did ellen white support the ordination of women

8/13/2019 Did Ellen White Support the Ordination of Women

1/54

Did Ellen White support the ordination of

women?

WrittenbyWilliamFagalWhat does Adventist history show us about Ellen White and the ordination question? If she

simply did not address the matter as an issue in her writings, and therefore neither endorsed nor

explicitly forbade ordination of women (see "Did Ellen White Call for Ordaining Women?"

Ministry, December 1988), can we perhaps discover her attitude by studying her actions? Thisarticle will ex amine claims made on the basis of certain historical documents and events in an

effort to see whether these can show that she supported ordaining women as pastors or elders.

Some key statements by Mrs. White on women's role in gospel work will be presented at the end.

WasEllenWhiteherselfordained?There is no record of Ellen White ever having been ordained by human hands. Yet from 1871until her death she was granted ministerial credentials by various organizations of the church.

The certificate that was used read "Ordained Minister. " Several of her credential certificates

from the mid 1880s are still in our possession. On the one from 1885 the word ordainedis neatly

struck out. On the 1887 certificate, the next one we have, it is not.

Had she been ordained in the interim? Some have argued that she had. But the question is settled

definitely by her own hand. In 1909 she filled out a "Bio graphical Information Blank" for the

General Conference records. On the blank for Item 19, which asks, "If ordained, state when,

where, and by whom," she simply inscribed an X. This is the same response she made to Item 26,

which asked, "If remarried, give date, and to whom." In this way she indicated that she had neverremarried, nor had she ever been ordained. She was not denying that God had chosen and

equipped her, but she indicated that there had never been an ordination ceremony carried out for

her.1

Why then do some of her credentials say "ordained minister"? The fact that "ordained" was

sometimes crossed out highlights the awkwardness of giving credentials to a prophet. The churchhas no such special category of credentials. So it utilized what it had, giving its highest

credentials without performing an ordination ceremony. In actuality, the prophet needed no

human credentials. She functioned for more than 25 years prior to 1871 without any.

LicensingofwomenministersA number of women received ministerial licenses from the Seventh-day Adventist Church duringthe late 1800s and early 1900s. Most of these were the wives of ordained ministers, and most of

them apparently were engaged in personal labor similar to that of a Bible instructor today. Some

notable exceptions are Minnie Sype, Lulu Wightman, and apparently Ellen Lane, who functionedeffectively as public evangelists. But to date I have seen no evidence that women served as the

leaders of churches. Further research may shed more light on this matter.
https://www.ministrymagazine.org/authors/fagal-williamhttps://www.ministrymagazine.org/authors/fagal-williamhttps://www.ministrymagazine.org/authors/fagal-williamhttps://www.ministrymagazine.org/authors/fagal-william


2/54

Some have suggested recently that the circumstances surrounding the licensing of women as

ministers in the Seventh-day Adventist Church comprise a man date for ordaining women today.

The argument, in brief, is this:

The year 1878 saw two important events: the church first licensed women as ministers, and the

church first called for an examination to be made of candidates for license, since it wasunderstood that licensing would put women on the path to ordination. Ellen White took an activepart in examining the qualifications of candidates for license, some of whom presumably were

female. And shortly after the church began licensing women, it considered ordaining them.

Though the proposal was not adopted, Mrs. White did not oppose it or warn against it. Rather,

she later called for ordaining women to church ministries and paying them from the tithe.

Several inaccuracies appear in this scenario. First, Ellen Lane was first licensed not in 1878,

but three years earlier in 1875, at the same time that Sister Roby Tuttle was licensed.2Further,

these were not the first women to receive the ministerial license. That honor seems to belong to

Sarah A. H. Lindsey, who received a license from the New York and Pennsylvania Conference

on August 9, 1871.

3

The licensing of these women therefore cannot demonstrate that the churchat that time assumed licensing of women would lead to ordination. The policy calling for anexamination prior to licensing anyone came seven years after the first woman was licensed, and

the question of ordaining women would not be considered until 1881, 10 years after their first

licensing.

Second,there is no absolute evidence that Ellen White took active part in the examination of

candidates, male or female, for license. The assertion that she did is based on two pieces ofevidence: (1) Mrs. White attended certain conference sessions at which women were granted the

ministerial license,4and (2) she wrote the following comment about her stay at a camp meeting

in Oregon "I was unable to sit up yesterday, for with much writing, reining myself up to meet

different ones who put in re quests for license, speaking in public, and showing the unfitness ofdifferent ones to attempt to teach others the truth, it was too much for my strength."5

The statement does not say that she took part in examinations or, as has been claimed, that sherecommended that some of the candidates not receive licenses. It merely lists things she had been

doing and makes no connection between "meeting" license applicants and "showing the

unfitness" of certain unnamed individuals to teach the truth. The lack of connection betweenthose two elements is shown by the fact that they are separated by another item on the list--

"speaking in public." And there is not a hint here that any of the candidates for license are female.

If Mrs. White's "showing the unfitness of different ones to attempt to teach others the truth" was

not in the context of an examination for a license, then what was it about? A possible clue occurslater in the same paragraph, where she describes her sermon of the night before: "I here brought

in genuine sanctification and the spurious article which is so common."6Was she counteracting

false doctrine that was already being taught there, and showing the unfitness of those who werealready teaching it? We don't know for certain. But it goes beyond the facts to assert that Mrs.

White here said that she recommended that certain applicants not receive licenses.


3/54

The third inaccuracyin the scenario lies in the claim that the church considered ordaining

women shortly after it began licensing them, indicating that licensing was understood to putthem on the ordination track. We have already shown above that rather than three years (1878-

1881), which would correspond roughly to today's typical time between licensing and ordination

in the Adventist ministry, it was 10 years after the church started licensing women that, it first

considered ordaining them. And the events of that consideration need some further explication.

The Committee on Resolutions at the 1881 General Conference session introduced the following

for consideration:

"Resolved, That females possessing the necessary qualifications to fill that position, may, with

perfect propriety, be set apart by ordination to the work of the Christian ministry."7

After discussion in which eight delegates spoke to the issue, the resolution was referred to theGeneral Conference Committee.

8Referral to committee is a way to provide for more careful

study of something on which the whole body is uncertain. It has also functioned at times as a

means of dealing with something that will not pass, without having to vote it down. ThoughGeneral Conference sessions were held yearly until 1889 (when they became biennial), neither

the committee nor anyone else ever reintroduced the matter until recent years. Apparently the

idea of ordaining women had little support in the church at that time. But did Ellen White

support it?

EllenWhite'ssilenceMrs. White was not present at the 1881 General Conference session. She likely read the report ofthe resolutions in theReviewa few weeks later or heard about them from her son W. C. White,

but we have no record of her making any comment one way or the other on the matter. This is

harder to explain from the position that she favored ordination than from the position that sheopposed it. Proponents of ordination today deny that her silence lent approval to the handling of

the matter. They say that her silence must at least be viewed as permissive in light of herencouragement to women to participate in the work of the church and her responsibility to warn

the church against error.

Ellen White's silence, by itself, neither promotes nor precludes ordination for women. But if she

favored it, why didn't she speak out when the church veered away from ordaining women? She

may simply have felt that the issue was not important. Or if she felt that the church should notordain women, she may have made no comment on the resolution simply because none was

necessary. No corrective was needed, because the church was not about to begin ordaining

women.

She took a similar course at first in relation to the pantheism crisis a few years later. Inconnection with this crisis, which came to a head with the publication of Dr. John Harvey

Kellogg's bookLiving Temple, she wrote that:

"About the time thatLiving Templewas published, there passed before me, in the night season,representations indicating that some danger was approaching, and that I must prepare for it by


4/54

writing out the things God had revealed to me regarding the foundation principles of our faith. A

copy ofLiving Templewas sent me, but it remained in my library, unread. From the light givenme by the Lord, I knew that some of the sentiments advocated in the book did not bear the

endorsement of God, and that they were a snare that the enemy had prepared for the last days. I

thought that this would surely be discerned, and that it would not be necessary for me to say

anything about it."

9

Had the church leaders discerned the danger of the concepts in Living Temple and moved

against it, evidently Mrs. White would have said nothing. Yet her silence would not have been

permissive in regard to pantheism. Only when it was clear that the error was gaining ground did

she speak out.

ChargedtoprotestinjusticeIf denying ordination to women were (as some today claim) arbitrary, unjust, and oppressive, wecould expect Ellen White to speak out. She stated, "I was charged not to neglect or pass by those

who were being wronged. I was specially charged to protest against any arbitrary or overbearingaction toward the ministers of the gospel by those having official authority. Disagreeable thoughthe duty may be, I am to reprove the oppressor, and plead for justice. I am to present the

necessity of maintaining justice and equity in all our institutions."10

The women who might have been affected by the 1881 resolution were licensed as ministers of

the gospel, but church officials did not see fit to permit their ordination. Mrs. White spokestrongly in favor of the women workers being paid and paid fairly, even from the tithe;

11she

spoke about the importance of supporting aged ministers;12

she protested against unfair

treatment of Black ministers;13

but she had nothing to say when the General Conferencedeclined to ordain licensed women ministers. Evidently she did not see this as "arbitrary,"

"overbearing," or a matter of "justice and equity."

Again, one must be careful not to claim too much on the basis of silence. Yet Mrs. White'ssilence on the ordination issue should make one slow to claim that she gave her support or

influence to the cause of bringing women into the ordained pastoral ministry.

The final claim of the scenario we have been examining is that Ellen White called for women to

be ordained and for them to be paid from the tithe. We have already examined the passages that

are used to say that Mrs. White called for women to be ordained to the gospel ministry (see "DidEllen White Call for Ordaining Women?"Ministry, December 1988), and we have found that

they do not make such a call. Yet we must recognize that Mrs. White did call for women to

be involved in an active personal ministry, and that she envisioned paying from the tithe thewomen workers who gave themselves whole-souled to this work, "although the hands of

ordination have not been laid"14

upon them. But there is no basis in her writings nor in Adventist

history for saying that Mrs. White supported ordination of women to the gospel ministry.


5/54

Mrs.White'sviewWhat then was Mrs. White's view of the ministry of women? Though there are no indicationsthat she called for women to serve as ordained elders or pastors, she presents a broad view of

service for women in God's work. She saw women as able to do a great work for Christ in

personal contacts, bringing the message for this hour into homes and families. And sherecognized and cited important contributions they could make in various leadership

responsibilities in the church as well.

For instance, she called for training to be offered for women in our schools. Speaking of

Avondale, the newly opened school in Australia, she said, "The Lord designs that the schoolshould also be a place where a training may be gained in women's work." After enumerating

certain domestic and educational training to be included, she added, "They are to be qualified to

take any post that may be offered superintendents, Sabbath school teachers, Bible workers. They

must be prepared to teach day schools for children."15

She described the important mission women could fulfill: "Wonderful is the mission of thewives and mothers and the younger women workers. If they will, they can exert an influence forgood to all around them. By modesty in dress and circumspect deportment, they may bear

witness to the truth in its simplicity. They may let their light so shine before all, that others will

see their good works and glorify their Father which is in heaven. A truly converted woman will

exert a powerful transforming influence for good. Connected with her husband, she may aid himin his work, and become the means of encouragement and blessing to him. When the will and

way are brought into subjection to the Spirit of God, there is no limit to the good that can be

accomplished."16

While Mrs. White emphasizes a husband-wife ministry here, single women ("the younger

women workers") are also included. The type of work is not designated, but would surely includethe various lines of work that we have noted before. She says that with modesty and propriety,with the will and way brought into subjection to God, women may let their light shine and may

exert a limitless influence for good.

PersonalministryIn Testimonies, volume 6, Ellen White published an article called "Women to Be Gospel

Workers." Presumably it represents fairly what her view of women as gospel workers really

entailed. In it she stressed the importance of personal work for others, then went on to write ofthe work that women are to do> after first speaking of what they are to be. "The Lord has a work

for women as well as men to do. They may accomplish a good work for God if they will firstlearn in the school of Christ the precious, all-important lesson of meekness. They must not only

bear the name of Christ, but possess His Spirit. They must walk even as He walked, purifyingtheir souls from everything that defiles. Then they will be able to benefit others by presenting the

all-sufficiency of Jesus.

"Women may take their places in the work at this crisis, and the Lord will work through them. Ifthey are imbued with a sense of their duty, and labor under the influence of the Spirit of God,


6/54

they will have just the self-possession required for this time. The Saviour will reflect upon these

self-sacrificing women the light of His countenance, and this will give them a power which willexceed that of men. They can do in families a work that men cannot do, a work that reaches the

inner life. They can come close to the hearts of those whom men cannot reach. Their labor is

needed.

"A direct necessity is being met by the work of women who have given them selves to the Lordand are reaching out to help a needy, sin-stricken people. Personal evangelistic work is to be

done. The women who take up this work carry the gospel to the homes of the people in the

highways and the byways. They read and explain the word to families, praying with them, caringfor the sick, relieving their temporal necessities. They present before families and individuals the

purifying, transforming influence of the truth."17

So the core of her burden for women was that they do personal work with women and families.If done in the right spirit, under the influence of Christ, "the light of His countenance . . . will

give them a power which will exceed that of men. . . . Their labor is needed."

This need is still with us today. Though some urge this need as a reason that women should be

ordained, Mrs. White envisioned women performing this ministry without reference to their

serving as ordained elders or pastors. She said that such ministry is capable, when rightly done,of exhibiting a power greater than that of men. It is noble work, needed work. In defining

women's work in this way, she has in no way belittied it.18

Such statements appear in many places in Mrs. White's writings.19

Her view is consistent:

without calling for ordination of women as pastors or elders, she urged a vigorous participation

of women especially in personal ministry.

Ellen White's view of women's ministry requires no change in church structure or polity, yet itsimplementation would revolutionize the church's practice. There would be a great increase inpersonal work being done, both by paid full- and part-time workers and by volunteer laborers. If

the work were done in the spirit of Jesus, the women would show a power greater than that of the

men. There would be an explosion in the numbers of people won to Christ and His truth throughthe gentle, appealing ministry of women. There would be healing in the home relationships, as

godly women workers challenged men to reflect the self-sacrificing headship of Christ in their

own relationship with their wives, and women to honor that headship as they would the headship

of Christ. Families would be strengthened, and the church would make a start on the road toshowing a world filled with hurting and broken families what a difference the practice of the

Lordship of Jesus really makes.

1 Arthur L. White, "Ellen G. White thePerson," Spectrum4, No. 2 (Spring 1972): p. 7.

The Biographical Information blank is on file at the

White Estate office in Washington, D.C. A photo


7/54

copy is in Document File 701 at the White Estate

branch office, Andrews University.

2Review and Herald, Aug. 26, 1875, p. 63.

3Ibid., Sept. 12, 1871, p. 102.

4Ibid. June 12, 1879, p. 190.

5 Letter 32a, 1880.

6Ibid. This was evidently a problem affecting

the church at large, for in the next year Mrs. White

published an 82-page pamphlet entitledBible Sanctification:A Contrast of the True and False Theories

(Battle Creek, Mich.: Steam Press, 1881). This

was an edited version of a series of 10 articlespublished in the Review and Herald between January 18

and May 3, 1881. Their appearance in pamphletform in the same year of their pubication in the

Review indicates the importance they held for the

church.Bible Sanctificationwas later republished asThe Sanctified Life(Washington, D.C.: Review

and Herald, 1937).

7Review and Herald, Dec. 20, 1881, p. 392.

8Ibid.

9 E. G. White, Selected Messages, book 1,

pp. 202, 203.

10Review and Herald, July 26, 1906, p. 8 (also in

Selected Messages, book 1, p. 33).

11 E. G. White,Evangelism, p. 492; see also

491 concerning fairness in pay.

12Ibid.

13 Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 223.

14 E. G. White manuscript 43a, 1898 (also in

Gospel Workers, p. 452).

15Evangelism, p. 475 (letter 3, 1898).


8/54

16Ibid., pp. 467, 468 (manuscript 91, 1908).

17 Testimonies, vol. 6, pp. 117, 118.

18 She cautioned others concerning that danger:

"Seventh-day Adventists are not in any way tobelittle woman's work" (Evangelism, pp. 492, 493).

19 See, for example, Christian Service, pp. 27-29;

Evangelism, pp. 459-461,464-478,491-493; GospelWorkers, pp. 452, 453; Welfare Ministry, pp. 143-

166; and Counsels on Health. She also calls for

women to become involved in medical missionary

work, some as doctors and nurses, and others as

nonprofessionals.


9/54

WomenministryTruth.com

Questions and nswers Did Ellen G. White urge the church to ordain women?

To the Gospel ministry and as elders? No. She urged that certain women who werewilling to consecrate some of their time to the service of the Lord should be appointed tovisit the sick, look after the young, and minister to the necessities of the poor. Theyshould be set apart to this work by prayer and laying on of hands ( Review and Herald ,July 9, 1895). It was to this work, a personal work of visitation and mercy, that they wereto be set apart. This is not the same as the role of church leadership entrusted to thepastor or elder.

Questions and nswersWhat is Ellen G. Whites relationship to this issue? Was she ever ordained?

Ellen White was never ordained. After more than 25 years of her prophetic ministry, thechurch voted her the credentials of an ordained minister, but she indicated in 1909 (whenshe was in her eighties) that she had never been ordained (Arthur L. White, Spectrum , 4,2 [Spring 1972] :7). Nor did she ever exercise the special functions of an ordainedminister, such as performing marriages, baptizing, and organizing local churches. As areall church members, she too was ordained of God to work for Him and was given aspecial work to do. But she was never ordained by human hands.

Questions and nswersDidnt Mrs. White encourage women to participate in the work o f the church?

Yes, she did. Noting a sphere in which God had called and equipped women to work(see Patriarchs and Prophets , p. 59), she called for greater involvement. She urgedwomen especially to engage in personal work for women and families. A clear example ofthis may be found in her article, Women to Be Gospel Workers ( Testimonies for theChurch , vol. 6, pp. 114-118). Among other things, she says there that women can do infamilies a work that men cannot do, a work that reaches the inner life. They can come

close to the hearts of those whom men cannot reach. Their labor is needed (pp. 117,118). Sisters, God calls you to work in the harvest field and to help gather in thesheaves. . . . In the various lines of home missionary work the modest, intelligent womanmay use her powers to the very highest account ( Welfare Ministry , p. 160).
http://www.womenministrytruth.com/q-a.aspx


10/54

Questions and nswersWhat does the bible teach regarding the role of women in the church?

The Bible presents women as full participants with men in the religious andsocial life of the church. In the fifth year of Jeremiah's prophetic ministry, thepriests went to Huldah the prophetess for counsel (2 Kings 22:13, 14). Womenserved as musicians and attendants at the tabernacle and Temple (1 Samuel2:22, 1 Chronicles 25:5, 6, Psalm 68:24, 25). Women prayed aloud and prophesiedin the church (1 Corinthians 11:5). They labored side by side with Paul and otherworkers in the Gospel (Philippians 4:3). In the closing chapter of Romans, Paulbegins his greetings and commendations with women, and he includes severalother women subsequently in the chapter (16:1-5, 6, 12, 13, 15). Widows (Acts9:39) may have been an organized body for service in the New Testamentchurch. But women did not serve as priests in the Old Testament (Exodus28:1, Numbers 3:1-13) nor did they serve in the leadership/teaching role of elder

or pastor in the New Testament (1 Timothy 2:11-14; 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Corinthians14:33-36).

Questions and nswersWhy is the issue of the ordination of women as elders or pastors of such crucialimpor tant for the Seventh-day Adventist Church at this time?

What is at stake is the authority of the Bible for defining SDA beliefs andpractices. The New Testament expresses its teaching on the role of women inthe church in theological terms, basing it on interpretation of earlier Biblepassages. It is presented as part of God's "law and as a command of theLord (1 Corinthians 14:34, 37). If such a Biblical teaching is regarded as limited tothe culture of Paul's time, the same could be said of Biblical teachingsregarding Creation, Sabbathkeeping, clean and unclean meats, footwashing,tithing, etc. The authority of Scripture as a whole would thus be underminedand discredited. The issue is important enough that it is scheduled forconsideration and resolution at the 1990 General Conference.

Questions and nswersWhat does the Bible teach regarding the role of woman in the church?

The Bible presents women as full participants with men in the religious and social life ofthe church. In the fifth year of Jeremiah's prophetic ministry, the priests went to Huldahthe prophetess for counsel (2 Kings 22:13, 14). Women served as musicians andattendants at the tabernacle and Temple (1 Samuel 2:22, 1 Chronicles 25:5, 6, Psalm68:24, 25). Women prayed aloud and prophesied in the church (1 Corinthians 11:5). Theylabored side by side with Paul and other workers in the Gospel (Philippians 4:3). In theclosing chapter of Romans, Paul begins his greetings and commendations with women,
http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/2%20Kings%2022.13http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/2%20Kings%2022.14http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/1%20Samuel%202.22http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/1%20Samuel%202.22http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/1%20Chronicles%2025.5http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/1%20Chronicles%2025.6http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/Psalm%2068.24http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/Psalm%2068.25http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/1%20Corinthians%2011.5http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/Philippians%204.3http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/Acts%209.39http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/Acts%209.39http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/Exodus%2028.1http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/Exodus%2028.1http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/Numbers%203.1-13http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/1%20Timothy%202.11-14http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/1%20Timothy%203.1-7http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/Titus%201.5-9http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/1%20Corinthians%2014.33-36http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/1%20Corinthians%2014.33-36http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/1%20Corinthians%2014.34http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/1%20Corinthians%2014.37http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/2%20Kings%2022.13http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/2%20Kings%2022.14http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/1%20Samuel%202.22http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/1%20Chronicles%2025.5http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/1%20Chronicles%2025.6http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/Psalm%2068.24http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/Psalm%2068.24http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/Psalm%2068.25http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/1%20Corinthians%2011.5http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/Philippians%204.3http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/Philippians%204.3http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/1%20Corinthians%2011.5http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/Psalm%2068.25http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/Psalm%2068.24http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/Psalm%2068.24http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/1%20Chronicles%2025.6http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/1%20Chronicles%2025.5http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/1%20Samuel%202.22http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/2%20Kings%2022.14http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/2%20Kings%2022.13http://www.womenministrytruth.com/q-a.aspxhttp://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/1%20Corinthians%2014.37http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/1%20Corinthians%2014.34http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/1%20Corinthians%2014.33-36http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/1%20Corinthians%2014.33-36http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/Titus%201.5-9http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/1%20Timothy%203.1-7http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/1%20Timothy%202.11-14http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/Numbers%203.1-13http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/Exodus%2028.1http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/Exodus%2028.1http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/Acts%209.39http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/Acts%209.39http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/Philippians%204.3http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/1%20Corinthians%2011.5http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/Psalm%2068.25http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/Psalm%2068.24http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/1%20Chronicles%2025.6http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/1%20Chronicles%2025.5http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/1%20Samuel%202.22http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/1%20Samuel%202.22http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/2%20Kings%2022.14http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/2%20Kings%2022.13


11/54

and he includes several other women subsequently in the chapter (16:1-5, 6, 12, 13, 15).Widows (Acts 9:39) may have been an organized body for service in the New Testamentchurch. But women did not serve as priests in the Old Testament (Exodus 28:1, Numbers3:1-13) nor did they serve in the leadership/teaching role of elder or pastor in the NewTestament (1 Timothy 2:11-14; 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Corinthians 14:33-36).

Questions and nswersWhat does the New Testament actually say about women in elder-pastor leadership roles?

I permit no woman to teach or to have authority over men; she is to keep silent (1Timothy 2:12). If anyone aspires to the office of bishop, he desires a noble task. Now abishop must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, . . . an apt teacher (1 Timothy3:1, 2). This is why I left you in Crete, that you might amend what was defective, andappoint elders in every town as I directed you, if any man is blameless, the husband ofone wife . . . (Titus 1:5, 6). As in all the churches of the saints, the women should keepsilence in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be subordinate,as even the law says. . . . If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he shouldacknowledge that what I am writing to you is a command of the Lord (1 Corinthi ans 14:33-37). There are more New Testament directives on this subject than there are about tithingor footwashing or the Sabbath. These New Testament passages are examined in thisissue.

Questions and nswersDidnt Ellen G. White have a position of authori ty in the church?

Her authority was in the messages God gave her rather than in any position the churchgave her. She specifically rejected the idea of a leadership position in the church. It isnot right for you to suppose that I am striving to be first, striving for leadership. . . . I wantit to be understood that I have no ambition to have the name of leader, or any other namethat may be given me, except that of a messenger of God. I claim no other name orposition (Letter 320, 1905;

Manuscript Release #340). I am not to appear before the people as holding any otherposition than that of a messenger with a message ( Testimonies for the Church , vol. 8,p. 237).
http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/Acts%209.39http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/Exodus%2028.1http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/Numbers%203.1-13http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/Numbers%203.1-13http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/1%20Timothy%202.11-14http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/1%20Timothy%203.1-7http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/Titus%201.5-9http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/1%20Corinthians%2014.33-36http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/1%20Timothy%202.12http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/1%20Timothy%202.12http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/1%20Timothy%203.1http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/1%20Timothy%203.1http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/1%20Timothy%203.2http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/Titus%201.5http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/Titus%201.6http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/1%20Corinthians%2014.33-37http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/1%20Corinthians%2014.33-37http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/1%20Corinthians%2014.33-37http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/1%20Corinthians%2014.33-37http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/Titus%201.6http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/Titus%201.5http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/1%20Timothy%203.2http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/1%20Timothy%203.1http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/1%20Timothy%203.1http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/1%20Timothy%202.12http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/1%20Timothy%202.12http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/1%20Corinthians%2014.33-36http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/Titus%201.5-9http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/1%20Timothy%203.1-7http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/1%20Timothy%202.11-14http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/Numbers%203.1-13http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/Numbers%203.1-13http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/Exodus%2028.1http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/Acts%209.39


12/54

llen G. White Credential

ttp://www.whiteestate.org/issues/egw_credentials/bio.htm(1 of 3) [1/27/2013 4:06:09 PM]


13/54




14/54




15/54

Records Pertaining to Ellen G. White's

Ministerial/Ordination Credentials

A.EllenWhite'sBiographicalInformationForm

On March 5, 1909, Ellen White'sbiographical informationform was filled out by her assistant,

Mary Steward, as requested for General Conference records. Question 19 asked, "If ordained,state when, where, and by whom." The line was marked with an "x" indicating that she had not

been ordained, just as an "x" was recorded for question 26, "If remarried, give date, and to

whom."

B.ConferenceCredentialingRecordsintheReviewandHerald

Ellen White's name is not found in lists of Michigan Conference credentialed ministers prior to

1871. (See, for example, lists published in RH, May 31, 1864, May 28, 1867, and May 26, 1868.)

She was first issued ministerial credentials on February 10, 1871, by the Michigan Conference:

"Moved and voted, That Sr. Ellen G. White receive credentials from this Conference."RH, Feb.

14, 1871, p. 69.

Her credentials were renewed by the Michigan Conference annually thereafter through 1887.[1]The 1886 report was introduced with the words: "Your committee on credentials and licenses

would present the following names of ordained ministers for a renewal of their credentials the

ensuing year." (Ellen White was not listed in the Michigan Conference report for 1888.)

C.ListingsintheSeventh-dayAdventistYearbook&GeneralConferenceBulletin

The first listing of ministers in the Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook was in 1884. Ellen White

was listed under both "General Conference" Ministers and "Michigan" Ministers. The listingsappeared the same in 1885, 1886, and 1887. In 1888 she was listed under "California" Ministers,

as well as under "Michigan" Ministers and "General Field" Ministers. She was also listed under

"Ministers" (not Licentiates) in the "Alphabetical List of Laborers."

Beginning in 1889, all the workers were listed alphabetically, as well as by territory, with lettercodes inserted to indicate whether the worker was (l) licensed to preach or (m) an ordained

minister. Ellen White was listed under "General Conference" Ministers only (not "Michigan" or

"California") and an (m) appeared after her name in the directory. She was listed the same way

from 1890-1894. No yearbooks were published from 1895 to 1903, however, "Workers'Directories" were published in the General Conference Bulletin.

In the 1895/1896/1897/1898 Bulletins, Ellen White was consistently listed in the "Workers'Directory" with the code for "Minister" (m) in the absence of any separate coding for ordained

ministers in the directory, as well as appearing in the list of "General Conference" Ministers. In

the 1899/1900 Bulletins, the Ministerial Directory listed (m) for ordained minister and (l) for
http://www.whiteestate.org/issues/egw_credentials/bio.htmhttp://www.whiteestate.org/issues/egw_credentials/bio.htmhttp://www.whiteestate.org/issues/egw_credentials/egw_credentials.htm#footnote1http://www.whiteestate.org/issues/egw_credentials/egw_credentials.htm#footnote1http://www.whiteestate.org/issues/egw_credentials/bio.htm


16/54

licensed minister. Ellen White was listed with the (m) code, and in the list of "General

Conference" Ministers.

In the 1901/1902 Bulletins, the codes were not used, but a distinction between Ministers and

Licentiates was made in territorial listings. Ellen White was listed in the General Conference

"Ministers" list rather than the "Licentiates." No directory was published for 1903, but she wasgranted "ministerial credentials" from the General Conference by action reported in the General

Conference Bulletin, Apr. 14, 1903, p. 216.

In the 1904 Yearbook, Ellen White was listed in the Ministerial Directory and with "Ministers

Under the Direction of the General Conference." There was no separate coding for ordainedministers in the directory. In the 1905/1906/1907/1908 Yearbooks, she was listed in the

Ministerial Directory and with Ministers listed under "Laborers Engaged in General Work and in

Mission Fields, Under the General Conference." Again, there was no separate coding for

ordained ministers in the directory.

In the 1909/1910/1911/1912/1913 Yearbooks, Ellen White was listed in the Ministerial Directoryand with Ministers under "Laborers Engaged in General Work Under the General Conference"

(with no separate coding for ordained ministers in the directory).

In the 1914/1915 Yearbooks, Ellen White was listed in the Ministerial Directory and withMinisters listed under "General Laborers Holding Credentials From the General Conference"

(with no separate coding for ordained ministers in the directory).

D.EllenWhite'sPaperCredentials

The White Estate possesses six paper credentials that were issued to Ellen White. The first

credential is dated October 1, 1883, from the Michigan Conference. The secondis datedDecember 6, 1885, from the General Conference. On that one credential, the word "ordained"

was crossed out. The thirdis dated December 27, 1887, from the General Conference. The fourthis dated March 7, 1899, from the General Conference. The fifthis dated June 14, 1909, from the

General Conference. The sixthis dated June 12, 1913, from the General Conference.

E.StatementbyEllenG.White'sFamily

In a letterdated Nov. 17, 1935, Dores E. Robinson replied on behalf of W. C. White (Ellen

White's son and Robinson's father-in-law) in response to a query concerning Ellen White'sministerial credentials. He wrote: "[W. C. White] tells me that Sister White was never

ordained, that she never baptized, nor did she ever give the ordination charge to others."

Summary

From 1871 until her death in 1915, Ellen White was issued ministerial credentials. From 1871 to1887 she was credentialed by the Michigan Conference, and from 1884 until her death, she was

credentialed as a General Conference Minister. On one of the credentials (1885), the word

"ordained" is struck through. (In the 1888 Yearbook she was also listed among the California
http://www.whiteestate.org/issues/egw_credentials/c1.htmhttp://www.whiteestate.org/issues/egw_credentials/c2.htmhttp://www.whiteestate.org/issues/egw_credentials/c3.htmhttp://www.whiteestate.org/issues/egw_credentials/c4.htmhttp://www.whiteestate.org/issues/egw_credentials/c5.htmhttp://www.whiteestate.org/issues/egw_credentials/c6.htmhttp://www.whiteestate.org/issues/egw_credentials/letterfroom.htmhttp://www.whiteestate.org/issues/egw_credentials/letterfroom.htmhttp://www.whiteestate.org/issues/egw_credentials/c6.htmhttp://www.whiteestate.org/issues/egw_credentials/c5.htmhttp://www.whiteestate.org/issues/egw_credentials/c4.htmhttp://www.whiteestate.org/issues/egw_credentials/c3.htmhttp://www.whiteestate.org/issues/egw_credentials/c2.htmhttp://www.whiteestate.org/issues/egw_credentials/c1.htm


17/54

Ministers.) Throughout the years, her name was listed along with ordained ministers rather than

licentiates, although her biographical information sheet and the testimony of her family indicates

that she did not receive ordination at the hands of church officials.

Compiled by the Ellen G. White Estate, Inc.

October 2012


18/54

Ordination: OldTestamentverses

Genesis 14:18 AndMelchizedekkingofSalembroughtforthbreadandwine:

andhe[was]thepriestofthemosthighGod.

14:19 Andheblessedhim,andsaid,Blessed[be]AbramofthemosthighGod,

possessorofheavenandearth:

SelectionofLeaders(SOP)

Vol.5;Testimonies 618.1

TheapostlePaulwritestoTitus:"Setinorderthethingsthatarewanting,and

ordaineldersineverycity,asIhadappointedthee:ifanybeblameless,the

husbandofonewife,havingfaithfulchildrennotaccusedofriotorunruly.Fora

bishopmustbeblameless,asthestewardofGod."Itwouldbewellforallour

ministerstogiveheedtothesewordsandnottohurrymenintoofficewithout

dueconsiderationandmuchprayerthatGodwoulddesignatebyHisHolySpirit

whomHewillaccept. {5T617.1}

Saidtheinspiredapostle:"Layhandssuddenlyonnoman."Insomeofour

churchestheworkoforganizingandofordainingeldershasbeenpremature;the

Biblerule

has

been

disregarded,

and

consequently

grievous

trouble

has

been

broughtuponthechurch.Thereshouldnotbesogreathasteinelectingleaders

astoordainmenwhoareinnowayfittedfortheresponsibleworkmenwho

needtobe

618

converted,elevated,ennobled,andrefinedbeforetheycanservethecauseof

Godinanycapacity. {5T617.2}

Thegospelnetgathersbothgoodandbad.Ittakestimeforcharactertobe

developed;theremustbetimetolearnwhatmenreallyare.Thefamilyofthe

onesuggestedforofficeshouldbeconsidered.Aretheyinsubjection?Canthe

manrulehisownhousewithhonor?Whatcharacterhavehischildren?Willthey

dohonortothefather'sinfluence?Ifhehasnotact,wisdom,orpowerof


19/54

godlinessathomeinmanaginghisownfamily,itissafetoconcludethatthesame

defectswillbecarriedintothechurch,andthesameunsanctifiedmanagement

willbeseenthere.Itwillbefarbettertocriticizethemanbeforeheisputinto

officethanafterward,bettertoprayandcounselbeforetakingthedecisivestep

thanto

labor

to

correct

the

consequences

of

awrong

move.

{5T

618.1}

Theleadersofchurchesineveryplaceshouldbeearnest,fullofzealand

unselfishinterest,menofGodwhocangivetherightmoldtothework.They

shouldmaketheirrequeststoGodinfaith.Theymaydevoteallthetimethey

wishtosecretprayer,butinpublictheyshouldmaketheirprayersandtheir

testimoniesshortandtothepoint.Long,dryprayersandlongexhortations

shouldbeavoided.Ifthebrethrenandsisterswouldhavesomethingtosaythat

willrefresh

and

edify

others,

it

must

first

be

in

their

hearts.

They

must

daily

be

connectedwithGod,drawingtheirsuppliesfromHisexhaustlessstorehouseand

bringingtherefromthingsnewandold.Iftheirownsoulshavebeenvivifiedby

theSpiritofGod,theywillcheer,strengthen,andencourage

619

TestimoniesToMinisters

Hewho

is

selected

as

the

president

of

the

General

Conference,

should,

in

the

fearofGod,standinhislotandplace,withoutpartiality,andwithunselfish

interests.Heshouldbeafaithfulsteward.Heshouldbeapriestandwiseruler

overhisownhouse.Heshouldmakemanifestthatheunderstandstheworkof

governinghisownfamilywisely,andinthefearofGod.Ifthisisneglected,hewill

carryhisdefectswithhimintohiswork.Ifanymanevidencesthattheloveand

fearof

323

Godiskeptawayfromthecenterofhisbeinglestthetruthshouldcontrolhislife

practice,whileworldlythingsaremadeallandinall,heisnottheman,evenfor

localelder. {TM322.3}


20/54

Todaymenwhoarepresidentsofconferencesarelessefficientandstrongand

ablethantheyshouldbe,becausetheyplacemanwhereGodshouldbe,andthey

receiveonlythatwhichmancangivethem. {TM323.1}

SeekCounselofGod

Presidentsofconferences,youwillbewiseifyouwilldecidetocometoGod.

BelieveinHim.Hewillhearyourprayers,andcometoyourassistance,inmuch

lesstimethanthepublicconveyancescouldtakeone,two,three,orfourmen

fromalongdistance,atagreatexpense,todecidequestionswhichtheGodof

wisdomcandecidefarbetterforyou.Hehaspromised,"Ifanyofyoulack

wisdom,let

him

ask

of

God,

that

giveth

to

all

men

liberally,

and

upbraideth

not;

anditshallbegivenhim."IfyouwillsincerelyhumbleyourheartsbeforeHim,

emptyyoursoulsofselfesteem,andputawaythenaturaldefectsofyour

character,andovercomeyourloveofsupremacy,andcometoGodaslittle

children,HewillbestowonyouHisHolySpirit.Whentwoorthreeshallagreeas

touchinganything,and

324

shallask

the

Lord,

in

the

name

of

Jesus,

it

shall

be

done

for

them.

{TM

323.2}

7BC SDABibleCommentaryVol.7(1957)

Chapter3

113

(John

10:11

15).

Carefulness

in

Selecting

Church

Leaders.

May

the

Lord

impressuponthemindsandheartsofallconnectedwiththesacredworkofGod,

theimportanceofascertainingwhetherthosewhoaretoministerasdeaconsand

915


21/54

eldersaresuitablementobeentrustedwiththeflockofGod.JesuscallsHimself

the"GoodShepherd."Hedoesthisincontrastwiththosewhooccupypositionsof

trustinconnectionwiththechurch,butwhohavenorighttotheseplaces,

becausetheyputawrongmolduponthework.Whatisnaturalwillappear. {7BC

914.11}

ComparetheGoodShepherd,whogaveHislifeforHissheep,withthosewho

arefilledwithselfesteem,puffedup,dictatorial,lovingtoruleinthechurch.The

prophetshavespecifiedChrist'sattributes.TheyforetoldHimasagentle

Shepherd,whowouldcarrythelambsinHisbosom.Thereareotherspointedout

byprophecy,whohaveacceptedthepositionofleadersandreligiousinstructors,

whomtheWordofGodrebukesfortheirneglect,intheirignorance,todothe

workwhich

they

should

have

been

doing

in

their

places

of

responsibility

(MS

176,

1898). {7BC915.1}

(Ex.3:5.)God'sWordNottoBeDissected.Ittakesallofeternitytounfoldthe

gloriesandbringouttheprecioustreasuresoftheWordofGod.Donotletany

livingmancometoyouandbegintodissectGod'sWord,tellingwhatisrevelation,

whatisinspirationandwhatisnot,withoutarebuke.Tellallsuchtheysimplydo

notknow.Theysimplyarenotabletocomprehendthethingsofthemysteryof

God.What

we

want

is

to

inspire

faith.

We

want

no

one

to

say,

"This

Iwill

reject,

andthiswillIreceive,"butwewanttohaveimplicitfaithintheBibleasawhole

andasitis.

920

{7BC919.9}

WecallonyoutotakeyourBible,butdonotputasacrilegioushanduponit,

andsay,"Thatisnotinspired,"simplybecausesomebodyelsehassaidso.Nota

jotortittleisevertobetakenfromthatWord.Handsoff,brethren!Donottouch

theark.Donotlayyourhanduponit,butletGodmove.ItiswithHisownpower,

andHewillworkinsuchamannerthatHewillcompassoursalvation.Wewant

Godtohavesomeroomtowork.Wedonotwantman'sideastobindHimabout.

{7BC920.1}


22/54

4Testimonies 407.1

Inmanyplaceswemeetmenwhohavebeenhurriedinto

407

responsiblepositionsaseldersofthechurchwhentheyarenotqualifiedforsuch

aposition.Theyhavenotpropergovernmentoverthemselves.Theirinfluenceis

notgood.Thechurchisintroublecontinuallyinconsequenceofthedefective

characteroftheleader.Handshavebeenlaidtoosuddenlyuponthesemen. {4T

406.3}

Ministersof

God

should

be

of

good

repute,

capable

of

discreetly

managing

an

interestaftertheyhavearousedit.Westandingreatneedofcompetentmen

whowillbringhonorinsteadofdisgraceuponthecausewhichthey

represent.Ministersshouldbeexaminedespeciallytoseeiftheyhavean

intelligentunderstandingofthetruthforthistime,sothattheycangivea

connecteddiscourseuponthepropheciesoruponpracticalsubjects.Ifthey

cannotclearlypresentBiblesubjectstheyneedtobehearersandlearnersstill.

TheyshouldearnestlyandprayerfullysearchtheScriptures,andbecome

conversantwith

them,

in

order

to

be

teachers

of

Bible

truth

to

others.

All

these

thingsshouldbecarefullyandprayerfullyconsideredbeforemenarehurried

intothefieldoflabor. {4T407.1}

Thequalificationsofabishop,orofanelderordeacon,are,tobe"blameless,as

thestewardofGod;notselfwilled,notsoonangry,notgiventowine,nostriker,

notgiventofilthylucre;butaloverofhospitality,aloverofgoodmen,sober,just,

holy,temperate;holdingfastthefaithfulwordashehathbeentaught,thathe

maybeablebysounddoctrinebothtoexhortandtoconvincethegainsayers."

{1T692.1}

WifeofanElder SisterS,yourhusbandmightbeofsomeuseinthechurchif

yourinfluencewerewhatitoughttobe.Butyourexampleandinfluence


23/54

disqualifyhimtoexertasanctifyinginfluenceinthechurch.Homeinfluences

morethancounteracthiseffortsforgood.Youarewhollyunqualifiedtobethe

wifeofanelderofthechurch.Godcallsuponyoutoreform.Your

317

husbandhasaworktodotosethisheartandhouseinorder.Whenheis

converted,thencanhestrengthenhisbrethren. {2T316.2}

ActsofApostles 94. Ordinationofelders,inMoses'time

Inharmonywiththisplan,"MoseschoseablemenoutofallIsrael,andmade

themheadsoverthepeople,rulersofthousands,rulersofhundreds,rulersof

fifties,andrulers

94

oftens.Andtheyjudgedthepeopleatallseasons:thehardcausestheybrought

untoMoses,buteverysmallmattertheyjudgedthemselves."Exodus18:1926.

{AA93.2}

Later,whenchoosingseventyelderstosharewithhimtheresponsibilitiesof

leadership,Moseswascarefultoselect,ashishelpers,menpossessingdignity,

soundjudgment,

and

experience.

In

his

charge

to

these

elders

at

the

time

of

their

ordination,heoutlinedsomeofthequalificationsthatfitamantobeawiseruler

inthechurch."Hearthecausesbetweenyourbrethren,"saidMoses,"andjudge

righteouslybetweeneverymanandhisbrother,andthestrangerthatiswithhim.

Yeshallnotrespectpersonsinjudgment;butyeshallhearthesmallaswellasthe

great;yeshallnotbeafraidofthefaceofman;forthejudgmentisGod's."

Deuteronomy1:16,17. {AA94.1}

PP381.4

MosesrepeatedtothecongregationthewordsoftheLord,andannouncedthe

appointmentoftheseventyelders.Thegreatleader'schargetothesechosen

menmightwellserveasamodelofjudicialintegrityforthejudgesand

legislatorsofmoderntimes:"Hearthecausesbetweenyourbrethren,andjudge


24/54

righteouslybetweeneverymanandhisbrother,andthestrangerthatiswithhim.

Yeshallnotrespectpersonsinjudgment;butyeshallhearthesmallaswellasthe

great;yeshallnotbeafraidofthefaceofman;forthejudgmentisGod's."

Deuteronomy1:16,17. {PP381.3}

Mosesnowsummonedtheseventytothetabernacle."AndtheLordcame

downinacloud,andspakeuntohim,andtookofthespiritthatwasuponhim,

andgaveituntotheseventyelders:anditcametopass,that,whenthespirit

resteduponthem,theyprophesied,anddidnotcease."Likethedisciplesonthe

DayofPentecost,theywereenduedwith"powerfromonhigh."Itpleasedthe

Lordthustopreparethemfortheirwork,andtohonortheminthepresenceof

thecongregation,thatconfidencemightbeestablishedinthemasmendivinely

chosento

unite

with

Moses

in

the

government

of

Israel.

{PP

381.4}

SDABibleCommentaryVol.5(1957)1104.3

57(John18:13,14).NeedNotBeInstrumentsofUnrighteousness. Caiaphas

wastheonewhowastobeinofficewhentypemetantitype,whenthetrueHigh

Priestcameintooffice.Eachactorinhistorystandsinhislotandplace;forGod's

greatworkafterHisownplanwillbecarriedoutbymenwhohaveprepared

themselvestofillpositionsforgoodorevil.Inoppositiontorighteousness,men

becomeinstruments

of

unrighteousness.

But

they

are

not

forced

to

take

this

courseofaction.Theyneednotbecomeinstrumentsofunrighteousness,any

morethanCainneededto(RHJune12,1900). {5BC1104.3}

GospelWorkers; 173.2

Carefulnessindressisanimportantconsideration.Theministershouldbe

clothedinamannerbefittingthedignityofhisposition.Someministershave

failedinthisrespect.Insomecasesnotonlyhastherebeenalackoftasteandof

orderlyarrangementinthedress,buttheclothinghasbeenuntidyandslovenly.

{GW173.1}

TheGodofheaven,whosearmmovestheworld,whogivesuslifeand

sustainsusinhealth,ishonoredordishonoredbytheapparelofthosewho

officiateinHishonor.ToMosesHegavespecialinstructionregardingeverything


25/54

connectedwiththetabernacleservice,andHespecifiedthedressthatthose

shouldwearwhoweretoministerbeforeHim."Thoushaltmakeholygarments

forAaronthybrotherforgloryandforbeauty,"[EX.28:2]wasthedirectiongiven

toMoses.Everythingconnectedwiththeapparelanddeportmentofthepriests

wasto

be

such

as

to

impress

the

beholder

with

asense

of

the

holiness

of

God,

the

sacrednessofHisworship,andthepurityrequiredofthosewhocameintoHis

presence. {GW173.2}

[The current General Conference policy on ordination of women as local church elders is stated in the 2009

Seventh-day Adventist Minister's Handbook, p. 94.]

"Elders and deacons should be persons of experience, chosen wisely. By action of the Annual Council of 1975,

reaffirmed at the 1984 Annual Council, both men and women are eligible to serve as elders and receive ordination to

this position of service in the church."

To be ordained or licensed biblically begins with the candidate first acknowledging God's call to the ministry and then begins the biblical and legal process of examination that leads toordination or a ministry license that affords the candidate exciting opportunities for ministry. Such as:officiating wedding ceremonies, baptisms, starting a church or other ministries, becoming a pastor orchaplain and much more (1 Timothy 3:6; 5:22).

ITimothy3:1 This[is]atruesaying,Ifamandesiretheofficeofabishop,hedesirethagood

work.

3:2 Abishopthenmustbeblameless,thehusbandofonewife,vigilant,sober,ofgood

behaviour,giventohospitality,apttoteach;

3:3 Notgiventowine,nostriker,notgreedyoffilthylucre;butpatient,notabrawler,not

covetous;

3:4One

that

ruleth

well

his

own

house,

having

his

children

in

subjection

with

all

gravity;

3:5 (Forifamanknownothowtorulehisownhouse,howshallhetakecareofthechurchof

God?)

3:6 Notanovice,lestbeingliftedupwithpridehefallintothecondemnationofthedevil.
http://biblicalfocus.com/Called_To_Preach.htmlhttp://biblicalfocus.com/Called_To_Preach.html


26/54

3:7 Moreoverhemusthaveagoodreportofthemwhicharewithout;lesthefallinto

reproachandthesnareofthedevil.

ITimothy5:1 Rebukenotanelder,butentreat[him]asafather;[and]theyoungermenas

brethren;

5:2 Theelderwomenasmothers;theyoungerassisters,withallpurity.

5:3 Honourwidowsthatarewidowsindeed.

5:4 Butifanywidowhavechildrenornephews,letthemlearnfirsttoshowpietyathome,

andtorequitetheirparents:forthatisgoodandacceptablebeforeGod.

5:5 Nowshethatisawidowindeed,anddesolate,trustethinGod,andcontinuethin

supplicationsandprayersnightandday.

5:6But

she

that

liveth

in

pleasure

is

dead

while

she

liveth.

5:7 Andthesethingsgiveincharge,thattheymaybeblameless.

5:8 Butifanyprovidenotforhisown,andspeciallyforthoseofhisownhouse,hehath

deniedthefaith,andisworsethananinfidel.

5:9 Letnotawidowbetakenintothenumberunderthreescoreyearsold,havingbeenthe

wifeofoneman,

The examination should conclude that the individual is indeed called by God and hasdemonstrated that they are able to provide leadership for the church. It must also be determinedthat they are Scripturally Soundand Spiritually Grounded. This determination must be provided bythe Holy Spirit (Acts 13:2).


27/54

ThePastor'sDuty

LetthechurchappointpastorsorelderswhoaredevotedtotheLordJesus,andletthesemensee

thatofficersarechosenwhowillattendfaithfullytotheworkofgatheringinthetithe.Ifthepastors

showthattheyarenotfittedfortheircharge,iftheyfailtosetbeforethechurchtheimportanceof

returningtoGodHisown,iftheydonotseetoitthattheofficersunderthemarefaithful,andthatthe

titheisbroughtin,theyareinperil.Theyareneglectingamatterwhichinvolvesablessingoracurseto

thechurch.Theyshouldberelievedoftheirresponsibility,andothermenshouldbetestedandtried.

{CS106.1}

TheLord'smessengersshouldseethatHisrequirementsarefaithfullydischargedbythemembersof

thechurches.GodsaysthatthereshouldbemeatinHishouse,andifthemoneyinthetreasuryis

tamperedwith,

if

it

is

regarded

as

right

for

individuals

to

make

what

use

they

please

of

the

tithe,

the

Lordcannotbless.Hecannotsustainthosewhothinkthattheycandoastheypleasewiththatwhichis

His.R.&H.Supplement,Dec.1,1896. {CS106.2}CouncilsonStewardship.

AfaithfulUndershepherd

Theworkofthegospelministeris"tomakeallmenseewhatisthefellowshipofthemystery,which

fromthebeginningoftheworldhathbeenhidinGod."Ephesians3:9.Ifoneenteringuponthiswork

choosestheleastselfsacrificingpart,contentinghimselfwithpreaching,andleavingtheworkof

personalministry

for

someone

else,

his

labors

will

not

be

acceptable

to

God.

Souls

for

whom

Christ

diedareperishingforwantofwelldirected,personallabor;and hehasmistakenhiscallingwho,

enteringupontheministry,isunwillingtodothepersonalworkthatthecareoftheflockdemands.

{AA527.1}

Thespiritofthetrueshepherdisoneofselfforgetfulness.Helosessightofselfinorderthathemay

worktheworksofGod.Bythepreachingofthewordandbypersonalministryinthehomesofthe

people,helearnstheirneeds,theirsorrows,theirtrials;and,cooperatingwiththegreatBurden

Bearer,hesharestheirafflictions,comfortstheirdistresses,relievestheirsoulhunger,andwinstheir

heartstoGod.Inthisworktheministerisattendedbytheangelsofheaven,andhehimselfis

instructedand

enlightened

in

the

truth

that

maketh

wise

unto

salvation.

{AA

527.2}

Inconnectionwithhisinstructiontothoseinpositionsoftrustinthechurch,theapostleoutlined

somegeneralprinciplesthatweretobefollowedbyallwhowereassociatedinchurchfellowship.The

youngermembersoftheflockwereurgedtofollowtheexampleoftheireldersinthe

528


28/54

practiceofChristlikehumility:"Likewise,yeyounger,submityourselvesuntotheelder.Yea,allofyou

besubjectonetoanother,andbeclothedwithhumility:forGodresisteththeproud,andgivethgrace

tothehumble.HumbleyourselvesthereforeunderthemightyhandofGod,thatHemayexaltyouin

duetime:castingallyourcareuponHim;forHecarethforyou.Besober,bevigilant;becauseyour

adversarythedevil,asaroaringlion,walkethabout,seekingwhomhemaydevour:whomresist

steadfastin

the

faith."

{AA

527.3}

[vol.6BibleCommentary 1083.6] 13.ChristtheUnitingStone.Paulasks,"IsChristdivided?"Have

wenotonespiritualHead?Christhasbeentheunitingstone,thechiefcornerstone,inallages.The

patriarchs,theLeviticalpriesthood,andChristiansoftoday,allhavetheircenterinHim.Heisalland

inall(RHJan.3,1899). {vol.6BibleCommentary 1083.6}

ToAbraham

was

given

the

promise

that

of

his

line

the

Saviour

of

the

world

should

come:

"In

thy

seed

shallallthenationsoftheearthbeblessed.""Hesaithnot,Andtoseeds,asofmany;butasofone,

Andtothyseed,whichisChrist."Genesis22:18;Galatians3:16. {AA222.2}

Moses,nearthecloseofhisworkasaleaderandteacherofIsrael,plainlyprophesiedofthe

Messiahtocome."TheLordthyGod,"hedeclaredtotheassembledhostsofIsrael,"willraiseupunto

theeaProphetfromthemidstofthee,ofthybrethren,likeuntome;untoHimyeshallhearken."And

MosesassuredtheIsraelitesthatGodHimselfhadrevealedthistohimwhileinMountHoreb,saying,

"IwillraisethemupaProphetfromamongtheirbrethren,likeuntothee,andwillputMywordsin

Hismouth;andHeshallspeakuntothemallthatIshallcommandHim."Deuteronomy18:15,18.

223

{AA222.3}

TheMessiahwastobeoftheroyalline,forintheprophecyutteredbyJacobtheLordsaid,"ThesceptershallnotdepartfromJudah,noralawgiverfrombetweenhisfeet,untilShilohcome;and

untoHimshallthegatheringofthepeoplebe."Genesis49:10. {AA223.1}

Isaiahprophesied:"ThereshallcomefortharodoutofthestemofJesse,andaBranchshallgrow

outofhisroots.""Inclineyourear,andcomeuntoMe:hear,andyoursoulshalllive;andIwillmake

aneverlastingcovenantwithyou,eventhesuremerciesofDavid.Behold,IhavegivenHimfora

witnessto

the

people,

aleader

and

commander

to

the

people.

Behold,

thou

shalt

call

anation

that

thouknowestnot,andnationsthatknewnottheeshallrununtotheebecauseoftheLordthyGod,

andfortheHolyOneofIsrael;forHehathglorifiedthee."Isaiah11:1;55:35. {AA223.2}

JeremiahalsoborewitnessofthecomingRedeemerasaPrinceofthehouseofDavid:"Behold,the

dayscome,saiththeLord,thatIwillraiseuntoDavidarighteousBranch,andaKingshallreignand

prosper,andshallexecutejudgmentandjusticeintheearth.InHisdaysJudahshallbesaved,and


29/54

Israelshalldwellsafely:andthisisHisnamewherebyHeshallbecalled,TheLordOurRighteousness."

Andagain:"ThussaiththeLord:Davidshallneverwantamantosituponthethroneofthehouseof

Israel;neithershalltheprieststheLeviteswantamanbeforeMetoofferburntofferings,andto

kindlemeatofferings,andtodosacrificecontinually."Jeremiah23:5,6;33:17,18. {AA223.3}

Eventhe

birthplace

of

the

Messiah

was

foretold:

"Thou,

Bethlehem

Ephratah,

though

thou

be

little

amongthethousands

224

ofJudah,yetoutoftheeshallHecomeforthuntoMethatistobeRulerinIsrael;whosegoingsforth

havebeenfromofold,fromeverlasting."Micah5:2. {AA223.4}

TheworkthattheSaviourwastodoontheearthhadbeenfullyoutlined:"TheSpiritoftheLordshall

restuponHim,thespiritofwisdomandunderstanding,thespiritofcounselandmight,thespiritof

knowledgeandofthefearoftheLord;andshallmakeHimofquickunderstandinginthefearofthe

Lord."TheOnethusanointedwas"topreachgoodtidingsuntothemeek;...tobindupthe

brokenhearted,toproclaimlibertytothecaptives,andtheopeningoftheprisontothemthatare

bound;toproclaimtheacceptableyearoftheLord,andthedayofvengeanceofourGod;tocomfort

allthatmourn;toappointuntothemthatmourninZion,togiveuntothembeautyforashes,theoil

ofjoyformourning,thegarmentofpraiseforthespiritofheaviness;thattheymightbecalledtrees

ofrighteousness,theplantingoftheLord,thatHemightbeglorified."Isaiah11:2,3;61:13. {AA

224.1}

"BeholdMyservant,whomIuphold;Mineelect,inwhomMysouldelighteth;IhaveputMySpirit

uponHim:

He

shall

bring

forth

judgment

to

the

Gentiles.

He

shall

not

cry,

nor

lift

up,

nor

cause

His

voicetobeheardinthestreet.AbruisedreedshallHenotbreak,andthesmokingflaxshallHenot

quench:Heshallbringforthjudgmentuntotruth.Heshallnotfailnorbediscouraged,tillHehaveset

judgmentintheearth:andtheislesshallwaitforHislaw."Isaiah42:14.

225

{AA224.2}

WithconvincingpowerPaulreasonedfromtheOldTestamentScripturesthat"Christmustneeds

havesuffered,andrisenagainfromthedead."HadnotMicahprophesied,"TheyshallsmitetheJudge

ofIsraelwitharoduponthecheek"?Micah5:1.AndhadnotthePromisedOne,throughIsaiah,

prophesiedofHimself,"IgaveMybacktothesmiters,andMycheekstothemthatpluckedoffthe

hair:IhidnotMyfacefromshameandspitting"?Isaiah50:6.ThroughthepsalmistChristhadforetold


30/54

thetreatmentthatHeshouldreceivefrommen:"Iam...areproachofmen,anddespisedofthe

people.AlltheythatseeMelaughMetoscorn:theyshootoutthelip,theyshakethehead,saying,He

trustedontheLordthatHewoulddeliverHim:letHimdeliverHim,seeingHedelightedinHim.""I

maytellallMybones:theylookandstareuponMe.TheypartMygarmentsamongthem,andcast

lotsuponMyvesture.""IambecomeastrangeruntoMybrethren,andanalienuntoMymother's

children.For

the

zeal

of

Thine

house

hath

eaten

Me

up;

and

the

reproaches

of

them

that

reproached

TheearefallenuponMe.""ReproachhathbrokenMyheart;andIamfullofheaviness:andIlooked

forsometotakepity,buttherewasnone;andforcomforters,butIfoundnone."Psalms22:68,17,

18;69:8,9,20. {AA225.1}

HowunmistakablyplainwereIsaiah'spropheciesofChrist'ssufferingsanddeath!"Whohath

believedourreport?"theprophetinquires,"andtowhomisthearmoftheLordrevealed?ForHe

shallgrowupbeforeHimasa

226

tenderplant,

and

as

aroot

out

of

adry

ground:

He

hath

no

form

nor

comeliness;

and

when

we

shall

seeHim,thereisnobeautythatweshoulddesireHim.Heisdespisedandrejectedofmen;amanof

sorrows,andacquaintedwithgrief:andwehidasitwereourfacesfromHim;Hewasdespised,and

weesteemedHimnot. {AA225.2}

ItwasHewhorevealedHimselftothepatriarchs.Adam,Noah,Abraham,Isaac,Jacob,andMosesunderstoodthegospel.Theylookedforsalvationthroughman'sSubstituteandSurety.Theseholy

menofoldheldcommunionwiththeSaviourwhowastocometoourworldinhumanflesh;and

some

of

them

talked

with

Christ

and

heavenly

angels

face

to

face.

{PP

366.1}

AdamandEve,attheircreation,hadaknowledgeofthelawofGod;theywereacquaintedwithits

claimsuponthem;itspreceptswerewrittenupontheirhearts.Whenmanfellbytransgressionthe

lawwasnotchanged,butaremedialsystemwasestablishedtobringhimbacktoobedience.The

promiseofaSaviourwasgiven,andsacrificialofferingspointingforwardtothedeathofChristasthe

greatsinofferingwereestablished.ButhadthelawofGodneverbeentransgressed,therewould

havebeennodeath,andnoneedofaSaviour;consequentlytherewouldhavebeennoneedof

sacrifices. {PP363.1}

AdamtaughthisdescendantsthelawofGod,anditwashandeddownfromfathertosonthrough

successivegenerations.Butnotwithstandingthegraciousprovisionforman'sredemption,therewere

fewwhoaccepteditandrenderedobedience.Bytransgressiontheworldbecamesovilethatitwas

necessarytocleanseitbytheFloodfromitscorruption.ThelawwaspreservedbyNoahandhisfamily,

andNoahtaughthisdescendantstheTenCommandments.AsmenagaindepartedfromGod,the

LordchoseAbraham,ofwhomHedeclared,"AbrahamobeyedMyvoice,andkeptMycharge,My


31/54

commandments,Mystatutes,andMylaws."Genesis26:5.Tohimwasgiventheriteofcircumcision,

whichwasasignthatthosewhoreceiveditweredevotedtotheserviceofGodapledgethatthey

wouldremainseparatefromidolatry,andwouldobeythelawofGod.ThefailureofAbraham's

descendantstokeepthispledge,asshownintheirdispositiontoformallianceswiththeheathenand

adopttheirpractices,wasthecauseoftheirsojournandbondageinEgypt.Butintheirintercourse

withidolaters,

and

their

forced

submission

to

the

Egyptians,

the

divine

precepts

became

still

further

corruptedwiththevileandcruelteachingsofheathenism.Therefore

364

whentheLordbroughtthemforthfromEgypt,HecamedownuponSinai,enshroudedinglory

andsurroundedbyHisangels,andinawfulmajestyspokeHislawinthehearingofallthepeople. {PP

363.2}

Educationof

Israel

ThesystemofeducationestablishedinEdencenteredinthefamily.Adamwas"thesonofGod"(Luke

3:38),anditwasfromtheirFatherthatthechildrenoftheHighestreceivedinstruction.Theirs,inthe

truestsense,wasafamilyschool. {Ed33.1}

Inthedivineplanofeducationasadaptedtoman'sconditionaftertheFall,Christstandsasthe

representativeoftheFather,theconnectinglinkbetweenGodandman;Heisthegreatteacherof

mankind.AndHeordainedthatmenandwomenshouldbeHisrepresentatives.Thefamilywasthe

school,andtheparentsweretheteachers. {Ed33.2}

Theeducation

centering

in

the

family

was

that

which

prevailed

in

the

days

of

the

patriarchs.

For

theschoolsthusestablished,Godprovidedtheconditionsmostfavorableforthedevelopmentof

character.ThepeoplewhowereunderHisdirectionstillpursuedtheplanoflifethatHehad

appointedinthebeginning.ThosewhodepartedfromGodbuiltforthemselvescities,and,

congregatinginthem,gloriedinthesplendor,theluxury,andthevicethatmakethecitiesoftoday

theworld'sprideanditscurse.ButthemenwhoheldfastGod'sprinciplesoflifedweltamongthe

fieldsandhills.Theywere

34

tillersofthesoilandkeepersofflocksandherds,andinthisfree,independentlife,withits

opportunitiesforlaborandstudyandmeditation,theylearnedofGodandtaughttheirchildrenofHis

worksandways. {Ed33.3}


32/54

150.RebellionAgainstLeadership.ThesemenofIsraelcomplained,andinfluencedthepeopletostandwiththeminrebellion,andevenafterGodstretchedforthHishandandswallowedupthe

wrongdoers,andthepeoplefledtotheirtentsinhorror,theirrebellionwasnotcured.Thedepthof

theirdisaffection

was

made

manifest

even

under

the

judgment

of

the

Lord.

The

morning

after

the

destructionofKorah,Dathan,andAbiramandtheirconfederates,thepeoplecametoMosesand

Aaron,saying,"YehavekilledthepeopleoftheLord."ForthisfalsechargeontheservantsofGod,

thousandsmorewerekilled,fortherewasinthemsin,exultationandpresumptuouswickedness

(Letter12a,1893). {Vol.1BibleCommentary 1114.2}

(1Sam.15:23).LessonsFromtheRebellion.Iquestionwhethergenuinerebellionisevercurable.

StudyinPatriarchsandProphetstherebellionofKorah,Dathan,andAbiram.Thisrebellionwas

extended,includingmorethantwomen.[REFERENCEISHEREMADETOTWOMENLEADINGA

REBELLIONINACERTAINFIELD.EDITOR.]Itwasledbytwohundredandfiftyprincesofthe

congregation,

men

of

renown.

Call

rebellion

by

its

right

name,

and

apostasy

by

its

right

name,

and

thenconsiderthattheexperienceoftheancientpeopleofGodwithallitsobjectionablefeatureswas

faithfullychronicledtopassintohistory.TheScripturedeclares,"Thesethingswerewrittenforour

admonition,uponwhomtheendsoftheworldarecome."Andifmenandwomenwhohavethe

knowledgeofthetrutharesofarseparatedfromtheirgreatLeader,thattheywilltakethegreat

leaderofapostasy,andnamehimChristourRighteousness,itisbecausetheyhavenotsunktheshaft

deepintotheminesoftruth.Theyarenotabletodistinguishthepreciousorefromthebase

material.... {1BC1114.3}

*** TheLordhaspermittedthismattertodevelopasithasdone,inordertoshowhoweasilyHis

people

will

be

misled,

when

they

depend

upon

the

words

of

men

instead

of

searching

the

Scriptures

forthemselves,asdidthenobleBereans,toseeifthesethingsareso.... {1BC1114.4}

Rebellionandapostasyareintheveryairwebreathe.Weshallbeaffectedbyitunlesswebyfaith

hangourhelplesssoulsuponChrist.Ifmenaresoeasilymisled,howwilltheystandwhenSatanshall

personateChrist,andworkmiracles?Whowillbeunmovedbyhismisrepresentations?Professingto

beChristwhenitisonlySatanassumingthepersonofChrist,andapparentlyworkingtheworksof

Christ?WhatwillholdGod'speoplefromgivingtheirallegiancetofalseChrists?"Gonotyeafter

them." {1BC1114.5}

Thedoctrinesmustbeplainlyunderstood.Themenacceptedtoteachthetruthmustbeanchored;

thentheirvesselwillholdagainststormandtempest,becausetheanchorholdsthemfirmly.The

deceptionswillincrease,andwearetocallrebellionbyitsrightname.Wearetostandwiththe

wholearmoron.Mybrethren,youarenotmeetingmenonly,

1115


33/54

butprincipalitiesandpowers.Wewrestlenotagainstfleshandblood.LetEph.6:1018beread

carefully(Letter1,1897). {1BC1114.6}

ChristcametoourworldnottoaidSataninworkinguprebellion,buttoputdown

rebellion.Wherevermenstartoutinrebelliontheywillworksecretlyandindarkness,astheywillnot

comeas

Christ

has

told

them

to

do

to

the

ones

they

have

any

matter

against

but

will

take

their

budget

offalsehoodsandenmityandevilsurmisingsandSatanicrepresentations,asdidSatantothefellow

angelsunderhim,andgaintheirsympathybyfalserepresentations (Letter156,1897). {1BC1115.1}

13.PrincesEnlistedinRebellion.ThosemenofIsraelweredeterminedtoresistallevidencethat

wouldprovethemtobewrong,andtheywentonandonintheircourseofdisaffectionuntilmany

weredrawnawaytounitewiththem.Whowerethese?Nottheweak,nottheignorant,notthe

unenlightened.Inthatrebellionthereweretwohundredandfiftyprincesfamousinthecongregation,

menofrenown(Letter2a,1892). {1BC1115.2}

KorahDeceivedHimself.Korahhadcherishedhisenvyandrebellionuntilhewasselfdeceived,and

hereallythoughtthatthecongregationwasaveryrighteouspeople,andthatMoseswasatyrannical

ruler,continuallydwellinguponthenecessityofthecongregation'sbeingholy,whentherewasno

needofit,fortheywereholy(Ibid.,31). {1BC1115.4}

19.ThePeopleDeceivedThemselves.ThepeoplethoughtifKorahcouldleadthem,and

encouragethem,anddwellupontheirrighteousacts,insteadofremindingthemoftheirfailures,they

shouldhaveaverypeaceful,prosperousjourney,andhewouldwithoutdoubtleadthem,notback

andforwardinthewilderness,butintothepromisedland.TheysaidthatitwasMoseswhohadtold

them

that

they

could

not

go

into

the

land,

and

that

the

Lord

had

not

thus

said.

Korah

in

his

exalted

selfconfidencegatheredallthecongregationagainstMosesandAaron,"untothedoorofthe

tabernacleofthecongregation"(Ibid.). {1BC1115.5}

ThesevenDeacons

Summoningameetingofthebelievers,theapostleswereledbytheHolySpirittooutlineaplanfor

thebetterorganizationofalltheworkingforcesofthechurch.Thetimehadcome,theapostlesstated,

whenthespiritualleadershavingtheoversightofthechurchshouldberelievedfromthetaskof

distributingto

the

poor

and

from

similar

burdens,

so

that

they

might

be

free

to

carry

forward

the

workofpreachingthegospel."Wherefore,brethren,"theysaid,"lookyeoutamongyousevenmen

ofhonestreport,fulloftheHolyGhostandwisdom,whomwemayappointoverthisbusiness.Butwe

willgiveourselvescontinuallytoprayer,andtotheministryoftheword."Thisadvicewasfollowed,

andbyprayerandthelayingonofhands,sevenchosenmenweresolemnlysetapartfortheirduties

asdeacons. {AA89.1}


34/54

Theappointmentoftheseventotaketheoversightofspeciallinesofwork,provedagreat

blessingtothechurch.Theseofficersgavecarefulconsiderationtoindividualneedsaswellastothe

generalfinancialinterestsofthechurch,andbytheirprudentmanagementandtheirgodlyexample

theywereanimportantaidtotheirfellowofficersinbindingtogetherthevariousinterestsofthe

churchintoaunitedwhole. {AA89.2}

ThatthisstepwasintheorderofGod,isrevealedintheimmediateresultsforgoodthatwere

seen."ThewordofGodincreased;andthenumberofthedisciplesmultipliedinJerusalemgreatly;

andagreatcompanyofthepriests

90

wereobedienttothefaith."Thisingatheringofsoulswasduebothtothegreaterfreedomsecured

bytheapostlesandtothezealandpowershownbythesevendeacons.Thefactthatthesebrethren

hadbeenordainedforthespecialworkoflookingaftertheneedsofthepoor,didnotexcludethem

fromteachingthefaith.Onthecontrary,theywerefullyqualifiedtoinstructothersinthetruth,and

theyengaged

in

the

work

with

great

earnestness

and

success.

{AA

89.3}

Totheearlychurchhadbeenentrustedaconstantlyenlargingworkthatofestablishingcentersof

lightandblessingwherevertherewerehonestsoulswillingtogivethemselvestotheserviceofChrist.

Theproclamationofthegospelwastobeworldwideinitsextent,andthemessengersofthecross

couldnothopetofulfilltheirimportantmissionunlesstheyshouldremainunitedinthebondsof

Christianunity,andthusrevealtotheworldthattheywereonewithChristinGod.Hadnottheir

divineLeaderprayedtotheFather,"KeepthroughThineownnamethosewhomThouhastgivenMe,

thattheymaybeone,asWeare"?AndhadHenotdeclaredofHisdisciples,"Theworldhathhated

them,becausetheyarenotoftheworld"?HadHenotpleadedwiththeFatherthattheymightbe

"madeperfect

in

one,"

"that

the

world

may

believe

that

Thou

hast

sent

Me"?

John

17:11,

14,

23,

21.

TheirspirituallifeandpowerwasdependentonacloseconnectionwiththeOnebywhomtheyhad

beencommissionedtopreachthegospel. {AA90.1}

OnlyastheywereunitedwithChristcouldthediscipleshopetohavetheaccompanyingpowerof

theHolySpiritand

91

thecooperationofangelsofheaven.Withthehelpofthesedivineagenciestheywouldpresent

beforetheworldaunitedfrontandwouldbevictoriousintheconflicttheywerecompelledtowage

unceasinglyagainst

the

powers

of

darkness.

As

they

should

continue

to

labor

unitedly,

heavenly

messengerswouldgobeforethem,openingtheway;heartswouldbepreparedforthereceptionof

truth,andmanywouldbewontoChrist.Solongastheyremainedunited,thechurchwouldgoforth

"fairasthemoon,clearasthesun,andterribleasanarmywithbanners."SongofSolomon6:10.

Nothingcouldwithstandheronwardprogress.Thechurchwouldadvancefromvictorytovictory,

gloriouslyfulfillingherdivinemissionofproclaimingthegospeltotheworld. {AA90.2}


35/54

TheorganizationofthechurchatJerusalemwastoserveasamodelfortheorganizationofchurches

ineveryotherplacewheremessengersoftruthshouldwinconvertstothegospel.Thosetowhom

wasgiventheresponsibilityofthegeneraloversightofthechurchwerenottolorditoverGod's

heritage,but,aswiseshepherds,wereto"feedtheflockofGod,...beingensamplestotheflock"(1

Peter5:2,3);andthedeaconsweretobe"menofhonestreport,fulloftheHolyGhostandwisdom."

Thesemen

were

to

take

their

position

unitedly

on

the

side

of

right

and

to

maintain

it

with

firmness

anddecision.Thustheywouldhaveaunitinginfluenceupontheentireflock. {AA91.1}

Laterinthehistoryoftheearlychurch,wheninvariouspartsoftheworldmanygroupsof

believershadbeenformedintochurches,theorganizationofthechurchwasfurther

92

perfected,sothatorderandharmoniousactionmightbemaintained.Everymemberwasexhortedto

actwellhispart.Eachwastomakeawiseuseofthetalentsentrustedtohim.Somewereendowedby

theHolySpiritwithspecialgifts"firstapostles,secondarilyprophets,thirdlyteachers,afterthat

miracles,then

gifts

of

healings,

helps,

governments,

diversities

of

tongues."

1Corinthians

12:28.

But

alltheseclassesofworkersweretolaborinharmony. {AA91.2}

"Therearediversitiesofgifts,butthesameSpirit.Andtherearedifferencesofadministrations,but

thesameLord.Andtherearediversitiesofoperations,butitisthesameGodwhichworkethallinall.

ButthemanifestationoftheSpiritisgiventoeverymantoprofitwithal.Fortooneisgivenbythe

Spiritthewordofwisdom;toanotherthewordofknowledgebythesameSpirit;toanotherfaithby

thesameSpirit;toanotherthegiftsofhealingbythesameSpirit;toanothertheworkingofmiracles;

toanotherprophecy;toanotherdiscerningofspirits;toanotherdiverskindsoftongues;toanother

theinterpretationoftongues:butalltheseworkeththatoneandtheselfsameSpirit,dividingtoevery

manseverally

as

He

will.

For

as

the

body

is

one,

and

hath

many

members,

and

all

the

members

of

that

onebody,beingmany,areonebody:soalsoisChrist."1Corinthians12:412. {AA92.1}

Solemnaretheresponsibilitiesrestinguponthosewhoarecalledtoactasleadersinthechurchof

Godonearth.Inthedaysofthetheocracy,whenMoseswasendeavoringtocarryaloneburdensso

heavythathewouldsoonhave

93

wornawayunderthem,hewascounseledbyJethrotoplanforawisedistributionofresponsibilities.

"BethouforthepeopletoGodward,"Jethroadvised,"thatthoumayestbringthecausesuntoGod:

andthou

shalt

teach

them

ordinances

and

laws,

and

shalt

show

them

the

way

wherein

they

must

walk,andtheworkthattheymustdo."Jethrofurtheradvisedthatmenbeappointedtoactas"rulers

ofthousands,andrulersofhundreds,rulersoffifties,andrulersoftens."Theseweretobe"ablemen,

suchasfearGod,menoftruth,hatingcovetousness."Theywereto"judgethepeopleatallseasons,"

thusrelievingMosesofthewearingresponsibilityofgivingconsiderationtomanyminormattersthat

couldbedealtwithwiselybyconsecratedhelpers. {AA92.2}


36/54

ThetimeandstrengthofthosewhointheprovidenceofGodhavebeenplacedinleadingpositions

ofresponsibilityinthechurch,shouldbespentindealingwiththeweightiermattersdemanding

specialwisdomandlargenessofheart.ItisnotintheorderofGodthatsuchmenshouldbeappealed

tofortheadjustmentofminormattersthatothersarewellqualifiedtohandle."Everygreatmatter

theyshallbringuntothee,"JethroproposedtoMoses,"buteverysmallmattertheyshalljudge:so

shallit

be

easier

for

thyself,

and

they

shall

bear

the

burden

with

thee.

If

thou

shalt

do

this

thing,

and

Godcommandtheeso,thenthoushaltbeabletoendure,andallthispeopleshallalsogototheir

placeinpeace." {AA93.1}

Inharmonywiththisplan,"MoseschoseablemenoutofallIsrael,andmadethemheadsoverthe

people,rulersofthousands,rulersofhundreds,rulersoffifties,andrulers

94

oftens.Andtheyjudgedthepeopleatallseasons:thehardcausestheybroughtuntoMoses,but

everysmallmattertheyjudgedthemselves."Exodus18:1926. {AA93.2}

Later,whenchoosingseventyelderstosharewithhimtheresponsibilitiesofleadership,Moses

wascarefultoselect,ashishelpers,menpossessingdignity,soundjudgment,andexperience.Inhis

chargetotheseeldersatthetimeoftheirordination,heoutlinedsomeofthequalificationsthatfita

mantobeawiserulerinthechurch."Hearthecausesbetweenyourbrethren,"saidMoses,"and

judgerighteouslybetweeneverymanandhisbrother,andthestrangerthatiswithhim.Yeshallnot

respectpersonsinjudgment;butyeshallhearthesmallaswellasthegreat;yeshallnotbeafraidof

thefaceofman;forthejudgmentisGod's."Deuteronomy1:16,17. {AA94.1}

KingDavid,towardthecloseofhisreign,deliveredasolemnchargetothosebearingtheburdenof

the

work

of

God

in

his

day.

Summoning

to

Jerusalem

"all

the

princes

of

Israel,

the

princes

of

the

tribes,

andthecaptainsofthecompaniesthatministeredtothekingbycourse,andthecaptainsoverthe

thousands,andcaptainsoverthehundreds,andthestewardsoverallthesubstanceandpossessionof

theking,andofhissons,withtheofficers,andwiththemightymen,andwithallthevaliantmen,"

theagedkingsolemnlychargedthem,"inthesightofallIsraelthecongregationoftheLord,andin

theaudienceofourGod,"to"keepandseekforallthecommandmentsoftheLordyourGod."I

Chronicles28:1,8.

95

{AA94.2}

ToSolomon,asonecalledtooccupyaposit

did ellen white support the ordination of women

Documents