I am also confused about the current understanding. I think it's suppose to be as "hoser" described, but the article also referred to the apostles as "Spirit-Anointed Christians"...so wouldn't that designate them as the FDS? Or is there suppose to be a difference in the usage of the word "anointed" in "spirit-anointed Christians" back then compared to the present day reference to the "anointed"?
Apostles were first governing body????
by NeverKnew 28 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
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caliber
Acts 15:4-6
King James Version (KJV)
4 And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.
5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
6 And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.
Acts 15:12
New International Version (NIV)
12 The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.
these verses reveal two things... (1)it was the apostles and elders who came together for this one matter... were not sitting as a perminent body
(2) rather than recieve instruction from a would be GB the assembly became silent and listened to Barnabus & Paul about what wonders & signs God
was revealing to these two directed ," inspired "apostles
Paul makes several things clear - he was divinely directed to go up to Jerusalem to enlighten those "pillars" that circumcision was not required for Christians,~~ Searcher makes the same point... I simply added the scriptures from Acts 15
If there is one exclusive channel for expressed truth what of these verses ?
Mark 9:38. John said to Him, "Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we tried to hinder him because he was not following us."
39 But Jesus said, "Do not hinder him, for there is no one who shall perform a miracle in My name, and be able soon afterward to speak evil of Me.
40 For he who is not against us is for us.
Here we see that John was talking to Jesus about a man that they met and who was casting out demons in Jesus’ name. The disciples tried to stop him because he was not one of the Twelve. But for Jesus, that was not a good reason. He told them that they shouldn’t have prevented him from casting out demons. Do not hinder him, for there is no one who shall perform a miracle in My name, and be able soon afterward to speak evil of Me. Jesus’ reply shows that His view of who could legitimately participate in His mission was not as restrictive as that of the disciples. There is a lesson here for the followers of Christ. We should not limit the grace of God to a specific congregation or a specific denomination.
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caliber
In Rev 2 also, 7 AUTOMOUS congregations reporting to Jesus directly~~prologos
Corinthians 3:9. For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building.
10 According to the grace of Godwhich was given to me, as a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building upon it. But let each man be careful how he builds upon it.
11 For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
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gingerbread
Catholics (and other Christian denominations) believe in the first century 'Council of Jerusalem' or 'Apostolic Conference'. This group of older Christians debated on the issue of circumcision. Catholics date this council as convening in the year 50.
Jehovah's Witnesses have adapted the idea of a central council and applied it to the Governing Body in New York.
The difference :
The 1st century council decided on ONE issue concerning the Christian congregation.
The 21st century Governing Body dictates every aspect of an individual JW's thought, feelings, career, education, finances, entertainment, association, career choices, medical choices, family relationships and more...
ginger
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AndDontCallMeShirley
They apparently have robust discussions about nu-light!
Maybe the GB should just read the Bible more:
(2 Corinthians 1:23, 24)
23 Now I call upon God as a witness against my own soul that it is to spare YOU that I have not yet come to Corinth. 24 Not that we are the masters over YOUR faith, but we are fellow workers for YOUR joy, for it is by [YOUR] faith that YOU are standing.
compare to....
Ginger: "The 21st century Governing Body dictates every aspect of an individual JW's thought, feelings, career, education, finances, entertainment, association, career choices, medical choices, family relationships and more..."
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Fernando
I believe there was a GB in the first century.
It was called the (apostate) Sanhedrin.
The apostles were most certainly not part of it.
It also seems those apostles in Jerusalem were the cause of the circumcision problem and not the solution.
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tec
Good points from everyone!
Peace,
tammy
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ProfCNJ
Very good point raised here. Thanks for sharing.
@Data Dog, my wife and I just saw this Youtube video series (Intro up to Part 2). It was so enlightening. As Christians, we are supposed to follow Christ's footsteps, and not make an absolute obedience to the Organization. What happens now to free will which God has given to us?
And if Pastor Russell did not make an independent and prayerful study of the Scriptures, apart from the rest of religious heirarchy, would there be a JW right now? Why is it that the WT not condemning his act - independent study of the Holy Bible? But for an ordinary JW to do it and make some critical questions after some realization, the act itself makes them suspects of being apostates, or leaning to apostasy? Isn't this double standard?
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Fernando
Great video above DATA-DOG.
Very clear and well thought out communication styles and reasoning - hard to argue with.
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Zoos
Interesting stuff.
So how does a scripture like Hebrews 13:17 play in to this conversation?
Be obedient to those who are taking the lead among YOU and be submissive, for they are keeping watch over YOUR souls as those who will render an account...
... especially the part about these "leaders' rendering an account?