Transcripts: Enjoy Life Forever!

Transcript: A Name that Defines Us
[Text: You are my Witnesses. Early 1900s photo of international Bible students. John E. Barr. Governing Body]
John: We were always just called the Bible Students, and Brother Russell kind of encouraged that. He said we didn’t want to be known by any distinctive name but just Bible Students, and I appreciated his viewpoint on that. But the trouble was that people began to call us Russellites and Rutherfordites, and not only that but the term “Christian” itself became a misnomer. Many people said they were Christians, and they didn’t have any idea as to what being a Christian meant.
Presenter: Their identity would be considered at a seven-day convention held in Columbus, Ohio, in 1931.
[Photos of the convention]
Attendees received programs with the puzzling letters “JW” on the cover. Speaking on Isaiah 43:10, J. F. Rutherford presented a resolution.
[Re-enactment]
Brother J. F. Rutherford: We have great love for Brother Charles T. Russell, and we gladly acknowledge that the Lord used him and greatly blessed his work, yet we cannot consent to be called by the name “Russellites.” The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society and the International Bible Students Association are merely names of corporations.
[Listeners nod yes]
We are servants of Jehovah God commissioned to do a work in his name. Henceforth, may it be known that we are Jehovah’s Witnesses.
[The audience stands and claps with vigour]
Presenter: Early editions of Zion’s Watch Tower reveal that the Bible Students had already known God’s name.
[Quotes from Zion’s Watchtower: “Jehovah, He is the God” 1898. “Qualities and Attributes of Jehovah” 1913. “Praise Jehovah!” 1929]
But now, their new designation would remind these Christians that knowledge brings responsibility to bear witness.
[Antony Morris III. Governing Body]
Anthony: It just identifies us, and it was far more than a label though. You represent the Most High God Jehovah, so you have to get out in this preaching work and you also have to have conduct that supports the fact that you do worship this true God
[Geoffrey W. Jackson. Governing Body]
Geoffrey: So, at that particular time, we went from being a vague group of persons who were joined together by a common interest in studying the Scriptures to being a Scriptural identity that we could stand up and be proud of.
(Logo: Black capital letters JW.ORG inside a white box. Copyright 2011 Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania)