From: http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/246296/another-probe-governing-body-theory?size=20&page=2
Here are some references about the group usually referred to as the 1st century governing body. My comments are in black.
EVIDENCE FROM ACTS
Barnabas has to convince apostles about Paul. Jesus did not see fit to inform them. (Acts
9:23-30) 23 Now when a good many days were coming to a close, the Jews
took counsel together to do away with him. 24 However, their plot
against him became known to Saul. But they were closely watching also
the gates both day and night in order to do away with him. 25 So his
disciples took him and let him down by night through an opening in the
wall, lowering him in a basket. 26 On
arriving in Jerusalem he made efforts to join himself to the disciples;
but they were all afraid of him, because they did not believe he was a
disciple. 27 So Bar´na•bas came to his aid and led him to the apostles, and
he told them in detail how on the road he had seen the Lord and that he
had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name
of Jesus. 28 And he continued with them, walking in and out at
Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord; 29 and he was
talking and disputing with the Greek-speaking Jews. But these made
attempts to do away with him. 30 When the brothers detected this, they
brought him down to Caes•a•re´a and sent him off to Tarsus. Grudgingly accept Peter’s testimony, again Jesus did not inform any group such as a governing body. (Acts
11:1-18 ) 11 Now the apostles and the brothers that were in Ju•de´a
heard that people of the nations had also received the word of God. 2 So
when Peter came up to Jerusalem, the [supporters] of circumcision began
to contend with him, 3 saying he had gone into the house of men that
were not circumcised and had eaten with them. 4 At this Peter commenced
and went on to explain the particulars to them,
17 If, therefore,
God gave the same free gift to them as he also did to us who have
believed upon the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I should be able to
hinder God?” 18Now when they heard these things, they acquiesced, and they glorified God, saying: “Well, then, God has granted repentance for the purpose of life to people of the nations also.” Brothers from Judea were the source of the problem about the circumcision issue. (Acts 15:1-26) 15 And certain men came down from Ju•de´a and began to teach the brothers: “Unless
YOU get circumcised according to the custom of Moses, YOU cannot be
saved.” 2 But when there had occurred no little dissension and disputing
by Paul and Bar´na•bas with them, they arranged for Paul and Bar´na•bas
and some others of them to go up to the apostles and older men in
Jerusalem regarding this dispute.
3 Accordingly, after being
conducted partway by the congregation, these men continued on their way
through both Phoe•ni´cia and Sa•mar´i•a, relating in detail the
conversion of people of the nations, and they were causing great joy to
all the brothers. 4 On arriving in Jerusalem they were kindly received
by the congregation and the apostles and the older men, and they
recounted the many things God had done by means of them. 5 Yet, some of
those of the sect of the Pharisees that had believed rose up from their
seats and said: “It is necessary to circumcise them and charge them to
observe the law of Moses.” Seems to have caused quite an argument. 6
And the apostles and the older men gathered together to see about this
affair. 7 Now when much disputing had taken place, Peter rose and said to
them: “Men, brothers, YOU well know that from early days God made the
choice among YOU that through my mouth people of the nations should hear
the word of the good news and believe; 8 and God, who knows the heart,
bore witness by giving them the holy spirit, just as he did to us also. 9
And he made no distinction at all between us and them, but purified
their hearts by faith. 10 Now, therefore, why are YOU making a test of
God by imposing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke that neither our
forefathers nor we were capable of bearing? 11 On the contrary, we trust
to get saved through the undeserved kindness of the Lord Jesus in the
same way as those people also.” Paul & Barnabas finally get the floor. 12 At that the entire multitude became silent, and they began to listen to Bar´na•bas and Paul relate the many signs and portents that God did through them among the nations. Perhaps
more respect given to James by these Judean brothers than given to
Paul? Sometimes local elder listened to more readily, or maybe because
of sharing a similar view about need to still follow the Law? 13 After they quit speaking, James answered, saying:
“Men, brothers, hear me. 14 Sym´e•on has related thoroughly how God for
the first time turned his attention to the nations to take out of them a
people for his name. 15 And with this the words of the Prophets agree,
just as it is written, 16 ‘After these things I shall return and rebuild
the booth of David that is fallen down; and I shall rebuild its ruins
and erect it again, 17 in order that those who remain of the men may
earnestly seek Jehovah, together with people of all the nations, people
who are called by my name, says Jehovah, who is doing these things, 18
known from of old.’ 19 Hence my decision is not to trouble those from
the nations who are turning to God, 20 but to write them to abstain from
things polluted by idols and from fornication and from what is
strangled and from blood. 21 For from ancient times Moses has had in
city after city those who preach him, because he is read aloud in the
synagogues on every sabbath.” 22 Then the apostles and the older men
together with the whole congregation favored sending chosen men from
among them to Antioch along with Paul and Bar´na•bas, namely, Judas who
was called Bar´sab•bas and Silas, leading men among the brothers; 23 and
by their hand they wrote: “The apostles and the older men, brothers, to
those brothers in Antioch and Syria and Ci•li´cia who are from the
nations: Greetings! Admission that problem was from Judea, although not instructed to do so. 24
Since we have heard that some from among us have caused YOU trouble
with speeches, trying to subvert YOUR souls, although we did not give
them any instructions, 25 we have come
to a unanimous accord and have favored choosing men to send to YOU
together with our loved ones, Bar´na•bas and Paul, 26 men that have
delivered up their souls for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Later Paul had been warned by the spirit that if he went to Jerusalem, he would be imprisoned and face tribulations. (Acts
20:22-23) 22 And now, look! bound in the spirit, I am journeying to
Jerusalem, although not knowing the things that will happen to me in it,
23 except that from city to city the holy spirit repeatedly bears witness to me as it says that bonds and tribulations are waiting for me. (Acts 21:4) 4 By a search we found the disciples and remained here seven days. But through the spirit they repeatedly told Paul not to set foot in Jerusalem. (Acts
21:8-14) 8 The next day we set out and arrived in Caes•a•re´a, and we
entered into the house of Philip the evangelizer, who was one of the
seven men, and we stayed with him. 9 This man had four daughters,
virgins, that prophesied. 10 But while we were remaining quite a number
of days, a certain prophet named
Ag´a•bus came down from Ju•de´a, 11 and he came to us and took up the
girdle of Paul, bound his own feet and hands and said: “Thus says the
holy spirit, ‘The man to whom this girdle belongs the Jews will bind in
this manner in Jerusalem and deliver into the hands of people of the
nations.’” 12 Now when we heard this,
both we and those of that place began entreating him not to go up to
Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered: “What are YOU doing by weeping and
making me weak at heart? Rest assured, I am ready not only to be bound
but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14 When he
would not be dissuaded, we acquiesced with the words: “Let the will of
Jehovah take place.” Years
later governing body (??) was still concerned about impression given to
Jews, leading to the bad advice given to Paul resulting in his arrest. (Acts
21:18-25) 18 But on the following [day] Paul went in with us to James;
and all the older men were present. 19 And he greeted them and began
giving in detail an account of the things God did among the nations
through his ministry. 20 After hearing this they began to glorify God,
and they said to him: “You behold, brother, how many thousands of
believers there are among the Jews; and they are all zealous for the
Law. 21 But they have heard it rumored about you that you have been
teaching all the Jews among the nations an apostasy from Moses, telling
them neither to circumcise their children nor to walk in the [solemn]
customs. 22 What, then, is to be done about it? In any case they are
going to hear you have arrived. 23 Therefore do this which we tell you:
We have four men with a vow upon themselves. 24 Take these men along and
cleanse yourself ceremonially with them and take care of their
expenses, that they may have their heads shaved. And so
everybody will know that there is nothing to the rumors they were told
about you, but that you are walking orderly, you yourself also keeping
the Law. 25 As for the believers from among the nations, we have sent
out, rendering our decision that they should keep themselves from what
is sacrificed to idols as well as from blood and what is strangled and
from fornication.” This
advice did not turn out too well for Paul, since he was beaten, arrested
and later sent to Rome as a prisoner. Jesus did make this turn out for
the good anyway. (Acts 23:11)
11 But the following night the Lord stood by him and said: “Be of good
courage! For as you have been giving a thorough witness on the things
about me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness in Rome.” Here’s the WT on this incident: *** w87 8/1 pp. 13-14 Christ Actively Leads His Congregation ***
An Unusual Decision
15 Another interesting example of Christ’s active direction of things
from heaven is what took place after Paul’s third missionary journey.
Luke relates that upon returning to Jerusalem, Paul made a full report to the members of the governing body on hand. Luke
wrote: “Paul went in with us to James; and all the older men were
present. And he greeted them and began giving in detail an account of
the things God did among the nations through his ministry.” (Acts
21:17-19) After hearing Paul, the assembled body gave him clear-cut
instruction, stating: “Do this which we tell you.” They ordered him to
go to the temple and publicly demonstrate that he was not “teaching all
the Jews among the nations an apostasy from Moses, telling them neither
to circumcise their children nor to walk in the solemn customs.”—Acts
21:20-24. 16 One might question the wisdom of this instruction. As
we have already seen, years earlier James, and perhaps other elders
present on both occasions, had sent Paul away from Jerusalem because his
life was threatened by “Greek-speaking Jews.” (Acts 9:29) In spite of
this, Paul complied with the order, in line with what he had already
said at 1 Corinthians 9:20. But like causes produce like effects. “Jews
from [the Roman province of] Asia” caused a riot and tried to kill Paul.
Only quick action by Roman soldiers saved him from being lynched. (Acts
21:26-32) Since Christ is the active Head of the congregation, why did he cause the governing body to require Paul to go into the temple? 17
The answer becomes apparent in what occurred the second night after
Paul’s arrest. He had given a fine witness to the mob that sought to
kill him and, the following day, to the Sanhedrin. (Acts 22:1-21;
23:1-6) For the second time he was nearly lynched. But that night, Jesus
appeared to him and said: “Be of good courage! For as you have been
giving a thorough witness on the things about me in Jerusalem, so you
must also bear witness in Rome.” (Acts 23:11) Remember the threefold
mission Christ had foretold for Paul. (Acts 9:15) Paul had borne
Christ’s name to “the nations” and to “the sons of Israel,” but the time
had now come for him to witness “to kings.” Because of that decision by
the governing body, Paul was able to witness to Roman procurators Felix
and Festus, to King Herod Agrippa II, and, finally, to Roman Emperor
Nero. (Acts, chapters 24–26; 27:24) Who can doubt that Christ was behind all of this? Conveniently
forgotten is the fact that Jesus previously warned Paul not to go. So
was Jesus behind all this, or did he give Paul warnings to avoid
Jerusalem, knowing that Paul would follow the misguided advice of the
brothers in Jerusalem?
EVIDENCE FROM GALATIANS
Paul contacted directly by Jesus at his conversion and did not then
report to a governing body. Even when he did go to Jerusalem, he did not
see a governing body. (Galatians 1:17-19) 17 Neither did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles previous to me, but I went off into Arabia, and I came back again to Damascus. 18 Then three years later I went up to Jerusalem to visit Ce´phas, and I stayed with him for fifteen days. 19 But I saw no one else of the apostles, only James the brother of the Lord. Absent from Jerusalem for 14 years and then went only because of the problem that started from there. (Galatians 2:1-14) 2 Then after fourteen years I again went up to Jerusalem with
Bar´na•bas, taking also Titus along with me. 2 But I went up as a
result of a revelation. And I laid before them the good news which I am
preaching among the nations, privately, however, before those who were
outstanding men, for fear that somehow I was running or had run in vain.
3 Nevertheless, not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be
circumcised, although he was a Greek. 4 But because of the false brothers brought in quietly, who sneaked in to spy upon our freedom which we have in union with Christ Jesus, that they might completely enslave us— Paul refused to submit to brothers from Judea. 5 to these we did not yield by way of submission, no, not for an hour, in order that the truth of the good news might continue with YOU. Paul
apparently observed no clearly defined positions and did not receive
any new light there. It seems to me that Paul was not in the least
reticent in their presence or intimidated by brothers in Judea. 6 But on the part of those who seemed to be something— whatever sort of men they formerly were makes no difference to me—God does not go by a man’s outward appearance—to me, in fact, those outstanding men imparted nothing new. 7
But, on the contrary, when they saw that I had entrusted to me the good
news for those who are uncircumcised, just as Peter [had it] for those
who are circumcised— 8 for He who gave Peter powers necessary for an
apostleship to those who are circumcised gave powers also to me for
those who are of the nations; 9 yes, when
they came to know the undeserved kindness that was given me, James and
Ce´phas and John, the ones who seemed to be pillars, gave
me and Bar´na•bas the right hand of sharing together, that we should go
to the nations, but they to those who are circumcised. 10 Only we
should keep the poor in mind. This very thing I have also earnestly
endeavored to do. Paul again
refused to submit to wrong example of Peter. James seemed unable to even
convince his close associates to change some of their behavior in
regard to their Gentile brothers even after the council in Jerusalem. 11 However, when Ce´phas came to Antioch, I resisted him face to face, because he stood condemned. 12 Forbefore the arrival of certain men from James, he used to eat with people of the nations; but when they arrived, he went withdrawing and separating himself, in fear of those of the circumcised class. Another example of concern with impression given to Jews. 13 The rest of the Jews also joined him in putting on this pretense, so
that even Bar´na•bas was led along with them in their pretense. 14 But
when I saw they were not walking straight according to the truth of the
good news, I said to Ce´phas before them all: “If you, though you are a
Jew, live as the nations do, and not as Jews do, how is it that you are
compelling people of the nations to live according to Jewish practice?” WT
writes that Paul was a member of the 1st century governing body. They
apparently did not meet very often since as far as we know, Paul only
met with them twice in over twenty years.
Peter is also viewed
as part of this governing body, yet his letters are written from
Babylon. That would also seem to be a hindrance to attending governing
body meetings in Jerusalem.
Not one letter in the Bible is
written collectively and anonymously by a governing body, only
individuals were used. When Jesus wanted someone to do something in
particular, Jesus contacted them directly.
WT seems to imply that authority of apostles was superseded by governing body: *** w97 5/15 pp. 16-17 Theocratic Administration in the Christian Era ***
6 When Paul came to Jerusalem about the year 56 C.E., he reported to
James and, the Bible says, “all the older men were present.” (Acts 21:18
) Why was there no mention of apostles at this meeting? Again, the
Bible does not say. But the historian Eusebius later reported that some
time before 66 C.E., “the remaining apostles, in constant danger from
murderous plots, were driven out of Judea. But to teach their message
they travelled into every land in the power of Christ.” (Eusebius, Book
III, V, v. 2) True, Eusebius’ words are not part of the inspired record,
but they do harmonize with what that record says. For example, by 62
C.E., Peter was in Babylon—far from Jerusalem. (1 Peter 5:13) Still, in
56 C.E., and likely right up until 66 C.E., a governing body was clearly
active in Jerusalem. So I
just don’t see much evidence to support the contention that there was a
1st century governing body administering the congregations. Some such
arrangement may be appropriate now (although somewhat Pharisaical and
proud as portrayed in the literature, IMHO) in view of the fact that we
don’t have the benefit of inspiration or direct communication with Jesus
or angels, but I don’t really see that is the way it was in the 1st
century.
