This document is about the importance of “organization”.
How important is joining an organization in order to be saved?
“So does Jehovah have a prophet to help them, to warn them of dangers and to declare things to come? These questions can be answered in the affirmative. Who is this prophet?…This “prophet” was not one man, but was a body of men and women. It was the small group of footstep followers of Jesus Christ, known at that time as International Bible Students. Today they are known as Jehovah’s Christian Witnesses …Of course, it is easy to say that this group acts as a ‘prophet’ of God. It is another thing to prove it,” (Watchtower, Apr. 1, 1972, p. 197).
Governing Body
1943 is when the term first began to be applied within the organization.
The two Watchtower articles which followed weeks later, namely, “Information” and thereafter “Snares”, were published, according to the defendants, as an answer to Moyle’s letter which was reported as being circulated in various parts of the country; and also as a fair comment on his course of action and as a Scriptural warning and protection for Jehovah’s witnesses, to whom the Watchtower Society is the governing body. Consolation June 23, 1943
“…And while now the witness yet includes the invitation to come to Jehovah’s organization for salvation…” Watchtower Nov 15, 1981, p. 21
“To receive everlasting life in the earthly Paradise we must identify that organization and serve God as part of it.” Watchtower 1983 Feb 15 p.12
The Bible repeatedly states that faith in Jesus and the Father results in everlasting life.
“… obtain the salvation that is in union with Christ Jesus along with everlasting glory.” 2 Timothy 2:10
“For God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life …He that exercises faith in the Son has everlasting life.” John 3:16, 36
“And yet YOU do not want to come to me that YOU may have life.” John 5:40
“I am the door; whoever enters through me will be saved, and he will go in and out and find pasturage.” John 10:9
“This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ.” John 17:3
“Hence let no one be boasting in men; for all things belong to YOU, whether Paul or Apol’los or Ce’phas or the world or life or death or things now here or things to come, all things belong to YOU; in turn YOU belong to Christ; Christ, in turn, belongs to God.” 1 Corinthians 3:21
The Watchtower 1975 Sep 1 p. 531 asks “Where could we turn if we would leave God’s organization today? There is nowhere else! (John 6:66-69)”. This quote references John 6:38 for support that there is nowhere other than the Organization. However, John 6:38 makes a very different point:
“Simon Peter answered him: “Lord, whom shall we go away to? You have sayings of everlasting life.”” John 6:68
One cannot help but wonder what Jesus thinks about having Watchtower applying this Scripture to themselves, rather than to him.
There was freedom within congregations to discuss different points of view without fear of retribution, as shown by open discussion on circumcision. Consensus was reached at Acts 15 that circumcision was not required, but that it was necessary to abstain “from things sacrificed to idols (v. 29)”. Yet even this statement was not binding regulation, since Paul later explained at 1 Corinthians 8 that food sacrificed to idols need only be avoided if eating it would cause a brother to stumble.
The formation of congregations indicates order, but does not imply an elite group of specially directed leaders in a position to demand unquestioning obedience.
When Russell started publishing Zion’s Watch Tower, he was not a link in an unbroken chain extending through history as Jehovah’s organization. He had turned his back on organized religion and gone out alone. He promoted this rebellion against organization, writing:
“(2) Beware of “organization.” It is wholly unnecessary. The Bible rules will be the only rules you will need. Do not seek to bind others’ consciences, and do not permit others to bind yours. Believe and obey so far as you can understand God’s Word today, and so continue growing in grace and knowledge and love day by day.” ( Watchtower 1895 Sep 15 reprints p. 1866)
“We are in fellowship with all Christians in whom we can recognize the Bible as the only standard. We do not require, therefore, that all shall see just as we do in order to be called Christians, realizing that growth in both grace and knowledge is a gradual process.” ( Watchtower Apr 1882 reprints p. 344)
“The test of membership in the New Creation will not be membership in any earthly organization, but union with the Lord as a member of his mystical body;” ( Millenial Dawn - The New Creation (1904) p. 74)
However, as time went on, Russell started to promote the importance of his own writings as essential to learning truth. Thirty years after he started publishing, he was being referred to as Pastor, accepted the title of Faithful Slave and wrote that his books were essential for an understanding of the Bible, in fact more important than to read the Bible alone.
“Furthermore, not only do we find that people cannot see the divine plan in studying the Bible by itself, but we see, also, that if anyone lays the SCRIPTURE STUDIES aside, even after he has used them, after he has become familiar with them, after he has read them for ten years - if he then lays them aside and ignores them and goes to the Bible alone, though he has understood his Bible for ten years, our experience shows that within two years he goes into darkness. On the other hand, if he had earnest heed to the opportunities for service and consider that merely read the SCRIPTURE STUDIES with their references, and had not read a page of the Bible, as such, he would be in the light at the end of the two years, because he would have the light of the Scriptures.” ( Watchtower 1910 Sep 15 reprints p. 344)
Whilst this concept that Watchtower publications are essential for knowing truth continues to this day, the reality is that anyone holding to Russell’s teachings is considered apostate by Jehovah’s Witnesses.
*** w81 8/15 pp. 28-29 par. 14 Serving Jehovah “Shoulder to Shoulder” ***
14 From time to time, there have arisen from among the ranks of Jehovah’s people those who … say that it is sufficient to read the Bible exclusively, either alone or in small groups at home. But, strangely, through such ‘Bible reading,’ they have reverted right back to the apostate doctrines that commentaries by Christendom’s clergy were teaching 100 years ago, and some have even returned to celebrating Christendom’s festivals again, such as the Roman Saturnalia of December 25! Jesus and his apostles warned against such lawless ones.—Matt. 24:11-13; Acts 20:28-30; 2 Pet. 2:1, 22.
Far from Jehovah always using an organization, Watchtower sprung onto the scene, and then took many decades to morph into the tightly controlled organization it is today that accepts no disagreement.
While pushing that belonging to Jehovah’s organization is essential for salvation, it claims the opposite when preaching against other religions that try to say the same.
“We must seek to be genuine Christians in every sense of the word. Does that mean we have to join a church organization in Christendom? Ask yourself now, did Christ Jesus, who set our example and told us to follow his example to gain life, join any church organization in his day? No, God does not require us to do that; but he requires us to worship him, to preach the good news of the Kingdom, to be Christians, to follow the example Jesus set, living in unalterable devotion to Jehovah God; to praise God and respect his supremacy, to resist all efforts to turn us from decency and to endure in faith. We have the Bible to show us the right way. Certainly it is not necessary for a person to become a member of a church to gain everlasting life.” Watchtower 1953 March 1 p. 143
“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. For this reason the Bible cannot be properly understood without Jehovah’s visible organization in mind.” Watchtower 1967 Oct 1 p. 587
Jehovah’s Witnesses are still told that leaving the organization will result in everlasting death.
“An even greater mistake would be to allow the faults of others to stumble us and cause us to leave Jehovah’s organization. Were that to happen, we would lose not only the privilege of doing God’s will but also the hope of life in God’s new world.” Watchtower 2016 June study ed p. 26
However, it is not inspired nor infallible:
“The Governing Body is neither inspired nor infallible. Therefore, it can err in doctrinal matters or in organizational direction. In fact, the Watch Tower Publications Index includes the heading “Beliefs Clarified,” which lists adjustments in our Scriptural understanding since 1870. Of course, Jesus did not tell us that his faithful slave would produce perfect spiritual food.” Watchtower 2017 February p. 26 par. 12 Who Is Leading God’s People Today?
| The Governing Body claims: to be directed by God’s Spirit but not be inspired. By definition this is impossible |
The Governing Body admits: it makes mistakes but it must not be questioned. To do so is illogical |
| This is the equivalent of saying: “Follow us without question, even when we are wrong.” |
|
*** w62 12/15 p. 762 We Need Jehovah’s Organization ***
This sincere desire to search out accurate understanding of the things in God’s Word and this willingness to make changes when Scriptural evidence accumulates to indicate a need for them should instill confidence in the organization. It assures the Lord’s “sheep” that the organization will never knowingly misinform them.
*** w51 4/15 p. 240 par. 23 “Let Marriage Be Honorable Among All” ***
God’s organization is more important to him than the salvation of an immoral or disobedient creature. The vindication of Jehovah’s sovereignty and the keeping his name above reproach is of higher importance than the preservation of willful sinners. Hence these paramount things must come first. Accordingly God shows due respect for the organization which bears his name. He executes his judgments against the defilers and keeps it clean. He acts on the principle: “If anyone destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him; for the temple of God is holy, which temple you people are.”—1 Cor. 3:17, NW.
Is the organization necessary for salvation?
“Jehovah’s visible organization can use you, but can get along without you too. But you cannot get along without it. Fruitless ones are eventually pruned off and never missed as new ones are grafted in. Pruned-off branches soon wither and die, being cut off from the circulating, life-giving sap. … Don’t amputate yourself from the organization and commit spiritual suicide.” Watchtower January 15, 1950 p. 26
“Consider, too, the fact that Jehovah’s organization alone, in all the earth, is directed by God’s holy spirit or active force. (Zech. 4:6) Only this organization functions for Jehovah’s purpose and to his praise. To it alone God’s Sacred Word, the Bible, is not a sealed book.” Watchtower July 1, 1973 p. 402
“Similarly, Jehovah is using only one organization today to accomplish his will. To receive everlasting life in the earthly Paradise we must identify that organization and serve God as part of it.” Watchtower February 15, 1983 p. 12
“However, the Governing Body are appointed through the holy spirit under the direction of Jehovah God and Jesus Christ.” Watchtower March 15, 1990 p. 18
“These overseers faithfully seek to apply instructions received from Jehovah God and Jesus Christ by means of the faithful and discreet slave and its Governing Body.” Watchtower March 15, 1990 p. 20
“Thus, when direction comes from Jehovah’s organization, we can wisely submit to it, knowing full well that Jehovah will only lead us in a way that will be to our everlasting benefit.” Watchtower November 1, 1990, p. 30
“Christ thus leads the congregation by means of the spirit-anointed “faithful and discreet slave” and its Governing Body.” Examining the Scriptures Daily 2007 p. 34
*** w12 3/15 p. 20 par. 2 Rejoicing in Our Hope ***
2 Christians living at this time of the end focus their attention on one of two hopes. The remaining members of the “little flock” of anointed Christians have the hope of immortal life in heaven as kings and priests with Christ in his Kingdom. (Luke 12:32; Rev. 5:9,10) The far more numerous “great crowd” of “other sheep” share the hope of living forever on a paradise earth as subjects of the Messianic Kingdom. (Rev. 7:9,10; John 10:16) The other sheep should never forget that their salvation depends on their active support of Christ’s anointed “brothers” still on earth. (Matt. 25:34-40) The anointed will enter into their reward, but the hope of the other sheep will just as certainly be fulfilled. (Read Hebrews 11:39,40.) First, let us examine the hope set before the anointed.
