“by a prophet” how god used ellen white to guide our church

““By a Prophet”By a Prophet”““By a Prophet”By a Prophet”How God Used Ellen How God Used Ellen White to Guide our White to Guide our

ChurchChurch

Bleak ProspectsBleak Prospects

Few believersFew believersLittle moneyLittle moneyNo doctrinal unityNo doctrinal unity

Hiram Edson and friends studying Hiram Edson and friends studying sanctuarysanctuary

Joseph Bates promoting SabbathJoseph Bates promoting SabbathWhites accepted it on Bible evidenceWhites accepted it on Bible evidenceEGW vision confirmed, seven months EGW vision confirmed, seven months

laterlater

1840s: God’s First Priority–1840s: God’s First Priority–DoctrineDoctrine

Hiram Edson and friends—SanctuaryHiram Edson and friends—SanctuaryWhites and Joseph Bates—SabbathWhites and Joseph Bates—SabbathNeeded unity, further lightNeeded unity, further lightStudied together, sometimes all Studied together, sometimes all

nightnightEGW’s mind “locked”EGW’s mind “locked”When they could go no further, visionWhen they could go no further, visionSolution evident; they could uniteSolution evident; they could unite

1840s: God’s First Priority–1840s: God’s First Priority–DoctrineDoctrine

How give messages to others?How give messages to others?Sabbath and Sanctuary Confs, 1848-Sabbath and Sanctuary Confs, 1848-

18501850Leaders went out: James and Ellen White, Leaders went out: James and Ellen White,

Joseph Bates, Hiram Edson, othersJoseph Bates, Hiram Edson, othersMet with little groups: 20, 30, 50Met with little groups: 20, 30, 50Presented truths, dealt with questionsPresented truths, dealt with questionsStudied and prayedStudied and prayedBy 1850, unity on clear set of doctrinesBy 1850, unity on clear set of doctrines

1840s: God’s First Priority—1840s: God’s First Priority—DoctrineDoctrine

How spread message further?How spread message further?1848 vision: start paper1848 vision: start paper1849, JW started 1849, JW started Present TruthPresent TruthReached new people, strengthened Reached new people, strengthened

believersbelievers

1850s: God’s Second Priority1850s: God’s Second Priority—Organization—Organization

Dec. 13, 1850, EGW: “We know that Dec. 13, 1850, EGW: “We know that we have the truth”we have the truth”

Eleven days later, Dec. 24, first Eleven days later, Dec. 24, first vision on “gospel order”—vision on “gospel order”—organizationorganization


Why need organization?Why need organization?Own propertyOwn propertyDefine doctrine officiallyDefine doctrine officiallyHave criteria for membership, apply themHave criteria for membership, apply themDiscipline church members when neededDiscipline church members when neededProvide financial support for workersProvide financial support for workersEstablish institutionsEstablish institutionsEnter new fieldsEnter new fields


Believers resisted organization: Believers resisted organization: “Babylon”“Babylon”

Visions urged “gospel order,” Visions urged “gospel order,” organizingorganizing1850: Heaven is orderly1850: Heaven is orderly1851: Disfellowship unruly members1851: Disfellowship unruly members1854: Gospel order “feared, neglected” 1854: Gospel order “feared, neglected”

((Early Writings, Early Writings, pp. 97-107)pp. 97-107)


May 13, 1860, first steps in May 13, 1860, first steps in organization: first legal org. of a local organization: first legal org. of a local churchchurch

Oct. 1, 1860: adopted name SDA; also Oct. 1, 1860: adopted name SDA; also organized first legal body: SDA Pub. organized first legal body: SDA Pub. Assn.Assn.

Oct. 5, 6, 1861: first conference: Oct. 5, 6, 1861: first conference: MichiganMichigan

May 21, 1863: General Conf. organizedMay 21, 1863: General Conf. organized

1860s: God’s Third Priority—1860s: God’s Third Priority—HealthHealth

June 6, 1863: First June 6, 1863: First majormajor vision on vision on healthhealth

Some earlier instruction:Some earlier instruction:1848: Tobacco, tea, coffee1848: Tobacco, tea, coffee1851: Tobacco again1851: Tobacco again1854: Cleanliness; eat simple food1854: Cleanliness; eat simple food


1863 vision repeated earlier instruction, 1863 vision repeated earlier instruction, added more; health a religious duty added more; health a religious duty (1 Cor. 6:20)(1 Cor. 6:20)Disease from violating laws of healthDisease from violating laws of healthTemperance: items to avoidTemperance: items to avoidDiet: no pig; vegetarianism; not overeatDiet: no pig; vegetarianism; not overeatCleanliness: body, clothing, living quartersCleanliness: body, clothing, living quartersAvoid dangerous drugs; use simple Avoid dangerous drugs; use simple

treatmentstreatments


Basis for reform: relationship to GodBasis for reform: relationship to GodDec. 25, 1865: vision that we should Dec. 25, 1865: vision that we should

have health-care institution of our ownhave health-care institution of our ownNine months, built Western Health Nine months, built Western Health

Reform Institute; became Battle Creek Reform Institute; became Battle Creek SanitariumSanitarium

1860s, EGW warned against alcohol1860s, EGW warned against alcoholVisions have blessed usVisions have blessed us

1870s and on: Education 1870s and on: Education emphasisemphasis

Many visions touching on education, Many visions touching on education, not one comprehensive visionnot one comprehensive vision

See 3T 131-160 (1872); 3T 468 See 3T 131-160 (1872); 3T 468 (1875), FCE 310-327 (1894)(1875), FCE 310-327 (1894)

Establish school to train workersEstablish school to train workersNot impractical education, classicsNot impractical education, classicsCenter on Bible and train for practical Center on Bible and train for practical

livinglivingWhole man: head, hand, heartWhole man: head, hand, heart


In response, Battle Creek College, 1874In response, Battle Creek College, 1874Bought 14 acres, not 40, and in townBought 14 acres, not 40, and in townSold 6 acres for houses!Sold 6 acres for houses!Taught classics; no required Bible classesTaught classics; no required Bible classes

EGW went to Australia, 1891EGW went to Australia, 1891Called for large tract of land, away from cityCalled for large tract of land, away from cityHad vision of land ill spoken of; saw furrowHad vision of land ill spoken of; saw furrowFound it, 1894: Avondale College todayFound it, 1894: Avondale College today


Reform of Battle Creek CollegeReform of Battle Creek CollegeToo cramped; unsuitable programToo cramped; unsuitable programE. A. Sutherland, president, saw site in E. A. Sutherland, president, saw site in

Berrien Springs, Mich., 1899Berrien Springs, Mich., 18991901, college moved there1901, college moved thereFollowed EGW’s plan: agriculture and Followed EGW’s plan: agriculture and

other work, and Bible the center of the other work, and Bible the center of the educationeducation


We had a few elementary schools We had a few elementary schools and one small high school earlyand one small high school early

In response to visions, Battle Creek In response to visions, Battle Creek College was established (1874), then College was established (1874), then other elementary and high schoolsother elementary and high schools

Our young people belong in our Our young people belong in our schoolsschools

1870s and on: Mission 1870s and on: Mission OutreachOutreach

““Go into all the world” Mark 16:15Go into all the world” Mark 16:15Early believers thought fulfilled in AmericaEarly believers thought fulfilled in AmericaAlso sent literature to far-away placesAlso sent literature to far-away places

Appeals started coming to GC for Appeals started coming to GC for workersworkersEurope first field we thought we could helpEurope first field we thought we could helpMrs. White encouraged itMrs. White encouraged it

1874, sent J. N. Andrews as first official 1874, sent J. N. Andrews as first official missionarymissionary

1870s and on: Mission 1870s and on: Mission OutreachOutreach

Other missionaries followed, with EGW’s Other missionaries followed, with EGW’s encouragement and urgingencouragement and urging

1875, vision of work in many places1875, vision of work in many placesRemembered that Australia was one of Remembered that Australia was one of

themthemWent to Europe herself, 1885-1887Went to Europe herself, 1885-1887Recognized places in Europe she had seen Recognized places in Europe she had seen

in the visionin the visionMissionaries went to Africa and other placesMissionaries went to Africa and other placesEGW went as missionary to AustraliaEGW went as missionary to Australia

1880s, 1890s: Revival of 1880s, 1890s: Revival of Christ-centered MessageChrist-centered Message

Pioneers knew saved by faith, not Pioneers knew saved by faith, not worksworks

But “present truth” included law, But “present truth” included law, SabbathSabbath

Gradually became focus of preachingGradually became focus of preachingLaw not savior; Jesus is!Law not savior; Jesus is!We keep law We keep law becausebecause He has saved He has saved

us; He enables us to keep itus; He enables us to keep it

1880s, 1890s: Revival of 1880s, 1890s: Revival of Christ-centered MessageChrist-centered Message

EGW urged reform: trust merits of JesusEGW urged reform: trust merits of JesusEarly 1880s, she emphasized Jesus as Early 1880s, she emphasized Jesus as

Savior and RedeemerSavior and RedeemerE. J. Waggoner, A. T. Jones did, tooE. J. Waggoner, A. T. Jones did, tooCame to focus at 1888 General Came to focus at 1888 General

ConferenceConferenceEGW: “Matchless charms of Jesus”EGW: “Matchless charms of Jesus”1892, EGW released 1892, EGW released Steps to ChristSteps to Christ

1890s, 1900s: Reorganization1890s, 1900s: Reorganization

Early organization simple: churches, Early organization simple: churches, conferences, General Conferenceconferences, General Conference

Work grew, structure didn’tWork grew, structure didn’tAuthority concentrated in BC, a few Authority concentrated in BC, a few

menmen““Kingly power”Kingly power”Needed better, coordinated structureNeeded better, coordinated structure

1890s, 1900s: Reorganization1890s, 1900s: Reorganization

EGW called for reorganization, EGW called for reorganization, conversionconversion

Leaders set aside regular agenda; Leaders set aside regular agenda; results:results:Established Union ConferencesEstablished Union ConferencesOrganized departmentsOrganized departmentsExpanded GC Committee to 25Expanded GC Committee to 25

EGW thrilled with developmentsEGW thrilled with developmentsLater we established DivisionsLater we established DivisionsEGW pointed way; leaders developed EGW pointed way; leaders developed

plans plans

Other EGW ContributionsOther EGW Contributions

Opened way for understanding of Opened way for understanding of TrinityTrinity

Saved church from pantheism, 1900sSaved church from pantheism, 1900sMajor literary output, 1890s, 1900sMajor literary output, 1890s, 1900s

PP, GW, SC, MB, DA,PP, GW, SC, MB, DA, in 1890s in 1890sCOL, Ed, MH, AA, GC rev., GW rev., CT, PK COL, Ed, MH, AA, GC rev., GW rev., CT, PK

in 1900s and 19-teensin 1900s and 19-teensTestimonies for the Church, Testimonies for the Church, 1855-19091855-1909

““Nothing to fear for the future” LS 196Nothing to fear for the future” LS 196

(Do not include this slide or the next.)

Origin: Millerite MovementOrigin: Millerite Movement

After 1844 disappointment, movment After 1844 disappointment, movment in ruinsin ruins

Ellen Harmon had given it up as errorEllen Harmon had given it up as errorDec. 1844, first vision: high pathDec. 1844, first vision: high path

Millerite message was light for whole Millerite message was light for whole pathpath

Jesus is still leading; city is aheadJesus is still leading; city is aheadStay on path, don’t deny light behindStay on path, don’t deny light behindJesus will take you all the way to the cityJesus will take you all the way to the city

“by a prophet” how god used ellen white to guide our church

Documents

priority doctrine hiram

church slide

gospel orderorganization

doctrinal unity hiram

months later slide

friendssanctuary hiram

sanctuary joseph bates

sabbath joseph bates