This is something that has always striked me as being odd. Most, if not virtually all JWs I know give more praise to the FDS(Governing Body) than they do Jesus Christ. It can even make you sick sometimes to hear the FDS being mentioned so much. When you mention Jesus however, I have noticed that many give an odd look if you mention Jesus alot. I mean gosh!!....the apostles glorified Jesus on as many occasions as possible. It seems from my experience that the only ones in the org that might give Jesus due praise are those that were at one point a member of Christendom, but they too steer the conversations back to the FDS before too long. Why is it that the WTS is always saying that all praise should go to Jehovah and Jesus shouldn't be given as much recognition while it's so easy to read in the New Testament and see that there was nothing wrong with it? How come they don't tell the rank and file to stop praising the FDS so much??
Jesus Christ vs. the "Faithful and Discreet Slave"
by R.F. 14 Replies latest jw experiences
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blondie
I almost comment in every WT review, "Where's Jesus?"
Also WTS/FDS/GB = Jesus
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The WTS says you cannot have a relationship with God without going through the WTS/FDS/GB (implying they are more important than Jesus)
Blondie
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heathen
From what I understand they believe they were appointed over all of the earthly domestics in the stead of christ actually ruling each individual , they don't want you to have a personal relationship with christ unless you are part of the society . They do want to take the place of father son and holy spirit and that's why the pledge to allegiance to the book publishing corporation is added to the baptismal ritual.
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R.F.
It's just sickening for Jesus' suffering and dying on the cross to be snuffed out by a bunch of men in Brooklyn basically telling everyone they're taking Christ's place. I get mad at myself for once following them.
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neverendingjourney
As you know, the GB has morphed into a collective Pope for the JWs. How many hundreds of thousands of people flock to Rome to get a glimpse of the Pope? JW believers think that Jehovah works through the FDS to guide His "people" in the last days. The concept has gotten so out of control that they dictate the personal lives of their followers down to the very last detail. Your run of the mill JW's life is impacted more directly by the edicts of the FDS than the teachings of Jesus. Therefore, they tend to focus more on the FDS class, in essence the GB.
Cults need leaders and subconsciously, JWs know they are in a cult and look for a leader. That's why the really high and mighty types love to try to get the inside scoop about the brothers in Bethel and would kill to take a picture with a GB member. I remember years ago wondering whether C.T. Russell was greater than the apostles since he had lead what I thought was the modern restoration of true Christianity by himself. And, yes, JWs try to set themselves apart from the rest of Christendom, and rejecting Christianity's constant praise for Jesus is part of the reason they don't emphasize him as well. Too worldly. Doesn't make very much sense, huh? They had it right years ago when they said that religion is a snare and a racket. Over the years, the men running it have become more and more obsessed with power and position. It's the natural tendency of man. Absolute power corrupts absolutely, a wise man once said. The men running the show need to constantly reaffirm their supposed importance in order to keep their lofty positions. They've taken 3 verses in the 24th chapter of Matthew and used it to place themselves as an intermediary between men and God. It's hard to believe I bought into this crap at one point.
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OUTLAW
WBT$ is the FDS..Jesus is out of a Job!..WBT$ says so!..God wouldn`t have a job without the WBT$..God and Jesus need to learn,who is in charge!..LOL!!...OUTLAW
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blondie
*** w90 10/1 p. 30 Do You Follow Instructions? ***We should follow the instructions that the Head of the Christian congregation, Jesus Christ, gives through "the faithful and discreet slave," the appointed channel of God’s organization here on earth. (Matthew 24:45-47; Ephesians 5:23) In order to have peace and unity in the congregation, all its members must act in harmony with the guidance given. For instance, those taking the lead in teaching the congregation and in helping other people need to stick to the directions they receive from Jehovah’s organization.
*** w86 3/1 p. 27 par. 4 Do You Effectively Reason From the Scriptures? ***We want them to be worshipers of Jehovah, to walk in the footsteps of Jesus Christ, and to appreciate the organization through which Jehovah is leading his servants today.—Compare 1 Corinthians 1:11-13; 3:5-7.
*** w81 12/1 p. 31 par. 19 The Path of the Righteous Does Keep Getting Brighter ***Of course, such development of understanding, involving "tacking" as it were, has often served as a test of loyalty for those associated with the "faithful and discreet slave." However, progress is being made continually toward fuller appreciation of the "good news" and all that it means. It has been the experience of those who stay close to God’s organization that questions and things hard to understand are always cleared up with the passing of time. And as the light shines forth ever more clearly, how heartwarming and satisfying the way proves to be! It is as Peter expressed it when some of the disciples stumbled over Jesus’ teaching: "Lord, whom shall we go away to? You have sayings of everlasting life." (John 6:68) The Lord Jesus Christ still has those "sayings," and he is dispensing them through the one "faithful and discreet slave" organization that he today uses on earth. It is like the "good tree" that Jesus described as bringing forth "fine fruit." (Matt. 7:17) Apart from this, the only choice is association with Satan’s political "wild beast" and "Babylon the Great," the world empire of false religion. (Rev. 13:1; 17:5) No dedicated Christian would want to return to that!—2 Pet. 2:22; John 14:6.
*** w03 6/1 p. 21 par. 16 Stand Still and See the Salvation of Jehovah! ***Trusting in Jehovah will include trusting the modern visible channel that he has clearly been using for decades to serve his purposes. As never before, true Christians will then need to place their confidence in fellow worshipers authorized by Jehovah and his reigning King to take the lead. These faithful men will direct God’s people. Ignoring their direction could end in disaster.—Matthew 24:45-47; Hebrews 13:7, 17.
*** w94 10/1 p. 8 The Bible—A Book Meant to Be Understood ***Even as Bible prophecy pointed forward to the Messiah, it also directs us to the close-knit body of anointed Christian Witnesses that now serve as the faithful and discreet slave. It helps us to understand the Word of God. All who want to understand the Bible should appreciate that the "greatly diversified wisdom of God" can become known only through Jehovah’s channel of communication, the faithful and discreet slave.—John 6:68.
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Vernon Williams
RF,
Blondie is right: there has to be a mediator. Jesus is the mediator between the FS and Jehovah. The GB is the mediator between us and Jesus. We are two steps from the Living God.
Since becomming a Christian and seeing Christ as he is: my Elder Brother, things are much, much better.
The last two verses in Math 12 were most comforting post exit. Also, the first five verses of John 15: check them out, take them at face valure.
Yours in this Struggle,
V
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gumby
All who want to understand the Bible should appreciate that the "greatly diversified wisdom of God" can become known only through Jehovah’s channel of communication, the faithful and discreet slave.—John 6:68.
That's right folks, before printing, planes, trains, pony express, and other avenues of communication were used, you had to get all bible understanding through these few men. If you lived in a different state, country, continent, you had zero chance of understanding the bible. If you had a ranch in colorado but the slave lived in New York, you somehow had to figure out where these guys lived, then travel there, then ask them what the bible's message was or your ass was grass in gods eyes. Yeah, christianity was a tough road before modern inventions I tell ya.
Gumby
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greendawn
It's hard to describe the JWs as Christians precisely because they seem to be totally incapable of relating intimately to Jesus and from what I saw that applies not just to the non anointed but also to the so called anointed. It's weird that there should be a class of "christians" that are not part of the New Covenant and will enjoy its benefits indirectly through those that are. A most unbiblical teaching, there is only one Lord and one baptism.