“Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.” – Hebrews 13:7
What does Jesus say on the matter of men taking the lead?
Matthew 20:25-28;
“But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. 26 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. 27 And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
What does it mean to “lord it over”? The original Greek term (katakyrieusin) simply means to have authority over others, to be in charge. It doesn’t imply ruling in a harsh way or oppressing anyone. The same applies to the Greek word (katexousiazousin), which is translated as “exercise authority over.” There’s no negative connotation with these Greek terms. (Mark 10:42-45) Actually, in Luke 22:25, Jesus called those leaders “Benefactors.” The Greek word for benefactor [euergetés] means someone who does good, a well-doer. Other translations of the Bible describe them as gracious lords, friends of the people, and everyone’s friends, highlighting the positive perspective on their leadership.
If Jesus was saying that the apostles shouldn’t be harsh rulers, then he would have told them to do the opposite, which is to rule with kindness and love, being like “Benefactors”, but he didn’t say that.
So if Jesus wasn’t talking about being a harsh ruler, what did he mean by: “it shall not be so among you”? He was talking about just having authority. And what’s the opposite of having authority? It’s not ruling at all. Yes, he mentioned that “whoever wants to be first among you”, which means whoever wants to be in charge (Matthew 20:21; Luke 22:30), should actually be your servant and slave. Instead of acting like they are in charge, he told them to take the role of a servant and help others.
Even if we didn’t understand what the original Greek for “lord it over” and “exercise authority over” meant, the fact that the other side of the coin was to be a slave and a minister defines them. Jesus even gave himself as an example to make sure that what he said was understood: “Just as the Son of man came, not to be ministered to, but to minister.” Rulers and governors are ministered to. A slave ministers to others.
Peter reiterates our Lord’s view on the matter in 1 Peter 5:2, 3
“Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.”
Peter mentions that the flock is “God’s inheritance”. The flock isn’t owned by the shepherds, so they don’t have the right to control them, just like they wouldn’t have control over someone else’s slave. (Romans 14:4)
Leading doesn’t mean just giving orders. It means to go ahead and show the way by setting a good example. As Peter says, those who take care of the flock should lead by “becoming examples to the flock.” (1 Peter 5:2, 3; Hebrews 13:7; Philippians 3:17)
That’s why Jesus calls those in charge “shepherds”. They’re meant to “shepherd the flock of God” (1 Peter 5:2) just like a shepherd does with sheep, by leading them from the front and showing them the way. This means they should set a good example for everyone to follow. A real shepherd doesn’t push the flock from behind; instead, he leads them by “becoming examples to the flock”. The sheep then choose to follow that example willingly, not because they have to. (2 Corinthians 9:7; Philemon 14)
Let’s think about that term “Governing Body”. What does it mean? The simple definition is a group of people who have the power to rule and make decisions. I could share the Greek meaning, but the Bible doesn’t mention a “governing body”.
You don’t get to pick if you want to follow a governor or not. You have to follow their rules. On the other hand, Paul mentions in Hebrews 13:7 that “as you think about how they act, follow their faith.” So, it really is your choice. After you look closely at how those in charge behave, and if you find their actions are good, then you should “follow their faith. “Paul said in 1 Corinthians 11:1 “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.”
It’s important to notice that he doesn’t say you should just follow their orders if you think they’re okay. Instead, you need to look at how they act. Why is that? Because the leaders are supposed to show a good example with their behavior to guide the flock. (1 Peter 5:3) If you see that their example is good, then you should try to act like them. Just giving orders isn’t really what being a leader is about. (Matthew 20:25-28)
So, if Jesus told them not to have power over others, what did Paul mean in Hebrews 13:17?
“Be obedient to those who are taking the lead among you and be submissive, for they are keeping watch over you as those who will render an account, so that they may do this with joy and not with sighing, for this would be damaging to you.”
How can you be obedient and submissive to someone if they don’t have authority over you? You do this by following their example. Geoffrey W. Jackson, a member of the Governing Body, explains it this way in his video on the JW Broadcast called Elders Take The Lead! In it, he mentions: “We’re not leaders, but we set the right example.” He also says, “So, obviously, to take the lead means to do the work, to be a minister, to be a servant, to serve others.” He emphasizes that it’s about “setting the right example, and then others following.”
Those who take the lead “preside” over their own households, not over the congregation. Pay attention to the different words used in 1 Timothy 3:5.
“for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?”
To “preside” (prostēnai) means to manage or rule. Timothy mentions that this is what a man does in his own home.
But to “care” (epimelēsetai) means to look after or attend to someone. Christ uses this same Greek word when he spoke about the Samaritan who “took care of” the man who was attacked by robbers in Luke 10:34.
1 Timothy 2:2-5 reads:
“…for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.”
In regards to those who are in authority (i.e. the Governing Body), it “is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,” for you to understand the true “knowledge of truth” that there is just “one mediator between God and man, the man, Christ Jesus.” The Governing Body have placed themselves “between God and man.”
Jesus states in John 14:6:
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
The Governing Body says you should only trust what they say is the “truth”.
Jesus stated in John 18:37:
“For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice.”
Jesus tells you to hear his voice, but the Governing Body wants you to hear theirs and follow them. If you were to find “Bible truths” by yourself that go against what the Governing Body teaches, you’re labeled as an apostate.
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.” – Romans 1:18
If you tried to share a “truth” with your elders that goes against what the Governing Body says, even if you had solid proof from the scriptures, you’d face big problems for daring to disagree with them. They would even warn you about possible judicial action if you talked about what you found with anyone else in the congregation. This is exactly what it means to “suppress the truth.” But this is how the elders are told to behave by the Governing Body.
“but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath.” – Romans 2:8
Those elders are at fault for “not following the truth” and “following what is wrong.”
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up … 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. – 1 Corinthians 13:4, 6
Love… rejoices with the truth. That’s how the elders should act, but they don’t.
2 Corinthians 4:2 tells us:
“But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.”
The Governing Body and their enforcers (the elders), are “adulterating the word of God” through their actions. But those of you who “make the truth manifest” have a good “conscience in the sight of God.”
John 8:45-47:
“But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? He who is of God hear God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.”
The elders pay attention to what the Governing Body says instead of what the Bible says, because they learn that being “together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” is more important than having the right information. (1Co 1:10)
Notice what Jesus states in John 8:31, 32;
”If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
The elders should then pay attention to what our Lord says, not what the Governing Body says.
Let’s look at 2 Thessalonians 2:11, 12:
“And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”
They’re misled, and don’t want to hear the truth from the Bible. They only want to hear what the Governing Body tells them is “truth”, because they value their position as elders more than they do Bible truths.
Let’s look at another, 2 Timothy 3:8, 9:
“these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; 9 but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.”
Again, they don’t want to hear the truths that are found in the Bible.
2 Timothy 4:4;
“and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.”
So, why does Governing Body call themselves that? It’s because they’ve decided to Govern those who follow Jesus. That goes against what Jesus clearly states in Matthew 20:26: “whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.” Their title shows that they are not following our the Lord’s instructions.
Notice what the Governing Body stated in the February 2022 Watchtower:
As the end of this system of things draws near, we need to trust in Jehovah’s way of doing things as never before. Why? During the great tribulation, we may receive instructions that seem strange, impractical, or illogical. Of course, Jehovah will not speak to us personally. He will likely provide direction through his appointed representatives. That will hardly be the time to second-guess the direction or to view it with skepticism, wondering, ‘Is this really coming from Jehovah, or are the responsible brothers acting on their own?’ How will you fare during that crucial time in human history? The answer might be indicated by how you view theocratic direction now. If you trust the direction we receive today and readily obey, you will likely do the same during the great tribulation.—Luke 16:10.
Did you notice that you “may receive instructions that seem strange, impractical, or illogical“, they say: “that will hardly be the time to second-guess the direction or to view it with skepticism.”
This goes completely against what the scriptures tells us, which says to “make sure” (Php 1:10) and to “test the spirits, whether they are of God.” (1 John 4:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:21) You shouldn’t just accept directions without question! That’s how people in Christendom ended up where they are now. That’s how people wind up in cults, they can’t escape. It’s important to listen to the advice given in Hebrews 13:9.
We’re told; “Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines.”
If you question them, or even disagree in any way, they’ll call you apostates, because to do so is akin to opposing God Himself. They think of themselves as your spiritual guides and the way God leads you on earth. They definitely act like they are in the position of Christ. (Mt 23:10; John 10:8)
Did our Lord give a job to those in charge? He did. They are supposed to take care of His “lambs” and “little sheep.” (John 21:15-17) “Lambs” are the baby sheep, while “little sheep” are a bit older but still not grown-ups. These newcomers to the truth need the right spiritual food that matches their age.
Those who are just starting to learn about the Bible need “milk, not solid food” (1 Corinthians 3:2). Now, the Governing Body holds a vital position in the organization, serving as spiritual leaderswho guide, teach, and care for the congregations. They have the responsibility to provide that food to the lambs and little sheep. However, once a sheep grows up, they can move on from milk and start eating solid food by themselves. (Hebrews 5:11-6:2)
Granted, our Lord’s instructions were to make disciples and baptize them. (Mt 28:19) He didn’t ask them to create a governing body to control His sheep, telling them what to do, how to think, and managing every part of their lives and worship.
The issue is that when the lambs grow up and can eat solid food on their own, the Governing Body won’t let go of their role between the sheep and our Heavenly Father. That is, if they even have a scriptural role.
Their actions are shown in our Lord’s parable about the farmers. (Matthew 21:33-41; Mark 12:1-9; Lu 20:9-16) Were those farmers given the task of taking care of the landowner’s crops? Yes. Did they take care of the landowner’s crops? Yes. Does that mean the landowner is pleased with them? No. What will the owner of the vineyard do? Luke 20:16 tells us “He will come and destroy those farmers.” Some translations rendered it “kill”.
Just like the farmers wanted to keep the vineyard for themselves, the Governing Body wants to hold onto the position they say they have between God and men. But there is only one person who should be between God and men.
Notice 1 Timothy 2:5
“For there is… one mediator between God and men, a man, Christ Jesus.”
Compare that verse to this Matthew 24:5;
“For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.”
How can many come in his name, and yet claim to be him at the same time? They aren’t claiming to be the Son of God. They just say they are taking on the role of Christ. So, what does it mean to be in the position of Christ? It means being the “Mediator between God and men.” (1 Timothy 2:5)
Jesus warned us in John 10:8;
“All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.”
If you want proof that they claim the position of Christ, all you have to do is go to the elders (as many have done) and tell them that you no longer wish to follow the teachings of the Governing Body. Their response is to quote John 6:68.
“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”
Every Christian denomination in the world has “words of eternal life,” so that’s not what the elders mean. The elders are saying that if you leave the Governing Body, you are leaving Christ.
No doubt, anyone of you who has thought about leaving has probably asked yourself, ‘who else can I turn to?’ And why is that? It’s because the Governing Body has trained their followers to think that they are the “mediator between God and men.” (1 Timothy 2:5)
They even make themselves part of your baptism. Paul asked this question in 1 Corinthians 1:13
“Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?”
No, you should only be baptized in the name of Christ. However, those who want to get baptized as Jehovah’s Witnesses need to answer “yes” to this question before they can get baptized:
“Do you understand that your baptism identifies you as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in association with Jehovah’s organization?” [od p. 206]
Your baptism needs to be clean and focused only on your faith in God and Christ. It shouldn’t include The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York.
The Governing Body and their loyal helpers (the local elders in every congregation) have placed themselves between God and countless Jehovah’s Witnesses. They instruct the congregations worldwide that they must adhere to their guidance to make God happy. They claim that not following them is the same as not following God. They have really ‘misled many’. (Matthew 24:5)
Notice how Luke words it in 21:8
“And He said: “Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time has drawn near.’ Therefore do not go after them.”
The Governing Body has been saying that the due time for Armageddon is imminent for well over 100 years, and they come on the basis of his name saying “I am he” in that they claim that following their teachings and rules is the only way to be acceptable to God. (John 14:6)
They match that two-part description: They come based on his name and put themselves between God and man, and they have a long history of claiming that Armageddon is close. So what does Jesus tell you to do? “Don’t follow them!”
Galatians 2:4 tells us;
”and this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage).”
Can it be said that the Governing Body enslaves the congregations? Is it true that the Governing Body makes the congregation feel like they are trapped, in bondage? Yes. How do they do this? They teach that only they understand the Bible correctly, so all Witnesses have to believe and follow what the Governing Body says, or they risk being disapproved by God and facing death at Armageddon.
They also make them feel trapped by spreading the wrong idea that everyone in the congregation must do the evangelizing work, with the fear of death if they don’t.
1 Corinthians 1:10
“Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”
The Governing Body uses that scripture to silence any objections to their teachings that aren’t based on the Bible. The elders follow and carry out the orders from the Governing Body because they believe that being “united in the same mind and in the same line of thought” is more important than sticking to the Bible. That’s not “unity”, that “uniformity”, there is a difference.
The elders have decided to prioritize the teachings of men (the Governing Body) instead of the teachings of Christ.
Titus 1:16
“They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.”
Acts 20:29, 30
“For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.”
The elders are like “oppressive wolves” who do “not treat the flock with kindness.” And why is that? They follow the Governing Body’s orders and ignore what Jesus said about dealing with sinners.
How many of those who were disfellowshipped actually said they weren’t sorry, that they were happy with what they did and would do it again? Probably none! Most of them likely showed that they were sorry, but they still got disfellowshipped. However, Jesus clearly tells us that “you must forgive him,” even if he sins against you seven times a day and comes back to you seven times saying, ‘I repent.’ (Luke 17:4)
1 John 2:4
“He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”
Are they really ‘following his rules’? No, they aren’t. Even the other parts of the disfellowshipping process go against what Jesus said.
Think about this: They believe that Armageddon is just around the corner. They also use Matthew 18:18 for the unfair decisions they make in secret meetings.
Note what the April 15, 1996 Watchtower says on page 29
“The elders do not make up their own standards of judgment. They apply Bible principles and closely follow Scriptural procedures that Jehovah set out. Hence, any forgiving or not forgiving on the part of the elders would be in the sense of Jesus’ words at Matthew 18:18: “Truly I say to you men, Whatever things you may bind on earth will be things bound in heaven, and whatever things you may loose on earth will be things loosed in heaven.” Their actions would simply reflect Jehovah’s view of matters as presented in the Bible.”
What do they think will happen to someone at Armageddon if they are ‘not forgiven’ by them, since their judgments are also ‘bound in heaven’? Of course, those who are not forgiven and disfellowshipped will be destroyed. That’s why the next scripture is relevant to them.
John 16:2
“They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service.”
Yes, they admit that they think their decisions could lead to a death sentence if Armageddon happens before they choose to forgive.
Matthew 12:37
“For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Due to their judging, they will face judgment, and because they condemn others, they will also be condemned. Since they refuse to forgive (Luke 17:4), they will not receive forgiveness.
Luke 6:37
“Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”
2 Corinthians 3:17
“Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”
Real foot-step followers of Christ have freedom. (Romans 8:21; 1 Corinthians 10:29; Galatians 2:4; 5:1, 13; James 1:25) But these verses don’t mean we can do whatever we want outside of what the Bible teaches. (1 Corinthians 6:9, 10)
1 Peter 2:16
“as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God”.
However, Jehovah’s Witnesses don’t enjoy that kind of freedom. They exist in conditions that are a lot like what prisoners face: a harsh atmosphere that requires them to quietly follow the orders of those in charge, to accept a very limited way of living, to suppress their personal choices, to stop thinking critically and making their own decisions, and to accept strict limits on how they can honestly express their thoughts and feelings. They really do “mistreat (their) fellow slaves.” (Matthew 24:49; Luke 12:46)
Some point to Matthew 24:14 as proof that Jehovah’s Witnesses are the true Christian faith.
Matthew 24:14
“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.”
They claim that no other organization fulfills that verse. But is that really the case? Can’t others also say they’re fulfilling that verse?
The Catholic Church would argue that they do. No matter where Witness missionaries go on the planet, they often discover an old Catholic church already established there. This means they have been sharing their version of “the good news of the kingdom” worldwide for much longer than the Witnesses have.
Additionally, there are many small Christian groups that have gone and are still going on missionary trips to remote areas where Christianity hasn’t taken root. I doubt there are any places on this planet where our Lord’s teachings haven’t been shared by some group or another.
You can’t just use Matthew 24:14 to say that Jehovah’s Witnesses are the true Christian faith just because they do work all over the world.
Another point people make to show that Witnesses are the true Christian Faith is their “accurate knowledge.” They claim that only Witnesses really get what the Bible means. A careful research will show that’s not the case. They have an ever evolving theology, constantly changing.
Matthew 24:25 is another verse they use to say that God is blessing them. But all the churches in Christendom also say they are feeding their members.
I’m not saying that Jehovah’s Witnesses never received Jehovah’s blessing. Anyone who chooses to live by Bible principles will receive blessings. What I’m saying is that in our Lord’s parable, the landowner picked certain workers and asked them to take care of his vineyard, but in the end, they lost his favor because of what they did. (Matthew 21:33-41; Mark 12:1-9; Luke 20:9-16; 2 Timothy 3:8, 9)
Just saying you’re a representative of Christ doesn’t actually make it real.
1 John 2:4
“He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”
Let’s look at Matthew 7:22
“Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’”
And so, doing “many wonders in Your name” doesn’t prove them to be representatives of Christ’s either.
Keep in mind, that Titus 1:14 warns to pay no attention to the “commandments of men who turn away from the truth.”
Psalm 118:6
“Yahweh is on my side; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”
Many Witnesses are afraid to share the Bible truths they learn from their personal studies, especially if those truths are contrary to what the Governing Body teaches. Why is that? The “fear of man”. It’s because they are afraid of what these men, who have taken the role of mediator, might do to them. But Jesus tells us to “shout it from the rooftops” so everyone can hear. Don’t let these men hide Bible truths, scaring you into talking in whispers, or worse yet, being silent. (Psalm 27:1; 56:4, 10, 11; Romans 8:31; Hebrews 13:6) These men only have the power that you allow them to have. Keep in mind what Proverbs 29:25 tells us:
“The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.”
Those of us who have “the truth of Christ” in them, have seen past the false teachings of the Governing Body, and are exposing them, even if it causes those who claim to be our brethren to label us as apostates and enemies.
Paul stated in Galatians 4:16:
“Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?” (NIV)
Peter warns us that there would be false teachers.
We read in 2 Peter 2:1-3:
“But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.”
Jeremiah 23:16, 17:
“Don’t listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They teach you vanity. They speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of Yahweh.”
Fortunately we have the Bible to prove them wrong.
So, let’s go back to that question our Lord asked his disciples in John 6:67: “Do you also want to go away?” Peter answers, “Whom shall I go away to?” And the answer is simple: To Christ. Because as Peter states it, Jesus has “the words of eternal life”, not the Governing Body.