I've had the book for well over a year, the Bearing Thorough Witness publication, but like most WT books, I didn't bother to really look at it until time for it to be used in the Congregation Bible Study. Another thread mentioned this before how they're capitalizing the G on the Governing Body. However, they don't provide the same treatment for the same title when referring to those in the bible they label as the governing body. I'm not an English, Linguistics, or Vocabulary teacher, so maybe some of the more learned amongst us here on JWN can help me out. Is there a reason why they shouldn't capitalize the G when they refer to the apostles and older men that they label as the governing body of that time? The title or phrase itself is not in the scriptures, and I believe they've even acknowledged this, but in the Bearing Thorough Witness book, they have multiple paragraphs with both the Governing Body and the governing body. I'll share a couple instances with you.
This is from page 101, the title page for chapter 13 of the book. "There Had Occurred No Little Dissension- The issue of circumcision goes before the governing body."
Page 102, the question for paragraph 8. "Why was the issue of circumcision taken to the governing body in Jerusalem?"
Page 103, paragraph 8. In the interests of peace and unity, the congregation wisely arranged to take the question to "the apostles and older men in Jerusalem," who made up the governing body. What can we learn from the elders in Antioch?
Page 103. paragraph 9. One valuable lesson we learn is that we need to trust God's organization. Consider: The brothers in Antioch knew tht the governing body was made up entirely of Christians of Jewish background. Yet, they trusted that body to settle the question of circumcision in harmony with the Scriptures. Why? The congregation was confident that Jehovah would direct matters by means of his holy spirit and the Head of the Christian congregation, Jesus Christ. (Matt.28:18, 20; Eph. 1:22, 23) When serious issues arise today, let us imitate the fine example of the believers in Antioch by trusting God's organization and its Governing Body of annointed Christians, who represent "the faithful and discreet slave."-Matt 24:45.
Page 105, paragraph 17. "The apostles and the older men" acted in a representative way for the entire Christian congregation, just as the Governing Body does today.
Page 107, paragraph 22. Today, too, when the members of the Governing Body meet, they look to God's Word for direction and pray earnestly for holy spirit. (Ps. 119:105; Matt. 7:7-11) To that end, each member of the Governing Body recieved an agenda ahead of time so that he can give the items prayerful thought.
page 107, paragraph 23. The branch, in turn, may write to the Governing Body if necessary.
page 107, question A, for paragraphs 22-24. How does the Governing Body today follow the example of the early governing body?
Is it appropriate to refer to the those who met and discussed the circumcision issue as a governing body per say? If so, should it not be capitalized as is the Governing Body of today? I don't think its petty of me to ask this question by the way, because every other article anymore refers to the faithful and discreet slave. I mean EVERY other article. It's like they're trying to tell us something, or maybe more appropriate, emphasize something. One might even say, remind us of something that we seem to be forgetting.