Vance Ferrell on the Godhead Issue

Click to go to our Home Page


 

 

 

 

Prologue by Ron Beaulieu:

Vance Ferrell usually takes a boastful pride in stating that he includes the greatest number of important Ellen White statements to back his positions, but curiously, as of this date (20 December, 02), you can cut and paste to put all of Vance Ferrel's written material on the issue of the Godhead in one document so you can make a search, but you will not find the following quotes in any of his compilations on the subject of the Godhead. It is a most serious flaw in Vance Ferrell's concept of the Godhead, that he fails to harmonize his teachings with the following statements by Scripture and Ellen White.

"Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." II Cor. 3:17.

Scripture says that there is but ONE ETERNAL SPIRIT:

Hbr 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

1Cr 6:17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.

1Cr 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether [we be] Jews or Gentiles, whether [we be] bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

Eph 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

"The Holy Spirit is the breath of spiritual life in the soul. The impartation of the Spirit is the impartation of the life of Christ. It imbues the receiver with the attributes of Christ. Only those who are thus taught of God, those who possess the inward working of the Spirit, and in whose life the Christ-life is manifested, are to stand as representative men, to minister in behalf of the church." Desire of Ages, 805.

"Christ declared that after His ascension, he would send to his church, as His CROWNING GIFT, the comforter, who is the Holy Spirit,--THE SOUL OF HIS LIFE, THE EFFICACY OF HIS CHURCH, THE LIGHT AND LIFE OF THE WORLD. With HIS SPIRIT Christ sends a reconciling influence and a power that takes away sin. In the gift of the Spirit, [HIS LIFE--THE SOUL OF HIS LIFE] Jesus gave to man the highest good that heaven could bestow." E.G. White, Review and Herald, May 19, 1904. Book 5, p. 42.

"Christ gives them the breath of HIS OWN SPIRIT, the life of HIS OWN LIFE. The HOLY SPIRIT puts forth its highest energies to work in the heart and mind." Desire of Ages, 827.

"Christ declared that after His ascension, He would send to His church, as His crowning gift, the Comforter, who was to take His place. This Comforter is the Holy Spirit--the soul of His life!" E.G. White, Review and Herald, May 19, 1904.

Why does Vance Ferrell not include the above facts when he writes on the Godhead? Because Vance maintains, as do Trinitarians, that the Holy Spirit was a third person from eternity, which totally negates the fact forced by the above statements to the effect that:

Christ laid aside His personal Holy Spirit at His Incarnation to become His representative after His Incarnation. He laid aside His Holy Spirit life (blood), soul and breath as a crowning gift for us by way of a regenerating agency. If the Holy Spirit was the former life, soul and breath of the Son, how do we have the Holy Spirit existing as a totally separate entity apart from the life of Christ, and this from eternity? Vance's teachings on the Godhead simply DO NOT harmonize with the above statements by Ellen White and Scripture.

Vance chooses the Trinity side of the issue. William Grotheer chooses the non-Trinitarian approach. I will be posting another study by Vance, wherein he is critizing what he thinks Grotheer teaches, but the true of the matter is that both Ferrell and Grotheer are not correct in their teaching--according to the above statements by Ellen White and Scripture. Vance chooses to ignore those statements in his criticism of Grotheer and others, while he is incorrect in his assumptions because his conclusions do not accord with the above statements by Ellen White. Vance is correct in teaching that there is a third person Holy Spirit, but he does not know who that third person is in relationship to Christ and His former life prior to His incarnation. Both Ferrell and Grotheer are credentialed ministers, and Ellen White was certainly right when she said that the ministering brethren did not seem to understand this issue--The Upward Look, 152, as is Isaiah in Isaiah 56:10-12. Here is Vance's presentation:

The Holy Spirit According to Vance Ferrell

The erroneous teaching that there is no Holy Spirit (the Holy Spirit does not exist separately as the Third Person of the Godhead) is being taught more widely, now that Bill Stringfellow has joined Fred Allebach and William Grotheer in promoting it. But, in addition, Bill Stringfellow is also teaching the Arian error: that Christ is a created being, and not eternal. So, in this present study we will focus, from the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy, on replying to those two ancient errors. There is no controversy about the nature of the Father.

In our time in history, every type of error is being foisted on our people. At the same time that men are teaching a false view of the human nature of Christ, other men are presenting false concepts about the divine nature of Christ — and the existence of the Holy Spirit!

Down through the centuries, the most controverted Biblical facts have been those which directly affect our salvation, facts such as these:

Christ is fully equal to the Father in every way. He has existed from all eternity. He became fully man, like us. He was fully tempted, but never sinned. He really died on the cross. He ministers for us in the Sanctuary above. It required His life, death, and heavenly mediation to provide an atonement for us. There is a coming judgment, and we must now obey God, by the enabling grace of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Godhead. The Holy Spirit is working to bring us to repentance. There is a real devil and actual demons. The Bible accurately instructs us in the way of salvation. Sincere prayer is heard and answered by Heaven.

Satan wants to eradicate from our minds any or all of the above great truths.

Two crucial facts in the working out of the great plan of redemption — is the truth that Christ is fully God and has existed from all eternity, and the truth that the Holy Spirit is a distinct Personage, and the Third Person of the Godhead.

It is vital that you have a personal understanding of these truths, for they affect you salvation.

SECTION TWO —THE THREE PERSONS OF THE GODHEAD

The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are three distinct, divine Personages. Yet they work in such perfect unity that their objectives and activities are as one.

The following passages will provide you with a view of the interworking of these three distinct Persons:

THE GODHEAD IN THE BIBLE

1--Several times in the Old Testament, God speaks of Himself as "Us." Note Genesis 1:26, where the ones who do the creating of man are plural. Created beings do not create, so the "Us" can only refer to the Godhead. Also see Genesis 11:7.

2--Elohim is one of the Old Testament words for "God." This Hebrew word is a plural ("Gods," not "God"). Jewish scholars have never been able to explain this fact.

4--In a similar manner, the Word, or Wisdom, is personified, indicating a divine duality (Ps 33:4, 6; Prov 8:12-31).

5--Still elsewhere, God is the speaker, and He mentions both the Messiah and the Spirit or, the Messiah is the speaker who mentions both God and the Spirit (Isa 48:16; 61:1).

6--In the New Testament we find a clearer revelation of the Godhead. In the Old Testament, the Redeemer and Saviour is Jehovah (Job 19:25; Ps 78:35; 106:21; Isa 41:14; 43:3, 11, 14; 47:4; 49:7, 26; 60:16). In the New Testament, this individual is clearly Jesus (Matt 1:21; Lk 1:76-79; 2:17; Jn 4:42; Gal 3:13; 4:5; Titus 2:13-14).

7--In the Old Testament, it is Jehovah that dwells among Israel and in the hearts of those that fear Him (Ps 135:21; Isa 8:18; 57:15; Eze 43:7-9; Joel 3:17-21; Zech 2:10-11). In the New Testament, it is the Holy Spirit that dwells among God’s people (Rom 8:9; 11:1 Cor 3:17; Gal 4:6; Eph 2:22; James 4:5; 57:15; Eze 43:7-9; Joel 3:17-21; Zech 2:10-11). In the New Testament, it is the Holy Spirit that dwells among God’s people (Eph 2:22; James 4:5). [We are not here defining whom all the "Jehovah" passages refer to.]

8--The New Testament represents God as sending His Son into the world (Jn 3:16; Gal 4:4; Heb 1:6; 1 Jn 4:9).

9--In the New Testament, both the Father and the Son send the Spirit (Jn 14:26; 15:26; 16:7; Gal 4:6).

10--The Father speaks to the Son (Mk 1:11; Lk 3:22).

11--The Son communes with the Father (Matt 11:25-26; 26:39; Jn 11:41; 12:27-28).

12--The Holy Spirit intercedes for believers, and through them prays to God (Rom 8:26).

13--The Father speaks from heaven at the baptism of the Son, and the Holy Spirit descends in the form of a dove (Matt 3:16-17).

"14—In the Great Commission, Jesus mentions the three Persons (Matt 28:19-20).

"15—In addition, the Three are named alongside of each other in these passages (1 Cor 12:4-6; 1 Peter 1:2).

16--We find "I," "Thou," and "He" in several passages which indicate separate Persons, yet interpersonal relations between them (Matt 3:16; 14:26; 15:26; 16:13-15).

17--In 1 John 5:7, in the King James Version, the Three are also mentioned. But there are those who question the validity of this passage (whether or not it really is genuine). Yet, as we are observing elsewhere in this present study, the great truth of the triune Godhead stands sure, regardless of the validity of 1 John 5:7.

THE GODHEAD IN THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY

The following quotations speak of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit:

"The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit" are "the Godhead," "the three Persons of the Godhead," "the three powers of the Godhead," "the three highest powers in heaven" or "in the universe," "the eternal Godhead," "the three holy dignitaries of heaven," "the three living Persons of the heavenly Trio," "the three holiest Beings in heaven," "the three great Worthies in heaven."

Here now are these statements:

"The three powers of the Godhead have pledged Their might to carry out the purpose that God had in mind when He gave to the world the unspeakable gift of His Son."—EGW, 5 Review, 341.

The Godhead was stirred with pity for the race, and the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit gave Themselves to the working out of the plan of redemption. In order fully to carry out this plan, it was decided that Christ, the only begotten Son of God, should give Himself an offering for sin. What line can measure the depth of this love?"—Counsels on Health, 222.

Note by Ron Beaulieu on the above quote: If we interpret so that the above quote does not contradict other statements by Ellen White to the effect that the Holy Spirit is the life (blood), breath and soul of Christ, we are forced to interpret that the Father and Son shared the ONE ETERNAL SPIRIT mentioned in Scripture, and it was pledged by the Father and the Son at the working out of the plan of redemption that the ONE SHARED ETERNAL SPIRIT, would be laid aside by Christ, and given to us as His "crowing gift" as a regenerating agency. Of course the Holy Spirit was eternal in the sense that it was the ONE ETERNAL SPIRIT shared by the Father and the Son eternally.
A third person should not be denied, but that "third person" of the Godhead is clearly the Holy Spirit former life of the Son when He laid off that life at His Incarnation, at which time that life became His successor:

“Cumbered with humanity Christ could not be in every place personally, therefore it was altogether for their advantage that He should leave them to go to His Father and send the Holy Spirit to be His successor on earth. The Holy Spirit is Himself divested of the personality of humanity and independent thereof. He would represent Himself as present in all places by His Holy Spirit.” E.G. White, (Manuscript Releases Volume 14 (No’s 1081-1135) MR No.1084. End Ron Beaulieu's note.

Now back to Vance's Critique of Grotheer

"The three powers of the Godhead, the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit, are pledged to be their strength and their efficiency in their new life in Christ Jesus."—Australian Union Conference Record, October 7, 1907.

"We are to co-operate with the three highest powers in heaven,—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost,—and these powers will work through us, making us workers together with God."—Special Testimonies, Series B, No. 7, 51 and (Evangelism, 617).

B>The eternal heavenly dignitaries—God, and Christ, and the Holy Spirit—arming them [the disciples] with more than mortal energy . . would advance with them to the work and convince the world of sin."—Manuscript 145, 1901. (Evangelism, 616).

"The work of salvation is not a small matter, but so vast that the highest authorities are taken hold of by the expressed faith of the human agent. The eternal Godhead—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost—is involved in the action required to make assurance to the human agent."—Upward Look, 148.

"The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the three holy dignitaries of heaven, have declared that they will strengthen men to overcome the powers of darkness. All the facilities of heaven are pledged to those who by their baptismal vows have entered into a covenant with God."—5 Bible Commentary, 1110. (Manuscript 92,1901).

"The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, powers infinite and omniscient, receive those who truly enter into covenant relation with God. They are present at every baptism, to receive the candidates who have renounced the world and have received Christ into the soul temple. These candidates have entered into the family of God, and their names are inscribed in the Lamb’s book of life."—6 Bible Commentary, 1075. (Manuscript 27, 1900).

"When we have accepted Christ, and in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit have pledged ourselves to serve God, the Father, Christ, and the Holy Spirit—the three dignitaries and powers of heaven—pledge themselves that every facility shall be given to us if we carry out our baptismal vows to "come out from among them, and be . . separate . . and touch not the unclean thing."— 6 Bible Commentary, 1075. (Manuscript 85, 1901).

"Our sanctification is the work of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit . . Have you been born again? Have you become a new being in Christ Jesus? Then cooperate with the three great powers of heaven who are working in your behalf."—7 Bible Commentary, 908; Signs, June 19, 1091 (Manuscript 11, 1901).

"The work is laid out before every soul that has acknowledged his faith in Jesus Christ by baptism, and has become a receiver of the pledge from the three Persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit."—6 Bible Commentary, 1074.

"The prince of the power of evil can only be held in check by the power of God in the third Person of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit."—Series A, no. 10, 37 (Evangelism, 617).

"Evil had been accumulating for centuries, and could only be restrained and resisted by the mighty power of the Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Godhead, who would come with no modified energy, but in the fullness of divine power."—10 Manuscript Releases, 63 (Letter 8, February 6, 1896; Series A, No. 10, 25; Testimonies to Ministers, 392,) "There are three living Persons of the heavenly trio; in the name of these three great powers—The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—Those who receive Christ by living faith are baptized, and these powers will co-operate with the obedient subjects of heaven in their efforts to live the new life in Christ."—Special Testimonies, Series B, No. 7, 63. (Evangelism, 615.

" ‘If a man love Me. He will keep My words; and My Father will love him, and We will come unto him and make Our abode with Him."—Fundamentals of Christian Education, 125. (Manuscript Releases, 19, 153).

"Keep yourselves where the three great powers of heaven, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, can be your efficiency. These powers work with the one who gives himself unreservedly to God. The strength of heaven is at the command of God’s believing ones."—In Heavenly Places, 176 (4 Signs, 512; Southern Watchman, February 23, 1904 ).

"The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost supply the power that makes him victorious in every conflict with the prince of darkness."—6 Manuscript Releases, 167 (Letter 200, December 15, 1902).

"They pledge themselves to devote their lives to God’s service; and the three great powers in heaven, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, pledge Themselves to cooperate with them, to work in and through them."—6 Manuscript Releases, 166 (Manuscript 118, October 6, 1902).

"The three highest powers in the universe are pledged to labor with those who will seek to save the lost."—5 Review, 533, col. 2.

"In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, man is laid in his watery grave, buried with Christ in baptism, and raised from the water to live the new life of loyalty to God The three great powers in heaven are witnesses; they are invisible but present."—Manuscript 57, 1900 (6 Bible Commentary, 1074).

"If man, in acquiring the Christian graces, works on the plan of addition, God has pledged Himself to work in his behalf upon the plan of multiplication. "Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord." The work is laid out before every soul that has acknowledged his faith in Jesus Christ by baptism, and has become a receiver of the pledge from the three persons—The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit."—Manuscript 57, 1900 (6 Bible Commentary, 1074).

"At our baptism we pledged ourselves to break all connection with Satan and his agencies, and to put heart and mind and soul into the work of extending the kingdom of God. All heaven is working for this object. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are pledged to cooperate with sanctified human instrumentalities. If we are true to our vow, there is opened to us a door of communication with heaven—a door that no human hand or satanic agency can close."—Review May 17, 1906. (6 Bible Commentary, 1075.

"On that occasion [baptism] we pledge ourselves, in the presence of the three great heavenly Powers, to come out from the world and be separate."—6 Manuscript Release 167 (Manuscript 130, October 27, 1902).

"When you took these vows, you pledged yourself, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, that you would live unto God, and you have no right to break this pledge. The help of the three great Powers is placed at your disposal."—5 Review, 143 (Receiving Christ, 178).

"Baptized into the threefold name . . at the very entrance of their Christian life . . the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, powers infinite and omniscient, receive those who truly enter into covenant relation with God. They are present at every baptism."—6 Bible Commentary, 1075.

"Those who submit to the solemn rite of baptism pledge themselves to devote their lives to God’s service; and the three great powers of heaven, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, pledge themselves to cooperate with them, to work in and through them."—4 Signs, 282 (March 11, 1903).

"The three great powers of heaven pledged Themselves to cooperate with you in your efforts to live the new life in Christ."—5 Review, 142.

"As a Christian submits to the solemn rite of baptism, the three highest powers in the universe,—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,—place Their approval on this act, pledging Themselves to exert Their power in his behalf as he strives to honor God."—6 Manuscript Release, 26 (Letter 53, January 26, 1904; 4 Signs, 399, August 16, 1905).

"The presence of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the three highest powers in the universe and those in whose name the believer is baptized, is pledged to be with every striving soul."—Pacific Union Recorder, September 2, 1908.

"The rite of baptism is administered in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. These three great powers of heaven pledge Themselves to be the efficiency of all who submit to this ordinance, and who faithfully keep the vow they then make."—6 Manuscript Release, 27 (Manuscript 78, 1905).

"When you went down into the water and were baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, these three great powers of heaven pledged Themselves to give you power and grace to resist every temptation to dishonor God."—19 Manuscript Releases, 235.

"When you gave yourself to Christ, you made a pledge in the presence of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,—the three great personal dignitaries of heaven."—7 Bible Commentary, 959 (Sons and Daughters of God, 351).

"No requirement is laid upon man that Christ has not obeyed. We can overcome as He overcame, if we will avail ourselves of the help of the three great powers of heaven, who are waiting to answer the demand made upon Them by God’s people for power to defeat satanic agencies."—Notebook Leaflets, 124.

"Let us not forget our baptismal vow. In the presence of the three highest powers of the heaven,—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,—we have pledged ourselves to do the will of Him who, over the rent sepulcher of Joseph, declared, ‘I am the resurrection and the life.’ "—5 Review, 45.

"There is to be the imprint of the . . threefold powers in the heavenly world . . The three great and glorious heavenly characters are present on the occasion of baptism. All the human capabilities are to be henceforth consecrated powers to do service for God in representing the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost upon whom they depend. All heaven is represented by these three in covenant relation with the new life."—6 Manuscript Releases, 389.

"I am instructed to say, The sentiments of those who are searching for advanced scientific ideas are not to be trusted. Such representations as the following are made: ‘The Father is as the light invisible; the Son is as the light embodied; the Spirit is the light shed abroad.’ ‘The Father is like the dew, invisible vapor; the Son is like the dew gathered in beauteous form; the Spirit is like the dew fallen to the seat of life.’ Another representation: ‘The Father is like the invisible vapor; the Son is like the leaden cloud; the Spirit is rain fallen and working in refreshing power.’
All these spiritualistic representations are simply nothingness. They are imperfect, untrue. They weaken and diminish the Majesty which no earthly likeness can be compared to. God cannot be compared with the things His hands have made. These are mere earthly things, suffering under the curse of God because of the sins of man. The Father cannot be described by the things of earth. The Father is all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and is invisible to mortal sight.
The Son is all the fullness of the Godhead manifested. The Word of God declares Him to be ‘the express image of His person.’ ‘God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’ Here is shown the personality of the Father.


The Comforter that Christ promised to send after He ascended to heaven, is the Spirit in all the fullness of the Godhead, making manifest the power of divine grace to all who receive and believe in Christ as a personal Saviour."—Evangelism, 614-615.

"God is a spirit; yet He is a personal being, for man was made in His image . . The greatness of God is to us incomprehensible. ‘The Lord’s throne is in heaven’ (Psalm 11:4); yet by His Spirit He is everywhere present."—Education, 132.

The following statements were transcribed as Ellen White spoke them in sermons.

"You are baptized in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. You are raised up out of the water to live henceforth in newness of life—to live a new life. You are born unto God, and you stand under the sanction and the power of the three holiest Beings in heaven, who are able to keep you from falling."—Sermons and Talks, Vol. 1, 367.

"We are ordained unto God to bear fruit. Was this not our experience when we were led down into the water and baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost? What did that mean? —It meant that the three great Powers in heaven were pledged to keep us so long as we remain one with Christ, united to the vine."—6 Manuscript Releases, 29 (Sermon given March 10, 1908).

"Those who have been baptized can claim the help of the three great Worthies in heaven,—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost."—Sermons and Talks, Vol. 1, 366.

"When I feel oppressed, and hardy know how to relate myself toward the work that God has given me to do, I just call upon the three great Worthies."—7 Manuscript Releases, 267-268; Manuscript Release 307, 2, 4 (Sermon given October 20, 1906).

"In whose name are we baptized? In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost—the three highest powers in the heavenly courts."—Manuscript Release 135, 4 (Camp meeting sermon given June 27, 1907).

"We are baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost, and these three great, infinite powers are unitedly pledged to work in our behalf if we cooperate with them."—1901 General Conference Bulletin, 36-37 (Lift Him Up, 109).

Note by Ron Beaulieu: Of course the Father, Son and the Holy Ghost are infinite powers, because they all existed from eternity, because the ONE ETERNAL SPIRIT existed from all eternity AS THE ESSENCE OR SUBSTANCE OF THE FATHER AND THE SON. God is a Spirit, says Scripture.

"At our baptism we pledged ourselves to Him [Jesus], and received the ordinance in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. These three great powers of heaven pledged Themselves to work in our behalf, not only to begin, but to finish our faith."—1901 General Conference Bulletin, 215 (talk given April 14, 1901).

Do Not Discard the Bible!

The teachers of this false doctrine declare that Christ is not God and the Holy Spirit does not exist. In view of such clear statements from the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy, quoted above, it appears that these false teachers do not believe in the Bible, much less the Spirit of Prophecy.

I appeal to you: Do not abandon either! You need both the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy in order to stay on the pathway to eternal life! Do not abandon the clear teaching of God’s books, in order to please these false teachers! Satan summoned all his forces, and at every step contested the work of Christ. So it will be in the great final conflict of the controversy between righteousness and sin.

"While new life and light and power are descending from on high upon the disciples of Christ, a new life is springing up from beneath, and energizing the agencies of Satan. Intensity is taking possession of every earthly element. With a subtlety gained through centuries of conflict, the prince of evil works under a disguise. He appears clothed as an angel of light, and multitudes are ‘giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.’ 1 Timothy 4:1.

"In the days of Christ the leaders were powerless to resist the work of Satan. They were neglecting the only means by which they could have withstood evil spriits. It was by the Word of God that Christ overcame the wicked one."—Desire of Ages, 257.

That is clear enough, is it not? But there is more to that passage:

"By their interpretation they made it [the Bible] express sentiments that God had never given. Their mystical construction made indistinct that which He had made plain. They disputed over insigificant technicalities, and practically denied the most essential truths. Thus infidelity was sown broadcast. God’s Word was robbed of its power, and evil spirits worked their will.
History is repeating. With the open Bible before them, and professing to reverence its teachings, many of the religious leaders of our time are destroying faith in it as the Word of God. They busy themselves with dissecting the Word, and set their own opinions above its plainest statements. In their hands God’s Word loses its regenerating power. This is why infidelity runs riot, and inquity is rife.
When Satan has undermined faith in the Bible, he directs men to other sources for light and power. Thus he insinuates himself. Those who turn from the plain teaching of Scripture and the convicting power of God’s Holy Spirit are inviting the control of demons."—Desire of Ages, 257-258.

"These false teachers are trying to get you to place your highest faith in their words instead of the plain teachings of the Bible. If you are willing to do it, you invite the control of demons.
Too wise in their own conceit to search the Scriptures with contrition of soul and earnest prayer for divine guidance, they have no shield from delusion. Satan is ready to supply the heart’s desire, and he palms off his deceptions in the place of truth. It was thus that the papacy gained its power over the minds of men . . Every conceivable form of error will be accepted by those who willfully reject the truth."—Great Controversy, 523.

Do you see? This is exactly how Rome gained control of men’s minds! It sent out false teachers with beguiling fables. Once believed, the minds of the hearers were locked into an enchanted mind control. It is dangerous to toy with error. Flee from it! Get away, and take your loved ones with you! Do not attend the meetings of those traveling preachers!

How important it is that we stay close to God’s Word! Please, my friend, do not forsake it!

DO NOT DISCARD THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY

Just as you should not discard the Bible, you dare not set aside the precious Spirit of Prophecy writings.

"What is it to lose life? It is when the truth is clearly set before us and we refuse to accept because a cross is involved."—3 Manuscript Release, 95 (Manuscript #44, October 22, 1886).

"The devil may lock arms with the sinner, and say, ‘Better let things go as they are. If you confess, your dignity will be hurt, your influence lost.’ Thus he has gained the victory over and over again."—Series B, No. 7, 23.

"It is Satan’s plan to weaken the faith of God’s people in the Testimonies. Next follows skepticism in regard to the vital points of our faith, the pillars of our position, then doubt as to the Holy Scriptures, and then the downward march to perdition. When the Testimonies, which were once believed, are doubted and given up, Satan knows the deceived ones will not stop at this; and he redoubles his efforts till he launches them into open rebellion, which becomes incurable and ends in destruction."—4 Testimonies, 211.

"When the power of God testifies as to what is truth, that truth is to stand forever as the truth. No after suppositions contrary to the light God has given are to be entertained. Men will arise with interpretations of Scripture which are to them truth, but which are not truth . . One will arise, and still another, with new light, which contradicts the light that God has given under the demonstration of His Holy Spirit."—1 Selected Messages, 161.

"The very last deception of Satan will be to make of none effect the testimony of the Spirit of God. ‘Where there is no vision, the people perish.’ "—1 Selected Messages, 48.

"It will be one of the great evils that will come to our people to have the Scriptures taken out of their true place and so interpreted as to substantiate error that contradicts the light and the testimonies that God has been giving us for the past half century."—Review, August 14, 1894 (Manuscript 760).

"My brethren seem to judge me as taking positions that are not necessary. They do not see that God in His own wisdom has made revelations to me which cannot successfully be contradicted or disputed. All the oppositions or gainsayings to make my testimony of none effect only compels from me, by the urgency of the Spirit of God, a more decided repetition, and to stand on the light revealed with all the force of the strength God has given me. All the arguments of men, all their opposing influence, is of no force to me. Whatever may be the position or the doctrines of these men, and however firm may have been my confidence in them heretofore, when they take false positions all their arguments against what I know the Lord has shown me to be truth are vain . . Let God be true and every man a liar.
Every word spoken is in harmony with the living Oracles, and it is only wresting the Scriptures from their true meaning, by misapplying and misinterpreting them and the Testimonies which God has given me, that this can be gainsaid. Those who do this are like the impenitent Jews, who had eyes, but saw not, ears they had, but they heard not, neither would they understand. Why? Lest they should be converted and have to acknowledge that not all their ideas were correct. This they were too proud to do, and therefore persisted in rejecting God’s counsel and the light and evidence which had been given. Thus they deluded their own souls and the souls of others."—Manuscript 13, 239).

"When strong minded men once set their will against God’s will, it is not easy for them to admit that they have erred in judgment. It is very difficult for such men to come fully into the light by honestly confessing their sins; for Satan has great power over minds of many to whom God has granted evidence sufficient to encourage faith and inspire confidence. Many will not be convinced, because they are not inclined to confess. To resist and reject even one ray of light from heaven because of pride and stubbornness of heart, makes it easier to refuse the light the second time. Thus men form the habit of rejecting light . .
The light of truth is constantly shining, but many men and women comprehend it not, and why?—Because selfishness, egotism, pride blind their spiritual eyesight. Standing between them and the true light, is the idol of their own opinion."—Manuscript Releases 9, 298.

"Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud—for the Lord hath spoken. Give glory to the Lord your God, before He cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and while ye look for light, He turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness. But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the Lord’s flock is carried away captive."—Jeremiah 13:15-17.

"There are some in these last days who will cry: ‘Speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits.’ But this is not my work. God has set me as a reprover of His people; and just so surely as He has laid upon me the heavy burden, He will make those to whom this message is given responsible for the manner in which they treat it. God will not be trifled with, and those who despise His work will receive according to their deeds."—4 Testimonies, 231-232.

"Let ministers and people remember that gospel truth ruins when it does not save. ‘The soul that refuses to listen to the invitations of mercy from day to day can soon listen to the most urgent appeals without an emotion stirring his soul. As laborers with God we need more fervent piety and less self-exaltation. The more self is exalted, the more will faith in the Testimonies of the Spirit of God be lessened . . Those who trust wholly in themselves will see less and less of God in the Testimonies of His Spirit.’ "—5 Testimonies, 134.

"Those who have treated the light that the Lord has given as a common thing will not be benefited by the instruction presented.
There are those who will misinterpret the messages that God has given, in accordance with their spiritual blindness.
Some will yield their faith, and will deny the truth of the messages, pointing to them as falsehoods.
Some will hold them up to ridicule, working against the light that God has been giving for years, and some who are weak in the faith will thus be led astray.
But others will be greatly helped by the messages. Though not personally addressed, they will be corrected, and will be led to shun the evils specified . . The Spirit of the Lord will be in the instruction, and doubts existing in many minds will be swept away. The testimonies themselves will be the key that will explain the messages given, as scripture is explained by scripture. Many will read with eagerness the messages reproving wrong, that they may learn what they may do to be saved . . Light will dawn upon the understanding, and the Spirit will make an impression on minds, as Bible truth is clearly and simply presented in the messages that since 1846 God has been sending His people. These messages are to find their place in hearts, and transformations will take place."—1 Selected Messages, 41-42.

"In ancient times God spoke to men by the mouth of prophets and apostles. In these days He speaks to them by the testimonies of His Spirit. There was never a time when God instructed His people more earnestly than He instructs them now concerning His will and the course that He would have them pursue."--4 Testimonies, 147, 148.