Jehovahs witnesses (1966)
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Who are they?
When did they begin?
Why do they preach as they do?
What do they believe?
What is their organization like?
What is their relation to the world?
What is their future?
CONTENTS
Subject
Subject 3
Witnesses and Ministers of God 3
[Why are they called "Jehovah's witnesses"? Is every Witness a minister?
Who ordains Jehovah's witnesses? Why do they preach from house to house?]
Their Modern Beginning 5
[An ancient foundation. The Watch Tower Society. Other early work.
Preaching methods. Persecution. In Catholic and Communist lands.
Opposition fails.]
Preaching in All the Inhabited Earth 9
[Schools expand Kingdom preaching. Europe. Asia. Africa. Islands of the sea. South America. North and Central America.]
How the Preaching Is Done 14
[Sermons at the doors. Use of literature. Private Bible meetings.]
What Jehovah's Witnesses Believe 16
How the Work Is Organized 17
[Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. Presiding ministers. Duties of ministerial servants. Assistant congregation servant. Bible study servant.
Literature servant. Magazine-territory servant. Accounts servant. Other appointments.]
The Kingdom Hall 20
[Congregation book study. Theocratic Ministry School. Service Meeting.
Public meeting. "Watchtower" study. A clean organization. What about worship at home?]
Printing and Distributing the Word of God 23
[Early printing of the Society. First factory. Concord Street factory. 117 Adams Street factory. Visit to the factories. A Bible printing society. Visit to Bethel. Watchtower Society farms.]
Conventions Praise God 27
What Relation to the World? An early Christian position 28
[Neutrality and relative subjection. Conduct like early Christians.
Allegiance only to God. No part of the world. Preachers of the kingdom of God.]
An Invitation to You 32
PUBLISHERS
WATCHTOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY
OF NEW YORK, INC.
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A.
WITNESSES
and
</div>
MINISTERS of GOD
</div>
THE establishment of God's kingdom is news of the greatest importance to all peoples and national groups. (Dan. 7:14) That news may not be your immediate interest in considering the information
that follows, but it is true, nevertheless, and is here stated at the outset because it is that news that is a primary reason for this organization to exist at all.
Not only survival, but eternal life depends upon coming into peaceful relationship with God's King and kingdom before the great war of Armageddon breaks. (Ps. 2:1-12; Rev. 16:14, 16) To make this important information known around the world Jehovah God has raised up a society of Kingdom witnesses who are active in over 195 lands. \textcircled{1} You know them as "Jehovah's witnesses."
Why Are They Called "Jehovah's Witnesses"?
Jehovah's witnesses follow Christ Jesus, not any man or man-made organization, and for that reason they call their organization by the name of no man. Like Jesus, their chief work is to "bear witness to the truth." (John 18:37) God's Word is truth, so their witnessing is in behalf of God, whose name alone is Jehovah. (John 17:17; Ps. 83:18) Those faithfully speaking on his behalf Jehovah calls his witnesses: "‘You are my witnesses,’ is the utterance of Jehovah, 'even my servant whom I have chosen.'” (Isa. 43:10) Early witnesses of Jehovah from the time of Abel brought
praise to God's name by various acts of faith. (Heb. 11:4-12:2) Jesus himself is referred to as "the faithful and true witness" and he said to his true followers: "You will be witnesses of me . . .
to the most distant part of the earth." (Rev. 3:14; Acts 1:8) Therefore, Jehovah's modern witnesses faithfully take the good news of God's established kingdom to "all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations." (Matt. 24:14) Appropriately, their God and his important work are identified by the Scriptural name "Jehovah's witnesses."
Is Every Witness a Minister?
Yes, in the true Scriptural sense of the word. A minister of God is a public servant (Greek, didikonos, "through the dust") of Jehovah God, one who follows in Jesus' footsteps, getting out in public, even traveling dusty roads, to preach the good news of God's kingdom. There is an urgency about it, as the apostle Paul emphasized when he said: "I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, . . . preach the word, be at it urgently." (2 Tim. 4:1, 2) Every true Christian gladly renders such ministerial service as a regular part of his worship leading to salvation. As Romans 10:10 states: "With the heart one exercises faith for righteousness, but with the mouth one makes public declaration for salvation."
Authority to minister comes to dedicated men, women and youths from the highest Source, God himself. "Praise Jehovah from the earth, . . . you young men and also you virgins, you old men together with boys.
Let them praise the name of Jehovah." (Ps. 148:7, 12, 13) Everyone, man, woman or youth, who wants God's approval responds to that command. (Jas. 2:24, 26; Rev. 22:17) For this reason, Jehovah's witnesses are a society of ministers. If you embrace the teachings of the Bible and live your faith, you will be God's minister too.
Who Ordains Jehovah's Witnesses?
The only valid ordination to the Christian ministry comes from God. (2 Cor. 3: 5, 6; Isa. 61:1, 2) Those who are ordained by an organization of men are ministers of such organization, but those ordained by God are his ministers. In the Bible God outlines the requirements for those who become his ministers. They must study his Word to learn his will and then bring their lives into harmony with it. If one does
this, God requires that one make a personal dedication to do His will. (Rom. 12:1) This dedication, this vow to do God's will, is made in private prayer to Jehovah God through
Christ. Then, in symbol of such dedication, one must be baptized in water as Jesus was. (Matt. 3:13-17) He now becomes God's ordained minister.
He did not ordain himself by vowing to serve God, nor did the one baptizing him ordain him. God's commission to all those dedicating themselves to do His will is what constitutes the ordination of such persons as his ministers, and He backs them up with his holy spirit. Not only men, but women and qualified youths may receive this Scriptural ordination. (Ps. 68: 11; Acts 2:17, 18; Rom. 16:1; Eccl. 12:1) While God's commandment to preach the Kingdom good news is there in the Bible for all to read, it constitutes the ordination only of those who meet his requirements. It may be compared to the issuing of a diploma to a school graduate. While the wording of the diplomas is basically
the same, and anyone can read them, what they say does not apply to everyone. One's name belongs on such a diploma only when he meets the requirements. Likewise, it is after study, dedication and baptism that the commission of God recorded in the Bible constitutes one's ordination.
Of course, seminary training and written certificates of ordination are not requirements for Scriptural ordination. (John 7: 15; Acts 4:13; Gal. 1:11, 12, 15-17) Rather, ministers ordained by Jehovah and backed up by his holy spirit produce living letters of recommendation. (2 Cor. 3:1-3) Every sincere student of God's Word will appreciate that the real purpose of studying the Bible is to qualify for this ordination that means life for others as well as for himself. (2 Tim. 3:16, 17; 1 Tim. 4:16; Matt. 28:19, 20) Toward that end he will study diligently.
Why Do They Preach from House to House?
Jehovah's witnesses take the good news to the homes of the people because this is the example set by Jesus and his apostles. Luke 8:1 says of Jesus: "He went journeying from city to city and from village to village, preaching and declaring the good news
of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him." Regarding the apostles, Acts 5:42 states: "And every day in the temple and from house to house they continued without letup teaching and declaring the good news about the Christ, Jesus." At Ephesus Paul taught Christians how to preach "publicly and from house to house." (Acts 20:20) Of course, modern means of communication, such as radio and the printed page, are used extensively, but basically the work of Jehovah's witnesses is done by going from house to house in the early Christian manner. This is the best way to ensure that no one hungering and thirsting for righteousness is overlooked. (Matt. 5:6) Love motivates Christians to go from house to house.
JUST two days before his death Jesus uttered a prophecy that was to find fulfillment during his second presence, just prior to the end of this system of things. Among other things, he said: "This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations."—Matt. 24:14.
Focus your attention on these words of Jesus for a moment. Consider what would be necessary to fulfill them. Think of the time, energy, money, manpower and organization involved, not to mention the willingness, determination and courage of the preachers! What a tremendous undertaking, to preach God's kingdom to the billions of earth's inhabitants!
But since Jesus said that such Kingdom preaching would be done, and since the unparalleled events of this generation mark this as time for it to be accomplished, the question arises, What is being done about it? The answer to that question is found in the modern history of Jehovah's witnesses.
An Ancient Foundation
It was Jehovah who said, "You are my witnesses, . . . and I am God." (Isa. 43:12)
It was Jehovah's Son, Christ Jesus, who
said, "You will be witnesses of me . . . to the most distant part of the earth." It was Paul who wrote under divine inspiration that Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David, Samuel and the other prophets were "so great a cloud of witnesses."—Acts 1:8; Heb. 11; 12:1.
Thus, those who serve Jehovah God must bear testimony to his name, must acknowledge and witness to the power of his Son, Christ Jesus, and must follow the example of the faithful men of old who firmly maintained their integrity to Jehovah and to his righteous principles.
If Jehovah's witnesses looked to some man as leader, then it could not be said that they began with Abel and progressed down through the faithful men of old. They would, instead, have begun with the man they followed. But since they are not a denomination but are merely an association of men and women who put God's service first and line up with Bible principles, they are a part of the group that began with the first true witness of God, Adam's son Abel, all of whom have looked to the righteous conditions of God's new order to come.
The Watch Tower Society
The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania was organized in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1881 and chartered in 1884 to aid such men in their service to God. Its first president was Charles Taze Russell. Brought up by Godfearing Presbyterian parents, he was not satisfied with the sectarian explanations of Scripture given him, and back in 1872 he started a Bible-study class with several of his friends.
They discovered many of the Biblical truths that had been hidden by Christendom's traditions. In 1874 they published The Object and Manner of the Lord's Return, to debunk the religious theory of the earth's being destroyed by fire at Christ's second coming, and to point out that the second coming would be invisible, as the apostles had long before known. As they continued to point to firm Scriptural truth, others who wanted to be true witnesses for God joined with them.
In July, 1879, to help in this work, the first issue of The Watchtower was published. In that year chronological proof was published that the end of the uninterrupted rule of the world by Gentile nations would come thirty-five years later, 1914 C.E. This warning and, at the same time, the preaching of the good news that then God's kingdom under Christ would be due to begin, increased in tempo throughout the intervening thirty-five years, and when World War I actually marked the fulfillment of that amazing prediction it proved that we were at the end of this present system of things and that the new, so long looked for, was now at hand!
Circulation of The Watchtower among those who really want to serve God properly has grown from a first issue of 6,000 to millions of copies each issue today, in over 70 languages!*
Other Early Work
In 1881 the 162-page Food for Thinking Christians was published to awaken many more. In 1886 the 350-page Divine Plan of the Ages was published, to enjoy a distribution of six million copies during a period of forty years.
The work in foreign fields was given impetus in 1891 when the Society's president made his first trip to Europe and men of faith in God associated in congregations in Britain, and again in 1912 with a round-the-world tour and lectures in many countries.
In 1909 the Society's headquarters moved from Pittsburgh to its present headquarters in Brooklyn at 124 Columbia Heights. In 1910 further great strides in Kingdom publicity were made when more than a thousand newspapers in the United States and Canada regularly carried sermons written by the Society's president. By 1913 there were 1,500 newspapers
regularly carrying these in four different languages.
As the army of Christian witnesses expanded, many names were attached to them (such as "Russellites," etc.), most of which were intended to misrepresent and discredit. But they rejected such names and merely answered that they were Christians, until in 1931 they received the new and Scriptural name, Jehovah's witnesses, by which they are now known throughout the earth.
The Society's first president, who spent his strength in Jehovah's service for more than forty years, died October 31, 1916, a faithful witness of Jehovah God, and Joseph F. Rutherford was unanimously appointed as the new president. He served faithfully for twenty-five years until his death in 1942, at which time the Society's present president, Nathan H. Knorr, replaced him. Through all this time the principle of the organization has remained; not a sect, but an organization to serve all men who truly wish to be proper witnesses to God.
Preaching Methods
Early in the Watch Tower Society's history pilgrims, traveling evangelists, visited private homes and held "cottage meetings" or home Bible studies, much as did the early apostles and disciples of Jesus. In 1888 fifty persons undertook full-time house-to-house preaching, volunteering their entire efforts to gospel preaching. That group of volunteers, now called "pioneers," has grown to more than 47,000!*
All available methods to present Christian education have been used. In 1914 the "Photo-Drama of Creation," a combination of motion pictures and stills, accompanied by recorded lectures (at a time when sound recording was in its infancy) was shown in major theaters throughout the United States, Britain, Germany, Switzerland, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Australia and New Zealand, and for five years brought Scriptural comfort and hope to many millions.
THEIR MODERN BEGINNING
In 1919 The Golden Age began to be published. In 1937 it became Consolation, in 1946 Awake! It has remained an excellent companion to The Watchtower, pointing to the conditions of our day in fulfillment of the prophecies The Watchtower discusses. Awake! now has a circulation of several million copies each issue in over twenty-five languages.*
The radio has been used extensively in this work. February 24, 1924, WBBR began operation in New York city. Other stations were built by the Society, but later sold. In 1957, because of the extensive expansion of the house-to-house ministry, WBBR was sold also, its purpose having been served. In the summer of 1927 the Society used its first radio chain, even in that early day hooking together fifty-three stations world wide. In 1928 the largest radio chain for a single broadcast to that time was used for a Bible lecture from the convention in Detroit, tying together 100 stations. In 1933 a total of 23,783 radio lectures were transmitted by the Society over 403 stations.
In 1937 a new method, the use of phonograph recordings taken right to the people, replaced the general use of broadcasting. In 1943 a special course in public speaking was instituted in each congregation. It was called the "Theocratic Ministry School" and it has equipped Jehovah's witnesses to deliver short Bible sermons at the door. (See page 21.) Soon, the use of recordings was replaced by individual discussions with each person in his home. This has proved far more effective than radio or phonograph, since it allowed for questions to be answered.
One of the chief methods of this preaching has been through the printed page, and between 1874 and 1965 a total of over 846 million Bibles, books and booklets were distributed by Jehovah's witnesses, in over 150 languages and dialects! (See also pages 23-25.) This does not include the thousands of millions of copies of The Watchtower
and Awake! distributed during the same period.
Persecution
This work has not been without opposition, however. Matthew 24:9 has certainly been proved true regarding our day: "Then people will deliver you up to tribulation and will kill you, and you will be objects of hatred by all the nations on account of my name." The monstrous, globe-girdling proportions of the actual fulfillment of this text are almost unbelievable.
As the Kingdom proclamation increased, exposing false doctrines through hard-hitting Bible truths, the clergy were angered. They vigorously opposed the teaching of Bible facts that contradicted their theories, and this religious opposition kept pace with the increase of the work. The continued opposition on the part of clergymen to this Bible preaching culminated in an unjust sentencing of the Society's officers to eighty years' imprisonment at Atlanta penitentiary in 1918, but this was found to be in error. They were dismissed, restored to citizenship, and thus were never at any time convicts within the meaning of the law.
A vicious wave of persecution spread through the country at the same time, but the work was restored, with the slogan "Advertise, advertise, advertise the King and the Kingdom," and, like the "dry bones" in Ezekiel's vision (chapter 37), came to vigorous life, surging forward many times greater than ever before.
Another notorious example of this persecution was under Hitler in Germany, where ten thousand Christian ministers spent many years in Nazi torture camps. Canada, England and other parts of the British Empire followed the Nazi dictator's lead in oppressing these Christians, as some wished to do even in the United States.
From 1940 to 1944 more than 2,500 violent mobs assaulted Christian people, and, shamefully enough, some of these were actually led by clergymen, who are supposed to serve the very God of those they were attacking!
In Catholic and Communist Lands
Bans and severe persecution have been brought at various times upon Jehovah's witnesses in Albania, Bulgaria, Communist China, Czechoslovakia, Eastern Germany, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Russia, and in the noncommunist countries of the Jordan, United Arab Republic and Portuguese East Africa. Recent news from ten countries behind the Iron Curtain showed that there were at least 100,000 of Jehovah's witnesses there, many of whom have been imprisoned in Siberian camps because of their Christian beliefs.
A bitter battle was fought out in Quebec to establish freedom of religion. Beginning before World War II, by 1946 arrests of Christian ministers for gospel preaching in that Canadian province were running as high as thirty a day. Not until 1953, after a twenty-year fight and a successful six-year legal battle in the test case of Saumur vs. City of Quebec, was a beginning of freedom of worship established.
All too frequently it is the clergy who prompt such opposition. They do not fight with equal vigor against modernism and evolution, which attempt to contradict God's true Word, but, instead, they have fought against the very ones who are preaching that Word and firmly upholding
it. This is nothing new, however, for it was the religious leaders in Jesus' day who opposed the first foundations of Christianity, and it is their modern parallel in Christendom today who still do the same. —Matt. 23:13, 33-35; Mark 11:18; John 11:45-53.
Opposition Fails
Yet the work grows and expands. The persecutions cannot succeed, for the fight is not against man, but against God. Legal victories have many times shown the rights of these Christian ministers. Of the 59 cases involving Jehovah's witnesses that have been docketed in the Supreme Court of the United States, forty-three of them have been decided in their favor. High courts in other lands have done similarly. But when the authorities do not come to their protection, this gospel preaching continues just the same.
So it is that, behind the Iron Curtain and in other lands where the preaching work of Jehovah's witnesses is legally proscribed, the ministry is not halted. It continues underground, much as it did with the early Christians, when persecution literally drove them underground into the catacombs. Jehovah's witnesses of modern times refuse to give up their God-given commission, just as Jesus' early disciples did, saying: "We must obey God as ruler rather than men."—Acts 5:29.
PREACHING in All the Inhabited Earth
THE work of Jehovah's witnesses in every country is essentially missionary preaching activity. The methods are quite the same throughout all the earth, except for countries that are dominated by Communism or Roman Catholic dictators where certain public forms of worship are not tolerate
While a majority of the foreign missionary societies give most of their effort to appealing to people through establishing medical centers or colleges, Jehovah's witnesses devote themselves to giving free Bible education in the homes of the people and in public halls. They have found that many people will become "believers" in a certain religion for the material benefits they gain; however, if those things are taken away the people turn to some other idea. The objective of Jehovah's witnesses is to have only persons of genuine faith in God and Christ associate with their organization. If such persons are taught the pure Bible truth and encouraged to claim Christianity because of true belief and not for personal gain, they will endure even under great persecution or trouble and will hold to their faith. This is pleasing to God.
Jehovah's witnesses are not out to build up a great membership regardless of what kind of lives the people lead and they do not offer a lot of inducements in material things in order to get people's names on a roll book. They must be sincere believers in God and Christ if they are to gain everlasting life. It is encouraging to observe that many of such people are still to be found in these evil days.
Schools Expand Kingdom Preaching
During the second world war the president of the Watch Tower Society conceived
the idea of a school to train missionaries to carry the Kingdom message to distant places. This idea met with the enthusiastic approval of the board of directors, and in February, 1943, the first class of the Watchtower Bible School of Gilead opened at Kingdom Farm in upstate New York. Up until this school was moved down to the Brooklyn headquarters in 1961, 3,638 students from 95 countries had completed its five-month course and had been sent to more than 100 different countries. They opened up the preaching work in many of these places, and in the course of years were joined with literally thousands of fellow ministers who responded to the message.
The Gilead School in Brooklyn is continuing to train more mature ministers to care for this large organization of preachers that has been built up in other lands. In this way the worldwide organization of Jehovah's witnesses is directed in harmony with the Scriptures and the pattern followed at headquarters. These men are also being given practical instruction and experience in all features of printing so that the factories in other countries will operate efficiently.
Another school of specialized training operated by the Society is the Kingdom Ministry School that offers a two-week course of Bible study to congregation overseers and special representatives of Jehovah's witnesses. Beginning in March of 1959 in the United States, such schools are also in operation in many other countries throughout the world.
In over 199 lands* Jehovah's witnesses preach one united message concerning God's kingdom. The growth of this preaching work and how it is carried on is published in detail each year in the Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses. We believe the short report published below will prove interesting to you, for although the message is the same, customs of the people and the way they react to the message are often very different.
Europe
War-ravaged Europe has been a fertile field for the preaching of the good news of the Kingdom, whereas in Asia progress has been slower due to the enslavement of the peoples to deep-seated pagan traditions that make acceptance of Bible truth difficult. Although the war year of 1942 saw only 22,796 of Jehovah's witnesses in thirteen lands in Europe and 406 ministers in six Asiatic countries, ten years later the combined number had increased nearly sevenfold, to 161,141 in forty-three countries. By 1965 the number of Kingdom preachers in Europe and Asia had grown to over 374,000 in 50 countries, and they are active on both sides of the Iron Curtain.*
In ten countries behind the Iron Curtain over 100,000 of Jehovah's witnesses are busy preaching the message of God's kingdom, and for many this has resulted in imprisonment and death. Four students who recently attended the school of Gilead spent a total of twenty-five years in Communist prisons; nevertheless, they continued to study and preach. One of them told how they did this: "During our fifteen-minute march in the prison yard each day we would whisper to the prisoner up ahead when the guard was not looking. We knew that if we were detected it would mean three weeks of isolation. But the preaching had to be done and so we used this method to do it. Really our brothers were a problem to the prison guards. They knew that if they put us together we would study all day, and if they took us apart we would preach to everyone possible."
In western Europe the preaching work is done free from the restriction encountered behind the Iron Curtain, and it is increasing marvelously. As the people and authorities become better acquainted with what Jehovah's witnesses are doing they listen to their message, and are glad to have them hold assemblies in their cities. For instance, in the Netherlands, where following the war Jehovah's witnesses were
generally viewed with suspicion and animosity, their work is now favorably mentioned in the press, and they were invited by an Amsterdam radio station to put on a program explaining their organization and beliefs.
Most of the literature used throughout Europe is printed in its various countries. In Great Britain, where upward of 50,000 publishers are preaching, over 22.8 million Watchtower and Awake! magazines were printed in their factory in 1965. In West Germany there are over 78,000 of Jehovah's witnesses preaching, and they have a large Bethel home and factory situated in a beautifully wooded area near Wiesbaden. In 1965 over 24.4 million copies of the German Watchtower and Awake! were printed there. Factories in Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Switzerland also annually turn out millions of copies of these Bible magazines in various European languages.
Asia
Although the preaching work in Asia is not as widespread as in Europe, good progress is being made in some places.* Talking to these people of the Orient about God's kingdom is quite different from talking to Europeans. It is interesting to listen to ministers from places such as Japan and Korea describe the preaching work there. The people are very polite and courteous, they say. At many homes a person is invited inside and given an opportunity to give his Bible sermon. But, of course, you must remove your shoes before stepping into their homes; then you may be offered a cushion on which to sit on the floor.
Asiatic people like education and are usually willing to discuss matters. As a
rule they will readily accept Bible literature when it is offered. However, the family ties that hold them under centuries-old religious traditions are very strong, and it is often difficult for them to break away and take a stand for Bible truth. But when they do, as increasing numbers are, the truth has an amazing reformatory effect on their lives, and they become zealous preachers of it. In 1965 some 13 percent of Jehovah's witnesses in Japan were full-time ministers spending at least a hundred hours preaching each month.
Although response to the preaching work has been slow in India, with just over 2,000 Witnesses there in 1965, some newly interested ones have shown exceptional zeal. A letter received from there tells about several large families who have accepted the truth. "They have built their own Kingdom Hall and are zealous and united in the truth. Even the little children of ten are able to give the entire sermon boldly and effectively on their own. Their use of the Bible is commendable. . .
"Some of the territories have distance and traveling problems. In order to reach the territory at ten o'clock they must leave at 7:30 a.m. and start out in two or three small rowing boats on the
river. They reach the territory only after going four or five miles on the river and walking three or four miles on foot through fields and jungles, and then catching a bus for three miles." But they are determined to have a share in preaching the good news.
Africa
In probably no other continent has the preaching work of Jehovah's witnesses had such a tremendous effect as in Africa. Among those becoming Witnesses pagan superstititions, beliefs and practices have been put away and the Bible's high moral standards conformed to, including the requirement to be faithful to just one marriage mate. Appreciation for Bible truth has motivated these Africans to become effective ministers, with the result that the number of Kingdom preachers in Africa increased sevenfold in ten years, from 10,070 in 1942 to 72,228 in 1952.
In 1965 over 149,000 ministers of the good news reported service from 41 lands.*
Government officials and employers are simply amazed at the transformation in the Africans that become Jehovah's witnesses. They become the most reliable and trustworthy workers, and most of them are literate as a result of the reading and writing classes conducted in the Kingdom Halls. But most noteworthy of all are their huge assemblies, where, on occasions, over 30,000 of Jehovah's witnesses from many different tribes have met together in peaceful fellowship. Government officials who have attended to see for themselves how it could be accomplished have marveled.
In places whole villages have become Jehovah's witnesses, necessitating their traveling to other places in order to preach. Such remarkable expansion of the preaching work has brought it about that Zambia has one Kingdom publisher for every 115 persons; Malawi, one for every 233 persons; and Rhodesia, one for every 410 inhabitants. In 1959 a large Bethel home and factory was opened up in Johannesburg, South Africa, where over 2.5 million Watchtower and Awake! magazines a year
are printed in nine African languages. No longer can Africa be labeled the dark continent, spiritually speaking.
Branch in Zambia
For current statistics, see The Watchtower as of January 1 each year. For a more detailed report, see the annual Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses.
The Kingdom message has even penetrated to the far-flung islands of the Atlantic, Caribbean, Mediterranean and the Pacific. In many of these islands, including
the Philippines, Australia and New Zealand, the good news of the Kingdom has enjoyed a warm reception. Whereas back in 1942 there were only 5,570 Kingdom preachers on nine islands, ten years later the number had increased to 44,111 preaching on 27 islands. By 1965 the number of preachers had risen to over 106,000, who are carrying the good news to more than 80 islands and groups of islands of the sea.*
A letter received from the Solomon Islands gives an idea of what a remarkable reception is sometimes given the Kingdom message. Some villagers had become dissatisfied with the religion brought by Christendom's missionaries and so set up their own. As they were interested in religion, when they heard about the work of Jehovah's witnesses they sent some representatives to the capital city of Honiara to investigate. These brought back a favorable report. In fact, one of them was so impressed that he built a Kingdom Hall in anticipation of the time that Jehovah's witnesses would come.
Finally, when four Kingdom publishers arrived, over 450 of the native folk assembled to hear the public talk. Afterward arrangements were made to conduct a teaching program during the following week. Classes were held with about 150 in attendance. They began at 6:30 in the morning and continued till after midnight. The result? "After much convincing and argumentation that is impossible to put into one letter every last one of the teachers and pastors decided for the truth.
The twenty-odd churches were renamed Kingdom Halls and all twenty-eight villages are studying the nine sermons left with them. All of them were really enthused and they sent twenty pounds with me to buy blackboards and chalk. The former teachers and pastors are now publishing and teaching the others through the sermons. They have left all their rituals and are trying to follow the way we do things as closely as possible." And so it is that the Kingdom message reaches into the remote islands of the sea.
South America
After centuries of Roman Catholic control illiteracy is the general rule among the people of this continent, illegitimate children are many and consensual marriage is the normal practice. Under such an atmosphere Kingdom preaching had a slow start, with only 807 ministers in 1942; by 1952 these had increased to 11,795, but by 1965 over 67,000 were busy preaching in all the countries of South America.* In recent years the work of Jehovah's witnesses has gained widespread public attention in every country of South America.
For example, a report from Brazil states: "In the city and suburbs of São Paulo in the south of Brazil, there are over 100 congregations of Jehovah's witnesses and more than 8,500 Kingdom preachers. And in the Rio de Janeiro area there are over 60 congregations with more than 5,000 publishers of the good news of God's kingdom.
"In 1965, in eleven district assemblies, the attendance was more than 64,000, with 27,000 attending the assembly in São Paulo. In the eleven assemblies, 1,027 were baptized. At the celebration of the Memorial of Christ's death in 1965 more than 80,000 attended in the more than 800 congregations and isolated groups, and during the year the total number of Kingdom publishers reached a peak of 36,582 in the month of October."
North and Central America
In North America, where the headquarters directing this worldwide preaching work is located, steady increases have been realized, not only in the United States, but also in Canada, Mexico and Central America. The number of preachers has grown from 75,589 in 1945, to 168,752 in 1952, to over 411,000 in 1965 who are carrying the message of God's kingdom to the peoples from Alaska to Panama.*
Throughout the world the number of Kingdom preachers is well over one million.* Every week they contact tens of millions of persons, and with many of these they hold Bible discussions in their homes. "In all the inhabited earth" this good news of the Kingdom is being preached, in imitation of the example set by Christ Jesus and in fulfillment of his prophecy concerning our day. It is not being done in a perfunctory manner, but with the greatest urgency, because, as Jesus said, the preaching of the Kingdom good news will be followed by the end of this wicked system of things at God's war of Armageddon. —Matt. 24:14; Rev. 16:16.
Hundreds of thousands of dedicated men, women and youths, moved by love of God and love of neighbor, are zealously sharing in this vital work, regardless of the obstacles with which they are confronted. Tens of thousands more are joining them in the work each year. Truly, the evangelistic efforts of Jehovah's witnesses have covered the earth! But it is not zeal alone that has brought such increases in numbers. It is zealous effort, yes, but a zeal that is possible only when motivated by God's spirit and nourished by God's Word. That is why persons who love righteousness listen when Jehovah's witnesses speak to them at the door and respond to the message they bear. That message comes from the Bible. To learn more about this different way of preaching, read the next article.
WHY is it that Jehovah's witnesses use so many different methods to preach the good news of God's kingdom?
Jehovah's witnesses adopt the methods Christ used to preach the good news, for he knew what was effective. Not strange, then, that these Christian witnesses are often seen in public places offering Bible literature and telling about the Kingdom. This preaching in public places is nothing new. Christ himself taught others on thoroughfares. "You taught in our broad ways."—Luke 13:26.
Following Christ, his apostles likewise adopted every kind of preaching method. Not just in the synagogues but regularly in the public places they preached, as did the apostle Paul: "He began to reason in the synagogue with the Jews and the other people who worshiped God and every day in the market place with those who happened to be on hand." Yes, "every day" Paul preached in public places.—Acts 17: 17.
So today Jehovah's witnesses often preach on the streets. Some persons cannot be reached at their homes but may be reached by preaching in public places. Street preaching is not done indiscriminately. During certain hours many persons are not at home but may be found in the marketplaces. Jehovah's witnesses often use these hours to good advantage by approaching people on the streets. In a brief, attractive, courteous way passersby are told of the Kingdom and are offered printed sermons contained in The Watchtower and Awake! Thus the busy shoppers can read detailed information concerning the Kingdom at their convenience at home.
There is another preaching method that the apostles of Christ used "every day" and that Jehovah's witnesses use today. "Every day in the temple and from house to house," says Acts 5:42, "they continued without letup teaching and declaring the good news about the Christ, Jesus." Yes, house-to-house preaching was one of the most important preaching methods of the early Christians. It is so today among Jehovah's witnesses.
HOW THE PREACHING IS DONE
When the apostle Paul spoke to the older men from the congregation of Ephesus, he told them: "I did not hold back from telling you any of the things that were profitable nor from teaching you publicly and from house to house." (Acts 20:20) Truly house-to-house preaching is a Christlike and apostolic method!
Sermons at the Doors
In going from house to house Jehovah's witnesses use the Bible. From it they give to all householders who will listen a brief sermon, perhaps three to eight minutes in length. The house-to-house minister, whether man, woman or youth, trains himself to give his sermon in a coherent, appealing way. They prepare not only one sermon but several so that they may speak on a variety of Bible themes, such as "God's Purpose for the Earth," "The Bible's Promise of a Better System of Things," "What Christ's Return Means to You," etc. And not only is the trained house-to-house minister able to speak on many different Bible themes but he is able to preach to "all kinds of men."
Yes, to be effective in Kingdom preaching Jehovah's witnesses learn how to adapt their sermons to a householder's interest. Whether the householder is a man who is disgusted with world conditions or a mother with children, the Kingdom minister will talk on a Bible subject that will appeal to the particular interests of that person.
To give coherent, appealing sermons requires preparation and training. So Jehovah's witnesses follow the Scriptural counsel: "Pay constant attention to yourself and to your teaching." (1 Tim. 4:16) Scriptural knowledge and the ability to speak effectively are acquired at their various congregational meetings. (See pages 20-22.) Furthermore, the Kingdom minister knows it is important to train himself at home, practicing his sermons, perhaps with another member of the family. Then, too, new ones, those just beginning in the ministry, are assigned to work with a mature and experienced minister so that they get practical training in the field as well.
Use of Literature
In their door-to-door ministry Jehovah's witnesses preach from the Bible. They are ministers. Why, then, do they use literature, such as bound books? Would this not transform them into salesmen and peddlers? By no means! What is contained in the literature that they leave with the householder are printed sermons. At the doorstep the Kingdom minister can give only a short sermon. But by leaving printed sermons with the householder the minister is able to give extended Bible instruction. Why, a book such as "Things in Which It Is Impossible for God to Lie" contains twenty-two different sermons!
There are many other reasons why Bible literature is important. For example, when a book is left at a home, its many sermons may be read, not only by the person who obtained it, but also by members of that household who were not home when the minister called. Perhaps five or six persons may benefit from a single publication. By leaving Bible literature at the homes of the people Jehovah's witnesses do not become salesmen. They are ministers—ministers who are using every effective preaching method to make known to men of this generation the good news of the established Kingdom.
When going from house to house Jehovah's witnesses adhere to the Bible's counsel: "We recommend ourselves as God's ministers . . . by kindness." (2 Cor. 6:4, 6) When delivering their sermons—which is kindness in action itself—Jehovah's witnesses show kind consideration to the public. Some householders are truly busy and have only a few minutes. Jehovah's witnesses do not press such persons to listen to a full sermon. If a mother is too busy to listen very long the door-to-door minister shows his preaching flexibility by making only a few brief remarks regarding the Kingdom and our spiritual needs and offering literature for her to read at a more convenient time. After he leaves he does not forget this busy person. He makes note of this householder, and makes a special effort to contact her at a time when she is free to listen.
Private Bible Meetings
When the early Christians found a person interested in the Kingdom message they gave extended personal instruction in the home. This instruction was free. It was by personal instruction in the home that Jesus built up Mary and Zacchaeus as true disciples. (Luke 10:38-42; 19:5-9) So today Jehovah's witnesses call back on persons who have expressed interest. Home Bible studies, where about an hour's personal instruction is given, are held one or more times each week. In this way whole families come to know Jehovah and his purposes.
Those persons who progress to the point of accepting this Kingdom message dedicate their lives to God and then join in preaching the good news to others. So the work grows and expands.
Jehovah's witnesses are ever alert to preaching methods that will help them spread the glorious good news—that the Kingdom is ruling and a new system of things is at hand. (See also pages 6, 7.)
For a brief Scriptural list of some of the beliefs of Jehovah's witnesses, please turn the page.
WHAT JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES BELIEVE
BELIEF
SCRIPTURAL REASON
BELIEF
SCRIPTURAL REASON
Bible is God's Word and is truth
2 Tim. 3:16, 17;2 Pet. 1:20, 17;John 17:17
Adamic death will cease
1 Cor. 15:26, 21;Iso. 25:8, 1 Cor. 15:15, 54
Bible is more reliable than traditionGod's name is Jehovah
Matt. 15:3; Col. 2.8Ps. 83:18; Isa. 26:4;42.8; Asc. 6.3Matt. 31:17; John 8:42;20.17;1 Cor. 11:3;15.28
Only a little flock of 144,000 go to heaven and rule with Christ
Luke 12:32, Rev. 14:1;3;1 Cor. 15:40-53;Rev. 5:9, 101
Christ is God's Son and is inferior to him
Col. 1:15; Rev. 3.14Gol. 3:13; Act. 53.0Matt. 3:13; Tim. 2.5;6; Thus. 21:41;1 Pet. 2.24
The 144,000 are born again as spiritual sons of God
1 Pet. 1:23;1 Cor. 15:41;Phil. 3:20, 21;John 3:31
Christ was first of God's creationsChrist died on a stake, not a crossChrist's human life was paid as a ransom for obedient humans
Col. 1:15; Rev. 3.14Gol. 3:13; Act. 53.0Matt. 3:13; Tim. 2.5;6; Thus. 21:41;1 Pet. 2.24
New covenant made with spiritual IsraelChrist's congregation is built upon himselfPrayers must be directed only to Jehovah through Christ
Jer. 31:31; Heb. 8:10-13Eph. 2:20; Isa. 28:16;Math. 21:42John 4:14;13;14Tim. 2:15Ex. 20:4;5; Lev. 26:11;1 Cor. 10:14;14;15.15-8Deut. 18:10; Gal. 5:19-21; Lev. 19:311 John 5:19; Lev. 4:14;John 12:31A Christian must have no part in interfaith movements
Christ's one sacrifice was sufficientChrist was raised from the dead as an immortal spirit creature
Rom. 6:10; Heb. 9:25-291 Pet. 3:18; Tim. 6:9; Thus. 21:41;1 Pet. 2.24
Images must not be used in worship
Ex. 20:4;5; Lev. 26:11;1 Cor. 10:14;14;15.15-8Deut. 18:10; Gal. 5:19-21; Lev. 19:311 John 5:19; Lev. 4:14;John 12:31A Christian must have no part in interfaith movements
Christ's second presence is in spirit
Rom. 14:19; Math. 24:3;2 Cor. 5:16; Ps. 11:7, 18
Spiritism must be shunned
Jos. 4:44;1 John 2:15;17 John 15:19;1716Meth. 22:12; 21;1 Pet. 22:415; Gen. 9:34;17:14;Gen. 9:34;17:14;Acts 12:29
Kingdom under Christ will rule earth in righteousness and peaceKingdom brings ideal living conditions to earth
Rom. 14:19; Math. 24:3;2 Cor. 5:16; Ps. 11:7, 18
A Christian must keep separate from worldAll human laws that do not conflict with God's laws should be obeyedConsuming blood through mouth or veins violates God's laws
Jos. 4:44;1 John 2:15;17 John 15:19;1716Meth. 22:12; 21;1 Pet. 22:415; Gen. 9:34;17:14;Gen. 9:34;17:14;Acts 12:29
Earth will never be destroyed or de-populatedGod will destroy present things at battle of Armageddon
Ecd. 14:19; Age 45:18;Ps. 78:69; Rev. 16:14; 16; Zeph. 3:8; Don. 244; Iso. 342
Bible's laws on morals must be obeyed
Jos. 4:44;1 John 2:15;17 John 15:19;1716Meth. 22:12; 21;1 Pet. 22:415; Gen. 9:34;17:14;Gen. 9:34;17:14;Acts 12:29
Wicked will be eternally destroyedPeople God approves will receive eternal life
Ps. 37:10; 145:20John 3:16; 102:27; 28:17;3:33; Mark 10:29, 30
Sabbath observance was given only to the Jews and ended with Mosaic law
Deut. 5:11; 31:13;Rom. 10:44; Gal. 4:9;10; Gal. 21:16
There is only one road to life
Matt. 7:13; 14; Cor. 1:10; 13; Eph. 4.4;5Matt. 24:3; 14; Tim. 3;1-5; Luke 17:26-30
A legy class and special titles are improperMan did not evolve but was createdChrist set example of dedication to God that set example of dedication
Meth. 23:8-12; 20:25-27; Job 3:21; 22;12
We are now in the 'time of the end'
Rom. 5:12; 6:23Ezek. 18:4; Eccl. 9:10;Ps. 6:5; 14:6; John 11:11-14
Baptism by complete immersion symbolizes dedication
Isa. 45:12; Job 1:271 Pet. 3:21; 14; Gal. 10:7;John 4:34;6.38
Human death is due to Adam's sinThe human soul ceases to exist at death
Job 14:13; Dy. Rev. 20;13; 14; AV (margin)1 Cor. 15:20-22; John 5:28, 29; 11:25, 26
Christianism must give public testimony to Scriptural truth
Mark 19:1; John 10:3; 23; Acts 19, 4; 15; Isa. 43:10, 12;
S. A society of Christian ministers, ed in all the principal tongues of the
AS a society of Christian ministers, Jehovah's witnesses follow Jesus Christ, who said he "came, not to be ministered to, but to minister." (Matt. 20:28) Following the pattern of the apostolic congregation, they are not governed by democratic vote. All presiding ministers of the congregations are "servants" appointed by the governing body at headquarters in harmony with God's spirit as expressed in his Word, the Bible. They recognize the leadership only of Jehovah God as exercised through his Son and enthroned King, Jesus Christ. This makes the organization theo-
ed in all the principal tongues of the earth? Jehovah's witnesses are people that come from all nations, kindreds and tongues, and from all walks of life, men and women who are dedicated to the service of Jehovah God. They are unincorporated, but no matter where they are in the earth they work at unity, to the end that the good news of God's kingdom will be preached in all the world for a witness to all the nations.—Mark 13:10.
To carry on this tremendous task of the ministry they need a formal organization under which they can work, one that is
Administration of the organization is from international headquarters in Brooklyn, New York, operating through ninety-five branches world wide. The branches are visited each year by the president of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society or by his specially appointed representative called a "zone servant." Similarly, congregations are visited about three times a year by a circuit servant who is responsible for up to sixteen congregations. All the congregations in a circuit assemble twice a year, at which time they are visited
recognized by the governments of the earth. So, many years ago, in 1884, the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania was chartered. This corporation sees to the work in all the countries and islands of the sea and also sees to it that The Watchtower and other Bible literature are printed in many tongues, to aid Jehovah's witnesses world wide in their ministerial activity.* (See also pages 23-25.)
In addition to the Pennsylvania corporation there is also the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York Inc, which
by a district servant who serves ten to twelve circuits. District servants report directly to the branch office. This principle of organizational assistance has contributed much to the growth of the work in recent years.
Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society
But what is the connection between Jehovah's witnesses and the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, publishers of the Watchtower magazine, which is distribut-
owns the property in New York city. It has two large twelve-story buildings, one across the street from the other, and a few blocks away it has a large printing plant, covering almost three New York city blocks, with further expansion already under way in 1966. (See the inset on the cover and pages 23-25.) Both corporations work closely together to one end, that is, to keep Jehovah's witnesses supplied with all the things they need in their ministry.
In addition to these two corporations there are a number of other corporations that Jehovah's witnesses have organized, such as the International Bible Students Association of Canada, the International Bible Students Association of Great Britain and similar societies in different countries. All these Bible societies cooperate one with the other to get the good news of God's kingdom preached everywhere.
Presiding Ministers
Each congregation of Jehovah's witnesses has a presiding minister known as the congregation servant or overseer. He is not the "leader" of the other ministers, but is appointed by holy spirit to shepherd God's flock and set the right example. (Matt. 23:8-12; 1 Pet. 5:2; Acts 20:28) Qualifying as the congregation servant is not a matter of seniority. Rather, it is spiritual maturity as a Christian that counts. The Scriptural qualifications for an overseer are found at 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. His duties are to see that all living in the territory assigned to the congregation receive a regular and thorough witness and that all in the congregation are aided to fulfill their dedication in a manner acceptable to God. To equip him to do this better he is given special training at the Kingdom Ministry School operated for this purpose, usually at the branch office of the Society. (See page 10.)
The overseer must copy Jesus in showing love and hospitality to the "sheep" and the strangers who associate with the congregation. Under the gaze of Christ the King, each overseer "must prove to be like a hiding place from the wind and a place of concealment from the rainstorm, like streams of water in a waterless country, like the shadow of a heavy crag in an exhausted land." (Isa. 32:1, 2) In this responsibility of shepherding God's flock the overseer has a number of assistants called ministerial servants.—1 Tim. 3:8; Phil. 1:1.
Duties of Ministerial Servants
To be a ministerial servant one must meet the requirements stated at 1 Timothy 3:8-13. Like the overseer, he must copy Jehovah and Christ Jesus in tenderly shepherding God's people. (Isa. 40:11; John 10:11) Ministerial servants are appointed, not merely to assist the overseer, but to give personal help to the congregation. (1 Cor. 10:24) Here are their duties:
Assistant Congregation Servant
This mature minister has oversight of the congregation in the overseer's absence. His duty is to aid in coordinating the rendering of assistance to all through the individual service centers. He knows who is in need of aid because he tabulates the reports turned in by each Witness. As in Bible times, Jehovah's modern witnesses keep accurate records of their ministry. (Ezek. 9:11; Acts 2:41; 4:4) Each minister reports his hours devoted to preaching, literature placements, return visits and Bible studies conducted. These are posted on individual Publisher's Record cards, which not only reveal which publisher needs aid, but enable the congregation to recommend qualified Witnesses to the Watch Tower Society for appointment to special privileges of service. (1 Tim. 3:10; 5:22) Once a month the congregation's combined report goes to the Society's branch office. Eventually all branch reports go to the world headquarters of the Society in Brooklyn, New York. An annual Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses is then printed containing interesting experiences and encouraging reports from the worldwide society of Kingdom preachers. The assistant congregation servant lovingly encourages all to have a regular part in the witness now being given.—Matt. 24:14.
Bible Study Servant
Because all of Jehovah's witnesses are teachers they make return visits on interested persons and conduct home Bible studies. (Dan. 11:33; 12:3; Gal. 6:6) On the basis of the Bible Study Reports turned in by each minister, the Bible study servant can make helpful suggestions.
He is eager to help those in the congregation start new Bible studies and conduct them
in the most beneficial manner. Through his faithful and patient efforts more people receive a better knowledge of God's Word and purpose.
Literature Servant
You have noted that Jehovah's witnesses use printed sermons when they teach. The books and booklets containing such sermons are ordered and cared for by this ministerial servant at the congregation's literature counter. Newly interested persons also are welcome to obtain publications from him for distribution to friends and acquaintances.—2 Tim. 4:13; Eccl. 11:6.
Magazine-Territory Servant
The congregation places many copies of each issue of The Watchtower and Awake! in its territory. These magazines are ordered and cared for by the magazine-territory servant. Many newly associated with the congregation find witnessing with the magazines an easy way to take their first step in door-to-door preaching. This ministerial servant aids new and experienced Witnesses to present these printed sermons effectively and give them the widest possible distribution. He reserves whatever quantity of magazines each one wishes of each issue for personal distribution. Of course, whether they are using magazines or books and booklets, confusion would result if homes were covered in a hit-and-miss fashion. To prevent this, each congregation is assigned a certain territory by the Society. (Matt. 13:38; 2 Cor. 10:13-16) By assigning small portions of that territory to individual ministers, the magazine-territory servant ensures an orderly coverage of all the homes within the congregation's boundaries.—1 Cor. 14:33.
Accounts Servant
While salaries are not paid the overseer or the ministerial assistants, maintaining a Kingdom Hall and ordering literature involve expenses. These are met by voluntary contributions. There are no collection plates, tithes, envelopes or lists of contributors. (Matt. 6:1-4) Each one is free to drop a gift into the contribution box "as he may be prospering." (2 Ki. 12:9; 1 Cor. 16:2) The accounts servant cares for these funds and sees that contributions are used to advance the preaching work and Kingdom interests.
Other Appointments
Later (pages 21-22) we will discuss the Theocratic Ministry School, the Watchtower study and the book study. A minister is appointed by the Watch Tower Society to preside over each. They are known as the school servant, Watchtower study servant and book study conductor. As with the other ministerial servants, their chief concern is lovingly to aid each one in the congregation to get the full benefit out of the meetings that they conduct. (1 Thess. 2:8) They take a personal interest in showing new ones and others needing help how to study and make regular advancement as servants of God.—Phil. 2:4.
The Society also appoints ministers to a variety of service privileges open to dedicated ministers who are able to devote all or most of their time to the preaching work. These are "pioneers," who engage primarily in the house-to-house and home Bible study work, "circuit," "district" and "zone servants," whose activities were discussed at the beginning of this article, missionaries who are assigned to lands other than their native country (see page 9) and branch office staff members who live as Bethel families. (See page 26.) Wherever one serves in Jehovah's organization, he is interested in his neighbor's salvation as well as his own.—Matt. 22:36-40.
KINGDOM HALL
LIKE the early Christians, Jehovah's modern-day witnesses congregate for Bible study and to equip themselves for preaching the Kingdom message. Jesus said: "Where there are two or three gathered together in my name, there I am in their midst." (Matt. 18:20) This is true whether his followers meet in private homes or in modest auditoriums called Kingdom Halls." (Rom. 16:5; Acts 20:8) This name puts the emphasis on the
main purpose of Jehovah's witnesses: to advertise God's kingdom as the hope of the world. Since congregations are kept
Early in the week Jehovah's witnesses and persons who have been studying
small (two congregations being formed from one when it reaches about 200 persons), Kingdom Halls are moderate in size. The congregation schedules five hours of meetings each week, as follows:
the Bible with them go to the nearest home or Kingdom Hall designated by the congregation for a onehour group study, using the Bible and a textbook provided by the Watch Tower Society. Here you can
Congregation Book Study
get acquainted with your closest neighbors who are interested in serving Jehovah and living in his righteous new order. (Mal. 3:16-18; 2 Pet. 3:13) The small size of the group enables you to speak up freely and get accustomed to declaring your faith before others. (Heb. 13:15) At the same time your knowledge is sharpened by the comments of others present.—Prov. 27:17.
The home where such book study is held is known as a Service Center, because those associated meet there at convenient times to go out to the neighboring homes and preach the good news of God's kingdom. Arrangements are made for
students and newly baptized Witnesses to receive assistance and training from a mature Witness for as long as they need it. They learn how to give an effective witness at the door, how to keep a record of interested persons and the best way to follow up such interest until the seed that is planted becomes fruitful.—1 Cor. 3:6.
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