Questions Questions

by inbyathread 1 Replies latest watchtower bible

• 

  inbyathread

  I am looking for source material where the WTS states

  1. "The Elders are the Bridge between Jehovah and the Great Crowd" and

  2. "Everytime someone is baptized, Babylon Falls."

  Thanks
• 

  M.J.

  Did a search:

  ***

  w87 8/1 pp. 18-19 Christ’s Active Leadership Today ***

  By

  Means of the Spirit

  12

  With the "other sheep" now numbering upwards of three million, organized into some 52,000 congregations, it is obvious that the anointed remnant need help in taking care of the Master’s earthly belongings. Fewer than 9,000, including many sisters, partake of the Memorial emblems, so there is not even one anointed overseer per congregation. Does this mean that Jesus Christ is not in charge of congregations where there is no spirit-begotten "angel," or ‘star’?

  13

  By no means! As we have seen in the previous article, in the first century Christ actively led his congregation by means of the holy spirit. Today he uses the spirit-begotten members of the Governing Body to appoint overseers chosen from among the "other sheep." These must meet the same requirements as anointed elders, as outlined in such scriptures as 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. These Scriptural qualifications were written under the direction of the holy spirit. Recommendations and appointments are made after prayer and under the guidance of the holy spirit. To such nonanointed elders Paul’s counsel applies with equal force: "Pay attention to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the holy spirit has appointed you overseers."—Acts 20:28.

  14

  Thus, in tens of thousands of congregations, the righteous reigning King Jesus Christ is using "other sheep" as "princes" to protect his "sheep" from spiritual wind, rainstorm, and drought. (Isaiah 32:1, 2) Like David of old, elders, whether of the anointed or the "other sheep," pray to Jehovah: "Your spirit is good; may it lead me in the land of uprightness." (Psalm 143:10) And Jehovah hears their prayer. By means of his Son, He grants them His spirit, and Jesus uses this means actively to lead his disciples on earth. Naturally, all elders must submit to Christ’s "right hand" of control, guidance, and direction, which he exercises by means of the spirit and the spirit-begotten members of the Governing Body.