Commentary on "Expounding the Faith"

RICHARD PEIFER

 

Day 7: Friday, August 6, 2010 - Further Study

 

Overview

Three quotes are presented that are from Ellen G. White's writings.

 

Observations

As always, an Adventist must appeal to his or her primary source of truth—Ellen White. How sad that a Bible chapter so rich in imagery and overflowing with the grace of God is seen as needing Mrs. White’s blessing. Do Adventists really have so low an opinion of the word of God? Can no member of that church be trusted to understand the meaning of such a passage of scripture as it is revealed to them by the Spirit?

The answer to these questions is "Yes" and "No." The Bible is not their final authority. Therefore, no one can be trusted to interpret it at all, let alone correctly.

Nothing so clearly reveals this as this week’s lesson. On the one hand are many good statements regarding the sufficiency of Jesus. On the other hand are many statements regarding his insufficiency and our need to take up the slack as we work to maintain our salvation. This double-speak is the reason why many truly saved Adventists have no idea of their identity as children of God, and why so many lost Adventists either are walking through life blithely unaware of their danger or are consumed with guilt and depression at never being able to measure up to the church’s definition of righteousness.

 

Summary

1. If anyone reading this recognizes themselves in the description, the solution to your problem is Jesus. It is not Adventism or any other –ism; it is Jesus. Just in Romans 5 alone look at what he did for you:
2. He reconciled you to the Father through his death on the cross. Sin no longer stands between you and God, because Jesus’ death was completely sufficient, once and for all.
3. He offers you eternal life because of his resurrection, his victory over death.
4. Both forgiveness/reconciliation and eternal life are yours in Jesus.
5. Simply take him at his word. If you do, you’ll discover that nothing will ever separate you from his love. You will be his eternally, saved eternally, secure eternally, alive eternally. Don’t let a behaviorist church ever take this away from you.

 

 

Copyright 2010 BibleStudiesForAdventists.com. All rights reserved. Revised July 12, 2010. This website is published by Life Assurance Ministries, Glendale, Arizona, USA, the publisher of Proclamation! Magazine. Contact email: BibleStudiesForAdventists@gmail.com.

The Sabbath School Bible Study Guide and the corresponding E.G. White Notes are published by Pacific Press Publishing Association, which is owned and operated by the Seventh-day Adventist church. The current quarter's editions are pictured above.

 

Official Adventist Resources

Standard Edition Study Guide Week 6

Teacher's Edition Study Guide Week 6

Easy Reading Edition Study Guide Wk 6

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