C.T.RUSSEL/ELDERS/and the WTS

by MacHislopp 4 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  MacHislopp

  Hello,

  I do have a problem…can you help me to harmonize these quotes?

  *** yb75 39 United States of America (Part One) ***

  All congregation members voted congregationally on certain matters and also elected a board of elders, responsible for directing congregational matters. The ecclesias were linked together by accepting the pattern of activity of the congregation in Pittsburgh, where C. T. Russell and other Watch Tower writers were elders.

  With

  *** jv 205 15 Development of the Organization Structure ***(pub.1993)

  Brother Russell initially felt that during the time of harvest the arrangement for elders that had existed in the first-century Christian congregations was not needed.

  Am I missing something in this subject?

  Thanks for your comment,
  Agape, J.C.MacHislopp
• 

  Fredhall

  Did you went to Pastor Russell with your problem?
• 

  Gianluca

  Hello Mac,
  No your not missing something, it's typical GB "spirtitual rubbish"

  Dear Fred you certainly do give bright suggestions!! [8>]

  Ciao
  Gianluca
• 

  RR

  I agree Gianluca, it's "rubbish."

  Fact of the matter is, ALL congregations were autonomous, meaning they were self-governing. ALL officers, [elders, deacons, etc.] were elected by the congregation.

  In many instances, congregations elected Pastor Russell as an honorary elder in their classes, this simply meant that he was conferred upon in the event of problems. The Society itself simply operated as a publishing house, NOTHING MORE!

  This seems to be a case of rewriting history, which the Society is often guilty of!

  _______________
  Less Religion and more Jesus!
• 

  ozziepost

  G'day Mac,

  It's interesting, isn't it, to see how the original arrangement (described in Yearbook 1975) was closer to the New Testament model?
  For example:
  Of Timothy: "when the body of older men laid their hands upon
  you" (1 Tim 4:14)
  Of the men to carry the collection to Jerusalem: "I(Paul)
  will give letters of introduction to the men you (Corinthian
  congregation)approve"

  The re-writing of JW history even goes to saying that the congregation became more theocratic in the time of Joe Ratherflawed, whereas, in fact, they became further removed from first-century Christianity. Remarkably, the Society state that the change from locally appointed bodies of elders to Society appointed "Service Directors" was a refinement organisationally as foretold in Scripture.

  Instaed of getting closer to the New Testament model as the Time of the End has progressed, it actually went further away!

  Ozzie