A number of posters here have said that the Watchtower doctrine that Jesus is not our mediator is the one that they find most disturbing. For this reason i have written a new article to post on my site. The article is long, but I would appreciate if people could check it for doctrinal and historical accuaracy. (I could not get this to post in IE so had to use Firefox, so sorry for the lack of formatting.
Combatting Cult Mind Control p.202 (Steven Hassan Park Street Press 1990; summarising Robert Lifton)
In Christianity Jesus is the mediator through which all mankind have freedom to approach God. Paul explains this simply at 1 Tim.2:5;
“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, a man, Christ Jesus,”
Paul shows that Jesus alone is our mediator. However, as a way of heightening their own authority, cult leaders assume the role of mediator upon themselves. Cult leaders have devised a range of explanations to undermine Paul’s statement, in order to claim the title of mediator.
Who is the mediator for Jehovah's Witnesses? Not Jesus! Though rarely mentioned, Jesus is not mediator to the Great Crowd of Jehovah’s Witnesses or for the rest of mankind.
Worldwide Security Under the “Prince of Peace” pp. 10-11
“Likewise, the Greater Moses, Jesus Christ, is not the Mediator between Jehovah God and all mankind. He is the Mediator between his heavenly Father, Jehovah God, and the nation of spiritual Israel, which is limited to only 144,000 members.”
If Jesus is only mediator for the few thousand remaining remnant on earth, who is mediator for the millions of Jehovah's Witnesses that do not form part of the 144,000?
Watchtower 1979 April 1 p.31
“ Is Jesus the “mediator” only for anointed Christians?
… So in this strict Biblical sense Jesus is the “mediator” only for anointed Christians. …The “great crowd” of “other sheep” that is forming today is not in that new covenant. However, by their associating with the “little flock” of those yet in that covenant they come under benefits that flow from that new covenant.”
Watchtower 1979 November 15 p.27 Benefiting from “One Mediator Between God and Men”
“They recognize that they are not spiritual Israelites in the new covenant mediated by Jesus Christ, nor part of the “chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation.”—1 Pet. 2:9.
24 Yet they do benefit from the operation of the new covenant. They benefit from this just as, in ancient Israel, the “alien resident” benefited from residing in among the Israelites who were in the Law covenant.—Ex. 20:10; Lev. 19:10, 33, 34; Rev. 7:9-15.
25 To keep in relationship with “our Savior, God,” the “great crowd” needs to remain united with the remnant of spiritual Israelites.”
Most congregations no longer have any of the “little flock” to associate with and the reality for a Jehovah's Witnesses is that salvation comes from following the Governing Body, the leaders of the Organization.
Jesus role as mediator for the Watchtower Society underpins the concept that only Jehovah’s Witnesses will be saved and that in order to be saved they are to unquestioningly follow the directions of a “Faithful and Discreet Slave”.
What the Bible Says
By understanding the Law Covenant and New Covenant it is simple to understand that the Watchtower doctrine is wrong and recognise the reason it was introduced.
Law Covenant
Mediator Moses was the mediator of the Law Covenant, “animal victims took the place of Moses, the mediator (covenanter) of the Law covenant, their blood substituting for his in legalizing and making the covenant operative.” (Rbi8 p. 1585)
High Priest There were several High Priests prior to the Law Covenant, with Aaron being first in a line of High Priests under the Law Covenant. There role was to offer sacrifices and once a year were to Atonement for those under the Law Covenant.
It is important to recognize that the Law Covenant was open to all people. It was not limited to Priests only, and also could include the Alien resident.
it-1 p. 72 Alien Resident
“The terms of the Law covenant allowed for persons of all national backgrounds to come into membership of the congregation of Israel by accepting the true worship of Jehovah and becoming circumcised, …The alien resident who had become a circumcised worshiper was bound to one law with the Israelites, that is, to obey all the terms of the Law covenant.”
New Covenant
Mediator Jesus was the mediator of the New Covenant, with his blood only requiring being offered once.
High Priest Jesus is High Priest and enjoying eternal life no High Priest is required to replace him.
There are three roles of the new covenant
o Forgiveness of our sins
o Bringing humans to perfection
o Allowing eternal life
As Mediator and High Priest the New Covenant can only be applied to mankind by Jesus, not by any other humans. For forgiveness of sins every person requires Jesus as both their Mediator and High Priest, just as the Israelites required both a mediator and high priest.
The following scriptures show that Jesus Ransom and Mediation is available to all and required by all for forgiveness of sins.
Matthew 26:27-28
“Also, he took a cup and, having given thanks, he gave it to them, saying: “Drink out of it, all of YOU; 28 for this means my ‘blood of the covenant,’ which is to be poured out in behalf of many for forgiveness of sins.”
Hebrews 9:15, 28
“So that is why he is a mediator of a new covenant, in order that, because a death has occurred for [their] release by ransom from the transgressions under the former covenant, the ones who have been called might receive the promise of the everlasting inheritance. … 28so also the Christ was offered once for all time to bear the sins of many; and the second time that he appears it will be apart from sin and to those earnestly looking for him for [their] salvation.”
Romans 3:21-30
“But now apart from law God’s righteousness has been made manifest, as it is borne witness to by the Law and the Prophets; 22 yes, God’s righteousness through the faith in Jesus Christ, for all those having faith. For there is no distinction. 23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and it is as a free gift that they are being declared righteous by his undeserved kindness through the release by the ransom [paid] by Christ Jesus. 25 God set him forth as an offering for propitiation through faith in his blood. This was in order to exhibit his own righteousness, because he was forgiving the sins that occurred in the past while God was exercising forbearance; 26 so as to exhibit his own righteousness in this present season, that he might be righteous even when declaring righteous the man that has faith in Jesus. 27 Where, then, is the boasting? It is shut out. Through what law? That of works? No indeed, but through the law of faith. 28 For we reckon that a man is declared righteous by faith apart from works of law. 29 Or is he the God of the Jews only? Is he not also of people of the nations? Yes, of people of the nations also, 30 if truly God is one, who will declare circumcised people righteous as a result of faith and uncircumcised people righteous by means of their faith. “
1 Tim.2:5
“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, a man, Christ Jesus,”
Ephesians 1:7
“By means of him we have the release by ransom through the blood of that one, yes, the forgiveness of [our] trespasses, according to the riches of his undeserved kindness.”
Romans 6:23
“For the wages sin pays is death, but the gift God gives is everlasting life by Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Hebrews 7:25
“Consequently he is able also to save completely those who are approaching God through him, because he is always alive to plead for them.”
Hebrews 8:10-12
“‘For this is the covenant that I shall covenant with the house of Israel after those days,’ says Jehovah. ‘I will put my laws in their mind, and in their hearts I shall write them. And I will become their God, and they themselves will become my people. 11 “‘And they will by no means teach each one his fellow citizen and each one his brother, saying: “Know Jehovah!” For they will all know me, from [the] least one to [the] greatest one of them. 12 For I shall be merciful to their unrighteous deeds, and I shall by no means call their sins to mind anymore.’”
Watchtower View
Though the bible explanation of the New Covenant is simple the Watchtower view greatly confuses the issue. The reason for this is in order to support the Watchtower doctrine that only 144,000 go to heaven.
The Watchtower view is quite unique in that it separates Jesus role for different classes;
o Mediator for the 144,000
o High Priest on behalf of all
The Watchtower teaches that only 144,000 people make up the New Covenant, and that Jesus is mediator for them alone. Of the billions of people that have ever lived the New Covenant is only open to 144,000 people, around 50,000 of which lived in the first half on the 1900’s.
it-2 p. 362 Mediator
“Those for Whom Christ Is Mediator. The apostle Paul declares that there is “one mediator between God and men, a man, Christ Jesus, who gave himself a corresponding ransom for all”—for both Jews and Gentiles. (1Ti 2:5, 6) He mediates the new covenant between God and those taken into the new covenant, the congregation of spiritual Israel. …The total number of those who are finally and permanently sealed is revealed in Revelation 7:4-8 as 144,000.”
On the other hand the Watchtower states those not in the new covenant will be blessed by Jesus through his role as High Priest.
it-2 p. 362 Mediator
“Blessings to Mankind in General. While Jesus’ mediatorship operates solely toward those in the new covenant, he is also God’s High Priest and the Seed of Abraham. In fulfilling his duties in these latter two positions, he will bring blessings to others of mankind, for all the nations are to be blessed by means of Abraham’s seed.”
Watchtower 1991 February 15 p.18
“Christ does not act as Mediator of the new covenant toward them, yet they benefit from this covenant through the work of God’s Kingdom. Christ still acts toward them, however, as High Priest, through whom Jehovah can and does apply the ransom to the extent of their now being declared righteous as God’s friends. (Compare James 2:23.) During the Millennium, they will gradually “be set free from enslavement to corruption [until finally they] have the glorious freedom of the children of God.”—Romans 8:21.”
This is a contradictory concept. By Watchtower definition a mediator is “One who interposes between two parties at variance to reconcile them; an intercessor; an intermediary agent, or go-between. In the Scriptures the term is applied to Moses and Jesus, the mediators respectively of the Law covenant and the new covenant.” (it-2 p. 360) As shown at Matthew 26:28 “forgiveness of sins” can not exist apart from the Ransom, and so it is necessary for Jesus to mediate on behalf of all humankind.
The Watchtower attempts to parallel the Mosaic Law Covenant and the Israelites with the New Covenant and Spiritual Israel. Yet then it says that Spiritual Israel only includes the priestly 144,000. However the Law Covenant was open to all people, including all Israelites and also alien residents. Since the Great Crowd are said to be foreshadowed by the Alien residents it follows that the Great Crowd are included in the New Covenant.
Watchtower 1995 July 1 p.17 “The Israel of God” and the “Great Crowd”
“Since a number of these faithful foreigners, or alien residents, are viewed as foreshadowing the great crowd today, their situation is of interest to us.
13 Such ones were proselytes, dedicated worshipers of Jehovah under the Mosaic Law who were separated from the nations along with the Israelites. (Leviticus 24:22) They offered sacrifices, kept clear of false worship, and abstained from blood, just as the Israelites did.”
The Watchtower is forced into this unfortunate position because the bible shows that those under the covenant receive a heavenly resurrection. By being determined to prove that only 144,000 go to heaven the Watchtower has no alternative than say that the New Covenant only applies to the 144,000.
Hebrews 10:16-22
“‘This is the covenant that I shall covenant toward them after those days,’ says Jehovah. ‘I will put my laws in their hearts, and in their minds I shall write them,’” 17 [it says afterwards:] “And I shall by no means call their sins and their lawless deeds to mind anymore.” 18 Now where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer an offering for sin. 19 Therefore, brothers, since we have boldness for the way of entry into the holy place by the blood of Jesus, 20 which he inaugurated for us as a new and living way through the curtain, that is, his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us approach with true hearts in the full assurance of faith, having had our hearts sprinkled from a wicked conscience and our bodies bathed with clean water.. . .
1 Corinthians 15:51-57
”We shall not all fall asleep [in death], but we shall all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, during the last trumpet. … 56 The sting producing death is sin, but the power for sin is the Law.”
The Watchtower removes Jesus from being mankind’s Mediator in order to support an inaccurate doctrine, that of an earthly resurrection.
Watchtower Style Reasoning
The Watchtower Society uses an eisegesis approach to arrive at doctrine; that is, it creates a doctrine and then manipulates scriptures to support it. IT is then required to resort to rhetorical fallacy to convince people what they are saying is true.
A classic example of this is in a 1989 article explaining why Jesus is not mediator for all mankind.
Watchtower 1989 August 15 pp.30-31 Questions From Readers
“Is Jesus the Mediator only for spirit-anointed Christians or for all mankind, since 1 Timothy 2:5, 6 speaks of him as the “mediator” who “gave himself a corresponding ransom for all”?
The Bible contains both basic teachings and deep truths, which are solid food for study. One such study involves Jesus Christ’s role as Mediator. The apostle Paul wrote: “There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, a man, Christ Jesus, who gave himself a corresponding ransom for all—this is what is to be witnessed to at its own particular times.”—1 Timothy 2:5, 6.
To grasp what Paul is saying, we must first appreciate that the Bible sets out two destinies for faithful humans: (1) perfect life on a restored earthly paradise and (2) life in heaven for Christ’s “little flock,” numbering 144,000. (Luke 12:32; Revelation 5:10; 14:1-3) Christendom teaches that all good people go to heaven, which unscriptural position has colored the general view, so that Jesus is considered a go-between for all such people. What, though, does the Bible indicate? …
Clearly, then, the new covenant is not a loose arrangement open to all mankind. It is a carefully arranged legal provision involving God and anointed Christians.
This should help us to understand 1 Timothy 2:5, 6. Here the reference to “mediator” was made after the five other occurrences of the word in letters written earlier. Hence, Timothy would have understood Jesus’ mediatorship to be His legal role connected with the new covenant. …
Consequently, 1 Timothy 2:5, 6 is not using “mediator” in the broad sense common in many languages. It is not saying that Jesus is a mediator between God and all mankind. Rather, it refers to Christ as legal Mediator (or, “attorney”) of the new covenant, this being the restricted way in which the Bible uses the term. Jesus is also a corresponding ransom for all in that covenant, both Jews and Gentiles, who will receive immortal life in heaven. The apostle John referred to these at 1 John 2:2. But he indicated that others too will receive the benefit of Christ’s sacrifice: “He is a propitiatory sacrifice for our sins, yet not for ours only but also for the whole world’s.”
Those of ‘the whole world’ are all who will gain eternal life in a restored earthly paradise. Millions of such approved servants of God now have that earthly hope. They view Jesus as their High Priest and King through whom they can daily gain approach to Jehovah. They rely on Jesus’ ransom, which is available to them, just as it will be to men such as Abraham, David, and John the Baptizer when these are resurrected. (Matthew 20:28) Thus, Christ’s sacrifice will lead to everlasting life for all obedient mankind.”
This article starts by indicating this doctrine is solid food; that is, if you don’t agree with or understand the conclusion you are spiritually immature. It then shows that another Watchtower doctrine must be believed in order to understand the role of the Mediator. However no scripture is given to back up the doctrine that humans will be resurrected on to earth, as there are no scriptures to support this concept. The doctrine of the Mediator is then built upon this baseless foundation.
The article attempts to gain weight by use of the word “clearly”. It also goes to great length to include Greek definitions, though they actually have no bearing on the existence of a secondary unworthy class. Apparently the writer of the article is also privy to what “Timothy would have understood”.
Not content with limiting the mediatorship to only 144,000 people, the article also slips in, with no explanation whatsoever, that the propitiatory sacrifice that is for the “whole world’s” sins actually only applies to a few million people currently alive, the Great Crowd.
There is not a single scripture that mentions an earthly resurrection. When Revelation 7 discusses the Great Crowd it places them in heaven “before” the throne. (See Great Crowd) The bible says that Jesus can be Mediator to all. Some how the Watchtower has managed convince its members that only 144,000 have Jesus and their mediator, and only they receive a resurrection into heaven.
History of this Doctrine
The Watchtower did not always teach this distasteful doctrine. Russell taught that Jesus was Mediator for all mankind. In 1906 it was stated that he was only mediator for the household of faith, but this was corrected in 1909. Neither did Russell limit the heavens to only the 144,000, he taught that the Great Crowd also received a heavenly resurrection.
Watch Tower 1909 September 15
“In our issue of 1906, p. 26, we said, ‘Our Lord Jesus in his own person has been the Mediator between the Father and the “household of faith” during this Gospel age.’ This statement is incorrect. No Scripture so declares. It is part of the smoke of the dark ages which we are glad now to wipe from our eyes”
It was in 1934 that Rutherford wrote;
Watchtower 1934 April 1 p104
“Christ Jesus is the mediator of the new covenant toward his own brethren, that is to say, spiritual Israel, during the period of time God is taking out from the nations a people for his name.”
The introduction of this teaching was the critical turning point for the Watchtower Society and coincided with the introduction of the idea that the Great Crowd was earthly. With Rutherford sending the Great Crowd to earth, and allowing only Jehovah's Witnesses to be part of it Rutherford was able to introduce the narrow salvation concept. Even as the number of Jehovah's Witnesses grew to over 144,000 Rutherford could have continued with Russell’s teaching. Additional followers could become part of heavenly Great Crowd. Why in the 1930’s did Rutherford move the Great Crowd to earth? Salvation then became dependant solely on belonging to the Watchtower Society. Russell’s idea that the majority of mankind were to survive Armageddon could be extinguished. This use of control has continued ever since.
From that time forward the leaders of the Watchtower Society, as part of Spiritual Israel, could demand unquestioning obedience from the secondary class of other sheep.
Watchtower 2002 February 1 p. 23
“All of this should impress upon the minds of the other sheep why the Christian Greek Scriptures focus so much attention on Christ and his anointed brothers and their central role in the outworking of Jehovah’s purposes. The other sheep therefore consider it a privilege to support in every way possible the anointed slave class while awaiting “the revealing of the sons of God” at Armageddon and during the Millennium. They can look forward to being “set free from enslavement to corruption and have the glorious freedom of the children of God.”—Romans 8:19-21.”
In the opening quote Lifton warned that the leaders of a cult invariably place themselves as mediators for God. The resultant conclusion of Watchtower doctrine is that the Governing Body have elevated their role to that of mediators themselves.
Survival p. 65 “With Christ they make up the agency by means of which blessings will be extended to all other obedient ones among mankind. Appreciation of this is a key to understanding the Bible.”
it-2 p. 363 Meditator
“Being made kings and priests by reason of the new covenant that he mediated, they will share in administering the blessings of Jesus’ sacrifice and of his Kingdom rule to all the nations of the earth. Christ’s mediatorship, having accomplished its purpose by bringing “the Israel of God” into this position, thus results in benefits and blessings to all mankind.”
Conclusion
Jesus is mediator to all mankind. No man is our head; every man should answer only to Christ.
1 Corinthians 11:3
“But I want YOU to know that the head of every man is the Christ”
There is no intermediary between us and Christ; Jesus is both our Mediator and High Priest.
By saying that Jehovah's Witnesses can only have a relationship with their Saviour if they are united with the Slave Class, Rutherford transferred tremendous power to himself and following leaders of the Watchtower Organisation, effectively creating the structure necessary for and indicative of a cult.