Is this quotation indicative of the opinion that the GB have of themselves? Or is this just a stupid question? Anyone have any actual information on why they do this?
*** w00 10/1 p. 12 Bible - Profitable and Pleasurable ***
A member of the first-century governing body wrote to his brothers: ?If any one of you is lacking in wisdom, let him keep on asking God, for he gives generously to all and without reproaching; and it will be given him. But let him keep on asking in faith, not doubting at all.? (James 1:5, 6) The modern-day Governing Body constantly exhorts us to engage in prayerful Bible reading
There was a change around 1970:
*** w68 9/1 p. 538 What It Means to Be Honest ***
To be honest means, among other things, to be truthful in one?s speech. In the strongest of terms the Bible condemns the practice of lying. Thus Satan the Devil is shown to be the original liar. (John 8:44) How seriously God views lying can be seen from what happened to Ananias and Sapphira. They were immediately stricken dead by God?s power because they lied to the apostle Peter, a member of the Christian congregation?s governing body. Their punishment would seem to indicate that Jehovah views especially seriously any lying or misrepresentation practiced toward those having the right to know the facts because of having positions of oversight in the Christian congregation, such as the traveling representatives of the governing body today.?Acts 5:1-11.
*** w71 12/15 A Governing Body as Different from a Legal Corporation ***
According to a Resolution adopted by the Governing Body of Jehovah?s Witnesses at its meeting on , the chairmanship of the Governing Body should rotate annually in alphabetical order according to the last name of each member.
There are many WT articles condemning the use of titles:
*** w01 6/1 pp. 14-15 ?If God Is for Us, Who Will Be Against Us?? ***
11 They are organized in the manner of the first-century Christian congregation. Jesus set out the principle: ?Do not you be called Rabbi, for one is your teacher, whereas all you are brothers. Moreover, do not call anyone your father on earth, for one is your Father, the heavenly One. Neither be called ?leaders,? for your Leader is one, the Christ. But the greatest one among you must be your minister.? (Matthew 23:8-11) A congregation of brothers precludes having a proud clergy class that honors itself with high-sounding titles and elevates itself above a laity. (Job 32:21, 22) Those shepherding the flock of God are told to do so ?not under compulsion, but willingly; neither for love of dishonest gain, but eagerly; neither as lording it over those who are God?s inheritance, but becoming examples to the flock.? (1 Peter 5:2, 3) Genuine Christian shepherds refrain from trying to make themselves masters over the faith of others. As fellow workers in God?s service, they simply strive to set a fine example.?2 Corinthians 1:24.
*** w00 6/15 pp. 17-19 ?All You Are Brothers? ***
?All You Are Brothers?
?Do not you be called Rabbi, for one is your teacher, whereas all you are brothers.??MATTHEW 23:8.
?WHO deserves more honor, a missionary or a Bethelite?? a Christian woman in an Oriental country innocently asked a missionary from . She wanted to know who should be respected more, a missionary from another country or a local minister serving in the branch office of the Watch Tower Society. That innocent question, reflecting a class-conscious culture, took the missionary by surprise. The question of who is greater, however, stems from a desire to know where people stand in the ranks of power and influence.
2 This concern is by no means new. Even Jesus? disciples had an ongoing argument about who was the greatest. (Matthew 20:20-24; Mark 9:33-37; Luke 22:24-27) They too came from a rather class-conscious culture, that of first-century Judaism. With such a society in mind, Jesus counseled his disciples: ?Do not you be called Rabbi, for one is your teacher, whereas all you are brothers.? (Matthew 23:8) A religious title such as ?Rabbi,? which means ?Teacher,? ?tends to engender pride and a sense of superiority in those who obtain it, and envy and a sense of inferiority in those who do not; and the whole spirit and tendency of it is contrary to the ?simplicity that is in Christ,?? noted the Bible scholar Albert Barnes. Indeed, Christians refrain from addressing overseers among them as ?Elder So-and-so,? using the word ?elder? as a flattering title. (Job 32:21, 22) On the other hand, elders living up to the spirit of Jesus? counsel honor other members of the congregation, just as Jehovah honors loyal worshipers and Jesus Christ honors loyal followers.
This does not seem to apply to GB. Who decides on this language? Is this an indication of their opinion of themselves? Anyone ever question this?
*** w01 1/15 p. 11 Jehovah?s Witnesses?Moving Forward With Firm Conviction! ***
The annual meeting also included a stirring talk given by Governing Body member David Splane on the yeartext for the year 2001
*** w01 1/1 p. 27 Serving Whole-Souled in Spite of Trials ***
Karl Klein, who serves as a member of the Governing Body of Jehovah?s Witnesses, and his wife, Margaret, visited us while they were on vacation some years ago.
*** w01 1/15 p. 10 Jehovah?s Witnesses?Moving Forward With Firm Conviction! ***
In his opening remarks, the chairman, John E. Barr, a member of the Governing Body
*** w01 1/15 p. 11 Jehovah?s Witnesses?Moving Forward With Firm Conviction! ***
Daniel Sydlik, a member of the Governing Body , gave an absorbing talk.
*** w01 2/1 p. 22 You Can Cope With Discouragement! ***
Nathan H. Knorr, who served as a member of the Governing Body
*** w01 5/1 p. 18 Maintain Your Joy in Jehovah?s Service ***
. N. H. Knorr, who served as a member of the Governing Body
*** w01 5/1 pp. 24-25 Pressing On in Jehovah?s Way Is Our Strength and Joy ***
Carey W. Barber, now a member of the Governing Body
*** w01 5/1 p. 31 ?Jehovah Has Been Very Good to Me!? ***
Brother Klein continued to work as a member of the writing staff and to serve on the Governing Body
*** w01 6/1 p. 9 Strengthen Your Trust in Jehovah ***
Martin Poetzinger, who later became a member of the Governing Body
*** w01 6/15 p. 24 Be Joyful With the Kingdom Hope! ***
Carey Barber, a member of the Governing Body
*** w01 6/15 p. 24 Be Joyful With the Kingdom Hope! ***
Daniel Sydlik, a member of the Governing Body
*** w01 6/15 p. 26 Be Joyful With the Kingdom Hope! ***
Brother Gerrit Lösch, a member of the Governing Body
*** w01 7/1 p. 31 He ?Endured to the End? ***
Ninety-year-old Brother Swingle did just what he had encouraged others to do. He ?endured to the end.? (Matthew 24:13) Although suffering physically, on Wednesday, March 7, he attended a meeting of the Governing Body of Jehovah?s Witnesses of which he was a member
*** w01 10/1 p. 27 A Life of Surprises in Jehovah?s Service ***
Albert Schroeder, who is now a member of the Governing Body
*** w01 11/15 p. 7 The Translation Appreciated by Millions Worldwide ***
Nathan H. Knorr, a member of the Governing Body
*** w01 12/15 p. 25 A Willing Spirit Brings People to ***
Theodore Jaracz, a graduate of the seventh class of , who now serves as a member of the Governing Body
*** w01 12/15 p. 26 A Willing Spirit Brings People to ***
Guy Pierce, a member of the Governing Body
. . . . . etc., etc.