According to the Watchtower from October 1, 1967, page 587 under 'Finding Freedom with Jehovah's Visible Organization' it states:
"Thus the Bible is an organizational book and belongs to the Christian congregation as an organization, not to individuals, regardless of how sincerely they may believe that they can interpret the Bible. For this reason the Bible cannot be properly understood without Jehovah's visible organization in mind."
Directly from the teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses, the Bible does not belong to individuals but to their organization. In fact, the Bible cannot be understood without their visible organization (The Watchtower Society) in mind.
That is pretty sick and twisted reasoning. Perhaps this teaching has been refined over the years. Let's take a look at the issue from February 15, 1981 page 19, under 'Do We Need Help to Understand the Bible?' it states:
"We all need help to understand the Bible, and we cannot find the Scriptural guidance we need outside the "faithful and discreet slave" organization."
It appears they are sticking with this attitude that no one can understand the Bible without the aid of the Watchtower Society.
Nonetheless, that was nearly 30 years ago. Certainly now, humility has become apparent and such an arrogant and haughty spirit no longer exudes from the teachings and beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses printed in the pages of the Watchtower, right?
The September 15, 2010, Watchtower, page 8, seriously elevates the leaders of Jehovah's Witnesses to demigod status once again. It states in paragraph 7:
"We cannot hope to acquire a good relationship with Jehovah if we ignore those whom Jesus has appointed to care for his belongings. Without the assistance of "the faithful and discreet slave", we would neither understand the full import of what we read in God's Word nor know how to apply it."
Nothing new under the sun for the Watchtower Society and the men in Brooklyn posing as the soul channel of truth God is using to communicate with people today. Remember, they are appointed by Jesus, because they say so according to their select interpretation of specific bible passages. You must also ignore all their flip-flops in teaching and false prophesying.
Part of the problem is this attitude and mentality is rooted at the foundation of the organization’s beginnings.
The Watchtower Society first president - Charles Taze Russell - wrote a series of books called, 'Studies in the Scriptures'. Interestingly, the September 15, 1910 edition, on page 4695, states:
“Not only do we find that people cannot see the divine plan in studying the Bible by itself, but we see, also, that if anyone lays the Scripture Studies aside, even after he has used them, after he has become familiar with them, after he has read them for ten years - if he then lays them aside and ignores them and goes to the Bible alone, though he has understood his Bible for ten years, our experience shows that within two years he goes into darkness. On the other hand, if he had merely read the Scripture Studies with their references, and had not read a page of the Bible, as such, he would be in the light at the end of the two years, because he would have the light of the Scriptures.”
Russell identified himself as the sole authority of Biblical interpretation and understanding. He stated that one would end up in spiritual darkness without examining his writings. His writings were needed to properly understand and apply the Bible.
When the year was 1910, you needed one man, Charles Taze Russell. In the year 2010, you need the writings and directions of several men in Brooklyn.
Just like many other cult and cult-like organizations, emphasis is placed upon the organization and/or its human leader(s) as being the source of authority, information, and understanding the message or Word of God.
What does the Bible teach is needed for Christians to apply and understand the scriptures?
John 14:16 - "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever"
John 15:26 - "But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me."
John 16:13 - "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come."
1 John 2:27 - "But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him."
According to the above passages it is the Holy Spirit – The Helper, the Spirit of truth - which is utilized to apply the Bible. Contrary to the teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses, you do not need their organization or their interpretation, inclusive of their publications.
Jehovah's Witnesses are indoctrinated to believe they need the Watchtower Organization, they need the Watchtower. You want a relationship with God? Don't ignore the men in Brooklyn. According to the teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses, you need the men in Brooklyn, and the organization they run and control, to understand the full import of God's Word and how to apply it.
