First Century Governing Body

by drew sagan 19 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  drew sagan

  I wanted to gather togeather some information regarding the 'first century governing body' theory. What info do you guys have handy? Thanks
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  blondie

  Was there a 1st Century "Governing Body?" (A copy of 1975 discourse by F. W. Franz,
  with observations by R. V. Franz)Available on audiocassette or compact disk

  $4.50. (U.S. Postage: $1.00, Foreign postage: $4.00)

  The significance of this talk in the history of the organization of Jehovah's Witnesses is spelled out in Chapter 4 of the book Crisis of Conscience. The voice recording not only verifies that presentation but audibly and vividly makes evident the intensity of the power struggle within that organization at the time of the talk

  http://www.commentarypress.com/booklist-eng.html
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  gumby

  Since the bible is the only source recognised by christians as the source of info for that time....why not look there. You will find there were "pillars" in the congregation such as Peter and James...however nowhere are they said to be a governing body. Only in the sense that jesus left Peter instructions to be carried out and that these men were the first pioneers to take the lead.

  We don't find that they were rulers over others faith as long as it was rooted in the Lord. They kept order and tried to follow the Lord direction in the tasks he left for them. Paul in Acts said himself he didn't report to the Jerusalem council for 14 years as he was personally directed by the Lord.

  COC or In search of christians freedom had a good chapter on this if you have the book.

  Gumbody
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  drew sagan

  I have both of Rays books as well as the Cd. I was just wondering if anybody had some favorite quotes or info regarding the teaching.
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  greendawn

  There simply was no governing body in the primitive church in the way that the JWs claim, there certainly was no body of 10 or 20 men that claimed absolute authority (and monopoly over all teaching and doctrine) over the church and expelled anyone that challenged their authority.
  
  This is a mythical creation of the WTS to justify a centralised control system in what is obviously a manmade and man controlled and directed organisation.
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  metatron

  The fallacy in the idea of a Governing Body is simple: All early Christians claimed to be individually led by holy spirit, so trying to lead

  them was like herding cats. Paul claimed his apostolic appointment without reference to anybody in Jerusalem - and he, in turn, had

  lots of trouble with congregations ignoring his "authority" because they felt just as led by Holy Spirit as he did.

  It's all baloney.

  metatron
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  Narkissos

  trying to lead them was like herding cats.

  LOL.

  As Gumby suggested, the notion of a "1st-century governing body" cannot survive a simple reading of Galatians.
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  FreeFromWTBS

  The only arrangement in the Church was for elders/minsters(or whatever you want to translate them to) and they were there to upbuild and serve - not to dominate and rule. Think about the time period, the travel available. There were not any jets or fed fex. Paul stopped by a couple times and that was it. These congregation were on their own.
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  Poztate

  Only in the sense that jesus left Peter instructions to be carried out and that these men were the first pioneers to take the lead.

  Were they regular pioneers or special pioneers ? and how many hours were they required to put in each month ?
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  drew sagan

  These congregation were on their own.

  That's a great way to put it!