Evidence Of Holy Spirit At Work - First Century & Today!

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Evidence Of Holy Spirit At Work - First Century & Today!

Post by Donald C. Burney »

EVIDENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AT WORK -- FIRST CENTURY & TODAY!

Today, there is a need for us to give special consideration in discussing this matter of the "spirit-led" anointed congregation (Romans 8:14) of the first century as opposed to the modern-day so-called "spirit-directed" organization of Jehovah's Witnesses today. Yes, let's make that all-important comparison, shall we?

To help us do this, let's examine Ephesians 4:30 which says:

"Also, DO NOT BE GRIEVING GOD'S HOLY SPIRIT, with which you [mine: entire congregation] have been sealed for a day of releasing by ransom." -- Ephesians 4:30 New World Translation

Now, let's think a minute on this.

Did this above verse, only apply to the apostles of the first century (a privileged few among the anointed), or did it apply equally to all of the anointed of the first century -- which?

What did the verse say? Isn't the above verse telling us all ... all anointed disciples of Jesus of the first century, and NOT just a privileged few (like the Governing Body), could and would certainly experience the "grieving" process of God's holy spirit UPON THEMSELVES, if for any reason they took a particular course that was detrimental to the progress of the church, or a course that was NOT in harmony with the 'leadings of the spirit'? Does not the "spirit" make "all things cooperate together," for the good of the entire congregation, as Paul said? -- Please compare Paul's inspired comments at Romans 8:28.

Does not this verse show if any anointed one ... any anointed one decided to take a course that would be NOT to the liking of Jesus Christ and Jehovah God, the holy spirit would thus be "grieved" ... even visibly so? Doesn't it say this? Was this activity of the holy spirit, strictly limited to the leading members of the church, or was it available to all anointed sons of the church -- which? -- See Romans 8:14.

For example, say if someone was to start to teach, spread or suggest one follow an "artfully contrived false story" (like the 1914 teaching) or another false teaching in the anointed congregation, wouldn't the spirit be "grieved" in this instance, in the first century congregation, in light of statements by apostles Paul and John? -- See Titus 3:10, 11; 1 John 2:20, 27.

Then too, the apostle Peter certainly condemned taking such a course for ALL ANOINTED members of the congregation, and not for a privileged few, didn't he? Peter felt God's spirit would help them (the entire congregation) make that decision, didn't he? (Hence, his direct comments at 2 Peter 1:16 to prevent such happenings in the congregation.)

Also, does not the apostle John say to the ENTIRE ANOINTED CHURCH to "test the inspired utterances" ... was that counsel limited to say a privileged few, like the apostles only ... the leading men of the church or what? Were the apostles the only ones in the first century congregation that was capable of "testing the inspired utterances" of others? Or, was it possible for any "anointed" one of the first century, with help of God's spirit, to do this? Which would you say would be a more accurate viewpoint on this? -- See 1 John 4:1.

Plainly, there were problems in the first century congregation, a congregation filled with imperfect, sinful people. We all know this. However, we also know these same imperfect people still had the "leadings of the spirit" to guide them along. And that special activity of the "spirit" would surely lead them, each and every one of them (and not just a privileged few), to their final destiny, heavenly life with Jesus, eternally.

Now, ask yourself:

Do we have hard evidence, within the structure of the modern day Jehovah's Witnesses, of pure action on the part of the "holy spirit" working upon 10,000 or more anointed individuals world wide, "GRIEVING" THEM IF NECESSARY, when things are NOT going right in the modern-day congregation, according to Jehovah's and Jesus' Will???

Again, we must ask ... Do we have this hard evidence before us today, among Jehovah's Witnesses, like we know it existed in the first century ANOINTED congregation?

What do you say???

Sometimes, individuals will think, only the "elders" or leading members of the first century congregation had the true leadings of the spirit. This point is actually touted in the July 15th, 2010 Watchtower magazine where the following statements were made:

July 15th, 2010 Watchtower magazine, pages 22, 23:

Would all anointed Christians “shine”? In a sense, yes, for all Christians would participate in preaching, in disciple making, and in building one another up at meetings. Anointed ones would set the example. (Zech. 8:23) In addition to this, however, deep things were to be revealed during the time of the end. The very prophecy Daniel recorded was “sealed up” until that time. (Dan. 12:9) How and through whom would the spirit search into these deep things?

When the time comes to clarify a spiritual matter in our day, holy spirit helps responsible representatives of “the faithful and discreet slave” at world headquarters to discern deep truths that were not previously understood. (Matt. 24:45; 1 Cor. 2:13) The Governing Body as a whole considers adjusted explanations. (Acts 15:6) What they learn, they publish for the benefit of all. (Matt.10:27) As time goes on, further clarifications may be needed, and these too are honestly explained.

End of quote.

So in using the above reasoning, the WTBTS is saying the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses have special "insights" of the scripture, due to the help of the "anointing" or holy spirit operating upon them, exclusively. Were you aware of this viewpoint, yourself?

Perhaps, at this time, it would be good to ponder four (4) key points of serious consideration below, that raises genuine questions of concern about this particular view point as shown above, and how things are generally done and accepted as proper practice among Jehovah's Witnesses today, that is from a scriptural point of view. -- Philippians 4:8

First this point:

1. Doesn't the entire "anointed" remnant, according to the bible, have the holy spirit to rely upon, to teach them, to lead them as sons ... all 10,000 of them (or whatever the current number is these days, I can't remember) at the kingdom halls around the world? Isn't this true?

Here is what Paul said about it:

"For all who are led by God's spirit, these are God's sons. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery causing fear again, but you received a spirit of adoption as sons, by which spirit we cry out: "Abba, Father!" The spirit itself bears witness with out spirit that we are God's children. If then, we are children, we are also heirs; heirs indeed of God, but joint heirs with Christ, provided we suffer together that we may also be glorified together." -- Romans 8:14-16 New World Translation

Isn't Paul saying above, all of the anointed ... all of them, are "led by God's spirit" as true "sons of God"? ... isn't that what he was saying here in this verse? And would that 'leadership of the holy spirit,' upon the anointed as a congregation, have to be limited strictly to a few men or "elders" who are taking the lead, in this case, namely the Governing Body?

2. What about what the apostle John's observation, under inspiration found below:

"And YOU have an anointing from the holy one; all of YOU have knowledge. I write YOU, not because YOU do not know the truth, but because YOU know it, and because no lie originates with the truth. ... And as for YOU, the anointing that YOU received from him remains in YOU, and YOU do not need anyone to be teaching YOU; but, as the anointing from him is teaching YOU about all things, and is true and is no lie, and just as it has taught YOU, remain in union with him. -- 1 John 2:20, 27 New World Translation

Aren't these verses above making it clear ALL ... that's ALL of the "anointed" have the holy spirit to TEACH them, so then they really don't need anyone or anybody to teach them... isn't that what the verse above is saying? (I realize of course, this contradicts the contents of the July 15th, 2010 Watchtower's strict mandate, that all actions of the holy spirit, all proceed thru the Governing Body and ONLY them. Even anointed people, "domestics" if you will, can't claim this unique blessing. It only goes to the Governing Body, per the Watchtower magazine.) -- Matthew 24:45-47

3. Also consider this point. Jesus recommended the following, as proper protocol for the church to follow:

"Moreover, if your brother commits a sin, go lay bare his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take along with you one or two more, in order that at the mouth of two or three witnesses every matter may be established. If he does not listen to them, speak to the congregation. If he does not listen even to the congregation, let him be to you just as a man of the nations and as a tax collector." -- Matthew 18:15-17 New World Translation

Now ask yourself:

What did Jesus mean when he said "speak to the congregation?"

Does that expression ("speak to the congregation") mean, to go to the elders alone and let the elders make the final decision as to what to do with this offender? Or, is this responsibility rightfully laid upon the shoulders of the congregation as a whole -- Which?

Interestingly, the New International Version suggests the entire congregation is intricately involved with the corrective action of the congregation toward the wrongdoer, by saying at 1 Timothy 5:20,

"As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the PRESENCE OF ALL, so that the rest may stand in fear." -- 1 Timothy 5:20 NIV

Okay, let's take another case...

4. Paul made specific recommendations about how to handle wrongdoers in the christian congregation. Here is what he said:

"In my letter I wrote YOU to quit mixing in company with fornicators, not [meaning] entirely with the fornicators of this world or the greedy persons and extortioners or idolaters. Otherwise, YOU would actually have to get out of the world. 11 But now I am writing YOU to quit mixing in company with anyone called a brother that is a fornicator or a greedy person or an idolater or a reviler or a drunkard or an extortioner, not even eating with such a man. For what do I have to do with judging those outside? Do YOU not judge those inside, while God judges those outside? “Remove the wicked [man] from among yourselves." -- 1 Corinthians 5:11-13 New World Translation

In the above inspired counsel, was Paul recommending the entire congregation make this decision or was Paul addressing specifically the "elders" to carry out his instructions above -- Which?

So, we at the YORWW Congregation believe these four (4) points should be scripturally addressed, to prove or disprove the claims of the Governing Body (in the July 15th, 2010 Watchtower magazine), that the holy spirit ONLY helps them "clarify" bible matters for proper understanding for the congregation of God. Is that idea, really scriptural, we at the YORWW Congregation ask?

Think about it.


Donald C. Burney
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