A Prophet Among You

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Chapter 25—In Confirmation Of Faith

“Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe His prophets, so shall ye prosper.” 2 Chronicles 20:20. APAY 464.1

In the list of “Fundamental Beliefs of Seventh-day Adventists,” the following declaration appears as No. 19: “That God has placed in His church the gifts of the Holy Spirit, as enumerated in 1 Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 4. That these gifts operate in harmony with the divine principles of the Bible, and are given for the perfecting of the saints, the work of the ministry, the edifying of the body of Christ. Revelation 12:17; 19:10; 1 Corinthians 1:5-7. That the gift of the spirit of prophecy is one of the identifying marks of the remnant church. 1 Corinthians 1:5, 7; 12:1, 28; Revelation 12:17; 19:10; Amos 3:7; Hosea 12:10, 13. They recognize that this gift was manifested in the life and ministry of Ellen G. White.” 13 APAY 464.2

Although it is the responsibility of each individual to apply the Bible tests of a prophet to the life and ministry of Ellen White in order to be assured of the validity of her claim to be the messenger of the Lord, we can be certain that the gift of prophecy in its modern manifestation is no longer on trial in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The inspiration of the messenger, the Scriptural nature of the instruction, the value and contribution of the messages, have been recognized and accepted since the beginnings of the church, even before there was denominational organization. Time has vindicated the confidence of the pioneers and the present believers and leaders of the advent cause in the guidance of God through the ministry and writings of Ellen White. The circulation of her books increases annually, and Seventh-day Adventists are turning to them with increasing frequency for help in the conduct of personal lives and the work of the denomination. Questions and challenges have been, and no doubt always will be, raised about the prophetic messages, as they have been regarding the Bible, but these messages will continue to stabilize, direct, and stimulate the church until the return of the Saviour. APAY 464.3