How can the local pastor or district leader guide the members of his churches into a wider knowledge and better understanding of the writings of God's messenger, Ellen G. White? This question is important because an unfaltering faith in the Spirit of prophecy counsels has brought great strength to the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Those who are skeptical or unbelieving are being robbed of a great blessing.
One of the distinguishing marks of God's last church is the manifestation of the testimony of Jesus, called "the spirit of prophecy" (Rev. 12: 17; 19:10; 22:9). This gift appeared in the apostolic church soon after the Spirit was poured out at Pentecost. Peter, John, Paul, Agabus, and others spoke forth the counsels of the Lord to the church. As a result, the church as a whole was brought into closer bonds of fellowship by the messages, whether delivered by voice or pen (1 Cor. 12:7, 25: Eph. 4:12, 13).
Paul declared that the gift of prophecy would be manifest in the church even until the time of our Lord's return: "I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; that in everything ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: so that ye come behind in no gift: waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Cor. 1:4-8).
It has always been God's purpose to have a blameless church, and one that will understand what the future holds for those who determine to stand fast.
Our congregations need to be prepared for the trials that will confront them in the near future. And are not events transpiring daily on the political and church scene of contemporary life that should convince us that the stage is almost set for Satan's final work of deception, when he is to appear as an angel of light, even impersonating Christ Himself? It is not enough for pastor and members to know of the existence of such volumes as The Ministry of Healing and The Great Controversy. We must be made vigilant and alert by carefully reading these wonderful counsels.
Peter's words concerning the importance of the sure word of prophecy are not simply a comforting assurance, but a startling exhortation (2 Peter 1:18, 19). If the church is to take heed, then she must know the content of God's message. As true shepherds we are to be guides in the study of God's special messages for this generation. More important, we ourselves must be advancing beyond a theoretical understanding and must be experiencing a practical application of the messages in our own lives. Are we, fellow workers, heeding all the instruction the Lord has given us? Are church members able to see that beautiful, yet fused consistency of the teachings of the church in our own daily practice?
As we turn to the practical aspects of this question let us see how a pastor can bring about a closer relationship between members of his congregation and the published counsels of the Lord to FIis church.
First of all, we recognize that Satan's warfare is directed against the remnant of God's church from without, because they keep the commandments of God. And even from within the church will arise enemies who oppose the clear truth. But more particularly will the opposition from within be directed against the special counsels of the Lord through the Spirit of prophecy. In this warfare from within there will be those who seek to create unbelief and doubt concerning the application of these inspired messages, and a large number of careless and indifferent believers who neglect the clear counsel of God through these prophetic messages.
The Positive Approach
Now what shall the pastor teach the members of his congregation about the Spirit of prophecy? First of all, let him approach the subject from the positive viewpoint and show the believers that from the very beginning the gift of prophecy was used of God to guide the believers to Christ as Lord and Saviour and to protect and guard the church from error. Time and time again the leaders of the Advent church were prevented from taking extreme positions. Fanaticism was exposed and renounced, and false doctrines clearly analyzed and rejected. Let us make it clear that in the counsels themselves there is not one breath of fanaticism—only well-balanced words of wisdom.
The guidance of the Testimonies has saved this church from false philosophy and poisonous doctrines—for example, the insidious danger that threatened us a little more than fifty years ago when a well-known physician advocated pantheistic views (see A. G. Daniells, The Abiding Gift of Prophecy, pp. 330-342). Then inspired messages came to guide into right principles of church organization and activities, clearly outlining the work of the publishing, educational, and medical institutions, and the promotion of far-reaching objectives—and always with the glory of God in view.
With assurance, but without spiritual pride, our ministers may stand before their congregations and admonish our people, as Moses instructed ancient Israel, to remember all the way the Lord has led in the past. A series of Sabbath sermons acquainting the members of the church with the experiences of the early Advent believers could prove inspirational as well as instructive. (For sources of information see The Fruitage of Spiritual Gifts, by L. H. Christian; The Testimony of Jesus, by F. M. Wilcox; The Spirit of Prophecy in the Advent Movement, by W. A. Spicer; Life Sketches, by Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, pp. 1-105.)
Such discourses are long overdue in some places. These messages will stir our people when our pastors clearly show the relationship between the work of Ellen G. White and the activities of the church. Keep in mind the statement, "We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past history."—Life Sketches, p. 196.
The excellent volume, Ellen G. White, Messenger to the Remnant, prepared by Arthur L. White, is filled with carefully documented information aimed at establishing confidence through a better understanding of the operation of the prophetic gift. Any worker who does not have a copy may secure one by sending 50 cents to Ellen G. White Publications, General Conference, Takoma Park, Washington 12, D.C.
Church Study Groups
Parents especially will be benefited by a church study group using The Adventist Home and Child Guidance as texts. The Adventist
Home is a compilation published first in 1952. Child Guidance was issued in 1954. Temperance leaders of the church may also organize a class for the study of the book Temperance (1949), a compilation of Ellen G. White's writings. The church pastor will think of similar groups for study, using such volumes as The Story of Our Health Message, by D. E. Robinson, Christian Service, Messages to Young People, The Ministry of Healing, and Counsels on Sabbath School Work.
Such volumes as these are not just ornaments. They are tools. A review of a particular book, explaining its significance and place, could even form a part of the eleven o'clock sermon on odd occasions. Many believers are not sufficiently informed concerning Sabbath observance, Christian stewardship, principles of health, and the pattern for Christian education. These are all dealt with in the writings of the Spirit of prophecy. Newly baptized believers should be urged to secure and study the nine volumes of the Testimonies, or the three volumes, Testimony Treasures.
A special series of prayer meeting studies may be conducted by the pastor using Outline Studies From the Testimonies, by Clifton L. Taylor.
This Christian Home Library book now appears in its fifth edition and revised. "Meet Mrs. White and Her Books" is the intriguing title of the first section, with six studies on her life and call to the prophetic office. The next six studies, on "The Spirit of Prophecy," include "The Ministry of the Prophets," "The Holy Scriptures—God's Message to Me," "The Spirit of Prophecy and Its Relationship to the Bible," "Infallibility and Inspiration," "How Shall I Study and Use the Spirit of Prophecy?" "My
Personal Attitude Toward the Spirit of Prophecy." Would not these twelve topics make an excellent basis for a three-month series? The whole book is devoted to leading our people into a study of the volumes we call the Spirit of prophecy.
Many of our people need spiritual help. Why not suggest that they form discussion groups, meeting weekly, at which time the minister or a local elder with balanced judgment can guide them into an understanding of the great prophetic scenes soon to transpire before the return of Jesus.
Some of our people need instruction in how to conduct family worship, using such books as The Great Controversy, The Desire of Ages, Steps to Christ, The Sanctified Life, Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, and Christ's Object Lessons. Shall we not, brethren, as ministers of the gospel, take a fresh hold of this situation and devise a plan that can be taken to the church board for approval, and inaugurate this program in the study life of the church? There is plenty of room for individuality in promotion plans.
We should encourage our people not only to purchase these volumes but to use them in meeting their everyday problems. Such channels as have been suggested, wisely conducted and controlled, greatly stimulate our dear people to become better acquainted with the third angel's message and prepare them for the test of the judgment and translation to heaven. We have tried these procedures, and know from experience that our members eagerly respond.
The following excerpt from an editorial that appeared in the Review and Herald of March 2, 1950, should challenge every preacher's heart:
"Are the claims of Mrs. E. G. White to her call as the Lord's messenger to be accredited as the fulfillment of this prediction? They must be accepted in this manner or be rejected altogether. Either Mrs. White was, as she claimed, a messenger of the Lord, and as the Lord's messenger received divine revelations in visions and dreams, or she stands convicted as a base impostor. Her work must either be accepted for what it purports to be or be rejected altogether. No halfway position can be taken. The inspiration of her ministry is either from above or from beneath. It bears the credentials of Heaven or the stamp of Satan. Regarding this, she herself said: 'God is either teaching His church, reproving their wrongs and strengthening their faith, or He is not. This work is of God, or it is not. God does nothing in partnership with Satan. My work . . . bears the stamp of God or the stamp of the enemy. There is no halfway work in the matter. The Testimonies are of the Spirit of God, or of the devil.'"
To believe the Testimonies halfway is to believe insufficiently. To believe the Testimonies all the way is to experience saving faith and be brought closer to the Lord. We want our people to believe that the Testimonies are wrought by the Spirit of God, not by the enemy. But before belief, there must come knowledge. Our people should possess and read these books. Do we not as preachers have a responsibility to bring about a saving relationship between the members in our churches and these counsels of the Lord?
