1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
Most of Jehovah's Witnesses believe Jesus is their mediator. But the official teachings of the Watchtower say otherwise. The WT maintains that Jesus is NOT the personal mediator for the vast majority (99%) of mankind. Most Jehovah's Witnesses aren't even aware of this official teaching.
The Bible states that Jesus is our mediator, and his ransom is for all.
"… one mediator between God and men, a man, Christ Jesus, who gave himself a corresponding ransom for all." 1 Timothy 2:5,6
In flagrant disregard, Watchtower says Jesus is mediator for just the 144,000 anointed.
"So in this strict Biblical sense Jesus is the "mediator" only for anointed Christians." Watchtower 1979 Apr 1 p.31
Call to Watchtower in NYC. Jesus not mediator for JWs. Uploaded with permission.
Watchtower Representative says we don't have a mediator.
Transcribed below...
Caller:...that particular article
WT rep: Yes, I'm looking at it.
Caller: Ok, now the question I have based on #3 where it talks about who should partake of the bread and the wine. Now I'm gathering from this article, that the anointed folks and in this case I'm specifically talking about the governing body since they represent the 144K correct?
WT rep: Well yah in a sense, they're part of the faithful and discreet slave.
Caller: So but they're basically are the ones who are leading the congrea.. well leading the whole.. all of Jehovah's Witnesses is what I'm asking, or what I'm stating.
WT rep: Alright
Caller: So is that a true assessment?
WT rep: That they are leading all of Jehovah's Witnesses?
Caller: Yes
WT rep: Ummm, well they're part of the faithful and discreet slave, you know the don't write everything that is ever written
Caller: But for all intent and purpo, I mean this is just a pre-question to the actual question that I'm going to ask. I just wanted to know for practical purposes if the governing body, which I believe is 7 members now?
WT rep: Yes
Caller: Um If they are indeed, they're basically making the decisions in leading all of Jehovah's Witnesses, that's my understanding.
WT rep: Ok
Caller: Basically, so what I'm gathering from this article is, um, it's somewhat disturbing to me, because it's making it seem like the anointed are, lets see how I want to phrase this, um, that the anointed are ac..in reality according to Jehovah's Witnesses the mediator, between you know the individual and God.
WT rep: No, Jesus is the mediator between Jehovah and the 144K.
Caller: So, what I..so what this article is is implying then is that, the 144K or the governing body however you want to look at it are mediators between the great crowd. So Jesus is...
WT rep: They're kings and priests on their behalf..
Caller: So, so how does that square with 1 Tim 2:5 & 6? I'm not I'm not understanding this.
WT rep: That says that Jesus is the mediator, he's talking about between Jehovah and the 144K right?
Caller: Well that's not that's not the way I'm seeing it,
WT rep: Well?
Caller: If you read 1 Tim, hold on for a sec, let me actually bring that up, I know you use the New World Translation, um I'm actually looking um at another translation, but I don't think there's any particular difference in this, um let's see. I appreciate your assistance by the way, your time. 1 Tim 2:5 &6 it says, "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man, Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all to be testified in due time". So I'm I'm seei I'm finding that this is violating 1 Tim 2:5 especially.
Caller: Cuz the Watchtower says thru them, meaning the anointed, the few, the 144K, millions from all nations will be blessed with everlasting life in an earthly paradise. Thru Them, it means, so in other words, not thru Jesus
WT rep: uh
Caller: You see what I'm saying? It just seems to be an absolute violation of 1 Tim 2:5. I'm reading it, that the governing body is, well in a sense it is the governing body because, the 144K are not making, are not part of the writing department or you know making doctrinal decisions, it's basically done thru the 7 members of the governing body. So they, in effect, as I'm seeing it, are the mediators, for the great crowd. You see what I'm saying?
WT rep: Yeah, but it's not talking about now, it's talking about in the future.
Caller: I don't understand, what do you mean in the future?
WT rep: Well the blessings that will be conveyed thru the new covenant are in the future. It's not now, it will be (thru?) the priesthood, the kingship, of Jesus with the 144K.
Caller: Ok so what abo so what about now then, Jesus is not, your saying Jesus is is is not the mediator now? or
WT rep: Jesus is the mediator between Jehovah and the 144K
Caller: Ok so, who is the mediator for the other people, the great crowd?
WT rep: Well we pray thru Jesus, name, everybody does that?
Caller: Ok so Jesus is the mediator between the great crowd, right? I mean you're talking about the future, I'm talking about now. Who is the mediator between the great crowd, well that's the question, who is the mediator for the great crowd, is my question at this particular time, presently.
WT rep: I don't think we have one.
Caller: We don't have a mediator?
WT rep: Well, no, we we pray thru Jesus name but the only mediator-ship is in connection with Jehovah and the 144K.
Caller: Ok so if your saying it's it's the onl if the mediator-ship is only via the 144K then the great crowd has no mediator, either that or it's the governing body.
WT rep: Right we don't have a mediator.
Caller: So that still seems to be a violation of 1 tim 2: v 6 or v 5
WT rep: Yeah. a lot of people feel that we have the wrong understanding of that...we had an April 1, 1979 WT that discussed it if you....