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http://dailytext2.wordpress.com/2013/11/29/the-overseer-should-have-a-fine-testimony-from-outsiders/
Alternative Daily Text for Friday, November 29, 2013
“The overseer should … have a fine testimony from outsiders.” - (1 Timothy 3:2, 7)
True Christians are subject to “public criticism.” (Our Kingdom Ministry, June 1982, page 3) In his sermon on the mount, Jesus said: “Happy are you when people reproach you … and lyingly say every sort of wicked thing against you.” (Matthew 5:11) As true Christians “we … are privileged to be reproached for more than just ‘the name of Christ.’ We are privileged to be reproached especially for the name of the One for whom Jesus Christ bore reproach.” (The Watchtower, November 1, 1976, page 666) No doubt, “as long as we are faithful, there will always be some who … ‘go on speaking abusively of us.’” – The Watchtower, November 1, 2002, page 19.
If, however, someone wants to be appointed as an elder in the congregation, “people outside the church must speak well of him.” (1 Timothy 3:7, NLT) “But such popularity has never been an indication of God’s favor.” (The Watchtower, March 1, 1978, page 6) Since all true Christians are reproached ‘as long as they are faithful,’ only unfaithful ones are qualified as elders. To them Jesus’ warning applies: “Woe whenever all men speak well of you, for this is what their forefathers did to the false prophets.” – Luke 6:26.