Defacing the Image of God in the Human Race
All Clues Point to Rome ‑ Part 1
All Clues Point to Rome ‑ Part 2
Page 2: An Enigma Among the Remnant
Page 3: To the Law and to the Testimony
Principle 1: The Ten Commandments
Principle 2: The Firm Foundation Of Our Faith
Principle 3: The New Covenant
Principle 4: The Origin of a Doctrine
Page 9: Words Of The Adventist Pioneers
Page 10: Pinpointing the Omega: Part 1
Page 11: Pinpointing the Omega: Part 2
Page 12: Epilogue
Page 7
Another abiding principal that can be used to test a doctrine's validity is the New Covenant. What was included in the New Covenant and what was not? How can we know? (Note: the term "New Covenant" is used interchangeably in the Bible with the term "New Testament.")
And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. (Hebrews 9:15-17)
In the above passage, Paul tells us that a testament/covenant goes into effect when? The moment the testator dies.
A "last will and testament" is the term we use today to describe a person's personal covenant, or testament that they want executed after they die. A person makes out a will of all their personal possessions and how they are to be disposed and their desires concerning various other things prior to their death.
When does their "last will and testament" go into effect? The moment they die. The same holds true for the Bible New Covenant. The New Covenant went into effect the moment that Christ died, not a moment before or a moment after, but at the very moment Jesus breathed his last breath.
"Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent." (Matthew 27:50, 51)
The moment that Jesus died, the veil in the temple was torn from top to bottom, signifying that the Old Testament/Covenant had come to an end and that the New Testament/Covenant had just begun.
How much can be added to or taken away from a testament after the testator dies?
Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, YET IF IT BE CONFIRMED, NO MAN DISANNULLETH, OR ADDETH THERETO. (Galatians 3:15)
Paul is making reference to the New Covenant, but he is using the custom of men to illustrate—a "last will and testament." According to the custom of man, once a testament is confirmed at the moment the testator dies, it cannot be changed or altered. Nothing can be added to, or taken away from it. Again, the same holds true for the New Covenant that Christ ratified the moment He died.
In order for anything to be included in a "last will and testament" it must be declared prior to the testator's death. In order for anything to be included in the New Covenant, Christ had to have declared it as part of His will before He died, or it could never become part of the New Covenant. Once a testament or a covenant is in force by the death of the testator, it is final.
There are at least two provisions that became part of the New Testament that were not included in the Old Testament. These two provisions are baptism and the Lord's Supper or communion service.
When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,) (John 4:1-2)
And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom. And when they had sung a hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. (Matthew 26:26-30)
For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come. (1 Corinthians 11:26)
Since Jesus knew He was going to come back to earth and be with his disciples another forty days after his resurrection, why did He introduce the communion service prior to His death? Why did He not wait until after His resurrection, when He would again be with His disciples to introduce the service that would commemorate His death, berial and resurrection? Because if He had, it could have never been incorporated into the New Covenant because He would be instituting it after His death.
Jesus instituted the rite of baptism and the communion service prior to His death so they would become part of the New Covenant, and that is why we still celebrate them today.
Because Jesus was silent about Sunday worship, it never has been, or never can be part of the New Covenant. If Jesus wanted Sunday to be the Sabbath instead of Saturday, He would have had to declare His intention prior to His death. But since the scriptures are silent concerning Him changing His law, Sunday can never be a scared day of worship.
Everything not comprehended in truth is the guesswork of man. Professedly high and learned men may be fools in the sight of God. The high and learned statements of their doctrines, however they may please and humor the senses, and though they may have been handed down from age to age, and rocked in the cradle of popular faith, ARE A DELUSION AND A FALSEHOOD IF NOT FOUND IN THE INSPIRED LESSONS OF CHRIST. He is the source of all wisdom; for he placed himself directly on a level with the eternal God. In his humanity the glory of heavenly illumination fell directly upon him, and from him to the world. While Christ stood forth distinctly in his human personality, and appealed in striking but simple language to humanity, he was in such perfect oneness with God that his voice came with authority, as the voice of God from the center of glory. (Atlantic Union Gleaner, January 27, 1909 par. 4, Ellen G. White)
WE CANNOT WITH SAFETY ACCEPT THE OPINIONS OF ANY MAN, HOWEVER LEARNED, UNLESS THEY ARE IN HARMONY WITH THE WORDS OF THE GREAT TEACHER. The opinions of erring men will be presented for our acceptance, but God's Word is our authority, and we are never to accept human teaching WITHOUT THE MOST CONCLUSIVE EVIDENCE THAT IT AGREES WITH THE TEACHING OF GOD'S WORD. We are to know that we do know that we are standing on the platform of eternal truth—the Word of the living God. (That I May Know Him, pg. 210.3, Ellen G. White)
Let not our medical missionary workers accept theories that God has not given to anyone. God will not excuse men for teaching theories that Christ has not taught. He calls upon His army of workers to fall into line, taking their stand under the banner of truth. He warns them to beware of occupying their time in the discussion of matters that God has not authorized any human being to discuss. (Medical Ministry, pg. 93.5, Ellen G. White)
LET NO ONE TEACH THINGS THAT THE REDEEMER, HE WHO OWNS MAN, BODY, SOUL, AND SPIRIT, HAS NOT TAUGHT. We need not any fanciful teaching regarding the personality of God. What God desires us to know of Him is revealed in His word and His works. The beautiful things of nature reveal His character and His power as Creator. They are His gift to the race, to show His power and to show that He is a God of love. But no one is authorized to say that God Himself in person is in flower or leaf or tree. These things are God's handiwork, revealing His love for mankind. (Medical Ministry, pg. 94.3, Ellen G. White)
I am instructed to say to our people, Let us follow Christ. WE MAY SAFELY DISCARD ALL IDEAS THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN HIS TEACHING. I appeal to our ministers to be sure that their feet are placed on the platform of eternal truth. Beware how you follow impulse, calling it the Holy Spirit. Some are in danger in this respect. I call upon them to be sound in the faith, able to give every one who asks a reason of the hope that is in them. (Review and Herald, January 21, 1904 par. 16, Ellen G. White)
Basically, what Mrs. White stated in the preceding five paragraphs is that if it is not in the Bible, we don't need it, leave it alone. And if it is in the Bible, the evidence will be conclusive.
The New Covenant went into effect the moment Jesus died in the spring of 31 AD. From that point in time, no doctrine/s can be added to the New Covenant, and no doctrine that was included in New Covenant can be removed or altered. Even the apostles had no authority to add to or take away from Jesus' teaching. As Isaiah says, "there is no light" in those who are attempting either of these changes.
So, if you can determine that a doctrine was introduced into the Christian Church sometime after Jesus died, it is certainly not a Biblical doctrine and needs to be rejected.