Church Manual Updated After Inadvertent Omission
From ANN, August 25, 2016: The Seventh-day Adventist Church has updated the Church Manual after finding that part of an amendment voted at General Conference Session last year was unintentionally excluded.
“It has come to our attention that there was omission on p.127 of the current Church Manual. The correction has been made, and a statement has been issued in that regard,” Hensley M. Moorooven, associate secretary of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, said Wednesday in an e-mail to General Conference employees.
The church said in a statement on its Adventist.org website that the section on page 127 now reads: “Who May Conduct the Communion Service — The communion service is to be conducted by an ordained/commissioned pastor or an ordained elder. Deacons or deaconesses are not permitted to conduct the service.”
The italicized words were voted by delegates of the General Conference Session in San Antonio, Texas, in July 2015 but inadvertently omitted in the latest edition of the Church Manual, the statement said.
The Church Manual can only be revised during General Conference Session, which is held every five years. Many of the modifications in the latest edition were minor edits.
The Church Manual, first published in 1932, traces its roots to a 1875 statement by church cofounder Ellen G. White, who wrote: “The church of Christ is in constant peril. Satan is seeking to destroy the people of God, and one man’s mind, one man’s judgment, is not sufficient to be trusted. Christ would have His followers brought together in church capacity, observing order, having rules and discipline, and all subject one to another, esteeming others better than themselves” (Testimonies for the Church, Volume 3, page 445).
A section about the Church Manual on Adventist.org notes that God is a God of order and says the Church Manual seeks to achieve order “through principles and regulations that guide the church in its internal operations and in the fulfillment of its mission to the world.”
Both the updated version of the 2015 Church Manual and the statement are available at: https://www.adventist.org/en/information/church-manual/
The SDA church has tried desperately to bring unity between the hyper conservative and hyper liberal elements in and around the church. Neither group will “buy” their agenda. It is part of the eccumenical spirit the church tries to advocate to keep the church from splitting.
They will probably keep the majority intact as most people are not all that interested in theology and any definitive doctrine that requires effort to consider and understand.
The statement is a meaningless exercise in futility and will not appeal to either side. So their statement, “….. the Church Manual seeks to achieve order “through principles and regulations that guide the church in its internal operations and in the fulfillment of its mission to the world.” is for the most part useless for the radical elements on both sides of the issue. But, in one sense, they don’t care as long as they can hold the majority in subjection to church authority, even if it is not in harmony with the word of God.
I personally believe that the church doctrines are in harmony with Scripture. Commissioning or ordaining women is not.
“. Commissioning or ordaining women is not.”
This IS “Church doctrine.”
Interesting that SDA is centralizing power in its clergy,while RC is decentralizing. Deacons, for example, in the RC church have been given a wide range of powers which has considerably expanded the church’s influence. RC deacons can now work as prison chaplains in the penal system but an SDA chaplain must be an ordained minister. RC also allows men who were married when converted to RC from, for example, the Anglican communion, to serve as priests in not so public rolls, such as prison chaplains.
One SDA layman who had been volunteering in a prison as a chaplain was ordained when an opportunity arose for him to become a civil service employee.
Did you mean to say that an Adventist lay person was ordained as a Catholic priest when the opportunity came for that individual to be hired as a prison chaplain?
No, Monte, I meant to say that an SDA layman was ordained as an SDA clergyman so he could take a job as an employee of the State, serving as a prison chaplain. I doubt that this is a common practice. It does demonstrate that the “power of the keys” in Adventism is centered in the ordained/ licensed(?) minister while the RC communion, in order to preserve the “sanctity” of their priesthood, has given broader powers to the deacons.
Ben Glanzer, the vocalist, was ordained to the SDA ministry so he could be paid from tithe while accompanying George Vandeman on an evangelistic tour of Europe. No money in the budget for a singer but tithe funds for the ordained; therefore, he was ordained. Again, a unique situation, I guess.
Bill Sorenson has a prison ministry. If an opportunity arose for him to become a paid employee of the government as an SDA correctional chaplain, do you think he would be ordained?
I think that policy is a short-sighted defense of tradition instead of scripture because there is nothing in scripture limiting the administration of communion, or even baptizing new believers, to clergy only. The sacrifice of Christ ended the role of the priesthood and limiting the administration of communion to clergy is a continuation of that functional limitation.
1 Corinthians 10:17 “For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.” Did the Priesthood remove the need for Bishops (Elders)? Titus 1:9 “Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.” Sounds to me like the Priesthood of Believers still needs Elders and Communion is of the Body.
1 Timothy 3:13 “For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus” William, did you not just preach to my daughter that opportunity was for the taking? I would contend that opportunity is HIS for the giving; but could a Deacon not seek farther; with such purchased good degree? If such was in Calling?
John 10:
34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?
35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;
36 Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?
37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.
38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.
We were gods before, but as Psalms 82:7 states we will die and fall without HIM as men. We are a Priesthood of Believers; not single believers. HE died for…
Conviction,
Where in scripture does it say that only elders can baptize or lead the celebration of the Lord’s Supper? Feeling like it should be done in a certain way only shows that you are more comfortable with tradition than the instructions (or lack thereof) in scripture. Doing that is not teaching what scripture says.
Where in Scripture does it say we should not get someone off the street or even satan to Baptize or lead Communion? Your representations fails wisdom and is adding to the Word; which is definitely is not advised within Scripture.
As Allen states below in Revelation 1:6, HE made us kings and priests unto GOD and HIS FATHER, to HIM be Glory and Dominion for ever and ever, Amen. We are a Priesthood, not Priesthoods. We are all the beacon and needed in serving HIM and others. We have many callings including those elect and in authority and commanded responsibilities in such.
Hebrews 13:17 “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” The elect voted, and as in other votes; you fail to submit.
Baptism is into the Body and Communion is from the Body, very solemn; should those in spiritual authority, with accountability and responsibility, not deliver such? Is that not their calling?
2 Thessalonians 2:15 “Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.”
2 Thessalonians 3:6 “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.”
You fail to hold traditions taught by word or epistle.
Conviction,
The Bible verses you cut-and-pasted before said nothing about only clergy being authorized to baptize or administer the Lord’s Supper. Then you said you believed the verses you quoted said that. You concluded with a statement about the priesthood of all believers, so you both claimed the Bible said something that it did not and contradicted your own statement. So you should not be surprised that others dispute your claims and accusations because your postings are filled with confusion.
William, the BIBLE verses I presented established the authority and validity of the Church and the vote. Since you are rebellious and outside the bounds of such authority; provide proof of your contentions.
I believe as Allen stated; which is nothing that you state or have ever been able to state.
1 Peter 2:
6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
We all have gifts; all you do is fail to understand and tear down. You do not support, submit, sanction or build, neither the denomination or within its decisions; nor can you even praise HIM. Nothing is ever good enough for you; nor the sacrifices made. But HE is and will be your stumbling block; until you deny yourself and follow HIM.
We have come to label such actions as spiritual abuse; since you represent nothing. Praying on the tender Souls of the young.
Convictions,
When I asked you where the Bible said what you claimed and all you could show us was your opinion, your response to having your failure exposed is not to admit your error but to accuse me of being rebellious and not subject to authority. Tell us, which authority is higher, the Church Manual, or the Bible? Who is the one disobeying God, the one who points another back to scripture, or the one who hastens to accuse when his error and disrespectful behavior are exposed? Since not even the angels of God dare to make wild accusations against Satan, why should we think you are not ruled by Satan when you are so persistent in making wild accusations against those who point you back to God’s word?
Who has authority to baptize is a different question from who has authority to admit a baptized believer into denominational membership. Let’s not get the two confused, which is what we have done as a denomination (as have most).
To whom was the authority give to baptize?
“The Saviour’s commission to the disciples included all the believers. It includes all believers in Christ to the end of time.” DA 822
“It is a fatal mistake to think the work of saving souls depends alone on the ordained minister.” DA 822
“All who receive the life of Christ are ordained to work for the salvation of their fellow men.” DA 822
What was that Gospel Commission given to all believers?
Go
Teach
Make Disciples of all nations
Baptize
Are all called to serve as pastors?
“Not all gifts are given to each believer.” DA 823
1 Cor. 12:11 the Holy Spirit gives gifts as He determines.
“There is no place for tradition, for man’s theories and conclusions, or for church legislation. No laws ordained by ecclesiastical authority are included in the commission.” DA 826
“None of these are Christ’s servants to teach.” DA 826
Tradition
Man’s Theories
Man’s Conclusions
Church Legislation
“Christ’s name is their watchword… the authority for their course of action, and the source of their success.” DA 826
Revelation 1:5-6
“…To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and…
Allen,
Hear! Hear! Thank you for that concise recap of what the Bible actually says and how we often relate to it.
To be clear the body of believers is best served with organization, rules and policies.
It was the organization that held trial at night (not following it’s own rules). It falsely judged and crucified Jesus out of spite.
What is the take away from this? Certainly not that no leadership ever can be trusted to be used of God, quite the contrary. Having said that, we must follow our leaders who are properly elected, in so far as they follow the Word of God. When policies and procedures are in place that are contrary to God’s Word we need to follow an orderly path to correcting it.
There will be personal consequences for standing for truth. We must recognize it and count the cost.
“The Saviour never suppressed the truth, but He uttered it always in love… He exercised the greatest tact, and He was always kind and thoughtful.
He was never rude, never needlessly spoke a severe word, never gave unnecessary pain to a sensitive soul. He did not censure human weakness. He fearlessly denounced hypocrisy, unbelief, and iniquity, but tears were in His voice as He uttered His scathing rebukes. He never made truth cruel, but ever manifested a deep tenderness for humanity. Every soul was precious in His sight. He bore Himself with divine dignity; yet He bowed with the tenderest compassion and regard to every member of the family of God. He saw in all, souls whom it was His mission to save.” GW 117
The RC Church has likely “allowed” deacons to administer some rites for practical reasons… the shortage of priests.
If the work of an SDA pastor was spiritual gifts encourager, trainer, and skill builder (of the member-believers) and the believers were not restricted in preparing and baptizing candidates for church membership, the paradigm shift would be significant. Churches would have to gear up to meet, greet and get to know the candidates for membership, the local elders would need to evaluate them and clear them for membership.
Being baptized and being members are clearly two very different things.
The believer—gospel worker would be known by the quality of preparation they did and the pastor could work with them to make them more effective in their work.
Baptism has to do with accepting Jesus as saviour. It is new birth, not graduation. If so recognized we would treat new members accordingly and nurture them, have them in our homes weekly. Following the above Biblical approach the nurturing system is built in as the one preparing the candidate for membership is already connected and studying with them. There is no artificial hand off of the newly baptized to someone to nurture who has no vested interest in them. They would have a natural small group of newly baptized to nurture into membership and service.
One of the most effective things the evil one has done to restrict the gospel work is to lift up clergy over laity.
Allen,
Excellent observations! Clearly, God designed for the church to have structure, but the division between the roles of clergy and laity is non-scriptural. Yes, there should be differences in roles because the Holy Spirit equips us differently, but that is a difference in function that operates without division and assignment of authority if we are joined-together as parts of the Body of Christ and working in harmony. Where the church relies on claims of authority, it is not functioning as God designed because people are not surrendered to Christ and not part of His spiritual body.
I think it would be an incentive to soul-winning if the person who brings a person into belief in Christ is the one who baptizes them. That would make the event even more special and meaningful for both of them.
We do not Call, Chose or Save; HE does that. We do not claim HIS Works nor demand incentive for claiming them. Are you so special that HIS Sacrifice is not enough? We Baptize in HIS name.
Are you not perfect proof of the need for the statement being added? Should the Spiritually elect not deliver within their commanded duties? Why would anyone want or expect anyone else?
Deacon is a position of growth, within trust; as stated in the Scripture provided. Deaconess is not in the BIBLE so why are you not complaining about that; if you want BIBLICAL proof for everything. Is that not sufficient of proof? Or do you only wish to pursue for your own interest; not HIS.
Allen, I agree that the result seems in many cases the clergy, or in some cases clergy want to be’s, are lifted over laity. I would contend, the primary evil is to reduce CHRIST down to our own level and all classifications seem to do that now? Do we build the Body up or tear it down; when not preaching that all should accept the responsibilities in humility and accountability? Are our words not easily swayed into classifications, when we create classifications? When in all honesty there is only good and bad? Does our stand for HIM require anything more or deserve anything less?
Conviction,
Who suggested not baptizing in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit? No one. So, why do you falsely accuse? Why do you persist in issuing a barrage of falsehoods at people whom you have never met and about whom you know nothing?
Conviction
The words used by William (whom I do not know) were words I quoted from the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy.
Don’t get hung up on words. Listen for meaning.
Sister White said:
“It is a fatal mistake to think the work of saving souls depends alone on the ordained minister.” DA 822
“All who receive the life of Christ are ordained to work for the salvation of their fellow men.” DA 822
When believers generally speak of being a soul winner or doing soul winning they/we mean by that telling someone about Jesus Christ our Saviour. Leading someone to know Christ is an act of soul winning. Of course Jesus is the basis of salvation and there is no other. Having said that, “the work of saving souls” is a SOP expression. (See above.) In fact all are called upon to work for the salvation of others (by being a friend, mingling with them, sharing Jesus and opening His Word to reveal the gospel of Jesus.) It is this work to which we are all called. (That is all believers).
What was it that Jesus said in the gospel commission?
The subject of the sentence is understood to be “YOU”. (See Matthew 28:19-20.
“You” go.
“You” teach.
“You” baptize.
“You” make disciples.
The harvest means the most to those who have played some role in the process. No farmer can make seed sprout and grow, but ever farmer knows he has a work to do to foster the crop and having done that to then participate in the harvest and preservation of the harvest.
to be continued:
Continued:
As a pastor it was my practice to invite the one who gave the Bible studies into the baptismal tank to baptize the candidate with me. If it was a father or mother I invited them into the tank with me. I wanted to encourage all to be “soul winners” in the name of Jesus.
I do not advocate to run ahead of the church/denomination on this but if we followed the gospel commission then all faithful members would, go, teach, baptize, and make disciples. When the local church was able to do so the newly baptized could be examined and voted into membership. This is exactly what is done around the world when non clergy raise up a church. They invite the pastor to come visit and baptize the candidates and then introduce that congregation to the conference to welcome it into the fellowship of churches at the next constituency meeting.
When we trust each other and really follow the Gospel Commission as given by Jesus the gospel will surge forward. The role of pastor is just one of many in the gospel team. It is needed and it is valued, but it is not everything. It is only when all gifts are valued and affirmed that the body of Christ can be a healthy growing organ. There is nothing quite like being told “I need you.” That is showing value. The fact is we don’t need each other until there is work to be done. If we are not working then we don’t need each other and we can argue all day long about unimportant matters.
Thanks for sharing both of these great statements. I agree totally with them. I don’t understand why they are posted in this place at this time??
sorry, I have no idea what you are trying to say.
I agree with the quotes, but don’t see how they relate.
Have a great day.
(over and out)