JWs: From Bible Students to Slaves
Under founder Charles Taze Russell, “International Bible Students” were somewhat anti-organizational, centered on personal study of the Bible. Watchtower, Sept. 15, 1895, p. 216. Beware of ‘organization.’ It is wholly unnecessary. The Bible rules will be the only rules you will need. Do not seek to bind others’ consciences, and do not permit others to bind yours. Believe and obey so far as you can understand God’s Word today. A couple of years after Russell’s death, that view was already…