| Author | Message | ||
| Geneva Chinnock |
If you are a former SDA, what did you find within Christianity that you didn't find within Adventism? How did you feel when you found this? | ||
| Roy T |
Christianity is so much more meaningful and rich. Suddenly, everything from the bible fits together, and there is no need to leave out certain Bible passages, saying "Well, you have to read the WHOLE bible." This new understanding is awesome. Also, the New Covenant, God's grace, and the Holy Spirit. | ||
| RickWest |
I am now secure in Jesus. I'm not constantly worrying about whether I'm saved or lost. There truly is rest in Jesus! | ||
| Colleen |
I've discovered the power of true intercessory prayer. I never knew before how profound it is for people that I don't know well to sincerely pray for me or for my family. There is a unity in the spirit and a lack of competitiveness that allows us to be vulnerable and open. There is warmth and caring that is deep and sincere and is not driven by curiosity or power. These are phenomena I never experienced in an Adventist community. | ||
| Esther Shu |
I have discovered the joy of worship. As an Adventist, I didn't understand the meaning and purpose of worship. As a Christian, I have the freedom to raise my hands and sing for joy to the risen Lord. I can truly celebrate that Jesus is alive and He is within me. | ||
| Shane Chiswick |
It's funny that you should ask this question, because I have been thinking about this very issue, lately. I find it hard to put this feeling into words. I am struggling big time with the issue of hell and to a lesser extent the teaching of the eternal soul. I am not a former SDA, but I have been looking at the SDA church for about two years, see my web site www.emunet.com.au/~chiswick There is this freedom in Christ that I have never experienced before. This is the shortest way to express my feelings. I am a former JW. | ||
| Cas |
I am happy to find this web site. It has taken me at least 2 years of restudy and bitterness to get to where I am now which is nowhere! At one time I thought I knew all the answers, had all the prophecies dicifered and was among the blessed remnant. Now I am starting over (no little red books please)just the Bible! It has taken time for the bitterness to leave me, (still not gone completely). I have not left the Church and I guess that may be why the wound festers every time I hear the dreaded term "Ellen White says"... I have left it in the Lords hands for his leading. | ||
| Colleen Tinker (Colleentinker) |
Hi! I want to respond to Shane first and then to Cas. Shane, I checked out your web site, and I applaud your honest search for truth. You're right to be doubtful about Ellen White. The Bible makes it clear that if a prophet has failed prophecies, there is no light in him or her. The Bible also warns us about wolves coming in sheep's clothing. While it's true that SDAs have a lot of good teachings, the fact that they're mixed with deception obscures truth and makes it so we can't truly experience freedom in Christ or be assured of our salvation. I believe that Satan, the father of lies, has a claim on Adventism because of the deception at its core. Cas, I feel for you. The Bible is how I found my way out of Adventism. I have experienced the amazement of praying for the Holy Spirit to guide me and then studying the Bible. Things I may have read many times before suddenly come alive with insight and new understanding. Our group is studying Galatians every Friday night, and this study has changed the way I understand the law and grace in my life. You can study along with us by accessing the studies on this web site. I know from experience that Jesus heals the wounds in our hearts as he helps us open those hurt places to him. I'll be praying for both of you. | ||
| pastor harry |
One response to Cass: For 27 years I functioned as an Adventist minister....There were good times with God and there were bad times, usually people related. For many years after I discovered the wonder and freedom of the Gospel I thought that somehow either the SDA Church would change or, in times of more grandiose fantasy, that I would be one to "assist" in its "reform." Neither thought bears any resemblence to reality. It was only when I had the courage, which I finally understood that only the Lord Himself could give, to break all my ties with the Adventist Church, did I experience true freedom in Christ. You see, in my experience in leading and interacting with with thousands of Adventists over the years, the SDA Church produces this sometimes unconscious mindset in its members that whispers "Do anything, believe anything, but DON'T DARE LEAVE THE CHURCH!" I would suggest that you read and pray about Hebrews 12:14 and especially verse 15. God's will for us all is holiness. In fact it is pretty hard language to state that without it, "holiness," we can't ever see God....But this is more than a handy saying to throw at people we don't especially like, it is the reality of the spiritual realm, the truth about both humanity and God. And here's the wonder Cass, ONLY through the all sufficient grace of Jesus do we immediately, with no reference to anything that we have done, are doing, or will do become absolutely, completely, without any "but's" "and's" or "also's" HOLY in God's sight...therefore, ACCEPTABLE. No Sabbath keeping, prophecy understanding, special revelation, remnant mentality needed....In fact, NOTHING but a total commitment to the Person Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord...not a demomination, or person, or "last day event" chronology...NOTHING ELSE. And that is why an understanding of the Gospel is so dangerous to the organized SDA Church...it, the church, lives by and in the "but's" "and's and "also's." The Gospel is great, grace is wonderful, "but...." Would you let me be so bold as to suggest that the only way to be free from the "bittness" completely is to "leave" the SDA denomination behind. The danger is that living on both sides of a "fence" eventually tears one apart....But worse yet, in the end we may "miss the grace of God," and the bitter "root" in us "grows up to cause trouble and defile many." v.15 I know, it's easy for me to sit here and say what I am saying....I'm not "walking in your shoes." But believe me, I've been down the road also. My sincere prayers will be with you Cass, as you continue to allow Jesus through the Holy Spirit to lead your life. I would love to share my weekly devotional thought that is always based on the wonder of God's grace. Just send me an e-mail at GraceWay@GraceWay.com and I'll add you to the list....And more than that would love to "chat" further. | ||
| Rogers |
I am a Seventh-Day Adventist for about three plus years now, and I am very happy to be apart of this church family, and I honestly cannot see myself any place else now , or in the future. There is a very unique bond, a closeness, a brotherhood in the church, that kind of love that I have not seen any place else. For instance I can go to church on sabbath and announce that I am one month behind on my rent, and before the day is ended I will have the money to pay my rent. Even people in prison, and not a member of the church is been helped. I have seen these things happen time,and time again. So what is it then?why so many people have fallen away from the fold?Is it EGW writing? how can that be? the church is preaching Christ, not EGW; the church is following Christ, not EGW; and she have never seek a gathering, or a following unto her self; but instead pointed us to Christ, who only can save us. A quote from EGW's writing can affect no man's soul salvation! And so I ask again, what is it? One brother wrote on the forum, and said "now that I left the church I am free, I can eat anything"!he did'nt have to leave just to do that, but those of us who are obecient, are careful of what we put in our body, for it is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Please try and understand me,and I ask for your patience, if you care to respond, I thank you. | ||
| pastor harry |
Response to Rogers: All of the things that you say about the SDA Church are perhaps true in many situations. We all crave that sense of "belonging" that the Adventist Church, and for that matter, many other organizations, religious and secular, give us. To find a group of people that make you feel accepted and valued is wonderful....But sadly, that type of response does not make the perspective or beliefs or even the actions of the group something that I would want to entrust my one and only life to. The question that we all must ask ourselves has nothing to do with Ellen White, or the Genreal Conference of SDA, or the 27 statements of belief....The question we must ask is "What does Scripture say about how I can be in relationship with the God of the Universe? How can I BELONG to His Family?" It has been my experience, after careful and prayerful and long study, that there is only one way of rescue from the situation we all find ourselves sinking into, and it is the grace of Jesus Christ alone, appropriate by faith alone, the very essence of the Good News of salvation. How does ANY organization, not just the SDA Church, relate to the Gospel of grace? This is the core question and the one that I would not want to leave any stone unturned to answer. Rogers, God will continue to guide you in a serach for grace and truth, or as John 1 puts it, that which has its origin in the Living Word, Jesus Christ. It is NEVER found in ANY organization, but in Jesus alone....And very sadly, without it we all are eternally lost...not something on which I would want to base a "they make me feel good and accepted," "they love me," "they do good things" perspecitive as my reason for belief and action. My prayers are with you Rogers. | ||
| Lydell |
Cas, I can tell you that we found that what Pastor Harry has said to you is true. You can't get over the bitterness until you are away from that irritant of the SDA church. I believe that ALL of us who have left it have had to struggle with what can only have been a subtle brain washing job of, "if you leave this, the TRUE church, then you are obviously going to be doomed." Cas, it just isn't true. The Lord has a very large family of believers "out here" waiting to embrace you and help you grow in Him. I believe you'll find a group of people "out here" who have a far clearer understanding of the true character of your Heavenly Father. He is the Father who loves you and delights to help you. He is not the tyrant who stands over you when you stumble and fall condemning you for your failings. Leaving the church can be a little scary at first. There's a lot of garbage to dump from your head. And the only way to do that,, once you have left them, is not to keep looking back and rehashing stuff. Ask Him for His help for a new beginning. The Holy Spirit is faithful to guide you in your Bible study to find His truth. He is the only guide you need. Stepping out into the unknown on faith is always hard. But God IS there. When we are open, He IS faithful to give us clear leading, and not only that, but confirmation in several ways that we are on the path where He wants us to be. Let me pass on to you the promise He gave us when we were seeking His guidance for a body of believers with whom we could worship. Claim this promise and seek His face, you are in for such an awesome journey with Him as your guide! I promise you it is worth the trouble. Isaiah 30:21 "You will hear my voice behind you when you turn to the right or the left telling you, 'this is the way, walk in it'. " |
