Recently, a sister in my congregation started asking me why I no longer go to meetings or on field service. She got upset as she knows that I don’t believe the ‘Faithful and Discreet Slave’ teaching. She said I should be careful as some brothers may start calling me an apostate. I am a very studious person and like many on here, I don’t think I have fallen away from God and the bible. By JW standards I have. But what is an apostate? Here are some thoughts from the Watchtower, 15 July 2011 , p.15-18.
(Para 4) Like “ravenous wolves,” false teachers are out to devour trusting members of the congregation, destroying their faith and leading them away from the truth.
(2 Timothy2:18) These very [men] have deviated from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already occurred; and they are subverting the faith of some.
Is this me? Is this you? I certainly don’t want to destroy anyone’s faith or lead them away from the truth. My goal in life is to help as many people learn the truth as possible. Hence: I’m not an apostate. J What about the organisation?
(Para 5) They spread “deceptive teachings,” “twisting… the Scriptures” to fit their own ideas… Clearly, apostates do not have our best interests at heart.
(2 Peter2:1) However, there also came to be false prophets among the people, as there will also be false teachers among YOU. These very ones will quietly bring in destructive sects and will disown even the owner that bought them, bringing speedy destruction upon themselves.
(2 Peter 3:16) speaking about these things as he does also in all [his] letters. In them, however, are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unsteady are twisting, as [they do] also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.
Again, I have no intention on spreading deceptive teachings contrary to Christ. I’m sure that the majority here do not want to either. What about the organisation? Do they twist scriptures to fit their own ideas? Are they teaching things contrary to Christ? Perhaps they should be careful. (Matthew 7:3-5)
(Para 6) How can we protect ourselves against false teachers? The Bible’s counsel regarding how to deal with them is clear… “Avoid them,” says God’s Word.
(Romans 16:17) Now I exhort YOU, brothers, to keep your eye on those who cause divisions and occasions for stumbling contrary to the teaching that YOU have learned, and avoid them.
There it is everyone! Avoid those who lead you away from the truth. Anyone who twists the teachings of Christ for whatever reason or who misguides you about his teachings should be avoided. Is this me? Is this you? Does this include the organisation?
(Para 7) We love “the God of truth,” so we are not interested in twisted teachings that contradict his Word of truth… We also love Jehovah’s organization, through which we have been taught thrilling truths—including Jehovah’s name and its meaning, God’s purpose for the earth, the condition of the dead, and the hope of the resurrection.
Yes! Who would want to contradict the teachings of truth?! Here is an interesting point: the organisation has taught us thrilling truths. I’m pretty certain that those thrilling truths mentioned above all come from the bible. It appears to me the organisation is trying to take credit for something which doesn’t belong to them. Has the organisation contradicted the word of truth?
(Para 8) Let us be determined to remain loyal to Jehovah and to the organization that has a long record of quenching our thirst with the pure and refreshing waters of truth from God’s inspired Word.
Again I believe this is questionable. I’m happy to remain loyal to Jehovah, but I still don’t see any evidence to support the claim that this is God’s organisation. It doesn’t appear to be a biblical teaching. On the contrary, they have taught some very unfair and misleading man made teachings which I must say have not refreshed me.
So in conclusion, ask yourself, are you an apostate? Do you love truth? Do you want to help others find the truth? Are you teaching things contrary to Jesus? Are you teaching refreshing things? If the answer is yes, then well done to you! You are only an apostate to a man made organisation! Who Cares?!
Perhaps the organisation should reassess itself and see whether it has gone down the path of apostasy. Personally, I dislike the pious way in which they condemn supposed apostates, without evening considering where they stand.
This small study has fixed in my mind what an apostate is and whether I am one. I hope you enjoyed reading it. If anyone has any comments or thoughts, please share them.
Many thanks,
Timmy xxx