Jehovah’s Witnesses were originally members of Charles Russell’s Bible Student Movement. It was in 1931, under the leadership of Joseph Rutherford, who had seized control of the movement, that they became Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Isaiah 43:10 is the organisation’s apologetic for being Witnesses of Jehovah:
“You are my witnesses,’ declares Jehovah, ‘Yes, my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and have faith in me…’
On the face of it that seems reasonable enough. However, the Watch Tower Society is a Restorationist as well as an Adventist movement and claim to have restored Jehovah’s Organisation of the 1st Century. While they emphasise how the early church was organised, they seem to have misunderstood what they were organised to do. In the above linked article, they write:
‘Jesus made God’s name known. In prayer to his heavenly Father, Jesus said: “I have made your name known.” (John 17:26) In line with Jesus’ example, Jehovah’s organization does everything possible to help others come to know God’s name.’
Is this what the early church did? To whose name did they give a witness?
In the New Testament all four gospels are witnesses of Jesus:
‘The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ…’ Mt.1:1
‘The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ…’ Mk.1:1
‘In the first book, O Theophilus, I dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach…’ Acts 1:1 (Luke’s gospel is about Jesus)
In the beginning was the Word (Jesus)…’ John 1:1
About one-third of the synoptic gospels, and 43% of John’s gospel, is about Jesus’ last week. This is an indication of where our focus should be as Christian believers.
Acts is a history of the early church. It begins by telling that, at the ascension, Jesus instructs his followers, ‘You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.’ Acts1:8
Peter, at Pentecost, urged people to, ‘Repent and be baptised...in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins.’ (Acts 2:38)
Peter and John, before the Jewish council, are warned ‘not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.’ (Acts 4:8)
At his death Stephen prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ (Acts 7:59)
Paul was converted to Christ and went on to preach Christ in all the synagogues (Acts 9)
Peter, declaring the gospel had come to the Gentiles, says of Jesus, ‘he is Lord of all.’ He goes on to proclaim, ‘everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.’ (Acts 10:34-43)
Paul describes himself as:
‘a servant of Jesus Christ.’ Ro.1:1
‘an apostle of Jesus Christ.’ 1 Cor.1:1
‘An apostle of Christ Jesus’ 2 Cor.1:1
John’s vision in Revelation is a vision and testimony of Jesus.
Going back to the beginning, John the Baptists prepared the way for Jesus, and testified about him. Indeed, even Jehovah is a witness of Jesus:
‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.’ Mt.3:17
These examples can be multiplied so many times. It is simply a question of reading your Bible.
It seems that the Watch Tower Society is organised for entirely the wrong purpose. Surely, like those first disciples, their calling should be as witnesses of Jesus Christ.
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