MacHislopp

Joined

• started 284 topics
• posted 1,781 times   see topics posted on
• send a message

Posts by MacHislopp

• 
  19

  Trying to Send German Comedian to District Convention :-)))))

  by GermanXJW in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  well, stefan raab is a famous german singer and comedian, maybe comparable to tom green.

  he usually harasses big events and let the people there look a little stupid.

  he even it made to represent germany at the european song contest with a song that made no sense at all.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  MacHislopp

  Hello GermanJW,

  a brilliant idea! I do hope that he'll go to a District Conventio.

  Please, keep us informed.

  Thanks, J.C.MacHislopp
• 
  8

  Book for Study = Book of lies

  by MacHislopp in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  ii - published by the wtbs inc. in the year 2001)

  according to the book jehovahs witnesses in the divine purpose,

  according to the book jehovahs witnesses in the divine purpose,

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  MacHislopp

  Hello everyone,

  Thanks for the comments and the appreciative remarks. The WTBS Inc. is really

  a fountain of bubbling… lies!

  Room 215 : “ This apparent ``frankness' and ``com,ing clean," of course is a cynical tactic used by the writers to ``inoculate' the rank and file with small doses of the real facts, in view of the rampant disclosures of such historic facts available to anyone who cared to type ``Watchtower" and ``Jehovah's Witnesses" into an internet search engine.”

  I do agree with you. The Internet is spreading rapidily and to millions world wide

  many true facts and uncovering masses of lies …published by WTBS Inc. over a

  period of more than 100 years.

  Greetings, J.C.MacHislopp
• 
  8

  Book for Study = Book of lies

  by MacHislopp in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  ii - published by the wtbs inc. in the year 2001)

  according to the book jehovahs witnesses in the divine purpose,

  according to the book jehovahs witnesses in the divine purpose,

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  MacHislopp

  Hello everyone,

  Let’s take a – deeper look – to some portions of

  the book “Isaiah’s Prophecy- Light for all mankind “

  (vol. II - published by the WTBS Inc. in the year 2001)

  ‘ Congregation’s book study’ for the week beginning the 3 rd March 2003

  *** ip-2 chap. 13 pp. 189-190 “Cry Out Joyfully in Unison”! ***

  17 In the modern-day fulfillment, the watchman class, “the faithful and discreet slave,” raises its voice not just to the ones who are already in God’s visible organization but also to outsiders. (Matthew 24:45-47) A call went out to gather in the remaining ones of the anointed in 1919, and in 1922 the call was intensified at the Cedar Point, Ohio, convention with the appeal to “advertise, advertise, advertise, the King and his kingdom.”

  *1 st big lie

  According to the book “ Jehovah’s witnesses in the divine purpose”,

  published in 1959, by the WTBS Inc., page 95 , the last paragraph reads:

  “ Some insisted on living in the past, in the time of Pastor Russell, when the brothers

  in general had viewed his as the sole channel of Scriptural enlightenment.

  It was the published and accepted thought down till 1927 that he was “that servant”

  of Matthew 24:45 (°) w. 1927, pp.55,56

  So the’ watchman class’ , “the faithful and discreet slave,” DID NOT exist until the printing

  the article in “The Watchtower “ 1927 pp.55,56 .-

  *2 nd big lie

  According to the book “ Jehovah’s witnesses in the divine purpose”,

  published in 1959, the WTBS Inc., page101 –103 , on “ The Day”

  Friday, September 8 th , 1922, at Cedar Point ,Ohio (USA)

  (from page 101)

  “Brother Rutherford delivered a historic lecture on the subject :

  “The Kingdom” . He said: Why has the King come?…

  The physical facts, then clearly show that the day of preparation was

  from 1874 forward…that the day of preparation ended in 1914; and

  that in 1918 , or thereabouts, the Lord came to his temple.

  In 1878 God’s favor was withdrawn from the nominal systems.”

  (from page 102 of the same book)

  Thus we see that those of the temple class are clearly designated

  as the Lord’s witnesses at this time, to bring a message of consolatioon

  to the people, that the Kingdom of the heaven is here, and that millions

  now living will never die.

  (from page 102 of the same book)

  …Do you believe it? Do you believe that the King of glory is present, and has been

  since 1874 ? Do you believe that during that time he has conducted his harvest work?

  Do you believe that he has had during that time a faithful and wise servant through whom

  he directed his work and the feeding of the household of faith? …

  Then back to the field, O ye sons of the most high God! Gird on your armo! Be sober,

  be vigilant, be active, be brave. Be faithful and true witness for the Lord. …

  Herald the message far and wide. The world must know that Jehovah is God and

  that Jesus Christ is King of kings and Lord of lords. This is the day of all days. Behold

  the King reigns! You are his publicity agents. Therefore advertise, advertise, advertise

  the King and his kingdom. (°) w. 1922, pp. 335-337)

  How could the’ watchman class’ , “the faithful and discreet slave,” be chosen in 1914,revived in 1919, when J.Rutherford publicly stated, in the year 1922, that :

  *** The King of glory is present, and has been since 1874 and… he has had during that time a faithful and wise servant through whom he directed his work and the feeding of the household of faith? …

  ***The false taching about Jesus’s presence since 1874, lasted almost .. 66 years!!!

  From the “Proclaimers ..” book (1993):

  *** jv chap. 10 pp. 133-134 Growing in Accurate Knowledge of the Truth ***

  In 1876, when Russell had first read a copy of Herald of the Morning, he had learned that there was another group who then believed that Christ’s return would be invisible and who associated that return with blessings for all families of the earth. From Mr. Barbour, editor of that publication, Russell also came to be persuaded that Christ’s invisible presence had begun in 1874. (°)Attention was later drawn to this by the subtitle “Herald of Christ’s Presence,” which appeared on the cover of Zion’s Watch Tower.

  (°) footnote

  This was influenced by the belief that the seventh millennium of human history had begun in 1873 and that a period of divine disfavor (of equal length to a former period considered to be one of favor) upon natural Israel would end in 1878. The chronology was flawed because of relying on an inaccurate rendering of Acts 13:20 in the King James Version, belief that there was a transcription error at 1 Kings 6:1, and failure to take into account Biblical synchronisms in the dating of reigns of the kings of Judah and of Israel. A clearer understanding of Biblical chronology was published in 1943, in the book “The Truth Shall Make You Free,” and it was then refined the following year in the book “The Kingdom Is at Hand,” as well as in later publications.

  *3 rd big lie

  *** ip-2 chap. 13 p. 191 “Cry Out Joyfully in Unison”! ***

  20 In these “last days,” Jehovah has bared his holy arm in order to revive the anointed remnant, the “two witnesses” of the book of Revelation. (2 Timothy 3:1; Revelation 11:3, 7-13) Since 1919, these have been brought into a spiritual paradise, the spiritual estate that they now share with millions of their associates, the other sheep.”

  *** ip-2 chap. 13 p. 193 “Cry Out Joyfully in Unison”! ***

  23 This was particularly true of those anointed followers of Jesus Christ who fled Babylon the Great in 1919. They progressively cleansed themselves of all traces of false worship. (Isaiah 8:19, 20; Romans 15:4)

  The book states very clearly : “They progressively cleansed themselves of all traces of false worship”

  Let’s see how true was this progressive cleansing , from 1919 and many, many years after and please, bear in mind that this material has been published in the year 2001, which means more that 82 years after the events of 1919 "!

  A good source is the same old (1959) book:

  "Jehovah's Witnesss in the Divine purpose "

  published by the WTBS Inc.

  There on page 91 it is written the situation and even

  the "uncleanliness " of " the early Bible students"

  ***Believed that there were certain saving qualities in their self-merit;

  **Were guilty of creature worship;

  **They had a democratic form of 'election 'for

  congregational oversight (elders and deacons);

  **Had an incorrect view of the " higher powers "

  mentioned in Romans 13:1;

  Furthermore the " early Bible Students "

  ***Celebrated " pagan " holydays such as Christmas , for decades:

  " Proclaimers' book, published in 1993:

  *** jv 198-9 14 "They Are No Part of the World" ***WhentheWorldHadItsHolidays

  When Jehovahs Witnesses cast aside religious teachings that had pagan roots, they also quit sharing in many customs that were similarly tainted. But for a time, certain holidays were not given the careful scrutiny that they needed. One of these was Christmas.

  This holiday was celebrated yearly even by members of the Watch Tower Societys headquarters staff at the Bethel Home in Brooklyn, New York. For many years they had been aware that December 25 was not the correct date, but they reasoned that the date had long been popularly associated with the birth of the Savior and that doing good for others was proper on any day. However, after further investigation of the subject, the members of the Societys headquarters staff, as well as the staffs at the Societys branch offices in England and in Switzerland, decided to stop sharing in Christmas festivities, so no Christmas celebration was held there after 1926.

  ***Celebrated birthdays , for decades:

  *** jv 200 14 "They Are No Part of the World" ***

  In their Daily Manna book, Bible Students kept a list of birthdays. But after they quit celebrating Christmas and when they realized that birthday celebrations were giving undue honor to creatures (one reason that early Christians never celebrated birthdays), the Bible Students quit this practice too."

  ***Taught , for decades that the Great Pyramid

  was a strong and corroborative witness to Gods plan ;

  From the "Proclaimers" A book, published by the WTBS Inc., in 1993 -

  *** jv 200 14 "They Are No Part of the World" *** (publ. 1993)

  For some 35 years, Pastor Russell thought that the Great Pyramid of Gizeh was Gods stone witness, corroborating Biblical time periods. (Isa. 19:19)

  But Jehovahs Witnesses have abandoned the idea that an Egyptian pyramid has

  anything to do with true worship.

  (See Watchtower issues of November 15 and December 1, 1928)

  But of course, another 7 years passed and the WTBS Inc. gave an entirely

  different picture , about the matter , in the pages of The Watchtower , 1st January 2000, pages 9-10 16-17 :

  Some Bible Students became engrossed with measuring different

  features of the pyramid to determine such matters as the day they would be going to heaven ! This so-called Bible in Stone was held in esteem for some decades , until the Watchtower issues of November 15th and December 1st, 1928, made clear that Jehovah needed no stone monument built by pagan pharaohs and containing demonic signs of astrology to confirm the witness given in the Bible.

  Many things were written, and publicly taught , for many years

  after 1919, in the 128- pages book :

  " Millions Now Living Will Never Die "

  like the expectations abouth the year 1925 :

  From the Yearbook 1980 , page 62 :

  The book Millionshad been widely used in the French field since 1921 and on the basis of its contents, much was expectedof 1925. But when 1925 came and went without the anticipated happening coming to pass, those on the outside who had read the book made fun of the brothers. Worse still, the faith of some of the brothers themselves was shaken.

  Some expected to go to heaven that year."

  Concerning the publicity given , the book :

  "Jehovah's Witnesss in the Divine purpose "

  published by the WTBS Inc. , in 1959 , page 140

  stated :

  ..the campaign Millions Now Living Will Never Die

  from 1918 to 1921 was a step in the direction of reaching this

  class destined one day to populate the earth.

  As a further proof, read what was written , even in the year 1919,

  there is a good one in:

  " The Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence "

  December 15 th , 1919 n 24 Vol. XL, page 373:

  "The public seems eager to know something about the times in which we are living and the meaning of all these wonderful phenomena. It a great comfort to the hearts of many people to hear the message ,

  " Millions Now Living Will Never Die," which the Lord's people can confidently " announce, knowing that many of the generation now upon the earth shall not pass away bu live on until the Lord's Kingdom is fully established . They have in mind the words of the Master that ' were not the days of tribulation shortened there would be no flesh saved , but that for the elect's sake much flesh will be saved'; and that thus these millions will be brought through the time of trouble and have the opportunity of accepting the blessing of life under the terms of the New Covenant."

  In conclusion, it looks like this progressive cleansing, since 1919, lasted many years, even decades and yet, just to quote one ex. in the early seventies…the gb decided to give to smokers “6 months” to get rid of the bad habit or else been disfellowhipped and be considered worthy of “everlasting destruction”!!

  As for the R&F for this week “congregation book study’ how could someone memorize or have ready for research texts published in the year 1993 , referring to changes made in the year 1943 , and relating to event dating 1914-1919 ???

  Yet the WTBS Inc. still claims to speak “ words of truth”!

  Greetings, J.C.MacHislopp
• 
  5

  Are the "Other Sheep" heirs to the Kingdom?

  by artful in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  the watchtower of february 15, 2003 page 19, paragraph 6 under the heading "attending as respectful observers" states:.

  "should those now doing good to the remnant of the 144,000 brothers of christ partake of the lord's evening meal?

  according to the wts, the "other sheep" are not joint heirs.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  MacHislopp

  Hello Artful,

  thanks for the reply. Btw I'm preparing also something of the same book.

  Probably I'l post it later. I do hope that it won't be the same material.

  Greetings, J.C.MacHislopp
• 
  33

  OZZIEPOST: Get Well Card/Messages

  by RAYZORBLADE in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  folks: our beloved member of this forum: ozziepost - is not well.

  i figured, let's send one of our favourite aussies, a forum get-well card.

  ozzie: get well mate, and look forward to you being in the best of health, complete with happiness and a post or two validating your return to complete wellness.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  MacHislopp

  Hello,

  to Ozziepost : I wish all the best for a quick recovery.

  Although thousands of miles away ..

  near to you and your wife.

  All the best, from the heart,

  James Charles MacHislopp
• 
  5

  Are the "Other Sheep" heirs to the Kingdom?

  by artful in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  the watchtower of february 15, 2003 page 19, paragraph 6 under the heading "attending as respectful observers" states:.

  "should those now doing good to the remnant of the 144,000 brothers of christ partake of the lord's evening meal?

  according to the wts, the "other sheep" are not joint heirs.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  MacHislopp

  Hello Artful,

  thanks for this other gem of research. Sometime one wonders what

  at WTBS Inc. drink during the day...!

  Johnny cip: thanks for the excellent quote

  "the dinosaurs are now happy living on venus. golden age 4-1-31, pg. 428 . "

  A scan of that would be great! After all that magazine was because Jehovah,

  in 1919, "has blessed them with unprecedented expansion and spiritual prosperity"

  (from the book - Isaiah's Prophecy..- vol. II, pag. 316 §21 ).

  Greetings, J.C.MacHislopp
• 
  21

  WT Contradiction - Are the other sheep sons of God?

  by artful in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  many are familiar with the countless flip flops and contradictions that can be found in the wt publications of the past (for numerous examples of this see http://quotes.jehovahswitnesses.com).

  however, in reading through the jan 15 and feb 15 wt study articles i believe i have found a "modern day" example of a wts contradictory statement.

  it pertains to the status of the "other sheep" as sons of god.. __________.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  MacHislopp

  Hello Artful,

  thanks for the very interesting topic. Tipical double talk

  from the WTBS Inc. I'll comment more on it.

  Greetings, J.C.MacHislopp
• 
  20

  Comments You Will Not Hear at the 3-1-03 WT Study

  by blondie in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  comments you will not hear at the 3/1/03 wt study

  january 15, 2003 wt.

  how strong is your faith?.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  MacHislopp

  Hello Blondie,

  first of all, I do hope that you're feeling much better, and do not work too hard.

  Second , thanks for another brilliant review.Many great and thought provoking

  points.

  Third, the one about the 128 years ...of preaching is ismilar to what I've told

  recently to a friend...he's still scratching his head!

  Thanks again for all your efforts!

  Jgnat: thanks for your comments about the WTBS Inc.'s

  catch-phrases . Very appropriate.

  Greetings, J.C.MacHislopp
• 
  20

  Did You Know Jehovah & Jesus Attend Meetings & Want You To Scrub Floors?

  by minimus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  according to the watchtower of dec. 15, 1985, jehovah and his son attend the meetings at the kingdom hall.

  "how can you show gratitude for what jesus did" is the article that you should review.

  this is what it states:"since jehovah and jesus are present invisibly at these gatherings, grateful christians will not snub them, as the apostates do, but rather do all they reasonably can to attend regularly.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  MacHislopp

  Hello Minimus,

  thanks for this gem! Another one for the file!

  Crinckelstein:

  "This is just another way to instill guilt into everyone. To make them feel that someone is always looking over their shoulders in a disapproving way. That God and Jesus will always think that you need to do more for them. That you are always lacking and are never good enough. "

  Very well worded. I do agree entirely.

  Greetings, J.C.MacHiislopp
• 
  5

  WTBS Inc. ...'Theocratic appointments'!

  by MacHislopp in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  it is clear , after baptism, they ".. will receive the free gift of the holy spirit" .

  "but he, being full of holy spirit,

  *** and who today will performs the " laying of the hands "

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  MacHislopp

  Hello everyone,

  I wish to make some comments concerning a public and printed affirmation made by the WTBS Inc.'s ´" governing body" which claims also, among other things of similar nature, to be "the earthly representative of God's organization..".

  The quote , under the theme :

  * Overseers and Ministerial Servants Theocratically Appointed * can be found in "The Watchtower " January 15 th ,2001, page 12 ,paragraph 19 :

  "Therefore, the appointments are to be viewed as being made by holy spirit. Just as overseers and ministerial servants were appointed theocratically in the first century, the same is true today "

  My question is the following:

  Were the first century overseers and ministerial servants "appointed theocratically"??

  The best way to proceed is to go and see what the Scriptures say about this matter. Let's start with Paul's letters.

  *** Rbi8 2 Timothy 1:6 ***

  6 For this very cause I remind you to stir up like a fire the gift of God which is in you through the laying of my hands upon you.

  *** Rbi8 Titus 1:5 ***

  5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you might correct the things that were defective and might make appointments of older men in city after city, as I gave you orders;

  Here we note that:

  *Timothy receives a "gift of God " just by " the laying "of Paul's hands upon him.

  *Timothy can make " appointments of older men" as Paul gave him orders.

  *No mention of a "governing body", no mention of special recommendation from a group of Christians located in Jerusalem or even Antioch, only Paul's commands or "orders" to Timothy.

  *Also, if the appointment were as "been made by the holy spirit" why the need of "…a fine testimony from the people on the outside.."?

  *** Rbi8 1 Timothy 3:7 ***

  7 Moreover, he should also have a fine testimony from people on the outside, in order that he might not fall into reproach and a snare of the Devil.

  (See also references in:

  *** Rbi8 Acts 22:12 ***

  12 “Now An·a·ni'as, a certain man reverent according to the Law, well reported on by all the Jews dwelling there .."

  *** Rbi8 2 Corinthians 8:21 ***

  21 For we “make honest provision, not only in the sight of Jehovah, but also in the sight of men.”

  *** Rbi8 1 Thessalonians 4:12 ***

  12 so that YOU may be walking decently as regards people outside and not be needing anything.

  Let's take another important scripture:

  *** Rbi8 Acts 2:38 ***

  38 Peter [said] to them: “Repent, and let each one of YOU be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for forgiveness of YOUR sins, and YOU will receive the free gift of the holy spirit.

  It is clear , after baptism, they ".. will receive the free gift of the holy spirit" . So again , if the appointment were as "been made by the holy spirit" why the need of "…a fine testimony from the people on the outside.."? The holy spirit cannot testify of the person's conduct?

  According to Peter's words, all those who were getting baptized would :

  ** " receive the free gift of the holy spirit ".

  Now how can the WTBS Inc. 'governing body' affirm that:

  "Just as overseers and ministerial servants were appointed theocratically in the first century"

  and :

  " the appointments are to be viewed as being made by holy spirit"??

  Brothers received the " free gift of the holy spirit " at the time of their baptism and later , the same holy spirit would ' appoint ' some of them as 'overseers ' or as 'deacons/ministerial servants'??

  As usual where things get to " strange " we return to the Bible, and what a better testimony and example than the account about Stephen.

  *** Rbi8 Acts 6:1-6 ***

  6 Now in these days, when the disciples were increasing, a murmuring arose on the part of the Greek-speaking Jews against the Hebrew-speaking Jews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution.

  2 So the twelve called the multitude of the disciples to them and said: “It is not pleasing for us to leave the word of God to distribute [food] to tables.

  3 So, brothers, search out for yourselves seven certified men from among YOU, full of spirit and wisdom, that we may appoint them over this necessary business; 4 but we shall devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

  5 And the thing spoken was pleasing to the whole multitude, and they selected Stephen, a man full of faith and holy spirit, and Philip and Proch'o·rus and Ni·ca'nor and Ti'mon and Par'me·nas and Nic·o·la'us, a proselyte of Antioch; 6 and they placed them before the apostles, and, after having prayed, these laid their hands upon them.

  Please notice the following:

  **The 'necessary business ' was the 'daily distribution (of food)

  to the widows;

  **Appointing of selected men was needed, bu the choosing was made by the 'multitude of disciples ';

  **Was a local affair - in Jerusalem -, and again no mention of a

  'governing body ' but just the 'twelve ' and "the disciples".

  **again the mentioning of ".. laid their hands upon them."

  **Stephen, one of the selected men was: " a man full of faith

  and holy spirit".

  **Later, the Scriptures would refer to Stephen , in

  Acts 7:55 "But he, being full of holy spirit, gazed into heaven and caught sight of God’s glory and of Jesus standing at God’s right hand.."

  Let's review the WTBS Inc.'s quote:

  "Just … ministerial servants were appointed theocratically

  in the first century, the same is true today"

  ***Ministerial servants/ deacons diligently distribuiting 'food ' at

  the tables of needy widows, and simply because they have been "appointed … over this necessary business "??

  ***Ministerial servants/deacons ' full of faith and holy spirit '??

  *** And who today will performs the " laying of the hands "

  upon the ministerial servants/deacons and overseers??

  Other elders, the Circuit Overseer, the District Overseer,

  the City Oversser, the Zone Overseer, one of the

  Member of the of the Branch Committee ?

  Or even better, one of the new Corporation's

  President or as a token of supreme honor, one

  of the remaining mamebers of the 'governing body '??

  And why not one of the "anointed remnant" among the

  8700, still leaving on this planet. ?After all they are Christ's

  brothers and partekers in the future of His divine nature

  and heirs of the heavenly glory.

  But it is not finished yet, let's take :

  *** Rbi8 Acts 8:14-17 ***

  14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Sa·mar'i·a had accepted the word of God, they dispatched Peter and John to them; 15 and these went down and prayed for them to get holy spirit. 16 For it had not yet fallen upon any one of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they went laying their hands upon them, and they began to receive holy spirit

  **We have, only the 12 apostles in Jerusalem, no other 'board of directors or corporation's officials nor "governing body" nor a " faithful and discreet class";

  **They prayed for the baptized ones in Samaria, to receive

  holy spirit;

  **To do that , they "went laying their hands upon them…"

  *** Rbi8 Acts 8:18-20 ***

  18 Now when Simon saw that through the laying on of the hands of the apostles the spirit was given, he offered them money, 19 saying: “Give me also this authority, that anyone upon whom I lay my hands may receive holy spirit.” 20 But Peter said to him: “May your silver perish with you, because you thought through money to get possession of the free gift of God.

  **It is interesting that again the holy spirit is spoken of as :

  " free gift of God. ", like in Acts 2:38 "… receive the free gift of the holy spirit. "

  Another similar account is related in:

  *** Rbi8 Acts 9:17 ***

  17 So An·a·ni'as went off and entered into the house, and he laid his hands upon him and said: “Saul, brother, the Lord, the Jesus that appeared to you on the road over which you were coming, has sent me forth, in order that you may recover sight and be filled with holy spirit.”

  ***No mention of any member of a 'governing body'.

  And look at this other account:

  *** Rbi8 Acts 13:1-3 ***

  13 Now in Antioch there were prophets and teachers in the local congregation, Bar'na·bas as well as Sym'e·on who was called Ni'ger, and Lucius of Cy·re'ne, and Man'a·en who was educated with Herod the district ruler, and Saul. 2 As they were publicly ministering to Jehovah and fasting, the holy spirit said: “Of all persons set Bar'na·bas and Saul apart for me for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then they fasted and prayed and laid their hands upon them and let them go.

  **We are in Antioch, and in the ' local congregation' (singular form) there were prophets and teachers (plural form) but not 'governing body ' or anything similar to it.

  **A special assignment was given to Barnabas and Paul but this was done not by a decree of ' a governing body ' , nor by the "12 apostles" but just the "prohets and teachers" in the " local congregation of Antioch".

  **The special assignment was given because "the holy spirit said" not

  because a 'governing body' or a "board of directors" decided.

  In conclusion , no trace of a ' governing body' . Therefore to affirm that: and to explain in the same article that:

  Just as overseers and ministerial servants were appointed theocratically in the first century, the same is true today"

  and explain the implication of "theocratic appointments" as:

  19 Theocratic appointments come from Jehovah through his Son and God’s visible earthly channel, “the faithful and discreet slave” and its Governing Body. (Matthew 24:45-47)

  has no scriptural support at all.

  I've have deliberatly avoided to refer to how things have been "

  decided in the congregations/ ekklesia's from the years 1879 - 1916

  (C.T. Russell's presidency) and from 1917 to 1971( Rutherford, and Knorr's presidency ) in order to shorten a very long and painful story indeed.

  Greetings, J.C.MacHislopp

  "Felix qui potuit rerum cognoscere causas"

  (Virgilium, Georgicae, II ,489)