For most Christians, the first identity with a church is often associated with an organized religion. In most cases, Christians attend a number of different denominations over the course of a lifetime. What many do not realize, is that when it comes to Jehovah's Witnesses, the founder Charles Russell who created RUSSELLISM and THE BIBLE STUDENT MOVEMENT gave birth to the Jehovah' Witness denomination.
Born in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Russell was two of five children, Charles was one of only two whom lived into adulthood. After which, Ms. Russell passed away when Charles was only 9 years of age. In search of a new life, the Russells later moved to Pittsburgh. As such, growing up was not easy for the future pastor. Still, the teenager continued grow and learn by working hard and studying the scriptures when and where possible.
The family then moved to Pittsburgh and joined the local Presbyterian church. As Charles did not feel a connection to God through the church, the young boy left and joined the Congregational Church. During this time, Charles would chalk chapters and verses of the Bible on sidewalks and fence posts hoping to convert non-believers.
At the age of 16, the future pastor discussed religion with a friend. At the time, the friend actually persuaded Russell to believe that there were faults and holes in the faith. After which, Charles questioned the Christian faith. Then, after hearing an Adventist Minister by the name of Jonas Wendell speak, Charles went through a rebirth and renewal of faith. In the process, Russell also found the faith needed to believe the Bible to be the word of God.
Later Russell became involved in The Bible Student Movement. As a part of the movement, Russell was the first to publish a pamphlet known as Zion's Watch Tower, a publication now known as the Watch Tower. While Charles also published the Herald of Christ with co-founder William Henry Conley, that publication was never as popular as the first. Whereas, the Watch Tower still remains one of the most popular religious publications among Jehovah's Witnesses.
After having written a number of sermons, pamphlets, tracts and books, Pastor Russell published a six volume series called Millennial Dawn, a Biblical studies course. After which, the name of the study series was later changed to Studies in the Scriptures. Later, there was a seventh volume published and included in future printings of the series.
A pastor by the name of Rutherford took over the movement when Russell passed on. Still, even with a new leader, the organization faced a crisis. For, Russell was a beloved leader whom many found hard to replace. As a result, a number of other individuals left the group and began starting small individual religious organizations in which different policies and procedures were implemented.
In most cases, the excuses provided were based on the development of the several smaller groups. While those whom had separated from the group created individual groups, two of which were the Pastoral Bible Institute and the Laymen's Home Missionary Movement. Regardless, the beliefs of each group remained similar in nature to those whom had began a walk of faith with Pastor Russell.
Born in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Russell was two of five children, Charles was one of only two whom lived into adulthood. After which, Ms. Russell passed away when Charles was only 9 years of age. In search of a new life, the Russells later moved to Pittsburgh. As such, growing up was not easy for the future pastor. Still, the teenager continued grow and learn by working hard and studying the scriptures when and where possible.
The family then moved to Pittsburgh and joined the local Presbyterian church. As Charles did not feel a connection to God through the church, the young boy left and joined the Congregational Church. During this time, Charles would chalk chapters and verses of the Bible on sidewalks and fence posts hoping to convert non-believers.
At the age of 16, the future pastor discussed religion with a friend. At the time, the friend actually persuaded Russell to believe that there were faults and holes in the faith. After which, Charles questioned the Christian faith. Then, after hearing an Adventist Minister by the name of Jonas Wendell speak, Charles went through a rebirth and renewal of faith. In the process, Russell also found the faith needed to believe the Bible to be the word of God.
Later Russell became involved in The Bible Student Movement. As a part of the movement, Russell was the first to publish a pamphlet known as Zion's Watch Tower, a publication now known as the Watch Tower. While Charles also published the Herald of Christ with co-founder William Henry Conley, that publication was never as popular as the first. Whereas, the Watch Tower still remains one of the most popular religious publications among Jehovah's Witnesses.
After having written a number of sermons, pamphlets, tracts and books, Pastor Russell published a six volume series called Millennial Dawn, a Biblical studies course. After which, the name of the study series was later changed to Studies in the Scriptures. Later, there was a seventh volume published and included in future printings of the series.
A pastor by the name of Rutherford took over the movement when Russell passed on. Still, even with a new leader, the organization faced a crisis. For, Russell was a beloved leader whom many found hard to replace. As a result, a number of other individuals left the group and began starting small individual religious organizations in which different policies and procedures were implemented.
In most cases, the excuses provided were based on the development of the several smaller groups. While those whom had separated from the group created individual groups, two of which were the Pastoral Bible Institute and the Laymen's Home Missionary Movement. Regardless, the beliefs of each group remained similar in nature to those whom had began a walk of faith with Pastor Russell.
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