INTRODUCTION
The word “freedom” is a relative word, and Merriam-Webster defines it in the following way:
The quality or state of being free: such as
a: the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action
b: liberation from slavery or restraint or from the power of another : independence
c: the quality or state of being exempt or released usually from something onerous[1]
The lexicon applies “freedom” to our choices, not to be under the power of another person or thing, and not to be forced to do something that is difficult (onerous). The first two applications are relevant for how “freedom” is used in the Bible and how “freedom” is applied to the life of those who want to serve Jehovah God. I will now discuss these applications of “freedom,” and also discuss the application of the word “slavery.”
Three Greek words are used: the verb eleutheroō (“to free; set free”), the adjective eleutheros (“free”), and the noun eleutheria (“freedom”). One Greek word is used for “slavey,” namely douleia.
[1]. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/freedom.
FREEDOM AS OPPOSED TO SLAVERY
The most famous words about freedom were uttered by Jesus:
“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
These words have often been quoted and have been applied contrary to the context.
FREEDOM FROM SIN AND DEATH
What did Jesus mean? Let us look at the context, and I quote John 8:31-36, 51:
31 And so Jesus went on to say to the Jews that had believed him: “If YOU remain in my word, YOU are really my disciples, 32 and YOU will know the truth, and the truth will set YOU free (eleutheroō).”
33 They replied to him: “We are Abraham’s offspring and never have we been slaves to anybody. How is it you say, ‘YOU will become free’?” 34 Jesus answered them: “Most truly I say to YOU, Every doer of sin is a slave of sin. 35 Moreover, the slave does not remain in the household forever; the son remains forever. 36 Therefore if the Son sets YOU free (eleutheroō), YOU will be actually free (eleutheros),
51 Most truly I say to YOU, If anyone observes my word, he will never see death at all.”
The Jews to whom Jesus spoke argued that they were the offspring of Abraham. Therefore, they were no one’s slaves but they were a free people. Jesus does not dispute this argument. But he shows that in one respect they were slaves, namely, slaves to sin. The scribes and the Pharisees who spoke with him knew that God’s words to Adam indicated that the penalty for sin was death. Therefore, when they were slaves to sin, they also were slaves of death — in the future they all had to die.
1 For the law of that spirit which gives life in union with Christ Jesus has set you free (eleutheroō) from the law of sin and of death.
The words of Jesus will sometimes refer to the time when he lived and at other times his words would refer to the future.
In this discussion, Jesus implicitly refers to his death and to his ransom sacrifice, and also to the thousand-year reign when all who follow the words of Jesus will have everlasting life (“never see death at all”). The guarantee that those who remain in his word will never see death is that the Son remains forever (green script).
FREEDOM FROM THE LAW OF MOSES
As shown above, the context of Jesus’ words about freedom in John chapter 8 refers to freedom from sin and death. However, on the way to everlasting life that Jesus spoke about, there must be several changes that are not mentioned in John chapter 8.
When Jesus spoke his words, the law of Moses was valid. But this law was a hinder for persons who would remain in the words of Jesus. Paul was aware of this, and both in his letter to the Colossians and in his letter to the Galatians he comments on this issue. I quote Colossians 2:13-17:
13 Furthermore, though YOU were dead in YOUR trespasses and in the uncircumcised state of YOUR flesh, [God] made YOU alive together with him. He kindly forgave us all our trespasses 14 and blotted out the handwritten document against us, which consisted of decrees and which was in opposition to us; and He has taken it out of the way by nailing it to the torture stake. 15 Stripping the governments and the authorities bare, he exhibited them in open public as conquered, leading them in a triumphal procession by means of it.
16 Therefore let no man judge YOU in eating and drinking or in respect of a festival or of an observance of the new moon or of a sabbath; 17 for those things are a shadow of the things to come, but the reality belongs to the Christ.
A document was annulled when it was pierced, and symbolically speaking, the law was annulled by being nailed to the torture stake. In the letter to the Galatians, Paul both shows that the law of Moses was annulled and that something new had come with Jesus Christ. I quote Galatians 3:10-14, 21, 23-25:
10 For all those who depend upon works of law are under a curse; for it is written: “Cursed is every one that does not continue in all the things written in the scroll of the Law in order to do them.” 11 Moreover, that by law no one is declared righteous with God is evident, because “the righteous one will live by reason of faith.”12 Now the Law does not adhere to faith, but “he that does them shall live by means of them.” 13 Christ by purchase released us from the curse of the Law by becoming a curse instead of us, because it is written: “Accursed is every man hanged upon a stake.” 14 The purpose was that the blessing of Abraham might come to be by means of Jesus Christ for the nations, that we might receive the promised spirit through our faith.
21 Is the Law, therefore, against the promises of God? May that never happen! For if a law had been given that was able to give life, righteousness would actually have been by means of law. Scripture delivered up all things together to the custody of sin, that the promise resulting from faith toward Jesus Christ might be given to those exercising faith.
23 However, before the faith arrived, we were being guarded under law, being delivered up together into custody, looking to the faith that was destined to be revealed. 24 Consequently the Law has become our tutor (paidagōgos) leading to Christ, that we might be declared righteous due to faith. 25 But now that the faith has arrived, we are no longer under a tutor.
The law was a “tutor leading to Christ.” A paidagōgos was a slave who accompanied the children of the wealthy people to their teachers, so they could get a good education. In a similar way, the law led people to Jesus Christ. But after Christ came, “we are no longer under the tutor.”
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE LAW OF MOSES AND THE LAW OF CHRIST
The words of Paul in Galatians 5:1 are important for Christians:
1 For such freedom (eleutheria) Christ set us free. Therefore stand fast, and do not let yourselves be confined again in a yoke of slavery.
The word eleutheria (“freedom”) has the article. This article must be anaphoric, and it refers back to something that has already been mentioned. This is the account of Abraham’s two wives. Abraham had two sons that particularly are mentioned and two wives, and the account in Galatians 4:22-31 shows that this is a type of greater things. Hagar was the servant girl, and she pictures the law covenant, while Sarah, the free woman, pictures the new covenant. Verse 32 portrays the conclusion of the drama:
31 Wherefore, brothers, we are children, not of a servant girl, but of the free woman.
We understand that the feminine article tē (“the”) before the word eleutheria (“freedom”) in 5:1 refers to the freedom of being children of the free woman. What does this mean? I quote 3:11-14:
11 Moreover, that by law no one is declared righteous with God is evident, because “the righteous one will live by reason of faith.” 12 Now the Law does not adhere to faith, but “he that does them shall live by means of them.” 13 Christ by purchase released us from the curse of the Law by becoming a curse instead of us, because it is written: “Accursed is every man hanged upon a stake.” 14 The purpose was that the blessing of Abraham might come to be by means of Jesus Christ for the nations, that we might receive the promised spirit through our faith.
The contrast here is between the works of the law of Moses and the Christian faith. Because of the ransom sacrifice of Jesus, the Galatians were no longer under the law of Moses. But instead they had their Christian faith.
THE LAW OF CHRIST
That the Christians were released from the law of Moses did not mean that they were lawless. We read in Galatians 6:2:
2 Go on carrying the burdens of one another, and thus fulfill the law of the Christ.
The study note of Galatians 6:2 in NWT13 has a short but good explanation of the meaning of “the law of Christ”:
The law of Christ: This law includes all that Jesus taught, as well as what God’s spirit directed Christ’s followers to write in the Christian Greek Scriptures. As foretold by Jeremiah, this law replaces the Mosaic Law covenant (Jer 31:31-34; Heb 8:6-13) Christ did not originate these laws and principles; he received them from the great Lawgiver, Jehovah. (John 14:10) The expression “the law of Christ” appears only here in the Christian Greek Scriptures, but similar wording, “law toward Christ,” is used at 1 Co 9:21. This law is also referred to as “the perfect law that belongs to freedom” (Jas 1:25), “the law of a free people” (Jas 2:12), and “the law of faith,” (Ro 3:27.
There is something that is lacking in this definition, and the words of Paul in 1 Timothy 2:12, 13 (NWT13) illuminates what this missing principle is:
12 I do not permit a woman to teach, or to exercise authority over a man, but to be in silence. 13 For (gar) Adam was formed first, then Eve.
At this point, you may be wondering where this line of reasoning is going, and what does this have to do with a missing element in the definition of “The law of Christ” presented in NWT13, as quoted above. But please bear with me. The important point here is the Greek conjunction gar (“for”) at the beginning of verse 13. The reason Paul gives for his words that a woman should not teach or exercise authority over a man is that Adam was created first. But what kind of argument is this?
During the years 1974 and 1975, I was the instructor of the two-week course for all elders in Norway. Because I went through the course 30 times and took notes, I still remember a number of important points from this course. The law of Christ was a prominent subject in the teaching, and in addition to the definition given in the study note of NWT13, it was stressed that the law of Christ also included conclusions that spiritual Christians had to draw from what God had done. This means that God expects his servants to draw conclusions regarding what he has done and live in accordance with these conclusions. This is implied in the words of Paul.
The words in 1 Timothy 2:12, 13 are not formed as a law, but they express a principle, a basic truth. Paul’s point is that because of the basic fact (principle) that Adam was created before Eve, and she was created from one of his ribs, the man must be the leader, and the woman must be his counterpart. However, Paul shows that as human beings men and women are of equal value. (1 Corinthians 11:11, 12) A spiritual-minded Christian should be able to draw this conclusion even when it is not written anywhere. Thus, included in the law of Christ is what we see that God has done and the way we let what we have seen influence our daily life.
When the law of Moses was abolished when Jesus died, that did not mean that people could do anything they wanted because there was no law. In Galatians 5:13 (NWT) we read:
13 YOU were, of course, called for freedom, brothers; only do not use this freedom as an inducement for the flesh, but through love slave for one another. 14 For the entire Law stands fulfilled in one saying, namely: “You must love your neighbor as yourself.”
The point is that Christians do not need to have pointed out to them, or to be told to do, many of the commandments of the law of Moses if they love their neighbor. This is a clear expression of the law of Christ. When we understand that Jehovah loves all people, both good and bad, and we see how he has treated and will treat all people in accordance with this love, then we should follow this excellent example. In Galatians 5:19-21, some of the works of the flesh are listed, and by this, Paul shows what it means “to pursue fleshly desires.” The contrast is the fruitage of the spirit that we find in 5:22. In the following verses, including chapter 6, Paul refers to several sides of the law of Christ.
| The law of Christ is not written in a scroll or book but in the hearts and minds of persons who serve Jehovah. This law includes all the principles of God that are found in the Hebrew Scriptures and the Christian Greek Scriptures, it includes the example of Jesus Christ, and it includes the example of Jehovah God and and our conclusions regarding everything Jehovah has done.
Jehovah expects that his servants shall draw conclusions from the mentioned principles, from the example of Jesus, and from the example of Jehovah and all he has done and apply these conclusions in their daily lives. This is the law of Christ |
WALK[ING] ORDERLY BY THIS RULE OF CONDUCT
In his letter to the Galatians, Paul connected the description of the law of Christ that we find in chapters 5 and 6 with the prophetic account of Abraham and his two women. In 6:15, 16 we read:
15 For neither is circumcision anything nor is uncircumcision, but a new creation [is something]. 16 And all those who will walk orderly (stoikheō) by this rule (kanōn) of conduct, upon them be peace and mercy, even upon the Israel of God.
Those who are children of the free woman, pictured by Sarah, constitute “the Israel of God,” and each of them is “a new creation” because each one has been baptized by holy spirit and have been declared righteous.
There are two important Greek words in the verse, namely stoikheō and kanōn. According to Mounce’s Greek Lexicon the meaning of kanōn is:
a measure, rule; in NT prescribed range of action or duty, 2 Cor. 10:13, 15, 16; met. rule of conduct or doctrine, Gal. 6:16
The meaning of stoikheō, according to Mounce, is:
to live in conformity with some presumed standard or set of customs — ‘to live, to behave in accordance with.’
What is implied in Mounce’s definition “conformity with some presumed standard” is seen in Romans 4:12:
12 and a father of circumcised offspring, not only to those who adhere to circumcision, but also to those who walk orderly (stoikheō) in the footsteps (ikhnos) of that faith while in the uncircumcised state which our father Abraham had.
In Romans 4:12, Paul admonishes his readers “to walk orderly in the footsteps (tracks) of the faith” of Abraham. The word “faith” is a state of mind. Therefore, to ‘walk in the footsteps of Abraham’s faith,’ i.e., his state of mind, requires that the word “faith” in this verse must refer to the acts of Abraham — things we can see — that were based on his faith. Abraham did not have the law of Moses. Nevertheless, he walked in faith despite not having such a law code to follow. But without the law, whose “footsteps” was Abraham following in his ‘walk of faith’? There can be only one answer to this question; Abraham’s faith was based on the actions of God that he had observed and was imitating — and so this is an important side of the law of Christ. And this is the side, or aspect, that is missing from the aforementioned definition of “The law of Christ” in the study note of Galatioans 6:2 in NWT13 that is quoted above.
Mounce shows that the combination of the words stoikheō and ikhnos is an idiom with the meaning:
(idioms, literally ‘to walk in the tracks’ and ‘to follow in the tracks’) to behave in the same manner as someone else — ‘to imitate, to do as others do.’
When only one of the two words of an idiom is used, its alternative word can imply the same meaning as the other word in that idiom. For example, in 1 Peter 2:21, Christians are admonished to “follow (epakoloutheō) his (Jesus’) steps (ikhnos) closely.” Here the verb epakoloutheō (“follow closely”) is used instead of the verb stoikheō (“walking orderly in accord to a particular standard”), but the same idea of the verb stoikheō is indicated.
Philippians 3:16 (NWT13) says “Let us go on walking orderly (stoikheō) in the same course.” The words that are translated as “in the same course” literally are “in it,” and here the idea of ikhnos (“track”) is implied by the alternative Greek word for “in it.” Which “course” or “track” is referred to here? The reference evidently is to verse 14 and to Paul’s words of “pressing forward toward the goal for the prize of the upward call.” Pressing forward toward this goal is the same as “walking orderly (stoikheō)” in the steps of Paul.
I will now return to Galatians 6:15, 16. In these verses, we find the verb stoikheō (“walking orderly in accord to a particular standard”). Paul is not using the Greek word ikhnos (“step”) in combination with stoikheō, as he does in Romans 4:12 because he is not speaking of following in the footsteps of a person. But he is using the Greek word kanōn, which refers to a rule of conduct or doctrine. The word ikhnos in relation to persons expresses the same idea as does kanōn in relation to scriptures — “following in the footsteps of” — “following or adhering to the rule of conduct or doctrine of.”
What, then, does kanōn refer to? Because kanōn is preceded by the article, the word must refer to something that already has been mentioned. The point throughout the letter to Galatians is that neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything, but being a new creation is the important thing. So, the word kanōn (rule of conduct or doctrine) includes what is written in the last part of 6:15, namely, being a new creation.
The words “new creation” do not occur elsewhere in the letter to the Galatians. But those who are new creations are sons of God, they are baptized into Christ, and they belong to Christ (3:26-29). They are also children of the free woman (4:31), and because of this, they are part of God’s Israel (6:16). And “the rule of conduct” (kanōn) that leads to becoming a new creation, a member of spiritual Israel, is the law of Christ (5:2).
So, it is clear that the law of Christ is the center of “this rule of conduct,” (kanōn) both because following this law leads to becoming a new creation and because each new creation must continue to follow the law of Christ.
It is important to note that the letter to the Galatians was written to the members of the congregations in Galatia and not only to the elders of these congregations. The study note in NWT13 regarding the law of Christ has a reference to Jeremiah’s words (31:31-34) about a new covenant and this reference is quoted in Hebrews 8:6-13.
Both Jeremiah 31:33 and Hebrews 8:10 show that the laws of this new covenant (a part of the law of Christ) will be written in the minds and hearts of God’s servants.
So, the law of Christ is something personal, a relationship between Jehovah and each of his servants. Following the law of Christ is the same as knowing Jehovah. (Galatians 4:9)
I remember an illustration that was used in The Watchtower many years ago, illustrating what it means to know God. A child about ten years old was attending school, and the teacher asked him to do something that he had never done before. His father had not discussed this situation with the child. But after a moment of thinking, the child said; “I cannot do this, because my father will not like that.” This child knew his father! In a similar way, those who know God do not need a written law for all situations because the law of Christ is written in their minds and hearts.
As mentioned, the letter to the Galatians was not addressed to those who took the lead in the congregations, the elders, but to each member of the congregation who followed the law of Christ. The members of the congregations in Galatia were also members of spiritual Israel, and they were set free from the law of Moses by Jesus Christ (5:1). This means that they were children of the free woman (Galatians 4:31).
| “Walking orderly by this rule of conduct” (kanōn) means becoming “children of the free woman” and “new creations” by following the law of Christ. |
BECOMING SLAVES OF THE GOVERNING BODY
The adjective eleutheros (“free”) occurs three times in Galatians, the substantive eleutheria (“freedom”) also occurs three times, and the verb eleutheroō (“to set free”) occurs one time. So, Galatians is a letter about freedom. I quote Galatians 5:1, where both eleutheria and eleuteroō occur, as well as the opposite word douleia (“slavery”):
1 For such freedom (eleuthereia) Christ set us free (eleutheroō). Therefore stand fast, and do not let yourselves be confined again in a yoke of slavery (douleia).
What does it mean to “again be confined in a yoke of slavery.” The context shows that now when Jesus had abolished the law of Moses, and the Christians were following the law of Christ, they should not again start to keep parts of the law of Moses. If that happened, they would be slaves to that law. The letter to Romans has several similarities with the letter to the Galatians; the verb eleutheroō (“to set free”) occurs four times, eleutheria (“freedom”) occurs one time, and eleutheros (“free”) occurs two times. So, the letter to Romans also discusses freedom and slavery. In Romans 6:16 we read:
16 Do YOU not know that if YOU keep presenting yourselves to anyone as slaves to obey him, YOU are slaves of him because YOU obey him, either of sin with death in view or of obedience with righteousness in view?
The point here is that if we obey someone or something, we are slaves of the one we obey. What does it mean “to be slaves of obedience”? Romans 16:26 speaks of “the command of the everlasting God to promote obedience by faith”. And this is the faith in Jehovah God and his Son Jesus Christ. And what does God command to those who have this faith? His command is that they follow the law of Christ. So, the law of Moses has been abolished, and the law of Christ is now valid.
THE LAW OF CHRIST VERSUS THE YOKE OF THE GOVERNING BODY
The law of Christ is written in the minds and hearts of God’s people. It means that each Christian lives in accordance with the principles of God found in the Bible, and in accordance with the examples of Jehovah God and Jesus Christ. It also means that each Christian must draw conclusions from everything that Jehovah has done and live according to these conclusions. This is true Christian freedom.
God’s people in the first century were organized in congregations, and each congregation had a body of elders. Regarding these elders, Hebrews 13:17 says:
17 Be obedient (peithō) to those who are taking the lead among YOU and be submissive (hypeikō), 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.
How can we be submissive to the elders without “be(ing) confined again in a yoke of slavery”? (Galatians 5:1). The meaning of the verb peitho is “to be assured; seek to persuade; to confide in; trust” (Mounce) and “to submit to authority” (Louw and Nida). I side with Mounce and will translate the first part of the clause as. “Trust those who are taking the lead among you.” The verb hypeikō has the meaning “to yield; be submissive” (Mounce).
How can the Christians be submissive to the elders without “being confined again in a yoke of slavery.” The answer is found in 1 Peter 5:2, 3 (above) and Matthew 20:25-28 (below)
2 Shepherd the flock of God in YOUR care, not under compulsion, but willingly; neither for love of dishonest gain, but eagerly; 3 neither as lording it (katakurieuō) over those who are God’s inheritance, but becoming examples to the flock.
25 But Jesus, calling them to him, said: “YOU know that the rulers of the nations lord it over them (katakurieuō) and the great men wield authority over (kateksousiazō) them. 26 This is not the way among YOU; but whoever wants to become great among YOU must be YOUR minister, 27 and whoever wants to be first among YOU must be YOUR slave. 28 Just as the Son of man came, not to be ministered to, but to minister and to give his soul a ransom in exchange for many.”
The Greek verb katakyrieuō has the meaning “to rule or reign over, with the implication in some contexts of ‘lording it over’” (Louw and Nida) The phrase “lording it over” means “to act in a way that shows one thinks one is better or more important than someone else”. The Greek word kateksousiazō has the meaning “to rule or reign by exercising authority over.” So, the elders should not rule over others or think they were more important than the members of the congregations. The Hebrew word Jesus used is translated by Matthew as katakurieuō. And Jesus stresses that no Christian should reign over others or view himself as better than others. But those taking the lead should be ministers who should serve the others.
Both Jesus and Peter show what the ideal situation should be in the Christian congregations. But Paul warned the Christians of not “be(ing) confined again in a yoke (zugos) of slavery”? What does the word “yoke” refer to? Some of the Galatians believed that they should observe parts of the law of Moses. This was like a yoke because it was something that was added to the law of Christ. Peter had the same viewpoint as Paul, and at the meeting of the apostles and the elders in Jerusalem in the year 49 CE, he used the Greek word zugos (“yoke”) according to Acts 15:10, 11:
10 Now, therefore, why are YOU making a test of God by imposing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke(zugos) that neither our forefathers nor we were capable of bearing 11 On the contrary, we trust to get saved through the undeserved kindness of the Lord Jesus in the same way as those people also.”
What did Peter mean by using the word “yoke”? The issue was whether people of the nations who became Christians should be circumcised or not? And Peter’s answer was no. Putting a new law on the shoulders of people of the nations would be like a yoke, and such a yoke would make them slaves, according to Paul. In the year 1972 when the elder arrangement was introduced, Jehovah’s Witnesses had great freedom and were to a great part independent of the Governing Body that was formed in 1971. The Watchtower of October 1, 1972, page 589, says:
It would therefore be wrong in such matters to try to extract from someone else, from a body of elders or from the governing body of the Christian congregation, some rule or regulation that ‘draws the line’ on matters. Where God’s Word does not itself ‘draw the line,’ no human has the right to add to that Word by doing so.
These words accord very well with the words of Paul not to “be confined again in a yoke of slavery” and to the words of Peter “imposing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke”.
| Any law made by humans that is given in addition to the law of Christ, represented by the Christian Greek Scriptures, is a yoke placed on the shoulders of the Christians, a yoke leading to slavery because we are slaves of what or whom we obey, according to Romans 6.16. |
The Watchtower of August 1, 1974, page 472, discussed disfellowshipping, and it had some comments in favor of the law of Christ.
Holding to the Scriptures, neither minimizing what they say nor reading into them something they do not say, will enable us to keep a balanced view toward disfellowshiped ones. We will ever keep in mind the reason for disfellowshiping, to keep the congregation pure and approved by God, free from corrupting influence.
The Christian Greek Scriptures are not the law of Christ, but the principles in these Scriptures are a part of the law of Christ, so, not drawing the line when the Scriptures does not draw the line, and not reading into the Scriptures something they do not say, are expressions that are upholding the law of Christ.
THE YOKE OF THE GOVERNING BODY UPON THE SHOULDERS OF THE SERVANTS OF GOD
Both Jesus and Pater said that the elders in the congregations should not rule over the congregation and should not “be lording it over those who are God’s inheritance,” which means that they should not think that they were better or more important than other servants of God.
Some years ago, the Governing Body changed the expression “presiding overseer” to “coordinator.” The reason was that the title “presiding overseer” could imply that this overseer was more important than the other overseers. So, the Governing Body showed that the name of someone could indicate the power of someone. Along the same line of thinking, what can we say about the name “the Governing Body”? It shows that the members of this body are governing over the members of Jehovah’s Witnesses. But what did Jesus say in Matthew 20:25, 26? He said that “the rulers of the nations lord it over them and the great men wield authority over them. This is not the way among you.” It is ironic that the very name of the nine men on the top of the organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses by their very name shows that they are violating the words of Jesus. No person or persons should govern the people of God!
The worldwide organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses must have a leadership to organize the different activities — but not adding anything to the Christian Greek Scriptures. Such a body could have the name, “the Coordinating Body,” in order to show that they were not governing the Witnesses. It is not only the name “the Governing Body” that is showing that its members are violating the words of Jesus. Also, the actions of these men show that they do not follow the words of Jesus. The yoke that leads to becoming slaves according to Paul and Peter is to make binding laws for the people of God in addition to the law of Christ. Because the principles in the Christian Greek Scriptures are a basic part of the law of Christ, making laws that are not based on the Christian Greek Scriptures is the same as placing the yoke upon the shoulders of God’s people.
And this is exactly what the members of the Governing Body have done. I am not speaking of practical rules in the worldwide organization which are made so the Witnesses can work together in a smooth manner. But I am speaking about laws made by the Governing Body that regulate the religious and daily lives of the members of the congregations, laws that are additions to Bible.
The law code of Moses contained about 500 laws that should regulate both the religious and daily lives of the Israelites. And the members of the Governing Body have taken the same position as Moses. They have made a law code of 200+ laws that shall regulate the religious and daily life of Jehovah’s Witnesses. These laws have no basis in the Bible, and by this, they sideline the law of Christ
So, it is crystal clear that the present members of the Governing Body have violated the excellent statements of Christian freedom in the articles in The Watchtower othat have been quoted above. They have “drawn the line” where the Scriptures do not draw the line, and they have read into the Scriptures ideas that are not there. Because humans are slaves of what and of whom they obey, the members of the Governing Body have made Jehovah’s Witnesses their slaves. The smallest disobedience is not tolerated but may lead to disfellowshipping.
By making laws for Jehovah’s Witnesses in addition to the Christian Greek Scriptures the members of the Governing Body have placed a yoke on the shoulders of the Witnesses and have confined them to slavery.
| Details showing how the members of the Governing Body have given a great number of laws that are not based on the Bible, is found in the article, “The Governing Body’s way to dictatorship” in the category, “The Governing Body.” |
HOW CAN THE CONGREGATIONS OF JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES FUNCTION IN A GODLY WAY IN A DICTATORIAL ENVIRONMENT?
Jehovah’s Witnesses have been known for their unity and their brotherly love. Some years ago, my wife and used to spend our vacations by driving with our car through several countries in Europa. We drove through Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and down to the Mediterranean coast of France where we spent one week. Then we drove through Italy, Yugoslavia, Austria, and Germany and back to Norway. At every place, we looked for Jehovah’s Witnesses, and they were not difficult to find because they offered the magazines on the streets and preached from house to house.
When we presented us as Witnesses from Norway, we were greeted as one of their family. We were invited home to some Witnesses, and we spent a good time with persons we never had seen before. My wife and I did the same with Witnesses from abroad who visited our congregation in Oslo. This special unity because of having the same faith is rarely found among other groups. When a great number of refugees from Ukraine came to Norway recently, Witnesses were at the refugee receptions in order to find Witnesses from Ukraine so they could come in contact with Norwegian Witnesses. This unity and brotherly love are still found in the congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses, and the question is how this can be possible today when the leaders of Jehovah’s Witnesses have given themselves unlimited power and, in reality, they function as dictators.
The key to this question is the uniformity that has existed among Jehovah’s Witnesses for a long time. In 1961, when I became a Witness, almost all doctrines of Jehovah’s Witnesses were directly based on the Bible. The Witnesses have great respect for the Bible, and therefore everyone has had the same beliefs and did the same things in the congregations.
Uniformity or uniformness is usually viewed as something negative because people often are forced into this situation. But the uniform faith of the Witnesses is not forced upon them. But this faith is something they have achieved because they believe in the Bible. Today, about 90% of the faith of Jehovah’s Witnesses is based on the Bible, and the last 10% are human commandments that are created by the members of the Governing Body. Has the 10% of human commandments and the dictatorial position of the Governing Body had any negative effect on the faith of the Witnesses?
At a district assembly many years ago, the following situation was presented: A couple with two teenage children, a boy and a girl, had seen a film on TV. The mother said: “It is as if I have seen the introduction to this film before.” The father answered: “You are right. A short time after we were married, we went to a movie theater to see a film. After a few minutes, we looked at each other and said, ‘Shall we leave? This is a bad film.’ And then we left. Today we have seen the whole film—together with our children.”
One reason why the dictatorial power of the Governing Body has not caused great problems is that the change from a theocratic to a dictatorial organization has proceeded gradually from the last part of the 20th century and throughout the 21st century. The change has occurred so slowly that most Witnesses have not noticed it.
A second reason is that those who have been Witnesses for many years continue practicing their uniformity in faith because 90% of the faith of the Witnesses is based on the Bible. And most Witnesses are not aware of the bad side effects of the human commandments made by the Governing Body. First, when a situation occurs when these human commandments hit themselves, as when they are summoned to a judicial committee, do they realize the bad effects of the dictatorial power of the Governing Body.
A third reason is that a great part of those who are Witnesses today have become Witnesses in recent years and they have only known the dictatorial organization and have never seen the theocratic organization. So, they do not know anything else than the dictatorial organization.
A fourth reason is the trust in the Governing Body by most Witnesses. Hebrews 13:17 exhorts the members of the congregations “to trust those who are taking the lead among you.” And this trust is extremely strong today. One reason for this is that the expressions “the Governing Body” and “the faithful and discreet slave” have been mentioned more often in the 21st century than before. And there has been a strong stress on the view that the Governing Body is directed by God, and what they say and write is what God wants his servants to read and study at each time. This means that the Governing Body is always right.
A fifth reason is that the knowledge of the Bible is extremely low among the Witnesses today. In most of the 20th century, personal Bible study was stressed. And when articles were published in The Watchtower, the readers were encouraged to check the conclusions with the Bible, so each one could defend his faith with the help of the Bible. Today, all the spiritual food is chewed by the members of the Governing Body, and the Witnesses just have to open their mouths and swallow, without any check with the Bible. Because of little Bible knowledge, it is difficult for the Witnesses to detect errors.
CONCLUSION
Jesus said that “the truth will set you free.” He referred to freedom from sin and death.
The letters of Paul to the Romans and to the Galatians speak about Christian freedom. The law of Moses that was abolished kept humans in slavery. But the law of Christ, which is written in the hearts and minds of God’s servants, leads to real freedom.
For several years after the elder arrangement was instituted in the year of 1972, the law of Christ was practiced by Jehovah’s Witnesses, and it was stressed that no one had the right to make laws in addition to the Bible, and no one had the right to read into the text of the Bible something that is not there.
In the 21st century, Christian freedom has been abolished, because the members of the Governing Body have made a law code of 200+ laws in addition to the Bible. Because of this, the Witnesses have become slaves of the members of the Governing Body who have given themselves dictatorial power.
The situation today has some resemblance with the situation in some of the seven congregations in Asia, that are mentioned in the first three chapters of Revelation. Many bad things happened in these congregations, but still, they were a part of God’s people. Individual Witnesses today cannot do anything with the abuse of power by the members of the Governing Body. But Jehovah’s Witnesses are still God’s people, and each Witness should continue to worship Jehovah through Jesus Christ and preach the good news of the Kingdom, while he or she is waiting for the intervention of Jehovah God.
The article, “The Governing Body’s way to dictatorship” in the category, “The Governing Body” is a sequel to this article.
