Comments You Will Not Hear at the 08-24-08 WT Study (June 15, 2008, pages 18-22 (AUTHORITY)
Review comments will be in red
WT material from today's WT will be in black
Quotes from other sources will be in quotes boxes
w = Watchtower
g = Awake
jv = Proclaimers book
Bible translations www.biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible
WT publications www.strictlygenteel.co.uk
WT child abuse www.silentlambs.org
Blood issue www.ajwrb.org
United Nations http://www.randytv.com/secret/unitednations.htm
"This is what the love of God means, that we observe his commandments; and yet his commandments are not burdensome."-1 JOHN 5:3.
OPENING COMMENTS
Just remember that "Jehovah's authority" = WT authority. The rank and file must doing everything the WTS/FDS/GB says even if they see that it does not agree with the bible. jws must go through the WTS not Christ,
God
Jesus
WTS/FDS/GB
Elders
Rank and file
START OF ARTICLE
Q 1, 2. (a) Why is the idea of submission to authority distasteful to many today? (b) Are those who claim to be nonconformists truly independent?
Explain.
AUTHORITY" is not a popular word today. Many would consider distasteful the idea of submitting to the will of another person. "No one tells me what to do" expresses the attitude of those who claim to be nonconformists. Yet, are these people truly independent? Hardly! Most merely conform to the standards of countless others who are "fashioned after this system of things." (Rom. 12:2) Far from being independent, they are "slaves of corruption," to use the words of the Christian apostle Peter. (2 Pet. 2:19) They walk "according to the system of things of this world, according to the ruler of the authority of the air," Satan the Devil. -Eph.2:2.
unpopular...distasteful...claim to be nonconformists--so jws are told to let others make their decisions for them? how does the their concept of "conscience" fit in this?
jws don't conform to the standards of countless others?
So are all non-jws "slaves of corruption"? Is everything non-jws do from Satan?
2. One author boasted: "I do not endow my parents or a priest or a minister or a guru or the Bible with the power to decide what is true for me." Granted, some may abuse their authority and may not merit our obedience. But is flatly denying any need for direction the answer? A brief glance at newspaper headlines provides a grim answer. It is tragic that at a time when humans so sorely need guidance, most are less inclined than ever to accept it.
One author--who and why did the WTS not identify them? Googling was not successful. Does someone know who said this?
brief glance at newspapers...grim...most--all non-jws are demonized again. What they are inclined not to accept is WT authority.
Our View of Authority
Q 3. How did first-century Christians show that they did not blindly submit to human authority?
3. As Christians, we take a position different from that of the world. It is not that we blindly do whatever we are told. On the contrary, at times we must refuse to submit to the will of others even if they have positions of authority. This was also true of first century Christians. For instance, when the apostles were ordered to stop preaching, they did not cave in to the high priest and other authority figures who were part of the Sanhedrin. They did not abandon right conduct in order to conform to human authority.-Read Acts 5:27-29.
Christians--only jws
jws are told to follow the WTS even when they don't understand.
Quote
*** w92 11/15 p. 20 par. 8 Serve Jehovah Loyally ***
As Jehovah’s dedicated Witnesses, all of us must be loyal to him and to his organization. We should never even contemplate turning aside from God’s wonderful light, pursuing an apostate course that can lead to spiritual death now and eventual destruction. (Jeremiah 17:13) But what if it is hard for us to accept or fully appreciate some Scriptural point presented by the faithful slave? Then let us humbly acknowledge where we learned the truth and pray for wisdom to deal with this trial until it comes to an end with some published clarification of matters.—James 1:5-8.
So should jws submit the the WTS/FDS/GB if they perceive that what they teach is not scriptural?
Flipflops
http://users.oeccwildblue.com/millerlr/PivotalYear1988SodomGomorrah.pdf
Q 4. What examples from the Hebrew Scriptures show that many of God's people followed an unpopular course?
4. Numerous servants of God in the pre-Christian era acted with similar resolve. for example, Moses "refused to be called the son of the daughter of Pharaoh, choosing to be ill-treated with the people of God," even though doing so incurred "the anger of the king." (Heb. 11 :24, 25, 27) Joseph resisted the advances of Potiphar's wife, who had the power to retaliate and cause him harm. (Gen. 39:7-9) Daniel "determined in his heart that he would not pollute himself with the delicacies of the king," though his position on the matter was not easy for the principal court official of Babylon to accept. (Dan. 1:8-14) Such examples show that, historically, God's people have taken a firm stand for what is right, regardless of the consequences. They did not give into men simply to curry favor with them; neither should we.
OT--Moses. Joseph, Daniel
did not give into men--but they give in to the WTS
Q 5. How is our view of authority different from that of the world? .
5. Our courageous stand is not to be confused with mere stubbornness; nor are we like some who rebel just to make a political point. Rather, we are determined to accept jehovah's authority over that of any human. When man's law conflicts with God's law, the decision as to what we will do is not difficult. Like the apostles in the first century, we obey God as ruler rather than men.
to make a political point--what was it then when large groups of jws descended on a small town in the 1940's to "witness" with the purpose of
jamming the local jail and forcing numerous court cases?
Quote
*** jv chap. 7 p. 82 Advertise the King and the Kingdom! (1919-1941) ***
A strong legal defense, though, was not enough. These sincere Witnesses of Jehovah were determined to live up to the name they had embraced. So, early in the 1930’s, they struck back by going on the offensive. How? By means of special preaching missions known as divisional campaigns. Thousands of volunteers throughout the United States were organized into divisions. When Witnesses were arrested in one town for house-to-house preaching, a division of volunteers from other areas soon arrived and “besieged” the town, giving a thorough witness.
What if a WTS rule conflicts with the Bible--e.g., superior authorities, remember, jws are told to go along with the WTS until the error is revealed.
Jehovah's authority = WTS authority
Quote
*** w72 5/1 p. 272 pars. 15-16 How Your View of Authority Affects Your Life ***
The visible governing body of Jehovah’s organization has also been given authority by Him to direct the work of His worshipers on earth at this time. (Matt. 24:45-47) The congregation and its overseers show their proper view of authority by accepting willingly its counsel provided through the printed page, letters or its traveling representatives. Sometimes there is a tendency to doubt the fitness of certain counsel, perhaps about the matter of dress or hairstyle, regarding it as an undue invasion of privacy and one’s “freedom.” Yet one with the proper view of authority will realize the concern Jehovah’s organization has for the way God is represented to the world through us. (1 Cor. 4:9) He will view the instructions, not as
arbitrary rules, but as an evidence of Jehovah’s loving interest in his worshipers.—Prov. 3:12.
Sometimes persons speak against the understanding of certain Scriptural teachings that the Watch Tower Society has set forth. For example, there were those who had difficulty accepting the change of understanding regarding the “superior authorities” of Romans 13:1. Some even stumbled from their dedicated relationship to Jehovah over this matter. They did not have the proper view of the authority of Jehovah’s organization for providing spiritual “food at the proper time.” When some of the disciples had difficulty accepting what Jesus was teaching on one point, saying: “This speech is shocking; who can listen to it?” they “went off to the things behind and would no longer walk with him.” Peter, with the right view of Jesus’ teaching authority, realized there was no other place to go for truth and so remained in the way of life.—John 6:60, 66-69.
AUTHORITY IN THE NEW ORDER
Now is the time to begin molding our thinking with respect to authority for the new order. There is no reason to believe that Jehovah will change his way of dealing with men. He will no doubt use his representatives to administer the operation of earthly activities. Do you find it difficult to accept the authority of these representatives in a spiritual way now? Then how will you react if directed by them at that time to care for some mundane responsibility such as collecting the garbage?
Remember, it was on this matter of respect for authority that the first man was tested and it may be that at the end of Christ’s thousand-year reign this principle will also be involved in the final test. This could be indicated by the fact that there would be “nations in the four corners of the earth” that would be led to attack Jehovah’s authority as represented by the “camp of the holy ones and the beloved city.” (Rev. 20:8, 9) Our view of authority is really a reflection of our understanding, our appreciation of Jehovah’s purpose in all its connected parts. When a person lacks
understanding, then he becomes “like a horse or mule without understanding, whose spiritedness is to be curbed even by bridle or halter.” (Ps. 32:9) Rather than be curbed at Armageddon or later, it is wise to develop and display understanding with respect to authority so we will be the kind of persons Jehovah wants in his new order of righteousness. Then we will work in harmony with his direction through Christ’s Kingdom reign and make our peaceful Paradise earth a grand testimony to the benefits that come when we have the right view of authority.
Q 6. Why is it always best to obey Jehovah's commands?
6. What has helped us to accept God's authority? We adopt the position stated at Proverbs 3:5, 6: "Trust in jehovah with all your heart and do not lean upon your own understanding. In all your ways take notice of him, and he himself will make your paths straight." We believe that anything God requires of us will ultimately work to our good. (Read Deuteronomy 10:12,13.) Indeed, Jehovah described himself to the Israelites as "the One teaching you to benefit yourself, the One causing you to tread in the way in which you should walk." Then he added: "O if only you would actually pay attention to my commandments! Then your peace would become just like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea." (lsa. 48:17,18) We trust those words. We are convinced that it is always in our best interests to obey God's commands.
God's authority or WTS authority?
Convinced....to obey God's commands or WTS commands?
Q 7. What should we do if we do not fully understand a command set forth in God's Word?
7. We accept Jehovah's authority and obey him even if we do not fully understand the reason for some requirement set out in his Word. This is not credulity; it is trust. It reflects heartfelt confidence that jehovah knows what is good for us. Our obedience is also an expression of our love, for the apostle John wrote: "This is what the love of God means, that we observe his commandments." (1 John 5:3) But there is another aspect of our obedience that we should not overlook.
*****EVEN IF WE DO NOT FULLY UNDERSTAND THE REASON**** in the Bible or really in a WT publication?
Who are the superior authorities, until 1929, the secular governments, from 1929 to 1962, God and Jesus, from 1962 on back to the secular governments. Between 1929 and 1962 jws would have believed in a false understanding.
http://www.jwfacts.com/index_files/superior.htm
Training Our Perceptive Powers
Q 8. How is having our "perceptive powers trained" related to accepting Jehovah's authority?
8. The Bible tells us that we should have our "perceptive powers trained to distinguish both right and wrong." (Heb. 5:14) Hence, our goal is not to obey God's laws in a mechanical fashion; rather, we want to be able to "distinguish both right and wrong" based on Jehovah's standards. We want to see the wisdom of Jehovah's ways, so that we can say as did the psalmist: "Your law is within my inward parts." --'Ps. 40:8.
"should" a WT command?
If the WTS does not want the rank and file to obey "in a mechanical" fashion why does it tell members to obey even if they don't understand WT interpretations or possibly be kicked out?
Look at what they say in 1994:
Quote
*** 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.
Q 9. How can we attune our conscience to Jehovah's standards, and why is it important that we do so?
9. To appreciate God's laws as the psalmist did, we need to meditate on what we read in the Bible. For example, when we learn about a certain requirement of Jehovah, we might ask: 'Why is this command or principle wise? Why is it in my best interests to obey? What bad consequences have befallen those who have ignored God's counsel in this matter?' "Then our conscience is thus attuned to Jehovah's ways, we are more likely to make decisions that are in harmony with his will. We are able to "go on perceiving what the will of Jehovah is" and then follow through by a course of obedience. (Eph. 5:17) This is not always easy.
How much straight Bible reading is encouraged by the WTS (just a chapter each week and it is done away from the meeting on your honor) or done by jws? Can a jw study without the Bible without using a WT publication?
Quote
"We have the opportunity to show love for our brothers who take the lead in the congregation or in connection with Jehovah's visible organization worldwide. This includes being loyal to "the faithful and discreet slave." (Matthew 24:45-47) Let us face the fact that no matter how much Bible reading we have done, we would never have learned the truth on our own." (The Watchtower, December 1, 1990, p. 19).
Quote
"No matter where we may live on earth, God's Word continues to serve as a light to our path and a lamp to our roadway as to our conduct and beliefs. (Ps. 119:105) But Jehovah God has also provided his visible organization, his "faithful and discreet slave," made up of spirit anointed ones, to help Christians in all nations to understand and apply properly the Bible in their lives. Unless we are in touch with this channel of communication that God is using, we will not progress along the road to life, no matter how much Bible reading we do." (The Watchtower; December 1, 1981, p. 27).
Is a jw to attune their conscience to God's ways or WTS interpretation? in harmony with whose will?
[b]Satan Seeks to Undermine God's Authority [/b]
Q 10. What is one area in which Satan has sought to undermine God's authority?
10. Satan has long sought to undermine God's authority. His independent spirit is manifest in many ways. Take, for example, the lack of regard for the divine institution of marriage. Some opt to live together, while others scheme to be freed from their spouse. Those of either group might agree with a well-known actress who asserted: "Monogamy is impossible for both sexes." She added: "I don't know anyone who's faithful or wants to be." Reflecting on his own failed relationships, a popular actor similarly stated: "I'm not sure if it really is in our nature to be with someone for the rest of our lives." We would do well to ask ourselves, 'Do I accept Jehovah's authority in the matter of marriage, or has the world's lax attitude affected my thinking?'
independent spirit = Satan = bad
well-known actress--who? Why leave it out?
Goldie Hawn--
http://www.hollywoodgrind.com/inside-kate-hudson-meltdown-with-chris-robinson/
popular actor--who?
Brad Pitt--http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/2004/05/14/story132419984.asp
Q 11, 12. (a) Why may it be hard for youths to accept Jehovah's authority? (b) Relate an experience showing the folly of disregarding Jehovah's laws and principles.
11. Are you a youth in Jehovah's organization? If so, you may be a special target of Satan's attempts to undermine Jehovah's authority. "The desires incidental to youth" coupled with pressure from your peers may incline you to conclude that God's laws are burdensome. (2 Tim. 2:22) Do not let that happen. Strive to see the wisdom of God's standards. For example, the Bible tells you to "flee from fornication." (1 Cor. 6:18) Here again, ask yourself these questions: 'Why is that command wise? How will obedience in this matter benefit me?' You may know some who ignored God's counsel and then paid a heavy price for that error. Are they really happy now? Do they have a better life than the one they enjoyed in association with Jehovah's organization? Have they really found some secret to happiness that the rest of God's servants have missed? -Read Isaiah 65:14.
God's or WTS authority is undermined by the hypocrisy young jws see in their own family and the families of elders.
Did Judah flee from fornication?
In the OT was the issue sexual immorality or a property issue regarding adultery which was legislated differently than fornication?
What is the heavy price, being shunned by every jw family member and WTS member.
Do they have a better life? I'm only inactive and the peace of mind and happiness I have found is wonderful; I wish I had found it sooner.
12. Consider the comments made some time ago by a Christian named Sharon: "Because of disregarding Jehovah's law, I have contracted the deadly disease AIDS. I often look back at the many happy years I had in serving Jehovah." She recognized that it was foolish to break Jehovah's laws and that she should have treated them with the greatest respect. Jehovah's laws are for our own protection. Sharon died just seven weeks after writing the above words. As her tragic experience shows, Satan has nothing good to offer those who become part of this wicked system. As "the father of the lie," he makes many promises, but they fall flat, just as did the one he made to Eve. (John 8:44) Truly, it is always best to accept Jehovah's authority.
Christian--only a jw
What law did she disregard--fornication, blood transfusion, marrying a non-jw (who had AIDS)?
Many jw women have contracted AIDS from their non-jw husband (married before becoming a jw). Are they being punished? I know a jw whose jw husband left her and on the encouragement from the elders, got back together with him...he gave her AIDS and they both died.
best to accept God's or WTS authority--is it the same?
What if a jw had accepted WTS authority in regard to organ transplants between 1967 and 1980 and died? Would their family feel cheated when the updated WT policy came out making it a conscience matter?
Guard Against an Independent Spirit
Q 13. What is one area in which we need to guard against an independent spirit?
13. In accepting Jehovah's authority, we need to guard against an independent spirit. A haughty attitude can cause us to feel that we do not need guidance from anyone. For example, we might resist counsel given by those taking the lead among God's people. God has established an arrangement by which a faithful and discreet slave class provides spiritual food at the proper time. (Matt. 24:45-47) We should humbly recognize that this is the way Jehovah is caring for his people today. Be like the faithful apostles. When some disciples were stumbled, Jesus asked the apostles: "You do not want to go also, do you?" Peter replied: "Lord, whom shall we go away to? You have sayings of everlasting life." -John 6:66-68.
So jws can have an independent spirit when it comes to the government, their employer, their spouse, other religions, but not the WTS despite
they admit they are not infallible and might have made an indefinite mistake or two.
So the sister above fared better by listening to the counsel of the elders and taking her husband back?
So are elders "leaders"?
Quote
(Matthew 23:9-12) 9 Moreover, do not call anyone YOUR father on earth, for one is YOUR Father, the heavenly One. 10 Neither be called ‘leaders,’ for YOUR Leader is one, the Christ. 11 But the greatest one among YOU must be YOUR minister. 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
God's people...his people--only jws
Has God established the FDS...how does the WTS prove it? Was there a FDS in the first century?
http://www.jwfacts.com/index_files/slave.htm
Does John 6:66-68 say "whom" or "where" as many rank and file say? Whom refers to Jesus not a human organization or else the disciples would have referred to the Jewish religious system which was still operating under God, of which Jesus had to be a member to be the messiah.
Quote
*** w76 5/15 p. 297 Preaching Christ—Through Envy or Goodwill? ***
Some began to murmur and to walk away from Jesus because he said something that they could not accept. Jesus then asked his apostles: “You do not want to go also, do you?” Simon Peter answered: “Lord, whom shall we go away to? You have sayings of everlasting life.” (John 6:67, 68) Where could they get spiritual upbuilding?
Q 14, 15. Why should we humbly submit to Bible counsel?
14. Accepting Jehovah's authority involves responding to counsel based on his Word. For example, the faithful and discreet slave class has been admonishing us to "stay awake and keep our senses." (1 Thess. 5:6) Such counsel is very appropriate during these last days in which many are "lovers of themselves, lovers of money." (2 Tim. 3:1, 2) Could we be affected by such prevailing attitudes? Yes. Non-spiritual goals could lull us into spiritual sleep, or we might adopt a materialistic attitude. (Luke 12:16-21) Hence, how wise it is to accept the Bible's counsel and avoid the
self-serving lifestyle that is so prevalent in Satan's world!-1 John 2:16.
Are jws encouraged to examine WTS teachings to make sure they are based on the bible?
Is the FDS every anointed member on earth or only the governing members who are "admonishing"?
lovers of money...nonspiritual goals...materialistic attitude...self-serving lifestyle
so prevalent in Satan's worlds--demonizing all non-jws
15. Spiritual food from the faithful and discreet slave class is disseminated to local congregations by appointed elders. The Bible admonishes us: "Be obedient to those who are taking the lead among you and be submissive, for they are keeping watch over your souls as those who will render an account; that they may do this with joy and not with sighing, for this would be damaging to you." (Heb. 13:17) Does this mean that
congregation elders are infallible? Of course not! God sees their imperfections more clearly than any human can. Still, he expects us to be submissive. Cooperating with the elders, even though they are imperfect, gives evidence that we accept Jehovah's authority.
How slanted or twisted does this "food" become as it is disseminated to various local and separate elder bodies?
Should jws cooperate with the elders if they perceive that the food they are given is not bible-based?
Quote
(1 John 4:1) 4 Beloved ones, do not believe every inspired expression, but test the inspired expressions to see whether they originate with God, because many false prophets have gone forth into the world.
The Importance of Humility
Q 16. How can we show respect for Jesus as Head of the Christian congregation?
16. We must always remember that Jesus is the true Head of the congregation. (Col. I: 18) That is one reason why we humbly submit to the direction of appointed elders, giving them" more than extraordinary consideration." (1 Thess. 5:12, 13) Of course, congregation elders can show that they too are submissive by being careful to convey to the congregation God's message, not their own opinions. They "do not go beyond the things that are written" in order to promote some personal idea.-1 Cor. 4:6.
Jesus the true Head then, not the WTS/FDS/GB.
According the the WTS for years, the congregation are only the 144,000. How do they include the other sheep?
So if you individually perceive that an elder is "conveying" his own opinions or some personal idea, should the rank and file obey?
Q 17. Why is an ambitious spirit dangerous?
17 All in the congregation need to be on guard against searching out their own glory. (Prov. 25:27) Evidently, that was a pitfall for one particular disciple whom the apostle John encountered. He wrote: "Diotrephes, who likes to have the first place among them, does not receive anything from us with respect. That is why, if I come, I will call to remembrance his works which he goes on doing, chattering about us with wicked words." (3 John 9, 10) There is a lesson in that even for us today. We have good reason to uproot any trace of ambition we might see in ourselves. The Bible tells us: "Pride is before a crash, and a haughty spirit before stumbling." Those who accept God's authority must resist the snare of presumptuousness, for doing otherwise will lead to dishonor.-Prov. 11:2; 16:18.
So what does that mean "searching out their own glory." Seeking the more prominent position as elder, the more prominent elders on the service committee, the presiding overseer, to have a talk each year at the assembly or convention, to be in charge of a "prominent" department, to be sure that everyone mentions your "spiritual" titles to new people in the congregation. To have people mention you were a Bethelite, missionary, CO, DO when describing your "spiritual" accomplishments.
What ambitious jws have you seen?
Q 18. What will help us to accept Jehovah's authority'!
18. Yes, make it your aim to resist the world's spirit of independence and to accept Jehovah's authority. From time to time, meditate appreciatively on the great privilege you have to serve Jehovah. The fact that you are among God's people is evidence that he has drawn you by means of his holy spirit. (John 6:44) Never take your standing with God for granted. Strive in all aspects of life to show that you reject an independent spirit and that you accept Jehovah's authority.
Is a spirit of independence bad? Wasn't Jesus independent from the man-made rules in the Jewish arrangement? Didn't he cure on the sabbath
despite the religious leaders complaints?
God's people--only jws
Do You Recall?
What does accepting Jehovah's authority involve?
How is training our perceptive powers related to accepting Jehovah's authority?
In what areas does Satan try to undermine God's authority?
Why is humility important in accepting Jehovah's authority?
CLOSING COMMENTS
Those of us who have associated with the WTS for 30 or more years, know this article is covering no new ground. The WTS is trying to keep the "sheep" in the fold. How much longer can older jws wait for the paradise, "soon to come" for 30 or more years as they face their late 70's and 80's and are dying one by one, in this system, not living into the next. No longer can the WTS point to a date after having dismantled the 1914 generation in 1995. Can they point to current world conditions as a sign the end is nigh? Things have been worse in the past. Jesus said at a time you think it not to be...................
Summer is winding down and Blondie has a vacation coming up. I should be able to get next week's online before I go. If my scanner can handle the extra work, I may get the week after that or post it when I get back. I will see how my laptop works.
KEEP "THE LOVE YOU HAD AT FIRST" is next week. Do you see the underlying reason for this article?
Love, Blondie