Charismatic Experiences In Early Seventh-day Adventist History

Chapter 20—Where Security Is Found

In this statement we find the key to the criteria that will give security to Seventh-day Adventists and others seeking the truth—the law of God. Those who claim salvation and the gifts of the Spirit while disregarding the claims of God’s law are not in harmony with the Bible. There is an important balance between faith and works that the Bible maintains. We hear the cry “Only believe in Jesus and be saved.” But salvation is not that simple. Warns Ellen White: CEESDAH 17.6

“The faith in Christ which saves the soul is not what it is represented to be by many. ‘Believe, believe,’ is their cry; ‘only believe in Christ and you will be saved. It is all you have to do.’

“While true faith trusts wholly in Christ for salvation, it will lead to perfect conformity to the law of God. Faith is manifested by works. And the apostle John declares, ‘He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.’

“It is unsafe to trust to feeling or impressions; these are unreliable guides. God’s law is the only correct standard of holiness. It is by this law that character is to be judged. If an inquirer after salvation were to ask, ‘What must I do to inherit eternal life?’ the modern teachers of sanctification would answer, ‘Only believe that Jesus saves you.’ But when Christ was asked this question He said, ‘What is written in the law? How readest thou?’”—The Review and Herald, October 5, 1886.

Ellen White is not teaching salvation by works. No one was more clear than she on this subject: CEESDAH 18.1

“Man can not transform himself by the exercise of his will. He possesses no power by which this change can be effected.... The renewing energy must come from God. The change can be made only by the Holy Spirit. All who would be saved, high or low, rich or poor, must submit to the working of this power.”—Christ’s Object Lessons, 96, 97.

“In order to be saved, we must know by experience the meaning of true conversion. It is a fearful mistake for men and women to go on day by day professing to be Christians yet having no right to the name. In God’s sight profession is nothing, position is nothing. He asks, Is the life in harmony with My precepts? There are many who suppose that they are converted but who are not able to bear the test of character presented in the Word of God....

“Let us not forget that in his conversion and sanctification man must cooperate with God. ‘Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,’ the Word declares. ‘For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure’ (Philippians 2:12, 13).”—In Heavenly Places, 20.