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Believe His Prophets

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    The Conclusion From Her Own Statement

    The conclusion is as simple as it is certain. Ellen G. White turns the sinner’s attention to the Bible and to Christ as man’s only hope for salvation. Every page of her writings uplifts Jesus, upholds Christ as man’s only Saviour, points unerringly to the Son of God as the one who takes away the sins of the penitent sinner. Steps to Christ, The Ministry of Healing, Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, Christ’s Object Lessons, and The Desire of Ages all set forth the doctrine of righteousness by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.BHP 301.4

    “What are we to do,’ they asked, ‘to carry out what God requires?’” (John 6:28, Weymouth). It was Jesus Himself who gave the answer, “This’ … ‘is above all what God requires—that you should be believers in Him whom He has sent’” (verse 29).BHP 301.5

    Paul and Silas came forth with a similar answer to the earnest appeal of the keeper of the prison, “O sirs, what must I do to be saved?’” They did not hesitate or falter for a moment, but knew the answer, and so must you and I as Christ’s ministers today. They declared, “Believe on the Lord Jesus,’ …‘and both you and your household will be saved’” (Acts 16:30, 31, Weymouth).BHP 302.1

    “As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:12).BHP 302.2

    The whole story of God’s requirements for our salvation is told in one verse—John 3:16; in one chapter—Ephesians 2; in one book—the Bible, “the greater light“: and in one library—“the lesser light,” the forty-five bound volumes and several thousand Ellen G. White articles that have appeared in our church papers over the past one hundred years.BHP 302.3

    “The revelation of God’s love to men centers in the cross. Its full significance tongue cannot utter; pen cannot portray; the mind of man cannot comprehend. Looking upon the cross of Calvary we can only say: ‘God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’ John 3:16.BHP 302.4

    “Christ crucified for our sins, Christ risen from the dead, Christ ascended on high, is the science of salvation that we are to learn and to teach.” Testimonies, vol. 8, p. 287. (Italics supplied.)BHP 302.5

    My faith in Christ as my personal Saviour causes me to make a full and complete surrender to Him:BHP 303.1

    “He asks for a whole heart; give it to Him; it is His, both by creation and by redemption. He asks for your intellect; give it to Him; it is His. He asks for your money; give it to Him; it is His. ‘Ye are not your own; for ye are bought with a price.’ God requires the homage of a sanctified soul, which has prepared itself, by the exercise of the faith that works by love, to serve Him. He holds up before us the highest ideal, even perfection. He asks us to be absolutely and completely for Him in this world as He is for us in the presence of God.” The Acts of the Apostles, 566.BHP 303.2

    Now what is the purpose of the Bible? Christ and the cross are at the center of the Bible, and rise up, as it were, out of the Book as the focal point of interest for me; but God gave the Book, from Genesis 1 to Revelation 22, as the story of redemption, the standard of His everlasting kingdom, a guidebook from earth to heaven, a complete pattern for Christian living. (See 2 Timothy 3:15-17.)BHP 303.3

    We must keep in mind that a man is not saved by merely assenting to the doctrines of the Bible, but by his faith in the Lord Jesus. The doctrines, the reproofs, the instruction are given as the detailed specifications for building a perfect Christian character, for the making of an intelligent Christian. This is what Peter means by growing in grace as set forth in 2 Peter 1:5-11. We begin with our faith in Jesus Christ, and He then comes into our hearts by faith and takes up His abode (Ephesians 3:17). This abiding presence brings about a transformation of character, so that the Christian shows forth the virtues of Christ in every business transaction, in every social relation, in every phase of his daily life.BHP 303.4

    Ellen G. White describes it this way:BHP 304.1

    “Every moment of our lives is intensely real, and charged with solemn responsibilities. Ignorance will be no excuse for lack of spiritual understanding and attainment; for we are exhorted to add to virtue, knowledge. Many are very ignorant of Bible truth, and they do not realize the duty and necessity of becoming intelligent Christians…. The uncultured fishermen became men of refinement and ability; and the lessons that they were privileged to learn are written for our admonition and instruction. We are invited to become learners in the school of Christ. We need to acquire all the knowledge possible. We cannot afford to be ignorant of the things that pertain to our eternal welfare. If all would cease gossip and evil communication, devoting the time to contemplation of Christ and the plan of salvation, they would add the knowledge essential to a growth in grace.” The Review and Herald, February 21, 1888, p. 113.BHP 304.2

    Let us pause for a moment and think that through. Is it possible that we as Seventh-day Adventist preachers and teachers have been putting our emphasis in the wrong place? Have we shifted our focus from the great fundamentals to the incidentals and perhaps the nonessentials? Is my salvation still dependent on my faith in Jesus Christ? Or is it dependent on my readiness to give mere intellectual assent to certain designated answers to specific questions regarding a Seventh-day Adventist system of theology, and to certain interpretations of prophecies that were originally designed to help me know how far along I am today in the path leading to the everlasting kingdom?BHP 304.3

    Brethren, we do well to ponder these things lest we be guilty of doing the very things Ellen G. White warns against. Listen to her words:BHP 305.1

    “More people than we think are longing to find the way to Christ. Those who preach the last message of mercy should bear in mind that Christ is to be exalted as the sinner’s refuge. Some ministers think that it is not necessary to preach repentance and faith; they take it for granted that their hearers are acquainted with the gospel, and that matters of a different nature must be presented in order to hold their attention. But many people are sadly ignorant in regard to the plan of salvation; they need more instruction upon this all-important subject than upon any other.BHP 305.2

    Theoretical discourses are essential, that people may see the chain of truth, link after link, uniting in a perfect whole; but no discourse should ever be preached without presenting Christ and Him crucified as the foundation of the gospel. Ministers would reach more hearts if they would dwell more upon practical godliness….BHP 305.3

    “The thought that the righteousness of Christ is imputed to us, not because of any merit on our part, but as a free gift from God, is a precious thought. The enemy of God and man is not willing that this truth should be clearly presented; for he knows that if the people receive it fully, his powers will be broken….BHP 305.4

    “The people must be instructed that Christ is unto them salvation and righteousness. It is Satan’s studied purpose to keep souls from believing in Christ as their only hope.” Gospel Workers, 158-162. (Italics supplied.)BHP 306.1

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