Ellen G. White: The Early Years: 1827-1862 (vol. 1)

A Creed and the Spirit of Prophecy

I am convinced; not by what the brethren have said, for I was convinced before. I wish to say a word now in favor of the resolution. I prefer that the brethren should be uniform in this thing. This would tend to unity in the church. Let us set a right example here, and let it go out from this meeting. This is one reason why I would vote for this covenant. 1BIO 453.5

On the subject of creeds, I agree with Brother Loughborough. I never weighed the points which he has presented, as I have since I began to examine the subject myself. In Ephesians 4:11-13, we read, “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets,” et cetera. Here we have the gifts of the church presented. 1BIO 453.6

Now I take the ground that creeds stand in a direct opposition to the gifts. Let us suppose a case: We get up a creed, stating just what we shall believe on this point and the other, and just what we shall do in reference to this thing and that, and say that we will believe the gifts, too. 1BIO 454.1

But suppose the Lord, through the gifts, should give us some new light that did not harmonize with our creed; then, if we remain true to the gifts, it knocks our creed all over at once. Making a creed is setting the stakes, and barring up the way to all future advancement. God put the gifts into the church for a good and great object; but men who have got up their churches, have shut up the way or have marked out a course for the Almighty. They say virtually that the Lord must not do anything further than what has been marked out in the creed. 1BIO 454.2

A creed and the gifts thus stand in direct opposition to each other. Now what is our position as a people? The Bible is our creed. We reject everything in the form of a human creed. We take the Bible and the gifts of the Spirit; embracing the faith that thus the Lord will teach us from time to time. And in this we take a position against the formation of a creed. We are not taking one step, in what we are doing, toward becoming Babylon.—Ibid. (Italics supplied.) 1BIO 454.3

Some discussion followed about statements in writing and covenants. Then the far-reaching action was taken—that of adopting the wording proposed. Before the meeting ended they adopted the covenant by which members would join the church: 1BIO 454.4

We, the undersigned, hereby associate ourselves together as a church, taking the name Seventh-day Adventists, covenanting to keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus Christ.... 1BIO 454.5

The question was called for, and unanimously carried.—Ibid. 1BIO 454.6

The third step in church organization had been taken. 1BIO 454.7

The matter of procedure in organizing churches was referred to the ministers present who were charged with holding a “Bible class” on the subject and were to write an address to the brethren, to be published in the Review. 1BIO 454.8