Living outside the limits of what we Adventists would call strictly orthodox theology and Biblical interpretation, there are many whose hearts are honest before God. From the days when "a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith," God has had His witnesses who shine as lights amid the darkness, although they may not understand the fullness of the doctrines of Christ.
Years ago we were told that "our ministers should seek to come near to the ministers of other denominations. . . . The wisest, firmest labor should be given to those ministers who are not of our faith."—Evangelism, p. 562. Yet, while giving assent to these facts, we often pass by many of the finest men on earth, perhaps thinking them as indifferent or even as our enemies.
I have been surprised beyond measure at the satisfaction, good will, and inspiration that can come to a minister by associating with his fellow ministers—shepherds of other flocks. In almost every case I have found them men of deep piety, with the sole interest of extending the kingdom of God.
Note this counsel: "Pray for and with these men, for whom Christ is interceding."—Ibid. Are we doing this? If we confessed the truth, we would have to admit that we seldom pray for ministers of other faiths and almost never pray with them. But, speaking personally, I have found one of the greatest blessings in uniting in prayer with ministers of other churches. It is a rewarding experience to hear these men pleading with tears that God will make their lives right so they can more effectively lead men and women to the cross of Christ. Can any doubt that God hears such a prayer? True, these men do not fully see all the light that we have, but they love the Lord, and as God gives them ability to see the light, I believe they are eager to do His will.
We have been given instruction that when beginning our evangelistic work in a new place we should first become acquainted with the ministers of the other churches. This I have found to be a pleasant experience. One minister, whom I recently assisted at a funeral, announced one Sunday from his pulpit that the community would be much stronger if the members of the churches generally would take as an example Adventist visitation in the homes of the people. He was referring to our annual Ingathering program, and also to our soliciting listeners for our radio and TV programs. In addition, he expressed to me personally his sincere appreciation for the very helpful sermon material received constantly from the Voice of Prophecy.
We have gone ahead with our work in this area, and although a number have already been baptized during this series of meetings, yet there has been no opposition by other ministers; at least I have not heard of it. Instead, there has been the spirit of real fellowship.
The local ministerial association recently sponsored a united city-wide campaign and engaged one of the nation's well-known evangelists to conduct the meetings. This man is a personal friend of Billy Graham's; in fact, he roomed with Dr. Graham at Wheaton College. We were away for the first week or more of the campaign, but the period was extended and we were able to associate with this evangelistic team before the meetings closed. It was a privilege to pray with these men and note their burden to bring men to Christ.
The evangelist who was leading out, however, seemed surprised that Seventh-day Adventists would even come out to the meetings, much less take part in the program. Like many others, this man had gathered impressions of us and our work from the writings of detractors. But our association proved very rewarding not only for us independently but also for our church. The first time we lunched together we discussed our beliefs across the dining table. This earnest evangelist was eager to find out firsthand not only what we believe but why we believe it. To my surprise I discovered that on most Biblical doctrines he stood right with Adventist theology. I was further surprised when, during the course of the conversation, he said he was greatly enjoying a book written by Ellen G. White. Being an associate of Billy Graham and a good friend of Dr. Barnhouse, he was particularly interested in our new book Seventh-day Adventists Answer Questions on Doctrine.
This nationally known evangelist is now studying Adventist methods of evangelism and says he finds them most refreshing. We, in turn, have employed some of his fine techniques and have recently baptized some new believers as a result. He has requested that the new book be sent to him as soon as it is off the press. He was especially happy to discover that on the cardinal doctrines of salvation the Adventist Church is at one with historic Christianity. "Do you believe in the pre-existence of Christ?" was one of his first questions. Then, "What do you believe about man—his origin and destiny:" It was a joy to open the Word of God and search its pages together.
At the recent Carolina camp meeting I had the privilege of contacting all of the non-Adventist visitors possible. The name of one man who attended a meeting was handed to us. He proved to be a retired minister of one of the largest Protestant groups. During the three visits that followed we became fast friends. He and his good wife are as sincere and godly a couple as one could ever meet. I will never forget our first prayer together. They prayed for our camp meeting and all who attended and that many would be led to Christ.
This good man requested more information on such subjects as the second coming of Christ and the nature of man. He told me that he was somewhat confused on a few points and believed the Adventists might be able to clear up his thinking on them. A General Conference representative in attendance at the camp came with me on one of the visits, and we can never forget the strong love and fellowship we felt as we stepped into that home. This man also is eager to study the book Questions on Doctrine, and has asked for a copy as soon as possible.
It has been a most satisfying experience working with the ministers of the local ministerial association. One of the leading ministers in this area has a weekly telecast reaching out to scores of thousands of viewers. We have visited in his home and he in ours. Together we have prayed and searched the Scriptures, and our association has been a real inspiration. We have come to understand each other. I have visited his church, and he has been to ours. He was the secretary of the local ministerial association when my name was presented for admittance. I little thought there would be any question about my acceptance into their fellowship. But I later found out that there had been quite a bit of discussion. The big question with them was whether I, as an Adventist, believed in the Lord Jesus Christ! Was He really our Saviour? Could anything be more pathetic? We are a people called by God to preach the everlasting gospel in its fullness, and yet sincere men wonder whether we believe in Christ! We have been told that "of all professing Christians, Seventh-day Adventists should be foremost in uplifting Christ before the world."—Evangelism, p. 188. Are we doing that? We surely ought to be. Well, their hesitancy gave me opportunity for an earnest study of our doctrines with the president of the association. And though we naturally discussed the subject of the Sabbath, it was a pleasure indeed to point out the vital place of our Saviour in our message, and set clearly before him our understanding of righteousness by faith. Our fellowship since then has been a great joy.
We have been told that "there has been much lost through following the mistaken ideas of our good brethren whose plans were narrow, and they lowered the work to their peculiar ways and ideas, so that the higher classes were not reached."—/bid., p. 68. Narrow plans keeping many out of the Advent Movement! That thought surely is challenging, and should lead us to earnestly pray for the Spirit's guidance and to make broader plans for reaching these ministers as well as the untouched millions. God's other sheep are certainly precious to Him, and if His love is moving our hearts they will be precious to us also. Let us "pray for and with these men" as God has counseled us to do, and in faith look forward to the time when we will see a great company rejoicing with us in the proclamation of the fullness of the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
