The Ellen G. White Writings

Position of Seventh-day Adventists on the Word of God

From our earliest existence we have taken a firm stand on God’s Word. We have defined our position in an official statement of “Fundamental Beliefs of Seventh-day Adventists” as follows: EGWW 50.1

1. That the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were given by inspiration of God, contain an all-sufficient revelation of His will to men, and are the only unerring rule of faith and practice. 2 Timothy 3:15-17. EGWW 50.2

Ellen White declares: EGWW 50.3

We are to receive God’s word as supreme authority.—Testimonies for the Church 6:402. EGWW 50.4

In His word, God has committed to men the knowledge necessary for salvation. 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.—The Great Controversy, vii EGWW 50.5

That this does not preclude manifestations of the prophetic gift beyond the canon of Scripture is made clear as Ellen White continues: EGWW 50.6

Yet the fact that God has revealed His will to men through His word, has not rendered needless the continued presence and guiding of the Holy Spirit. On the contrary, the Spirit was promised by our Saviour to open the word to His servants, to illuminate and apply its teachings.—Ibid. EGWW 50.7

This thought she reiterates. EGWW 50.8

In ancient times God spoke to men by the mouth of prophets and apostles. In these days He speaks to them by the testimonies of His Spirit. There was never a time when God instructed His people more earnestly than He instructs them now concerning His will and the course that He would have them pursue.—Testimonies for the Church 5:661. EGWW 50.9