earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.”

What, then, is the basis for the dogma? The church itself states that it is not based on the Bible, but rather, we might add, it is contradicted by the inspired statements at 1 Corinthians 15:44, 50: “It is sown a natural body: it shall rise a spiritual body. . . . Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot possess the kingdom of God: neither shall corruption possess incorruption.”—Dy.

Furthermore, we have seen that it is not found in tradition of the early centuries of the Christian era, that it was opposed by later leaders of the church, that it is not a fact of history, but the same source shows that it is based on the highly imaginative legendary accounts of men “with a hunger for the miraculous.” Surely this teaching of tradition that contradicts God’s Word is what Paul the apostle was speaking of when he said: “Beware lest any man cheat you by philosophy and vain deceit; according to the tradition of men, according to the elements of the world and not according to Christ.”—Col. 2:8, Dy.

What motivated the declaration of the dogma? On May 1, 1946, in the letter Deiparae Virginis Mariae, Pope Pius XII asked the bishops throughout the world this question: “Do you, Venerable Brethren, in your outstanding wisdom and prudence, judge that the bodily Assumption of the Blessed Virgin can be proposed and defined as a dogma of faith? Do you, with your clergy and people, desire that it should be?”

Whose wisdom was being relied on? “The wisdom that is from above”? (Jas. 3:17, Dy) or the outstanding wisdom and prudence of men? Isaiah 29:14 says that such wisdom of men will perish. Whose pleasure was sought? That of God? or that of the clergy and people? Galatians 1:10 makes very plain the position of those following the latter course: “Do I seek to please men? If I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.”—Dy.

Questions From Readers

● What does the scripture at James 3:1 mean when it says: “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we shall receive heavier judgment”?—M. W., United States.

The word “teacher” is used in various senses. Jehovah is the Great Teacher of his people, and at Isaiah 54:13 it is stated: “All your sons will be persons taught by Jehovah, and the peace of your sons will be abundant.” His position is exclusive; he is the Source of all truth. He has associated his Son Christ Jesus with himself as an instructor, and Jesus said to his disciples: “You address me, ‘Teacher,’ and, ‘Master,’ and you speak rightly, for I am such.” (John 13:13) But no one else is authorized to occupy that role as teacher, claiming to be his successor, for he said: “But you, do not you be called ‘Rabbi’, for one is your teacher, whereas all you are brothers.”—Matt. 23:8.

However, there are those in the visible organization who are teachers in official capacities. The Master has designated the “faithful and discreet slave” to see that spiritual “food at the proper time” is provided for his servants. (Matt. 24:45-47) Those associated with that slave class in such a role bear a heavy load of responsibility before Jehovah God. They must exercise prayerful vigilance to adhere closely to the inspired Word of God and not to “teach commands of men as doctrines.” (Matt. 15:9) They must be on guard that they never abuse their office by “teaching things they ought not for the sake of dishonest gain.” (Titus 1:11) And they must take heed to the responsibility that is theirs of living in harmony with the righteous requirements of God’s Word that they teach, as is emphasized in Romans 2:21-23.

It is because of this heavy responsibility that rests upon such teachers that James counsels: “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we shall receive heavier judgment.” (Jas. 3:1) Not that anyone who receives such a theocratic assignment would refuse it. He should properly show appreciation for the theocratic arrangement outlined in Ephesians 4:11, which says: “He gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as missionaries, some as shepherds and teachers, with a view to the training of the holy ones for ministerial work, for the building up of the body of the Christ.” So he will humbly carry out his assignment, looking to Jehovah for his direction. But, in harmony with the counsel of the Scriptures on the point, no one should be overly eager or try to work himself into such a position of responsibility.

While no Christian would want to try to take God’s role as instructor or that of Christ Jesus or to usurp the responsibility of the “faithful and discreet slave, yet we can take the things we learn through the theocratic organization and relay them to others, helping them to understand and appreciate them, and in that sense we are teachers. It is with such teaching in mind that Jesus addressed the command to his disciples: “Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, . . . teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you.” (Matt. 28:19, 20) And to those who were slow about taking hold of their privileges of service in this regard, Paul said: “Although you ought to be teachers in view of the time, you again need someone to teach you from the beginning the first principles of the sacred pronouncements of God, and you have become such as need milk, not solid food.” (Heb. 5:12) All of Jehovah’s people should apply themselves so as to qualify as teachers, doing so in their proper place in the theocratic arrangement of things.

Announcements

FIELD MINISTRY

March is the third month of the Watchtower campaign. Jehovah’s witnesses everywhere will continue to offer this vital magazine to persons of good will at $1 for a year’s subscription, giving three free Bible booklets to each new subscriber. Encourage your friends and neighbors to subscribe for The Watchtower; it will help them to learn how to gain life in God’s new world. For further instructions on how you may share, go to the nearest Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s witnesses.

OBSERVE THE LORD’S EVENING MEAL

“This do in remembrance of me,” said Jesus as he instituted the celebration commemorating his death. This year the date to observe the Lord’s evening meal, or the Memorial of his death, is March 23, after 6 p.m. All persons of good will are invited to be present with Jehovah’s witnesses when they assemble at their local meeting places in obedience to the command of the Lord Jesus to observe this most important occasion. Following a discourse on the Lord’s evening meal, the bread and the wine will be passed separately, after Jehovah’s blessing has been asked upon each emblem. In conclusion all will be invited to share in special weekend field service to spread the Kingdom message. Congregations should make a diligent effort to help all good-will persons to be present at the Lord’s evening meal. If any of our readers do not know where the meetings in their vicinity are held, write to this office for information.

ISAIAH, JEREMIAH AND LAMENTATIONS

The newest addition to the popular New World Translation is Volume IV of the Hebrew Scriptures containing the inspired message of Isaiah and Jeremiah as well as the book of Lamentations. Never before have the thrilling prophecies of these outstanding Bible books been read with such keen enjoyment by English-speaking people. Because of their deep significance to us in their application to our day, you will thoroughly appreciate this volume as an important part of your regular reading program. Send $1 today for your copy.

“WATCHTOWER” STUDIES FOR THE WEEKS

April 26: Keeping Strict Watch on How We Walk. Page 165.

May 3: Helpers Toward Walking Wisely. Page 172.