There are glorious truths to come before the people of God. Privileges and duties which they do not even suspect to be in the Bible will be laid open before the followers of Christ. As they follow on in the path of humble obedience, doing God's will, they will know more and more of the oracles of God, and be established in right doctrines. The baptism of the Holy Spirit will dispel human imaginings, will break down self-erected barriers, and will cause to cease the feeling that "I am holier than thou." There will be an humble spirit with all, more faith and love; self will not be exalted. "Look and live." Christ's spirit, Christ's example will be exemplified in His people. We shall follow more closely the ways and works of Jesus. The pulpit, the press, and the church will be more humble, more forbearing, more patient and kind, and the love of Jesus will pervade our hearts. It is impossible for me to picture before you the result of this influence. {The Ellen G White 1888 Materials, (1987) p. 333.1}
Here's a list of some of the things Sister White may be referring to in the above quote:
1) ORDER AND CONTENT OF WORSHIP SERVICES.
Current Practice/belief:
In most churches, we sing some hymns or choruses, have a children's story and some testimonies, but the majority of the time is used in preaching.
Early Church Practice:
“When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. If anyone speaks in a tongue let there be only two or three at most, and each in turn; and let one interpret. . . Let two or three prophets speak and let the others weigh what is said. If a revelation is made to someone who is sitting nearby, let the first person be silent. For you can all prophecy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged. . . So my friends, be eager to prophecy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues, but all things should be done decently and in order.” I Cor 14:26, 27, 29-31, 39 and 40.
Impact:
Sermons have their place, but we loose the interest of both children and adults when each week they sit for long periods of time during a sermon geared to adults. Also, we come to rely on the pastor for our spiritual food, but here it shows that the early church fed each other. As in the natural so in the spiritual – a varied diet is essential to good nutrition.
2) THE CELEBRATION OF THE LORD'S SUPPER.
Current Practice/belief:
Communion is celebrated 4 times a year. It is opened to all, members and non-members who profess faith in Christ.
Early Church Practice:
The early church had the same openness in participation. However, it celebrated the Lord’s Supper more frequently, perhaps as often as each week, and it was a complete meal. Also, the church celebrated the Lord’s Supper on special occasions. In Acts 20, when Paul came briefly to Troas, the church celebrated Communion on Sunday with Paul because he was to leave for Jerusalem the next day. I Cor 11:17-34. I Cor 10:16, Acts 20:7, 11.
Another practice of the early church was that during the foot washing prior to the supper, godly women washed the feet of one anothe men. 1 Tim. 5:10. The first item heading the list of the characteristics of a godly woman is this. That this refers to women washing the feet of men is given by the context and this practice is confirmed by Ellen White as also a valid and touching service among the saints for our day:
There is no example given in the Word for brethren to wash sisters' feet; but there is an example for sisters to wash the feet of brethren. Mary washed the feet of Jesus with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head. (See also 1 Timothy 5:10.) I saw that the Lord had moved upon sisters to wash the feet of brethren and that it was according to gospel order. All should move understandingly and not make the washing of feet a tedious ceremony. {EW 117.1}
Impact:
Celebrating the Lord’s Supper as practiced in the early church with an attitude of reverence and rejoicing would make it more enjoyable and interesting. In I Cor 11:17-34, Paul attributes illness and deaths among the members at Corinth to improper observance of this rite. How would he be judged today from making such a connection? Would he be accused of having a misguided, cruel, unfeeling, denuciatory spirit? Or would his counsel be accepted as the loving reproof of God? Paul upbraided the Corinthians for 1) gluttony at the Lord’s Supper, 2) lack of consideration for the poor who sometimes did not get enough to eat at these meals and 3) for bad manners in not waiting for each other. His comments in this regard shed light on how this ordinance should be observed and paints a happier picture of it than our formalized and rather cramped and decrepit manner of observance.
Regarding the inspired endorsements of women washing the feet of men but not vice versa, if this had been followed in Adventist churches it would have been a safe guard from the current division over male spiritual leadership. It is therefore a timely truth to bring forward, embrace and implement in the churches.
3) IMPARTING THE SPIRIT TO NEW CONVERTS - BAPTISM OF THE SPIRIT.
Current Practice/belief:
Laying on of hands to impart the gift of the Holy Spirit to new believers is not
practiced.
Early Church Practice:
This was practiced in the early church. Acts 8:14-17; 19:1-7 and I Timothy 4:14. This is important because if we want the infilling of the Spirit we have to receive it through the channels that heaven uses to communicate this, the primary blessing and personal presence to us. New converts were anointed by the Spirit by the laying on of hands concurrent with water baptism.
Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. Act 8:14-17.
And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. And all the men were about twelve. Act 19:1-7.
Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. 1Ti 4:13-16.
Impact:
We have neglected the topic of the Holy Spirit, but it was the most frequent topic that Jesus dwelt on. It needs re-emphasis, and this practice would help to give renewed awareness of our total dependence on the Spirit to accomplish any good. We have had seminars and workshops to help us discover our gifts, but in I Timothy 4:14 we find that spiritual gifts are given through this avenue. Two reasons are given in the scripture
for lack of the gifts of the Spirit. 1) Disobedience and unbelief, and 2) Not following this directive. This helps explain the dearth of gifts in the church and points us to the remedy.
4) LIFTING HANDS IN PRAYER.
Current Practice/belief:
Not generally practiced among white North Americans. Some practice among minorities.
Early Church Practice:
This practice was carried forward from the Old Testament. It has two purposes. 1)It is used to bless God, to give Him adoration and praise, and 2) it is used to receive His blessing. See Neh 8:1-6, Numbers 6:22-27, Psalms 141:1,2, 134:1-3, and I Timothy 2:1-4, 8.
Impact:
There is some stigma attached to exuberance in worship in our churches. And although there is no scriptural basis for some of the excitement that is becoming common place such as drama, theatrical and sentimental music, music with overpowering rhythms, and the hysteria and bedlam in some congregations, we want to encourage biblical, fervent worship forms. Like the saints of all ages we are to fervent in spirit. This practice is spoken of in both the Old and New Testaments.
5) OBSERVANCE OF THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES
Current Practice/belief: No official church position and not generally practiced in North America.
Early Church Practice:
Dr Samuel Bachiochi has shown through ancient primary historical sources that for many centuries the early church observed this feast. His work tends to confirm the testimony of the scriptures which tell us that the believers in Antioch celebrated it with Paul. There are some Messianic Jewish Seventh-day Adventists who are using this research to promote rabbinic Judaism, prayer shawls, shofars, feast days etc. but this is not what Dr. Bachiochi intended.
Impact:
Sister White encourages us to do the same - not as the rabbis teach, but as taught in the freedom of the gospel. Here is her advice: "Well would it be for the people of God at the present time to have a Feast of Tabernacles—a joyous commemoration of the blessings of God to them. As the children of Israel celebrated the deliverance that God had wrought for their fathers, and His miraculous preservation of them during their journeyings from Egypt, so should we gratefully call to mind the various ways He has devised for bringing us out from the world, and from the darkness of error, into the precious light of His grace and truth." —PP 540.
6) CHURCH ADMINISTRATION
Current Practice/belief:
Conferences are administered by our elected leaders who blend their roles as administrators and spiritual leaders.
Early Church Practice:
The early church separated the roles of its leadership between pastors, elders and deacons. The Apostles as chief pastors delegated administrative responsibilities to deacons, so that they could devote themselves more fully to prayer and ministry of the Word. Acts 6:1-4.
Impact:
Administrative duties often take the majority of the time of the conference leadership and little time is left for active ministry. If the Apostles saw to it that they were freed from administrative duties so that they could minister the Word, how much more do modern leaders need to ensure that their administrative duties which historically were assigned to deacons not supersede their ministry.
7) CHURCH ORDER AND DISCIPLINE.
Current Practice/belief:
In North American, Europe, Australia and New Zealand in the local churches and unions, church discipline is often neglected or administered incorrectly. Many of the unions are in open rebellion against the scriptural and collective decision of the world church regarding women's ordination. Because biblical order has for many years not been followed at the local level in these regions this has percolated up to the higher levels and vice versa so that a spirit of rebellion is now widespread in the wealthy unions, conferences and local churches of the western nations.
Early Church Practice:
The early church, even after it had left it's first love was still commended by the Lord for maintaining order and purity of doctrine. The message in Revelation to the church in Ephesus, symbol of the early church, is "I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:. . . . Nevertheless I have [somewhat] against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. . . Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent. . . .But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate." Revelation 2:2-6. Those false brethren in the early church who would not submit to the yoke of Christ were not tolerated, gospel order was maintains and for this God commended the faithful shepherds and flock.
He reproved them for their waning love and for their diminishing zeal for Him, but he gratefully acknowledged their labor to maintain the faith once delivered to the saints.
Impact:
With the breakdown in gospel order in western Adventism the sheep have often been left to the wolves and scattered and the standards of the church have not been maintained. Even now the church is being split by the rebels among us who as wolves cloak in deception their bid to remove the Word as the standard of faith and practice, wresting the scriptures to their own destruction. The gospel has been brought into disrepute and effectively denied by many. And because iniquity abounds in the church, the love of many has grown cold.
Summary:
We are in the great shaking. This is both the good news and the bad news depending on where we place our loyalties. “There are glorious truths to come before the people of God. Privileges and duties which they do not even suspect to be in the Bible will be laid open before the followers of Christ. As they follow on in the path of humble obedience, doing God's will, they will know more and more of the oracles of God, and be established in right doctrines. The baptism of the Holy Spirit will dispel human imaginings, will break down self-erected barriers, and will cause to cease the feeling that "I am holier than thou." There will be an humble spirit with all, more faith and love; self will not be exalted. "Look and live."” {The Ellen G White 1888 Materials, (1987) p. 333.1} May God help us and count us worthy to escape the things that are coming on the church and the earth, (judgment begins with the house of God) to stand before the Son of Man and having done all, to stand.
