The Watch Tower Society originally used the term “governing body” in a strict legal sense, and in fact, used the term quite sparingly. As stated in the Watchtower, it was not until “the year 1944 the Watchtower magazine began to speak about the governing body of the Christian congregation (italics theirs).” (Watchtower, Dec. 15, 1971, p. 755) Since the 1950s, the term would frequently be used to refer to the first century, making assertions such as, “The apostle Paul belonged to the governing body in the first century” (Watchtower, April 15, 1951, p. 235 par. 7) without citing any scriptural backup. On the other hand, the magazine described the modern day “Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, [as] the governing body of Jehovah’s Witnesses.” (Watchtower, Jan. 1, 1950, p. 10 par. 2)
Election of Leaders by Congregation Voting. In the Early Church, brethren met in various cities—Jerusalem, Antioch, Corinth, Thessonalica— often meeting in homes (Acts 11:22:13:1; 1Corinthians 1:2; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; Romans 16:5; Colossians 4:15). Each ecclesia (church group) was autonomous electing its own leaders, its own “Elders—those not necessarily advanced in age, but mature in character.
Acts 14:23 “And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.”
How did they “ordain” their leaders? The Greek for “ordained” is “cheirotoneo from a comparative of NT:5495 and teino (to stretch); to be a hand-reacher or voter (by raising the hand).” (Strong’s #5500). Early Christians had the responsibility of voting for their Elders by the stretching forth of their hands!
Twelve Apostles not Succeeded in Authority. The twelve Apostles were chosen directly by Jesus, but they had no replacements except, of course, Paul replaced Judas. Just as Jesus selected the original twelve, he selected Paul as a replacement (Acts 9:15). The other Apostles were well meaning, but premature in selecting the replacement Apostle themselves (Acts 1:26). Inspired by God, they were the “twelve stars” crowning the head of the Early Church (Revelation 12:1); also identified the twelve foundations of the New Jerusalem (Acts 21:14). It would be hard to imagine that Paul as the greatest of the Apostles, would not be numbered among this special group of twelve. There was no “apostolic succession” of any kind for a body of leadership authority through the Christian Age.
The only time one ecclesia recommended a ruling to the brethren at large was when a Jerusalem counsel decided that the Gentile brethren should not be forced to circumcise. And, of course, at that time, there were actual Apostles in the ecclesia of Jerusalem making that recommendation [decree] to “abstain from meat offered to idols…” (Acts 15:22-29).
The independence of the Early Church is attested to by the fact that there were factions among the Corinthian brethren, some following either Paul, Peter or Apollos. Paul said in 1 Cor 3:6-7, “I planted, A-pol’los watered, but God kept making it grow; so that neither is he that plants anything nor is he that waters, but God who makes it grow.” NWT. Paul humbly said that He and Apollos were not anything. Paul did not rule over the brethren. In 1 Thes 2:7 he said, ” we became gentle in the midst of YOU, as when a nursing mother cherishes her own children.” NWT
Alas, as prophetically predicted, very soon the Christian Church evolved into dividing between “clergy” and “laity.” (Acts 20:29; Matt 13:25; Rev 2:20; 1 Jn 2:18; 2 Thes 2:3) On the one hand, some grasping for power took advantage of those ready to let go of their responsibility of electing their own leadership. Gradually a tower of authority built up with priests, bishops and finally a “pope.” Again, the responsibility for decisions and authority to choose leader in the Ecclesia rests with the congregation.
Qualifications for Leadership as Basis for Voting. While the Apostle Paul said the Ecclesia is to submit to and obey those which have “rule over you” (Hebrews 13:7, 17)—Paul also laid guidelines for selecting and voting for those who in the first place would be acceptable leader as an overseer!
When Paul gave Titus the responsibility for instructing new Ecclesias in Crete for organizing their leadership—he certainly was consistent with what he arranged earlier (Acts 14:23). “For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain (elect) elders in every city, as I had appointed thee” (Titus 1:5).
Each congregation was responsible for electing Elders who qualified. He then laid out the qualifications for evaluation by the Ecclesia members quite clearly:
- Above reproach (Titus 1:6);
- Husband of one wife with children not unruly;
- Not self-willed, quick-tempered or addicted to wine;
- No striker; not given to filthy lucre (Titus 1:7);
- Hospitable, sensible, just, self-controlled (Titus 1:8);
- Holding fast the faithful word; able to exhort in sound doctrine (1:9)
In his letter to Timothy, Apostle Paul similarly lines up the qualifications for voting for overseers:
- Blameless, the husband of one wife (1 Timothy 3:1,2):
- Vigilant, sober, of good beheaviore, givento hospitality:
- Apt to teach (1 Timothy 3:2);
- Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre;
- Patient, not a brawler, not covetous (1 Timothy 3:3);
- Having his children in subjection with all gravity (1 Timothy 3:4);
- Not a notive (1 Timothy 3:7);
- Of good report of them which are without (1 Timothy 3:7)
Individual Responsibility for Raising the Hand in Voting. Thus, the Ecclesia is given criteria for voting wisely and determining Jehovah’s will for the the selection of their teachers and instructors. Congregations do NOT need to have an outside authoritative body of leaders to tell them what to do and what to think and what to change for “new light.”
Each member is responsible for attempting to determine the LORD’s will and expressing it in voting by the raising of his/her hand. So Bible Students base their leadership selection—as well as activity selections—by the voting of the Ecclesia.
MORE ON ELECTION OF ELDERS BY VOTE
According to the Bible, the election of elders was practiced in the Early Church. The eventual elimination of this practice gradually led to Elders becoming the Lord’s of the Church, rather than its servants and opened the way for the development of the Antichrist system.
Paul and Barnabas went around to all the churches and conducted the election of Elders.
Acts 14: 23 – And in every Church, after prayer and fasting, they selected Elders by show of hands, and commended them to the Lord on whom their faith rested. – Weymouth
Rotherham and Young’s Literal translation say, “appointed to them by vote elders in every assembly.”
RVIC Revised Version Improved and Corrected says, “elected elders.”
In 2 Corinthians Paul speaks of a brother who was elected by the churches to travel with him:
2 Cor 8:19 – … he is the one who was chosen by the vote of the Churches to travel with us… – Weymouth
In another example, we recall that the Apostles asked the Jerusalem Church to select seven deacons.
Acts 6:3 Therefore, brethren, pick out from among yourselves seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, and we will appoint them to undertake this duty. Weymouth
Who would have challenged the Apostles had they exerted their influence to appoint deacons themselves. Yet instead they humbly asked the Ecclesia to make this selection.
OUR LIBERTY IN CHRIST
Romans 14:4 Who are you to judge the house servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for Jehovah can make him stand. – NWT
2 Tim 2:7 – 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. – NKJV
Gal 5:1 – Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. NKJV
Gal 5:13 – For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. NKJV
2Co 3:17 – …where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. NWT
John 8:31, 32 – And so Jesus went on to say to the Jews that had believed him: “If YOU remain in my word, YOU are really my disciples, and YOU will know the truth, and the truth will set YOU free. NWT
DO BIBLE STUDENTS HAVE A GOVERNING BODY?
To find the answer Click here:
Dear MIke, I strongly encourage you to keep reading the Bible because you will find the truth.Jesus said he would build his church.Think about what that means? There is no such thing as private interpretation when it concerns the word of God which is for all who are seeking him.No man has the authority over Crist.Thank God!!! I love the J.W. people but I feel bad for them because they are being tricked. I almost joined that organization until I started searching for myself the quetions in my heart.I am no longer confused.I understand why you are afraid. That is not right! Keep seeking because you will find what you need and stand on the truth.
Hello everyone,
I was wondering if there are any other Witnesses out there that read the Bible on their own without the Society material? I’ve been studying the Bible the last couple of months alone and researching things I don’t understand and I’ve been surprised at all the information out there that contradicts the Faithful and discreet slave. I’m starting to wonder if I am truly “in the truth” as they have taught us. The more I read Jehovah word on my own, the more I realize that it was written for all to understand not just a few. Even the Bible says to “test all things” including the society. Is there anyone out there that feels the same. I would leave my e-mail address, but I know the elders are watching. God Bless
i do,nt care if elders watch us,we have to worry of serving God without of contrite heart,Psalm 51;17….
I am single indepoendent Bible born again child of God from GODS SPIRIT OF OF GOD AND GODS VOICE OF SHEPHERD BIBLE.
bIBLE IS GODS WORD WRITTEN DIRECTLY BY GOD JER 36;1-4.bIBLE IS OWN DICTONARY,OWN INTERPREATATOR,AND HAVE ONLY ONE SALVATION WITHOUT OF MAN MADE DOCTRINES.
if you want to know more about beauty of the Bible just read 2 Tym 3;16 and 2 Peter 2; 1-20 AND AFTER DEEP PRAY TO OUR HEVENLY FATHER ? YOU CAN CONTACT ME E-MAIL.steckosam@aol.com I only will show you beauty of Bible not my own doctrines Bible have full basket of all kind of spiritual riches and food,spiritual diamonds,gold,silver,bananas.aples,honey etc….all kind of spirtual nutritions to keep you spiritualy day by day healthy and grow more and more in mercy and grace of our wonderfull Prinze of Peace,Everlasting Father Wonderfull Cancelour
Izaiah 9;6
just do,nt pay atention of your elders ,contact me? I will explain you independency and christian freedom having not yoke of man Gal 5;1 but free yoke of Christ Mat 11;29
Hi my Brothers and sisters, My Name is Babalwa NAse And currently residing in Cape Town (SA). Im also a baptised Jehovahs Witness, Im looking for witnesses in Germany who would be able to accomodate me and my friends (who are also witnesses)who are coming for a vacation in germany for the September Month 2011. If any of you is willing can they please contact me on my email Babalwa.Nase@capetown.gov.za or +27734859164.
thanks alot
regards
Babalwa
Hi Babalwa, Thanks for visiting the site.
A vacation is always good. I would suggest you contact the Bethel in Germany or web search kingdom halls in the German territory to find the Kingdom Hall that is nearest to the city you will travel to. Hope you are successful. Enjoy my friend and brother
I came last year 2009 from germany being JW past 32 years…none of b/s through Bethel Selters is going to help you through organization if you by himself private do,nt find somebody who is able as JW to help you in vacation.I would,nt put trust in b/s Jw on your place only. I ENCOURAGE YOU TO PRAY AND ASK OUR HEAVENLY FATHER FOR HELP HE IS ABLE TO GIVE YOU HIS HELP ACCORDING TO HIS MERCY AND GRACE
Hello everybody!
I am a woman in Hungary. I am Jehova’s Whitness. I would like to contact the witnesses in Texas. I am married, have a son too. Thank you in advance to who writes to me. My e-mail adress: nemtalalt@citromail.hu
Bye!
Hello Sis. Kristina and welcome,
Texas is very big. Do you have friends in a specific city? Are you a Bible Student? These answers will allow us to help you. Will wait for your reply.
Meanwhile enjoy the site. Christian Love, Jacqueline
JackV5, PeterK Anonymous and Jacqueline, What did you give up?!?!?!? I grew up in the world. It’s nasty. Jah doesn’t require anything more than you can give. Don’t make it sound like you were forced into anything! It’s a choice and we all have to make it. The GB has to keep the congregation clean, like Jah had to cleanse the heavens.
Hi Tyson2011, welcome.
I agree with you it is a choice that we all have to make. I want to say because many have gone ahead of me, they have made it possible for me to make that choice without hinderance, and I thank them. Bro. Raymond Franz is just an example I also hope others will benefit and be able to really study the bible and choose. Many have blazed the trail and energetic elders are now aware that a person as you say may choose to worship whether it is JW or otherwise.
i was a jw for 25 years and in full time service , pioneer for ten years, i left simply the governing bodies attitude to the rank and file, they have total control, power , and will not allow free speech, that is why over700.000 jw have left over the last 10 years. will the governing body wake up to this, i doubt it , they want power 100 percent,
Friend – Between 1918 and about 1931, 75% of the original Bible Students broke away from or were disfellowshipped from association with the Watchtower. This publishing house had morphed from a freedom loving literature and lecture service support center to an iron fisted authority of control over the whole group. Much chaos ensued. But many Bible Students regrouped and we promote the original ideals of our parents and friends from the early watchtower association (the original Bible Students). You have a friend in us. May Jehovah and Jesus continue to bring you comfort, encouragement, courage and strength.
To JackV %Your salvation depends upon YOUR LOYALTY TO & FRIENDSHIP WITH JEHOVAH NOT AN ORGANIZATION! SURELY YOU LEARNED THAT IN 25 YRS! The decision was yours to make & yes it hurts your family & the congregation. All will grieve for a while but when the dust settles everyone goes on with their lives trying to keep themselves & love ones under the wings of protection & love of Jehovah. It’s your life & you are the real loser you showed us all what not to do. Since you were pretending for all those years you must be what the world calls “An Old Fool”! You threw 25 years away! if you saved $25,000. & then decieded not you or anyone you knew could make good use it, so you just poured gas on it & threw a match on it how smart would that be?
Hi anonymous,
I know you weren’t posting me, but, I got something out of your comment where you said, “All will grieve for a while but when the dust settles…..”. That is what happened with my family. I thought I was the first one to leave of over 200 JW, after 60yrs+. I was wrong other family nieces living in different cities were meeting in house churches and small groups, they were just afraid to come out. Now our family is getting closer, those that are still JW are free to express their opinions now without fear of being accused of speaking against the organization. (I guess I am an old fool also.) But a happy and free one. I know about Christ’ role in all of this now, not an organization.
There were some good times, before the GB reared it’s head and got bolder and bolder. At first I didn’t know there was a GB. It sort of just smoothly took over. So there was a time of freedom before 1968. After that it was like a slow moving cancer that has just about consumed the whole body, only little pockets are free of the cancer of the GB. Maybe Jesus will inject chemo. We can rest assured he has the whole world in his hand, and might just decide to excise all the good parts. Either way he has the ball.
Hi, Mrs Researcher,
Glad you posted the snippets. I was copying and paste, that takes longer. So it is official now. The governing body has officially inserted itself between us and God. There are no scriptures in the bible telling us to follow anyone but Christ. It would, could be an act of apostasy to do so.
There are some valid points made in this piece, but one serious mistake as well. First, Paul did not replace Judas as one of the Twelve. Acts 1:21-26 makes it crystal clear that Matthias was chosen as Judas’ replacement. In addition, both Paul and Barnabas are called an “apostles” at Acts 14:14. Their being called “apostles” does not impute any exercise of authority but only that they had been selected for special evangelical work.
As for the issue of elective elders, it is clear that Barnabas and Paul took part in the local congregations’ deliberations about who would serve. However, it is also apparent that they did so as respected Christian men who themselves were qualified to hold such an office and whose opinion on this matter should be sought. In any case, elders were to act as spiritual guides, teachers, and shepherds. They certainly weren’t to lord it over the flock, but instead were to set the example for their fellow Christians in the way a Christian should speak and live, rendering assistance to those whose faith might be weak or who needed encouragement.
That the Twelve Apostles in Jerusalem had any say in this is nowhere indicated in Scripture, nor would it make sense in any case. Given the extremely slow methods of travel and communication as existed in the first century, it would be ludicrous to await confirmation from a distant group who had no knowledge about the recommended men. Better to let the local congregation decide this for itself.
The Twelve did not view themselves as overseers of the entire body of Christian worshipers. Acts 1:21 states they were “witnesses” of Jesus’ resurrection. True, they did gather together to consider the circumcision question, but they did so along with other respected men in the Jerusalem congregation, not excluding those who were also spiritually mature men. As the years went by and that first generation of Christians died off, a slow move toward the installation of a professional clergy class began, with disastrous results.
Thanks Raymond. I think we learn best when there is a free and respectful interchange of thoughts based on God’s inspired word. We are inspired by the eager example of the brethren at Beroea who carefully examined the Old Testament scriptures to see whether what Paul was teaching was really true.
Acts 17:10, 11: Immediately by night the brothers sent both Paul and Silas out to Be-roe’a, and these, upon arriving, went into the synagogue of the Jews. Now the latter were more noble-minded than those in Thes-sa-lo-ni’ca, for they received the word with the greatest eagerness of mind, carefully examining the Scriptures daily as to whether these things were so. – NWT
Each one of us has that liberty and responsibility to prove all things by scripture.
John 8:32 – YOU will know the truth, and the truth will set YOU free. NWT
I am a Bible Student and am associated with this site. I have been following some of the posts and wanted to comment on Paul’s apostleship. It is a lengthy post, but scripturally supported.
This post was posted as an article here: Who replaced Judas as the twelfth apostle?
Hi Bonolo,
It’s wonderful that you desire so much to serve Jehovah at your young age!
Keep studying the Bible to find who He would have you be and what he would have you do.
Here’s something that I think you may like – click on Character Development on the left and then download The Inspiring Story of Daniel in the Lions Den (mp3 file) and listen to it.
Let me know what attracted you to this site – anything of interest?
May the Lord bless you!
Claudia
i love being a jw its the best yhing in my life i am 11 and planning to get baptized so that i can serve jehovah and be a fulltime pioneer during the school holidays