| "great tribulation." They are diligent to teach people through free Bible studies in their homes, making disciples of and baptizing those who are desirous of salvation into God's new world. Witnesses accept the Bible as the infallible word of Jehovah. The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, initially released between 1950 and 1960, is generally used. The two periodicals of the Society, The Watchtower and Awake serve both as a means of keeping Witnesses abreast of the understanding of the Scriptures and as a way of sharing the good news of Jehovah's Kingdom. PRACTICES AND BEHAVIORAL STANDARDS: No specific set of ethical practices is prescribed by Jehovah's Witnesses, but it is expected that all will live by Bible principles and seek to further understand the will of the Most High God through continued study. Witnesses are advised to use discretion in selecting movies or television shows. They are to spurn immorality, loose conduct, drugs, smoking and drunkenness, and profane speech, since these are condemned in the Bible. Those who willfully violate the moral laws of Jehovah as set forth in the Bible may be disfellowshipped, if they do not respond when given reproof from the Bible. Jehovah's Witnesses regularly fellowship socially with other Witnesses, sharing meals and suitable entertainment together. Celebrations which originated in pagan traditions, including Christmas, Easter, Halloween and family birthdays, are not observed. Witnesses believe all worldly governments are temporarily permitted by God and merit respect. As servants of the Most High God and "ambassadors" representing God's heavenly government or Kingdom, they will not participate in politics or elections and do not serve in the military. (Corinthians:20;10:3, 4) They respect the flag, but do not salute it, since they believe this would be idolatry. They do not accept non-war related service which may be required as a substitute for military duty. Each Witness devotes time to spreading the Word of Jehovah and the teachings of the Bible. Witnesses who spend 90 or more hours each month on this task are called "pioneers." Special pioneers, who are sent to isolated areas and foreign countries, give a minimum of 140 hours per month. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE: Jehovah's Witnesses are organized into 93 branches (1990) around the world, each of which generally includes one entire nation. Branches are composed of districts, districts of circuits, circuits of congregations. In 1990 the United States had 37 districts and 430 circuits. Each circuit includes approximately 22 congregations. Congregations are governed by a body of elders appointed by the Governing Body in Brooklyn, New York. These local ministers (elders) serve without pay. Those who are members of the headquarters staff in New York or work at any of the branch offices of the Watch tower Society receive their food and lodging and serve as volunteer workers without pay. Overseas missionaries are specifically trained at the Watch Tower Bible School of Gilead before being sent to their assignments. NATURE AND ROLE OF MINISTERIAL LEADERSHIP: All trained, baptized and fully committed Witnesses, men and women, share in giving Bible instruction, and are called "brother" or "sister" (the titles Reverend and Father are not used). Baptized men who meet the proper spiritual qualifications serve either as elders or ministerial servants. The elders conduct the weekly meetings at the Kingdom Hall, deliver public lectures, and provide spiritual assistance to all in the congregation. Ministerial servants assist the elders, and provide a variety of practical services in behalf of those in the congregation. Women do not baptize, deliver public lectures, or direct men. Men, women and children receive spiritual training at weekly meetings at a Kingdom Hall, and study the Bible and Watch Tower literature at home. WORSHIP: Congregational elders appointed from the Society's headquarters in Brooklyn, New York, conduct worship services. All members of the congregation are encouraged to attend weekly meetings. Before becoming a Witness, one must study the Bible and learn Christian ways of living. Each member is expected to attend several weekly meetings designed for preparation of effective home missions. Meetings begin and end with song and prayer. The annual Lord's Evening Meal, a communion service celebrated on the date of Jesus' death, Nisan 14 (usually in late March or in April), is the only celebration. The majority in attendance celebrate by their presence, and not necessarily by partaking of the bread and wine. Minimum "equipment" for worship is a Bible generally the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures. Facilities for worship include the local Kingdom Hall, which serves both as place of worship and educational center. DIETARY STANDARDS: The Witnesses believe in moderation in eating and drinking habits. This includes the moderate use of alcoholic beverages. Consuming of blood and unbled meat is prohibited. FUNERAL AND BURIAL PRACTICES: No rituals are performed at time of death, and a minister is not required at such time. An elder usually gives Scriptural comfort to relatives and friends of the deceased at a funeral or Memorial service. Bodily mutilation for research purposes is discouraged. MEDICAL PRACTICES: Witnesses welcome most medical treatment, while maintaining the right of choice, and appreciate the services of skilled doctors. In obedience to God's law (Acts 15:28, 29), they abstain from blood transfusions. OTHER CONSIDERATIONS: Witnesses decline to serve in the military of all nations, but do not oppose those who do. As "neutrals," Witnesses do not join in any wars of the nations. Witnesses do not "recruit" for other members. They do make door to door home visits to spread their message and to assist people in understanding the Bible. Persons interested in Jehovah's Witnesses are offered a warm community which can provide comfort and security in a rapidly changing and deteriorating society. Educational programs and organizational structures are designed to fulfill this purpose. Witnesses find security and fellowship in their congregational association and learn to treasure their membership in their congregation above anything offered by the secular world or other religions. SOME ACCEPTABLE GENERAL SOURCE BOOKS: Jehovah's Witnesses in the Twentieth Century. Brooklyn, NY: Watch tower Bible and Tract Society, 1979. 32pp. Jehovah's Witnesses Unitedly Doing God's Will Worldwide. Brooklyn, NY: Watch tower Bible and Tract Society, 1986. 32pp. You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth. Brooklyn, NY: Watch tower Bible and Tract Society, 1982. 255pp. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Watch Tower Writing Correspondence 25 Columbia Heights Brooklyn, NY 11201 (718) 625-3600 |
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| Black Rose Spiritual Center, Inc : Belief Systems |
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| The Jahovah's Witnesses |
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| ADDRESS: 25 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn, NY 11201 OTHER NAMES: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society CURRENT LEADER: Frederick W. Franz, President MEMBERSHIP: 4,017,213 (1990) active ministers in 212 lands HISTORICAL ROOTS: The original Bible study group was founded in the 1870s by Charles Taze Russell, a Christian minister from Pennsylvania. Mr. Russell incorporated in Pennsylvania Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society in 1884. This was renamed the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. The Bible House in Pittsburgh served as headquarters from 1889 through 1908. In 1909 with the incorporation of the People's Pulpit Association (New York), later renamed the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., the headquarters moved to New York and established in Brooklyn the Bethel Home and the Brooklyn Tabernacle. A third corporation, the International Bible Students Association, was established in England in 1914. After Russell's death in 1916, Judge Joseph Franklin Rutherford was elected President of the corporations. In 1931, the Scriptural name "Jehovah's Witnesses" was adopted. In 1942, when Rutherford died, Nathan Homer Knorr was elected as President of the three corporations. At his death in 1977, Frederick W. Franz became President. BASIC BELIEFS: Jehovah's Witnesses believe that the Holy Bible is the inspired Word of God, and they follow its counsel closely in living clean, meaningful lives, both individually and as families. They believe in the one God, Jehovah, and that he sent his firstborn Son, Jesus Christ, to earth to ransom sinful mankind from death and to restore peace and happiness to mankind through the promised Kingdom. The turmoil in the earth since 1914 is the fulfillment of the "sign" Jesus gave to his disciples that the heavenly Kingdom would begin functioning. (Matthew, chapter 24) Jesus said that within the lifetime of that generation, the wicked would be destroyed during what Jesus called the "great tribulation" which will be climaxed by God's war of Armageddon. (Matthew 24:21,34) The survivors and resurrected dead will then enjoy peace on earth under the heavenly rule of Christ and his 144,000 joint heirs. During this promised Thousand Year Reign Paradise will be restored earth wide. On surviving a final test at the conclusion of this Thousand Year Reign, perfected mankind will enter an eternity of joyful life under the loving sovereignty of their God, Jehovah. Witnesses believe that they must zealously warn the people that Satan's domination of mankind must end shortly in the |
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