Q: According to the wt there are only a few thousand remaining of this so called class of annointed ones, now according to the wt the way in which these annointed fulfill the role of faithful slave is by feeding God's household yet you and i both know that only the few men of the GB do that who are in charge of doctrine. so my question is the vast majority of the annointed according to this teaching you are posting shows that all such ones who abdicate their responsability to the men of the GB have failed in their living up to the "calling" since they are not feeding the body food at the proper time. so how do you scripturally deal with this issue since all these "annointed" are failing to live up to the masters command? and when christ does return he will find those who claim to be annointed following men and NOT following God since they are not standing up for the proper teachings of the Bible and are merely going along with what ever is taught. please i would like your scriptural opinion on this matter.
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A: It is important for us to distinguish between what is from God and what is from men. We have become so conditioned to the notion that we must submit to a group of men, who have elevated themselves within God’s household as rulers, that it has become impossible for many to worship Jehovah apart from them; not unlike the situation in Jesus’ day when the Jews as a whole refused to listen to Jesus because of the influence and fear of their governing body, the Sanhedrin. (Matt. 23:1,2; John 9:22; 12:42,43)

To answer your question, first of all we need to bear in mind that the slave is chosen and anointed for his position by God and not any men. Jesus Christ himself received his position as head of the congregation from God. As such he is the master of the chosen slaves who serve under him. (Heb. 5:4,5; 1 Cor. 11:3; Eph. 1:22,23; 1 Peter 2:4,5) The commission to feed the members of God’s household comes from God through Christ Jesus; and it is from them that the reward comes for faithfully fulfilling it.

In order to be found “faithful and discreet” at his master’s arrival, the slave who has been chosen by Jehovah to shepherd his sheep and provide them with food at the proper time, does not need to be appointed as a member of a governing body within a secular corporation that prints literature. (Matt. 24:45-47; compare Eccl. 12:12) In the first century there was no governing body, nor any corporation that mass produced literature (the printing press had not yet been invented), and yet the good news was preached “in all creation that is under heaven,” and the congregations grew. (Col. 1:6, 23; Acts 16:5) How was that possible? Paul tells us: “I planted, Apollos watered, but God kept making it grow; so that neither is he that plants anything nor is he that waters, but God who makes it grow.” It was accomplished “with the power of holy spirit.” (1 Cor. 3:6-9; Rom. 15:19) The disciples accomplished their ministry in the same way Jesus himself had done and taught them! By means of them Jehovah provided for all who responded to the preaching of the good news, appointing them in the congregations to care for the spiritual and material needs of all the members. (Acts 4:32-35; 11:27-30; 20:28)

It would be a mistake to believe that all of God’s chosen ones are required to perform the same work, as is the case with a corporation where the emphasis is on uniformity and increase of profits. The apostle Paul explained:

“All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it. 28 Here are some of the parts God has appointed for the church:

 

   first are apostles,

   second are prophets,

   third are teachers,

   then those who do miracles,

   those who have the gift of healing,

   those who can help others,

   those who have the gift of leadership,

   those who speak in unknown languages.

 

 29 Are we all apostles? Are we all prophets? Are we all teachers? Do we all have the power to do miracles? 30 Do we all have the gift of healing? Do we all have the ability to speak in unknown languages? Do we all have the ability to interpret unknown languages? Of course not! 31 So you should earnestly desire the most helpful gifts.” (1 Corinthians 12:27-30; New Living Translation)

God does not do the choosing on the basis of a person proving himself superior over others in the congregation, such as being a charismatic speaker; or having an impressive knowledge of the Scriptures; or being fluent in other languages; or an exemplary zeal in the ministry; or being an elder, pioneer, Circuit Overseer, Bethel worker, etc. Rather, Jehovah does the choosing “by reason of his own purpose,” which differs for each individual. Paul explains: “As Jehovah has given each one a portion, let each one so walk as God has called him.” (1 Cor. 7:17) The chosen slave is entrusted with responsibility “according to his own ability,” and he will be judged at the arrival of the Master on the basis of how he cared for what he was able to do, as Jesus said, “I will give to you individually according to your deeds.” (1 Cor. 1:26-29; 1 Tim. 1:9; Matt. 25:14-30; Rev. 2:23) 

Serving as a member of some self-appointed governing body, as is the situation among God’s people today, is not from Jehovah. As the apostle Paul points out in his second letter to the Thessalonians, this arrangement of a few elevating themselves over everyone else within God’s temple is “according to the operation of Satan,” and “is set in opposition” to God’s way of doing things. (Luke 12:45,46; 1 Thess. 1:6-10) This self-exalted slave does not recognize anyone who is not appointed by him and serves under him, and therefore opposes such slaves! For that reason, as you ask in your question, it becomes a challenge for the faithful slave to care for his God-given assignment because of being hindered from properly caring for his responsibility by the presence of this presumptuous slave. (Matt. 24:48-51)

But the faithful slave need not worry that Jesus might judge him as unworthy, as long as he does not abdicate his responsibility entrusted to him by God, by yielding to the wicked slave. (Acts 4:19; 5:29; Gal. 2:4,5) He does what he can under present circumstances, being "wise, prudent, sensible," as the Greek word “fro’nimos” (Φρόνιμος), that Jesus used, means. Jesus himself foretold the presence of the wicked slave whom he would catch in the act of beating his fellow slaves; and thus recognizes and appreciates the faithful slave’s endurance. He assures them with the words as expressed in his letter to the congregation of Smyrna: “I know your tribulation and poverty—but you are rich—and the blasphemy by those who say they themselves are Jews, and yet they are not but are a synagogue of Satan.” (Rev. 2:9; Luke 12:45,46) Once the master arrives and does away with the wicked slave, the faithful slave will be able to fully care for his greater responsibility that will be given him, as a reward for his faithfulness and endurance.


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