Third Angel's Message
The Bible and Ellen White #15 Part 1
Talks given at the 1993 General Conference Session
by A.T.Jones
 

 

We shall begin tonight just where we stopped the other evening, with the thought that was before us, that we would now proceed to study this subject as it is in the Bible. I could take the time and read it all from the Testimonies and Steps to Christ. I could preach from them as well as from the Bible on this. But I find this difficulty: The brethren seem so ready to be content with what we read in these and will not go to the Bible to find it there. That is what the Testimonies and Steps to Christ are for; they are to lead us to see that it is in the Bible and to get it there. Now I shall avoid these purposely, not as though there was anything wrong in using them; but what we want, brethren, is to get at it in the Bible and know where it is there. And that is the Lord's own way as pointed out in the Testimonies. Let me read it here:

The word of God is sufficient to enlighten the most beclouded mind and may be understood by those who have any desire to understand it. But notwithstanding all this, some who profess to make the word of God their study are found living in direct opposition to its plain teachings. Then to leave men and women without excuse, God gives plain and pointed testimonies, bringing them back to the word that they have neglected to follow. {2T 454.4}

The word of God abounds in general principles for the formation of correct habits of living and the Testimonies, general and personal, have been calculated to call their attention more especially to these principles. . . . {4T 323.1}

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 word of inspiration which you have neglected to obey. {2T 605.1}

"Additional truth is not brought out; but God has through the Testimonies simplified the great truths already given and in His chosen way brought them before the people to awaken and impress the mind with them, that all may be without excuse {2T 605.2}. . . The Testimonies are not to belittle the word of God, but to exalt it and attract minds to it, that the beautiful simplicity of truth may impress all. {2T 605.3}

There is another reason also why we want to get this and see that it is in the Bible. That is because we, from this Institute and this Conference, are to go forth to preach nothing else but just this one thing; and we are to preach to people who do not believe the Testimonies. And the Scriptures have told us that prophesyings are not for them that believe not but for them which believe. Tongues are a sign to them that believe not; prophesyings are a sign to them that believe. 1 Cor. 14:22. Now when we go and preach this message to people who do not know anything about the Testimonies, we have to teach them that the Bible says it, and we have to teach from that alone. If we were preaching to our own people, to use the Testimonies and all these other helps would be all well enough, but even then, if their minds were turned to these and not brought by these to the Bible itself, then that use of the Testimonies is not what is intended by the Lord as the right use of the Testimonies.

Now I have seen this same thing working another way. There is that book that a great many make a great deal of, The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life. I have seen people who have read that book and got a considerable good out of it, as they thought, and what was to them great light, encouragement and good, but even then they could not go to the Bible and get it. Brethren, I want every one of you to understand that there is more of the Christian's secret of a happy life in the Bible than in ten thousand volumes of that book. [Congregation: "Amen!"] I did not see that book for a long time. I think it was about five or six years ago when I first saw it. Somebody had it and was reading it and asked me if I had seen it. I said, "No." I was asked if I would read it. I said, "Yes I will read it," and I did. But when I did read it, I knew that I had already got more of the Christian's secret of a happy life out of the Bible that there is in that book to begin with. I found that I got more of the Christian's secret of a happy life in the Bible than she has in that book. I wish people would learn to get out of the Bible what is in it, direct. [Congregation: "Amen!"] If that book helps people to get that secret in the Bible, with a good deal more of it, all right. But I knew that that book has nothing like the Christian's secret of a happy life that every one can get in the Bible.

Oh I did hear once, I did get the news once, that I got my light out of that book. There is the Book where I got my Christian's secret of a happy life (holding up the Bible), and that is the only place. And I had it before I ever saw the other book or knew it was in existence. And I say again, When I came to read the other I knew I had more of the Christian's secret of a happy life than there is in that book to begin with. And so will every one else, who will read the Bible and believe it.

NEXT -- SERMON #15 The Latter Rain and Righteousness by Faith
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