Superior Authorities
*** Reference Bible Romans 13:1 ***
13 Let every soul be in subjection to the superior authorities…
[Emphasis Added]
*** Jehovah's Witness in the Divine Purpose (1959) p.91 ***
When the Society began to be freed for further preaching work following World War I, they soon realized that they had been held in spiritual bondage too in many ways. There were many false doctrines and practices that had not yet been cleaned out of the organization… With considerable misunderstanding they had accepted earthly political governments as the "superior authorities" that God had ordained according to Romans 13:1… particularly the civil rulers…
[Emphasis Added]
*** Watchtower 1963 January 1 p.31 Do You Remember? ***
• Who are the "superior authorities" to whom Christians are to be in subjection?
The duly constituted political governments of this world.-Pp. 684, 685
[Emphasis Added]