A review of history would seem to indicate that the Seventh-day Adventist Church started off as an independent ministry......And a study of SDA publications from 1850 through 1880 reveal that within that time hack....The Pioneers of the Faith identified their body as the Remnant.It would be logical then to conclude that independent ministries, at the DNA level of Adventism.......Are as much a part of Adventism as anything.
They are certainly a part of Adventism. Some have made and still make important contributions to the work and mission of the church and are leading many to Christ. Sadly, there are some that have parted company with the organized church because of various issues. Some of these seek to lead out of the organized church. Only by being grounded in the truths of the Bible can we be safe from being deceived. .
...One persons interpretation of Scripture can be just as right as the next.
That is the falsehood of postmodern relativism. False teachers reveal themselves sooner or later. "By their fruits ye shall know them."
defining questions that qualify ought be asked.1. Called of God or offshoot ?2. fruits of the Spirit and of righteousness ?3. Unity with the brethern in harmony with John chapter 17 ?4. A ministry that is a needed part of the worldwide mission and adorns the calling of Revelation chapter 10 ?5. filling a need not otherwise touched ?6. Self supporting but local, conference, union, devision, world Church supportive ?7. Divine evidence of their calling ?8. retaining brotherhood connections with local conferences, unions, world church ?9. Whose ire gets directed against it and why ?
Lines Regular and Irregular. (In connection with the two following Testimonies, see Testimony of September 12, 1908.) {SpM 191.3 - 193.6}
Have you noticed that independent ministries are usually under the control of what might be called a cult leader.
In the last solemn work few great men will be engaged. They are self-sufficient, independent of God, and He cannot use them. The Lord has faithful servants, who in the shaking, testing time will be disclosed to view. There are precious ones now hidden who have not bowed the knee to Baal. They have not had the light which has been shining in a concentrated blaze upon you. But, it may be under a rough and uninviting exterior the pure brightness of a genuine Christian character will be revealed. In the daytime we look toward heaven, but do not see stars. They are there, fixed in the firmament, but the eye cannot distinguish them. In the night we behold their genuine luster. {ChS 49.2} The time is not far distant, when the test will come to every soul. . . . In this time, the gold will be separated from the dross in the church. True godliness will be clearly distinguished from the appearance and tinsel of it. Many a star that we have admired for its brilliancy, will then go out in darkness. Chaff like a cloud will be borne away on the wind, even from places where we see only floors of rich wheat. All who assume the ornaments of the sanctuary, but are not clothed with Christ's righteousness, will appear in the shame of their own nakedness.--Testimonies, vol. 5, pp. 80,81. {ChS 49.3}