THE GOVERNING BODY

The first question that arises in our investigation here concerns the basis of authority for claiming a special leadership. Does the Bible really teach that Jehovah chose the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses to be His only mouthpiece on earth today?

We understand that Jehovah Witnesses find it difficult to question the appointment of the Governing Body because of what the Society teaches happened in the early church. The argument runs - if there was only one Governing Body then, surely there is only one now; but what did happen in the early church?

According to an article in The Watchtower, 1 November 1984, Paul and other Christians did not make their own decisions on doctrinal matters but received 'authoritative answers' from the elders in Jerusalem. However, we read in another article:

"Was the apostle Paul part of the Christian governing body? It is reasonable to conclude that Paul was a part of the Christian governing body in the first century." - The Watchtower, 1 December 1985, p.31.

The first article tells us that Paul went to Jerusalem to 'explain' the good news he was preaching. However, if as the second article states, Paul was part of the governing body, surely it would know!

Why Did Paul Go To Jerusalem?

A careful look at Galatians chapter 2 helps to show what actually happened:

·  Paul went to those of reputation in Jerusalem because of the revelation given to him by the Lord. (Gal. 2:1-2)

·  The men of reputation in Jerusalem contributed nothing to Paul which is a very strange way of giving an authoritative answer! (Gal. 2:6)

·  The elders simply made a request to Paul and Barnabas that they should remember the poor. (Gal. 2:10)

·  Later, Paul had to oppose Peter, one of the elders from Jerusalem, because he was not living the Christian life in a full and open way. (Gal. 2:11-14)

Do these Scriptures support the Watchtower Society's interpretation of these events? We would suggest not. There was not just one organisation in the New Testament church and, if this true, there is no ground for one organisation today.

WHAT ABOUT THE FAITHFUL AND DISCREET SLAVE?

The teaching about "the Faithful and Discreet Slave" is found in Matthew 24:45 in the New World Translation. It is the title given to the good slave, who, while waiting for his master to return, gives "food in due season" to his fellow slaves. Does the Bible support the Society's claim that the Governing Body of the Watchtower Society is this slave?

An article in The Watchtower, March 1 2004, makes an interesting point:

"'The faithful and discreet slave' cannot be one person" - p.8.

However, if we check other statements made by the Society we find contradictions:

"THE WATCH TOWER unhesitatingly proclaims Brother Russell as 'that faithful and wise servant.'" - The Watchtower Reprints, March 1, 1917, p. 6049

"The Lord Jesus, in his great prophetic statement in Matthew 24:45-47, made known the fact that at the end of the age he would be present and would have a special servant whom he would 'make ruler over all his house to give meat in due season to the household.' "For several years some have recognized and now many more are recognizing, that Pastor Russell is that servant." - The Watchtower Reprints, November 1, 1917, p. 6159

AN INDIVIDUAL OR NOT?

But what is the reasoning, that brings the Society today, to the conclusion that it is not an individual?

"Well, might the term 'faithful and discreet slave' apply in a general sense to each individual Christian? It is true that all Christians must be faithful and discreet; however, Jesus clearly had something more in mind when he spoke of 'the faithful and discreet slave.' How do we know that? Because he said that the 'master on arriving' would appoint the slave 'over all his belongings.' How could each individual Christian be placed over everything - over 'all' of the Lord's belongings? Impossible! The only reasonable conclusion, then, is that Jesus was referring to a group of Christians as 'the faithful and discreet slave.' Can there be such a thing as a composite slave? Yes. Seven hundred years before Christ, Jehovah referred to the entire nation of Israel as 'my witnesses' and 'my servant whom I have chosen.'" - The Watchtower, March 1 2004, p.9.

But does this really refer to the Watchtower Society. Doesn't the context of Matthew 24:42-25:30 make it much more likely to be an individual? It is in the context of being ready for the return of the Master and we cannot do that as a group, it is as an individual that must determine whether he/she is ready or not.

ORIGINAL SERVANT DISMISSED

To show that a group can be referred to in the singular the Society mention the fact that all Israel is termed as a servant. However they then go on to show that this servant was dismissed;

"A 'Servant' Is Dismissed. Since Israel was God's 'servant' centuries ago, was it also the slave that Jesus spoke about? No, for ancient Israel sadly turned out to be neither faithful nor discreet… Israel climaxed a long history of rebellion by rejecting Jesus, at which point Jehovah rejected them… This unfaithfulness on the part of the 'servant,' Israel, did not mean that faithful worshipers would be forever cut off from a spiritual food supply. At Pentecost 33 C.E., 50 days after Jesus' resurrection, holy spirit was poured out upon about 120 of his disciples in an upper room in Jerusalem. At that moment, a new nation was born. Appropriately, its birth was publicized when its members boldly began telling the inhabitants of Jerusalem about "the magnificent things of God." (Acts 2:11) Thus, that new nation, a spiritual nation, became the 'servant' that would declare Jehovah's glory to the nations and supply food at the proper time." - p.8.

Having introduced Israel as 'the servant,' the article goes on to show that Jehovah totally rejected the Jews and they were substituted. But, is this not, bad Biblical exegeses, because as Romans 11 shows, although rejected for a time they will be brought back. Thus, we would suggest, that the Bible shows that the Society cannot be the 'faithful and discreet slave' because they are not giving proper food in due time.

WHAT ABOUT TODAY?

The Society teach that in 1919 Jehovah saw the Watchtower Society as the 'faithful and discreet slave'. But, there appears to be a problem because to be the 'faithful and discreet slave' that group must be giving out good spiritual food. But was the food being given out in 1919, good? We would like to look at this next.

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