Understanding the identity of God’s witnesses requires beginning with the structure and purpose of the Bible itself.
The Bible is divided into two major sections. The first is the Old Testament, often called the Hebrew Scriptures. The second is the New Testament, which Jehovah’s Witnesses refer to as the Christian Greek Scriptures.
The Hebrew Scriptures record Jehovah’s dealings with the nation of Israel. They contain the Law of Moses, the writings of the prophets, and the historical account of God’s covenant people. Through these writings we learn about Jehovah’s character, his purposes for mankind, and the moral standards he expected Israel to follow.
The prophets served as witnesses to Jehovah’s sovereignty and to his unfolding purpose to bring salvation through the promised “seed.”
The New Testament reveals the fulfillment of those promises in the person of Jesus Christ. The four Gospels record the life, ministry, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Together they testify to who Jesus is and what he accomplished.
The Fulfillment of the Law
Central to the New Testament message is the sacrificial death of Christ.
When Jesus died faithful to Jehovah, he bore the responsibility for the sins of mankind. In doing so, he fulfilled the requirements of the Mosaic Law.
The Law had been given centuries earlier and served a temporary purpose: to guide the nation of Israel until the arrival of the promised seed of Abraham.
“The law became our guardian leading to Christ.” — Galatians 3:24
Once the promised seed arrived in the person of Jesus Christ, the Law had accomplished its purpose. Through his sacrifice it was fulfilled and brought to completion.
“Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” — Romans 10:4
This transition raises an important theological question: Who are God's witnesses under the new covenant?
“You Are My Witnesses”
The religious group known as Jehovah’s Witnesses derives its modern name from a statement Jehovah made to ancient Israel.
“You are my witnesses,” declares Jehovah. — Isaiah 43:10
This statement was spoken to the nation of Israel more than 700 years before the birth of Christ. In its historical context, it referred to the covenant nation that had experienced Jehovah’s deliverance and was called to testify about him among the nations.
In modern history, the organization officially adopted the name Jehovah’s Witnesses at an international convention in Columbus, Ohio, on July 26, 1931. At that convention, Joseph F. Rutherford presented a resolution titled “A New Name.”
However, Scripture itself indicates that God's people would one day receive a different designation. The new name was not going to be Jehovah’s Witnesses. That was the old name.
A New Name
“You will be called by a new name that the mouth of Jehovah will bestow.” — Isaiah 62:2
The New Testament records the fulfillment of this prophecy.
“The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” — Acts 11:26
The name Christian means “follower of Christ,” or one belonging to the Anointed One.
This represents a significant theological shift. The identity of God's people is no longer defined by national covenant membership but by faith in Jesus Christ and participation in the new covenant established through his sacrifice.
The Witness of the Early Christians
The New Testament consistently portrays believers as witnesses, but their testimony has a specific focus.
The mission of the early Christians was therefore Christ-centered. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, they proclaimed the good news about Jesus—his life, death, resurrection, and his role as the promised Messiah.
This emphasis does not diminish Jehovah. Rather, it reflects the way God chose to reveal himself through his Son.
“No one has ever seen God, but the only Son… has made Him known.” — John 1:18
The Central Witness of the Christian Faith
Under the new covenant, the defining identity of God's people is not tied to the national covenant of Israel but to the person of Jesus Christ.
The early believers were called Christians, and their mission was to testify about him to the world.
“God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.” — 1 John 5:11
The witness of the early church proclaimed that through Jesus the promises of God were fulfilled and that through him salvation is available to all.
In this way, the witness to Christ ultimately becomes the witness to Jehovah’s purpose—because the Son perfectly reveals the Father.