Historia de los Testigos de Jehová

Question 1

In what year was it established that the Gentile Times would end in 1914?

Answer 1

1876: An article by C. T. Russell, published in the Bible Examiner, points to 1914 as the end of the Gentile Times. -kr chap. 2 page 28 Box: “Prepared for the birth of the Kingdom”

Question 2

In what year was the magazine Zion’s Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence first published?

Answer 2

1879: The first issue of Zion’s Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence is published. -kr pages 28-29

Question 3

In what year was Babylon the Great identified?

Answer 3

1879: In 1879, Zion’s Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence referred to the “Babylon church.” The Bible Students gradually came to the realization that all the churches of Christendom were included in modern-day “Babylon.” Why? Because they all taught doctrinal lies such as those discussed above.*

Question 4

In what year was the immortality of the soul doctrine exposed as false?

Answer 4

1880: In 1880 the Watch Tower analyzed the original-language words transliterated Sheol and Hades in the Bible and concluded that these designate the grave. It also pointed out that people consigned to Gehenna were destroyed, not tormented. -w89 3/15 page 20 par. 8 (See also the New World Translation Reference Bible, pages1573-5)

Question 5

In what year did the pioneer service begin?

Answer 5

1881: Then known as colporteurs

Question 7

In what year did the Watch Tower publications reach readers on five continents?

Answer 7

1885: Watch Tower publications reach readers on five continents. -kr pages 28-29

Question 8

In what year was the trinity doctrine exposed as false?

Answer 8

1887: In 1887, Zion’s Watch Tower remarked: “The Scriptures are very clear concerning the distinct individuality and exact relationship of Jehovah and our Lord Jesus.” The article then noted how amazing it was that “the idea of a triune God—three Gods in one, and at the same time, one God in three—should ever have gained prominence and general acceptance. But the fact that it is so, only goes to show how soundly the church slept while the enemy bound her in the chains of error.” -kr chap. 2 par. 9

Question 9

In what year was the elder arrangement instituted?

Answer 9

1895: The Watch Tower of November 15, 1895…announced a far-reaching change. It directed that starting immediately, “in every company, elders be chosen” to “‘take the oversight’ of the flock.” -kr chap. 12 pars. 3,4

Question 10

In what year was the Watch Tower Society headquarters moved to Brooklyn, NY?

Answer 10

1909 -kr pages 28-29

Question 11

In what year did the Bible Students begin to use the name “International Bible Students Association”?

Answer 11

1910 -kr pages 28-29

Question 12

When and where was the “Photo-Drama of Creation” first shown?

Answer 12

January 11, 1914 (New York City): The “Photo-Drama of Creation” is first shown in New York on January 11, then in five other cities within the next month. By the end of the year, it is seen in various forms by close to 9,000,000 people in North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand

Question 13

In what year was the Golden Age magazine (now Awake) first printed?

Answer 13

1919: Assembly in Cedar Point, Ohio

Question 14

In what year and where was the “Advertise! Advertise! Advertise the king and his kingdom!” talk given?

Answer 14

1922: September 8, 1922 Assembly in Cedar Point, Ohio

Question 15

In what year was it learned that the Kingdom had been established in 1914?

Answer 15

1925: In 1925, a landmark article appeared in The Watch Tower, entitled “Birth of the Nation.” It laid out convincing Scriptural evidence that the Messianic Kingdom had been born in 1914. -kr chap. 5 par. 7

Question 16

In what year and where was the cross recognized as being inappropriate?

Answer 16

1928: Assembly in Detroit, Michigan

Question 17

In what year was focus given on accomplishing more than simple bible distribution in the ministry?

Answer 17

1928: The Watch Tower of December 1, 1928, said: “Can we say that [the] circulation of the Bible accomplished the foretold preaching of the gospel of the kingdom? Decidedly no! In spite of this Bible distribution it is still necessary for God’s little band of witnesses in the earth to print literature explaining God’s [purpose] and to call upon the homes where these Bibles have been placed. Otherwise the people would be left in ignorance as to the setting up of the Messianic government in our day.” w06 2/1 pp. 22-30 par. 13

Question 18

In what year was Easter recognized as inappropriate?

Answer 18

1928: “The prominent heathen festival of Easter was also brought over and engrafted into the so-called Christian church.”—The Golden Age, December 12, 1928, page 168.

Question 19

In what year was Valentine’s Day recognized as inappropriate?

Answer 19

1929: “St. Valentine’s Day has nothing very saintly to commend it as to its origin.”—The Golden Age, December 25, 1929, page 208.

Question 20

When and where was the name “Jehovah’s Witnesses” adopted?

Answer 20

July 26, 1931: Assembly in Columbus, Ohio

Question 21

In what year was the cross and crown recognized as being idols?

Answer 21

1933: Preparation, page 239

Question 22

In what year was the cross recognized as having pagan origin?

Answer 22

1934: The Golden Age, February 28 page 336

Question 23

In what year was the flag salute recognized as inappropriate?

Answer 23

1935: In 1935…while patriotic fervor was running high the world over, the Witnesses recognized that saluting the flag is much more than a mere formalism. -w06 2/15 pages 26-30 par. 14

Question 24

In what years was tobacco use recognized as inappropriate?

Answer 24

1935 and 1973: In 1935, The Watchtower called tobacco “the filthy weed” and noted that no one who chose to chew it or smoke it could remain a member of the Bethel family or serve as a representative of God’s organization in the pioneer work or the traveling ministry. In 1973 a further moral refinement came. The Watchtower of June 1 explained that no Witness of Jehovah could remain in good standing in the congregation while carrying on this death-dealing, defiling, and unloving practice. Those who refused to give up the misuse of tobacco were to be disfellowshipped. -kr chap. 11 par. 13

Question 25

In what year and where was the “great crowd” mentioned at Revelation 7:9 identified?

Answer 25

1935: Assembly in Washington, D.C.

Question 26

In what year were birthdays recognized as inappropriate?

Answer 26

1936: “There are but two such celebrations mentioned in the Scriptures, one of the heathen king Pharaoh of Egypt, in the days of Joseph, and the other of [Herod,] whose birthday cost John the Baptist his life. In the Bible there is no instance of celebrations of birthdays by any of God’s people.”—The Golden Age, May 6, 1936, page 499.

Question 26

In what year was it learned that Jesus died on a stake, not a cross?

Answer 26

1936: The Golden Age, November 4 page 72

Question 28

In what year did appointed brothers begin to receive their appointments theocratically instead of democratically?

Answer 28

1938: Congregations adopt a resolution requesting that all congregation servants be appointed theocratically. This marks the end of democratic elections in the congregations. -kr chap, 12 page 124 Box: "How the manner of oversight improved"

Question 29

In what year was military service and neutrality clearly defined?

Answer 29

1939: Just as World War II was erupting in 1939, The Watchtower featured an in-depth discussion of neutrality. The article showed clearly that Christians would have no part at all in the wars and conflicts of the nations of Satan’s world. What timely guidance! Christ’s followers were thus protected from the horrific bloodguilt that clung to the nations in that war. -kr pages 53-57 par. 23

Question 30

In what year was the new year celebration recognized as inappropriate?

Answer 30

1946: “The whole New Year’s celebration with its high jinks and drunken revelry is not Christian, regardless of the day on which it occurs. Early Christians did not observe it.”—Awake! December 22, 1946, page 24.

Question 31

In what year was polygamy deemed to be inappropriate?

Answer 31

1947: The Watchtower of January 15, 1947, emphasized that Christianity makes no allowance for polygamy, regardless of local custom. A letter sent to the congregations notified any who professed to be Jehovah’s Witnesses but who were polygamists that six months was being allowed for them to bring their marital affairs into harmony with the Bible standard. -jv page 176

Question 32

In what year was a definitive bible based procedure for disfellowshipping established?

Answer 32

1952: In 1952 a Bible-based procedure for handling judicial matters was published in The Watchtower, highlighting a key reason for disfellowshipping unrepentant ones—to keep the congregation clean.

Question 33

In what year were the secular authorities of Romans 13:1-7 clearly identified?

Answer 33

1962: Landmark articles on Romans 13:1-7 were published in the November 15 and December 1 issues of The Watchtower. Finally, God’s people grasped the principle of relative subjection that Jesus had revealed in his famous words: “Pay back Caesar’s things to Caesar but God’s things to God.” (Luke 20:25) True Christians now understand that the superior authorities are the secular powers of this world and that Christians must be subject to them. However, such subjection is relative. When the secular authorities ask us to disobey Jehovah God, then we answer as did the apostles of old: “We must obey God as ruler rather than men.” (Acts 5:29) -kr page 57 par. 24

Question 34

How many committees do members of the Governing Body serve on, and what are they?

Answer 34

Six: Coordinator's Committee, Personnel Committee, Publishing Committee, Service Committee, Teaching Committee, Writing Committee

Question 35

What does the Coordinators' Committee care for?

Answer 35

The brothers serving on this committee oversee legal matters as well as the use of the media when it is necessary to convey an accurate picture of our beliefs. They also respond to disasters, outbreaks of persecution, and other emergencies affecting our brotherhood anywhere in the world.

Question 36

What does the Personnel Committee care for?

Answer 36

This committee is entrusted with the oversight of arrangements for the physical and spiritual welfare and assistance of members of Bethel families earth wide. It oversees the selecting and inviting of new members of Bethel families and handles questions regarding their Bethel service.

Question 37

What does the Publishing Committee care for?

Answer 37

Those serving on this committee supervise the printing and shipping of Bible literature worldwide. They oversee printeries and properties owned and operated by the various corporations used by Jehovah’s Witnesses, as well as all construction worldwide, including the work of building Kingdom Halls. They arrange for the best use of funds donated for the Kingdom work.

Question 38

What does the Service Committee care for?

Answer 38

The brothers who make up this committee oversee all areas of the evangelizing work and matters affecting congregations, publishers, pioneers, elders, traveling overseers, and missionaries. They supervise, among numerous other things, the activities of Hospital Liaison Committees.

Question 39

What does the Teaching Committee care for?

Answer 39

This committee oversees the instruction provided at assemblies, conventions, and congregation meetings. It also has oversight of Gilead School, the School for Kingdom Evangelizers, and the Pioneer Service School, as well as other schools. In addition, this committee oversees the preparation of Our Christian Life and Ministry—Meeting Workbook and the development of audio and video programs.

Question 39

What does the Writing Committee care for?

Answer 39

The brothers serving on this committee supervise the preparation of spiritual food in written and electronic form for fellow believers and the general public. It also cares for the organization’s Web site and oversees the translation work done throughout the earth. Additionally, this committee responds to questions about the meaning of certain scriptures and points presented in the publications.