The Governing Body & "The Faithful Slave"
The verses they cite — read them in context.
Matthew 24:45-47
"Who then is the faithful and discreet slave whom his master set over his household?"
Acts 8:30-31
"How can I understand unless someone guides me?"
Hebrews 13:17
"Obey your leaders and submit to them."
Reading Matthew 24:45-47 in context, does Jesus name a single modern organization — or describe faithful servants in general?
Debate doesn’t change minds. If you find yourself arguing, pivot to telling your story of how Jesus changed you, saved you, and protected you.
The Governing Body & "The Faithful Slave"
Is one organization the sole channel God speaks through today?
No single organization is the required channel between God and people. The Bereans were praised for testing even the apostle Paul against Scripture (Acts 17:11), believers have the Spirit’s teaching (1 John 2:27), and there is "one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5) — not an institution. Access to God is through Jesus, directly.
Verses Jehovah’s Witnesses cite
- Matthew 24:45-47: "Who then is the faithful and discreet slave whom his master set over his household?"
- Acts 8:30-31: "How can I understand unless someone guides me?"
- Hebrews 13:17: "Obey your leaders and submit to them."
Biblical response verses
- Acts 17:11: The Bereans "examined the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so."
- 1 John 2:27: "The anointing you received from him abides in you... teaches you about everything."
- Galatians 1:8: "Even if... an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary... let him be accursed."
- 1 Timothy 2:5: "There is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."
Question to ask
Reading Matthew 24:45-47 in context, does Jesus name a single modern organization — or describe faithful servants in general?
If the Bereans were commended for checking even an apostle against Scripture, why would checking any organization against Scripture be wrong?