| Author | Message | ||
| Colleen Tinker |
Roger: The reason most of us left Adventism is not that we're bitter about EGW but because the church was founded on deception and non-biblical doctrines. Most of us left when we began studying the Bible intensively and discovered that it taught truths that we had never heard or understood in Adventism. We have now found love and peace and freedom and grace, and we experience the love of Jesus and the presence of the Holy Spirit. As for easy religion--living in grace is far more demanding than Adventism. We are accountable for being receptive to the Holy Spirit in every decision. We also know that no matter what happens to us, we are secure in Jesus. | ||
| Roge |
For nany years I attended a Baptist Church where a close relative was the pastor; and I had many,many questions in regards to the doctrins of the church and what the bible says: And so I started studying the bible, and making notes until I became sorry for my sins, and the very first thing that I did was to inform my married friend that, I am getting close to the Lord, and so I cannot continue living in sin. And from that point onward everything was changing in my life. I then had to find a church where the members do not drink strong drinks, and wear jewelry, and they had to dress right, and the adulterer had to give up his mistress, and most of all had to worship on Saturday:I made up a list of the churches in South Florida that was commonly known to me;and not a single one of them met those requirements;I told my friends that I was looking for a church, and the distinction. In my heart I knew I had to find this church,for several months I was in a dilemma not knowing to do; then one day I called a long time friend,and I said to him, Iam looking for a church, tell me about your church! and the first thing he told me was that we worship on the sabbath, and I said; can I worship with you this sabbath, and he said come, spend the weekend with my wife and I: August 25 is three wonderful, and joyous years since I have been a Seventh-Day Adventist, and I know several other people who can tell you,how the Holy Spirit have led them to this church;just as many of you are saying that He the Holy Spirit have led you out of the same church, and so I wonder how can that be? And this is why I will forever be strong voice,and a defender of the faith, as I am very sure, that it was indeed the Holy Spirit that has brought me thus far, and will lead me to greater heights: It is not easy to be a Seventh-Day Adventist Christian,because there are many moral principles of which are highly regarded to obey God, we do not have religious freedom as others do, we cannot dine in some restuarants as others can, we will not listen to,or view certain TV shows, they who worship on Sundays respect not the day as we do the sabbath,and I can go on,on to show that Sunday worshiping is an easy religion: And so I feel strongly that these are some of the reasons why many are departing from the faith; but the pleasures of the world gives no pleasure,there is a price to be paid on every worldly pleasure: | ||
| Roger |
Sis Colleen you honestly believe that the Church was founded on deception? well I can say to you that when I walked through that front door all the deceptive covering, and all that was not of Christ went through that back door, as I did not find them there. Of all the places in the world, I can not think of one single place I will rather be: For all the years I walked this earth, I walked in darkness until I became an Seventh-Day Adventist, and so when I read the things that are spoken against the church, I wonder if it is the same one as your experience[others]and my own, is as far as night is from day: | ||
| jeff hubbard |
Dear Roger: I believe it is possible for the holy spirit to have led you to the SDA church because that is where you need to be now, just as he led others away from that church. There are certainly good people and pastors in the sda church. I found it interesting that the discussion has come down to easy verses hard religion. Isn't it suppose to be easy? Isn't that the reason the gospel hasn't spread like wildfire, because most of the christian denominations have added human works to the requirements. Isn't the essense of the gospel complete and total acceptance by God once we ask him into our lives. The issue shouldn't be whether we should observe the sabbath but whether is that what will save us. One thing I have noticed since leaving the SDA church is the spiritual pride that was present because of the underlying theme that there is something that we must do to earn salvation. I think that was something Jesus really warned against with his examples with the pharasees. | ||
| Thomas |
Brother Roger. Please remember that as Christians, God law for us is to "believe in His son, Jesus Christ and Love one another" John made this very clear by quoting Jesus three times in his gospel and repeating it in one form or another, 12 times in his short epistles. In the absence of other laws listed in any of the New Testament writings, it would appear to be the law by which we as gentile christian believers must live. In keeping the doctrines and rules of the Adventist Church, please never take your eyes off of Jesus. He paid the price and fulfilled the law so we don't have to. At least that is what Brother Paul said. I find it interesting that Saul of Tarsus, the ultimate keeper of the Old Covenant law could become Paul, the primary preacher of grace and freedom in the gospel of Christ! Isn't that wonderful! Jesus did what I could never do and I praise Him every day for that. There is freedom and joy in the gospel! It is not an "easy" religion, at all. Millions have died for the gospel over the last two thousand years. And yes, most of them died worshiping their Lord on the first day of the week. Not that this is significant as a new requirement, but that it is simply a fact of their religious life. I truly hope that they did not die in vain, keeping the "wrong" day. History tells how they died with a song on their lips praising their Jesus and looking forward to seeing Him in their new life. Can you believe that they used to refer to death as their "heavenly birthday"? When I read that in Church History, I was thrilled! Loving someone as Christ loved us is a pretty tough job, most of the time. But he loved me even when I turned my eyes from Him and placed them on myself and my abilities to keep laws and rules and regulations. Even when I thought that being a member of the "remnant" church was sufficient to earn my way to heaven. If He could love even ME, then I can learn to love even those who hate me. My prayers will be with you. If you can truly follow Jesus in the Adventist church, then may you be blessed and His name be praised! In all things, Christ! In His Grip | ||
| Lynn W |
Roger, if the law is what you needed to lead you out of an adulterous situation, then praise God that you found it. "We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers-- and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine" 1 Tim 1:9-10(NIV) But "The goal of this command is love, which comes from a PURE HEART and a GOOD CONSCIENCE and a sincere faith." 1 Tim 1:5 Now which is easier, to stop committing adultery, or to stop even lusting after another; to stop killing, or to stop even hating another; to keep the Sabbath, or to bear one another's burdens? | ||
| Lynn W |
"Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster." Gal 3:24-25 If you are not living by faith in Christ, you still need the schoolmaster (law) to teach the basic difference between right & wrong. "Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years." Gal 4:3-10 |
