Can An Evangelical Sunday Worshiper Actually Become a Seven Day Adventist: Its More Than Just The D

LoveGodsWord said:

According to the scriptures we need to believe and follow all of Gods' Word to be saved.

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Wrong. Acts 16:31

Mclachlan said:

Wrong. Acts 16:31

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Let me ask you a question- when you believe in something or someone do you believe all of what they say or only some of it. When Jesus asks If you love Me keep My commandments John 14:15 - when you do the opposite, or keep only commandments that fits your lifestyle do you consider that really believing?

MarkRohfrietsch said:

Or are Ellen White's writings being used to interpret Scripture?

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How many Christian denomination/ministries have authors who have published works that interpret scripture? Thousands, even tens of thousands? How many people use said interpretations as guidance in their beliefs, but never bother to check scripture for themselves? Millions?

Since you brought up Ellen, what is the official belief of the Seventh-day Adventist church?


Q: "Or are Ellen White's writings being used to interpret Scripture?"
A: The Bible is the standard by which all teaching and experience must be tested.

How many Christian authors make such a statement in their writings? The answer to this question would probably be shocking.

Mclachlan said:

Wrong. Acts 16:31

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No, not at all, as an interpretation of scripture that states that to believe does not mean to follow what God's Word says is only the dead faith of devils according to James 2:17-26. According to the scriptures Jesus Christ is the living Word of God *John 1:1-4; 14. No one therefore can believe in or on Jesus without believing and doing what Gods' Word says because Jesus says in His own words quoting old testament scripture "Man does not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4). So according to the scriptures we need to believe and follow what Gods' Word says in order to be receive eternal life *John 10:26-27; John 3:36. This is because God's Word gives us the instruction needed on how we are to be saved (follow). If we are not believing and following (present tense) God's Word then we are still in unbelief and sin not having received Gods' forgiveness (see Matthew 7:21-23). Now of course all this should be put in context to Acts of the Apostles 17:30-31 and James 4:17 and that is as we are growing in Christ and the knowledge of His Word (see John 8:31-36) God does not hold us accountable for sin until he gives us a knowledge of what sin is as which time he calls us to believe and follow His Word. If at this time we choose to reject Gods' Word in order to practice known unrepentant sin we are in danger of the judgement according to Hebrews 10:26-31. According to the scriptures, if our faith has no fruit or works from out believing Gods Word, all we have is the dead faith of devils *James 2:18-20; 26 and our tree will be cast down and thrown into the fire *Matthew 3:10; 7:19-20; 13:49-50; Hebrews 10:26-27. Let's all pray we do not have the dead faith of the devils as those who have this kind of faith do not receive Gods' promise of eternal life (James 2:27-26; Matthew 7:21-23; Hebrews 10:26-31; 1 John 2:3-4). According to the scriptures, sin (breaking God' commandments and not believing and following God's Word) is the difference between the children of God and the children of the devil *1 John 3:6-10; Revelation 12:17; Revelation 14:12; Revelation 22:14. Therefore says Jesus you shall know them (who is from God and who is not) by their fruit. *Matthew 7:16-20; John 15:1-6; 1 John 2:3-4. Therefore no one believes on or in Christ if they do not follow what Gods Word says (Matthew 7:21-23).

Take Care.

MarkRohfrietsch said:

Or are Ellen White's writings being used to interpret Scripture?

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Not for everyone. You might like to read my personal testimony here linked.

Take Care.

MarkRohfrietsch said:

Or are Ellen White's writings being used to interpret Scripture?

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Other traditions do the same thing, so it's invisible because it is an accepted practice.

Mclachlan said:

Wrong. Acts 16:31

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Certain people are confused about what it means to “believe in the Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 16:31) and their confusion results in salvation by works, contrary to scripture. (Romans 4:5-6; Ephesians 2:8,9; Philippians 3:9). Those who believe in Jesus Christ unto salvation trust in His finished work of redemption as the ALL-sufficient means of their salvation (Romans 3:24-28) which is what it means to believe the gospel. (Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4)

Danthemailman said:

Certain people are confused about what it means to “believe in the Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 16:31) and their confusion results in salvation by works, contrary to scripture. (Romans 4:5-6; Ephesians 2:8,9; Philippians 3:9). Those who believe in Jesus Christ unto salvation trust in His finished work of redemption as the ALL-sufficient means of their salvation (Romans 3:24-28) which is what it means to believe the gospel. (Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4)

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Amen brother.
The law came through Moses, but grace and truth comes through Jesus Christ... grace upon grace.

LoveGodsWord said:

No one therefore can believe in or on Jesus without believing and doing what Gods' Word says because Jesus says in His own words quoting old testament scripture "Man does not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4). So according to the scriptures we need to believe and follow what Gods' Word says in order to be receive eternal life *John 10:26-27; John 3:36.

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And Jesus said to the religious 'hypocrites'
"You search the scriptures because you think you can find eternal life in them."
To which he later responded:
"Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life."

Danthemailman said:

Certain people are confused about what it means to “believe in the Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 16:31) and their confusion results in salvation by works, contrary to scripture. (Romans 4:5-6; Ephesians 2:8,9; Philippians 3:9). Those who believe in Jesus Christ unto salvation trust in His finished work of redemption as the ALL-sufficient means of their salvation (Romans 3:24-28) which is what it means to believe the gospel. (Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4)

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Indeed. And why should people try add anything to the greatest free gift one can ever receive-- the imputed righteousness of Christ

Paul has some words to such people.

Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

Romans 10:1-4

Danthemailman said:

Certain people are confused about what it means to “believe in the Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 16:31) and their confusion results in salvation by works, contrary to scripture. (Romans 4:5-6; Ephesians 2:8,9; Philippians 3:9). Those who believe in Jesus Christ unto salvation trust in His finished work of redemption as the ALL-sufficient means of their salvation (Romans 3:24-28) which is what it means to believe the gospel. (Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4)

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Indeed these same people think they can also be saved in unbelief and sin despite warning given in Hebrews 3:8-19. Sad really according to the scriptures (see Hebrews 10:26-31; Matthew 7:21-23; 1 John 2:3-4). Sin is defined in the scriptures as breaking anyone of Gods 10 commandments and not believing and following God's Word *James 2:10-11; 1 John 3:4; Romans 7:7; Romans 14:23 and according to John sin is the difference between the children of God and the children of the devil according to *1 John 3:6-10; Revelation 12:17; Revelation 14:12; Revelation 22:14. Therefore says Jesus you shall know them (who is from God and who is not) by their fruit. *Matthew 7:16-20; John 15:1-6; 1 John 2:3-4; Matthew 15:1-5; Matthew 7:16-20.

Take Care.

Mclachlan said:

Paul has some words to such people.
Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. Romans 10:1-4

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I am not sure how you feel quoting this scripture is relevant to our conversation but so there is no misunderstandings here as to what we believe let me tell you. According to the scriptures, we are saved by grace through faith and not of ourselves it is a gift of God and not of works lest any man should boast *Ephesians 2:8-9. Obedience to God's law is not how we are saved because all of us have already broken the law and are under it's penalty of condemnation and death *Romans 3:9-23; 2 Corinthians 3:3-11. So it is by God's grace through faith that we are saved through Gods forgiveness of our sins. According to the scriptures, obedience to Gods' law therefore is the fruit of genuine faith of one that is already been given Gods promise of salvation and the fruit of God's work in us *Philippians 2:13 as we believe and follow his word *John 10:26-27. If our faith has no fruit it is dead *James 2:18-20; 26 and our tree will be cast down and thrown into the fire *Matthew 3:10; 7:19-20; 13:49-50; Hebrews 10:26-27. Therefore we do not abolish God's law through faith like some people teach but God's law is established in the heart by faith that works by love *Romans 3:31; 1 John 5:3-4; Romans 13:8-10. According to the scriptures, sin (breaking God' commandments and not believing and following God's Word) is the difference between the children of God and the children of the devil *1 John 3:6-10; Revelation 12:17; Revelation 14:12; Revelation 22:14. Therefore says Jesus you shall know them (who is from God and who is not) by their fruit. *Matthew 7:16-20; John 15:1-6; 1 John 2:3-4. Now what is it from the scriptures provided here that you do not believe?

Take Care.

Freth said:

Q: "Or are Ellen White's writings being used to interpret Scripture?"
A: The Bible is the standard by which all teaching and experience must be tested.

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Statement of Confidence in the Writings of Ellen G White - Adventist.org

We reaffirm our conviction that her writings are divinely inspired, truly Christ-centered, and Bible-based. Rather than replacing the Bible, they uplift the normative character of Scripture and correct inaccurate interpretations of it derived from tradition, human reason, personal experience, and modern culture.


This is part of the statement that was voted by the General Conference Session of the Seventh-day Adventists Church in San Antonio, Texas, July 2-11, 2015.

A Statement of Confidence in the Spirit of Prophecy

As Seventh-day Adventists, we believe that "in His Word God has committed to men the knowledge necessary for salvation. The Holy Scriptures are to be accepted as an authoritative, infallible revelation of His will. They are the standard of character, the revealer of doctrines, and the test of experience" (The Great Controversy, p 7). We consider the biblical canon closed. However, we also believe, as did Ellen G White's contemporaries, that her writings carry divine authority, both for godly living and for doctrine.

This is part of the statement that was approved and voted by the General Conference session in Utrecht, the Netherlands, June 30, 1995.

Freth, why did the General Conference vote to agree with the notion that her writings correct inaccurate interpretations of Scripture, if they are not used to interpret Scripture? And why did they say they had authority for doctrine?

You think they will pass the proposed statement for the next session, from the executive committee? This line looks interesting:

http://excom.zcuc.adventist.org/wp-...-in-the-Writings-of-Ellen-G-White-in-EN-1.pdf

Rather than replacing Scripture, they uplift its normative character, safeguard the Church from “every wind of doctrine” (Eph 4:14), and offer an inspired guide to Bible passages without exhausting their meaning or preventing further study.

tall73 said:

Freth, why did the General Conference vote to agree with the notion that her writings correct inaccurate interpretations of Scripture, if they are not used to interpret Scripture? And why did they say they had authority for doctrine? You think they will pass the proposed statement for the next session, from the executive committee? This line looks interesting: Rather than replacing Scripture, they uplift its normative character, safeguard the Church from “every wind of doctrine” (Eph 4:14), and offer an inspired guide to Bible passages without exhausting their meaning or preventing further study.

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Perhaps because there is as the bible says "every wind of doctrine" (Ephesians 4:14) seeking to deceive if possible God's very elect just as the bible teaches *Matthew 24:24. This is how it is today is it not with as some estimate over 40,000 different Christian religions in the world today? All I see in those statement is that her writing are more like an inspired bible commentary. We are being a little naive if we think the various christian religions of the world do not use bible commentaries are we not? Also, to be honest I am quite amazed how many people deny spiritual gifts in the Church as if they are not biblical *1 Corinthians 12:1-11. Though all of this is probably off topic to the OP.

LoveGodsWord said:

All I see in those statement is that her writing are more like an inspired bible commentary.

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If her writings are an INSPIRED Bible commentary that means you are conceding that you are placing her interpretation as the correct Bible interpretation.

tall73 said:

If her writings are an INSPIRED Bible commentary that means you are conceding that you are placing her interpretation as the correct Bible interpretation.

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So what? If there is an uninspired commentary that teaches against the scriptures and an inspired one teaching the correct meaning of the scripture which one would you choose? As for me all EGW writings have ever done for me was to point me not to her writing but point me to a prayerful study of Gods' Word claiming God's promises as a lessor light pointing to the greater one. I do not need EGW writings to know God and the bible. In my view no one does if they seek God through his Word and claim His promises. You might like to read my personal testimony here linked.

LoveGodsWord said:

So what? If there is an uninspired commentary that teaches against the scriptures and an inspired one teaching the correct meaning of the scripture. Which one would you choose?

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If her writings are an INSPIRED Bible commentary and correct inaccurate interpretations how is the Bible the standard?

tall73 said:

If her writings are an INSPIRED Bible commentary and correct inaccurate interpretations how is the Bible the standard?

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I think you are missing the point. I do not interpret those quotes as saying what you are claiming here. They are not saying to me that EGW commentaries on the bible are replacing the bible. For me there is nothing in those quotes to suggest this. That is something it seems you are reading into those quotes that are not there.