The Abiding Gift of Prophecy

Relationship to the Church

Not only was Mrs. White herself an indefatigable worker for souls during her whole life, but her writings abound with urgent exhortations to the churches, summoning them to universal action in behalf of every unsaved soul. In this matter she fully meets the requirements of one under the guidance of the prophetic gift. It is due those who read this volume to have more evidence regarding this important test, however, than a mere assertion to that effect. We shall, therefore, reproduce a few of the hundreds of doctrinal statements, urgent exhortations, and stirring appeals found in her writings. AGP 294.4

We should first consider her attitude toward the church of Christ which He ordained to be His channel for the proclamation of His gospel to the world until His return. Let it be understood AGP 294.5

that Mrs. White did not establish a church of her own. From the first manifestation of the prophetic gift through her in 1844 until her death, she clearly recognized “the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” 1 Timothy 3:15. There is not a line in all her writings giving the slightest intimation that she was the head of any church. She repudiated the statements and charges of this sort made by others. She stands in the line of prophets and apostles. Not one of them claimed the headship of the people of God. All recognized Christ as the sovereign Head. With them it was always the church “built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone.” Ephesians 2:20. The following are some of the beautiful tributes Mrs. White pays to this divine institution: AGP 295.1

“The church is the property of God, and God constantly remembers her as she stands in the world, subject to the temptations of Satan…. Although Jesus Christ has passed into the heavens, there is still a living chain binding His believing ones to His own heart of infinite love. The most lowly and weak are bound by a chain of sympathy closely to His heart. He never forgets that He is our representative, and He bears our nature.” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 19.

“The church of Christ, enfeebled and defective as it may be, is the only object on earth on which He bestows His supreme regard. While He extends to all the world His invitation to come to Him and be saved, He commissions His angels to render divine help to every soul that cometh to Him in repentance and contrition, and He comes personally by His Holy Spirit into the midst of His church…. Consider, my brethren and sisters, that the Lord has a people, a chosen people, His church, to be His own, His own fortress, which He holds in a sin-stricken, revolted world; and He intended that no authority should be known in it, no laws be acknowledged by it, but His own.” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 15, 16.

“The church of Christ is God’s agency for the proclamation of truth; she is empowered by Him to do a special work; and if she is loyal to God, obedient to His commandments, there will dwell within her the excellence of divine power.” Testimonies for the Church 8:11.

Evangelism, the telling of the good news of the gospel, is one of the great themes of the Bible. Noah the ancient was “a preacher of righteousness.” 2 Peter 2:5. To Abraham, the AGP 295.2

“friend of God,” the Lord said: “I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing.” Genesis 12:2. The prophet Isaiah cries out: “Arise, shine [give light]; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee…. And the Gentiles [the unsaved] shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.” Isaiah 60:1-3. Of his personal experience, the apostle Paul says: “It pleased God, who … called me by His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the heathen.” Galatians 1:15, 16. Facing this great responsibility, he cries out: “Woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!” 1 Corinthians 9:16. AGP 296.1