List of Watch Tower Society publications

Last updated

The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society produces religious literature primarily for use by Jehovah's Witnesses. The organization's international writing, artwork, translation, and printery workforce are all baptized Jehovah's Witnesses. Since 2001, the literature produced by the Watch Tower Society is said to have been "published by Jehovah's Witnesses". Prior to 1931, the Watch Tower Society produced literature for the Bible Student movement.

Contents

Unbulleted publications are generally out of print and considered obsolete. Indented publications are superseded by more recent publications. Some publications are out of print but are still officially available in PDF format, as indicated.

Bible translations

New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (students' edition) (1963)
New World Translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, Volume I (Genesis to Ruth) (1953)
New World Translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, Volume II (1 Samuel to Esther) (1955)
New World Translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, Volume III (Job to Song of Solomon) (1957)
New World Translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, Volume IV (Isaiah to Lamentations) (1958)
New World Translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, Volume V (Ezekiel to Malachi) (1960)
New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures (1950, revised 1951)

The Watch Tower Society also acquired publishing rights for the following Bible translations:

The Emphatic Diaglott (1902, 1926)
Holman Linear Parallel Edition (1902, parallel King James Version and Revised Version , with Watch Tower Society appendices) [2]
Joseph B. Rotherham's New Testament Critically Emphasised , Second Edition (1890)

Books

Reference works

Watch Tower Publications Index 1930-1985 (1986, revised 1990, 1994)
Index to Watch Tower reprints 1879-1919 (1922)
Watch Tower Index 1895-1899 (1900)
Aid to Bible Understanding (1971)
Aid to Bible Understanding (A–Exodus) (1969)
Reasoning from the Scriptures (1985, revised 1989)
"Make Sure of All Things; Hold Fast to What is Fine" (1965)
"Make Sure of All Things" (1953, revised 1957)
Comprehensive Concordance of the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (1973)
"All Scripture Is Inspired of God and Beneficial" (1963, revised 1983, 1990)
"Equipped for Every Good Work" (1946)

For daily use

Daily Heavenly Manna for the Household of Faith (1905, revised 1907 as Daily Heavenly Manna and Birthday Record)
Calendar of Jehovah's Witnesses, annually 1983 to 2016

Yearbook

Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses, annually from 1940 to 2017
Year Book of Jehovah's Witnesses, annually from 1934 to 1939
Year Book of the International Bible Students Association, 1922, 1925, annually from 1927 to 1933

For use in formal Bible studies

Primary study aids

These publications are intended to convert interested individuals. [3] [4]

  • Enjoy Life Forever!—An Interactive Bible Course (2021)
  • What Can the Bible Teach Us? (2015) (simplified version of What Does the Bible Really Teach?)
What Does the Bible Really Teach? (2005, revised 2014; out of print, available online)
Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life (1995, 1997, 2000)
You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth (1982, revised 1989) [5]
The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life (1968, revised 1981)
"Things in Which It Is Impossible for God to Lie" (1965) [6]
You May Survive Armageddon into God's New World (1955) [7]
"Let God Be True" (1946, revised 1952)
"The Truth Shall Make You Free" (1943) [8]
The Harp of God (1921) [9] [10]
Millions Now Living Will Never Die! (1920)
Studies in the Scriptures (1904, also issued as Millennial Dawn; revised 1909, 1915; 1917 addition of The Finished Mystery , revised 1923), 6 volumes by Charles Taze Russell:
The Divine Plan of the Ages (1886 as The Plan of the Ages, revised 1887, 1903, 1907, 1908, 1911, 1913)
The Time is at Hand (1888, revised 1889)
Thy Kingdom Come (1891)
The Battle of Armageddon (1897 as The Day of Vengeance, revised 1912)
The At-one-ment Between God and Man (1899, revised 1915)
The New Creation (1904)

Secondary study aids

Secondary aids are considered just before or shortly after baptism.

  • How to Remain in God's Love (2018, simplified version of "Keep Yourselves in God's Love")
  • "Keep Yourselves in God's Love" (2008, revised 2014)
Worship the Only True God (2002) [11]
United in Worship of the Only True God (1983)
"Let Your Kingdom Come" (1981) [12]
Life Everlasting—in Freedom of the Sons of God (1966) [6]
"This Means Everlasting Life" (1950)

Supplementary study aids

  • "Come Be My Follower" (2007, revised 2023; out of print, available online)
  • Draw Close to Jehovah (2002, revised 2014, 2022; out of print, available online)
The Bible—God's Word or Man's? (1989), intended to convince that the Bible is reliable
Is the Bible Really the Word of God? (1969)
True Peace and Security—How Can You Find It? (1986)
True Peace and Security—From What Source? (1973)

About other religions

Mankind's Search for God (1990), a review of major religions
What Has Religion Done for Mankind? (1951)

Bible commentaries

Old Testament

  • Pure Worship of Jehovah—Restored At Last! (2018, revised 2019), commentary on Ezekiel
"The Nations Shall Know That I Am Jehovah"—How? (1971)
Vindication, 3 volumes (1931–1933)
  • God's Word for Us Through Jeremiah (2010; out of print, available online), commentary on Jeremiah
  • Live With Jehovah's Day in Mind (2006; out of print, available online), commentary on the twelve minor prophets ( Hosea through Malachi )
Paradise Restored To Mankind—By Theocracy! (1972), commentary on Haggai and Zechariah
Religion (1940), commentary on Joel
Preparation (1933), commentary on Zechariah
Isaiah's Prophecy—Light for All Mankind, 2 volumes (vol. 1: 2000; vol. 2: 2001), verse-by-verse commentary on Isaiah
Worldwide Security Under the "Prince of Peace" (1986)
Man's Salvation Out of World Distress at Hand! (1975)
"New Heavens and a New Earth" (1953)
Pay Attention to Daniel's Prophecy! (1999, revised 2006 [13] ), verse-by-verse commentary on Daniel
Our Incoming World Government—God's Kingdom (1977)
"Your Will Be Done on Earth" (1958)
The New World (1942), commentary on Job
Life (1929)
Preservation (1932), commentary on Ruth and Esther

New Testament

  • Jesus—The Way, the Truth, the Life (2015), narrative of the Gospels ( Matthew , Mark , Luke , John )
  • The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived (1991; out of print, available online)
  • "Bearing Thorough Witness" About God's Kingdom (2009, revised 2022; available online), commentary on Acts of the Apostles
Revelation—Its Grand Climax at Hand! (1988, revised 2006), verse-by-verse commentary on Revelation
"Then Is Finished the Mystery of God" (1969) (Revelation chapters 1–13)
"Babylon the Great Has Fallen!" God's Kingdom Rules! (1963) (Revelation chapters 14–22)
Light (two volumes) (1930)
The Finished Mystery (1917)
Choosing the Best Way of Life (1979), commentary on First and Second Peter
Commentary on the Letter of James (1979), verse-by-verse commentary on James

History of Jehovah's Witnesses

Jehovah's Witnesses--Proclaimers of God's Kingdom (1993) in Spanish Los testigos de Jehova, proclamadores del Reino de Dios.JPG
Jehovah's Witnesses—Proclaimers of God's Kingdom (1993) in Spanish
Jehovah's Witnesses—Proclaimers of God's Kingdom (1993)
Jehovah's Witnesses in theDivine Purpose (1959)

For evangelism training

Theocratic Ministry School Guidebook (1971, revised 1992)
Kingdom Ministry School Course (1960, revised 1972)
Qualified to Be Ministers (1955, revised 1967)
Theocratic Aid to Kingdom Publishers (1945)
Course in Theocratic Ministry (1943)

For children and young people

Your Youth—Getting the Best Out of It (1976)
Listening to the Great Teacher (1971)
From Paradise Lost to Paradise Regained (1958)
Children (1941)
The Way to Paradise (1924)

For families

Making Your Family Life Happy (1978)

Evolution vs creation

Is There a Creator Who Cares About You? (1998)
Life—How Did It Get Here? By Evolution or by Creation? (1985, revised 2006)
Did Man Get Here by Evolution or by Creation? (1967)
Creation (1927) in Greek Creation 1927 in Greek.jpg
Creation (1927) in Greek
Creation (1927)
Scenario of the Photo-Drama of Creation (1914), accompanying The Photo-Drama of Creation
Scenario of the Photo-Drama of Creation (1914), 3 volumes accompanying the Eureka Drama

For specific roles

Baptismal candidates

  • Organized to Do Jehovah's Will (2005, revised 2015, 2019)
Organized to Accomplish Our Ministry (1983, revised 1989)
Organization for Kingdom-Preaching and Disciple-Making (1972)
"Your Word Is a Lamp to My Foot" (1967)

Elders

  • "Shepherd the Flock of God"—1 Peter 5:2 (2010, revised 2012 and biannually since 2019)
    "Pay Attention to Yourselves and to All the Flock" (1991) in Polish Zwazajcie.jpg
    "Pay Attention to Yourselves and to All the Flock" (1991) in Polish
"Pay Attention to Yourselves and to All the Flock" (1991)
  • Index to Letters

Branch office staff

  • Branch Organization (revised 2003), for branch overseers
  • "Dwelling Together in Unity" (1952, revised 1974, 1982, 1989, 1996, 2004)
  • Standards Manual (2005), for proofreaders
  • Writing for Our Journals, for writers

Other

  • Memorandum for Regional Building Committees, for Regional Building Committee members
  • Working Together Safely—Safety Rules and Standards for Volunteer Projects, for Regional Building Committee volunteers
  • District Convention Operations (1997), for Convention Committee members
  • "Fully Accomplish Your Ministry"—2 Timothy 4:5 (2014, revised 2022, 2023), for attendees of the pioneer service school
Shining as Illuminators in the World (1977, [14] revised 1989, 2004)
Direct and Cross Examination Questions in Child Custody Cases (1987)
"Defending and Legally Establishing the Good News" (1950)

For medical practitioners

Other out-of-print books

Magazines

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ's Presence, October 15, 1931 Watchtower 1931.10.15.jpg
The Watchtower and Herald of Christ's Presence, October 15, 1931
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom (public edition) (four-monthly as of 2018)
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom (public edition) (every two months as of 2016)
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom (public edition) (reduced from 32 pages to 16 pages as of 2013)
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom (public edition) (monthly as of 2008)
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom (four-color edition as of 1986)
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom (title change, March 1, 1939)
The Watchtower and Herald of Christ's Kingdom (title change, 1939)
The Watchtower and Herald of Christ's Presence (title change, October 15, 1931)
The Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence (title and cover change, 1909)
Zion's Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence (semi-monthly as of 1892)
Zion's Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence (monthly, July 1879)
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom (simplified study edition) (July 15, 2011 – December 15, 2018)
Awake! (four-monthly as of 2018)
Awake! (every two months as of 2016)
Awake! (reduced from 32 pages to 16 pages as of 2013)
Awake! (monthly as of 2006)
Awake! (four-color edition as of 1987)
Awake! (title change, semi-monthly, August 22, 1946)
Consolation (title change, October 6, 1937 to July 31, 1946)
The Golden Age ("every other Wednesday", October 1, 1919 to September 22, 1937)

Other magazines

Jehovas Jugend (Jehovah's Youth, 1933–1936, Switzerland)
"Thy Word Is Truth" (1943, Canada)

Newsletter

Our Kingdom Ministry (title change, 1982)
Our Kingdom Service (title change, 1976)
Kingdom Ministry (title change, September 1956)
Informant (title change, July 1936)
Director for Field Publishers (title change, October 1935)
Bulletin for Jehovah's Witnesses (title change, 1931)
Watch Tower Bulletin (title change, 1930)
Bulletin (title change, 1919)
Suggestions from Colporteurs (title change, 1918)
Suggestive Hints to New Colporteurs (title change, 1914)
Suggestive Hints to Colporteurs (1896 to 1913)
Public Meeting Campaign (1945 to 1946)
Instructions for Car Drivers (1933)
Outline for Transcription Meetings (1933)
Your Work With Transcription Machines (1933)
Bearing Testimony (1932)
To Whom the Work Is Entrusted (1919)

Music

Songbooks

Sing to Jehovah—New Songs (2014–2016; 19 songs added)
Sing to Jehovah (2009; 135 Kingdom songs)
Sing Praises to Jehovah (1984; 225 Kingdom songs)
"Singing and Accompanying Yourselves With Music in Your Hearts" (1966; 119 songs)
Songs to Jehovah's Praise (1950; 91 songs)
Kingdom Service Song Book (1944; 62 songs)
Songs of Praise to Jehovah (1928; 337 songs; a mixture of Bible Students' compositions and older hymns)
Kingdom Hymns (1926; 80 songs, with music, especially for children)
Hymns of the Millennial Dawn (1906; 333 songs published in 1890, with music added)
Zion's Glad Songs (1900; 82 songs, many written by one Bible Student, to supplement the earlier collection)
Zion's Glad Songs of the Morning (1896; published as the "Watch Tower" of February 1, lyrics for 11 songs, with music)
Poems and Hymns of Millennial Dawn (1890, revised and reissued as Poems of Dawn 1912, revised 1915; 151 poems and 333 hymns, published without music; most were the works of well-known writers)
Songs of the Bride (1879; 144 hymns)

Recordings

Sing to JehovahOrchestral Accompaniment (MP3)
Sing to Jehovah—New SongsOrchestral Accompaniment (MP3)
Sing to JehovahPiano Accompaniment (CD, MP3 and AAC)
Sing Praises to Jehovah (piano accompaniment, CD in MP3 format)
Sing Praises to Jehovah (piano accompaniment, CD in digital audio format)
Sing Praises to Jehovah (piano accompaniment, audiocassette)
Sing Praises to Jehovah (piano accompaniment, phonograph)
"Singing and Accompanying Yourselves With Music in Your Hearts" (orchestral accompaniment, audiocassette)
"Singing and Accompanying Yourselves With Music in Your Hearts" (orchestral accompaniment, phonograph)
Become Jehovah’s Friend—Sing With Us (MP3)
Sing to JehovahChorus (MP3)
Sing to JehovahVocal Renditions, Discs 1–6 (CD, MP3 and AAC)
Singing Kingdom Songs (audiocassette and CD)
Kingdom Melodies, Volumes 1–6, 9 (MP3 and AAC)
Kingdom Melodies, Volumes 1–9 (CD in MP3 format)
Kingdom Melodies, Volumes 1–9 (CD in digital audio format)
Kingdom Melodies, Volumes 1–9 (audiocassette)

Originals

Brochures

The brochures of Jehovah's Witnesses are used for both preaching and study. Some titles are intended specifically for Bible study courses, for study of a specific subject, or for reference.

Evolution vs creation

Evolution Versus the New World (1950)
The Photo-Drama of Creation (1914, four parts)

For study and preaching

What Does God Require of Us? (1996)
Jehovah's Witnesses—Who Are They? What Do They Believe? (2000)
Jehovah's Witnesses—Unitedly Doing God's Will Worldwide (1986)
Jehovah's Witnesses in the Twentieth Century (1978, revised 1979, 1989)
Enjoy Life on Earth Forever! (1982)
"Look! I Am Making All Things New!" (1959, revised 1970, 1986)
The Guidance of God—Our Way to Paradise (1999), designed for Muslims
Keep on the Watch! (2004)
What Happens to Us When We Die? (1998)
When Someone You Love Dies (1994, revised 2000, 2005)
Why Should We Worship God in Love and Truth? (1993), designed for Hindus
What Is the Purpose of Life? How You Can Find It? (1993)
Does God Really Care About Us? (1992, revised 2001)
Unseen Spirits—Do They Help Us? Or Do They Harm Us? (1978), intended for followers of spiritism or tribal religion
How Can Blood Save Your Life? (1990)
Should You Believe in the Trinity (1989)
The Government That Will Bring Paradise (1985, revised 1993)
The Divine Name That Will Endure Forever (1984)

For members

Charitable Planning to Benefit Kingdom Service Worldwide (2000, revised 2004, 2010)
Planned Giving to Benefit Kingdom Service Worldwide (1994)
"See the Good Land" (2003), maps and photos of the "Promised Land"
School and Jehovah's Witnesses (1983)

Booklets

Elementary Bible Teachings (1995)
How to Improve Your Speaking and Teaching Ability (1995)
How to Start and Continue Bible Discussions (1991)
Good News for People of All Nations (2004), a basic Bible message in many languages. [16]
Good News For All Nations (1983)
The Crisis (1933) La crise- 1933.jpg
The Crisis (1933)

Victory Over Death (1986), intended for Hindus
From Kurukshetra to Armageddon—and Your Survival (1983), intended for Hindus
In Search of a Father (1983), intended for Buddhists
The Time for True Submission to God (1983), intended for Muslims
The Path of Divine Truth Leading to Liberation (1980), intended for Hindus
Bible Topics for Discussion (1977), included in reduced format as a NWT appendix from 1981
Jehovah's Witnesses and the Question of Blood (1977)
Questions People Are Asking About Jehovah's Witnesses (1976), French
A Secure Future—How You Can Find It (1975)
Is There a God Who Cares? (1975)
One World, One Government, Under God's Sovereignty (1975)
There Is Much More to Life! (1975)
Human Plans Failing as God's Purpose Succeeds (1974)
Divine Victory—Its Meaning for Distressed Humanity (1973)
Divine Rulership—The Only Hope of All Mankind (1972)
When All Nations Collide, Head On, With God (1971)
Saving the Human Race—In the Kingdom Way (1970)
The Approaching Peace of a Thousand Years (1969)
Man's Rule About to Give Way to God's Rule (1968)
Learn to Read and Write (English) (1967)
Rescuing a Great Crowd of Mankind out of Armageddon (1967)
Why Does God Permit Wickedness? (1967), Hebrew
What Has God's Kingdom Been Doing Since 1914? (1966)
World Government on the Shoulder of the Prince of Peace (1965)
Finding the Truth That Makes Men Free (1964), Vietnamese
"Peace Among Men of Good Will" or Armageddon—Which? (1964)
Living in Hope of a Righteous New World (1963)
When God Is King Over All the Earth (1963)
Take Courage—God's Kingdom Is at Hand! (1962)
"The Word"—Who Is He? According to John (1962)
Blood, Medicine and the Law of God (1961)
Sermon Outlines (1961)
When All Nations Unite Under God's Kingdom (1961)
Security During "War of the Great Day of God the Almighty" (1960)
When God Speaks Peace to All Nations (1959)
God's Kingdom Rules—Is the World's End Near? (1958)
Learn to Read and Write (Spanish) (1958)
Healing of the Nations Has Drawn Near (1957)
Christendom or Christianity—Which One Is "the Light of the World"? (1955)
What Do the Scriptures Say About "Survival After Death"? (1955)
World Conquest Soon—By God's Kingdom (1955)
Theocratic Reading Aid for Jehovah's Witnesses (1954), Cinyanja
"This Good News of the Kingdom" (1954, revised 1965)
After Armageddon—God's New World (1953)
Basis for Belief in a New World (1953)
"Preach the Word" (1953)
God's Way Is Love (1952)
Will Religion Meet the World Crisis? (1951)
Can You Live Forever in Happiness on Earth? (1950)
The Kingdom Hope of All Mankind (1949)
Permanent Governor of All Nations (1948)
The Watchtower Story (1948)
The Joy of All the People (1947)
"Be Glad, Ye Nations" (1946)
"The Prince of Peace" (1946)
The "Commander to the Peoples" (1945)
'The Meek Inherit the Earth' (1945)
One World, One Government (1944)
Religion Reaps the Whirlwind (1944)
The Coming World Regeneration (1944)
"The Kingdom of God Is Nigh" (1944)
Fighting for Liberty on the Home Front (1943)
Freedom in the New World (1943)
Freedom of Worship (1943)
Presenting "This Gospel of the Kingdom" (1943)
Will You Judge Between Us? (1943), Denmark
Hope—For the Dead—For the Survivors—In a Righteous World (1942)
Jehovah's Witnesses: Who Are They? What Is Their Work? (1942), Zimbabwe
Peace—Can It Last? (1942)
Comfort All That Mourn (1941)
God and the State (1941)
Jehovah's Servants Defended (1941)
Jehovah's Witnesses: Who Are They? What Is Their Work? (1941), South Africa
Model Study No. 3 (1941)
Theocracy (1941)
Why Suppress the Kingdom Message? (1941), South Africa
Conspiracy Against Democracy (1940)
End of Nazism (1940)
Judge Rutherford Uncovers Fifth Column (1940)
Refugees (1940)
Satisfied (1940)
Advice for Kingdom Publishers (1939)
Fascism or Freedom (1939)
Government and Peace (1939)
Liberty to Preach (Moyle) (1939)
Model Study No. 2 (1939)
Neutrality (1939)
Cure (1938)
Face the Facts (1938)
Freedom or Romanism? (1938)
Warning (1938)
Armageddon (1937)
Introducing the Kingdom Message in Your Language (1937)
Model Study No. 1 (1937)
Protection (1937)
Safety (1937)
Uncovered (1937)
Choosing, Riches or Ruin—Which Is Your Choice? (1936)
Favored People (1935)
Government—Hiding the Truth, Why? (1935)
His Vengeance (1935)
Loyalty (1935)
Supremacy (1935)
Universal War Near (1935)
Who Shall Rule the World? (1935)
Angels (1934)
Beyond the Grave (1934)
Dividing the People (1934)
His Works (1934)
Intolerance (1934)
Righteous Ruler (1934)
Truth—Shall It Be Suppressed or Will Congress Protect the People's Rights? (1934)
Why Pray for Prosperity? (1934)
World Recovery? (1934)
Escape to the Kingdom (1933)
The Crisis (1933)
Cause of Death (1932)
Good News (1932)
Health and Life (1932)
Hereafter (1932)
Home and Happiness (1932)
Keys of Heaven (1932)
Liberty (1932)
The Final War (1932)
What Is Truth? (1932)
What You Need (1932)
Who Is God? (1932)
A Testimony (1931, revised 1934)
Heaven and Purgatory (1931)
The Kingdom, the Hope of the World (1931, revised 1932)
Crimes and Calamities. The Cause. The Remedy (1930)
Prohibition (and the) League of Nations—Born of God or the Devil, Which? The Bible Proof (1930)
War or Peace, Which? (1930)
Judgment (1929)
Liberty to Preach (Rutherford) (1929)
Oppression, When Will It End? (1929)
Prosperity Sure (1928)
The Last Days (1928)
The Peoples Friend (1928)
Freedom for the Peoples (1927)
Questions on Deliverance (1927)
Restoration (1927)
Where Are the Dead? (1927, revised 1932)
The Standard for the People (1926)
Comfort for the People (1925)
Our Lord's Return (1925)
A Desirable Government (1924)
Hell—What Is It? Who Are There? Can They Get Out? (1924)
World Distress—Why? The Remedy (1923)
The Bible on Hell (1921)
The Bible on Our Lord's Return (1921)
Can the Living Talk With the Dead? (1920)
Talking With the Dead? (1920)
Berean Studies on the New Creation (1914)
In the Garden of the Lord (1913)

Jewish Hopes (1910)
Sweet Brier Rose (1909)
Berean Questions on Tabernacle Shadows of the Better Sacrifices (1909)

Sweet Brier Rose (1909)

The Wonderful Story of God's Love (1908)

Instructor's Guide and Berean Index (1907)
Outlines of the Divine Plan of the Ages—Three Discourses on the Chart of the Ages (1896)
A Conspiracy Exposed and Harvest Siftings (1894)
Outlines of Sermons (1882)
The Tabernacle and Its Teachings (1882)
Food for Thinking Christians (1881)

Other brochures

Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia (2005 in Russian, revised 2008 also in English)

Mission to Africa (1997), French & English

"All Scripture"—Authentic and Beneficial (1995), Polish
How to Read and Write (1995), Nigeria
Jehovah's Witnesses in Austria (1995), German
Jehovah's Witnesses in Bulgaria (1995), Bulgarian
Your Neighbors, Jehovah's Witnesses—Who Are They? (1995, revised 1996), German
Apply Yourself to Reading and Writing (1994), Arabic
Jehovah's Witnesses in Greece (1993), English and Greek
Jehovah's Witnesses in Hungary (1993, revised 1996), Hungarian
Jehovah's Witnesses in the Czech Republic (1993), Czech
Our Problems—Who Will Help Us Solve Them? (1990), for Hindus
Centennial of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania (1984)
Apply Yourself to Reading and Writing (1983, revised 1988), French
Blood Transfusion—Why Not for Jehovah's Witnesses? (1977)
Jehovah's Witnesses (1966)
Kingdom Ministry School Course—Outline of Program and Notes (1966)
Manual of Theocratic News Service Information (1956)
Order of Trial (1939)
Christianity Is Not Free in Lagrange, Georgia (1937)
Christianity Is Not Free in the United States of America (1936)
Information by the Peoples Pulpit Association, To the Honorable Federal Communications Commission, Broadcasting Division (1934)
In Rebuttal—To the Honorable Federal Communications Commission, Broadcast Division (1934)
The Watchtower Radio Stations, WORD & WBBR (1925)
The Golden Age ABC (1920)
The Messenger of Laodicea (1919)
Harvest Siftings (1917, two parts)
Our Temple (1914)

Tracts

Watch Tower Tracts series (1881)

No. 1—Why Will There Be a Second Advent?
No. 2—(Title uncertain)
No. 3—(Title uncertain)
No. 4—Why Evil Was Permitted
No. 5—The Narrow Way to Life
No. 6—Albert Delmont Jones: A Call to "The Marriage Supper of the Lamb." The Hour of God's Judgment, and Consequent Fall of Babylon
No. 7—Work of Atonement—Tabernacle Types

The Old Theology series (1889–1908)

No. 1—Do the Scriptures Teach That Eternal Torment Is the Wages of Sin?—1889
No. 2—The Scripture Teaching on Calamities, and Why God Permits Them
No. 3—Protestants, Awake! The Spirit of the Great Reformation Dying. How Priestcraft Now Operates
No. 4—Dr. Talmage's View of the Millennium
No. 5—Friendly Hints on Bible Study and Students' Helps—1890
No. 6—The Scripture Teaching Concerning the World's Hope (The Hope of the Groaning Creation)
No. 7—The Wonderful Story of Wisdom, Love and Grace Divine (The Wonderful Story—The Old, Old Story)
No. 8—The Wonderful Story—Illustrated—1891
No. 9—(Swedish translation of No. 1)
No. 10—A Broad Basis for True Christian Union. Contend Earnestly for the Faith Once Delivered to the Saints
No. 11—The Tabernacle Shadows of the "Better Sacrifices"—1892
No. 12—The Divine Plan of the Ages for Human Salvation—Why Evil Was Permitted
No. 13—(Norwegian translation of No. 1)
No. 14—Bible Study and Needful Helps Thereto
No. 15—"Thy Word Is Truth"—An Answer to Robert Ingersoll's Charges Against Christianity
No. 16—(Same as No. 15 in booklet form)—1893
No. 17—The Scripture Teaching on Purgatory
No. 18—Did Christ Die as Man's Representative, or as His Substitute?
No. 19—(Norwegian translation of No. 14)
No. 20—(Swedish translation of No. 14)
No. 21—Do You Know?—1894
No. 22—(Same as No. 6)
No. 23—(German translation of No. 21)
No. 24—(Same as No. 5)
No. 25—The Only Name—A Criticism of Bishop Foster's New Gospel—1895
No. 26—(Swedish translation of No. 21)
No. 27—(Same as No. 14)
No. 28—Why Are Ye Last to Welcome Back the King?
No. 29—(Norwegian translation of No. 21)
No. 30—(German translation of No. 28)
No. 30—(Extra) Wait Thou Upon the Lord
No. 31—(Extra) A Helping Hand for Bible Students
No. 32—What Say the Scriptures About Hell?—1896
No. 33—(Dutch translation of No. 1)
No. 34—(German translation of No. 1)
No. 35—(Swedish translation of No. 28)
No. 35—(Extra) (French translation of No. 21)
No. 36—Awake! Jerusalem, Awake!—1897
No. 36—(Extra) (French translation of No. 22)
No. 37—"How Readest Thou?"
No. 38—The Hope of Immortality
No. 39—What Say the Scriptures About Spiritualism (Spiritism)?
No. 40—What Is the Soul?—1898
No. 41—Must We Abandon Hope of a Golden Age?
No. 42—Crosses True and False. Crucified With Christ
No. 43—The Bible Versus the Evolution Theory
No. 44—Gathering the Lord's Jewels—1899
No. 45—(Same as No. 8)
No. 46—The Good Shepherd and His Two Flocks
No. 47—(Swedish translation of No. 40)
No. 48—What Say the Scriptures About Our Lord's Return—His Parousia, Apokalupsis and Epiphania—1900
No. 49—Which Is the True Gospel?
No. 50—(German translation of No. 49)
No. 51—Heathendom's Hope Future, Therefore Wait Thou Upon the Lord
No. 52—Food for Thinking Christians—Our Lord's Return—Its Object, the Restitution of All Things Spoken—1901
No. 53—The Scriptures Clearly Teach the Old Theology That Death Is the Wages of Sin, and Not Eternal Torment
No. 54—(Same as No. 14)
No. 55—(Same as No. 32)
No. 56—Epistle to the Hebrews (Yiddish only)—1902
No. 57—The Scripture Teaching on Calamities and Why God Permits Them
No. 58—(Same as No. 17)
No. 59—The World's Hope
No. 60—Why Are Ye the Last to Welcome Back the King?—1903
No. 61—Protestants, Awake! (revised)
No. 62—(Same as No. 12)
No. 63—Christ's Death Secured One Probation or Trial for Life Everlasting to Every Man
No. 64—Criticisms of Millennial Hopes and Prospects Examined—1904
No. 65—(Same as No. 11)
No. 66—(Same as No. 21)
No. 67—(Dutch translation of No. 21)
No. 68—Increasing Influence of Spiritism—1905
No. 69—Study to Show Thyself Approved Unto God. Christendom in Grave Danger. Refrain Thy Voice From Weeping. Hope for the Innumerable Non-Elect
No. 70—Cheerful Christians. Divine Predestination in Respect to Mankind
No. 71—(Same as No. 15)
No. 72—To Hell and Back! Who Are There. The Great Prison House to be Destroyed. The Oath-Bound Covenant. Selling the Birthright—1906
No. 73—(Same as No. 57)
No. 74—Divine Plan of the Ages for Human Salvation
No. 75—Spiritism Is Demonism!
No. 76—Earthquakes in Prophecy. "Tongues of Fire." "In the Evil Day." Filthiness of Flesh and Spirit—1907
No. 77—God's Unspeakable Gift. What Would Satisfy Jesus for His Travail of Soul at Calvary?
No. 78—Physical Health Promoted by Righteousness
No. 79—The Lost Key of Knowledge. What Would Satisfy Jesus for His Travail of Soul at Calvary?
No. 80—Are You of the Hopeful or of the Hopeless? Seven Women Desire One Husband. The Millennial Morning Is Dawning! The Ransom Price Paid for Sinners Guarantees a Millennial Age of Restitution—1908
No. 81—Gathering the Lord's Jewels. The Hope of Immortality
No. 82—What Is the Soul?
No. 83—An Open Letter to a Seventh-Day Adventist

The Bible Students Monthly series (1913–1918)

The Fall of Babylon (monthly, special subtitle during 1917–1918) [17]
Everybody's Paper (monthly, 1911–1913)
People's Pulpit, February 1909 Peoples Pulpit, February 1909.jpg
People's Pulpit, February 1909
Peoples Pulpit (monthly, 1909–1911)

Kingdom News series

Tracts in the Kingdom News series have been published intermittently since 1918.

No. 1—Religious Intolerance—Pastor Russell's Followers Persecuted Because They Tell the People the Truth—Treatment of Bible Students Smacks of the 'Dark Ages'—1918
No. 2—"The Finished Mystery" and Why Suppressed—Clergymen Take a Hand—1918
No. 3—Two Great Battles Raging—Fall of Autocracy Certain—Satanic Strategy Doomed to Failure—The Birth of Antichrist—1918

No. 4—Attempt to Wreck Garden Assembly—The Facts—1939
No. 5—Can Religion Save the World From Disaster?—1939
No. 6—Time of Darkness—Isaiah 60:2—1940
No. 6—Which Will Give You Freedom? Religion or Christianity? (London)—1940
No. 7—Do You Condemn or Wink at Unspeakable Crimes?—1940
No. 7—Religionists Devise Mischief to Destroy Christians (London)—1940
No. 8—If the Bill Becomes Law—1941
No. 8—Jehovah's Mandate to His Servants; Witness Against Papal Rome, Nazism, Fascism—Enemies of Christianity (London)—1941
No. 9—Victories in Your Defense—1941
No. 9—Where Does the Church of Scotland Stand? (London)—1941
No. 10—Life in the New Earth Under New Heavens—1942
No. 11—The People Have a Right to Good News Now—1942
No. 12—The Last War Wins the Peace Eternal—1943
No. 13—Education for Life in the New World—1944
No. 14—Overcoming Fear of What Is Coming on the Earth—1944
No. 15—World Conspiracy Against the Truth—1946

No. 16—Is Time Running Out for Mankind?—1973
No. 17—Has Religion Betrayed God and Man?—1973
No. 18—Government by God, Are You for It—Or Against It?—1974
No. 19—Is This All There Is to Life?—1974
No. 20—Would You Welcome Some Good News?—1975
No. 21—Your Future—Shaky? Or ... Secure?—1975
No. 22—How Crime and Violence Will Be Stopped—1976
No. 23—Why So Much Suffering—If God Cares?—1976
No. 24—The Family—Can It Survive?—1977
No. 25—Why Are We Here?—1978
No. 26—Relief From Pressure—Is It Possible?—1978
No. 27—What Has Happened to Love?—1979
No. 28—Hope for Ending Inflation, Sickness, Crime, War?—1980
No. 29—Is a Happy Life Really Possible?—1981
No. 30—Is Planet Earth Near the Brink?—1981
No. 31—Are We Nearing Armageddon?—1982
No. 32—A United, Happy Family—What Is the Key?—1983
No. 33—Life—How Did It Get Here? By Evolution or by Creation?—1985

No. 34—Why Is Life So Full of Problems?—1995
No. 35—Will All People Ever Love One Another?—1997
No. 36—The New Millennium—What Does the Future Hold for You?—2000
No. 37—The End of False Religion Is Near!—2006
No. 38—Can the Dead Really Live Again? (Tract 35)—2013

Numbered series

No. 1—What Do Jehovah's Witnesses Believe?—1951
No. 2—Hell-Fire—Bible Truth or Pagan Scare?—1951
No. 3—Jehovah's Witnesses, Communists or Christians?—1951
No. 4—Awake from Sleep!—1951
No. 5—Hope for the Dead—1952
No. 6—The Trinity, Divine Mystery or Pagan Myth?—1952
No. 7—How Valuable Is the Bible?—1952
No. 8—Life in a New World—1952, revised 1964
No. 9—The Sign of Christ's Presence—1953
No. 10—Man's Only Hope for Peace—1953
No. 11—Which Is the Right Religion?—1953
No. 12—Do You Believe in Evolution or the Bible?—1953, revised 1968
No. 13—Why You Can Trust the Bible—1987
No. 14—What Do Jehovah's Witnesses Believe?—1987
No. 15—Life in a Peaceful New World—1987, revised 1994
No. 16—What Hope for Dead Loved Ones?—1987
No. 17—A Peaceful New World—Will It Come?—1992
No. 18—Jehovah's Witnesses—What Do They Believe?—1992
No. 19—Will This World Survive?—1992, revised 2005
No. 20—Comfort for the Depressed—1992, revised 2000
No. 21—Enjoy Family Life—1992, revised 1998
No. 22—Who Really Rules the World?—1992
No. 23—Jehovah—Who Is He?—1998, revised 2001
No. 24—Jesus Christ—Who Is He?—1999
No. 25—Do You Have an Immortal Spirit?—2001
No. 26—Would You Like to Know More About the Bible?—2001
No. 27—All Suffering Soon to End!—2005

Targeted distribution

Against the People (New York City)—1926
Are You in Favor of Liberty (United States)—1933
Important Notice to the People (Canada)—1933
Quebec's Burning Hate for God and Christ and Freedom Is the Shame of All Canada—1946
Quebec, You Have Failed Your People!—1947
Regret and Protest by American Convention-Hosts Over Religious Discrimination Against Visiting Witnesses of Jehovah—1950
Rwanda Persecutes Christians—1986
How to Find the Road to Paradise (for Muslims)—1990
Jehovah's Witnesses—A Christian Community (Arabic, for Muslims)—1992
No. 71—Does Fate Rule Our Lives?—Or Does God Hold Us Responsible? (Asian languages, for Muslims)—1994, revised 2001
No. 72—The Greatest Name (Asian languages, for Muslims)—1994, revised 2001
No. 73—Who Are Jehovah's Witnesses? (Turkish, for Muslims)—1995, revised 2001
No. 74—Hellfire—Is It Part of Divine Justice? (Indonesian and Turkish, for Muslims)—1995, revised 2001
No. 75—Will Suffering Ever End? (Asian languages, for Buddhists)—1996
Jehovah's Witnesses—What You Need to Know (French, Dutch)—1996
Religious Persecution in Singapore—1996
No. 76—Jehovah's Witnesses Reply (Serbian)—1997
No. 77—How Precious Is Life to You? (Mongolian, for Buddhists)—1999
People of France, You Are Being Deceived! (French, English)—1999
No. 78—It Could Happen to You! (Russian)—2000
What Is Brewing In France? Could Freedom Regress? (French)—2000
"You Are the Light of the World" (Spanish)—2000
No. 79—You Can Benefit! (Czech)—2001
No. 81—Is Your Life Ruled by Fate? (Chinese)—2007
No. 83—Could It Happen Again? A Question for the Citizens of Russia (Russian)—2010
No. 85—Jehovah's Witnesses—Rights and Responsibilities in Sharing the Good News With Our Neighbours (India)—2012

Other

The Minister's Daughter—1882
Arp Slip (Arp Tract)—1887
Calamities—Why Permitted?—1919
Christian Science—1919
Comforting Words of Life—1919
Demons Infest Earth's Atmosphere—1919
Do You Believe in the Resurrection?—1919
Do You Know?—1919
Earth to Be Filled With Glory—1919
Gathering the Lord's Jewels—1919
Golden Age at the Door—1919
Hope of Immortality—1919
Is There a God?—1919
Is the Soul Immortal?—1919
Joyful Message for the Sin-Sick—1919
Our Responsibility as Christians—1919
Predestination and Election—1919
Spiritism Is Demonism—1919
The Bruising of Satan—1919
The Case of the International Bible Students Association—1919
The Dawn of a New Era—1919
The Liberty of the Gospel—1919
The Rich Man in Hell—1919
Thieves in Paradise—1919
Weeping All Night—1919
What Is the Soul?—1919
Where Are the Dead?—1919
Why God Permits Evil—1919
Proclamation—A Challenge to World Leaders—1922
Proclamation—A Warning to All Christians—1923
Ecclesiastics Indicted—1924
The Broadcaster—1924
Message of Hope—1925
World Powers Addressed (A Testimony to the Rulers of the World)—1926
"Where Are the Nine?"—1928
You Have Been Warned—1936
Dividing the People—1940
It Must Be Stopped—1940
Law-Abiding—1940
How Has Christendom Failed All Mankind?—1958
Would You Like to Understand the Bible?—1968

Recordings

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom (CD in Red Book CD-DA format, 2005)
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom (CD in MP3 format, 2004)
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom (cassette, 1988)
Awake! (CD in digital audio format, 2005)
Awake! (CD in MP3 format, 2004)
Awake! (cassette, 1990)

Dramas

The Watch Tower Society produces audio recordings of dramatic presentations of biblical characters or contemporary settings with a religious theme. Audio recordings, including dialog, music, and sound effects, are produced at the Watch Tower Society headquarters and other branch offices. The recordings are presented at annual conventions of Jehovah's Witnesses, usually accompanied by members acting out the scenes with costumes and props. The recordings (audio and sign language) are later made available for home use by members.

Dramatic Bible readings

Since 2007, Witness conventions have featured 'sound dramas'audio recordings of Bible passages read in a dramatic fashion, accompanied by music, sound effects, and extra dialog. The recordings are later made available for download from the official website.

Videos

TitleYearCategory
The Good News According to Jesus: Episode 1—The True Light of the World2024Biblical dramatization
"Commit Your Way to Jehovah"2023Modern-day dramatization
Jehovah Guides Us in the Way of Peace2022Documentary
Daniel: A Lifetime of Faith2021Biblical dramatization
Nehemiah: "The Joy of Jehovah Is Your Stronghold"2020Biblical dramatization
The Story of Josiah: Love Jehovah; Hate What Is Bad2019Biblical dramatization
The Story of Jonah: A Lesson in Courage and Mercy2018Biblical dramatization
Remember the Wife of Lot2017Modern-day dramatization
"O Jehovah, ... I Trust in You"2016Biblical dramatization
"Hope for What We Do Not See"2016Modern-day dramatization
Books of the Bible (series)2016–2023 [18] Documentary
"For a Certainty God Made Him Lord and Christ"2015Biblical dramatization
What Is True Love?2015Modern-day dramatization
"These Words... Must Be on Your Heart"2014Modern-day dramatization
"Not One Word Has Failed"2014Biblical dramatization
The Prodigal Returns2013Modern-day dramatization
'Good News to Every Nation, Tribe, and Tongue'2013Documentary
'Walk by Faith, Not by Sight'2012Biblical dramatization
Become Jehovah's FriendListen, Obey and Be Blessed2012For children
Jehovah's Witnesses—Faith in Action: Let the Light Shine2011Documentary
Jehovah's Witnesses—Faith in Action: Out of Darkness2010Documentary
The Wonders of Creation Reveal God's Glory2009Documentary
Pursue Goals That Honor God2007Biblical dramatization
Building Kingdom Halls Advances True Worship2006Documentary
Jehovah's Witnesses—Organized to Share the Good News2006Documentary
Young People Ask—What Will I Do With My Life?2004Modern-day dramatization
David Trusted in God2004For children
Respect Jehovah's Authority2002Biblical dramatization
Transfusion-Alternative Health Care—Meeting Patient Needs and Rights2002Documentary
Warning Examples for Our Day2002Biblical dramatization
Faithful Under Trials—Jehovah's Witnesses in the Soviet Union2001Documentary
No Blood—Medicine Meets the Challenge2001Documentary
Our Whole Association of Brothers2000Documentary
Transfusion-Alternative StrategiesSimple, Safe, Effective2000Documentary
Young People Ask—How Can I Make Real Friends?1999Modern-day dramatization
NoahHe Walked With God1997For children
The Bible—A Book of Fact and Prophecy: Its Power in Your Life1997Documentary
Jehovah's Witnesses Stand Firm Against Nazi Assault1996Documentary
The New World Society in Action1995Documentary
To the Ends of the Earth1995Documentary
United by Divine Teaching1994Documentary
The Bible—A Book of Fact and Prophecy: Mankind's Oldest Modern Book1994Documentary
The Bible—A Book of Fact and Prophecy: Accurate History, Reliable Prophecy1992Documentary
Purple Triangles1992Documentary
Jehovah's WitnessesThe Organization Behind the Name1990Documentary

Movies

TitleYear
God Cannot Lie1966
Heritage1966
Proclaiming "Everlasting Good News" Around the World1964
Divine Will International Assembly of Jehovah's Witnesses1959
The Happiness of the New World Society1956
The New World Society in Action1954
The Photo-Drama of Creation 1914

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jehovah's Witnesses</span> Restorationist Christian denomination

Jehovah's Witnesses is a nontrinitarian, millenarian, restorationist Christian denomination. As of 2023, the group reported approximately 8.6 million members involved in evangelism, with around 20.5 million attending the annual Memorial of Christ's death. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that the destruction of the present world system at Armageddon is imminent, and the establishment of God's kingdom over earth is the only solution to all of humanity's problems.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures</span> Jehovahs Witnesses Bible translation

The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures is a translation of the Bible published by the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society; it is used and distributed by Jehovah's Witnesses. The New Testament portion was released first, in 1950, as The New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures, with the complete New World Translation of the Bible released in 1961.

Jehovah's Witnesses's practices are based on the biblical interpretations of Charles Taze Russell (1852–1916), founder of the Bible Student movement, and of successive presidents of the Watch Tower Society, Joseph Franklin Rutherford and Nathan Homer Knorr. Since 1976, practices have also been based on decisions made at closed meetings of the group's Governing Body. The group disseminates instructions regarding activities and acceptable behavior through The Watchtower magazine and through other official publications, and at conventions and congregation meetings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Criticism of Jehovah's Witnesses</span>

Jehovah's Witnesses have been criticized by adherents of mainstream Christianity, members of the medical community, former Jehovah's Witnesses, and commentators with regard to their beliefs and practices. The Jehovah's Witness movement's leaders have been accused of practicing doctrinal inconsistencies and making doctrinal reversals, making failed predictions, mistranslating the Bible, harshly treating former Jehovah's Witnesses, and leading the Jehovah's Witness movement in an autocratic and coercive manner. Jehovah's Witnesses have also been criticized because they reject blood transfusions, even in life-threatening medical situations, and for failing to report cases of sexual abuse to the authorities. Many of the claims are denied by Jehovah's Witnesses and some have also been disputed by courts and religious scholars.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom is an illustrated religious magazine, published by the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. Jehovah's Witnesses distribute The Watchtower—Public Edition, along with its companion magazine, Awake!.

<i>Awake!</i> Illustrated religious magazine

Awake! is an illustrated religious magazine published by the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. It is considered to be a companion magazine of The Watchtower, and is distributed by Jehovah's Witnesses. The Watch Tower Society reports worldwide circulation of about 12.8 million copies per issue in 252 languages.

A Kingdom Hall is a place of worship used by Jehovah's Witnesses. The term was first suggested in 1935 by Joseph Franklin Rutherford, then president of the Watch Tower Society, for a building in Hawaii. Rutherford's reasoning was that these buildings would be used for "preaching the good news of the Kingdom".

Jehovah's Witnesses are organized hierarchically, and are led by the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses from the Watch Tower Society's headquarters in Warwick, New York. The Governing Body, along with other "helpers", are organized into six committees responsible for various administrative functions within the global Witness community, including publication, assembly programs and evangelizing activity.

The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society produces a significant amount of printed and electronic literature, primarily for use by Jehovah's Witnesses. Their best known publications are the magazines, The Watchtower and Awake!

Watchtower Bible School of Gilead is the formal name of the missionary school of Jehovah's Witnesses, typically referred to simply as Gilead or Gilead School. Gilead is the flagship school at the Watchtower Educational Center at Patterson, New York, United States.

Kingdom songs are the hymns sung by Jehovah's Witnesses at their religious meetings. Since 1879, the Watch Tower Society has published hymnal lyrics; by the 1920s they had published hundreds of adapted and original songs, and by the 1930s they referred to these as "Kingdom songs" in reference to God's Kingdom.

Jehovah's Witnesses believe that the Bible prohibits Christians from accepting blood transfusions. Their literature states that, "'abstaining from ... blood' means not accepting blood transfusions and not donating or storing their own blood for transfusion." The belief is based on an interpretation of scripture that differs from other Christian denominations. It is one of the doctrines for which Jehovah's Witnesses are best known.

Jehovah's Witnesses originated as a branch of the Bible Student movement, which developed in the United States in the 1870s among followers of Christian restorationist minister Charles Taze Russell. Bible Student missionaries were sent to England in 1881 and the first overseas branch was opened in London in 1900. The group took on the name International Bible Students Association and by 1914 it was also active in Canada, Germany, Australia and other countries.

The eschatology of Jehovah's Witnesses is central to their religious beliefs. They believe that Jesus Christ has been ruling in heaven as king since 1914, a date they believe was prophesied in Scripture, and that after that time a period of cleansing occurred, resulting in God's selection of the Bible Students associated with Charles Taze Russell to be his people in 1919. They believe the destruction of those who reject their message and thus willfully refuse to obey God will shortly take place at Armageddon, ensuring that the beginning of the new earthly society will be composed of willing subjects of that kingdom.

"Faithful and discreet slave" is the term used by Jehovah's Witnesses to describe the group's Governing Body in its role of directing doctrines and teachings. The group is described as a "class" of "anointed" Christians that operates under the direct control of Jesus Christ to exercise teaching authority in all matters pertaining to doctrine and articles of faith.

The doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses have developed since publication of The Watchtower magazine began in 1879. Early doctrines were based on interpretations of the Bible by Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society founder Charles Taze Russell, then added to, altered or discarded by his successors, Joseph Rutherford and Nathan Knorr. Since 1976, doctrinal changes have been made at closed meetings of the group's Governing Body, whose decisions are described as "God's progressive revelations". These teachings are disseminated through The Watchtower, and at conventions and congregation meetings. Most members of the denomination outside the Governing Body play no role in the development of doctrines and are expected to adhere to all those decided at the Warwick, NY headquarters. Jehovah's Witnesses are taught to welcome doctrinal changes, regarding such "adjustments" as "new light" or "new understanding" from God and proving that they are on the "path of the righteous".

Jehovah's Witnesses believe salvation is a gift from God attained by being part of "God's organization" and putting faith in Jesus' ransom sacrifice. They do not believe in predestination or eternal security. They believe in different forms of resurrection for two groups of Christians: that the 144,000 members of the anointed will be rulers in heaven and that "the other sheep" or "the great crowd" will live forever on earth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nathan Homer Knorr</span> Third President of the incorporated Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society (1905–1977)

Nathan Homer Knorr was the third president of the incorporated Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. He was appointed president in January 1942, replacing Joseph Franklin Rutherford, who had served in the position since 1917.

The beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses are based on the Bible teachings of Charles Taze Russell—founder of the Bible Student movement—and successive presidents of the Watch Tower Society, Joseph Franklin Rutherford, and Nathan Homer Knorr. Since 1976, all doctrinal decisions have been made by the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses, a group of elders at the denomination's headquarters. These teachings are disseminated through The Watchtower magazine and other publications of Jehovah's Witnesses, and at conventions and congregation meetings.

Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society publications have made a series of predictions about Christ's Second Coming and the advent of God's Kingdom, each of which has gone unfulfilled. Almost all the predictions for 1878, 1881, 1914, 1918 and 1925 were later reinterpreted as a confirmation of the eschatological framework of the Bible Student movement and Jehovah's Witnesses, with many of the predicted events viewed as having taken place invisibly. Further expectations were held for the arrival of Armageddon in 1975, but resulted in a later apology to members from the society's leadership.

References

  1. "The King James VersionHow It Became Popular". Awake!. Watch Tower Society. p. 24.
  2. Jehovah's WitnessesProclaimers of God's Kingdom. Watch Tower Society. p. 605.
  3. "Be "Intensely Occupied" With Your Ministry". Our Kingdom Ministry. April 2001. p. 5. Your goal is to help the student achieve greater insight into the truth, qualify as an unbaptized publisher, and become a dedicated and baptized Witness of Jehovah
  4. "18Baptism and Your Relationship With God". What Does the Bible Really Teach?. pp. 174–183.
  5. New "Live Forever" Book Creates ExcitementOur Kingdom Ministry, October, 1982, page 1.
  6. 1 2 Are You Ready to Get Baptized?The Watchtower, November 15, 1966, pages 700–701.
  7. "Blessed Results from Making the Test". The Watchtower. December 15, 1955. p. 755.
  8. "Greater emphasis was given to the back-call and Bible study work. "The Truth Shall Make You Free" with the question booklet was the chief instrument used in this activity. One pioneer writes: "Studies in this publication lasted at least one year if conducted regularly."; 1972 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses, page 79
  9. Blessed Results from Making the TestThe Watchtower, December 15, 1955, page 755.
  10. Jehovah's Witnesses in the Divine Purpose, page 99.
  11. Our Kingdom Ministry, January 2006, page 1.
  12. Our Kingdom Ministry, January 1982, page 4.
  13. "Title Page/Publishers' Page", Pay Attention to Daniel's Prophecy!, page 2, as reproduced in Watchtower Library 2008 on CDROM, "2006 Printing"
  14. 1978 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses, page 23.
  15. 1 2 Announcements and Reminders, Watch Tower Society, July 2021, p. 1; Announcements and Reminders, Watch Tower Society, July 2022, p. 2.
  16. The Watchtower, 1 July 2005, p. 24
  17. "United States of America", 1975 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses, page 85.
  18. "Books of the Bible". jw.org. Retrieved July 5, 2023.

Sources