Great work ADCMS and Jwfacts!
Seems like they are saying they are the mediator without actually saying it
Does the GB claim the sole power of scriptural interpretation?
by DATA-DOG 31 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
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Sauerkraut
How about this one? Not exactly about scriptural interpretation, but still interesting.
"These angels are invisible to human eyes and are there to carry out the orders of the Lord. No doubt they first hear the instruction which the Lord issues to his remnant and then these invisible messengers pass such instruction on to the remnant. The facts show that the angels of the Lord with him at his temple have been thus rendering service unto the remnant since 1919."
From the vindication book, by J.F. Rutherford.
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Brainfloss
MARKED
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Heartofaboy
I've just read the two paragraphs surrounding the quote Shirley highlighted, what presumption they show, their lack of humility is astounding.
Like modern day Pharisees their hubris knows no bounds.
"Since Jehovah God and Jesus Christ completely trust the faithful and discreet slave, should we not do the same?"Watchtower 2009 Feb 15 p.27
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Cold Steel
Anciently, those who were called of God experienced theophanies, or direct visitations of Deity, and/or of angels. Many were called in their youths, but whatever one experienced, there was never any doubt on the parts of those who were called that they had been called. They also had to speak for God, receiving actual revelation from Him. One of the duties of angels is to educate prophets in the ways of God, often by showing extended visions or delivering messages from God.
But Charles T. Russell never claimed that he saw or spoke to God, nor was he called in any way that ancient apostles or prophets were called. He and later leaders tried their hands at prophecy, based more on mathematics, graphs and charts. He also repeatedly failed, as did his successors. It's one of the things that most fascinate me about the religion. There's no apostolic authority, no revelation, no angels -- it not only claims not to be a church, it specifically forbids its membership from joining a church. But didn't Jesus say, "Upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of death shall not prevail against it."??
If the Society claims the church is not upon the earth, why does it baptize? Why does it claim to be God's "spirit filled" organization? And if it isn't a church, what is it? It has a hierarchical quorum, just like a church. It has congregations like a church and its leaders give those congregations counsel and instruction like a church. And they discipline their members as one would expect a church to do. So the Society's position in these things are a bit confounding to me. If it's received apostolic authority to baptize and to represent God, where did they get it? What would prevent any one member from excommunicating everyone else (including the Governing Body) and taking charge?
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cofty
If the Society claims the church is not upon the earth, why does it baptize?
At least it doesn't practice vicarious baptism for dead people. That would be nuts.
The LDS on the other hand...
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Vanderhoven7
marked
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AndDontCallMeShirley
CS: There's no apostolic authority, no revelation, no angels
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See, the LDS and WT have more in common than you think, Cold Steel...practically twins.
"It's one of the things that most fascinates me about" the religion your hubris.
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AndDontCallMeShirley
@ BU2B: Seems like they are saying they are the mediator without actually saying it
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They've actually come out and said it.
Keep in mind that when these articles were written, Christ's "brothers" and the "faithful slave" were all of the anointed. Now it's only the 7 member Governing Body, which makes these statements even more absurd:
” 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. However, by their associating with the “little flock” of those yet in that covenant they come under benefits that flow from that new covenant"
-- W 4-1-79, p 31
- To receive everlasting life in the earthly Paradise we must identify that organization and serve God as part of it. (Watchtower; Feb. 15, 1983; p. 12)
" The other sheep should never forget that their salvationdepends on their active support of Christ's anointed " brothers" still on earth.". - W 3-15-12, p.20
"And while now the witness yet includes the invitation to come to Jehovahs organization for salvation, the time no doubt will come when the message takes on a harder tone, like a "great war cry."" Watchtower 1981 Nov 15 p.21
*** yb75 p. 250 Part 3—United States of America ***
"Many are the benefits of the new congregational arrangement. For instance, Edgar C. Kennedy feels it “could be the means of stronger solidarity in the event a congregation was separated from the governing body for a period of time.”
(apparently being separated from the GB is more serious than being separated from Jesus)
Kingdom Ministry 11/1990 p. 1 Directing Bible Students to Jehovah’s Organization
Bible students need to get acquainted with the organization of the “one flock” Jesus spoke about at John 10:16. They must appreciate that identifying themselves with Jehovah’s organization is essential to their salvation. (Rev. 7:9, 10, 15) Therefore, we should start directing our Bible students to the organization as soon as a Bible study is established."The anointed and their other sheep companions recognize that by following the lead of the modern-day Governing Body, they are in fact following their Leader, Christ." Watchtower 2010 Sep 15 p.23
"It is vital that we appreciate this fact and respond to the directions of the "slave" as we would to the voice of God, because it is His provision." Watchtower 1957 Jun 15 p.370
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jwfacts
Heartofaboy - "Since Jehovah God and Jesus Christ completely trust the faithful and discreet slave, should we not do the same?" Watchtower2009 Feb 15 p.27
That is such an extreme quote. They could have said "since Jehovah trusted the slave enough to appoint them over the flock, should we not do the same?" Rather, they presumptously add the word "completely", which is without any support, and there is no reason to think God would completely trust any human.
