The title of jehovahs witnesses was assumed in 1931 under russells successor, j. Therefore, for jehovahs witnesses to insist jehovah is the true name of god and that one is saved only if he calls on. They fulfill the responsibility to witness by distributing literature. Qualified to be ministers, pages 297345 1955 jehovahs witnesses in the divine purpose 1959 jehovahs witnessesproclaimers of gods kingdom 1993 gods kingdom rules. If an image is displaying, you can download it yourself. Entry for jehovah 1911 encyclopedia britannica one of 8 bible encyclopedias freely available, this resource contained over 40 million words in nearly 40,000 articles written by 1,500 respected authors. Gordon melton the editors of encyclopaedia britannica. Therefore, for jehovahs witnesses to insist jehovah is the true name of. Jehovahs witness definition of jehovahs witness by the.
Response to the ancients, the name of a person stood for the person. Jehovahs witnesses are directed by the governing body of jehovahs witnesses, a group of elders. Aug 29, 2016 a former jehovah s witness has offered a rare insight into the religious group, describing it as a cult that tries to control emotions, thought, information and behavior of a person. Jehovahs witness definition is a member of a group that witness by distributing literature and by personal evangelism to beliefs in the theocratic rule of god, the sinfulness of organized religions and governments, and an imminent millennium. The encyclopedia, therefore, is the most convenient means of doing both, enabling, as it does, the foremost catholic scholars in every part of the world to contribute articles in the condensed form that appeals to the man of action, and with the accuracy that satisfies the scholar. The jehovahs witnesses are an outgrowth of the international bible students association, which was founded in 1872 in pittsburgh by charles taze russell history. It provides a scholarly answer to watchtower arguments concerning the origin and history of the trinity. At the same time, jehovahs witnesses, as christians, are actively ministering in 239 lands. It is used by jehovahs witnesses to support their worldwide work, which includes publishing bibles and biblebased literature. Britannica explains in these videos, britannica explains a variety of topics and answers frequently asked questions. Jehovahs witness definition of jehovahs witness by. Pages in category jehovah s witnesses the following 5 pages are in this category, out of 5 total. Jehovahs witnesses did not protect children from abuse, inquiry finds published. Some religious groups, notably jehovahs witnesses and proponents of the.
Witnesses of jehovah goes behind the scenes to reveal how the watchtower society holds tyrannical control over the lives of its 6,400,000 members. Encyclopedia,encyclopedia britannica, universal jewish encyclopedia and. Jehovahs witnesses proclaimers of gods kingdom by watch. Jehovah s witness synonyms, jehovah s witness pronunciation, jehovah s witness translation, english dictionary definition of jehovah s witness. A survey of cults and world religions jude ministries. Jehovahs witnesses originated as a branch of the bible student movement, which developed in the united states in the 1870s among followers of christian restorationist minister charles taze russell. Analysis of the history and doctrine of jehovahs witnesses by a christian evangelist. Russells adventist background and study of the bible led him to conclude, among other things, that the second coming of christ would occur in 1914, that hellfire did not exist, and god was not a trinity.
Jehovahs witnesses the first amendment encyclopedia. The organization adopted the name jehovahs witnesses in 1931 to emphasize the belief that the most accurate translation of the personal name of god in the hebrew scriptures is jehovah ps. The organization adopted the name jehovah s witnesses in 1931 to emphasize the belief that the most accurate translation of the personal name of god in the hebrew scriptures is jehovah ps. Witnesses hold a number of traditional christian views but also many that are unique to them. Or you could look here for the same information which is much abreviated but says the sme thing that charles taze russell was the founder of the movement that became the jehovah s witnesses charles taze russell american religious leader encyclopedia britannica or here. Jw files research on jehovahs witnesses watchtower bible. The holy spirit is the name of gods active force in the world. However, in view of the origin of birthday celebrations, they prefer to do so at other times throughout the year. Overawed by the emperor, the bishops, with two exceptions only, signed the creed, many of them much against their inclination. Jehovah s witnesses trace their origin to the religious movement known as bible students, which was founded in the late 1870s by charles taze russell. Exjehovahs witness reveals secrets of religious group. Jehovahs witnesses also find great joy in demonstrating their love for their family and friends by giving gifts and having good times together. Zambia is predominantly a christian country, although few have totally abandoned all aspects of traditional belief systems. Permission to distribute on the internet granted by the authors on september 10, 2008 provided the work is distributed freely with no changes in text.
Can jehovahs witnesses explain the six myths about. Theologically jehovahs witnesses resemble arians in their view that the son was the first and highest created being. The group claims a worldwide membership of more than 8. Jehovahs witnesses are a religious group with more than eight million members around the world. The 1958 reference is noteworthy because it verifies that even at this early point from the 1945 instigation of the watchtowers blood taboo, not all jehovahs witnesses wholly endorsed it. The group took on the name international bible students association and. Jehovah, artificial latinized rendering of the name of the god of israel. Management of patients who refuse blood transfusion pubmed. The name comes from medieval latin iehouah, iehoua, from hebrew yhwh or jhvh, the consonants of the name of god, with the inclusion of vowels taken from ad. Jehovah a form of the hebrew name of god used in some translations of the bible.
Jehovahs witnesses is a millenarian restorationist christian denomination with nontrinitarian. On the death of the latter in 1942 the leadership passed to nathan h. According to the britannica encyclopedia of world religions, belief in miraculous events is a feature of practically all religions. Today they have a worldwide organization that numbers about 3. The nicene creed is actually not the product of the first council of nicea 325. The bible says jesus did not become god again after his resurrection to heaven but, rather, a distinct spiritual being. Jehovahs witnesses, christian group originating in the united states at the end of the 19th cent.
According to its charter, the corporations purposes are religious, educational, and charitable, in particular, to the watch tower bible and tract society of pennsylvania is a nonprofit corporation formed in 1884 under. They say the term god, is merely a title, and that the real name for god is jehovah. Alternatively, you can purchase copies of various types through library of. Mar 17, 2015 the group now known as the jehovah s witnesses was founded in 1879 by charles taze russell, a pennsylvania businessman. More than threefourths of zambians identify as protestant, while roman catholics make up one. In a dictionary of the bible 1863, william robertson smith summarized these. Jehovahs witnesses state that gods true name is jehovah. One of the most aggressive and fastest growing cults is the jehovahs witnesses.
His own books and booklets notably seven volumes of studies in the scriptures reached a circulation of 16 million copies in 35 languages, and. The new schaffherzog encyclopedia jehovah is a mispronunciation of the hebrew yhwh the name of god. Work is carried out throughout the world by more than eight million witnesses. In each of 14 countries, the number of active witnesses is over 150,000. His father initially showed no interest, but involved himself in a legal case when one of dons younger brothers was not exempted from military. The watchtower organization predicted, based on their interpretation of scriptures throughout the old and new testaments and on the logical conclusions of their central doctrines, that the end of this system of things and the dawn of a new era of peace on earth would come in 1975. Between 1939 and 1950, the witnesses won 14 of 19 supreme court cases involving the distribution of literature and permit requirements. Jehovahs witnesses consider themselves neither as pacifists nor as part of. Exjehovahs witness reveals secrets of religious group the. A pagebypage response to the watchtower societys 1986 brochure. Jehovahs witness a member of a fundamentalist christian sect the watch tower bible and tract society founded in the us by charles. The challenge of religious diversity jehovahs witnesses. The word jehovah was removed from the nt by early apostate christians.
Jehovahs witnesses is a restorationist, 1 millenarian 2 christian religious movement. Jehovahs witness definition in the cambridge english. Jehovahs witness synonyms, jehovahs witness pronunciation, jehovahs witness translation, english dictionary definition of jehovahs witness. Jehovah is a modern mispronunciation of the hebrew name, resulting from combining the consonants of that name, jhvh, with the vowels of the word adonay, lord, which the jews substituted for the proper name in reading the scriptures. Jehovah s witnesses is a millenarian restorationist christian denomination with nontrinitarian beliefs distinct from mainstream christianity. The group now known as the jehovahs witnesses was founded in 1879 by charles taze russell, a pennsylvania businessman. The idea that god came to earth and lived as the man jesus, which is central to the doctrine of the trinity, has been around for a long time but it does not date back to. Demystified videos in demystified, britannica has all the answers to your burning questions.
A member of a nontrinitarian religious group founded in the united states during the late 1800s as an outgrowth of protestant christianity and noted for. In such cases of substitution the vowels of the word which is to be read are written in the hebrew. Alternatively, you can purchase copies of various types through library of congress duplication services. This prophecy failed and is a powerful example of why the watchtower organization is false and. Management of patients who refuse blood transfusion chand n k. Jehovahs witnesses wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The jehovahs witnesses are an outgrowth of the international bible students association, which was founded in 1872 in. Likewise, one who is a former jehovahs witness will not only appreciate the gentle, objective manner in which information is presented, but will also find the substantiated documentation helpful in reevaluating the claims of the watchtower society. You may obtain a copy from jehovahs witnesses or read it online at. The britannica found significant christian communities in 254 countries and territories, while bahai is present in 205. Permission given for internet distribution by the author dated july 18, 2009 provided textual integrity maintained. Or you could look here for the same information which is much abreviated but says the sme thing that charles taze russell was the founder of the movement that became the jehovahs witnesses charles taze russell american religious leader encyclopedia britannica or here. Jehovah s witnesses is a restorationist, 1 millenarian 2 christian religious movement.
The idea that god came to earth and lived as the man jesus, which is central to the doctrine of the trinity, has been around for a long time but it does not date back to jesus. In fact they go so far as to say that unless one calls on the true name of god, jehovah, one cannot be saved. Four official histories of jehovahs witnesses have been published by the watch tower society. His mother showed interest in jehovahs witnesses and gradually the children also became interested. A former jehovahs witness has offered a rare insight into the religious group, describing it as a cult that tries to control emotions, thought, information and behavior of a person. The first christian missions arrived before colonial rule, and the growth of adherents was greatly assisted by the schools that they established. This book includes over 100 pages of photocopied documentation of the publications misquoted and misrepresented in the watchtowers should you believe in the trinity. Or you may belong to a third group, who would answer. The editors of encyclopaedia britannica this article was most recently. Jehovahs witnesses is a millenarian restorationist christian denomination with nontrinitarian beliefs distinct from mainstream christianity. Britannica classics check out these retro videos from encyclopedia britannica s archives. In this case the 1958 reference the verification is such that it goes beyond merely voicing a divergence as is found in the 1950 reference. Jehovahs witnesses kids britannica kids homework help. Do you want to be prepared when the jehovahs witnesses come knocking on.
Witnesses believe that they are living in the last days, and they look forward to the. After a schism in 1917, those who remained supportive of the watch tower society adopted the name jehovah s witnesses in 1931 under the leadership of joseph franklin rutherford. Aug 30, 2014 jehovahs witnesses state that gods true name is jehovah. Jehovah 1911 encyclopedia britannica bible encyclopedia. They believe god, who they call jehovah, will end crime, violence, sickness and death by destroying all wickedness in the world. The masoretes who from the 6th to the 10th century worked to reproduce the original text of the hebrew bible replaced the vowels of the name yhwh with the vowel signs of adonai or elohim. Some images display only as thumbnails outside the library of congress because of rights considerations, but you have access to larger size images on site. The word jehovah was removed from most of the ot by superstitious jews. Bible student missionaries were sent to england in 1881 and the first overseas branch was opened in london in 1900.
The name arose among christians in the middle ages through the combination of the consonants yhwh jhvh with the vowels of adonai my lord. Jehovahs witnesses simple english wikipedia, the free. In such cases of substitution the vowels of the word which is to be read are written in the. Jw files research on jehovahs witnesses watchtower. Wikimedia commons has media related to jehovahs witnesses. They say that gods kingdom mentioned thy kingdom come in the lords prayer will restore gods original purpose for the earth.
The adventist movement emerged in the 1830s around. Jehovah witnesses article about jehovah witnesses by the. Five questions for the jehovahs witnesses catholic answers. Encyclopedia britannica jehovah is an erroneous form of the divine name of the covenant god of israel. The group reports a worldwide membership of approximately 8. Don alden adams born 1925 was president of the watch tower bible and tract society of pennsylvania 2000 2014, the principal corporation of jehovahs witnesses.
Jehovah s witnesses believe their preaching is a fulfillment of a prophecy at matthew 24. Jesus christ is gods agent, through whom sinful humans can be reconciled to god. Religion britannica encyclopedia britannica britannica. After a schism in 1917, those who remained supportive of the watch tower society adopted the name jehovahs witnesses in 1931 under the leadership of joseph franklin rutherford. Jews reading the scriptures aloud substituted adonai for the sacred name, commonly called the tetragrammaton.