sincerly said:
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Mike, you know the "beliefs" of the "governing body" and this discussion is just the "tip of the iceberg". The Scriptures identified them as "wise men" and they did visit and "worship" Jesus.
In the sense that the governing body of the society believes the scriptures, the same as I do, then yes, you are correct.
Mike, Let's start with the word "religion" as used today. The definitions
of which are: 1. The belief in a superhuman controlling power, esp. in a personal GOD or gods entitled to obedience and worship.
2.the expression of this worship.
3. a particular system of faith and worship.
4. life under monastic vows(the way of religion)
5. A thing that one is devoted to(football(
etc.) is their religion).
In the KJV, the Greek word translated Religion is threskeia.
Notice the usage in these verses.
Acts 26:5, "Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of "
our"
religion I lived a Pharisee."
Paul was expressing all five of those definitions. (#5 being devoted the the Creator GOD).
Gal. 1:13-14, "For ye have heard of my conversation(manner of life---(supplied)) in time past in the Jews'
religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: And profited in the Jews'
religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers."
Paul was again expressing all of the definitions, but now #5 is including
the "traditions"(changes made by men) which were against the teachings of GOD.
James 1:26-27, "If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's
religion is vain. Pure
religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction,
and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
James is expressing another facet of worship/devotion All of which has its roots in LOVE---Which GOD is.
Prov.14:12, states, "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof
are the ways of death."
They do not dictate what to believe to anyone. They have no doctrine their own, any doctrine is strictly from the scriptures. It's God's doctrine.
Yes, Eve knew of GOD'S instruction, but that didn't keep her from adding to HIS instructions---"not to touch it". That "governing body" did take the Scriptures and "modify" them to what "seemed right". And those are what the congregation are to believe. Right? Isn't that the claim SW is making? Also, sites are posted from them(governing body) which are placed to be followed--(by members)--and others to consider.
They function the same way as the apostles of Jesus did, in acting as elders, or a governing body of the original Christian congregation, of which we are a part today.
I understand their function--- The Apostles were given a message to deliver to the world, but the Apostles had no authority to change the message. and it wasn't changed by them.
That occurred by
believers who had fallen away from the truths of GOD and and substituted their own corrupted beliefs as GOD'S Truths---just as was prophesied.