01.
BASIC PRINCIPLES
The inspiration of the Spirit of Prophecy (1867-1907)
The doctrines that we hold today are the present truth (1869-1879)
The continuity and the development of truth (1886-1906)
The platform of eternal truth - since 1844 (1903-1905)
My messages has not changed (1906)
Every lesson in the Bible reveals the Father and the Son (1904-1906)
The inspiration of the Spirit of Prophecy (1867-1907)
In ancient times God spoke to men by the mouth of prophets and
apostles. In these days He speaks to them by the testimonies of His
Spirit. There was never a time when God instructed His people more
earnestly than He instructs them now concerning His will and the
course that He would have them pursue.” [Testimonies for the Church
4:147, 148 (1876).] {5T 661.1} (1876) ; {Lt224-1906 (July 6, 1906) par. 5}
(1906.07.06)
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In these letters which I write, in the testimonies I bear, I am
presenting to you that which the Lord has presented to me. I do not
write one article in the paper, expressing merely my own ideas. They
are what God has opened before me in vision—the precious rays of
light shining from the throne. {Lt206-1906 (June 14, 1906) par. 14}
(1906.01.15)
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Testimonies Never Contradict the Bible.--The Bible must be your
counselor. Study it and the testimonies God has given; for they never
contradict His Word.--Letter 106, 1907. {3SM 32.3} (1907)
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And here I would state that although I am as dependent upon the
Spirit of the Lord in writing my views as I am in receiving them, yet
the words I employ in describing what I have seen are my own, unless
they be those spoken to me by an angel, which I always enclose in
marks of quotation. {RH October 8, 1867, par. 9} (1867)
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The doctrines that we hold today are present truth (1869-1879)
We have no doubt, neither have we had a doubt for years, that the
doctrines we hold today are present truth, and that we are nearing
the judgment. {2T 355.1} (1869.03.06); {ST September 18, 1879, par. 5}
(1879.09.18)
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The continuity and the development of truth (1886-1906)
Through all these centuries the truth of God has remained the same.
That which was truth in the beginning is truth now. Although new and
important truths appropriate for succeeding generations have been
opened to the understanding, the present revealings do not contradict
those of the past. Every new truth understood only makes more
significant the old. {RH March 2, 1886, par. 6} (1886.03.02)
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When the power of God testifies as to what is truth, that truth is to
stand forever as the truth. --Letter 329, 1905 {1SM 161.1}
(1905.12.11)
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And now, after half a century of clear light from the Word as to what
is truth, there are arising many false theories to unsettle minds. But the
evidence given in our early experience has the same force that it had
then. The truth is the same as it ever has been, and not a pin or a
pillar can be moved from the structure of truth. That which was sought
for out of the Word in 1844, 1845, and 1846 remains the truth today in
every particular. {Lt38-1906 (January 23, 1906) par. 3} (1906.01.23)
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In every age there is a new development of truth, a message of God
to the people of that generation. The old truths are all essential; new
truth is not independent of the old, but an unfolding of it. It is only as
the old truths are understood that we can comprehend the new. {COL
127.4} (1900)
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The platform of eternal truth - since 1844 (1903-1905)
When medical missionaries made their practice and example
harmonize with the name they bear, when they feel their need of uniting
firmly with the ministers of the gospel, then there can be harmonious
action. But, the time has come when we must firmly refuse to be drawn
away from the platform of eternal truth, which since 1844 has stood
the test. {Lt277-1904 (July 31, 1904) par. 17} (1904.07.31); {SpTB02 50.1}
(1904.08.07)
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I appreciate the truth, every jot of it, just as it has been given to me
by the Holy Spirit for the last fifty years. I desire every one to know
that I stand on the same platform of truth that we have maintained
for more than half a century. That is the testimony I desire to bear on
the day that I am seventy-eight years of age. {Ms142-1905 (November
26, 1905) par. 6} (1905.11.26)
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In a vision of the night I was shown distinctly that these sentiments
have been looked upon by some as the grand truths that are to be
brought in and made prominent at the present time. I was shown a
platform, braced by solid timbers,—the truths of the Word of God.
Some one high in responsibility in the medical work was directing this
man and that man to loosen the timbers supporting this platform. Then I
heard a voice saying, “Where are the watchmen that ought to be
standing on the walls of Zion? Are they asleep? This foundation was
built by the Masterworker, and will stand storm and tempest. Will
they permit this man to present doctrines that deny the past experience
of the people of God? The time has come to take decided
action.” {SpTB02 54.2} (1904.08.07)
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What influence is it that would lead men at this stage of our history
to work in an underhanded, powerful way to tear down the foundation
of our faith,—the foundation that was laid at the beginning of our
work by prayerful study of the word and by revelation? Upon this
foundation we have been building for the past fifty years. Do you
wonder that when I see the beginning of a work that would remove
some of the pillars of our faith, I have something to say? I must obey
the command, “Meet it!”… I must bear the messages of warning that
God gives me to bear, and then leave with the Lord the results. I must
now present the matter in all its bearings; for the people of God must
not be despoiled. {SpTB02 58.1-2} (1904.08.07)
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A line of truth extending from that time to the time when we shall
enter the city of God was plainly marked out before me, and I gave my
brethren and sisters the instruction that the Lord had given me. They
knew that when not in vision I could not understand these matters, and
they accepted as light direct from heaven the revelations given me. The
leading points of our faith as we hold them today were firmly
established. Point after point was clearly defined, and all the brethren
came into harmony. {Ms135-1903 (November 4, 1903) par. 3}
The whole company of believers were united in the truth. There were
those who came in with strange doctrines, but we were never afraid to
meet them. Our experience was wonderfully established by the
revelation of the Holy Spirit. {Ms135-1903 (November 4, 1903) par. 4}
(1903.11.04)
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As a people, we are to stand firm on the platform of eternal truth
that has withstood test and trial. We are to hold to the sure pillars of our
faith. The principles of truth that God has revealed to us are our only
true foundation. They have made us what we are. The lapse of time has
not lessened their value. It is the constant effort of the enemy to remove
these truths from their setting, and to put in their place spurious
theories. He will bring in everything that he possibly can to carry out
his deceptive designs. But the Lord will raise up men of keen
perception, who will give these truths their proper place in the plan of
God. {SpTB02 51.2} (1904.08.07)
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In the future, deception of every kind is to arise, and we want solid
ground for our feet. We want solid pillars for the building. Not one pin
is to be removed from that which the Lord has established. The enemy
will bring in false theories, such as the doctrine that there is no
sanctuary. This is one of the points on which there will be a departing
from the faith. Where shall we find safety unless it be in the truths that
the Lord has been giving for the last fifty years? {RH, May 25, 1905
par. 28} (1905.05.25)
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Those who seek to remove the old landmarks are not holding fast;
they are not remembering how they have received and heard. Those
who try to bring in theories that would remove the pillars of our faith
concerning the sanctuary, or concerning the personality of God or of
Christ, are working as blind men. They are seeking to bring in
uncertainties and to set the people of God adrift, without an
anchor. {Ms62-1905 (May 24, 1905) par. 14} (1905.05.24)
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My messages has not changed (1906)
To some of the questions asked in your letter, answers have been
given me. For an answer to some of your questions, I am instructed to
refer you to statements already published.{Lt224-1906 (July 6,
1906) par. 2}
I am instructed to testify to you and to all that the character of my work
and my messages has not changed. {Lt224-1906 (July 6, 1906) par. 3}
“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I have
preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto
you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all
that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to
the scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third
day according to the scriptures.” [1 Corinthians 15:1-4.] {Lt224-1906
(July 6, 1906) par. 4}
“In ancient times God spoke to men by the mouth of prophets and
apostles. In these days He speaks to them by the Testimonies of His
Spirit. There was never a time when God instructed His people more
earnestly than He instructs them now concerning His will, and the
course He would have them pursue. But will they profit by His
teachings, will they receive His reproofs and heed His warning? God
will accept of no partial obedience; He will sanction no compromise
with self.” Testimonies for the Church 4:148. {Lt224-1906 (July 6,
1906) par. 5} (1906.07.06)
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I understood that some were anxious to know if Mrs. White still held
the same views that she did years ago when they had heard her speak in
the sanitarium grove, in the Tabernacle, and at the camp meetings held
in the suburbs of Battle Creek. I assured them that the message she
bears today is the same that she has borne during the sixty years of her
public ministry… {1SM 35.2} {RH July 26, 1906, par. 20} (1906)
I have written many books, and they have been given a wide
circulation. Of myself I could not have brought out the truth in these
books, but the Lord has given me the help of His Holy Spirit. These
books, giving the instruction that the Lord has given me during the
past sixty years, contain light from heaven, and will bear the test of
investigation. {1SM 35.3} … {RH July 26, 1906, par. 21} (1906.07.26)
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Every lesson in the Bible reveals the Father and the Son (1904-
1906)
The Bible is the great lessonbook for the students in our schools…
Those who consult the divine Oracle will have light. In the Bible every
duty is made plain. Every lesson given is comprehensible. Every lesson
reveals to us the Father and the Son. The word is able to make all
wise unto salvation. {8T 157.2} (1904), {ST October 10, 1906, par. 1}
(1906)
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