Is the Governing Body anointing people?

What's the chances the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses is literally anointing people as needed these days? Join me for a nerdy deep dive into what it means to be anointed.

Links:

Timestamps:
00:00 Where are young anointed coming from?
05:42 Religions that practice literal anointing with oil
7:52 Mormon second anointing
8:53 JW view of anointing
10:37 The holy spirit appoints overseers
11:08 1971 policy: Governing Body appoints elders
15:53 2014 policy: COs appoint elders
18:39 How elders can still be said to be appointed by the holy spirit
22:31 Might anointings work like appointings?
26:27 Comparing 2016 and 2020 WT study articles
31:34 New doctrine: lots of anointed may exist now
39:32 Playing devil's advocate

#jehovahswitnesses #jehovahswitness #exjw

[Person-vi]

It appears the GB can appoint anyone to be part of the GB based on the individual's abilities to keep the bank account shining

[adamantiumbullet]

It's funny how Jackson says that the concept of steadily decreasing numbers of anointed was a "feeling". No it wasn't. It was a Watchtower DOCTRINE- a doctrine used to 'prove' that Armageddon was getting closer and closer. Jackson is re-writing history. Again.

[Danielle-nztn]

Yes!! When I was a kid in the 80s, it was taught and commonly understood that almost ALL of the anointed—only 144, 000–were no longer with us. Only a very tiny handful of anointed were still alive.

[simoneneveragain]

Phil. You’re absolutely the best! Thank you for all your intelligent information. Nothing makes me drop everything to hear your content!! Sending much love & affection to you. You’re the VERY best ♥️ 😮

[mikekent]

Actually I remember a few young brothers and sisters from America (California to be exact), turning up at our English congregation for the memorial in Europe. It was a foreign language congregation in a large city in Europe. I was an elder in it. On memorial night this group came in to celebrate the memorial and were in their early 20's. Many of them partook. Afterwards some of my bible students came rushing up to me asking how it was possible that these were anointed. I told them it was none of our business, that it was Jehovah who chooses and we should mind our own business. But it honestly troubled me. Then we had a WT mentioning how someone knew when they were anointed. It mentioned that "If in the rare circumstances Jehovah has to find a replacement for an old member of the remnant perhaps because they proved unfaithful, then he would NOT choose a younger person". What if a you g person claimed they are anointed? Well perhaps they were mentally sick or still influenced by Christendoms teaching of people going to heaven. But certainly not because Jehovah had chosen them. So what of these now on the gb? They were among those that the WT claimed were mentally sick. What happened to the heavenly calling ending in 1935? It's all a load of crap. No such thing.

[cultytalk]

It really annoys me that Geoffrey Jackson stressed that the Jdubs will be judged based on how they treat the GB! So outrageous!!

[theograice]

This is wonderful journalism! You just earned my respect and my subscription to your channel. Keep up the great work, my internet peer. ❤

[MichaelSmith-lmsl]

To biblically refute the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ (JW) concept of anointing and the Governing Body’s exclusive authority as divinely appointed, you can point to several scriptural inconsistencies:

1. **144, 000 Literal Number Contradiction**:
- **Revelation 7:4-9** refers to 144, 000 sealed from the tribes of Israel and then immediately speaks of “a great multitude, which no man could number, from every nation, tribe, and people.” This passage suggests that the number 144, 000 is symbolic, representing completeness rather than an exclusive group. Furthermore, if taken literally, it would contradict the JW idea that this number spans the entire Christian era, as the tribes of Israel listed are no longer intact.

2. **Holy Spirit’s Role in Appointments**:
- **Acts 1:24-26** shows how the apostles prayed for guidance and cast lots to select Matthias as Judas' replacement. This example emphasizes the active intervention of the Holy Spirit in selection, not a mere organizational decision. The JW system of appointing elders through human committees with no clear divine involvement undermines the biblical precedent for divine guidance in appointments.
- **1 Timothy 3:1-7** outlines qualifications for overseers (elders), but there is no indication in scripture that a centralized body, like the JW Governing Body, should oversee appointments. Local congregations, following clear biblical criteria, made these decisions.

3. **No Exclusive Earthly Channel**:
- The idea that the Governing Body is God’s exclusive “earthly channel” has no direct scriptural support. **Acts 15:6-21** describes how early church leaders met to discuss important matters, but there’s no indication that they held supreme authority over all Christians. Instead, the apostles and elders worked collaboratively with the whole body of believers (v. 22). The New Testament consistently emphasizes the priesthood of all believers (e.g., **1 Peter 2:9**), suggesting that no single group holds exclusive spiritual authority.

4. **Anointing for All Believers**:
- **1 John 2:27** explicitly states, "But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie." This passage shows that all Christians are anointed by the Holy Spirit, not just a small, select group. This idea conflicts with the JW claim that only 144, 000 are anointed for heavenly life.
- Additionally, **Romans 8:14-17** teaches that all who are led by the Spirit are children of God and joint heirs with Christ, not a limited number. This implies that being "anointed" and receiving the Spirit is not restricted to an exclusive group.

5. **Leadership and the Role of Christ**:
- **Colossians 1:18** states that Christ alone is the head of the church. The idea that a human Governing Body acts as the "faithful and discreet slave" (from **Matthew 24:45-47**) overseeing all believers usurps Christ’s role as the sole mediator and head. Christ did not delegate His headship to a select group of men on earth; rather, all Christians have direct access to Him.

6. **New Covenant is Open to All Believers**:
- **Hebrews 8:6-13** describes the New Covenant, which is established with all who believe in Christ. There is no indication that only a subset of believers (144, 000) are part of this covenant. JWs teach that only the "anointed" 144, 000 partake of the Lord’s Supper and have a heavenly hope, while the rest are part of an earthly class. However, **1 Corinthians 11:26** indicates that all believers are to participate in the Lord’s Supper in remembrance of Christ’s death, which contradicts the JW practice.

7. **Priesthood of All Believers**:
- **1 Peter 2:9** calls all Christians “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people.” This contradicts the JW teaching that only the 144, 000 are part of the "royal priesthood." The New Testament teaches that all who are in Christ are part of this priesthood, not just a small group of believers destined for heaven.

8. **Holy Spirit and Local Governance**:
- **Acts 14:23** and **Titus 1:5** show that local congregations appointed elders in their own areas, indicating decentralized governance. There is no scriptural mandate for a global, centralized authority to make these appointments, as the JW Governing Body claims. Local churches were autonomous, guided by the Holy Spirit and scripture, not by an overarching, organizational structure.

In summary, the JW idea that a small group of men (the Governing Body) are exclusively anointed to govern all believers and represent God's channel on earth is inconsistent with biblical teachings that emphasize Christ’s sole headship, the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding all believers, the priesthood of all Christians, and the autonomy of local congregations.

[reineresser]

I've heard that they picked Jedele for his background in managing real estate assets.

[Beautyrest]

I’m born in 1956, these guys could be my sons, I’m so disgusted with this man made religion. They change and twist things just to make it work for them. What is next?!?!Thank you for this very interesting video.

[theconqueringram]

The only thing the JW religion is consistent on is its own inconsistency.

[lokisfriend]

Annointed???
I had a friend partake of the emblems about 15 years ago & everyone treated her like she had just committed a great sin. Not one elder approached her for conversation after the memorial. Didn't they publish that there were only like 6k left & that was years ago but they found two relatively young anointed men to come aboard. Wow, that is really really convenient.

[clarencehoover]

John 14:6 invalidates the GB’s existence: “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.””

[zengalileo]

Jody was my first room mate at the Farm in 1990. We came in to Bethel on the same day. We were good friends for 5 years, until he left when he married Damaris. He was very money-oriented. His name is pronounced "JADE-LEE." I never knew him to identify as annointed. The last I heard from him was about 10 years ago and he said nothing about being annointed.

[zanniesmom]

I think the idea of a couple of service committee men or higher would have a conversation "it seems to us that you evidence signs consistent with being one of the anointed, have you meditated on that" is how it is happening.

[ThatGirl]

How can they be anointed without being inspired by Holy Spirit.

[spec]

The thought was back in the 70's and early 80's that as the number of anointed passing away slowed down and in some areas was starting to increase, the new anointed ones were thought to now be replacing those who might have thought they were anointed, but somehow didn't meet the standards ( even if they thought they did ) of those chosen to go to heaven . Now the numbers have grown a lot more, and one must wonder maybe those self appointed men who demand complete obedience ( maybe like Anthony Morris ) really are not ....or have lost that right to be of the chosen few, because of their actions or false teachings over the years . Another thought could be as simple as one doctoring up ones own RESUME . This is a common practice in the secular world to get ahead .

[Mr.D.Michael]

"Genuine Rolex watches may also be worn at Convention Meetings".

[tim..t]

Good video. I wondered the same, being almost 50 myself, i remember 30 the only “anointed” people i knew of were dead or old well before i was 20, and imagine seeing a person you knew your own age calling themselves anointed now. Laughable

[cultytalk]

I bet you're right about the oil anointing. It wouldn't surprise me if there's a secret GB manual with rituals & procedures just for them, just like there's an Elder's manual, a Pioneer manual, a C.O. manual, etc etc...