A Prophet Among You

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Chapter 19—The Ellen G. White Writings And The Bible

“And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night.” Genesis 1:16. We sometimes see the moon during the day, but only faintly; it does not rule the day. In the daytime it only calls attention to the brightness of the sun. As God has given two lights in the heavens to rule the day and the night, He has placed two lights in the spiritual world of these last days. The two are pointed out in these words: “The Lord has sent His people much instruction, line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, and there a little. Little heed is given to the Bible, and the Lord has given a lesser light to lead men and women to the greater light. Oh, how much good would be accomplished if the books containing this light were read with a determination to carry out the principles they contain!” Ellen G. White, in The Review and Herald, January 20, 1903, quoted in Colporteur Ministry, page 125. (Italics added.) Here Ellen White refers to her writings as the “lesser light” intended by God to lead men and women to the “greater light” of the Bible. To use the two lights rightly we must understand their relation to each others—the place of each and its use. APAY 364.1

The Bible is explicit in indicating its place as the standard of truth and the basic guide of life. No other message or writings can ever take the place of the word of God. It is the standard by which all who claim to have truth are to be tested. Isaiah 8:20. It endures forever, 1 Peter 1:25. It is truth. John 17:17. It points the way to salvation. John 5:39, last part. It is the agent in sanctification or Christian growth. John 17:17. It is the weapon of the Christian—the sword of the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 6:17. APAY 364.2

Throughout her writings, Ellen White fully recognizes and emphasizes this primacy of the Scriptures. Two brief, comprehensive sentences from the introduction to The Great Controversy state her view succinctly: “The Holy Scriptures are to be accepted as an authoritative, infallible revelation of His will. They are the standard of character, the revealer of doctrines, and the test of experience.” Page vii. APAY 365.1