By the Scripture’s Own Writers
Jehovah’s Witnesses
Definition
Servants of Jehovah, the Almighty God, and active witnesses to His sovereign supremacy. Since the time of Christ Jesus they are Christian ministers, doing the will of God by following the course exemplified by Christ their Leader. The name Jehovah meaning “The Purposer”, His witnesses declare Him as the only true God, who is now working out His purpose of vindicating His Name and sovereignty and blessing all faithful mankind through His kingdom. Not a sect or cult that follows or adulates human leaders or rites and ceremonies.
Jesus Christ is the Chief Witness of Jehovah
Revelation 1:5 “Jesus Christ, ‘the Faithful Witness,’ ‘The firstborn from the dead,’ and ‘The Ruler of the kings of the earth’.”
Revelation 3:14 “These are the things the Amen says, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation by God.”
John 18:37 “Jesus answered: ‘ . .. For this purpose I have been born and for this purpose I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone that is on the side of the truth listens to My voice.’ “
John 17:6, 26 “I have made Your Name manifest to the men You gave Me out of the world…. And I have made Your Name known to them and will make it known.”
John 14:9 “He that has seen Me has seen the Father also.”
The name “Jesus” means “Jehovah is salvation”. Abel was the First of an Unbroken Line of Jehovah’s Witnesses on Earth
Hebrews 11:1-40; 12:1 “By faith Abel offered God a sacrifice of greater worth than Cain, through which faith he had witness borne to him that he was righteous, God bearing witness respecting his gifts,… the time will fail me if I go on to relate about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David as well as Samuel and the other prophets,… we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us.”
God Has Raised Up Witnesses with a Special Warning During Each Judgment Period
Jeremiah 44:4 “I sent unto you all My servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them.”
Amos 3:7 “Surely the Lord Jehovah will do nothing, except He reveals His secret unto His servants the prophets.”
Preflood world
Hebrews 11:7 “By faith Noah, after being given divine warning of things not yet beheld, showed godly fear and constructed an ark for the saving of his household, and through this faith he condemned the world, and he became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.”
1 Peter 3:20 “The patience of God was waiting in Noah’s days, while the ark was being constructed, in which a few people, that is, eight souls, were carried safely through the water.”
2 Peter 2:5 “He did not hold back from punishing an ancient world, but kept Noah, a preacher of righteousness, safe with seven others when he brought a deluge upon a world of ungodly people.”
See: Genesis, chapters 6, 7.
Egypt
Exodus 3:15 “And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shall you say unto the children of Israel, Jehovah, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me unto you: this is My Name for ever, and this is My memorial unto all generations.”
Kingdom of Judah
Jeremiah 1:4-10 “To whomsoever I shall send you, you shall go, and whatsoever I shall command you, you shall speak…. Behold, I have put My words in your mouth: see, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down and to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.”
Ezekiel 3:17 “Son of man, I have made you a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at My mouth, and give them warning from Me.”
Jewish systems of things
John 12:31 “Now there is a judging of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.”
Present system of things
Matthew 24:14 “And this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for the purpose of a witness to all the nations, and then the accomplished end will come.”
Matthew 25:31-33 “When the Son of man arrives in His glory and all the angels with Him, then He will sit down on His glorious throne. And all the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate people one from another, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And He will put the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on His left.”
Scriptural Names Such as “Christian”, “Church of Christ,” “Church of God” and Others Applying to Christian Congregation Are Proper Now
Acts 11:26 “It was first in Antioch that the disciples were by divine providence called ‘Christians’.”
1 Peter 4:16 “But if he suffers as a Christian, let him not feel shame, but let him keep on glorifying God in this name.”
Acts 26:28, 29 “But Agrippa said to Paul: ‘In a short time you would persuade me to become a Christian.’ At this Paul said: ‘I could wish to God that whether in a short time or in a long time not only you but also all those who hear me today would become men such as I also am, with the exception of these bonds.’ “
Acts 20:28 “Shepherd the congregation of God, which He purchased with the blood of His own Son.”
1 Timothy 3:15 “God’s household, which is the congregation of the living God.”
Matthew 16:17, 18 “In response Jesus said to him:’…on this rock-mass I will build My congregation.’ “
Ancient Faithful Israel Was an Entire Nation of Jehovah’s Witnesses
Exodus 6:7 “I will take you to Me for a people, and I will be to you a God; and you shall know that I am Jehovah your God, who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.”
Exodus 19:5, 6 “If you will obey My voice indeed, and keep My covenant, then you shall be Mine own possession from among all peoples: for all the earth is Mine: and you shall be unto Me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation.”
2 Samuel 7:23 “And what one nation in the earth is like Your people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem unto Himself for a people, and to make Him a name, and to do great things for you, and terrible things for Your land, before Your people, whom You redeemed to You out of Egypt, from the nations and their gods?”
Christian Congregation Under Christ Is the Present-Day “Nation” of Jehovah’s Witnesses
Revelation 14:1-3 “And I saw, and look! the Lamb standing upon the mount Zion, and with Him a hundred and forty-four thousand having His name and the name of His Father written on their foreheads…And they are singing as if a new song … and no one was able to master that song but the hundred and forty- four thousand, who have been purchased from the earth.”
1 Peter 2:9 “On the other hand, you are ‘a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for special possession, that you should declare abroad the excellencies’ of the One that called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.”
Psalm 33:12 “Blessed is the nation whose God is Jehovah.”
Acts 15:14 “Symeon has related thoroughly how God for the first time turned His attention to the nations to take out of them a people for His Name.”
Matthew 21:43 “The kingdom of God will be taken from you and be given to a nation producing its fruits.”
Ephesians 3:14, 15 “I bend my knees to the Father, to whom every family in heaven and on earth owes its name.”
Jehovah, Not Man, Is the Founder of His Witnesses and Giver of Name
Isaiah 43:9-12 “Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the peoples be assembled: who among them can declare this, and show us former things? let them bring their witnesses, that they may be justified; or let them hear, and say, It is truth. You are My witnesses, says Jehovah, and My servant whom I have chosen; that you may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He: before Me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after Me. I, I am Jehovah; and besides Me there is no saviour. I have declared, and I have saved, and I have showed; and there was no strange god among you: therefore you are My witnesses, says Jehovah, and I am God.”
Isaiah 44:8 “Fear not, neither be afraid: have I not declared unto you of old, and showed it? and you are My witnesses. Is there a God besides Me? yea, there is no Rock; I know not any.”
1 Corinthians 3:7 “So that neither is he that plants anything nor is he that waters, but God who makes it grow.”
Christ, Not Any Man, Is the Leader and Ever-living Head of Jehovah’s Witnesses
Matthew 23:10 “Neither be called ‘leaders’, for your Leader is one, the Christ.”
Isaiah 55:4 “Behold, I have given him for a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander to the peoples.”
Acts 3:23 “Indeed, any soul that does not listen to that Prophet will be completely destroyed from among the people.”
Ephesians 5:23 “Christ also is head of the congregation, He being a savior of this body.”
Colossians 1:18 “He is the head of the body, the congregation.”
Not a Sect or Cult, as Men Call Them
Acts 24:14 “According to the way which they call a ‘sect’, in this manner I am rendering sacred service to the God of my forefathers.”
John 4:24 “God is a Spirit, and those worshiping Him must worship with spirit and truth.”
Not a Part of This World
John 17:16, 17 “They are no part of the world just as I am no part of the world. Sanctify them by means of the truth; Your word is truth.”
James 4:4 “Adulteresses, do you not know that the friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever, therefore, wants to be a friend of the world is constituting himself an enemy of God.”
Not Seeking to Establish a Political Government
2 Peter 3:13, 14 “But there are new heavens and a new earth that we are awaiting according to His promise, and in these righteousness is to dwell. Hence, beloved ones, since you are awaiting these things, do your utmost to be found finally by Him spotless and unblemished and in peace.”
1 Peter 4:15 “However, let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a busybody in other people’s matters.”
1 Timothy 2:1, 2 “I therefore exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, offerings of thanks, be made concerning all kinds of men, concerning kings and all those who are in high station, in order that we may go on leading a calm and quiet life with full godly devotion and seriousness.”
Only 144,000 Followers of Christ Will Go to Heaven
Luke 12:32 “Have no fear, little flock, because your Father has approved of giving you the kingdom.”
Revelation 14:1-3 “I saw, and look! the Lamb standing upon the mount Zion, and with Him a hundred and forty-four thousand . .. And I heard a sound out of heaven … and the sound that I heard was as of singers. And they are singing as if a new song before the throne … and no one was able to master that song but the hundred and forty-four thousand who have been purchased from the earth.”
Other Witnesses Have Hopes of Everlasting Life on Earth
John 10:16 “I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; those also I must bring, and they will listen to My voice, and they will become one flock, one shepherd.”
Matthew 25:31-46 “The king will say to them [the sheep]; ‘Truly I say to you, To the extent that you did it to one of the least of these My brothers, you did it to Me.’… the righteous ones [will depart] into everlasting life.”
Members of “Other Sheep” Class Are Also Properly Termed Jehovah’s Witnesses Because of Their Work, in Harmony with the Heavenly Class
Revelation 7:4, 9-15 “I heard the number of those who were sealed, a hundred and forty-four thousand. … After these things I saw, and, look! a great crowd, which no man was able to number, out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, .. . And they keep on crying with a loud voice, saying: ‘Salvation we owe to our God, who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb.’ .. . ‘they are rendering Him sacred service day and night.’ “
Revelation 22:17 “And the spirit and the bride keep on saying, ‘Come!’ And let anyone hearing say, ‘Come!’ And let anyone thirsting come; let anyone that wishes take life’s water free.”
Isaiah 56:6-8 “Also the foreigners that join themselves to Jehovah, to minister unto Him, and to love the Name of Jehovah, to be His servants, every one that keeps the sabbath from profaning it, and holds fast My covenant; even them will I bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer: their burnt-offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon My altar; for My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples. The Lord Jehovah, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, says, Yet will I gather others to him, besides his own that are gathered.”
Hebrews 12:1 “So, then, because we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also put off every weight.”
Active Service, Not Ritual, Comprises Their Worship; They Must Preach
Luke 3:8, 9 “Produce fruits that befit repentance. . . . every tree, therefore, not producing fine fruit is to be cut down and thrown into the fire.”
Luke 19:40 “I tell you, If these remained silent, the stones would cry out.”
Isaiah 6:9, 11 “And He said, Go, and tell this people, . . . Until cities be waste without inhabitant, and houses without man, and the land become utterly waste.”
Ezekiel 3:10, 11 “Moreover He said unto me, Son of man, all My words that I shall speak unto you receive in your heart, and hear with your ears. And go to them of the captivity, to the children of your people, and speak to them, and tell them, Thus says the Lord Jehovah; whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear.”
Matthew 28:19, 20 “Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations,… teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you.”
Ezekiel 33:8, 9 “When I say unto the wicked, O wicked men, you shall surely die, and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way; that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood will I require at your hand. Nevertheless, if you warn the wicked of his way to turn from it, and he turn not from his way; he shall die in his iniquity, but you have delivered your soul.”
Each Witness Is a Minister; One Not Preaching Is Not One of Jehovah’s Witnesses
Acts 2:46, 47 “Day after day they were in constant attendance at the temple with one accord, .. . praising God and finding acceptance with all the people.”
Acts 5:42 “And every day in the temple and from house to house they continued without letup teaching and declaring the good news about the Christ, Jesus.”
1 Peter 2:21 “In fact, to this course you were called, because even Christ suffered for you, leaving you a model for you to follow His steps closely.”
Each Anointed Witness Is an Ambassador of God’s Kingdom
2 Corinthians 5:20 “We are therefore ambassadors substituting for Christ, as though God were making entreaty through us. As substitutes for Christ we beg: ‘Become reconciled to God.’ “
Ephesians 6:19, 20 “The good news, for which I am acting as an ambassador in chains, that I may speak in connection with it with boldness as I ought to speak.”
National, Racial, Social, Lingual Status No Divisive Barriers
Revelation 7:9 “I saw, and, look! a great crowd, which no man was able to number, out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.”
Galatians 3:28 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor freeman, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in union with Christ Jesus.”
Love for God and Preaching the Kingdom Message the Unifying Tie
Mark 12:30, 31 ” ‘You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind and with your whole strength.’ … ‘You must love your neighbor as yourself.’ “
Matthew 6:33 “Keep on, then, seeking first the kingdom and His righteousness, and all these other things will be added to you.”
Luke 18:29, 30 “Truly I say to you, There is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the Kingdom of God that is not certain to get many times more in this period of time and in the coming system of things everlasting life.”
John 13:35 “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love among yourselves.”
Their Preaching Results in Salvation to Themselves and Others
1 Timothy 4:16 “Pay constant attention to yourself and to your teaching. Stay by these things, for by doing this you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.”
Proverbs 14:25 “A true witness delivers souls.”
Daniel 12:3 “And they that are wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.”
Many More to Join with Jehovah’s Witnesses in Kingdom Proclamation
Zephaniah 2:2, 3 “Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of Jehovah come upon you…. Seek Jehovah, all you meek of the earth, that have kept His ordinances; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be you will be hid in the day of Jehovah’s anger.”
Isaiah 60:8, 22 “Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows? The little one shall become a thousand, and the small one a strong nation: I, Jehovah, will hasten it in its time.”
Zechariah 2:4 “Jerusalem shall be inhabited as villages without walls, by reason of the multitude of men and cattle therein.”
Isaiah 2:2-4 “And it shall come to pass in the latter days, that the mountain of Jehovah’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many peoples shall go and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, to the house of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of Jehovah from Jerusalem. And He will judge between the nations, and will decide concerning many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.”
Zechariah 8:20-23 “Thus says Jehovah of hosts: It shall yet come to pass, that there shall come peoples, and the inhabitants of many cities; and the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to entreat the favor of Jehovah, and to seek Jehovah of hosts: I will go also. Yea, many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek Jehovah of hosts in Jerusalem, and to entreat the favor of Jehovah. Thus says Jehovah of hosts: In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold, out of all the languages of the nations, they shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.”
John 10:16 “I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; those also I must bring, and they will listen to My voice, and they will become one flock, one shepherd.”
Acts 2:47 “At the same time Jehovah continued to join to them daily those being saved.”
Also: Matthew 25, illustration of sheep and goats.
Jehovah’s Witnesses Will Defeat Persecution and Be Delivered into the New World of Righteousness
Romans 8:31, 35-39 “If God is for us, who will be against us?… Who will separate us from the love of the Christ? Will tribulation or distress or persecution or hunger or nakedness or danger or sword? … To the contrary, in all these things we are coming off completely victorious through Him that loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life nor angels nor governments nor things here nor things to come nor powers nor height nor depth nor any other creation will be able to separate us from God’s love that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
2 Timothy 4:18 “The Lord will deliver me from every wicked work and will save me for His heavenly kingdom.”
Isaiah 54:17 “No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of Jehovah, and their righteousness which is of Me, says Jehovah.”
Proverbs 18:10 “The Name of Jehovah is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it, and is safe.”
Proverbs 29:25 “The fear of man brings a snare; but whoso puts his trust in Jehovah shall be safe.”
Isaiah 26:20 “Come, My people, enter into your chambers, and shut your doors about you: hide yourself for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.”
Organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses
Jehovah and Christ are Their Superior Authorities and Lawmakers, Judges
Romans 13:1 “Let every soul be in subjection to the superior authorities, for there is no authority except by God; the existing authorities stand placed in their relative positions by God.”
Isaiah 33:22 “For Jehovah is our Judge, Jehovah is our Lawgiver, Jehovah is our King; He will save us.”
Jude 25 “To the only God our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, might and authority for all past eternity and now and into all eternity. Amen.”
Romans 9:5 “God, who is over all, be blessed forever.”
1 Timothy 1:17 “Now to the King of eternity, incorruptible, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
1 Peter 2:17 “Be in fear of God, have honor for the king.”
Revelation 19:16 “And upon His outer garment, even upon His thigh, He [Christ] has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.”
John 5:22 “For the Father judges no one at all, but He has committed all the judging to the Son.”
Their Constitution Is the Bible
Psalm 119:105 “Your Word is a lamp unto my feet, and light unto my path.”
John 8:31, 32 “If you remain in My word, you are really My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Isaiah 8:20 “To the law and to the testimony! if they speak not according to this word, surely there is no morning for them.”
John 17:17 “Sanctify them by means of the truth; Your Word is truth.”
Theocratic Organization Now Restored as in Days of the Apostles
Acts 3:20, 21 “That He may send forth the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven, indeed, must contain within itself until the times of restoration of all things of which God spoke through the mouth of His holy prophets.”
Matthew 24:31 “And He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet-sound and they will gather His chosen ones together from the four winds, from one extremity of the heavens to their other extremity.”
Isaiah 60:17 “For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron. I will also make your officers peace, and your exactors righteousness.”
Isaiah 32:1 “Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in justice.”
Ephesians 4:11-13 “He gave some as apostles, . . . prophets, . . . missionaries, … for the building up of the body of the Christ, until we all attain to the oneness in the faith … to a full-grown man.”
Anointed Remnant of Christ’s Body Compose “Faithful and Discreet Slave”
Matthew 24:45-47 “Who really is the faithful and discreet slave whom his master appointed over his domestics to give them their food at the proper time? Happy is that slave if his master on arriving finds him doing so. Truly I say to you that he will appoint him over all his belongings.”
Acts 2:17 ” ‘And in the last days,’ God says, ‘I shall pour some of My spirit out upon every kind of flesh, and your sons and your daughters will prophesy and your young men will see visions and your old men will dream dreams.’ “
1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 “Those who are dead in union with Christ will rise first. Afterward we the living who are surviving will together with them be caught away in clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and thus we shall always be with the Lord.”
Receive Counsel on Organization Through Representative Members of “Slave” Class, a “Visible Governing Body”—Its Authority and Duties
Acts 2:42 “And they continued devoting themselves to the teaching of the apostles.”
Acts 16:4, 5 “Now as they traveled on through the cities they would deliver to those there for observance the decrees that had been decided upon by the apostles and older men who were in Jerusalem. Therefore, indeed, the congregations continued to be made firm in the faith and to increase in number from day to day.”
2 Corinthians 11:28 “Besides those things of an external kind, there is what rushes in on me from day to day, the anxiety for all the congregations.”
Hebrews 13:17 “Be obedient to those who are governing 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.”
1 Timothy 6:17 “Give orders to those who are rich in the present system of things not to be arrogant, and to rest their hope, not on uncertain riches, but on God, who furnishes us all things richly for our enjoyment.”
Taking the lead in actual preaching work
Acts 6:2, 4 “So the twelve called the multitude of the disciples to them and said: ‘It is not pleasing for us to abandon the Word of God to distribute food to tables. … but we shall devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.’ “
Acts 8:25 “Therefore, when they [Peter and John] had given the witness thoroughly and had spoken the word of Jehovah they turned back to Jerusalem, and they went declaring the good news to many villages of the Samaritans.”
Acts 10:42 “Also He ordered us to preach to the people and to give a thorough witness that this is the One decreed by God to be judge of the living and the dead.”
Acts 20:20 “While I did not hold back from telling you any of the things that were profitable nor from teaching you publicly and from house to house.”
1 Corinthians 9:16 “If, now, I am declaring the good news, it is no reason for me to boast, for necessity is laid upon me. Really, woe is me if I did not declare the good news!”
Making decisions, issuing counsel on doctrinal matters
Acts 15:6-31 “And the apostles and the older men gathered together to see about this affair. … ‘For the holy spirit and we ourselves have favored adding no further burden to you, except these necessary things, to keep yourselves free from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things killed without draining their blood and from fornication. If you carefully keep yourselves from these things, you will prosper. Good health to you!’ “
1 Corinthians, chapter 7, and other written admonition by the apostles and their associates. Reproving, correcting, settling disputes on organizational matters, directing conduct of organization
1 Timothy 5:19-22 “Do not admit an accusation against an older man, except only on the evidence of two or three witnesses. Reprove before all onlookers persons who practice sin, that the rest also may have fear…. Never lay your hands hastily upon any man; neither be a sharer in the sins of others; preserve yourself pure.”
1 Peter 2:13, 15-17 “For the Lord’s sake subject yourselves to every human creation: whether to a king as being superior or to governors as being sent by Him to inflict punishment on evildoers but to praise doers of good. For so the will of God is, that by doing good you may muzzle the ignorant talk of the unreasonable men. Be as free people, and yet holding your freedom, not as a blind for moral badness, but as slaves of God. Honor men of all kinds, have love for the whole association of brothers, be in fear of God, have honor for the king.”
James 2:1-4 “My brothers, you are not holding the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, our glory, with acts of favoritism, are you? For, if a man with gold rings on his fingers and in splendid clothing enters into your assembly, but a poor man in filthy clothing also enters, yet you look with favor upon the one wearing the splendid clothing and say: ‘You take this seat here in an honorable place,’ and you say to the poor one: ‘You keep standing,’ or ‘Take that seat there beside my footstool,’ you have class distinctions among yourselves and you have become judges rendering corrupt decisions, is that not so?”
Galatians 2:11-14 “However, when Cephas came to Antioch, I resisted him face to face, because he stood condemned. For before the arrival of certain men from James, he used to eat with people of the nations; but when they arrived, he went to withdrawing and separating himself, in fear of those of the circumcised class. The rest of the Jews also joined him in putting on this pretense, so that even Barnabas was led along with them in their pretense. But when I saw they were not walking straight according to the truth of the good news, I said to Cephas before them all: ‘If you, though you are a Jew, live as the nations do, and not as Jews do, how is it that you are compelling people of the nations to live according to Jewish practice?’ “
Hebrews 13:7, 24 “Remember those who are governing you, who have spoken the word of God to you, and as you contemplate how their conduct turns out imitate their faith. Give my greetings to all those who are governing you and to all the holy ones. Those in Italy send you their greetings.”
Making appointments to special service positions in congregations
Acts 6:1-6 “So the twelve called the multitude of the disciples to them and said: ‘ . . . brothers, search out for yourselves seven certified men from among you, full of spirit and wisdom, that we may appoint them over this necessary business; …’ And the thing spoken was pleasing to the whole multitude, and they selected Stephen, . . . and Philip . . . and they placed them before the apostles, and after having prayed these laid their hands upon them.”
Acts 14:23 “They [Paul and Barnabas] appointed older men to office for them in the congregation.”
Acts 15:22, 23 “Then the apostles and the older men together with the whole congregation favored sending chosen men from among them to Antioch.”
Dividing territory, making territory and missionary assignments
Galatians 2:7-10 “When they saw that I had entrusted to me the good news for those who are uncircumcised, just as Peter had it for those who are circumcised —. . . James and Cephas and John, the ones who seemed to be pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of joint participation, that we should go to the nations, but they to those who are circumcised.”
Acts 8:14 “When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the Word of God, they dispatched Peter and John to them.”
Directing defense of the good news before courts and legal bodies
Acts 4:19, 20 “But in reply Peter and John said to them [the Sanhedrin]: ‘Whether it is righteous in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, make your decision. But as for us, we cannot stop speaking about the things we have seen and heard.’ “
Acts 5:29-32 “In answer [to the Sanhedrin] Peter and the other apostles said: ‘We must obey God as ruler rather than men.’ “
Acts 25:7-14 “But Paul said in defense: … ‘I am standing before the judgment seat of Caesar, where I ought to be judged…. I appeal to Caesar!’ “
Acts 26:32 “Agrippa said to Festus: ‘This man could have been released if he had not appealed to Caesar.’ “
Acts 28:19 “But when the Jews kept speaking against it, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, but not as though I had anything of which to accuse my nation.”
Acts 16:35-39 “When it became day, the civil magistrates dispatched the constables to say: Release those men.’… But Paul said to them [the constables]: ‘They flogged us publicly uncondemned, men who are Romans, and threw us into prison; and are they now throwing us out secretly? No, indeed! but let them come themselves and bring us out.’ “
Philippians 1:7, 12-14 “All of you being sharers with me in the undeserved kindness both in my prison bonds and in the defending and legally establishing of the good news. Now I desire you to know, brothers, that my affairs have turned out for the advancement of the good news rather than otherwise, . . . and most of the brothers in the Lord, feeling confidence by reason of my prison bonds, are more than outdoing themselves in courage to speak the Word of God fearlessly.”
Directing relief work to benefit the needy among the entire Christian congregation
Acts 11:29, 30 “So those of the disciples determined, each of them according as anyone could afford it, to send a relief ministration to the brothers dwelling in Judea; and this they did, dispatching it to the older men by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.”
1 Corinthians 16:1-4 “Concerning the collection which is for the holy ones, just as I gave orders to the congregations of Galatia, do that way also yourselves. Every first day of the week let each of you at his own house set something aside in store as he may be prospering, so that when I arrive collections will not take place then. But when I get there, whatever men you approve of by letters, these I shall send to carry your kind gift to Jerusalem.”
2 Corinthians 9:5-7 “I thought it necessary to encourage the brothers to come to you in advance and to get ready in advance your bountiful gift previously promised, that thus this might be ready as a bountiful gift and not as something extorted…. Let each one do just as he has resolved in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
Supervising cleanness of the organization
1 Corinthians 5:1-5 “I for one, although absent in body but present in spirit, have certainly judged already, as if I were present, the man who has worked in such a way as this, . . . when you are gathered together,.. . hand such a man over to satan for the destruction of the flesh, in order that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.”
2 Corinthians 2:5-11 “This rebuke given by the majority is sufficient for such a man, so that, on the contrary now, you should kindly forgive and comfort him, that somehow such a man may not be swallowed up by his being overly sad.”
3 John 9, 10 “I wrote something to the congregation, but Diotrephes, who likes to have the first place among them, does not receive anything from us with respect. That is why, if I come, I will call to remembrance his works which he goes on doing, chattering about us with wicked words.”
1 Timothy 1:20 “Hymenaeus and Alexander belong to these, and I have handed them over to satan that they may be taught by discipline not to blaspheme.”
Romans 16:17 “Now I exhort you, brothers, to keep your eye on those who create divisions and causes for stumbling contrary to the teaching which you have learned, and avoid them.”
2 Thessalonians 3:6-15 “Now we are giving you orders, brothers, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, to withdraw from every brother walking disorderly and not according to the tradition you received from us…. But if anyone is not obedient to our word through this letter, keep this one marked, stop associating with him, that he may become ashamed. And yet do not be considering him as an enemy, but continue admonishing him as a brother.”
2 John 10, 11 “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, never receive him into your homes or say farewell to him. For he that says farewell to him is a sharer in his wicked works.”
Jude, entire letter.
Some powers, such as making service appointments, territory assignments, disfellowshiping disobedient, may be delegated to special servants
Titus 1:5 “For this reason I left you in Crete, that you might correct the things that were defective and might make appointments of older men in city after city, as I gave you orders.”
1 Corinthians 5:13 “Remove the wicked man from among yourselves.”
1 Timothy 3:8-10 “Ministerial servants should … be tested as to fitness first, then let them serve as ministers.”
1 Timothy 5:19-22 “Do not admit an accusation against an older man, except only on the evidence of two or three witnesses. Reprove before all onlookers persons who practice sin, that the rest also may have fear. Never lay your hands hastily upon any man; neither be a sharer in the sins of others; preserve yourself pure.”
Members of the Other Sheep May Hold Service Positions Under Governing Body
Isaiah 61:5 “And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and foreigners shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers.”
Exodus 18:13-26 “Moses’ father-in-law [not a Jew] said unto him, The thing that you do is not good. You will surely wear away, both you, and this people that is with you: for the thing is too heavy for you; you are not able to perform it yourself alone. Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God be with you: .. .you shall provide out of all the people able men,… and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens: … So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father-in-law, and did all that he had said.”
Numbers 10:29-31 “Moses said unto Hobab, the son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses’ father-in-law, We are journeying unto the place of which Jehovah said, I will give it you: come with us, and we will do you good…. Leave us not, I pray you; forasmuch as you know how we are to encamp in the wilderness, and you shall be to us instead of eyes.”
Each Congregation Has Mature Ministers as Overseers
Philippians 1:1 “Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus, to all the holy ones in union with Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, along with overseers and ministerial servants.”
Acts 20:17, 28 “However, from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the older men of the congregation. “… Pay attention to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the holy spirit has appointed you overseers, to shepherd the congregation of God, which He purchased with the blood of His own Son.’ “
1 Peter 5:1-11 “To the older men among you I give this exhortation, … Shepherd the flock of God in your care, not under compulsion, but willingly, neither for love of dishonest gain, but eagerly, neither as lording it over those who are God’s inheritance, but becoming examples to the flock.”
Traveling Ministers, “Circuit Servants,” Aid Congregations
Romans 15:19 “From Jerusalem and in a circuit as far as Illyricum I have thoroughly preached the good news about the Christ.”
3 John 10, 13 “That is why, if I come, I will call to remembrance his works which he goes on doing, chattering about us with wicked words. Also, not being content with these things, neither does he himself receive the brothers with respect, and those who are wanting to receive them he tries to hinder and to throw out of the congregation. I had many things to write you, yet I do not wish to go on writing you with ink and pen.”
1 Samuel 7:16 “And he [Samuel] went from year to year in circuit to Beth-El, and Gilgal, and Mizpah; and he judged Israel in all those places.”
Galatians 2:8 “For He who gave Peter powers necessary for an apostleship to those who are circumcised gave powers also to me for those who are of the nations.”
Each Congregation Meets Regularly for Study in Homes or Halls
Hebrews 10:25 “Not forsaking the gathering of ourselves together, as some have the custom, but encouraging one another, and all the more so as you behold the day drawing near.”
Matthew 18:20 “For where there are two or three met together in My Name, there I am in their midst.”
Acts 28:30, 31 “So he remained for an entire two years in his own hired house, and he would kindly receive all those who came in to him, preaching the Kingdom of God to them.”
Romans 16:5 “And greet the congregation that is in their house.”
Acts 20:8 “So there were quite a few lamps in the upper chamber where we were gathered together.”
Service Meetings to Consider Preaching Methods
Luke 10:1-16 “Then He began to say to them: *… Do not carry a purse, nor a food-pouch, nor sandals, and do not embrace anybody in greeting along the road. Wherever you enter into a house say first: “May this house have peace.” And if a friend of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if no such one is there, it will turn back to you. So stay in that house, eating and drinking the things they provide, for the worker is worthy of his wages. Do not be transferring from house to house. Also, wherever you enter into a city and they receive you, eat the things set before you, and cure the sick ones in it, and go on telling them: “The Kingdom of God has come near to you.” But wherever you enter into a city and they do not receive you, go out into its broad ways and say: “Even the dust that got stuck to our feet from your city we wipe off against you.” ‘ “
Acts 4:23-31 “After being released they went to their own people and reported what things the chief priests and the older men of influence had said to them. Upon hearing this they with one accord raised their voices to God… . And when they had made supplication, the place in which they were assembled was shaken, and they were one and all filled with the holy spirit and were speaking the Word of God with boldness.”
Acts 6:1-7 “So the twelve called the multitude of the disciples to them…. And the thing spoken was pleasing to the whole multitude, and they selected Stephen.”
Acts 11:1-18 “So when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those insisting on circumcision began to contend with him…. ‘If, therefore, God gave the same free gift to them as He also did to us who have believed upon the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I should be able to hinder God?’ Now when they heard these things, they acquiesced, and they glorified God, saying: ‘Well, then, God has granted repentance for the purpose of life to people of the nations also.’ “
Acts 15:6-32 “And the apostles and the older men gathered together to see about this affair. … At that the entire multitude became silent, and they began to listen to Barnabas and Paul relate the many signs and wonders that God did through them among the nations…. ‘We have come to a unanimous accord and have favored choosing men to send to you together with our beloved Barnabas and Paul.’ “
Service meeting programs to contain various presentations or speaking features by mature servants for upbuilding of congregation
1 Corinthians 14:26 “What is to be done, then, brothers? When you come together, one has a psalm, another has a teaching, another has a revelation, another has a tongue, another has an interpretation. Let all things take place for upbuilding.”
Ministry Schools for Training in Public Preaching
1 Timothy 4:13-15 “While I am coming, continue applying yourself to public reading, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not be neglecting the gift in you…. Ponder over these things, be absorbed in them, that your advancement may be manifest to all persons.”
1 Samuel 19:20 “They saw the company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as head over them, the spirit of God came upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied.”
2 Timothy 2:15, 24, 25 “Do your utmost to present yourself approved to God, a workman with nothing to be ashamed of, handling the word of the truth aright. … But a slave of the Lord does not need to fight, but needs to be tactful toward all, qualified to teach, keeping himself restrained under evil, instructing with mildness those not favorably disposed.”
No Membership Toll Kept
2 Timothy 2:19 “Jehovah knows those who belong to Him.”
Hebrews 12:23 “The congregation of the firstborn who have been enrolled in the heavens.”
Record of Work Done by Each Minister Kept so Preaching May Be Properly Directed and Individuals Aided
1 Corinthians 14:33 “For God is a God, not of disorder, but of peace.”
1 Timothy 1:18 “This mandate I commit to you, child, Timothy, in accord with the predictions which led directly on to you, that by these you may go on waging the right warfare.”
Ezekiel 9:11 “And, behold, the man clothed in linen, who had the inkhorn by his side, reported the matter, saying, I have done as You have commanded me.”
Acts 2:41 “Therefore those who embraced his word heartily were baptized, and on that day about three thousand souls were added.”
Acts 4:4 “Many of those who had listened to the speech believed, and the number of the men became about five thousand.”
Acts 15:36 “Now after some days Paul said to Barnabas: ‘Above all things, let us return and visit the brothers in every one of the cities in which we published the Word of Jehovah to see how they are.’ “
1 Peter 5:2 “Shepherd the flock of God in your care, not under compulsion, but willingly, neither for love of dishonest gain, but eagerly.”
District, National, International Assemblies Held
2 Chronicles 30:1, 10, 11, 13, 23, 26, 27 “And Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of Jehovah at Jerusalem, to keep the passover unto Jehovah, the God of Israel. … So the posts passed from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh, even unto Zebulun: but they laughed them to scorn, and mocked them. Nevertheless certain men of Asher and Manasseh and of Zebulun humbled themselves, and came to Jerusalem. And there assembled at Jerusalem much people to keep the feast of unleavened bread in the second month, a very great assembly. And the whole assembly took counsel to keep other seven days; and they kept other seven days with gladness. So there was great joy in Jerusalem; for since the time of Solomon the son of David king of Israel there was not the like in Jerusalem. Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to His holy habitation, unto heaven.”
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