Thus far, myself and the JW apologist “Rotherham” have gone through almost 80 comments in discussion on this topic.  While one can only take a discussion so far before the dead horse gets beaten some more, I really think this topic is central to our differences with the JW’s.

Unfortunately, i’m going to be out of commission for 2-3 weeks and won’t be able to carry the discussion forward during this time.  This is due to my wedding, honeymoon, moving, etc.  And who knows what my blogging/discussion activities will be like after that because i’ll be entering a new and foreign stage in life.  So we’ll just have to see when we get there.  In addition, I have a lot of plans upcoming with CARM, so that may take priority over what goes on here.

At any rate, i’ll reproduce Rotherham’s most recent comment here, just for my own accountability purposes (and bad memory!).  I don’t view this as between myself and Rotherham only, so anyone is welcome to leave their comments here.

The question I asked is relevant to the discussion, so please take time to answer it. Although I have and will again offer an exegesis of Ephesians 4:11-17, I also think it is important to interact with the person who is in opposition to the view. Since so much of modern day teaching is based upon opinion and sometimes personal whim, it is important to know their views so as what to address and what not to address.

Yes, the GB is following first century practices with one very significant difference. They are not inspired and they do not possess the gifts of the spirit, in particular the gift of discerning inspired utterances. In the first century, through the combination of those two things, the inspired library of books was established. We certainly are not establishing inspired writings today. What we are establishing is the correct understanding of that library which has been corrupted by the weeds during the growing season. It is a “process” to continue to rid those things which cause stumbling and/or persons who do the same. Naturally, the need of the existence of a governing element should become readily apparent in order to accomplish the refinement that would take place during the harvest period, which is where we believe we are in the stream of time. Refinements can come about through the efforts and personal research of the individual members of the GB or through their collective efforts, but always, these new understandings are presented before the body for their perusal and either rejection or acceptance. I don’t know why you would think that to be so odd or why you think I am off on that estimation.

With that in mind, Ephesians 4:11-17 clearly establishes that there would be gifts in/to men that would be responsible for readjusting the holy ones until that full stature arrives. And it should be readily clear from the context that the purpose was for the unity to be maintained so that the congregation would not be torn by every wind of teaching. I’m not really sure what more there is to exegete than that. I think we actually agree that this is what it says. I think your disagreement is in relation to how strongly we should adhere to the teachings of those gifts in men.

The way we have things arranged within our modern organization of Christianity is that we are trying to maintain the same stance toward unity as was maintained in the first century. As I stated before, without the very beneficial aid of direct inspiration, given that we are in the process of digging out from age-old errors and discovering more and more about the ancient languages used, I don’t see any other way to maintain earthwide unity except in the fashion that we do so. I am sure that there is some room for variation, but the basic principle is Biblically sound. If such a thing can be carried out on a local level, why in the world would we think that the same thing would not be necessary on a worldwide scale? Without it, Christianity would indeed be a perfect example of different congregations being carried hither and thither by every wind of teaching based on the cunning and contriving errors of men.

We believe that this reflects the spirit of what is stated in numerous places within the Bible. Ephesians 4:11-17 surely doesn’t stand alone. And any exegesis of that passage must be seen to harmonize with everything else that is stated on the topic.

The scriptures often reiterate the stance that there should be no divisions or sects among you. The only allowance ever spoken of for the existence of sects was for the purpose of establishing those who were approved by God. It was prophecied more than once that wolves would sneak in and even arise from within to mislead the congregation and possibly even wreck their faith. Without a centralized authority, that is exactly what happens in the world of religion.

From the things that we have established, which are:

————–
1. An unrelenting heretic should be removed from the congregation.

2. We should surrender our views to those taking the lead over us as long as those views do not violate what the scriptures teach.

3. Ephesians 4:11-17 is an active and current process to be fully realized in the future.
—————

we should be able to readily perceive that one who would take an unrelenting stance against those giftsof men, and therefore create disuntiy and possibly a sect, they should be removed from the congregation after a second admonition.

The Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses are adamant in saying that all true Christians must believe everything they teach.

***w09 p. 14 par. 5 Treasure Your Place in the Congregation***

We need to guard against developing a spirit of independence. By word or action, may we never challenge the channel of communication that Jehovah is using today.

*** w59 5/1 p. 269 par. 7 Attain Completeness in the New World Society ***

To hold to the headship of Christ, it is therefore necessary to obey the organization that he is personally directing. Doing what the organization says is to do what he says. Resisting the organization is to resist him.

One reason why the Governing Body speaks in this way is because all Christians should believe the same things.  That is, there should be no disagreements, debates, sects, denominations, etc.  What if the Governing Body teaches something you believe is unbiblical?  Should the faithful Christian speak up?  Or should he remain quiet and “wait on Jehovah” to correct the Governing Body?  Apparently, some Jehovah’s Witnesses believe Ephesians 4:11-16 teaches that unity trumps the perfection of understanding.  That is, even if you believe something is true, you should either believe the Governing Body or wait until the Governing Body changes their perspective.  The contrary would be to openly, but respectfully criticize the teachings of the Governing Body that you consider to be false.  Unfortunately, this is forbidden to the faithful JW.

With that said, let’s go through Ephesians 4:11-16 verse by verse and see if it teaches what the Watchtower claims it does.

“And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,” (Ephesians 4:11)

Both JW’s and non-JW’s alike are in agreement that there are no inspired Apostles around as there were in the first century.  Where we disagree is where we draw the line in our cooperation to those taking the lead, whether it be local elders or a “Governing Body.”  Before we get into this, let’s see what the Watchtower has to say about those who take the lead according to Ephesians 4:11:

*** w07 4/1 p. 28 par. 7 Humbly Submitting to Loving Shepherds ***

7 Our heavenly Shepherds, Jehovah God and Jesus Christ, expect us to be obedient and submissive to the undershepherds whom they have placed in positions of responsibility within the congregation. (1 Peter 5:5)

What the Watchtower claims about obedience and what the Bible claims are two different things.  See THIS POST for an excellent discussion of Hebrews 13:17 and what it means to “obey” or “submit.”  Interestingly, the Watchtower affirmed these ideas to some extent in the same article,

*** w07 4/1 p. 28 par. 8 Humbly Submitting to Loving Shepherds ***

Bible scholar R. T. France explains that in the original Greek, the word here translated “be obedient” is not “the normal term for obedience, but literally ‘be persuaded,’ implying a willing acceptance of their leadership.” We obey the elders not only because we are directed to do so in God’s Word but also because we are persuaded that they have Kingdom interests and our best interests at heart. We will certainly be happy if we willingly accept their leadership.

This is fine as far as it goes, but the same article describes what should happen once you are “persuaded” of the Governing Body’s leadership:

*** w07 4/1 p. 28 par. 9 Humbly Submitting to Loving Shepherds ***

9 What, though, if we are not convinced that in a certain case the elders’ direction is the best way of doing things? That is where submission comes into play. It is easy to obey when everything is clear and we agree, but we will show that we are truly submissive if we yield even when we do not personally understand the direction provided. Peter, who later became an apostle, showed this kind of submission.—Luke 5:4, 5.

This is both a poor Scriptural example and poor exegesis.  Is the Watchtower implying that we should accept the elder’s or Governing Body’s decision even when we aren’t convinced that they are correct?  How is Luke 5:4-5 a parallel when Jesus is the one Peter is submitting to?  Is submitting to and putting your faith in Jesus the same thing as obeying the elders or Governing Body?  Interestingly, the Watchtower has very recently implied some very strong words of the JW elders,

*** w08 4/15 p. 7 par. 19 Repudiate “Valueless Things” ***

Elders do not go beyond the things that are written in the Bible. And by extension, they do not go beyond the Bible-based counsel written in the publications of the faithful and discreet slave.

If elders “don’t go beyond the things that are written,” does this mean that the elders are always right?

Thus far, we are off to a poor start in going beyond anything Ephesians 4:11-16 has taught us.  All Ephesians 4:11 has articulated is who Jesus has provided to, “equip the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ.” (4:12) These ones are apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers.  Notice, it is all these ones who are involved in equipping the saints; not just a centralized handful of men with exceptional authority.

Moreover, the Watchtower has assumed a particular authority to a fictitious “Governing Body” that isn’t even mentioned in the text.  And through this assumption, the Watchtower will continue to insert their beliefs into the remainder of the passage as we will soon see.

“…for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:12)

What does Ephesians 4:12 teach us?  In context with v. 11, it is all apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers who are to build up the body of Christ.  That is, Paul does not give any instructions for believers to look to the teachings of a “Governing body” and leave it to them to equip all Christians with proper teachings.  Instead, he leaves it to those who are gifted and rely on the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit to build up and encourage other believers.

“…until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:13)

Instead of relying on Scripture to guide their theological view, the Governing Body uses Ephesians 4:13 to justify their demand for absolute unquestionable obedience of all Christians worldwide:

*** w01 8/1 p. 14 par. 8 Make Your Advancement Manifest ***

First, since “oneness” is to be observed, a mature Christian must be in unity and full harmony with fellow believers as far as faith and knowledge are concerned. He does not advocate or insist on personal opinions or harbor private ideas when it comes to Bible understanding.

Unfortunately, the Watchtower doesn’t provide us with the full picture.  Of course, we don’t agree with Christians who have mere “personal opinions” to Bible understanding, for that would be eisegesis.  But what about Christians who exegete the Scriptures properly and prayerfully seek the Holy Spirit for guidance?  What should this Christian do when he is convinced that he is interpreting a text properly and was led by the Spirit in doing so?  Should he abandon his convictions because the Governing Body teaches something different?

Apparently, this Christian should abandon his conclusions and instead, believe what the Watchtower teaches.  But why shouldn’t it be the other way around?  Why doesn’t the Governing Body accept correction?  The simple answer is because the Governing Body has already assumed a position that demands correction of the subjects.  Therefore, by default, all interpretations that differ from theirs are to be dismissed as “personal opinions” or “private ideas.”  Yet, do we see anything in Ephesians 4:13 which assumes this level authority to anyone?  Instead, the faithful exegete should determine someone’s beliefs to be unbiblical before referring to these as “personal opinions.”

*** w01 8/1 p. 14 par. 8 Make Your Advancement Manifest ***

Rather, he has complete confidence in the truth as it is revealed by Jehovah God through his Son, Jesus Christ, and “the faithful and discreet slave.” By regularly taking in the spiritual food provided “at the proper time”—through Christian publications, meetings, assemblies, and conventions—we can be sure that we maintain “oneness” with fellow Christians in faith and knowledge.—Matthew 24:45.

Again, there is nothing in Ephesians 4:13 or the context that says anything of the kind.  Here, the Governing Body assumes their interpretation of Matthew 24:45 and reads it into Ephesians 4:13 without justification.  That is, they suppose that “unity” equals all Christians agreeing with them.  Interestingly, the Watchtower is telling us to have “complete confidence” in their teachings and cites Matthew 24:45.  Yet, for decades the Watchtower has admittedly taught a false interpretation of Matthew 24:45.  Of course, some Jehovah’s Witnesses cite the Governing Body’s willingness for readjustments as evidence of their “complete confidence.”  Yet, Jehovah’s Witnesses will then cite Ephesians 4:14 to display their confidence for a contradictory reason as we will soon see.  Either way, whether stagnant or changing in their teachings, the JW’s would still display their confidence in the Governing Body.

*** w01 8/1 p. 14 par. 9 Make Your Advancement Manifest ***

Second, the expression “the faith” refers, not to the conviction that each individual Christian professes, but to the totality of our belief, “the breadth and length and height and depth” of it. (Ephesians 3:18; 4:5; Colossians 1:23; 2:7) In fact, how can a Christian be in oneness with fellow believers if he only believes or accepts a certain part of “the faith”? This means that we must not be content with knowing just the basic teachings of the Bible or having just hazy or partial knowledge of the truth. Rather, we should be interested in taking advantage of all of Jehovah’s provisions through his organization to dig deeply into his Word. We must endeavor to gain as accurate and as full an understanding of God’s will and purpose as possible. This includes taking the time to read and study the Bible and Bible publications, to pray to God for his help and guidance, to attend Christian meetings regularly, and to have a full share in the Kingdom-preaching and disciple-making work.—Proverbs 2:1-5.

For JW’s, “the faith” equals “everything the Watchtower teaches.”  Therefore, the JW must accept everything they teach.  This is how they must be unified.  So again, we see an eisegetical insertion of something that is not taught in Ephesians 4:13.  Nowhere does it advise Christians to be unified by accepting teachings from a centralized group of men.  Nor does it teach us anything about “private interpretations.”  So what does Ephesians 4:13 tell us?

First, notice that the unity of the faith has not happened yet.  We know this because the body of Christ has not fully matured in having a full knowledge of Christ, “to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.”  Even the Watchtower has to admit that they aren’t there yet.  In addition, they have to admit that they don’t have perfect theological knowledge.  They make mistakes and will continue to do so.

This is why Paul is commanding Christians who are gifted to continue to encourage, teach, and build up believers for service until they get to that maturity of full knowledge of Christ (Colossians 2:3).  What will this look like?

“For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.” (1 Corinthians 13:12)

Paul isn’t providing a solution for unity by telling Christians to obey the Governing Body.  Instead, the solution is with believers themselves to take initiative and build up the body of Christ by pointing them to Christ and the Scriptures.

“As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming.” (Ephesians 4:14)

This Scripture is quite interesting as it relates to the Watchtower because it flies in the face of their history.  First, JW’s place their trust in the Governing Body because they believe they are teaching truth.  Yet, they also place their trust in them because they sometimes admit when they have taught something false.

But we must question whether Ephesians 4:14 actually applies to the Watchtower.  Are they being “tossed around” with their teachings?   A quick glance at their sloppy history in formulating fictitious chronologies or their life threatening teachings regarding medical practices would reveal this to be so.  To the outside observer, the Watchtower is obviously being “tossed around” by “every wind of doctrine.”  Therefore, would it not be within the faithful Christians conscience to use Ephesians 4:14 to abandon their association with the Watchtower and begin to fellowship with believers who don’t appear to be identified with this verse?  If we’re really looking for “unity” in this passage, it seems that this would be the more unified choice.

“but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.” (Ephesians 4:15–16)

Notice that “unity” and “growth” are identified with Christ.  We are to grow up through unity in Him and to encourage others to do the same.  Instead of applying this, the Watchtower instead seeks to define “unity” by obedience to everything they teach.  Ephesians 4:11-16 says nothing of the kind.

In addition, we are to “speak the truth in love.”  What is the truth and how do we come to such knowledge?  For Jehovah’s Witnesses, “the truth” is whatever comports with Watchtower teaching (which they obviously believe to be biblical).  Yet, the Watchtower admits they teach things that are false and are capable of doing such for decades.  So how can you really “speak the truth” when you are to abandon what you think is truth for the sake of “unity.”  In other words, even if you think that your conclusion is more Scriptural than the Watchtower’s, you should abandon your “private interpretation” for the Watchtower’s.  This is neither truthful or loving and will not grow you in “all aspects into Him who is the head.”

To conclude, we have seen nothing in these texts which speak to “unity” in the way that the Watchtower demands.  JW apologists may suggest that “sects” are condemned by God because they aren’t “unified.”  Yet, Ephesians 4:11-16 doesn’t provide us with the solution that JW’s think it does; that is, to resolve “sects” by obeying a “Governing Body.”  Instead, the resolution to sects is to continue to have those gifted teachers and evangelist build up the body of Christ by pointing them to Christ and His Word.  Thus, according to Ephesians 4:11-16, when Christ returns in glory, only then will we have full doctrinal unity.  Therefore, the work of building up and equipping believers will continue until that time.

Watchtower apostasy is an important issue that every JW should consider.  Though i’ve thought through it in the past, this discussion provoked me to consider writing about it; in particular, this comment by a JW apologist. But before I address his comment, it is important that we set the stage with some context.

The Watchtower has long held that all true Christians must worship Jehovah in association with them.  Otherwise, they aren’t a true Christian.  This has been discussed HERE, so there is no need to belabor this point and most JW’s would agree.  But what happens if the Watchtower begins to teach apostate doctrines or even go so far as to join themselves with so-called “christendom?”  I will post the JW response (linked above) to this question and interact throughout.

The Watchtower has never addressed the idea as to what would happen if they apostatized because the notion is considered ridiculous. From what I know of them, I would agree.

Its ridiculous that a Christian organization can apostatize?  According to the Watchtower, isn’t that what happened in the early church?  Or what about Saul, the one whom Jehovah chose to rule his people (1 Sam. 9:17)?  Is there something in Scripture which would somehow imply that the Watchtower is exempt?

On the contrary, the Watchtower even admits that apostasy will happen in the “last days,”

*** w80 8/1 p. 19 par. 8 Remain “Solid in the Faith” ***

⁸ But other scriptures make it clear that even during “the last days” of the present system of things, cases of apostasy would occur within the true Christian congregation. The apostle Peter wrote:

“In the last days there will come ridiculers with their ridicule, proceeding according to their own desires and saying: ‘Where is this promised presence of his?’ . . . You, therefore, beloved ones, having this advance knowledge, be on your guard that you may not be led away with them by the error of the law-defying people and fall from your own steadfastness.”—2 Pet. 3:3, 4, 17.

Granted, this isn’t admitting that this can or will happen with the entire leadership, but it is difficult to imagine why such a notion would be ”ridiculous.”

The Bible takes precedent in any teaching within the JW congregations. If there were clear and unquestionable deviation from an established Biblical teaching, if that were maintained and not expeditiously corrected, they would lose God’s favor and be rejected as his earthly organization and God would establish another.

But what would be a “clear and unquestionable deviation?”  Since the Governing Body expressly forbids their authority to be challenged, then how could the faithful JW even know that they are deviating?  Perhaps their “deviation” is actually “new light?”  As a matter of fact, this is the very reason why many JW’s leave the organization; because they feel the Governing Body has deviated from established biblical teachings.  Yet, faithful JW’s will consider them apostate with little hesitation.

This is further complicated when the Watchtower advises that JW’s can’t even understand the Bible without them.  Therefore, if the JW can’t understand the Bible without them, then how could they know when the Watchtower has truly deviated?

Those who appreciate the Bible as the final word would follow as it would naturally result in a schism.

So how would the JW know who to follow?  Would this require independent thinking?  What if the organization disbanded completely, as it is said to have happened in the early church?

The WT is considered to be like the eyeglass that helps one understand the true teachings from God’s word. It is however, recognized as fallible. The scriptures, as far as they are translated properly, reflect the perfect word of God and the Bible is well known to be our primary textbook. It is infallible and takes full precedent in any understanding, teaching or practice. Therefore, with the Bible at the helm, your above contrived scenario is not an issue.

This is fine, but the JW is still to recognize the Watchtower publications as “instructions from Jehovah.”  In addition, you are not to challenge them and accept what they put in print; even if you think they might be wrong.  After all, could you really know better than them?  This is precisely how the Governing Body expects JW’s to think.  Claiming “fallibility” does little to alleviate these concerns.

Although the organization is considered God’s arrangement, that would only be as long as they were devoted to the teachings of the Bible. Just as Israel was rejected for corruption, so could the WT. Israel was God’s nation but became corrupt to the point that God rejected them as a nation. Not individually but as a nation. Jesus told them that the kingdom of God would be taken from them and given to nation producing its fruits.

So can they or can’t they apostatize?  But again, it is always assumed that the Governing Body is “devoted to the teachings of the Bible.”  In fact, that is the very thing that you aren’t supposed to challenge.

Those who adhere first to God’s Word would clearly see the reason for their rejection, but as I said, the notion is a purposeful contrivance on your part.

What exactly is a “purposeful contrivance?”  Is my concern not legitimate?  I do agree that those who “adhere first to God’s Word would clearly see the reason for their rejection.”  Where I disagree is whether a faithful JW could do this.

The WT has proven faithful in changing as they discern error, as they should. They are lovers of truth and will change as the revelation and clarification of truth continues.This would be in harmony with the idea presented in the parable of the wheat and the weeds.

Its interesting when a rank-and-file JW “discerns error” in a Watchtower teaching, it is regarded as “doubting Jehovah.”  Yet, when the Governing Body does it, its regarded as “new light.”

Besides, one can question what they will. The problem is not questions or doubts, it is the promoting of teachings against what has been accepted by the governing body. In the first century, that was the Apostles as all congregation adhered to the teachings of the Apostles. In the harvest it would be the FDS as mentioned in Matthew or the wheat as mentioned in the prophecy about the wheat and the weeds. Ephesians 4:11-17 would be in full support of that type of arrangement.

Actually, even in the first century, at least one apostle expressly denied this (Gal. 1:8).  Contrary to the Watchtower, Paul advised that even apostles can be opposed when they distort the gospel.  But even then, how can we compare the first century apostles to the Governing Body of today?  Where does Scripture make such a connection?  Is my JW friend really suggesting that we should obey the Governing Body in the same way that the first century church obeyed the apostles?  If not, then what is the real difference?

This issue of apostasy should be of concern for any faithful Christ follower.  When one renders their leader(s) as exempt from this, we should question where their allegiance really lies.