The Governing Body of the Jehovah's Witnesses

 

Notes:

• You may freely use all or part of this study, as the Lord leads you, to witness to members of The Watchtower Society.
• Unless otherwise stated, all emphasis is the author's.
• All words in [brackets] are the author's.
• Unless noted, all Scripture is taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

Introduction

In this study I will try not to offend, but the truth often hurts. With few exceptions, the times that Jesus spoke harshly were when He was rebuking the governing body (or priesthood) of Jehovah's people. If any Jehovah's Witness (We will use the word Witness for the rest of the study) perceives this as an attack rather than as informational, forgive me. I don't want to create any strawman arguments, so I would appreciate it if you will show me where any of the facts I use are wrong, and I will either correct them, or post your suggested correction as a link from where you believe the mistake is. Otherwise, I ask you to prayerfully reconsider the eternal consequences of serving the governing body of the Watchtower Society.

Did Jehovah Give the Governing Body His Authority?

The Witnesses defend the governing body by showing how it brings unity to their congregation. Every cult makes this same claim, as do some mainstream Christian denominations. Doesn't all the division in Christianity prove that the congregation needs a governing body? The answer is, No. While the Apostles did set up pastors in the local church, Jesus Christ is our shepherd; Jesus is our teacher; we give our uncompromised obedience to Jesus. Jesus taught that we cannot serve two masters.

Neither be ye called masters[teacher]: for one is your Master[teacher], even Christ.
- Matthew 23:10

While the context for this verse is in reference to money, the statement is also true when choosing between a governing body of men or Jesus.

Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. - John 5:39-40

The only real division in Christianity comes when Christians replace doctrines plainly taught in the Bible with doctrines taught by men. In fact, there is far more unity amongst Bible believing Christians than the Witnesses realize. The differences among us are superficial because we get our doctrine from the Bible. And because the Word of God is our final authority, these differences do not cause division among individuals; rather, we are learning and growing into the likeness of Christ through the course of our lives.

Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is a householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old. - Matthew 13:52

Though the Witnesses are repulsed by the Roman Catholic Church, there is one similarity between the Witnesses' governing body and the Vatican: both believe that the apostolic authority has been passed to themselves. We can see an example of how authority is transferred when Elijah passes his mantle to Elisha.

So [Elijah] departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him. - 1 Kings 19:19 [Thus Elisha replaced Elijah's ministry as prophet]

We also see examples of Jesus giving authority to the apostles.

Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. - Luke 9:1

AND

And I will give unto thee [Peter] the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. - Matthew 16:19

But there is no verse stating that Peter, Paul or any other apostle actually passed down his leadership or authority to any other governing body or individual. What we do read is Paul's warning:

For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. - Acts 20:29-30

We read about how God sent Moses and Aaron with signs and wonders that they should believe.

And the LORD said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod. And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it. And the LORD said unto Moses, Put forth thine hand, and take it by the tail. And he put forth his hand, and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand: That they may believe that the LORD God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath appeared unto thee. - Exodus 4:2-5

We read about how God sent Jesus with signs and wonders that we should believe.

If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father. - John 15:24

At the end of the age, the Witnesses' governing body can show nothing to prove that God has given them His authority. Even if they did work miracles, this would not be sufficient proof today. The Scriptures warn us:

And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast. - Revelation 13:13-14a

What should you require of the governing body of the Watchtower Society before placing your soul in their hands?

Jehovah's Governing Body in History

The Witnesses believe that Jehovah has always had a governing body over His people. I won't argue this point. At least we know that there was a governing body over Jehovah's congregation in Jesus' time since He identified them,

Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
- Matthew 23:2-3

Though Jesus said that the scribes and Pharisees sat in Moses' seat, thus acknowledging that they were Jehovah's governing body, He also warned of the Pharisees,

Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. - Matthew 15:14

The Old Testament also shows that Jehovah was often angry with His governing body because they caused His congregation to sin.

And he [the king of Israel] did evil in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the way of his father, and in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin. - 1 Kings 15:26

There are many verses like this one, where kings caused Jehovah's congregation to sin. The Scriptures go on,

I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem a horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness: they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah. - Jeremiah 23:14

There are many verses like this one, where prophets caused Jehovah'scongregation to sin. The Scriptures go on,

For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts. But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the LORD of hosts. - Malachi 2:7-8

There are many passages like this one, where priests caused Jehovah's congregation to sin. Why do the Witnesses believe that their governing body could not cause their congregation to sin today when, in fact, Jehovah, speaking through His real prophets, was almost always angry with His governing body?

Going back to what Jesus said about the Pharisees being blind leaders of the blind, there are several points to consider:

Though they were the governing body over Jehovah's congregation, this will not protect them from God's wrath on the Judgment Day.

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, [John the Baptist] said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? - Matthew 3:7

The governing body did not know that they were blind.

And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words and said unto him, Are we blind also? - John 9:40

Not only were they themselves not entering into Jehovah's kingdom, they were preventing others from entering in.

Woe unto you, lawyers! [The lawyers were the authorities on Mosaic Law] for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered. - Luke 11:52

The governing body made the Word of God unintelligible to the congregation.

Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye. - Mark 7:13

There are also several points to consider about those who are being led by the blind.

They are being hindered from entering Jehovah's kingdom (Jesus said, ''both shall fall into the ditch''). For example, when I asked a Witness why they do not partake of the emblems during the memorial service (this is what Witnesses call the Lord's Table or communion), he explained that the congregation are not partakers of the New Testament. I was shocked. The governing body has talked their followers out of the New Covenant. Those who are not under the New Covenant, are on the outside; there is no third covenant.

For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
- Matthew 26:28

AND

Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. - John 6:54

Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. - Revelation 22:14-15

They are ignorant of their blindness. How can this happen? Let's use the Witness who knocks at your door as an example. He thinks that he believes the Bible, but does he? No. In truth, he believes the governing body. What is the difference? While going door to door, the Witnesses are often shown Biblical truths. In every case, they will reject them in favor of the teachings of their governing body. When the governing body is blind to a biblical truth, they are blind also.

God is a Spirit, and those worshiping him must worship with spirit and truth.
- John 4:24 NWT

The governing body will not give the Witnesses tools to understand the Scripture for themselves. Ask a Witness to show you a book on hermeneutics (rules to help avoid making mistakes in personal Bible study) and they will admit that there is none. When shown a scripture verse that puts them into a tight spot, they will pull out a book or booklet published by the Watchtower Society that tells them what, according to the governing body, the verse really means. For example, if you show them John 20:26-29, which reads,

And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace, be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
- John 20:26-29

Their study guides teach:

That Jesus did not bodily resurrect; "Even though Jesus was already resurrected as a mighty spirit, Jehovah was still his God".

Jesus told Thomas to touch His hands and His side, and then commanded him to believe. What did He want Thomas to believe if it was not that the physical body that had been peirced was resurrected? The teaching that Jesus did not bodily resurrect implies that Jesus deceived Thomas. The implication that Jesus was ever deceitful is blasphemous.

That Thomas did not really mean to say, My Lord and my God. What he meant was, "Jesus was like 'a god'.''

The Greek manuscript literally reads: The lord of me and The God of me (ὁ Κύριός μου καὶ ὁ Θεός μου).

That "Thomas may simply have made an emotional exclamation of astonishment."

The Jews never said the G-d word in vain. Thomas, like Peter, may have blurted out many exclamations, but to teach that he said G-d, shows that the govenring body lacks understanding of the Jewish culture.This asside, Jesus commended Thomas for his "exclamation", which He would not have done if it had been irreverant or theologically incorrect.

That Jesus did not agree with Thomas's exclamation because "Jesus never claimed to be God but taught that Jehovah alone is 'the only true God'."

Jesus said many things like 'I and the Father are One'. The governing body is blind to all passages where Jesus showed Himself to be God. Jesus commends Thomas for his words, but the Witnesses believe the exact opposite of what this passage teaches. They believe that the Bible really teaches that they are blessed who do not believe that Jesus is our God.

Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness. - Luke 11:35

In another example from their publication, Should You Believe in the Trinity?, the Witnesses teach that, ''the Bible says that Jesus did die and was unconscious in the tomb'' (pg.18). I would pose the question: where does the Bible say that Jesus was unconscious in the tomb? Yet, because this is what their booklet teaches, they unquestioningly believe that this what the Bible teaches. There are countless examples like this, where the Witnesses believe what the governing body teaches, while thinking that they are believing the Bible. John and Peter both warn,

No lie is of the truth. - 1 John 2:21b

AND

As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other Scriptures, unto their own destruction. - 2 Peter 3:16

In A Biblical Look at the Holy Spirit, a companion to this study, you can see many errors that the governing body has made in the New World Translation of the Bible. Does Jehovah expect you to believe His Word as He faithfully passed it down to us today, or as the Witnesses' governing body has since edited it?

Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. - Mark 13:31

AND

Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. - Proverbs 30:5-6

Most Witnesses are completely ignorant of the differences between their New World Translation and the Greek manuscripts. Though they are very zealous about going door to door, what will it profit them if they're teaching a different gospel?

But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. - Galatians 1:8

AND

For I bear [Israel] record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
- Romans 10:2-3

The Hundred and Forty Four Thousand

And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Zion, and with him a hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads. - Revelation 14:1

Of course, the Witnesses' governing body claim to be of these select 144,000. So let us look at this claim more closely.

What does the Bible say about the 144,000?

• They were sealed in their foreheads with the Father's name. (Rev 7:3, 14:1)
• Those sealed were from the tribes of the children of Israel. John specifically lists the tribes from which they proceed. (Rev 7:4-8)
• They are virgins. (Rev 14:4)
• They are not deceitful. (Rev 14:5)

Almost everything else that the Witnesses believe about the 144,000 is extra-biblical. However, there is a lot of similarity between their extra-biblical beliefs and those of other groups who also believe that they are the 144,000. So what makes the governing body's claim different? Not much.

For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. - Luke 14:11

If the governing body was really going to have the best seats in the Jehovah's kingdom, they would be servants in reality and not just in name.

And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth. - Luke 22:25-27

I am not the judge, but in my observation, I see more similarity between the Witnesses' governing body and the Vatican then I do between the Witnesses' governing body and a real servant.

And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: - Matthew 20:27

The similarities include pride, the demand for absolute, unquestioning obedience, and the belief that they alone are Jehovah's governing body. Those who have not been blinded by them can see both the Vatican's and the Witnesses' errors, but they themselves remain completely unteachable.

The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the LORD [Jehovah]  alone shall be exalted in that day. - Isaiah 2:11

The governing body of the Watchtower Society hasn't supplied any proof that they are really Jehovah's governing body.When Jesus told His disciples about the end of the age, He said,

Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. - Matthew 24:4b-5

The Greek word translated Christ means anointed. Many will come in Jesus' name, claiming a special anointing, who will deceive many. Does the Witnesses' governing body claim to have a special anointing? If yes, it is these whom Jesus has warned us about. If not, why are the Witnesses blindly following them?

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus gave a similar command,

Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am [Christ]; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. - Luke 21:8b

The governing body has claimed that the end is near. (Two dates that they've set in the past were the years 1914 and 1975.) Jesus gave his disciples a plain command, ''Go ye not therefore after them''.

Separation from the Ungodly, or Heresy in the Congregation?

I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. - 3 John 1:9

There seems to be one universal rule for the Witnesses: they must be as different as possible from other Bible believing Christians. A few examples include:

• They have replaced the cross with a post. While it cannot be proved conclusively that Jesus was crucified on a cross versus a stake, it cannot be proved that He was not. So why is this an important issue to the governing body?
• The New World Translation removes the definite article the from before the words Holy Spirit. Yet they add it to other nouns where it is missing in the Greek text. Again, the question is, what is their motive for removing the definite article?
• They replacing the word church with congregation. The words come from the same Greek word, so what is the difference? I understand why they have separated themselves from the state controled church, but why have they separated themselves from the Bible believing church?
• They Witnesses aren't involved in compassion ministries, such as building schools, hospitals and orphanages. Is this because Christians are involved in these things?

The Witnesses could list many other examples of how they distance themselves from Christianity. The Bible admonishes us to separate ourselves from evil,

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
- Ephesians 5:11

AND

Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. - 2 Thessalonians 3:6

However, separating from Bible believing Christians who exercise godly behavior is condemned as heresy; in fact, the Greek word, transliterated into English as heresy, means disunion.

I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. - 3 John 1:9

AND

Salute one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you. Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
- Romans 16:16-18

Conclusion

There is a children's story about an emperor who was deceived into believing that he was wearing the most beautiful clothing in the kingdom, when in reality he was naked. He marched through the city to show off his new garments. Everyone praised his magnificent apparel, until a little boy shouted out in surprise, ''The king has no clothes on!'' This is where the story becomes real; because of his pride, the emperor would not acknowledge that he was naked. He continued marching in the parade, naked to the end.

I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye salve, that thou mayest see. - Revelation 3:18

When I first gave my life to Jesus Christ, I found a church that seemed excited about the things of God. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a cult. While I was a member, we played down our faults to the point that we were blind to them; after all, nobody is perfect. When I finally believed a plain teaching of the Bible over an obviously faulty interpretation, I ran into a conflict with the elders. Still, it was only after leaving the cult that God opened my eyes to all the many compromises I had made.

There is an old movie, A Nun's Story, staring Audrey Hepburn. Based on a true story, the heroin became a nun so that she could serve God with her whole life. Toward the end of her story, she concluded that, as a nun, her obedience to the reverend mother hindered her obedience to what she believed God wanted her to do. Her prayer to God was, ''I cannot obey anymore; from now on it is only between me and you.'' Without anger, she renounced her vows and left the convent.

Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. - Luke 6:22

Written by Jeff Barnes