Lloyd Evans

How misused: The Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses (and by extension, the Watchtower Society) consistently misapplies this passage, which speaks of Peter's loyalty to Jesus as the 'Lord' with 'sayings of everlasting life,' to demand unquestioning loyalty to the organization itself. They use the phrase 'where else shall we go?' to imply that there is no alternative truth or path to salvation outside the Watchtower, thereby conflating allegiance to Christ with allegiance to a human institution.

Scripture's answer: Jesus' statement, 'You have sayings of everlasting life,' points to His unique identity and authority as the Messiah (John 14:6, Acts 4:12). The disciples' commitment was to Him personally, not to an organizational structure. No biblical passage teaches that loyalty to an earthly organization is a prerequisite for receiving everlasting life or that allegiance to a human governing body is equivalent to allegiance to Christ. Rather, Yeshua is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6), and true spiritual authority resides in Him and His fulfilled Torah (Matthew 5:17-19) and the inspired Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Manmade traditions or organizational mandates that supersede the direct commands of Yeshua or contradict the written Word are to be rejected (Matthew 15:3, Mark 7:8).

How misused: The Jehovah's Witness Governing Body interprets this parable of the 'faithful and discreet slave' (also 'faithful and wise slave') as a specific prophecy referring exclusively to themselves, claiming divine appointment by Jesus in 1919 to be His sole channel of communication and spiritual food provider for all of God's people. This self-serving interpretation grants them absolute authority over doctrine and practice, dismissing any dissent or 'evil slave' behavior as only a warning to hypothetical individuals, never applicable to themselves.

Scripture's answer: The parable of the faithful and wise servant speaks to the responsibility of *all* believers to be faithful stewards of what God has entrusted to them, particularly in light of the Master's return (Luke 12:42-48). It is a warning against spiritual negligence and an encouragement to diligent service, applicable to those in leadership and every disciple. There is no scriptural basis for identifying a single, exclusive human governing body in the 20th century as the sole fulfillment of this parable. Yeshua is the head of the assembly (Colossians 1:18), and the Holy Spirit guides believers into all truth (John 16:13). The 'spiritual food' is the Word of God itself (Matthew 4:4), which is accessible to all believers, not solely mediated by an exclusive human channel (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

How misused: The Jehovah's Witness Governing Body claims that the assembly in Jerusalem described in Acts 15 establishes a direct biblical precedent for their own centralized Governing Body structure. They cite this to legitimize their authority as the sole interpreters of scripture and directors of the global congregation.

Scripture's answer: The assembly in Acts 15 was a gathering of apostles, elders, and the *entire assembly* (Acts 15:22-23), indicating a communal decision-making process, not solely a small, exclusive leadership body. Furthermore, the decision concerned matters binding on Gentiles for the sake of unity and avoiding scandal, not a continuous, evolving revelation for a hierarchical organization. The Jerusalem council addressed a specific doctrinal dispute related to Torah observance for Gentile believers (Acts 15:5, 10-11, 19-21) and issued a ruling that respected the authority of the Spirit and the Scriptures, not established an ongoing, infallible governing body to dispense 'new light.' The biblical moedim (Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, Shavuot, Yom Teruah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot) remain binding for disciples of Yeshua, and Kashrut remains binding. The decision in Acts 15:20-21 for Gentiles to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood was a practical application for peaceful coexistence between Jewish and Gentile believers, not a comprehensive list of all Torah commands, nor an abolition of the other Torah commands. The Torah remains valid and good for believers (Romans 7:12, Psalm 119:105).

How misused: Jehovah's Witness speakers and literature misapply this verse, 'The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?', to criticize or label as 'treacherous' the natural familial emotions and love shown towards disfellowshipped members. They use it to justify shunning and discourage maintaining ties with former members, implying that such love is a sign of a deceitful heart rather than a natural human bond.

Scripture's answer: Jeremiah 17:9 speaks to the inherent sinfulness and corruption of the *unredeemed* human heart, which leads to disobedience against God. It is a universal truth about fallen human nature, not a specific condemnation of natural affection towards family members. Biblical love (agape) is commanded for all, even enemies (Matthew 5:44), and family bonds are sacred (Ephesians 6:1-3, 1 Timothy 5:8). Shunning family members is antithetical to Yeshua's teachings of love and compassion, and manipulating this verse to justify emotional cruelty is a profound misapplication.

How misused: The New World Translation (NWT) of the Bible, used by Jehovah's Witnesses, translates 'love kindness' as 'love loyalty' in Micah 6:8 ('He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love loyalty, and to walk humbly with your God?'). This alteration promotes organizational loyalty above genuine kindness, mercy, and compassion, subtly reinforcing their demands for adherence to the Watchtower Society.

Scripture's answer: The Hebrew word (חֶסֶד, chesed) generally translated as 'kindness,' 'mercy,' or 'steadfast love' in Micah 6:8 refers to God's covenantal love and loyalty, which He expects His people to reciprocate and extend to others. While 'loyalty' is an aspect of chesed, the NWT's exclusive translation as 'loyalty' shifts the emphasis to organizational fidelity rather than the broader biblical concept of compassionate, merciful love towards one's neighbor and God. Yeshua perfectly embodied chesed (Matthew 9:13, 23:23). True loyalty to God is demonstrated by walking in His ways, doing justice, and loving kindness, not by prioritizing organizational mandates over compassionate action (Psalm 85:10).

How misused: Jehovah's Witnesses frequently cite this verse ('Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.') to demand unquestioning obedience to their elders and the Governing Body. This is presented as essential for divine approval and eternal life, stifling individual conscience and critical thinking.

Scripture's answer: This verse calls for respectful submission to spiritual leaders who faithfully shepherd the flock according to God's Word, exemplifying humility and serving, not lording over, those entrusted to their care (1 Peter 5:2-3). It does not advocate for blind, unquestioning obedience to human directives that contradict Scripture or abuse authority. The authority of leaders is derived from their faithful adherence to Yeshua and the Torah, not from their personal decrees (Acts 5:29). The Torah remains valid and good for believers (Romans 7:12, Psalm 119:105). Any 'obedience' that leads to sin or harms the body of Messiah is a false obedience.

How misused: Jehovah's Witnesses misinterpret 'bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord' as 'putting the mind of Jehovah in your child,' which means exclusively indoctrinating them with Watchtower teachings and suppressing independent thought. This promotes an unnatural loyalty to an organization above true biblical principles of spiritual development.

Scripture's answer: Ephesians 6:4 instructs parents to nurture their children in the Lord's discipline and instruction, which involves teaching them God's Word, cultivating a personal relationship with Him, and guiding them in His ways. This fosters spiritual discernment and genuine faith, not blind obedience to a human organization. The goal is to raise disciples of Yeshua, who know the Scriptures and discern truth for themselves, not to create unquestioning adherents to a specific denominational ideology. The Torah remains valid and good for believers (Romans 7:12, Psalm 119:105).

How misused: Jehovah's Witnesses interpret this verse, which speaks of an angel flying 'having an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth,' as a literal, angelic endorsement and assistance of their specific door-to-door ministry. They claim this verse validates their unique evangelism methods and message as the fulfillment of biblical prophecy.

Scripture's answer: Revelation is apocalyptic literature, often using symbolic language. The 'eternal gospel' proclaimed by an angel in Revelation 14:6 refers to the universal message of salvation through Yeshua (Romans 1:16), which has been proclaimed throughout history. While believers are commissioned to share the good news (Matthew 28:19-20), there is no scriptural basis to interpret this verse as a literal, unique angelic endorsement of a specific 20th-century door-to-door ministry methodology. The focus is on the message of Yeshua's atonement, not the method of its delivery, and the message of the Kingdom of God extends beyond any single organization.