Is Salvation in God or an organization?

You know, I remember back when I was part of the Witnesses, the Society really pushed the idea of “directing attention to the organization” during Bible studies. I always found myself wondering why that was such a big deal, because it just didn’t sit right with me. It makes me think: Do Jehovah’s Witnesses really believe their organization is crucial for “salvation”? And do you think they might feel a bit uncomfortable saying that out loud?

The March 1, 1979 Watchtower article, “Put Faith in a Victorious Organization!” emphasizes the importance of having faith in the organization by stating on page 18:

“Did the remnant of spiritual Israelites and their theocratic companions, the “great crowd” of Christ’s “other sheep,” have such victorious faith? Yes! … devoted Witnesses have kept their faith in Jehovah’s organization.”

The article asks, “Is there any cause for us to lose faith in Jehovah’s visible organization…?” The answer is given, “Absolutely Not!… Our unwavering faith will be rewarded with victory and the crown of life.”

Which is odd because that verse in Rev 2:10 “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” is directed to those of the anointed class, so, why do the “other sheep” need crowns, when Revelation 7:9, states the great crowd receive palm branches.

The Watchtower Society teaches that faith in the Organization leads to eternal life, as stated in the November 15, 1981, Watchtower magazine, p. 21.

“Come to Jehovah’s Organization for Salvation”

That’s right. You get “Salvation” not from Jehovah God or Jesus Christ, but from Jehovah’s Organization! Did you know that? So the Governing Body interprets “Jehovah’s organization” as the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. Their indoctrination shifts faith in God and Jesus Christ to faith in the Watchtower Organization.

Doesn’t this imply that Jehovah’s Witnesses are wrongly promoting faith in their organization and attributing salvation to it? They seem proud of this, at least the ones I’ve come across.

In the May 1, 1957 Watchtower we read:

“if we are to walk in the light of truth we must recognize not only Jehovah God as our father but his organization as our mother.”

And that’s why the old timers I knew often referred to the Society as “mama.” Notice what Revelation 7:10 says: “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” How do they justify this stance?

Doesn’t the “worship the organization” attitude of the Watchtower Society seem shady? Isn’t it hypocritical for them to instruct Jehovah’s Witnesses to view their leaders this way? The July 1, 1955 Watchtower (p. 411 par. 15) emphasizes their commitment to Jehovah, and that March 1, 1979 article “Put Faith in a Victorious Organization!” stresses the importance of trusting the organization (p. 18).

“A Christian therefore, cannot be baptized in the name of the one actually doing the immersing or in the name of any man, nor in the name of ANY ORGANIZATION, but in the name of the Father, the Son and the holy spirit.”

What about this quote in the October 1st, 1966 Watchtower, pages 603, 604 paragraphs 14, 15

“Jehovah is the giver of life. ‘For with you is the source of life.’ (Ps. 36:9) We cannot keep everlasting life in view without staying CLOSE TO JEHOVAH, the source of life … This is what we mean when we dedicate our lives to Jehovah. We DO NOT DEDICATE OURSELVES TO A RELIGION, nor to a man, nor to AN ORGANIZATION. No, we dedicate ourselves to the Supreme Sovereign of the Universe, our Creator, Jehovah God himself. This makes dedication a VERY PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN US AND JEHOVAH. For this reason, all dedicated ones are not only privileged but obligated to draw near to Jehovah in prayer. James 4:8 tells us: ‘Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you.” —

The study article paragraph questions were:

“What principles must we keep clearly in mind in our relationship to Jehovah? What should we know about dedication? What necessary thing will help us to stay close to Jehovah, keeping him always before?

So, why bring up these quotes from earlier publications? Well, think about the big changes we’ve seen in the baptismal and dedication questions, especially the ones that the Governing Body rolled out for all new candidates around the world since the summer of 1985. Here are those questions:                        

1) On the basis of the sacrifice of Jesus, have you repented of your sins and dedicated yourself to Jehovah to do his will?

2) Do you understand that your dedication and baptism identify you as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in ASSOCIATION WITH GOD’S SPIRIT-DIRECTED ORGANIZATION? (See June 1st, 1985 Watchtower pg. 30 paragraphs 3 &4.)

Before 1985, dedication questions for baptismal candidates were simply:

1) Have you recognized yourself as a sinner and needing salvation from Jehovah God? And have you acknowledged that this salvation precedes from him and through his ransomer, Christ Jesus?

2) On the basis of this faith in God and in his provision for redemption have you dedicated yourself unreservedly to Jehovah God, to do his will henceforth as that will is revealed to you through Christ Jesus and through God’s Word as his Holy Spirit makes it plain? (See 1970 Watchtower pg. 309 paragraph 20.)

The 1966 Watchtower really highlights how our dedication helps us connect more with Jehovah, Jesus Christ, and the Bible, which is all inspired by God’s Holy Spirit. So, for me, the Bible is the go-to authority on all things doctrinal and the bedrock of my faith in God Almighty, and His Son, Jesus. — 2 Tim. 3:16, 17

Now, just to clear things up about the recent changes to the baptismal questions, the Society mentioned in the April 15, 1987 issue, page 15:

“Recently the two questions addressed to baptismal candidates were simplified so that candidates could answer with full comprehension of what is involved in coming into intimate relationship with God and his earthly organization.”

It’s surprising how different this is from the Watchtower 1966 issue. Again, check it for yourselves, pages 603-604, paragraphs 14-15. Is this “New Light” from the Governing Body? Are they changing baptismal questions or taking a risky turn?

They suggested building an “intimate relationship” with an impersonal, faceless “organization.” How does that work?

Additionally, the July 15, 2013 Watchtower article questioned whether a healthy spiritual relationship with Jehovah is possible without one with the Governing Body.

Notice paragraph 2:

“… That faithful slave is the channel through which Jesus is feeding his true followers in this time of the end. It is vital that we recognize the faithful slave. Our spiritual health and our relationship with God depend on this channel.—Matt. 4:4; John 17:3.

Your relationship with Jehovah really hinges on how connected you are with the Governing Body. This might be a bit of a surprise for many, especially those who got baptized before 1985. You can’t really have a “healthy” spiritual relationship with Jehovah without the Governing Body, which shows how much the baptismal questions have changed since then. It seems like the Governing Body is looking for glory for themselves, which takes away from Jehovah. Back in the day, having a close relationship with the “spirit-directed Organization” was key, but now it’s all about having that connection with the Governing Body first before you can really connect with Jehovah.

Remember, leaders of the Watchtower Society used to be pretty clear about not putting faith in an organization or thinking it could save you, calling that idolatry. For instance, The Watchtower from September 1st, 1961 mentions this on page 525.

“If one renders obedient service to someone or some organization, whether willingly or under compulsion, looking up to such as possessing a position of superior rulership and great authority, then that one can Scripturally be said to be a worshiper.”

Also, notice this comment made in The Watchtower, December 1st, 1971, page 723

“Then note what happened to these idolatrous worshipers of a man-made organization.”

And this one in the Watchtower, January 15th, 1970 Watchtower on page 37:

“where should your faith be placed – in a religious organization or in God?”

And even this one in the November 1st, 1990 Watchtower on page 26:

“We cannot take part in any modern version of idolatry – be it worshipful gestures toward an image or symbol or the imputing of salvation to a person or an organization.” 

Can you believe they said this and published it for everyone to see? In fact the cover of that March 1st, 1979 Watchtower magazine boldly proclaimed: “Put Faith in a Victorious Organization!” 

So, it’s important to keep in mind the major destruction Jehovah brought upon “His Organization,” the nation of Israel. Remember when Nebuchadnezzar took down Solomon’s Temple? And then there was that time in 70 C.E. when General Titus destroyed the Temple again.

Notice this quote in the May 1st, 1981 Watchtower on page 17, the Society makes a pretty clear statement about itself.

“Are they merely a man-made organization that God can use, if he chooses, or are they the visible earthly part of God’s organization? Let the facts speak!”

This reminds us of the Mosaic Law, specifically the 10 Commandments in Exodus 20:3:

“You must not have any other gods against my face.”

Exodus 20:5 makes it pretty clear: Jehovah God wants our full devotion. It seems like this organization has lost sight of some key principles, putting its own style of worship ahead of what really matters (Isaiah 42:8). Remember that July 15, 2013, Watchtower magazine? It pointed out that the “Faithful and Discreet” servant mentioned in Matt. 24:45-47 is actually referring to the Governing Body. So, it’s not just about the organization; you need to pay attention to its leaders too, recognizing that “salvation” comes from both the organization and the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

And then there’s that November 15, 2013, Watchtower article called “Seven Shepherds, Eight Dukes — What They Mean For Us Today.” Paragraph 17, really emphasizes how you should view and follow the organization’s leadership with faithfulness and consistency.

“…At that time the life-saving direction that we receive from Jehovah’s organization may not appear practical from a human standpoint. ALL OF US MUST BE READY TO OBEY ANY INSTRUCTIONS WE MAY RECEIVE, WHETHER THESE APPEAR SOUND FROM A STRATEGIC OR HUMAN STANDPOINT OR NOT. (4) Now is the time for any who may be putting their trust in secular education, material things, or human institutions to adjust their thinking. The elders must stand ready to help any who may now be wavering in their faith.”

This mindset really shows where the organization is headed: it’s all about following these guys without question, no matter if it makes sense or not. You can’t let your faith shake by going against what they say. But here’s the thing—the Bible clearly tells us not to do that.

We’re told in Romans 12:1 to “… Offer your sacred service [to God] with the power of reason.” [New World Translation] This is a poor translation though, it reads in most translations to “present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.”

Just think about it for a second. The Governing Body aka the so-called “faithful and Discreet slave” has control over the Watchtower magazine and all its other publications, and that can really sway sincere people all around the globe, right? It kind of sets the stage for unquestioned obedience over time. And hey, don’t forget to check out 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 4!

“3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.”

Doesn’t this describe the Governing Body, who “sit as God(s) in the temple of God”? Something to think about, so the question asked: To whom is your loyalty?