the demunz do
The great unanswered question - WHO chose the Governing Body to serve as representatives?
by cedars 105 Replies latest watchtower bible
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seenitall
Great question and responses. My 2 cents based on seeing it all over the years:
Inner circle of leaders who groom, test out and appoint others to the group. Mostly branch overseers, District overseers and other longtime company yes men who kissed up to the right upper decisionmakers. They are groomed at HQ in responsible positions, rated, interviewed, wife analyzed and then the momment of decision. You have been invited to serve on the GB! Do you accept? Some have refused by turning down the invitation. Currently there is 1 brother back there at Patterson who is about to get the call! Holy spirit is only due to the act of prayer at the Wed meetings and they being partakers. Broad interpetation of scripture, principle of Acts 15 and other accounts where older men and apostles are mentioned in Jerusalem. They were the oldtime decisionmakers and the current GB has assumed the same position of authority over millions. What heavy responsiblity before Christ and might I add accountability! Welcome to the old boys club (the inner circle).
Similar to the leadership of the Mormons - 12 apostles (they use that term). Catholics in selecting the Pope, many other religions.
All the term governing body means is LEADERS / Decisionmakers. Using the term GB is a softer term to the flock.
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flipper
" Who Chose the Governing Body to serve as representatives ? " Themselves. They get jealous when they look into the mirror. Then they want even more power and control over people
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Band on the Run
How were the first GB members selected? It sounds as tho there was a power vaccum at Bethel. We are never supposed to ask such questions.
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Band on the Run
How were the first GB members selected? It sounds as tho there was a power vaccum at Bethel. We are never supposed to ask such questions.
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Band on the Run
How were the first GB members selected? It sounds as tho there was a power vaccum at Bethel. We are never supposed to ask such questions.
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cedars
Band on the Run - was that three times for emphasis?! lol
You make a valid point. Nothing is published about how and when the Governing Body came to be formed. It is just implied that is has always been in existence stretching as far back as the days of Russell. We all know that this couldn't be further from the truth, and it certainly wasn't around in any shape or form when the Slave Class was "selected" in 1919. So, given all that, why such overwhelming power and influence?
Cedars
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Knowsnothing
While nothing is published, who did make up the concept of GB? Doesn't freeminds have a transcript of Freddie denying a GB existed? So, who really pushed the idea and got it implemented? Was it that Bethel saw the flaw in having one person run the show, and therefore decided to make up the concept to distribute power more evenly?
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cedars
Just reading the Proclaimers Book.
I think I may have a D.O.B. (date of birth) for the Governing Body.
Hang on....
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cedars
So, here's how I think it happened...
Charles Taze Russell - no Governing Body..... Joseph Rutherford - no Governing Body.
So what happens after Rutherford dies???
Kingdom Proclaimers, pages 227 and 228....
Further Theocratic Alignment
In the midst of World War II, Joseph F. Rutherford died, on January 8, 1942, and Nathan H. Knorr became the third president of the Watch Tower Society. The organization was under heavy pressure because of bans imposed on its activity in many lands, mob violence under the guise of patriotism, and the arrest of Witnesses as they distributed Bible literature in their public ministry. Would a change of administration result in a slowing down of the work at such a critical time? The brothers caring for administrative matters looked to Jehovah for his direction and blessing. In harmony with their desire for divine guidance, they reexamined the organization structure itself to see whether there were any areas where there could be closer conformity to Jehovah’s ways.
So Rutherford dies in 1942 with all sorts of chaos in the form of bans, mob violence, arrests, and the BROTHERS CARING FOR ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS look to Jehovah for direction and blessing.
So just in case you missed it, NO Governing Body, just "brothers caring for administrative matters".
Then what happens in 1944?
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jvchap.15p.228DevelopmentoftheOrganizationStructure***
Then, in 1944, a service assembly was held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in connection with the Watch Tower Society’s annual meeting. On September 30, prior to that annual meeting, a series of highly significant talks were given on what the Scriptures say as to the organization of Jehovah’s servants. Attention was focused on the Governing Body. On that occasion it was emphasized that theocratic principle must apply to all the agencies used by the faithful and discreet slave class. It was explained that the legal corporation did not have as members all the “consecrated” people of God. It merely represented them, acting as a legal agency on their behalf. However, inasmuch as the Society was the publishing agent used to provide Jehovah’s Witnesses with literature that contained spiritual enlightenment, the Governing Body was logically and of necessity closely associated with the officers and directors of that legal Society. Were theocratic principles being fully applied in its affairs?
And hey presto - out of chaos and turmoil, and a vacuum of leadership, an all powerful "Governing Body" is formed.
Sound familiar? (this is where I really need OUTLAW's help)
Just a shame it was a full 25 years after the FDS had already been "chosen" by Jesus and given full authority. In short, the Republic was remodelled into an Empire. The Governing Body turned up late at the party, but still got to eat all the cake.
Cedars
