Influence of the Spirit of Prophecy in Establishing Doctrine

We could cite several concrete illustrations on this point. We present one, the happenings of the second of the five Sabbath conferences of 1848. It was the first of two conferences held that summer in New York State. She writes:PBORWEW 6.1

“Our first conference was at Volney in Bro. Arnold’s barn. There were about 35 present, all that could be collected in that part of the State. There were hardly two agreed. Each was strenuous for his views, declaring that they were according to the Bible. All were anxious for an opportunity to advance their sentiments...

“Brother Arnold held that the 1,000 years of Revelation were in the past; and that the 144,000 were those raised at Christ’s resurrection. And as we had the emblem of our dying Lord before us, and were about to commemorate His sufferings, Bro. Arnold arose and said he had no faith in what we were about to do; that the Sacrament was a continuation of the Passover, to be observed but once a year.

“These strange differences of opinion rolled a heavy weight upon me, especially as Bro. Arnold spoke of the 1,000 years being in the past. I knew that he was in error...

“The light of heaven rested upon me. I was soon lost to earthly things. My accompanying angel presented before me some of the errors of those present, and also the truth in contrast with their errors. That these discordant views, which they claimed to be according to the Bible, were only according to their opinion of the Bible, and that their errors must be yielded, and they unite upon the third angel’s message.

“Our meeting ended victoriously. Truth gained the victory.”—Spiritual Gifts 2:97-99.

In this discussion we find a keystone in the often quoted statement written in 1903 and first published in 1904. It is today in Selected Messages 1:206-7PBORWEW 6.2

“Many of our people do not realize how firmly the foundation of our faith has been laid. My husband, Elder Joseph Bates, Father Pierce, Elder Edson, and others who were keen, noble, and true, were among those who, after the passing of the time in 1844, searched for the truth as for hidden treasure. I met with them, and we studied and prayed earnestly. Often we remained together until late at night, and sometimes through the entire night, praying for light and studying the word. Again and again these brethren came together to study the Bible, in order that they might know its meaning, and be prepared to teach it with power.

“When they came to the point in their study where they said, ‘We can do nothing more,’ the Spirit of the Lord would come upon me, I would be taken off in vision, and a clear explanation of the passages we had been studying would be given me, with instruction as to how we were to labor and teach effectively. Thus light was given that helped us to understand the Scriptures in regard to Christ, His mission, and His priesthood. A line of truth extending from that time to the time when we shall enter the city of God, was made plain to me, and I gave to others the instruction that the Lord had given me.

“During this whole time I could not understand the reasoning of the brethren. My mind was locked, as it were, and I could not comprehend the meaning of the scriptures we were studying. This was one of the greatest sorrows of my life. I was in this condition of mind until all the principal points of our faith were made—clear to our minds, in harmony with the Word of God. The brethren knew that when not in vision, I could not understand these matters, and they accepted as light direct from heaven the revelations given.”

A decade earlier in an article published in the The Review and Herald, July 26, 1892, titled, “Search the Scriptures” Ellen White recounted the experiences of the early days in Bible study. We present here two significant references:PBORWEW 7.1

“On some occasions the Spirit of God would come upon me, and difficult portions were made clear through God’s appointed way, and then there was perfect harmony.”

“At times the power of God came upon us in a marked manner, and when clear light revealed the points of truth, we would weep and rejoice together.” See Appendix A for the fuller context.

It is clear that it never occurred to the pioneers who took the position of the Bible, and the Bible alone, that there was any inconsistency with the fact that as they endeavored in those early days to ferret out the doctrines from God’s Word, that He should give light that helped them to “understand the Scriptures” or to make plain to Ellen White “a line of truth extending from that time to the time when we shall enter the city of God.”PBORWEW 7.2

A variation of the much used quote above, appearing as Manuscript 135, 1903, is to the student investigating the fine points of this topic, of interest and worth close scrutiny. In the setting of the quotation above she writes:PBORWEW 8.1

“My husband, Elder Joseph Bates, Father Pierce, Elder Edson, a man who was keen, noble, and true, and many others whose names I cannot now recall, were among those who, after the passing of the time in 1844, searched for truth. At our important meetings, these men would meet together, and search for the truth as for hidden treasure. I met with them, and we studied and prayed earnestly; for we felt that we must learn God’s truth. Often we remained together until late at night, and sometimes through the entire night, praying for light, and studying the word.

“As we fasted and prayed, great power came upon us. But I could not understand the reasoning of the brethren. My mind was locked, as it were, and I could not comprehend what we were studying. Then the Spirit of God would come upon me, I would be taken off in vision, and a clear explanation of the passages we had been studying would be given me, with instruction as to the position we were to take regarding truth and duty.

“A line of truth extending from that time to the time when we shall enter the city of God, was plainly marked out before me, and I gave my brethren and sisters the instruction that the Lord had given me. They knew that when not in vision, I could not understand these matters, and they accepted as light direct from heaven the revelations given me. The leading points of our faith as we hold them today were firmly established. Point after point was clearly defined, and all the brethren came into harmony.

“The whole company of believers were united in the truth. There were those who came in with strange doctrines, but we were never afraid to meet them. Our experience was wonderfully established by the revelation of the Holy Spirit.

“For two or three years my mind continued to be locked to the Scriptures. In 1846 I was married to Elder James White. It was some time after my second son was born that we were in great perplexity regarding certain points of doctrine. I was asking the Lord to unlock my mind, that I might understand His word. Suddenly I seemed to be enshrouded in clear, beautiful light, and ever since, the Scriptures have been an open book to me.

“I was at that time [winter of 1850-1851] in Paris, Maine. Old Father Andrews was very sick. For some time he had been a great sufferer from inflammatory rheumatism. He could not move without intense pain. We prayed for him. I laid my hands on his head, and said, ‘Father Andrews, the Lord Jesus maketh thee whole.’ He was healed instantly. He got up and walked about the room, praising God, and saying, ‘I never saw it on this wise. Angels of God are in this room.’ The glory of God was revealed. Light seemed to shine all through the house, and an angel’s hand was laid upon my head. From that time to this, I have been enabled to understand the word of God.”—Ms. 135, 1903.

Again and again through the years Ellen White makes reference to truth which was attested to by the miracle working power of the Spirit of God. Only indirectly are such expressions germain to this topic. Attention of the reader is called to Appendix B, “God Through the Holy Spirit Set His Seal Upon the Truth.” See page 23.PBORWEW 9.1

If there should remain some vestige of question as to just how the pioneers in the beginning days assessed the matter, we may let James White answer, as he did in the The Review and Herald, October 3, 1854.PBORWEW 9.2

“The position that the Bible, and the Bible alone, is the rule of faith and duty, does not shut out the gifts which God set in the church. To reject them is shutting out that part of the Bible which presents them. We say, Let us have a whole Bible, and let that, and that alone, be our rule of faith and duty. Place the gifts where they belong, and all is harmony.”

Then in 1856 he repeated:PBORWEW 9.3

“I still say that the Bible is my rule of faith and practice, and in saying this, I do not reject the Holy Spirit in its diversities of operations.” The Review and Herald, February 14, 1856.