Watchtower 1884 February
“We belong to no earthly organization…we adhere only to that heavenly organization ‘whose names are written in heaven’ (Heb
“What think you?...suppose…all man made creeds and forms …and names were laid aside, or that all Christians met in the One name of Christ, and in earnest simplicity, studied HIS words under the direction of God’s Spirit and the explanations furnished in the Apostles’ writings, would there be long and serious differences, even of opinion?... And so, by whatsoever names men may call us, it matters not to us; we acknowledge none other name than ‘the only name given under heaven and among men’ – Jesus Christ. We call ourselves simply CHRISTIANS and we raise no fence to separate from us any who believe in the foundation stone of our building mentioned by Paul: ‘that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures’; and those for whom this is not broad enough have no right to the name Christian.”
WT 1895 15 September article “How to Conduct Group Meetings”
“Beware of ‘organisation’. It is wholly unnecessary. The Bible rules will be the only rules you will need. Do not seek to bind others’ consciences and do not permit others to bind yours. Believe and obey so far as you can understand God’s word today, and so continue growing in grace and knowledge and love day by day”.
It seems to me that because of the nature of man, nearly all Christian religions who may start with the best motives, very quickly move away from the true message of the Gospel. By the fourth century men had already strayed away from Jesus teachings and made creeds and rules themselves. Are additional rules or guidance needed? (See 2 Tim 3:5-7). Should all Christian groups be watchful to ensure they don’t stray from the Scriptures? Is there not a danger in all religions, given human nature, that they could assume authority that God has not clearly given, and interpret Scriptures with error? Should even the Watchtower Society constantly examine itself to see whether there is a danger of it taking on some of the hallmarks of the religious hierarchies they originally set up to oppose? Would it, after all, be only human nature, and perhaps haughty to believe this could not happen to them?
Dictionary: Haughty: “proud of one’s self and looking down on other people.”