| Author | Message | ||
| Asurprise Registered user Username: Asurprise Post Number: 1959 Registered: 7-2007 |
I'd like to challenge anybody who's an SDA to really examine what you believe. Take this for example. SDAs, Mormons, Roman Catholics, Muslims, Orthodox Jews, and Jehovah Witnesses all believe they have the "truth." Each of them believe that they are the one true religion, but none of them have the assurance of salvation. That's the thing they have in common. The "truth" and a series of do's and don'ts in order to finally get to Heaven. Christianity isn't a religion, it's a relationship with God. Real Christianity is the only place where all the work has been DONE! None of the false religions believe that the work has been done. They believe there's some for them to do to. (One reason they believe this is because they don't have the Holy Spirit living inside them.) I know, I know, you believe (I'm speaking to SDAs), that Jesus did it all. Well sorta. You believe He did it all and then you're supposed to make sure you're progressing in the Christian life or something - and if you're not, you're lost. Or you will be if you don't remain diligent. If you don't believe me, go to the Official E.G. White estate and type "own diligent effort" in the search box. You can see for yourself what Ellen White said. Here's a quote in GC, chap.24: "Through the grace of God and their own diligent effort they must be conquerors in the battle with evil. While the investigative judgment is going forward in..." I challenge you to study what these people have to say in the "Bible Studies" section. I can tell you for sure: if you have the truth, it will stand up to investigation. If you go into your study with the thought: "I'm going to prove that what I believe is right," you won't understand it. But if you ask the Lord to show you the truth and be willing to be taught by Him, He will show you the real truth! | ||
| Ric_b Registered user Username: Ric_b Post Number: 1148 Registered: 7-2004  |
I'll second that challenge! If what you believe is the truth and it comes directly and only from Scripture, what could you possible have to fear from honest, deep study? | ||
| Jonvil Registered user Username: Jonvil Post Number: 599 Registered: 4-2007 |
BUT but but Ellen says...!!! | ||
| Skeeter Registered user Username: Skeeter Post Number: 1470 Registered: 12-2007 |
It was not until I got on my knees and cried out to God to show me HIS truth EVEN IF it was not what I wanted it to be, that I began to be able to read the Bible and see and understand what it REALLY says without the "veil" or as some call it "Adventist glasses". God WILL show us TRUTH if we are willing to ask for it and be willing to accept it. Trouble is, we were so indoctrinated as SDA's to believe that we were taught the "truth" by the denomination,that we tend to reject anything that goes against that out of fear of being "deceived" and not realizing that "deception" is exactly what we learned as SDA's. | ||
| Philharris Registered user Username: Philharris Post Number: 2482 Registered: 5-2007  |
Skeeter, There is another danger, one that applies to us Formers who have accepted the benefits of the gospel message of Jesus Christ. That has to do with how to separate SDA dogma from core biblical truth and not reject something simply because of the appearance that it might support Adventist beliefs. When you have grown spiritually mature enough to biblically explore your faith without the secret fear that it might undo your current 'belief system', then you have truly been set free from bondage. Here is one of the benefits of this forum. Sometimes an outsider can see things the person living through their own spiritual growth is not aware of. As River pointed out recently, Jim posts things that reveal maturity that is ‘light years’ away from his honest thoughts of a couple years ago. What I love about Jim’s posts is that he really is honest about what is thinking. And Jim, if you read this, I know God has a special place in his heart for you because of your transparent honesty. Fearless Phil | ||
| Ric_b Registered user Username: Ric_b Post Number: 1150 Registered: 7-2004 |
Phil, I am not certain that there is a single SDA belief that isn't at least influenced by SDA false dogma. Even some of the benign sounding of the Fundamental Beliefs reveal small SDA distortions when examined closely. Perhaps you have something specific in mind where SDA teaching supported core Biblical teaching. SDAism has twisted the Biblical teachings of: inspiration the nature of God The nature of man the meaning and impact of sin, including original sin The meaning of salvation How we are saved The purpose and result of Christ's death and resurrection The relationship of faith and works The purpose of the law What it means to be born again, The definition of the church What happens in judgment | ||
| Skeeter Registered user Username: Skeeter Post Number: 1471 Registered: 12-2007 |
It is very hard to convince someone to study to find TRUTH when they are convinced that they already possess it. | ||
| Jonvil Registered user Username: Jonvil Post Number: 601 Registered: 4-2007 |
13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" 14 And they said, "Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets." 15 He *said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17 And Jesus said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. Matthew 16:13-17 | ||
| Asurprise Registered user Username: Asurprise Post Number: 1968 Registered: 7-2007 |
In continuing my challenge to SDAs, I'd like to mention some of the Bible verses that helped point my way out of this cult. (Along with these, there was a friend fasting and praying for me...) First, Daniel 10:13 saying that Michael is "one of the chief princes" was one of the verses that initially caused me "cognitive dissonance." That didn't sound like God! Then finding out that Jesus DID NOT wait until 1844 before going into the Most Holy Place in Heaven, convinced me that Ellen White was a false prophet, because she very definitely said that Jesus waited until 1844, in Early Writings. (See Hebrews 6:19-20, Hebrews 9:12 & 25, Hebrews 10:12) Then I found out that Jesus had brought in a whole new covenant (Hebrews 9:15-17) and that the old covenant is obsolete (Hebrews 8:13). I found that the old covenant IS the Ten Commandments: "...And He wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments." Exodus 34:28. "So He declared to you His covenant which He commanded you to perform, the Ten Commandments; and He wrote them on two tablets of stone." Deuteronomy 4:13. I found that God didn't give that covenant to Adam and Eve and Abraham. (Here is Moses speaking to Israel.) "The Lord did not make this covenant with our fathers, but with us, those who are here today, all of us who are alive." Deuteronomy 5:3 Please prayerfully consider this and ask God to show you the truth! |
