WHILE giving the composite sign of the last days, Jesus raised this question: "Who really is the faithful and discreet slave whom his master appointed over his domestics, to give them their food at the proper time?" Jesus then went on to say that this slave would be rewarded for his faithfulness by being appointed over all of the Master's belongings.-Matt. 24:45-47.
Actually, that's not what Jesus said at all. Luke 12:43 actually says: Happy is that slave, if his master on arriving finds him doing so." If. There is certainly no guarantee that this this ‘slave' would be found faithful and paragraph #1's automatic assumption that this slave would be found faithful sets the tone for this entire article.
Christendom's commentators often view these words of Jesus as referring to those who have positions of responsibility among professed Christians. But Jesus, the "master" in the illustration, did not say that there would be a multitude of slaves scattered throughout the various sects of Christendom. Instead, he clearly stated that there would be only one "steward," or "slave," whom he would appoint over all his belongings.
You've got to be either stoned out of your gourd or completely brainwashed to swallow the double-speak in the above sentences. On one hand, they're saying that "Christendom's commentators" are completely wrong in their view that that there are numerous "slaves" and that Jesus "..clearly stated that there would be only one ‘slave'", yet the WT themselves teach that there is more than one person making up this "slave". So which is it? Is it one person or more than one person? If it's more than one person, then how exactly are "Christendom's commentators" wrong when they also claim it's more than one person?
So as this journal has often explained, the steward must represent the "little flock" of anointed disciples as a collective body, or group.
Ah yes. It "must" mean this, because if it doesn't---the Governing Body members are screwed when it comes to wielding their authority over millions of gullible people. The fact is: they have absolutely no scriptural backing for their assertion. Like so many of their doctrines, they simply plucked their pre-conceived doctrines out of their asses thin air and then used one or two verses to try and build their doctrines.
However, were all spirit-anointed Christians involved in overseeing the preaching work and in preparing spiritual food? No. The apostle Paul tells us: "Not all are apostles, are they? Not all are prophets, are they? Not all are teachers, are they? Not all perform powerful works, do they?" (1 Cor. 12:29) Although all spirit-begotten Christians engaged in the preaching work, only a very limited number-just eight different men-were used to write the 27 books of the Christian Greek Scriptures.
Here is a wonderful example of how the Society twists the scriptures to suit themselves. Whenever they interpret any of the other illustrations that Jesus gave, they always apply it to all anointed ones. For example, the illustration of the fisherman using a dragnet is applied to all anointed Christians, not just a few of them. This is also the case for the illustration about the slave entrusted with their masters valuables described in Luke 19 and Matthew 25. As well, the illustration about the "wise virgins who kept their lamps lit waiting for the Master's arrival" has always been applied to all the anointed. But suddenly, when Jesus is talking about the ‘faithful and discreet slave', oooh, that's a different story! Suddenly, it's not talking about all anointed Christians---it's merely talking about a handful of them, with absolutely no scriptural backing whatsoever.
And naturally, they're talking out both sides of their mouth because in the March 1, 1981 WT, it does say that all anointed ones make up the ‘slave':
"...While alive on earth, Jesus' faithful apostles were especially responsible for providing spiritual teaching for the "household of God." Appointed ‘shepherds' of the "flock," as well as others, also had similar responsibility. However, the apostle Peter shows that such stewardship of divine truths actually was committed to all the ‘chosen ones.' Hence, each respective member of the congregation made a contribution to the building up of the body. (Eph. 4:11-16; 1 Pet. 1:1, 2; 4:10, 11; 5:1-3) Thus we see a clear Scriptural basis for saying that all anointed followers of Christ Jesus make up God's "servant,"with Jesus as its Master. Accordingly, that servant, or "slave," as a collective body provides spiritual food for all the individuals of this congregation, which make up the household of "domestics." These individually benefit as recipients of that food."
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. (Rev. 7:9) They do not believe that they necessarily have more holy spirit than their companions of the "other sheep" have. (John 10:16) They do not expect special treatment; nor do they claim that their partaking of the emblems places them above the appointed elders in the congregation.
Given the status that the WTS has always given those of the ‘anointed' over those low-lives who make up the "other sheep", this is a shocking statement to make and reveals the depth of the Governing Body's insanity, as well as their desire to keep absolute control for themselves. I find it especially shocking that they would say that those of the anointed class do not have "more Holy Spirit" than those with the ‘earthly hope', because that is the only thing that separates the two-tiered Christian doctrine that they've so adamantly proclaimed is gospel truth since the 1930s.
Romans 8:14-17 clearly shows that Christians with the heavenly hope are led by God's spirit: "For all who are led by God's spirit, these are God's sons. For YOU did not receive a spirit of slavery causing fear again, but YOU received a spirit of adoption as sons, by which spirit we cry out: "Abba, Father!" The spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are God's children. If, then, we are children, we are also heirs: heirs indeed of God, but joint heirs with Christ, provided we suffer together that we may also be glorified together."
So are they really trying to say that those who are (supposedly) Christ's brethren and will rule with him for a thousand years, have no more "holy spirit" than those who will (supposedly) live on earth?? This goes against everything else they've written on the subject where they've made it clear that that Jesus isn't even our Mediator and that our only hope of survival is by our 'association' with anointed ones:
"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. " - Watchtower 1979 April 1 p.31
"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."......To keep in relationship with "our Savior, God," the "great crowd" needs to remain united with the remnant of spiritual Israelites." Watchtower 1979 November 15 p.27 Benefiting from "One Mediator Between God and Men"
This is clearly a desperate attempt to downgrade anyone who claims to be anointed, who does not also have the title "Governing Body Member" attached to their name. So now, we don't just have two classes of Christians, there is now apparently three classes.
Are all these anointed ones throughout the earth part of a global network that is somehow involved in revealing new spiritual truths? No. Although as a composite body the slave class is responsible for feeding the spiritual household, not all individuals of the slave class have the same responsibilities or work assignments. (Read 1 Corinthians 12: 14-18.) As noted earlier, in the first century, all were involved in the vital preaching work. But only a very limited number were used to write the books of the Bible and oversee the Christian congregation.
More bizarre lies that have no basis in scripture. 1 Corinthinas 12:14-18 clearly show that there were various "gifts" that the early Christians had, but that most certainly did not make some of the early Christians "better" than others. Not only that, this very scripture in 1 Corinthians 12 that they use to try and show that not all anointed Christians had the same gifts, tells us that all early Christians did NOT preach, as preaching and teaching were also "gifts". And are they now trying to claim that those who penned the Christian writings had more of the Holy Spirit than those that didn't? Are they for freaking real? Nowhere in the bible does say that there are two classes of Christians, let alone that one ‘anointed' member who wrote some letters 2,000 years ago were somehow ‘holier' than those who didn't.
To illustrate: The Scriptures at times speak of "the congregation" as taking certain action in handling judicial matters. (Matt. 18: 17) In real terms, though, it is only the elders who take this action in their capacity as representatives of the congregation. The elders do not contact all members of the congregation to ask their various opinions before they make a decision. Theocratically, they perform the role that they have been assigned; they act on behalf of the whole congregation.
Which goes completely against what the scriptures say they should do. Nowhere does it say that only the elders should handle judicial matters. The scriptures clearly state that it is supposed to be dealt with at the congregation level involving all the members, not just a select few. I'm going out on a limb here, but I would bet that Jesus wanted this arrangement because of it's democratic nature and to ensure that there was no abuse of power with his followers----something that Jesus roundly condemned the Pharisees for over and over. The fact of the matter is: the Governing Body members have taken it upon themselves to mirror their authoritative nature using the Pharisees as an example, not Christ.
Similarly, today a limited number of anointed men have the responsibility of representing the slave class. They make up the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses.
Again, there is absolutely nothing in the scriptures that indicates that a small number of men would at any time, "represent all Christians" and decide solely amongst themselves what was right and what was wrong. This is about tyranny and religious abuse amongst 'spiritual leaders' and this doesn't just happen amongst Jehovah's Witnesses. History is rife with examples of what happens when one or a few men claim to represent Christ on earth, and 99 times out of a hundred, misery, despair and abuse follows.
These spirit-anointed men oversee the Kingdom work and the spiritual feeding program. As in the first century, though, the Governing Body does not consult with each individual member of the slave class before making decisions. (Read Acts 16:4, 5.)
I'm not sure why they quoted Act 16:4,5 because it doesn't really prove anything one way or another. However, on the WT-CD ROM it footnotes this with Acts 15:28-29 which says: " . . .For the holy spirit and we ourselves have favored adding no further burden to YOU, except these necessary things, 29 to keep abstaining from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication. If YOU carefully keep yourselves from these things, YOU will prosper. Good health to YOU!"
The question of circumcision had been raised but rather than dictate what newly converts must do, this scripture shows that they left it up to each individual as to what they wanted to do. This of course, goes against everything the Governing Body members stand for and their desire for absolute control over every individual's actions, thoughts and feelings.
However, all anointed Witnesses are deeply involved in the vital harvest work that is now taking place. As a class, "the faithful and discreet slave" is one body, but as individuals, they have various work assignments. -1 Cor. 12:19-26.
Meaningless drivel, since they've already tried to promote the following ideas:
- The 9,000+ ‘anointed' have no more of the ‘holy spirit' than those of the ‘Great Crowd'. This is a bizarre statement because the WT claims that those of the Great Crowd are not anointed with holy spirit at all.
- Only those who sit on the Governing Body have any say whatsoever in shaping doctrines.
- If any of the anointed ones did not agree with the Governing Body members, they would be disfellowshipped for ‘apostasy'.
Moreover, the scripture in 1 Corinthians 12: 19-26 most certainly does not degrade any fellow Christian and in fact, goes out of it's way to promote the humble:
". .If they were all one member, where would the body be? But now they are many members, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand: "I have no need of you"; or, again, the head [cannot say] to the feet: "I have no need of YOU." But much rather is it the case that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary, and the parts of the body which we think to be less honorable, these we surround with more abundant honor, and so our unseemly parts have the more abundant comeliness, whereas our comely parts do not need anything. Nevertheless, God compounded the body, giving honor more abundant to the part which had a lack, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the other members suffer with it; or if a member is glorified, all the other members rejoice with it."
What effect should the above facts have on the ever-increasing great crowd who hope to live forever on earth? As part of the King's belongings, they are happy to cooperate fully with the arrangements made by the Governing Body, which represents "the faithful and discreet slave." Members of the great crowd appreciate the spiritual food produced under the Governing Body's direction.
Well apparently not all members appreciate the "spiritual food" provided by these goons, because if they did, there would never have been any need for a study article like this telling you what you must ‘appreciate'.
But at the same time, while respecting the slave as a class, members of the great crowd are careful not to elevate any individuals who claim to be part of that slave.
Unless of course, you're a member of the Governing Body. Then its: ‘on your knees humans!'
No Christian who genuinely receives the anointing with God's spirit would want or expect such treatment.
Finally-----one true statement in the entire study article.
This was truly a nauseating and pathetic study article. Far from being a meek humble servant that Christ said his followers should be, the Governing Body members are amongst the most arrogant example of leaders I've ever seen. You cannot question anything they say, no matter how crazy their theories might be, lest you get disfellowshipped for ‘apostasy' and cast into the outer darkness. I heard my father say today that he was talking to the PO after the meeting and he was told that this study article was "necessary" because the Governing Body members are "concerned" that not only are the number of partakers on the increase, but that Witnesses on average need to be made aware that the "spiritual food" does not come from the anointed, but ONLY through the [Slobbering Body members].
I can't help but think of Jesus' condemnation of the Pharisees for claiming that they and they alone had ‘the truth' and no one was allowed to question their judgement on anything. If you replace the term ‘Pharisees" with "the Governing Body", the scripture in Matthew could have been penned yesterday:
"...Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying: "The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the seat of Moses. Therefore all the things they tell YOU, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds, for they say but do not perform. They bind up heavy loads and put them upon the shoulders of men, but they themselves are not willing to budge them with their finger. All the works they do they do to be viewed by men; for they broaden the [scripture-containing] cases that they wear as safeguards, and enlarge the fringes [of their garments]. They like the most prominent place at evening meals and the front seats in the synagogues, and the greetings in the marketplaces and to be called Rabbi by men. But YOU, do not YOU be called Rabbi, for one is YOUR teacher, whereas all YOU are brothers. Moreover, do not call anyone YOUR father on earth, for one is YOUR Father, the heavenly One. Neither be called ‘leaders,' for YOUR Leader is one, the Christ. But the greatest one among YOU must be YOUR minister. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. "Woe to YOU, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because YOU shut up the kingdom of the heavens before men; for YOU yourselves do not go in, neither do YOU permit those on their way in to go in. "Woe to YOU, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because YOU traverse sea and dry land to make one proselyte, and when he becomes one YOU make him a subject for Ge•hen´na twice as much so as yourselves."----Matthew 23:1-15)