Associated Bible Students: Encyclopedia - Associated Bible Students

Associated Bible Students

The Associated Bible Students is the branch of the Bible Student movement that follows the most closely the teachings and views of Charles Taze Russell, also 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.

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 Those defending Rutherford believed a better understanding of the Scriptures was due and Russell's views outdated.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.

Associated Bible Students - Beliefs

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. The soul is not some mysterious entity which leaves the body at death, but is merely the breath, or spark, of life. 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.

Believing that Baptism requires an intelligent and mature decision-making process, they reject infant baptism.

It should be noted that 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.

See also

• Bible Students
• Dawn Bible Students Association

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Associated Bible Students", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki