BLONDIE’S COMMENTS YOU WILL NOT HEAR AT THE APRIL 30, 2017 WT Study (FEBRUARY 2017) (WHO IS LEADING)
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OPENING COMMENTS
Bolded and underlined are my way of emphasizing words the WTS uses to twist the
meaning or add their info as if it is part of scripture.
Such as “might” in the paragraph 1 question or “might have” in paragraph which leads to a conjecture by the WTS that is never found in the bible.
Love, Blondie
Who Is Leading God’s People Today?
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Who Is Leading God’s People Today?
“Remember those who are taking the lead among you.”—HEB. 13:7.
CAN YOU EXPLAIN?
In the first century and today, how have those taking the lead among God’s people been . . .
empowered by holy spirit?
assisted by angels?
guided by God’s Word?
1, 2. After Jesus’ ascension to heaven, what might his apostles have wondered?
JESUS’ apostles stood on the Mount of Olives, gazing at the sky. They had just seen their master and friend, Jesus, lifted up and obscured by a cloud. (Acts 1:9, 10) For some two years, Jesus had taught, encouraged, and led them. Now he was gone. What would they do?
2 Jesus had given his followers a commission: “You will be witnesses of me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the most distant part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) How could they possibly complete that assignment? True, Jesus had assured them that they would soon receive holy spirit. (Acts 1:5) Still, an international preaching campaign required direction and organization. To direct and organize his people in ancient times, Jehovah used visible representatives. Hence, the apostles might have wondered, ‘Will Jehovah now appoint a new leader?’
COMMENTS
Why did Russell not see they had an international preaching campaign to do but rather he was only looking for the remaining ones of the anointed not to convert the rest of humankind living then? He felt that the rest of humankind would survive the end, that only religious, governmental, and commercial systems would cease to be.
STUDY XIII D622
All this is in harmony with the Scriptural declaration that the Kingdom of God must first be set up before its influence and work will result in the complete destruction of "the powers that be" of "this present evil world"--political, financial, ecclesiastical--about the close of the "Times of the Gentiles," October A.D. 1914. Let us note some scriptures to this effect.
D625
The beginning of the earthly phase of the
Kingdom in the end of A.D. 1914
will, we understand, consist wholly of the resurrected holy ones of olden
time--from John the Baptizer back to Abel--"Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and all
the holy prophets." (Compare Matt.
11:11; Luke 13:28; Heb.
11:39,40.) While these
ancient worthies will have neither part nor lot in the spiritual Kingdom,
because not "called" thereto, that high or "heavenly
calling" not being possible until after the ransom had been paid by our
Lord Jesus, yet they will occupy a
position of preferment above the world, having attested their faith and
love during the reign of evil, in a manner approved of God. Thus they were prepared and proved worthy
to be the earthly ministers and representatives of the spiritual Kingdom.
In harmony with this it is written in the Psalms, as addressed to the
Christ--"Instead of [being longer considered] thy fathers [they] shall be
thy children, whom thou mayest make princes [chief ones, captains] in all the
earth." Psa. 45:16
These ancient worthies will be unlike the remainder of mankind, not alone in the fact that
their trial is past while
D626
the trial of the world in general will just
be beginning;
but they will be unlike them also in the fact that they will have attained
the reward of their faithfulness--they will be perfect men,
having completely restored to them all that was lost in Adam of mental and
moral likeness to God, and perfection of physical powers. Thus they will
not only be the "princes" or chiefs of earth (the earthly
representatives of the Heavenly Kingdom--Christ and his Church), but they,
individually, will be representatives of what all the willingly obedient may
attain to under the New Covenant.
3. (a) After Jesus’ ascension to heaven, what important decision did the faithful apostles make? (b) What will we consider in this article?
3 Less than two weeks later, Jesus’ disciples consulted the Scriptures, prayed for divine direction, and chose Matthias to replace Judas Iscariot as the 12th apostle. (Acts 1:15-26) Why was this selection so important to them and to Jehovah? Matthias filled a vital organizational need. * Jesus had selected his apostles not merely to accompany him in his ministry but to play a crucial role among God’s people. What was that role, and how did Jehovah through Jesus equip them to fill it? What similar arrangement exists among God’s people today? And how can we “remember those who are taking the lead” among us, especially those who make up “the faithful and discreet slave”?—Heb. 13:7; Matt. 24:45.
COMMENTS
Cast lots….? What is that, did they believe god controlled how the lots (like dice) fell? Did they do that later? If not, why not?
Did that “crucial role” mean “taking the lead” in actually going door to door and studying the bible with non-Christian individuals? How many elders did you actually see and/or hear going door to door; I saw many disappear with a MS to do “errands.” My husband was one of those MS, and he said they picked up dry cleaning, dropped off film to be developed/or picked up, had the car look at, etc. Not even with the pretense of witnessing like leaving a tract. Several of past GB if they actually turned time in, turned in time spent in giving talks, because there might be one non-jw in the audience, right?
A VISIBLE BODY UNDER AN INVISIBLE LEADER
4. What role did the apostles and other elders in Jerusalem play in the first century?
4 At Pentecost 33 C.E., the apostles began to take the lead in the Christian congregation. On that occasion, “Peter stood up with the Eleven” and shared lifesaving truths with a large crowd of Jews and proselytes. (Acts 2:14, 15) Many of them became believers. Thereafter, these new Christians “continued devoting themselves to the teaching of the apostles.” (Acts 2:42) The apostles managed the financial resources of the congregation. (Acts 4:34, 35) They cared for the spiritual needs of God’s people, stating: “We will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” (Acts 6:4) And they assigned experienced Christians to advance the evangelizing work in new territories. (Acts 8:14, 15) In time, other anointed elders joined the apostles in administering the affairs of the congregations. As a governing body, they gave direction to all the congregations.—Acts 15:2.
COMMENTS
*A small change from Acts 2:14,15 from the 1984 NWT, why capitalize Eleven? But Peter stood up with the eleven+
Also note here and throughout, the WTS uses snippets of the scripture cited, so jws don’t miss the GB’s point, how many jws do you think look up the scripture at least using an i-pad? Or look up the ones only cited?
Peter is not showing taking the lead in the door to door work or conducting a bible study with an individual but only giving a public talk.
“teachings of the apostles” not the teachings of the Christ? Is the GB suggesting that their teachings are like the “teachings of the apostles” thus they don’t have to be those of the Christ?
Except for handling monies for the Christian widows, where else does the bible speak of a large, coordinated handling of monies?
So are the GB gathered praying for us and does “ministry of the word” mean actually humbling themselves going door to door and instructing individuals about God’s word?
If they gave direction to all the congregations, why is there no indication of that other than in Acts 15. Where do we see Paul consulting with any GB (phrase not in the bible) when taking disciplinary action and sending out Timothy and counseling Peter?
5, 6. (a) How did holy spirit empower the governing body? (See opening image.) (b) How did angels assist the governing body? (c) How did God’s Word guide the governing body?
5 Christians in the first century recognized that the governing body was directed by Jehovah God through their Leader, Jesus. How could they be sure of this? First, holy spirit empowered the governing body. (John 16:13) Holy spirit was poured out on all anointed Christians, but it specifically enabled the apostles and other elders in Jerusalem to fulfill their role as overseers. For example, in 49 C.E., holy spirit guided the governing body to make a decision regarding the issue of circumcision. The congregations followed their direction and “continued to be made firm in the faith and to increase in number day by day.” (Acts 16:4, 5) The letter conveying that decision also reveals that the governing body manifested the fruitage of God’s spirit, including love and faith.—Acts 15:11, 25-29; Gal. 5:22, 23.
COMMENTS
It the phrase governing body were in the bible, the phrase in paragraph 5 would have quote marks around it, but there are no quote marks.
Remember early Christians saw holy spirit poured out visibly with the light over the head, and later with powers like prophesying and speaking in languages unknown to them but understood by their audience, healing, etc. Did only the apostles, older men, have these signs? Phillip had 4 daughters that prophesied.
What about Cornelius and his group? when I started to speak, the holy spirit fell on them just as it did also on us in the beginning.+
Note that the phrase “just as it did also on us in the beginning” cited in Acts 11:13-18 references Acts 2:3,4. And tongues as if of fire became visible to them and were distributed, and one came to rest on each one of them, 4 and they all became filled with holy spirit+ and started to speak in different languages,* just as the spirit enabled them to speak.+
Then that must have happened to Cornelius. Has that happened to any of the GB showing that they have received holy spirit?
6 Second, angels assisted the governing body. Before Cornelius was baptized as the first uncircumcised Gentile Christian, an angel directed him to send for the apostle Peter. After Peter preached to Cornelius and his relatives, holy spirit was poured out on them, although the men had not been circumcised. This prompted the apostles and other brothers to submit to God’s will and accept uncircumcised Gentiles into the Christian congregation. (Acts 11:13-18) Moreover, angels actively promoted and accelerated the preaching work that the governing body was overseeing. (Acts 5:19, 20) Third, God’s Word guided the governing body. Whether they were settling doctrinal issues or they were giving organizational direction, those spirit-anointed elders were led by the Scriptures.—Acts 1:20-22; 15:15-20.
COMMENTS
So have any angels appeared to the GB of today or yesteryear even if just in a vision?
http://www.theforbiddenknowledge.com/hardtruth/rutherford_spirit_meduim.htm
Ken Raines says: Rutherford claimed the Holy Spirit was "removed" or "taken away" from the remnant in 1918. Thereafter, angels began teaching the "remnant" the truth. They did this by inaudibly transmitting information and Biblical interpretations into the remnant's minds. Here again is a few of his (Rutherford’s) statements on this:
Surely the holy angels of Jehovah God,... are clothed with power to put questions in the minds of those on earth who are devoted to God. It is not necessary for us to know just how this is done, but there can be no doubt about the power of the deputies of the Lord. [4]
... the remnant are instructed by the angels of the Lord. The remnant do not hear audible sounds, because such is not necessary. Jehovah has provided his own good way to convey thoughts to the minds of his anointed ones.[5]
... Jehovah would employ his power through his angels to put in the minds of his servants to take the course that he would have them take.[6]
God put it into the minds of his people to declare what constitutes Satan's organization and to serve notice upon each branch thereof.... Jehovah directs his own work, though we hear no audible voices. [7]
4. Rutherford, J. F., Light book 1, 1930, p. 61, 62; The Watchtower, May 15, 1938, p. 157.
5. Rutherford, J. F., Preparation, 1933, p. 64; The Watchtower, October 15, 1933, pp. 247-8; The Watchtower, September 15, 1938, p. 286.
6. The Watchtower, November 1, 1937, p. 326, ¶14; 1938 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses, Daily Texts and Comments, February 15.
7. The Watchtower, February 15, 1935, p. 54, ¶16; 1935 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses, Daily Texts and Comments, November 22. See further, Light, book 1, 1930, pp. 61-2, 120; The Watchtower, May 15, 1938, p. 157; 1931 Yearbook of the International Bible Students, Daily Texts and Comments, February 17.
What is the proof that angels are promoting the preaching work? Note that in Acts 5:19,20, the angel appeared to humans, do angels appear to humans today to direct the preaching work?
God’s word….what was God’s word in the first century, the canonized Hebrew scriptures that Jesus used, recorded words of Jesus (first NT book written in 61 CE, 28 years after Pentecost 33 C.E. Letters of Paul and the apostles, Peter, e.g., and others James, Jude, all appearing long after that and not yet officially considered products of the holy spirit. Many more letters were written than those that appeared in today’s NWT, who decided which ones were inspired?
7. Why can we say that Jesus led the early Christians?
7 Although that governing body had authority in the early congregation, they acknowledged that their Leader was Jesus. “He [Christ] gave some as apostles,” wrote the apostle Paul. “Let us by love grow up in all things into him who is the head, Christ.” (Eph. 4:11, 15) Instead of naming themselves after a prominent apostle, “the disciples were by divine providence called Christians.” (Acts 11:26) True, Paul acknowledged the importance of “holding fast the traditions,” or Scripturally based practices, given by the apostles and other men who took the lead. Nevertheless, he added: “But I want you to know that the head of every man [including every member of the governing body] is the Christ; . . . in turn, the head of the Christ is God.” (1 Cor. 11:2, 3) Yes, under his Head, Jehovah God, the invisible and glorified Christ Jesus was leading the congregation.
COMMENTS
I wonder how many jws know their history enough to be aware that the WTS taught that while Jesus was the head, the anointed were the body of the Christ, thus the Christ too?
Quote
The word Christ signifies anointed. Anointing means designation to official
position in God’s arrangement. The Christ is the instrument or channel for the
blessing of mankind. The Christ is composed of Jesus, the great and mighty
head, and 144,000 members. --The Harp of God, 1921, p 187
WT 5/1/09 ::R4390 : page 139::
The tribe of Levi itself was divided, a priestly class being selected, and the remainder of the tribe assisting or serving under them. So in the antitype--a "little flock," a priestly class, is selected for the pre-eminent position and constitutes "Abraham's Seed" on the highest plane, the Divine nature. This class, The Christ, is composed of Jesus, the Head, and the Church, his members.
WT 6/15/1911 R4841: page 189
This Gospel Age is the time in which the Messiah is prepared. The Head of the Messiah, therefore, very properly, is first; and following Him the Apostles and all down through the Age the various members of the Body. This Age will end when the full number of the "elect" shall have been found and tested. Then the Body will have been completed. When The Messiah is complete, The Christ will be complete.
WT 2/15/27 page 53
"Seeing then that The Servant of Jehovah is The Christ, and that The Christ is composed of Jesus and the faithful members of his body, we find it proper to apply the term "Servant" to Jesus Christ alone or to Jesus Christ and the members of his body collectively as one; and sometimes it is applied only to the members of the body of Christ yet on earth."
Does the WTS believe that “by divine providence” that Christians were renamed “Bible Students” in Russell’s time and again renamed “Jehovah’s witnesses” in Rutherford’s time. Why did God’s choice have to be changed?
Can you think of any WTS traditions that are practiced that are not scripturally based?
While Jesus may be the head of the GB, they are known as Jehovah’s witnesses not witnesses of Jesus as he himself said at Acts 1:8 or anywhere else in the NT.
“THIS IS NOT MAN’S WORK”
8, 9. Beginning in the late 19th century, what important role did Brother Russell play?
8 In the late 19th century, Charles Taze Russell and some of his associates endeavored to reestablish true Christian worship. To help them disseminate Bible truth in various languages, Zion’s Watch Tower Tract Society was legally incorporated in 1884, with Brother Russell as president. * He was an outstanding student of the Bible, and he fearlessly exposed as false such doctrines as the Trinity and the immortality of the soul. He discerned that Christ would return invisibly and that “the appointed times of the nations” would end in 1914. (Luke 21:24) Brother Russell devoted his time, energy, and money unsparingly to share these truths with others. Clearly, at that pivotal time, Brother Russell was used by Jehovah and the head of the congregation.
COMMENTS
To date the WTS has not significantly changed their explanation of the Trinity and the immortality of the soul, but as to what ended in 1914….much has changed. Read the information here to see the timeline.
http://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/failed-1914-predictions.php
Not “man’s work” by work done “at a pivotal time” “Russell was used by Jehovah and the head of the congregation (BL: evidently Jesus)
9 Brother Russell did not seek glory from humans. In 1896, he wrote: “We want no homage, no reverence, for ourselves or our writings; nor do we wish to be called Reverend or Rabbi. Nor do we wish that any should be called by our name.” He later stated: “This is not man’s work.”
COMMENTS
It is open to debate whether Russell did not seek glory from humans, he certainly did not stop people from giving him glory as the faithful and discreet slave. While he was not called Reverent or Rabbit, he allowed himself to be called Pastor.
This contradicts Watchtower December 1, 1919, p. 357 where the Watchtower states Russell did in fact claim to be the Faithful and Discreet slave. "Thousands of the readers of Pastor Russell's writings believe that he filled the office of 'that faithful and wise servant,' and that his great work was giving to the household of faith meat in due season. His modesty and humility precluded him from openly claiming this title, but he admitted as much in private conversation," (Watchtower, Dec. 1, 1919, p. 357).
10. (a) When did Jesus appoint “the faithful and discreet slave”? (b) Relate how the Governing Body has been progressively distinguished from the Watch Tower Society.
10 In 1919, three years after Brother Russell’s death, Jesus appointed “the faithful and discreet slave.” For what purpose? To give his domestics “food at the proper time.” (Matt. 24:45) Even in those early years, a small group of anointed brothers who served at headquarters in Brooklyn, New York, prepared and distributed spiritual food to Jesus’ followers. The expression “governing body” began appearing in our publications in the 1940’s, when it was understood to be closely connected with the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. However, in 1971, the Governing Body was distinguished from the Watch Tower Society—a legal instrument rather than a Scriptural entity—and its directors. The Governing Body henceforth included anointed brothers who were not Society directors. In recent years, responsible brothers of the “other sheep” have served as directors of the legal Society and of other corporations used by God’s people, thus allowing the Governing Body to focus on providing spiritual instruction and direction. (John 10:16; Acts 6:4) The July 15, 2013, issue of The Watchtower explained that “the faithful and discreet slave” is a small group of anointed brothers who make up the Governing Body.
Picture: The governing body, 1950’s
COMMENTS
1919—FDS came into being by Christ’s appointment. Evidently no one before 1919 needed feeding.
So there was/were not faithful and discreet slave prior to 1919, thus it was not Charles Taze Russell or any other anointed jw before then.
1919 to 1940’s—no GB during that time within the WTS supposedly, but were considered the 7 board of directors of the WTS Corporation.
1971—GB no longer part of the legal instrument WTS but Scriptural entity…although the phrase “governing body” never appears in the scriptures.
Thus GB could include anointed brothers who were not just on the board of directors which limited the GB to 7 members with president in charge, last WTS president was Henschel. If you believe that the GB does not still have a hand in directing financial, etc., decisions, you don’t understand what is really important to them. 1971 started easing out one man controlling the WTS like Russell, Rutherford, and Knorr did.
From the incorporation of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania in 1884 until 1972, the president of the Society exercised great authority in Jehovah's organization, while the Governing Body was closely associated with the Society's board of Directors." Watchtower 5-15-1997 p. 17
"To give the Bible Students legal status, Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society was incorporated in 1884 in the United States, with headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Its directors served as a central Governing Body, overseeing the global preaching of God's Kingdom." Watchtower 2-1-1999 p.17
7/15/2013 WT: FDS is only the small group of anointed jw brothers who have been selected by previous or current GB members.