Are the Bible Students a formal group like any other religion? Who started the Bible Students? Was it Rutherford before he became a JW? (I am not sure of the spelling) Some say yes in our group and some say no. Myself I never heard of Mr Rutherford.

By the way this forum is a great Bile Study resource.

Rhody Blue: Your question Who started the Bible Students? will surely lead you to a wealth of information that may prove to be helpful to you if you pursue your interest further. I'm going to point you to one area to consider.

WILLIAM MILLER AND THE "MILLERITE MOVEMENT" AS many of our readers know William Miller and the movement begun by him received much public attention a little over a century ago. Though he did not understand many features of Truth as clearly as we do today (because much of it was then not yet due to be understood), we believe that he was one of the members of the seven stars of Rev. 1: 16, 20, held by Jesus in His right hand (specially assisted, supported, empowered and controlled by Him), to bear the light of advancing Truth as due to the Church in his day. While we are not Seventh Day Adventists, we believe that Miller, more than any other reformer in Christendom, emphasized (1) prophetic chronology, (2) Christ's Second Advent and (3) the saints' Millennial reign with Christ. His great emphasis on prophetic chronology drew many to his movement, and it was the main target of his opponents' arrows.

The above is taken from the article concerning William Miller and can be found on PAGES 89-96 in THE BIBLE STANDARD AND HERALD OF CHRIST'S KINGDOM, December, 1956 WHOLE # 249. If you would like a greater understanding of William Miller's role in the bible Student movement you might be able to obtain a copy of this publication if it is still available

To find out if you may be able to order a copy of this issue try going to: www.biblestandard.com or by writing to:

The Bible Standard Ministry
1156 Saint Matthews Road
Chester Springs PA 19425-2700

The last time I inquired I was assured that the Bible Standard Ministry continues in their practice of furnishing copies of The Bible Standard and Present Truth magazines free upon request request to any who so desire.

You can obtain more helpful information as found in the third volume of Studies in The Scriptures "The Kingdom Come" pages 84-94 and 115-120. If you do not have this book it too can be ordered from the Bible Standard Ministry.

I trust this is of help to you.

Bro. Harold

http://pastorrussell.blogspot.com/2009/03/small-beginnings-1879-1889.html

http://pastorrussell.blogspot.com/2009/04/pastor-russell-and-william-miller.html

http://pastorrussell.blogspot.com/2009/03/warning-work-1909-1914.html

http://pastorrussell.blogspot.com/2009/01/bible-house.html

Rhody Blue. As a follow-up, you can also read volume 3 of Studies in The Scriptures online. Just go to http://www.mostholyfaith.com/bible/volumes/index.asp#vol3

Bro. Harold

Once again I thank you all. I guess that I have much reading to do

The original separation in the WTBTS came in 1917 and Rutherford took control of the greater part which later became known as Jehovah's Witnesses in 1931. Of course, much of what Pastor Russell had formerly taught has quietly slipped away from them.

The separated group of about 10,000 brethren elected a committee called the PBI committee of seven brothers and asked for them to come up with a recommendation as to what they should do now. There was a convention held in Pittsburg and they felt for a consensus. There was a further division though, as one part of the group wanted to operate under a charter with a set of bylaws. The other group opted out of that and the LHMM was formed. The former group became formerly known as the PBI (Pastoral Bible Institute)

Both of these groups still function. The associated Bible Students more or less came from this PBI group also... the Bible STudents Committee; The Elijah Voice Society; The Standfasters; The Old Pathites; were other early groups... and additionaly there were more informal groups who did not organize in the same ways as the other groups, but each followed a leader that was formerly a pilgrim of Pastor Russell (except for one of them)... under Bro's Ritchie, Sturgeon; Olson and others.

Some of these groups have a Board... some operate more loosely...