Insistence On Being the Final Authority on Everything
According to the Watchtower society, Jesus returned invisibly in heaven in 1914 and at that time was given all authority on earth and in heaven. (Matt. 28:18) Shortly thereafter in the year 1919 he made an inspection of all Christians and was pleased with a small group whom he selected as a “Faithful and Discreet Slave”. This teaching is based upon their interpretation of a parable related by Jesus in Matthew 24:45-47.
For decades this slave was understood to be the composite group of anointed Christians as a whole. They were represented by a small group of men comprising a governing body at the headquarters for the organization that served as their voice. But as of the year 2013 all witnesses were taught that only the members of the governing body make up this slave.[1]
What is the role of the Faithful and Discreet Slave?
Listen as governing body member Gerrit Losch explains:
Here is what the Watchtower has to say:
“Jesus has placed the weightiest of responsibilities on the faithful and discreet slave—namely, overseeing the domestics and giving out spiritual food at the proper time. (The Watchtower July 15, 2013 pg. 24)
So according to the Watchtower, part of the responsibilities of the faithful and discreet slave involves being an overseer. What would they oversee?
“Jesus placed a weighty responsibility on the faithful and discreet slave. In Bible times, a trusted slave, or steward, was a house manager. (Luke 12:42) The faithful and discreet slave is thus charged with the responsibility to manage the household of faith. That responsibility includes overseeing material assets, the preaching activity, assembly and convention programs, and the production of Bible literature for use in the field ministry and in personal and congregation study. (The Watchtower July 15, 2013 pg. 23 par. 14)
The faithful and discreet slave is said to serve as God’s channel of communication for all of his servants on earth:
All who want to understand the Bible should appreciate that the “greatly diversified wisdom of God” can become known only through Jehovah’s channel of communication, the faithful and discreet slave.—John 6:68. (The Watchtower October 1, 1994 pg. 8)
Read the following statements and note how the faithful and discreet slave wants to be the final authority in all matters:
“Today, we may not clearly see why some organizational matters are handled in a certain way, but we have every reason to trust in Jehovah’s guidance through his faithful channel of communication. (The Watchtower December 15, 2007 pg. 20 par. 16)
“What if we are tempted to murmur because of having doubts about certain teachings that Jehovah’s people hold in common? Then let us not be impatient. The ‘faithful slave’ may eventually publish something that answers our questions and clears up our doubts. (The Watchtower July 15, 2006 pg. 22 par. 16)
“We need to guard against developing a spirit of independence. By word or action, may we never challenge the channel of communication that Jehovah is using today. (The Watchtower November 15, 2009 pg. 14 par. 5)
“Jehovah gives us sound counsel through his Word and through his organization, using the publications provided by “the faithful and discreet slave.” (Matthew 24:45; 2 Timothy 3:16) How foolish to reject good advice and insist on our own way! We “must be swift about hearing” when Jehovah, “the One teaching men knowledge,” counsels us through his channel of communication.—James 1:19; Psalm 94:10. (The Watchtower March 15, 2003 pg. 27)
“Jehovah God has also provided his visible organization, his “faithful and discreet slave,” made up of spirit-anointed ones, to help Christians in all nations to understand and apply properly the Bible in their lives. Unless we are in touch with this channel of communication that God is using, we will not progress along the road to life, no matter how much Bible reading we do.—Compare Acts 8:30-40. (The Watchtower December 1, 1981 pg. 27 par. 4)
Of course, all of these instructions are clearly laid out by Jesus. Or are they?
“Who really is the faithful and discreet slave whom his master appointed over his domestics, to give them their food at the proper time? 46 Happy is that slave if his master on coming finds him doing so! 47 Truly I say to you, he will appoint him over all his belongings. (Matthew 24:45-47)
For a discussion of what Jesus meant by this parable see the article “A Simpler Approach to the Faithful and Discreet Slave”.
For Christians, God’s inspired word, the Bible, should be the final authority in all matters. (2 Tim. 3:16) However, the faithful and discreet slave, by assuming the role of divine interpreter, has placed itself between Christians and the Bible. Yet, amazingly, witnesses are led to believe that their decision to abide by the counsel of the faithful and discreet slave is a personal one arrived at by a careful consideration of the scriptures:
“If a Witness makes decisions on the basis of Bible counsel offered by the Governing Body, he does so of his own volition because his own study of the Bible has convinced him that this is the proper course. Each Witness is influenced by God’s own Word to apply sound Scriptural counsel offered by the Governing Body, in full recognition that decisions he makes will affect his personal relationship with God, to whom he is dedicated.—1 Thessalonians 2:13. (The Watchtower March 15, 1998 pg. 22 par. 15)
Next: “Forbidding to Marry”
[1] See The Watchtower July 15, 2013 pgs. 20-25 “Who Really Is the Faithful and Discreet Slave?”