8/6/2023 0 Comments Jw congregation![]() If an unrepentant wrongdoer were permitted to remain in the congregation, he could be a corrupting influence. "We do well to remember that disfellowshipping is Jehovah’s arrangement and that it benefits the congregation and may benefit the wrongdoer. There are over 30 reasons listed as serious enough to warrant being disfellowshipped, ranging from disagreeing with Watchtower doctrine to smoking and fornication. Watchtower justifies that a person is only disfellowshipped if they are unrepentant after committing a serious sin, in order to protect the congregation and hopefully move the sinner to repent and return to the congregation. Would we want to take that first step with a disfellowshiped person?" Watchtower 1981 Sep 15 p.25 "… a simple "Hello" to someone can be the first step that develops into a conversation and maybe even a friendship. "Thus "disfellowshiping" is what Jehovah's Witnesses appropriately call the expelling and subsequent shunning of such an unrepentant wrongdoer." Watchtower 1981 Sep 15 p.22 Watchtower 2011 Jul 15 p.23 simplified edition (2)ĭisfellowshipping is explained as expelling a wrongdoer, and shunning them to such degree as to not even say hello to them. That means there are over one million disfellowshipped Jehovah's Witnesses alive today that are being shunned, over 10% of the number of active Jehovah's Witnesses. Whilst Scriptural precedence limits association with wrongdoers, Watchtower application of disfellowshipping seriously deviates from Bible guidelines.Īccording to Watchtower figures, 1 in every 100 Jehovah's Witnesses is disfellowshipped each year - over 80,000 - of which two thirds will not be reinstated. Unless they are reinstated, this punishment is for the remainder of their life, causing tremendous emotional suffering. A disfellowshipped person is to be shunned by family and friends. What is the role of each Witness?Īll in the congregation “praise the name of Jehovah” by participating at congregation meetings and sharing in the ministry according to their circumstances.-Read Psalm 148:12, 13.Jehovah's Witnesses are disfellowshipped if they are considered to be unrepentant after engaging in serious sin. They appoint elders and ministerial servants, who must meet the Scriptural requirements.- 1 Timothy 3:1-10, 12 Titus 1:5-9. They visit various congregations to give guidance and encouragement. The Governing Body appoints some elders to be circuit overseers. ![]() ![]() Rather, they serve “willingly before God not for love of dishonest gain, but eagerly.” ( 1 Peter 5:1, 2) Elders are assisted by ministerial servants, who, in time, may qualify to serve as elders themselves. What is the role of the elders?Įlders are mature Christian men who teach from the Scriptures and shepherd Jehovah’s people by helping and encouraging them. They look to Jehovah and his Word for guidance, and they submit to Jesus’ headship. ( Acts 15:2) But these men are not the leaders of our organization. (Read Matthew 24:45-47.) Like the first-century apostles and elders in Jerusalem, the Governing Body gives direction to the global congregation. Jesus appointed “the faithful and discreet slave”-a small group of mature elders also known as the Governing Body. “Christ is head of the congregation.” ( Ephesians 5:23) From heaven, he oversees the activities of Jehovah’s people worldwide. How is the Christian congregation organized? How can we contribute to its success? 1. ![]() ( 1 Corinthians 14:33) So we would expect that his people would be organized. ![]()
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