Harms of Jehovah's Organization - Central Controlling Figure - The Governing Body
Harms of Jehovah’s Organization – Central Controlling Figure – The Governing Body
Next:
(Also see: God’s One Channel)
The most important doctrine of the Watch Tower Society / Jehovah’s Witnesses is regarding a parable in the Bible in Matthew 24:45. That verse talks of “the faithful and wise servant” (NIV translation), and in the Watch Tower Society’s proprietary translation (the New World Translation): “the faithful and discreet slave.”
A thoroughly referential Watch Tower history of the “slave” can be found on the Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faithful_and_discreet_slave
The Governing Body is an “ecclesiastical body” composed of an unspecified number (presently eight) of Jehovah’s Witness elders.
The current Watch Tower theology is that the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses is that “slave” in that parable. In God’s “own good way,” God conveys thoughts to the minds of the Governing Body. The Governing Body’s “credentials are established beyond a shadow of doubt.”
Unwavering and unquestioning obedience to, as well as trust in, the Governing Body is demanded of each individual Jehovah’s Witness. One must respond to them as one “would to the voice of God.” This includes obeying any of their instructions, even if “strange or unusual,” and “whether we agree with them or not.”
Open criticism, questioning, or even expressing doubts of the Governing Body’s authority and divine wisdom will not be tolerated. Any such remarks will result in the individual being “disfellowshipped,” with the resultant consequence of ostracizing.
The book: Preparation (1933), page 64
“Enlightenment proceeds from Jehovah by and through Christ Jesus and is given to the faithful anointed on earth at the temple, and brings great peace and consolation to them. Again Zechariah talked with the angel of the Lord, which shows that the remnant are instructed by the angels of the Lord. The remnant do not hear audible sounds, because such is not necessary. Jehovah has provided his own good way to convey thoughts to the minds of his anointed ones. To all on the outside of the organization of Jehovah his is a secret organization.”
The Watchtower magazine, February 1, 1952, page 79
God interprets and teaches, through Christ the Chief Servant, who in turn uses the discreet slave as the visible channel, the visible theocratic organization.
The Watchtower magazine, June 1, 1955, page 333
Similarly today the power of appointment of all servants in congregations rightfully rests with the governing body of the “faithful and discreet slave” class, which is under the direct supervision of Christ Jesus at the temple.
The Watchtower magazine, June 15, 1957, page 370
Let us now unmistakably identify Jehovah’s channel of communication for our day, that we may continue in his favor… It is vital that we appreciate this fact and respond to the directions of the “slave” as we would to the voice of God, because it is His provision.
The Watchtower magazine, October 1, 1959 page 607
The literature published by the Watch Tower Society is published in the name of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. Regardless of who may write certain articles, they are checked carefully by members of the governing body before they are published; so they are properly viewed as coming from the Society.
The Watchtower magazine, July 15, 1960, page 437 (nearly identical article printed in March 1, 1981 (below)
OVERWHELMING CREDENTIALS – Does the “faithful and discreet slave” class have any more credentials? Yes, an abundance of them! A partial list shows that the Christian remnant today since 1919 are referred to or represented in more than eighty Scriptural and prophetic designations. With more than eighty strokes by the finger of Biblical prophecy, the God of heaven has painted a vividly accurate portrait of his official servant class on earth. The reality of this portrait in all its divinely foreordained details stands out on the world stage for all to see. The credentials are established beyond a shadow of doubt. In fact the credentials are so numerous, all pointing to the one wide-awake “faithful and discreet slave” class, that it is impossible for the great deceiver, Satan, to produce a fake organization to meet all these eighty Scriptural aspects.
(1) Noah’s wife, Gen. 7:7; (2) angels sent to Lot, Gen. 19:15; (3) Rebekah, Gen. 24:64; (4) Joseph and Benjamin, Gen. 45:14; (5) gleanings left behind, Lev. 19:9; (6) two spies to Rahab, Josh. 2:4; (7) Barak, Judg. 4:14; (8) Jephthah, Judg. 11:34; (9) Naomi and Ruth, Ruth 2:2; (10) David’s Israelite warriors, 2 Sam. 18:1; (11) Jehu, 2 Ki. 10:11, 15; (12) Mordecai and Esther, Esther 4:13; (13) Job, Job 42:10, 13; (14) King’s daughter, Ps. 45:13; (15) men of loving-kindness, Ps. 50:5; (16) intimate group, Ps. 89:7; (17) Shear-jashub, Isa. 7:3; (18) light of the nations, Isa. 60:3; (19) big trees of righteousness, Isa. 61:3; (20) ministers of our God, Isa. 61:6; (21) cluster preserved, Isa. 65:8; (22) servants called by another name, Isa. 65:15; (23) men trembling at God’s word, Isa. 66:5; (24) new nation born, Isa. 66:8; (25) Jeremiah, Jer. 1:10; (26) Jehovah’s people in the new covenant, Jer. 31:33; (27) enduring watchman, Ezek. 3:16-27; (28) man in linen, Ezek. 9:2; (29) cleansed people, Ezek. 36:29-32; (30) dwellers in center of earth, Ezek. 38:12; (31) the host of heaven, Dan. 8:10; (32) sanctuary restored (cleansed), Dan. 8:14; (33) they that are wise, Dan. 11:33; (34) the happy one who is keeping in expectation, Dan. 12:12; (35) all flesh receiving the spirit, Joel 2:28; (36) Jonah, Jon. 3:1-3; (37) apple of Jehovah’s eye, Zech. 2:8; (38) liberated remnant, Zech. 2:7; (39) a Jew, Zech. 8:23; (40) sons of Levi, Mal. 3:3; (41) wheat, Matt. 13:25; (42) sons of the kingdom, Matt. 13:38; (43) workers for the vineyard, Matt. 20:1; (44) those invited to marriage feast, Matt. 22:3-14; (45) chosen ones, Matt. 24:22; (46) eagles, Matt. 24:28; (47) faithful and discreet slave, Matt. 24:45; (48) discreet virgins, Matt. 25:2; (49) brothers of the king, Matt. 25:40; (50) little flock of sheep, Luke 12:32; (51) beggar Lazarus, Luke 16:20; (52) sheep in “this fold,” John 10:1-16; (53) branches of the vine, John 15:4; (54) royal palace of David, Acts 15:16; (55) heirs with Christ, Rom. 8:17; (56) the remnant, Rom. 11:5; (57) branches in the olive tree, Rom. 11:24; (58) holy ones or saints, 1 Cor. 6:2; Rev. 16:6; (59) temple, 1 Cor. 6:19; (60) new creation, 2 Cor. 5:17; (61) ambassadors for Christ, 2 Cor. 5:20; (62) congregation of God, Gal. 1:13; (63) part of Abraham’s seed, Gal. 3:29; (64) Israel of God, Gal. 6:16; (65) body of Christ, Eph. 1:22, 23; (66) soldiers of Christ Jesus, 2 Tim. 2:3; (67) house under Christ, Heb. 3:6; (68) holy priesthood, 1 Pet. 2:5; (69) holy nation, 1 Pet. 2:9; (70) association of brothers, 1 Pet. 2:17; (71) seven congregations, Rev. 1:20; (72) twenty-four persons of advanced age, Rev. 4:4; (73) spiritual Israel, Rev. 7:4; (74) locusts, Rev. 9:3; (75) two witnesses, Rev. 11:3; (76) two olive trees, Rev. 11:4; (77) seed of the woman, Rev. 12:17; (78) New Jerusalem, Rev. 21:2; (79) the bride of Christ, Rev. 22:17; 19:7; (80) Jehovah’s witnesses, Isa. 43:10.
The Watchtower magazine, June 1, 1965, page 352
In 1938 Jehovah revealed this correspondency to his servants and it was published in The Watchtower in a two-part article entitled “Organization.” This appeared in the issues of June 1 and 15 and proved conclusively that Jehovah’s organization must henceforth be guided and directed by Jehovah’s spirit through the visible governing body made up of those servants whom Jehovah himself would appoint.
The Watchtower magazine, October 1, 1977, page 599
Another of its functions is the supervision of the writing and/or publication of the Watchtower and Awake! magazines, Bibles and other Bible publications, using the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania and the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., as legal agencies.
The Watchtower magazine, March 1, 1981, page 27
OVERWHELMING CREDENTIALS – The “faithful and discreet slave” has abundant credentials. Following is a partial list of Scriptural and prophetic designations applying to or being represented in the remnant of Jesus Christ’s anointed followers since the notable year 1919:
(list identical as July 15, 1960, above)
The Watchtower magazine, November 15, 1985, page 15
Do You Trust Authority? – Building up this trust is also important… Even more important, we should learn to trust “the faithful and discreet slave.”
The Watchtower magazine, July 1, 1986, page 19
Yet, even within the Christian congregation, a spirit of independence has sometimes been manifested by a few. They may chafe at the discipline of the elders. A few show disrespect toward “the faithful and discreet slave” class and its Governing Body.
The Watchtower magazine, March 1, 1987, page 15
Each article in both The Watchtower and Awake! and every page, including the artwork, is scrutinized by selected members of the Governing Body before it is printed.
The Watchtower magazine, July 15, 1987, page 18
We must do everything we can to receive holy spirit. In addition to praying for it, we need to feed diligently on God’s Word. Why? Because Jehovah God does not give his holy spirit apart from his Word, and we cannot hope to receive holy spirit if we ignore the earthly channel Jehovah is using today, “the faithful and discreet slave,” represented by the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Without help from this “slave,” we would neither be able to understand the full import of what we read nor know how to apply what we learn
The Watchtower magazine, March 1, 1988, page 17
Governing Body member Albert Schroeder: “The Governing Body works well together in directing the worldwide activities of Jehovah’s Witnesses, in publishing the spiritual food for our progressive enlightenment, and in making judicial decisions…
Jehovah is simultaneously feeding all his people spiritually through The Watchtower and other Biblical publications. All of this is evidence that Christ Jesus has been our ruling King since 1914 and that he will successfully lead us through the “great tribulation” just ahead.”
The Watchtower magazine, March 15, 1990 page 14
Five years later [in 1884] Zion’s Watch Tower Tract Society was incorporated and served as an ‘agency’ to minister spiritual food to thousands of sincere persons seeking to know God and to understand his Word…They aided in the feeding and directing of the slave class, and thus a governing body made its appearance. This was evidently under the guidance of Jehovah’s invisible active force or holy spirit. Also, under the direction of the Head of the Christian congregation, Jesus Christ
The Watchtower magazine, August 15, 1998, page 12
Those who view Jehovah as their confidence also show confidence in the men Jehovah chooses to use in the outworking of his purposes… For us today, it means having confidence in “the faithful and discreet slave” appointed to give us our spiritual “food at the proper time,” as well as in those from among them who form the Governing Body.
The Watchtower magazine, January 15, 2001, page 29
In 1971 the same speaker explained that the members of the Watch Tower Society could not vote in the members of the anointed Governing Body. Why? “Because,” he said, “the governing body of the ‘slave’ class is not appointed by any man. It is appointed by . . . Jesus Christ, the Head of the true Christian congregation and the Lord and Master of the ‘faithful and discreet slave’ class.”
The Watchtower magazine, October 1, 2002 page 17
How important, therefore, that we have an obedient attitude toward that “slave”! As the following article will show, such obedience also reflects our attitude toward Jesus, the ‘slave’s’ master.
Page 19
Likewise in modern times, the faithful slave through its Governing Body has clarified such important issues as Christian neutrality, the sanctity of blood, and the use of drugs and tobacco. (Isaiah 2:4; Acts 21:25; 2 Corinthians 7:1) Jehovah blessed his people for their obedience to his Word and the faithful slave. By submitting to the slave class, God’s people also show their subjection to the Master, Jesus Christ.
The Watchtower magazine, March 1, 2003, page 17
In addition, trusting in Jehovah means trusting those whom he trusts. For example, Jehovah has arranged for “the faithful and discreet slave” to care for the earthly Kingdom interests. (Matthew 24:45-47) We do not try to go it alone, and we do not ignore that appointment, for we trust in Jehovah’s arrangement.
Organized to Do Jehovah’s Will (2005), pages 18-21
WHY TRUST “THE FAITHFUL AND DISCREET SLAVE” and HOW WE DEMONSTRATE OUR TRUST
The Watchtower magazine, September 15, 2005, page 22
Christ thus leads the congregation by means of the spirit-anointed “faithful and discreet slave” and its Governing Body.
The Watchtower magazine, May 1, 2006, page 26
Jesus had so much confidence in the slave class that he appointed it over “all his belongings”—that is, all his spiritual interests on the earth. (Matthew 24:47) Appointed shepherds prove that they too have confidence in the slave class by applying the directions they receive from its Governing Body.
The Watchtower magazine, April 1, 2007 p 28
Today, Jesus directs us by means of “the faithful and discreet slave,” represented by its Governing Body and the appointed elders.
Kingdom Ministry, June 2008, page 1
It is also important for us today to be “ready to obey” direction from the Bible and the faithful slave.
The Watchtower magazine, October 15, 2008 page 24
When such an overseer conveys to us direction from the faithful slave class, the “wisdom from above” will move us to be “ready to obey.”
The book: “Bearing Thorough Witness” About God’s Kingdom (2009), page 103
One valuable lesson we learn is that we need to trust God’s organization. Consider: The brothers in Antioch knew that the governing body was made up entirely of Christians of Jewish background. Yet, they trusted that body to settle the question of circumcision in harmony with the Scriptures. Why? The congregation was confident that Jehovah would direct matters by means of his holy spirit and the Head of the Christian congregation, Jesus Christ. (Matt. 28:18, 20; Eph. 1:22, 23) When serious issues arise today, let us imitate the fine example of the believers in Antioch by trusting God’s organization and its Governing Body of anointed Christians.
The Watchtower magazine, February 15, 2009, page 27 (full article)
Since Jehovah God and Jesus Christ completely trust the faithful and discreet slave, should we not do the same?
The Watchtower magazine, October 15, 2009, page 15
How, then, can we be friends of Christ? One way is to obey the direction provided by the faithful and discreet slave class, which consists of Jesus’ spirit-anointed brothers still alive on earth. Jesus promised that during “the conclusion of the system of things,” he would appoint this slave “over all his belongings.”
The Watchtower magazine (simplified edition), July 15, 2011, page 21
Jehovah tells us through his organization about his purpose and what he wants from us. We can enter into Jehovah’s rest if we obey him and work with his organization.
But we are acting against Jehovah’s purpose if we do not obey the faithful and discreet slave or if we choose to obey only what we think is important. And if we act against Jehovah’s purpose, we cannot be his friends. In the next article, we will talk about some situations that give us the opportunity to show if we are obedient.
Page 24
We need to obey the faithful and discreet slave to have Jehovah’s approval
The Watchtower magazine (simplified edition), September 15, 2012, page 25
Anointed Christians and those of the great crowd show that they are ready by obeying what Jehovah teaches through the faithful and discreet slave.
The Watchtower magazine (simplified edition), November 15, 2013, page 20
At that time, the direction that you receive from Jehovah’s organization may seem strange or unusual. But all of us must be ready to obey any instructions we may receive, whether we agree with them or not, because obeying these instructions will save our lives. If any are putting their trust in the education of this world, material things, or human organizations, they must change their way of thinking now. You must be ready to help any who may not be putting their complete trust in Jehovah.
The Watchtower magazine, March 15, 2015, page 28 (with photo)
The growing number of prospective sheep count it a privilege to support Christ’s brothers not only in the preaching work but also in other practical ways. For example, they give financial contributions and help to build Kingdom Halls, Assembly Halls, and branch facilities, and they loyally obey those appointed by “the faithful and discreet slave” to take the lead.
The Watchtower magazine, August 2019, page 28
You also obey Jesus by heeding the guidance he provides through “the faithful and discreet slave.”
Next: