9. Gospel Additions

Dale Ratzlaff, Feature, Truth About Adventist "Truth"

There are two formulas that are suggested for salvation. One is the basic Christian formula. The other is the one often promoted by the cults:

Faith in Christ = Salvation + Good Works

or

Faith in Christ + Good Works = Salvation

In Ephesians 2:8-10, Paul explains that salvation is a gift of God based on faith. But even the faith itself comes from God. Then, after salvation comes good works. Why are people saved by God’s unmerited grace? One reason, Paul says, is to do good works. Salvation results in us becoming new creatures in Christ “unto good works.” Christians will do good works, not because they must do so to gain salvation, but now that they have been saved, they are new creatures in Christ,1 and it is their nature to do good works in response to God’s grace. Hence, the first formula is biblical.

However, it is the second formula that the cults will always use. They will place works before salvation. What works? Each group will have its own unique list that must be followed to the letter of the law, or salvation is out of reach.2

Following are summaries of the teachings of Ellen White, whose writings are “a continuing and authoritative source of truth.”

She said that William Miller’s 1843 date-setting, second-coming message was a “saving message” and pastors who resisted this message had “the blood of souls” upon them.3 Faith in Christ was not enough. They had to add to their faith the “good work” of date setting.

Churches that rejected the revised 1844 sanctuary “truth” fell from God’s favor and became “Babylon” even though they continued to have faith in Christ. She said that the people in these churches were deceived by Satan, and their prayers were useless.4

Ellen White said that Christians should never say “I am saved.”5 She said that only those who keep the seventh-day Sabbath will be saved in the last days.6 She taught that there will be no change in character at the second coming.7

She said we are not saved by faith alone.8 She said we must live a life of “perfect obedience” before God’s promises will be fulfilled to us.9

While some SDAs reject this theology, it is nonetheless Adventist teaching endorsed by their “messenger of God,” Ellen White.

Most Adventists have little assurance of salvation. Many cannot tell you when they were born again, if, indeed they were. †

Endnotes

  1. 2 Cor. 5:17.
  2. See Rick Branch, “Profile, Patterns In The Cults,” in Watchman Expositor, Vol. 11, No. 2, 1994.
  3. Early Writings, p. 243.
  4. Spiritual Gifts, Vol. 1, p. 140, 172, 173.
  5. “We are never to rest in a satisfied condition, and cease to make advancement, saying, ‘I am saved.‘ When this idea is entertained, the motives for watchfulness, for prayer, for earnest endeavor to press onward to higher attainments, cease to exist. No sanctified tongue will be found uttering these words till Christ shall come, and we enter in through the gates into the city of God.” White, The Kress Collection, p. 120. The important thing is why EGW said this. “No man can say, I am saved, until he has endured test and trial, until he has shown that he can overcome temptation.” Review and Herald, 1890-06-17. EGW taught that only those who had proven they could overcome temptation could lay claim to salvation. And then she put this out of the reach of all by saying that assurance of salvation could only be obtained after the second coming. (all emphases added)
  6. Ellen G. White, Medical Ministry, p. 123.
  7. White, Review and Herald, 1892-06-21.
  8. “Faith and works are the two oars with which we are to make our way in the Christian life. The Lord calls upon all who think they know what faith is, to be sure that they are not pulling with only one oar, and their little bark [boat] going round and round, making no progress at all. Faith without intelligent works is dead. Faith in the healing power of God will not save unless it is combined with good works.” Ellen G. White, Australasian Union Record, 1905-10-15. “It is Satan’s studied effort to divert the minds of men from the one way of salvation,— faith in Christ, and obedience to the law of God.” Ellen G. White, Sketches from the Life of Paul, p. 192.
  9. “If we live a life of perfect obedience, His promises will be fulfilled toward us.” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 2, p. 122. “What God promises He is able at any time to perform, and the work which He gives His people to do He is able to accomplish by them. If they will live according to every word He has spoken, every good word and promise will be fulfilled unto them. But if they come short of perfect obedience, the great and precious promises are afar off, and they cannot reach the fulfillment.” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 2, p. 148. (all above emphases added)

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