 | Associated Bible Students: Encyclopedia II - Associated Bible Students - History
Associated Bible Students - History
In the late ninteenth century, the Bible Students formed congregations, referred to as "Ecclesia's", from the Greek word meaning "ones who are called out". These congregations first formed in the North Eastern 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 advised to stop using that name to advertise themselves, reserving it for the national or international level. The name "Associated Bible Students" was recommended and used instead.
After the death of Pastor Russell in 1916, the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society took a more central role under the guidance of Joseph Franklin Rutherford, elected second president in early 1917.
Not everyone was supportive of the president and his new methods. Russell 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. Controversy erupted when interpreting parts of his Will that dealt with this matter, and whether or not any newly written content could be legally published following his death. Those defending Rutherford believed a better understanding of the Scriptures was due and Russell's views outdated. Many of these disagreements and changes lead to three-fourths of the original membership leaving by 1928.
On July 26, 1931 in Columbus, Ohio those supportive of the Watch Tower Society, 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.
Eventually, a core group of individuals who had broke away attempted to informally reorganize. Through the 1920s-'50s a slow, but successful effort at regathering many of the individuals who had left the Watch Tower Society progressed. Such efforts were criticized in the pages of "The Golden Age" 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, their current numbers stand at approximately 10,000 worldwide. They believe, for Scriptural reasons, that their numbers are to increasingly decline, despite their continued distribution of an all-inclusive gospel message.
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 due to the belief that 'bringing your brother to court' was contrary to Scripture.
Other related archives'50s, 1916, 1917, 1920s, 1931, 1950s, Adam, Baptism, Bible, Bible Student movement, Bible Students, Charles Taze Russell, Dawn Bible Students Association, Garden of Eden, Greek, International Bible Students Association, Jehovah's Witnesses, Jesus Christ, Joseph Franklin Rutherford, July 26, London, New England, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Roman Catholic Church, Trinity, United States, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, congregations, divinity, humanity, incorporated, infant baptism, myth, pagan, paradise, ransom, second advent, soul, those held by Jehovah's Witnesses
 Adapted from the Wikipedia article "History", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki |
