Principles of Organization (Gospel Order) 1901

[skyblue888]

Lecture on Organization (1901)

Taken from the General Conference Bulletin.

by A.T. Jones

"Light for the People"

In our bodies, which we have ever with us, and to which we were directed to-day,--why is it that in all this exhortation of the Spirit of prophecy to reorganization, health reform comes in every time? Why is it, as to-day it was clearly cited, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made"? --It is because in this organization in which we ourselves are, our bodies which God has made us, He has presented before us an everlasting illustration of the organization of the church. And it is exceeding carelessness, and from that, blindness, that cannot see the organization of the church, what it must be, when every day each one carries about with him, and is constantly using, this body, which is composed of many members.

Every one of these members is actuated by the head; and no two of them ever come into quarrel, ever have any difference of opinion, act in contrary ways. Or if they should by any means act in contrary ways, as the hands do to break a string, it is only apparently; they are actually pulling together.

You simply cannot have schism in the body which God has organized from the head. So then, since God calls for re-organization, let not a soul here be afraid that there is going to be confusion, or schism, or anything of the kind. There is no danger whatever except among those who hold not to the head.

Who is the church?--Those who look to the Head; those who seek the Head; those who are joined to the Head. 1 Cor.6:15,17.

Then there is no difference how many members there may be, though we are only one on one side of the earth, and another on the other side of the earth, we two members will move together, and act together, because the Head Christ Jesus, the Lord, is organizing both. His will actuates both. He is the One who is doing that in both." 1901 General Conference Bulletin, pp.41,42.

to be continued

[skyblue888]

Lecture on God's Organization (1901)

By A.T. Jones

Part 2

"Light For The People"

Then this also must be considered: that position, place, never gives authority. Authority qualifies for the place. I will say it again: it must be a watchword for every one in this conference: Position never gives authority... Place, position, never bestows authority. No authority is derived from the place. But authority that a man already has from God, which God has put upon him, will qualify a man for the place to which God calls him; and if he has not that authority before he enters the place, he has not the authority when he is in the place. The view that place gives authority is precisely the principle of papal infallibility. The pope is not infallible before he is elected. Nobody claims that. He is only a cardinal before he is elected; but as soon as he is elected, then he is infallible; then he is inspired by the Holy Spirit because he holds his place. That is the papacy." Ibid, 42.

Christianity is that God clothes men with authority; and whether they have any place or position, or not, it is all right, they have authority, anyhow. Look at it: Jesus Christ was in this world, truly saying, "All power (and that is 'all authority' in the Revised Version) is given unto Me in Heaven and in earth;" and He had no place at all, not so much as to lay his head. He had no position at all. The Pharisees, the priests, the scribes, the lawyers, the hypocrites, had position; they had place; and they could lord it over Him, and set Him before them, and sit in judgment upon Him. Where was their authority?--They had none.

Jesus had the authority, and the people knew it, and the Pharisees who did not have it, grew so jealous of Him that they could not stand Him any longer. All the world has gone after Him, and so we must put Him out of the world to save our place. If we do not, we will lose our place.

The man who is connected with the Head, the man who serves God, the man who lives in Jesus Christ, can never lose his place; for his place is with Jesus Christ, under the wings of the Almighty, and he is safe. Where was Jesus' authority?--when He did not have any position or any place? How could He have authority? It was in the truth which He taught from God. All man's authority, all true and right authority in this world comes to him through the truth of God which he receives.

When we shall find a man in this world who has as much of the truth of God as Christ had in Him, we shall find a man who has all authority in heaven and earth, because he has all the truth in heaven and earth. The measure of the truth that a man has, only that measure of authority he has wherever he is. And if he is in the highest place of responsibility on this earth, if he has no truth, he has no authority. All the authority he can ever have in that place is the truth that is in Him, which is a part of him.

to be continued

[skyblue888]

A few more posts to come. I invite you to read each post prayerfully and carefully and then post your comments. Thank you.

Lecture on God's Organization (1901)

by A.T. Jones

Part 3

"Light For The People"

Therefore Jesus said, "The princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you."--Matt.20:25.

What do the princes of the world do?--They exercise authority.

Now God has never given to any man in His church authority to exercise authority. That is the difference between the princes of the world and the princes of God; for we are princes of God. The princes of the world exercise authority; the princes of God have authority, and it exercises itself. Then there is no dominion among the princes of God. There is no lordship, there is none of the kingly spirit which was described to us. No; there are no territorial boundaries among the princes of God,--that this is my conference. It is God's. So, the princes of this world exercise dominion, exercise authority. The princes of the world who have no real authority exercise authority. The princes of God have authority but exercise no authority. The princes of God have authority, and that is enough to suit them; and God takes care of the rest so that no one is greatest, but only one is Master, and all of us are brethren. So then, this is the course of organization.

So then, let us see that we be organized from the Head. Let us see that our authority shall come from God and that we never exercise authority. Yes speak with authority, because the authority is in the truth which we speak. Only there lies our authority.

There is no exercise of authority, there is no place for domination, among Christians; neither by Christians upon other Christians, nor by Christians upon people who are not Christians.

Note that it is "the princes of the Gentiles" that exercise dominion and authority over people; and it is "them"--the Gentiles--over whom this dominion and authority are exercised.

And even though dominion and authority be exercised by men in "the church," they are still "princes of the Gentiles" who do it. Christians do not do it, for, "It shall not be so among you."

And even though they be members of "the church," over and upon whom this dominion and authority are exercised, and who allow it to be exercised over and upon "them," they are Gentiles all the same. Christians do not allow it to be done: for, "It shall not be so among you."

It is none but princes of the Gentiles who do do it; it is none but Gentiles over and upon whom they do it; and it is none but Gentiles who allow it to be done over and upon them, in the Church.

It cannot be done over or upon Christians: they will not allow it: for these have the word of their "Leader and Commander," "It shall not be so among you."

No man can be loyal to Christ, nor true to His word, who allows any man in "the church" or in the field of religion and faith to exercise any dominion or authority over or upon him. For Christ has commanded, "It shall not be so among you."

Whosoever among Christians exercises such dominion or authority puts himself in the place of Christ. And whosoever allows it to be done to him, allows man to be to him in the place of Christ.

"Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the slaves of men." 1 Cor.7:23.

Whenever such thing appears, he by whom it appears is a prince of the Gentiles; and a prince of the Gentiles in the place of Christ. Whoever submits to it is a Gentile, and submits to a prince of the Gentiles in the place of Christ.

That is the whole story of the papacy. And whenever that thing is manifest in any church, it is just so much of the papacy there.

to be continued

[skyblue888]

Lecture on God's Organization (1901)

Part 4

by A.T. Jones

Remember that we were called to-day to put away childish things, to be no more children,--that we be no more children, tossed to and fro, not knowing where we are, not knowing whether we are on solid ground. God wants us to build upon the foundation, the truth, which makes man free, and which we know is the truth. Then will not we fear though the earth be moved out of her place, and the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea. "No more children tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things which is the Head, even Christ; from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth."

What man, what set of men, can select a worker here and another there, and fitly join them together? And well it has been expressed that this work of conducting the cause of God is the most delicate in the universe, because it deals with minds. How can we fitly join together living souls in spirit, with the life of God? Only God can do that. Only Christ, the Head, can do that. He will use us in joining us together, knitting,--not weaving, but knitting--us together. You know in weaving the threads are held side by side, and across, that they shall hold; but in knitting it is only one thread. In and in, in and in, always each stitch holding to all the others. That is what God proposes to do with us. We are joined,--knitted--together, and compacted by that which every joint supplies, and so makes the increase of the body; into the building up of the body itself; out of itself to build up itself from the Head.

to be continued

[skyblue888]

Light on God's Organization

Second Lecture, April 4, 1901.

Part 5

"Light For The People"

THE PRINCIPLE OF SELF-GOVERNMENT.

"God's organization must come from the Head, which is Jesus Christ, the Head of the church; and it reaches to the individual. Now see the step that was taken in General Conference today. I want you to see how certainly that can never stop until it has reached each individual and brought him face to face with God, to stand there alone only with God. There was presented today, and endorsed, an appeal for local self-government in a certain place. Very good. And then it was said here that that was to be adopted in other parts. Very good. And when that district shall be organized there will be a local self-governing district; but the same process must go farther--each conference must be a self-governing local conference, and each church must be a local self-governing church, and each individual must be a local self-governing individual...

"But no man in this world can be a self-governing individual except as God in Christ is his Head, and the man is governed by the power of God. The only self-government, true self-government, in this world is a man standing in the liberty wherewith Jesus Christ has made him free, master of his worst self and living in the divine self, which is Jesus Christ. Then he has met the enmity, the evil, and has it underfoot; and there he stands in the heaven born liberty with which God has made him free, a free, self-governing individual, as God made him to be in the beginning, and as He makes him to be when He makes him again...

"Now do you see that this step we took today never can stop short of that? Is not that plain enough? Then, brethren, the thing for each one in this conference to do is to get there just as quickly as possible. Each one, then, must have set up in himself, and must be in himself, a local self-government, to the glory of God. But no man can ever do that, as I have said, except by the power of God in him; and no man can do that and remain a local self-governing man except he stands alone with God, apart from everyone else, and everything else, in the wide universe. Now that does not separate him from all other people. Our truest unity with other people is our whole loneliness with God. Our truest fellowship, our sincerest love, our tenderest sympathy, reaching out to all people is found only in standing absolutely alone, separate from all other things, with God...

"I say again, the step taken should never stop until every Seventh-day Adventist is brought face to face with God. And for what shall we be brought to face to face with God? To find our bearings, which we have been exhorted to find. And having found our bearings, then let God in Christ be the Head, and the grand Organizer." A.T. Jones, 1901 General Conference Bulletin, p.103.

to be continued

* In 1896 this testimony had been sent: "The people to whom God has entrusted eternal interests, the depositories of truth pregnant with eternal results, the keepers of light that is to illuminate the whole world, have lost their bearings." Testimonies to Ministers, p.397.

[skyblue888]

Lecture on God's Organization (1901)

Second lecture

by A.T. Jones

Light for the People

Part 6

CHANGES INITIATED INTO ACTION TAKEN

In 1901 the burden for reorganization on right principles was recognized; and, for the most part, action was taken by the general session that constitutionally started things in the right direction. The whole thrust of the Conference was to break the power of those who envisioned themselves as imbued with divine authority to rule their brethren. Much could probably be said concerning the changes that were made, changes that, had they been put into practice, could have led to still further changes that would have simplified the work even more, eventually bringing the work under the direct control of the Holy Spirit as in the days of the Apostles.

The Spirit of the Lord was at that Conference, and the things which He initiated there prompted these statements from Mrs. White:

"We have been trying to organize the work on right lines. The Lord sent His angels to minister unto us who are heirs of salvation, telling us how to carry the work forward. This is not our work. God has brought it about...

"I was never more astonished in my life than at the turn things have taken at this meeting. This is not our work; God has brought it about. Instruction regarding this was presented to me; but until the sum was worked out at this meeting, I could not comprehend this instruction. God's angels have been walking up and down in this congregation. I want everyone of you to remember this, and I want you to remember also that God has said that He will heal the wounds of His people...

"Who do you suppose has been among us since this Conference began? Who has kept away the objectionable features that generally appear in such a meeting? Who has walked up and down the aisles of the Tabernacle? The God of Heaven and His angels. And they did not come here to tear you to pieces, but to give you right and peaceable minds. They have been among us to work the works of God, to keep back the powers of darkness, that the work God designed should be done should not be hindered. The angels of God have been working among us." 1901 General Conference Bulletin, pp.463,464.

to be continued

[skyblue888]

The 1903 General Conference: A Reversal!

Part 7

During the period of reorganization, Jones, especially, saw a glimmer of the end to which God was seeking to direct the church. If the hand of the Lord can be seen in the work of the 1901 conference, then the New Constitution, which was the outworking of that Conference, must reveal in part the thing the Lord wanted done.

During the 1903 General Conference, the underworking of these ideas resulted in the opposition of the minority of the Committee on Plans and Constitution to the reversal of the 1901 Constitution as proposed by the majority of the Committee on Plans and Constitution in their report on the Constitution.

A protest was lodged by the minority of the committee regarding the proposed revision of the Constitution:

"The minority of your Committee on Plans and Constitution beg leave to submit that the Constitution proposed by the majority of the Committee appears to us to be so subversive to the principles of organization given to us at the General Conference of 1901 that we cannot possibly subscribe to it...

"The proposed new Constitution reverses the reformatory steps that were taken, and the principles which were given and adopted as the principles of reorganization, in the General Conference of 1901, and embodied in the present Constitution; and this, before that Constitution or the organization according to it, has ever had adequate trial. We therefore recommend that the Constitution of 1901 be given a fair trial before it be annihilated." General Conference, 1903, pp.146,147.

Those who supported the minority position were striving to retain at least two important principles that were included in the 1901 Constitution:

First, they felt that the shorter the constitution, the less regulation was possible, better and more efficient organization would result. As it was stated in the Minority Report, the proposed "new" Constitution was a reversal of that.

Second, the principle of "self-government" covered in depth by A.T. Jones, was the primary factor if the 1901 Constitution was to operate effectively.

to be continued

[skyblue888]

Lecture on God's Organization (1901-1903)

Part 8

by A.T. Jones

"Light For The People"

Part 8

THE PRINCIPLES OF THE 1901 CONSTITUTION

"The principles of that testimony that brought us to the present constitution, that was the guiding of the making of the present constitution, is the principle of self-government. Each church, each man, indeed, governs himself, with God, with Christ, as his own personal Head, and with no conference as his head, no church elder as his head, no Union Conference president, or any other, as his head. Jesus Christ alone is his Head; and when these form themselves into a church, Jesus Christ is the Head of that church, and the elder is not." A.T. Jones, 1901 General Conference Bulletin, p.153.

"The Conference Committee governs for itself, acts for itself, attends to its own business, and lets other people's business alone. The Union Conference Committee itself is a self-governing committee. It governs itself, not the conference, not any of the churches, nobody in the conference. The General Conference Committee is to be a self-governing committee, not to govern any other conference, or anybody at all but itself. And this Constitution (1903) opens the way for the committee--I do not say that the members intended it--it opens the way for them to encroach and governs somebody besides themselves. What I am after is that we shall have a constitution that shall everlastingly make that thing impossible; and the present Constitution (1901) does it." Ibid, p.154.

to be continued

[skyblue888]

Lecture on God's Organization (1901-1903)

Part 9

When all was said and done, the amended constitution was voted and adopted, thereby reversing the work of reform initiated by the Spirit of God as seen in 1901. If the will of God for His people, and His work on this earth done by them is expressed as the voice of the General Conference in session, which voice was correct? The voice of 1901 or the voice of 1903? Under this premise both claim to be right, and yet they are opposites. The reforms of 1901 are testified to by Mrs. White as being Heaven-inspired. Can such a thing be said about the steps taken in 1903?

In Volume 8 of the Testimonies, p.250, Mrs. White wrote, in the chapter, "Shall We Be Found Wanting," of the condition in 1903. The statement is dated April 21, 1903, which places it shortly after the Conference session: "Our position in the world is not what it should be... 'How is the faithful city become an harlot!?' My Father's house is made a house of merchandise, a place whence the divine presence and glory have departed! For this cause there is weakness, and strength is lacking." Ibid, pp.247,250.

What happened at the 1903 General Conference that made the church, the "faithful city" "become an harlot?" What made God's house a "house of merchandise" and "a place whence the divine presence and glory have departed?"

The answer lies in turning away from the reformatory steps taken in 1901 and embodied in the Constitition of that year. As in 1888, and the ensuing years thereafter, the principles of religious liberty that were woven into the work were once again rejected. It, again, involved the matter of control.

"One object of the organization under the Constitution (1901) that we had was that the work should be unified, and that the Conference Committee should be the unifying agency instead of the controlling agency; it would be an advisory agency and unifying agency of the different departments of the work of the cause." A.T. Jones, 1903 General Conference Bulletin, p.165.

"Now it seems to me the thing we are to fear more than anything else is the danger of centralization and consolidating. It is a fact that during the last two years, in spite of everything, there has been a tendency to centralize and we know that the work has been retarded because of that spirit." E.A. Sutherland, Ibid, pp.167,168.

"God's hands must hold every worker, and must guide and control every worker. Men are not to make rule and regulations for their fellowmen. The Bible has given the rules and regulations that we are to follow. We are to follow the Bible and learn from it the duty of man to his fellowmen. 'The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.'" E.G. White, Ibid, p.87.

to be continued

[skyblue888]

So Mark, what say you now?

sky

[skyblue888]

Lecture on God's Organization (1901-1903)

Part 8

by A.T. Jones

"Light For The People"

Part 8

THE PRINCIPLES OF THE 1901 CONSTITUTION

"The principles of that testimony that brought us to the present constitution, that was the guiding of the making of the present constitution, is the principle of self-government. Each church, each man, indeed, governs himself, with God, with Christ, as his own personal Head, and with no conference as his head, no church elder as his head, no Union Conference president, or any other, as his head. Jesus Christ alone is his Head; and when these form themselves into a church, Jesus Christ is the Head of that church, and the elder is not." A.T. Jones, 1901 General Conference Bulletin, p.153.

"The Conference Committee governs for itself, acts for itself, attends to its own business, and lets other people's business alone. The Union Conference Committee itself is a self-governing committee. It governs itself, not the conference, not any of the churches, nobody in the conference. The General Conference Committee is to be a self-governing committee, not to govern any other conference, or anybody at all but itself. And this Constitution (1903) opens the way for the committee--I do not say that the members intended it--it opens the way for them to encroach and governs somebody besides themselves. What I am after is that we shall have a constitution that shall everlastingly make that thing impossible; and the present Constitution (1901) does it." Ibid, p.154.

_____________________

No comments?

sky

[John317]

sky, based on everything you've read and studied of both Ellen White and A.T. Jones, could you explain and describe how you believe the Seventh-day Adventist church should be organized and run? For instance, who hires the pastors? Should pastors be allowed to preach against the teachings of the church?

Suppose a pastor takes it upon himself to teach that Ellen White was a false prophet or that the practice of homosexuality is not a sin. Perhaps he teaches that there is no such thing as the Investigative Judgment or maybe he teaches that God used evolutionary process to created the world over many millions of years.

What then? What is the church to do and who will do it?

Should we have some conferences accepting practicing homosexuals as members or pastors, whereas others don't accept them? (I only use this as an example, but you could just as well chose many other issues.)

[skyblue888]

John, I was hoping you would comment on the principles of Gospel Order as presented above by brother Jones.

These principles are not against organization or against order in the church.

Brother Jones was asked similar questions at the 1903 General Conference meeting. I will post what his reply was as soon as I can find it.

sky

[Gordon1]

Brother Jones understood the gospel pattern. Little wonder EGW was thrilled to hear this message in 1888.

It seems that none since his day have been so moved, retreating instead to denominationalism.

What a tragedy! A century later and still further behind!

[skyblue888]

Brother Jones understood the gospel pattern. Little wonder EGW was thrilled to hear this message in 1888.

It seems that none since his day have been so moved, retreating instead to denominationalism.

What a tragedy! A century later and still further behind!

________________

That's right. Denominationalism was never God's original idea for those who were to finish the work on this earth and cut it short in righteousness. It came about because the professed people of God fell into the Loadicean condition thus delaying the finishing of the work, hence the coming of Christ.

sky

[Gordon1]

So what's the conference reaction to your viewpoint in la belle province du Quebec?

[skyblue888]

I have not had the opportunity to share this with them yet.

I see you are from Canada! what province?

sky

[Gordon1]

That beautiful Catholic province, la meme.

[skyblue888]

What? you are from Quebec? May be we know each other!

[Gordon1]

Un couriel vous attend.

[Gail]

Both of you might like this article:

Making a name for ourselves