1 Thessalonians 5:19
19 Quench not the Spirit.
The Protestant Reformation has as one of its basis the teaching of sola Scriptura, the Bible only. For the Seventh-day Adventists, The Holy Scriptures are the infallible revelation of His will." The Holy Scriptures are the standard of character, the test of experience, the authoritative revealer of doctrines, and the trustworthy record of Gods acts in history. To end-time followers of Jesus, the Bible is the acid test for all teachings, personal experience, the measure of Christian character, and is the authentic record of historical events presented from Genesis to Revelation. We do not take the Bible in part, but in whole. We do not submit to God in part, but in whole.
Because the same Bible itself requires us to quench not the Spirit, despise not prophesyings, and to prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21. We are not, by an unreceptive attitude, to block the Holy Spirit's work, even if it comes to us in a channel that we did not expect. We are not to despise prophesyings, whether they come to us through the Bible or some other means. We are to test all things. We are evaluate them and lay them up alongside the Bible to verify whether they match its teachings or not. To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. Isaiah 8:20. We cannot hold fast that which is good if we cannot determine that which is good. The Bible is given to us as our standard.
So now that we have a standard, can the Holy Spirit still work among Gods people, can they be given visions and a message to bear to the world?
Jesus directly prophesied of this, knowing that the issue of prophecy would be a big test for those in the last days: "And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many." Matthew 24:11. For added emphasis, God gave these words to John: "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world." 1John 4:1.
Of course Ellen White is no exception and inspired word must be compare to the Holy Scriptures. We must test them, prove all things; and hold fast that which is good. If we are not clear on any point we must pray and ask our Father in heaven, and he will send his Spirit to guide us into all truth.
After the Crusades and Dark Ages , nearly all who called themselves 'Christians' had were afraid of-set against anyone who claimed to have revelations from God. They usually quoted Revelation 22:18-19 to prove their point: "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."
But is this saying that after John died that there would be no more prophets from God? If so, why would Jesus have us beware of 'false' prophets? Why did the Holy Spirit thru John say to test the spirits? Wouldn't all this be so much easier if we knew just to ignore all those after John who claimed to have words from God? But that isn't God's plan. He gives new truth when needed, and makes his will known, and the true in heart will check to see that it is true, and then joyfully accept and follow it. Of course Satan will be allowed to work too, so we must be diligent.
The Holy Spirit thru Paul asks some very important questions in 1Corinthians 12. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have the gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Then he declares that he will show unto us a "more excellent way", saying the gifts are of no benefit to us if we do not have Love. This is also the testimony of Jesus.
In 1Corinthians 14, he goes a step further by telling us to "Pursue love, and desire spiritual (gifts), but especially that you may prophesy." "Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues." So we must not fight or try to block if it is the Holy Spirit trying work and message for the end of time.
"Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." 1Thessalonians 5:19-21.
19 Quench not the Spirit.
The Protestant Reformation has as one of its basis the teaching of sola Scriptura, the Bible only. For the Seventh-day Adventists, The Holy Scriptures are the infallible revelation of His will." The Holy Scriptures are the standard of character, the test of experience, the authoritative revealer of doctrines, and the trustworthy record of Gods acts in history. To end-time followers of Jesus, the Bible is the acid test for all teachings, personal experience, the measure of Christian character, and is the authentic record of historical events presented from Genesis to Revelation. We do not take the Bible in part, but in whole. We do not submit to God in part, but in whole.
Because the same Bible itself requires us to quench not the Spirit, despise not prophesyings, and to prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21. We are not, by an unreceptive attitude, to block the Holy Spirit's work, even if it comes to us in a channel that we did not expect. We are not to despise prophesyings, whether they come to us through the Bible or some other means. We are to test all things. We are evaluate them and lay them up alongside the Bible to verify whether they match its teachings or not. To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. Isaiah 8:20. We cannot hold fast that which is good if we cannot determine that which is good. The Bible is given to us as our standard.
So now that we have a standard, can the Holy Spirit still work among Gods people, can they be given visions and a message to bear to the world?
Jesus directly prophesied of this, knowing that the issue of prophecy would be a big test for those in the last days: "And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many." Matthew 24:11. For added emphasis, God gave these words to John: "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world." 1John 4:1.
Of course Ellen White is no exception and inspired word must be compare to the Holy Scriptures. We must test them, prove all things; and hold fast that which is good. If we are not clear on any point we must pray and ask our Father in heaven, and he will send his Spirit to guide us into all truth.
After the Crusades and Dark Ages , nearly all who called themselves 'Christians' had were afraid of-set against anyone who claimed to have revelations from God. They usually quoted Revelation 22:18-19 to prove their point: "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."
But is this saying that after John died that there would be no more prophets from God? If so, why would Jesus have us beware of 'false' prophets? Why did the Holy Spirit thru John say to test the spirits? Wouldn't all this be so much easier if we knew just to ignore all those after John who claimed to have words from God? But that isn't God's plan. He gives new truth when needed, and makes his will known, and the true in heart will check to see that it is true, and then joyfully accept and follow it. Of course Satan will be allowed to work too, so we must be diligent.
The Holy Spirit thru Paul asks some very important questions in 1Corinthians 12. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have the gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Then he declares that he will show unto us a "more excellent way", saying the gifts are of no benefit to us if we do not have Love. This is also the testimony of Jesus.
In 1Corinthians 14, he goes a step further by telling us to "Pursue love, and desire spiritual (gifts), but especially that you may prophesy." "Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues." So we must not fight or try to block if it is the Holy Spirit trying work and message for the end of time.
"Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." 1Thessalonians 5:19-21.