Appointed by holy spirit

by Ben57 93 Replies latest jw friends

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  Ben57

  I have been reading the posts on who is and or had been an elder. It amazes me at what many have said. Perhaps I have misunderstood what they were saying. It seems they actually thought that the WTS teaches the holy spirit has an active roll in appointing men to positions of responsibility. They give the impression they believe the WT teaches that somehow, the holy spirit comes upon the body in some way and says "Bro so and so is now ready to be an elder"

  If that is what those men actually believed then no wonder they got disillusioned when things go wrong. The WTS does not teach that the holy spirit has an active roll in appointing elders. What they say is that at the time of the appointment the men (on outward appearance - my words) seem to be displaying all the qualities of an elder as set out in the Bible. And since the Bible was written by means of the holy spirit, - and theses men appear to be living to that standard - then they have been influence by that spirit - so in that way the holy spirit was instrumental in appointed them.

  So when things go wrong they are now saying how could the holy spirit have been responsible for appointing them or any other elder or ms.
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  wearewatchingyouman

  Ben57 said: "The WTS does not teach that the holy spirit has an active roll in appointing elders."

  w02 3/15 p.14 par.7 Christ Leads His Congregation:

  As in the first century, a small group of qualified men from among the anointed overseers now serve as the Governing Body, representing the composite faithful and discreet slave. Our Leader uses this Governing Body to appoint qualified men—whether spirit-anointed or not—as elders in the local congregations. In this regard, the holy spirit, which Jehovah has given Jesus authority to employ, plays a pivotal role. (Acts 2:32, 33) First of all, these overseers must meet the requirements set out in God’s Word, which was inspired by holy spirit. (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; 2 Peter 1:20, 21) The recommendations and appointments are made after prayer and under the guidance of the holy spirit. Additionally, the individuals appointed give evidence of producing the fruitage of that spirit. (Galatians 5:22, 23) Paul’s counsel, then, applies with equal force to all elders, whether anointed or not: “Pay attention to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the holy spirit has appointed you overseers.” (Acts 20:28)

  w01 1/15 Pages 14-15:

  The Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses directly appoints all members of Branch Committees. When deciding who can assume such a weighty responsibility, the Governing Body has in mind Jesus' statement: "Everyone to whom much was given, much will be demanded of him; and the one whom people put in charge of much, they will demand more than usual of him." (Luke 12:48) In addition to appointing Branch Committee members, the Governing Body appoints Bethel elders and traveling overseers. However, they do commission responsible brothers to act for them in making certain other appointments.

  [...] Today, therefore, the Governing Body appoints qualified brothers at the branches to represent it in making appointments of elders and ministerial servants. Care is taken that those acting representatively on behalf of the Governing Body clearly understand and follow the Scriptural guidelines for making such appointments. Hence, it is under the direction of the Governing Body that qualified men are appointed to serve in the congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses worldwide.

  When recommendations for appointment of overseers and ministerial servants are submitted to a branch office of the Watch Tower Society, experienced men rely on God's spirit for guidance in making the appointments. Thesemen feel a sense of accountability, realizing that they must not lay their hands hastily upon any man, lest they share in his sins.-1 Timothy 5:22.

  Certain appointments may be transmitted by a letter bearing an official stamp from a legal entity. Such a letter may be used to appoint more than one brother in the congregation.

  Theocratic appointments come from Jehovah through his Son and God's visible earthly channel, "the faithful and discreet slave" and its Governing Body. ( Matthew 24:45-47) The whole process of such recommendation and appointment is directed, or guided, by holy spirit.
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  Bob_NC

  Someone please provide some WT quotes as to what the WTS has taught about elders being appointed "by holy spirit." I do not think there is any misunderstanding that the WTS has taught that elders are appointed by holy spirit acting on the matter.

  I am sure there are quotes that indicate what Ben is saying. However, I am also sure that there are hundreds of quotes indicating that holy spirit is active on each appointment, is active on the GB making appointments, or is active on the the Society in general when appointment reccomendations are received.

  How about elders being princes in all the land? And elders being the stars in the hand of the heavenly enthroned Jesus?

  On a similar note, how about holy spirit bearing witness with the spirit of those who become the anointed?
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  wearewatchingyouman

  In addition -

  Here are multiple quotes claiming all elders are appointed by the Governing Body, or their representatives, which we of course all know are guided by Holy Spirit as the FDS:

  Quote from "The Watchtower", January 15, 1996 Issue, Page 15:

  Today, Christian elders are appointed by the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses.

  Quote from "The Watchtower", July 1, 1994 Issue, Page 22:

  the Governing Body delegates authority to Branch Committees, district and circuit overseers, and elders within each of the more than 73,000 congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses throughout the earth. All these devoted Christian men deserve our support and respect.

  Quote from "The Watchtower", February 1, 1993 Issue, Page 16:

  The facts show that today "the faithful and discreet slave" is associated with Jehovah's Witnesses and represented by the Governing Body of these Witnesses. That body, in turn, appoints overseers in various capacities-such as elders and traveling representatives-to direct the work on a local level. Godly subjection requires each dedicated Witness to be in subjection to these overseers in keeping with Hebrews 13:17: "Be obedient to those who are taking the lead among you and be submissive, for they are keeping watch over your souls as those who will render an account; that they may do this with joy and not with sighing, for this would be damaging to you."

  Quote from "The Watchtower", June 1, 1992 Issue, Page 18:

  Those taking the lead in the congregation are the elders. True, these men are not perfect. Nevertheless, they are appointed under the supervision of the Governing Body.

  Quote from "The Watchtower, July 1, 1992 Issue, Page 14:

  AS SUPREME Judge, Jehovah has delegated judicial authority to his Son. (John 5:27) In turn, as Head of the Christian congregation, Christ uses the faithful and discreet slave class and its Governing Body to appoint elders, who at times have to act as judges. ( Matthew 24:45-47; 1 Corinthians 5:12, 13; Titus 1:5, 9)

  Quote from "The Watchtower", November 15, 1991 Issue, Pages 19-20:

  Elders are appointed by the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses or its direct representatives. That body, in turn, represents "the faithful and discreet slave."

  Quote from "The Watchtower", March 15, 1990 Issue, Page 20:

  21 Under the direction of the holy spirit, Branch Committees recommend mature, spiritual men to serve as circuit and district overseers. After being appointed directly by the Governing Body, they serve as traveling overseers. These brothers visit circuits and congregations in order to build them up spiritually and help them apply instructions received from the Governing Body. (Compare Acts 16:4; Romans 1:11, 12.) Traveling overseers submit reports to the branch office. With the help of the holy spirit and the inspired Scriptures, they share with local elders in recommending qualified brothers for appointment as ministerial servants and elders by the Governing Body or by its representatives.-Philippians 1:1; Titus 1:5; compare 1 Timothy 3:1-13; 4:14.22 In turn, those making up bodies of elders 'pay attention to themselves and to all the flock, among which the holy spirit has appointed them overseers.' (Acts 20:28 ) These overseers faithfully seek to apply instructions received from Jehovah God and Jesus Christ by means of the faithful and discreet slave and its Governing Body.

  Any questions Ben?
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  Gypsy Sam

  Excellent clarification with the quotes. Marked.
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  Ben57

  Look at all the information not just some. It is how the men look at the time of their appointment that matters. Ove the last 40 years I have seen many man strive to purposely produce the outward appearance of being an elder. I seen many do that, Then not long after they revive the appointment their attitudes change. The y kinw what os looked for and put on a front to achieve it. It is like Samuel looking at David’s brothers he wanted to choose the best looking son to be King. he looked at the outward appearance.

  When men are recommended to a position of responsibility it is the outward appearance that motives the recommendation (in many cases it is nepotism) Very few men ACTALLY spiritually qualify as shepherds even if their outward appearance is looks scriptural

  The theory sounds good. In practice it does not happen often.

  *** w01 1/15 p. 14 par. 12 Overseers and Ministerial Servants Theocratically Appointed ***

  Those meeting the Scriptural requirements at the time of their appointmentas overseers or ministerial servants may thus be said to have been appointed by holy spirit.

  w02 3/15 p.14 par.7 Christ Leads His Congregation:

  First of all, these overseers must meet the requirements set out in God’s Word, which was inspired by holy spirit.

  … .. the individuals appointed give evidence of producing the fruitage of that spirit." [ on outward appearance - my words]
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  wearewatchingyouman

  Of course they have to meet the biblical requirements first. That is how they qualify for a recommendation. The Holy Spirit comes into play when the recommendations are approved by the BOE, "Mother" and/or her direct representatives at the branch. Don't cherrypick my friend. It's you who is not looking at the whole picture. It's clear as day.
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  Ben57

  WHAT IS MEANT BY THE DIRECTION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT?

  It simply means that they are following the Bibles the direction - that is trying to do things Jehovahs way. The Bible was written under the inspiration of the holy spirit and if they follow those guidelines they are letting the holy spirit direct them. The holy spirit has no other active part in anything at all. If there was any more involvement that that then all those men would be inspired as the Bible writers and prophets were
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  wearewatchingyouman

  It simply means that they are following the Bibles the direction

  LMFAO! Man, do you guys love to twist this stuff. Let's look at the last quote highlighted:

  With the help of the holy spirit AND the inspired Scriptures, they share with local elders in recommending qualified brothers for appointment as ministerial servants and elders by the Governing Body or by its representatives.

  If it simply means that they are following the bible's direction, Why the need to separate the Holy Spirit's guidance from the guidance of the inspired Scriptures? It doesn't say, "With the help of the holy spirit inspired Scriptures." It makes a definite distinction as to being guided by the "Holy Spirit AND the inspired Scriptures."
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  Finkelstein

  Not unlike the many other Christian or other religions.

  Men create god(s), that being so is it surprising that men anoint themselves as seers to the god(s)

  they create..