A Proposed Change to Our 28 Fundamental Beliefs

The recent unanimous vote of the Amazing Facts Constituency to operate autonomously from the Northern California Conference beginning in 2019 as reported by Fulcrum7 elicited the following comments by two of Fulcrum7's readers:


I haven't checked the accuracy of Reader Two's claim that several former GC Presidents have denounced perfectionism. He could be right because Ellen White also condemns the brand of perfectionism that is linked to spiritualism, perfection of the flesh. But, perfectionism aside, I have studied the issue of character perfection in the inspired sources for several years. One reason for my interest is that this has been a current issue within Adventism from the time I was a child. As I write this I'm 59 and some of my earliest memories are of discussions I sat in on or overheard among adults on whether it is possible to live a sinless life. My father, Victor Shipowick, an Adventist pastor always answered that question in the affirmative and although he sometimes failed to live that ideal, he never wavered in his belief that is was not only possible but essential. One of his favorite texts was “Sin shall not have dominion over you” Romans 6:14. Central to the gospel is the message that Christ has broken the power of sin and it will not dominate in our lives - not in the new-born baby in Christ, not in the mature soldier of the cross who fully reflects His image, and not at any point in between.

So, was my father right or had he, in the words of Reader Two imbibed a “very dangerous heresy”? You've already seen where I stand on this but I'm not going to discuss the topic at length because the word of God explains it with such force and appeal that there is no need for me to write another book or article on this wonderful truth. But what I will do is briefly make the case that this doctrine is so central to the third angel's message and to the everlasting gospel, that it should not only be added to our statement of beliefs, it should be given prominence because the liberating power of Christ, His ability to present us faultless before the throne of God not in theory but in fact, is not just central to the everlasting gospel, it is the everlasting gospel.

The Apostles in the New Testament Church warned the members about the coming of the Anti-Christ. John the Beloved admonished us to test the spirits of those who claimed to be followers of Christ. He says any who deny that the Son of God has come in the flesh are anti-Christ in spirit. The most effective way to deny that Christ came in the flesh is not to deny that He lived here as a man 2000 years ago but is to deny His power to present us faultless before the throne of God. One who denies the power of Christ to save from sin effectively denies that Christ has come in the flesh and has overcome sin in the flesh and is anti-Christ in spirit.

In 1905, seventeen years after the 1888 Conference, Alonzo Jones published a book entitled “The Consecrated Way to Christian Perfection.” By this time there were some signs that Jones was loosing his bearings but the book is still significant in that it was one of Jones' last pleas to the church to enter into the experience of righteousness by faith and press on to perfection in the strength of Christ. In hind sight we see Jones as a tragic case of one who failed to live out his own ideal but we can still admire him for his confession.

The cases of Jones and Waggoner may have put a damper on some Adventists who are convinced that character perfection is possible but are reluctant to confess their faith because their lives don't measure up. But the very acknowledgment of the possibility is the first essential step of faith. And the Lord assures us that we need not worry; it's not our righteousness that counts, it's His. Whether imputed or imparted, every bit of it is His. So on the one hand there is no need to fear, and on the other there is no room to boast. We work out what God works in but all our efficiency originates outside of ourselves. The power and glory belong to God alone.

We're exhorted in the word of God to stand fast, uphold and contend for that faith which was once delivered to the saints. If the purpose of our statement of beliefs is to define the essence of our religion then it should plainly state the essentials. And beloved, what could be more essential than our belief in the power of Christ to save to the uttermost? The reason Adventism continues to wander in the wilderness of unbelief is that like ancient Israel, those who have believed have been few in number and their testimony ignored and/or denounced.

There are few doctrines that trouble the nominal Christian and the worldling alike more than the twin doctrines of moral purity and character perfection. Dr. Colin Standish, in his book Perfection writes:


Today the same tension is palpable between conservative and liberal Adventists. Given that the church is no longer able to bridge the widening gap between both parties what are we to do? Conservatives have been trying to close the doors on unbiblical practices such as women's ordination. This hasn't worked. Why? Because we conservatives have never laid the ax to the root of the tree ourselves. There is a love and condoning of sin among us. As a result, a stiff-necked unbelief in the power of Christ to break the bonds of our captivity permeates the body and threatens our existence.

Our Statements of Belief from the beginning, in the name of a false idea of unity have opened the door for the current apostasy. But, belief in the power of Christ to save is the starting point and the finishing point of our faith and the essence of the gospel. If we don't get this right, all our striving will be in vain. So in the name of Christ I say both our Statement of Beliefs and our personal confession has to be grounded solidly here.

Below I've attached an appendix that includes SDA Fundamental Beliefs 11 and 24 containing suggested amendments which are underlined.

The lines of battle between truth and error have already been divinely, not humanly, drawn; the victory has already been divinely won. The only question left is on which side will you and I stand: Will we be among those who overcome through the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony and share in the victory of Christ. God's people are at a spiritual Jordan and now is our opportunity to cross over and claim our inheritance, the righteousness of Christ. Will we allow ourselves to be intimidated by the giants in the land of our inheritance? Or will we positively affirm our faith in the power of God to grant us victory and offer ourselves willingly in the day of battle. Ps. 110:3.

Most of us will not. And I'm afraid many of even conservative Adventists, whether regular Adventists or independents will go down with the ship because they are on the wrong ship. The ship that goes through are those who keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus, a living faith that believes His Word. It's these who have the patience of the saints and are perfected in the love of Christ. Those who are sanctified in the truth in fulfillment of the prayer of Christ for the church will be perfected in His love and the result will be perfect unity.

The Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Rev 22:17.


Appendix A – Proposed Changes to Belief 11 and 24
of the 28 Fundamental Beliefs of Seventh-day Adventists*
*The underlined words contain the suggested amendments.

Belief 11
Growing in Christ: The gospel is the power of God through Christ to completely break the bonds of sin and to liberate and fully restore humanity to the image of God. Individual perfection of character is the purpose of God in the plan of salvation, the essence of the gospel and the New Covenant. 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. We are also called to follow Christ’s example by compassionately ministering to the physical, mental, social, emotional, and spiritual needs of humanity. 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.

Belief 24
Christ’s Ministry in the Heavenly Sanctuary: There is a sanctuary in heaven, the true tabernacle that the Lord set up and not humans. In it Christ ministers on our behalf, making available to believers the benefits of His atoning sacrifice offered once for all on the cross. At His ascension, He was inaugurated as our great High Priest and, began His intercessory ministry, which was typified by the work of the high priest in the holy place of the earthly sanctuary. In 1844, at the end of the prophetic period of 2300 days, He entered the second and last phase of His atoning ministry, which was typified by the work of the high priest in the most holy place of the earthly sanctuary. It is a work of investigative judgment which is part of the ultimate disposition of all sin, typified by the cleansing of the ancient Hebrew sanctuary on the Day of Atonement. In that typical service the sanctuary was cleansed with the blood of animal sacrifices, but the heavenly things are purified with the perfect sacrifice of the blood of Jesus. The investigative judgment reveals to heavenly intelligences who among the dead are asleep in Christ and therefore, in Him, are deemed worthy to have part in the first resurrection. It also makes manifest who among the living are abiding in Christ, keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and in Him, therefore, are ready for translation into His everlasting kingdom. As in the typical Day of Atonement when both the tabernacle and people were cleansed, so in this Day, Christ as our High Priest cleanses and purifies His Church, establishing the New Covenant, writing His law upon the heart, perfecting His image in the character of His people. The Father does this by Christ through whom He imparts His Spirit in the form of spiritual gifts for the perfecting of the saint. This judgment vindicates the justice of God in saving those who believe in Jesus. It declares that those who have remained loyal to God shall receive the kingdom. The completion of this ministry of Christ will mark the close of human probation before the Second Advent.

Regarding our statement of beliefs, I don't see LGT theology as necessary to include among them. They are not supposed to be a creed. They are only to be a guide for those outside our faith to understand what makes us distinct from other denominations. In this case, LGT theology might confuse or alienate some who are not prepared for this truth.

To the extent that we make of our "fundamental beliefs" a creed, I say we should abolish them altogether. Mrs. White was clear.



So, if you can find your LGT theology in the Bible, that is enough. I have studied the issue very much as well, and am in agreement with you that the last generation before Christ's coming will perfectly reflect His character to the world.

Blessings,

Green Cochoa.

I completely agree with you about not having a creed. The preamble to the Statement of Beliefs makes it clear as well:

Some of us who hold to Last Generation Theology (LGT) think that perfection of character is a last generation privilege. Not so. It is the everlasting gospel, the essence of the plan of God for humanity, demonstrated to be true in the lives of saints since the fall of Adam. If that is so, then the document that expresses the essence of our faith should reflect what the Bible sets forth as the everlasting covenant: Christ our Righteousness who is ours to claim by a living faith.

Very interesting statement you made there.
Hmmm....

Kland the paradox in character perfection is that those who claim to have it don't. And those who deny the possibility can't possibly have it either because that is unbelief. But those who believe it is possible have taken the first step in the right direction and we need to cheer them on and give them all the encouragement we can give them.

Last Generation Theology adherents usually claim that character perfection has only been possible since 1844. I used to think that myself. But more recently I've concluded that the final atonement of Christ in the Most Holy Place is like the cross, that both are gifts from the foundation of the world and both are fully effective throughout human history. Those before the cross were saved by Christ in the same way that we are. They looked forward to the cross while we look back but it is the same faith in the same sacrifice. And those before 1844 like Enoch, Moses and Elijah were by faith perfected by Christ's Most Holy Place atonement like we are. The same Holy Spirit that interpreted to them the meaning of the Passover also impressed them with the truth of the final atonement.

Being able to demonstrate that what we have to share is identical to the faith of the fathers from earliest times, that it is indeed the everlasting gospel ought to give a strong impetus to our message.

Never heard that before.

Several points on this thread are of concern to me:

1. I disagree with perfectionist theology in any form. In my understanding it is a works-based religion that focuses on self rather than Christ.

2. This is SO WRONG. The everlasting Gospel is "BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved." Acts 16:31.
As Paul said in Gal.1:6 "I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 which is really no gospel at all."

3. If then we are in no danger of him returning any time soon.

Re the issue of whether character perfection has only been possible since 1844.

If we consider the Old Testament, then Enoch and Elijah are counterexamples. Both were translated, and the SOP says that both are a type of the end-time 144,000.

We could argue that special truths have been unveiled since 1844, but it's always possible that divine revelation was used to communicate these same truths to people who lived a long time ago.

The SOP specifically says that before Moses died, he was given a vision of what would happen in the future.

JAK Joseph Bates believed the 144,000 were from every generation since the fall. I don't have a firm opinion. If he's right though, then the Lord could come before we think. It's possible that there will be a resurrection of the 144K at the start of the judgment of the living, that they will still be mortal but after they have finished their testimony they'll be translated.

Personally I've only met one man in my life that I thought was probably one of the 144,000. That low number doesn't influence my hope in the Lord's soon return or belief that we can abide in Christ every moment of our walk. John the Beloved tells us those who do cannot sin.

This thread is not about the 144,000, but, IM(NS)HO, any comments from anybody regarding the 144,000 is simply pure speculation.

The point is that there has not been, and never will be a "perfect" generation at any time. Jesus did not include "perfection" in his signs of the end in Matt.24, Mark 13, or Luke 21. No biblical writer includes character perfection as any condition for the return of Christ.

"Perfection" is a distraction to take our focus off of Jesus, all the while thinking we are somehow doing good. We start fixating on what we are doing, rather than what Christ has done for us.

Cannot or will not? There is a difference, right?

1Jn_3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

That's good news isn't it! In every temptation we have a choice - to abide or not to abide. If we abide we cannot sin because "his seed remaineth in him."

He also says: "My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father--Jesus Christ, the Righteous One." 1 John 2:1

True. While sinning is not inevitable but is always our choice to repudiate and repel the Spirit of Christ, the Lord still intercedes to give repentance to us and to restore the severed relationship.

In these points we disagree:


I disagree. Sinning IS inevitable.
2 Chronicles 6:36 "When they sin against You--for there is no one who does not sin--"
James 3:2 "We all stumble in many ways."


I disagree, and so does Paul: Romans 7:15-18 "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out."

We must be careful that we don't advocate 'holy flesh'.
Maybe we need to understand what John is saying. How about another version?
1Jo 3:9 (NKJV) Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.
Sounds a little different, doesn't it? And yes, it does have "cannot" but comes across differently.

1Jo 3:9 (ASV) Whosoever is begotten of God doeth no sin, because his seed abideth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is begotten of God.
1Jo 3:9 (BBE) Anyone who is a child of God does no sin, because he still has God's seed in him; he is not able to be a sinner, because God is his Father.
1Jo 3:9 (DBY) Whoever has been begotten of God does not practise sin, because his seed abides in him, and he cannot sin, because he has been begotten of God.
1Jo 3:9 (MKJV) Everyone who has been born of God does not commit sin, because His seed remains in him, and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.
1Jo 3:9 (MNT) Whoever is a child of God cannot go on sinning, because his seed is abiding in him; and he cannot go on sinning because he is a child of God.
1Jo 3:9 (RSV) No one born of God commits sin; for God's nature abides in him, and he cannot sin because he is born of God.
1Jo 3:9 (TCNT) No one who has received the new Life from God lives sinfully, because the very nature of God dwells within him; and he cannot live in sin, because he has received the new Life from God.
1Jo 3:9 (WEB) Whoever is born of God doesn't commit sin, because his seed remains in him; and he can't sin, because he is born of God.
1Jo 3:9 (WNT) No one who is a child of God is habitually guilty of sin. A God-given germ of life remains in him, and he cannot habitually sin--because he is a child of God.
1Jo 3:9 (YLT) every one who hath been begotten of God, sin he doth not, because his seed in him doth remain, and he is not able to sin, because of God he hath been begotten.

So now, look at King James
1Jo 3:9 (KJV) Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

Really, it says the same as the others. If you are born of God, you do not sin. Not because you cannot, but because you will not. You just don't sin.

If it's cannot, then it becomes, you can't go against me because I'm born again and I don't sin, so give me your stuff or I blow your head off. Or varying degrees of less drama.

So yes, as you say, we have a choice, but be careful with the wording.

Indeed, that is what John meant.

To be born again, is to understand and appreciate, in a meaningful way, the sacrifice made by Jesus Christ for our salvation. Our response then is to begin to walk in his footsteps: to love as he loved us. In this way, one becomes a child of God, looks on the world in love, compassion and earnest desire to save.

And so one CANNOT sin because one WILL NOT sin GIVEN that one has this love that surpasses all understanding. Love is the fulfillment of the law; the righteousness of Christ in us, the outward manifestation of the new creation that we are.

However, it is in the shadows outside the borders of love that sin lurks and is ready to take advantage of those who drift away from the Centre, to gobble them up and spit them out so that they appear like a ship being wildly tossed to and fro in the storms of temptation. And the Devil looks on and laughs and laughs. The drunk: they're cartoony, aren't they?




///

I don't agree with James or Kland point of view; but I do agree with Charity and JAK despite they are opposite. They both speak of some truth but both don't have the complete view.

So my view that I think encapsulate all scriptures is that in God's plan of salvation the Lord saw wisdom in using the Adamic man to be the womb of the New Creature conceived in our spirit by the Holy Seed from our heavenly Father. This conception follows the pattern of Jesus conception. Jesus' Father was from the Holy Seed; yet Mary background was from the Adamic man.

So basically we all have two "I" in us. We see this in Rom 7.

So yes, like JAK correctly quoted biblical texts, the Adamic man (the first "I") will continue to sin until the New creation-Man (the second "I") that is maturing to Christ full statue is birthed during the 1st resurrection or later on after the Millennium. Whereas, the New created Man conceived by the Holy Seed while being inside the womb cannot sin.

Below are some old post in the "Perfection, when will we gain it" discussion describing this. http://www.maritime-sda-online.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=178833&page=3

Elle, we who are born again have two natures according to scripture, I agree; the carnal and the spiritual, the flesh and the enlightened conscience. Some equate the soul with the flesh or carnal but doesn't the gospel teach the ransom of our souls. See what you think the inspired texts are saying but one thing seems clear: God's will is the sanctification of our whole nature, body, soul and spirit.

I'm convicted that the soul is especially that part of us that needs to be remade in the image of God. When we're born again we receive the spirit of adoption. In Gethsemane the Lord said to the disciples that they ought to pray and not sleep because although they were in sympathy with Him in spirit, their flesh was weak. Prayer would have strengthened their souls to withstand the temptation to forsake Him.

So again, what is the soul? It's the passions and emotions, that part that especially makes us human. We don't want to kill this like the monks and celibate priests try to do. We want the divine nature to transform our souls so that our emotions and passions align with the heart of God. How? The spirit nature is to have dominion over the soul nature. "Mind over matter" is the English proverb, or mind over matters that trouble us, over emotions.

Divine love is not an emotion. It is a principle that we are to abide in and this will sanctify and recreate emotional health and vitality in us. We'll not be stoically indifferent to our emotions or other's emotions. Instead, we'll have a "heart of flesh" that feels and resonates with the height and depth of the love, joy, pain and sorrow of God and of those around us. We'll be vibrantly alive emotionally.

I am not understanding this premise of changing the 28 Fundamental Beliefs of the church. I am not aware of anyone proposing such an idea.

I thought I had read they are adding a 29th.
Kind of brings up thoughts of Mountain Man.

I have not heard this. I hope not. I believe the 28 we have is an excellent introduction to proper Bible study and understanding. Something needs to be left to searching issues out for ourselves with "fear and trembling".

The premise I'm suggesting is that the Bible teaches character perfection - complete liberation from sin through the power of Christ as our High Priest to present us faultless before the throne of God - and because this is central to our faith and to our commission we ought to insert a few clarifying sentences into two of the 28 fundamentals.

The fact is, the so-called "fundamental beliefs" are wildly incomplete. Every Biblical doctrine, to my understanding at least, should be regarded as a "fundamental." This is why we are instructed to have no creed but the Bible. We have gone against Mrs. White's counsel in this, to our shame.

One of the "missing fundamentals" is present in the Lord's Prayer: Forgiving our brethren. Forgiveness is not listed among the 28 FB. Why not? It is absolutely essential for salvation.

When a doctrine of such significance as forgiveness can be omitted from the "28 FB," who can know what else may be missing?

Jesus said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." Unfortunately, in developing our Adventist creed in this manner, we have NOT kept His commandments. He told us plainly, through Mrs. White, to have no creed but the Bible.

This is one issue where I firmly believe our General Conference has erred. Just as J. N. Loughborough, a faithful Adventist pioneer, said, this development of a creed is a step in apostasy that will lead to other steps. It already has. His prophecy is being fulfilled before our very eyes.

In my part of the world, the church organization has pressed us to sign a "memorandum of understanding (MOU)" in order to assure them that we will adhere to the established doctrines of the church. In the beginning, of a desire to work in unity with the church, we sought to do just such a thing. Unfortunately, our proposals were rejected, at least once, by the committees at each level of administration, going all the way up to the GC level. Even doing our best to write a proper proposal, it was rejected. That's when I learned a valuable truth from Mrs. White in my personal study. The MOU was the wrong thing to pursue. Mrs. White says sharply that such agreements with the church should not be made. She says God forbids us to sign them.

We are accountable to God, not the church, for our work and for our beliefs. To His Word alone we should go for guidance, not to oracles of the church.

Blessings,

Green Cochoa.

• The reality is not as simple as you make it out to be. Every denomination says their doctrines are based on the Bible; yet one says that, and another a totally different thing. Compound that with the tendency of many to point the finger at others and denounce them because of some doctrine, and to steal members from them saying, "Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free," and the situation becomes even murkier.
   
• CREED becomes absolutely necessary to preserve the identity of the denomination, to differentiate itself from others which make similar claims but preach very different conclusions. In fact, God Himself established Israel on the foundation of CREED beginning with Abraham of whom God Himself told Isaac, his son, "Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws" distinct and apart from what was prevalent in those days. (Gen. 26:5 cf. Judges 21:25)
   
• But there is a spirit of rebellion in the camp when men, wanting to preach whatever they imagine, resort to claiming immunity from the fundamental beliefs of the woman whose breasts they suckle.

///

Happy to see you Green,

I think that man has to have it in writing just like the Ten Commandments or else they find a way to justify what they want to do and become addicted to some facet of sin. What can we do, its in our nature...?

Rick,

Mrs. White is exceedingly clear on this point. Her clarity is beyond dispute. Please oblige me in taking a look at a few of her statements.

God is our leader, not man.


Signing Agreements with the Church
(This is a little longer, but is very good. If you're short on time, read the parts I've bolded...though I'll admit to having wanted to bold more of it!)

That statement, I believe, also applies to the recent General Conference decisions relative to the compliance policy. Understanding God's viewpoint on the issue should be very meaningful to every Adventist right now.

"Men place restrictions on their fellow-workers in order that they may reach certain ends; but by making it necessary for others to come exactly to their terms, they may bind about a work which God has declared must advance." -- Ellen White, 1900.

Blessings,

Green Cochoa.

Is that why man is doing his own writing?

There were actually some significant changes to the Fundamental Beliefs at the last GC in San Antonio. I'll start a thread that is not focused on that but will cover one of them.