What did Ellen White say about New Light?
Taken from Gospel Worker pp 297-303 (capitalizations of phrases were added and do not appear in original writings)
God intends that, even in this life, TRUTH SHALL EVER BE UNFOLDING TO HIS PEOPLE p. 297
Whenever the people of God are growing in grace, they will be constantly obtaining A CLEARER UNDERSTANDING OF HIS WORD. They will discern NEW LIGHT and beauty in its sacred truths. This has been true in the history of the church in all ages, and thus it will CONTINUE TO THE END.
Men rest satisfied with the LIGHT ALREADY RECEIVED from God's word, and DISCOURAGE ANY FURTHER INVESTIGATION of the Scriptures. They become conservative, and seek to avoid discussion.
When NO NEW QUESTIONS are started by investigation of the Scriptures, when NO DIFFERENCE OF OPINION arises which will set men to searching the Bible for themselves, to make sure that they have the truth, there will be many now, as in ancient times, who will HOLD TO TRADITION, and worship they know not what.
The present attitude of the church is not pleasing to God. There has come in a self-confidence that has led them to feel NO NECESSITY FOR MORE TRUTH AND GREATER LIGHT.
Our brethren should be WILLING TO INVESTIGATE in a candid way every point of controversy. If a brother is teaching error, those who are in responsible positions ought to know it; and if he is teaching truth, they ought to take their stand at his side....No matter by whom light is sent, we should open our hearts to receive it with the meekness of Christ. But many do not do this.
When a doctrine is presented that does not meet our minds, we should GO TO THE WORD OF GOD, seek the Lord in prayer, and give no place for the enemy to come in with suspicion and prejudice. We should never permit the spirit to be manifested that arraigned the priests and rulers against the Redeemer of the world. They complained that He disturbed the people, and they wished He would let them alone; for He caused perplexity and dissension. The Lord sends light to us to prove what manner of spirit we are of. We are not to deceive ourselves.
We must learn that others have rights as well as we ourselves. When a brother receives new light upon the Scriptures, he should frankly explain his position, and every minister should SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES with the spirit of candor, to SEE IF THE POINTS PRESENTED CAN BE SUBSTANTIATED BY THE INSPIRED WORD.
Every soul must look to God with contrition and humility, that He may guide and lead and bless. We must not trust to others to search the Scriptures for us. Some of our LEADING BRETHREN have frequently taken their position on the WRONG SIDE.
Taken from Gospel Worker pp 297-303 (capitalizations of phrases were added and do not appear in original writings)
God intends that, even in this life, TRUTH SHALL EVER BE UNFOLDING TO HIS PEOPLE p. 297
Whenever the people of God are growing in grace, they will be constantly obtaining A CLEARER UNDERSTANDING OF HIS WORD. They will discern NEW LIGHT and beauty in its sacred truths. This has been true in the history of the church in all ages, and thus it will CONTINUE TO THE END.
Men rest satisfied with the LIGHT ALREADY RECEIVED from God's word, and DISCOURAGE ANY FURTHER INVESTIGATION of the Scriptures. They become conservative, and seek to avoid discussion.
When NO NEW QUESTIONS are started by investigation of the Scriptures, when NO DIFFERENCE OF OPINION arises which will set men to searching the Bible for themselves, to make sure that they have the truth, there will be many now, as in ancient times, who will HOLD TO TRADITION, and worship they know not what.
The present attitude of the church is not pleasing to God. There has come in a self-confidence that has led them to feel NO NECESSITY FOR MORE TRUTH AND GREATER LIGHT.
Our brethren should be WILLING TO INVESTIGATE in a candid way every point of controversy. If a brother is teaching error, those who are in responsible positions ought to know it; and if he is teaching truth, they ought to take their stand at his side....No matter by whom light is sent, we should open our hearts to receive it with the meekness of Christ. But many do not do this.
When a doctrine is presented that does not meet our minds, we should GO TO THE WORD OF GOD, seek the Lord in prayer, and give no place for the enemy to come in with suspicion and prejudice. We should never permit the spirit to be manifested that arraigned the priests and rulers against the Redeemer of the world. They complained that He disturbed the people, and they wished He would let them alone; for He caused perplexity and dissension. The Lord sends light to us to prove what manner of spirit we are of. We are not to deceive ourselves.
We must learn that others have rights as well as we ourselves. When a brother receives new light upon the Scriptures, he should frankly explain his position, and every minister should SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES with the spirit of candor, to SEE IF THE POINTS PRESENTED CAN BE SUBSTANTIATED BY THE INSPIRED WORD.
Every soul must look to God with contrition and humility, that He may guide and lead and bless. We must not trust to others to search the Scriptures for us. Some of our LEADING BRETHREN have frequently taken their position on the WRONG SIDE.
Taken from Gospel Worker pp 297-303 (capitalizations of phrases were added and do not appear in original writings)
God intends that, even in this life, TRUTH SHALL EVER BE UNFOLDING TO HIS PEOPLE p. 297
Whenever the people of God are growing in grace, they will be constantly obtaining A CLEARER UNDERSTANDING OF HIS WORD. They will discern NEW LIGHT and beauty in its sacred truths. This has been true in the history of the church in all ages, and thus it will CONTINUE TO THE END.
Men rest satisfied with the LIGHT ALREADY RECEIVED from God's word, and DISCOURAGE ANY FURTHER INVESTIGATION of the Scriptures. They become conservative, and seek to avoid discussion.
When NO NEW QUESTIONS are started by investigation of the Scriptures, when NO DIFFERENCE OF OPINION arises which will set men to searching the Bible for themselves, to make sure that they have the truth, there will be many now, as in ancient times, who will HOLD TO TRADITION, and worship they know not what.
The present attitude of the church is not pleasing to God. There has come in a self-confidence that has led them to feel NO NECESSITY FOR MORE TRUTH AND GREATER LIGHT.
Our brethren should be WILLING TO INVESTIGATE in a candid way every point of controversy. If a brother is teaching error, those who are in responsible positions ought to know it; and if he is teaching truth, they ought to take their stand at his side....No matter by whom light is sent, we should open our hearts to receive it with the meekness of Christ. But many do not do this.
When a doctrine is presented that does not meet our minds, we should GO TO THE WORD OF GOD, seek the Lord in prayer, and give no place for the enemy to come in with suspicion and prejudice. We should never permit the spirit to be manifested that arraigned the priests and rulers against the Redeemer of the world. They complained that He disturbed the people, and they wished He would let them alone; for He caused perplexity and dissension. The Lord sends light to us to prove what manner of spirit we are of. We are not to deceive ourselves.
We must learn that others have rights as well as we ourselves. When a brother receives new light upon the Scriptures, he should frankly explain his position, and every minister should SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES with the spirit of candor, to SEE IF THE POINTS PRESENTED CAN BE SUBSTANTIATED BY THE INSPIRED WORD.
Every soul must look to God with contrition and humility, that He may guide and lead and bless. We must not trust to others to search the Scriptures for us. Some of our LEADING BRETHREN have frequently taken their position on the WRONG SIDE.
