14 EKOBEE

“I Bee Bɔŋanaloo” Sa Biaɛfii

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Sīdee eku a baɛbee bee doo biaɛfii a kuī, le kɛ̄ lo biaɛfii bee doo kɔ gbaaloo a le bu bɔŋanaloo doo

1, 2. (a) What serious questions face the governing body of the first-century Christian congregation? (b) What help do those brothers receive in order to reach the right conclusion?

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3. How may we benefit from examining the account in Acts chapter 15?

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“Dɛ̄dɛɛ̄ Ue Pya Zue Ue Bee Gbaa Loo Ziī” (Doonu 15:13-21)

4, 5. What insight from God’s prophetic Word did James bring into the discussion?

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6. How did the Scriptures shed light on the discussion?

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7, 8. (a) What did James propose? (b) How should we understand James’ words?

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9. James’ proposal offered what benefits?

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Albert Schroeder speaking at a 1998 international convention

10. How does the Governing Body today follow the pattern set by its first-century counterpart?

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Sagɛ “Pio Nɛɛdam Wa Aā Yɛɛ Sa Wa Yere Ture” (Doonu 15:22-29)

11. How was the governing body’s decision communicated to the congregations?

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12, 13. What good was accomplished by sending (a) Judas and Silas? (b) a letter from the governing body?

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HOW THE GOVERNING BODY IS ORGANIZED TODAY

Like the first-century Christians, Jehovah’s Witnesses today are directed by a Governing Body of dedicated, spirit-anointed men. The Governing Body meets weekly as a group. Its members are also organized into the following six committees, each having its own responsibilities.

The Coordinators’ Committee oversees legal matters and the use of the media when necessary to convey an accurate picture of our beliefs. It also responds to disasters, outbreaks of persecution, and other emergencies affecting Jehovah’s Witnesses anywhere in the world.
The Personnel Committee oversees arrangements for the spiritual and personal welfare of Bethel family members, who serve in the branch offices of Jehovah’s Witnesses earth wide. In addition, this committee supervises the inviting of additional new members to serve at branch offices.
The Publishing Committee supervises the printing, publishing, and shipping of Bible literature. It oversees the printeries and properties owned and operated by the corporations used by Jehovah’s Witnesses and the construction of branch facilities, as well as Kingdom Halls and Assembly Halls. This committee also supervises the use of donated funds.
The Service Committee oversees the preaching work along with matters affecting congregation elders, circuit overseers, and full-time evangelizers. This committee also invites and assigns students of Gilead School for the purpose of stabilizing and strengthening the worldwide work.
The Teaching Committee oversees the instruction provided at assemblies, conventions, and congregation meetings, as well as the development of audio and video programs. It prepares curriculums for Gilead School, the Pioneer Service School, and other schools and arranges spiritual programs for branch office volunteers.
The Writing Committee supervises the production of spiritual food for the congregations and for the general public. It also answers Bible questions, oversees translation work worldwide, and approves such material as drama scripts and talk outlines.

The Governing Body relies on God’s holy spirit for direction. Its members do not regard themselves as the leaders of Jehovah’s people. Rather, like all anointed Christians on earth, they “keep following the Lamb [Jesus Christ] no matter where he goes.”—Rev. 14:4.

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14. How is it possible for Jehovah’s people to work in unity in today’s divisive world?

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“Ba Ɛrɛ Ɛɛbu Nyɔɔ Agɛrɛ Beenyiɛ” (Doonu 15:30-35)

15, 16. What was the outcome of the circumcision issue, and what accounted for such a result?

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17. How was the pattern set for some features of visits by circuit overseers in our day?

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18. How can God’s people be certain to continue to receive Jehovah’s blessing?

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19, 20. (a) How was it evident that peace and unity existed in the Antioch congregation? (b) What were Paul and Barnabas now able to do?

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JAMES—“THE BROTHER OF THE LORD”

James, a son of Joseph and Mary, is listed first among Jesus’ younger half brothers. (Matt. 13:54, 55) He may therefore have been Mary’s second-oldest child. James grew up with Jesus, observed his ministry, and at least knew of Jesus’ “powerful works,” whether he actually witnessed them or not. During Jesus’ ministry, however, James and his brothers “were, in fact, not exercising faith in him,” their older brother. (John 7:5) James may even have shared the sentiments of some of Jesus’ other relatives, who said of Jesus: “He has gone out of his mind.”—Mark 3:21.

All of that changed with Jesus’ death and resurrection. Although three others named James are mentioned in the Greek Scriptures, it was evidently to his half brother James that Jesus appeared personally during the 40 days after he was raised. (1 Cor. 15:7) This experience might have led James to the right conclusion about his older brother’s true identity. In any case, less than ten days after Jesus ascended to heaven, James, his mother, and his brothers were gathered with the apostles in an upper room to pray.—Acts 1:13, 14.

James eventually became a highly respected member of the congregation in Jerusalem, apparently being regarded as an apostle, or “one sent forth,” of that congregation. (Gal. 1:18, 19) James’ prominence was evident when the apostle Peter, after being miraculously released from prison, told the disciples: “Report these things to James and the brothers.” (Acts 12:12, 17) When the circumcision issue came before “the apostles and the elders” in Jerusalem, James seems to have presided over the discussion. (Acts 15:6-21) And the apostle Paul noted that James along with Cephas (Peter) and the apostle John “seemed to be pillars” of the Jerusalem congregation. (Gal. 2:9) Even years later when Paul returned to Jerusalem from his third missionary tour, he reported back to James and “all the elders were present.”—Acts 21:17-19.

This James, whom Paul called “the brother of the Lord,” evidently wrote the letter, or Bible book, bearing his name. (Gal. 1:19) In that letter, James humbly identifies himself, neither as an apostle nor as Jesus’ brother, but as “a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Jas. 1:1) The letter of James shows that like Jesus, James was a keen observer of the natural world and of human nature. To illustrate spiritual truths, James drew on familiar natural phenomena, including windblown seas, starry skies, the scorching sun, fragile flowers, wildfires, and tame animals. (Jas. 1:6, 11, 17; 3:5, 7) His divinely inspired insights into people’s attitudes and actions provided excellent counsel on maintaining healthy relationships.—Jas. 1:19, 20; 3:2, 8-18.

Paul’s words recorded at 1 Corinthians 9:5 suggest that James was married. The Bible does not report on the time or circumstances of James’ death. However, Jewish historian Josephus wrote that shortly after the death of Roman Governor Porcius Festus, about 62 C.E., and before his successor, Albinus, took office, Ananus (Ananias) the high priest “convened the judges of the Sanhedrin and brought before them a man named James, the brother of Jesus who was called the Christ, and certain others.” According to Josephus, Ananus “accused them of having transgressed the law and delivered them up to be stoned.”

Modern-day Christians benefit from the spiritual provisions made available through the Governing Body and its representatives

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