Library Articles

Christ or the Church?

“To whom shall we go?” This question was asked by Simon Peter, in the presence of the other disciples, concerning the source of that wisdom which leads to salvation. It is asked by many others today who would be made wise unto salvation; but not always is it answered as it was by Peter.
 
Peter never invited the attention of those whom he addressed to himself, or to “the church.” 

 

 

The Antichrist and the Daily

The word “antichrist” does not appear in the section of Scripture we’re studying this week. In fact, in the entire Bible the word only appears in letters of the apostle John written about 40 years after this letter to the Thessalonians, or c. A.D. 90 (1 John 2:18, 22; 4:3; 2 John 1:7). Even though written so much later, John’s comments are most helpful in deciphering what Paul said in his letter to the believers in Thessalonica. --Ann Walper

Pagan and Papal Rome

The vision of the eighth chapter of Daniel begins with the supremacy of Medo-Persian dominion, B.C. 538, and covers the remaining portion of the world’s history till the close of time. The 25th verse says that the power represented by the little horn, Rome, “shall be broken without hand.” --Ellet J. Waggoner

The Believer and the Civil Government

Ellet J. Waggoner (Romans 13)

1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God; the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God; and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power?

Jesus, Our High Priest in Heaven

It was the “tabernacle of witness,” but its witness was not that which is effectual among the nations, to bring the end. It was a witness against the Jewish people, rather than to the world, testifying to the fact that their unbelief shut God out of their hearts. Those who believe the Lord receive Him; but Israel did not believe. --Ellet J. Waggoner

The Day of Rest

THIS is a subject, which the theologians have succeeded in enveloping in almost complete obscurity. It is almost impossible for people to read the Bible except through the fog of theological terms that they have heard from childhood, and consequently it is no wonder that they get perplexed. Here is where a child has the advantage of a man. Not knowing anything about theological terms and definitions, the child takes the Bible just as it reads, and finds no difficulty provided he does not have somebody at his elbow to suggest difficulties that do not exist. --Ellet J. Waggoner

Being Justified

 

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1). What does this mean? What is it to be justified? Both professors and non-professors often mistake its meaning. Many of the former think that it is a sort of halfway house to perfect favor with God, while the latter think that it is a substitute for real righteousness. They think that the idea of justification by faith is that if one will only believe what the Bible says, he is to be counted as righteous when he is not. All this is a great mistake. --Ellet J. Waggoner

Can Good People Have Unknown Sins?

What would you have done had you been in the shoes of Caiaphas? Think a moment. He had a job to do. He was the chief executive officer. But more, he had logic on his side when he said it was expedient that one die for the nation rather than for all to die. To him, crucifying the Son of God was not sin; it was merely an administrative necessity. As administrative committees often work, he chose the lesser of two evils. This is a trap that Seventh-day Adventists fall into frequently. To choose the lesser of two evils is to cast a vote for continuing sin. --Donald K. Short
 

Faith, a Free Gift to All

“By grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God” (Eph. 2:8). By grace are ye saved, because it is the grace that is the favor of God that brings salvation. That favor being given freely and without measure to every one of us, bringing salvation to all, so the salvation of God is free to all men. To every one of us it is given freely, without measure and without reserve.  --Alonzo T. Jones

Boundless Grace Free to All

Do you want to be like Jesus? Then receive the grace that he has so fully and so freely given. Receive it in the measure in which he has given it, not in the measure in which you think you deserve it. Yield yourself to it, that it may work in you and for you the wondrous purpose for which it is given, and it will do it. It will make you like Jesus.  --Alonzo T. Jones