The Bible Students are a religious group that, like the Jehovah's Witnesses, claim to follow the teachings and views of Charles Taze Russell (best known as "Pastor Russell").

In the late ninteenth century, the Bible Students were congregations following the teachings of Pastor Russell. (at that time, and presently, referred to as "Ecclesia's").

In 1914, the International Bible Students Association was incorporated in London, and local congregations were advised to stop using that name to advertise themselves, reserving it for the national or international level. The name "Associated Bible Students" was recommended, and used, instead.

After the death of Pastor Russell in 1916, the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society took a more central role under the guidance of Joseph Franklin Rutherford, and there was a significant split between the congregations accepting the authority of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, who were named "Jehovah's Witnesses" in 1931, and those who opposed Rutherford's doctrinal views and rejections of Pastor Russell's doctrinal views. The latter continue to call themselves "Bible Students".

The International Bible Students Association remained under the control of the Jehovah's Witnesses.

External Links

• Pastor-Russell.com - Official CT Russell Website
• A "Bible Student" website
• Columbus, Ohio Bible Students
• Chicago, Illinois Bible Students
• North Seattle, Washington Bible Students
• New Jersey, Bible Students Congregation of New Brunswick