17. (a) Why do Jehovah's witnesses preach from house to house on Sunday? (b) How is it proved that such Sunday activity of Jehovah's witnesses is not a violation of laws against peddling and selling on Sunday?
they provide literature does not make their work commercial selling or peddling any more than does the clergyman's taking up a collection at Sunday church service. Therefore laws prohibiting selling on the Sabbath or Sunday do not apply to Sunday preaching activity of Jehovah's witnesses.
18 Often it is falsely stated that Jehovah's witnesses are against Catholics, Protestants, Jews, etc. Jehovah's witnesses are not against any person because he happens to be a Catholic, a Protestant, or a Jew. They are not against any other persons because of their religion. All people of good-will toward Almighty God Jehovah are loved by Jehovah's witnesses, regardless of race, creed, or nationality. Their love they show impartially by offering from door to door the truthful message concerning the way to everlasting life under God's kingdom. The apostle declares that this is the way to provoke others to love. (Hebrews 10: 24, 25) On the other hand, false principles of all religions are attacked by Jehovah's witnesses, who expose such harmful theories and traditions of men to the truth of God's Word, the Bible. But they do not attack the innocent people of good-will who have been blinded or imprisoned by reason of relying upon false doctrines of any religion. Persons of good-will show their appreciation of the love extended from Jehovah's witnesses by studying
18. (a) Do Jehovah's witnesses attack Catholics and other religious persons because of conflicting beliefs, and, if not, what is the attitude of Jehovah's witnesses toward such persons? (b) How do Jehovah's witnesses deal with false theories and practices of all religions, and with what result?
the Bible with such witnesses. Exposing of religious errors and revealing of Bible truths does not disturb the honest person desiring to serve God.
19 While Jehovah's witnesses do not keep a membership roll as religious organizations do, yet a record is kept of the preaching activity of all of Jehovah's witnesses. Every one makes a regular report of his preaching activity, and the organization keeps a record of the work done by each of its ministers. Moreover, there is no man-made organization that one can join when he becomes one of Jehovah's witnesses. Jehovah God draws His servants together to himself. (John 6: 44) When any such drawn one becomes associated with God's servants in the earth then the Society recognizes such new servant. It authorizes him to preach in territory duly assigned to him. One's presence with Jehovah's witnesses is shown by his work as a minister. He who does not actively preach as one of Jehovah's witnesses is not with the organization. As long as one actively preaches with the organization he is recognized as being with it.
HOPES AND PROSPECTS
20 Not all of Jehovah's witnesses expect to go to heaven. Indeed, only a small proportion, a
19. (a) Do Jehovah's witnesses enroll members as do religious organizations, and what record do they keep? (b) Is it possible to join an earthly organization under control of Jehovah's witnesses, and how does one identify himself as one and with others of Jehovah's witnesses?
20. (a) Do all of Jehovah's witnesses expect to go to heaven, and what future service assignment do those not going to heaven expect to receive from Almighty God? (b) Who are Jonadabs? and are they Jehovah's witnesses, and why?
"little flock", of them do. (Luke 12:32) Almighty God, who sets all members in his organization as is pleasing to him, has limited to 144,000 the number of the "body of Christ", whose members will reign with Christ Jesus in God's heavenly kingdom. Only a small remnant, sufficient to complete the fullness of that body, now remain on earth. An unnumbered multitude of faithful persons now working as Jehovah's witnesses are sometimes called his "other sheep", or "Jonadabs", because they were foreshadowed by Jonadab, companion of King Jehu. (John 10:16; 2 Kings 10: 15-28; Jeremiah 35:8,18,19) They do not expect to go to heaven. They have been promised life everlasting upon earth, including the privilege of subduing, beautifying and populating the earth, if they, as Jehovah's witnesses, prove their faithfulness to him before his battle at Armageddon. Jonadabs are Jehovah's witnesses, even though they are not of the remnant of the "body of Christ", just as faithful men and women were His witnesses before the "body of Christ" began to be made up by Almighty God with Christ Jesus as its Head. (Hebrews, chapter 11; and 12:1) Inasmuch as every person consecrated to do the will of Almighty God as a follower of Christ Jesus, and who acts as a witness of Jehovah, can properly be called one of Jehovah's witnesses, it follows that his "other sheep" or Jonadabs, too, are Jehovah's witnesses.
21 He who associates with Jehovah's witnesses or who becomes one of Jehovah's witnesses can not and does not expect to receive any selfish benefit. He does not privately profit according to worldly standards of finance or social prestige upon becoming one of Jehovah's witnesses. Indeed, he must divorce himself from all such standards and worldly ambitions in order to become one of Jehovah's witnesses and to grow in favor with Almighty God. (John 15:18-21) But because one of Jehovah's witnesses gains no worldly or temporal advantage does not mean that he personally receives no benefits upon becoming one of Jehovah's witnesses.
22 While from a material standpoint God promises to His faithful servant only his daily bread, or bare necessities of life, many spiritual blessings are his portion even before God's kingdom wholly displaces this world's commercial organization. Among such blessings the foremost is the high privilege of being an ambassador for Almighty God and for his everlasting Theocratic government and advertising its righteousness among all people. Other benefits are the joys of 'hunting' for the Lord's lost sheep and 'fishing' for his men of good-will; bringing such persons up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord until they have reached the full stature of a witness of Jehovah; also,
21. What material advantages does one not expect upon becoming one of Jehovah's witnesses?
22, 23. (a) To what extent, before Armageddon, is material provision promised and given by Almighty God to one who covenants to serve Him? (b) What are some satisfactions and benefits shared by one who faithfully serves Jehovah?
the mental satisfaction of being free from the fears, pleasures and burdens of the present evil world that Almighty God will destroy at Armageddon; also the knowledge that one is following the pathway of truthfulness and righteousness which leads to everlasting life. Moreover, he will have the satisfaction of seeing the dead arise under the kingdom of God. By the power of Almighty God in the hand of Christ Jesus the dead who did not die in wickedness will be resurrected, upon earth, and given a chance to prove their faithfulness to Jehovah in His kingdom, following Armageddon.
23 Finally, and above all other benefits, is the satisfaction of seeing his heavenly Father's name and law vindicated by the everlasting destruction of Satan's world of wickedness with all its supporters. This will be followed by the unchallenged assumption of full authority and sovereignty in all the earth by Jehovah through His King and Son, Christ Jesus. This will forever guarantee free and full worship of Jehovah throughout the earth for all His faithful witnesses and servants.
