Tom, I agree that current prophets (if any) or future prophets would have to build upon what God revealed through Sripture and Ellen White. They certainly could not contradict what He revealed through them or her. And, I believe the difference between teachers who repeat what previous prophets wrote and modern-day prophets has to do with the content of their message. To classify as a modern-day prophet, it stands to reason, in my mind, that they must receive something new from God through dreams and/or visions.

Thomas, there are many examples of Ellen White writing things that were not revealed to her by God which may or may not be inspired. However, whenever she wrote what God specifically revealed to her in dream or vision it is most definitely inspired and authoritative. I realize you personally do not believe this, but the SDA church certainly does.

Tom, regarding Paul extrapolating new truth from OT passages the book of Hebrews comes to mind. I realize you believe the truths he presented were inherent in the Pentatuch, but where does it say so as plainly as Paul does? For example, where in the Pentatuh does Moses clearly say the Son of God would become a human being and pay for the sins of the world on the cross?

Also, in the GC Ellen White applied many OT prophecies to end-time events which should have been fulfilled by post-exilic Jews returning to Jerusalem from Babylon. This is an excample of God working through a modern-day prophet to reapply prophecies in ways not envisioned by the original prophecy. She cites such prophecies as proof of what she's saying about end-time events. This is a form of proof-texting and taking things out of context and reapplying to them a different time and circumstances and people.

Explaining something clearly is a far cry from taking things out of context and inventing new truth.



Indeed. But then, Paul doesn't say this either. (That would be an example of his inventing new truth, if there were such a place where he said this).



Let's discuss one person at a time. Right now we're discussing Paul.

Are you saying Paul never said Jesus became a human and paid our sin debt of death on the cross?

You wrote:



I'm saying Paul didn't say this. If you disagree, cite a place where Paul said, "Christ became a human being and paid for the sins of the world on the cross." Actually, that Christ became a human being you can skip. Just provide a statement where Paul said, "Christ paid for the sins of the world on the cross." Or, if you prefer the other wording you just used, "Christ paid our sin debt on the cross." You could provide a statement where Paul says this.

On this topic Ellen wrote:

Even when we were under the control of a cruel master, even when the prince of darkness ruled our spirits, the Lord Jesus Christ paid the ransom price of His own blood for us. {SD 238.3} Oh, what is man, that such a price should be paid for his redemption! {2T 211.2} We have been purchased with a dear price, even the sufferings and death of the Son of God. {2T 354.2}

The justice, the moral excellence, of the law must be maintained and vindicated before the heavenly universe. And that holy law could not be maintained at any smaller price than the death of the Son of God. {2MCP 565.2}

Obedience and submission to God's requirements are the conditions given by the inspired apostle by which we become children of God, members of the royal family. Every child and youth, every man and woman, has Jesus rescued by His own blood from the abyss of ruin to which Satan was compelling them to go. Because sinners will not accept of the salvation freely offered them, are they released from their obligations? Their choosing to remain in sin and bold transgression does not lessen their guilt. Jesus paid a price for them, and they belong to Him. They are His property; and if they will not yield obedience to Him who has given His life for them, but devote their time and strength and talents to the service of Satan, they are earning their wages, which is death. Immortal glory and eternal life is the reward that our Redeemer offers to those who will be obedient to Him. He has made it possible for them to perfect Christian character through His name and to overcome on their own account as He overcame in their behalf. He has given them an example in His own life, showing them how they may overcome. "The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." {3T 365.1}

Jesus paid an infinite price to redeem the world, and the race was given into His hands; they became His property. . . Christ prepared the way for the ransom of man by His own life of suffering, self-denial, and self-sacrifice, and by His humiliation and final death. {3T 372.1} With His own blood He has paid their ransom. {CT 14.1} Christ's death on the cross paid the ransom for every human being. {LHU 235.7}

She also wrote:

We were all debtors to divine justice, but we had nothing with which to pay the debt. Then the Son of God, who pitied us, paid the price of our redemption. {CC 267.5}

The transgression was so great that an angel's life would not pay the debt. Nothing but the death and intercession of God's Son would pay the debt and save lost man from hopeless sorrow and misery. {EW 127.1}

Those only who acknowledge the binding claim of the moral law can explain the nature of the atonement. Christ came to mediate between God and man, to make man one with God by bringing him into allegiance to His law. There was no power in the law to pardon its transgressor. Jesus alone could pay the sinner's debt. But the fact that Jesus has paid the indebtedness of the repentant sinner does not give him license to continue in transgression of the law of God; but he must henceforth live in obedience to that law. {1SM 229.2}

Christ died because there was no other hope for the transgressor. He might try to keep God's law in the future; but the debt which he had incurred in the past remained, and the law must condemn him to death. Christ came to pay that debt for the sinner which it was impossible for him to pay for himself. Thus, through the atoning sacrifice of Christ, sinful man was granted another trial. {FW 30.1}

When our Redeemer consented to take the cup of suffering in order to save sinners, His capacity for suffering was the only limitation to His suffering. . . . By dying in our behalf, He gave an equivalent for our debt. Thus He removed from God all charge of lessening the guilt of sin. By virtue of My oneness with the Father, He says, My suffering and death enable Me to pay the penalty of sin. By My death a restraint is removed from His love. His grace can act with unbounded efficiency. {TMK 69.3}

MM, I wrote:



Here's what I requested:



I really don't understand how you didn't understand this, MM. This was really explicit.

Quoting Ellen when trying to prove something about Pauls views suggests that direct quotes by Paul are scarce.

I posted the quotes from the SOP before reading your request regarding Paul. Nevertheless, I believe the quotes I posted agree with Paul's insights on the subject. And, I also believe my conclusions concerning the matter are supported by the quotes. I take it you see things in a different light?