Discover why Ian is a Seventh-day Adventist. There are several factors.
SHOW NOTES
Why I am a Seventh-day Adventist.
Pastoring is dangerous. Only 20% of pastors retire as ministers of a congregation. Administrative work, agnosticism, secondhand car sales. Privacy etc. Have we escaped this consequence?
My legacy growing up Adventist:
Jesus Christ was my Saviour from Hell touched my heart at 12 years of age. Baptised.
Sense of global purpose—became a missionary for 15 years.
Gave me Bible literacy
Skill development in place of sport achievement
Legalism and Arrogance. I had the truth.
Ignorance about what was happening around me in art, politics and society.
Sexism and racism unchallenged.
Salvation is by Faith in Jesus Christ and is effective through the Spirit
The salvation provided by God in Jesus Christ is perfect and complete. No additions are required, no new commandments, no new sacrifices, no new formulae. Deceptions over good works, tongues, miracles, acts of piety, fasting, praying, worship formats, diet and personal piety abound. Scripture is clear on salvation in Romans 10:5-10: AMoses describes in this way the righteousness that is by the law: "The man who does these things will live by them." {Lev. 18:5} 6 But the righteousness that is by faith says: "Do not say in your heart, `Who will ascend into heaven?'" {Deut. 30:12} (that is, to bring Christ down by doing some heroic deed) 7 "or `Who will descend into the deep?'" {Deut. 30:13} (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead by some great act of sacrifice). 8 But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," {Deut. 30:14} that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: 9 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.@ Also Ephesians 2:8-10. Paganism has always insisted that one must be a hero or a martyr in order to win the favour of the gods. The appeal of miracles is just here. Miracle workers are hero=s and the recipients of the miracles are those blest of god. Long term studies show that few of those who experience a miracle stay true to their faith. It is not miracles that make faith. Faith is the result of knowing the truth about God and a continued commitment to that truth. Inclusiveness of salvation for all who respond to the Spirit. Reference in 2006 SDA Believe 171. Also, Zechariah 13:6. Status is more important than performance. Even perfect servants are not heirs, like children. The Spirit is the seal of God (Eph 1:13, 14; 4:31), the guarantee of salvation.
The Sabbath:
Worship is a 24 hour period rather than an hour or two. Sabbath’s origins are in Eden not Sinai. Thus, it is not Jewish and not mandated but remembered by law! Celebrates Creation and Redemption.
The Second Coming
is literal and physical. Jesus is coming again Jn 14:1-3 Imagine seeing AJesus@ healing the sick and inspiring the violent and warlike to lay down their arms and anger! Those who do not know that Jesus promised to come again literally and in the same simple way that He left - are open to powerful deception (2 Thessalonians 2).
Foot washing
is the quarterly call to humility.
Total Lifestyle
Embraces health, wealth, and happiness of purpose.
Emphasis on Education and intellectual development
spills over into theology and the professions.
Sanctuary Service
Talking and thinking about the final end of sin is among common among Adventists. Jesus is not left carrying the sin of the world for eternity.
State of the Dead.
God is NOT some ogre burning sinners for eternity for less than 100 years of sinning. The secret rapture, re-incarnation, ancestor worship, the immortal soul all open people to the deception of possible communication from the dead and with the dead. There is no more powerful delusion or deception than to believe that you are in contact with a loved one who has passed away. It appeals to the deepest emotions of the human heart. Imagine meeting a glorious being who says: AI am your great grandfather. I have come to guide you and help you cope with life!@ Already spiritualism is a force to be reckoned with. Astrological charts and predictions are taken seriously. Seances and mediums are in vogue. As the pressure builds on the planet it will take an intelligent appreciation of God and the afterlife to prevent deception.
Sincere effort to understand the Bible
and live by its principles at Adventism’s beginnings. Many failures in this regard: racism, sexism, sexual orientation, verbal inspiration still a problem (1919 Conference). The 50’s and 60’s saw EGW read as if her words were inspired. She became the authority and the Bible was tested according to her writings. “What does she say?” became the common question. The use of secretaries and other authors were hardly mentioned and unknown by most members. AGD who knew the situation probably lost his position as GC because he spoke against verbal inspiration.
Influence of EGW
in the devotional and leadership of church. (1888, reorganization of church 1901 with AG Daniels “we need a reorganization, we want to begin at the foundation and built up a different principle” GCB April 3, 1901. AGD moves as the first motion, that the agenda be the changed to consider a reorganization of the Church. This was passed Ellen White Encyclopedia p72. (Inspiration for educational thrust and health care. Preventative and curative.)
Moved the understanding of the atonement back to the Great Controversy from the penal substitution theory which focussed on a legal solution rather than on a moral solution.
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