In this issue:
A Neglected Principle
David Clayton
Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, (2) Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. (Heb 6:1-2)
The passage quoted above is an interesting one. In it, the writer of the book of Hebrews mentions the things which he considers to be foundational principles of the doctrine of Christ, things which he considers to be important in laying the foundation for the experience of Christianity. Of course, his point is, that we should leave these principles behind, having already passed through them, and now progress on to perfection.
However, what is interesting is the things which Paul lists as being the foundations of the Christian faith. They are as follows:
1. Repentance from dead works
2. Faith toward God
3. Baptism
4. Laying on of hands
5. Resurrection of the dead
6. Eternal judgment.
Look at this list. One item on it seems to jump out at us, simply because it is something rarely practiced by most Christians and certainly, not by Seventh-day Adventists. I am speaking of course, of the laying on of hands. Every other item on the list is embraced wholeheartedly and it is expected that all Christians should embrace, believe in and as far as it goes be involved in the things which are mentioned. But when it comes to the laying on of hands, there seems to be a strange neglect, one which is difficult to understand until we begin to examine the reason for the neglect more closely.
Notice that these things are regarded as principles of the doctrine of Christ. They are the underlying structures on which the kingdom of Christ is established. They are the basis on which a relationship with Christ is built – the foundation. It becomes a matter of importance therefore, that we ask ourselves the question, “why is the laying on of hands so neglected in the present day Christian experience?”
I lived as a Christian for 34 years and yet, nobody ever suggested to me that the laying on of hands was a necessary part of my experience as a Christian. It is true that I did have hands laid on me when I was ordained as a church elder, but this was not regarded as a foundational part of my Christian experience, but was rather, exercised as a means of initiating me into the hierarchical system of the denomination.
When we look at the Bible, and particularly at the New Testament, it is evident that the ceremony of the laying on of hands was an integral part of the experience of that early Church. While there is no record that Jesus commanded the laying on of hands, yet He did speak of it as being a part of the experience of His disciples. His words were,
They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. (Mark 16:18)
He Himself frequently laid hands on people in either blessing them or healing them.
But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. (15) And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence. (Mat 19:14-15)
And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. (Luke 13:13)
And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. (Mark 6:5)
Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them. (Luke 4:40)
Furthermore, the record of the experience of the apostolic church shows us that this practice was deeply rooted in the experience of the believers. Here are a few examples which illustrate how they treated this ordinance:
And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: (6) Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. (Acts 6:5-6)
And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. (Acts 9:17)
As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. (3) And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. (Acts 13:2-3)
And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. (Acts 19:6)
And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him. (Acts 28:8)
Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. (1 Tim 4:14)
Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. (2 Tim 1:6)
Why missing in our day?
So why is this ceremony which seems to have been practiced by the early church as faithfully as baptism, so glaringly missing from the church today? Why is it that the only time there is a laying on of hands is when babies are dedicated, or people are consecrated to certain positions of leadership in the church? Why is it that there is no longer the laying on of hands for the receiving of the holy spirit, or for physical healing?
The New Testament record reveals that there were four different occasions on which hands were customarily laid on people. These were:
1. When a person was being blessed.
2. When a person was set aside for some church office or responsibility.
3. When a person was being healed.
4. When the holy spirit was being imparted.
We will notice that the laying on of hands is still practiced in the church today for two of these ceremonies, but is conspicuously missing in the case of the other two. Why is this so? The answer is evident when we look closely: Two of these events do not require any evident supernatural intervention, but the other two are meaningless unless God clearly intervenes with a manifestation of supernatural power. So Christians have felt comfortable with laying hands on babies and praying for them to be blessed, and they have felt comfortable with laying hands on elders and deacons and asking God’s wisdom to be imparted to them as they do their work, because, after all, nobody knows whether or not these prayers are answered anyway! We can just go through the motions and tell ourselves that something has probably happened.
But in the case of prayers for the sick, when hands were laid on them in the Bible, supernatural things happened! Miracles took place! In the case of prayers for the baptism of the holy spirit, there were manifestations which clearly revealed that a supernatural presence had come into the lives of those thus prayed for. They began to behave in a way which could only be explained by the presence of a supernatural presence within them.
Christianity today has no power, this is the truth. What we have is a form of godliness but no power, just as the apostle Paul told us would be the situation in the last days. So, Christianity shies away from those practices which will show it up for the powerless thing which it is. Practices such as healing of the sick and prayers for the baptism of the holy spirit are carefully avoided, while those ceremonies which require no supernatural intervention are practiced, in order to maintain the idea that we are still involved in God’s business.
The only churches which actually practice the laying on of hands are, unfortunately, mostly those which are involved in spiritualism, and are experiencing supernatural experiences of Satanic origin. This fact has scared most of us to the point where we are ready to condemn anything of a supernatural nature as being satanic. It has made us avoid anything except a strictly legal religion, based on words and doctrine. The truth is, we are afraid of anything which may seem to be unusual or beyond human ability to explain. We have a form of godliness, but deny the power.
As normal as baptism.
But what do we find as we look at the Bible? We find that the laying on of hands for the baptism of the holy spirit and for physical healing, was just as normal and a natural part of the experience of the early church as was the ceremony of baptism. It was normal that after people were baptized then the next step was that hands would be laid on them that they might receive the holy spirit. Why has this practice disappeared from the Church? Here is one striking example illustrating the truth of what I am saying:
Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: (15) Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (16) (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) (17) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. (Acts 8:14-17)
Notice what happened here; The Samaritans had already believed and had already been baptized. They were, in fact, in the same exact position as most Christians (including Adventists) are today. In our present-day way of doing things, at this point after baptism, the next step is to take our place in the church and try to live a Christian life. However, notice that in the early church, this was not enough, there was still something missing from the experience of these believers. Peter and John came down from Jerusalem to these believers who were ALREADY baptized, to pray for them and to lay hands on them. For what purpose? Specifically so that they might receive the holy spirit! This was the way and method of New Testament Christianity. What has happened to this practice today?
The truth is, when we baptize people we are aware that there is no power in the water itself. However, we also are aware of the fact that Jesus Himself ordained water baptism and that when a person is baptized, the ceremony itself becomes a point of contact where the faith of the person may meet the power of Christ and the ceremony itself becomes an occasion where a person’s sins are washed away.
In a similar way we understand that the act of laying on of hands does not in itself transfer virtue from one human being to another. All power belongs only to God. However, again, the laying on of hands becomes a point of contact where a person’s faith may lay hold on the promise of God to pour out His spirit, and in the Bible, we see over and over again where this simple ceremony became an event where the sick were healed and the holy spirit was poured out upon many believers.
Does God still work in this way today, or has the advent of “modern” times made these practices obsolete and unnecessary? As I examine the Bible and the practices of the early believers, I am persuaded that the Christian practices of today are far removed from the simplicity and faith of Bible Christianity and it seems clear that this is the major reason why our Christian experience is so different from that of the early church.
For one hundred and sixty-five years Seventh-day Adventists have waited for the pouring out of the holy spirit in Pentecostal measure. Adventism’s prophet has expressed our need and entitlement in the following way:
Why has the history of the work of the disciples, as they labored with holy zeal, animated and vitalized by the Holy Spirit, been recorded, if it is not that from this record the Lord’s people today are to gain an inspiration to work earnestly for Him? What the Lord did for His people in that time, it is just as essential, and more so, that He do for His people today. All that the apostles did, every church member today is to do . And we are to work with as much more fervor, to be accompanied by the Holy Spirit in as much greater measure, as the increase of wickedness demands a more decided call to repentance.
…. At this time, when the end of all things is at hand, should not the zeal of the church exceed even that of the early church? Zeal for the glory of God moved the disciples to bear witness to the truth with mighty power. Should not this zeal fire our hearts with a longing to tell the story of redeeming love, of Christ and Him crucified? Should not the power of God be even more mightily revealed today than in the time of the apostles ?–Review and Herald, Jan. 13, 1903.
Yet apart from a brief blaze of light between 1888 and the early 1900s, there has been little evidence that this outpouring is any closer, now, 165 years later, than it was at the beginning of the movement in 1844. Why is this so? More and more I am persuaded that it is firstly because we are unaware of what we are entitled to in Christ, and stemming from this is the reality that we don’t believe God’s promises. If we do believe God’s promise to give us this gift, let me ask, why is it that we do not ask with the expectation to immediately receive? Even more, why is it that we do not lay hands on the brethren in the name of Jesus (as we do in baptism) in order that they might receive the baptism of the holy spirit?
It is likely that we are all scared of undertaking something which we have never seen done in our church. It is probable that when we think of the laying on of hands our minds turn to the Pentecostal churches and the charismatics which have made a practice of doing these things. But is this a good reason to avoid doing something which is very very clearly a biblical practice? Is this a good reason to rob ourselves of the blessing which God has always given in response to sincere request and the faithful carrying out of His instructions?
There comes a moment when our religion needs to move from theory to reality. There comes a time when we face up to the fact that in our religion, we are involved in something supernatural and that it is time to begin to interact with this supernatural reality. It is time to stop standing on the banks of the Jordan speculating, it is time to step into the water. Admittedly, it is a frightening experience to step out into the unknown, to enter into something which has never been experienced in my life before. But the question is, does Christ go before us? In moving forward, are we travelling with Him? This is the only question which really matters.
Entitled in Christ
David Clayton
In studying the subject of Righteousness by Faith, one of the things which has become deeply fixed in my mind is the truth that we, God’s people are entitled to all of His blessings. I mean all of them and I mean all of us who truly have become the children of God through faith in Christ. Why are we entitled? We are entitled because Christ is our qualification! This is the answer plain and simple!
There was a time in my experience when I tried very very hard to become holy enough so that I could be entitled to receive the baptism of the holy spirit. This was what I had learned, that I needed to achieve a certain state of holiness before I could expect God to bless me with this greatest of all gifts. It was very frustrating trying to reach that mark and somehow, I just never seemed to be good enough (has anybody ever obtained God’s blessings in this way?). However, when I understood what it truly means that Christ is my righteousness, then I came to know that in Him, I am already qualified! In Him, I am TODAY entitled to all the blessings promised by God – including the baptism of the holy spirit.
Most Adventists seem satisfied to spend their time studying doctrine after doctrine and debating about small points of difference. There seems to be the belief that when we have our doctrines worked out exactly right, then Christ will come again. We seem to hold to the idea that perfection consists of understanding doctrines correctly and being able to argue them using the right terminology.
But I found out that this was not the reality of New Testament Christianity. The emphasis of that early church was simple; it was Christ. Not Christ as a doctrine, not Christ as something studied and talked about merely, but Christ, as a living, active, powerful Person who was constantly manifested in doing extraordinary things among them. Their religion consisted of power, of life, not merely words and carefully defined doctrinal arguments.
More than conversion
When I became aware of my entitlement to the baptism of the holy spirit, a desire sprang up in me. I felt a need to have hands laid on me just as the believers experienced in apostolic times, especially because I believed that this would bring greater power into my life for witnessing, as well as for conquering sin in my life. Perhaps the question may be asked, “didn’t you receive the holy spirit when you became a Christian?” The answer is, yes, I did. But so did Peter, James, John, and all the apostles. So did all those people who accepted Christ before Pentecost, and yet, this was not the same as the experience which Jesus offered to them after Pentecost. There was something which came at Pentecost, an experience in Christ which had never been experienced before on this earth and this is why Jesus said,
Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. (Mat 11:11)
The Old Testament has some remarkable heroes who had a wonderful experience in God. There was Moses, Enoch, Elijah, Daniel etc. God used these men mightily and through them, performed some of the greatest miracles ever seen on this planet. Yet Jesus’ statement was that the “least” in the kingdom of heaven was greater than any of these men.
It is clear that He was not referring to the physical kingdom of glory which is to come in the future, where all these Old Testament heroes will be present. The kingdom to which He referred is made up of those who experience a privilege which had not been available to these faithful men of the Old Testament. The kingdom to which He referred was the kingdom of grace, the kingdom which would be established within His people, where He himself would come to live in them.
And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: (21) Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. (Luke 17:20-21)
Our Entitlement
This wonderful experience became possible when Jesus was glorified on the day of Pentecost. Let us note carefully that it was not something which was necessarily based on the spiritual state of people. No, it was based on the work of Jesus. It was because He was glorified, it was because heaven’s timetable had reached the place where the time for the outpouring of the holy spirit had arrived. Just as the birth of Jesus took place in the “fullness of time,” so also did this event of the giving of the holy spirit.
This was the reason for the blessing being poured out. Sometimes we hear an explanation of what happened and the emphasis is placed on how prepared the apostles were, on how much time they spent in the upper room and on what they did there in confessing sins and making things right. All of this was true, but it was not the main reason why the holy spirit was given. The Bible tells us that the key reason for the giving of the gift was the glorifying of Jesus. It was something which had happened in heaven, something which involved Christ. It was not so much what was happening in the upper room (although that was important), but it was more what was happening in heaven. This same truth is emphasized in John 7:37-39 and Acts 2:33, where it says,
In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. (38) He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (39) (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified .). (John 7:37-39)
Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. (Acts 2:33)
Notice the key reason given in both passages for the imparting of the holy spirit to God’s people: In John 7:37-39 it emphasizes the glorifying of Jesus as the main factor, and in Acts 2:33 it states that it was the exaltation of Jesus to the right hand of the Father which was the main factor. The exaltation of Jesus to the right hand of the Father is simply the Bible’s way of expressing the truth that ALL the power of the Father has become the power of Jesus. Just as the Father is omnipresent through His spirit, so now, Jesus is also able to be omnipresent by that same spirit.
Jesus was now inaugurated as Lord, all things were put under his feet and all power was given unto Him in heaven and in earth. Therefore, as soon as He received this ability, God poured Him (Jesus) out upon His people in fulfillment of His promise in Joel chapter 2.
And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: (29) And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. (Joel 2:28-29)
Jesus was now able, Himself, to be in all His people, in the fullness of His power, in all places and at all times. This was the moment that Jesus had looked forward to even when He was here on earth; it was the reality that He was now able to be a greater blessing to His people than He had been while He was here. Now, in them , He could do far more than when He had been with them . Therefore He had promised them that they would do greater works than He had done, because “I go to my Father.” This is what He had been talking about when He told them,
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. (John 16:7)
Seeking the Experience
A few months ago having come to a conviction concerning these things, I started seeking for the experience of the baptism of the holy spirit. I prayed for this earnestly, but as I prayed, I saw that in the Bible, the imparting of this gift was often the result of a spirit-filled person laying hands on another Christian and praying for him to receive the gift. I became painfully aware of the fact that I had never encountered anyone who had been baptized with the holy spirit and whom I would trust to lay hands on me. Those that I knew of, who claimed to have the holy spirit were people whose behaviour was disorderly, confused and even outright Satanic. Nevertheless, the more I studied Righteousness by Faith and saw how this truth affected those who embraced it in Bible times, the more I saw clearly that the holy spirit is the reality of the life of Christ in the believer. I saw that the puny Christian experience which we possess today is not the same as what God’s people enjoyed when the church was full of fai th.
What amazed me more than anything else was the discovery that there is absolutely no reason why we should have an experience any different from that of the apostles today! I had always looked to the future and expected that some day God would pour out His spirit on His people. But the reality is, that day never arrived for me, and it never arrived for any Adventist that I know of. I began to see that the only obstacle to the baptism of the holy spirit is unbelief, based on the fact that we have never understood our entitlement and qualification in Christ. But I had no idea of how to proceed, no idea of how to move from theory to the experience.
An unusual minister
One day, at a campmeeting, a brother and sister told me of a Romanian SDA pastor, now living in the USA , who had received the baptism of the holy spirit and who was willing to lay hands on others that they might also receive this blessing. They claimed that this man now had a ministry where God was blessing his work with miracles of healing. They asked if I would be interested in learning more of this man and his work. Of course, like all Adventists I am cautious about such things. I know of the abundance of deceptions which exist in these last days and I know of the many false prophets who have already arisen within Adventism. Nevertheless, this brother and sister promised to send me some materials from this pastor and I agreed to examine them, although I admit that I was skeptical and cautious.
But here is the question: In spite of all the deception and falsehood which exists, is there nothing true? Has God abandoned the field to Satan? Is it not an absolute necessity that God should have people today who know of His power by personal experience?
When I received these materials from this pastor, I examined them carefully and eventually came to the conclusion that this man seemed to be a genuine Christian and his ministry a God-directed one. Of course, it is not possible to form a definite conclusion from simply looking at what another person says, but there was none of the extreme behaviour which is associated with today’s “Pentecostals,” and the teachings of this man were all based solidly on the Bible. This is not to say that I agreed with everything which I found in his teaching, but then, I don’t believe that all my doctrinal beliefs are necessarily perfect either. God is not finished with any of us yet, but this does not mean that He will not bless us abundantly. Even in the apostolic church, some of the apostles themselves held wrong beliefs.
Some weeks after receiving these materials from this pastor, I attended some meetings in Florida and decided to try to meet with this pastor if it were possible. I had no idea where in Florida he was, but I figured that if he were not too far away from where I was staying then it might be possible to borrow a car and to try to find him. I wanted to meet him personally and to ask him some questions.
Providentially, I discovered that this man’s church was less than ten minutes from where I was staying! I made arrangements by email to meet with him on the day before I returned home and duly met with him in a room at the church building. One of the questions which I was anxious to ask him was, “what is your attitude to Christians who are not members of the SDA church?” His reply was, “well, I am still an SDA pastor.” I explained that I was not a member of the SDA denomination and I asked him how he regarded somebody like me who was considered an “offshoot” by the denomination. He replied that God has people everywhere and is not limited to a denomination. I was pleased with this answer.
The next question was, how had he received the holy spirit? He told me the following fascinating story:
The Minister’s story
Some years ago while living in Romania , he had received a gift of $500.00 (US) dollars. At the time his salary in Romania was about $25.00 ( US ) per month, so this gift for him, represented more than a year’s salary. He was so grateful that he made a commitment to God that he would win one soul for every dollar that he had received. Of course, after a while he realized that he had undertaken a very difficult, if not impossible task, for he recognized that he did not have the ability to win even one soul and he realized that the only way he could fulfill this promise was if he was filled with the holy spirit. So he embarked on a search which I can only describe as amazing.
He told me that he, along with a friend of his had started going to the forest to pray for the holy spirit every day for 8-12 hours, and that he, with this friend had continued this practice for one year without a break! After one year, they had had a few unusual experiences, including one day hearing in the trees the sound of a mighty rushing wind, even though everything was still and not a leaf was moving, but they had still not received the baptism of the holy spirit.
One day a year later, he was in his kitchen speaking with his wife when he was overwhelmed by the power and presence of the holy spirit. He went to his bedroom and fell by his bedside and was baptized with the holy spirit. While he did not describe the experience in detail, he expressed it as being engulfed in waves of joy with a sensation of power flowing through his body. Significantly he told me, “I did not speak in tongues.”
At this point, after he had told me his experience, I told him that I would like him to lay hands on me and to pray for me to receive the baptism of the holy spirit.
Laying on of hands
As he prayed for me with members of his team, I was not quite sure what to expect. I had a sense of intense expectation, but I didn’t know what would happen. Every nerve in my body was tensed up. I waited while they prayed for several minutes and then I felt when this pastor laid his hands on me.
Nothing happened. At least, nothing that I was aware of. Apart from the sense of high expectation which I had, there was nothing. However, the pastor was confident that God had given me the blessing and he told me that I would become more and more aware of it as the days passed by, but I really didn’t know what to think.
The next morning while I was praying, I felt an unusual intensity. There was a sense of the reality and presence of God which was so strong that I felt a slight trembling in my body. This was unusual, but I thought that this was simply because my mind was so agitated over what had happened the day before. However, as the weeks have passed, I have continued to feel this same kind of intensity in prayer and a new awareness of God’s presence which has been at times, almost overwhelming. On one occasion I found myself so filled with the sense of God’s presence and so convicted of the fact that He has far more to give us than we have received, that I broke down and cried uncontrollably for many minutes. This may not seem surprising, but the fact is, I have not cried like this since I was about 12 years old.
I know that there is a great outpouring of God’s spirit which is to take place very soon. The dead are to be raised the sick are to be healed and devils are to be cast out. This is to happen on a wide scale all over this world. But in the mean time, isn’t it true that God is willing today, to baptize all who will believe, with His holy spirit. God has not changed, and He is a faithful God. He is willing to give us far more than we have obtained up to this point. This is what I received when I had hands laid on me that day. I know that I am not yet where I will be, but one thing which I can say for sure is that I have far greater confidence and freedom in preaching the word of God, and in praying for the sick. I have a sense of the truthfulness of God’s promises which is so strong that at times, it is almost painful. At times when I consider how much we have been given and yet, how little we have believed, it seems that there is a pressure building up inside of me which is almost too much to bear. Often when I come near to a sick person there is a trembling in my body and a very strong desire in me as though I want to give of my very life to this person. Sometimes in preaching there is a conviction upon me which is so strong that I find it difficult to contain myself or to keep still.
Unusual behaviour
All of this is very unusual, but only because I was never like this before. Of course, it is only to be expected that if God’s spirit is inside of us in greater measure, then we are bound to experience changes in our attitudes, our faith, and even in the way we physically react to certain situations.
I have shared this experience because I am certain that there are going to be repercussions. Rumours are bound to get around and I don’t intend to keep this a secret. I want to make sure that I state what has happened so that a true perspective may be given as to what has taken place. In fact, I hope that all of God’s people will have the courage to pray for this gift, NOW, TODAY, and that we will no longer be afraid to carry out the biblical practice of laying hands on baptized believers so that they may receive the holy spirit.
One thing we can be sure of and it is that those who condemn our doctrine, must be consistent and go on to condemn every blessing which comes to us. As was the case with Jesus, whenever something supernatural happened in His ministry, it was declared to be a work of the devil. Even the raising of the dead was not enough to convince those who had already condemned Him, because He did not come, or teach in the way they prescribed. Unfortunately, humanity does not change and it is still the same today as it was in the time of Jesus.
But as Jesus said, “wisdom is justified of her children.” It is a striking paradox that Adventists confess that our greatest need is the baptism of the holy spirit, while at the same time they are ready to condemn any manifestation of anything supernatural, if it does not conform to their narrowly prescribed formula as to how the spirit is to come. The amazing thing is, the prescribed formula has not brought the holy spirit’s baptism during our 165 years of existence, but yet, we still cling to it and insist that God must come in the prescribed way. May God help us to think in a reasonable way and not to try to put Him in a box.
Jesus is to be revealed again on the earth in all His glory. The key to this experience is not some great new and revolutionary doctrine, God already gave us that when He gave us the gospel of the kingdom. The key is, simply believing what God says in His word, without the manipulations and distortions of men.
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Note:
This Adventist pastor has now been censored by the Conference because his beliefs and teachings on the holy spirit are not in harmony with the concepts of the church. While I believe he still does not understand the truth about the godhead, yet he has referred to the holy spirit as a “substance,” on one of the tapes which I listened to, although he confesses that his use of English is faulty.
It is not surprising that he is at odds with the church heirarchy and I believe he will soon be fired as a pastor and maybe disfellowshipped. The conference has given orders that he is not to preach anywhere else in the United States apart from in his own church and that the members of his ministry are similarly proscribed. We know the pattern of how these things go and I think we know what will happen next.
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Christ is Come in the Flesh
AT Jones
Christ himself living in us; Christ in you the hope of glory ; God with us; God manifest in the flesh now, today in our flesh, by the faith of Jesus Christ – this and this only is living faith. For “every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: (3) And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world ….. (Signs of the Times, Dec. 3, 1896)
…. the preaching of the gospel is the preaching of Christ in men, the hope of glory. The minister of the gospel is the minister of Christ in men, the hope of glory. It is still, and forever, the preaching of God in Christ, manifest in the flesh – the incarnation. For “every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God.” (Adventist Review & Sabbath Herald, Aug. 2, 1892)
EJ Waggoner
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God, because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know we the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God.” 1John 1:2.
Now what is it to confess that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh? To say so, – no, – to believe it for all that it is worth. What does it mean? God was manifest in the flesh; God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself. God sent his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, that he might condemn sin in the flesh. “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Heb.4:15.
Brethren, to acknowledge that Christ has come in the flesh, means that we must take Christ as he came in the flesh, and for all that he came in the flesh to do. He came in the flesh, that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, – that we might have his righteousness and his endless life. Every spirit that denieth Christ as the sole means of life and righteousness, is the spirit of antichrist.
Now take your bearings and see where you are. Is it the spirit of Christ that works in us when we say that we are going to overcome if Christ will give us a little assistance? When we say that, we are going to have heaven by our own work, in part at least; we deny Christ, and deny that he is come in the flesh. That spirit is the spirit of antichrist working in us. – General Conference Bulletin – 1891
JN Loughborough
I read now another text, 1 John 4:1,3: “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God, because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God.” I used to believe this meant that these false spirits had got to acknowledge the incarnation of Christ, but I bless God there is greater light coming to us, and now I believe it means to confess that Jesus Christ has come in our flesh. That is just how we are to overcome, – by Jesus Christ in our flesh, as the text says, “Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.” …. 1 John 4:5,6….. – General Conference Bulletin – 1893
WW Prescott
See this thought in 1John 4:2,3 and 4: “Hereby know ye the Spirit of God. Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God.” Now it is not every one who confesseth that Jesus Christ did come in the flesh, but every one who confesseth, who is confessing, that Jesus Christ is come in his own flesh.
But you say, It cannot mean that. We will stop a moment ….
Now when Jesus Christ was here in the flesh, every time the devils met him, they recognized him as Jesus Christ in the flesh. they said, “We know thee who thou art, the holy one of God.” Were they of God? Does it meet this idea to say every one that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come, in the flesh is of God? The devils confessed that very thing, and that is the very kind of faith that is being pushed upon the people now.
The devils believe and tremble, but they do not believe unto righteousness, and believing unto righteousness is the gospel, – is Christ in you the hope of glory, – and every one that is confessing that Christ is come in the flesh is the one that is confessing that Jesus Christ is in him the hope of glory. that spirit is of God. Every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God, and it is that spirit of antichrist, and it does not make any difference where you meet it, nor when you meet it. Every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is an opposer; he is antichrist and is of the spirit that opposes, and it is the very essence of antichrist to deny that fact which is the basis, in the first place, the general basis of Christianity, and in the second place is the life and the all and in all of every individual’s Christianity, and that is that Christ is come in his own flesh, and that Jesus Christ is in him the hope of glory.
Nutrition in a Nutshell
Lenworth Frankson
I have always loved nuts. I am fortunate in being one of those individuals who never experienced allergies from eating them. Although in the past eating nuts was often discouraged by some health professionals, due to the high fat content and allergies that some folks experienced, today research has shown that adding nuts regularly to our diet has many health benefits, and they are not as bad as once thought. Sure peanuts are high in fat. But now we know that, like avocados, they are high in the “good” kind — monounsaturated fat. Most nuts are edible although we (human beings) might not eat them all. Of the many nuts that I have tasted peanuts happen to be one of my favorite not just because of their pleasing taste and nutritional value but because of their inexpensive price and availability. Let us look at some of the unique and special qualities of this “nut”.
It is not a common thing that a plant’s fruit develop underground. This however is the case with the peanut plant. When the ovary of the flower is fertilized, it goes underground where it develops to maturity. Some believe that the peanut is a root or a tuber; however, it is a subterranean fruit. (Existing or situated below ground level) Peanuts aren’t really nuts but legumes like lentils, chickpea and black beans.
Peanuts contain high quality plant protein. When comparing peanuts to similar foods, peanuts have more protein than any other legume or nut. In fact their nutrient concentration surpasses any animal based food, including meat, and within the vegetable kingdom only walnut and almond can compare to its nutritional richness. From my research I have learned that peanuts exceed meat and eggs in carbohydrates, fats, protein, vitamins B1, C, E and niacin. They are also an important source of essential minerals such as magnesium, copper, phosphorus, potassium, zinc and a good source of vitamin B9. They are also rich in calcium which helps promotes healthy bones. They are one of the most popular oil-bearing nuts because of their taste and nutritive properties and in addition to this, peanut butter contains much higher quantities of antioxidants than apples, carrots or beets. According to the Peanut Institute it is especially important for children, vegetarians and people eating more meatless meals to include peanuts in their diet. Roasting peanuts actually increases their antioxidant content by up to 22 percent.
Peanuts contain mostly beneficial monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. These fats as compared to saturated fats have been shown to help lower blood cholesterol levels. Lowering your blood cholesterol level may reduce your risk of coronary heart disease.
It is said that one ounce or one small handful of peanuts contains 2 big grams of fiber. This is 9% of the fiber you need each day. I should mention here however that peanuts are relatively poor in vegetable fiber and as a result, they can cause constipation if a large amount is eaten at once and without the accompaniment of fruits or whole grains. Peanut butter also contains fairly high quantities of dietary fiber which again helps in regulating both blood cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Dietary fiber has also been shown to significantly reduce the risk of cancer in the colon and rectum which is among the most common causes of death by cancer in civilized countries.
One ounce of peanuts provide 16% of your daily need of vitamin E. Vitamin E has been shown to act as an antioxidant which may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. Vitamin E is also one of the most powerful antioxidants, shown to significantly reduce the risk of cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
Peanuts contain a considerable amount of carbohydrates and this is one of the reasons why it is important to chew and salivate them well before swallowing so that the digestive enzymes in the saliva can start their digestion. If the peanuts arrive in the colon without having been properly digested, that is without being completely transformed into glucose, they produce fermentation and intestinal gas.
Cold pressed peanut oil is clear, fluid, and has a delicate flavor. If the oil is not fluid, it should not be used because this indicates that the fatty acids have become saturated (hydrogenated) thus losing their health benefits. Peanut oil can be used for frying because it does not smoke until the temperature is very high. Peanut oil is also very rich in unsaturated fatty acids and is highly recommended to be taken orally and as a lotion on the skin in cases of eczema, dry skin or dermatitis in general.
One of the most interesting and peculiar nutrients found in peanuts is a compound called Resveratrol. This is a natural antimicrobial agent, produced by the peanut plant (and in even larger quantities by red grapes) that fights bacteria, viruses and fungi.
Resveratrol is actually believed to be the cause of the “French paradox” (French people having a lower risk of cardiovascular disease despite their diet rich in fats). Resveratrol is still active when ingested, and it provides the same anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties to the person consuming it. Research has shown some positive effects of resveratrol in mice, ranging from anti-cancer, antiviral, anti-aging, anti-inflammatory benefits and the protection of nerves. Some research even suggests the prolonging of life. These tests have not been carried out on humans yet, but the premises are there. Other studies have shown that resveratrol can slow down and may even prevent the growth of tumor cells in the colon and rectum. The other primary source for this compound is red wine, but peanuts have higher bioflavonoid resveratrol content than grapes. This bioflavonoid is believed to improve blood flow in the brain by as much as 30%, thus greatly reducing the risk of strokes. It should not be a challenge then for people who don’t drink alcohol to get enough resveratrol because drinking red grape juice and eating peanuts should provide the adequate amount of resveratrol our bodies need.
In a test conducted on 80,000 female subjects by the Nurses’ Health Study, it was observed that women who eat at least 1 ounce of nuts, peanuts or peanut butter, each week have a 25% lower risk of developing gallstones. Also the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry states that the niacin contained in peanuts, when eaten regularly, provides protection against Alzheimer’s disease. A serious lack of niacin can manifest itself by dry, cracked, red skin, as well as muscular weakness, indigestion, diarrhea, delusions, mental confusion and scaly skin sores. Serious niacin deficiency produces a disease known as pellagra .
Because of its high fat and caloric content some doctors argue that obese people should consume only small amounts of peanuts. There has been some controversy about this, and there are many studies claiming that eating nuts more than twice a week actually reduces the risk of weight gain. One study that involved 8865 adult men and women in Spain and carried out during a 28 month period showed that the subjects who ate nuts at least twice a week were 31% less likely to gain weight than the others.
As you can see peanuts contain a wide variety of health benefits to us. However if you are allergic to peanuts you should not include them in your diet and definitely consult with your doctor before ingesting them. If you can include them in your diet do try to do so. Try to be inventive when preparing them. Two of my favorite ways to include them in my diet is to grind them with raw pressed oats and then cook as porridge. When cooked add some raisins and ripe bananas and enjoy. The other recipe is to blend thoroughly a hand full of raisins, roasted peanuts, two cups of oats, a cup or two of soy milk and a ripe banana or a slice of papaw. Be sure to blend thoroughly until it liquefies. You may add a cup of yogurt if you choose when blending. This shake is very filling and you will be surprised to see how full you will feel for most of the day. Don’t forget to drink a lot of water throughout the day.
There is nothing “nutty” about eating peanuts; they deserve to be recognized as a necessary nutritional nut .
A Gem From A.T. Jones
These truths make manifest the transcendent and ultimate truth that there is no such thing as abstractly a principle of good, and a principle of evil; but that God is the only good, and choice of separation from God is the only evil. This truth Jesus expressed when the young man came to Him, saying, “Good Master, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” and Jesus answered, “Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.” In God, the only good, lies inherently all conceivable good or goods; and in choice of separation from God lies inherently all conceivable evil or evils. In the original choice of Lucifer to exercise his existence, his faculties and powers, apart from God, there lay all the evil that has ever been or that can ever be. He thus became the very prince of evil; the author of all the evil that the universe can ever know. – AT Jones – “Empires of The Bible” page xiv paragraph 20
A New Lifestyle Center
Steve and Suzanne Day have opened a lifestyle center in Kentucky . It is a wonderful facility located on 300 beautiful acres. They are active missionaries and intend that this work will further the Gospel. In the past, the Days have worked with many people, especially those with cancer. They run a vigorous program and believe that regardless of anyone’s condition, that all will be benefitted by a stay.
They are also combining health with agriculture. They believe, nutrient dense foods are the foundation of any health program. For more information check out their website www.homeforhealth.net or call them at 606-663- 6671.
Marriage – A Divine Calling
In our last edition, we were reminded that God has a plan and purpose for our lives and that this plan includes our marriage. We were encouraged to desire to bring pleasure to God because that is our purpose for existing. (Rev. 4:11). We would be saved much unhappiness if we realized that our enemy is not another human being but Satan, who wants to steal our joy, and that the key to our victory is a relationship with God, the Divine Architect.
Before sin entered this earth, God spoke His first “not good.” Throughout the six days of creation, everything He looked at was good in His eyes, all but one thing. Man was alone and God said it was,” not good” (Genesis 2:18-20). In other words, man needed someone who could share his responsibilities, respond to his nature with understanding and love, and wholeheartedly cooperate with him in working out the plans of God.
Man was not made to dwell in solitude; he was to be a social being. Without companionship the beautiful scenes and delightful employments of Eden would have failed to yield perfect happiness. Even communion with angels could not have satisfied his desire for sympathy and companionship. There was no one of the same nature to love and to be loved. {Conflict & Courage, 14.2}
The solution was Eve, the first woman and the first wife. She was the helper God created for Adam. She was God’s solution to man’s need for a helper and a companion. Together they were perfectly complete.
This is the divine calling of the daughters of Eve. It is true but sad that the traditions of our world today have warped our concept and many sisters believe it to be a lowering of status to be described as “helpmeet” to another. Society refers to the position of a helper as one who was not successful financially and academically and is forced to resort to menial pay and back breaking, sometimes embarrassing jobs to make ends meet. Praise God that is not what He meant when He used the words, “HELP MEET”
The role of being a perfectly helpful companion does not make one inferior to the one God describes as being “the head.” The leader’s place of authority does not mean he is better, it only means that the helper is there to help him do his job – better! There is no loss of dignity in subordination when it serves a higher purpose.
Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing and obtaineth favor from the Lord. (Proverbs 18:22)
If you are a wife, you were created to fill a need, and in that capacity you are a good thing , a helpmeet suited to the needs of a man.
God made you a help meet to your husband so you can bolster him, making him more productive and efficient at whatever he chooses to do. God’s will for my life as a wife is that I be a helper fit and well suited to my husband. I do have a choice in what my marriage will be, whether an institution after God’s order, or something more in keeping with the confused roles of today’s unions..
……neither was the man created for the woman: but the woman for the man. (1 Cor. 11:8-9)
I know this may sound crazy, weird and contrary to the normal mode of thinking, but I am learning that many of the things we accept to be true are so because Satan has warped, (or so he thinks) God’s design, in order to create anarchy in the world similar to what he tried in heaven. Remember, marriage is God’s design. Something has gone wrong.
Look around you my sister; look at your marriage, your mother’s marriage, and your best friend’s marriage: what is the problem? Is it the manufacturers fault, or did we not follow the user’s manual? I recognized when I stopped to look, that it was the latter.
God celebrated the first marriage. Thus the institution has for its originator the Creator of the universe. “Marriage is honorable” (Heb. 13:4); it was one of the first gifts of God to man, and it is one of the two institutions that, after the fall, Adam brought with him beyond the gates of Paradise . When the divine principles are recognized and obeyed in this relation, marriage is a blessing; it guards the purity and happiness of the race, it provides for man’s social needs, it elevates the physical, the intellectual, and the moral nature. – {Faith I Live By 251.4}
Does it surprise you when I say that God gave you as a precious gift to your husband? This is how God created you and it is your purpose for existing. Surprise again? Let me ask you something, would it bring pleasure to God for you to love, honor and be a helper fitting the needs of your husband? If your answer is yes, then you recognize that you exist, and were created for God’s pleasure (Rev. 4:11). In fulfilling this role you are in harmony with the master’s design.
….but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. (1 Cor 7:34)
Regardless of who you are or what your talents may be, God’s will is that you be a suitable helper to your husband.
You may question whether God desires you to be a helper to a man whose behaviour may be far from desirable, but who says he has to deserve it? You can only realize the full potential of your womanhood when you are functioning according to your created nature. It is not a question of whether or not you can do a better job than he; it is a matter of doing what you were designed to do as unto God and not to man.
You have a great work, a sacred, holy calling to exemplify the Christian graces as a faithful wife and mother; to be lovable, patient, kind, yet firm, in your home life; to learn right methods and acquire tact for the training of your own little ones, that they may keep the way of the Lord. As a humble child of God, learn in the school of Christ ; seek constantly to improve your powers to do the most perfect, thorough work at home, both by precept and example. {TSB 40.2}
The family tie is the closest, the most tender and sacred, of any on earth. It was designed to be a blessing to mankind. And it is a blessing wherever the marriage covenant is entered into intelligently, in the fear of God, and with due consideration for its responsibilities. {FLB 251.5}
I pray it is your desire to please God in every area of your life. There are clear guidelines that are set out in His word. Let us embrace any advice that does not contradict the word of God and is geared to crucify self and bring glory to Him. This is not something which is easy to do, but the spirit of God is available to all who are willing to surrender self-will and live a life in Christ Jesus.
My final question to you is, If God created a special woman, perfectly suited to be your husband’s helper, would you be that woman?
Your sister in Christ
Naomi Morris
Open Face is published bi-monthly and is sent free to all who desire to receive it.
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P. O. Box 23 Knockpatrick
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