2026 Governing Body Update #6
https://www.jw.org/finder?wtlocale=E&docid=1112024060&srcid=shareΝΕΟ ΒΙΝΤΕΟ | Ενημέρωση από το Κυβερνών Σώμα 2026 #6 Τώρα Διαθέσιμη
Σε αυτή την ενημέρωση, θα εξετάσουμε μια προσαρμογή στη θέση μας όσον αφορά τα συστατικά του αίματος. Αυτό το βίντεο, το σχετικό άρθρο «Ερωτήσεις από Αναγνώστες» και ο πίνακας, είναι τώρα διαθέσιμα στα αγγλικά. Επίσημη μετάφραση του βίντεο και της επιπρόσθετης ύλης θα γίνουν σύντομα διαθέσιμα σε άλλες γλώσσες.
Welcome, brothers and sisters.
In view of the importance of this update, the Governing Body decided to release it as soon as possible in English.
The update will be available in additional languages very soon.
Since our last report, seven “Eternal Happiness” International Conventions were held in Calgary, Canada; Quito, Ecuador; Vilnius, Lithuania; Hamburg, Germany; Utrecht, the Netherlands; Johannesburg, South Africa; and Milwaukee, the United States.
More than 30,000 delegates from 69 countries attended.
The combined peak attendance was over 165,000, and 1,428 were baptized.
Just think of the fine witness that so many living in these cities have received!
Three more international conventions are scheduled before the end of the 2026 calendar year.
Plans for the 2027 convention series are already underway.
Next year’s convention theme is “Jesus—The Way.” Twenty-one international conventions have been planned in 19 lands.
As previously announced, during September 2026, we’re offering the <i>Enjoy Life Forever!</i> brochure with the goal of starting Bible studies.
We’re also inviting people to the special talk entitled “How Can the Bible Help You?” What a wonderful opportunity to help sincere ones to come to know and love Jehovah!
Because we love people, we’re eager to share the good news and to offer Bible studies.
Could you make it a personal goal to start a Bible study?
Why not pray to Jehovah about your sincere desire to help someone become a disciple?
Jehovah will help you to find joy as you search out those who are “rightly disposed for everlasting life.” And regardless of the results, you can be sure that Jehovah appreciates your efforts.
Our love for people moves us to share the good news.
It also moves us to care about those facing serious trials.
In recent months, several natural disasters have affected our brothers and sisters.
These include major earthquakes in Venezuela, Japan, and Colombia; wildfires in Europe and in North America; and devastating mudslides in Asia.
In Venezuela, our relief work is ongoing.
Some of our brothers and sisters were trapped in rubble but were rescued by fellow Witnesses.
Local brothers and sisters have also donated more than half a million dollars’ worth of food, clothing, and other supplies.
The branch office has set up relief centers so that those in need can obtain essential items.
Recently, Brothers Jacob Rumph, of the Governing Body, and Troy Snyder, a helper to the Coordinators’ Committee, visited Venezuela to shepherd those affected by the earthquakes.
When tragedies occur, we’re naturally concerned about our brothers and sisters and our neighbors.
We realize that life is a precious gift from Jehovah.
As Psalm 36:9 says, Jehovah is “the source of life.” Jehovah’s people have always endeavored to reflect his view of the sacredness of life.
This is why we refuse to support wars or to take the lives of unborn children, and we avoid recklessness that could result in the loss of life.
Additionally, Jehovah connects the sacredness of life with blood.
In his command to Noah at Genesis 9:4, Jehovah said: “Only flesh with its life —its blood— you must not eat.” Under the direction of holy spirit, the apostles issued a similar command that Christians should abstain from blood.
It’s recorded at Acts 15:28, 29: “For the holy spirit and we ourselves “have favored adding no further burden to you “except these necessary things: “to keep abstaining from things sacrificed to idols, “from blood, from what is strangled, “and from sexual immorality. “If you carefully keep yourselves from these things, “you will prosper. Good health to you!” This means that Christians don’t eat unbled meat.
But this command is more than a dietary restriction.
It’s an opportunity for each of God’s servants to reflect Jehovah’s view of life.
Obedience to this command includes avoiding the consumption of blood.
And since the underlying principle is respect for life, it also includes avoiding bloodguilt caused by murder or by careless or reckless conduct that could result in the loss of life.
In all of those areas, Jehovah’s Witnesses have shown a determination to reflect Jehovah’s view that life and blood are sacred.
With regard to blood, Jehovah’s Witnesses have understood Acts 15 to mean they should not consume whole blood, either by mouth or by transfusion and that they should not donate blood.
This position has protected Jehovah’s people spiritually and physically.
We’ve also applied this principle to the four main components of blood —that’s red cells, white cells, plasma, and platelets.
Medical science has shown the effectiveness of treatments that avoid blood transfusions and associated risks.
Nevertheless, advances in medical treatments have raised many questions about the application of Bible principles to various health situations.
Therefore, the <i>2026 Governing Body Update #2 </i> stated: “Christians are not under the Mosaic Law. “However, we obey the apostolic command “to abstain from blood. “Furthermore, the Bible does not comment “on the use of a person’s own blood “in medical and surgical care. “Therefore, like other choices about health care, “each Christian must make his own decision “about the use of his own blood in all medical and surgical care.” This Scriptural clarification allows each Christian to do as stated in Galatians 6:5: “Each one will carry his own load.” After further prayerful consideration, the Governing Body has decided that this same principle applies to the four primary components of whole blood —that’s red cells, white cells, plasma, and platelets— that are derived from another person’s blood.
Therefore, each Christian must make his own personal decision about the use of these four primary components in all medical and surgical care.
Likewise, each Christian must decide whether to donate components or fractions derived from his own blood.
Now, does this mean that the Governing Body views lightly the matter of treatments involving one or more of the primary blood components?
No, not at all!
The Governing Body continues to regard this as a very serious matter.
However, since the Scriptures don’t comment on the various products that may be derived from blood, we recognize that, in harmony with 1 Corinthians 4:6, we’re not authorized to “go beyond the things that are written.” We also recognize the importance of what is stated at 2 Corinthians 1:24: “Not that we are the masters over your faith, “but we are fellow workers for your joy, for it is by your faith that you are standing.” How should a Christian view the matter of accepting or rejecting one or more of the four main components?
Each Christian should continue to give prayerful thought to the factors involved before making a decision.
Taking this matter lightly could harm a Christian’s conscience and his precious relationship with Jehovah.
What factors could a Christian consider when making a medical decision involving the use of a product derived from another person’s blood?
Each Christian will likely reason differently.
Some might reject all such products because they believe that taking any part of blood is wrong.
Others might accept certain products because they represent a small percentage of whole blood.
For example, some components make up a smaller percentage of whole blood than certain fractions that some Christians might already be willing to accept.
Whatever the case, Romans 14:12 states: “Each of us will render an account for himself to God.” To help each of God’s servants to make an informed personal decision, the Governing Body has approved the release of a simple chart.
It identifies some of the more common products derived from blood.
The chart, along with a “Questions From Readers” article based on this update, will soon be released on jw.org and in the <i>JW Library</i>® app.
In addition, <i>Watchtower</i> study articles are being prepared to discuss this matter further.
And an updated medical directive will be available soon.
After considering these and other factors, each Christian must decide whether or not he will accept a component or a fraction derived from another person’s blood.
The congregation will not get involved in that decision, and individual Christians should not judge others.
There’s usually no need to discuss these personal medical decisions with individuals other than the health-care agents listed on your medical directive.
At your request, the local Hospital Liaison Committee is ready to support you in your decision.
The brothers can help you find doctors who will respect your conscience, and they will keep your decisions confidential.
What if a Christian’s employment involves blood or blood products?
The principles in the “Questions From Readers” article in the April 15, 1999, issue of <i>The Watchtower</i> can help him make a wise decision and keep a clean conscience.
Brothers and sisters, we know this is a lot of information for you to take in, but what’s the main point?
Jehovah’s Witnesses don’t accept transfusions of whole blood, nor do we donate whole blood to be transfused to others.
We also don’t eat blood or unbled meat.
However, whether to accept components or fractions derived from another person’s blood is a decision for each Christian to make.
Likewise, each Christian must decide whether or not to donate components or fractions derived from his own blood.
Please be assured that the Governing Body remains determined to show respect for Jehovah’s precious gifts of life and blood.
However, we recognize that each Christian must bear his own responsibility to make conscientious decisions before Jehovah.
Therefore, the Governing Body urges all of God’s people to consider prayerfully all factors relevant to their situation when making medical decisions involving products derived from blood.
In this way, each Christian can make a decision that leaves him with a clean conscience and shows deep respect for Jehovah, the Source of life.
Thank you, dear brothers and sisters, for your faith, your love, and your loyal support.
We love you very much.
From the World Headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses, this is JW Broadcasting®.
1112024060-E
www.jw.org © 2026 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
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