I thought this topic would be a useful resource in understanding the chameleon like nature of the "faithful and discreet slave class"
The relationship of Jehovah's Witnesses to "the faithful and discreet slave"
Jehovah's Witnesses are expected to:
i) Identify "the faithful and discreet slave"
"Jesus foretold that among his people there would be a "faithful and discreet slave" class who would be providing the spiritual food to God's family of devoted servants on earth, acting as his channel of communication and overseeing the carrying out of the Kingdom interests world wide ( Matt. 24:45-47 ). These anointed overseers serve as though being guided in their activities by the right hand of Christ," (Watchtower, Jan. 15, 1969, p. 51).
ii) Submit to the authority of "the faithful and discreet slave"
*** United in Worship of the Only True God (book, 1983) chap.15 p.118-124 How Does Jehovah Direct His Organization?***
4 The Scriptural expression "congregation of the living God" makes evident who direct it. The organization is theocratic, or God-ruled. Jehovah provides direction for his people through the one that He appointed to be the invisible head of the congregation, the Lord Jesus Christ, and by means of His own inspired Word, the Bible.
To please Jehovah, we need to accept the instruction he provides through this channel and act in full harmony with it.
iii) Recognise that "the faithful and discreet slave" is the only authorized source of spiritual enlightenment.
*** Our Kingdom Ministry September 2002 (For Britain) p. 8 ***5 God's Appointed Channel: Bear in mind that our heavenly Father has an appointed channel of communication, "the faithful and discreet slave." That "slave" has the responsibility to determine what information is made available to the household of faith, as well as "the proper time" for it to be dispensed. This spiritual food is available only through the theocratic organization. We should always look to God's appointed channel for reliable information, not to a network of Internet users. — Matt.24:45.
iv) Believe that Jesus Christ is mediator for "the faithful and discreet slave"
*** Worldwide Security Under the "Prince of Peace" (1986) pp.10-11 ch.1 The Desire for Peace and Security Worldwide ***
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. This spiritual nation is like a little flock of Jehovah's sheeplike ones.—Romans 9:6; Revelation 7:4.
v) Understand that obeying "the faithful and discreet slave" is a prerequisite for salvation.
*** Watchtower 1981 December 1 p.27 The Path of the Righteous Does Keep Getting Brighter ***
Jehovah God has also provided his visible organization, his "faithful and discreet slave," made up of spirit-anointed ones ... 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.
vi) Trust "the faithful and discreet slave", it's publications and decisions
*** Watchtower 2001 August 1 How to Make Your Advancement Manifest ***
8 First, since "oneness" is to be observed, a mature Christian must be in unity and full harmony with fellow believers as far as faith and knowledge are concerned. He does not advocate or insist on personal opinions or harbor private ideas when it comes to Bible understanding. Rather, he has complete confidence in the truth as it is revealed by Jehovah God through his Son, Jesus Christ, and "the faithful and discreet slave."
KEYWORDS: Identify, Submit, Recognise, Believe, Understand, Trust
Who is the "faithful and discreet slave class" mentioned at Matthew 24:45
The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, commonly known as the Jehovah's Witnesses, claims to be the faithful and discreet slave spoken of in Matt. 24:42-46 ,
Who represents the "faithful and discreet slave class"?
Today, that "slave" is represented by the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses." (The Watchtower, May 1, 1992, pg. 31).
Who are the anointed remnant?
The anointed remnant are those of the 144,000 still on earth. They constitute the "faithful and discreet slave class"
Organizational chart from 1971
*** Watchtower 1971 December 15 p.749 Theocratic Organization with Which to Move Forward Now ***
1. Jehovah God
2. Jesus Christ
3. Faithful and Discreet Slave Class *see note below
4. Governing Body
5. Elders
6. Ministerial Servants
NOTE: To help us to understand God's Word in these "last days," Jehovah God has lovingly provided a visible organization under Christ-the "faithful and discreet slave." The way Jehovah God has prospered the activities carried on under its direction can leave no doubt in the minds of dedicated Christians as to Jehovah God's approval being upon it.—Matt. 24:45-47.
In this chart taken from the December 15, 1971 WT, the "faithful and discreet slave class" occupy position number 3.
JEHOVAH GOD | ||||
Jesus Christ Head of the Christian Congregation | ||||
"Faithful and Discreet Slave" Class, | ||||
GOVERNING BODY [representing "the faithful and discreet slave class"] | ||||
ELDERS | ELDERS | ELDERS | ELDERS | ELDERS |
MINISTERIAL | MINISTERIAL | MINISTERIAL | MINISTERIAL | MINISTERIAL |
Organizational chart
This chart reflects the understanding that Jehovah's Witnesses had of the organization before the Watchtower private study article of June 15, 2009
*note this chart is not found in WT, just my modifications
1. Jehovah God
2. Jesus Christ
3. Governing Body
4. Faithful and Discreet Slave Class
5. Elders
6. Ministerial Servants
JEHOVAH GOD | ||||
Jesus Christ | ||||
GOVERNING BODY | ||||
"Faithful and Discreet Slave" Class, | ||||
ELDERS | ELDERS | ELDERS | ELDERS | ELDERS |
MINISTERIAL | MINISTERIAL | MINISTERIAL | MINISTERIAL | MINISTERIAL |
Organizational chart after June 15, 2009
This chart reflects the organization after the Watchtower private study article of June 15, 2009
*note this chart is not found in WT, just my modifications
1. Jehovah God
2. Jesus Christ
3. Governing Body
4. Elders
5. Ministerial Servants
JEHOVAH GOD | ||||
Jesus Christ | ||||
GOVERNING BODY | ||||
"Faithful Steward" | ||||
ELDERS | ELDERS | ELDERS | ELDERS | ELDERS |
MINISTERIAL | MINISTERIAL | MINISTERIAL | MINISTERIAL | MINISTERIAL |
Notice that the "faithful and discreet slave class" has been omitted from this chart because:
i.) They do not demand special attention
ii.) They do not believe that their being of the anointed gives them special insights beyond...experienced members of the great crowd may have
iii.) They do not necessarily have more holy spirit than their companions of the other sheep may have
iv.) They do not expect special treatment
v.) THE KICKER: Nor do they claim that there partaking of the emblems places them ABOVE the appointed elders in the congregation
So, with this in mind, where would you put the "composite faithful and discreet slave"?
They cannot be above the elders. Logically, not demanding special attention or treatment and being on par with the great crowd means they cannot even be above the ministerial servants.
There is no place for "the faithful and discreet slave class" in this organizational power structure.
This moves the Governing Body up to position number 3, one step under Jesus Christ.
Watchtower 2009 June 15 The Faithful Steward And Its Governing Body
However, Christians who have truly received this anointing do not demand special attention. They do not believe that their being of the anointed gives them special insights beyond what even some experienced members of the "great crowd" may have. They do not believe the necessarily have more holy spirit than their companions of the "other sheep" have. They do not expect special treatment; nor do they claim that there partaking of the emblems places them above the appointed elders in the congregation.
Are all these anointed ones throughout the earth part of a global network that is somehow involved in revealing new spiritual truths? No.
Contradictions
According to the new understanding of the faithful and discreet slave's role, the vast majority now no longer
i.) believe that their being of the anointed gives them special insights beyond...experienced members of the great crowd may have
ii.) necessarily have more holy spirit than their companions of the other sheep may have
Consider what has been taught in the past....
*** VINDICATION, Volume 3 (book, 1932) p.250 ***
[Scan available: Page 250]
These angels are invisible to human eyes and are there to carry out the orders of the Lord. No doubt they first hear the instruction which the Lord issues to his remnant and then these invisible messengers pass such instruction on to the remnant.
*** Watchtower 1933 August 15 p.247-8 ***
ENLIGHTENMENT
17 Enlightenment proceeds from Jehovah by and through Christ Jesus and is given to the faithful anointed on earth at the temple, and brings great peace and consolation to them. Again Zechariah talked with the angel of the Lord, which shows that the remnant are instructed by the angels of the Lord. The remnant do not hear audible sounds, because such is not necessary. Jehovah has provided his own good way to convey thoughts to the minds of his anointed ones. To all on the outside of the organization of Jehovah his is a secret organization. *** Watchtower 1981 December 1 p.27 The Path of the Righteous Does Keep Getting Brighter ***
Jehovah God has also provided his visible organization, his "faithful and discreet slave," made up of spirit-anointed ones … 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.
*** Watchtower 2001 February 15 p.14 Jehovah's Day of Judgment Is Near! ***
In fact, with God's day of judgment so near today, all the world should 'keep silent before the Sovereign Lord Jehovah' and hear what he says through the "little flock" of Jesus' anointed followers and their companions, his "other sheep." (Luke 12:32; John 10:16) Annihilation awaits all who will not listen and who thereby set themselves against rule by God's Kingdom.--Psalm 2:1, 2.
Timeline of "the faithful and discreet slave"
1881
The November 1881 issue of The Watchtower (pg. 291), originally identified this "slave" as... "that servant (the whole body of Christ)".
In other words, it was believed that the "slave" was the entire Christian congregation, collectively.
http://www.jehovahswitnesses-thetruth.com/Whoisthefaithfulanddiscreetslave.html
1920
Brother Russell was the "wise and faithful servant"
*** Watchtower April 1, 1920, pp.99-104 ***
Let Us Dwell in Peace
(2) Do we believe that the Lord chose as an earthly representative to serve the household of faith one wise and faithful servant whom he made ruler over the household, and that the person so chosen was Charles Taze Russell?
No one in present truth for a moment doubts that Brother Russell filled the office of the "faithful and wise servant, whom his Lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season". (Matthew 24:45) [...]
1930
The Watchtower is now the channel that Jehovah is using, superseding the idea that the "faithful and wise servant" was a single person.
At this time, there was no teaching of the great crowd as we understand it today.
*** Watchtower 1930 August 1 p.239 ***RESOLUTION
DEAR BROTHER RUTHERFORD:
At the business meeting of the Seattle ecclesia, held Monday evening, April 14, 1930, the following resolution was presented and unanimously adopted :
Resolved, That the Seattle ecclesia assure our beloved president, Brother Rutherford. that they deplore the bitter attack made upon him at the question meeting held in Los Angeles, Calif., on February 23, and fully sympathize with him in all his efforts to serve Jehovah, our God and our King; and that we, in view of the strong assaults of the enemy at this time and the falling away of many who for years in the past have walked with us, do by letter assure him of our firm belief that The Watch Tower is the channel which Jehovah, our God, is using at this time to instruct the faithful remnant who are keeping the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ, and we, therefore, very thankfully accept the teachings of that journal and are earnestly endeavoring to carry on the Lord's work in full accord therewith.
1933
Rather than refer to the publishing corportation, the Watchtower, as God's channel, it is now the "faithful anointed on earth" that Jehovah gives enlightenment to.
*** Watchtower 1933 August 15 p.247-8 ***
ENLIGHTENMENT
17 Enlightenment proceeds from Jehovah by and through Christ Jesus and is given to the faithful anointed on earth at the temple, and brings great peace and consolation to them. Again Zechariah talked with the angel of the Lord, which shows that the remnant are instructed by the angels of the Lord. The remnant do not hear audible sounds, because such is not necessary. Jehovah has provided his own good way to convey thoughts to the minds of his anointed ones. To all on the outside of the organization of Jehovah his is a secret organization. 1952
The "faithful anointed on earth" are now known as the "faithful and discreet slave CLASS"
Before 1935, there was no class as such, but the Great Crowd teaching required that the anointed be elevated into a class of their own.
*** Watchtower 1952 April 15 p.253 Aids for Understanding Prophecy ***
has provided a channel, the "faithful and discreet slave" class, who are given spiritual "food at the proper time", and this spiritual food includes among other things the understandings of the prophecies in the course of their fulfillments.
1950s to 2007
For the next several decades, the term "faithful and discreet slave class" was understood by Jehovah's Witnesses to refer to the anointed remnant who provided spiritual food at the proper time.
*** Watchtower 1960 July 15 pp.438-9 Staying Awake with the "Faithful and Discreet Slave" ***
The awake world-watchman, the "slave" class, must undertake another world educational campaign following their restoration as witnesses after 1919. Such a global work has now been under way for more than forty years and is reaching its fruitful culmination. The facts show that during this time and up to the present hour the "slave" class has served as God's sole collective channel for the flow of Biblical truth to men on earth. Just as the early Christian congregation collectively served as the channel of communication from heaven to earth, so in our time.
*Note the contradiction: "Just as the early Christian congregation collectivly served as the channel of communication from heaven to earth, so in our time."
*** Watchtower 1973 August 1 p.460 Cultivating Friendship with God ***
14 Yes, we should be deeply appreciative of all the fine spiritual food that "the faithful and discreet slave" class has been providing through The Watchtower, now for ninety-four years. [i.e. since 1879]
*** Watchtower 2001 August 1 How to Make Your Advancement Manifest ***
8 First, since "oneness" is to be observed, a mature Christian must be in unity and full harmony with fellow believers as far as faith and knowledge are concerned. He does not advocate or insist on personal opinions or harbor private ideas when it comes to Bible understanding. Rather, he has complete confidence in the truth as it is revealed by Jehovah God through his Son, Jesus Christ, and "the faithful and discreet slave."
*** Our Kingdom Ministry September 2002 (For Britain) p. 8 ***
5 God's Appointed Channel: Bear in mind that our heavenly Father has an appointed channel of communication, "the faithful and discreet slave." That "slave" has the responsibility to determine what information is made available to the household of faith, as well as "the proper time" for it to be dispensed. This spiritual food is available only through the theocratic organization. We should always look to God's appointed channel for reliable information, not to a network of Internet users. — Matt.24:45.
2009
A limited number of appointed men known as the "Faithful Steward" represent the "faithful and discreet slave"
We knew this anyway, so what's the difference?
The "faithful and discreet slave" were viewed as proividing spiritual food at the proper time. That is what was taught for decades.
The June 15, 2009 Watchtower make it very clear that only a limited number of men provide spiritual food contradicting previous claims that the angels imparted spiritual truths to all the anointed.
"The Governing Body does not consult with each individual member of the slave class before making decisions."
Thus, the anointed remnant on earth are not to be viewed as
i. Having extra insight on spiritual matters
ii. Requiring special treatment
iii. Having more holy spirit than members of the Great Crowd, though presumably it was holy spirit that anointed them in the first place
iv. Having oversight even above that of elders who are members of the Great Crowd
yet, it is these anointed who presumably have been judged worthy and will "judge even angels" as the apostle Paul said.