(Question #7) Can individuals read & understand the Bible alone, or do they need an organization and it’s publications to do so?
__________
Since the time when God made a covenant with Abraham Jehovah’s purpose has always been in connection with an organization of people. The nation of Israel accomplished the initial phase and Christ’s congregation will be used to bring about the completion. In connection with the Christian organization, one of its organizers, the apostle Paul, explained that God gave gifts in men in the form of prophets and evangelizers and teachers for the purpose of building up the body of Christ.
So, even if it were possible that someone read and understood the Bible on their own, unless they were in some way connected to Christ’s congregation they could not really accomplish anything. Jesus explained it this way, saying: “Remain in union with me, and I will remain in union with you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, neither can you unless you remain in union with me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever remains in union with me and I in union with him, this one bears much fruit; for apart from me you can do nothing at all. If anyone does not remain in union with me, he is thrown out like a branch and dries up. And men gather those branches and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.” John 15