| Author | Message | ||
| Doug222 |
Hello all, I am the new "Kelly" on the forum. I have been seeing the chinks in the Adventist armour for several years, but in the last couple months God has revealed much more. It all began when I began reading Morris Venden's "95 Theses of Righteousness by Faith." Even though he uses a lot of EGW quotes, his accopanying study guide uses strictly scripture. Through it, I saw for perhaps the first time what grace really means. My salvation has to come from Jesus plus NOTHING. If I add anything to it, it is no longer a gift, but something that I earn. I realize now that the Adventist church subtly (and sometimes not so subtly) adds additional conditions to my salvation. I also believe that through EGW, it denies the work of the Holy Spirit. Afterall, if we have all of the truth, what possible need do we have for the HS, which explains why you never hear salvation testimonies in the Church. We never accept the privilege of experiencing God's amazing grace that is administered through the Holy Spirit. I came across something tofay that nearly stopped me in my tracks. Based on the studying that I have been doing (I've been reading the New Testament, without the benefit of Adventist filtering--especially the book of Galations) the timing of my seeing this comment has to be more than coincidence. I was sitting in Sabbath School class today (I'll get to that in a second) and the teacher emphasized a particular comment that was printed in the quarterly. It said "Israel's history shows that it is dangerous to despise God's prophets. Are we guilty of this sin today? God has entrusted us with expressions of His love by revealing to us wonderful truths through the prophetic ministry of Ellen G. White. Have we undermined these messages by disputing how they were given rather than what they say? Or have we simply bothered not to read them? Or do we reject them because they condemn sins in our lives?" I think my mouth about hit the floor. If you do not believe me, look at Tuesday's lesson of last week's lesson. Anyway, I said all this to say that God is bringing me to the point of realizing that all my years in the SDA church have actually hindered my ability to see Him for who He is and what He has done. I know this intellectually, and I am even to the point of being convicted that it is true. I know that if what I am studying points me closer to Jesus and what he did for me on the cross, then it cannot be of the enemy, but I find myself standing on the side of the pool reluctant to jump in. I must be experiencing the same thing that many SDA converts experience as they are forced with the decision of casting aside those things they have held to all of their life. The only difference is I don't have someone pressuring me to make a decision in three weeks. If anyone has any tips, I'd appreciate them. Otherwise, just keep me in your prayers. Thank you for listening. Sojourner | ||
| Maryann |
Hi Doug222;-)) Welcome!! BTW, Kelly has been just great;-)) If someone comes up behind you and pushes you in the pool, don't resist, just grab a bar of soap on the way in. You will be amazed at how refreshing it is;-)) Seriously! That was quite a quote out of the Quarterly! Not surprising though. You said: "If I add anything to it, it is no longer a gift, but something that I earn." One thing that a lot of Christians don't realize and 99%+- of the SDA's etc don't realize is that when works are attached to the package, it is no longer a "free gift" it is a "reward." Do a little study on "rewards" and you will be amazed. Paul is always talking about "striving" towards the reward. And there is also a judgement involved with those rewards. So, it is obvious that, that is in no way is talking about a judgement we "have to get ready for" as we have been taught!;-)) Check the dictionary on the definition of "gift" and "reward." You, BTW, are right on;-)) My favorite little sermon goes like this: John 3:14-18" 14́And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15́that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16́For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17́For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18́He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. New King James Version" What is the reqirement for eternal life? Believe! What is the promise for those that believe? He is NOT, that's right, NOT comdemed!;-)) Aint that great? Then in concluding: John 5:24 24́Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. New King James Version" What a promise! He who believes is "assured" of eternal life, AND shall NOT come into judgement. To me, that says that the judgement of the the righteous is behind them (on the cross) and the judgement of the wicked is in front of them! Where is your judgement? Mine is behind me;-)) Hope to hear more from you. Are you from the East or the West? Are you over or under 40? Maryann IBC=Insured By Christ | ||
| Patti |
Hi, Sojourner! Where can I get a copy of Venden's "95 theses"? Are they available online? I would appreciate you letting me know if you know where to find them. And I would love to talk to you more if you would like (my being a 21 year former) My email address is drpatti@msn.com. May God continue to guide you in your study, God bless, Patti PS. | ||
| Patti |
That PS was supposed to be: Come on in! The Water is fine! | ||
| Maryann |
HI PATTI;-))! | ||
| Denisegilmore |
Welcome Doug222 God Bless you as you continue to realize just how much assurance we have in Jesus Christ and Him Crucified. Denise | ||
| Denisegilmore |
Dear Maryann, Please check your email. May many Blessings come to you from and in our Lord Jesus. Denise Hello Patti, Good to see you. Grace and Peace to you in our Lord Jesus Denise | ||
| Lori |
Doug...God himself has just "shown" you the gospel message. Through the Holy Spirit he has given you "intellectual" understanding of salvation. The Bible speaks about this intellectual understanding--it's called "gnosis" knowledge in the Greek. What we are to have as believers is "epignosis" knowledge. The difference in gnosis and epignosis is: gnosis is nothing more than intellectual knowledge, epignosis is intellectual knowledge that you believe and accept for you. You can "study and understand" what someone else believes, let's take Hinduism for an example. You can study their belief system, you can understand everything about why they believe what they believe without every believing in it yourself. That's intellectual. What you have to do with the "gospel that you understand", the gospel that has you standing on the edge of the pool is: CLAIM IT FOR YOU! Right here, right now, you can claim that gospel message, and you can have all the benefits that come along with it. You can have a reasssuring relationship with God, you can know with confidence that he is your Father and you are his child. Pray. Right now in the privacy of your mind. Dear Father in Heaven, I understand the message of salvation. I believe in your Son, Jesus Christ, as unlimited atonement for my sin. In Jesus name I pray. Amen That simple prayer is all it takes to "jump into the pool"! It's your decision. Like Patti says the water is fine!! I have prayed for you this very moment!! Lori | ||
| Chyna |
Dear Sojourner, The fact that your jaw hit the floor means that your butt is on the way out. I hear all these stories of those leaving SDAism, and to contrast that with my knowledge of current SDAs... the discrepancy in their ability to stand EGW is a major chasm. You see, because *my* jaw hit the floor when my ex-SDA boyfriend asked me if I would convert to Adventism if a National Sunday Law came into place. I think I couldn't breathe for a second when he told me that because I was so stunned anyone could believe that. Your jaw dropping experience in Sa.S. is going to enlargen as you wade deeper. you are right, you can give all the intellectual reasons for faith, but if you don't BELIEVE you have no faith, and you can't experience it either. but you know what? You don't have to believe in yourself, you just have to believe in God and His message directly to you from His Word. But as God has His way of nudging you closer to the truth, cling to God, the God of the Bible, the God of Israel find your identity in Christ alone. In Him, Chyna |
