shadow

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Posts by shadow

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  6

  Chronology - 70 weeks of years

  by shadow in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  the 7 times of daniel 4 and the connection to 607 has been discussed and debated in great detail.

  is there a thread that discusses the 70 weeks of years in daniel 9?

  is the time frame suggested by the wt for this also in doubt?

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  shadow

  The 7 times of Daniel 4 and the connection to 607 has been discussed and debated in great detail. Is there a thread that discusses the 70 weeks of years in Daniel 9? Is the time frame suggested by the WT for this also in doubt? What evidence, pro or con, is there? Thanks to any who take time to respond
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  33

  The Blood doctrine - A Medical or Scriptural issue?

  by Jourles in

  1. watchtower
  2. medical

  if you were to ask any witness whether or not the blood doctrine is scripturally or medically based, you would receive the same answer 100% of the time.

  "scripturally, of course.

  there is one component in particular which shows the wts uses medically based information to cement its postion on what is and what is not allowed for a witness to accept.

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  shadow

  As Marvin stated, this change is not understood too well, even by HLC members as evident by the discussion in the thread noted below. http://www.noblood.org/forum/showthread.php?threadid=2662 Another thread discussed transporting blood to another location before reinfusion. http://www.noblood.org/forum/showthread.php?t=697&highlight=irradiation This site provides a fascinating and troubling look inside the secret world of HLC's. skyman, WT prefers Lev 17:15 over Lev 11. They must believe it is more useful to support their contention that these scriptures refer to accidentally eating an animal found dead. Another WT curiosity states that the Bible does not forbid cannibalism in their article reversing the organ transplant ban. The hard part is that the human you eat would have to be properly bled.
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  33

  The Blood doctrine - A Medical or Scriptural issue?

  by Jourles in

  1. watchtower
  2. medical

  if you were to ask any witness whether or not the blood doctrine is scripturally or medically based, you would receive the same answer 100% of the time.

  "scripturally, of course.

  there is one component in particular which shows the wts uses medically based information to cement its postion on what is and what is not allowed for a witness to accept.

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  shadow

  The WT says Christians do not eat animals found dead.

  *** w63 2/1 p. 74 Conduct “Worthy of the Good News” ***

  For the same reason an animal that is found dead as a result of being caught in a trap or being torn by another animal would not be fit for food for a Christian, since it had not been bled at the time of death. Likewise, when one buys meat, either in a market or from a hunter, the Christian should be satisfied that the animal was properly bled so that he does not risk a violation of this law of God.

  The Bible says it could be sold to Gentiles

  (Deuteronomy 14:21) 21 “YOU must not eat any body [already] dead. To the alien resident who is inside your gates you may give it, and he must eat it; or there may be a selling of it to a foreigner, because you are a holy people to Jehovah your God.. . .

  It was a minor matter even for the Jews under the Law

  (Leviticus 11:39-40) 39 “‘Now in case any beast that is YOURS for food should die, he who touches its dead body will be unclean until the evening. 40 And he who eats any of its dead body will wash his garments, and he must be unclean until the evening; and he who carries off its dead body will wash his garments, and he must be unclean until the evening.

  Christains are not under Law anyway.

  (Romans 10:4) . . .For Christ is the end of the Law, so that everyone exercising faith may have righteousness.

  How serious is imposing dietary restrictions?

  *** w75 5/15 p. 301 ‘Eating and Drinking to God’s Glory’ ***

  The institution of dietary restrictions as a religious duty is not a minor matter. It constitutes rejection of Christian faith and accurate knowledge. It implies that there is something defective in God’s “word,” that it does not reveal the full scope of what people need to do to gain divine approval and that man-made precepts are therefore needed. The importance of God’s “word” is minimized and human regulations are elevated. By thus misunderstanding the only standard for judging truth, the Scriptural standard, the door is opened for other apostate teachings. Accordingly, to command obedience to man-made dietary restrictions as a religious duty dishonors God.
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  63

  Can any JW answer OldSoul's 4 questions about JW teachings scripturally?

  by kwintestal in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i am waiting for any jehovah's witness to offer support in scripture of these four articles of faith: .

  (1) the faithful and discreet slave is a class of people, .

  (2) that the holy spirit directs organizations in addition to individuals, .

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  shadow

  OS,

  No, I do not believe that is possible. However, I believe the Bible lays out a clear authority structure. God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, congregations (individual people, not elders—and the Governing Body is completely absent, as is the Faithful and Discreet Slave).

  Do I believe that authority structure exists today? Yes. Do I see any indication in Scripture of an earthly authority structure necessary beyond that one? No, not yet. Do you have some Scriptures that indicate a need for Christians to recognize an authority beyond the God, Jesus and the Spirit?

  So the 1st century pattern of elders is to be abandoned? Was there a need in the 1st century for elders & servants?

  Okay. You are free to disagree. Which sanguinary conflict they could have been "leaders" in? The stated and published stand on neutrality was violated by members of the Governing Body itself, how does Romans 2:1, 2 not apply to them?

  I believe it does apply to them and everyone else.

  Does the presence of true teachings and teachings that are based on the Bible mitigate the presence of false teachings and teachings that are not based on the Bible? If so, how and why?

  Were true teachings mixed with false ones in the 1st century? Should everyone wanting to serve God have left those congregations?

  Besides this, there is contradictory application of their stand on neutrality. Witnesses in Mexico could accept political pary cards while brothers in Malawi were being beaten and killed, sisters being raped, beaten and killed for refusing on the grounds of neutrality. In 1991, the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc. joined the mouthpiece of the UN, the UN/DPI and maintained that relationship until apostates called the contradiction to their attention in 2001. The UN/DPI is anything but a neutral organization. So if there is a preaching of neutrality and a punishing for lack of it at the bottom, but not a practice of it at the top...is there neutrality, in truth?

  That may reveal hypocrisy at the top but does not invalidate the thousands who have maintained neutrality even to the point of death. What groups manifest that determination to remain neutral?

  But you haven't demonstrated Scripturally that these men who started a religion on the basis of false prophecy, (Deuteronomy 18:20-22) appeal to pyramidology as proof (Colossians 2:8-10), and authoritative teachings that do not originate with God (1 John 4:1) actually are God's people. That would, I suppose, have to come first.

  I'm afraid I can't use works as a method of determining God's people, Matthew 7:21-23; Matthew 24:24; Mark 13:22, 23; and Luke 21:8 warn me not to listen to any who point to works as proof or who say, "the due time has approached."

  What method would you use to identify God's people?

  I am understanding that clearly from your posts, and I think it is a courageous stand to take. One that will eventually lead to your expulsion from the Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses. So, when someone in your congregation is disfellowhipped are you always aware of the grounds? What about outside your congregation?

  When the disfellowhipping is outside scriptural bounds, do you continue to freely seek out and associate with the ones wronged, as Jesus did (John 9:34, 35) or do you limit your association?

  I will exercise my own best judgment on such matters. If I accepted WT policy on this I wouldn't be here.

  It is my understanding that religious authority is not legitimate if they lie about how it is derived, or claim Scriptural support for the claim when they do not have it. Am I understanding that incorrectly? Can you show me evidence of religious authority that God recognized as legitimate that was not authored by him?

  Did Jehovah author the arrangement of bishops and deacons in the 1st century?

  If there are plain teachings of the Scriptures that show Jesus viewed the religious leaders of the Jews as God's organization that he exclusively recognized or that there is such an organization today, please share them.

  If not, please explain, Scripturally, how I should view an organization that makes this lying claim and then punishes people, or even threatens to punish (John 9:22), with excommunication for publicly disputing this claim.

  While Jesus was on the earth, did Israel constitute God's chosen people? How did Jesus view worshipping God within that arrangement? Did he only observe what was specifically stated in scripture in matters of worship?

  You stated to Toreador:

  Well, if we are still living during the Great Apostasy then there is not an ongoing "gathering," per se, although I am of the opinion that may come in time. If it does it will be unmistakable what is going on and why. No one will have to dance and dodge through Scriptures to try and make a case for what is happening.

  Was it unmistakable that Israel was God's people? If so, do we still have indisputable evidence that was true?

  Was 1st century Christianity unmistakably supported by God? Why then did the disciples have to make a case for it?

  Though I confess that I have wondered the same things. On the other hand our time is unique in the fact that mankind has never faced so many threats to our continued existence.
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  63

  Can any JW answer OldSoul's 4 questions about JW teachings scripturally?

  by kwintestal in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i am waiting for any jehovah's witness to offer support in scripture of these four articles of faith: .

  (1) the faithful and discreet slave is a class of people, .

  (2) that the holy spirit directs organizations in addition to individuals, .

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
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  shadow

  OS,

  Earlier you agreed that scriptures clearly indicate the existence of two groups. How would they be distinguished from one another? Are these groups in existence today? Would you say that it is possible that we live in a period of time when Jehovah would gather a people together (Isa 2, Mic 4, Rev 7)? I

  Do you believe it is possible to gather a group of people and have them work together for some common purpose and not have some authority structure? Is so, could you provide an example?

  They have neither been around long enough nor become powerful enough to be able to be leaders in sanguinary conflicts, so there is no basis for knowing what they would do in that circumstance.

  I disagree with that statement. The stand on neutrality by JW's stands in stark contrast to the stance taken by the great majority of religious groups. At least one GB member served time in a concentration camp. Would you agree that such a position is a criteria for a group to have a legitimate claim to be serving God?

  However, I consider it immoral in the extreme to punish someone with excommunication for disagreeing with them, or even for simply challenging their dogma for Scriptural support. Do you consider that a moral stand that they take?

  I agree with you, I consider it to be immoral and unChristian with the exception of what is clear in scripture. The Corinthians who had unorthodox ideas were not shunned. Their response to challenges is often hypocritical.

  Do you have Scriptures to support the teachings on the authority of the Faithful and Discreet Slave, from which the authority of the Governing Body supposedly derives?

  I have presented scriptural precedents for God's people developing authority structures. I think it is clear that I have a high degree of skepticism about their claims as to how they derived their authority while at the same time postulating that their authority is legitimate when exercised within scriptural bounds.
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  63

  Can any JW answer OldSoul's 4 questions about JW teachings scripturally?

  by kwintestal in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i am waiting for any jehovah's witness to offer support in scripture of these four articles of faith: .

  (1) the faithful and discreet slave is a class of people, .

  (2) that the holy spirit directs organizations in addition to individuals, .

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  shadow

  OS,

  I think there is really a fundamental difference in our approach. Do you believe there is no difference between rulership/governance over people and religious authority?

  You keep using the comparison to King David. King David was not a religious leader. He did not deliver religious edicts to his people. He was a governmental ruler.

  Pharisees and Sadducees would be a fitting comparison, but Jesus rejected their authority, encouraged others to reject their authority, and sought out those the Pharisees rejected. I can provide Scriptural examples of each of these, but I am sure you know where they are.

  If religious authority should be viewed as equal to governmental authority, why are Catholics less correct than Witnesses?

  I'm not suggesting that all religious authority is equal to governmental authority. A current example is the imams in Iran. Their religious authority is not legitimate because it is based on a group that does not have standing before God, the religion of Islam. On the other hand their exercise of political authority is legitimate since they are the recognized governmental authority in that nation and Christians should be in relative subjection to that authority as much as any other government.

  Paul states that the governments are legitimate authorities. It is also clear from the scriptures that God's people, from ancient Israel through first century Christianity had the latitude to form authority structures that were political and/or religious. When Jesus talked about submitting to the religious leaders it was only a relative subjection, which is and has always been true of any human institution such as marriage, family, city, nation, congregation, etc.

  As far as the religious arena, the only legitimate authority would arise from an adherence to scripture by some group. Islam fails that test as does Catholicism. If it is determined that JW's as a group are God's people (Isa 2, Mic 4, other scriptures previously cited showing existence of opposing groups), then the authority within that group would have some legitimacy subject to the factors limiting any other human authority.

  Since you are focusing on the position held by the Governing Body and not on their claims, their failed prophecies, or their teachings, please explain why the same exact line of reasoning does not apply to the position held by the Papacy and Bishops of Roman Catholicism. The two claim the exact same position as far as I can tell. It is a clergy class complete with a doctrine of magisterium "teaching authority."

  The only distinction I can see is that one authority does not publicly claim infallibility. But they expect the authority to be regarded as infallibile anyway and they punish dissenters as heretical.

  The Catholic Church is not living up to scriptural standards. They have often been leaders in the most sanguinary conflicts in human history. They have compromised on morality and defense of the Bible itself. Since the group is illegitimate, so is the authority.

  I cannot disagree with you about the infallibility issue other than to the extent that I know some have disagreed with a teaching and not been df'd over it. On the whole, I believe the GB has come to have an inflated view of themselves, which is just proof that history repeats itself.

  (Ecclesiastes 8:9) . . .man has dominated man to his injury. . .

  (Luke 9:46) . . .Then a reasoning entered among them as to who would be the greatest of them. . .

  Steve,

  SOME ONE will fit the bill. I think he will or has 'found the faith' here. As your question states, "who might fit the bill" , not what ORGANIZATION. All the scripture citations you gave apply well to individuals. There is no hint in their context that they are actually predicting an organization. Even if God gathers these individuals into a "group" it would be called a congregation. There is nothing to hint that a "class" of men would rule over these individuals and only this class would be led by holy spirit.

  Any group of humans that work together for any length of time will develop some type of authority structure, whether tacitly or explicity. The rise of an organization for any group of any size working together for a common purpose is inevitable and practically essential. As far as working with individuals, I agree with you that I see nothing in scripture that would exclude the possibility that Jehovah would work with individuals, nonetheless I also see clear indications that he would gather a group together that would stand apart from the world and serve him.

  (Matthew 8:10) . . . Hearing that, Jesus became amazed and said to those following him: "I tell YOU the truth, With no one in Israel have I found so great a faith. . .

  Regardless, we are still looking for scriptural support, not for a people who would respond to the message of Jesus, but to specific Authority being give to a Class who are exclusively Spirit directed to dictate even the Conscience of Lessor Christians (other sheep).

  Going beyond the bounds of their authority does not entirely extinguish the legitimacy of their authority. If GWB demands that I go kill Iraqis or go to jail, that does not mean that I can ignore traffic laws or start robbing banks, does it? Jehovah would approve of ignoring the illegitimate exercise of authority but condemn the violation of legitimate exercise of authority.

  (Acts 23:2-5) At this the high priest An·a·ni´as ordered those standing by him to strike him on the mouth. Then Paul said to him: "God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall. Do you at one and the same time sit to judge me in accord with the Law and, transgressing the Law, command me to be struck?" Those standing by said: "Are you reviling the high priest of God?" And Paul said: "Brothers, I did not know he was high priest. For it is written, ‘You must not speak injuriously of a ruler of your people.’"
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  63

  Can any JW answer OldSoul's 4 questions about JW teachings scripturally?

  by kwintestal in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i am waiting for any jehovah's witness to offer support in scripture of these four articles of faith: .

  (1) the faithful and discreet slave is a class of people, .

  (2) that the holy spirit directs organizations in addition to individuals, .

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  shadow

  
  

  However, that entire argument is a side issue. A side issue that includes rampant unfounded assumptions. The discussion seems to be diverted to one you wish to have instead of staying on a track of providing any Scriptural proof regarding the points I raised. Again, you have not even addressed whether the Faithful and Discreet Slave has Scriptural support for its claim that (1) as a class they comprise (2) God's spirit-directed organization on earth today for the purpose of (3) discerning and dispensing "new light" to the (4) other sheep who can't get this light through any other means?

  
  OS,
  
  I am not trying to divert the discussion, we just have different perspectives on this issue. Let me try to illustrate. Imagine you are a soldier in General Patton’s army. He makes the claim that his current position and success as a general is due to the past experience he had as a Carthaginian fighting the Romans in a previous life. Additionally, his insulting views on non-whites and women are well known. You don’t believe in reincarnation, which he claims to be the reason he is now a general. Do you still submit to his authority? One soldier may decide that since Patton is crazy, he doesn’t have to obey his orders. Another soldier may agree that Patton is crazy, but still obeys orders because Patton is the general.
  You are focusing on the claims of the GB, while I am trying to focus on their position. That is why I believe it is essential to determine whether JW’s could be a group that God is gathering together. The scriptures do clearly indicate a dichotomy in the world between those following Christ and those who don’t. So who might fit the bill?
  
  Or as a Christian living in Nazi Germany, do you still pay taxes? Do you still obey traffic laws? Do you kill the Jews? Is Hitler a legitimate authority that should be obeyed to an extent? The parallel: as a JW do you wear JW clothes (suit, dress)? Do you go to meetings? Do you treat all df’d ones the same? From the Christian view there is no human authority that is absolute in spite of any claims to the contrary, whether it be Hitler or the GB or GWB.
  Some scriptures indicating the existence of separate groups:
  

  (Matthew 5:11-16) “Happy are YOU when people reproach YOU and persecute YOU and lyingly say every sort of wicked thing against YOU for my sake. Rejoice and leap for joy, since YOUR reward is great in the heavens; for in that way they persecuted the prophets prior to YOU. “YOU are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its strength, how will its saltness be restored? It is no longer usable for anything but to be thrown outside to be trampled on by men. “YOU are the light of the world. A city cannot be hid when situated upon a mountain. People light a lamp and set it, not under the measuring basket, but upon the lampstand, and it shines upon all those in the house. Likewise let YOUR light shine before men, that they may see YOUR fine works and give glory to YOUR Father who is in the heavens.
  (2 Corinthians 4:3-4) If, now, the good news we declare is in fact veiled, it is veiled among those who are perishing, among whom the god of this system of things has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, that the illumination of the glorious good news about the Christ, who is the image of God, might not shine through.
  
  (1 John 5:19-20) We know we originate with God, but the whole world is lying in the [power of the] wicked one. But we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us intellectual capacity that we may gain the knowledge of the true one
  
  (1 Thessalonians 5:6) So, then, let us not sleep on as the rest do, but let us stay awake and keep our senses.
  
  (Matthew 25:40) And in reply the king will say to them, ‘Truly I say to YOU, To the extent that YOU did it to one of the least of these my brothers, YOU did it to me.’
  
  (Acts 15:14) Sym´e·on has related thoroughly how God for the first time turned his attention to the nations to take out of them a people for his name.
  
  (Titus 2:14) who gave himself for us that he might deliver us from every sort of lawlessness and cleanse for himself a people peculiarly his own, zealous for fine works.
  

  Why do I care? Because I have family who are Witnesses, I have friends who are Witnesses, and I cannot figure out why I should be expelled for contradicting a teaching that is of human origin. If it is founded on Scripture, I am wrong and will do my very best to make right what damage I may have done to the faith of others. It is as simple as that. If it is not founded on Scripture, then the GB is wrong and I expect the same of them. Is that unreasonable?

  No, you should not be expelled for contradicting a human teaching. No doubt some already have been and more will be in the future. Uriah also should not have been killed, but he was. Jehovah didn't often intervene in ancient Israel or in the 1st century to redress injustices. Same situation exists today. It is not an unreasonable expectation of the GB, but based on thousands of years o human history and current experience, it isn't going to happen until Jehovah does intervene.
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  63

  Can any JW answer OldSoul's 4 questions about JW teachings scripturally?

  by kwintestal in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i am waiting for any jehovah's witness to offer support in scripture of these four articles of faith: .

  (1) the faithful and discreet slave is a class of people, .

  (2) that the holy spirit directs organizations in addition to individuals, .

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  shadow

  Steve,
  
  Good to see you. I agree with you that this type of discussion would make a good meeting.
  
  Old Soul,
  
  I'm back and will post more on this thread today.
• 
  63

  Can any JW answer OldSoul's 4 questions about JW teachings scripturally?

  by kwintestal in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i am waiting for any jehovah's witness to offer support in scripture of these four articles of faith: .

  (1) the faithful and discreet slave is a class of people, .

  (2) that the holy spirit directs organizations in addition to individuals, .

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  shadow

  Hi,
  
  Yes, I am swamped right now. I'm hoping to post more tonight or in the morning. If I can't do that, my next opportunity will be Tuesday.
  
  kwin,
  
  Didn't really think anyone else was too interested. I read your story about being undf'd, thought it was pretty funny.
• 
  63

  Can any JW answer OldSoul's 4 questions about JW teachings scripturally?

  by kwintestal in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i am waiting for any jehovah's witness to offer support in scripture of these four articles of faith: .

  (1) the faithful and discreet slave is a class of people, .

  (2) that the holy spirit directs organizations in addition to individuals, .

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  shadow

  Since the main thrust of this discussion centers on the matter of authority, I would assert that an examination of the development of other authority structures would be germane to the discussion. The first authority and the basis for it are quite clearly spelled out in scripture. (Revelation 4:11) 11 “You are worthy, Jehovah, even our God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power, because you created all things, and because of your will they existed and were created.” He has delegated some of that authority. (Matthew 28:18) 18 And Jesus approached and spoke to them, saying: “All authority has been given me in heaven and on the earth. The first authority in human society is based on the family unit. Creation of these relationships hinged entirely on whether or not individuals chose to become part of such an arrangement. However, once they did, they were subject to that authority structure. While Jehovah instituted this arrangement, the expression of it has not remained constant throughout history. One example is the tolerance and regulation of polygamy. (Ephesians 5:22-24) 22 Let wives be in subjection to their husbands as to the Lord, 23 because a husband is head of his wife as the Christ also is head of the congregation, he being a savior of [this] body. 24 In fact, as the congregation is in subjection to the Christ, so let wives also be to their husbands in everything. (1 Corinthians 11:3) 3 But I want YOU to know that the head of every man is the Christ; in turn the head of a woman is the man; in turn the head of the Christ is God. (Ephesians 6:1-2) 6 Children, be obedient to YOUR parents in union with [the] Lord, for this is righteous: 2 “Honor your father and [your] mother”; which is the first command with a promise: As human society redeveloped after the flood, groups of humans formed themselves into larger societies, such as the patriarchal system, city states and eventually kingdoms, empires and nations. Jehovah at times made use of these human constructs. (2 Chronicles 33:11) 11 Finally Jehovah brought against them the chiefs of the army that belonged to the king of As•syr´i•a, and so they captured Ma•nas´seh in the hollows and bound him with two fetters of copper and took him to Babylon. I submit that for centuries it was vague as to what viewpoint a servant of Jehovah should have of these emerging authority structures, especially after the nation of Israel lost its special position. Paul clarified the correct viewpoint in Romans. (Romans 13:1-7) 13 Let every soul be in subjection to the superior authorities, for there is no authority except by God; the existing authorities stand placed in their relative positions by God. 2 Therefore he who opposes the authority has taken a stand against the arrangement of God; those who have taken a stand against it will receive judgment to themselves. 3 For those ruling are an object of fear, not to the good deed, but to the bad. Do you, then, want to have no fear of the authority? Keep doing good, and you will have praise from it; 4 for it is God’s minister to you for your good. But if you are doing what is bad, be in fear: for it is not without purpose that it bears the sword; for it is God’s minister, an avenger to express wrath upon the one practicing what is bad. 5 There is therefore compelling reason for YOU people to be in subjection, not only on account of that wrath but also on account of [YOUR] conscience. 6 For that is why YOU are also paying taxes; for they are God’s public servants constantly serving this very purpose. 7 Render to all their dues, to him who [calls for] the tax, the tax; to him who [calls for] the tribute, the tribute; to him who [calls for] fear, such fear; to him who [calls for] honor, such honor. Now the question arises as to how these governments evolved into superior authorities. In modern Western thought, it is generally theorized that a legitimate government can only exist with the permission of the governed. Is the US government a legitimate authority that we should be in subjection to from a scriptural perspective? If so, at what point did it attain this legitimacy? In most of human history, these superior authorities attained their positions through force, not permission. Still Paul considered them to be legitimate authorities and did not even preach against slavery. The nation of Israel is a special case since they came into existence only through divine intervention. Even in this case humans were allowed to develop and modify the authority structures. Moses listened to Jethro when delegating some of his authority. (Exodus 18:13-27) 13 And it came about on the next day that Moses sat down as usual to serve as judge for the people, and the people kept standing before Moses from the morning till the evening. 14 And Moses’ father-in-law got to see all that he was doing for the people. So he said: “What kind of business is this that you are doing for the people? Why do you alone continue sitting and all the people continue taking their stand before you from morning till evening?” 15 Then Moses said to his father-in-law: “Because the people keep coming to me to inquire of God. 16 In the event that they have a case arise, it must come to me and I must judge between the one party and the other, and I must make known the decisions of the [true] God and his laws.” 17 At this Moses’ father-in-law said to him: “It is not good the way you are doing. 18 You will surely wear out, both you and this people who are with you, because this business is too big a load for you. You are unable to do it by yourself. 19 Now listen to my voice. I shall advise you, and God will prove to be with you. You yourself serve as representative for the people before the [true] God, and you yourself must bring the cases to the [true] God. 20 And you must warn them of what the regulations and the laws are, and you must make known to them the way in which they should walk and the work that they should do. 21 But you yourself should select out of all the people capable men, fearing God, trustworthy men, hating unjust profit; and you must set these over them as chiefs over thousands, chiefs over hundreds, chiefs over fifties and chiefs over tens. 22 And they must judge the people on every proper occasion; and it must occur that every big case they will bring to you, but every small case they themselves will handle as judges. So make it lighter for yourself, and they must carry the load with you. 23 If you do this very thing, and God has commanded you, you will then certainly be able to stand it and, besides, this people will all come to their own place in peace.” 24 Immediately Moses listened to the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said. 25 And Moses proceeded to choose capable men out of all Israel and to give them positions as heads over the people, as chiefs of thousands, chiefs of hundreds, chiefs of fifties and chiefs of tens. 26 And they judged the people on every proper occasion. A hard case they would bring to Moses, but every small case they themselves would handle as judges. 27 After that Moses saw his father-in-law off, and he went his way to his land. Later the nation would clamor for another modification by insisting on having a human king. (1 Samuel 8:1-22) 8 And it came about that as soon as Samuel had grown old he made appointments of his sons as judges for Israel. 2 Now the name of his firstborn son happened to be Joel, and the name of his second A•bi´jah; they were judging in Be´er-she´ba. 3 And his sons did not walk in his ways, but they were inclined to follow unjust profit and would accept a bribe and pervert judgment. 4 In time all the older men of Israel collected themselves together and came to Samuel at Ra´mah 5 and said to him: “Look! You yourself have grown old, but your own sons have not walked in your ways. Now do appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations.” 6 But the thing was bad in the eyes of Samuel inasmuch as they had said: “Do give us a king to judge us,” and Samuel began to pray to Jehovah. 7 Then Jehovah said to Samuel: “Listen to the voice of the people as respects all that they say to you; for it is not you whom they have rejected, but it is I whom they have rejected from being king over them. 8 In accord with all their doings that they have done from the day of my bringing them up out of Egypt until this day in that they kept leaving me and serving other gods, that is the way they are doing also to you. 9 And now listen to their voice. Only this, that you should solemnly warn them, and you must tell them the rightful due of the king who will reign over them.” 10 So Samuel said all the words of Jehovah to the people who were asking a king of him. 11 And he proceeded to say: “This will become the rightful due of the king that will reign over YOU: YOUR sons he will take and put them as his in his chariots and among his horsemen, and some will have to run before his chariots; 12 and to appoint for himself chiefs over thousands and chiefs over fifties, and [some] to do his plowing and to reap his harvest and to make his war instruments and his chariot instruments. 13 And YOUR daughters he will take for ointment mixers and cooks and bakers. 14 And YOUR fields and YOUR vineyards and YOUR olive groves, the best ones, he will take and actually give to his servants. 15 And of YOUR fields of seed and of YOUR vineyards he will take the tenth, and he will certainly give [them] to his court officials and his servants. 16 And YOUR menservants and YOUR maidservants and YOUR best herds, and YOUR asses he will take, and he will have to use them for his work. 17 Of YOUR flocks he will take the tenth, and YOU yourselves will become his as servants. 18 And YOU will certainly cry out in that day by reason of YOUR king, whom YOU have chosen for yourselves, but Jehovah will not answer YOU in that day.” 19 However, the people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel and said: “No, but a king is what will come to be over us. 20 And we must become, we also, like all the nations, and our king must judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.” 21 And Samuel gave a hearing to all the words of the people; then he spoke them in the ears of Jehovah. 22 And Jehovah proceeded to say to Samuel: “Listen to their voice, and you must cause a king to reign for them.” Accordingly Samuel said to the men of Israel: “Go each one to his city.” Later it was said that the king sat on Jehovah’s throne. Does this imply that Jehovah acquiesced and used this institution? (1 Chronicles 29:23) 23 And Sol´o•mon began to sit upon Jehovah’s throne as king in place of David his father and to make a success of it, and all the Israelites were obedient to him. Other examples of the latitude given to Israel may be found in the establishment and observances of the Festival of Lots and the Festival of Dedication. A case previously mentioned is the Sanhedrin and Jesus did give counsel to be obedient to the Jewish leaders to some extent. (Matthew 23:1-3) 23 Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying: 2 “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the seat of Moses. 3 Therefore all the things they tell YOU, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds, for they say but do not perform. After Jesus’ death the 1st century congregations developed authority structures in the form of elders & ministerial servants or bishops & deacons or whatever they are labeled. (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; (Hebrews 13:17) 17 Be obedient to those who are taking the lead among YOU and be submissive, for they are keeping watch over YOUR souls as those who will render an account; that they may do this with joy and not with sighing, for this would be damaging to YOU. Based on past history, if Jehovah has begun to gather a group of people to serve him, they would have a certain amount of latitude in developing their authority structures, including creating a GB in spite of the fact that one did not exist in the first century. Summary: The point is that an authority structure does not have to be established through divine intervention in order to be legitimate. The Sanhedrin did have some legitimate authority notwithstanding the self-aggrandizing claims about their origin. The consistent pattern shown by those in authority is to abuse it. This pattern has held true in every human social structure, whether established by Jehovah or not. The pattern holds true even among JWs where apparently those in authority want us to be in absolute subjection to them in contrast to every other human authority which are quite correctly viewed as deserving only relative subjection.