Speaking of Baptism -

[Woody]

Does anyone know the 3 Pillars of Baptism?

Okay - I quoted this before - but:

SDA Minister's Manual .... P. 125 " So while we cannot expect a lot of fruit in the prebaptismal life of the candidate, neverless some fruit must be visible. Surely this fruit should include Sabbath keeping, church attendance, and refraining from the use of harmful substances."

Yes;

1.) Sabbath Keeping

2.) Church Attendance

3.) Refraining of Harmful Substances

[Woody]

Notice that Jewelry is not listed:

The price of membership

Posted June 4th, 2009 by David Person

Seventh-day Adventists who wear jewelry -- which in Adventist culture seems only to mean earrings, rings, necklaces and bracelets, not cufflinks, decorative pins, diamond-laden watches or broaches -- can't be kicked out of the church for wearing it.

Why? Because wearing jewelry is not a test of fellowship. Check out your church manual if you don't believe me. So why is it that we still have preachers who stand in the pulpit on Sabbath mornings and deliver anti-jewelry diatribes against wearing jewelry?

I had to suffer through one of those sermons recently at my church. Actually, I didn't have to. I could have walked out on it.

Maybe I should have. It was an illogical, unbiblical waste of time, full of contradictions, incomplete contexts and misinterpretations, especially of Genesis 35, Exodus 33, Isaiah 3, Hosea 2, I Peter 3, and I Timothy 2.

But I didn't walk out. Because the church is as much mine as it is the rabid conservatives who cling to Pharisetical traditions. It belongs to them and to me as much as it does to moderates who don't wear jewelry but understand that it's a cultural tradition not a Biblical no-no.

The church belongs to all of us equally without exception, thanks to grace.

What's disturbing is that the right-wing extreme of conservative Adventism doesn't agree. They seem to think it's their church and the rest of us are just here because they are benevolent hosts. At least that's what it sounded like to me as I listened to the preacher preach. The options he gave to us jewelry-wearing SDAs were limited to one: Take it off when you come to church, even if you don't agree with the doctrine.

Why? Because that's what "we" do. The membership fee for this club is to look the part.

Meanwhile, marriages in our church are ending. I know at least two families facing divorce.

In one -- as if their marriage crisis wasn't enough -- the husband told me that he and his estranged wife were both broke. I suspect in this economy that they aren't the only ones at our church scrambling to pay bills and buy groceries.

But the big issue that needs to be preached about during the 11 a.m. Sabbath service is ... jewelry? Earrings? Necklaces? Rings?

I don't knock those who adhere to tradition. It is their right to do so. What I hope is that we SDAs will one day discover that there is room for all of us -- traditionalists and non-trads like me alike. What we have in common is more important, extensive and substantial than what separates us.

Unity is not synonymous with uniformity or with conformity. As Paul said about similar issues in Roms. 14:5, "Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind."

[Gibs]

I can somewhat agree Woodie, but I know this, creeping compromise must be controlled to not take over. You may not think that has happened but maybe in an area or two I don't know.

But for me it looks like it has almost taken over completely.

Reformation is needed badly again and will it happen in any denominational church? If you can see how, reveal it to us and how we can get it accomplished.

I see it needs to happen much more quickly than it can be accomplished. How so? Time left is too short! The end now is closing in hard and fast.

Joe 3:16 The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.

Hag 2:6 For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land;

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

Actually, I've never heard a diatribe in the form of a sermon regarding jewelry.

[Woody]

You are truly blessed Pam. Truly blessed.

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

You are truly blessed Pam. Truly blessed.

[Naomi]

Actually, I've never heard a diatribe in the form of a sermon regarding jewelry.

Nor have I.

[Gibs]

When Christ comes in and dwells the outward adorning grows so dim and uneeded it begins to disappear as the person grows in Christ. The adorning of Christ within is the preaching to be done. But I do notice more outward adornments in the modern churchs of today. Highly so in the most liberal and rock music is the norm there too.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

many times, the wearing of jewelry is more of a cultural thing, than it is of some sort of spiritual declaration..

[Woody]

many times, the wearing of jewelry is more of a cultural thing, than it is of some sort of spiritual declaration..

[cricket]

Does anyone know the 3 Pillars of Baptism?

Okay - I quoted this before - but:

SDA Minister's Manual .... P. 125 " So while we cannot expect a lot of fruit in the prebaptismal life of the candidate, neverless some fruit must be visible. Surely this fruit should include Sabbath keeping, church attendance, and refraining from the use of harmful substances."

Yes;

1.) Sabbath Keeping

2.) Church Attendance

3.) Refraining of Harmful Substances

Does anyone know to what degree each of these pillars must be met? How does one demonstrate to others the keeping of the Sabbath (staying at home with the lights off, walking to church, refraining from going out to eat, preparing the meal on Friday)? How often must someone attend church, and to what degree must he attend (Sabbath school, potlucks, entire worship service or just the sermon)? And which harmful substances must one refrain from using (caffeine, tobacco, meth, marshmallows, cheeseburgers, Tylenol, bathing with rubber duckies)?

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

Quote:

bathing with rubber duckies

LOL

[Woody]

Quote:

bathing with rubber duckies

Eeeewwwww - rubber duckies?????