"Thus the Bible is an organizational book and belongs to the Christian congregation as an organization, not to individuals, regardless of how sincerely they may believe that they can interpret the Bible." (The Watchtower, Oct. 1, 1967)
"We all need help to understand the Bible, and we cannot find the Scriptural guidance we need outside the ‘faithful and discreet slave' organization." The Watchtower, Feb. 15, 1981
We all need help to understand the Bible, and we cannot find the Scriptural guidance we need outside the ‘faithful and discreet slave' organization." (The Watchtower, Feb. 15, 1981.
2007-04-11 05:24:55 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Good question!
Hurrah for intelligent questions.
2007-04-11 05:30:10 · answer #1 · answered by kristonianinstitution 4 · 4⤊ 8⤋
Using a perfect translation of the bible, a prayerful sincere individual can comprehend bible truth without any additional material or assistance. Many thousands each year recognize in the teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses the plain bible truths which Christendom ignores or betrays.
http://watchtower.org/e/pr/index.htm?article=article_04.htm
A hundred years ago, the publications of Jehovah's Witnesses very occasionally implied that the publications were more worthwhile of study than the bible itself.
That was completely wrong.
Yet even those early Jehovah's Witnesses never implied that their writings were infallible or inspired, or a replacement for the bible. The two quotes mentioned in this question are completely appropriate and should not trouble any Christian whether he is a Jehovah's Witness or not.
Sincere Christians may disagree about what exactly constitutes "the Christian congregation" or what exactly constitutes 'the faithful and discreet slave'. However, the bible makes it plain that the congregation and the slave would be used by Christ.
(Ephesians 3:9-11) The sacred secret is administered which has from the indefinite past been hidden... This was to the end that now to the governments and the authorities in the heavenly places there might be made known through the congregation
(Matthew 24:44-45) The Son of man is coming. “Who really is the faithful and discreet slave whom [Jesus] appointed over his [congregation], to give them their [spiritual] food at the proper time?
'Outside the slave' and 'apart from the congregation' are synonyms for "alienated from Christ".
2007-04-11 09:37:52 · answer #2 · answered by achtung_heiss 7 · 3⤊ 3⤋
"We all need help to understand the Bible, and we cannot find the Scriptural guidance we need outside the 'faithful and discreet slave' organization." The Watchtower, Feb. 15, 1981.
Ok - read Matthew 24:45-47; Nehemiah 8:8; Acts 8:26-33.
And have a nice day.
2007-04-11 05:30:58 · answer #3 · answered by ♥LadyC♥ 6 · 6⤊ 1⤋
What is your point?
Didn't Jesus have to teach his disciples? Didn't Paul have to readjust the congregations?
I could not understand bible prophecies on my own without help from someone who has done a lot more extensive research than me. However, do I agree with their conclusion? Does it make sense? That is were we read and study and come to a knowledge on our own. We do not take someone's word for it?
Every religion has it's doctrines and teaching that did not write themselves. If certain men such as Martin Luther, had not questioned the Catholic church, we would all be Catholic today. Do you feel that the Catholic teaching are all bible based? It is a constant searching for the truth and Jesus said that we would have a helper of the "holy spirit" and that the "faithful and discreet slave" would give us 'food at the proper time". Who do you think is the faithful and discreet slave? You? Or are you so smart, that you don't need God's helper? Where did you get the research for these articles from 1967 to 1981? I doubt you came up with that on your own? Some disgruntal ex-witnesses I'm sure.
Can I read that the "dead are conscious of nothing" that the "soul that is sinning it itself will die" and come to a conclusion that that does not agree with the hellfire and immortality of the soul doctrine...yes I can! Either the bible is correct or man's doctrines are correct. I prefer to believe in the bible.
2007-04-11 05:52:02 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 3⤋
First off, what Bible would you read? There are hundreds. The KJV was created because the Genesis was considered too strict, and even then, it was revised four times during a 150 year time period until it finally met the teachings of the Church of England and was "Authorized." Perhaps you should read the Genesis Bible, or the Catholic one.
You could look and see what Bible Jim Jones read. It was by reading it himself and not any material written by other men that he concluded that he was the second messiah and that 1500 of his followers had to commit suicide. Perhaps in your reading you will come to the same conclusion and start your own movement.
The Bible is extensive. It takes years to read completely through, as any witness can tell you. One of the reasons why they wear them out so often. Do you think you can memorize all of it, so that when you're done you can come to a conclusion? It's not like reading a book from the Library. It has many authors. In the time you have read you, you will have grown older, with chances in your life, plus influences by others in what you believe. Can you seclude yourself from all outside influences so that while reading it you are not drifting in one direction or another in your beliefs?
Anyone who says they can read the Bible completely through and fully understand it is a liar before God and Christ. The Christian congregations were created to help each other learn and to preach and teach. The biggest problem religions have with the witnesses is that they cannot match their devotion, as a whole. Yes, they will have individuals who will thoroughly study the Bible, and may even wish to teach it, but as for the body of the church, they want to be told what to believe, not to learn it themselves, and certainly not to teach it, even to their own children, who are sent off to Sunday School to learn only Bible Stories.
2007-04-11 09:06:18 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 3⤋
Straight from the Bible, regarding the false teachers that were very abundant at the time. John warned the church against such teachers.
1 John 2:27 But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.
The Bible is easily read and understood by any man. You don't need any deep guidelines to help you 'interpret' the Bible. Read for yourself! Why listen to others when you can get the pure, untainted Word of God by yourself?
2007-04-11 05:38:20 · answer #6 · answered by ? 2 · 2⤊ 5⤋
Not only is it possible to comprehend the Bible apart from the organisation of Jehovah's Witnesses and without their material, it is ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL to read the Bible WITHOUT the material JW's dish out.
The arrogance of this organisation is breathtaking. They claim to the "the faithful and discreet slave" who dispenses God's wisdom to the less privileged (for that, read stupid). They, and only they, know the truth of God's Holy Word. Oh, really? So what were the rest of the saints doing prior to the late 1800's when this man-made organisation started? Lost? Without God? In the dark? Where, dare I ask, would JW's be without the martyrs who died to get Holy Scripture into print?
The key to this lies in the quotation from the Watchtower of October 1, 1967 when I was a very active JW myself. It is the word INTERPRET. Have a wee think about that, friends.
This has to do with CONTROL. Control of one's thinking, one's actions, one's loyalties. Not giving oneself to God, to Christ. But giving oneself to an organisation. Been there, done that.
The Bible NEVER belonged to an organisation, or a particular congregation. It has ALWAYS been directed to individuals. How dare they claim God's Word only for themselves. They do not have copyright, or ownership of God's Word. And they absolutely are not the faithful and discrete slave. The actions of their Governing Body show them to hold men and women in slavery, in captivity, to their organisation. "The truth shall set you free!" they exclaim. Then get free of the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society of Pennsylvania (otherwise known as Jehovah's Witnesses) and their Governing Body and pick up your Bible to read and praise God - not an organisation.
2007-04-11 09:12:36 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 4⤋
In the bible there was an Ethiopian that was traveling
along and someone asked him what was he reading?
And he agreed that he needed help for more understanding.
2007-04-11 05:48:18 · answer #8 · answered by itsmissjackson 3 · 6⤊ 0⤋
itsmissjackson mentioned the Ethiopian eunuch asking Phillip about the scrolls; and trk mentioned Jesus teaching the disciples. True. However, neither Phillip nor Jesus are recorded as popping out a rack of additional writings by uninspired men to do so.
God's spirit speaks with our spirit so that we call him "Abba! Father!" And, because if he speaks by spirit, I don't think he needs any channel except Jesus Christ.
2007-04-11 09:55:42 · answer #9 · answered by View from a horse 3 · 3⤊ 5⤋
are you having troubles understanding the bible?
2007-04-11 05:29:12 · answer #10 · answered by Steven Colbert 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Jehovah witnesses is nothing more chickens *** the only porpoise is to Bran Wash them-and the Dom people believe them,and have them goo out an collect money, the ones that collect moor ,,ones a year they buy them a free diner, Manny foll for that garbing.
2007-04-11 05:42:11 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 8⤋