Theocratic-Not Democratic-Appointment

Mature oversight by qualified overseers and the able assistance of ministerial servants are required to care for the spiritual needs of the growing number of active ministers.  (Philippians 1:1) How are such spiritual men appointed? Not by methods like those used in Christendom.  For instance, Christian overseers are not elected democratically, that is, by receiving the votes of the majority of the people associated with a congregation.  Instead, these appointments are made theocratically.  What does that mean?

Simply stated, a true theocracy is rule by God.  Witnesses of Jehovah voluntarily submit to his rulership and cooperate together in order to do the divine will.  (Psalm 143:10; Matthew 6:9, 10) Appointments  of Christian overseers, or elders and ministerial servants are theocratic because the process of recommending and appointing such responsible men is carried out according to God's arrangement as set out in the Holy Scriptures.  And as the "head over all," Jehovah of course has the right to determine how his visible organization will operate. -1 Chronicles  29:11; Psalm 97:9.

In contrast with many religious groups in Christendom, Jehovah's Witnesses do not decide for themselves the form of spiritual government under which they operate.  These sincere  Christians endeavor to stick to Jehovah's standards.  Overseers among them are not put into office by some congregational, hierarchical, or Presbyterian form of church government.  If elements of the world seek to interfere with these appointments, Jehovah's people refuse to compromise. Steadfastly, they maintain the position so well expressed  by the apostles in the first century when they said: "We must obey God as ruler rather than men."  ( I agree wholeheartedly)  (Acts 5:29) Thus, the Witnesses subject themselves to God in all things.  (Hebrews 12:9; James 4:7)  Following theocratic procedure brings divine approval. 

As servants of the Great Theocrat, Jehovah, we do well to bear in mind the differences between democratic and theocratic procedures.  Democratic processes call for equal representation and are often characterized by campaigning  for office and election by majority vote.  Such procedures are not involved in theocratic appointments.  These do not come from men; nor do they proceed from some legal entity.  Apparently alluding to his own appointment by Jesus and Jehovah as "an apostle to the nations,"  Paul told the Galatians that he had been appointed  "neither from men nor through a man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead." -Romans 11:13; Galatians 1:1.


Next time: Appointed by Holy Spirit

The Watchtower, 2001