Old Paths

Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for The secret of the LORD is with them that the old paths, where is the good way, and fear Him; and He will show them His walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your covenant. Psalm 25:14 souls. Jeremiah 6:16 Vol. 15, No.7 Straight and Narrow July 2006

Prayer Requests

A Spirited Subject We are thankful for all the prayers you By Allen Stump have offered in response to concerns mentioned in past columns and this Within Adventism the subject of the Holy Spirit and the Godhead has become a month we humbly ask for your prayers spirited subject of discussion. This has been highlighted by the recent release of for the Beachy family. Brother several publications, as well as by the Adventist Theological Society’s recent sym- Lynnford will be traveling to Europe posium on the Trinity held at Southern Adventist University this Spring. This soon, so please join us in prayer that he symposium was held because “The subject [of the Trinity] receives the highest will continue to be filled with the Holy number of questions at the Biblical Research Institute in the General Conference” Spirit as he shares God’s Word and that (Email from [email protected] on behalf of Star Stevens to employ- angels will continually guard while he ees at Southern University). is away from us, for we know we are With the publication of the second quarter’s adult Sabbath School lessons living in fearful times. Also, his wife, on the Holy Spirit, there has been a flood of response materials written by Kendra, has been having difficulty interested parties. The April, May, and June issues of Old Paths dealt with with an allergic reaction to mold. some of the pertinent points and concepts of the Sabbath School lessons. Please pray that speedy solutions can Samuele Bacchiocchi has thrown his voice into the ring of discussion be found for the complications arising recently as well. His “Endtime Issues Newsletter,” No. 147 (hereafter refer- from this health concern. We consider enced as EIN–147) lists the main topic as “The importance of the Doctrine of it a high privilege to stop our work in the Trinity.” In the second paragraph Bacchiocchi states: the office, in response to frequent requests for prayer, and as a group The struggle our Adventist Church has faced in accepting the doctrine of the Trinity, is reflected in the current challenge of this doctrine by an in- entreat our heavenly Father on behalf creasing number of Adventists. Surprisingly, recently a significant number Continued on page 21 of Adventists have emailed me studies defending the historical anti-Trini- tarian position of our pioneers (EIN–147; all emphasis in this article is supplied unless otherwise noted). Also in this issue: Bacchiocchi states that he will be devoting the next three newsletters to the Sharing God’s Love – A. Stump...... p.6 subject of the Trinity because of “numerous requests to re-examine the ques- tion of the Trinity (Ibid.).” Youth’s Corner – O. Holt...... p.10 Bacchiocchi states he plans to discuss “the social, ecclesiastical, and politi- Christ the Way of Life – E.G.White ... p.11 cal implications” of the Trinity doctrine and then in issue No. 148 publish No Fear Revisited – A. Stump ...... p.12 “chapter 16 from the book The Trinity: Its Implications for Life and Thought. The title of the chapter is ‘The Holy Spirit and the Triune Oneness of the God- Upcoming Meetings – L. Beachy ..... p.14 head.’ The author is Woodrow Whidden, Ph. D. (Ibid.).” How Simple is Simple? – A. Stump . . . p. 15 Bacchiocchi writes that he plans to later post a summation of Professor Love that Works – O. Holt ...... p.18 Jerry Moon’s chapters from the book, The Trinity: Its Implications for Life and Thought which cover a “historical survey of the gradual evolution of Nigerian Trip Report – A. Stump ..... p.22 Adventist pioneers from anti-Trinitarian to Trinitarian beliefs (Ibid.).” Pro- Web Site Update – B. Turner ...... p.24 fessor Moon is head of the Church History Department at the Andrews University Theological Seminary. Pioneer Book Update ...... p.24 Old Trinitarian Challenges fundamental Christianity (Eternity, Sep- Age Movement concepts are discussed tember, 1956).” before dealing with what he considers Bacchiocchi begins the section of his Early in his article, a term is used that unbalanced views of the Trinity. In the sec- newsletter especially dealing with the surprises us greatly. The author refers to the tion on Liberation Theology, the author Trinity by noting: Trinity six times as “three Beings,” and claims that having the idea of “God the The doctrine of the Trinity was really three times he uses the term “three equal Father as the supreme Ruler of the uni- the first doctrine that captivated the Beings.” As we noted in the April issue of verse, has fostered a hierarchical system early church, causing an enormous in- Old Paths, the General Conference has sig- where secular and religious leaders emu- vestment of time and money. The first naled an official position in clear favor of late the role of God by dominating and seven ecumenical councils from Nicea the orthodox Trinity doctrine (one being in oppressing the masses (Ibid.).” When in 325 to Constantinople in 687, were three persons, not three beings which is reading this, one should remember what convened mostly to define and refine considered polytheism) in the release of the God says in these verses: the church position on the nature and re- Handbook of Seventh-day Adventist Theol- For there is one God, and one media- lationship among the three members of ogy, also known as volume twelve of the the Trinity (Ibid.). tor between God and men, the man Commentary Reference Series. Notice the Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5). Notice that “the early church” and “the following references in the Handbook con- church position” are spoken of but cerning the nature of God: My Father is greater than I (John 14:28). nowhere are we told that the seven noted … one divine reality and not to a plu- councils mentioned are Catholic ecumeni- rality of divine beings (p. 121). The head of Christ is God (1 Corin- cal councils! We then read: … divine Being singular, with a plu- thians 11:3). In a very real sense, it was on the doc- rality of persons (p. 122). And when all things shall be subdued trinal issues of the Trinity that early In the being of God is an essential unto him, then shall the Son also himself church leaders cut their intellectual coprimordiality [existing from the be- be subject unto him that put all things teeth. The matter was forced upon them ginning] of three coequal, coeternal, under him, that God may be all in all by the need to explain to Greek thinkers nonoriginated persons (p. 150). (1 Corinthians 15:33). how the three Beings of the Godhead can be defined and worshipped as one The danger of Tritheism…becomes Christ made every effort so to sweep God. It is unfortunate that those apolo- real when the oneness of God is reduced away the misrepresentations of Satan, getic endeavors often resulted in to a mere unity conceived in analogy to a that the confidence of man in the love of heretical anti-trinitarian teachings that human society or a fellowship of action. God might be restored. He taught man to have plagued Christianity until our Beyond such a unity of action, however, address the Supreme Ruler of the uni- time. In fact, most of today’s anti-trini- it is necessary to envision God as the one verse by the new name “Our Father.” tarian heresies found in such religious single reality which, in the very acts by This name signifies his true relation to movements as the Mormons, Jehovah’s which He reveals Himself directly in us, and when spoken in sincerity by hu- Witnesses, the Unitarians, and liberal history, transcends the limits of our hu- man lips, it is music in the ears of God. theologians, trace their roots to the early man reason (p. 150). Christ leads us to the throne of God by a new and living way, to present him to us church (Ibid.). These statements in the newsletter go in his paternal love (Review & Herald, directly against all mainstream Trinitarian Here those Adventists who do not September 11, 1894). believe in the Trinity are listed with fringe orthodoxy, which declares a three–being groups such as Mormons and Jehovah’s godhead to be anathema and polytheistic! It is a mistake to try to make God fit into Witnesses, stating that such are “heretical” Is this simply carelessness? A single inci- our pattern of thought instead of making and that they “have plagued Christianity.” dent might slip through the editing our pattern of thought fit God. While Lib- This reminds one of the statement by process, but nine such statements could eration Theology may claim to use false Adventist leaders a half century ago docu- hardly be published by accident. The Bible ideas of God as a role model to dominate mented by Donald Barnhouse in Eternity plainly states, “But to us there is but one and oppress the masses, those who have magazine of September, 1956. Barnhouse God, the Father, of whom are all things, fostered the Trinity doctrine have caused wrote an article entitled, “Are Sev- and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, the greatest persecutions the world has enth-day Adventists Christians?” in which by whom are all things, and we by him ever seen. The real truth about God he described the meetings that took place (1 Corinthians 8:6).” The one true God of teaches that He is loving, kind, merciful, between some of the foremost evangeli- the Bible is the Father, not a three person and gracious. cals in the United States and Adventist or triune being. Jesus Christ is the “only And the LORD passed by before him, leaders. In trying to explain how some of begotten Son” of the Father (John 3:16). and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD our older literature carried positions not God, merciful and gracious, longsuffer- readily accepted by evangelicals, the New Challenges to the Trinity ing, and abundant in goodness and truth, Adventist Church leaders told Walter The next section is an expansion on the Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving Martin, “that they had among their number challenges to the Trinitarian doctrine, in iniquity and transgression and sin, and certain members of their ‘lunatic fringe’ addition to those presented by the “historic that will by no means clear the guilty; even as there are similar wild-eyed anti-trinitarian heresies (EIN–147).” Lib- visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon irresponsibles in every field of eration Theology, Feminism, and New the children, and upon the children’s

Old Paths - 2 - July 2006 children, unto the third and to the fourth Doctrine of the Trinity.” Within the first not true, then the biblical message of generation (Exodus 33:6, 7). paragraph of this section Bacchiocchi salvation must be radically changed. In- Bacchiocchi also discusses the issues of states that “the Christian faith is based on stead of a voluntary self-sacrifice by a Feminism and the New Age Movement as mysteries (EIN–147).” He then states that member of the Godhead, the atonement resulting from misunderstandings of the although we cannot understand creation, becomes an unfair and unethical treat- Trinity. the incarnation, or the resurrection we still ment of Jesus by God, who punished accept them, therefore we should accept His own Son for something he did not the Trinity also, even though we cannot do (EIN–147). Unbalanced Views of God understand it. What the author fails to note Bacchiocchi next discusses three views of We agree that one’s concept of God is is that the creation, the incarnation, and the important and is the basis of all other reli- Christian belief: one that emphasizes the resurrection are all taught in the Bible, Father alone, one that emphasizes Christ gious teachings, but the author uses a while the Trinity is not. We must seek the straw-man approach in his attempt to alone, and one that emphasizes the Holy Catholic ecumenical councils to find Spirit alone. In the section on the “The undermine non-Trinitarian positions. He where the Trinity is first taught within pro- implies that any teaching other than the Religion of the Father Alone” fessed Christianity. Bacchiocchi states: Trinity has an unloving God that punishes Bacchiocchi declares that the Trinity “His own Son for something he did not do” In a more subtle way, the doctrine of “sets Christianity apart from all other reli- and that the sacrifice of Christ denies that the Trinity suffers also from the devo- gions. On the one hand, it clearly He voluntarily gave of His own life. These tion given by some Christians to one distinguishes Christianity from the strongly are not true propositions and the logic is member of the Trinity at the exclusion monotheistic religions such as Judaism and flawed. The Bible does not teach the Trin- of the other two. There is, for example, Islam. On the other hand, it separates Chris- ity and neither does it teach that God the Religion of the Father Alone, prac- tianity from polytheistic and pantheistic punished Jesus or that Jesus did not come ticed by those Christians who believe religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism of His own free will. that God the Father is the central figure (Ibid.).” The Trinity surely sets Catholi- of the Trinity. He is the Almighty Ruler cism and its proponents apart from other The Trinity — Institution Model who decides the life or death destiny of religions and prevents the acceptance of every person. Therefore, Christians Jesus by the Muslims and Jews who are The final section of Bacchiocchi’s study in must submit themselves to Him without monotheistic. Neither the Muslims nor the EIN–147 is entitled, “The Trinity as a questioning as minors. “Such an under- Jews can accept a Jesus who is exactly like, Model for Religious, Political, and Social standing,” as Catholic theologian or who is a part of, the Father. The Koran Institutions.” He begins by stating: Leonardo Boff points out, “can lead declares: The importance of the doctrine of the Christians to feel resigned to their mis- Trinity is indicated especially by its im- They do blaspheme who say: Allah is ery and to nourish a spirit of submission pact on religious, social, and political one of three in a Trinity: For there is no to those in charge, to the pope and the institutions. The exercise of power in god except One God. If they desist not bishops, with no creativity. God is cer- most societies generally reflects the pre- from their word (of blasphemy), verily a tainly the Father, but the Father of the vailing understanding of how God rules grievous penalty will befall the blas- Son, who, together with the Holy Spirit, the universe. The tendency has been to phemers among them (Su 5:76). lives in communion and equality.” represent God as the only all-powerful (Leonard Boff, Holy Trinity, Perfect Even though Bacchiocchi tries to dis- ONE, who rules the world as a monarch. Community, 2000, p. 9) (EIN–147). tinguish Trinitarianism from all other The usual conclusion has been that While staying within the framework of religions, the rejection of Jesus as the lit- those who wield power on earth, are to the Trinity, Bacchiocchi speaks of those eral begotten Son of God is what binds act as God’s natural representatives that consider the Father as the supreme Trinitarianism into the common fabric of (EIN–147). Babylon. The one great error that is com- “Almighty Ruler.” As we have seen ear- Again, the author defines God to fit into mon to Catholics, apostate Protestants, lier, God the Father is the supreme Ruler his pattern of thought instead of making his Muslims, Jews, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and Being in the universe. There is an pattern of thought fit God. God is the ruler Mormons, polytheists, and pantheists is order to the rule of heaven. Christ has been of the universe. If He is not, then who is? He that they all deny that Jesus Christ is the exalted to be equal with God. The angels is the “all-powerful One.” If God is not the literal begotten Son of God! then follow Christ, but there is no spirit of all-powerful One, then who is? Nowhere in supremacy in heaven. Only the spirit of the Bible is God pictured as a ruling despot, love reigns where the spirit of God is The Trinity and Salvation rather He is depicted as the kind “Father” allowed to rule. Jesus said, “But be not ye Under the section, “Trinity and the Mes- upon Whom one may cast all his cares called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even sage of Salvation” Bacchiocchi writes: because God cares for His children. (See Christ; and all ye are brethren (Matthew The doctrine of the Trinity is of great 1 Peter 5:7.) 23:8).” importance because it affects the formu- In order to strengthen our confidence in lation of other doctrines. Theology is God, Christ teaches us to address Him by a The Trinity’s Importance organic and the alteration of one doc- new name, a name entwined with the dear- The next major section of Bacchiocchi’s trine affects the formulation of other est associations of the human heart. He article is entitled “The Importance of the doctrines. If the doctrine of the Trinity is gives us the privilege of calling the infinite

Vol. 15, No. 7 - 3 - http://www.smyrna.org God our Father. This name, spoken to Him Center website reveals no such book. We other. Realizing that a similar parallel and of Him, is a sign of our love and trust called the toll-free number for the Adven- exists between God and God’s Spirit and toward Him, and a pledge of His regard tist Book Center published in the man and man’s spirit clears up the sup- and relationship to us. Spoken when ask- newsletter and were told that the only book posed non-trinitarian problems that ing His favor or blessing, it is as music in they have that nearly fits the description is Whidden sees in many texts. (This concept His ears. That we might not think it pre- entitled, The Trinity: Understanding was covered in detail in the April–June sumption to call Him by this name, He has God’s love, His plan of salvation, and issues of Old Paths.) repeated it again and again. He desires us to Christian relationships. This book was The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit is become familiar with the appellation coauthored by Jerry Moon and John the very person and presence of God. Of (Christ's Object Lessons, p. 141). Reeve. The material quoted by the news- course, the Father can be “lied to,” The next concept developed is “that letter is almost a verbatim account of “grieved,” and “blasphemed.” God has a those who wield power on earth, are to act chapter 4 of the book, The Trinity: Under- “will” and “the ability to make choices.” as God’s natural representatives” and the standing God’s love, His plan of salvation, God, in the presence of His Spirit, reveals author then applies this concept to church and Christian relationships. All refer- the things He has prepared for us. government, politics, Muslim Totalitari- ences to Whidden’s work in this article anism, and Machismo in the family. In will be from Bacchiocchi’s newsletter. Use of Masculine Pronouns each case he builds a false view up as what Before proceeding, I would like to say Elder Whidden then proceeds to discuss is in opposition to true church govern- that I recently met and talked with Elder the pronouns used that describe the Holy ment, politics, Muslim Totalitarianism, Whidden at the symposium on the Trinity Spirit in masculine terms. Whidden cor- and Machismo in the family and then tears at Southern Adventist University and I am rectly notes: it down straw-man style. For example, in glad to say that he appears to be a man of strong and sincere convictions. While I First of all it should be observed that the section “Machismo in the Family,” while the word “Spirit” (Gk. pneuma)is Bacchiocchi writes: obviously do not agree with all his theol- ogy, I respect him as a person. in the neuter gender in Greek, the per- The understanding of God as a male sonal pronoun ekeinos (“that one,” or who controls everything and hold [sic] “He,” clearly used to refer to the neuter all power for Himself, has fostered male Personhood of the Holy Spirit Spirit) is in the masculine gender. … domination in macho-oriented cultures. The bulk of Elder Whidden’s material The neuter Spirit (pneuma) can cer- Believing to be acting in the name of deals with the personhood of the Holy tainly be interpreted to be impersonal, God, the man views himself as the Spirit and here is where we come to a par- but the fact that the personal pronouns “boss” and “owner” of his wife and chil- tial agreement and, yet, a disagreement are masculine (especially ekeinos) and dren (Ibid.). with him. Elder Whidden covers verses are used repeatedly, strongly indicates from Acts 5, Ephesians 4:30; Matthew the personhood of the Spirit (EIN–148). This view fails to note that the same 12:31, 32; 1 Corinthians 12; Romans 8; Bible which teaches the truth about God It should be noted that some of the refer- 1 Corinthians 2:10, 11; and John 14-16 to and His Son, also teaches that agape love ences for masculine pronouns Whidden show the personhood of the Holy Spirit. demands the husband to support the rights uses are for the masculine word “com- We are agreed with him that the Holy of women and children, that the husband is forter” and not for the neuter word “spirit.” Spirit is a divine person, but, we must dif- to love his wife, “even as Christ also loved However, to us the issue is not the mascu- fer with him because the Bible does not the church, and gave himself for it,” and line personhood of the Holy Spirit. We teach that the Holy Spirit is a person sepa- that the fathers are not to provoke their take exception with any attempts to show rate and apart from the Father and the Son children to wrath (Ephesians 5:25; 6:4). that the Holy Spirit is a person different as the Trinity doctrine teaches. While The Trinity directly strikes against the from God or Christ. Whidden makes some interesting remarks gospel order of love laid down in 1 Corin- paralleling the experience of man and thians 11:3. No wonder families are in God, the one point he misses is that man 2 Corinthians 13:14 such disarray. Husbands do not guide in and man’s spirit are set in parallel to God Whidden states that the “final piece of evi- love and wives do not submit in love and God’s spirit. “For what man knoweth dence for the Spirit’s personality comes because the Trinity doctrine teaches that the things of a man, save the spirit of man from 2 Cor. 13:14 (Ibid.).” This verse God and Christ are the same in all respects. which is in him? even so the things of God states: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God and the love of God, and the communion EIN No. 148 (1 Corinthians 2:11).” No Seventh-day of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.” As promised, Bacchiocchi published Adventist believes that man’s spirit is Whidden goes on to write: material by Elder Woodrow Whidden in something that is separate and consciously The first thing to note about this verse issue #148 of his newsletter. The material exists apart from man’s physical body. is that the Holy Spirit is here described is credited to be from “chapter 16 from the Man’s spirit is clearly his inner self, his as the third named being headed up by book The Trinity: Its Implications for Life conscience or inner being, but not a person the [sic] God the Father and the Son. and Thought.” The title of the chapter is different and separate from himself. Yet, The vast majority of Bible-believing supposed to be, “The Holy Spirit and the when God and His Spirit are mentioned, Christians agree that the Father and the Triune Oneness of the Godhead.” How- Trinitarians automatically assume that Son are personal divine beings. Most ever, a search of the Adventist Book they are different and separate from each certainly the “grace” which comes from

Old Paths - 4 - July 2006 Jesus Christ is only something that can God is Love conditional upon others to love. God, have a personal origin. The “love of however, is infinite. No matter how far God” is obviously suggestive of the per- The last section of Whidden’s study back we might consider Him to have sonality of the Father since love is the declares the Trinity doctrine proves the existed before He brought forth mankind, essence of any experience which is love of God. The author accurately states God’s infinite heart of mercy loved man- inter-personal and expressive of caring that God’s very essence is love, basing kind. We know this because before man sentiments. The Holy Spirit is then men- that statement on John 3:16 and 1 John was created, God counseled with His Son tioned in a most straight-forward way, 4:8. We then read: on how to save mankind. (See Zechariah strongly suggestive that He is a per- Could One who has existed from all 6:12, 13 and Revelation 13:8.) sonal, coordinate divine being–the eternity past and who made us in His Babylonian thinking continues by quoting Third Person of the tri-personal loving image–could this God truly be the theologian Bruce Metzger: Godhead (EIN–148). called love if He ever existed as a soli- “… perfect love is possible only be- tary Being? Is not love, especially tween equals. Just as a man cannot While 2 Corinthians 13:14 is discussed divine love, only possible if the One in detail in the April 2006 issue of Old satisfy or realize his powers of love by who made this universe was a plural Be- loving the lower animals, so God cannot Paths, we should note that there is only ing who was exercising “love” within one individual in the verse that is men- satisfy or realize his love by loving man His divine plurality from all eternity or any creature. Being infinite, he must tioned as being “God.” past (EIN–148)? have eternally possessed an infinite ob- Interestingly, Whidden also uses the On the surface, the logic might appear ject of his love, some alter ego, or, to use term “being” to describe the Holy Spirit, plausible. The main problem with it is the language of traditional Christian the- and then he uses the term “Third Person.” that the author uses his finite human ology, a consubstantial, co-eternal, and With such uncertainly of vocabulary, is it logic instead of the infinite, divine wis- co-equal Son” (Metzger 83) (EIN–148). any wonder that many church members dom of God’s Word for the criteria to Metzger is quoted to support a concept are confused on this issue? determine God’s nature and the manifes- of God that is not carefully thought tation of His love. Whidden makes through. If God’s love is infinite and can Further Thoughts reference to John 3:16, which says noth- only find fulfillment in infinite love among ing about God being plural or needing to an equal, then God could not love mankind Although Elder Whidden uses 2 Corinthi- be plural to demonstrate love. On the as He loves the infinite Jesus. While this ans 13:14 to build his case for the Trinity, he contrary, the basis of God’s great love in may sound logical on the surface, our only is compelled to use expressions like “Most John 3:16 is that He is the great God Who safety is found in the Word of God. In His certainly,” “obviously suggestive,” and gives His only begotten Son for man- high priestly prayer, Jesus noted: “strongly suggestive,” for there is no kind. 1 John 4:8 states, “He that loveth I in them, and thou in me, that they clear-cut statement about a Trinity in this not knoweth not God; for God is love.” may be made perfect in one; and that the text. The Bible teaches that the Father is a Of course, as Christians we believe that world may know that thou hast sent me, God of truth and that which is necessary for God is the embodiment of love. The next and hast loved them, as thou hast loved the salvation of mankind is simple enough verse tells us plainly how that love was me (John 17:23). for a child to understand. Yet, according to made known or demonstrated. “In this the author, the evidence for the most funda- was manifested the love of God toward Here Jesus declares that the Father mental doctrine of the Bible is, at best, only us, because that God sent his only begot- loves us (clearly not equals) as He loves “strongly suggestive.” ten Son into the world, that we might live His own divine Son! It is dangerous to try to use logic to define God and make Him Next, an attempt to link Deuteronomy through him (1 John 4:9).” As in John fit into our finite mind patterns. Finally, 6:4 with Matthew 28:19 and Genesis 1:26 3:16, the great manifestation of God’s Otto Christian is quoted: is made, endeavoring to show a unity of love is declared to be demonstrated in three. In Genesis 1:26, however, it is the giving of His Son. “Inspiration and reason both demand clearly God the Father speaking to Christ. Let us consider the author's logic a lit- a triune God composed of Father, Son, (See Early Writings, page 145.) Ellen tle more. According to his theory, God and Holy Spirit” (Christian 70) White never mentions the Holy Spirit in could not be singular because that would (EIN–148). connection with this verse. Matthew 28:19 mean there was a time when only He However, neither inspiration nor reason speaks of baptizing in the name (singular) existed with no one else to love, so God demands a triune God composed of Father, of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The could not be love. Suppose you were Son, and Holy Spirit. If reason demands a Father has a personal name (Yahweh), the deserted on a tropical island without any Triune pluralistic god so that love can be Son has a personal name (Jesus), but the possibility to contact anyone. Would you expressed, why is the number three? Could Scripture is silent concerning a personal be incapable of having love? Would your not the number be any plural, such as two or name for the Holy Spirit. Deuteronomy finite mind be incapable of loving others four? Why not five, six, or myriads of 6:4 is the Shema of Israel and it is virtually even though you have no way to be in gods? Logic does not and cannot “demand” impossible to convince a Jew that the plu- contact with them? You would still be that there are three persons in the Godhead. ral word echad means a plural in capable of love. What you would be inca- numerical essence, rather than a plural of pable of would be demonstrating or majesty. expressing your love. This expression is Continued on page 18

Vol. 15, No. 7 - 5 - http://www.smyrna.org Sharing God’s Love Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. (1 John 4:7–11) In this article, we will consider God’s food, but even in this work they were believe that there is going to be a place in love for us and how He wishes for us to blessed. God cursed the ground for their the heart of God throughout all eternity love and respond to others. God loves us sakes, for He knew that work was essen- for His first created being that went way- and desires us to know of His love and of tial for them. The greatest loss Adam and ward. There is going to be a place in His His desire for fellowship with us. Eve sustained was their direct communi- heart for every person who ever lived that Recently an individual told me that he cation with God. They could not now see will not be in His kingdom. God does not does not believe in a God that communi- the face of God and live. forget His children. cates with us, even through the Bible. We SatantoldEve,ineffect,thatGod God makes a solemn statement in know this is not true. The Bible tells us really did not love them. He caused Eve to Hosea 4:17: “Ephraim is joined to idols: repeatedly that God is willing and desir- disbelieve “the words of God, and this let him alone.” Ephraim seemed to be a ous of communicating with us, and the was what led to her fall (Patriarchs & tribe that did indeed fall into the sin of most important message that He wants to Prophets, p. 55).” Satan said if they ate of idolatry very easily. God said to Israel to communicate with us is that He loves us. the fruit they would not die but would be leave Ephraim alone because he was Think back to the Garden of Eden and the as gods, but in reality Satan was saying joined to idols, but the good news is God creation of Adam and Eve. God created a God was holding something good back did not leave Ephraim alone. Notice what paradise for them to live in. They did not from them. God told Adam that if he ate of He says in Hosea 11:8: “How shall I give need a house for shelter, for there was no the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good thee up, Ephraim?” He said this because violent weather or oppressive sun. They and evil, he would die. The Advent move- He loved Ephraim so much. When we had a living carpet underneath their feet. ment was raised up, in its most basic love someone, we have compassion, emo- They had a beautiful, blue sky overhead conceptual form, to clarify the miscon- tions, and feelings for them, and we just by day and a magnificent canopy of stars ceptions Satan has promulgated about don’t let go of them. To demonstrate His by night. It was never too hot and never God and His character and to reveal the love for His people, to warn them about too cold. The temperature and humidity real nature and character of God to not the idolatry they were in, and to woo them were always perfect in the Garden. Beau- only this world but also to the entire uni- back to His love, God sent them prophets. tiful food was readily available just for verse. This clarification is accomplished “Since the day that your fathers came the picking. God did all this for them not only by the preaching and teaching of forth out of the land of Egypt unto this day because He infinitely loved them, and as God’s Word, but also by living lives that I have even sent unto you all my servants wonderful as all this was, they had some- demonstrate God’s love and what He can the prophets, daily rising up early and thing infinitely more valuable. They had do for sinful people. “Ye are our epistle sending them (Jeremiah 7:25).” God sent direct communication with God and with written in our hearts, known and read of His people messages of His great love by Jesus. all men (2 Corinthians 3:2).” The prophet, His spokesmen, the prophets. The great, Jeremiah, speaks to us of God’s change- central message of the Bible, from cover The holy pair were not only children less love: to cover, is a message of the Father’s love under the fatherly care of God but stu- for us. dents receiving instruction from the The LORD hath appeared of old unto all-wise Creator. They were visited by me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with Moreover all the chief of the priests, angels, and were granted communion an everlasting love: therefore with and the people, transgressed very much with their Maker, with no obscuring veil lovingkindness have I drawn thee (Jere- after all the abominations of the hea- between (Patriarchs and Prophets,p. miah 31:3). then; and polluted the house of the 50). LORD which he had hallowed in Jerusa- Sheep are unusual animals in many lem. And the LORD God of their fathers It truly was a paradise, but this paradise respects and God uses them as an illustra- sent to them by his messengers, rising was lost. Adam and Eve sinned and after tion of what people are like. You can drive up betimes, and sending; because he had they were driven from their garden home, cattle but it is hard to drive sheep. You compassion on his people, and on his they lost their perfect environment in have to lead sheep. God says, “I have not dwelling place (2 Chronicles 36:14, 15). which to live. Thorns and thistles came driven you, but I have drawn you with forth, the air could be chilled or hot, and love.” And even more than that, He says, According to 2 Corinthians 3:18, we the once friendly animals now became “I have loved you with an everlasting become like that which we behold. If we wild. They now had to work for their love,” a love that never ends. Beloved, I behold an imperfect God, our characters

Old Paths - 6 - July 2006 cannot become what it is our privilege for Our natural reaction in such a situation Son. He loves us and wants to do great them to be. So, God sent His Son to reveal would be to retaliate with hatred and bit- things for us. He wants to forgive us our Himself to mankind. “Who being the terness, but Jesus did not feel that way sins and cleanse us from all unrighteous- brightness of his glory, and the express toward the people. ness. He wants our characters to be like image of his person, and upholding all For when we were yet without His. things by the word of his power, when he strength, in due time Christ died for the Please contemplate for a moment how had by himself purged our sins, sat down ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous you would feel if your child was spit on the right hand of the Majesty on high man will one die: yet peradventure for a upon, cruelly treated, nailed to a cross, (Hebrews 1:3).” The majority of the peo- good man some would even dare to die. stripped naked, beaten, and abused. Con- ple of Christ’s day rejected Him. What did But God commendeth his love toward template how you would feel if I Jesus do? He healed the sick, He fed the us, in that, while we were sinners, Christ uncaringly passed by your loved ones hungry, He restored sight to the blind, and died for us (Romans 5:6-8). who might be alcoholic, mentally ill, sui- He gave strength to the cripples to enable cidal, or indifferent to spiritual things, We might think we would not have them to walk. You would think the people thinking, “Well, I can’t be bothered by treated Jesus with such cruelty, but I dare would have loved and wanted this Man, them. They are not important. Things say that, outside of the regenerating but He was not appreciated by most of might get messy. I might be rejected and power of Christ, we would have cried, them. The Bible says He came to call sin- spit upon.” Well, Beloved, God cared “Crucify Him, crucify Him.” Many of the ners to repentance (John 1:11), but the enough about us that He allowed His Son same people who shouted “Hosanna to first time He went to the synagogue to be vilely treated to provide for our the Highest” on the day He marched into (church) and preached, they tried to throw redemption and this is the message of love Jerusalem later called for His crucifixion. Him over the precipice and kill Him. found in the Bible. There is a dying and How should I react to God’s love? The (Luke 4:16–30) indifferent world that needs to be warned. Bible says that the love of Christ con- Jesus loved us and it broke His heart to Even if people do not want to hear the strains, or motivates, us and it is because see the reaction that His ministry of love message, they still must be given the of this love that we desire to love others. and reconciliation received. warning, for it can change their hearts. As (See 2 Corinthians 5:14, 1 John 4:8-12.) a youth when I was using alcohol, people And when he was come near, he be- We love God because He first loved us. tried to warn me to stop, and even though I held the city, and wept over it (Luke God longs for a people to demonstrate to did not want to listen at the time, I am 19:41). the world what His character is like. In thankful that the Lord finally touched my dealing with mankind, God uses the least O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that heart through their pleadings. chastisement that is needed to help them. killest the prophets, and stonest them Matthew 28:19 begins by saying, “Go which are sent unto thee, how often He has used the least intervention neces- sary to try to encourage and help us, but ye therefore, and teach all nations.” This would I have gathered thy children to- commission is given in many other places gether, even as a hen gathereth her the “least” really is the “maximum,” because He gave His Son for us. What in the Bible. The first angel’s message in chickens under her wings, and ye would Revelation 14:6, 7 tells of an everlasting not (Matthew 23:37)! more could He do? “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten gospel that is to go to every nation, kin- The tears of Jesus were not tears “of Son.” He loved the “world,” yes, but what dred, tongue, and people. Who does this ordinary grief, but of intense, irrepress- about us as individuals? “That whosoever include? It includes professed Christian ible agony (The Great Controversy,p. believeth in him should not perish, but people who must come out of Babylon 17).” His tears were not just little trickles, have everlasting life (John 3:16).” I owe and it also includes non-Christian people but were tears that He could not hold my salvation to the little word “whoso- who might live, for example, in Iran, Iraq, back. In John 11:35 we read that “Jesus ever,” because that includes me. and Saudi Arabia. Christianity is not wel- come in these places, and if you wept,” but He was not weeping for Laza- John 17 records Jesus’ High Priestly proselytize there you could be arrested rus, because He was about to bring prayer to His Father. Jesus speaks about and deported if you are fortunate, but it is Lazarus forth from the tomb. He was His love for His disciples and about the more likely that you would be killed. weeping because He knew that many of perfection and unity He wants them to Many people do not want to hear the gos- the people watching Him would later cry, have: “Crucify Him, crucify Him.” Jesus had pel, but the character of God is on trial and fed, clothed, and healed the people. He I in them, and thou in me, that they His judgment has begun. Jesus died for had only shown them mercy and kind- may be made perfect in one; and that the these dear people and He wants them in ness, but was condemned to be crucified world may know that thou hast sent me, His kingdom. Friends, your careless instead of the vile criminal Barabbas. Can and hast loved them, as thou hast loved indifference may contribute toward their you imagine that lack of appreciation? me (John 17:23). eternal destruction, and it will be to the Jesus went to the extreme of doing every- Jesus says the Father loves us just as heart-breaking of God. thing He could to shower love upon He loves Him. This is the great love of Brother and Sister Glen Ford’s house mankind and reveal how much He and God, that He could love sinful, undeserv- caught on fire during the first night of the His Father cherished humanity, but He ing, rebellious, vile sinners just like He 2000 West Virginia camp meeting. was treated with contempt and indignity. loves His pure, worthy, obedient, holy Because someone yelled, “We have a

Vol. 15, No. 7 - 7 - http://www.smyrna.org fire!” the Fire Department was alerted and denial that Jesus Christ is the Son of God A few years ago a brother and I went to the house was saved. But if somebody had as was the denial of the Jewish church a conference camp meeting. For the most said, “Well, I love Brother and Sister Ford because of the greater light of Scripture part, we were not well received, but we and I don’t want to trouble them. I don’t and Inspiration that we now have. wanted to visit the people and witness in a want to tell them their house is on fire Acts chapter 4 records Peter and John Christ-like way. I am really glad that we because they might not like to hear it. It being put into prison for preaching Christ, did because we met a family there that might disturb them and cause them to with Caiaphas’ strong command to quit accepted the truth and is with us today. A have a panic attack.” Would that be love? their preaching. group of believers in the pioneer message Would that really have been kind to them? went to the 2000 General Conference But that it spread no further among The kindest thing to do was to quickly and Session in Toronto, Canada, and, because the people, let us straitly threaten them, efficiently warn them of the fire. Jesus of that, some members of a family that they speak henceforth to no man in said, “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in accepted the truth, including the man who this name. And they called them, and the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise commanded them not to speak at all nor is to become my son-in-law. So, witness- as serpents, and harmless as doves (Mat- teach in the name of Jesus (Acts 4:17, ing in a sometimes hostile environment thew 10:16).” Even though He is sending 18). can result in some very precious fruit. us forth as sheep in the midst of wolves, Like the apostles, those who now are we are still to go. Once the apostles were released they proclaiming the truth about God and His Remember, the Lord said that because asked God for boldness to be able to con- Son have limited resources, talents, and He loved us He sent prophets with mes- tinue their witness. “And now, Lord, possessions. We are sort of like the little sages of warning. “But they mocked the behold their threatenings: and grant unto band that David had in the cave of messengers of God, and despised his thy servants, that with all boldness they Adullam. Saul was bent on killing David words, and misused his prophets, until the may speak thy word (Acts 4:29).” The at the time. divine record tells us that God answered wrath of the LORD arose against his peo- David therefore departed thence, and their prayers and they continued to wit- ple, till there was no remedy escaped to the cave Adullam: and when ness with boldness and even though they (2 Chronicles 36:16).” The situation in his brethren and all his father’s house Judah became so bad that God could not were put into prison again, God sent an heard it, they went down thither to him. keep sending His people prophets, but angel to release them from prison with the And every one that was in distress, and had to, instead, send them into Babylo- instruction to go back to the temple and every one that was in debt, and every nian captivity. It was the only thing that continue their preaching of Jesus. one that was discontented, gathered could possibly help them. Then the high priest rose up, and all themselves unto him; and he became a Shortly after Pentecost, Peter and John they that were with him (which is the captain over them: and there were with went to the temple to pray and there they sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled him about four hundred men (1 Samuel met a man was who was lame. The Lord with indignation, And laid their hands 22:1, 2). used them to raise the man up to strength on the apostles, and put them in the com- I don’t know how David’s kindred and and then Peter and John started to preach. mon prison. But the angel of the Lord by these four hundred men knew about Notice what Peter said, “But ye denied the night opened the prison doors, and David and how they all came together, Holy One and the Just, and desired a mur- brought them forth, and said, Go, stand when Saul did not even know where derer to be granted unto you; And killed and speak in the temple to the people all David was, but the divine hand of God the Prince of life, whom God hath raised the words of this life. And when they was directing these events, because Jesus heard that, they entered into the temple from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. was to sit on the throne of David (Isaiah early in the morning and taught (Acts (Acts 3:14, 15).” Peter must have 9:7). David was a “type” of Christ, and 5:17-21a). appeared unbalanced, fanatical, and at David’s little band prefigures a type of least insensitive and unprofessional, but In the parable of the great supper, the Christ’s people in the last days. The peo- his message is exactly what the Jewish Lord says, “Go out into the highways and ple who were in debt and who were people and leaders needed to hear and the hedges, and compel them to come in, that discontented had problems, but David Holy Spirit prompted him to speak these my house may be filled (Luke 14:23).” became a captain over them, and Jesus very words. Now, imagine going into a The concept of compel, in this instance, will be a captain over us if we will let General Conference session and saying, does not mean to use physical force, but it Him. He wants to do that for us and He “You have denied the Holy One of means to urge and to use all the honest will use us. We are not all talented in the Israel!” We would think someone so bold Christian persuasion that can be used to same way, but we can all have a part in to be unbalanced, fanatical, and at least encourage one to accept the offer of God. God’s work. Weare a body and a team and insensitive and very unprofessional, but I say honest Christian persuasion, each one is needed. the denial of the church today that Jesus because we are aware that there are ways When David and his men returned to Christ is the Son of God is more blasphe- to manipulate people with certain Ziklag, they found the city burned and all mous than the denial of the Jewish mind-controlling techniques and hypno- their women and children taken captive. Church. The blatant, well-thought out tism. As Christians, we cannot use these David and his men pursued the acceptance and promotion of the Trinitar- methods, but we do want to urge and com- Amalekites, but some of his men could ian doctrine is even more abominable of a pel the people. not continue on the full journey and had to

Old Paths - 8 - July 2006 be left behind. David was able, with the one side of the world and just seconds later We have to witness in season and out of smallerbandofmen,tofindthe someone on the other side of the world can season. Probably every one of us has had Amalekites and recover all their material know about it, but we still are challenged. an experience of not speaking for Christ possessions and all the women and chil- We are a very small number when you when we should have spoken up. If my dren. His men who fought the Amalekites think about trying to warn the six and a half loved one or your loved one needed help, thought that they should be able to keep billion people in the world. That is a stag- how would you or I feel if someone all of the spoil for themselves and not gering task to think about. passed by indifferently? share it with the men who had stayed Even though we are a small band hav- I read a story about a man who was in a behind, but David would not allow that to ing limited resources, such as the Internet hurry one day and he stopped to get his happen. They were to all share alike. and some evangelist tools, we should shoes shined. After a few moments he Friends, the Lord wants us to share with remember the early church did not need looked down, but his shoes were still a each other alike and this is how it was in such resources. The one thing they did mess. It didn’t look like anything was get- the New Testament Church. Possessions have was the Holy Spirit. If we have the ting accomplished, even though the little did not belong to one person alone, but to Holy Spirit, God will use us and the world shine boy was trying to clean them. The all of them. We have to have that same will be warned, and it must be warned man started to berate the little boy and say commonness and love for our brethren soon, for its cup of iniquity is almost full! harsh and cruel things to him. The little that they had, if we want to receive the lat- We have lost much time, but, the Bible boy looked up at the man with tears in his ter rain as the disciples received the early says to redeem the time. (Ephesians 5:16) eyes and said, “I’m sorry, sir. My mum’s rain. We are going to have to learn to pray We may not be able to correct everything, died and I am just trying to get some together as those people prayed. “These but we must do what we can now. The money to put some flowers on her coffin.” all continued with one accord in prayer world we live in is a tremendously wicked People are cruel and indifferent, but as and supplication (Acts 1:14).” We need to place. Things happen on the streets of Christians, we must be compassionate be of one accord, and we need to be pray- New YorkCity, as well as in the little back and long for the salvation of others, even ing more than we are. We need to be hollows of West Virginia that are wicked those who abuse us. praying in our closets and with our fami- and deplorable, and there may be some- May God grant us a fire to melt the ice lies. We also need to get together in thing very sad going on even in the homes of our indifference and complacency. groups and pray fervently to the Lord. As of those reading this article, but it does not May He help us to understand how deep you come to know God, you will know have to be. and important His love is to us, so that we what to say, what to ask for, and what to I watched a news clip about Slobodan will be interested in taking that love to praise Him for. Not only that, but you will Milosevic, who was on trial at The Hague others. “Beloved, if God so loved us, we learn to listen. before his death. The clip also told about ought also to love one another (1 John And when they had prayed, the place some of the Serbs who had murdered 4:11).” Did God try to communicate that was shaken where they were assembled Muslim people. The Serbs laid the Mus- love to us? Does God still try to communi- together; and they were all filled with lims down in a ditch and then fired bullets cate that love to us? Yes, He does. the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word over their heads as a type of mental tor- Friends, my hands and feet are the only of God with boldness (Acts 4:31). ture. Then they got the Muslims up and ones I have that God has. The Bible say, marched them to another place, where “How beautiful upon the mountains are Do you want to speak God’s Word with they executed them one at a time until the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, boldness? Do you want the Holy Spirit in there were just a couple of people left. The that publisheth peace; that bringeth good your life? Do you want the latter rain Serbs made the remaining ones dig graves tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; experience now? I do. The main thing that for those who had been executed, and that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth preceded the early rain was prayer. Jesus then they brutally tortured and murdered (Isaiah 52:7)!” I struggle sometimes to said, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, the few that were left. We wonder how say the right words. I know my grammar and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be people can be so cruel. Friends, that is is not always the best, and when I was opened unto you…If ye then, being evil, what happens when Jesus Christ is not in young I had a very bad lisp. It was very know how to give good gifts unto your our lives, and that is why the gospel has to hard for me to speak and hard for people children, how much more shall your go to all the people of the world. to understand me, but the Lord has helped Father which is in heaven give good For instance, in some of the tribes in me with that. I am still very imperfect, but things to them that ask him (Matthew 7:7, Africa near Uganda there is brutal prosti- my tongue is the only tongue I have that 11)?” The Holy Spirit will not come with- tution and slavery of young girls. It is the Lord can use. The Lord wants to use out our asking, seeking, knocking, and hideous, and these perpetrators need to you. He wants to use your hands, your praying. hear the gospel so that they might repent feet, your tongue, and He may need to use We are at the end of time, and we cannot of their wickedness and find forgiveness your back sometimes, too, in His work, let many opportunities slip through our for their sins. The gospel also needs to go and I know that He will help you if you fingers. We may not, at this time, know to the victims of these crimes so that they will let Him. ? how to spread this message to the entire might have the peace of Christ in their (This the fourth and concluding ser- world. With the Internet and a world phone lives with a forgiving spirit. This will only mon on salvation presented at the 2005 network system, something can happen on be done with the aid of the Holy Spirit. Smyrna Camp Meeting by Allen Stump.)

Vol. 15, No. 7 - 9 - http://www.smyrna.org Youth’s Corner — Grace Darling (The following was presented to the chil- Grace lived in a lighthouse with her the lighthouse could hear them during the dren at Smyrna Chapel on a recent father and mother and with her two sisters night because the storm was so fierce and Sabbath morning for the young people’s and six brothers. Her father was the loud, although Grace thought she could story, but has a wonderful lesson for all keeper of the lighthouse. That meant his hear something, but it was not until the the “older” children as well. ....Editor) job was to make sure the light shone from morning that she could see the shipwreck the top of the lighthouse at all times. The one mile away. Half of the boat was still This story is about a very brave girl. Do lighthouse alerted all the nearby boats on the rocks and she could see people try- you know what it means to be brave? It that there were dangerous rocks near the ing to stay out of the water. means doing something that you know is lighthouse and to keep their boats away so “We must go help,” she told her father, the right thing to do even though it is very that they would not crash on the rocks. but her father said the waves were still to hard to do. Perhaps in school everyone is Grace had always lived in the light- strong to take a boat out into. He had lived doing something you know is wrong and house and she knew all about storms on by the sea for a very long time and he you think you would like to do it too. the sea and that the waves could get very knew about the strength of storms. “We Then you remember that God would not high and rough and that the wind could will have to wait until the storm dies down be happy if you did the wrong thing. Your blow very hard. She knew what it was like more,” he said. “But we must try,” she Mommy and Daddy would not be happy when it rained very hard and when the said, “for the people may die!” She was either! So you decide to be brave and do clouds shut out the sun or the moon and being very brave. what is right even though no one else is So, her father decided to take their doing the right thing. For example, if your lighthouse boat out into the angry waves. teacher were to leave the classroom and He pulled on one oar and she pulled on the other children were to get up from their other. Both of them were being very desks, talk loudly and maybe even throw brave. It was difficult to pull the boat things, it might look like fun to you, but through the strong waves to the ship- you know that you should stay in your wreck, but they did. Then Grace had to seat and so you do. You are being brave. keep the boat from crashing onto the You can also be brave when you have rocks while her father climbed onto the to do something that is scary to do, but rocks to help the survivors get down into you know you have to do it to help some- the boat. One by one, the tired sailors one else. An adult may ask you to do climbed down into the boat, and then something that you have never done Grace and her father rowed back to the before, but he knows it is important for lighthouse through the rough sea. you to do it and that you can do it. When This happened a long time ago, but we an adult asks you to do something to help still remember the heroism of Grace Dar- in an emergency, even though it may be ling. She was twenty-two years old when hard to do, when you try to help, you are Grace Darling this happened, and even though that may being brave. be older than you are, she was still brave Sometimes it is even hard for adults to stars. When a bad storm came, she always to go in a row boat out into the stormy sea be brave. I remember a story in the Bible stayed indoors with her mother and father to help stranded sailors. She did some- about the disciples rowing their boat dur- and her eight brothers and sisters. They thing that was hard to do but something ing a bad storm on the lake. The wind knew that when the storm ended, they that was very important to do. blew very hard and the rain was very would be able to go back outside again. You may have to do something very heavy. The trough of the waves was very hard one day, but if you ask God to help deep. The disciples were afraid their boat One time a very bad storm had driven a you, you can be brave also, and you do not would turn over and that they would all ship onto the rocks, even though the light have to wait until you are twenty-two die. Then they remembered Jesus, who was shining from the lighthouse. The years old to be brave. Jesus needs brave was asleep in the boat. They quickly woke wind was so strong that the crew of the boys and girls right now who are willing Him up and asked for help, and, of course, boat could not keep the boat from hitting to say “No!” to Satan and who are willing Jesus helped them. He stood up and said, the sharp rocks, and the rocks broke the to do what is right even though everyone “Peace, be still,” and the storm stopped. boat in two. Many people died in the sea, else is doing the wrong thing. When you We can always ask Jesus for help when but nine people managed to stay on a bro- do that, you are being very brave and you we are in danger or when we are afraid. ken piece of the boat caught on the rocks, are making Jesus, your heavenly Father, Our story is about Grace Darling. She and they were in danger of slipping off the and your guardian angel very happy! ? did something very brave that helped nine rocks and down into the deep sea. They people who could not help themselves. were calling loudly for help, but no one at Onycha Holt

Old Paths - 10 - July 2006 to the sinner’s account. Christ’s righ- teousness is accepted in place of man’s Christ the Way of Life failure, and God receives, pardons, justi- By Ellen White fies, the repentant, believing soul, treats him as though he were righteous, and “Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the wrought with his works, and by works loves him as he loves his Son. This is how gospel of the kingdom of God, and say- was faith made perfect? And the Scripture faith is accounted righteousness; and the ing, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom was fulfilled which saith, Abraham pardoned soul goes on from grace to of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe believed God, and it was imputed unto grace, from light to a greater light. He can the gospel.” him for righteousness: and he was called say with rejoicing, “Not by works of righ- Repentance is associated with faith, the friend of God. Ye see then how that by teousness which we have done, but and is urged in the gospel as essential to works a man is justified, and not by faith according to his mercy he saved us, by the salvation. Paul preached repentance. He only.” In order for man to be justified by washing of regeneration, and renewing of faith, faith must reach a point where it will said, “I kept back nothing that was profit- the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us control the affections and impulses of the able unto you, but have showed you, and abundantly through Jesus Christ our Sav- have taught you publicly, and from house heart; and it is by obedience that faith iour, that being justified by his grace, we to house, testifying both to the Jews and itself is made perfect. should be made heirs according to the also to the Greeks, repentance toward Without the grace of Christ, the sinner hope of eternal life.” God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus is in a hopeless condition; nothing can be Christ.” There is no salvation without done for him; but through divine grace, Again: it is written, “But as many as repentance. No impenitent sinner can supernatural power is imparted to the received him, to them gave he power to believe with his heart unto righteousness. man, and works in mind and heart and become the sons of God, even to them that Repentance is described by Paul as a character. It is through the impartation of believe on his name: which were born, not godly sorrow for sin, that “worketh the grace of Christ that sin is discerned in of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of repentance to salvation not to be repented its hateful nature, and finally driven from the will of man, but of God.” Jesus of.” This repentance has in it nothing of the soul temple. It is through grace that we declared, “Except a man be born again, he the nature of merit, but it prepares the are brought into fellowship with Christ, to cannot see the kingdom of God.” “Except heart for the acceptance of Christ as the be associated with him in the work of sal- a man be born of water and of the Spirit he only Saviour, the only hope of the lost vation. Faith is the condition upon which cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” It sinner. God has seen fit to promise pardon to sin- is not a low standard that is placed before As the sinner looks to the law, his guilt ners; not that there is any virtue in faith us; for we are to become the children of is made plain to him, and pressed home to whereby salvation is merited, but because his conscience, and he is condemned. His faith can lay hold of the merits of Christ, God. We are to be saved as individuals; only comfort and hope is found in looking the remedy provided for sin. Faith can and in the day of test and trial we shall be to the cross of Calvary. As he ventures present Christ’s perfect obedience instead able to discern between him that serveth upon the promises, taking God at his of the sinner’s transgression and defec- God and him that serveth him not. We are word, relief and peace come to his soul. tion. When the sinner believes that Christ saved as individual believers in the Lord He cries, “Lord, thou hast promised to is his personal Saviour, then, according to Jesus Christ. save all who come unto thee in the name his unfailing promises, God pardons his Many are losing the right way, in con- of thy Son. I am a lost, helpless, hopeless sin, and justifies him freely. The repentant sequence of thinking that they must climb soul. Lord, save, or I perish.” His faith soul realizes that his justification comes to heaven, that they must do something to lays hold on Christ, and he is justified because Christ, as his substitute and before God. surety, has died for him, is his atonement merit the favor of God. They seek to make themselves better by their own unaided But while God can be just, and yet jus- and righteousness. efforts. This they can never accomplish. tify the sinner through the merits of “Abraham believed God, and it was Christ has made the way by dying our sac- Christ, no man can cover his soul with the counted unto him for righteousness. Now rifice, by living our example, by garments of Christ’s righteousness while to him that worketh is the reward not reck- practicing known sins, or neglecting oned of grace, but of debt. But to him that becoming our great high-priest. He known duties. God requires the entire sur- worketh not, but believeth on him that declares, “I am the way, the truth, and the render of the heart, before justification justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted life.” If by any effort of our own we could can take place; and in order for man to for righteousness.” Righteousness is obe- advance one step toward the ladder, the retain justification, there must be contin- dience to the law. The law demands words of Christ would not be true. But ual obedience, through active, living faith righteousness, and this the sinner owes to when we accept Christ, good works will that works by love and purifies the soul. the law; but he is incapable of rendering appear as fruitful evidence that we are in James writes of Abraham and says, it. The only way in which he can attain to the way of life, that Christ is our way, and “Was not Abraham our father justified by righteousness is through faith. By faith he that we are treading the true path that works, when he had offered Isaac his son can bring to God the merits of Christ, and leads to heaven (Review & Herald, upon the altar? Seest thou how faith the Lord places the obedience of his Son November 4, 1890). ?

Vol. 15, No. 7 - 11 - http://www.smyrna.org No Fear Revisited he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that By Allen Stump feareth is not made perfect in love. We God has been merciful to counsel us LOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF love him, because he first loved us. If a through His servant: THE EARTH (Revelation 17:5). man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not Error “is always dangerous” because it Error is never harmless. It never his brother whom he hath seen, how can will cause one to lose the way of eternal sanctifies, but always brings confusion he love God whom he hath not seen? and dissension. It is always dangerous life. As we noted last month, there is no And this commandment have we from (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. doctrine more basic to our Christian him, That he who loveth God love his 292). belief system than the study of God. All brother also (1 John 4:8-21). Bible doctrines are established upon our Each of the three sentences in the quo- concept of God. Paul lays out a principle Last month we published an article tation above is worth noting. “Error is that is important to note here: entitled “NO Fear,” which discussed both never harmless.” No matter how suppos- the hatred and fear that the papacy has for edly simple or naïve a teaching may But we all, with open face beholding those who will not accept her founda- as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are appear, if it is erroneous, it is never tional Trinity doctrine. The article closed changed into the same image from glory harmless! by noting that since the papacy’s to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord “It never sanctifies…” In these last Protestant daughters still cling to the doc- (2 Corinthians 3:18). days, those who wish to be a part of the trine of the Trinity, they cause the Vatican 144,000 will be pure, without “guile” or This has been paraphrased to say that no real sense of fear. It should be noted deception in their mouths. (See Revela- “By beholding we become changed.” It is that the fruit of the Trinity doctrine is seen tion 14:5.) There is no doctrine more a rule of our being that we will become in papal hatred and persecution. This is devilishly deceptive or from the pit of hell like the God that we serve and worship. If because the Trinity doctrine does not than the concept of the godhead called the we have false views of God and His char- declare the Father’s love as revealed in Trinity–a pagan doctrine that has been acter, we will have an imperfect love and a the Bible. It teaches, instead, of a God symbolically washed by a baptism of offi- faulty character. This fact cannot be who gave up nothing, who has no real cial ecclesiastical approval and then escaped. The most important element of Son, and who sat selfishly aloof while presented to the people as clean, pure, and God’s character, of His very being, is “the second person of the Trinity” sup- holy! love. John 3:16 declares God’s great reve- posedly died, but who really could not We are told that error “always brings lation of love in the giving of His only give his life for humanity because a mem- confusion and dissension.” No doctrine is begotten Son to die for our sins. It is this ber of the triune godhead cannot suffer more confusing than the Trinity. It is great gift that reveals God’s love and, in death. Satan has a hatred for the truth repeatedly called a mystery: turn, creates a character of love within us. about God because it will reveal God’s love and convert sinners as nothing else The mystery of the Trinity is the cen- He that loveth not knoweth not God; can, thus robbing him of the subjects of tral doctrine of Catholic faith. Upon it for God is love. In this was manifested his kingdom; therefore, Satan inspires are based all the other teachings of the the love of God toward us, because that Church…The Church studied this mys- God sent his only begotten Son into the those under this spell of false doctrine to tery with great care and, after four world, that we might live through him. persecute and hate those who hold onto centuries of clarification…(Handbook Herein is love, not that we loved God, the truth. These principles of hatred and for Today’s Catholic, p. 16, 1994 edi- but that he loved us, and sent his Son to persecution are held by the Protestants tion; all emphasis supplied in this article be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, because they hold onto the same doctrine unless otherwise noted.). if God so loved us, we ought also to love of Rome. Their fruit is and can only be the one another. No man hath seen God at same! The issue of persecution and hatred While no single scriptural passage any time. If we love one another, God among Protestants may be lying dormant states formally the doctrine of the Trin- dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected now, but as the spirit of truth is re-kindled ity, it is assumed as a fact by Bible in us. Hereby know we that we dwell in and loudly proclaimed, so there will be a writers and mentioned several him, and he in us, because he hath given rekindling of persecution. times…Only by faith can we accept the us of his Spirit. And we have seen and existence of the Trinity (Adventist Re- do testify that the Father sent the Son to The persecutions of Protestants by view, Vol.158, No. 31, p. 4; undated, but be the Saviour of the world. Whosoever Romanism, by which the religion of Je- published in July 1981.). shall confess that Jesus is the Son of sus Christ was almost annihilated, will be God, God dwelleth in him, and he in more than rivaled when Protestantism God makes the most pointed statement God. And we have known and believed and popery are combined (Manuscript concerning this mystery in terms that need the love that God hath to us. God is love; Releases, vol. 16, p. 239.3). not be misunderstood. Under the image of and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in The Protestants of the United States a great harlot, He states irrefutably: God, and God in him. Herein is our love will be foremost in stretching their MYSTERY, BABYLON THE made perfect, that we may have bold- hands across the gulf to grasp the hand GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HAR- ness in the day of judgment: because as of Spiritualism; they will reach over the

Old Paths - 12 - July 2006 abyss to clasp hands with the Roman His belief was terribly misplaced. two hours to kill him (The Pope and the power; and under the influence of this [John] Calvin, who held no official pub- Heretic, p. 27). threefold union, this country will follow lic office in Geneva but was considered Some accounts say that it took as in the steps of Rome in trampling on the the city’s spiritual leader, had heard of long as three hours for Servetus to rights of conscience (The Great Contro- Servetus. He knew of his erudition and die over a fire built with green wood versy, 1888 edition, p. 588). accomplishments in the field of medi- and that “a wreath strewn with sul- cine and a decade earlier he had been fur” was put upon his head Brother Glen Ford and I were invited to sent a draft of De trinitatis erroribus by (http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/ash speak on the truth about God at a camp Servetus himself. But Calvin had no meeting, and Brother Ford spoke on the more liking for Servetus’s religious es.htm) What was it that made Servetus Holy Spirit. One member of the congre- views than did the Catholics of Vienna such a villain, such a heretic? gation became very upset and later (Michael White, The Pope and the Her- Protestants admired some aspects of confessed that he was so infuriated over etic, pp. 26, 27). Servetus’ thought, they deplored many what Brother Ford was teaching that he On February 13, 1546, seven years others. Moreover, they were especially wanted to kill him. Thankfully, the Lord prior to Servetus’s arrest, Calvin wrote defensive concerning their trinitarian was able to work on this man's heart and his friend, Farel, saying: orthodoxy, having no desire to call upon he finally accepted the truth. When he themselves still more Roman Catholic did, he lost his hatred and persecuting If he [Servetus] comes [to Geneva], I denunciation. The Lutheran reformer spirit. shall never let him go out alive if my au- Melanchthon, commenting on De thority has weight (Schaff-Herzog Many of the early reformers were men Trinitatis Erroribus, lamented, “As for of God who came out of great darkness, the Trinity you know I have always but who had not yet obtained all the light. feared this would break out some day. Good God, what tragedies this question Since they were not free from all of the will excite among those who come after errors of the Roman Church, especially us!” the Trinity, it is not surprising that the fruit of false teaching was manifested in their Spectators were impressed by the te- lives. nacity of Servetus’ faith. Perishing in the flames, he is said to have cried out, A good example of the hatred that even “O Jesus, Son of the Eternal God, have the Protestants are capable of demonstrat- pity on me!” Farel, who witnessed the ing when the Trinity doctrine is execution, observed that Servetus, defi- challenged is found in the case of Michael ant to the last, might have been saved Servetus. Servetus was a physician who, had he but called upon “Jesus, the Eter- nearly seventy-five years before William nal Son.” A few months later Servetus Harvey, was on the verge of discovering was again executed, this time in effigy, the method by which blood circulates by the Catholic Inquisition in France throughout the body. Michael Servetus’s (http://www.uua.org/uuhs/duub/arti- studies branched into many areas, includ- Michael Servetus cles/michaelservetus.html). ing astrology. Later Calvin said, On October 27, 1553, Michael Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, Servetus was burned to death, but not for p. 371). Whoever shall now contend that it is unjust to put heretics and blasphem- teaching astrology or for heretical medi- Instead of offering the man sanctu- ers to death will knowingly and cal practices. He was condemned on two ary, Calvin had him arrested, tried as a willingly incur their very guilt counts—for preaching against the Trinity heretic, and sentenced to death (The (http://www.sullivan-county.com/iden- doctrine and for preaching against infant Pope and the Heretic, p. 27). tity/reformers.htm). baptism. From the time that Calvin had him ar- Thus we see the fruit of the Trinity doc- One of their [Protestants’] most fa- rested on August 14th until his trine and how its tentacles reach out to mous victims was the remarkably condemnation, Servetus spent his re- those who reject her. maining days: “...in an atrocious talented medic Michael Servetus, who Revelation 13 begins by depicting the rise held dangerously outspoken religious dungeon with no light or heat, little of the papacy under the symbol of a compos- views. He expressed these ideas in his food, and no sanitary facilities ite beast. This beast was given power “to De trinitatis erroribus (On the Errors of (http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/a make war with the saints, and to overcome the Trinity) of 1531, a treatise that shes.htm).” them: and power was given him over all bluntly called for the abandonment of During the trial, Calvin called the cherished concept of the Holy Trin- kindreds, and tongues, and nations (Revela- Servetus a “villainous cur (http://lat- ity. Arrested by the Viennese Inquisition tion 13:7).” Shortly after this, John sees a ter-rain.com/eccles/servetus.htm).” in 1553, Servetus escaped to Geneva, second beast coming up out of the earth. the center of Calvinism, where he be- His execution is said to have in- And I beheld another beast coming lieved he would find sanctuary. volved a slow roasting on a spit that took up out of the earth; and he had two horns

Vol. 15, No. 7 - 13 - http://www.smyrna.org like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. age of the Roman hierarchy (The Spirit Christianity hates the truth about God, And he exerciseth all the power of the of Prophecy, vol. 4, p. 278). Jesus has promised to stand up in heaven first beast before him, and causeth the Nothing caused the ire of the papacy for us if we will stand up for Him on earth. earth and them which dwell therein to more during the 1,260 years of papal “Whosoever therefore shall confess me worship the first beast, whose deadly supremacy prophesied in Revelation 13:5 before men, him will I confess also before wound was healed. And he doeth great than a rejection of the Trinity doctrine. my Father which is in heaven (Matthew wonders, so that he maketh fire come This same ire will resurface in the last days 10:32).” Times ahead will be fearful for down from heaven on the earth in the against those who will not accept the false sinners living just before Jesus comes. sight of men, And deceiveth them that god of Babylon, nor worship on her false The seven last plagues will be poured out, dwell on the earth by the means of those but the righteous may claim the following miracles which he had power to do in the sabbath. Do not be deceived, beloved, especially if you are living at ease in a promises of protection, assurance, sight of the beast; saying to them that strength, and courage: dwell on the earth, that they should “first world” country, persecution is not make an image to the beast, which had dead upon this earth and will be rekindled Because thou hast made the LORD, the wound by a sword, and did live. And with a zeal that has never been matched in which is my refuge, even the most High, he had power to give life unto the image intensity in the history of this earth. thy habitation; There shall no evil befall of the beast, that the image of the beast And at that time shall Michael stand thee, neither shall any plague come nigh should both speak, and cause that as up, the great prince which standeth for thy dwelling. For he shall give his an- many as would not worship the image of the children of thy people: and there gels charge over thee, to keep thee in all the beast should be killed (Revelation shall be a time of trouble, such as never thy ways (Psalms (91:9-11). 13:11-15). was since there was a nation even to that same time (Daniel 12:4). For years, Seventh-day Adventists There is no fear in love; but perfect The “time of trouble, such as never have long understood this second beast to love casteth out fear: because fear hath was,” is soon to open upon us; and we be the United States of America, which torment. He that feareth is not made per- shall need an experience which we do fect in love (1 John 4:18). began as a lamb but later speaks as a not now possess and which many are too dragon. The second beast makes an image indolent to obtain. It is often the case to the first beast and gives life to the that trouble is greater in anticipation I sought the LORD, and he heard me, image of the beast. Thus empowered, the than in reality; but this is not true of the and delivered me from all my fears image of the beast (apostate Protestant crisis before us. The most vivid presen- (Psalm 34:4). America) brings persecution and even a tation cannot reach the magnitude of the death decree upon those who will not ordeal (The Great Controversy, p. 622). unite upon their common points of faith. Only the strongest force in the uni- While the days ahead are to be verse, the love of God, will carry the When the churches of our land, unit- extremely challenging and wicked, we righteous through the time of trouble very ing upon such points of faith as are held have been promised that “the people that soon to come upon this earth. When trou- by them in common, shall influence the do know their God shall be strong, and do blesome times come, only those who State to enforce their decrees and sus- exploits (Daniel 11:32).” Trust to the firm really understand the love of the Father tain their institutions, then will hand of Jesus and He will not let you go. and the Son and are empowered by that Protestant America have formed an im- While the world and most of professed love will have NO FEAR! ? Upcoming Meetings in Your Area Here is the currently-planned 2006 itinerary for Lynnford Beachy: July 7, 8 ...... Asheville, North Carolina, contact Carl Felts, 828-667-8156. July 9 ...... Hickory, North Carolina, contact Dr. Herb Cole, 828-322-5316. July 27-29 ....Southern Maine Camp Meeting, contact Mervin and Rosemarie Shoemaker, 207-892-2338. July 31-Aug. 6 . Germany Camp Meeting, contact us here at Smyrna. August 7-20 ...Romania, Hungary and Poland Visit, contact us here at Smyrna. September 1-4 . Eastern Pennsylvania Spanish/Portuguese Camp Meeting, contact Pascual Flores, 347-232-4151 or 718-453-3556. Nov. or Dec....Southern California Camp Meeting, contact us here at Smyrna. Note: The camp meeting in Southern California is tentatively planned for this fall, but dates have not been finalized. More meet- ings are being planned for September through December. Between these meetings we will be available to visit people in their homes and to have additional meetings. Check upcoming issues of Present Truth and Old Paths (available on our web sites) to keep informed about these meetings, and others in your area. Please contact us if you would like to host meetings in your area. ?

Old Paths - 14 - July 2006 used as a reference for those who might How Simple is Simple? have disagreed with the October date. Concerning the dating of the 1,260 years, By Allen Stump the usual dates (A.D. 538 – A.D. 1798) for Within the last three issues of Old Paths, study is provided. Most of the material is the years are not mentioned. Instead, we have written several articles that were basic and straightforward. There are some approximate dates, varying over a wide designed to focus on the materials in the glaring omissions that make my mind space, are used to distinguish the rise and Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide question why certain well–defined points fall of the four great world empires, since it (quarterly) on the subject of the Holy of the prophecies of Daniel are not cov- is not always possible to accurately declare Spirit. The lesson guide for the third quar- ered. While a reasonable case is made for that one specific battle or event completely ter of 2006 is entitled, “The Gospel, 1844, the ending of the prophecy of Daniel 8:14 changed the rulership of the countries and Judgment.” The principal contributor in 1844, not one single mention is made of involved. and editor for the lesson is Clifford the specific date of October 22, 1844. Not What we’ve added, too, are the ap- Goldstein, author of 1844 Made Simple one in the whole quarterly. While in les- proximate times that each of the empires and then later, Graffiti in the Holy of son #4, the 1,260-year prophecy is collapsed. Though historians often put Holies. The lesson guide covers some of mentioned, no specific beginning nor specific dates on these events, centering the basic concepts of judgment and then ending date is offered. Instead we read often around decisive military battles, proceeds to cover Daniel chapters 2-9. We statements such as: the collapse of one empire and the rise of do not plan to write extensively on this If we date the beginning of papal another usually occurs over many years, quarter’s study guide as we did on the Rome to the late fifth, or early sixth cen- not just one (Ibid.). quarterly on the Holy Spirit, but we feel tury, 1,260 years later brings us to the This vagueness may suffice for the dat- that there are some points that should be late eighteenth, or early nineteenth, cen- ing of the rise and fall of the four empires noted concerning the first eight lessons. tury (Ibid., p. 4–Lesson for Wednesday, of Daniel because there is no prophecy We briefly discuss some of these points July 19). below. within Daniel that dates or specifics the In the introduction, the author lists Thus, what’s clear so far from Daniel length that these powers were to reign. some of the different objectives for the 7 is that this massive judgment scene in However, there is a specific prophecy lessons: heaven leads to the establishment of concerning the length of papal persecu- God’s kingdom and occurs sometime tion that is mentioned in Daniel 7:25 and l “First, we’ll let Scripture fill in the after the 1,260 years of papal persecu- then repeated in Revelation 12:6, 14; background for the judgment and the tion, sometime after the late eighteenth, whole plan of salvation 13:5. The problem with being vague is or early nineteenth, century but before that if we cannot provide more specific l “… establish the biblical basis for the the Second Coming (Ibid., p. 52–Lesson dates for the prophecies that have specific 1844 judgment for Friday, July 21). time periods, then neither can we provide l “… look at some questions the teach- One might wonder why these omission specific events and without the specific ing faces and also wonder, why is it important to events we have no sure way of describing l “… look at the judgment in the context note these omissions? Let us begin with the specific fulfillment of these of the gospel the date of October 22, 1844. prophecies. For 1,260 years the Roman Church was l “… seek to answer such questions as: The teaching of Adventist that some- What does a judgment whose begin- thing special happened in heaven on persecuting those who dissented from her ning was dated in the nineteenth October 22, 1844 has received a great established views. This includes perse- century mean for us in the deal of criticism over the last 160 plus cuting those who disagreed with her twenty-first?” years. Yet its validity has been well dem- Trinity doctrine. In Daniel 7:8 we read that the little horn power was to pluck up l For the reader to “come away with a onstrated by William Shea in Selected three of the ten horns by the roots. These greater understanding of the Cross, of Studies on Prophetic Interpretation, vol- three were the Heruli, the Ostrogoths, and Jesus, and of His ministry in heaven ume 1 in the Daniel & Revelation for us (Adult Teachers Sabbath School Committee Series. Shea clearly shows the Vandals. These three powers did not Bible Study Guide, July–September that the validity of this date is not depend- believe in the Trinity so the little horn 2006).” (All page references in this ar- ant upon the Kiaraite sect and their power removed them. ticle are for the Teachers Edition of the calendar, as some have previously In connection with the closing date of lesson.) thought. The last chapter of the book the 70-week prophecy we find this makes a very strong case for October 22 statement: The Sure Word of Prophecy? being the date of the Day of Atonement Though the prophecy itself doesn’t These are certainly worthy goals and an for the year 1844. While the material bor- give a specific event for that last year, effort is made to seek to fulfill these goals ders on being technical for some, it is A.D. 34, many believe it was the year in a very simplistic fashion. The level of plain and understandable. While it might that the apostle [sic] Paul accepted the depth in the study guide certainly is aimed have been too long and complex for the gospel and became the great preacher to at the new-born believer. Little in-depth quarterly, it certainly could have been the Gentiles (Acts 9). In other words, Is-

Vol. 15, No. 7 - 15 - http://www.smyrna.org rael’s history was inaugurated at the end ting aside His ministry in heaven (Ibid., This idea is brought out in the book of of the 490 years as the gospel went to all pp. 57, 59). Genesis, where the serpent, Satan (Rev. the world (Ibid., p. 96–Lesson for Certain factors relating to the scene of 12:9), cast out of heaven to earth, Wednesday, August 16). this heavenly judgment must be noted. bought about the fall of our earthly par- ents (Gen. 3:1-7), which in turn, led to Here the quarterly partly breaks from First, it takes place in heaven. Second, it the fall of the whole human race, along the standard Adventist position that it was occurs before the establishment of God’s with all its horrible consequences (Rom. the stoning of Stephen that ended the 70 kingdom. Third, it deals with the judg- 5:12) (Adult Teachers Sabbath School weeks and sealed the fate of the Jewish ment of a false religious system, implying the restoration of truth before God re- Bible Study Guide, p. 10–Lesson for people as a nation. While this event would Tuesday, June 27). coincide with the conversion of Paul, we stores His kingdom on earth. Fourth, this wonder why the stoning of Stephen is not restoration will involve the truths tram- These statements might of themselves mentioned, especially since this is the pled down by the little horn, truths such as appear ambiguous as to whether the con- interpretation given in the Spirit of the Sabbath, the Ten Commandments, cept of original sin (that all humanity Prophecy: salvation by faith, the non-immortality of sinned in Adam and each person is born as the soul, etc. (Ibid., p. 49). a sinner by nature) is being advanced or The one week—seven years—ended We can agree with all of these state- not. But, as we continue reading the state- in A. D. 34. Then by the stoning of Ste- ment on page 10, we begin to hear a note phen the Jews finally sealed their ments. The papacy did attempt to change times and laws. The papacy has tried to that is not coming from a trumpet giving a rejection of the gospel; the disciples certain sound. who were scattered abroad by persecu- displace Christ as our High Priest and has tion “went everywhere preaching the introduced many false doctrines. But we It’s clear, too, that Satan is now taking word” (Acts 8:4); and shortly after, Saul must go further than the quarterly! The advantage of what happened to us, and the persecutor was converted, and be- axe must be laid at the root of the tree to among the things he does is to accuse us came Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles kill it. While we abhor many of the false regarding our sins and fallen condition (Desire of Ages, p. 233). teachings of the papacy mentioned above, (Ibid.). we must not forget that the Trinity doc- Is it true that Satan accuses God’s peo- The seventy weeks, or 490 years, es- trine is the central pillar that undergirds pecially allotted to the Jews, ended, as ple of their fallen condition today? Is this all her other teachings. we have seen, in A.D. 34. At that time, to be understood as the same as accusing through the action of the Jewish San- The mystery of the Trinity is the cen- God’s people of their sinful nature? Only hedrin, the nation sealed its rejection of tral doctrine of Catholic faith. Upon it the writer of the lesson may be able to the gospel by the martyrdom of Stephen are based all other teachings of the answer this and we will not presume to and the persecution of the followers of Church (Handbook for Today’s Catho- answer for him. What we can do is look at Christ (Great Controversy, p. 328). lic, p. 16). some inspired statements concerning the The teacher’s edition commentary matter. Truth Trampled to the Ground writer, John Fowler, correctly notes that In Revelation 12:10 Satan is called “the accuser of our brethren.” The book of The teacher’s edition of the quarterly has the judgment emphasizes a false religious Job records the classic story of the righ- three statements that strongly declare that system. Should not the basis of this reli- teous Job who is repeatedly accused of the papacy has tried to change God’s truth gious system be examined in the wickedness before God by Satan. Zecha- and has supplied unbiblical doctrines in judgment? How is it that this evil entity riah 3:1 in the RSV states, “Then he their place. should be built upon such a so-called orthodox foundation and yet its structure showed me Joshua the high priest stand- It was also the Roman Church that is so brittle? ing before the angel of the LORD, and changed “the set times and the laws” by The judgment of the little horn power Satan standing at his right hand to accuse abolishing the seventh-day Sabbath, in- will encompass every word and action. him.” troducing Sunday worship, and making The people of God are here repre- way for nonbiblical doctrines, such as “For God shall bring every work into sented as a criminal on trial. Joshua, as Mariolatry, salvation by works, the ado- judgment, with every secret thing, high priest, is seeking for a blessing for ration of the doctrine of idols, and whether it be good, or whether it be evil his people, who are in great affliction. purgatory (Adult Teachers Sabbath (Ecclesiastes 12:14).” This must include While he is pleading before God, Satan School Bible Study Guide, p. 45). her Trinity doctrine. is standing at his right hand as his adver- How has the papacy taken away the The Nature of Sin sary. He is accusing the children of God, “daily” and cast down the sanctuary? By and making their case appear as desper- Two statements found in the first lesson of introducing various false doctrines that ate as possible. He presents before the the quarterly are of interest concerning thwarted God’s sovereign role in salva- Lord their evil doings and their defects. tion. By displacing Christ’s role as our the nature of sin, man, and salvation. The He shows their faults and failures, hop- High Priest and Mediator with the con- first statement is in the commentary sec- ing they will appear of such a character fessional and the intercession of human tion on page 9. It states: in the eyes of Christ that He will render priests. By introducing the Mass, With Adam and Eve’s fall, all human- them no help in their great need. Joshua, thereby crucifying Christ afresh and set- ity fell victim to sin (Rom. 3:23). as the representative of God’s people,

Old Paths - 16 - July 2006 stands under condemnation, clothed makes the most of all these failures and Unless we individually repent to- with filthy garments. Aware of the sins sins. He rehearses them to the angels of ward God because of transgression of of his people, he is weighed down with God, and taunts them with these weak- His law, and exercise faith toward our discouragement. Satan is pressing upon nesses and failures. He is in every sense Lord Jesus Christ, whom the world has his soul a sense of guiltiness that makes an accuser of the brethren, and exults rejected, we shall lie under the full con- him feel almost hopeless. Yet there he over every sin and wrong which God’s demnation that the action of choosing stands as a suppliant, with Satan arrayed people are beguiled to commit (Testimo- Barabbas instead of Christ merited against him (Christ’s Object Lessons, nies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 106). (Testimonies to Ministers,p.38). pp. 166, 167). In these statements we find that Satan Ever since his fall, it has been the is an accuser of the brethren in regard to Good News in the Judgment work of Satan to oppose Christ’s efforts their sins that they have committed, espe- The lesson for Sunday, July 2 is entitled to redeem the race. In the Bible he is cially those he has tempted the people to the, “Hour of His Judgment.” There we called an accuser of the brethren. It is do. Inspiration is silent however, upon the read the following concerning the idea said that he accuses them before God subject of Satan accusing God’s people that the judgment is to be understood as day and night. Every time he leads them on account of their birth. In other words, inseparable from the gospel or good into temptation, he rejoices; because he while Satan may at times exult that a man news. well knows that their power of resis- has sinned and this sin can be presented But if it’s good news, it’s good news tance will thus become weakened, and before God as an excuse for Satan to about what? It’s the good news that Jesus that he can then the more easily lead retain this person as his prey, even Satan died as our Substitute (1 Peter.2:24); that them to commit other sins. And when does not accuse God’s people of being at the Cross He paid the penalty for our they have taken step after step in the worthy of condemnation due to having sins (Isa. 53:6); that through faith in Him wrong direction, he turns and begins to been born with a sinful nature. Let us be we stand perfect in God now because we accuse them of the very sins which he clear. “There is in his nature a bent to evil, are covered with perfect righteousness has led them to commit. He thus causes (Rom. 3:22); and that because of what He them to become discouraged, and to lose a force which, unaided, he cannot resist has done for us, we have the promise of confidence in themselves and in the (Education, p. 29).” Jeremiah asked the eternal life (Adult Teachers Sabbath Lord; and after they have separated question: “Can the Ethiopian change his School Bible Study Guide, p. 18–Lesson from God, dishonored his name, and skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye for Sunday, July 2). broken his law, he claims them as his also do good, that are accustomed to do captives, and contests the right of Christ evil (Jeremiah 13:23).” The implied A few good points have been made to take them from him. Pointing to their answer is “no.” Paul writing to the here, but there is an important point that is sins, as he did to the filthy garments of believers in Rome stated: not clearly laid out that we need to con- Joshua, he says: “They profess to be thy For we know that the law is spiritual: sider. The sinner is spoken of as being children; but they do not obey thee. See but I am carnal, sold under sin. …the saved from the penalty of sin and from the the traces of sin upon them. They are my carnal mind is enmity against God: for it presence of sin (which according to Reve- property (Historical Sketches, p. 154).” is not subject to the law of God, neither lation 20 happens in totality at the end of Those who honor God and keep His indeed can be (Romans 7:14; 8:7). the 1,000 years), but there is no mention of being saved from the power of sin! commandments are subject to the accu- To withstand this force, to attain that Beloved, if the power of God cannot sations of Satan. The enemy works with ideal which in his inmost soul he accepts all his energy to lead human beings into as alone worthy, he can find help in but help us to overcome sin, then we will have sin. Then he pleads that on account of one power. That power is Christ. Co-op- to stay as prey to Satan. But wait, the their past sins, he should be allowed to eration with that power is man’s greatest Bible speaks plainly of the power of the exercise his hellish cruelty on them as need (Education, p. 29). blood of the Lamb to enable the sinner to his own subjects. Of this work Zecha- overcome every sin and defilement. riah has written, “And he showed me Men and women are born with sinful or And they overcame him by the blood Joshua the high priest”—a representa- carnal natures but this is not the same as of the Lamb, and by the word of their tive of the people who keep the being born a sinner. Jesus Christ took testimony; and they loved not their lives commandments of God—“standing be- upon “His sinless nature our sinful nature unto the death (Revelation 12:11). fore the angel of the Lord, and Satan (Medical Ministry, p. 181).” And here standing at his right hand to resist him too, we fail to find Satan accusing Jesus of There hath no temptation taken you (Sermons and Talks, vol. 2, p. 211).” His accepting our sinful nature. Even but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be When we sin against God, there is a Satan does not dare to bring this before tempted above that ye are able; but will disposition to fall behind Jesus a day’s God as a reason that men should be given with the temptation also make a way to journey; we seek to separate from His to him as his victims. escape, that ye may be able to bear it company because it is distasteful, for ev- Acts 20:21 says that we are to have (1 Corinthians 10:13). ery ray of light from His divine presence “repentance toward God, and faith toward points to the sin of which we have been our Lord Jesus Christ.” But we ask, It is gospel truth that Jesus said, “with- guilty. Satan exults over the sins which repentance for what? Are we to repent for out me ye can do nothing (John 15:5).” he has induced souls to commit, and he our fallen nature? However, under inspiration Paul says, “I

Vol. 15, No. 7 - 17 - http://www.smyrna.org can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me (Philippians 4:13).” Yes we may have power over all sin and weak- Love That Works ness, but only through Jesus Christ. It is like a man who has no strength, no not so By Onycha Holt much to move a flea. But then Christ When I lived in Maine, there were many through the edges. Gentle curves can be comes to our aid. All we can do is cry out times that I admired, from the distance of a seen further down the walkway while for help, but then Christ comes and lives kitchen window or from the back yard, our birds and squirrels scamper across, play- within us (Colossians 1:21) and the same woods on a snowy winter evening. There ing in their own native homeland. miracle of Jesus living sinless in sinful were also many times that I took walks in It may not seem to matter to you that two flesh is reproduced in our lives anew! those woods throughout the year. Our farm spiritual roads diverge before us, and it may was composed of many acres and at the far not seem to matter to you which road you A Point Well Made edge of the back field there was an opening take through the woods, but it does matter Although we have noted this before in into several acres of the woods surround- to God. For example, some people do not May 2000 and March 2004 issues of Old ing the farm. In the springtime the woods see the importance of clarifying their Paths, one point that is well made in the were full of unfolding ferns, and by the understanding of whether there are really quarterly and worthy of continual consid- summertime their large, broad leaves were three gods or only one, and because of this eration is study on the Hebrews words that picked to fan away the they continue to believe are translated “vision” in Daniel 8 and 9. annoying black flies. In an error. The lesson for Thursday, August 3 dis- the fall, one could kick In the judgment men cusses the difference between the Hebrew up a symphony of will not be condemned words “chazown” (hazon) and “mareh.” music in the fallen because they conscien- The word chazown is used to designate the leaves, and in the win- tiously believed a lie, but vision of Daniel 8 as a whole, while mareh ter I was always because they did not be- is used to specifically speak of the part of captured by white birch lieve the truth, because the vision that deals with the 2,300 days. buried in a thick blanket they neglected the oppor- This is important because it serves as a link of snow, standing in tunity of learning what is to bridge the vision of the 2,300 days to silent array under a full truth (Patriarchs and Daniel 9 where Gabriel says to Daniel, “I moon. The fall seemed Prophets, p. 55). to be the most spectacu- am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly Now you might think, lar time of the year for beloved: therefore understand the matter, for example, “Does it the woods, though, and and consider the vision (mareh)(Daniel really matter if I believe in celebration of its 9:23).” ? in a trinity or not? In the splendid activity, the judgment will I be for- trees around the open- ever condemned because of my error on ing into the woods came alive and this one subject alone? Surely many, many “A Spirited Subject” continued from p. 5 beckoned with all their might with flaming wonderful people have gone to their yellow, orange, red, and fading green. No Summation other portion of the back wall of woods graves in the past believing this error but was as colorful as this opening path into its will be saved at last as part of God’s king- Bacchiocchi uses several false premises, depths. I often thought of Robert Frost’s dom.” The fact of the matter is, my sets up straw men, and then tumbles over poem, “The Road Not Taken.” brothers and sisters, you will be con- them. Bacchiocchi tries to define God to demned and you will lose all if you are fit his pattern of thinking instead of devis- Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, given the opportunity to learn what truth is ing a pattern that fits the divine outline. And sorry I could not travel both and you then reject such a high and glori- Elder Whidden makes a valiant attempt And be one traveler, long I stood ous gift from the “Father of lights” (James to show the personhood and divinity of the And looked down one as far as I could 1:17). It is not possible for us to rely on the Holy Spirit that is worthy of a better cause. experience of our forefathers. We may To where it bent in the undergrowth. Several of the Bible texts Whidden uses fondly remember our grandparents or our clearly describe the personhood of the It may be that many of us are standing in parents as saintly, loving people and even Holy Spirit, but Whidden fails to make the one path of our Christian experience but though they may not have known the truth, connection that Paul speaks of in are looking yearningly into a yellow for example, that the seventh day is the 1 Corionthians 2:11 that parallels man and wood, bending over and peering as far as Sabbath of the Lord our God, we still hope his spirit to God and His Spirit. possible down this different path, seeking to meet them again in the earth made new The Trinitarian’s belief that a plural to see what it holds. Beautiful colors invite because they were living up to all they Godhead is needed to be capable of love is closer inspection, while shimmering light they had. Is it not so? And while it illogic and is based upon finite human rea- leaves float gently to the earth in the slant- may be true that they will be part of God’s soning rather than the infinite Word of ing rays of the sun. The path appears open kingdom, God expects and demands more God. ? and flat, with no thorny bushes pushing from us.

Old Paths - 18 - July 2006 There are many at the present day truth, but are we even seeking His Spirit? I Even the rich, young man stated that, thus clinging to the customs and tradi- realize many are seeking God’s Spirit, and from his youth up, he had faithfully kept tions of their fathers. When the Lord to those who truly are, He graciously leads the commandments, but he knew, deep sends them additional light, they refuse them along, but those who are indifferent, down, that he still lacked something to accept it, because, not having been who are content with their current lifestyle, needful for his salvation. Keeping the granted to their fathers, it was not re- who are even busy doing good things in the commandments did not seem to be ceived by them. We are not placed church but are neglecting extended personal enough for him, but Jesus knew that even where our fathers were; consequently time with God, He requires them to seek “His claim that he had kept the law of our duties and responsibilities are not Him with all their hearts now while it is yet God was a deception” for “riches were the same as theirs. We shall not be ap- day, for the night quickly approacheth. his idol (The Desire of Ages, p. 520).” It proved of God in looking to the example is important to note that the solution of our fathers to determine our duty in- Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, Jesus gave him was threefold. stead of searching the word of truth for And sorry I could not travel both ourselves. Our responsibility is greater The man was to do something – sell all And be one traveler, long I stood that he had, give the proceeds to the poor, than was that of our ancestors. We are And looked down one as far as I could accountable for the light which they re- and then follow Jesus. All were actions. To where it bent in the undergrowth. ceived, and which was handed down as No mental assent was Jesus asking for, no meditative belief in Him as the Son of an inheritance for us, and we are ac- Then took the other, as just as fair, countable also for the additional light God, as important as that is, but He com- And having perhaps the better claim, which is now shining upon us from the manded an active response. Because it was grassy and wanted wear. word of God (The Spirit of Prophecy, This presents a dilemma, a fork in the vol. 4, p. 137). Today we may be yearningly looking road, so to speak, that all followers of We cannot continue to live in the spiri- down a spiritual path that may very well Jesus have faced. Is it our actions or our tual lifestyle that they lived in, because appear as truth. It looks fair and may seem to faith that saves us? Remember, the man they died! Somewhere along the line God have a better claim because it is cool and was asking how he could obtain eternal will have a people that will not die! He is grassy and invites burdened travelers to find life. The answer Jesus gave him was not calling us to a higher standard, one of rest, but it is not at the start of a journey that that he should believe in Him as the Son bringing honor and glory to Him and of one gains the crown. It is in the completion of God, or that he should repair the rela- vindicating His character. In order to be of the journey that one finds the victory. Do tionship with God that he was breaking able to do this, we must cherish and value you remember Ellen White’s dream of the by his transgression of the first com- all truth. Advent people walking along a narrow path mandment, or even that he should be of Why is God so unbending on such an beside a steep precipice? At every portion good courage for keeping nine of the ten issue as truth? Why is He so exacting? The of their difficult way, many turned aside. commandments and that His (Christ’s) reason is because when you reject truth, (See Life Sketches of Ellen G.White, p. 190.) righteousness would make up for his def- you reject Jesus. It is that simple. Let us examine together what some icit. Jesus demands from His followers, Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, might consider a pleasant-looking spiritual and has every right to expect, an active, the truth, and the life: no man cometh pathway before us, because none of us truly visible response to His answer of how unto the Father, but by me (John 14:6). would want to come to the end of life’s jour- eternal life is gained. We are to surrender ney to only find loss and disappointment. A all and follow Jesus. “God has given us Jesus is the truth, and in rejecting Him, the rule of conduct which every servant you reject His words and His Spirit, the seemingly apparent divergence is found on the path to heaven. We are each seeking vic- of Jesus Christ must follow. It is obedi- only process available for your ence to his law, not merely a legal sanctification. tory as we travel this path, and one crucial issue we must consider is, “What is obedience, but an obedience which Sanctify them through thy truth: thy involved in our salvation?” enters into the entire life, and is exempli- word is truth (John 17:17). fied in the character (Youth’s Instructor, The rich, young ruler was uncertain May 27, 1897).” The question is: “How But we are bound to give thanks al- about his salvation, and so he approached can we have an obedience to the law ‘that way to God for you, brethren beloved of Jesus. “Good Master, what good thing shall enters into the entire life,’both internally the Lord, because God hath from the be- I do, that I may have eternal life?” Jesus and externally?” Our external obedience ginning chosen you to salvation through answered, “If thou wilt enter into life, keep must be prompted by the internal action sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the commandments.” (Matthew 19:16, 17) of the heart and mind, and these actions the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:13). The scribes and the Pharisees would readily transform the character. So, even if our parents and grandpar- have agreed with Jesus’answer, for they rig- ents and our aunts and uncles did not idly and fervently advocated abiding by the Jesus said, “I am the vine, ye are the understand all the truth God has provided law, but “A legal religion is insufficient to branches: He that abideth in me, and I in for us in this day, we must understand it. bring the soul into harmony with God. The him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: God has given us every opportunity to hard, rigid orthodoxy of the Pharisees, des- for without me ye can do nothing (John advance in our Christian walk, but we are titute of contrition, tenderness, or love, was 15:5).” The only way that we can per- often slow to take the first step. He has only a stumbling block to sinners (Thoughts form right actions is by abiding in Christ promised us His Spirit to lead us into all from the Mount of Blessings, p. 53).” and allowing Christ to abide in us. Jesus

Vol. 15, No. 7 - 19 - http://www.smyrna.org says, “The same bringeth forth much need for obedience to the law cannot be today with the same extremes—legalism fruit.” denied, for Jesus honored every jot and tit- on the one hand and antinomianism (the tle of the law (Matthew 5:18) and He teaching that we are not under the restraint Bible religion is not made up of theo- commended the scribes and Pharisees for of God’s law) on the other, but the answer logical systems, creeds, theories, and tradition, for then it would not remain a tithing mint and cummin saying, “These found in God’s Word is to have a faith that mystery. The worldly would understand ought ye to have done (Matthew 23:23).” works by love. it through their own natural abilities. Ellen White also affirms the need for Let us not be deceived by the oft-re- But religion, Bible religion, has a practi- obedience: peated assertion, “All you have to do is cal, saving energy, elements proceeding But the gospel of good news was not to believe.” Faith and works are two wholly from God—a personal experi- to be interpreted as allowing men to live oars which we must use equally if we ence of God’s power transforming the in continued rebellion against God by press our way up the stream against the entire man (Manuscript Releases, vol. transgressing his just and holy law. Why current of unbelief. “Faith, if it hath not 16, p. 236; all emphasis in this article cannot those who claim to understand works, is dead, being alone (Review & supplied unless otherwise noted.). the Scriptures, see that God’s require- Herald, June 11, 1901).” ment under grace is just the same he Notice these statements by two of our We access this transforming power of made in Eden,—perfect obedience to pioneers: God, the great mystery of Christ and the his law. In the Judgment, God will ask church (Ephesians 6:32) through faith. those who profess to be Christians, Why When Paul wrote to the Romans, the “For by grace are ye saved through faith; did you claim to believe in my Son, and great difficulty with the church was that and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of continue to transgress my law? Who re- they thought they could obtain salvation God (Ephesians 2:8).” quired this at your hands—to trample by works alone. The idea was, Do good Faith in Christ will be the means upon my rules of righteousness? “Be- things, and be saved. To meet that, Paul whereby the right spirit and motive will hold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and taught them justification by faith. But actuate the believer, and all goodness to hearken than the fat of rams.” The when he came to write to the Galatians, and heavenly-mindedness will proceed gospel of the New Testament is not the the case was somewhat different. Then from him who looks unto Jesus, the au- Old Testament standard lowered to meet the idea was winning favor that salva- thor and finisher of his faith…By the sinner and save him in his sins. God tion came by faith and works. So the beholding Christ, you will become requires of all his subjects obedience, most prominent thought in the epistle to changed, until you will hate your former entire obedience to all his command- the Galatians is, that salvation is by pride, your former vanity and self-es- ments. He demands now as ever perfect faith, and faith alone. James wrote his teem, your self-righteousness and righteousness as the only title to heaven. epistle to correct another error. In his unbelief. You will cast these sins aside Christ is our hope and our refuge. His time it had come to be thought that sal- as a worthless burden, and walk humbly, righteousness only is imputed to the vation came by simply talking about meekly, trustfully, before God. You will obedient. Let us accept it through faith, faith. But he showed that the faith which practice love, patience, gentleness, that the Father shall find in us no sin. But saves a man is one that produces works. goodness, mercy, and every grace that those who have trampled on the holy We meet the same things today. Some dwells in the child of God, and will at law will have no right to claim that righ- have thought that we could be saved by last find a place among the sanctified teousness. Oh that we might view the a theory of justification, but we must and holy (Selected Messages, bk. 1, immensity of the plan of salvation as have a faith that works because there is p. 388). obedient children to all God’s require- life in it (Elder J. H. Durland, The Gen- ments, believing that we have peace eral Conference Bulletin, vol. 7, The faith of Jesus is often referred to as with God through Jesus Christ, our February 15, 1895). the essential element for our salvation atoning sacrifice (Review & Herald, It is not said that some of the just shall because, as Paul declares in Ephesians 2:8, September 21, 1886)! 9, we are saved by grace through faith and live by faith, or that they shall live by not by works. There are many people who God, as the supreme ruler of the uni- faith and works, but, simply, “the just emphasize the importance of obedience to verse has ever required prompt and shall live by faith,” and that proves that the law, to the seeming exclusion of a faith unquestioning obedience. Even Christ, it is not by their own works. All of the that accesses salvation. We may even sus- in the days of his flesh, was obedient to just are made and kept just by faith pect such people of adhering to the law as the law of the Father (Signs of the Times, alone. This is because the law is so holy. their means of obtaining salvation, which July 22, 1886). It is greater than can be done by man; would then be legalism. It should be Without faith, all this work will avail only Divine power can accomplish it; so remembered that it is not works or keeping nothing, for we are told in Galatians 5:6 by faith we receive the Lord Jesus, and the law that is undesirable, but it is the that it is the “faith which worketh by love” He lives the perfect law in us (E. J. motive for doing so that we must examine. that is important, and we are also told that Waggoner, The Glad Tidings, p. 112). If our good works are our means of secur- “love is the fulfilling of the law (Romans We must cooperate with Jesus and ing salvation, then we will never obtain it, 13:10).” allow Him to live within us, submitting for we are saved purely and only by grace With Ellen White, our pioneers often our will to Him just as He submitted His through faith, but our faith is revealed by referred to the impossibility of having will to His Father, and the faith that works works, as we learn in James chapter 2. The faith without works, and we are faced by love will then be a reality in our lives.

Old Paths - 20 - July 2006 “By faith Enoch lived in the presence of faithful to our heavenly Father and to our Time and again God has called us His God three hundred years (This Day with Savior, Jesus Christ, in spite of what others children. He has come running to meet us God, p. 275),” and we must live by faith may say or do! and has sung to us. He has opened His also. When someone close to us indulges Satan seeks to win us over by his pleas- hands to us, talking with us personally. in a disparaging moment, we must rise ing sophistry and lying wonders, by When we have fallen, He has tenderly above it and remain unflurried. When holding our minds in darkness, by enticing lifted us up. He has abundantly fed us and another speaks an unkind word, we must us to lay aside reason and the fear of the has tied our shoes, so to speak, and sent us instead think the understanding word. Lord in order to follow custom, tradition, on our way. If we will only focus on know- When a brother takes joy in the mistakes of or even a more pleasing means of salvation ing Him, we will fall in love with Him and others, we must ponder how to best that does not require strict obedience to there will be no need for us to focus on encourage the faltering one. And when- God’s Word. Satan seeks for ministers and either our works or our faith, because both ever we are belittled, looked down upon, leaders to present the perfect law of liberty will be bountifully provided in knowing or thought less of, we must remain consid- of the Scriptures as a yoke of bondage and Him. The only path we need to pensively erate, kind, and humble, thinking only he seeks for people to accept these expla- look down and yearn for is the path that thoughts of well-being for the other. nations, rather than study for themselves, leads to the throne of God, for there all our The voice of God is speaking to us in so that they will eventually concede that needs for righteous obedience and for sav- clear, distinct utterances. He would see the requirements of God are less strict than ing faith will be found. the works of righteousness in our lives. they once believed. And he seeks to mis- Instead of pleasing ourselves the Lord represent the motives of every true and Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, would have us to do deeds of mercy, noble deed, to circulate insinuations and And sorry I could not travel both manifest tender forethought to those arouse suspicion in the minds of people, causing that which is pure and righteous to And be one traveler, long I stood who are pressed down with burdens, And looked down one as far as I could cramped with poverty, who are hungry be regarded as foul and deceptive. But To where it bent in the undergrowth; and naked and destitute. If we fail in do- Jesus does not want us to be swayed by ing works of mercy, in manifesting true appearance or smooth talk or any talk, and love and sympathy, in helping and bless- He never wants us to entertain doubts Then took the other, as just as fair ing others, whatever else we may do, we about His Word or His love for us. Our And having perhaps the better claim, shall fail of pleasing God (Ellen White, only defense is our trust in and our obedi- Because it was grassy and wanted wear; General Conference Daily Bulletin, ence to the Word of God. Though as for that, the passing there If we are experiencing dissatisfaction in March 18, 1897). Had worn them really about the same, our spiritual life, there is a better experi- The woman at Jacob’s well had a pro- ence God wants to give us. If we see the found encounter with Jesus, for to her “He futility of striving to work our way to And both that morning equally lay opened His richest treasures (Education, heaven by depending on our own efforts to In leaves no step had trodden black p. 231).” “He reasoned more earnestly and do what is right, there definitely is a better Oh, I kept the first for another day! eloquently with her than with kings, coun- way. We may be longingly looking for cilors, or high priests (The Desire of Ages, Yet knowing how way leads on to way, something more, as the rich, young ruler p. 195).” “She felt the power of his holy I doubted if I should ever come back. was, and if we, like the woman at the well, character and the heavenly influence that have an open mind, heart, and spirit, we went with his words of truth. Perfect trust will be filled with the riches of heaven and I shall be telling this with a sigh filled her heart (Gospel Workers, p. 338).” we will find supreme pleasure and joy in Somewhere ages and ages hence: Why was He able to speak thusly with her? doing God’s will. Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— Because within her “He discerned the A new heart and spirit have been prom- I took the one less traveled by, impressible heart, the open mind, the ised us and God has promised to write His And that has made all the difference receptive spirit (Education, p. 231).” law in our hearts: Would that we had the same impressible heart, open mind, and receptive spirit; for Anew heart also will I give you, and a —Robert Frost then the richest treasures of Jesus will also new spirit will I put within you: and I fill our hearts, minds and spirits; and will take away the stony heart out of everything this world has to offer will fade your flesh, and I will give you an heart into insignificance and irrelevancy. of flesh. And I will put my spirit within Amazingly, Eve took the word of a ser- you, and cause you to walk in my stat- “Prayer Requests” continued from p. 1 utes, and ye shall keep my judgments, pent, which had done nothing for her, over of each caller’s burden. As we do this, and do them (Ezekiel 36:26, 27). the Word of God. God had made a beauti- will you also uplift us to our heavenly ful world filled with limitless treasures of But this shall be the covenant that I will Father’s throne as we endeavor to be creation for both her and Adam to learn of make with the house of Israel; After those faithful in doing our part to finish God’s and experience, in addition to providing days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in work on this earth? May God richly bless face-to-face communion with Himself and their inward parts, and write it in their you is our continual prayer for you. with the holy angels. Would that we may hearts; and will be their God, and they learn from her sad example and remain shall be my people (Jeremiah 31:33). Onycha Holt

Vol. 15, No. 7 - 21 - http://www.smyrna.org the local church in Port Harcourt and their Nigeria Trip Report experience in Christ is precious. During my stay, I was able to give Bible studies to fam- By Allen Stump ily and friends whom I met. I left Smyrna on April 17th of this year to flight to Nigeria over the Sahara Desert One person with whom I studied was travel to Charleston, West Virginia, for the was interesting. Anthony, who worked as the gatekeeper first leg of my trip to Nigeria. I had been The airport at Port Harcourt is small by for the Amadiegwu family. I asked him invited by the leaders of the Liberated international standards. I was cheered to one day if he was a Sabbath-keeper. He Church of God in Nigeria to speak at their see a sign being held that said, “National said, “No, I keep Sunday.” I asked him camp meeting, originally scheduled to Liberated Church–A. Stump” on it. Pas- why, and he said that he did not know start April 18, and to visit with their peo- tor Paul Sunday and two other brethren except that his minister said that they ple. The Liberated Church is a group of were waiting for me. should keep Sunday. I then asked him if he Sabbath-keeping Pentecostals who have I noticed that all the police carried auto- wanted to know what the Bible said about learned the truth about God (that God is matic weapons. The United States State the Sabbath and he replied, very positively, not a Trinity), the identity of the antichrist, Department lists Nigeria as one of the most “Yes.” For the next three hours we opened and many of our other doctrines. dangerous countries for United States citi- God’s word and Anthony soaked it in like I had packed my luggage extra heavily zens to be in and highly recommends that a dry sponge. At the end of our study with literature and expected to pay an addi- they not travel there. Many of the homes in Anthony was very happy to learn the truth tional charge for each checked bag. But, Nigeria are within compounds that have and decided to begin keeping the Sabbath. when I got to the airport I was not charged walls around them with sharp spikes and On my first Sabbath in Nigeria, about despite the fact that I made the person at razor wire going around the top! four churches from the area got together the counter aware that my bags were over- The driving in Nigeria is the wildest I for services. When we arrived at the cha- weight. This was a real blessing! have ever seen. I could only pray, and, pel, a song service was already in My flight from Washington, D.C., to thankfully, I was never in an accident progress and continued for another Germany went well until we were near while there. The number of lanes any road twenty minutes. Some of the songs were Frankfurt, when the pilot announced that has and where they are at depends on how hymns I knew, and some were selections I Frankfurt was currently fogged-in and we many columns of cars are on the road at had never heard. might have to hold too long for the any given time and where the cars are The men all sat on the right side of the amount of fuel the plane had. This meant traveling to. People drive on the side- church (as viewed from the back) and the that we might have to divert to Dusseldurf walks, between lanes, and go the wrong ladies all sat on the left side. Children to refuel before going to Frankfurt when way against traffic a good bit. were segregated, too, according to gender the fog lifted. This would cause me to There are countless motorcycles that with all the small children sitting on the miss my connecting flight to Port Har- swarm like locusts in Nigeria. They dan- front. The elders were seated on the front court, so I prayed that God’s will would gerously weave in and out of traffic, often right facing inward and some sisters, per- be done. Shortly afterward, the pilot cutting in front of cars! Some carry two, haps deaconesses, were on the left side announced that the fog had lifted enough three, four and even five people, many facing inward. The different ministers to proceed. When we landed, I could not times with a load. were all seated on the platform. see the runway at first, but as we neared The weather in Nigeria was hot and After the Sabbath School lesson, there the terminal the view was clearer. muggy. My first Sabbath the temperature was more singing and then the offering! A Upon arrival, I quickly found my gate was about 113º F (45º C). Few places have large chest was first placed in the front of for my flight to Port Harcourt and the air conditioning and electricity is only on the church. Then, row by row, ladies a few hours each day to run fans and other “danced” up to spirited music and put appliances. However, their offerings in the chest. Then, in like there was usually cool fashion, the men took their turn, and then water for showering and the whole process started again. This con- that was a real blessing. tinued for a long time. Soon after arriving, I I then spoke on the three angels’ mes- was disappointed to learn sages and the need to come all the way out that the camp meeting had of Babylon. I discussed the need to know been delayed till the fol- God and His character and then lowing week (April expounded on Genesis 22. From there, I 25th–30th). Until camp discussed living in the world without meeting started, I stayed being a part of the world with all of its sins with the family of Geoffrey and allurements. Amadiegwu and I was After my sermon, there were a few treated like a king. announcements and prayer. The Geoffrey and his wife, Amadiegwu family and I then went to Some Ministers at the Camp Felicia, are the backbone of Pastor Sunday’s house, beside the church,

Old Paths - 22 - July 2006 to rest and eat some food that Sister were arranged in a square much Amadiegwu had brought. like what I had seen when I was in Nigeria is a land rich in resources, but Ghana. This was only the second the people are very poor. I hoped to be camp meeting for this group, so able to meet with the ministers before the they are new to much of what they camp meeting, but there was no way they are doing, but there seemed to be a could come together due to lack of time good bit of organization to it all. and resources. These brave, dedicated The people were eager to see me. men only receive about $35 per month. Pastor Lewis George, whom I had This meager sum must support their fami- met in Ghana, quickly found me lies and cover their ministerial needs. and it was very good to greet him. This is a real challenge to say the least! Later, I was able to greet Pastor Pastor K. S. Kitomari from Tanzania Jerome Madu, the church’s general was scheduled to be at the camp meeting, overseer, whom I had also met in Pastor Agyeman Preaching along with Pastor Agyeman of Ghana and Ghana. We discussed some items of Brother Fischer of Germany. Pastor the schedule and after meeting sev- basic issues of the ministry. I then opened Kitomari was not able to attend though, eral people I was taken to the place I would up the meeting for questions. The brethren and Pastor Agyeman and Brother Fischer stay during the camp meeting. wanted to know what the Bible said about were delayed two days. The leaders of the I emphasized in my messages some of speaking in tongues and many other impor- Liberated Church at first had thought that the special truths that God has been tant topics. I always emphasized what the as many as four thousand people might pleased to give us as a people, especially Bible says, and instructed them not to attend the camp meeting, but only about the three angels’ messages and the accept any teachings from men without a eight hundred were there the first night. 2,300-day prophecy, which is the founda- “thus saith the Lord.” It was quite a beauti- Yet, the crowd swelled to about 1,500 by tion of Adventism. The people in Nigeria ful meeting, as the brethren were so willing Sabbath, so there were still many precious have a wonderful gift to be able to sit for to follow what the Bible says. souls with whom to share the truth. hours through very hot meetings and, for When I said good bye to the people it I went to the camp with Pastor Sunday, the most part, not lose interest in what is was an emotional event. Many of these whom I learned to appreciate very much. being said. When Pastor Agyeman from dear people who had only known me for a He was always helpful and the people Ghana arrived, he spoke on the second few days cried as I said good–bye. It was really seem to love him. I rode in the front coming of Christ, the state of the dead, and hard to leave the camp. Many wanted to seat of his car. His wife, two young ladies, other key points. Pastor Agyeman had vis- shake my hand or tell me a personal and two small children rode in the back ited these brethren before and it was clear good–bye, but I finally left with the seat. The trunk was very full of luggage. that he was greatly loved by them. Both of Amadiegwu family. It was difficult to say We arrived at camp just before dark. us were always busy talking, studying good–bye to this dear family, who had Many people were coming to the camp and with people, visiting, or just getting our adopted me while in their country. Their the place was like a little ant farm with pictures taken with the church members. oldest son, Charles, was especially help- many workers doing their various jobs! PastorAgyemanhad,onpriorvisits, ful to me and we became very close The camp was held at a very run-down shared principles of health reform with friends. Finally, I had to leave them at the public boarding school. It had the look of some of the people and it showed in their airport door, as only ticketed passengers an institution that had been built 70 years changes of diet and lifestyle, but not all yet are allowed in any part of the terminal. ago and left abandoned for the last twenty understood. The “kitchen” at the camp was After a slow check-in process, I arrived years. There was a big open field where a a big open area with several pots cooking in the boarding area only to hear that the platform had been erected and then cano- rice and other food over open fires. flight would be delayed at least three pies, with benches and chairs under them, Each day, except Sabbath, a group of hours. “Africa time” caught me once more men would butcher a cow to before I could leave! Thankfully, I had just help supplement the feeding enough lay over in my schedule to make of the vast group of people. my connection in Frankfurt by running the The butchers were surprised long distance as fast as I could from the to learn that I did not eat any receiving gate to the boarding gate. As my meat. They asked me if I ate plane took off for the United States, my chicken or fish. I said that I body was leaving Africa, but much of my didn’t eat anything that spirit remained. Please pray for these dear moved! It seemed like a brethren that the Lord may guide them into strange concept to them, but all truth. They are some of the most teach- they were willing to listen. able people I have ever meet, who are I was able to have a seminar willing to learn without being gullible. I with the pastors and their am sure that they shall be a part of Christ’s Youth Groups Singing wives, where we discussed jewels when He returns. ?

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Old Paths is a free monthly newsletter/study-paper published by Smyrna Gospel Ministries, HC 64 Box 128-B, Welch, WV 24801-9606 U. S. A. The paper is dedicated to the propagation and restoration of the principles of truth that God gave to the early Seventh-day Adventist pioneers. Duplication is not only permit- ted, but strongly encouraged. This issue, with other gospel literature we publish, can be found at our web sites. The urls are: http://www.smyrna.org and http://www.presenttruth.info. Phone: (304) 732-9204. Fax: (304) 732-7322. Paths archive now includes the article titles. We invite you to log on to watch our work in progress and we also hope you will share Editor...... Allen Stump— [email protected] our website address with your Adventist friends. We expect the Assistant to the Editor .....Onycha Holt — [email protected]

Old Paths - 24 - July 2006