Scriptural Basis for Obedience to GB? (page 2)

If there was to be no hierarchy or authority then how do we understand all the requirements for overseers in paul's letters? Hebrews 13 says about being obedient to THOSE taking the lead , to me that indicates more than one, and the fact that they have to render an account implies humans in positions of authority . Sorry to nitpick , I agree with all your other points !

snare&racket

I asked this to my PO, before I left.

I also asked 'with the GB being men without holy spirit dictating their intepretation, is it not safer to intepret the bible myself so that when I meet god I can speak for my intepretations and desicions. Lastly, nowhere did god say his word requires an intermediary to explain it. Jesus was talking to ordinary people with his message and we are to believe they understood it, that was the point. Why now in the 20th century does god decide to use a team of men to explain the bible message? It seems dangerous to use imperfect men, so why notuse the bible alone?'

There is no answer to this....

They don't like you asking it..... which is great, because it is a logical AND scriptural question. So when they dismiss it....and then dismiss you... well the house of cards becomes evident.

Fernando

I suspect JWN has a rather high conversion rate from JW apologist to lover of TTATT...

How about:

(Jeremiah 17:5) . . .“Cursed is the able-bodied man who puts his trust in earthling man..."

(Psalm 146:3) . . .Do not put YOUR trust in nobles, Nor in the son of earthling man, to whom no salvation belongs.

Are the GB "earthling man"?

Of course not.

They are demigods ("mortals raised to divine rank").

Rufus T. Firefly

Nevermind the scriptural basis for OBEYING the GB. I'd like to see the scriptural EVIDENCE that the GB is the "faithful and discreet slave." Where did Jesus say the "faithful and discreet slave" should be obeyed? "Solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil." (Heb. 5:14)

punkofnice

It is in no way scriptural but the apologist will have been threatened and indoctrinated with crap like this:-

The GB are the voice of god……

Nothing is interpreted but the interpretation comes from God and is then published.
(WT 1943 July 1 pp. 202-203)

Angels deliver what is published.
(PREPARATION 1933 pp. 36-37, 64)

THE WATCHTOWER publishes "no man's opinion".
(WT 1931 November 1 p. 327; 1936 March 15 p. 85)

"To it (this organization) alone...the Bible is not a sealed book." The WTS is "the only organization on earth that understands the 'deep things of God.' "
(WT 1973 July 1 p. 402)

The leaders are "spirit directed" (WT 1988 March 1 p. 10)

and "God's channel."
(WT 1969 January 15 p. 51; 1960 July 15 pp. 439, 442)

"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."
(WT 1957 June 15 p. 370)

C. T. Russell founder of the WTS, called himself "God's mouthpiece" (WT 1906 July 15 p. 229); claimed that compared to reading his books Bible reading is "a waste of time" (WT 1910 September 15 p. 298)

, and that his books "harmonize...every statement in the Bible."
(DIVINE PLAN OF THE AGES 1886 p. 348)

God uses and directs the WTS.
(VINDICATION Book 1 1931 p. 77)

"The 'slave' class has served as God's sole collective channel for the flow of Biblical truth to men on earth. Just as the early Christian congregation collectively served as the channel of communication from heaven to earth, so in our time."
(WT 1960 July 15 p. 439)

"As Jehovah revealed his truths by means of the first-century Christian congregation so he does today by means of the present-day Christian congregation. Through this agency he is having carried out prophesying on an intensified and unparalleled scale. All of this activity is not an accident. Jehovah is the one behind all of it." (WT 1964 June 15 p. 365)

"Therefore, in submitting to Jehovah's theocratic organization, we must be in full and complete agreement with every feature of its apostolic procedure and requirements."
(WT 1967 October 1 p. 593)

"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." (Watchtower 1957 Jun 15 p.370)

Only this organization functions for Jehovah's purpose and to his praise. To it alone God's Sacred Word, the Bible, is not a sealed book. Many persons of the world are very intelligent, capable of understanding complex matters. They can read the Holy Scriptures, but they cannot understand their deep meaning.""( Watchtower 1973 Jul 1 p.402)

The point is that Christians have implicit trust in their heavenly Father; they do not question what he tells them through his written Word and organization." (Watchtower 1974 Jul 15 p.441)

"We must serve Jehovah in truth, as revealed in his Word and made clear in the publications of "the faithful and discreet slave." Watchtower 1996 May 15 p.18

w10 7/15 p.23 par.10 “The Spirit Searches Into... the Deep Things of God”

When the time comes to clarify a spiritual matter in our day, holy spirit helps responsible representatives of “the faithful and discreet slave” at world headquarters to discern deep truths that were not previously understood. (Matt. 24:45; 1 Cor. 2:13)

p.17: "Listening to the slave class means giving our full cooperation to its Governing Body."

p.27: "Since Jehovah God and Jesus Christ completely trust the faithful and discreet slave, should we not do the same?" "The slave thus deserves our complete trust"

p.28: "By all means, then, let us listen to the Christ and his trustworthy spirit-anointed brothers."

***w10 9/15 p.8 par.7 Earnestly Seek Jehovah’s Blessing ***

We cannot hope to acquire a good relationship with Jehovah if we ignore those whom Jesus has appointed to care for his belongings. Without the assistance of “the faithful and discreet slave,” we would neither understand the full import of what we read in God’s Word nor know how to apply it.

-- w10 9/15 p. 13 par. 8: "Similarly today, a Governing Body composed of spirit-anointed Christians contributes to the unity of the worldwide congregation. The Governing Body publishes spiritually encouraging literature in many languages. This spiritual food is based on God’s Word. Thus, what is taught is not from men but from Jehovah.—Isa. 54:13."

***w10 9/15 p.23 par.8 “Your Leader Is One, the Christ” ***

The anointed and their other sheep companions recognize that by following the lead of the modern-day Governing Body, they are in fact following their Leader, Christ.

***si p.9 par.16 (2011) “All Scripture Is Inspired of God and Beneficial” ***

(1) Jehovah God originates his utterances; (2) then his official Word, or Spokesman—now known as Jesus Christ—often transmits the message; (3) God’s holy spirit, the active force that is used as the medium of communication, carries it earthward; (4) God’s prophet on earth receives the message; and (5) he then publishes it for the benefit of God’s people.

-- w12 9/15 p. 22 par. 16 Learn From the Patience of Jehovah and Jesus

Well, a person who lacks confidence that the end is near might start to make alternate arrangements, so to speak, in case things do not work out as Jehovah said they would.

-- w12 9/15 p. 24 par. 4 "You Know Neither the Day Nor the Hour"

As the end of this system draws ever closer, the work of pointing to Jehovah’s provisions for salvation has never been more important.

-- w12 11/15 p. 17 par. 9 Cultivate the Spirit of a Lesser One

A humble person has heartfelt gratitude for Jehovah’s provisions, including spiritual food. Hence, such an individual is a diligent student of the Bible and an avid reader of the Watchtower and Awake! magazines. Like many other faithful servants of Jehovah, he may make it a practice to read each new publication before putting it away on a bookshelf in his personal library. When we manifest humble appreciation by reading and studying our Bible-based publications, we make spiritual advancement, and Jehovah is able to use us more fully in his service.

-- w13 4/15 p12 par 11 Do not tire out

Jehovah has provided a bounteous supply of written spiritual food to give us strength. No doubt, you can think of a time when after reading a publication, you thought: ‘That is exactly what I needed! It is as if Jehovah had that written just for me!’ That is not a coincidence. Through these provisions, Jehovah does instruct and guide us.

WT 15 Nov 2013 - "At that time, the life-saving direction that we receive from Jehovah’s organization may not appear practical from a human standpoint. All of us must be ready to obey any instructions we may receive, whether these appear sound from a strategic or human standpoint or not. (4) Now is the time for any who may be putting their trust in secular education, material things, or human institutions to adjust their thinking. The elders must stand ready to help any who may now be wavering in their faith."

designs

SAHS- you realize that the Church of Rome and the Eastern Orthodox interpret those passages just the opposite of your Protestant take on them.

KateWild

how do they know that the Governing Board was appointed by God and Jesus? ...because the Governing Board told them so? That self-serving circular logic should make even the most unreasonable person's head hurt. - Mrhhome

Well spotted. I went through this point with my son when he was still 11. He understands that circular reasoning is false. Now you have to teach your in Laws the same, and if your wife does not know TTATT she will benefit also.

Kate xx

mrhhome

if your wife does not know TTATT she will benefit also.

My wife left years ago. It is the in-laws that cause me grief.

Ucantnome

I think the spiritual paradise would be the evidence I would give after they said 1914 would be the end of the gentile times as people are streaming to the mountain of Jehovah due to the preaching work they were commissioned todo shortly after the gentile times ended.

Scriptural Basis for Obedience to GB?

RichardHaley

disposable hero of hypocrisy