How Church Leaders

Are Elected

 

 

"The plain straight testimony must live in the church, or the curse of God will rest upon His people as surely as it did upon ancient Israel because of their sins. God holds His people, as a body [corporately], responsible for the sins existing in individuals among them." Testimonies, vol. 3, p. 269.

 

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Why would you suppose that corporate responsibility for sin in the church is one of the most hated concepts in the professing SDA church today? Could it be that God’s people love to have it so because they love the sin that prevails? Let’s look at God’s Word and the Spirit of Prophecy to see if this is the case.

 

The prime reason that corporate responsibility accrues in the professing Seventh-day Adventist church is because the laity, supposedly in a bottom-up system, elects its leaders. Therefore, all church members are held responsible by God for the actions of their leaders.

 

A simple object lesson as to the reality of this principle is this: If your local church elected Satan as leader of your church, would you be responsible for the decisions Satan should make as your church leader? Of course! The same principle accrues on a world church basis.

 

In many other church denominations, the members elect their pastor locally and thus they are responsible only for their own church’s actions. But that is not the case in the SDA system because the members of the world church elect their leaders in a representative type of system.

 

The principle of corporate responsibility accrues from Biblical principle in many ways. First and foremost is the principle that the church is God’s bride, part of His body, He being the head. If that did not connote corporate responsibility, nothing would.

 

Then there is the Achan principle whereby all Israel was affected by Achan’s sin, and his family who knew of the sin but would not divulge it to Joshua, were killed with Achan. Then there is the example of Moses and Aaron at the golden calf incident. Moses removed the Ark of the Tabernacle away from the camp of Israel (thus removing God’s presence) until the unrepentant apostates were killed. The same thing occurred in the rebellion of Korah, Dathan and Abiram. These are just a few examples as to how serious God views apostasy in the camp of Israel.

 

 Individual and Corporate Responsibility in the New Testament

 

A very clear example of corporate responsibility from the New Testament is as follows.

 

Luke 11:50 Luke 11:49-51 “Therefore this generation will be held responsible for the blood of all the prophets that has been shed since the beginning of the world, Luke 11:50-52 from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, this generation [Corporate responsibility] will be held responsible for it all.”

 

Is the Voice of the Constituency at a World Church Session, the Voice of God?

 

I am very familiar with Ellen White’s statement that the World Church in Session is the Voice of God to the church. However, that was predicated on a few men not wielding control and smuggling in antichrist teachings that are never voted on. That is precisely what occurred in the mid-1950’s and on. Ellen White prophesied that probability as well:

"Worldly policy is taking the place of true piety and wisdom that comes from above, and God will remove His prospering hand from the conference. Shall the ark of the covenant be removed from this people? Shall idols be smuggled in? Shall false principles and false precepts be brought into the sanctuary? Shall antichrist be respected? Shall the true doctrines and principles given us of God, which have made us what we are, be ignored?.... This is directly where the enemy, through blinded, unconsecrated men, is leading us." E. G. White, Manuscript 29, 1890.

 

That question may be answered by the actions of all the constituency at the golden calf incident. Were they right just because the majority wanted a golden calf and Aaron, as one of their God appointed leaders was willing to let them have one?

 

In the crucifixion of Christ, the majority of the Jews called for Christ’s death. Did that make it right because the majority of an apostate church wanted that result?

                                                       

COUNTERPART: "The Lord commanded one of his ancient servants, 'Pray not thou for this people [Jer. 7:16 and 11:14], neither lift up cry nor prayer for them neither make intercession to me for I will not hear thee.' The prophet thus describes the sins which had called forth this fearful denunciation: 'The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means and my people love to have it so and what will ye do in the end thereof?' 'From the least of them even unto the greatest of them, every one is given to covetousness and from the prophet even unto the priest, every one dealeth falsely. They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace, when there is no peace.' The apostles declare that this state of things will find its COUNTERPART in the last days. Many have a form of godliness, but in their daily life deny the power thereof. They have ceased to be convicted of their sins or alarmed at their state. They say in their hearts, 'The church is flourishing. Peace and spiritual prosperity are within her borders.' The words of the prophet may well apply to these self-deceivers, 'They have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations. I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them." E. G. White,  Second Advent Review and Sabbath Herald,  11-07-82.

 

"The Lord Jesus will always have a chosen people to serve Him. When the Jewish people rejected Christ, the Prince of life. He took from them the kingdom of God and gave it unto the Gentiles. God will continue to work on this principle with every branch of His work. When a church proves unfaithful to the work of the Lord, whatever their position may be, however high and sacred their calling, the Lord can no longer work with them. Others are then chosen to bear important responsibilities. But, if these in turn do not purify their lives from every wrong action, if they do not establish pure and holy principles in all their borders, then the Lord will grievously afflict and humble them and, unless they repent, will remove them from their place and make them a reproach.

God is not 'worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing' (Acts 17:25). E. G. White, The Upward Look, 131.

 

Did Ellen White Prophesy That the Church Leaders Would Prove Unfaithful to the Lord’s Work?

                                               

Begin at My Sanctuary -- "Here we see that the church--the Lord's sanctuary--was the first to feel the stroke of the wrath of God. The ancient men [leaders], those to whom God had given great light and who had stood as guardians of the spiritual interests of the people, had betrayed their trust. They had taken the position that we need not look for miracles and the marked manifestation of God's power as in former days. Times have changed. These words strengthen their unbelief, and they say: The Lord will not do good, neither will He do evil. He is too merciful to visit His people in judgment. Thus ‘Peace and safety’ is the cry from men who will never again lift up their voice like a trumpet to show God's people their transgressions and the house of Jacob their sins. These dumb dogs that would not bark are the ones who feel the just vengeance of an offended God. Men, maidens, and little children all perish together." E. G. White, Testimonies, Vol. 5, 211.

 

What is the trust of the older leaders of the church—those to whom God had given great light, that they betrayed? It is the second angel’s message and the Midnight Cry trust that has been violated, thus violating the three angel’s messages. How have these messages been violated? By ecumenical liaison with Babylon when the second angel’s message and the Midnight Cry (Matthew 25) called us out of Babylon.

 

And that is only part of the apostasy. When SDA leaders held conversations with the Evangelicals in 1955 and on, they confessed antichrist doctrine on the nature of Christ and His human flesh, in order to keep from being called a cult. Antichrist was respected. The Pope was given a gold medallion—more respecting of antichrist.

 

All of the above cited betrayals and there are many more, are sloughed off by church leaders saying that only the men directly involved are responsible. That is a lie. That is total denial of corporate responsibility. If Satan himself were president of the General Conference, and he linked the church to Babylon, and the members retained him as president, the member would thus become corporately responsible. And this is how every member of the SDA church is now responsible for the apostasy of a new movement they were never to join, Selected Messages, Bk. 1, 204-205.

 

It is when the “regular lines,” the General Conference leaders, are obedient to God’s Word, that the General Conference is the Voice of God. And it is the corporate duty of the laity to see that the Conference leaders are working according to the Word of God.

 

Regular lines -  “So often the same old difficulties arise and are presented in regard to disturbing the ‘regular lines.’ But God will work in some way to make His people understand that THE REGULAR LINES HAVE BECOME FULL OF IRREGULAR PRACTICES…God alone can make men understand that working on REGULAR LINES has led to IRREGULAR PRACTICES.  God alone can make men’s minds as they should be.  The time has come when we should hear less in favor of the REGULAR LINES.  If we can GET AWAY FROM THE REGULAR LINES into something which, THOUGH IRREGULAR, IS AFTER GOD’S ORDER, it may cut away something of the IRREGULAR WORKING which has led away from Bible principles.”  E.G. White, Manuscript Release, #1450, p. 3, 4, 1901.

 

“When we see the regular lines are altered and purified and refined, and the God of the heavens mold is upon the regular lines, then it is our business to establish the regular lines.”  E.G. White, Spaulding-Magan Collection, p. 162-168.

 

“The present showing is sufficient to prove to all who have the true missionary spirit that the regular lines [organization] may prove to be a failure.”  E.G. White, Spaulding-Magan Collection, p. 175.  Written to Brother Daniels, June 28, 1901.

 

“The regular lines had need to be broken as a potter’s vessel is broken, and reconstructed.” Ms. 29, 1903. pp. 1, 3 (General Manuscript, The Southern Work, undated).

 

Did you Know That Even Babylon Teaches Corporate Responsibility Among the Churches?

 

Even Satan knows and applies the principle of corporate responsibility to effect the means to his ends.

 

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A good friend of mine has forwarded me this material...good to be remembered! So much more people are starting to think different within the SDA - RBC (religious business corporation)...I hope they will take a clearer stand! George

 

"The Lord does not now work to bring many souls into the truth, because of the church members who have never been converted, and those who were once converted, but who have backslidden. What influence would these unconsecrated members have on new converts? Would they not make of no effect the God-given message which His people are to bear?  {CD 455.2}

 

God would be better pleased to have six thoroughly converted to the truth than to have sixty make a profession and yet not be truly converted.  {CS 104.3}

 

Let me tell you that the Lord will work in this last work in a manner very much out of the common order of things, and in a way that will be contrary to any human planning. There will be those among us who will always want to control the work of God, to dictate even what movements shall be made when the work goes forward under the direction of the angel who joins the third angel in the message to be given to the world. God will use ways and means by which it will be seen that He is taking the reins in His own hands. The workers will be surprised by the simple means that He will use to bring about and perfect His work of righteousness.--TM 300 (1885).  {LDE 203.3}

 

Matt. 23:15   Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. 

The ministers preach smooth things to suit carnal professors. They dare not preach Jesus and the cutting truths of the Bible; for if they should, these carnal professors would not remain in the church. But as many of them are wealthy, they must be retained, although they are no more fit to be there than Satan and his angels. This is just as Satan would have it. The religion of Jesus is made to appear popular and honorable in the eyes of the world. The people are told that those who profess religion will be more honored by the world. Such teachings differ very widely from the teachings of Christ. His doctrine and the world could not be at peace. Those who followed Him had to renounce the world. These smooth things originated with Satan and his angels. They formed the plan, and nominal professors carried it out. Pleasing fables were taught and readily received, and hypocrites and open sinners united with the church. If the truth had been preached in its purity, it would soon have shut out this class. But there was no difference between the professed followers of Christ and the world. I saw that if the false covering had been torn off from the members of the churches, there would have been revealed such iniquity, vileness, and corruption that the most diffident child of God would have had no hesitancy in calling these professed Christians by their right name, children of their father, the devil; for his works they did.  {EW 228.1} 

 

     Jesus and all the heavenly host looked with disgust upon the scene; yet God had a message for the church that was sacred and important. If received, it would make a thorough reformation in the church, revive the living testimony that would purge out hypocrites and sinners, and bring the church again into favor with God. {EW 228.2}

 

Lev 5:5  And it shall be, when he shall be guilty in one of these things, that he shall confess that he hath sinned in that thing

 

Exo 34:1  And the LORD said unto Moses, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first: and I will write upon these tables the words that were in the first tables, which thou didst break.

 

The first time God furnished the tables and God did the writing. The 2nd time, man furnished the tables, and God did the writing. In the original creation the law was written in the fleshly tables of the human heart. But when man broke the law, God in the new covenant invites every one of us: Bring me the tablets of your mind and heart and I will write upon them according to the first writing, the ten commandments.  Heb 10:16  This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;

 

—rwb