| Author | Message | ||
| U2bsda Registered user Username: U2bsda Post Number: 418 Registered: 11-2004 |
It was in studying these texts that the veil lifted for me: Exodus 34:28 "28Moses was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights; he ate no bread and drank no water. And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments." 2 Chronicles 6:11 "11In it have I put the ark [the symbol of His presence], in which is the covenant of the Lord [the Ten Commandments] which He made with the people of Israel." 2 Corinthians 3:14 "14In fact, their minds were grown hard and calloused [they had become dull and had lost the power of understanding]; for until this present day, when the Old Testament (the old covenant) is being read, that same veil still lies [on their hearts], not being lifted [to reveal] that in Christ it is made void and done away." Hebrews 9:15 "15[Christ, the Messiah] is therefore the Negotiator and Mediator of an [entirely] new agreement (testament, covenant), so that those who are called and offered it may receive the fulfillment of the promised everlasting inheritance--since a death has taken place which rescues and delivers and redeems them from the transgressions committed under the [old] first agreement." I'd be interested to hear what texts you studied that made you question SDA doctrine. maamellu@hotmail.com | ||
| Lrcrabtree Registered user Username: Lrcrabtree Post Number: 13 Registered: 1-2007  |
As suggested by an article in the latest Proclamation, I went through Galations, albeit in a quick overview. Every few paragraphs I was saying to myself "Wow, this book could be called "Paul's Letter to the Seventh-Day Adventists" - lots of parallels between the church in that book and the SDA church. This book really put it in perspective and I now read all of Paul's letters in a new light. Larry | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 5223 Registered: 12-2003  |
It was Galatians for me, too. More than any other book or passage, Galatians put Adventism into persepctive. I remember, though, deciding at some point before the blinders came off that I needed to read through the Bible, praying to know what it really said without Ellen. I remember coming to Leviticus 16 and reading how lots were cast to choose the sacrificial lamb or goat and the scapegoat. I read through that chapter and realized that the scapegoat CANNOT represent Satan. It was a riveting insight, and I'll never forget realizing that Adventism had really taught me a heresy. Colleen | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 3280 Registered: 3-2004  |
When I came to the book of John is when I really started questioning because that is where I learned from the Bible how much God loves me. John 3:16 I saw through new eyes. What an eye opener. Thank you Jesus for opening my eyes. You are awesome. Diana | ||
| Jeremiah Registered user Username: Jeremiah Post Number: 190 Registered: 1-2004  |
It was Galatians for me, too. I approached the book with a desire to understand what Paul was getting at, and kept finding that his main points disagreed with what I grew up believing to be the truth. If you thought Galatians was written with SDA's in mind, you should read Justin Martyr's "Dialogue with Trypho the Jew" from about 150 AD. It's very detailed about the New Covenant and why Christians don't live like Jews. It is just amazing how the issues don't seem to have changed in all this time. Jeremiah | ||
| Randyg Registered user Username: Randyg Post Number: 343 Registered: 12-2004 |
Larry, Thank-you for your astute observation. I agree 100% with you that the book of Galatians could be titled "Paul's letter to the Seventh-Day Adventist Church". Could you imagine what the SDA Church would be like if instead of "Revelations Speaks" Evangelistic seminars, they were known instead for "Galatians Speaks" Seminars. Think of the how that would bring the people to Jesus! And think of the money saved on "Beast" posters and pamplets. Now I shouldn't even mention a Combo Galatians-Revelation seminar. Maybe it could be called the "Beauty and the Beast Speaks Seminar". It could appeal to the younger set. Enjoying the comments, Randy | ||
| Jackob Registered user Username: Jackob Post Number: 411 Registered: 7-2005 |
Regarding myself, I'm ashamed to quote the text which made me see clearly that Jesus does not make an atonement in the heavenly sanctuary, but did it all on the cross. Hebrews 10:1,2 The law is only a shadow of the good things that are comingónot the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. If it could, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. But the sacrifice of Jesus attained the goal of making "perfect forever those who are being made holy" (Hebrews 10:14). It doesn't need to be repeated, for it accomplishes what it was designed to obtain. Now, this may indeed look silly, but a thought struck in my head, actually a question: "What if, by a miracle, the animal sacrifices will become efficient, and really cleanse the conscience of those who made them? What if the blood of goats and lambs, and bulls will suddenly have the same infinite value of Jesus's blood? What will happen with the service in the earthly sanctuary, if these shadows will suddenly become reality, the body itself of what they represented?" The answer to this weird question is in Hebrews 10:2, which tells us the situation with efficient sacrifices "If it could, would they not have stopped being offered? Stop! No more sacrifices. No sacrifices for transferring the sin to the sanctuary, and sacrifices for cleansing the sanctuary. No daily and no annual ministry. The once for all sacrifice on the cross fulfilled both of these ministries presented in the earthly sanctuary. It fulfilled the daily ministry Hebrews 4:27 "Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself" and also the day of atonement minstry, Hebrews 9:25.26 Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. An efficient sacrifice was made once for all, perfecting forever those who are sanctified, perfecting the believers, who are not in doubt, not knowing how will end for them. No other work of atonement is required. That's extraordinary, and deserves our praise, and may this fact be our joy every day and forever. | ||
| Susans Registered user Username: Susans Post Number: 336 Registered: 8-2006 |
It was Galatians for me as well. As I posted in "My Story", doing a university paper on the book of Galatians led me to study the ratification of the law in Exodus 24, where I began a study about the covenants, and then to the Jerusalem council in Acts 15. I saw there that Sabbath keeping was not for Gentiles, but only for the Jews. Concurrently, I was reading Dirk's site, and The White Lie, by Walter Rae, which put the nail in the coffin of EGW. For the next 3 years I was at Calvary Chapel, where verse by verse expository preaching was done, and over the course of that time, going through Romans, 1 Corinthians, Luke, Genesis, and using the inductive method of Bible study helped me to understand the essential truths of Christianity. Sabbath was the last thing to go. | ||
| Agapetos Registered user Username: Agapetos Post Number: 670 Registered: 10-2002  |
For me it wasn't a particular verse, but kind of a chain of things... as a missionary I'd read Romans through a few times, and then after returning got a good whiff of the 1888 thing and begun hearing the phrase "righteousness by faith". The final piece was when someone applied righteousness by faith to my prodding about the Sabbath "test" in the end-times. My friend said that if we're saved by keeping Sabbath, then we're saved by our good works instead of by faith. About a week after that I was in a prayer meeting and someone was explaining about how "Sabbath" was something we should use for evangelism, and one person got the Spirit welling up so much inside that it couldn't be kept in, and blurted out: "JESUS IS YOUR SABBATH!" Everything quickly began falling into place, and some time not too long after that, I ran across Exodus 34:28 (as mentioned above), and that kicked off the whole New Covenant rollercoaster fun...  | ||
| Helovesme2 Registered user Username: Helovesme2 Post Number: 777 Registered: 8-2004  |
O I love the verses being posted here. Galatians and Hebrews were very helpful for me, but I think for me Romans probably did the most. Salvation by grace alone, not by works of any kind. Well, that and just plain studying for myself to see what the Bible taught about different topics: taking my Strong's concordance and attempting to take every verse on a given topic and harmonize them. Great exercise and a quick way to learn you have a LOT to learn! Blessings, Mary | ||
| Susans Registered user Username: Susans Post Number: 346 Registered: 8-2006 |
My husband says that the two most effective safeguards against being deceived by "another gospel" or a cult are the books of Galatians and Colossians. I agree with him! Susan | ||
| Godssonjp Registered user Username: Godssonjp Post Number: 10 Registered: 1-2007 |
Reading Galations did it for me. That was the real eye opener. Knowing that Christ fulfilled all of the old covenant made everything more clear. | ||
| Randyg Registered user Username: Randyg Post Number: 344 Registered: 12-2004 |
The Book of Romans, especially chapter 14 is what really got me thinking that there was something wrong with Adventism. Two of the key Adventist dogma's, Days of Worship and Diet are addressed here in such a way that it made me see that the Adventist view on these topics was not Scriptural. The other aspect of Romans 14 that struck me was how we are to treat our fellow believers. It presented the view that the Strong in the faith and the Weak in the faith believers are both acceptable to God, and that we should then accept one another even if our understandings are different one from the other. The other verse that I researched to death was Colossians 2:16, along with the entire chapter. Then reading and rereading Galatians sealed the deal for me. Has there been even a whisker of doubt about my decision to leave Adventism? no not for one minute. The chains that held me, the "Adventist Truths" no longer held sway, and those that tried to steer me back could not refute my paradigm shift. Not for one minute do I judge the sincerity of my Adventist brothers and sisters, and I have no doubt they will be living in my neighborhood in heaven. They are good friends and neighbors here, and I pray that our communion together will go on uninterupted on the Earth made new. Although our understanding of what God requires of us may differ, I honestly believe that God will be big enough to accept all those who have sought eternal life through Jesus His son, regardless of denominational affiliation and peculiarities. Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the Heart. And whether one believes Adventists are wrong or deceived on certain theological interpretations, I believe most are seeking an honest walk with their Saviour. Blest Be The Tie That Binds, Randy | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 3283 Registered: 3-2004 |
AMEN to all you wrote Randy. Diana | ||
| Susans Registered user Username: Susans Post Number: 352 Registered: 8-2006 |
Amen, Randy. I agree. I have never doubted the sincerity of my Adventist friends. Susan | ||
| Javagirl Registered user Username: Javagirl Post Number: 343 Registered: 6-2005 |
Thanks for the reminder U2. I looked up the texts to print here, gratitude and praise well up... ALL of Romans, but especially chapter 7 that leads into chapter 8, and the clincher...Romans 8:1-4 1Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the LAW WAS POWERLESS TO DO in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, GOD DID by sending his OWN SON in the likeness of sinful man to BE A SIN OFFERING. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be FULLY MET in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. So...Why is there NO MORE CONDEMNATION for those who are IN Christ Jesus? GOD DID...set free from condemnation), what THE LAW WAS POWERLESS TO DO, by sending His OWN SON TO BE A SIN OFFERING....therefore requirements were FULLY met. . John 1:12-13 | ||
| Raven Registered user Username: Raven Post Number: 693 Registered: 7-2004  |
Romans 8:1-4 are some of my favorite verses, and they are what caused me to seriously doubt the IJ many years ago (basically I completely throw out the IJ except with the understanding that I would be open to re-accepting it if I could see solid proof). Then the questions started building, although I figured it was just my flawed brain keeping me from understanding how SDAism and the Bible mesh. As stated in our story, the major awakening event for me, was when our daughter expressed shock that tithe was used for the pastor's paycheck. In reading what the Bible actually says about tithe, I realized the SDA church was clearly wrong in this one area, which was also clearly against what EGW wrote about tithe, making her a false prophet. Once that was in place, I was suddenly open to accepting exactly what the Bible says in every area and no longer trying to mesh anything with SDAism. That's when Galatians, Colossians, Romans, and Hebrews started making sense and I no longer had questions about the basic gospel and Who Jesus is. There's so much variety in how God leads each of us! | ||
| Qweary Registered user Username: Qweary Post Number: 23 Registered: 3-2004 |
What a family I've found!!! Cannot stop praising Jesus for opening my spiritual eyes in my old age! Makes me want to go back to PUC and speak out in class! "What are you doing??" To think of all those quotations we had to learn from the EGW book --"EDUCATION" When I could have been memorizing Galatiions and Romans!!!Thank you, Lord, for knocking Paul down and showing him the WAY!!! I thought the questions I had when I read the NT were of the devil. "It can't mean what it says. It's too wonderful and EASY! Only BELIEVE!? I have to AGONIZE and WORK!! I'm too sinful for YOU to save just like that!" Oh, what I've missed! Thank you, Jesus, for all Your patience with me!! Thank You for the "onion principle!" Had so many layers to peel off that hardened stubborn self! I have the TRUTH!! How God has bowed me in the dust and ashes! Thank you for your inspiration and help! What a JOY and PEACE you've brought by your testimonies! Your confessions of Jesus' saving LOVE have buoyed me up and opened vistas of glory I've only dreamed about. Praise God for His unspeakable GIFT! You have been a such a blessing!! GOD BLESS YOU!! Hugs, Qweary | ||
| Stevendi Registered user Username: Stevendi Post Number: 40 Registered: 10-2006 |
Had to research my journal to find them, but: Blessed are those who wait on the Lord. Lam 3 Why pay out all your money for bad food? IS 55:2 Cry out for insight and understanding, and you will gain knowledge of God. Prov 2:3,4 Intelligent people always look for new ideas. In fact, they look for them. Prov 18:15 I have other sheep, too. John 10:16 This is eternal life, that they know you. John 17:3 Are you out of your mind? Gal 3:1 Open the door, I'll come in. Rev 3:20 Look, I am making all things new! Rev 21:5 Living Water without charge. Rev 21:6 | ||
| Stevendi Registered user Username: Stevendi Post Number: 41 Registered: 10-2006 |
Oh yeah, I forgot my favorite: "I know you tithe and do all these things, but you ignore the important things of the law - justice, mercy, and faith" Matt 23:23 How many think Jesus had hang-ups about legal Sabbatarianism? Steve |
