Sometimes lately, when I have encountered JW's on YouTube (after all, some of them think they're doing God's work by arguing with apostates like me) -- I have pointed out that the Watchtower has taught for decades that Jesus is NOT their mediator unless they're of the small anointed class of JW's -- so they might as well now pray "in the name of the Governing Body, amen" because the Governing Body has assumed the role of mediator.
When they started teaching that Jesus wasn't the mediator for all true believers but only for their little class, they were laying the groundwork for being the conduit for holy spirit.
Formerly, at least in the 80's when I was at my most active as a JW, they clearly taught that anyone could access holy spirit just by reading the Bible. One circuit overseer said that the Bible was like "frozen holy spirit" and by opening it up and meditating on it you would unfreeze the holy spirit. That illustration really stuck with me. But apparently they aren't teaching that idea in this century.
Unbelievable Assertion!!!!!!!
by The Searcher 94 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
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Gopher
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breakfast of champions
"Christ is directing us through the Governing Body, and we cannot get Holy Spirit except through them!"
I don't know know about you, but I just looooove this new teaching!!!!
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cofty
I would love to think this may be a step too far for my family but I doubt it.
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88JM
Amazing - they are just seeing how far they can push it - it really feels like they are ramping up the cult-speak this year.
Somehow I bet they twisted Acts 8 to make this point. This idea just drives a steamroller over so many other verses - Luke 11:13, 1 Timothy 2:5, Joel 2:28, 29...
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label licker
Gopher, we were only in it for nine years, approx., and I remember Ken Little from bethel saying at an assembly that everytime we open up our bibles. we recieve holy spirit. That was about six or seven years ago. I wonder what he must be thinking. I also remember not long ago a DO Mcfadden stateing we must be obedient to the fds in order to recieve salvation. I wonder what he's thinking now.
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Gopher
Label Licker, it's quite apparent they are now doubling down on their teaching that started in the 1980's, that loyalty to the organization is the #1 doctrine in the organization. If you do that, apparently everything else will fall in line and you will gain Jehovah's blessing, through the organization of course.
It used to be that the "Kingdom" was the #1 doctrine, and "Satan" was the #1 enemy. Now "Loyalty to the organization" is the #1 doctrine, and "Apostates" are the #1 enemy - even scarier than Satan.
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Satanus
Gopher
So, the groundwork for this was laid. Now, they are taking it to its logical conclusion. Its a development of their theology. This happened also, in the catholic church in its first few centuries. The wt is only about 1500 yrs behind the times.
S
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tec
I think its significant. If you had been a JW you would know.
You know, you might be right. From an inside pov, it is huge. Because before this, then anyone could still be annointed (part of the fds), and partake and have a heavenly calling. Now, if I am understanding right, no one can do that. They have effectively cut everyone off from God... even the possibility.... except through them.
From an outside pov, they are claiming the same thing that they have been claiming for a long time, because they never gave any credit or power to the 'annointed' anyway.
But yes, upon reflection, I see that it is huge for those within.
Should be no point in even passing around the emblems at the Memorial now, should there be?
Peace,
tammy
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cofty
before this, then anyone could still be annointed (part of the fds), and partake and have a heavenly calling. Now, if I am understanding right, no one can do that. - Tammy
No its got nothing to do with the "spirit of adoption".
JWs believe that they can and do all receive the Holy Spirit all the time. They pray for it in everything they do - strangely they usually pray for "a portion" of the holy spirit but that's another thread.
Now the gb are saying that the h/s can only be dispensed via them.
From an outside pov, they are claiming the same thing that they have been claiming for a long time
That's because you don't get the nuances of JW-speak.
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tec
I get only what i learned from my study, and from what people here have posted over the last couple of years Cofty.
If you think I don't get the 'nuances of jw-speak' (not necessarily a bad thing); please tell me the practical difference that I am not seeing here.
I mean, did one not have to already be part of the wts and listening to the gb, in order to receive holy spirit anyway? Can someone outside of the wts receive holy spirit, according to them?
Peace,
tammy