Series: Our Reformation
Sermon: Our Reformation
Speaker and Writer: Japhet De Oliveira
Refresh: Open with prayer. Ask God for understanding through the Holy Spirit.
Read: 2 Timothy 3:1-4:8 (NIV). As you read the New International Version, note 1–3 insights.
Reflection: Today we will look at the final “0.5” statements from George Knight’s latest book, Adventist Authority Wars, Ordination, and the Roman Catholic Temptation, outlining Knight's 9.5 theses.
9.1 The recent General Conference documents and procedures do not reflect faithfulness to the Bible’s teachings in Acts 15 or Matthew 18.
9.2. Due to the suppression of data and the manipulation of the events surrounding the voting process, I do not believe that the 2015 vote on women’s ordination indicated the voice of God. 9.3. One of the important functions of the ancient Hebrew prophets was to confront priests and kings over their abuse of authority. One of the functions of Ellen White was to confront conference presidents for similar reasons. And, if there were a prophet in modern Adventism, that prophet would find plenty to do.
9.4. The current atmosphere of confrontation in Adventism has not been brought about by the unions, but by the General Conference leadership and its non-biblical and manipulative tactics. 9.45. The October 2017 meetings may help the worldwide Adventist Church decide whether it wants to move more toward an Adventist Ecclesiology or toward a more Roman Catholic variety.
9.5 The so-called nonconforming unions must stand together, come into line with General Conference demands, or go down one by one. Martin Niemöller, a leading German Protestant pastor during World War II, has written a thoughtful piece: “First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I didn’t speak out— because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn’t speak out— because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me— and there was no one left to speak out.”
In closing, two historical recollections are important. First, Peter’s words in Acts 5: 29: “We must obey God rather than men” (RSV). Second, Luther’s words at the Diet of Worms: “I cannot submit my faith either to the pope or to the councils, because it is clear as the day that they have frequently erred and contradicted each other. Unless therefore I am convinced by the testimony of Scripture . . . I cannot and I will not retract, for it is unsafe for a Christian to speak against his conscience. Here I stand, I can do no other; may God help me. Amen.”
At the start of the week I mentioned the judge, Joshua. Joshua 24:14-15 is another great passage that is worth revisiting often. It calls us to a reformation.
Recalibrate: Where do you stand with Jesus today? What has He called you to do?
Respond: Pray for the faith to follow Jesus fully.
Research: Read the whole chapter of Joshua 24.