Answer #5

         They have to admit that the Bible contains limited details about the composition of the early governing body with those few details being found in the fifteenth chapter of the book of Acts. (See WT 12/1/85, page 31, paragraph 2) Their official position on the governing body is found in the 12/15/79 WT where they state the following: The Christian Congregation began with twelve member on the governing body, the twelve apostles, and later other elders of the Jerusalem congregation were added. In 49 CE the governing body consisted of the eleven apostles of Jesus, James, Judas, Silas, Paul and Barnabas. (Although if we remember, Paul and Barnabas were sent to the brothers in Jerusalem when the problem with circumcision arose.) They say that the governing body at this time had sixteen members.