IS THE GOVERNING BODY NOW THE FAITHFUL AND DISCREET SLAVE?

by Vanderhoven7 37 Replies latest jw friends

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  Finally-Free

  I think the governing body is a figurehead and the real "FDS" is the watchtower legal department.

  W
• 

  Vanderhoven7

  Someone on "Friends of Jehovah's Witnesses" wrote an article about the alleged change in definition of the F&DS. Glad I checked here before putting my foot in my mouth authoritatively. Thanks!
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  factfinder

  How does the information get from Jehovah to them? Well just as they use direct to plate printing they also have Heaven to plate printing!!!
• 

  Sharpie

  I always thought the R&F at least MOST of them knew it was the same?
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  factfinder

  Do most witnesses even notice the extra attention the gb is giving to themselves in the w?
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  wobble

  I do not think most Witnesses give this a thought, but it was this very issue, the GB putting itself in place of Jesus that promted me to leave in 2008.

  I get the impression that very few other people left over this issue, strange , it just does not sound right, this shrill "you must worship the GB" stuff.
• 

  thetrueone

  The WTS has always instituted a form of self identification in a effort to bring toward the organization a sense of power and viability.

  Would it make sense for a religious publishing house to do so otherwise ?

  You can do so freely without regulation or consequence folks this is religion in America remember.

  This sorted marketing hype started with C Russell as he and his co-owner father were quite set in their mind that they weren't going to lose

  in their financial investment in the WTS. He most likely found that bullshitting by posturing himself on religious virtue was really quite easy.

  This self marketing scheme continues on today as the WTS still self proclaims itself as god's only solemn voice

  on earth, his chosen orgaization.....and people still swallow it just as well
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  Vanderhoven7

  Me: Can you tell me why Jehovah's Witnesses put such trust in the alleged anointed leadership of the WTS for their salvation...

  In response to my question, an active JW pasted the following WT article:

  The Watchtower Magazine of 3/15/98 p.20 made this comment:

  "AccountabletoaGoverningBody?

  8 The Bible clearly shows that true Christians do not serve God under coercion. It says: “Jehovah is the Spirit; and where the spirit of Jehovah is, there is freedom.” (2 Corinthians 3:17) But how can this fact be harmonized with the idea of a “faithful and discreet slave” with its Governing Body?—Matthew 24:45-47. 9 To answer this question, we must keep in mind the Scriptural principle of headship. (1 Corinthians 11:3) At Ephesians 5:21-24, Christ is identified as “head of the congregation,” the one to whom it is “in subjection.” Jehovah’s Witnesses understand that the faithful and discreet slave is made up of Jesus’ spiritual brothers. (Hebrews 2:10-13) This faithful slave class has been appointed to provide God’s people with spiritual “food at the proper time.” In this time of the end, Christ has appointed this slave “over all his belongings.” Its position therefore merits the respect of anyone claiming to be a Christian.

  10 The purpose of headship is to preserve unity and ensure that “all things take place decently and by arrangement.” (1 Corinthians 14:40) To achieve this in the first century, a number of anointed Christians from the faithful and discreet slave class were chosen to represent the entire group. As subsequent events proved, the supervision exercised by this first-century governing body had Jehovah’s approval and blessing. First-century Christians gladly accepted the arrangement. Yes, they actually welcomed and were grateful for the fine results it produced.—Acts 15:1-32.

  11 The value of such an arrangement still exists. Presently, the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses is composed of ten anointed Christians, all with decades of Christian experience behind them. They offer spiritual direction to Jehovah’s Witnesses, as did the first-century governing body. (Acts 16:4) Like the early Christians, the Witnesses gladly look to the mature brothers of the Governing Body for Bible-based direction and guidance in matters of worship. Though members of the Governing Body are slaves of Jehovah and of Christ, as are their fellow Christians, the Bible instructs us: “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.”—Hebrews 13:17.

  12 Does the position of oversight that the Scriptures assign the Governing Body mean that each of Jehovah’s Witnesses must render to it an account of his works? Not according to Paul’s words to Christians in Rome: “Why do you judge your brother? Or why do you also look down on your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God . . . Each of us will render an account for himself to God.”—Romans 14:10-12.

  13 Is it not true, however, that individual Witnesses are expected to report their preaching activity? Yes, but the purpose of this is clearly explained in a Witness handbook, which says: “Early followers of Jesus Christ took interest in reports of progress in the preaching work. (Mark 6:30) As the work prospered, statistical reports were compiled along with accounts of outstanding experiences of those having a share in preaching the good news. . . . (Acts 2:5-11, 41, 47; 6:7; 1:15; 4:4) . . . How encouraging it was for those faithful Christian workers to hear reports of what was being accomplished! . . . In like manner, Jehovah’s modern-day organization endeavors to keep precise records of the work being done in fulfillment of Matthew 24:14.”

  14 The Governing Body is a loving provision and an example of faith worthy of imitation. (Philippians 3:17; Hebrews 13:7) By their adhering to and following Christ as a model, they can echo Paul’s words: “Not that we are the masters over your faith, but we are fellow workers for your joy, for it is by your faith that you are standing.” (2 Corinthians 1:24) By observing trends, the Governing Body draws attention to the benefits of heeding Bible counsel, offers suggestions about applying Bible laws and principles, warns of hidden dangers, and provides “fellow workers” needed encouragement. It thus discharges its Christian stewardship, helps them to maintain their joy, and builds them up in faith so that they can stand firm.—1 Corinthians 4:1, 2; Titus 1:7-9.

  15 If a Witness makes decisions on the basis of Bible counsel offered by the Governing Body, he does so of his own volition because his own study of the Bible has convinced him that this is the proper course. Each Witness is influenced by God’s own Word to apply sound Scriptural counsel offered by the Governing Body, in full recognition that decisions he makes will affect his personal relationship with God, to whom he is dedicated.—1 Thessalonians 2:13."
• 

  Mad Sweeney

  What a horrible article.

  Thanks for posting it, though.
• 

  MrMonroe

  Wonderful advice!

  The Bible clearly shows that true Christians do not serve God under coercion.

  Which is why so many Witnesses are abandoning the Watch Tower Society, which does insist on coercing its "brothers".

  In this time of the end, Christ has appointed this slave “over all his belongings.” Its position therefore merits the respect of anyone claiming to be a Christian.

  In other words, they tell Witnesses God "evidently" appointed them, and therefore everyone better f?@#ing respect them.

  The purpose of headship is to preserve unity and ensure that “all things take place decently and by arrangement.” To achieve this in the first century, a number of anointed Christians from the faithful and discreet slave class were chosen to represent the entire group. As subsequent events proved, the supervision exercised by this first-century governing body had Jehovah’s approval and blessing. First-century Christians gladly accepted the arrangement. (Acts 15:1-32)

  Unfortunately Acts chapter 15 nowhere suggests God had chosen a "class" to represent all Christians or that the apostolic council in Jerusalem was anything but a meeting there to sort out a doctrinal dispute that had arisen there.

  Does the position of oversight that the Scriptures assign the Governing Body mean that each of Jehovah’s Witnesses must render to it an account of his works?

  Yes, of course it does. But they always say otherwise. The justification for filing monthly reports of witnessing activity is a lie. If statistics were all they were after, why are those reports used as a basis for judging the spiritual maturity and health of Witnesses? Why are they used as a yardstick of whether they should be appointed to positions of authority? Why are Witnesses required to put their names on reports if it's just the overall numbers they want?

  The Governing Body is a loving provision and an example of faith worthy of imitation.

  Faith in what? It provides an example of bullying, intimidation, dogmatism and pharisaic rules ... exactly the sort of Christian oversight Christ warned his followers against.

  By observing trends, the Governing Body draws attention to the benefits of heeding Bible counsel, offers suggestions about applying Bible laws and principles, warns of hidden dangers, and provides “fellow workers” needed encouragement. It thus discharges its Christian stewardship, helps them to maintain their joy, and builds them up in faith so that they can stand firm.

  So they're just suggestions about applying Bible laws and principlesthey offer? Why do they punish those who ignore their suggestions? And where is the joy in this miserable, hateful, tightly controlled organization?

  If a Witness makes decisions on the basis of Bible counsel offered by the Governing Body, he does so of his own volition because his own study of the Bible has convinced him that this is the proper course. Each Witness is influenced by God’s own Word to apply sound Scriptural counsel offered by the Governing Body, in full recognition that decisions he makes will affect his personal relationship with God, to whom he is dedicated.

  And if they choose not to follow this "counsel", they will be expelled and shunned. Once inside the cult, they are prohibited from reading literature and websites that criticise their leaders.