I agree, but may I extend the scope a little bit....

Nobody here should feel attacked for believing OR NOT belieaving the 28FB.

Amen!

I agree with you Elle. Nobody should feel attacked here. But as Mountain Man says, this is an SDA site. It seems natural that people with non-SDA inclinations will feel uncomfortable here. We teach that even heaven itself would be a place of "supreme torture" to those that question the ways of God.

But if "strangers" come into another man's house, thinking that they are at full liberty to question and criticize, then that house is quickly made into a house of debate and conflict. The "debate" mind-set has destroyed most of the online discussion sites, and the meek and lowly , when they come looking [and inquiring,] are suddenly repulsed by the almost continual aggression.

As a people, I think we have opened our doors too widely to outsiders, and have made the house of God a den [a stronghold] of debate. There was a time when many of our people really knew our teachings regarding the time-prophecies, etc., but that time is now long past.

Sadly, I have to agree with you StewartC.
I just joined this site a couple of months ago, after a seemingly endless journey from one, so called SDA site, to another. I am not in a position to attend any regular church services or even a home church at this time, so finding online fellowship was extremely important to me.
Without exception, every single site I tried was one horrible, endless, extended argument.
The simplest, most basic, doctrines were questioned over and over. It was such a blessing to find this site. It can get pretty bad here from time to time, but it's generally a good place to be. I attribute this to the fussier standard and wait time for enrollment required here. Every other site seems to only ask for an email address and you're in.

I have heard theories of infiltration into SDA sites by certain organizations. Sometimes, I wonder if there could be some truth to it. I pray this place does not succumb to such influence.

Steward...I'm not an outsider nor is JAK. We are both SDAs. Forum is a place of discussion, testing, if what we believe is in line with scriptures. Ellen & James White said this was our Christian DUTY.

If the SDAs 28FBs are in line with the scriptures, then there's nothing to debate about. But the problem is it often conflict with scriptures.

So what do we do as SDAs? close our eyes, don't investigate the scriptures, and bashe others in the Church that dare point these out?

And if they talk too much "in the house" then discipline them like MM recommends. And if they continue to talk too much....then kick them out of the house? Is that the way you want to deal with the problems?

Steward, thank you. So true.

Elle, yes, the biblical course of action is discipline. Paul was to the point - "I would they were even cut off which trouble you." People who study the 28FB and then conclude one or more of them is unbiblical should do the decent thing and find somewhere else to be a church member - especially people who reject the SOP.

Rather, it is you who should "go the whole way and emasculate [yourself]!" (Gal. 5:12) You burden the GOOD NEWS of salvation with your 28FB, whereas, as Paul says, "For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" (verse 14)

And that is enough.

///

Let's see what Paul says next:

"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told [you] in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." Galations 5:19-21

"Adultery, fornication, lasciviousness,(that almost sounds like one of God's Ten Commandments)? "Thou shalt not commit adultery". "Envyings", (sounds like another Commandment)? "Thou shalt not covet". "witchcraft" (sounds like another Commandment)? "3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. "murders" (sounds like yet another Commandment)? "Thou shalt not kill". "And such like".

"they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."

It almost sounds like Paul is suggesting that "loving your neighbor as yourself". Means obeying God by keeping His Law of Love, The Ten Commandments?

"[This] I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh."
Galations 5:16

It almost sounds like Paul is saying that "walking in the Spirit" will help you obey God's Law of Love, The Ten Commandments.

James Peterson, are you familiar with rule one of this forum? Did you read it when you signed up?


Membership rule #1

1 - You must either be a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church or a friend of the Seventh-day Adventist Church to become a member of Maritime Advent Believers OnLine.

I see from your profile that you are not a Seventh Day Adventist and after hearing your animosity toward our Fundamental Beliefs, it is difficult to believe that you are a friend of the Seventh Day Adventist Church.

We're you being dishonest when you joined this forum?

I'm wondering what your motivation is for being here?