BEWARE. THEY CLAIM TO BE CHRISTIAN, BUT THEY ARE NOT CHRISTIANS. How do we know they are not Christians? Because their teaching expressly denies the plain teaching of the Holy Bible on many subjects, some of the most important of which are:
- THE TRIUNE NATURE OF GOD
- THE DEITY OF CHRIST
- THE DEITY AND PERSON OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
- THE BODILY RESURRECTION OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST FROM THE DEAD
- JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH ALONE
- THE AWFUL REALITY OF ETERNAL HELLFIRE
Click to here to watch documentary on YouTube about the Russellites (approx. 60 minutes)
The doctrines above listed are firmly grounded, firstly and most importantly in the Holy Bible itself, but also through history from the first century onward in the written creeds and confessions of faith issued by the churches. The Russellites are, effectively, claiming that the majority of churches and Christians have been catastrophically wrong on fundamentals for nineteen centuries, and that the LORD, through the Holy Spirit failed in His promise to “teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26)—until—that is, Charles Taze Russell started publishing in 1879. This is, of course, blasphemous and absurd.
The majority of Russellites I have met have been admirably sincere and zealous, clearly believing that they are doing the right thing with the very best of intentions. Sadly, however, they have been deceived by deadly false teachings and are very sincerely wrong. If one persistently holds to a false (unbiblical) version of Jesus and/or a false (unbiblical) understanding of the saving truths of the gospel (believing that one’s good works contribute in any way to one’s salvation), the Holy Bible makes it clear that one cannot be saved, for example:-
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matthew 7:21-23).
“For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.” (Galatians 3:10)
“And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 22:11-13)
“But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.” (Romans 4:5-7)
“Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” (John 6:28-29)
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;” (Titus 3:5)
True Christians do not say these things to be unkind. On the
contrary, our sincere desire is for Russellites to be delivered from their
sins, delivered from their cult and to see their soul gloriously saved. We want
to see former Russellites in the new Heavens and Earth, rejoicing in the real LORD of GLORY. But true
Christians know this cannot and will not happen whilst they are trusting in ‘another
Jesus’ and ‘another Gospel’ which is not another, but a perverted, soul-damning
counterfeit ‘gospel’ of Satan (2 Corinthians 11:4, Galatians 1:6-7). In common
with every other false religion and cult, it is a self-help gospel of works,
which God utterly rejects and hates (Galatians 3:10)—because it is a denial of
what His Word states about the totally lost, doomed condition of fallen Man,
and therefore it is an express denial of His Son’s glorious, finished work on
the cross. God gave His stamp of approval to His Son’s finished work on the
cross by raising Him bodily from the dead the third day—Alleluia! Repent and
believe the gospel! “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not
of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should
boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
