That is why I would like to see some scripture regarding this. You can't convict someone of Biblical truth by using Sister White's writings only and then tell them its in the Bible. That would be like me going to feed the homless and telling them "Ellen White says not to use tobacco"... They would look at me like some nutbar, but if you can show people from the Bible then that would be a different story.By the way I don't see Ellen White being taught or promoted as sola scrptura at a baptism class. Jesus came to call the sinners to repentance, not call sinners to get cleaned sit in a baptism class for a few weeks, then maybe clean themselves up and see Him.. Ridiculous really.

God Bless,
Will

-Bravo Will!
-To take it a step further, I do not believe that Ellen White would want us making her writtings into such a "religious" rite of passage. YES her inspired writtings are fit for council and guidance BUT too many times we (SDA's) take all of her writtings (inspired and not) as gospel.
-Let us understand by SCRIPTURE, and with the use of EGW's, documented inspired, writings as council.

This problem with baptism/tobacco hit me very squarely between the eyes 3 years ago. Two homeless men i was leading had come near the point of decision for Christ. The only thing keeping them from being baptised was tobacco. They had quite a good knowledge of the Bible, and assented to its principles, and agreed that Jesus Christ was the Saviour (but a little weak on the last one).

I told them that nothing should stand between them and God. They had to give all to the Lord. To be baptised they had to:
1. Repent
2. Confess their faith
3. Follow Christ
Both of them said, without my prodding, that they could not give up tobacco. Some church members at the time who still had any love for the homeless said i was being too harsh by saying they were not ready for baptism because they were using tobacco, so i studied this topic thoroughly. Here are some quotes i found:
1. The Gospel of Health, March 1, 1898:

quote:

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"Shall those who have had more opportunities and much precious light, who enjoy the advantages of education, make the plea that they cannot cut away from unhealthful practises? Why do not those who have excellent reasoning powers reason from cause to effect? Why do they not advocate reform by planting their feet firmly on principle, determined not to take alcoholic drink or use tobacco? They are poisons, and their use is a violation of God's law.

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2. Second Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, January 25, 1881:

quote:

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Men professing godliness offer their bodies upon Satan's altar, and burn the incense of tobacco to his Satanic majesty. Does this statement seem severe? The offering must be presented to some deity. As God is pure and holy, and will accept nothing defiling its character, he refuses this expensive, filthy, and unholy sacrifice; therefore we conclude that Satan is the one who claims the honor.

Jesus died to rescue man from the grasp of Satan. He came to set us free by the blood of his atoning sacrifice. The man who has become the property of Jesus Christ, and whose body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, will not be enslaved by the pernicious habit of tobacco-using. His powers belong to Christ, who has bought him with the price of blood. His property is the Lord's. How, then, can he be guiltless in expending every day the Lord's intrusted capital to gratify an appetite which has no foundation in nature?

...In the indulgence of hurtful lusts, professed Christians are daily enfeebling their powers, making it impossible to glorify God.

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3. 1 Thessalonians 5:23:

quote:

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"And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit, and soul, and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."

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I tried to find ways to get them to quit. They didn't, and one of them got quite anti-Bible later that year, and the other is still living the lifestyle he wishes. One of the homeless men who has studied the Bible a lot with me quit tho, at the age of 69! Praise God. I know God is leading him, but the seed seems to get picked off in the air by Satan before it ever hits the ground in his case. Please breathe a prayer for him.

Christ said He would never reject anyone who came to Him:

quote:

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John 6;37
37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

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At least there is an example of the thief on the cross who believed in Christ and was saved.

God Bless,
Will

Daniel Richards: please answer this question...which of Ellen Whites writings are inspirational and which are not?

And of those that are, do you feel they are less inspired than the prophets writings in the Bible?

What ever happened to the lesser light pointing to the greater light? It seems that is is the otherway around. Can anyone expand on the justification of placing Sister White's writings above scripture?
God Bless,
Will

Here are some words from Sister White regarding the volatile subject of mis-using her writings to supercede the Bible.

quote:

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The Spirit was not given-- nor can it ever be bestowed--to supersede the Bible; for the Scriptures explicitly state that the Word of God is the standard by which all teaching and experience must be tested. . . . Isaiah declares, "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them" (Isa. 8:20).--The Great Controversy, Introduction, p. vii. {3SM 30.5}

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quote:

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Testimonies Never Contradict the Bible.--The Bible must be your counselor. Study it and the testimonies God has given; for they never contradict His Word.--Letter 106, 1907. {3SM 32.3}

If the Testimonies speak not according to this word of God, reject them. Christ and Belial cannot be united.--Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 691. {3SM 32.4}

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God Bless,
Will

There is a topic on the purpose of the writings of EGW in the SDA Church Concerns forum, therefore, let us discuss that aspect of this topic there, which should help us in thsi and other topics in which the writings of EGW are used.

Ack! Sorry about that Daryl. If you like you can delete my post, but I would like to copy it first into the forum you mentioned.

God Bless,
Will

All done Daryl I copied it over.

God Bless,
Will