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:
I am a witness. And I would like to believe I “do get it”. First of all I would like to accept the extension of friendship offered by the Bible Students. And offer my friendship to you in brotherly love. If you are a lover of Jehovah and his Son than you are a friend of mine. I very much agree with most of the statements made by Vinny
(“The WT Society and Jehovah’s Witnesses are a MAN-originating, men-run, high controlling religious cult-like institution, rather than what they tell people they are (God’s appointed Channel/Organization/People nonsense).
The facts prove without a doubt that God was never behind any of this:
http://home.tiscali.nl/t661020/wtcitaten/part2.htm
ALL FROM THEIR OWN LITERATURE WITH DATES AND PAGES TO SEE FOR YOURSELVES!!!
We got False End of the World Predictions all over the place, medical disasterous policies – FORCED on JW’s at risk of extreme shunning.
We got flip flops, blinking lights, wacky science, historical failures, arrogance, judging other religions and people of those religions and LOADS of WT Society embarrassments and humiliations throughout their entire 100+ year history!
God had nothing to do with all that nonsense that was called, “Food from God” by all JW’s even down to this day.
It was WRONG when it first came off the presses!
So why are some today opposed to Jehovah’s Witness and their policies?
DEAD PEOPLE is why.
RUINED LIVES is why.
FALSE PROPHECIES is why.
An arrogant, controlling Religious Institution is why.
They are WRONG ON BLOOD TODAY (for 68 years now).
They are WRONG ON SHUNNING those that simply walk away from the JW religion today. (nowhere in bible)
They are WRONG 607 BCE and 1914.
They were WRONG ABOUT FORBIDDING Vaccinations, Organ Transplants, Alternative Service and much more.
They were wrong on ALL OF THEIR End of World Predictions in writing. Wrong on marital infidelity rules, rape rules, beards, 1935, Beth Sarim and too many things to bother listing here.
Did ((( GOD ))) make all of these terrible decisions to force on all the JW’s as “food at the proper time”, and then change his mind later on?
Or was is just a bunch of MEN, that make up the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses (sitting up in some Brooklyn office somewhere) making these poor decisions, FORCING them on all JW’s and then afterwards conveniently change their mind?
Does God serve Bad Food like this?
Perhaps He is not a very good cook?
Shunning people for disagreements is NOT scriptural!
Shunning people for walking away from the JW faith is NOT scriptural!
This is a CONTROL mechanism. And it often works. It is a gross misapplication of scripture to keep the average JW towing the line.
THERE IS A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN UNITY AND FORCED UNIFORMITY.
Jw’s are not allowed to even THINK differently.
I WAS a JW, and an elder as well, until recently in 2006 when I walked away. I am very familiar with how they are actually WORSE than most other faiths today. I am shunned for walking away. People today and for the last 80 years have died, without reason, due to the WT medical policies forced on all JW’s.
Each week is filled with a list of JW obligations that basically OWN YOU. You are told what you can read, what movies are acceptable, what association is acceptable, what facial hair is okay. What you can celebrate and cannot. What words you are allowed to use.
What is allowed in your own bedroom with your wife. And too many other things to list here again. Before knowing all the facts and believing they were God’s True Channel, one can go a very long way to justify all of these things. Take away that one true faith belief and so falls the rest.
I have been there and done all that.
JW’s are told they cannot take blood transfusions in situations where they might need one (such as through accidents or complications with surgery, pregnancy or child birth).
So, naturally, more JW’s will die.
Just like this mother died unnecessarily!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/shropshire/7078455.stm
And now her husband has no wife and her two new twins have no mother.
And all for what?
Or this teenager that also DIED: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/west_midlands/8690785.stm
This is very simple. JW’s NEEDLESSLY die for this sorry blood policy today.
From the same organization that has an entire 100 + year history of similar bad and embarrasing policies.
This is why I suggest to anybody thinking of becoming a JW … to READ READ AND READ UP ON THIS RELIGION FIRST!
The proof will clearly stand out that the JW faith is not what they try to tell people they are!
The facts are Irrefutable.”)
and others who are basically saying the same thing. What I do not personally agree with is the tone of the argument and just some of the bias wording. That being said the facts are irrefutable that the Watchtower has been on many accounts in error. But what is worse is that no one has repented and said we were WRONG. But there is also another irrefutable fact about Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Watchtower BTS. (Yes I separate them for good reason) That is the preaching work. No one can refute this is being done by them as Jesus commanded and prophesied would be done. Although there is falsehood in some of the doctrines and a Pharisaic attitude by the leadership they have no part in Babylonian false religious practices and are very zealously preaching the Good News of the Kingdom throughout the earth. This (amongst other things) tells me that Jehovah’s Witnesses are God’s people today. Not to say His people are not to be found in other places too. (Individually and groups)
I believe that 2 Thess. 2:1-12 should be applied to the WTBTS and their Governing Body “(2 However, brothers, respecting the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we request of YOU 2 not to be quickly shaken from YOUR reason nor to be excited either through an inspired expression or through a verbal message or through a letter as though from us, to the effect that the day of Jehovah is here.
3 Let no one seduce YOU in any manner, because it will not come unless the apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness gets revealed, the son of destruction. 4 He is set in opposition and lifts himself up over everyone who is called “god” or an object of reverence, so that he sits down in the temple of The God, publicly showing himself to be a god. 5 Do YOU not remember that, while I was yet with YOU, I used to tell YOU these things?
6 And so now YOU know the thing that acts as a restraint, with a view to his being revealed in his own due time. 7 True, the mystery of this lawlessness is already at work; but only till he who is right now acting as a restraint gets to be out of the way. 8 Then, indeed, the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will do away with by the spirit of his mouth and bring to nothing by the manifestation of his presence. 9 But the lawless one’s presence is according to the operation of Satan with every powerful work and lying signs and portents 10 and with every unrighteous deception for those who are perishing, as a retribution because they did not accept the love of the truth that they might be saved. 11 So that is why God lets an operation of error go to them, that they may get to believing the lie, 12 in order that they all may be judged because they did not believe the truth but took pleasure in unrighteousness.)”
This is the pattern with human rule. Jeremiah 10:23 Says: “I well know, O Jehovah, that to earthling man his way does not belong. It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step.” We were not made to rule ourselves and when any group of people get together and decide to “govern” the everyday affairs,no matter the nobility, that Jehovah has clearly left up to our God given Bible trained conscience it will fail and lead to the domination of man over man to his injury. (Eccl. 8:9) This is how it becomes “according to the operation of Satan”. The “lie” that God allows all those who do not love the true to believe is that Jesus declared in 1918-1919 the small group of “Bible Student” (not the Bible Students of this site, but who would be latter known as the Governing Body of the WTBTS and Jehovah’s Witnesses) his Faithful and Discreet Slave and appointed them over all his belongings.
It is because of the need to believe this lie that all of the other falsehoods have to be kept. So The GB has become the Evil Slave of Matt. 24:48-49 and the “Man of Lawlessness” of 2 Thess. 2:3 which are, I believe, one and the same.
What is interesting is that the Man of Lawlessness seats himself at the head of God’s household, His “Temple”. And the Evil slave must have at one time been a faithful servant of Jehovah. This I believe shows that a very destructive influence will be heading God’s household in the time of the end.
This to me is the second most powerful evidence to show that Jehovah’s Witnesses are a main part of God’s Household or Temple on the earth at this time. Because that as we all know is what is happening at the WTBTS with the GB.
This to me make what Jesus said at Matt. 24:13 more important than ever before. “But he that has endured to the end is the one that will be saved.” It has nothing to do with what is going on outside of Jehovah’s Household. We must endure what is happening on the inside. That is the real struggle.
There is a great website I have found for those who would like help in understanding some of these things. http://perimeno.ca This is not my site but I believe it can greatly help any JW who is struggling with these things.
The Lingdow
Emunah -It seems to me that the issue of whether Paul was the replacement for Judas is incidental to our discussion on whether the Bible supports the concept of a governing body. However, since you have brought up the topic, let me acknowledge that I understand that this is an issue of debate among Christians. My own opinion was that the Apostles were correct in understanding from scripture that Judas was supposed to be replaced. (Acts 1:21) However, I believe that the actions of these young and inexperienced Apostles were premature, even though their motives were good. Jesus had selected the original twelve and also selected Paul as the replacement (Acts 9:15)
You made a mistake and I’ve waded through many of the comments to see if any of the JWs, who brag about their bible knowledge would get it. So far they didn’t. (No surprise to me, for the only scriptures they are familiar with are those that ‘prove’ Watchtow3er teachings.
Your statement,
“Of course, the twelve Apostles were chosen directly by Jesus, but they had no replacements (except, of course, Paul replaced Judas).”
Is wrong. Paul did NOT replace Judas as one of the 12!. Acts 1:20-26 describes how and who was chosen to replace Judas Iscariot.
Paul was alone in claiming he had been appointed Apostle by the risen Christ. No one else witnessed that. If anyone here – JW or otherwise – can show scriptural validation by those Jesus chose while on earth I’d sure like to see it.
To admin:
This is Jarda’s message as translated by Bing:
“I’m starting with brother and I’d like to address the baristas understanding pokřtěnou sister to marriage. “I’m from Bohemia. If such rubric. comments are here and I feel so great that I’m on a good track, Jarda”
Jsem začínající bratr a chtěl bych poprosit o adresu na seznámení s pokřtěnou sestrou za účelem sňatku.Jsem z Čech.Je-li taková rubrika.Komentáře jsou zde krásné a tak cítím,že jsem na dobré stopě,Jarda
Translated: I am starting a brother and I would ask for the address of the introduction to his sister were baptized for the sňatku.Jsem Čech.Je if such rubrika.Komentáře are so beautiful and I feel that I have a good track, Jarda
[Administrator note: we apologize, but we are having trouble translating and understanding this message.]
Bravo. I prefer not to judge as commanded by our Lord Jesus Christ however he did say that by their fruits you will recognise true followers. Everything you say is spot on, I know from first hand experience and I would say these are very bad apples indeed. May the Lord come soon and expose all our deeds good and bad then we will all know the truth about ourselves.
@Vinny
“Each week is filled with a list of JW obligations that basically OWN YOU. You are told what you can read, what movies are acceptable, what association is acceptable, what facial hair is okay. What you can celebrate and cannot. What words you are allowed to use. What is allowed in your own bedroom with your wife. And too many other things to list here again.”
I assume you are referring to the WT magazine, which provides suggestions for readers. People can take the advice or leave it, as Paul said, “All things are lawful for me; but not all things are advantageous. All things are lawful for me; but I will not let myself be brought under authority by anything.” (1 Corinth 6:12)
@Peter
“If you thoroughly study a Bible Topic and come to a conclusion that you later find differs from the Governing Body’s position, don’t you believe that you must conform to their point of view?”
I suppose how you reacted to a situation like this would depend on how you viewed the governing body. For example: If a child carfully considers his options and then comes to the conclusion that brownies for breakfast is a good idea, but his father has a different point of view, would the father’s point of view be wrong simply because the child’s was different? Is the experience, wisdom, and love of the father being taken into consideration when comparing the different conclusions? See also: Heb 13:17, Acts 20:28, Prov 19:3
The Watchtower is part of the channel the Organization uses to direct. Many changes in policy have appeared in the Watchtower and the Awake; new food, new light, etc. Claiming they are suggestions is false. If you do something that is expressly forbidden in a Watchtower or any other directive publication from the Organization, you can be disfellowshipped. Things that are forbidden: smoking, blood transfusions, sex before marriage, working for a government or religious organization. You CAN take the advice or leave it, but many people are cut off from their family and loved ones if they leave it, and this is especially harmful if that person was raised in the religion.
Plus you ignore that there are many publications by this organization, not just the Watchtower, and all of these are considered spiritual food and direction from the Organization.
Do you really consider yourself a child mentally to be led by the Governing Body? Is it not possible to read the Bible and understand it with the help of God’s holy spirit? And do you consider previous policies of disfellowshipping for oral sex between married couples, receiving organ transplants, or receiving transfusions of fractions of fractions of blood; examples of experience, wisdom, and love? How many people died or were disfellowshipped because of these previous policies? How many were reinstated after it changed? How many children die because their parents refuse them transfusions in a life-threatening emergency?
I recommend you read Matthew 12:3-14; Mark 2:21-28;3:1-6. Jesus was always clear that doing good and showing love were more important than following the letter of the law, like the Pharisees.
There is one mention of abstaining from blood in the Greek Scriptures. Acts 21:23. And consider it in the context of Paul and John advising the Gentile Christians how to get along with the Jews and Jewish Christians at the temple. Read the whole chapter.
Further, every mention against blood in the Hebrew Scriptures is against EATING blood. I fail to see how a transfusion is eating blood. So why aren’t you told not to breastfeed since white blood cells, which you cannot transfuse, are fed to the child through a mother’s milk? You could buy formula and obey God. This policy is not love and parents are giving up their children and their children’s right to life by following it. Pharisees no doubt.
The WT Society and Jehovah’s Witnesses are a MAN-originating, men-run, high controlling religious cult-like institution, rather than what they tell people they are (God’s appointed Channel/Organization/People nonsense).
The facts prove without a doubt that God was never behind any of this:
http://home.tiscali.nl/t661020/wtcitaten/part2.htm
ALL FROM THEIR OWN LITERATURE WITH DATES AND PAGES TO SEE FOR YOURSELVES!!!
We got False End of the World Predictions all over the place, medical disasterous policies – FORCED on JW’s at risk of extreme shunning.
We got flip flops, blinking lights, wacky science, historical failures, arrogance, judging other religions and people of those religions and LOADS of WT Society embarrassments and humiliations throughout their entire 100+ year history!
God had nothing to do with all that nonsense that was called, “Food from God” by all JW’s even down to this day.
It was WRONG when it first came off the presses!
So why are some today opposed to Jehovah’s Witness and their policies?
DEAD PEOPLE is why.
RUINED LIVES is why.
FALSE PROPHECIES is why.
An arrogant, controlling Religious Institution is why.
They are WRONG ON BLOOD TODAY (for 68 years now).
They are WRONG ON SHUNNING those that simply walk away from the JW religion today. (nowhere in bible)
They are WRONG 607 BCE and 1914.
They were WRONG ABOUT FORBIDDING Vaccinations, Organ Transplants, Alternative Service and much more.
They were wrong on ALL OF THEIR End of World Predictions in writing. Wrong on marital infidelity rules, rape rules, beards, 1935, Beth Sarim and too many things to bother listing here.
Did ((( GOD ))) make all of these terrible decisions to force on all the JW’s as “food at the proper time”, and then change his mind later on?
Or was is just a bunch of MEN, that make up the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses (sitting up in some Brooklyn office somewhere) making these poor decisions, FORCING them on all JW’s and then afterwards conveniently change their mind?
Does God serve Bad Food like this?
Perhaps He is not a very good cook?
Shunning people for disagreements is NOT scriptural!
Shunning people for walking away from the JW faith is NOT scriptural!
This is a CONTROL mechanism. And it often works. It is a gross misapplication of scripture to keep the average JW towing the line.
THERE IS A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN UNITY AND FORCED UNIFORMITY.
Jw’s are not allowed to even THINK differently.
I WAS a JW, and an elder as well, until recently in 2006 when I walked away. I am very familiar with how they are actually WORSE than most other faiths today. I am shunned for walking away. People today and for the last 80 years have died, without reason, due to the WT medical policies forced on all JW’s.
Each week is filled with a list of JW obligations that basically OWN YOU. You are told what you can read, what movies are acceptable, what association is acceptable, what facial hair is okay. What you can celebrate and cannot. What words you are allowed to use.
What is allowed in your own bedroom with your wife. And too many other things to list here again. Before knowing all the facts and believing they were God’s True Channel, one can go a very long way to justify all of these things. Take away that one true faith belief and so falls the rest.
I have been there and done all that.
JW’s are told they cannot take blood transfusions in situations where they might need one (such as through accidents or complications with surgery, pregnancy or child birth).
So, naturally, more JW’s will die.
Just like this mother died unnecessarily!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/shropshire/7078455.stm
And now her husband has no wife and her two new twins have no mother.
And all for what?
Or this teenager that also DIED: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/west_midlands/8690785.stm
This is very simple. JW’s NEEDLESSLY die for this sorry blood policy today.
From the same organization that has an entire 100 + year history of similar bad and embarrasing policies.
This is why I suggest to anybody thinking of becoming a JW … to READ READ AND READ UP ON THIS RELIGION FIRST!
The proof will clearly stand out that the JW faith is not what they try to tell people they are!
The facts are Irrefutable.
Vinny
i am i JW and i deeply belive in what my god and his preomises. the blood polocy is for our own goos, study deep on it and see all by your self god those exist and he always has been there and will be there. am only 13 and there is not any body out there with the reason to say JW are such type of person.
Anonymous,
Hello, how are you? So glad to see such a young one interested in Spiritual things. This is Vinny’s experience, yours seems to be a happy one, and that is good.
You keep going to meetings with your family, you can learn a lot at the kingdom hall. Also please keep believing in God and his promises, they will come true.
Take care and may Jehovah be with you and your family. Peace Jacqueline
Just wonder how in good concience you call youselves friends of when you are spreading half truths and outright falsehoods?
Edward – We are sorry to have offended you. We do consider ourselves your friends. We believe that most JWs love Jehovah with all their heart and only want to serve him with all their time and energy. We seek an honest and equal dialogue with you. However, we believe that the Governing Body prevents your liberty in Christ to allow Jehovah’s Holy Spirit guide you. For example, if you thoroughly study a Bible Topic and come to a conclusion that you later find differs from the Governing Body’s position, don’t you believe that you must conform to their point of view, even when your objective examination of all the evidence leads you to a different conclusion?
What are the half truths and falsehoods you speak of? If we you can show we are in error, we are very very anxious to hear what you have to say. If we can be convinced we are wrong, we are prepared to retract and apologize.
Yes , it does!!
Thank you Ted. Maybe we are mistaken. Please give us your scriptural evidence for believing that the JW Governing Body is appointed by God to direct the organization and all the JWs in it. We are always glad to review the scriptural evidence.