What is a Jehovah's Witness stance on the priesthood?

Question

Where does the Church of Jehovah's Witnesses get their priesthood authority from to be able to ordain members of their Church to different Church callings such as the office of an "Elder"?

As I understand it, the Jehovah Witness Church was started by scholarly men who studied the Bible frequently and re-translated the Bible into their own understanding (New World Translation). Was God actually involved somehow in their translation process either physically or through the Spirit?

And if God was somehow involved, how could He have led the New World Translation translators to the conclusion that Christ's Second Coming and Armageddon would happen in 1914, leading to the "the Great Disappointment" considered by Rutherford to be "the Creator's Promise"?

Which leads to ANOTHER reason for "the Great Disappointment"...the creation of a new religion...The Seventh-Day Adventist Church (the people who were former Jehovah's Witnesses and broke away once the Jehovah's Witness prophecy of Christ's Second Coming of 1914 didn't come true). Instead, the Seventh-Day Adventists hold on to the claim that Jesus Christ DID in fact come again...invisibly.

Since we all know that God acts through the priesthood authority of holy men(God used prophets, elders, evangelists [bishops], etc.) to carry out His will and serve His children, where does the priesthood authority come into play with the Seventh-Day Adventists, Methodists, Baptists, etc.?

With that respect, the only churches that actually have a leg to stand on as it relates to priesthood authority are the Catholic Church (which claims its existence and priesthood roots come from St. Peter) and The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints (Mormon Church) who claim that the Church Of Jesus Christ was restored to the earth once again by specific instruction from God The Father and Jesus Christ to a newly-called prophet, Joseph Smith, who was also given all of the keys to the priesthood (Melchezidek and Aaronic as mentioned in the Old Testament). Now we've been able to rule out false doctrine and false churches. But now the problem is this - out of these 2 Churches, which one is the right one? Well, one teaches that God is a Trinity (Catholic) and the other doesn't (Mormon). Is God truly a Trinity - or in other words, 3 Gods (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) in 1 God? The answer is OF COURSE NOT. Old and often-seen-Holy ideas such as "The Nicene Creed" are false.

God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are not 3 seperate Gods that create one God...this idea is ridiculous. Rather, they are the same in purpose. God The Father has His will, and He sent his only Begotten Son Jesus Christ to carry out that will to all of God The Father's other children on earth, and the Holy Ghost was sent from the Father to the Son as a constant companion to testify of truth to all who were ministered onto by Jesus Christ and his Apostles who were ordained to their offices once they were baptized, confirmed, and given the gift of the Holy Ghost just like Jesus was by John The Baptist in the River Jordan. All 3 members of the Godhead were seperate, different, and distinct, yet they all served the same purpose. So is God a Trinity? The answer is NO.

Answer 1

it usually on the door step

Answer 2

Jehovah's Witnesses do not have a priesthood, but are set up like the early Christian congregations. They have "older men" or "elders" who are spiritually qualified to help shephard the flock. There is not just one man in charge, but a group of men. It is a heavy responsiblity, and they must answer to Jehovah if they do not perform their duties as he requires.

See the requirements for "overseers" or "elders" in the congregation at 1 Timothy chapter 3.

As far as the priesthood, 1 Tim 4: 1-3 shows that "forbidding to marry" is a "misleading inspired utterances and teachings of demons".

Matt 23: 8-12 states "But you, do not you be called Rabbi, for one is your teacher, whereas all you are brothers. Moreover, do not call anyone your father on earth, for one is your Father, the heavenly One. Neither be called 'leaders', for your Leader is one, the Christ. But the greatest among you must be your minister. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."

They did not retranslate the bible, but made some corrections using the oldest known manuscripts. Such as putting Jehovah's name back, where it had been taken out and replaced by LORD. Yes, I do believe that the brothers on the translating committee had help from God's holy spirit, they did not lean upon their own understanding, but it is a translation of God's Word, not an newly inspired work of God. For an unbaised opinion, see "Truth in Translation" by Jason David BeDuhn who reviews nine different translations of the New Testament or Greek Scriptures.

Answer 3

First question, "What is a Jehovah's Witness stance on the priesthood? "

The Biblical answer can be found at Mathhew 23:8-12.

Matthew 23:8-12
8 But YOU, do not YOU be called Rabbi, for one is YOUR teacher, whereas all YOU are brothers. 9 Moreover, do not call anyone YOUR father on earth, for one is YOUR Father, the heavenly One. 10 Neither be called ‘leaders,’ for YOUR Leader is one, the Christ. 11 But the greatest one among YOU must be YOUR minister. 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

The Bible is the ONLY authority for ordination.

1st Timothy 3:1-4
3 That statement is faithful.

If any man is reaching out for an office of overseer, he is desirous of a fine work. 2 The overseer should therefore be irreprehensible, a husband of one wife, moderate in habits, sound in mind, orderly, hospitable, qualified to teach, 3 not a drunken brawler, not a smiter, but reasonable, not belligerent, not a lover of money, 4 a man presiding over his own household in a fine manner, having children in subjection with all seriousness;

2nd Corinthians 3:1-3
3 Are we starting again to recommend ourselves? Or do we, perhaps, like some men, need letters of recommendation to YOU or from YOU? 2 YOU yourselves are our letter, inscribed on our hearts and known and being read by all mankind. 3 For YOU are shown to be a letter of Christ written by us as ministers, inscribed not with ink but with spirit of a living God, not on stone tablets, but on fleshly tablets, on hearts.

Answer 4

what number tribes are there in Israel? 12. The one hundred forty four,000 are unquestionably 12,000 of the 12 tribes if Israel. those are Jewish men who become preachers on steroids during the Tribulation. Jw's twist this sort. curiously in basic terms one hundred forty four,000 jw's are going to heaven. question...does the one hundred forty four,000th individual get booted out while yet another turns right into a member of the anointed type? is this a cycle? After this I regarded and there until eventually now me replaced right into a large MULTITUDE THAT no one would desire to count sort, from each united states, tribe, human beings and language, status until eventually now the throne and in front of the Lamb. They have been donning white gowns and have been preserving palm branches of their palms. Rev. 7:9 Then I heard the kind of people who have been sealed: one hundred forty four,000 from all the tribes of Israel. Rev. 7:4 Then I regarded, and there until eventually now me replaced into the Lamb, status on Mount Zion, and with him one hundred forty four,000(Tribes of Israel not jw's) who had his call and his Father's call written on their foreheads. Rev. 14:a million

Answer 5

This "question" seems to be a Mormon attack against Jehovah's Witnesses. Please note that this answer will pointedly refrain from any counter-attack (see Matthew 5:39).

True Christians (such as Jehovah's Witnessses) believe the bible to teach that Jesus Christ himself acts as the High Priest for all mankind. Jesus has associate 'kings and priests' who assist him from the heavens.

(Hebrews 4:14-15) We have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God... For we have as high priest, not one who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tested in all respects like ourselves, but without sin.

(Hebrews 8:1) We have such a high priest as this, and he has sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens

(Revelation 1:5-6;5:10) Jesus Christ, “the Faithful Witness,” ...made us to be a kingdom, priests to his God and Father... [The Lamb] made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God, and they are to rule as kings over the earth.

(Revelation 20:6) Happy and holy is anyone having part in the first resurrection [that is, to heaven]; over these the second death has no authority, but they will be priests of God and of the Christ, and will rule as kings with him


Jehovah's Witnesses believe that valid baptism provides the ordination of a Christian minister, rather than some "degree" or "certificate" or "seminary".

(2 Corinthians 3:5-6) our being adequately qualified issues from God, who has indeed adequately qualified us to be ministers


Jehovah's Witnesses follow the pattern of the first century (CE) Christian congregation regarding the appointment of congregation elders and ministerial servants (or "deacons"). Qualifications are listed at Titus 1:5-9 and 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and elsewhere. Recommendations are made locally by existing elders, and confirmed according to the direction of those 'taking the lead' (see Acts 15:22;14:23). Jehovah's Witnesses note that elders have particular responsibilities which require experience and maturity (hence the term "older man" or "elder"), and thus Witnesses believe that it would rare and remarkable for nearly every man in a congregation (including young men in their early twenties) to meet the qualifications for appointment as congregation "elder".

(Acts 14:23) they appointed older men for them in each congregation

(Titus 1:5) make appointments of older men in city after city, as I gave you orders

(1 Timothy 5:17) Let the older men who preside in a fine way be reckoned worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard in speaking and teaching


By no definition did Jehovah's Witnesses "translate the Bible" until the religion had nearly a century of spiritual heritage and bible scholarship. Jehovah's Witnesses do not consider "New World Translation" to be inspired or infallible in a manner that other translations are not. Jehovah's Witnesses do not cherish any "holy writings" except the same 66-book bible which has been distributed and read untold billions of times during the past nineteen centuries.

Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/jt/index.htm?article=article_07.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/20050301/article_01.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/20040601/article_01.htm

Answer 6

No Clergy Class
Everyone dedicated to God is equal in His eyes.
True worshippers are all brothers and sisters.
God did not appoint an elevated clergy class.
Jesus said:
"Everyone that exalts himself will be humilated,
but he that humbles himself will be exalted." Luke 18:14

God will judge adversely those who through religion
elevate themselves over others.---Matt. 23:4-12

Answer 7

There are no priesthood but rather “older men” (pre‧sby'te‧roi) or Elders. In fleshly Israel, so in spiritual Israel, the “older men,” or elders, were those responsible for the direction of the congregation.

The attitude of those becoming believers shows that they acknowledged that the apostles had governing authority in the new nation under Christ (Ac 2:42; 4:32-37; 5:1-11) and had authority to make appointments to service, either directly as a body or through representatives, the apostle Paul being a notable example. (Ac 6:1-6; 14:19-23)

When the issue of circumcision came to the fore, “older men” along with the apostles met in assembly to consider the matter. Their decision was made known to congregations in all places and was accepted as authoritative. (Ac 15:1-31; 16:1-5)

Qualifcations:

The requirements for the position as an “older man” in the Christian congregation included a high standard of conduct and spirituality. The ability to teach, to exhort, and to reprove played a major part in one’s being accredited as an “older man.” (1Ti 3:2; Tit 1:9)

Paul solemnly charged Timothy to “preach the word, be at it urgently in favorable season, in troublesome season, reprove, reprimand, exhort, with all long-suffering and art of teaching.” (2Ti 4:2) As “shepherds,” the “older men” are responsible for the spiritual feeding of the flock, as well as for caring for those spiritually ill and for protecting the flock against wolfish elements. (Ac 20:28-35; Jas 5:14, 15; 1Pe 5:2-4)

Additionally, Paul, who had himself been zealous in teaching “publicly and from house to house,” reminded Timothy of his responsibility to “do the work of an evangelizer, fully accomplish your ministry.”—Ac 20:20; 2Ti 4:5.

Appointing Elders "Older Men":

Paul, Barnabas, Titus, and evidently Timothy are recorded as taking part in appointing persons as “older men” in the congregations. (Ac 14:21-23; 1Ti 5:22; Tit 1:5) There is no record of such appointments by the congregations independently. In relating Paul and Barnabas’ revisiting of Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, Acts 14:23 states that “they appointed older men [Gr., khei‧ro‧to‧ne′san‧tes] for them in each congregation” (“in each of these churches they appointed elders,” JB; “they had appointed elders for them in every church,” RS).

The office to which these Christian men were appointed was that of “older man,” or elder, without any supporting votes by others stretching forth their hands.

Answer 8

Levites are priests under the law.

We are not under the Law. But there are 144,000 that are to be priests in the heavens.

Elders are not priests.

To Hodiegirl, Ray Franz says that Jehovah's Witnesses have the truth. I have audio of him saying that.

Answer 9

Their governing body of Jehovah's Witnesses claim that they are God's sole channel of truth on earth.( If you examine their beliefs in 1918 when they say they were chosen out of all church groups of the time, you can see how preposterous the claim is). They claim they are the wise servant in Matt. 24:45 that is in charge of all the Master's concerns on earth.
Because of this, they believe that the Holy Spirit guides them in all their choices of elders, overseers, as well as other decisions. They consult the Biblical requirements for those offices as guidelines, too, so since the Bible is spirit-inpired, this supposedly makes their choices through the Holy Spirit, as well.
They have altered the Bible, even though they will insist they haven't. There is not one top Bible scholar who accepts the New World Translation...in fact, they all say it is grossly unscholarly and a very much a misrepresentation of crucial Bible teachings. Out of the men who translated it (who are anonymous, but Ray Franz, an ex-member of the governing body wrote a great book about his experiences, and also divulged who was on that committee of translators), only Fred Franz (Ray's uncle) took a 2-hr. college course about the ancient languages. The rest didn't know anything about Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic.

Sklemetti: Read his book. He is against the Organization and the way it manipulates and controls people, and he does not agree with everything they teach.

Answer 10

Our stance on 'priesthood'

Anointed Christians resurrected to heaven become Kings and Priest to the God of Jesus Christ.

Rev 1:5and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood--

6and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father--to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Rev 5: 9And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.

10"You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth."


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There are no 'human' priests prior to the resurrection:

Why, because we already have a High Priest:

Heb 8: 1Now the main point in what has been said is this: we have such a high priest, who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens,

Matt 23:1Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples,
2saying: "The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses;

3therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them.

4"They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger.

5"But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments.

6"They love the place of honor at banquets and the chief seats in the synagogues,

7and respectful greetings in the market places, and being called Rabbi by men.

8"But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers.

9"Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.

10"Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ.

11"But the greatest among you shall be your servant.


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We today have servants, appointed with holy spirit to shepherd the Congregation.

Matt 24:45"Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time?

46"Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes.

47"Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions.


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Is the 'servant' perfect, inspired, infallable?

(Galatians 2:11-14) 11But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned.
12For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision.

13The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy.

14But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, "If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?






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Truth is progressive, it took 3000 yrs to identify who and what Christ was to become.


(Daniel 2:19-23) 19 Then it was that to Daniel in a night vision the secret was revealed. Consequently Daniel himself blessed the God of heaven. 20 Daniel was answering and saying: “Let the name of God become blessed from time indefinite even to time indefinite, for wisdom and mightiness—for they belong to him. 21 And he is changing times and seasons, removing kings and setting up kings, giving wisdom to the wise ones and knowledge to those knowing discernment. 22 He is revealing the deep things and the concealed things, knowing what is in the darkness; and with him the light does dwell. 23 To you, O God of my forefathers, I am giving praise and commendation, because wisdom and mightiness you have given to me. And now you have made known to me what we requested of you, for you have made known to us the very matter of the king.”