Sheep Stealer or reach the unchurched? Log Out | Topics | Search
Moderators | Edit Profile

Former Adventist Fellowship Forum » ARCHIVED DISCUSSIONS 4 » Sheep Stealer or reach the unchurched? « Previous Next »

  Thread Last Poster Posts Pages Last Post
  Start New Thread        

Author Message
Seekr777
Registered user
Username: Seekr777

Post Number: 156
Registered: 1-2003


Posted on Tuesday, June 07, 2005 - 10:37 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I was deeply troubled by the most recent post of Pastor OFfill on the other discussion board, I quote in part,

"I am also troubled by a continuing emphasis on winning the 'unchurched'. This is saying, in effect, that we will not be sheep stealers. The fact is our mission gives us no such ethic. We are not sheep stealers, we are sheep savers! The call to God's people to come out of Babylon is hardly a call to the unchurched."

Any comments? The entire message can be seen at . . http://www.revivalsermons.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=627

Richard

rtruitt@mac.com

Jeremy
Registered user
Username: Jeremy

Post Number: 731
Registered: 10-2004


Posted on Tuesday, June 07, 2005 - 10:52 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

He is right about that being the SDA message, and I wish more SDAs would be honest and say what they really believe like that.

And if their goal is to convert Christians--then that must mean that they are converting them to something other than Christianity.

I am very glad that Mr. O'Ffill is willing to be honest about what the SDA cult teaches. If more people like him would say what they really believe and teach, then Christians would be able to see that the SDA is a cult and not be sucked into it.

But it is disgusting what he says--that Christians need to be "SAVED" from Christianity. They need to be saved from...Jesus...???!

It is very cultic and anti-Christian.

"Sheep savers"?! That is totally and absolutely oxymoronic. If they are sheep, then they are saved and will NEVER perish!!

Jeremy

(Message edited by jeremy on June 07, 2005)
Colleentinker
Registered user
Username: Colleentinker

Post Number: 2090
Registered: 12-2003


Posted on Tuesday, June 07, 2005 - 10:59 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I agree, Jeremy--at least Pastor O'Ffill is honest about what Adventists do. And, as harsh as it sounds, they and we really must ask what they are converting those sheep TO when they convert them to Adventism. If Christianity isn't adequate, then what really is Adventism?

Colleen
Riverfonz
Registered user
Username: Riverfonz

Post Number: 379
Registered: 3-2005
Posted on Tuesday, June 07, 2005 - 11:15 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

IT IS ANOTHER GOSPEL!

Stan
Bob
Registered user
Username: Bob

Post Number: 300
Registered: 7-2000


Posted on Tuesday, June 07, 2005 - 11:54 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Jeremy, O'ffill's use of the word "sheep" is another instance of SDA doublespeak. They obviously do not REALLY believe that non-SDA Christians are actually SHEEP! They think non-SDA Christians are not really Christians until they become SDA. Proof of this is that the converts are required to be baptized again, even if they had a valid baptism before joining the Adventist Church.

Bob
Sabra
Registered user
Username: Sabra

Post Number: 364
Registered: 10-2001
Posted on Tuesday, June 07, 2005 - 12:00 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I don't see the big shocker there. They always told me they were the "true church" and everyone else was deceived.
Hrobinsonw
Registered user
Username: Hrobinsonw

Post Number: 182
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Tuesday, June 07, 2005 - 12:02 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Jeremy,
this was classic:

"And if their goal is to convert Christians--then that must mean that they are converting them to something other than Christianity."

I thought that the general biblical understanding was that we were to go therefore teaching all nations. Yet another example of an SDA individual with a better understanding than the word of God. I would love to see how their enlightening will be awarded on Judgement Day.
Pw
Registered user
Username: Pw

Post Number: 457
Registered: 6-2004
Posted on Wednesday, June 08, 2005 - 7:07 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I was told in the Revelation Seminar that many so-called Christians need to be taught the truth regarding the issues of the sabbath, soul sleep, IJ and so on. They really feel they need to evangelize the mainstream churches. Basically what they are saying is" they need to be saved from themselves".
Becky
Registered user
Username: Becky

Post Number: 30
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Wednesday, June 08, 2005 - 9:22 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I read that article also, and it was SICKENING. I also read an article on the same website about not allowing the cross to be displayed as that had pagan origins - course we know the real reason, they don't want Jesus anywhere near their church.

I'll probably be thrown off the forum for this, but hear goes:

The SDA's have a way of twisting the gospel 180% from that which it was intended. Regarding the sheep stealing, that's exactly what they do. To actually try to save a soul would require them to bring a person to a point of actually considering being saved - more than half the battle. Why not bring in those that already accept and love the Lord; it's much easier than to take it one step further by guilting and manipulating them in - "You would do this if you loved the Lord, you would do that if you loved the Lord etc..." I can just hear them now. It's so obvious how they avoid actually wanting to save anyone as they proclaim.

If someone goes to something advertised as a Bible Study/Prophecy seminar, does it stand to reason they are interested and searching? If you have someone interested, the Holy Spirit would need to give them one tiny nudge to start the ball rolling toward their salvation. Why would anyone have to be taken off-site to hear the "truth" then? Why would the seminars need to be stuffed with SDA's to make the newcomer feel like the odd man out? Why would the newcomer not be told the "truth" until they were sufficiently brainwashed? Why would a God believing church discredit God's power to save these folks by resorting to lying and deceiving? And so it goes... Yes, sheep stealing is exactly what they do, because they aren't man enough if you will be actually be able to save anyone.
Riverfonz
Registered user
Username: Riverfonz

Post Number: 391
Registered: 3-2005
Posted on Wednesday, June 08, 2005 - 9:47 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Becky,

I doubt very much that you will be thrown off this forum for those comments, in fact, you should get a gold star on your crown. Because you are absolutely right on. They try to steal the sheep of His pasture, and sometimes they are successful, but praise God, many of these sheep have heard the Master's voice and have come back home. I am sure that is the experience of many people posting on this forum.

Stan
Colleentinker
Registered user
Username: Colleentinker

Post Number: 2099
Registered: 12-2003


Posted on Wednesday, June 08, 2005 - 9:59 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Becky, you are speaking from the painful experience of watching your parents succumb to this kind of deceptive "evangelism". You are right; Adventist evangelism does specialize in "stealing sheep".

Stan is also correct: many of those sheep hear their Father's voice and return. Remember the parable of the Good Shepehrd? He left the 99 who were safe in the sheepfold and went out looking for the lost lamb. He found it and returned with it in His arms.

Those who belong to Jesus may get 'way off track, but Jesus pursues those who truly want Him and brings them home. I am becoming convinced that these wanderings so many experience become points of deep healing and redemption in the big picture, and those whom Jesus rescues know Him and have spiritual strengths in ways not possible if they hadn't had to be rescued.

I agree with you, Becky--the deception is despicable, and their leading people astray is one of those dreadful deeds too big for us to deal with. We must trust the justice of God to handle such transgression against other's souls. Praise God, though, that we can trust Him with our loved ones who have been deceived. Jesus Himself is pursuing them!

Colleen
Bob
Registered user
Username: Bob

Post Number: 302
Registered: 7-2000


Posted on Wednesday, June 08, 2005 - 11:41 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I was one of those "stolen sheep" at the age of 16. I had been a Christian (a Baptist, God forbid!) for less than a year when an SDA woman who was a part-time "literature evangelist" scared me into becoming an SDA. They required me to be re-baptized.

It took me more than 30 years to return to Jesus' sheepfold, but thank God, His Spirit led me back!
Becky
Registered user
Username: Becky

Post Number: 31
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Wednesday, June 08, 2005 - 1:07 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thanks all for letting me vent. Thanks to Stan and Colleen - you both are so right, God doesn't let go of His sheep. Right now, I literally picture my parents brains like that of a sheep - ha ha.
Riverfonz
Registered user
Username: Riverfonz

Post Number: 393
Registered: 3-2005
Posted on Wednesday, June 08, 2005 - 3:04 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Bob,
Indeed your story is very inspiring. The Good Shepherd spoke to you in a very special way, and brought you back to His fold.

Stan

Add Your Message Here
Posting is currently disabled in this topic. Contact your discussion moderator for more information.

Topics | Last Day | Last Week | Tree View | Search | Help/Instructions | Program Credits Administration