As former
Seventh-day Adventists, we were raised using a "proof-text" approach with the Bible to "prove" the various teachings of the SDA Church. Amazing Facts so-called "Bible Studies" are examples of the type of outline we would follow. Those of us who were life-long members considered ourselves to be quite "knowledgeable" about the Bible. One example would be if we could give a "Bible Study", for example on the "three angels messages "proving" that the Seventh-day Adventist Church alone had been handpicked by God as His Remnant Church.
Another was to demonstrate using "proof-texted" Scriptures how the "Seal of God" is actually the Sabbath instead of the Holy Spirit, and worshipping on Sunday would become the "mark of the Beast." Esoteric subjects such as 1844 and the Investigative Judgment were usually left until after a much higher "confidence level" had been established in the writings of Ellen White. She could then be used as an authority for those subjects.
All of us former Adventists can testify to what a shock it was when we firsted started genuine deep expository study of God's Word without the "aid" of Ellen White to tell us what the clear passages of Scripture "should really mean." Our new goal was to let the Bible explain itself instead of look for pasages that would support our adventist beliefs.
When we started attending mainstream Christian churches we were like a starving man being spiritually treated to a buffet. The book of Hebrews, previously as obscure as the apocalyptic books of Daniel and Revelation, came alive. Without Ellen White to "explain" what the author "really meant", it took on a whole new meaning. Jesus truly was the greatest. The gospel is God's final word, beyond which there is nothing to be said or experienced. There is no way of going on from hearing the gospel to some more profound or fuller knowledge of God. Adventism's whole crumbling 1844 scaffolding, upon which we had based our theology, was a false gospel. A gospel designed to rob Christ of the glory of a finished work on the cross. A gospel designed to rationalize the tempestuous entrance of the Adventist Church in 1844. We learned that the book of Hebrews is the gospel of Christ in miniature.
As we threw aside the shackles of our Adventist mindset we were overwhelmed -- captives set free. A flood of emotions filled our souls as we came, for the first time, face-to-face with the full freedom of the gospel, and the absolute assurance that we have been saved, and that we have been sealed by the Holy Spirit. No one, no demon, no person, no false doctrine, no legalism can separate us from the love, the eternal love of my Savior and God.
I invite you to explore the links provided below to learn more of God's wonderful plan for each of us!
- Overview by Presenter
- Old Testament
- Genesis (51 messages - audio and text) - Ray Stedman
- Leviticus (24 messages - audio and text) - Ray Stedman
- Daniel (9 messages - audio and text) - Ray Stedman
- New Testament
- Hebrews (14 messages - audio and text) - Ray Stedman
- Revelation (23 messages - audio and text) - Ray Stedman
|