We have come to a time in earth’s history where men are showing total disregard for the word of God. In some of the Sunday churches, gay men and women are being ordained to the ministry, in disregard to biblical counsel. We would expect however, that in God’s remnant church, the Seventh Day Adventist church, all our decisions in all our conferences would be biblically based. Below is a quote from Adventist News Network.
A special July 29 constituency meeting called by the Columbia Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists voted a resolution: “That the Columbia Union Conference authorize ordination to the gospel ministry without regard to gender.”
Using secret ballots, delegates from the eight conferences of the union’s mid-Atlantic United States territory voted 209 in favor and 51 opposed, with nine abstentions. The Columbia Union says it has 135,000 members in more than 700 congregations.
According to a statement issued by the Columbia Union Conference late Sunday, the union executive committee will no longer deny requests from conferences to ordain proven female ministers to the gospel ministry, but their calling will be fully recognized on par with their male counterparts.
You can read the entire article by clicking here
Nothing in this article suggests that the decision to ordain female ministers was made based on any biblical principles; no text or SOP is provided. The word of God is our Guide and Seventh day Adventist are people of the word, all our actions should be in harmony with the word.
Let’s read the biblical definition of an elder / minister / bishop.
“For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.” Titus 1:5-6
“This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. 1 Timothy 3:1-7
The Bible tells us in exodus 25:8 And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. in the sanctuary service, all the priests were males.
“And thou shalt appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall wait on their priest’s office: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death. And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, And I, behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of all the firstborn that openeth the matrix among the children of Israel: therefore the Levites shall be mine;” Numbers 3:10-12
Note the text above says that “the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death”. This is a serious warning, the priesthood was reserved, and it there were serious consequences for those that assume these responsibilities presumptuously.
“And the Lord said unto Aaron, Thou and thy sons and thy father’s house with thee shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary: and thou and thy sons with thee shall bear the iniquity of your priesthood. And thy brethren also of the tribe of Levi, the tribe of thy father, bring thou with thee, that they may be joined unto thee, and minister unto thee: but thou and thy sons with thee shall minister before the tabernacle of witness.” Numbers 18:1-2
“And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:” Hebrews 7:5
The prophetess of the Lord, never in her writings suggest gender neutrality in regards to ministers, as a matter of fact her writings are consistent with the Bible.
“In some of our churches the work of organizing and of ordaining elders has been premature; the Bible rule has been disregarded, and consequently grievous trouble has been brought upon the church. There should not be so great haste in electing leaders as to ordain men who are in no way fitted for the responsible work—men who need to be converted, elevated, ennobled, and refined before they can serve the cause of God in any capacity.” [446] – {CCh 247.4}
It is clear that the ordination for ministry is reserved for men; also there are serious consequences for disregarding Bible rules.
“There must be evidence on the part of those who take the solemn position of shepherds, that they have without reservation, dedicated themselves to the work. They must take Christ as their personal Saviour…. Hands are laid upon men to ordain them for the ministry before they are thoroughly examined as to their qualifications for the sacred work; but how much better would it be to make thorough work before accepting them as ministers, than to have to go through this rigid examination after they have become established in their position, and have put their mould upon the work.”—Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 171, 172. – {PaM 42.2}
The apostle Paul writes to Titus: “Set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: if any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God.” It would be well for all our ministers to give heed to these words and not to hurry men into office without due consideration and much prayer that God would designate by His Holy Spirit whom He will accept. – {5T 617.1}
Said the inspired apostle: “Lay hands suddenly on no man.” In some of our churches the work of organizing and of ordaining elders has been premature; the Bible rule has been disregarded, and consequently grievous trouble has been brought upon the church. There should not be so great haste in electing leaders as to ordain men who are in no way fitted for the responsible work—men who need to be converted, elevated, ennobled, and refined before they can serve the cause of God in any capacity. – {5T 617.2}
The condition of the world, and the church tells us that the close of probation is near, I am reminded of a quote from the prophet of the Lord “ The things you have described as taking place in Indiana, the Lord has shown me would take place just before the close of probation. Every uncouth thing will be demonstrated. There will be shouting, with drums, music, and dancing. The senses of rational beings will become so confused that they cannot be trusted to make right decisions.. {2SM 36.2} Indeed the senses of those that are making decisions, have become so confused that they cannot make right decisions.
… prepare to meet thy God, O Israel. Amos 4:12
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