“Just as the body is one but has many members, and all the members of that body, although many, are one body, so too is the Christ.”—1 Corinthians 12:12
[Study 34 From ws 08/20 p.20 October 19 – October 25, 2020]
A place in the Congregation
This section makes the following statement in paragraph 5. “When you think of those who have a place in the congregation, your mind may immediately turn to those who take the lead. (1 Thessalonians 5:12; Hebrews 13:17)”.
Now in this statement, it betrays part of the problem with both the overt and the subtle teachings of the Organization and the Governing Body. What do you think brothers and sisters reading the phrase “you have a place in Jehovah’s Organization” will immediately think of? Is it not that they have only a fringe, subservient place in the congregation and the elders have “the place” to have? Why? Because of the undue importance that the Organization places on the elders. Of course, the Organization needs to do this, to maintain its authority. But was it ever the intention of Jesus and the Apostle Paul to have us look up to and fear the power of the elders over our lives?
In Luke 22:26 Jesus said to his disciples (after reminding them that the kings of the nations lord it over them) “You however shall not be thus (like that), instead the greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and the one leading as the one serving”. (BibleHub Interlinear)[i].
Ask yourselves these questions:
- Does the one serving, tell the ones they are serving what to do, or do they assist them?
- Do your elders tell you what to do and what not to do or just help you to do what you want to do (provided it is scriptural of course!)?
The whole setup of the Organization is that they tell the elders what to do and in turn, the elders tell the flock what to do, it does not assist and suggest. As an elder, I was often obliged to obligate others to comply with the Organization’s dictates, rather than just assist them as I desired.
They may claim that they are all equal, but in reality in the Organization, the following quote from George Orwell’s book “Animal Farm” (the slogan of the pigs) rings true, “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others”. [ii]
Presiding or Leading?
In the first scripture cited of 1 Thessalonians 5:12, the NWT Reference Bible (Rbi8) says “Now we request YOU, brothers, to have regard for those who are working hard among YOU and presiding over YOU in the Lord and admonishing you;”.
A literal interlinear translation such as Biblehub reads subtly differently. Can you spot the change in emphasis?
Firstly, let us examine the meaning of some words from the NWT translation that are in bold above.
- A “request” is defined as “the act of asking politely or formally (officially) for something”.
- To have “regard” is defined as “to consider or think in a specified way”.
- “Presiding” is defined as “to be in the position of authority in a meeting or gathering”.
Therefore, the NWT is conveying the following thought:
“Now we formally and officially ask you to think of in a specified way those who are working hard among you and are in a position of authority over you in the Lord.”
Now let us examine the original Greek text. The Interlinear reads[iii] “We implore however you brothers to appreciate those toiling among you and taking the lead over you in the Lord and admonishing you”.
- “Implore” means “beg someone earnestly”.
- “Appreciate” means “to recognize the full worth of”.
- “taking the lead” means “to be the first to start doing something or be most active in doing something”.
By contrast, therefore, the original text conveys the following meaning:
Now we beg you earnestly to recognize the full worth of those toiling among you and being the most active in doing things in the Lord.
Is not the NWT being authoritarian in tone?
By contrast, the original text appeals to its readers.
It is good to ponder on the following example with which most readers will be familiar:
When birds are migrating for the winter, they often form a ‘v’ shaped formation. One bird will take the lead at the point of the ‘v’. At the head of the ‘v’ formation, it requires the most energy and the others flying behind it benefit from the effort it makes and those following are able to expend less energy than the one in the lead. In fact, those birds flying behind then take turns to replace the one taking the lead, so it can recoup its energy a little by benefiting from being in the slipstream of a new leading bird.
But do any of the birds taking the lead preside and have authority over the rest of the flock? Not at all.
Gifts in men or Gifts to mankind?
The second scripture cited is Hebrews 13:17 “Be obedient to those who are taking the lead among YOU and be submissive, for they are keeping watch over YOUR souls as those who will render an account; that they may do this with joy and not with sighing, for this would be damaging to YOU.”.
The Greek word translated “Be Obedient to” in the NWT (and to be fair in many other Bible Translations) actually means “be persuaded by”, or “have confidence in”.[iv] Obedience in today’s English conveys the idea of obligation to do as one is told, without questioning it. This is a far cry from having confidence in. For that to happen the ones taking the lead need to have acted in a way that one could have confidence in them. We also should remember that an overseer is not the same as a leader.
The same paragraph 5 in the Watchtower article then states,” It is true that through Christ, Jehovah has given “gifts in men” to His congregation. (Ephesians 4:8)”.
That very claim at the outset presupposes that God would bless the congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses and that they are his people on earth today, chosen in 1919 in some undefinable and unprovable way.
However, more importantly, this is a classic example of a scripture taken out of context by the Organization. In Ephesians 4:7 (which is not cited to read, or quoted for reasons that will become obvious) the Apostle Paul says “Now to each one of us undeserved kindness was given according to how the Christ measured out the free gift.” Here the Apostle Paul was talking to all Christians, he had just been saying “One body there is and one spirit, even as you were called in the one hope to which you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Ephesians 4:4-5), referring to all Christians, both male and female.
The Greek word translated “men” can also be translated mankind (i.e. male and female) based on the context. Additionally, here Paul is also quoting from Psalm 68:18, which is translated in many Bibles as “people” i.e. “men” in the sense of “mankind”. Psalm 68 says in more than one translation, “… you received gifts from people, even the rebellious …” (NIV)[v], not from men as in, specifically males. The Apostle Paul had been talking to all Christians and so in context, based on the quote from Psalm it should read “gifts to mankind”. The point the Apostle Paul was trying to make that God was now giving gifts to people, instead of receiving gifts from people.
What gifts would the Apostle Paul have been talking about? In a parallel scripture Romans 12:4-8 mentions the gifts of prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhortation, distributing, etc. 1 Corinthians 12:1-31 is all about gifts of the spirit, verse 28 lists these gifts, apostles, prophets, teachers, powerful works, gifts of healings, helpful services, abilities to direct, different tongues. These were the gifts that all early Christians were being given, both male and female were receiving them. Phillip the evangelizer is recorded in Acts 21:8-9 as having “… four daughters, virgins, that prophesied.”.
Of course, the Organization, having twisted and taken two scriptures out of context, then proceeds to build on that foundation made of sand and claim the following: “These ‘gifts in men’ include Governing Body members, appointed helpers to the Governing Body, Branch Committee members, circuit overseers, field instructors, congregation elders, and ministerial servants” (paragraph 5). Yes, note the hierarchy too, the GB first, then the helpers, down to the lowly MS’s. Indeed, is it any wonder that in the Organization “When you think of those who have a place in the congregation, your mind may immediately turn to those who take the lead.”? They are reinforcing it, right here in the same paragraph.
Yet was the first century congregation structured like this? Search as much as you like, you will not find any reference to Governing Body members and helpers, Branch Committee members, circuit overseers, and field instructors. In fact, you will not even find “congregation elders”, (you will find “elders” in Revelation, but even here the term “elders” is not used in relation to the congregation). The only term used is “older men”, which was a description, not a title, for they were truly older men, men with experience in life. (See Acts 4:5,8, 23, Acts 5:21, Acts 6:12, Acts 22:5 – Jewish Non-Christian older men; Acts 11:30, Acts 14:23, Acts 15:4,22 – Christian older men).
Appointed by Holy Spirit?
We now come to the final sentence in paragraph 5! (There were only four sentences!) The Watchtower article claims “All these brothers are appointed by holy spirit to care for Jehovah’s precious sheep and serve the interests of the congregation. 1 Peter 5:2-3.”.
Now this claim, the author has never personally believed, not since the author was a teenager, through all the many years that have passed since. This view was only further reinforced while serving as a ministerial servant and then an elder. The appointments, and removals, were and are, all by the will of the Presiding Overseer or another strong personality on the body of Elders, not by Holy Spirit. If he liked you, you could be a ministerial servant in six months (or an elder). But if he took a dislike to you, perhaps because you disagreed with him on some point and stood up to him, then he did everything to get you removed. (And this is from more than one congregation. Very often prayer was absent from meetings that recommended someone for appointment or deletion. Reading Ray Franz’s books[vi] of his experiences as a Governing Body member, shows they are no different.
Many in the congregations believe that somehow God sends his holy spirit to the body of elders and they are moved by the holy spirit to appoint someone. Yet, while that is the impression the Organization encourages, it is not what it actually teaches. The “Question from Readers” in the Watchtower Study Edition of November 15th, 2014 page 28 states “First, holy spirit moved the Bible writers to record the qualifications for elders and ministerial servants. Sixteen different requirements of elders are listed at 1 Timothy 3:1-7. Further qualifications are found in such scriptures as Titus 1:5-9 and James 3:17-18. Qualifications for ministerial servants are outlined at 1 Timothy 3:8-10, 12-13. Second, those recommending and making such appointments specifically pray for Jehovah’s spirit to direct them as they review whether a brother meets the Scriptural requirements to a reasonable degree. Third, the individual being recommended needs to display the fruitage of God’s holy spirit in his own life. (Galatians 5:22-23) So God’s spirit is involved in all aspects of the appointment process.”.
Source 1 is valid, but only if a body of elders actually reasonably compares a brother’s qualities with the scriptures. That rarely happens.
Source 2 relies on a number of factors. In the first place, it relies upon Jehovah approving of the teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses. If not, then he would not send his holy spirit. Secondly, shockingly, asking a prayer on the proceedings is not a given, nor is a genuine heartfelt prayer rather than a perfunctory one. Thirdly, it also relies on the elders accepting the guidance of the holy spirit.
Source 3 relies on the brother concerned meeting the Organizations unwritten requirement of 10 hours field service per month, along with other “spiritual” pursuits such as auxiliary pioneering once a year. It matters little if he excels in the fruitages of the holy spirit if he does not fulfill these unwritten requirements.
A Burden to all their Brothers and Sisters
Paragraph 7 reminds us that some have a perceived more important “place in the congregation” as follows: “Some in the congregation may be appointed to serve as missionaries, special pioneers, or regular pioneers.” In the Christian Greek scriptures, there is no record of anyone including the Apostle Paul, being appointed to any such position. The holy spirit gave instructions for Paul and Barnabas to be set aside for a work to which Christ had called them, and they were happy to comply (Acts 13:2-3), but they were not appointed by men. Nor were any Christians in the first century supported in such positions by the rest of the early Christian congregation. (It is true that some individuals and congregations gave assistance to others at times, but it was not expected nor required of them.)
Today, in the Organization, the so-called “‘gifts in men’ include Governing Body members, appointed helpers to the Governing Body, Branch Committee members, circuit overseers, field instructors,” and “missionaries, special pioneers” are all supported by donations from Witnesses, many of whom are poorer and have less income than the cost of providing food, lodging and a clothing allowance for each of these so-called gifts in men. By contrast, the Apostle Paul reminded the Corinthians “I did not become a burden to a single one, … Yes, in everyway I kept myself unburdensome to YOU and will keep myself so” (2 Corinthians 11:9, 2 Corinthians 12:14). The Apostle Paul had supported himself by tentmaking during the week and then going to the synagogue on the sabbath to witness to the Jews and Greeks (Acts18:1-4). Should therefore a Christian impose a financial burden on other fellow Christians? The Apostle Paul answered that question in 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 when he wrote “If anyone does not want to work, neither let him eat.” [nor drink expensive whisky!] “For we hear certain ones are walking disorderly among YOU, not working at all but meddling with what does not concern them.”
There are serious issues in this Watchtower Study article:
- Maintaining the suggestion that “all animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others”.
- Mistranslation of 1 Thessalonians 5:12, followed by misapplication (yet another repeat of the misapplication).
- In addition, the scripture was used out of context.
- False picture maintained of how appointed men are really appointed.
- Encourages the reaching out for “a place in the congregation” and holds it to be a spiritually minded action, yet, it involves not working and placing an expensive financial burden on the brothers and sisters, contrary to the example of the Apostle Paul and the scriptures.
To the Governing Body, we give this message:
- Act like the Apostle Paul, support yourselves by working secularly, not living off of others.
- Quit going beyond what is written and adding burdens to the brothers and sisters.
- Correct the biased mistranslations in the NWT.
- Stop misapplying phrases from the scriptures, using the context to understand the scriptures instead.
If the Governing Body is humble enough to consider the above points and apply them, then, undoubtedly, there will be less reason to criticize Governing Body members buying bottles of expensive, quality whisky on a Sunday morning.[vii] The burdens of the brothers and sisters will be lower, and their financial position (at least for the younger ones) could improve by having further education, required to support themselves in the modern world.
[i] https://biblehub.com/interlinear/luke/22-26.htm
[ii] https://www.dictionary.com/browse/all-animals-are-equal--but-some-animals-are-more-equal-than-others#:~:text=explore%20dictionary-,All%20animals%20are%20equal%2C%20but%20some%20animals%20are%20more%20equal,Animal%20Farm%2C%20by%20George%20Orwell. “A proclamation by the pigs who control the government in the novel Animal Farm, by George Orwell. The sentence is a comment on the hypocrisy of governments that proclaim the absolute equality of their citizens but give power and privileges to a small elite.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_Farm
[iii] https://biblehub.com/interlinear/1_thessalonians/5-12.htm
[iv] https://biblehub.com/greek/3982.htm
[v] https://biblehub.com/niv/psalms/68.htm
[vi] “Crisis of Conscience” and “In Search of Christian Freedom”
[vii] Type “bottlegate jw” into google or youtube for video of what Anthony Morris III does on Sunday mornings.
Archived Comments
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Comment by Zacheus on 2020-10-18 21:32:04
Just think of the description given in the bible of John the Baptist. He was a bush dwelling outspoken rough sort of character. How would he stand in todays wt org.? Not well me thinks.
Reply by Jack on 2020-10-20 17:21:01
True!
Comment by Leonardo Josephus on 2020-10-19 06:02:18
Thank you Tadua for the hard work you always put in.
The likelihood of your request for those on the GB to work secularly is zero. However, since they are spending all this money, should they not render an account for it ? Where are the figures ? What have they spent the money on ? Wouldn't we like to know.Reply by Jack on 2020-10-21 13:28:59
Christian religions support full time leadership. Christ himself was supported by women during his ministry.
What Christian religion gives a full accounting of its finances? Even governments do not fully open their books to the public.
Comment by Chet on 2020-10-19 11:30:56
This article is a perfect example of just how manipulative the Watchtower is. Since 1980, they have devoted more and more energy towards bolstering their “authority” based upon their claim of being the “faithful and discreet slave”. Perhaps they should change their name to reflect that. They no longer seem to place the worship of the Creator as their centerpiece, but now worship their Organization and their claimed Faithful and Discrete Slave.
In 1971, at the District Assembly, the “Elder Arrangement” was announced. Soon, the Organization was the favorite subject of many JWs. Before then, the Presiding Overseer (AKA Congregation Servant) was, for all intents and purposes a lifetime appointment. One of the “wonders” of the new arrangement was that any male JW had the prospect of being an Elder and, for a time, they rotated positions, so in theory, any good JW male could have could become Presiding Overseer if they keep,their nose clean, and especially, if they were capable of writing an “one” and a “zero” on a time report slip once a month.
So, according to the Organization, servants were appointed by Holy Spirit. Long ago, however, I noticed that if you were friends with an Elder, or even better, closely related to an Elder, your odds of being appointed were greatly increased. But people being people, the prospect of someone being Divinely chosen is all,but irresistible, and the rank and file bought into it, hook, line and sinker.
As time progressed, Elders were becoming involved in even the most mundane of activities. I recall mentioning, in causal conversation, that a certain family on the congregation were experiencing difficult circumstances which were affecting their financial well-being. I was immediately admonished that if I wanted to help, I needed to clear it with the Elders, first. Really? If I want to slip someone a few bucks or help them out in some practical manner, I have to ask permission? Utter nonsense.
The position of taking the lead is just that, leading from the front. I worked as a department head for many years and learned quickly that I had to be willing to work harder than the people whom I supervised. If there was an emergency that required long hours, I had to be the first to arrive and the last to leave, not to mention springing for pizza out of my own pocket. Being in a leadership position does not mean giving orders to subordinates, nearly so much as it means giving orders to oneself.
Many Elders, however, have not learned these things. I have personally experienced elders seeking to dictate my life, even to the point of seeking to overrule my role as a husband and family head. Also, I have been criticized by other publishers for not accepting this sort of intrusion as being God’s arrangement. The Watchtower leadership has a behavioral pattern of passing out poor advice and then refusing to acknowledge even one iota of responsibility for the negative results which follow.
Leadership is usually a matter of a proven track record and real-world experience. It takes time to gain such experience and in most of life’s endeavors, this takes time. The Bible mentions older men, and these were (and remain) just that, older men. I have heard of Elders being appointed at early as 21 years of age, but a career of pioneering after high school for a few years hardly makes for the life experience required to advise others in serious matters. If I compare myself at 21 with who I am now, I can’t imagine how my 21 year old self would have been capable of offering any practical advice to any adult.
What is worse, is the fact that the Watchtower leadership frequently lacks real world experience. Many of them have no experience with the challenges of working full time and pursuing a career. Making up for lost time, I’m in the best days of my career now, in my mid sixties and I find that many rank and file JWs cannot even begin to relate to this.
What is more, the Watchtower leadership can’t even begin to comprehend that working like this is not something so mundane as pursuing creature comforts, but is actually a matter of providing for one’s future so that one can retire without the burden of a home mortgage or other debt. For many non JWs, this is all, it automatic. A person finds their place in the workforce, buys a home, progresses through life and by their 50s or 60s are able to benefit from the accumulated effects of their work and face their retirement years well prepared.
Such an approach is the absolute antithesis of the Watchtower approach, which is based upon a strategy of short-term survival with the implication of Divine deliverance before a person has time to age. The Watchtower leadership, ironically, is insulated from the effects of their poor advice, because they are provided for by the generosity of rank and file Witnesses who donate blindly, thinking that they are supporting God’s organization when in fact, they are supporting a manmade organization which provides well for its leadership, but recently sent numerous volunteers home to fend for themselves.
The notion that these GB members are some sort of gift is ludicrous. They are figureheads. Even less impressive is their newfound role as media figures. I wonder if their decision to place themselves in the public eye might backfire. They are revealing a lot about themselves with these constant videos and I can’t help but wonder if the visual impact of their videos might also reveal their feet of clay. When I watch some of these videos, I come away unimpressed with the individuals involved. Anthony Morris’ “memory aid” came across especially poorly. I know that my estimation of him was diminished by this demonstration, especially his smirk after extinguishing the match. This is far from the only time that I’ve come away from a Watchtower video shaking my head and wondering how someone could possibly think that they would be leaving a positive impression on the viewers.
The impression I have is that people are leaving the Witnesses in droves and the powers that be within their Organization are scrambling to keep up appearances and not revealing the degree to which the situation is eroding their numbers. We do each have a place in Jehovah’s congregation, but many people are coming to the conclusion that their place in Jehovah’s congregation does not intersect with Jehovah’s Witnesses, their organization or their meetings.
The concept, the spell that has been successfully cast upon the JW acolytes, is that membership in the JW Organization is somehow tied in with one’s salvation. But like any spell, it only works if the victims of the spell believe in it. Once we see behind the curtain, so to speak, we can’t unsee and the spell crumbles. This is what appears to be happening and the existence of articles such as this are little more than desperate attempts to bolster an organization which has outlived its usefulness.Reply by Jack on 2020-10-21 12:08:20
When the Governing Body announced that they themselves were the Faithful and Discreet Slave they took something that did not belong to them. In doing so they have lost the right of first born. They will not be anointed with God's spirit. They will remain as they are: Caretakers nothing more.
They went up to it!
(Genesis 49:3, 4) . . .“Reuʹben, you are my firstborn, my vigor and the beginning of my generative power, the excellence of dignity and the excellence of strength. 4 With reckless license like waters, do not you excel, because you have gone up to your father’s bed. At that time you profaned my lounge. He went up to it!
Jack
Comment by Jack on 2020-10-18 11:49:03
Thanks Tadua.
Each JW Elder is responsible before Jehovah and Christ to love the flock as they love themselves. To be men not boys in short pants always looking to daddy Watchtower for every move they make.
The Watchtower did not die for them, neither did the Governing Body!
The blood of the Governing Body does not cover their sins in what sense then should they put down their own consciences and hearts to follow what does not give life?Reply by Jack on 2020-10-18 12:32:45
Christ was born a man and died a man.
Is there another man we should love and follow?Reply by Jack on 2020-10-21 14:00:14
No!
Reply by Frankie on 2020-11-07 15:40:22
Yes, dear Jack, yes. Our brother Paul, for example.
"Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. (1 Cor 11:1)
"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." (John 13:35)
Comment by Psalmbee on 2020-10-18 12:02:08
Such occultic hierarchy and practices that come from this organization. However I did get a cantaloupe and some ricotta cheese that supposedly came from Jehovah, which in a sense I guess it did, perhaps from his farm up in Wallkill.
PsalmbeeReply by Jack on 2020-10-18 14:06:47
"perhaps from his farm up in Wallkill."
There are some fine brothers at the Farm. It is the only thing left of 124 Brooklyn Heights in Knorr's day.
We met Brother Glass there in the 90's. He instructed the tour guide to take us up to the Gilead classroom. Still have the pictures.
Glass was a true brother in every sense.
JackReply by Jack on 2020-10-18 14:53:57
If Jehovah should direct change it will originate with the brothers at the Farm.
Reply by Psalmbee on 2020-10-18 16:59:22
Jack said,
"There are some fine brothers at the Farm. It is the only thing left of 124 Brooklyn Heights in Knorr’s day."
Hey Jack, I don't doubt that a bit and as long as they believe that they're on sacred ground I suggest they should stay there. Me personally, I don't believe it is, but it's not evil either, everyone has a place in the congregation if they so chose to take it, but no one should be telling another where their place is. It's a position that one should identify with the Lord. (1Pet 2:12)
PsalmbeeReply by Jack on 2020-10-21 13:48:51
"but no one should be telling another where their place is. It’s a position that one should identify with the Lord"
I agree. Yet, hundreds of millions are misled in all Christian religions. The why of it needs to be examined.
If they are truly led by Christ they would not be misled by following men who teach what is contrary to Christ!
God's spirit would not allow it. Christ would not allow it; unless they were not truly with Christ but with human leadership.
(Matthew 7:21-23) . . .“Not everyone saying to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of the heavens, but the one doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens will. 22 Many will say to me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and expel demons in your name, and perform many powerful works in your name?’ 23 And yet then I will confess to them: I never knew YOU! Get away from me, YOU workers of lawlessness.
Is there a Christian religion free from following men?
Comment by rusticshore on 2020-10-19 12:43:09
The HQ's in New York, in my opinion, is nothing more than a spiritual law firm!
Reply by Jack on 2020-10-21 12:50:14
It is much more than that.
They lead the greatest non-trinitarian Christian religion on earth since the first century.
With a leadership that rivals the first century hypocrisy of the religious leaders who crucified Christ!
JackReply by rusticshore on 2020-10-21 20:41:51
Sorry. The Trinity, I believe firmly, is a long-standing false doctrine which lacks scriptural support. I often refer to it as Satan's "9th Symphony." However, I am in agreement to the hypocrisy part of your comment, respectively.
Comment by marielle on 2020-10-20 06:38:52
Un sujet essentiel qui ne me semble pas abordé dans cet article est celui du corps de Christ.
La citation en tête d’étude est pourtant éloquente.
I Cor 12 : 12
...« TOUS LES MEMBRES forment un seul corps, ainsi également EST LE CHRIST ».
Le GB passe allègrement de la comparaison des membres avec le corps de Christ, à l’assemblée de Jéhovah.
Cette comparaison avec l’organisation de Jéhovah avait été abordée par Izak Marais dans sa vidéo, sans jamais y inclure le verset 27, jusque-là réservé aux oints, souvent mis en parallèle avec Col 1 : 18.
Il était évident que ne pas inclure le verset 27 « Or vous êtes le corps du Christ+, et chacun de vous, pris individuellement, en est un membre », en conclusion du raisonnement de Paul, posait un problème, d’autant qu’il n’y a qu’un seul corps.
C’est chose faite au § 2, mais cela passe totalement inaperçu.
C’est la première fois que je vois ce verset inclus, en parlant de l’assemblée.
De même que Romains 12 : 4-8
Également jusque-là, réservé aux oints.
En incluant le verset 27, l’assemblée fait-elle partie des différents membres du corps de Christ, mais sans faire partie du corps de Christ ?
Comprenne qui pourra !
Cela pose un sérieux problème d’appeler les choses par leurs noms, car si nous faisons partie du corps de Christ, nous devons prendre le pain qui est son corps.Reply by Jack on 2020-10-20 17:07:58
The Governing Body has left the room. The writing is not being properly supervised or fact checked.
Keeping the publishers in survival mode is today the primary goal.
Comment by Leonardo Josephus on 2020-10-21 03:21:52
Advance notice for those in the UK who have not already found this. BBC2 are showing the film "Apostasy" at 10.00 on Saturday. this week. Accurately portrayed. I wonder how many will watch it out of curiosity ?
Comment by Respect the Place of Others in Jehovah’s Congregation - Beroean Pickets - JW.org Reviewer on 2020-10-25 11:00:43
[…] This claim was discussed in the previous week’s Watchtower article review. Please see here “You have a place in Jehovah’s Congregation” for that […]