A Fact About Charles Taze Russell That Will Surprise “Jehovah’s Witnesses”

Would it surprise you to know that C.T. Russell, the founder of the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society rejected the idea of being known by any other title than ‘Christian’?

In Russell’s own words, he let it be known that he rejected the idea of of adopting a name for the Bible Students as the group was called at that time, viewing doing so as ”sectarian”.

He, according to his own written statements, only wanted to be simply known as a Christian.

That’s right. Charles Taze Russell , the first president of the Watch Tower Society, opposed the adoption of a distinctive name.

In the Watch Tower publication of April 1882 pages 7,8 Russell said:

“Since you would like to know by what name I would like to distinguish myself from others, I tell you that I would like to be and hope to be a Christian; and I choose, if God finds me worthy, to be called a Christian, a believer, or any other name approved by the Holy Spirit.

And regarding these factional titles (or sects) such as Anabaptist, Presbyterian, Independent or the like, I conclude that they did not come from Antioch or Jerusalem, but from Hell and Babylon, as they tend to cause divisions; you can know them by their fruits.”

In addition, he wrote this in the Watch Tower of March 1883 page 6:

“We always refuse to be called by a name other than that of our head—Christians—and we continually proclaim that there can be no division among those who are continually led by his Spirit and example made known through of His word.”

C.T. Russell would not have approved of the name “Jehovah’s Witnesses”!

Joseph F. Rutherford the second president of the Watch Tower thought differently. And, in a short time he adopted the name “Jehovah’s Witnesses”. Refer to the the Watchtower publication “Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom” chapter 7 pages 79-82 with the theme: “You are my witnesses”.

This idea was based on the scriptural text found at Isaiah 43:10:

“Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me”.

He seemed to ignore the obvious fact that these words were directed to the NATURAL ISRAELITE nation in specific, and that this was at a time when God was expecting the nation to be “a kingdom of priest” who were to act in behalf of the rest of mankind.

Exodus 19:6

“And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel”.

The nation of Israel failed in that regard and a new arrangement took its place.

Who really is God’s Witness?

Revelation 3:14 gives us the answer:

14 “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: “The Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Head of God’s creation, says these things:

High Priest Jesus Christ is God’s Witness. Notice that Jesus spoke in singular and not plural.

It is only the High Priest who can bear witness in behalf of God. It is only to the High Preist, God has granted access into the Holy of Holies to receive the word of God and then relate God’s word to all others.

On this, C.T. Russell had the correct viewpoint. He understood what a Christian is.

Well then, whose ‘witnesses’ are Christian disciples to be?

Consider the following Bible verses:

Lord Jesus said:

Acts 1:8

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto ME both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth”.

Whose witness did Peter identfy himself as?

Acts 5:30-32

30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.

31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

32 And we are HIS witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

What Charles T. Russell thought on the matter is in agreement with what the 1st century disciple of Jesus took as a name.

Acts 11:26

“And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called CHRISTIANS first in Antioch”.

As Christians we are called to be witnesses of Jesus Christ, sharing the message of goods news that he received from the Father, his life, death, and his resurrection.

It was the high priest and he alone that was granted access into the Most Holy compartment of the Temple in order to receive instruction from God.

He served as God’s spokesman (witness) in that what he was told from God and then he imparted what he was told to all others. It was the high priest who bore witness in God’s behalf. He was the “Amen” in that arrangement.

Christ being the Eternal High Priest is the “Amen” of God and serves as God’s Witness. So, it is improper for anyone else to ascribe to themselves the title “Jehovah’s Witness”. (Revelation 3:14)

It appears that Russell’s guidance was rejected here.

For anyone to call themselves a direct witness of Jehovah God, is a blatant disrespect of Jesus Christ. And, an attempt to usurp his unique role in God’s arrangement.

It is something God will not approve.

Note:

I am not in any way endorsing C.T. Russell.

Much of what Russell taught was not based on Scripture but on things he believed based on spiritistic signs ie the Giza pyramids, masonic seeking, and from teaching he chose to believe from his contemporaries. Men who went on to form other religions like William Miller.

I have written many post on my website about the mixed and false teachings of Russell.

My comment about rejecting this particular belief was made because it seems odd when considering they have deified almost everything else he said, like they worship the man.

Neither Russell nor Rutherford were faithful to Christ. They both taught wormwood doctrines.

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