by ozziepost 9 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
A question in the current Written Review asserts that " the loyalty that marks Jehovah's organisation transcends every human relationship, such as that of close flesh-and-blood relatives. " - Question 35
Note that loyalty that "transcends every human relationship" is not to God, but to the 'Organisation'.
It doesn't take much to refute this from the Bible, so we can refer to, for example, the words of Jesus: " All authority has been given me in heaven and on the earth. " - Matthew 28:18
Ozzie
Just some quotes. Beware, vomit material ahead.
Loyalty to Gods Organization Through the Years
*** w97 8/1 8 Serving Loyally With Jehovah's Organization ***
If we refuse to let human imperfections erode our loyalty to Jehovahs organization and if we guard against such subtle forms of disloyalty as misplaced loyalties, then we will be better prepared should our loyalty be tested more severely.
3. Why is it so important that we remain loyal to Jehovahs earthly organization?
*** w97 9/1 26 My Heart Overflows With Gratitude ***
*** w97 9/15 31 Aristarchus-A Loyal Companion ***
*** w96 1/15 6 They Assembled as Joyful Praisers ***
*** w96 3/15 16-17 Meeting the Challenge of Loyalty ***
We now come to the matter of being loyal to Jehovahs visible organization. Certainly, we owe loyalty to it, including "the faithful and discreet slave," through which the Christian congregation is fed spiritually. (Matthew 24:45-47) Suppose that something appears in Watch Tower publications that we do not understand or agree with at the moment. What will we do? Take offense and leave the organization? That is what some did when TheWatchTower, many years ago, applied the new covenant to the Millennium. Others took offense at what TheWatchtower once said on the issue of neutrality. If those who stumbled over these matters had been loyal to the organization and to their brothers, they would have waited on Jehovah to clarify these matters, which he did in his due time. Thus, loyalty includes waiting patiently until further understanding is published by the faithful and discreet slave.
Loyalty to Jehovahs visible organization also means having nothing to do with apostates. Loyal Christians will not be curious about what such people have to say. True, those being used by Jehovah God to direct his work on earth are not perfect. But what does Gods Word tell us to do? Leave Gods organization? No. Brotherly affection should keep us loyal to it, and we should continue to "love one another intensely from the heart."1 Peter 1:22.
Loyalty to Jehovahs organization will cause those of us who are elders to try to help any who need spiritual assistance. (Galatians 6:1, 2) Though we will be kind, loyalty will make us candid with our fellow elder, just as Paul spoke to the apostle Peter candidly. (Galatians 2:11-14) On the other hand, overseers want to be careful, lest by acting unwisely or showing partiality or in some other way abusing their authority, they make it difficult for those in their charge to be loyal to Gods organization.Philippians 4:5.
What will help us to meet the challenge of loyalty in these four areas: loyalty to Jehovah, to his organization, to the congregation, and to our marriage mate? One aid is appreciating that meeting the challenge of loyalty is bound up with the vindication of Jehovahs sovereignty. Yes, by remaining loyal we show that we view Jehovah as Universal Sovereign. Thus we can also have self-respect and the hope of everlasting life in Jehovahs new world. We can help ourselves to stay loyal by considering fine examples of loyalty, from Jehovah on down to those mentioned in the Bible and in our Watch Tower publications, including Yearbook accounts.
To sum up: Loyalty is the sterling quality manifested by Jehovah God, by Jesus Christ, and by all of Jehovahs true servants. To have a good relationship with Jehovah God, we must meet the challenge of loyalty to him by living up to his righteous requirements, by having nothing to do with his enemies, and by coming to Jehovahs defense in witnessing formally and informally. We must also meet the challenge of being loyal to Jehovahs visible organization. We must be loyal to our congregations and loyal to our marriage mates.
*** w93 1/15 24 Why Guard Against Idolatry? ***
*** w92 11/15 20 Serve Jehovah Loyally ***
*** w90 9/1 12 Trusting in Jehovah Brings Happiness ***
My hope is to maintain my integrity and loyalty to Jehovah and his organization to the finish, trusting in the promise that in due time I will be united with my dear Lord, Jesus Christ, and with many of my faithful brothers and sisters in heavenly glory.Psalm 84:12.
*** w89 9/15 24 Be Obedient to Those Taking the Lead ***
*** w89 10/15 19 How Harmful Gossip Can Be Crushed ***
*** w88 3/15 18 Serving as Jehovah's Trusting Fellow Workers ***
Why are such persons not justified in leaving Gods organization? Because his Word assures us: "Abundant peace belongs to those loving [Jehovahs] law, and for them there is no stumbling block." (Psalm 119:165) Moreover, we are commanded to "have intense love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins." (1 Peter 4:8; Proverbs 10:12) Furthermore, suppose a person was to separate himself from Jehovahs people. Where could he go? Is he not faced with the same issue that confronted Jesus apostles when he asked them if they also wanted to leave him? The apostle Peter rightly replied: "Lord, whom shall we go away to? You have sayings of everlasting life." (John 6:68) There is nowhere else to go but to "Babylon the Great," the world empire of false religion, or into the clutches of Satans political "wild beast." (Revelation 13:1; 18:1-5) Largely, disloyal ones who have left Jehovahs visible organization have made common cause with those in God-dishonoring "Babylon the Great."
Peter knew that there was nowhere else to go because Jesus had "sayings of everlasting life." Are you as determined to remain loyal to Jehovahs organization?
*** w87 7/1 30 Staying Close to Jehovah's Organization ***The soul-searching talk "Do Not Share in the Sins of Others" stressed the need to be loyal to Jehovah and his organization. If we are unable to persuade our conscience-stricken friend to confess to the elders, we should go to them about the matter. Actually, this is for the wrongdoers own spiritual well-being, and reports indicate that a number of individuals have acted in harmony with this counsel.
*** w85 3/1 30 'Preaching in Favourable Season and in Troublesome Season' ***The Mordecai class brought these matters to the attention of the Esther class, who needed to learn organization and be strengthened in loyalty to the King. This was especially true since they were newcomers. (Rom. 16:17, 18) Through the Esther class it came to the Kings notice when these newly selected ones of the "bride" of Christ chose loyalty to the Messianic King and to the organization. However, no particular reward was given to the Mordecai class at that time.
*** w71 10/15 638 What Do You Want to Do? ****** w71 11/1 669 Missionaries Told to Be Loyal, Merciful ***
Jehovah is "loyal in all his works," President Knorr told the graduating class, but the question is, Will you be loyal to him? (Ps. 145:17) After showing the importance of remaining loyal to God, the Societys president emphasized the need for loyalty to Gods organization. He told the students that sometimes things interfere with ones showing loyalty. For example, problems can come up because of living in close association with others in a missionary home.
Helping the audience to get the right viewpoint, Brother Knorr emphasized that all Christians are sinners. All, including overseers, make mistakes. So when this happens, will you pack up and leave your missionary assignment? Or will you remain loyal to Gods organization? he asked. Brother Knorr told the graduating students to remember that Jehovah is guiding his organization.
But how might a fearful one be laying a snare for others? By gossiping about an overseer to others, and thus causing them also to become fearful of him. Gossiping about the faults of an overseer is not showing loyalty to Gods organization. So if difficulties arise due to human imperfection, he said, go to your brother and follow Jesus counsel and so enjoy peace.
*** w70 4/1 213 Building Disciples Having the Quality of Endurance ***The student must also come to appreciate the theocratic organization of Jehovahs people. Loyalty to the theocratic organization will prevent the student from stumbling over an explanation of Gods Word that may be difficult to understand. In the first century many missed out on the grand privilege of being a part of the congregation of God, because they quit when Jesus brought a difficult doctrinal truth to their attention. But how did the well-trained apostles respond when Jesus asked them: "You do not want to go also, do you?" The apostle Peter replied: "Lord, whom shall we go away to? You have sayings of everlasting life." (John 6:67, 68) True loyalty, like that possessed by Peter, is what we want to build in those with whom we study Gods Word, so that they will stick close to Gods organization at all times, with blessings to themselves.
Edited by - Blondie on 2 February 2003 7:44:19
Hi Ozzie/Blondie,
Yep..Every statement includes loyalty to Jehovah and/or/or just the org.
I like that scripture Ozzie, and Thank you for posting those references Blondie, very interesting!
CC
All authority has been given me .
This is true oz but..........we must remember that in 1919 that authority was entrusted to the Faithfull and Discreet Slave class. Who is the wise slave whom "HIS MASTER APPOINTED OVER HIS BELONGINGS?" Most people don't realise that this Slave lives at bethel headquarters consisting of well experianced sharp coherant older men, who know the answers to things the rest of us don't.
Since Jesus left the earth there is no way possible for his teachings and work to continue on without Jehovah's Witnesses......it can't be done. Jehovah works through these men in bethel and then they teach us...........why can't people understand this and why do people put these faithful brothers down so much. I think you are all very mean here and feel like I don't want to talk to you all anymore.
Gumby
" the loyalty that marks Jehovah's organisation transcends every human relationship, such as that of close flesh-and-blood relatives. " -
Translated roughly as: If it's a toss up between the kids or Brooklyn, then dump the kids.
Englishman.
Thank you Ozzie and Blondie,
That information is just what I needed to help a a precious but misguided friend.
Ozzie and all,
Interesting.
And I'd like to add how developing the loyalty to the organization first begins.
JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES ARE INSTRUCTED BY THIER "IMPERFECT HUMAN LEADERS" RIGHT FROM INITIAL CONTACT TO DIRECT ATTENTION TO THEMSELVES ( MEANING THE ORGANIZATION BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT THE ORGANIZATION IS). So the door-to-door preaching that is done is NOT TEACHING AND DIRECTING PEOPLE TO CHRIST, AND NOT ABOUT THE KINGDOM OF GOD AS CLAIMED.
This really says what the message is that is instucted to be preached. It starts right from the day a JW shows up at your door. It happens so quickly that people don't realize what's happening to them and what their brain is being fed.
km 4/93 3-4
"To the House of Jehovah Let Us Go" (And the title if honest, should read: To The House of the Watchtower Soceity Let Us Direct Others)
3 Direct Interest to the Organization:From our initial contact with interested persons, we should be directing their attention to the organization. While we may be able personally to locate scriptures and explain fundamental doctrines, we are not the source of such knowledge . Everything we have learned has come from the organization, channeled through the slave class that supplies food at the proper time. (Matt. 24:45-47) From the start, new ones need to realize that pure worship involves more than just us or even the local congregation; there is an organized, theocratic, worldwide societyoperating under Jehovahs direction. 4 The direction we receive originates with Jehovah, who has promised to guide and teach us. (Ps. 32:8; Isa. 54:13) ....
So if the organized,theocratic, worldwide society is operating under God's direction, one would think that the instruction would be disseminated primarily through the Bible, right?
WRONG!
The article continues.....
" This instruction is disseminated primarily through our literature. If we can help interested ones develop a high regard for the literature, recognizing it as a source of lifesaving instruction , they will be far more likely to read and apply its message than to discard it quickly. "
There ya have it. They consider their own writings to be lifesaving. And instuct it's followers to go door-to door directing others to become loyal to it.
They go therefore making baptized publishers, baptizing in the name of the Father, the Son, and in association with their organization.
peace,
gwen
Loyalty begets loyalty.
Loyalty to Christ and to God....no one else when it comes to matters of faith.
As Paul commented on the folks saying they were followers of certain men, "who is Paul, Apollos, ..."? Certainly, Paul did not die for us and neither did anybody in Brooklyn. So, I'll go along with Paul's comments and say Christ is my leader, I belong to Christ not the WBTS.
including "the faithful and discreet slave," through which the Christian congregation is fed spiritually.
So who is that? I get the feeling that if anyone is ever called to account, that all eyes would simply look to someone else, and so on. Does anyone officially make up an fds - to be held accountable as being the fds?
Or is it that the fds not actually exist, but rather is a shadow that cowardly folk may hide behind, blame, speak about, publicise, explain - but in reality no one is it?
Is the organisation like their god - just a 'beat up' as we say here ?
Is there a speaking fds - or are people just trying to give life to something. A lot of people speak for the fds, but who is the speaking fds, accountable for it's sayings ?
Must have been the zealous brothers then, eh - which ones?
There's a story in the bible - well, mine anyway - Bel the Dragon - jws would do well to read it.
paduan
Edited by - a paduan on 2 February 2003 10:14:53
A Peduan may have a point. Apparently the fds is made up of interchanging parts .Suddenly we have a new fds and la viola some new light to go along with it . Too bad for them that noone can be held accountable but what we see is flagerant misinterpretations that are held up as the truth through this loyalty they claim to have .
