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Re: Is There a Difference Between the 28 Fundamental Beliefs & The Pillars of the SDA Church?
[Re: I Am His]
#112407
04/29/09 04:40 PM
04/29/09 04:40 PM
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SDA Minister's Manual .... P. 125 " So while we cannot expect a lot of fruit in the prebaptismal life of the candidate, neverless some fruit must be visible. Surely this fruit should include Sabbath keeping, church attendance, and refraining from the use of harmful substances." Are these the three pillars? Ellen White wrote: In Minneapolis God gave precious gems of truth to His people in new settings. This light from heaven by some was rejected with all the stubbornness the Jews manifested in rejecting Christ, and there was much talk about standing by the old landmarks. But there was evidence they knew not what the old landmarks were. There was evidence and there was reasoning from the word that commended itself to the conscience; but the minds of men were fixed, sealed against the entrance of light, because they had decided it was a dangerous error removing the "old landmarks" when it was not moving a peg of the old landmarks, but they had perverted ideas of what constituted the old landmarks. {CW 30.1} The passing of the time in 1844 was a period of great events, opening to our astonished eyes the cleansing of the sanctuary transpiring in heaven, and having decided relation to God's people upon the earth, [also] the first and second angels' messages and the third, unfurling the banner on which was inscribed, "The commandments of God and the faith of Jesus." One of the landmarks under this message was the temple of God, seen by His truth-loving people in heaven, and the ark containing the law of God. The light of the Sabbath of the fourth commandment flashed its strong rays in the pathway of the transgressors of God's law. The nonimmortality of the wicked is an old landmark. I can call to mind nothing more that can come under the head of the old landmarks. All this cry about changing the old landmarks is all imaginary. {CW 30.2} Now at the present time God designs a new and fresh impetus shall be given to His work. Satan sees this, and he is determined it shall be hindered. He knows that if he can deceive the people who claim to believe present truth, [and make them believe that] the work the Lord designs to do for His people is a removing of the old landmarks, something which they should, with most determined zeal, resist, then he exults over the deception he has led them to believe. The work for this time has certainly been a surprising work of various hindrances, owing to the false setting of matters before the minds of many of our people. That which is food to the churches is regarded as dangerous, and should not be given them. And this slight difference of ideas is allowed to unsettle the faith, to cause apostasy, to break up unity, to sow discord, all because they do not know what they are striving about themselves. Brethren, is it not best to be sensible? Heaven is looking upon us all, and what can they think of recent developments? While in this condition of things, building up barriers, we not only deprive ourselves of great light and precious advantages, but just now, when we so much need it, we place ourselves where light cannot be communicated from heaven that we ought to communicate to others.--Manuscript 13, 1889. {CW 31.1}
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Re: Is There a Difference Between the 28 Fundamental Beliefs & The Pillars of the SDA Church?
[Re: Daryl]
#122054
12/05/09 03:38 AM
12/05/09 03:38 AM
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Here is what I discovered in comparing the pillars of our faith list to the 28 Fundamental Beliefs:
1 - The cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary = Fundamental Belief #24.
2 - The three angels' messages = Fundamental Belief #13.
3 - The law of God = Fundamental Belief #19.
4 - The seventh-day Sabbath = Fundamental Belief #20.
5 - The nonimmortality of the soul = Fundamental Belief #26.
According to this, contrary to the thoughts of some, I am happy to show the SDA Church is continuing to hold up the pillars of our faith, but that's really another topic. The 28 Fundamental Beliefs would probably be better compared with the pioneers stated fundamental beliefs to see if there is a difference.
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Re: Is There a Difference Between the 28 Fundamental Beliefs & The Pillars of the SDA Church?
[Re: dedication]
#122056
12/05/09 03:43 AM
12/05/09 03:43 AM
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Pioneers statement of faith 1874 -1914
Printed in most of the year books during that time, as well as in numerous Reviews and Signs of the Times
The following is from Signs of Times June 4, 1874
1. That there is one God, a personal, spiritual being, the creator of all things, omnipotent, omniscient, and eternal, in finite in wisdom, holiness, justice, goodness, truth, and mercy; unchangeable-, and everywhere present by his representative, the Holy Spirit. Ps. 139 :7.
2. That there is one Lord Jesus Christ, the* Son of the Eternal Father, the one by whom God created all things, and by whom they do consist; that he took on him the nature of the seed of Abraham for the redemption of our fallen race; that he dwelt among men, full of grace and truth, lived our example, died our sacrifice, was raised for our justification, ascended on high to be our only mediator in the sanctuary in Heaven, where, with his own blood he makes atonement for our sins; which atonement, so far from being mode on the cross, which was but the offering of the sacrifice, is the very last portion of his work as priest, according to the example of the Levitical priesthood, which foreshadowed and prefigured the ministry of our Lord in Heaven. See Lev. Iti ; Heb. 8:4,5;
9:G,7;&c.
3. That the Holy Scriptures, of the Old and New Testaments, were given by inspiration of God, contain a full revelation of his will to man, and are the only infallible rule of faith and practice.
4. That baptism is an ordinance of the Christian church, to follow faith and repentance, an
ordinance by which we commemorate the resurrection of Christ, as by this act we show our faith in his burial and resurrection, and, through that, of the resurrection of all the saints at the last day and that no other mode fitly represents these facts, then that which the scriptures prescribe, namely immersion. (Romans 6:3-5; Col. 2:12)
5. That the new birth comprises the entire change necessary to fit us for the kingdom of God; and consists of two parts, a) A moral change wrought by conversion and a Christian life, b) a physical change at the second coming of Christ. Whereby, if dead we are raised incorruptible , and, if living, are changed to immortality in a moment, in the twinkling of eye. John 3:3, 5; Luke 20: 3G.
6. We believe that prophecy is a part of God's revelation to man; that it is included in that scripture which is profitable for instruction ; 2 Tim. 3 : 16; that it is designed for us and our children ; Deut.29 : 29; that so far from being enshrouded in impenetrable mystery, it is that which especially constitutes the word of God; a lamp to our feet and a light to our path Ps. 119 : 105; 2 Pet. 2:19; that a blessing is pronounced upon those who study it Rev. 1: 1-3; and that, consequently, it is to be understood by the people of God sufficiently to show them their position in the world's history, and the special duties required at their hands.
7. That the world's history from specified dates in the past, the rise and fall of empires, and chronological succession of events down to the setting up of God' everlasting kingdom, are outlined in numerous great chains of prophecy; and that these prophecies are now all fulfilled except the closing scenes.
8. That the doctrine of the world's conversion and temporal millennium is a fable of these last days, calculated to lull men into a state of carnal security, and cause them to be overtaken by the great day of the Lord as by a thief in the night ; that the second coming of Christ is to precede not follow, the millennium; for until the Lord appears, the papal power, with all its abominations, is to continue, the wheat and tares grow together, and evil men and seducers wax worse and worse, as the word of God declares.
9. That the mistake of Adventists in 1844 pertained to the nature of the event then
o transpire, not to the time; that no prophetic period is given to reach to the second advent, but that the longest one, the two thousand and three hundred days ) Dan. 8:14, terminated in that year, and wrought us to an event called the cleansing of the sanctuary.
10. That the sanctuary of the new covenant is the tabernacle of God in Heaven, if which Paul speaks in Hebrews 8, and inward, of which our Lord, as great High Priest, is minister; that this sanctuary is the antitype of the Mosaic tabernacle, and that the priestly work of our Lord, connected therewith, is the antitype of the work of the Jewish priests of the former dispensation; Heb. 8:1-5, etc..; that this is the sanctuary to be cleansed at the end of the 2300 days; what is termed as to cleansing being in this case, as in the type, simply the entrance of the high priest into the most holy place, to finish the round of service connected therewith, by blotting out and removing from the sanctuary the sins which had been transferred to it by means of the ministration in the first apartment; Heb. 9: 22, 23; and that this work, in the antitype, commencing in 1844, occupies a brief but indefinite space, at the conclusion of which the work of mercy for the world is finished.
11. That God's moral requirements are the same upon all men in all dispensations; that these are summarily contained in the commandments- spoken by Jehovah from Sinai, engraven on the tables of stone, and deposited in the ark, which was in consequence called the "ark of the covenant, or testament; Num. 10:33; Heb. 9:4, &c.; that this law is immutable and perpetual, being a transcript of the tables deposited in the ark in the true sanctuary on high, which is also, for the same reason, called the ark of God's testament; for under the sounding of the seventh trumpet we are told that "the temple of God was opened in Heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of His testament." Rev. 11:19.
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Re: Is There a Difference Between the 28 Fundamental Beliefs & The Pillars of the SDA Church?
[Re: dedication]
#122057
12/05/09 04:24 AM
12/05/09 04:24 AM
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12. That the fourth commandment of this law requires that we devote the seventh day of each week, commonly called Saturday, to abstinence from our own labor, and to devout ourselves to the performance of sacred and religious duties; that this is the only weekly Sabbath known to the Bible, being the day that was set apart before paradise was lost, Gen. 2:2,3, and which will be observed in paradise restored; Is. 66 : 22,23. That the facts upon which the Sabbath institution is based confine it to the seventh day, as they are not true of any other day; and that the terms, Jewish Sabbath and Christian Sabbath, as applied to the weekly rest-day, are names of human invention, unscriptural in fact, and false in meaning.
13 . That, as the man of sin, the papacy, has thought to change times and laws (the laws of God), Dan. 7: 25, and has misled almost all Christendom in regard to the fourth commandment, we find a prophecy of a reform in this respect to be wrought among believers just before the coming of Christ. Isa. 56:1, 2; 1Pet. 1:5; Rev. 14: 12,&c.
14. That, as the natural or carnal heart is at enmity with God and his law. This enmity can be subdued only by a radical transformation of the affections, the exchange of unholy for holy principle ; that this transformation follows repentance and faith, is the special work of the Holy Spirit, and constitutes regeneration or conversion.
15. That, as all have violated the law of God, and cannot of themselves render obedience to His just requirements, we are dependent on Christ, first for justification from our past offenses, and, secondly, for grace whereby to render acceptable obedience to his holy law in time to come.
16. That the Spirit of God was promised to manifest itself in the church through certain gifts, enumerated especially in 1 Cor. 12, and Eph. 4 ; that these gifts are not designed to supersede, or take the place of, the Bible, which is sufficient to make us wise unto salvation, any more than the Bible can take the place of the Holy Spirit; that in specifying the various channels of its operation, that Spirit has simply made provision for its own existence and presence with the people of God to the end of time, to lead to an understanding of that word which it had inspired, to convince of sin, and work a transformation in the heart and life; and that those who deny to the Spirit its place and operation do plainly deny that part of the Bible which assigns to it this work and position.
17. That God in accordance with his uniform dealings with the race, sends forth a proclamation of the approach of the second advent of Christ; that this work is symbolized by the three messages of Rev. 14, the last one bringing to view the work of reform on the law of God, that his people may acquire a complete readiness for that event.
18. That the time of the cleansing of the sanctuary (see proposition X), synchronizing with the time of the proclamation of the third message, is a time of investigative judgment, first, with reference to the dead, and, at the close of probation, with reference to the living, to determine who of the myriads now sleeping in the dust of the earth are worthy of a part in the first resurrection, and who of its living multitudes are worthy of translation— which must be determined before the Lord appears.
19. That the grave, whither we all tend, expressed by the Hebrew “sheol” and the Greek “hades”, is a place of darkness in which there is no work, device, wisdom, or knowledge. Eccl. 9 :10.
20. That the state to which we are reduced by death is one of silence, inactivity, and entire unconsciousness. Ps.. 146 :4 ; Eccl. 9:5, 6; Dan. 12 :2, &c.
21. That out of this prison house of the grave, mankind are to be brought by a bodily resurrection; the righteous having part in the first resurrection, which takes place at the second advent of Christ ; the wicked, in the second resurrection, which takes place a thousand years thereafter. Rev. 20 :4-6.
22. That at the last trump, the living righteous are to be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, and with the resurrected righteous are to be caught up to meet the Lord in the air to go and be forever with the Lord.
23. That these immortalized ones are then taken to Heaven, to the New Jerusalem, the Father's house in which there are many mansions, John 14: 1-3, where they reign with Christ a thousand years, judging the world and fallen angels, that is, apportioning the punishment to be executed upon them at the close of the one thousand yean; Rev. 20 : 4; 1 Cor. 6 :2, 3; that during this time the earth is in a desolate and chaotic condition, Jer. 4: 20-27, described, as in the beginning, by the Greek term “abuseos” bottomless pit (Septuagint of Gen. 1:2) and that here Satan is confined during the thousand years, (Rev. 20 :1, 2,) and here finally destroyed; Rev. 20 :10; Mal. 4:1 ; the theater of the ruin he has wrought in the universe, being appropriately made for a time his gloomy prison house, and then the place of his final execution.
24. That at the end of the thousand years, the Lord descends with his people and the New Jerusalem, Rev. 21 : 2, the wicked dead are raised and come up upon the surface of the yet unrenewed earth, and gather about the city, the camp of the saints, Rev. 20:9-10 and fire comes down from God out of heaven, and devours them. They are then consumed root and branch, Mal. 4 :1, becoming as though they had not been. Obad. 15, 16. In this everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, 2 Thess. 1:9, the wicked meet the everlasting punishment threatened against them. Matt. 5:46. This is the perdition of ungodly men, the fire which consumes them being the fire for which the heavens and the earth which are now " are kept in store, which shall melt even the elements with its intensity, and purge the earth from the deepest stains of the curse of sin. 2 Pet. 3 :7—12.
25. That a new heavens and earth shall spring by the power of God from the ashes of the old, to be, with the New Jerusalem for its metropolis and capitol, the eternal inheritance of the saints, the place where the righteous shall evermore dwell.
Pet. 3:13; Ps. 47:11,29; Matt. 6:5.
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Re: Is There a Difference Between the 28 Fundamental Beliefs & The Pillars of the SDA Church?
[Re: dedication]
#122063
12/05/09 04:19 PM
12/05/09 04:19 PM
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The question that serves as title of this thread asks if there is a difference between the 28 Fundamental Beliefs & The Pillars of the SDA Church. If we compare the historical 25 beliefs Dedication posted above with the current 28 beliefs several things stand out one of them being the space devoted to personal piety. The historical beliefs devote three short statements and the current beliefs devote 5 detailed statements. Historical Statements 5. That the new birth comprises the entire change necessary to fit us for the kingdom of God; and consists of two parts, a) A moral change wrought by conversion and a Christian life, b) a physical change at the second coming of Christ. Whereby, if dead we are raised incorruptible , and, if living, are changed to immortality in a moment, in the twinkling of eye. John 3:3, 5; Luke 20: 3G.
14. That, ax the natural or carnal heart is at enmity with God and his law. This enmity can be subdued only by a radical transformation of the affections, the exchange of unholy for holy principle ; that this transformation follows repentance and faith, is the special work of the Holy Spirit, and constitutes regeneration or conversion.
15. That, as all have violated the law of God, and cannot of themselves render obedience to His just requirements, we are dependent on Christ, first for justification from our past offenses, and, secondly, for grace whereby to render acceptable obedience to his holy law in time to come. Current Statements 7. Nature of Man:
Man and woman were made in the image of God with individuality, the power and freedom to think and to do. Though created free beings, each is an indivisible unity of body, mind, and spirit, dependent upon God for life and breath and all else. When our first parents disobeyed God, they denied their dependence upon Him and fell from their high position under God. The image of God in them was marred and they became subject to death. Their descendants share this fallen nature and its consequences. They are born with weaknesses and tendencies to evil. But God in Christ reconciled the world to Himself and by His Spirit restores in penitent mortals the image of their Maker. Created for the glory of God, they are called to love Him and one another, and to care for their environment. (Gen. 1:26-28; 2:7; Ps. 8:4-8; Acts 17:24-28; Gen. 3; Ps. 51:5; Rom. 5:12-17; 2 Cor. 5:19, 20; Ps. 51:10; 1 John 4:7, 8, 11, 20; Gen. 2:15.)
10. Experience of Salvation:
In infinite love and mercy God made Christ, who knew no sin, to be sin for us, so that in Him we might be made the righteousness of God. Led by the Holy Spirit we sense our need, acknowledge our sinfulness, repent of our transgressions, and exercise faith in Jesus as Lord and Christ, as Substitute and Example. This faith which receives salvation comes through the divine power of the Word and is the gift of God's grace. Through Christ we are justified, adopted as God's sons and daughters, and delivered from the lordship of sin. Through the Spirit we are born again and sanctified; the Spirit renews our minds, writes God's law of love in our hearts, and we are given the power to live a holy life. Abiding in Him we become partakers of the divine nature and have the assurance of salvation now and in the judgment. (2 Cor. 5:17-21; John 3:16; Gal. 1:4; 4:4-7; Titus 3:3-7; John 16:8; Gal. 3:13, 14; 1 Peter 2:21, 22; Rom. 10:17; Luke 17:5; Mark 9:23, 24; Eph. 2:5-10; Rom. 3:21-26; Col. 1:13, 14; Rom. 8:14-17; Gal. 3:26; John 3:3-8; 1 Peter 1:23; Rom. 12:2; Heb. 8:7-12; Eze. 36:25-27; 2 Peter 1:3, 4; Rom. 8:1-4; 5:6-10.)
11. Growing in Christ:
By His death on the cross Jesus triumphed over the forces of evil. He who subjugated the demonic spirits during His earthly ministry has broken their power and made certain their ultimate doom. Jesus' victory gives us victory over the evil forces that still seek to control us, as we walk with Him in peace, joy, and assurance of His love. Now the Holy Spirit dwells within us and empowers us. Continually committed to Jesus as our Saviour and Lord, we are set free from the burden of our past deeds. No longer do we live in the darkness, fear of evil powers, ignorance, and meaninglessness of our former way of life. In this new freedom in Jesus, we are called to grow into the likeness of His character, communing with Him daily in prayer, feeding on His Word, meditating on it and on His providence, singing His praises, gathering together for worship, and participating in the mission of the Church. As we give ourselves in loving service to those around us and in witnessing to His salvation, His constant presence with us through the Spirit transforms every moment and every task into a spiritual experience. (Ps 1:1, 2; 23:4; 77:11, 12; Col 1:13, 14; 2:6, 14, 15; Luke 10:17-20; Eph 5:19, 20; 6:12-18; 1 Thess 5:23; 2 Peter 2:9; 3:18; 2 Cor. 3:17, 18; Phil 3:7-14; 1 Thess 5:16-18; Matt 20:25-28; John 20:21; Gal 5:22-25; Rom 8:38, 39; 1 John 4:4; Heb 10:25.)
21. Stewardship:
We are God's stewards, entrusted by Him with time and opportunities, abilities and possessions, and the blessings of the earth and its resources. We are responsible to Him for their proper use. We acknowledge God's ownership by faithful service to Him and our fellow men, and by returning tithes and giving offerings for the proclamation of His gospel and the support and growth of His church. Stewardship is a privilege given to us by God for nurture in love and the victory over selfishness and covetousness. The steward rejoices in the blessings that come to others as a result of his faithfulness. (Gen. 1:26-28; 2:15; 1 Chron. 29:14; Haggai 1:3-11; Mal. 3:8-12; 1 Cor. 9:9-14; Matt. 23:23; 2 Cor. 8:1-15; Rom. 15:26, 27.)
22. Christian Behavior:
We are called to be a godly people who think, feel, and act in harmony with the principles of heaven. For the Spirit to recreate in us the character of our Lord we involve ourselves only in those things which will produce Christlike purity, health, and joy in our lives. This means that our amusement and entertainment should meet the highest standards of Christian taste and beauty. While recognizing cultural differences, our dress is to be simple, modest, and neat, befitting those whose true beauty does not consist of outward adornment but in the imperishable ornament of a gentle and quiet spirit. It also means that because our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit, we are to care for them intelligently. Along with adequate exercise and rest, we are to adopt the most healthful diet possible and abstain from the unclean foods identified in the Scriptures. Since alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and the irresponsible use of drugs and narcotics are harmful to our bodies, we are to abstain from them as well. Instead, we are to engage in whatever brings our thoughts and bodies into the discipline of Christ, who desires our wholesomeness, joy, and goodness. (Rom. 12:1, 2; 1 John 2:6; Eph. 5:1-21; Phil. 4:8; 2 Cor. 10:5; 6:14-7:1; 1 Peter 3:1-4; 1 Cor. 6:19, 20; 10:31; Lev. 11:1-47; 3 John 2.)
23. Marriage and the Family:
Marriage was divinely established in Eden and affirmed by Jesus to be a lifelong union between a man and a woman in loving companionship. For the Christian a marriage commitment is to God as well as to the spouse, and should be entered into only between partners who share a common faith. Mutual love, honor, respect, and responsibility are the fabric of this relationship, which is to reflect the love, sanctity, closeness, and permanence of the relationship between Christ and His church. Regarding divorce, Jesus taught that the person who divorces a spouse, except for fornication, and marries another, commits adultery. Although some family relationships may fall short of the ideal, marriage partners who fully commit themselves to each other in Christ may achieve loving unity through the guidance of the Spirit and the nurture of the church. God blesses the family and intends that its members shall assist each other toward complete maturity. Parents are to bring up their children to love and obey the Lord. By their example and their words they are to teach them that Christ is a loving disciplinarian, ever tender and caring, who wants them to become members of His body, the family of God. Increasing family closeness is one of the earmarks of the final gospel message. (Gen. 2:18-25; Matt. 19:3-9; John 2:1-11; 2 Cor. 6:14; Eph. 5:21-33; Matt. 5:31, 32; Mark 10:11, 12; Luke 16:18; 1 Cor. 7:10, 11; Ex. 20:12; Eph. 6:1-4; Deut. 6:5-9; Prov. 22:6; Mal. 4:5, 6.) Both statements of belief say the "obedience" we "render" by faith and grace is "acceptable" to God.
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