THE CHURCH OF THE BIBLE HAD NOT A HIERARCHICAL CHURCH GOVERNMENT LIKE THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF SDA

THE CHURCH OF THE BIBLE HAD NOT A HIERARCHICAL CHURCH GOVERNMENT LIKE THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF SDA. THUS GOD'S CHURCH IS NOT A CHURCH GOVERNMENT (A study in progress, comments are welcomed - Some are wrongly thinking, being controlled by the GC is what constitutes being part of God's church.)

Analysis of a popular Sis White Quote That Is Taken Out Of Context To Mean - RENDER YOUR WILL TO CONFERENCE AND BE SUBJECT TO HER-

"At times, when a small group of men entrusted with the general management of the work have, in the name of the General Conference, sought to carry out unwise plans to restrict God's work, I have said that I could no longer regard the voice of the General Conference, represented by these few men, as the voice of God. But this is not saying that the decisions of a General Conference composed of an assembly of duly appointed, representative men from all parts of the field should not be respected. God has ordained that the representatives of His church from all parts of the earth, when assembled in a General Conference, shall have authority. The error that some are in danger of committing is in giving to the mind and judgment of one man, or of a small group of men, the full measure of authority and influence that God has invested in His church in the judgment and voice of the General Conference assembled to plan for the prosperity and advancement of His work.--9T 260, 261 (1909).

1. Mrs. White is speaking of Conference in session not conference in between sessions. 2. Mrs. White speaks of duly appointed representatives from the field from all parts of the world. 3, Mrs. White speaks of men coming together to plan for the prosperity and the advancement of His work not bible doctrine else in 1888 she would have to submit to the position of the majority.

Bringing out point 1. It was Conference in session that was to have the decision making role, while conference in between sessions was suppose to be officials that would simply carry out those decisions. Today it is conference officials in between sessions (permanized church government body) that are making the decisions while the general conference in session being made up of men that are really "yes men' than duly appointed men who simply confirm the decisions or acquiesce to the decisions of the conference officials who are higher up the ladder of the hierarchy than they.

Bringing out point 2. The hierarchical church structure makes it difficult to obtain duly appointed men who are wholly committed and in sync with the will and voice of God above that of men. For the general congregation members are strongly influence by the church structure to see the church in between session as head of the church having a divine authority over the church. Though it is the will of God that the authority should be in the church at large, among the congregation and their representatives in the local churches even as they truly abide in His word.

Bringing out point 3. Where doctrine is concerned every man must be fully persuaded in His own conscience as to the will and testimony of God in His scripture by bible study and prayer and even fasting at times (Daniel 9:3). God has never encouraged or endorsed that men should give over their individual spiritual discernment to the opinion or position of one man or a few or a majority for that matter. This was so even in time of Moses even though God showed his special connection with Moses' through great miracles. Paul in Rom10:6-8 speaks of each individual's receiving of personal revelation from God in knowing the truth and refers back to Deuteronomy 30:11-14 in the time of Moses when He said to them "this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it afar off. It is not in heaven, that thou shoudest say, who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, that we may hear it, and do it?" This means don't look to "The General Conference of SDA" for revelation on the will of God or the ''Pope" of the Catholics or 'Victor Hoeteff " of the Shepherd rods, or "the Jehovah's Witnesses" falsely referred to as the 144,000 of the Watchtower Society organization, or "the so called prophet Mohammed" of the Muslims etc... WHY? verse 14 tells us "For the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it" Paul refers to this as the Righteousness which is of faith, which is nigh thee, even thy mouth, and in thy heart" and continues by saying "that is, the word of faith, which we preach". This is the context in which John speaks in 1John 2:27 when he says "ye need not that any man teach you". Furthermore it is written in John 7:17 "If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God ...".

So look to God at all times for revelation of His will in your heart as to the truth of the gospel when it is preached or when the scriptures are read or as you reflect in meditation, and don't put any person or persons in the place of Yahweh God. Always render allegiance to God who is infallible and not to erring men.