Jehovah

1
Jehovahs Witnesses
2
Jehovahs Witnesses
What is it? - A millenarian restorationist
Christian denomination with some of the
principles borrowed from Christianity excluding
the Trinity.
3
Jehovahs Witnesses History
Jehovahs Witnesses began from Charles Taze
Russells teachings. Charles Taze Russell was
born in 1852 in Allegheny, Pennsylvania. He was
one of five children. His mother wanted him to
become a missionary some day. In 1861, she died.
The family continued to go the a Presbyterian
church. Eventually Russell was discouraged with
some of the teachings of the Presbyterian Church
and he joined the Congregational Church. He was
elected a fundraiser for the church, and then
decided it was against Gods will to ask other
Christians for money he believed that God would
give funds for what is needed.
4
Jehovahs Witnesses History
He also tried to convert as many people as he
possibly could to his religion. After having a
conversation with a childhood friend about
contradicting Christian creeds and people, his
faith was shaken and began to search out for the
answers to if the Christian faith was empty and
baseless. His pastor gave him books to read, but
that lead him to an even more inconclusive
thought. He began to look at other religions,
then finally settling that Christianity must be
true due to its historical events and accuracy.
5
Jehovahs Witnesses History
Russell along with his family and friends started
a bible study. The bible study was very
analytical and focused on determining the
accuracy of the Bible. They tried to determine
what part of the Bible was tradition and which
are actually commanded. Independent bible study
was a new idea and still condemned by the
Catholic church during this time. He, his father,
and sister decided that they have identified what
it means to be a Christian and took a vow, and
were all rebaptized.
6
Jehovahs Witnesses History
Russell read the Herald of the Morning magazine
and found that others were doing analytical bible
studies. He contacted the publisher Nelson H.
Barbour. Both compared their studies and believed
that Jesus would return in 1874. When the date
passed, the men were discouraged and thought he
may come in 1878 he sold his businesses with
expectations of the rapture. Barbour recanted his
faith after the rapture did not happen. They did
not meet eye to eye on their views anymore so
Russell and Barbour split.
Nelson H. Barbour
7
Jehovahs Witnesses History
After Russell and Barbour relinquished ties,
Russell started the newspaper Zions Watch Tower
and Herald of Christs Presence in July 1879. He
wanted to reach the globe about the false
Christian teachings and which beliefs were really
true.
8
Russells Relationship
In 1879, Russell married Maria Frances Ackley.
They were both fond of preaching the gospel and
that is what their marriage was based on. It was
not based on romantic ties, but the love of
preaching the gospel. In the same year they
separating, citing the differences about how the
Zion Watch Tower magazine was to be run.
9
Jehovahs Witnesses History
In 1881, Russell founded Zions Watch Tower
Tract Society. With Russells dream of being
heard globally, he made this society to spread
his message through tracts, papers, doctrinal
treaties and Bibles. While his tracts were
getting the message out, his Bible study
attendance also grew to 200 local members. He
also published Food for Thinking Christians,
Tabernacle and its Teachings, and Tabernacle
Shadows of the Better Sacrifices in the same
year. He also published textbooks called The
Divine Plan of the Ages. He published several
more books and volumes.
10
Jehovahs Witnesses History
In 1903, newspapers decided to print some of
Russells sermons and the print reached global
proportions. He was also known for not holding
collections, which made churches lose money.
After his popularity was gaining momentum, many
tried to slur his name, which made him even more
famous. There are various rumors that went around
such as him being a false prophet, a free mason,
made money off his followers, and the immoral
treatment and abuse of his wife.
11
Christ to return in 1914
Christ was to physically return to earth and set
up his kingdom in 1914. When this date passed
other dates where set for his return. Today
Jehovah Witnesses say Christ returned invisibly
and was crowned king in 1914. Jehovahs Witnesses
continued to believe that Christ would return
physically during this generation, but since 80
plus years have passed, his return is now seen as
symbolic.
12
Russells death
In 1916, Russell died of diverticulitis. He was
touring the U.S. in a train car and died there.
His death was heard around the world. The
devastating rumors that once plagued him soon
died off as well. People fought over his estate
and the fate of the Zion Watch Tower magazine.
13
Russells death
The Societys lawyer Joseph Rutherford took
control, voided Russells last will and
testament, fired board members dismissed some of
Russells views. In 1928, 75 of the society
left the remaining small groups of bible studies
were renamed by Rutherford as Jehovahs Witnesses
to distinguish them in 1931. The name was from
Isaiah 43. Many Jehovahs Witnesses views Russell
as their founder, but it was really Rutherford
who did. Rutherford died in 1942. Jehovahs
Witnesses are a prominent religion today.
Joseph Rutherford
14
Is Jehovah Gods Name?
In the Hebrew it is YHWH. Early Scholars made a
mistake in translating the Hebrew name for God as
Jehovah. Today scholars translate Gods name as
Yahweh. The masoretes (7th to 10th centuries AD)
added vowel points to the Hebrew so one would
know how to read and pronounce the Hebrew words.
When they came to Gods name it was so holy that
no one was to speak his name. So the masoretes
put the vowel points for Lord (Adoni), so that
one would know to say the name Lord and not the
holy name Yahweh. So if they want to be correct
they should call themselves Yahweh Witnesses,
because Jehovah is the wrong translation of the
Hebrew YHWH.
15
Beth Sarim
16
Beliefs
They believe the Bible was inspired by God and
only use their own unique version that is not
flawed. Other versions of the Bible are not true.
They use the New World Translation. They believe
sin was inherited by Adam and Eve, but do not
focus on the consequence's of sin. They believe
that God will have his kingdom on Earth and want
to spread the gospel to save others. They
believe to be saved that they must have faith,
but also learn about Jehovah and obey Jehovahs
requirements to be worthy to reside in his
presence. They do not believe in hell, but
believe sinners souls will be destroyed.
Followers will exist forever in heaven.
17
Beliefs
Only 144,000 people will go to heaven, and the
rest will remain on Earth in Gods paradise.
They base the afterlife on the books, Daniel
and Revelation. They believe Revelation started
in 1914. They believe we are living in the last
days. They consider themselves Christians, but
do not believe that others are Christians. When
people die, they just die and nothing lives on
and God will resurrect them.
18
Beliefs about Christ
They do not believe in the Trinity. They believe
that there is only one God, and his name Is
Jehovah. Jesus is not God, and he reports to God
as the chief spokesman. He was brought to earth
to lead a perfect example, teach the truth, and
to free humanity from sins. He was raised from
the dead as a spiritual body and then went to
heaven. He did not die on a cross, but a stake.
They believe cross was mistranslated from the
Greek. He was made king in 1914.
19
Other Beliefs
They do not allow blood transfusions. Followers
are to refuse them even if it means death. The
Bible requires them to abstain from blood and
they can try other medical treatments to solve
their problems. They must not eat blood.
Smoking or other drugs for pleasure is
forbidden. Safety of themselves and animals must
be considered. Animals may not be killed for
sport or mistreatment. They do not believe in
abortion a child is sacred. They are not
allowed to celebrate any holidays or birthdays
including Christmas. They must not pledge
allegiance to any nation, no voting, or any other
political practices. Limited higher education
and contact with non-Jehovahs Witnesses.
20
Other Beliefs
They are not allowed to celebrate any holidays
or birthdays including Christmas. The memorial of
Christs death is celebrated, not any other
religious holidays. They must not pledge
allegiance to any nation, no voting, or any other
political practices. They must do a certain
amount of hours of door to door missionary work.
Limited higher education. Limit the contact
with non-Jehovahs Witnesses. Shunning of
former Jehovahs Witnesses. Forbids literature
of critical literature of Jehovahs Witnesses and
other beliefs being broadcast through the church.
No premarital sex or homosexuality.
21
Other Beliefs
False Prophetic Dates 1874 Date for Christs
invisible presence, changed to 1914 1914 End
of the world 1915 Replaced 1914 for the end of
the world 1918 End of the world, the destruction
of churches 1925 End of the world with the
return of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob 1929 Beth
Sarim House of Princes built in San Diego,
deeded to king David and other biblical prophets
for their soon return upon the earth 1940s
End of the World would come with the soon
battle of Armageddon 1975 6,000-years of human
history, the end of the world would come within
months, not years. 1994 80-year Generation of
1914 should bring the end of the world, 1995
redefined the word generation to be symbolic of
general readiness for the end.
Source http//4jehovah.org/jehovahs-witness-belie
fs.php
22
Today
Over 6 million followers in 230 different lands.
Their Bible is translated into 429 different
languages. There are over 107,000 congregations
world wide. Their main website is the
watchtower.org. Their main location is in
Brooklyn, New York. They spend 1.2 billion
hours a year trying to convert people.
23
Quiz

• Who is considered by most Jehovahs Witnesses to
  be the founder?
• Charles Daze
• Charles Taze Russell-
• Charles Haze Russell
• Charles Darwin

24
Quiz
2. What was the first denomination of the founder
of Jehovahs Witnesses? a. Catholic b. Baptist c.
Congregational d. Presbyterian-
25
Quiz

• 3. Russell eventually did not believe in
  Christians doing fundraising for the church.
• True-
• False

26
Quiz

• 4. It was not rare to have an analytical Bible
  study when Russell was younger.
• True
• False-

27
Quiz

• 5. What publisher did Russell contact to hold a
  Bible study together then later split from?
• Neil Stember
• b. Ethan Embers
• c. Nelson H. Barbour-
• d. Joseph Rutherford

28
Quiz

• 6. Russell founded the Herald of the Morning
  magazine.
• True
• False -

29
Quiz

• 7. Russell married Maria Frances Ackley.
• True-
• False

30
Quiz
Fill in the blank 8. Russell founded the _____
_____ ______ ______ Society Zions Watch Tower
Tract Society
31
Quiz

• 9.What book did Russell not publish?
• Food for Thinking Christians
• Food for Christian Thought-
• C. Tabernacle and its Teachings
• D. Tabernacle Shadows of the Better Sacrifices

32
Quiz

• 10. When did Russell die?
• 1915
• 1916-
• C. 1934
• D. 1924

33
Quiz

• 11. In 1928, how many people left the Bible study
  when Rutherford took control?
• 25
• 35
• C. 50
• D. 75-

34
Quiz

• 12. What is the Jehovahs Witnesses version of
  the Bible?
• New Living Translation
• B. New World Translation-
• C. King James
• D. New King James

35
Quiz

• 13. Jehovahs Witnesses do not believe in hell.
• True-
• False

36
Quiz

• 14. Jehovahs Witnesses celebrate Christs birth.
• True-
• False

37
Quiz

• 15. Jehovahs Witnesses celebrate Christmas,
  Passover, and birthdays.
• True
• False-

38
Quiz

• 16. Jehovahs Witnesses believe that God is
• Jehovah-
• Jesus
• The Holy Spirit
• All of the Above

39
Quiz

• 17. How many people are going to heaven according
  to Jehovahs Witnesses?
• 145,000
• 150,000
• 144,000-
• 154,000

40
Quiz

• 18. Jehovahs Witnesses go to heaven based on
  works.
• True
• False-

41
Quiz

• 19. Jehovahs Witnesses do not believe in blood
  transfusions.
• True-
• False

42
Quiz

• 20. Approximately how many followers does the
  Jehovahs Witnesses have?
• 5 million
• 6 million-
• 7 million
• 8 million

43
Resources
http//www.pastor-russell.com/misc/index.html htt
p//www.watchtower.org/e/beliefs_and_activities.ht
m http//www.religionfacts.com/jehovahs_witnesses
/fastfacts.htm http//www.patheos.com/Library/Jeh
ovahs-Witnesses.html http//carm.org/jehovahs-wit
nesses-history http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehov
ah27s_witness http//4jehovah.org/jehovahs-witne
ss-beliefs.php http//pastorrussell.blogspot.com/
2008/09/was-charles-taze-russell-mason.html http
//www.towerwatch.com/Witnesses/Beliefs/their_belie
fs.htm