Adventism’s Beliefs Changing

At the annual Fall Council held at the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists headquarters in October, 2014, the administrative committee recommended several changes to the wording of the organization’s 28 Fundamental Beliefs. These changes still need to be ratified by a vote at the 2015 General Conference Quinquennial session to be held this next summer but likely reflect what will be adopted into the new official statement of beliefs.

Arguably one of the most significant changes to those looking at Adventism from the outside is that made to fundamental belief #18, “The Gift of Prophecy”, which explains, in words adapted for the public, Adventism’s belief about Ellen White’s authority. In the 2005 edition of Seventh-day Adventists Believe, statement #18 reads as follows:

“One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is prophecy. This gift is an identifying mark of the remnant church and was manifested in the ministry of Ellen G White—the Lord’s messenger. Her writings are a continuing and authoritative source of truth which provide for the church comfort, guidance, instruction, and correction. They also make clear that the Bible is the standard by which all teaching and experience must be tested.”

The amended version removes the words “the Lord’s messenger” and the phrase “a continuing and authoritative source of truth.” Instead, it says, “Her writings speak with prophetic authority and provide comfort, guidance, instruction, and correction to the church.”

“Prophetic authority” is a phrase common within the new apostolic movement and within charismatic circles. For example, self-proclaimed apostle Scott Wallis has described “prophetic authority” this way:

“John the Baptist was a man sent by God. God anointed John. People went into the middle of the desert to hear John. John was established as a prophet, and he was recognized as a prophet. All Israel went to hear John the prophet. This is prophetic authority”.*

Adventism has long described Ellen White as God’s voice crying in the wilderness preparing God’s people for Jesus’ second coming as John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus’ first coming.

The proposed change in wording is simply an attempt to obscure the continuing Adventist belief that Ellen White’s writings are current sources of truth and biblical interpretation provided by God for His “remnant church”. †

*(http://www.prophetcentral.com/2011/09/prophetic-authority.html)