The Governing Body and its Authority:
Why are its members prepared to be so submissive to the Society?
It is because they have accepted that it is “God’s Channel of Truth” for these last days.
But much more importantly it is: “Jehovah’s Prophet”.
Throughout the history of the Watchtower Society, its presidents and Governing Body have wielded tremendous authority and control over the members.
This has been accomplished by this small select group claiming to be the faithful and discreet slave class of Matthew 24:45-47.
They not only claim to be “God’s Channel of Truth” and “spokesmen”, but have even boldly claimed being “Jehovah’s Prophet”.
( See this study about their prophet.)
It is because they have accepted that it is “God’s Channel of Truth” for these last days.
But much more importantly it is: “Jehovah’s Prophet”.
Throughout the history of the Watchtower Society, its presidents and Governing Body have wielded tremendous authority and control over the members.
This has been accomplished by this small select group claiming to be the faithful and discreet slave class of Matthew 24:45-47.
They not only claim to be “God’s Channel of Truth” and “spokesmen”, but have even boldly claimed being “Jehovah’s Prophet”.
( See this study about their prophet.)
THE GOVERNING BODY:
In Crisis of Conscience (1983), Raymond Franz the author, who was a former member of the Governing Body explains:
“Jehovah’s Witnesses understand that Christ Jesus, as Head of the congregation, feeds and governs his congregation by means of a “faithful and discreet slave” class. This class is now composed of a remnant of the 144,000 persons anointed as heirs of Christ’s heavenly kingdom. But from among such a class there is a small number of men who act as a Governing Body and perform all administrative functions for the global congregation.”
Raymond Franz then describes how the Governing Body performs “all the administrative functions for the global congregation”, - thus controlling the lives of Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide. He tells how it makes its own laws and restrictions.
If its members do not conform to them at the time they are cruelly disfellowshipped.
Often these laws after doing untold damage to the members are later rescinded:
Vaccinations. Forbidden in 1935 but allowed in 1952. Many children died in epidemics of diphtheria etc.
Organ Transplants. Condemned as cannibalism in 1967. Allowed in 1980.
Sexual Practices. In 1969, the Watchtower (pp. 765,766) and in 1972 (pp. 734-736) defined how married couples should perform in the privacy of their own bedrooms. This lead to many marriage break ups. It was rescinded in 1978.
SUBMISSION
At all times members are expected to be loyal to the Society and submissive:
“Jehovah’s Witnesses understand that Christ Jesus, as Head of the congregation, feeds and governs his congregation by means of a “faithful and discreet slave” class. This class is now composed of a remnant of the 144,000 persons anointed as heirs of Christ’s heavenly kingdom. But from among such a class there is a small number of men who act as a Governing Body and perform all administrative functions for the global congregation.”
Raymond Franz then describes how the Governing Body performs “all the administrative functions for the global congregation”, - thus controlling the lives of Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide. He tells how it makes its own laws and restrictions.
If its members do not conform to them at the time they are cruelly disfellowshipped.
Often these laws after doing untold damage to the members are later rescinded:
Vaccinations. Forbidden in 1935 but allowed in 1952. Many children died in epidemics of diphtheria etc.
Organ Transplants. Condemned as cannibalism in 1967. Allowed in 1980.
Sexual Practices. In 1969, the Watchtower (pp. 765,766) and in 1972 (pp. 734-736) defined how married couples should perform in the privacy of their own bedrooms. This lead to many marriage break ups. It was rescinded in 1978.
SUBMISSION
At all times members are expected to be loyal to the Society and submissive:
DISFELLOWSHIPPING
If a person after joining the Society is not submissive and begins to question it, they will run the risk of being disfellowshipped.
A disfellowshipped person is not allowed to talk to or interact with their former friends in the congregation. They are not even to greet them.
However, this was not the way Jesus treated His straying sheep.
Matthew 18:12-17. NWT. “What do you think? If a man has 100 sheep and one of them strays, will he not leave the 99 on the mountains and set out on a search for the one that is straying? 13 And if he finds it, I certainly tell you, he rejoices more over it than over the 99 that have not strayed. 14 Likewise, it is not a desirable thing to my Father who is in heaven for even one of these little ones to perish. 15 “Moreover, if your brother commits a sin, go and reveal his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take along with you one or two more, so that on the testimony of two or three witnesses every matter may be established. 17 If he does not listen to them, speak to the congregation. If he does not listen even to the congregation, let him be to you just as a man of the nations and as a tax collector.
He tells of lovingly going after these sheep. Even if they refuse to be helped they are not to be shunned but treated as “a man of the nations and as a tax collector” with whom they talked and interacted.
Only Witnesses who have been disfellowshipped can begin to describe the pain and loneliness they have to endure as they are isolated from friends and loved ones. Some have even committed suicide in their anguish.
This is a cruel form of blackmail used by the Society to hold its members. Many who have realized it is in error have chosen to stay with it rather than sacrifice loved ones and friends.
I have personally seen Witnesses come out and they have found new friends within weeks. Their spiritual lives have grow stronger and also their love for Christ. Please love these people as Christ loves you. Be there to support them and don't condemn them.
If a person after joining the Society is not submissive and begins to question it, they will run the risk of being disfellowshipped.
A disfellowshipped person is not allowed to talk to or interact with their former friends in the congregation. They are not even to greet them.
However, this was not the way Jesus treated His straying sheep.
Matthew 18:12-17. NWT. “What do you think? If a man has 100 sheep and one of them strays, will he not leave the 99 on the mountains and set out on a search for the one that is straying? 13 And if he finds it, I certainly tell you, he rejoices more over it than over the 99 that have not strayed. 14 Likewise, it is not a desirable thing to my Father who is in heaven for even one of these little ones to perish. 15 “Moreover, if your brother commits a sin, go and reveal his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take along with you one or two more, so that on the testimony of two or three witnesses every matter may be established. 17 If he does not listen to them, speak to the congregation. If he does not listen even to the congregation, let him be to you just as a man of the nations and as a tax collector.
He tells of lovingly going after these sheep. Even if they refuse to be helped they are not to be shunned but treated as “a man of the nations and as a tax collector” with whom they talked and interacted.
Only Witnesses who have been disfellowshipped can begin to describe the pain and loneliness they have to endure as they are isolated from friends and loved ones. Some have even committed suicide in their anguish.
This is a cruel form of blackmail used by the Society to hold its members. Many who have realized it is in error have chosen to stay with it rather than sacrifice loved ones and friends.
I have personally seen Witnesses come out and they have found new friends within weeks. Their spiritual lives have grow stronger and also their love for Christ. Please love these people as Christ loves you. Be there to support them and don't condemn them.
