Some have claimed that we follow Charles Taze Russell blindly and simply accept what he says because he said it. Those who are familiar with the Restoration Light publications and have compared our teachings with Russell's writings should know that this is not true. We have been asked to show where we differ with Russell.

We differ with Brother Russell concerning the meaning of spirit begettal. We believe that spirit begettal first reckons one as alive on the earthly plane, not the spirit plane. The Bible does not speak of being begotten to the spirit plane, but that the seed begotten must first be earthly, then spiritual. (1 Corithians 14:35-38,46) One cannot be justified except that he is also reckoned as alive by being begotten again by means of the holy spirit. The body produced in the resurrection, that is, whether it is to be heavenly or earthly, depends on the development of the seed begotten. (Matthew 13:8) For the church, the reckoned earthly plane comes before they are accepted as of the heavenly plane. Click Here for more information concerning spirit begettal. See also our document on Why Jesus Arose.

We differ with Brother Russell concerning who make up the great multitude of Revelation 7, nor do we agree that the 144,000 are the 12 tribes of Israel spoken of there. (The 144,000 are sealed out of [Greek, ek] the 12 tribes, they are not the total sum of the 12 tribes.) This makes three saved classes referred to in Revelation 7, not two: (1) the twelve tribes of Israel: justified spiritual Israelites, sons and heirs of God who have not necessarily been sealed as one of the 144,000 joint-heirs. (2) the 144,000: joint-heirs with Christ who have been sealed out of the heirs so that they become more than heirs: joint-heirs with Christ. (3) The great multitude, late consecrators here in the end of the age, babes in Christ, who come out of the great tribulaton as an earthly class. We discussed these classes briefly in With What Body Are We Raised? This view calls for some adjustments concening the tabernacle types and antitypes also, as well as some of the applications on the "Chart of the Ages". The class represented on section 'p' of the Gospel Age become the spirit-begotten consecrated still reckoned on the justified earthly plane. Section "y" of the Messianic age becomes an earthly class -- those of spiritual Israel who remain on the earthly plane, not a class on the spirit plane. Plane "L" would have to be looked upon differently, although we are not sure how to apply it, except to say that it ceases after the Messianic age has fully begun, so that it would not apply section 'y' of the Messianic age.

We do not believe that the "one hope" of Ephesians 4:4 excludes members of those called in this age from receiving earthly bodies in the resurrection. The one hope of our calling is in Christ, regardless of the reward received, whether heavenly or earthly.

In view of the above, it should be apparent that we differ with some of Brother Russell's applicatons of the tabernacle types and antitypes. (We haven't written on this subject yet.)

We differ with Brother Russell's definition of "divine nature" as used in 2 Peter 1:4. See: Divine Nature in 2 Peter 1:4

We differ with Brother Russell's ideas on incorruption, immortality, etc. We do not define immortality nor incorruption exactly the same as Russell. Click Here for more information on immortality and incorruption

We differ with Brother Russell's explanation of "life in himself" as given to Jesus by his Father, Yahweh. In John 5:26, we read: "For as the Father has life in himself; so he has given to the Son to have life in himself." Brother Russell taught that this means that the Son was given life completely independent of the Father. However, the context indicates that this expression simply means that just as the Father is able to give life in the resurrection, so he has given this power to the Son to give life in the resurrection. Thus he has "life in himself" to impart in raising the dead. (John 5:25,28,29) To have life completely independent of Yahweh as the source of that life would imply an equality to Yahweh that no one enjoys. -- Isaiah 40:25; 46:5.

We differ with Brother Russell concerning use of the cross and crown symbol and encourage God's people to discontinue its use. See: The Cross and Idolatry and

We also differ from Russell's application of some scriptures pertaining to idolatry. See Idolatry

We differ with Russell's identity of Babylon the Great, although our belief is similar. We believe that the woman, Babylon the Great, represents the religious covenants and false promises instigated by Satan -- especially upon the apostate church, after the manner that the women, Sarah and Hagar, represent covenants. (Galatians 4:24) We haven't written too much on this, but it is alluded to in The Bible and Mythology

Although we are in general agreement with Brother Russell's presentation of the divine plan and the atonement, we do not agree with Russell's application of every scripture. It would probably take us several days, weeks or even months to identify every detail or small item that we do not agree with Russell about, and even then we could miss some things. Most are just minor, that is true; however, some differences produce a whole different way of looking at many of the scriptures (such as spirit-begettal, divine nature, immortality, etc.).

Despite what one might think, Bible Students are not bound by what Russell, the Edgars, Streeter, Woodworth, Frey, Barton, Wilmott or any other Bible Student author has written. It is our observation that only those within the Bible Students movement who have not made a thorough investigation would claim to be in 100% agreement with everything Russell taught.

RRD, edited May 5, 2002