1 – Why is the church to be organized and what will it eventually demonstrate?
“The church is God’s appointed agency for the salvation of men. It was organized for service, and its mission is to carry the gospel to the world. From the beginning it has been God’s plan that through His church shall be reflected to the world His fullness and His sufficiency. The members of the church, those whom He has called out of darkness into His marvelous light, are to show forth His glory. The church is the repository of the riches of the grace of Christ; and through the church will eventually be made manifest, even to ‘the principalities and powers in heavenly places,’ the final and full display of the love of God.” Acts of the Apostles, 9. [All emphasis supplied.]
(This final and full display of the love of God will take place during the loud cry of the third angel. See Testimonies to Ministers, 50.)
2 – Will there ever be a time when we should just be sowing the gospel seed and not seeking to reap the harvest, because of the condition of the church?
“They [the church] are embarked so long as time shall last upon an enterprise of mercy.” Sons and Daughters of God, 265
“The instruction Christ gave His disciples when He was among them He gave for the encouragement of His followers to the end of time . . . Today He commissions His workers, ‘Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.’ ” Signs of the Times, December 20, 1899
“The Saviour’s commission to the disciples included all the believers. It includes all believers in Christ to the end of time.” Desire of Ages, 822
“The figure which Paul uses of the temple erected on the foundation stone is to represent the work of God’s servants to the end of time . . . He who neglects to teach the truth in its purity, will gather converts who are not holy in heart and life. He is bringing material that will not stand the test. In the day of God he will suffer loss. Though it is possible that those who have spent the best of life in teaching error may, by repentance and faith, be saved at last, yet their work is lost. Their life has failed of the good results that might have been secured. Souls have gone down to ruin, who, by a faithful presentation of the truth, might have been saved. Says the apostle, ‘Let every man take heed how he buildeth.’ ” Sketches from the Life of Paul, 159, 160
3 – What should we do for our young people when God’s professed church manifests a low grade of piety?
“They simply have the name of Christians but are not fitted for the work of God, and never will be until they are born again, and learn the A.B.C. in true religion of Jesus Christ. There is a little hope in one direction: Take the young men and women, and place them where they will come as little in contact with our churches as possible, that the low grade of piety which is current in this day shall not leaven their ideas of what it means to be a Christian.” (Written to S. N. Haskell, 1892.) Manuscript Release, vol. 12, 333
4 – What should these young people do, who are to be brought in contact as little as possible with the churches?
“Brother and Sister Haskell have rented a house in one of the best parts of the city, and have gathered round them a family of helpers, who day by day go out giving Bible readings, selling our papers, and doing medical missionary work. During the hour of worship, the workers relate their experiences. Bible studies are regularly conducted in the home, and the young men and young women connected with the mission receive a practical, thorough training in holding Bible readings and in selling our publications. The Lord has blessed their labors, a number have embraced the truth, and many others are deeply interested.” Review and Herald, September 7, 1905
“A similar work should be done in many cities. The young people who go out to labor in these cities should be under the direction of experienced, consecrated leaders . . . This work is to be carried forward on a higher plane of individual responsibility than ever before.” Review and Herald, September 7, 1905
The End