May 1  Moving Toward A Doctrine Of Spiritual Gifts-1

And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, then healers, helpers, administrators, speakers in various kinds of tongues. 1Cor. 12:28, RSV.

Regarding the new understanding in 1855 on the topic of the time to begin the Sabbath, we have noted a definite sequence of events: (1) disagreement on the topic; (2) a thorough Bible study; (3) general agreement on the findings of the Bible study, with a few exceptions among those still defending the old position; (4) and a vision from Ellen White that confirmed the results of the Bible study and brought up unity among the believers.

That sequence of events brings several observations to our minds. James White brought up one of them. "The question naturally arises," he pointed out, "if the visions are given to correct the erring, why did she not sooner see the error of the six o'clock time? For one," he noted, "I have ever been thankful that God corrected the error in his own good time, and did not suffer an unhappy division to exst among us upon the point. . . .

"It does not appear to be the desire of the Lord to teach his people by the gifts of the Spirit on the Bible questions until his servants have diligently searched his word. When this was done upon the subject of [the] time to commence the Sabbath, and most were established, and some were in danger of being out of harmony with the body on this subject, then, yes, then, was the very time for God to magnify his goodness in the manifestation of the gift of his Spirit in the accomplishment of its proper work. The sacred Scripture are given as the rule of faith and duty, and we are commanded to search them. . . .

"Let their gifts have their proper place in the church. God has never set them in the very front, and commanded us to look to them to lead us in the path of truth, and the way to Heaven. His word he has magnified. The Scriptures of the Old and New Testament are man's lamp to light up his path to the kingdom. Follow that, but if you err from Bible truth, and are in danger of being lost, it may be that God will in the time of his choice correct you, and bring you back to the Bible."

Thank God for His gifts, including the gift of prophecy through the Holy Spirit. The early believers appreciated the gift but sought to put it in its "proper" place. In their eyes the Bible was central and the gifts pointed them back to God's revelation in Scripture.