Bottom line is the sheep (the "loyal" sheep) are made to believe that what the elders say issues forth from God via his "appointed channel". You can quote whatever you want, say whatever you want, claim that there is no class system in the WTS but the preception is that the elders are in charge, with the Coordinator being the head elder (yes they have tried to change this but it hasn't really) and the CO is in charge of the elders.. so on and so forth. Up to our glorious mediator's to god, the GB. Oh and this whole system is approved by God so just shut up and deal with it.
Appointed by holy spirit
by Ben57 93 Replies latest jw friends
-
-
blondie
1) Prayer for holy spirit
2) Present elders appointed by holy spirit
3) Qualifications from the bible written under holy spirit.
4) not the same as being anointed by holy spirit (only those called to have; elders do not have to be anointed)
"Elders, for instance, are appointed by holy spirit. (Acts 20:28) But not all spirit-anointed ones serve as overseers in the congregation. What are we to conclude from this? Simply that God’s spirit operates in different ways on members of the congregation." Watchtower 2011 Dec 15 p.25
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. How reassuring to know that Jesus Christ provides leadership to his disciples today through the Governing Body, the holy spirit, and the angels!" Watchtower 2002 Mar 15 p.14
We are living also in the time of final fulfillment of the prophecy to which the apostle Peter referred on the day of Pentecost (Joel 2:28, 29, AS; Acts 2:16-18) We should therefore expect the spirit's activity to include appointing overseers . In consideration of the spirit's fruitage produced by the candidate and in harmony with the written requirements set out in the Holy Scriptures written by men under the operation of the holy spirit, the governing body acts, being itself moved by the holy spirit for which it prays to God that it may guide the governing body. So today as well as in Paul's day it may be said that the holy spirit appoints overseers over the flock of God that he purchased "with the blood of his own Son."" Watchtower 1958 Jan 15 p.45
"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. Traveling overseers submit reports to the branch office. With the help of the holy spirit and the inspired Scriptures." Watchtower 1990 Mar 15 p.20
-
DATA-DOG
" 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"
That is exactly what the ELDERS believe. As others have said, you are mistaken. Everything that happens in the back-room is led by the Holy Spirit. In fact, we had a local needs about the fallacy of nepotism with regards to appointments. It was made very clear that questioning the validity of a 20 year old son of an Elder getting appointed was a no-no. To challenge that decision was to challenge GOD. Why? That appointment was made by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is said to influence every single decision in the Elder's room. That is why the Elders consider taking away your microphone assignment as " discipline from Jehovah." Sister McSingleforlife is approved to pioneer = Holy Spirit's decision. Crappy lawn-mower purchased = Holy Spirit's decision.
How you can read the WTBTS's own quotes and NOT see this fact, is beyond comprehension. Perhaps it's because of the WTBTS's double-speak. They like to say "spirit-directed" and then down-play that phrase when things go wrong. The whole thing is a farce anyway. If the Holy Spirit was at the KH, then it's being ignored. I directly asked 2 Elders, " If a brother meets the scriptural qualifications for being recommended, will he be passed over because he does not get quite enough service time, or is not visible enough in service?" The answer.....[drum-roll]..," YES."
DD
-
DS211
Wake up ben! Its a cult!
-
wearewatchingyouman
I think we should look at this one just once more as it absoloutely buries any doubt that the WTS believes, and teaches, that Elders are appointed by Holy Spirit, and not just the the Holy Spirit that inspired the writing of the Scriptures:
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. How reassuring to know that Jesus Christ provides leadership to his disciples today through the Governing Body, the holy spirit, and the angels!" Watchtower 2002 Mar 15 p.14
-
Narcissistic Supply
GB is driven by self preservatiion.
and of course Narcissistic supply.
-
scotoma
Holy Spirit - Does anyone really know what it is supposed to mean?
It's White Magic.
Like ALL MAGIC it exists in the imagination.
It is just another human construct like GOD.
Whatever the Watchtower writes about it - the real meaning is the effect the concept has on those that believe it.
They think that it is something that steers them to make correct decisions.
THIS IS DANGEROUS!!!!
It's dangerous because these people think that if they pray for guidance then the evaluation they make of individuals or situations is automatically right.
Innocent people get put to death (organizational "shunning" death) just as in the Salem Witchcraft trials.
It doesn't matter what the Watchtower says officially. It's how individuals conceptualize it.
Why argue over whether the society gets it right. Any interpretation is skewed because we might as well be talking about Hogwarts.
-
OUTLAW
.
JW Elders are chosen by other Janitors..
...................................................................
...OUTLAW -
pixel
Elders and servants are not picked by Holy Spirit guidance, but by "How-Many-Hours-You-Preach-As-Average" guidance.
-
gutted
I've had this discussion with my family a few times, not just in regards to appointment of elders but holy spirit in general. No one has a clue how it works, when, how etc and as it should be, it is God's active force and you have to have faith to believe it. Trying to desifer exactly how it works and if it is just through the Bible or some mysterious way that influences people is foolish. It doesn't matter. OP will continue to listen to the elders regardless if he thinks they were guided by holy spirit or by meer outward appearance. The congitive dissonance between his logic and faith is very apparent but it seems he is a logical person trying to justify the whole idea. It is nothing beyond the usual keep calm and carry on.
...OUTLAW