The Bible, the Spirit of Prophecy, and the Church

Why the Testimonies Were Given

From what has been presented thus far it will be observed that each revelation, as seen in the four sections of Holy Writ, really enlarges and makes plain the revelation or revelations that went before. This was the case with the writings of the prophets in relation to the books of Moses; it was the same in the case of the New Testament in relation to the Old Testament. God’s gift of the Spirit of prophecy to the remnant church sustains precisely the same relationship. It calls attention to the divine revelations already given and seeks to make plain the truth of those revelations to the hearts of men. It follows, therefore, that if God’s people had rightly appreciated His Holy Word, if they had followed its counsels and allowed it to mold and guide their lives, they would never have needed the Testimonies. BSPC 124.4

This has been stressed by Mrs. E. G. White, as will be seen in the following paragraphs: BSPC 125.1

“If the people who now profess to be God’s peculiar treasure would obey His requirements, as specified in His word, special testimonies would not be given to awaken them to their duty and impress upon them their sinfulness and their fearful danger in neglecting to obey the word of God.”Testimonies for the Church 2:607. BSPC 125.2

“God has been pleased to give you line upon line and precept upon precept. But there are not many of you that really know what is contained in the Testimonies. You are not familiar with the Scriptures. If you had made God’s word your study, with a desire to reach the Bible standard and attain to Christian perfection, you would not have needed the Testimonies. It is because you have neglected to acquaint yourselves with God’s inspired Book that He has sought to reach you by simple, direct testimonies, calling your attention to the words of inspiration which you had neglected to obey. And urging you to fashion your lives in accordance with its pure and elevated teachings. BSPC 125.3

“The Lord designs to warn you, to reprove, to counsel, through the testimonies given, and to impress your minds with the importance of the truth of His word. The written testimonies are not to give new light, but to impress vividly upon the heart the truths of inspiration already revealed. Man’s duty to God and to his fellow man has been distinctly specified in God’s word; yet but few of you are obedient to the light given. Additional truth is not brought out; but God has through the Testimonies simplified the great truths already given and in His own chosen way brought them before the people to awaken and impress the mind with them, that all may be left without excuse.... BSPC 125.4

“I referred them to ancient Israel. God gave them His law, but they would not obey it. He then gave them ceremonies and ordinances, that in the performance of these, God might be kept in remembrance. They were so prone to forget Him and His claims upon them that it was necessary to keep their minds stirred up to realize their obligations to obey and honor their Creator. Had they been obedient, and loved to keep God’s commandments, the multitude of ceremonies and ordinances would not have been required.”—Testimonies for the Church 2:605-607. BSPC 125.5