| Author | Message | ||
| Maggiethecat Registered user Username: Maggiethecat Post Number: 7 Registered: 7-2007  |
Hello again, sorry I seem so much 'take' and not much 'give' but I’m after some more advice please. I have just had a bit of a stressful online conversation with an SDA friend. Even though she was just asking why I left the church, I feel my very weak knowledge and appalling memory make it hard for me to put into words how I feel and how I have come to the place I’m at now. She asked a few ‘loaded’ questions and fired a few verses at me and had me flailing for answers. I was praying for guidance during our ‘discussion’ but the answers just didn’t come and I just kept coming up blank. She has invited me to have bible studies with her so we can work out what the bible means between us. I know what she really means is that she’ll try to convince me that what I’m doing is wrong. While I’m sure she means well I just don't want to do it. She claims she is not pressuring me either way just wants to have an open honest study. I tend to cave to influence very easily and I guess I am a bit easy to convince about things. I just don’t feel strong enough to have to explain myself to anyone, because I know that they’ll try to convince me back to the church. I told her I wanted to have one on one time with God in His word but she still insisted we get together just to talk about it all, even if we’re not studying. I’m not sure what I’m even asking for here. I guess I’m just after reassurance, I’m sure there are many here who have been in the same situation I am in. I am sure that the Holy Spirit is leading me and led me here, but I don't dare tell the few SDA friends I have that I come here. I thank God for all your help. Reading the threads here are empowering. Maree | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 6638 Registered: 12-2003  |
Dear Maree, I understand what you're feeling. Please know that you do not need to have these studies. When we first left Adventism, we had to divorce ourselves completely from studying or reading Adventist materials. We didn't "divorce" ourselves from talking to people, but we quite reading SDA material, listening to their radio services, etc. The reason you felt so "off-balance" is that learning to think Biblically instead of "Adventist-ly" is a total paradigm shift. Words mean different things; meanings of texts and phrases are "inside-out". In other words, Adventism has brain-washed us all, and our transition out is a literal time of debriefing. We have to learn what is real. Your intuition that you don't feel safe doing that study is accurate. You really do need to spend time studying the Bible, praying for God's personal teaching. You don't need to immerse yourself back in an Adventist Bible study. In fact, I would strongly urge against it. Don't worry that you didn't have "answers". God is faithful; whenever you defend the truth, even if you don't know all the answers, He glorifies Himself through that. You will continue to grow in wisdom and knowledge, and you can know that you are perfectly justified in not having that study. With prayers that Jesus will be very real to you, Colleen | ||
| Maggiethecat Registered user Username: Maggiethecat Post Number: 8 Registered: 7-2007 |
Thank you so much Colleen. I really really appreciate your reassuring words. Maree | ||
| Pnoga Registered user Username: Pnoga Post Number: 17 Registered: 1-2007 |
Maree, What Colleen said is absolutely right. I decided I wasn't to sure about the SDA doctrine, I decided I was going to divorce their studies, books, magazines, and satellite programs. I said to myself "I will just study the bible only and pray to God to reveal truth to me." I figured if the SDA were the true church than the God through His Word would reveal that to me in the Bible. Boy was I in for a BIG WAKE UP CALL! I started finding so many things that the SDA doctrine contradicted in the bible. For the first time the veil was lifted from my eyes and I could read the NT and it started making so much sense. I began to cry with joy when I truly learned what Jesus has done for me for all of us. No longer did I have to confuse myself trying to twist certain scripture that pointed out that we were no longer under law and Sabbath Day observing was no longer a requirement just to try to make the SDA doctrine fit. Maree stay strong in Christ, do not go to the study, you are not entitled to go. Just keep reading your Bible and you will grow in the Word. The SDA technique is to put a guilt trip on you and put you in fear that you are being led astray by satan. Maree, we have been freed from satan's snare, and have come to the real truth. Rest in Jesus and stay away from SDA doctrine. I am going through a similar situation. Every Thursday night is a bible study at my house which is lead by my Brother-in-law and Elder SDA. Last night we discussed the 1844 IJ and I pointed out verses that say that Jesus has entered through the veil and became our High Priest and that he sat down at the right side of God. Boy you should have seen the look on their faces. They started stammering to try to explain those verses. It's a sad thing to hear someone tell you that all Sunday worshippers are not in the truth and that when they are shown the truth they refuse it or get mad. But as I am learning now that when an SDA is shown the Gospel truth they will deny it and get angry. Sounds like they need to practice what they preach. May the Grace and Love of Jesus keep you strong. Paul | ||
| Philharris Registered user Username: Philharris Post Number: 159 Registered: 5-2007  |
Maree, I agree with Colleen. You don't need to have this SDA slanted Bible study with your friend. I will try to respond to your request by sharing my own experience. When I left the SDA church it wasn't initially about doctrine. Years later, when I returned to the Lord, I was faced with a major contradiction. The SDA church teaching was that they were the only true "Remnant Church" yet I was being led in Bible study and witnessing the lives of people who were clearly filled by the Holy Spirit. They obviously had nothing to do with the SDA church yet they were clearly Christians. I asked myself the question; "How is this possible"? At that point, I launched a study of SDA doctrine parallel to the solid Bible study I was receiving. I correctly reasoned that everything hinged on Ellen White. If she was a true prophet, or not, became the issue to resolve. It only takes one point to prove a prophet false. For me, it was the "Scapegoat". Jesus Christ, not Satan, is our Scapegoat. To teach otherwise is heresy. The Bible teaches us to flee from false prophets so I fled from anything to do with the SDA church. The FBI has a motto that applies here. Don't waste time attempting to learn all the endlessly possible variations on what a counterfeit twenty dollar bill looks like. Instead, know what a true dollar bill looks like so well you will instantly recognize the fake. Know the true gospel message so well you will never be mislead by Satan's endless lies. Phil | ||
| Helovesme2 Registered user Username: Helovesme2 Post Number: 1034 Registered: 8-2004  |
Maree, I agree with the others here that you have no obligation to study with anyone. And hang in there. It does get better! Mary | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 1342 Registered: 9-2006  |
Maree, I totally agree with the rest, stay out of there, I really have a bad feeling about this one and I urge you not to do it. I think Colleen senses that to as well as the rest of us, you will grow in the word and get stronger, desire the sincere milk of the word, it will be health to you. Read your Bible prayerfully, what I mean is, with a prayer to God on your lips and a hungry heart, ask him to feed you through his word. I am going to stop writeing and go to prayer for you now. River | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 4184 Registered: 3-2004  |
Maree, All you have to do is tell you friend "no" to the studies. You do not have to give any reasons. No is enough. God does not want us in any place where we do not feel safe. Concentrate on reading and studying your Bible and learning what the Bible really teaches. Our awesome God will teach you. Diana | ||
| Lori Registered user Username: Lori Post Number: 66 Registered: 11-1999 |
Maree, I remember being in the same position you are in now. Teetering on the edge--I could have gone either way. What I did was pray....I prayed for God to protect me from anyone that would lead me in the wrong direction. I prayed for a hedge to be placed around me and that no one who represented anything other than unadulterated truth would be allowed to pass through. God promises that when we seek we will find. If you ask God to show you the truth. He will. He promised!!! Stand firm in what you know. You don't have to justify your beliefs to Adventist. Even if you did they can't hear it--their eyes are veiled and their ears are closed. What you are experiencing, even though it is difficult,is the most wonderful thing ever. It is the experience of trusting in Jesus Christ, it's you and Him, and it's an indescrible experience that those who have never experience can not understand. They can not comprehend your joy, your enthusiasm, your peace, your assurance. All the sudden it's not about you anymore---it's about Christ. You are IN the most wonderful place their is to be!!! After I prayed for God to protect me from deception it was three weeks before I had any contact with any Adventist. I had e-mailed several Adventist friends prior to this prayer asking them for help in finding an answer to a Biblical question I had. The answer to which would change my view of Adventism forever! I knew I could easily be convinced either way...I knew I needed protection and discernment of truth. Three weeks later, I was told by no less than a half a dozen Adventist that every e-mail they sent me came back as undeliverable. Several may numerous attempts to call...they said my phone rang and rang but my answering machine never did pick up. During this period, I had not had any difficulties with my e-mail and my answering machine was working (other people had been able to get through). I also received some answers to the question I had posed to them all. They all said the same thing, "you can't question this you just have to believe it because we have more truth than other people do." I will never believe anything other than God placed me in His protection. Just as I asked he gave me the opportunity to find the truth. The answers did not come from someone. They came from His Word. What he gave me was time. Time which was not influenced by deception. Time to seek Him. Time to find Him. He gave me place to STAND. God wants you to know the truth. If the Truth is your goal....you will find it!! Lori | ||
| Jorgfe Registered user Username: Jorgfe Post Number: 638 Registered: 11-2005 |
Colleen gave some very good advice. Another thing I have found is that most Seventh-day Adventists, in a situation like this, are not open to the idea that their cherished position might not be Biblical. They go at it with the expectation that they are right and you are wrong, and that they are going to show you where you are wrong. That is not the way to study the Bible in the first place. One can make the Bible say anything they want to if their intent is to prove a point. The Holy Spirit can't work in an environment like that. It is only when the reader, in a true spirit of humility, is actually searching God's word with an open heart, that the truth will be found. The Bible counsels us to stay away from those who just want to debate. Just my thoughts ... Gilbert Jorgensen | ||
| Asurprise Registered user Username: Asurprise Post Number: 168 Registered: 7-2007 |
Maree, don't be afraid of asking questions. That's one of the purposes of this forum, so ask away! I shared what you asked with a friend who had led a group of Adventists out of the Adventist church simply by reading and discussing the New Testament with them. I asked her if that would be a good thing for you to do. She answered with an emphatic no!!! She explained that before a person is ready to study with someone from a cult, they need to be really grounded in the word of God. They need to know their Bible backwards and forwards so they can spot a lie immediately. Especially study the New Testament. Read it through several times before tackling a study with them. She pointed out that behind the flesh and blood people you'll be studying with, are the principalities and powers of the enemy. If you do study with them though, which I hope you won't until you're GROUNDED in the word; here are a few texts: Galatians 4:24-26 where the apostle Paul is talking about the two covenants, the one from Mount Sinai and the one now... Galatians 3:17 where Paul says that the law came 430 years AFTER Abraham. Hebrews 8:13 where it says that the old covenant is obsolete. Deuteronomy 4:13 where it identifies the old covenant as the Ten Commandments. Deuteronomy 5:3 where Moses is telling the Israelites that God didn't make that covenant with their fathers, but with them. Dianne | ||
| Larry Registered user Username: Larry Post Number: 121 Registered: 5-2007 |
Wow! Excellent thread. Maree, I can only instruct you on two points. #1. Re-read this thread many times. #2. See #1. | ||
| Asurprise Registered user Username: Asurprise Post Number: 169 Registered: 7-2007 |
Maree, that friend also suggested that it wouldn't hurt to discuss this with your frind online, but only if you have, as back-up, someone fully grounded in the word. (This is the friend who the Lord used to bring me out of Adventism.) (If you like, my friend and I can help you. She's really well grounded after 30 years of studying the Bible, since her conversion out of the Catholic church. And I've gotten LOTS of practice after writing to my relatives and others for the past year  Dianne | ||
| Maggiethecat Registered user Username: Maggiethecat Post Number: 9 Registered: 7-2007 |
Thank you all SO much for your support. I feel so strongly that the way I am heading now is the right way, whereas when I was in the church it never felt right. It is so reassuring to come here and know I am hearing real truth. I am currently reading Dale Ratzlaff's book Cultic Doctrine of SDAs and I am finding it very enlightening. I would love to give to it my friend to read but I am sure she would take one look at the title and refuse to read it. I was wondering where is a good place to start in the bible. Should I just start with the gospels and work my way through them? Dianne, thank you so much for your offer of help. I would really appreciate it, it is so kind of you to offer. Thank you again to everyone Maree | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 4187 Registered: 3-2004 |
Maree, This is what I was told by a good Baptist friend when I began to read the NT. Start with the gospel of John as that teaches so much of how God loves you. Then read the other gospels. After the gospels read the rest of the NT, saving Hebrews and Galations for last. It worked for me. Our awesome God will give you understanding. Diana | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 6648 Registered: 12-2003 |
Maree, I believe you should start with Galatians. It's only six chapters; you could read it every day for a month, asking God to teach you what He wants you to know. I'd also read John... After Galatians, I would recommend Ephesians, Colossians, Hebrews. I also recommend, sometime after Galatians, 1 Corinthians. It the most compehrensive "how to live in the body of Christ" instruction I know. But I'd start with Galatians and John. And read the whole book through before you delve deeper. Colleen | ||
| Gcfrankie Registered user Username: Gcfrankie Post Number: 41 Registered: 1-2007 |
Maree, My favorite book of the gospels is Galations as it helped me a lot. I read it quite often especially when Satan sends doubts about leaving the SDA. I also read Dales book and it really informs you on the suttleties (sp) of cult teachings you don't realize they use. I am going to go back and read it again. I am also in agreement about not studing with your SDA friend right now as you are still a new babe in the truth of God's word. May God bless you and keep you safe from their influences. I am praying for you. Gail |
