What does all that information have to do with how SDAs keep the Sabbath?
Nothing. It was simply a response to another one of your insults
which also had nothing to do with how "SDAs" keep the Sabbath.
By the way, what does the way "SDAs keep the Sabbath" have to do with Colossians, ch. 2?
Since you derailed the topic
Actually, it was you.
I notice you didn't refute my experience in Sabbath keeping.
I didn't want to rub in the fact that it's merely a fulfillment of the "not one in twenty" statement. You seem to think that the behavior of the majority of a church's membership is somehow related to the validity of its doctrine. It's almost like you never read the Old Testament at all, nor these words by the Great Apostle:
But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.
1 Corinthians 10:5-11
How many of the original camp of Israel entered the promise land? Practically none.
Even Socrates is believed to have said that a belief system should never be judged by its abuse. Or, as one contemporary Adventist teacher puts it: "We should feel sorry for mean people. We should pity them. But don't you know that the truth is true even when mean people say it?"
I would remind you that the growth of the church is in Third World countries.
Yes, a Christ-centered Gospel isn't really very popular in the U.S. these days. The Adventist church isn't the only denomination suffering in that respect. Only about 16% of the world's population resides in the U.S., Europe, and Canada. So why shouldn't most of our efforts and resources be expended in other parts of the world?
Isn't the growth of the church in Third World countries important?
My thought is that because of Adventists medical work in third world countries is why the church's growth is so spectacular.
Perhaps we should stop using Christ's method to see if it validates your "thought?"
What about Asia? They account for over 1/3 of global membership. How much do you think we're contributing to their healthcare system overall?
-----------------------------------------------------------
Ok.
So I got to this point and I thought:
"Why should I waste any more of my time jumping through hoops for this scoffer?"
If I have ever said anything, "war on Sabbath keepers" I apologize.
But they can't hear you. There are dozens and dozens (quite possibly hundreds) of victims that aren't watching this thread.
you owe it to me and the readers of these posts to prove you accusations.
Bob, I don't mind telling you that I don't owe you or anyone else here a thing.
Anyone who wishes to see the trend of your contribution here at CF can simply follow the steps I outlined in post #801. It's not rocket science. It's a simple search tool built into the forum web site. There's no "key."
My experience of how others appear to keep the Sabbath is not for sale at any price. Just as I would decline to carry tales of how they order the rest of their moral affairs. Man sees the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.
This might be a good point at which to reflect on part of what the OP is about:
"So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths"
Colossians 2:16
Does your interpretation of this verse suggest anything about how you relate your experience of others' Sabbath-keeping, Bob?
It would seem there is a double-standard emerging here. It's positively reprehensible to suggest (or
"force/make," as you so often put it) that God might actually require the observance of His Sabbath,
but slicing and dicing up others' manner of observing it is A-okay,
especially after you've decided it doesn't matter anymore.
I don't give half-a-hoot what you think about Adventist church growth or Sabbath culture. The fact that, for forty years, you went along with what you now call a sham and expect everyone to trust your judgment speaks for itself. I just wanted to go on record as saying that your "handful" remark was just more of your hateful rhetoric.
You say I'll do and say anything to promote the Adventist church.
How could you possibly know what I do? As far as what I say goes:
I haven't once engaged in any kind of promotion of the church; never appealed to anyone to join, support, or attend. And never even used the word "remnant" once until this very moment. Never. Not once. Ever.
All I say on CF is geared toward appealing to others to consider that the law they've been taught to break is the one of which Christ was found guilty by God of breaking, at Calvary, which cost Him the destruction of His Soul in our stead.
That's not a story. I don't need one. And my reputation is of no consequence.
"Christ and Him crucified" rests on its own merit.
