CHAPTER 16  17                                    elders

The Pulpit Not a Forum

No minister, church elder, or other person has the right to make the pulpit a forum for advocating disputed points of doctrine or procedure. The church does not confer upon any individual the right to exploit one's personal views and opinions in such a manner.

Those members who think they have new light contrary to the established views of the church should seek counsel from responsible leaders.

"There are a thousand temptations in disguise prepared for those who have the light of truth; and the only safety for any of us is in receiving no new doctrine, no new interpretation of the Scriptures, without first submitting it to brethren of experience. Lay it before them in a humble, teachable spirit, with earnest prayer; and if they see no light in it, yield to their judgment; for 'in the multitude of counselors there is safety."-Testimonies, vol.5, p.293.

This plan was followed in the early church. When a difference of opinion arose at Antioch over an important question, the believers sent representatives to Jerusalem, where the question was submitted to the apostles and elders for consideration. The decision of this council was joyfully accepted by the believers in Antioch, and thus unity and brotherly love were preserved in the church.

The foregoing counsel from the Lord must not be regarded as in any way deterring one from pursuing a diligent study of the Scriptures, but rather as a protection against the infiltration of false theories and erroneous doctrines into the church. God wants His children faithfully to search His Word for light and truth, but He does not want them to be led astray by false teachings.

The Bible is a mine of truth. "The earth itself is not so interlaced with golden veins and filled with precious things as is the word of God."-Christ's Object Lessons, p.104. For this treasure we must seek diligently.

"Let none think that there is no more knowledge for them to gain. The depth of human intellect may be measured; the works of human authors may be mastered; but the highest, deepest, broadest flight of the imagination cannot find out God. There is infinity beyond all that we can comprehend. We have seen only the glimmering of divine glory and of the infinitude of knowledge and wisdom; we have, as it were, been working on the surface of the mine, when rich golden ore is beneath the surface, to reward the one who will dig for it. The shaft must be sunk deeper and yet deeper in the mine, and the result will be glorious treasure. Through a correct faith, divine knowledge will become human knowledge."--Christ's Object Lessons, p.113.

"New light will ever be revealed on the word of God to him who is in living connection with the Sun of Righteousness. Let no one come to the conclusion that there is no more truth to be revealed. The diligent, prayerful seeker for truth will find precious rays of light yet to shine forth from the word of God. Many gems are yet scattered that are to be gathered together to become the property of the remnant people of God."--Counsels on Sabbath School Work, p.34.

When new light shines forth from the sacred page to reward the earnest seeker after truth, it does not make void the old. Instead it merges with the old, causing it to grow brighter with added luster. Therefore, "the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day" (Prov. 4:18).

Although the child of God must stand ready to accept advancing light, one must never give heed to any voice, however pious and plausible, that would lead away from the fundamental doctrines of the Bible.

"We are not to receive the words of those who come with a message that contradicts the special points of our faith. They gather together a mass of Scripture, and pile it as proof around their asserted theories. This has been done over and over again during the past fifty years. And while the Scriptures are God's word, and are to be respected, the application of them, if such application moves one pillar from the foundation that God has sustained these fifty years, is a great mistake. He who makes such an application knows not the wonderful demonstration of the Holy Spirit that gave power and force to the past messages that have come to the people of God."--Counsels to Writers and Editors, p.32.

It is important that we keep "the unity of the faith" (Eph. 4:13); it is just as important that we seek at all times to "keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (verse 3). Hence the need for caution and thorough investigation, also for counsel with the brethren.

"God is leading a people out from the world upon the exalted platform of eternal truth, the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. He will discipline and fit up His people. They will not be at variance, one believing one thing and another having faith and views entirely opposite, each moving independently of the body. Through the diversity of the gifts and governments that He has placed in the church, they will all come to the unity of the faith. If one man takes his views of Bible truth without regard to the opinion of his brethren, and justifies his course, alleging that he has a right to his own peculiar views, and then presses them upon others, how can he be fulfilling the prayer of Christ? And if another and still another arises, each asserting his right to believe and talk what he pleases without reference to the faith of the body, where will be that harmony which existed between Christ and His Father, and which Christ prayed might exist among His brethren?

"Though we have an individual work and an individual responsibility before God, we are not to follow our own independent judgment, regardless of the opinions and feelings of our brethren; for this course would lead to disorder in the church. It is the duty of ministers to respect the judgment of their brethren; but their relations to one another, as well as the doctrines they teach, should be brought to the test of the law and the testimony; then, if hearts are teachable, there will be no divisions among us. Some are inclined to be disorderly, and are drifting away from the great landmarks of the faith; but God is moving upon His ministers to be one in doctrine and in spirit. .

"In reviewing our past history, having traveled over every step of advance to our present standing, I can say, Praise God! As I see what God has wrought, I am filled with astonishment, and with confidence in Christ as leader. We have nothing to fear for the future except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us."--Testimonies to Ministers, pp.29-31.

In view of these considerations, it must be evident that the church cannot confer upon any individual the right to exploit personal views and opinions from the pulpit. The sacred desk must be reserved for the preaching of the sacred truths of the Divine Word and the presentation of denominational plans and policies for the advancement of the work of God. (See pp.65,121,124,140,141.)

We should keep consecrated to the Lord day by day and seek Him for divine wisdom in the study of His Sacred Word. According to His own promise, the Holy Spirit will guide into all truth. The heart and mind should ever be kept open to the illumination of the Divine Spirit, that rays of heavenly light may shine across our pathway. Though we should take counsel with our brethren on matters that present problems to us, we should refrain from presenting publicly any questions that are not in full harmony with the views of the established body.