101 Questions - About Ellen White and Her Writings

Question 73: Shouldn’t we be preaching the Adventist “pillars”? (“The Mission”)

You folks need to get back to the basics. Remember, we are called to be a peculiar nation. We are called to give the trumpet a certain sound. We were called to come out of Babylon and preach the truths for our day if we really want Christ to come back. We are starting to preach just like all the other churches. 101Q 161.1

I used to be a Catholic, and I learned and accepted the three angels ‘ messages, the sanctuary, the Sabbath, and the message about the identity of the beast and the image of the beast. I know these messages are the pillars of this church. Why are we not putting them in newspapers and magazines, on the radio and on billboards, etc., as the Spirit of Prophecy said? 101Q 161.2

I think we are on the same wavelength regarding the importance of the distinctive message Seventh-day Adventists have for this world in the last days. However, we also have counsel from Mrs. White regarding how to go about our work. She cautioned us not to lead with the things that separate us from other Christians. Here are a couple paragraphs from Evangelism, pages 200, 201: 101Q 161.3

In laboring in a new field, do not think it your duty to say at once to the people, We are Seventh-day Adventists; we believe that the seventh day is the Sabbath; we believe in the nonimmortality of the soul. This would often erect a formidable barrier between you and those you wish to reach. Speak to them, as you have opportunity, upon points of doctrine on which you can agree. Dwell on the necessity of practical godliness. Give them evidence that you are a Chris-tian, desiring peace, and that you love their souls. Let them see that you are conscientious. Thus you will gain their confidence; and there will be time enough for doctrines. Let the heart be won, the soil prepared, and then sow the seed, presenting in love the truth as it is in Jesus.—Gospel Workers, pp. 119, 120. (1915) 101Q 161.4

Guard Against Closing the Listeners’ Ears.—Last night in my sleeping hours I seemed to be in meeting with my brethren, listening to One who spoke as having authority. He said: “Many souls will attend this meeting who are honestly ignorant of the truths which will be presented before them. They will listen and become interested, because Christ is drawing them. . . . The greatest care is needed in dealing with these souls. Do not at the outset press before the people the most objectionable features of our faith, lest you close their ears to which these things come as a new revelation. Let such portions of truth be dealt out to them as they may be able to grasp and appreciate; though it should appear strange and startling, many will recognize with joy the new light that is shed on the Word of God, whereas if truth were presented in so large a measure that they could not receive it, some would go away, and never come again. More than this, they would misrepresent the truth.”—General Conference Bulletin, Feb. 25, 1895. 101Q 162.1