HollyW

The WTS has two opposing views on the Bible’s reliability.

While on the one hand they maintain that the Bible manuscripts have unquestionably come down to us exactly as God had inspired them to be written; on the other hand they say the NT manuscripts have been tampered with in “one of the saddest and most reprehensible” ways, by removing “Jehovah” from them……which might make them wonder what other parts were tampered with. 

Bible reliability:
 
  Awake, 6/11/1972: Almighty God himself has unquestionably had a hand in seeing that his Word has been preserved so faithfully all these years. Any way one looks at it, the overall reliability of the Bible text is beyond question.

Road to Paradise tract, pg. 3: HAS NOT THE HOLY BIBLE BEEN TAMPERED WITH? Almighty God could by no means allow such a thing……... When our present-day Bible is compared with such old manuscripts, it becomes quite clear that the text we have today is the same as that which God inspired his ancient servants to write.

Insight-1 p.321: Copies—Hebrew or Greek—Soon after the originals were written, manuscript copies began to be produced. The copyists exercised great care to transmit the text accurately; the Masoretes counted even the letters that they copied. 

Insight-1 p.448: The available evidence convincingly demonstrates the remarkable accuracy and care that distinguished the copying of the Bible books, resulting in the preservation of their internal integrity. 

Insight-2 p.313: What assurance is there that the Bible has not been changed? Despite the care exercised by copyists of Bible manuscripts, a number of small scribal errors and alterations crept into the text. On the whole, these are insignificant and have no bearing on the Bible’s general integrity. They have been detected and corrected by means of careful scholastic collation or critical comparison of the many extant manuscripts and ancient versions. NWT introduction: Since the Bible sets for the sacred will of the Sovereign Lord of the universe, it would be a great indignity, indeed an affront to his majesty and authority, to omit or hide his unique divine name.

Bible tampered with:
 
  Close to Jehovah, p.8: God’s personal name has been removed from countless Bible translations and replaced with titles, such as “Lord” and “God”. This is one of the saddest and most reprehensible things that has been done in the name of religion.

Insight-2 p.10: Why, then, is the name absent from the extant manuscripts of the Christian Greek Scriptures or so-called New Testament? Evidently because by the time those extant copies were made (from the third century C.E. onward) the original text of the writings of the apostles and disciples had been altered. Thus later copyists undoubtedly replaced the divine name in Tetragrammaton form with Ky′ri·os and The·os′. 

Insight-1 p.324: Eventually, in most translations of the Bible the divine name was completely replaced by expressions such as “Lord” and “God.” It is noteworthy that only the most vital name of all—Jehovah—was tampered with; other Bible names were not.

Watchtower 10/1/1997 p.20: Show discernment in the selection of the Bible you use. (Proverbs 19:8) If a translation is not honest about the identity of God himself—removing his name from his inspired Word on whatever pretext—might the translators also have tampered with other parts of the Bible text?

The WTS has two opposing views on the Bible’s reliability.

While on the one hand they maintain that the Bible manuscripts have unquestionably come down to us exactly as God had inspired them to be written; on the other hand they say the NT manuscripts have been tampered with in “one of the saddest and most reprehensible” ways, by removing “Jehovah” from them……which might make them wonder what other parts were tampered with. 

Bible reliability:
 
  Awake, 6/11/1972: Almighty God himself has unquestionably had a hand in seeing that his Word has been preserved so faithfully all these years. Any way one looks at it, the overall reliability of the Bible text is beyond question.

Road to Paradise tract, pg. 3: HAS NOT THE HOLY BIBLE BEEN TAMPERED WITH? Almighty God could by no means allow such a thing……... When our present-day Bible is compared with such old manuscripts, it becomes quite clear that the text we have today is the same as that which God inspired his ancient servants to write.

Insight-1 p.321: Copies—Hebrew or Greek—Soon after the originals were written, manuscript copies began to be produced. The copyists exercised great care to transmit the text accurately; the Masoretes counted even the letters that they copied. 

Insight-1 p.448: The available evidence convincingly demonstrates the remarkable accuracy and care that distinguished the copying of the Bible books, resulting in the preservation of their internal integrity. 

Insight-2 p.313: What assurance is there that the Bible has not been changed? Despite the care exercised by copyists of Bible manuscripts, a number of small scribal errors and alterations crept into the text. On the whole, these are insignificant and have no bearing on the Bible’s general integrity. They have been detected and corrected by means of careful scholastic collation or critical comparison of the many extant manuscripts and ancient versions. NWT introduction: Since the Bible sets for the sacred will of the Sovereign Lord of the universe, it would be a great indignity, indeed an affront to his majesty and authority, to omit or hide his unique divine name.

Bible tampered with:
 
  Close to Jehovah, p.8: God’s personal name has been removed from countless Bible translations and replaced with titles, such as “Lord” and “God”. This is one of the saddest and most reprehensible things that has been done in the name of religion.

Insight-2 p.10: Why, then, is the name absent from the extant manuscripts of the Christian Greek Scriptures or so-called New Testament? Evidently because by the time those extant copies were made (from the third century C.E. onward) the original text of the writings of the apostles and disciples had been altered. Thus later copyists undoubtedly replaced the divine name in Tetragrammaton form with Ky′ri·os and The·os′. 

Insight-1 p.324: Eventually, in most translations of the Bible the divine name was completely replaced by expressions such as “Lord” and “God.” It is noteworthy that only the most vital name of all—Jehovah—was tampered with; other Bible names were not.

Watchtower 10/1/1997 p.20: Show discernment in the selection of the Bible you use. (Proverbs 19:8) If a translation is not honest about the identity of God himself—removing his name from his inspired Word on whatever pretext—might the translators also have tampered with other parts of the Bible text?

Let's take a look at the Bible evidence Russell had been saying would prove him right about the end of the Gentile times. This is from his book called "The Time Is At Hand" which he wrote in 1889:

In this chapter we present the Bible evidence proving that the full end of the times of the Gentiles, i.e., the full end of their lease of dominion, will be reached in A.D. 1914; and that that date will see the disintegration of the rule of imperfect men. And be it observed, that if this is shown to be a fact firmly established by the Scriptures, it will prove:
Firstly , That at that date the Kingdom of God, for which our Lord taught us to pray, saying, "Thy Kingdom come," will begin to assume control, and that it will then shortly be "set up," or firmly established, in the earth, on the ruins of present institutions.
Secondly , It will prove that he whose right it is thus to take the dominion will then be present as earth's new Ruler; and not only so, but it will also prove that he will be present for a considerable period before that date; because the overthrow of these Gentile governments is directly caused by his dashing them to pieces as a potter's vessel (Psa. 2:9; Rev. 2:27), and establishing in their stead his own righteous government.
Thirdly , It will prove that some time before the end of the overthrow the last member of the divinely recognized Church of Christ, the "royal priesthood," "the body of Christ," will be glorified with the Head; because every member is to reign with Christ, being a joint-heir with him of the Kingdom, and it cannot be fully "set up" without every member.
Fourthly , It will prove that from that time forward Jerusalem shall no longer be trodden down of the Gentiles, but shall arise from the dust of divine disfavor, to honor; because the "Times of the Gentiles" will be fulfilled or completed.
Fifthly, It will prove that by that date, or sooner, Israel's blindness will begin to be turned away; because their "blindness in part" was to continue only "until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in" (Rom. 11:25), or, in other words, until the full number from among the Gentiles, who are to be members of the body or bride of Christ, would be fully selected.
Sixthly, It will prove that the great "time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation," will reach its culmination in a world-wide reign of anarchy; and then men will learn to be still, and to know that Jehovah is God and that he will be exalted in the earth. (Psa. 46:20)  The condition of things spoken of in symbolic language as raging waves of the sea, melting earth, falling mountains and burning heavens will then pass away, and the "new heavens and new earth" with their peaceful blessings will begin to be recognized by trouble-tossed humanity.  But the Lord's Anointed and his rightful and righteous authority will first be recognized by a company of God's children while passing through the great tribulation--the class represented by m and t on the Chart of the Ages (see also pages 235 to 239, Vol. I); afterward, just at its close, by fleshly Israel; and ultimately by mankind in general.
Seventhly, It will prove that before that date God's Kingdom, organized in power, will be in the earth and then smite and crush the Gentile image (Dan. 2:34)--and fully consume the power of these kings.  Its own power and dominion will be established as fast as by its varied influences and agencies it crushes and scatters the "powers that be"--civil and ecclesiastical--iron and clay. Available online at http://wtarchive.svhelden.info/english/books-and-tracts/ and http://www.ctrussell.us/ctrussell/ctrussell.nsf
So, these are the events you would be expecting when you imagine yourself in the dining room that day in October 1914 when C.T. Russell announced that the Gentile times had ended.  These events are the evidence that would prove October 1914 was the correct date Biblically for the end of the Gentile times.  Perhaps someone who feels strong enough spiritually to defend him or her self biblically could show which, if any, of these events took place.
 

The shift really began in the 1943 book, The Truth Shall Make You Free. P. 239:
"In Nebuchadnezzar's time the year began counting from the fall of the year, or about October 1, our time. Since he destroyed Jerusalem in the summer of 606 B .C., that year had its beginning in the fall of 607 B .C. and its ending in the fall of 606 B .C."
  

Hmm.
But they were literal trees, right? 
Why, after A & E sinned, did the ToL have to be guarded if it was just a symbol? Why not remove the symbolism of the tree and make it ordinary instead? If sinful A & E had got to the ToL and eaten its fruit, what would have happened?
Genesis 3:22-24 - Jehovah God then said: “Here the man has become like one of us in knowing good and bad [This was after eating literal fruit from the literal tree - Ann]. Now in order that he may not put his hand out and take fruit also from the tree of life and eat and live forever,—” 23 With that Jehovah God expelled him from the garden of Eʹden to cultivate the ground from which he had been taken. 24 So he drove the man out, and he posted at the east of the garden of Eʹden the cherubs and the flaming blade of a sword that was turning continuously to guard the way to the tree of life.
 
 

It's My job, That's why. I've been called to assist. 

We might consider just who is hiding behind a façade.  

Some of your words:  It is up to the body of Elders to use their “BEST” judgment on how to proceed with a sensitive matter. Even the ARC was blinded by ignorant opposers. Ex-witnesses that called and emailed them, by thinking…this would be the end of the WTS, they attempted to sensationalize a situation that ultimately the ARC found out it was full of “Lies” and “distortions” just like you are deceptively portraying now.

So unless you have personal knowledge on what goes on behind a judicial committee, STOP speculating. You are clueless, on what an Elders responsibility is toward the flock with such matters that require wisdom and discernment. The Governing Body can’t be everywhere. The flock book, is a general guideline book, for Elders to understand or have a basic concept on how to proceed with matters.

It seems more important to defend the GB and the elder body than to come to aid of, or feel remorse for, victims in over 1000 alleged cases not reported in one country alone. Would there be a reason to defend such failed attention to the flock if Holy Spirit was guiding the leaders?  John 16:30; 2 Pet 1:3

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him."  James 1:5
Whatever GB Jackson said in his deposition to his defense makes no difference in rectifying the damage already done, and still being committed.  If policy must continually be changed, what is the underlying cause if not because of a lack of Holy Spirit?  Would Jackson need any help from a government to make “mandatory reporting” if one truly followed Christ’s teachings?

“For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.”  Matt 5:20

Rom 13:1 – “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.”

“Then Pilate said to Him, ‘Are You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?’ Jesus answered, ‘You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above.  Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.’  John 19:10,11

The WT uses 1 Cor 6:1 as one of their reasons for not reporting such a crime.  By checking the Greek word for “dispute” used here and in other scriptures, “pragma”, it’s use is concerning smaller affairs, transactions, business matters, things, deeds, and NOT something as serious as child abuse.  The GB willingly adheres to the scripture Deut 19:15, but GB Jackson refused to recognize Deut 22:25,26 as a vital one to consider.

Stewart -  “Is it not the case that had Jesus been asked about a case of sexual abuse, he may have referred back to this part of Deuteronomy and said that it’s not required to have two witnesses?”

Jackson -  “I certainly would like to ask Jesus that, and I can’t at the moment, I hope to in the future. But that’s a hypothetical question which, if we had an answer, then we could support what you said.”

If the words spoken in Deuteronomy are from God, why the hesitancy to consider them?  Why chose one verse in this book, but not consider another?  Jackson’s own stumbling over Stewart’s question shows the lack of God’s blessing in wisdom that a genuine anointed in Christ would be aware of, if they are truly still one in Christ. 1 Cor 10:6-12  To allow such evils to be committed, time and time again, shows a huge glitch in the system, and that glitch is the absence of Holy Spirit.

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.  John 14:26

 Whenever God’s people worked in harmony with his will, blessings were rich in all matters of their life.  The flock was protected by the knowledge God gave his priesthood and their leaders.  Deut 24:8; Mal 2:7; 2 Chron 35:3

“Does any one of you who has a dispute with another dare to go to court before unrighteous men, and not before the holy ones?”  1 Cor 6:1

While this scripture is given credence to the elder body in decision making, is the elder body comprised of God’s holy anointed ones – his chosen priesthood? 2 Chron 23:6; 1 Pet 2:5,9; Heb 8:5

“Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.  Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.  For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.  Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake.  For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.”  Rom 13:1-7

It appears, that the GB’s refusal to consider all scripture shows that the primary concern of the organization is its own worldly outward appearance and their struggle to keep up a frontage of cleanliness; caring not for what happens to God’s sheep.  Jer 23:2; Isa 1:17; Eccl 4:1

“Woe to those who decree unrighteous decrees,
Who write misfortune,
Which they have prescribed

To rob the needy of justice,
And to take what is right from the poor of My people,
That widows may be their prey,
And that they may rob the fatherless. Isa 10:1,2

He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just,
Both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord.  Prov 17:15

Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;
Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness;
Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes,
And prudent in their own sight!

 Woe to men mighty at drinking wine,
Woe to men valiant for mixing intoxicating drink,
 Who justify the wicked for a bribe,
And take away justice from the righteous man!  Isa 5:20-23

Christ’s commandments are based on love, love expressed toward his sheep. 1 Thess 4:9; 1 Pet 4:8; John 13:35  Through the blessing of Holy Spirit, love is made manifest in one’s heart.  If the leaders of the organization  worked in harmony with Christ and his love, there would be no question on how to deal with such offenses.  Did Jesus ever hesitate?

“But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?”  1 John 3:17


 
http://4womaninthewilderness.blogspot.com/2014/08/who-really-is-matt2445.html


 

 

 

 

 

From what I've seen in the WTS publications, it's fine as long as the hospital respects the medical beliefs of JWs.
And, really, until the WTS sponsors and owns its own hospital, what other choice do JWs have.

Relevant extract from July 15, 2014 letter to the BOE:
8. Determining who may participate in public witnessing: The Congregation Service Committee will select qualified publishers to participate in this feature of the ministry. Those selected should be known to present themselves in a dignified way. Their appearance and dress should be professional, well-arranged, and modest. Those selected should demonstrate discernment and a willingness to witness in different public settings, should enjoy and promote good relations with others, should be committed to taking the assignment seriously, and should be willing to cooperate with the body of elders. 
9. If it is possible and practical, the service overseer or someone designated by the body of elders should organize a midweek and weekend schedule for each selected location. There is an advantage to having the literature displays set up in the same location, on the same days, and at the same times. They serve as a constant feature readily recognized by those in the area.  
10. It is usually best for two or more persons to be assigned to work together. The safety of participants as well as their varying abilities should be taken into account when scheduling. Partners should remain watchful over each other since the conditions in a normally safe area can unexpectedly change.—Prov. 22:3; Eccl. 4:10, 12. [emphasis in red mine]
There is nothing in there about not being allowed to sit or disabled people barred from taking part (discrimination!). In fact, whenever I see a literature cart in my town, the JWs are often sitting. If what you describe is all there is to it, it sounds like your local elders are making up unnecessary rules.

From what I've seen in the WTS publications, it's fine as long as the hospital respects the medical beliefs of JWs.
And, really, until the WTS sponsors and owns its own hospital, what other choice do JWs have.

This portion of the transcript confirms exactly what I said, They would rather have to be forced to contact authorities then change their policy. This proves that they know the policy is flawed, but are reluctant to change it. 

I've never actually encountered a JW who so readily goes against WTS teaching by trying to throw Russell under the bus.
Even though they don't claim JWs, current Bible Students claim Russell and his Bible Students as their predecessors, just as JWs do.  You've quoted from a current Bible Students web page which shows they do and I linked you to the WT brochure which shows JWs do.  And it's not just in the JW brochure but throughout WTS publications references are made to the JW beginnings in the 1870's as Bible Students.  Even the current identity of the faithful slave goes back to before Rutherford instituted the name change.
I have not told any lies and I ask that you stop with the personal insults.  If that's the only way you know how to discuss your religion, there's no point in continuing any discussion with you.
 

Have you noticed what is being said about this particular false teaching in the recent WT book, "God's Kingdom Rules"?
On page 22 there's this:


"Long before 1914, the Bible Students said that a time of trouble would begin in that marked year."

The truth is that long before 1914 they were saying the time of trouble would END, not begin, in 1914, just as you've posted.

ZWT 7/1/1894 p.226:


"But bear in mind that the end of 1914 is not the date for the beginning, but for the end of the time of trouble."

The statement in the 2014 book, "God's Kingdom Rules" isn't a false prophecy or misunderstanding or wrong expectation or human error---it's an outright lie. 

It's shameful that victims of abuse have to face this kind of condemnation from JWs such as yourself who are trying to protect the WTS at all costs.  It's difficult enough for a victim of abuse to come forward.  With this kind of criticism awaiting them, it's a wonder any of them have brought this profound fault within the WTS to light.

From the lawsuits brought against them, they are failing miserably.  And from your attitude, they've failed to instill in you their goal of "treating such ones with thoughtfulness, tenderness, and kindness." [2010 Shepherd the Flock of God, p.53]

I hope that at some point you try to use truth to set the record straight.  Your religion did celebrate Christmas, and were doing so at a time you say Jesus was inspecting them and finding them "faithful and wise", dispensing spiritual food in due season.  Was that the season to be celebrating Christmas?

 

You either failed to do your research or choose to bury your head in the sand. Mr. Jackson admitted that their policy was flawed, but he wanted the ARC to force mandatory reporting so that the burden would not be on the society. So Mr. Jackson acknowledged that the ARC was not full of "lies", but rather correct. 
 
 

Allen, perhaps reading comprehension wasn't your best subject.   As I said,  learning something new is quite different from having learned something false in first grade that had to be corrected in fifth grade.  Let me give you a 'for instance' to help shed light on what I said.  In first grade 2 + 2 was 4.  In fifth grade it was still the same even when other math concepts were taught. 
Do you understand?
I agree with you that it is Bible truth that matters, not personal opinions about wrong expectations or wrong understandings.  When a religious leader says that Bible truth is the child born in Rev 12 is the antichrist, would that be something Jesus would consider food in due season?  The WTS says he would and did, selecting the WTS as God's sole channel of communication to mankind when they were teaching it.
Does that appear to be reasonable to you?
In every single child molestation case there are already two witnesses: the victim and the predator.  The men on the WTS governing body need to know that and report every accusation to the proper authorities.  They want to hide behind an OT law that was never, ever applied to the molestation or rape of a child.  If they are not in tune with Jehovah's heart on this, they need to step down from their leadership positions.

You're probably right. Yes it is funny that they only believe that the 144k get the perfection like Jesus and the rest get perfection like Adam, but yet consider them equally perfect prior to Adam's sin.
You know this word "perfect" and the jw meaning, fits perfectly in the B.I.T.E. model under the thought control. To most everyone the word means without flaw, unless it is spoken of in context to mean otherwise. But under thought control, they can freely switch it to whatever suits the need at the time and what works best for the group. This keeps the average group member in a cocoon of sorts and only those who are in the cocoon know what the words mean to them. 

There is a lot of readily available research on this topic already online. As I began to join in, I also realized that I might be repeating information that has already come up in other questions and topics on this forum.
I'll start with the J docs that I arbitrarily assigned to Category #4. ,
The J Docs initially referred to about 19 different Hebrew translations (from Greek to "modern" Hebrew) numbered J1, J2, J3, etc, up to J19. A few more have now been added to the 1985 Reference NWT, but these include even more modern non-Hebrew translations that use a form of "Jehovah" in the NT.
From the standpoint of how the Greek Scriptures (NT) should be translated into English (or any other language) the "J Docs" are meaningless. I think that several of us have misinterpreted their importance. These have nothing to do with what the ancient Greek texts said or meant. They are not old texts from the viewpoint of the Scriptures. They are "modern" texts. (J2 is the oldest from about 100 years before Columbus and the next oldest J7 is from about 100 years after Columbus. The rest are mostly from the 1800s through the late 1900's).
They are modern Hebrew translations of the New Testament. They were sometimes simply the work of biased Trinitarian missionaries who wanted to create a Christian ministry to Jewish speakers of Hebrew. They added the divine name in the places in the NT where they thought these verses should show a direct connection between the God/Lord of the OT and the God/Lord of the NT. They referred to God as YHWH even in cases where the NT was not quoting the OT. The problem is that the Trinitarian bias allowed these "translators" to pick several cases where even Jesus as Lord is directly connected to Jehovah as Lord.
Note this information about J18.  The 1969 edition of the Kingdom Interlinear Translation says:
Our old NWT Bibles (1950, 1951, 1963) used to include a statement about them altogether like this:
All together, the appearances of the sacred Tetragrammaton in the 19 Hebrew versions to which we have had access total up to 307 distinct occurrences."
But we didn't count all of the "distinct occurrences." There are over 100 additional distinct occurrences that we didn't count because we couldn't use them. Just a few examples will show why. This has already been started on other sites that I copy from below. They include HollyW's examples:
1 Corinth. 12:3 in J14
"...no one can say "Jesus is Lord (יהוה), except by the Holy Spirit."
1 Thess. 4:16,17 in J7,8,13,14,24
2 Timothy 1:18 in J7,8,13,14,16,17,18,22,23,24
Hebrews 1:10 in J8 in which Jehovah addresses the Son using the Divine Name.
1 Peter 2:3 in J13, J14
1 Peter 3:15 in J7
J20 (Concordance to the Greek Testament) cites יהוה at both 1 Peter 2:3 and 1 Peter 3:15.
Revelation 16:5 in J7,8,13,14,16
Romans 10:9 in J12-14, 16-18, 22
Acts 26:14,15 in J17,J18
"'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?' But I said, 'Who are you Lord?" And the Lord (haAdohn - Jehovah God) said, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.'"
[Several places in the J Docs even name the Holy Spirit as YHWH.]
 

SO What You Are Telling Me Is That You Learned Things Opposite Of What You Learned From Grade To grade? Not a building block from the grade before? Sad. Education is supposed to be a progression upon what you already learned, not a complete reversal of the grade before.

Learning something new is quite different from having learned something false in first grade that had to be corrected in fifth grade.
Has the WTS dropped its required two witnesses to child molestation?  That would be real progress.

I would hope, that what you learned in “first” grade would be something entirely different in “Fifth” grade.
 
Hogwash, each grade is built upon the previous,  not changing to something opposite 

You're welcome, Witness.   And thanks for those powerful scriptures.
You mention how often "obey God as ruler rather than men" is found at jw.org.  It's revealing that both times this is referred to in Acts it is about preaching in the name of Jesus:
Acts 4:18   And when they had summoned them, they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; 20 for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” 
Acts 5:28  “We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and(B)intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men."
It brings to mind the question: why weren't they preaching in Jehovah's name? 

Holly, thank you for your research on this.  The sheep in the organization are led astray by confusing doctrine; what is taught today was not the case yesterday.  Would those men who spoke of Christ as being worshiped be disfellowshipped today? It would be considered blasphemy by the GB if one were to say they worship Christ.  Truly, it is Satan that opposes any worship to be given Christ, instilling this thought in the heart.  How strong he presents the desire for us to worship HIM, through his use of the world and all that is in it, which happens to be where the organization resides.

God does not commend any shepherd for double-mindedness.

“You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.  Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us?  But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:

“God opposes the proud
    but shows favor to the humble.”

 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.  Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.  Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”  James 4:4-10

“Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?  My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.”  James 3:10-12

“Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people said nothing.”  1 Kings 18:21
So, too, the sheep say nothing in the organization do today.  If one says worship Christ, they do.  If one says no, they don’t.  This is the downfall of giving obedience to men….and yet, “obey God as ruler rather than men” is found numerous times on the org’s website…for a reason.  Could this be Satan covering his tracks while he brings in the deception?  The meaning of Babylon is "confusion"; concerning Revelation's Babylon, we are told


“‘Come out of her, my people,'
    so that you will not share in her sins,
    so that you will not receive any of her plagues;
 for her sins are piled up to heaven,
    and God has remembered her crimes."  Rev 18:4,5


 

 

In the early days of the WTS, its founder, C.T. Russell, included the worship of Jesus Christ in the charter of the Watchtower Bible & Trast Society as one of its purposes. If you have the 1945 Yearbook, you'll find it on page 32. If not, it is online at this website:http://wtarchive.svhelden.info/archi...s/yb1945_E.pdf

And this is the text you'll find there---notice the part I bolded:
 
  32 Yearbook

received from that state a charter to carry on their
Christian activity. The chartered purposes of that Society
are in full accord with the Lord's command to
'go, disciple all nations'. The words of its present
charter show that the purposes of the Watch Tower
Bible & Tract Society are :

To act as the servant of and the legal world-wide governing
agency for that body of Christian persons known as
Jehovah's witnesses; to preach the gospel of God's kingdom
under Christ Jesus unto all nations as a witness to the name,
word and supremacy of Almighty God JEHOVAH ; to print
and distribute Bibles and to disseminate Bible truths In
various languages by means of making and publishing literature
containing information and comment explaining
Bible truths and prophecy concerning establishment of Jehovah's
kingdom under Christ Jesus; to authorize and appoint
agents, servants, employees, teachers, instructors,
evangelists, missionaries and ministers to go forth to all the
world publicly and from house to house to preach and teach
Bible truths to persons willing to listen by leaving with such
persons said literature and by conducting Bible studies thereon
; to improve men, women and children mentally and
morally by Christian missionary work and by charitable
and benevolent instruction of the people on the Bible and
incidental scientific, historical and literary subjects; to
establish and maintain private Bible schools and classes
for gratuitous Instruction of men and women in the Bible,
Bible literature and Bible history; to teach, train, prepare
and equip men and women as ministers, missionaries, evangelists,
preachers, teachers and lecturers ; to provide and
maintain homes, places and buildings for gratuitous housing
of such students, lecturers, teachers and ministers ; to furnish
gratuitously to such students, lecturers, teachers, educators
and ministers suitable meals and lodging, and to
prepare, support, maintain and send out to various parts
of the world Christian missionaries, teachers and instructors
in the Bible and Bible literature, and for public Christian
worship of Almighty God and Christ Jesus; to arrange
for and hold local and world-wide assemblies for such worship;
to use or operate radio broadcasting stations for
preaching this gospel of the Kingdom ; and to do any and all
other lawful things that its Board of Directors shall deem
expedient for the purposes stated. Not only that, these are excerpts from other WTS publications, beginning with Russell's view:
"It seems clear that His Divinity was retained in humanity because He repeatedly spoke of Himself as having come down from heaven, and because He, though passing through trial and sorrow as a man, was yet possessed of the authority and exercised the prerogatives of a God. He was the object of unreproved worship even when a babe, by the wise men who came to see the new-born King. Matt. 2:2-11. Even the angels delighted to do Him honor. "When He bringeth the first-begotten into the world, He saith, "And let all the angels of God worship Him." Heb. 1:6. He never reproved any one for acts of worship offered to Himself, but when Cornelius offered such service to Peter--the leading apostle-- "he took him up, saying, stand up; I myself also am a man." .... Had Christ not been more than a man the same reason would have prevented from receiving worship...." Zion's Watch Tower 1880 Oct pp.2-3

"It is undoubtedly proper enough for us to address petitions to our Redeemer and Advocate, who loved us and gave himself for us....Although we are nowhere instructed to make petitions to him, it evidently could not be improper so to do; for such a course is nowhere prohibited, and the disciples worshiped him." Zion's Watch Tower 1892 May 15 p.157 

"Question. The fact that our Lord received worship is claimed by some to be an evidence that while on earth he was God the Father disguised in a body of flesh and not really a man. Was he really worshiped, or is the translation faulty? Answer. Yes, we believe our Lord Jesus while on earth was really worshiped, and properly so. It was proper for our Lord to receive worship in view of his having been the only begotten of the Father and his agent in the creation of all things, including man." Zion's Watch Tower 1898 Jul 15 p.216 

"In one respect many of Christendom could learn numerous important lessons from these wise Gentiles....They worshiped him in three senses of the word: (1) They fell before him, prostrated themselves, thus physically expressing their reverence. (2) They worshiped him in their hearts and with the tongue gave expression to their rejoicing and confidence. (3) They opened their treasure-box and presented to him three gifts appropriate to royalty: the myrrh representing submission, frankincense representing praise, gold representing obedience." Zion's Watch Tower 1906 Jan 1 p.15
Rutherford continued this teaching: 
"Jehovah God commands all to worship Christ Jesus because Christ Jesus is the express image of his Father, Jehovah, and because he is the Executive Officer of Jehovah always carrying out Jehovah's purpose (Heb.:3-6)." Watchtower 1939 Nov 15 p.339 

"During the Millennium, "the princes will lead the people in their worship of Jehovah and of Christ." Vindication Volume 3 (J. F. Rutherford, 1932) p.295 

"The people of all nations who obtain salvation must come to the house of the Lord to worship there; that is to say, they must believe on and worship Jehovah God and the Lord Jesus Christ, his chief instrument (Philippians 2:10, 11)." Salvation (J. F. Rutherford, 1939) p.151
Knorr continued this teaching: 
"Now, at Christ's coming to reign as king in Jehovah's capital organization Zion, to bring in a righteous new world, Jehovah makes him infinitely higher than the godly angels or messengers and accordingly commands them to worship him. Since Jehovah God now reigns as King by means of his capital organization Zion, then whosoever would worship Him must also worship and bow down to Jehovah's Chief One in that capital organization, namely, Christ Jesus, his Co-regent on the throne of The Theocracy." Watchtower 1945 Oct 15 p.313
Take into account also that the WTS says not only did God approve of this, but HE Himself was enlightening Russell and Rutherford spiritually to teach this. https://www.jw.org/en/publications/b...-rediscovered/
 

that very well may be their position, but the fact of the matter is that perfection has no flaw.
A perfect puzzle piece fits without gap. It fits the purpose it was designed for, but in no way is it perfect. It is made of cardboard and when wet it deteriorates. I can accept the application of something being a perfect fit, but to assign perfection as a whole to Adam and Eve is wrong. They were designed to perfectly fit the environment God created for them, but they themselves were not "perfect, without flaw or blemish" or they would have never sinned. The perfection that one attains at the time of God's calling to Himself, is perfection in the absolute sense. This is not attainable while we are still here on Earth and absent from the Lord.