Proceedings of the General Conference 1877 - 1879a

[Gregory Matthews]

Spectrum is publishing a five-part record of the General Conference during the period of 1877 - 1879a.

While many will not find them of interest, yet they do contain some interesting items as to what was thought important enough to be considered at such sessions.  And, they contain information as to the specifics of such actions.

 http://conversation.spectrummagazine.org/t/twenty-years-of-minutes-proceedings-of-the-general-conference-of-seventh-day-adventists-gc-part-3-1877-1879a/10268

 

 

[Gregory Matthews]

I found the following action taken in 1877 to be of interest.

* It should be noted that the last part of the quote below is a comment and not part of the actual action voted.

* I find it interesting that the vote was specific to only apply when the General Conference was action within its proper jurisdiction.  This is exactly one of the issues that is being raised today as to whether or not the GC has the authority to take away the authority of the Unions to decide who should be ordained, without following the procedures that have been established to do such.

 

“RESOLVED, That the highest authority under God among Seventh-day Adventists is found in the will of the body of that people, as expressed in the decisions of the General Conference when acting within its proper jurisdiction; and that such decisions should be submitted to by all without exception, unless they can be shown to conflict with the word of God and the rights of individual conscience.”

(It is important to note the context of this statement; it was a response to Butler’s leadership argument that the GC President should lead God’s people as Moses had led Israel. It is also important to note the exceptions, which are often not mentioned when this action is quoted).

[CoAspen]

To me....this part of the statement, 

Quote

 ....unless they can be shown to conflict with the word of God and the rights of individual conscience.”

would seem to nullify the first part. We believe that the HS guides us as individuals, our conscience, and that each person has a direct path of communication to 

god. The first part sounds extremely catholic to me and something we have constantly said was false, whether a single person, pope, or several.

Maybe I am missing something??