Thursday, November 29, 2018

1888 Message Study : The Most Convincing Proof

https://www.1888msc.org/resources/ssi/2018-q4/the-most-convincing-proof

"THE MOST CONVINCING PROOF"

 

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.  Ephesians 1:4,5.

"Unity with Christ establishes a bond of unity with one another. This unity is the most convincing proof to the world of the majesty and virtue of Christ, and of His power to take away sin." (SDA BC 1148)

Have you ever tried to prove something true that you are not sure of yourself? Legal, scientific, and philosophical arguments often provide the platform for just such attempts. For science, 95% probably of being true is respected, while philosophy has a much lower bar. Even in the legal realm, for some disputes, a preponderance of the evidence is enough.

But for true unity, two parties must agree, or be united 100%. We might wonder where on earth we can find such unity. The answer is that we can't. Unity, like every other spiritual blessing, only comes from its heavenly source. Unity with Christ is the only thing that provides proof to the world, manifested in bonds of unity with each other.

The Godhead is united:

For there are three that bear witness in heaven: The Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. 1 John 5:7.

"The prayer of Christ that His people 'all may be one,' is for unity such as exists between the Father and the Son, a unity that is forever and in all things. Then God will be manifest always and in all things with that people, in ways that are beyond all human comprehension; and the world will know that God did send Jesus, and has loved these, His people, as He loved Jesus." John 17:21-23.  A. T. JONES. (June 1, 1901 ATJ, UCR 14.7)

Only as we unite with the Godhead in their assessment of humanity and their successful plan for salvation can we experience unity here on earth.

And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 1 John 5:11.

Are we 100% sure of this truth?

Under the Cross of Jesus

1 Corinthians 5:14 tells us that Jesus died not merely a substitutionary, but also a representative, death for all mankind. His humanity was ours, and His death was ours. We were representatively in Him as part of all humanity; we personally enter into that death by faith. The foundation of His death as us was His sacrificial unity with us when we were hopelessly separated from Him. In Him the inheritance of eternal life is already legally established as being bequeathed to everyone.

"Before ascending to heaven, Christ gave His disciples their commission. He told them that they were to be the executors of the will in which He bequeathed to the world the treasures of eternal life."(AA 27)

This is the true foundation of our unity, effective in us to the extent that we accept it. We, like the disciples, are to execute the bequest found in the will of Christ. All other truths we share as Seventh-day Adventists center around the person of Jesus. We tend to focus on what we are doing, how we are responding, what we are believing, as the foundation of our unity. But unity comes when we behold Jesus. He is the great unifier.

Ministry of Reconciliation

It is because God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, and because He accomplished that reconciliation in Christ that we have any ministry at all inviting others to be reconciled.

Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us; we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:18,19.

This invitation is based on the objective reconciliation of the world through the death of Christ, proving that God was forgiving, or not counting against humanity, their sins against Him. We are unified because God has treated all of us the same. Like Israel of old, God has extended to us the fact of His accomplished work in this reconciliation as an incentive to "be reconciled."

Contemplate this passage and note the sequence:

I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions, and like a cloud, your sins. Return to me, for I have redeemed you. Isaiah 44:22

First God blots out sin. Then He calls for repentance. When we are sure of this truth, we can effectively minister the reconciliation the gospel brings because we see everyone differently (2 Corinthians 5:16).

Practical Unity

While it is true that we are to emulate Christ as our example, the only way we can possibly do this is to emulate His faith, the Faith of Jesus, that relied on the indwelling of the Spirit to direct every step and every word as from His Father. We cannot be like Him without Him dwelling in us moment by moment, letting His mind, His personal presence, dwell in us. "Let this mind dwell in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." Philippians 2:5

Unity Amid Diversity

The lesson asks this question: Is there anything that we believe and practice as Seventh-day Adventists that all who claim to be Adventists need not believe and adhere to? Wow, that is a loaded question. The Bible talks of diverse gifts given to the church, but not of diverse gospels. Paul was quite clear:

But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. Galatians 1:8

If every doctrine was properly centered in Christ, there would be no diverse opinions of what we believe, and a much greater unity in what we practice. The 1888 message was to bring this unity. There would be "command and control" from the true head, Jesus Christ.

"The unity of belief in the church is not forced by the church coming together and the majority defining the creed to be beloved. The church cannot define doctrine, nor make laws for itself or anybody else. The church of Christ is made up of all who obey the Lord's commands not a body to issue commands. The Head directs, the body obeys. God speaks; each one must listen to His voice, for faith comes by hearing the Word of God, and no one can give faith to another. 'It is the gift of God.'" E. J. WAGGONER. (May 8, 1901 EJW, SITI 292.7)

"Many people seem to be ignorant of what constitutes faith. Many complain of darkness and discouragements. I asked, 'Are your faces turned toward Jesus? Are you beholding Him, the Sun of Righteousness? You need plainly to define to the churches the matter of faith and entire dependence upon the righteousness of Christ. In your talks and prayers there has been so little dwelling upon Christ, His matchless love, His great sacrifice made in our behalf, that Satan has nearly eclipsed the views we should have and must have of Jesus Christ. We must trust less in human beings for spiritual help and more, far more, in approaching Jesus Christ as our Redeemer. We may dwell with a determined purpose on the heavenly attributes of Jesus Christ; we may talk of His love, we may tell and sing of His mercies, we may make Him our own personal Saviour. Then we are one with Christ. We love that which Christ loved, we hate sin, that which Christ hated. These things must be talked of, dwelt upon.'"  (3SM 183)

Unity in Mission

"The Lord in His great mercy sent a most precious message to His people through Elders Waggoner and Jones. This message was to bring more prominently before the world the uplifted Saviour, the sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. It presented justification through faith in the Surety; it invited the people to receive the righteousness of Christ, which is made manifest in obedience to all the commandments of God. Many had lost sight of Jesus. They needed to have their eyes directed to His divine person, His merits, and His changeless love for the human family. All power is given into His hands, that He may dispense rich gifts unto men, imparting the priceless gift of His own righteousness to the helpless human agent. This is the message that God commanded to be given to the world. It is the third angel's message, which is to be proclaimed with a loud voice, and attended with the outpouring of His Spirit in a large measure."  (TM 91)

When we become united in the mission of proclaiming and living the message God commanded to be sent to the world, unity will be perfected. The main reason our church is not unified is that this message has not been accepted as it should be. Our focus remains our subjective response to the gospel rather than the objective truths of the gospel itself. We need our eyes directed to the person of Jesus.

Current Issues with Unity

Consider this in light of today's challenges:

"Oh, how Satan would rejoice to get in among this people, and disorganize the work at a time when thorough organization is essential, and will be the greatest power to keep out spurious uprisings, and to refute claims not endorsed by the word of God. We want to hold the lines evenly, that there may be no breaking down of the system of regulation and order. In this way license will not be given to disorderly elements to control the work.

"We are living in a time when order, system, and unity of action are most essential. And the truth must bind us together like strong cords in order that no distracted efforts may be witnessed among the workers. If disorderly manifestations appear, we must have clear discernment to distinguish the spurious from the genuine. Let no messages be proclaimed until they have borne a careful scrutiny in every jot and tittle.

"My soul is much burdened, for I know what is before us. Every conceivable deception will be brought to bear upon those who have not a daily, living connection with God. Satan's angels are wise to do evil, and they will create that which some will claim to be advanced light, and will proclaim it as new and wonderful; yet while in some respects the message may be truth, it will be mingled with human inventions, and will teach for doctrine the commandments of men. If there was ever a time when we should watch and pray in real earnest, it is now. Many apparently good things will need to be carefully considered with much prayer; for they are specious devices of the enemy to lead souls in a path which lies so close to the path of truth that it will be scarcely distinguishable from it. But the eye of faith may discern that it is diverging, though almost imperceptibly, from the right path. At first it may be thought positively right, but after a while it is seen to be widely divergent from the way which leads to holiness and heaven. My brethren, I warn you to make straight paths for your feet, lest the lame be turned out of the way."  (3MR 26-7)

~Todd Guthrie


Friday, November 23, 2018

1888 Message Study : Unity in Faith

https://www.1888msc.org/resources/ssi/2018-q4/unity-in-faith


"UNITY IN FAITH"

 Looking at the title of this week's lesson, it was exciting to contemplate that faith and unity in the SDA church were being recognized as being inextricably tied together.

Continuing on at the beginning of the lesson, the 1888 conference in Minnesota was mentioned in the context of hostile attitudes by all those attending. This, however, is not in accord with Ellen White's statements nor does it dig into the 1888 message itself which she clearly states was sent for His people both then and now. In Testimonies to Ministers (pgs. 91/92), she shows us the importance of this message to God's remnant church:

"The Lord in His great mercy sent a most precious message to His people through Elders Waggoner and Jones. This message was to bring more prominently before the world the uplifted Saviour, the sacrifice for the sins of the world. It presented justification through faith in the Surety; it invited the people to receive the righteousness of Christ, which is made manifest in obedience to all the commandments of God. Many had lost sight of Jesus. They needed to have their eyes directed to His divine person, His merits, and His changeless love for the human family.

All power is given into His hands, that He may dispense rich gifts unto men, imparting the priceless gift of His own righteousness to the helpless agent. This is the message that God commanded to be given to the world. It is the third angel's message, which is to be proclaimed with a loud voice, and attended with the outpouring of His Spirit in a large measure.

The uplifted Saviour is to appear…sitting upon the throne, to dispense the priceless covenant blessings…Christ is pleading for the church in the heavenly courts above….

God gave to His servants a testimony that presented the truth as it is in Jesus, which is the third angel's message in clear, distinct lines…. This testimony presents the law and the gospel, binding up the two in a perfect whole.

(See Romans 5 and 1 John 3:9 to the close of the chapter).

This is the very work which the Lord designs that the message He has given His servant shall perform in the heart and mind of every human agent. It is the perpetual life of the church to love God supremely and to love others as they love themselves."

So what are some of the things we can learn from this inspired passage?

First, the Lord sent us this message and He sent it "in His great mercy" because we desperately needed it both then and now.

"most precious message" suggests it was the most precious gift He could send us, having already sent His Son to redeem us, "this message points us back to God's agape love and Christ's infinite sacrifice on the cross: "to bring more prominently before the world the uplifted Saviour".

This message was sent to "His people", His last day church both then and now. Why? Because in our Laodicean condition, we need it! We think we are rich and increased with goods and in need of nothing spiritually. (Revelation 3:17) The truth is that we need Christ, our Saviour. We need His faith and His righteousness to take us through the times ahead!

We are told this message presents "justification through faith in the Surety". This genuine faith is the faith of Jesus and it's His gift to us—we are all given the "measure of faith." (Romans 12:3). It is what we need and when exercised, we receive the "priceless gift of His own righteousness". Righteousness by faith, Christ our righteousness—the core of this most precious message!

Sanctification—Christ as our High Priest, is "pleading for the church in the heavenly courts above". This is also a key aspect of this message as our Saviour cleanses His people and "dispenses the priceless (new) covenant blessings" as hearts are changed and the law is written on the heart. Having been justified by faith and received the gift of Christ's righteousness, both of which are an ongoing experience, we are no longer motivated by fear of punishment or hope of reward. In response to His love and His gifts, our desire is "to love God supremely and to love others as we love ourselves."

We are told "This is the message that God commanded to be given to the world. It is the third angel's message, which is to be proclaimed with a loud voice." First, note that God did not suggest but commanded, that we His people give this message to the world suggesting that this is indeed the everlasting gospel and the third angel's message that we and the world need to hear!

Knowing that this was indeed a message sent by God to us, His people, it is important to understand how both the message and the messengers were received at the 1888 conference in Minneapolis. Ellen White's comments and remarks provide an inspired guide as we look back at our history.

Her comments on the messengers, Jones and Waggoner, were supportive and positive with no criticism of any kind. They were challenged to debate on the two covenants but declined. God had sent them to share this most precious message. She described them as "Christians" and "Gentlemen". An example would be the following quote:

"Doctor Waggoner has spoken to us in a straight-forward manner…. Of one thing I am certain, as Christians you have no right to entertain feelings of enmity, unkindness, and prejudice toward Dr. Waggoner, who has presented his view in a plain, straight-forward manner, as a Christian should." (Ms. 15, 1888; Olson, p. 294).

Here is another quote relating to A.T. Jones:

"It is evident that he walks with God, that he has been with Jesus and learned of Him.  He has brought truth into the inner sanctuary of the soul; it is to him a living reality, and he presents the truth in the demonstration of the Spirit and of power. The people hear the joyful sound. God speaks to their hearts through the man consecrated to His service…. He becomes really eloquent. He is earnest and sincere and is beloved by those for whom he labors… His defects will be forgiven and forgotten. His hearers will not become weary or disgusted, but will thank God for the message of grace sent them through His servant."("Christian Education", 1893;RHApril 18, 1893).

What did Ellen White think of the message itself that Jones and Waggoner were presenting in 1888? Here is but one example:

"I have had the question asked, what do you think of this light which these men are presenting? Why, I have been presenting it to you for the last forty-five years, --- the matchless charms of Christ. This is what I have been trying to present before your minds. When Brother Waggoner brought out these ideas at Minneapolis, it was the first clear teaching on this subject from any human lips I had heard, excepting the conversations between myself and my husband. I have said to myself, it is because God has presented it to me in vision that I see it so clearly, and they cannot see it because they have not had it presented to them as I have, and when another presented it, every fiber of my heart said amen. (Ms. 5, 1889).

However, the response of the brethren to this wonderful message at the 1888 conference was in total contrast to the message and the messengers. While at the 1888 conference in response to her prayers she had a night vision and was visited by a messenger from God who conducted her to the homes where the brethren were lodging and she heard the criticism of her but "they thought and said worse things of Brethren Jones and Waggoner". The messenger plainly told Ellen White: "Satan has blinded their eyes and perverted their judgment; and unless every soul shall repent of this their sin, this unsanctified independence that is doing insult to the Spirit of God, they will walk in darkness… They would not that God would manifest His Spirit and His power; for they have a spirit of mockery and disgust at My word." As a result, "not one of the company who cherished the spirit manifested at that meeting would again have clear light to discern the preciousness of the truth sent them from heaven until they humbled their pride and confessed." (1888 materials, p.309-311,316,317.1067,1068).

Looking back at the 1888 conference, Ellen White wrote the following: "I can never forget the experience which we had in Minneapolis, or the things which were then revealed to me in regard to the spirit that controlled men, the words spoken, the actions done in obedience to the powers of evil…. They were moved at the meeting by another spirit, and they knew not that God had sent these young men…. To bear a special message to them which they treated with ridicule and contempt, not realizing that the heavenly intelligences were looking upon them… I know that at that time the Spirit of God was insulted." (lt. 24, 1892).

When this message was resisted by the Church leaders, Ellen White went with Jones and Waggoner to take this message directly to the people:

1888 Materials p. 545

"I have travelled from place to place attending meetings where the message of the righteousness of Christ was preached. I considered it a privilege to stand by the side of my brethren and give my testimony with the message for the time and I saw that the power of God attended the message wherever it was spoken.

Suppose that you blot out the testimony that has been going during these last two years proclaiming the righteousness of Christ, who can you point to as bringing out special light for the people? This message as it has been presented should go to every church that claims to believe the truth and bring our people up to a higher stand point.

Based on this testimony, we can see that every church today that claims to believe the truth should be presenting this message. After all, as we have already seen, it is the Third Angel's message and the everlasting gospel that we are to share with the world.

Having looked back at 1888 and the reaction to God's message and His messengers, then the obvious question is — Is this message still relevant to us today? Ellen White counsels us here as well:

"The Lord has raised up Brother Jones and Brother Waggoner to proclaim a message to the world to prepare a people to stand in the day of God." (1888 Materials, pg. 1814). We believe Jesus is coming soon, and she tells us here that we need this message to prepare us, God's people, for the trials and tribulations ahead, so we may stand for Christ as part of the 144,000 that will follow the Lamb wherever He goes, keep the commandments of God, and have the faith of Jesus.

Our Sabbath school lesson this week looks at several of our fundamental doctrines as a basis for our faith and unity. Our doctrines are, of course, important but only in light of the cross. This most precious message leads us to focus only on Christ—His infinite agape love, His immeasurable sacrifice on the cross, what He has already done for the entire human race.  Then the faith of Jesus, which is His gift to us, becomes real in our lives, hearts are changed, and Christ's righteousness, also through the power of the Holy Spirit governs our thoughts and our lives. Obedience to the commandments and following our doctrines is then a fruit of His faith and His righteousness in our lives.

This most precious message was always intended to bring unity to God's last day church as it is indeed the everlasting gospel intended for the world.

Blessings, John and Monica Campbell


Friday, November 16, 2018

1888 Message Study : Unity in Faith

https://www.1888msc.org/resources/ssi/2018-q4/unity-in-faith

"UNITY IN FAITH"

 

Looking at the title of this week's lesson, it was exciting to contemplate that faith and unity in the SDA church were being recognized as being inextricably tied together.

Continuing on at the beginning of the lesson, the 1888 conference in Minnesota was mentioned in the context of hostile attitudes by all those attending. This, however, is not in accord with Ellen White's statements nor does it dig into the 1888 message itself which she clearly states was sent for His people both then and now. In Testimonies to Ministers (pgs. 91/92), she shows us the importance of this message to God's remnant church:

"The Lord in His great mercy sent a most precious message to His people through Elders Waggoner and Jones. This message was to bring more prominently before the world the uplifted Saviour, the sacrifice for the sins of the world. It presented justification through faith in the Surety; it invited the people to receive the righteousness of Christ, which is made manifest in obedience to all the commandments of God. Many had lost sight of Jesus. They needed to have their eyes directed to His divine person, His merits, and His changeless love for the human family.

All power is given into His hands, that He may dispense rich gifts unto men, imparting the priceless gift of His own righteousness to the helpless agent. This is the message that God commanded to be given to the world. It is the third angel's message, which is to be proclaimed with a loud voice, and attended with the outpouring of His Spirit in a large measure.

The uplifted Saviour is to appear…sitting upon the throne, to dispense the priceless covenant blessings…Christ is pleading for the church in the heavenly courts above….

God gave to His servants a testimony that presented the truth as it is in Jesus, which is the third angel's message in clear, distinct lines…. This testimony presents the law and the gospel, binding up the two in a perfect whole.

(See Romans 5 and 1 John 3:9 to the close of the chapter).

This is the very work which the Lord designs that the message He has given His servant shall perform in the heart and mind of every human agent. It is the perpetual life of the church to love God supremely and to love others as they love themselves."

So what are some of the things we can learn from this inspired passage?

First, the Lord sent us this message and He sent it "in His great mercy" because we desperately needed it both then and now.

"most precious message" suggests it was the most precious gift He could send us, having already sent His Son to redeem us, "this message points us back to God's agape love and Christ's infinite sacrifice on the cross: "to bring more prominently before the world the uplifted Saviour".

This message was sent to "His people", His last day church both then and now. Why? Because in our Laodicean condition, we need it! We think we are rich and increased with goods and in need of nothing spiritually. (Revelation 3:17) The truth is that we need Christ, our Saviour. We need His faith and His righteousness to take us through the times ahead!

We are told this message presents "justification through faith in the Surety". This genuine faith is the faith of Jesus and it's His gift to us—we are all given the "measure of faith." (Romans 12:3). It is what we need and when exercised, we receive the "priceless gift of His own righteousness". Righteousness by faith, Christ our righteousness—the core of this most precious message!

Sanctification—Christ as our High Priest, is "pleading for the church in the heavenly courts above". This is also a key aspect of this message as our Saviour cleanses His people and "dispenses the priceless (new) covenant blessings" as hearts are changed and the law is written on the heart. Having been justified by faith and received the gift of Christ's righteousness, both of which are an ongoing experience, we are no longer motivated by fear of punishment or hope of reward. In response to His love and His gifts, our desire is "to love God supremely and to love others as we love ourselves."

We are told "This is the message that God commanded to be given to the world. It is the third angel's message, which is to be proclaimed with a loud voice." First, note that God did not suggest but commanded, that we His people give this message to the world suggesting that this is indeed the everlasting gospel and the third angel's message that we and the world need to hear!

Knowing that this was indeed a message sent by God to us, His people, it is important to understand how both the message and the messengers were received at the 1888 conference in Minneapolis. Ellen White's comments and remarks provide an inspired guide as we look back at our history.

Her comments on the messengers, Jones and Waggoner, were supportive and positive with no criticism of any kind. They were challenged to debate on the two covenants but declined. God had sent them to share this most precious message. She described them as "Christians" and "Gentlemen". An example would be the following quote:

"Doctor Waggoner has spoken to us in a straight-forward manner…. Of one thing I am certain, as Christians you have no right to entertain feelings of enmity, unkindness, and prejudice toward Dr. Waggoner, who has presented his view in a plain, straight-forward manner, as a Christian should." (Ms. 15, 1888; Olson, p. 294).

Here is another quote relating to A.T. Jones:

"It is evident that he walks with God, that he has been with Jesus and learned of Him.  He has brought truth into the inner sanctuary of the soul; it is to him a living reality, and he presents the truth in the demonstration of the Spirit and of power. The people hear the joyful sound. God speaks to their hearts through the man consecrated to His service…. He becomes really eloquent. He is earnest and sincere and is beloved by those for whom he labors… His defects will be forgiven and forgotten. His hearers will not become weary or disgusted, but will thank God for the message of grace sent them through His servant."("Christian Education", 1893;RHApril 18, 1893).

What did Ellen White think of the message itself that Jones and Waggoner were presenting in 1888? Here is but one example:

"I have had the question asked, what do you think of this light which these men are presenting? Why, I have been presenting it to you for the last forty-five years, --- the matchless charms of Christ. This is what I have been trying to present before your minds. When Brother Waggoner brought out these ideas at Minneapolis, it was the first clear teaching on this subject from any human lips I had heard, excepting the conversations between myself and my husband. I have said to myself, it is because God has presented it to me in vision that I see it so clearly, and they cannot see it because they have not had it presented to them as I have, and when another presented it, every fiber of my heart said amen. (Ms. 5, 1889).

However, the response of the brethren to this wonderful message at the 1888 conference was in total contrast to the message and the messengers. While at the 1888 conference in response to her prayers she had a night vision and was visited by a messenger from God who conducted her to the homes where the brethren were lodging and she heard the criticism of her but "they thought and said worse things of Brethren Jones and Waggoner". The messenger plainly told Ellen White: "Satan has blinded their eyes and perverted their judgment; and unless every soul shall repent of this their sin, this unsanctified independence that is doing insult to the Spirit of God, they will walk in darkness… They would not that God would manifest His Spirit and His power; for they have a spirit of mockery and disgust at My word." As a result, "not one of the company who cherished the spirit manifested at that meeting would again have clear light to discern the preciousness of the truth sent them from heaven until they humbled their pride and confessed." (1888 materials, p.309-311,316,317.1067,1068).

Looking back at the 1888 conference, Ellen White wrote the following: "I can never forget the experience which we had in Minneapolis, or the things which were then revealed to me in regard to the spirit that controlled men, the words spoken, the actions done in obedience to the powers of evil…. They were moved at the meeting by another spirit, and they knew not that God had sent these young men…. To bear a special message to them which they treated with ridicule and contempt, not realizing that the heavenly intelligences were looking upon them… I know that at that time the Spirit of God was insulted." (lt. 24, 1892).

When this message was resisted by the Church leaders, Ellen White went with Jones and Waggoner to take this message directly to the people:

1888 Materials p. 545

"I have travelled from place to place attending meetings where the message of the righteousness of Christ was preached. I considered it a privilege to stand by the side of my brethren and give my testimony with the message for the time and I saw that the power of God attended the message wherever it was spoken.

Suppose that you blot out the testimony that has been going during these last two years proclaiming the righteousness of Christ, who can you point to as bringing out special light for the people? This message as it has been presented should go to every church that claims to believe the truth and bring our people up to a higher stand point.

Based on this testimony, we can see that every church today that claims to believe the truth should be presenting this message. After all, as we have already seen, it is the Third Angel's message and the everlasting gospel that we are to share with the world.

Having looked back at 1888 and the reaction to God's message and His messengers, then the obvious question is — Is this message still relevant to us today? Ellen White counsels us here as well:

"The Lord has raised up Brother Jones and Brother Waggoner to proclaim a message to the world to prepare a people to stand in the day of God." (1888 Materials, pg. 1814). We believe Jesus is coming soon, and she tells us here that we need this message to prepare us, God's people, for the trials and tribulations ahead, so we may stand for Christ as part of the 144,000 that will follow the Lamb wherever He goes, keep the commandments of God, and have the faith of Jesus.

Our Sabbath school lesson this week looks at several of our fundamental doctrines as a basis for our faith and unity. Our doctrines are, of course, important but only in light of the cross. This most precious message leads us to focus only on Christ—His infinite agape love, His immeasurable sacrifice on the cross, what He has already done for the entire human race.  Then the faith of Jesus, which is His gift to us, becomes real in our lives, hearts are changed, and Christ's righteousness, also through the power of the Holy Spirit governs our thoughts and our lives. Obedience to the commandments and following our doctrines is then a fruit of His faith and His righteousness in our lives.

This most precious message was always intended to bring unity to God's last day church as it is indeed the everlasting gospel intended for the world.

Blessings, John and Monica Campbell


Friday, November 09, 2018

“IMAGES OF UNITY”

"IMAGES OF UNITY"

 

 

Incorporation

 

The term to incorporate can mean to unite closely or so as to form one body. The word corporate is referring to the whole as opposed to the parts. For, example, we can talk about the Congress or the Senate as a whole, but they are not really one body. As a consequence of living in a sinful world, there is a need for checks and balances, and accountability, hence representative government/voting. Any legislation is typically voted on by all but is only won by the majority, signifying a lack of true oneness. The USA's Supreme Court also works this way. Although all 9 judges make a corporate body, they vote on their cases individually, and the majority vote wins. So, technically speaking neither system is really one in mind and purpose. They are not, by biblical definition, really incorporated.

 

However, a symphony orchestra can be considered incorporated, for they all play as one. What brings a musical group together is each musician in the orchestra plays a different part of the same musical composition, from the same sheet music and under the direction of a conductor. All musicians follow not only the sheet music but also the conductor's guidance as to how and when to play the piece. So, when we talk about an orchestra in a corporate sense, we are talking about the orchestra and its conductor. If the orchestra was a body, then the conductor would be the head and musicians, the remaining parts of the body.

 

Our bodies work similarly. Yes, the body parts are pretty much interconnected in many ways and seem to cooperate rather well with one another. However, upon closer inspection, it is apparent that they really work together only in cooperation with the brain. The brain is the headquarters, where each of the members sends its concerns. The mind is the one that gives instructions which, if carefully followed, alleviates the concerns. The hands do not talk to the eyes or legs. When the stomach is hungry, it signals the brain. The brain, in turn, tells the legs, "go to the refrigerator," and then tells the hands, "open the door," and so on. The stomach did not talk to the legs or any other part of the body. Not one member of the body consulted with another; instead, all concerns (and desires) go to the brain. The decision to eat is not a community decision; it is the brain's decision. The brain is the one that is in charge of the body's working system; the community (of bodily members) is not. This is the system that God has designed, and it works effectively and efficiently to carry out the tasks that He has designed.

 

This is something to consider when we use Paul's metaphor of the church as a body. Paul uses this metaphor a few times; some examples are in Romans 12:4 - 5; 1 Corinthians 10:16 - 17, 12:12 - 27; Ephesians 1:20 - 23, 4:4 – 12, 16, 5:30; Colossians 3:15. He says that just as the physical body has many members working together for the sake of the body so does the church have many members working together for the sake of the church.

 

In Ephesians 5:23, 24, Paul ties the body to the head (where the brain is),

 

…Christ is the head of the church: and He is the Saviour of the body. Therefore … the church is subject unto Christ,

 

Notice what Paul says: the head is Christ, and the rest of the body is the church. In verse 24, Paul adds that the church (the rest of the body) is subject unto the Christ (the head). In Colossians, Paul repeats that Christ is the head of the body (Colossians 1: 18). Paul adds in Colossians 2:19 that it is the Head "from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God." Christ sends His Spirit to our minds, and in conjunction with the Godhead, He controls the mind (if we allow Him to). As a consequence of receiving the indwelling Holy Spirit, we receive the attributes of "lowliness and meekness (humility), with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:2, 3). And the Holy Spirit gives to each of us, spiritual gifts according to His discernment. As Ephesians 4:11, 12 says:

 

And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

 

You see, as long as we remain united to the Head, the Spirit resides in us. As long as the Spirit remains in us, we have the attributes (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, humility, etc.) and the gifts. However, when we start consulting with one another as if we were a community, then we lose the attributes, which is what brings cohesion among us, and we lose (or misuse) the gifts. The qualities and the gifts come from the same source, and they are part of one package. You cannot have one without the other.

 

For the church to function as a body, we need to behave more like a body, by communicating with the Head (through prayer, devotions, and bible study). As long as the church acts as a community, it ignores the Head, works in its own strength, and loses the blessings of the attributes and the gifts, and therefore fails. For the church to be an effective body, it must stop behaving like a community, and it starts by allowing Christ - the Head - to conduct and orchestrate all things.

 

~Raul Diaz


Friday, November 02, 2018

“THE EXPERIENCE OF UNITY IN THE EARLY CHURCH”

"THE EXPERIENCE OF UNITY IN THE EARLY CHURCH"




This quarter's lessons were first scheduled to be published and studied, by church members, during the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. However, because of concern about the ecumenical push for unity between Catholicism and Protestantism during that anniversary year, editors and writers of the Sabbath School Quarterly scrambled to put another set of lessons together for the time of the Reformation anniversary. And so, it came to pass that we are studying it this quarter. The Sabbath School lesson entitled "That All May be One" was taught at the General Conference Autumn Council in Battle Creek. That Sabbath, the lesson that was studied at Autumn Council was the promotion of unity in the Church. Some felt the change from the Reformation anniversary to this quarter and the presentation that Sabbath was providential.

Moving on to this week's lesson which is about the Experience of Unity in the Early Church where the Memory Text is a good place to begin. "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers" (Acts 2:42).

This verse is a witness to doctrine—the power of God's Word— as well as to prayer, to steadfast fellowship and to eating together, all of which were essential to unity among God's people back then and indispensable for harmony today. Doctrine must be truth as it is "in Jesus" (Ephesians 4:21). Doctrine is dry, dead and destructive, disconnected from Jesus. But as it is in Him it will lead to fellowship with Him as well as with others.

The Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Godhead, is the One who brings fellowship and unity within the church in every age. This unity and fellowship continued in the early Church after Pentecost. Not only did Jewish believers have this experience, the Holy Spirit brought it specifically to Peter and to Gentiles as recorded in Acts 10:13-28 where Peter addressed the Holy Spirit as "Lord", "God" and "Spirit" (verses 14, 15, 19 and 28). It was through the ministry of this Person of the Godhead that this unity occurred in the Early Church.

Today the Holy Spirit continues to take the words and character of Jesus pressing them into our minds, hearts and consciences just as He did at Pentecost. Pentecost was one of the outstanding events in the history of the Church. The Holy Spirit came from heaven and descended upon the disciples as they sat together in their assembly room in Jerusalem (Acts 2:2). Each member was humbled by this experience. Each thought of others better than his/herself. What they gave in testimony and in financial support to the Church was from the heart. But a change came to some of the people, as outlined in Wednesday's lesson.

Wednesday's lesson is about Generosity and Greed. Examples used are Barnabas in contrast with Ananias and Sapphira. Both parties were land owners, which may imply a considerable amount of wealth. Both sold property for the cause of the Gospel. Evidently Barnabas (as did others) sold all he had (Acts 4:32–37). Ananias and Sapphira, moved by the Spirit of God, pledged a sizable sum of money based on the sale of some of their property. However, they later changed the amount of their commitment (Acts 5:1–11) and evidently thought to deceive the apostles. But Peter, under inspiration of God, charged Ananias with lying to the "Holy Spirit" in verses 3 and 4 where he charged Ananias with lying "to God". Peter recognized the Holy Spirt both as a Person and as God. The consequence of Ananias' lie was his summary execution by the judgment of God. The same happened to Sapphira.

We learn from this that the Holy Spirit Who brought comfort, peace, assurance of salvation and unity to the Church also separated those two who, while fully conscious and with willful intent, planned and thought to deceive the apostles. Had this selfishness and greed been permitted it would have brought division in the early Church. Their sin of covetousness, lies hidden in the heart. It is a violation of the first commandment as well as the tenth in that it is called idolatry (see Ephesians 5:5 and Colossians 3:5).

If Ananias and Saphira had submitted themselves to the Holy Spirit, instead of lying to Him, He would have delivered them in a nanosecond. Instead of an eternal separation, they would have been brought into unity with God and with believers that could have lasted into eternity.

Paul confirmed this same work of salvation, by the third Person of the Godhead, in his letter to the Corinthian church of which some had been covetous, among other sins, but they were delivered by the power of the Holy Spirit, first in justification's freedom and which continued in sanctification: "And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God" (1 Corinthians 6:11).

The evidence of unity in the early church was manifest in prayer, corporate worship, fellowship, a common vision, and by the study of God's Word. But when the believers lost their vision they gradually drifted into something that became unrecognizable as God's Church. This lesson is for us today.

Today we learn of religious institutions which because of a conscious or an unconscious drift by subsequent leadership who lost both the vision and mission of the founders. Those leaders went with the flow of the drift. One such example is Harvard. Established in 1636 it was named for its first benefactor, clergyman John Harvard. Today it is an Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It is the United States' oldest institution of higher learning, and its history, influence, and wealth have made it one of the world's most prestigious universities. However, they lost their vision, mission and motto. The present motto of Harvard, in Latin, is Veritas meaning Truth. But the university's original motto was Christo et Ecclesiae ("For Christ and Church"). This was changed when they drifted from their original vision and mission which was to train clergy for the preaching of the Gospel. Many Puritan ministers were trained there.

A 1643 publication gave the school's purpose "to advance learning and perpetuate it to posterity, dreading to leave an illiterate ministry to the churches when our present ministers shall lie in the dust" (Louis B. Wright, The Cultural Life of the American Colonies (2002) p. 116).
However, in time its administration, mission, curriculum and student body were gradually secularized in the 18th century. By the 19th century, Harvard had emerged as the central cultural and nonspiritual establishment among Boston elites. Today it continues its drift from its original mission. Many believe it will never return to its original purpose.

Yale University, another religious institution, was started in New Haven, Connecticut in 1701. It too was established by clergy to educate ministers. Why was it founded? A rift formed at Harvard between its sixth president, Increase Mather, and the rest of the Harvard clergy, who Mather viewed as increasingly liberal, ecclesiastically lax, and overly broad in Church polity. The feud caused Mather to champion the success of what became known as Yale in the hope that it would maintain religious values in a way that Harvard had not (see "Increase Mather", Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, Encyclopædia Britannica).

Yale's coat of arms reads in the Hebrew script Urim and Thummim inscribed upon it along with the Latin words as its official motto, Lux et Veritas ("Light and Truth"). Originally restricted to theology and sacred languages, the curriculum began to incorporate humanities and sciences by the time of the American Revolution. However, the drift in vision and in mission has been occurring at Yale as with Harvard, but not to the same extent. Yet leadership has not taken the official stand to change directions as Harvard did. But they have drifted away from what they once were.

YMCA is another organization that gradually drifted from its Christian purpose. A conscious decision was formally made to change its name from Young Men's Christian Association to simply "the Y". Kate Coleman, the organization's senior VP and chief marketing officer said, "It's a way of being warmer, more genuine, more welcoming, when you call yourself what everyone else calls you." What she does not say is the fact that this organization has undergone a major branding and a denuding of Christianity from its name, vision and mission.

A new name, according to branding experts, makes sense when an organization changes its original purpose and mission or goes "beyond what its name describes." "I'm advising a client right now to do just this," said Larry Checco, president of Checco Communications and author of "Branding for Success: A Roadmap for Raising the Visibility and Value of Your Nonprofit Organization." ("The New York Times," July 11, 2010).

What's the lesson for us? Shall we drift? Some within the Church are drifting. Some are pushing for a rebranding and change of vision, mission and message to a more social gospel, thus replacing the "everlasting" one with its dire warning by the three angels of Revelation 14.

My wife received an email from a church member and friend the day after the Autumn Council's vote on unity and church authority. That friend felt that she was going to leave the church because the vote went against her wishes.

Today, if the unconscious drift within the Church in general and in individual members in particular continues, it will end in disaster. The only way to not be drifting is to be aware of it and then to resist it in our own lives, family, church or even as a committee.

Doctor Kellogg was one who unconsciously drifted until he openly defied the prophet, church authority and unity. Mrs. White was concerned for him and she wrote, "I am much worried about Dr. Kellogg. In many respects, his course is not pleasing the Lord. It seems to be so easy for him to drift away from foundation principles. He is in great danger of not holding the beginning of his confidence steadfast unto the end. (Pamphlet PH117, Battle Creek Letters (1902) p. 59).

Just a few years later she wrote for us as well as for others, "Unless we continue to lay hold of the hope set before us in the gospel, we shall drift, -- drift away from the truth on the tide of skepticism and infidelity" (Emphasis original) (RH, August 1, 1907).

Not only is there conscious and unconscious drift occurring in things religious, in the secular world there is a determined effort to make of non-effect the law of God and the American Declaration of Independence and its consequence – the Constitution.

The second sentence of the Declaration has been called "one of the best-known sentences in the English language" (Stephen E. Lucas, "Justifying America: The Declaration of Independence as a Rhetorical Document", in Thomas W. Benson, ed., American Rhetoric: Context and Criticism, Carbondale, Illinois: Southern Illinois University Press, 1989, p. 85). This sentence contains "the most potent and consequential words in American history" (Ellis, American Creation, 55–56).

The sentence reads: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

Those who are engaged in anarchy had both the Declaration and the Constitution which is the law of the land. We have entered into the time of anarchy which was predicted by the prophet: "the world-wide dissemination of the same teachings that led to the French Revolution--all are tending to involve the whole world in a struggle similar to that which convulsed France… anarchy is seeking to sweep away all law, not only divine, but human" (Education, 228).

Let's not make the same mistake of drifting, whether consciously or unconsciously as is happening in the world and to a lesser degree among us. There is a way to prevent it. Evidence of unity in the early church was manifested in doctrine, prayer, corporate worship, fellowship, a common vision, mission and the study of God's Word.

Even if we have been drifting down the river of no return, we yet can be recovered by the power of the Holy Spirit. He will bring about the unifying factors of the Early Church into God's last day Church of the Advent Movement. This unity comes through the power of the Holy Spirit in directing our thoughts to Christ our Righteousness. By beholding Him, and submitting to Him, we will be drawn closer to Him and to one another. As this takes place "The Experience of Unity in the Early Church" will become the experience of the seventh and last of the church of the ages – the Remnant.

This unity will come about first of all by "the shaking" caused by the "counsel of the true Witness." This testimony will work in the heart of all who will believe it. They, with heartfelt appreciation for this message, will proclaim a "straight testimony" of transforming power which will reach the heart of others who, in turn, will either accept or reject it. What comes next? Those who although "mightily shaken" but not out of the Advent Movement will move "in exact order, like a company of soldiers." What will cause this? "It is the latter rain, the refreshing from the presence of the Lord, the loud cry of the third angel." (See Early Writings, pp. 269-272).

Again, as it was in the Early Church – doctrine, prayer, corporate worship, fellowship, a common vision, mission with the study of God's Word and by the Power of the Holy Spirit, the Experience of Unity in the Early Church will come to the last day Church.

~Pastor Jerry Finneman


Sent from my iPhone