PREPARING FOR JESUS CHRIST'S RETURN BY KEEPING PAGAN HOLIDAYS?

CHRISTIAN TRADITIONS SERIES – 7 Are 7th-Day Adventists celebrating Easter? 1)file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/CHRISTIAN%20SERVICE/My%20Documents/Holidays%20-%20Articles%20and%20facts/EASTER/photo.php.htm 2)http://www.lightministries.com/SDA/id619.htm 3)http://adventist.org.uk/events/2013/2013-sec/londonlives-easter-celebration 4) A Prelude to Easter Saturday, March 23, 2013 5:00pm East Pasco Seventh-day Adventist Church (7333 Dairy Road, Zephyrhills, FL) https://www.fhzeph.org/news/florida-hospital-zephyrhills-celebrates-easter-with-free-community-events 5) http://www.atoday.org/article/1109/news/2012/april-headlines/hundreds-of-adventist-churches-plan-easter-events-this-coming-weekend This is nothing new either! "Bob Hunter, pastor of the Stone Mountain, Georgia, [SDA] church, delivered the Easter message at the sunrise service atop Georgia’s Stone Mountain. The Service was attended by some 4,000 people and was covered by three of the local Atlanta television stations. The service was videotaped and aired on Stone Mountain church’s television program, ‘Discovery.’" Southern Tidings, August, 1985, p 19. · "Good Adventist news for Easter--For the first time in denominational history a television network--CBS--will broadcast an Easter Sunday service from a SDA church. The program, ‘Festival of Hope,’ will originate from the Camarillo Adventist Church in California. The speaker will be Elder Roger Bothwell, pastor of the College Church at Pacific Union College. WCBS, New York City, will carry the service this Sunday [April 22] at 11 a.m (8 a.m. Camarillo time) as will CBS affiliates in Roanoke, Boston, Tampa, Bismark, Minot, Madison, Williston, Cincinnati, Champaign, San Antonio, Columbus, Huntsville, St. Louis, La Crosse and Tuscaloosa. Some 20 other affiliated stations will carry the program on a delayed basis. Unfortunately, the CBS affiliate in Washington, D.C., WDVM, will not carry the program." General Conference Weekly Press Relations Newsletter, Spring, 1984. (See also Adventist Review, March 29, 1984, p 31.) · "72nd annual Easter Sunrise Service at the Hollywood Bowl." This Sunday Sunrise Service was "televised internationally by the Trinity Broadcasting Network, and was carried by the Armed Forces Radio and Television Network" (Pacific Union Recorder, July 20, 1992, p 16). · Other Profs: · http://www.christianforums.com/t4972772/ http://www.celebrationsda.com/event-items/the-christian-life-ive-just-seen-jesus-easter-celebration-mary-lou-cummings-john-20/ Church Of The Advent Hope is a diverse Seventh-Day Adventist Christian community ... Take part in an Easter meal with us on March 28. ... On Saturdays Church of the Advent Hope gathers to celebrate the Sabbath ... 'It Is Written' Coming to Advent Hope in MayFebruary 02, 2013 | Advent Hope ... Easter Sunrise Service ...https://www.facebook.com/events/429215340498500/ http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_the_important_holidays_and_traditions_of_Seventh-day_Adventists Church services lead up to Easter | The Tennessean | tennessean.com 1 day ago ... His House Church, 5306 Main St. in Spring Hill, will celebrate ... To register, visit www.clearview.org/all/happenings/2013/01-21/ ... Another Easter service will be held at 10:45 a.m. No evening services will be held. .... Easter Sunrise Service in the Prayer Garden at 7 a.m. March 31; ... Seventh Day Adventist ... http://www.nhillschurch.org/ [sunrise service] http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130329/WILLIAMSON01/303290115/Church-services-lead-up-Easter?nclick_check=1 So… How close to Catholic traditions can we get and yet remain Adventists? “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.” 1John 2:15 –18 “Meaning of Antichrist to Be Understood—Those who become confused in their understanding of the Word, who fail to see the meaning of antichrist, will surely place themselves on the side of antichrist. There is no time now for us to assimilate with the world. Daniel is standing in his lot and in his place. The prophecies of Daniel and of John are to be understood. They interpret each other. They give to the world truths which every one should understand. These prophecies are to be witnesses in the world. By their fulfillment in these last days they will explain themselves.” E. G. White Bible Commentary, {7BC 949.6} The Lord is about to punish the world for its iniquity. He is about to punish religious bodies for their rejection of the light and truth which has been given them. The great message, combining the first, second, and third angels’ messages, is to be given to the world. This is to be the burden of our work. Those who truly believe in Christ will openly conform to the law of Jehovah. The Sabbath is the sign between God and His people; and we are to make visible our conformity to the law of God by observing the Sabbath. It is to be the mark of distinction between God’s chosen people and the world (Manuscript 10, 1900). IBID, {7BC 949.7} [Just yesterday (the 7th day – the true Lord’s Sabbath) we were passing out literature containing these warnings to be given to the world. It is pleasing to see a church that is not ashamed of “Present Truth”! Books such as: The Great Controversy, National Sunday Law, ETC.] “In the New Testament, language very similar is addressed to professed Christians who seek the friendship of the world above the favor of God. Says the apostle James: “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” Great Controversy, {GC 382.1} The woman (Babylon) of Revelation 17 is described as “arrayed in purple and scarlet color, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness:...and upon her forehead was a name written, Mystery,Babylon the Great, the mother of harlots.” Says the prophet: “I saw the woman drunk with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus.” Babylon is further declared to be “that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.” Revelation 17:4-6, 18. The power that for so many centuries maintained despotic sway over the monarchs of Christendom is Rome. The purple and scarlet color, the gold and precious stones and pearls, vividly picture the magnificence and more than kingly pomp affected by the haughty see of Rome. And no other power could be so truly declared “drunken with the blood of the saints” as that church which has so cruelly persecuted the followers of Christ. Babylon is also chargedwith the sin of unlawful connection with “the kings of the earth.” It was by departure from the Lord, and alliance with the heathen, that the Jewish church became a harlot; and Rome, corrupting herself in like manner by seeking the support of worldly powers, receives a like condemnation. IBID, {GC 382.2} Babylon is said to be “the mother of harlots.” By her daughters must be symbolized churches that cling to her doctrines and traditions, and follow her example of sacrificing the truth and the approval of God, in order to form an unlawfulalliance with the world. The message ofRevelation 14, announcing the fall of Babylonmust apply to religious bodies that were once pure and have become corrupt. Since this message follows the warning of the judgment, it must be given in the last days; therefore it cannot refer to the Roman Church alone, for that church has been in a fallen condition for many centuries. Furthermore, in the eighteenth chapter of the Revelation the people of God are called upon to come out of Babylon. According to this scripture, many of God’s people must still be in Babylon. And in what religious bodies are the greater part of the followers of Christ now to be found? Without doubt, in the various churches professing the Protestant faith. At the time of their rise these churches took a noble stand for God and the truth, and His blessing was with them. Even the unbelieving world was constrained to acknowledge the beneficent results that followed an acceptance of the principles of the gospel. In the words of the prophet to Israel: “Thy renown went forth among the heathen for thy beauty: for it was perfect through My comeliness, which I had put upon thee, saith the Lord God.” But they fell by the same desire which was the curse and ruin of Israel—the desire of imitating the practices and courting the friendship of the ungodly. “Thou didst trust in thine own beauty, and playedst the harlot because of thy renown.” Ezekiel 16:14, 15. IBID, {GC 382.3} Many of the Protestant churches are following Rome’s example of iniquitous connection with “the kings of the earth”—the state churches, by their relation to secular governments; and other denominations, by seeking the favor of the world. And the term “Babylon”—confusion—may be appropriately applied to these bodies, all professing to derive their doctrines from the Bible, yet divided into almost innumerable sects, with widely conflicting creeds and theories. IBID, {GC 383.1} Besides a sinful union with the world, the churches that separated from Rome present other of her characteristics. IBID, {GC 383.2} What is happening to SDA Churches today? DO THEY WORSHIP ON SUNDAYS? http://www.sdaapostasy.org/SDAstatements.htm http://sdrministries.org/sda/sabbath.html Listen to what insiders have to say: Bill Hughes - 06 - Adventism in Apostasy (false doctrine in todays SDA General-Conference Church) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzIpx7MYYa4&feature=share Walter Veith on A warning to the Remnant https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VilAZ2EV7ns&feature=related Walter Veith on SDA Apostasy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPbkm_Q8RaA&feature=related A WARNING GIVEN TO THE CHURCH: “The words of God to ancient Israel have a solemn warning to the church and its leaders today. Of Israel the Lord said, “I have written to him the great things of My law; but they were counted as a strange thing.” Hosea 8:12. And to the priests and teachers He declared, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee; ... seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.” Hosea 4:6. Christ Object Lessons, {COL 306.2} Shall the warnings from God be passed by unheeded? Shall the opportunities for service be unimproved? Shall the world’s scorn, the pride of reason, conformity to human customs and traditions, hold the professed followers of Christ from service to Him? Will they reject God’s word as the Jewish leaders rejected Christ? The result of Israel’s sin is before us. Will the church of today take warning?” IBID, {COL 306.3} “Perilous times are before us. Every one who has a knowledge of the truth should awake, and place himself, body, soul, and spirit, under the discipline of God. The enemy is on our track. We must be wide awake, on our guard against him. We must put on the whole armor of God. We must follow the directions given through the Spirit of prophecy. We must love and obey the truth for this time. This will save us from accepting strong delusions. God has spoken thus through His word. He has spoken to us through the testimonies to the church, and through the books that have helped to make plain our present duty and the position we should now occupy. The warnings that have been given, line upon line, precept upon precept, should be heeded. If we disregard them, what excuse can we offer? Gospel Workers, {GW 308.1} I beseech those who are laboring for God not to accept the spurious for the genuine. Let not human reasoning be placed where sanctifying truth should be. Christ is waiting to kindle faith and love in the hearts of His people. Let not erroneous theories receive countenance from the people who ought to be standing firm on the platform of eternal truth. God calls upon us to hold firmly to the fundamental principles that are based upon unquestionable authority.” IBID, {GW 308.2} Hope to the faithful -- The last message will be given by the “Remnant”: “Men of faith and prayer will be constrained to go forth with holy zeal, declaring the words which God gives them. The sins of Babylon will be laid open. The fearful results of enforcing the observances of the church by civil authority,the inroads of Spiritualism, the stealthy but rapid progress of the papal power,—all will be unmasked. By these solemn warnings the people will be stirred. Thousands upon thousands will listen who have never heard words like these. In amazement they hear the testimony that Babylon is the church, fallen because of her errors and sins, because of her rejection of the truth sent to her from heaven.—The Great Controversy, 606, 607 (1888). As the time comes for it [the message of the third angel] to be given with greatest power, the Lord will work through humble instruments, leading the minds of those who consecrate themselves to His service. The laborers will be qualified rather by the unction of His Spirit than by the training of literary institutions. Men of faith and prayer will be constrained to go forth with holy zeal, declaring the words which God gives them. The sins of Babylon will be laid open.The fearful results of enforcing the observances of the church by civil authority,the inroads of Spiritualism, the stealthy but rapid progress of the papal power,—all will be unmasked. By these solemn warnings the people will be stirred. Thousands upon thousands will listen who have never heard words like these.—The Great Controversy, 606 (1888).

Christian traditions series - 6 IS EASTER CHRISTIAN OR PAGAN? 17:7” For so it was, that the children of Israel had sinned against the LORD their God, which had brought them up out of the land of Egypt, from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and had feared other gods, 17:8 And walked in the statutes of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out from before the children of Israel, and of the kings of Israel, which they had made. 17:9 And the children of Israel did secretly those things that were not right against the LORD their God, and they built them high places in all their cities, from the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city. 17:10 And they set them up images and groves in every high hill, and under every green tree: 17:11 And there they burnt incense in all the high places, as did the heathen whom the LORD carried away before them; and wrought wicked things to provoke the LORD to anger: 17:12 For they served idols, whereof the LORD had said unto them, Ye shall not do this thing. 17:13 Yet the LORD testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets. 17:14 Notwithstanding they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like to the neck of their fathers, that did not believe in the LORD their God. 17:15 And they rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified against them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and went after the heathen that were round about them, concerning whom the LORD had charged them, that they should not do like them. 17:16 And they left all the commandments of the LORD their God, and made them molten images, even two calves, and made a grove, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served Baal. 17:17 And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger. 17:18 Therefore the LORD was very angry with Israel, and removed them out of his sight: there was none left but the tribe of Judah only. 17:19 Also Judah kept not the commandments of the LORD their God, but walked in the statutes of Israel which they made.” 2 Kings 17: 7- 19 There is no questions in regards to the death - crucifixion and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is recorded in the Bible and even in several history books. The question is: How do we remember best what took place in Calvary, and why do we, Christians celebrate such a holiday! Is it Biblical? Is it a command? There is no Biblical command nor recorded evidence that the early Christian church did observe such rituals. The 2 monumental pillars in Christ’s Kingdom Baptism: “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. Mark 16:16 Lord’s Supper: “26:26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. 26:27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 26:29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom. 26:30 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. Matthew 26: 26 – 30. “this do in remembrance of me.” Luke 22:19 “The ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper are two monumental pillars, one without and one within the church. Upon these ordinances Christ has inscribed the name of the true God.” Testimonies Vol.6, 291.1 Jesus Christ did not say we are to “Celebrate Easter” Passover or any other Jewish feast. But if we do, it should be according to the law in the “TORA” and not in favor of any pagan festival! JN Andrews wrote: “Upon the receipt of this letter, Victor, giving the reins to an impotent and ungovernable passion, published bitter invectives against all the churches of Asia, declared them cut off from his communion, sent letters of excommunication to their respective bishops; and, at the same time, in order to have them cut off from the communion of the whole church, wrote to the other bishops, exhorting them to follow his example, and forbear communicating with their refractory brethren of Asia.” 1 History of the Sabbath and First Day of the Week, {HSFD 274.2} “The historian informs us that “not one followed his example or advice; not one paid any sort of regard to his letters, or showed the least inclination to second him in such a rash and uncharitable attempt.” He further says:- {HSFD 275.1} “Victor being thus baffled in his attempt, his successors took care not to revive the controversy; so that the Asiatics peaceably followed their ancient practice till the Council of Nice, which out of complaisance to Constantine the Great, ordered the solemnity of Easter to be kept everywhere on the same day, after the custom of Rome.” 2 {HSFD 275.2} The victory was not obtained for Sunday in this struggle, as Heylyn testifies, {HSFD 275.3} “Till the great Council of Nice [A.D. 325] backed by the authority of as great an emperor [Constantine] settled it better than before; none but some scattered schismatics, now and then appearing, that durst oppose the resolution of that famous synod.” 3 {HSFD 275.4} Constantine, by whose powerful influence the Council of Nice was induced to decide this question in favor of the Roman bishop that is, to fix the passover upon Sunday, urged the following strong reason for the measure:- {HSFD 275.5} Let us then have nothing in common with the most hostile rabble of the Jews.” 4 {HSFD 275.6} This sentence is worthy of notice. A determination to have nothing in common with the Jews had very much to do with the suppression of the Sabbath in the Christian church. Those who rejected the Sabbath of the Lord and chose in its stead the more popular and more convenient Sunday festival of the heathen, were so infatuated with the idea of having nothing in common with the Jews, that they never even questioned the propriety of a festival in common with the heathen. {HSFD 275.7} This festival was not weekly, but annual; but the removal of it from the fourteenth of the first month to the Sunday following Good Friday was the first legislation attempted in honor of Sunday as a Christian festival; and as Heylyn quaintly expresses it, “The Lord’s day found it no small matter to obtain the victory. 1 In a brief period after the Council of Nice, by the laws of Theodosius, capital punishment was inflicted upon those who should celebrate the feast of the passover upon any other day than Sunday. 2 The Britons of Wales were long able to maintain their ground against this favorite project of the Roman church, and as late as the sixth century “obstinately resisted the imperious mandates of the Roman pontiffs.” 3 {HSFD 276.1} Joseph Bates wrote: “Again, he says; “Redemption is a greater work than creation, hence the change.” Fifthly, God early consecrated the Christian Sabbath by a most remarkable outpouring of his spirit at the day of Pentecost. And that Jesus has left us his own example by not saying a syllable after his resurrection about keeping the Jewish Sabbath. He also quotes the four passages about Jesus and his disciples keeping the first day of the week. Here, he says, the inference to our minds is irresistible - for keeping the first day of the week instead of the seventh. And further says, it might be proved by innumerable quotations from the writings of the Apostolic Fathers,” etc. All this may be very true in itself, but it all falls to the ground for the want of one single precept from the Bible. If Redemption, because it was greater than Creation, and the remarkable display of God’s power at the Pentecost, and Christ never saying any thing about the Jewish Sabbath after his resurrection are such strong proofs that the perpetual seventh day Sabbath was changed to the first day at that time, and must be believed because learned men say so, what shall we do with the sixth day, on which our blessed Saviour expired on the cross; darkness for three hours had covered the earth, and the vail of the Temple was rent from top to bottom, and there was such an earthquake throughout vast creation that we have only to open our eyes and look at the rent rocks for a clear and perfect demonstration that this whole globe was shaken from centre to circumference and the graves of the dead were opened. Matthew 27:50, 53 You may answer me that Popery has honored that day by calling it Good Friday, and the next first day following Easter Sunday, etc., but after all, nothing short of bible argument will satisfy the earnest inquirer after truth. The President had already shown that theJewish Sabbath was abolished at Christ’s death. What reason then had he to believe that the Saviour would speak of it afterwards. So also the Pentecost had been a type from the giving the law at Sinai to be kept annually for about 1500 years, consequently it would be solemnized on every day of the week, at each revolving year, as is the case with the 4th of July: three years ago it was on the fourth day and now it comes on the seventh day of the week. Further, see Peter standing amidst the amazed multitude, giving the Scripture reason for this miraculous display of God’s power. He does not give the most distant hint that this was, or was to be, the day of the week for worship, or true Sabbath, neither do any of the Apostles then, or afterwards, for when they kept this day the next year, it must have been the second day of the week. We must have better evidence than what has been adduced, to believe this was the Sabbath, for according to the type, seven Sabbaths were to be complete, (and there was no other way given them to come to the right day,) from the day they kept the first, or from the resurrection. Here then is proof positive that the Sabbath in this year was the day before the Pentecost. See Luke 23:55, 56 If President H. is right, then were there two Sabbaths to be kept in succession in one week. Where is the precept? No where! Well, says the inquirer, I want to see the Bible proof for this ‘Christian Sabbath observed by the disciples, and owned by our Lord.’ SC1, 30.2 [Sabbath Controversy #1] The Seventh Day Sabbath, A Perpetual Sign. “In the Augsburg Confession, which was drawn up by Melanchthon [and approved by Luther], to the question, ‘What ought we to think of the Lord’s day?’ it is answered that the Lord’s day. Easter, Whitsuntide, and other such holy days ought to be kept, because they are appointed by the church, that all things may be done in order; but that the observance of them is not to be thought necessary to salvation, nor the violation of them, if it be done without offense to others, to be regarded as a sin!”-Cox’s Sabbath Laws, p. 287. The Change of the Sabbath, {ChSa 134.1} The Confession of the Swiss churches says on this point: {ChSa 134.2} “The observance of the Lord’s day is founded not on any commandment of God, but on the authority of the church; and the church may alter the day at pleasure.”-Idem. {ChSa 134.3} Tyndale, the great English Reformer, said: {ChSa 134.4} “As for the Sabbath, we be lords over the Sabbath, and may yet change it into Monday, or into any other day as we see need, or may make every tenth day holy only if we see cause why!”-Tyndale’s Answer to More, book 1, chapter 25. IBID, {ChSa 134.5} Zwingle, the great Swiss Reformer, regarded it thus: “For we are no way bound to time, but time ought so to serve us, that it is lawful, and permitted to each church, when necessity urges (as is usual to be done in harvest time), to transfer the solemnity and rest of the Lord’s day, or Sabbath, to some other day.”-Hessey, p. 352. IBID, {ChSa 134.6} John Calvin said respecting the Sunday festival:{ChSa 134.7} “However, the ancients have not without sufficient reason substituted what we call the Lord’s day in the room of the Sabbath.... Yet I do not lay so much stress on the septenary number that I, would oblige the church to an invariable adherence to it; nor will I condemn those churches which have other solemn days for their assemblies, provided they keep at a distance from superstition.”- IBID, {ChSa 134.8} Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion, translated by John Alien, book 2, chap. 8, sec. 34. IBID, {ChSa 135.1} “They keep Saturday holy, nor esteem Saturday fast lawful but on Easter even. They have solemn service on Saturdays, eat flesh, and feast it bravely like the Jews.”-Purchas, His Pilgrimage, part 2, book 8, chap. 6, sec. 5. IBID, {ChSa 148.4} This writer, like many first day authors, Catholic and Protestant, even at the present time, speaks disrespectfully of those Christians who observed the Sabbath. But this testimony, with the others, seems to leave no possible doubt that the Armenians observed the Sabbath. IBID, {ChSa 148.5} Andrews, in his History of the Sabbath, page 463, says concerning other Sabbath keepers: {ChSa 148.6} “When the Reformation had lifted the vale of darkness that covered the nations of Europe, Sabbath-keepers were found in Transylvania, Bohemia, Russia, Germany, Holland, France, and England. It was not the Reformation which gave existence to these Sabbatarians; for the leaders of the Reformation, as a body, were not friendly to such views. On the contrary, these observers of the Sabbath appear to be remnants of the ancient Sabbath-keeping churches that had witnessed for the truth during the Dark Ages!” IBID, {ChSa 148.7} He proceeds to cite various classes of these in the countries mentioned, and gives the authorities to prove it, which the inquiring reader can investigate in that valuable work. IBID, {ChSa 149.1} Uriah Smith wrote: “The church of God is to-day courting the world. Its members are trying to bring it down to the level of the ungodly. The ball, the theater, nude and lewd art, social luxuries, with all their loose moralities, are making inroads into the sacred inclosure of the church; and as a satisfaction for all this worldliness, Christians are making a great deal of Lent and Easter and church ornamentation. It is the old trick of Satan. The Jewish Church struck on that rock; the Romish Church was wrecked on the same; and the Protestant Church is fast reaching the same doom.” Replys to Elder Canright’s Attach on Seventh Day Adventism, {RCASDA 69.2} Bishop Pierce, in the “New Book of Sermons,” by twenty leading Southern Methodist ministers, four of them bishops. says:- IBID, {RCASDA 69.3} “The Bible makes a broad distinction between the church and the world.... Yet the vain, wicked, corrupting experiment of harmonizing the two goes on, perhaps in no age of the church more broadly and with less disguise than now.... The process of amalgamation goes on almost without let of hindrance.” IBID, {RCASDA 69.4} “King Charles 1, in a query propounded by him to the Parliament’s Commissioners at Holmby, 1647, says, ‘I conceive the celebration of the feast of Easter was instituted by the same authority which changed the Sabbath into the Lord’s day on Sunday; for it will not be found in Scripture where Saturday is discharged to be kept, or turned into the Sunday. Wherefore it must be the Church’s authority that changed the one, and instituted the other. Therefore my opinion is, that those who will not keep this feast, may as well return to the observation of Saturday, and refuse the weekly Sunday. When any body can show me that herein I am in error, I shall not be ashamed to confess and amend it; till when, you know my mind. C. R.” Bampfield on the Sabbath, p. 24. Facts for the Times, {FT 89.8} “SABBATARIAN. One who regards the seventh day of the week as holy, agreeably to the letter of the fourth commandment in the dialogue. There were christians in the early church who held this opinion.” IBID, {FT 90.1} “SABBATH. This was the originally the seventh day of the week, the day on which God rested from the work of creation; and this day is still observed by the Jews and some christians as the Sabbath.” Webster’s Dictionary. IBID, {FT 90.2} “In Augsburg Confession, which was drawn up by Melancthon (and approved by Luther), to thequestion, “What ought we to think of the Lord’s day?” it is answered that the Lord’s day, Easter, Whitsuntide, and other such holy days, ought to be kept, because they are appointed by the church.” Bible Hand Book, {BHB 83.6} • Daniel 7:25. There is no account in the Bible of any Sabbath of the Lord, except the seventh-day Sabbath; but Daniel prophesied of a power that would think to change the law of God. Prophets and Kings, 179. IBID, {BHB 84.1} • Ezekiel 22:26-28; 13:10-12. Ezekiel saw the law violated, Sabbath profaned, and those who should have led in right lines, using “untempered mortar,” or giving falsehood instead of God’s words. Patriarchs and Prophets, 477. IBID, {BHB 84.2} The following is taken from the “Catholic Christian Instructed,” 17 th edition, revised and corrected, pp. 272, 273:- IBID, {BHB 84.3} “Question: What warrant have you for keeping Sunday preferably to the ancient Sabbath which was Saturday? IBID, {BHB 84.4} “Answer: We have for it the authority of the Catholic church, and apostolic tradition. IBID, {BHB 84.5} “Question: Does the Scripture anywhere command the Sunday to be kept for the Sabbath? IBID, {BHB 84.6} “Answer: The Scripture commands us to hear the church (St. Matthew 18:17; St. Luke 10:16), and to hold fast the traditions of the apostles, 2 Thessalonians 2:15. But the Scripture does not in particular mention this change of the Sabbath. IBID, {BHB 84.7} “St. John speaks of the Lord’s day (Revelation 1:10); but he does not tell us what day of the week this was, much less does he tell us what day was to take the place of the Sabbath ordained in the commandments. St. Luke speaks of the disciples meeting together to break bread on the first day of the week. Acts 20:7. And St. Paul (1 Corinthians 16:2) orders that on the first day of the week the Corinthians should law by in store what they designated to bestow in charity on the faithful in Judea; but neither the one nor the other tells us that this first day of the week was to be henceforth a day of worship, and the Christian Sabbath; so that truly the best authority we have for this ancient custom is the testimony of the church. And therefore, those who pretend to such religious observers of Sunday, whilst they take no notice of other festivals ordained by the same church authority, show that they act more by humor, than by reason and religion; since Sundays and holidays all stand upon the same foundation namely, the ordinance of the church.” IBID, {BHB 84.8} “The “Doctrinal Catechism,” pp. 174, 352, offers proof that Protestants are not guided by the Scriptures. We present two of the questions and answers:- {BHB 85.1} “Question: Have you any other way of proving that the church has power to institute festivals of precept? IBID, { BHB 85.2} “Answer: Had she not such power, she could not have done that in which all modern religionists agree with her,-she could not have substituted the observance of Sunday, the first day of the week, for the observance of Saturday, the seventh day, a change for which there is no scriptural authority. IBID, {BHB 85.3} “Question: When Protestants do profane work on Saturday, or the seventh day of the week, do they follow the Scriptures as their only rule of faith-do they find this permission clearly laid down in the Sacred Volume? IBID, {BHB 85.4} “Answer: On the contrary, they have only the authority of tradition for this practice. In profaning Saturday, they violate one of God’s commandments, which He has never clearly abrogated,-’Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day.’” The Great Controversy, 447. IBID, {BHB 85.5} The Passover commemoration myth “Another step in promoting the honor of the sun was taken, especially under the leadership of the church at Rome. The early Christians celebrated the Passover, in remembrance of the death of Christ, the true Passover. Accordingly, they celebrated it on the fourteenth day of the first month. Rome, however, and from her all the west, adopted Sunday as the day of this celebration. According to the original and the Eastern custom this celebration, being on the fourteenth day of the month, would, of course, fall upon different days of the week, as the years revolved. But the rule of Rome was that the celebration must always be on a Sunday—the Sunday nearest to the fourteenth day of the first month of the Jewish year. And if that fourteenth day of the month were itself a Sunday, then the celebration was not to be held on that day; but upon the next Sunday. And this is why it is that, to this day,Easter, even though celebrated always on Sunday, is so very variable in its recurrence,—sometimes in March, sometimes early in April, sometimes late in April,—but always the first Sunday after the first full moon after the twentieth of March, or the spring equinox.” The Advent Review and Sabbath herald, {ARSH April 17, 1900, p. 248.12} Indeed, this very item of Easter itself illustrated this gathering of a host to the man of sin, by reason of transgression. The word “Easter” is peculiar to the English language, and to the British Isles. “It is derived from Eostre, or Ostára, the Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring, to whom the fourth month, answering to our April—thence called Eostur-monath—was dedicated.” The heathen in Britain were celebrating in early spring this festival of their goddess Eostre, when the agents of Rome first entered Britain; and by them this name of the heathen goddess was adopted, with the festival in her honor; and the whole ceremony thus adopted was carried on as the celebration of the so-called Christian Passover. And, says the Venerable Bede: “The old festival was observed with the gladness of a new solemnity.” The word “Easter” in Acts 12:4 is not a translation, but a sheer insertion by the translators; as the Greek is pascha, meaning “passover.” {ARSH April 17, 1900, p. 248.13} Another item worth noticing, in this connection, is that this Eostre, or Ostára, of the ancient Britons, is identical with the Ishtar, or Astarte, of Babylon and Nineveh, and the Ashtaroth of the Phœnicians. She was the female of Bel in Babylon and Nineveh, and of Baal in Phœnicia; and represented the female element in sun worship. {ARSH April 17, 1900, p. 248.14} “Nations and peoples to-day, unconscious of their origin, are perpetuating Babylonian religious customs when they celebrate Christmas with feasting, lighted candles, holly, and mistletoe. It is in commemoration of Babylonian heathen gods that they eat eggs on Easter, and even the wild capers of Hallowe’en repeat the mysteries of Babylon. The root was not destroyed; her religious principles have sprung up afresh in every generation and borne fruit in every country.” The Story of Daniel the Prophet, {SDP 55.1} “IT is reported in a leading religious journal that there is a rector of an Episcopal church in the United States, who is known as “Father” Ritchie. At his church the “sacrifice of the mass” takes the place of the communion service.” The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, {ARSH October 18, 1898, p. 669.1} This clergyman has so nearly reached Rome as to prescribe the following program for the observance of Lent by his members:— {ARSH October 18, 1898, p. 669.2} 1. Attend at least one church service every day.{ARSH October 18, 1898, p. 669.3} 2. Take communion at least once a week. {ARSH October 18, 1898, p. 669.4} 3. Say a short prayer daily at noontime. {ARSH October 18, 1898, p. 669.5} 4. Go to confession before Easter. {ARSH October 18, 1898, p. 669.6} 5. Abstain from food on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday until afternoon. {ARSH October 18, 1898, p. 669.7} 6. Eat no meat on Wednesday and Fridays. {ARSH October 18, 1898, p. 669.8} 7. Deny yourself something you like every day.{ARSH October 18, 1898, p. 669.9} 8. Abstain from all parties and places of public amusement. {ARSH October 18, 1898, p. 669.10} 9. Try to save money each day, by self-denial, for your Easter offering. {ARSH October 18, 1898, p. 669.11} 10. Do something every day (if only to say a prayer) for some poor, sick, or troubled person. {ARSH October 18, 1898, p. 669.12} What could be more encouraging to the Roman Catholic Church than this weakening of the churches that have in the past protested against Romanism? While the church mentioned may be an exception in this respect, there are too many that have departed from the faith of their fathers, and are on the downward road. IBID, {ARSH October 18, 1898, p. 669.13} Apostasy is the origin of the papacy. Whenever God’s people lose their hold upon him, and begin to trust in the inventions of men, the result is always the same. In Paul’s day some departed from the faith; then the mystery of iniquity began to work, and kept on working, until “that man of sin” was fully revealed, and exalted himself “above all that is called God, or that is worshiped.” History gave to this stage of the church the name “papacy.” But the name does not signify, as it was the result of apostasy. IBID, {ARSH October 18, 1898, p. 669.14} If the churches of to-day leave the word of God, and put their trust in man-made institutions, it matters not by what name they are known, the results will be exactly as before, and will produce the living image of the papacy. Let there be an awakening, and a seeking the Lord for the heavenly anointing, that in these times of apostasy we may be true to him. IBID, {ARSH October 18, 1898, p. 669.15} Are you still in doubt as to Easter being pagan? Please read the article below and the comments also: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=377613632272702&set=a.165745950126139.35305.142030005831067&type=1

CHRISTIAN TRADITIONS SERIES - 05 The Authority of Traditions [Traditions of the church of Rome – Pioneer writings] The reader may be curious to know why a controversy should have arisen respecting the proper day for the celebration of the passover in the Christian church when no such celebration had ever been commanded. The explanation is this:The festival was celebrated solely on the authority of tradition, and there were in this case two directly conflicting traditions as is fully shown in the tenth canon of this father. One party had their tradition from John the apostle, and held that the paschal feast should be celebrated every year “wheneve rthe fourteenth day of the moon had come, and the lamb was sacrificed by the Jews.” But the other party had their tradition from the apostles Peter and Paul that this festival should not be celebrated on that day, but upon the so-called Lord’s day next following. And so a fierce controversy arose which was decided in A. D. 325, by the council of Nice, in favor of Saint Peter, who had on his side his pretended successor, the powerful and crafty bishop of Rome.” Complete Testimony of the Fathers of the First Three centuries Concerning the Sabbath and the First Day, by JN Andrews, 1873 - TFTC, 94.2 The term Lord’s day is never applied to Sunday till the closing years of the second century. And Clement who is the first to make such an application, represents the true Lord’s day as made up of every day of the Christian’s life. And this opinion is avowed by others after him. IBID, But after we enter the third century the name Lord’s day is quite frequently applied to Sunday. Tertullian who lived at the epoch where we first find this application, frankly declares that the festival of Sunday to which he gives the name of Lord’s day had no Scriptural authority, but that it was founded upon tradition. But should not the traditions of the third century be esteemed sufficient authority for calling Sunday the Lord’s day? The very men of that century who speak thus of Sunday strenuously urge the observance of the feast of the passover. Shall we accept this festival which they offer to us on the authority of their apostolic tradition? As if to teach us the folly of adding tradition to the Bible as a part of our rules of faith, it happens that there are even from the early part of the second century two directly conflicting traditions as to what day should be kept for the passover. And one party had theirs from Saint John, the other had theirs from Saint Peter, and Saint Paul! And it is very remarkable that although each of these parties claimed to know from one or the other of these apostles that they had the right day for the passover and the other had the wrong one, there is never a claim by one of these fathers that Sunday is the Lord’s day because John on the isle of Patmos called it such! If men in the second and third centuries were totally mistaken in their traditions respecting the passover, as they certainly were, shall we consider the traditions of the third century sufficient authority for asserting that the title of Lord’s day belongs to Sunday by apostolic authority? IBID, “The issue is joined to-day for a decisive combat. God’s Word declares, “The seventh day is theSabbath of the Lord thy God; in it thou shalt not do any work.” On the other hand, the word of man—traditions church precept, and the civil “law”—declares the first day to be the Sabbath. The first-day sabbath is Rome’s heralded token of the supremacy of her word in spiritual things; and in anticipation of her long-awaited triumph, she says in her heart, “I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.” 3 She is stretching forth her hand to seize again her long-lost supremacy on earth. But in the heavens a mandate has gone forth, “It is time for thee, Lord, to work; for they have made void thy law.” The American Sentinel, 11 (AMS 11, Feb. 11, 1896 – pg. 65.6) “The dramatic scenes of Wycliffe’s time are to be reënacted. The champions of divine truth are again to stand before kings and rulers; the word of the Infinite is again to be seen towering in divine majesty above the precepts of mortal man. The triumphs of truth in every age culminate here. We have reached the climax of the great controversy. Over the issue of which day is the Sabbath—which of the signs of two opposing spiritual powers is to be given the honor of men—the battle will be fought to its conclusion. On the one hand stands the Sabbath of the Lord, the seventh day,—the sign of the Godhead of Him whose word has creative power; and on the other hand is the man-made sabbath—Sunday—the sign of that opposing power which has set its word above the word of the most High, claiming the right to change the Sabbath from the seventh day to the first. On that side and under that banner will stand all who, whether Catholic or Protestant in name, have given real or apparent assent to this change. In many places this assent is now called for by the civil law; but the word of the Creator upholds a different institution, and demands allegiance to it. Shall we choose Scripture? or tradition?—the word of God? or the word of man? The choice will determine our position in the conflict, and our final destiny.” IBID (AMS 11, Feb. 11, 1896 – pg. 65.7) “The Sabbath question is to be the issue in the great final conflict in which all the world will act a part. Men have honored Satan’s principles above the principles that rule in the heavens. They have accepted the spurious sabbath, which Satan has exalted as the sign of his authority. But God has set His seal upon His royal requirement. Each sabbathinstitution bears the name of its author, an ineffaceable mark that shows the authority of each. It is our work to lead the people to understand this. We are to show them that it is of vital consequence whether they bear the mark of God’s kingdom or the mark of the kingdom of rebellion, for they acknowledge themselves subjects of the kingdom whose mark they bear. God has called us to uplift the standard of His downtrodden Sabbath.595 Counsels for the Church, 334.6 “The Sabbath question is to be the issue in the great final conflict in which all the world will act a part.—Testimonies for the Church 6:352 (1900). LDE,135.2 Foreign nations will follow the example of the United States. Though she leads out, yet the same crisis will come upon our people in all parts of the world.—Testimonies for the Church 6:395 (1900). LDE,135.3 The substitution of the false for the true is the last act in the drama. When this substitution becomes universal God will reveal Himself. When the laws of men are exalted above the laws of God, when the powers of this earth try to force men to keep the first day of the week, know that the time has come for God to work.—The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 7:980 (1901). LDE,135.4 The substitution of the laws of men for the law of God, the exaltation, by merely human authority, of Sunday in place of the Bible Sabbath, is the last act in the drama. When this substitution becomes universal God will reveal Himself. He will arise in His majesty to shake terribly the earth.—Testimonies for the Church 7:141 (1902). LDE, 135.5

CHRISTIAN TRADITIONS SERIES – Part 4 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constantine_the_Great The Mystery of Iniquity “For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit ofhis mouth, and shall destroy with the brightnessof his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the workingof Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness ofunrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” 2Thessalonians 2:7-12 “Little by little, at first in stealth and silence and then more openly as it increased in strength and gained control of the minds of men, the mystery of iniquity carried forward its deceptive and blasphemous work. Almost imperceptibly the customs of heathenism found their way into the Christian church. The spirit of compromise and conformity was restrained for a time by the fierce persecutions which the church endured under paganism. But as persecution ceased, and Christianity entered the courts and palaces of kings, she laid aside the humble simplicity of Christ and His apostles for the pomp and pride of pagan priests and rulers; and in place of the requirements of God, she substituted human theories and traditions. The nominal conversion of Constantine in the early part of the fourth century caused great rejoicing; and the world, arrayed in robes of righteousness, walked into the church. Now the work of corruption rapidly progressed. Paganism, while appearing to be vanquished, became the conqueror. Her spirit controlled the church. Her doctrines, ceremonies, and superstitions were incorporated into the faith and worship of the professed followers of Christ.” Story of Redemption, {SR 326.2} “This compromise between paganism and Christianity resulted in the development of the man of sin foretold in prophecy as opposing and exalting himself above God. That gigantic system of false religion is a masterpiece of Satan’s power—a monument of his efforts to seat himself upon the throne to rule the earth according to his will.” IBID, {SR 327.1} “To secure worldly gains and honors, the church was led to seek the favor and support of the great men of earth, and having thus rejected Christ, she was induced to yield allegiance to the representative of Satan—the Bishop of Rome.” IBID, {SR 327.2} “It is one of the leading doctrines of Romanism that the pope is the visible head of the universal church of Christ, invested with supreme authority over bishops and pastors in all parts of the world. More than this, the pope has arrogated the very titles of Deity.” IBID, {SR 327.3} The Scriptures tell us, this was attempted before. It is not the first time it was ever attempted and not the last either: [see: Genesis 11; 1 Kings 12:25-33; 1 Kings 16 – 19; Ezekiel 28; ETC] “Satan once endeavored to form a compromise with Christ. He came to the Son of God in the wilderness of temptation, and, showing him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them, offered to give all into his hands if he would but acknowledge the supremacy of the prince of darkness. Christ rebuked the presumptuous tempter, and forced him to depart. But Satan meets with greater success in presenting the same temptations to man. To secure worldly gains and honors, the church was led to seek the favor and support of the great men of earth, and having thus rejected Christ, she was induced to yield allegiance to the representative of Satan,—the bishop of Rome.” Great Controversy,{GC88 50.2} “It is one of the leading doctrines of Romanism that the pope is the visible head of the universal church of Christ, invested with supreme authority over bishops and pastors in all parts of the world. More than this, the pope has arrogated the very titles of Deity. He styles himself “Lord God the Pope,” assumes infallibility, and demands that all men pay him homage. Thus the same claim urged by Satan in the wilderness of temptation is still urged by him through the Church of Rome, and vast numbers are ready to yield him homage.” IBID, {GC88 50.3} “But those who fear and reverence God meet this Heaven-daring assumption as Christ met the solicitations of the wily foe: “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” [Luke 4:8.] God has never given a hint in his Word that he has appointed any man to be the head of the church. The doctrine of papal supremacy is directly opposed to the teachings of the Scriptures. The pope can have no power over Christ’s church except by usurpation.” IBID, {GC88 51.1} “Romanists have persisted in bringing against Protestants the charge of heresy, and willful separation from the true church. But these accusations apply rather to themselves. They are the ones who laid down the banner of Christ, and departed from “the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” [Jude 3.] IBID,{GC88 51.2} “Satan well knew that the Holy Scriptures would enable men to discern his deceptions and withstand his power. It was by the Word that even the Saviour of the world had resisted his attacks. At every assault, Christ presented the shield of eternal truth, saying, “It is written.” To every suggestion of the adversary, he opposed the wisdom and power of the Word. In order for Satan to maintain his sway over men, and establish the authority of the papal usurper, he must keep them in ignorance of the Scriptures. The Bible would exalt God, and place finite men in their true position; therefore its sacred truths must be concealed and suppressed. This logic was adopted by the Roman Church. For hundreds of years the circulation of the Bible was prohibited. The people were forbidden to read it or to have it in their houses, and unprincipled priests and prelates interpreted its teachings to sustain their pretensions. Thus the pope came to be almost universally acknowledged as the vicegerent of God on earth, endowed with authority over Church and State.” IBID, {GC88 51.3} “The detector of error having been removed, Satan worked according to his will. Prophecy had declared that the papacy was to “think to change times and laws.” [Daniel 7:25.] This work it was not slow to attempt. To afford converts from heathenism a substitute for the worship of idols, and thus to promote their nominal acceptance of Christianity, the adoration of images and relics was gradually introduced into the Christian worship. The decree of a general council [Second Council of Nice, A.D. 787.] finally established this system of idolatry. To complete the sacrilegious work, Rome presumed to expunge from the law of God the second commandment, forbidding image worship, and to divide the tenth commandment, in order to preserve the number. IBID, {GC88 51.4} “The spirit of concession to paganism opened the way for a still further disregard of Heaven’s authority. Satan tampered with the fourth commandment also, and essayed to set aside the ancient Sabbath, the day which God had blessed and sanctified, [Genesis 2:2, 3.] and in its stead to exalt the festival observed by the heathen as “the venerable day of the sun.” This change was not at first attempted openly. In the first centuries the true Sabbath had been kept by all Christians. They were jealous for the honor of God, and, believing that his law is immutable, they zealously guarded the sacredness of its precepts. But with great subtlety, Satan worked through his agents to bring about his object. That the attention of the people might be called to the Sunday, it was made a festival in honor of the resurrection of Christ. [take special notice here – history repeats it self]. Religious services were held upon it; yet it was regarded as a day of recreation, the Sabbath being still sacredly observed.” IBID {GC88 52.1} “To prepare the way for the work which he designed to accomplish, Satan had led the Jews, before the advent of Christ, to load down the Sabbath with the most rigorous exactions, making its observance a burden. Now, taking advantage of the false light in which he had thus caused it to be regarded, he cast contempt upon it as a Jewish institution. While Christians continued to observe the Sunday as a joyous festival, he led them, in order to show their hatred of Judaism, to make the Sabbath a fast, a day of sadness and gloom.” IBID, {GC88 52.2} “In the early part of the fourth century, the emperor Constantine issued a decree making Sunday a public festival throughout the Roman Empire. [SeeAppendix, note 1.] The day of the sun was reverenced by his pagan subjects, and was honored by Christians; it was the emperor’s policy to unite the conflicting interests of heathenism and Christianity. He was urged to do this by the bishops of the church, who, inspired by ambition, and thirst for power, perceived that if the same day was observed by both Christians and the heathen, it would promote the nominal acceptance of Christianity by pagans, and thus advance the power and glory of the church. But while Christians were gradually led to regard Sunday as possessing a degree of sacredness, they still held the true Sabbath as the holy of the Lord, and observed it in obedience to the fourth commandment.” IBID, {GC88 53.1} “The arch-deceiver had not completed his work. He was resolved to gather the Christian world under his banner, and to exercise his power through his vicegerent, the proud pontiff who claimed to be the representative of Christ. Through half-converted pagans, ambitious prelates, and world-loving churchmen, he accomplished his purpose. Vast councils were held, from time to time, in which the dignitaries of the church were convened from all the world. In nearly every council the Sabbath which God had instituted was pressed down a little lower, while the Sunday was correspondingly exalted. Thus the pagan festival came finally to be honored as a divine institution, while the Bible Sabbath was pronounced a relic of Judaism, and its observers were declared to be accursed.” IBID, {GC88 53.2} “The great apostate had succeeded in exalting himself “above all that is called God, or that is worshiped.” [2 Thessalonians 2:4.] He had dared to change the only precept of the divine law that unmistakably points all mankind to the true and living God. In the fourth commandment, God is revealed as the Creator of the heavens and the earth, and is thereby distinguished from all false gods. It was as a memorial of the work of creation that the seventh day was sanctified as a rest-day for man. It was designed to keep the living God ever before the minds of men as the source of being and the object of reverence and worship. Satan strives to turn men from their allegiance to God, and from rendering obedience to his law; therefore he directs his efforts especially against that commandment which points to God as the Creator.” IBID, {GC88 53.3} “Protestants now urge that the resurrection of Christ on Sunday made it the Christian Sabbath. But Scripture evidence is lacking. No such honor was given to the day by Christ or his apostles. The observance of Sunday as a Christian institution had its origin in that “mystery of lawlessness” [2 Thessalonians 2:7, Revised Version.] which, even in Paul’s day, had begun its work. Where and when did the Lord adopt this child of the papacy? What valid reason can be given for a change which the Scriptures do not sanction? IBID, {GC88 54.1} In the sixth century the papacy had become firmly established. Its seat of power was fixed in the imperial city, and the bishop of Rome was declared to be the head over the entire church. Paganism had given place to the papacy. The dragon had given to the beast “his power, and his seat, and great authority.” [Revelation 13:2; See Appendix, note 2.] And now began the 1260 years of papal oppression foretold in the prophecies of Daniel and the Revelation. [Daniel 7:25; Revelation 13:5-7.] Christians were forced to choose, either to yield their integrity and accept the papal ceremonies and worship, or to wear away their lives in dungeons or suffer death by the rack, the fagot, or the headsman’s ax. Now were fulfilled the words of Jesus, “Ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.” [Luke 21:16, 17.]Persecution opened upon the faithful with greater fury than ever before, and the world became a vast battle-field. For hundreds of years the church of Christ found refuge in seclusion and obscurity. Thus says the prophet: “The woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.” [Revelation 12:6.] IBID,{GC88 54.2} “The accession of the Roman Church to power marked the beginning of the Dark Ages. As her power increased, the darkness deepened. Faith was transferred from Christ, the true foundation, to the pope of Rome. Instead of trusting in the Son of God for forgiveness of sins and for eternal salvation, the people looked to the pope, and to the priests and prelates to whom he delegated authority. They were taught that the pope was their earthly mediator, and that none could approach God except through him, and, further, that he stood in the place of God to them, and was therefore to be implicitly obeyed. A deviation from his requirements was sufficient cause for the severest punishment to be visited upon the bodies and souls of the offenders. Thus the minds of the people were turned away from God to fallible, erring, and cruel men, nay more, to the prince of darkness himself, who exercised his power through them. Sin was disguised in a garb of sanctity. When the Scriptures are suppressed, and man comes to regard himself as supreme, we need look only for fraud, deception, and debasing iniquity. With the elevation of human laws and traditions, was manifest the corruption that ever results from setting aside the law of God.” IBID, {GC88 55.1} “Those were days of peril for the church of Christ. The faithful standard-bearers were few indeed. Though the truth was not left without witnesses, yet at times it seemed that error and superstition would wholly prevail, and true religion would be banished from the earth. The gospel was lost sight of, but the forms of religion were multiplied, and the people were burdened with rigorous exactions.” IBID, {GC88 55.2} “They were taught not only to look to the pope as their mediator, but to trust to works of their own to atone for sin. Long pilgrimages, acts of penance, the worship of relics, the erection of churches, shrines, and altars, the payment of large sums to the church,—these and many similar acts were enjoined to appease the wrath of God or to secure his favor; as if God were like men, to be angered at trifles, or pacified by gifts or acts of penance! IBID, {GC88 56.1} “Notwithstanding that vice prevailed, even among the leaders of the Romish Church, her influence seemed steadily to increase. About the close of the eighth century, papists put forth the claim that in the first ages of the church the bishops of Rome had possessed the same spiritual power which they now assumed. To establish this claim, some means must be employed to give it a show of authority; and this was readily suggested by the father of lies. Ancient writings were forged by monks. Decrees of councils before unheard of were discovered, establishing the universal supremacy of the pope from the earliest times. And a church that had rejected the truth, greedily accepted these deceptions.” IBID, {GC88 56.2} “The few faithful builders upon the true foundation [1 Corinthians 3:10, 11.] were perplexed and hindered, as the rubbish of false doctrine obstructed the work. Like the builders upon the wall of Jerusalem in Nehemiah’s day, some were ready to say, “The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish, so that we are not able to build.” [Nehemiah 4:10.] Wearied with the constant struggle against persecution, fraud, iniquity, and every other obstacle that Satan could devise to hinder their progress, some who had been faithful builders became disheartened; and for the sake of peace and security for their property and their lives they turned away from the true foundation. Others, undaunted by the opposition of their enemies, fearlessly declared, “Be not ye afraid of them; remember the Lord, which is great and terrible; [Nehemiah 4:14.] and they proceeded with the work, every one with his sword girded by his side. [Ephesians 6:17.] IBID,{GC88 56.3} “The same spirit of hatred and opposition to the truth has inspired the enemies of God in every age, and the same vigilance and fidelity have been required in his servants. The words of Christ to the first disciples are applicable to his followers to the close of time: “What I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.” [Mark 13:37.] IBID, {GC88 57.1} “The darkness seemed to grow more dense. Image worship became more general. Candles were burned before images, and prayers were offered to them. The most absurd and superstitious customs prevailed. The minds of men were so completely controlled by superstition that reason itself seemed to have lost her sway. While priests and bishops were themselves pleasure-loving, sensual, and corrupt, it could only be expected that the people who looked to them for guidance would be sunken in ignorance and vice.” IBID, {GC88 57.2} “Another step in papal assumption was taken, when, in the eleventh century, Pope Gregory VII. proclaimed the perfection of the Romish Church. Among the propositions which he put forth, was one declaring that the church had never erred, nor would it ever err, according to the Scriptures. But the Scripture proofs did not accompany the assertion. The proud pontiff next claimed the power to depose emperors, and declared that no sentence which he pronounced could be reversed by any one, but that it was his prerogative to reverse the decisions of all others.” IBID, {GC88 57.3} “A striking illustration of the tyrannical character of this advocate of infallibility was given in his treatment of the German emperor, Henry IV. For presuming to disregard the pope’s authority, this monarch was declared to be excommunicated and dethroned. Terrified by the desertion and threats of his own princes, who were encouraged in rebellion against him by the papal mandate, Henry felt the necessity of making his peace with Rome. In company with his wife and a faithful servant, he crossed the Alps in midwinter, that he might humble himself before the pope. Upon reaching the castle whither Gregory had withdrawn, he was conducted, without his guards, into an outer court, and there, in the severe cold of winter, with uncovered head and naked feet, and in a miserable dress, he awaited the pope’s permission to come into his presence. Not until he had continued three days fasting and making confession, did the pontiff condescend to grant him pardon. Even then it was only upon condition that the emperor should await the sanction of the pope before resuming the insignia or exercising the power of royalty. And Gregory, elated with his triumph, boasted that it was his duty “to pull down the pride of kings.” IBID, {GC88 57.4} “How striking the contrast between the overbearing pride of this haughty pontiff and the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who represents himself as pleading at the door of the heart for admittance, that he may come in to bring pardon and peace, and who taught his disciples, “Whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant.” IBID, {GC88 58.1} “The advancing centuries witnessed a constant increase of error in the doctrines put forth from Rome. Even before the establishment of the papacy, the teachings of heathen philosophers had received attention and exerted an influence in the church. Many who professed conversion still clung to the tenets of their pagan philosophy, and not only continued its study themselves, but urged it upon others as a means of extending their influence among the heathen. Serious errors were thus introduced into the Christian faith. Prominent among these was the belief in man’s natural immortality and his consciousness in death. This doctrine laid the foundation upon which Rome established the invocation of saints and the adoration of the virgin Mary. From this sprung also the heresy of eternal torment for the finally impenitent, which was early incorporated into the papal faith.” IBID, {GC88 58.2} “Then the way was prepared for the introduction of still another invention of paganism, which Rome named purgatory, and employed to terrify the credulous and superstitious multitudes. By this heresy is affirmed the existence of a place of torment, in which the souls of such as have not merited eternal damnation are to suffer punishment for their sins, and from which, when freed from impurity, they are admitted to Heaven.” IBID, {GC88 58.3} “Still another fabrication was needed to enable Rome to profit by the fears and the vices of her adherents. This was supplied by the doctrine of indulgences. Full remission of sins, past, present, and future, and release from all the pains and penalties incurred, were promised to all who would enlist in the pontiff’s wars to extend his temporal dominion, to punish his enemies, or to exterminate those who dared deny his spiritual supremacy. The people were also taught that by the payment of money to the church they might free themselves from sin, and also release the souls of their deceased friends who were confined in the tormenting flames. By such means did Rome fill her coffers, and sustain the magnificence, luxury, and vice of the pretended representatives of Him who had not where to lay his head.” IBID, {GC88 59.1} The scriptural ordinance of the Lord’s supper had been supplanted by the idolatrous sacrifice of the mass. Papist priests pretended, by their senseless mummery, to convert the simple bread and wine into the actual body and blood of Christ. With blasphemous presumption, they openly claimed the power of “creating God, the Creator of all things.” All Christians were required, on pain of death, to avow their faith in this horrible, Heaven-insulting heresy. Multitudes who refused were given to the flames.” IBID, {GC88 59.2} In the thirteenth century was established that most terrible of all the engines of the papacy,—the Inquisition. The prince of darkness wrought with the leaders of the papal hierarchy. In their secret councils, Satan and his angels controlled the minds of evil men, while unseen in the midst stood an angel of God, taking the fearful record of their iniquitous decrees, and writing the history of deeds too horrible to appear to human eyes. “Babylon the great” was “drunken with the blood of the saints.” The mangled forms of millions of martyrs cried to God for vengeance upon that apostate power.” IBID, {GC88 59.3} “Popery had become the world’s despot. Kings and emperors bowed to the decrees of the Roman pontiff. The destinies of men, both for time and for eternity, seemed under his control. For hundreds of years the doctrines of Rome had been extensively and implicitly received, its rites reverently performed, its festivals generally observed. Its clergy were honored and liberally sustained. Never since has the Roman Church attained to greater dignity, magnificence, or power.” IBID, {GC88 60.1} “The noontide of the papacy was the world’s moral midnight. The Holy Scriptures were almost unknown, not only to the people, but to the priests. Like the Pharisees of old, the papist leaders hated the light which would reveal their sins. God’s law, the standard of righteousness, having been removed, they exercised power without limit, and practiced vice without restraint. Fraud, avarice, and profligacy prevailed. Men shrank from no crime by which they could gain wealth or position. The palaces of popes and prelates were scenes of the vilest debauchery. Some of the reigning pontiffs were guilty of crimes so revolting that secular rulers endeavored to depose these dignitaries of the church as monsters too vile to be tolerated. For centuries Europe had made no progress in learning, arts, or civilization. A moral and intellectual paralysis had fallen upon Christendom.” IBID, {GC88 60.2} “The condition of the world under the Romish power presented a fearful and striking fulfillment of the words of the prophet Hosea: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee; ... seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.” “There is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land. By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood.” [Hosea 4:6, 1, 2.] Such were the results of banishing the Word of God.” IBID, {GC88 60.3} “In a former chapter, we called attention to the fact that Sunday can be maintained as a divine institution only by adopting the rule of faith acknowledged in the church of Rome, which is, the Bible with the traditions of the church added thereto. We have seen that in the sixteenth century the Presbyterians of England were brought to decide between giving up Sunday as a church festival and maintaining it as a divine institution by the Bible. They chose the latter course. Yet while apparently avoiding the charge of observing a Catholic festival, by claiming to prove the Sunday institution out of the Bible,the utterly unsatisfactory nature of the several inferences adduced from the Scriptures in support of that day, compelled them to resort to the traditions of the church, and to add these to their so-called biblical evidences in its behalf. It would be no worse to keep Sunday while frankly acknowledging it to be a festival of the Catholic church, not commanded in the Bible, than it is to profess that you observe it as a biblical institution, and then prove it to be such by adopting the rule of faith of the Romanists. Joaunes Peronne, an eminent Italian Catholic theologian, in an important doctrinal work, entitled, “Theological Lessons,” makes a very impressive statement respecting the acknowledgment of tradition by Protestant Sunday-keepers. In his chapter “Concerning the Necessity and Existence of Tradition,” he lays down the proposition that it is necessary to admit doctrines which we can prove only from tradition, and cannot sustain from the Holy Scriptures. Then he says: “It is not possible, indeed, if traditions of such character are rejected, that several doctrines, which the Protestants held with us since they withdrew from the Catholic church, could, in any possible manner, be established. The fact is placed beyond a venture of a doubt, for they themselves hold with us the validity of baptism administered by heretics or infidels, the validity also of infant baptism, the true form of baptism [sprinkling]; they held, too, that the law of abstaining from blood and anything strangled is not in force; also concerning the substitution of the Lord’s day for the Sabbath; besides those things which I have mentioned before, and not a few others.” 1 History of the Sabbath and First Day of the Week – JN ANDREWS, 1873 HSFD, 476.2 Dr. Bound’s theory of the seventh part of time has found general acceptance in all those churches which sprung from the church of Rome. Most forcibly did old Cotton Mather observe:- “The reforming churches, flying from Rome, carried, some of them more, some of them less, all of them something, of Rome with them.” 2 IBID. “One sacred treasure which they all drew from the venerable mother of harlots is the ancient festival of the sun. She had crushed out of her communion the Sabbath of the lord, and having adopted the venerable day of the sun, had transformed it into the Lord’s day of the Christian church. The reformed, flying from her communion, and carrying with them this ancient festival, now found themselves able to justify its observance as being indeed the veritable Sabbath of the Lord! As the seamless coat of Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath, was torn from him before he was nailed to the cross, so has the fourth commandment been torn from the rest-day of the lord, around which it was placed by the great Law-giver, and given to this papal Lord’s day; and this Barabbas the robber, thus arrayed in the stolen fourth commandment, has from that time to the present day, and with astonishing success, challenged the obedience of the world as the divinely appointed Sabbath of the most high God. Here we close the history of the Sunday festival, now fully transformed into the Christian Sabbath. A rapid survey of the history of English and American Sabbath-keepers will conclude this work.” IBID.

CHRISTIAN TRADITIONS SERIES - Part 3

CHRISTIAN Traditions Series - 03 PALM SUNDAY – Concluded: E. J. Waggoner “Under the above heading The Christian Commonwealth gives the following account of some of the doings in English churches on Easter Sunday. Whether the churches indulging in such heathenish ceremonies have gone backward or not, we cannot tell; but one thing is certain, and that is that if they have not gone backward, then they were never separated from Rome except in name. And while all this is going on, the majority of Protestants are laughing at Cardinal Vaughan’s expectation of some day seeing England brought back to the Roman Catholic Church. We do not see anything to laugh at.” The Present Truth, Vol.10, {PTUK April 12, 1894, p. 233.1} “The trumpet blasts of Archdeacon Farrar and the few other brave Protestant Church dignitaries seem to have evoked little interest. At any rate, the movement back to Rome goes steadily on all over the country. Are the English people being bewitched by the mummery, the millinery, the gewgaws, the mumbo-jumbo show, the vestments, the music, and the incense? It begins to appear that such is almost the case, for the High Anglican organs are making a very proud show of the Easter doings in a vast number of churches. And to what do these tend? Let anyone judge who exercises judgment at all. IBID,{PTUK April 12, 1894, p. 233.2} “At Chester Cathedral the Bishop ‘celebrated,’ and was vested in cope of cloth of gold and mitre. Only last week a correspondent of a London evening paper protested indignantly in view of a notice of a presentation of a ‘magnificent cope of stamped red velvet, richly embroidered with gold, and bearing figures of saints and of the Annunciation.’ A ‘morse’ given with it, is set with large carbuncles and amethysts, the probable cost being ?500. IBID,{PTUK April 12, 1894, p. 233.3} “At Hammersmith high celebration and procession at 11 o’clock, the priest was vested in a magnificent cope, attended by two acolytes in red cassocks and lace surplices. The high altar was covered with flowers, and looked very beautiful, with the large cross (lately presented to the church) and the numerous candles. Solemn evensong and procession was at 7, the church being again so full that people were obliged to sit in the chancel. It is evident enough that plenty of people can be found to enjoy such a sensuous display. The blunder is in supposing that there is any token in it all of a revival of religion. IBID,{PTUK April 12, 1894, p. 233.4} “At Harlesden a white silk chasuble was used for the first time. At St. Peter’s, London Docks, on Palm Sunday, High Mass was celebrated. The Bishop of Lebombo ‘assisted pontifically.’ IBID,{PTUK April 12, 1894, p. 233.5} “At Notting Hill the high altar, with its tall ‘office’ lights, choice flowers, and small tapers, gave, it is boastfully said, ‘a thoroughly Catholic appearance to the church.’ So much the worse for the Protestantism of the Church in that London parish! IBID, {PTUK April 12, 1894, p. 233.6} “Much is being said of the Oxford Mission in poor parishes. But the true character of that sort of mission begins to be seen in the report from Poplar that at St. Friedswide’s, the Christ Church (Oxford Mission), after the great events of Holy Week were duly solemnised, the great feast of Easter was ushered in at the 8.30 P.M. Evensong, when the blessing of the Paschal Candle took place-a high candle standing on the north side of the altar. The decorations were profuse, embracing the altar, chancel-screen, font, and the large picture of Our Lady. The celebrations of the Holy Communion were at 6, 7, 8, 9.45 and High Celebration at 11 A.M. IBID, {PTUK April 12, 1894, p. 233.7} “These are a few samples out of very many such records. They are ominous of progress the wrong way.” IBID, {PTUK April 12, 1894, p. 233.8} A VERY MOVING REPORT: “Immediately following Elder White’s address, Miss Osborne, who has been engaged in Mission School work in Mexico, and recently began the observance of the Sabbath, was invited to address the Conference, and spoke in substance as follows:-General Conference Daily Bulletin, {GCDB March 23, 1891, p. 211.1} After the conquest by Cortez, the standard of Catholicism was firmly planted in Mexico. In establishing the power of the priesthood, recourse was had to so-called miracles and apparitions. IBID, {GCDB March 23, 1891, p. 211.2} The twelfth of December is the anniversary of an apparition of the Virgin, to commemorate which a magnificent temple has been built at the foot of the mountain upon which the Virgin was supposed to have appeared to an Indian. Some three years ago, it was proposed to crown the Virgin on this anniversary, and immense sums of money were collected, and great preparations made. But the government interfered, as no public procession is allowed in the city of Mexico. We were glad the government did interfere, as it was found that it was planned that every Protestant in the city of Mexico should die on that day. IBID, {GCDB March 23, 1891, p. 211.3} The Sunday before Easter is Palm Sunday, and the triumphal entry is celebrated. On the following Tuesday afternoon in a church within a block of our own Mission building, there is a lottery of souls. The price of tickets is $5, and the person drawing the fortunate number liberates a soul from purgatory. IBID, {GCDB March 23, 1891, p. 211.4} On Friday, at three o’clock, the crucifixion is celebrated with solemn rites. Figures representing the two thieves are raised on crosses, and an image representing Christ is nailed to the cross, amidst the lamentations of the people. IBID, {GCDB March 23, 1891, p. 211.5} Sunday in Mexico is a day of feasting and revelry. Every Sunday there are five bull-fights in the city of Mexico, and in these, thirty bulls are killed. I have found school work in Mexico very successful. Parents are influenced by their children, and are often brought into the churches. When I first organized a school in Mexico, I had eight pupils. At the end of three months there were thirty-seven, and at the end of the third year over seventy-five. I am glad to be able to say that not one of these left the school without professing Christ. IBID, {GCDB March 23, 1891, p. 211.6} Parents bring their children to school wishing them to learn English, and to be taught by the American teachers, for whom they have great respect. But they do not wish them taught our religion, as they say the parish priest has charge of their religious instruction. We tell them they shall have the advantages of our English class, and any others they may wish to join. We have Bible classes, but they are not obliged to join them. IBID, {GCDB March 23, 1891, p. 211.7} The first morning new children come to school, perhaps during the devotional exercises they will place their fingers in their ears. Bibles are passed around, but they leave them on their desks. By and by they become much interested in the music, and will take the hymn-book and listen carefully to the singing. Perhaps next they wish to be taught to play the organ. After a few weeks they will usually take the Bible and turn to the lesson of the day, and perhaps follow along with the class as they read. By and by they will go out to recitation with the class, and repeat a text with the others. IBID, {GCDB March 23, 1891, p. 211.8} After a time they get so interested that they ask for a Bible and hymn-book, and we give them our papers, and they read them and tell their parents. Then they ask their parents to allow them to go on Sunday morning to our church to hear the choir sing. Their parents tell them the priests say that the moment they enter a Protestant church they will fall dead. Very often, however, they run away to the service, and return home to report that they were not injured. By and by the parents may be induced by the children to enter the church, and once inside, the rest is easy. IBID, {GCDB March 23, 1891, p. 211.9} Some of our people have suffered persecution. Not long ago several workers were laboring in one of the cities in which no Protestant work had been done before. They were attacked by a mob, and in spite of the efforts of the authorities, all but one were killed. But after a few weeks there was a complete change in the people of the city, and they sent petitions to have Protestant missionaries sent to them. Now they have all become Protestants, or at least favor Protestantism. IBID, {GCDB March 23, 1891, p. 211.10}

Christian Traditions Series - 02 PALM SUNDAY, 2013 – Celebrated by These Churches: Lutheran, Episcopal and Presbyterian – 2013 Procession: http://www.timesdispatch.com/entertainment-life/faith-values/stuart-circle-parish-commemorates-palm-sunday/article_f83397b1-1493-5e7f-af0c-b242b7d664c0.html Community Churches: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865576619/Clearfield-Community-Church-turns-fire-into-hope-on-Palm-Sunday.html?pg=all Methodists: http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/religion/artikel.php?ID=268835- Lutherans: http://www.thelutheran.org/article/article.cfm?article_id=10552 Catholics around the world: http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/03/24/jesus-christ-and-the-meaning-of-palm-sunday-plus-stunning-photos-of-holy-weeks-opening/ Palm Sunday was celebrated according to the traditions of our times. The Orthodox church and the Roman Catholics are not alone in this. It is becoming a well know fact that many protestant churches are following in the track of Romanism. Well said my best author: “It is not without reason that the claim has been put forth in Protestant countries, that Catholicism differs less widely from Protestantism than in former times. There has been a change; but the change is not in the papacy. Catholicism indeed resembles much of the Protestantism that now exists, because Protestantism has so greatly degenerated since the days of the reformers.” Great Controversy, 571.2 (1888) “As the Protestant churches have been seeking the favor of the world, false charity has blinded their eyes. They do not see but that it is right to believe good of all evil; and as the inevitable result, they will finally believe evil of all good. Instead of standing in defense of the faith once delivered to the saints, they are now, as it were, apologizing to Rome for their uncharitable opinion of her, begging pardon for their bigotry.” IBID, 571.3 “A large class, even of those who look upon Romanism with no favor, apprehend little danger from her power and influence. Many urge that the intellectual and moral darkness prevailing during the Middle Ages favored the spread of her dogmas, superstitions, and oppression, and that the greater intelligence of modern times, the general diffusion of knowledge, and the increasing liberality in matters of religion, forbid a revival of intolerance and tyranny. The very thought that such a state of things will exist in this enlightened age is ridiculed. It is true that great light, intellectual, moral, and religious, is shining upon this generation. In the open pages of God’s holy Word, light from Heaven has been shed upon the world. But it should be remembered that the greater the light bestowed, the greater the darkness of those who pervert or reject it.” IBID, 572.1 “A prayerful study of the Bible would show Protestants the real character of the papacy, and would cause them to abhor and to shun it; but many are so wise in their own conceit that they feel no need of humbly seeking God that they may be led into the truth. Although priding themselves on their enlightenment, they are ignorant both of the Scriptures and of the power of God. They must have some means of quieting their consciences; and they seek that which is least spiritual and humiliating. What they desire is a method of forgetting God which shall pass as a method of remembering him. The papacy is well adapted to meet the wants of all these. It is prepared for two classes of mankind, embracing nearly the whole world,—those who would be saved by their merits, and those who would be saved in their sins. Here is the secret of its power.” IBID, 572.2 A said but true reality “Has not the same process been repeated in nearly every church calling itself Protestant? As its founders, those who possessed the true spirit of reform, pass away, their descendants come forward and “new model the cause.” While blindly clinging to the creed of their fathers and refusing to accept any truth in advance of what they saw, the children of the reformers depart widely from their example of humility, self-denial, and renunciation of the world. Thus “the first simplicity disappears.” A worldly flood, flowing into the church, “carries with it its customs, practices, and idols.” Great Controversy, 385.1 (1888) “Alas, to what a fearful extent is that friendship of the world which is “enmity with God,” now cherished among the professed followers of Christ! How widely have the popular churches throughout Christendom departed from the Bible standard of humility, self-denial, simplicity, and godliness! Said John Wesley, in speaking of the right use of money: “Do not waste any part of so precious a talent, merely in gratifying the desire of the eye, by superfluous and expensive apparel, or by needless ornaments. Waste no part of it in curiously adorning your houses; in superfluous or expensive furniture; in costly pictures, painting, gilding.” “Lay out nothing to gratify the pride of life, to gain the admiration or praise of men.” “‘So long as thou doest well unto thyself, men will speak good of thee.’ So long as thou art ‘clothed in purple and fine linen, and farest sumptuously every day,’ no doubt many will applaud thine elegance of taste, thy generosity and hospitality. But do not buy their applause so dear. Rather be content with the honor that cometh from God.” But in many churches of our time, such teaching is disregarded.” IBID, 385.2 “A profession of religion has become popular with the world. Rulers, politicians, lawyers, doctors, merchants, join the church as a means of securing the respect and confidence of society, and advancing their own worldly interests. Thus they seek to cover all their unrighteous transactions under a profession of Christianity. The various religious bodies, re-enforced by the wealth and influence of these baptized worldlings, make a still higher bid for popularity and patronage. Splendid churches, embellished in the most extravagant manner, are erected on popular avenues. The worshipers array themselves in costly and fashionable attire. A high salary is paid for a talented minister to entertain and attract the people. His sermons must not touch popular sins, but be made smooth and pleasing for fashionable ears. Thus fashionable sinners are enrolled on the church-records, and fashionable sins are concealed under a pretense of godliness.” IBID, 386.1 Why Christian Traditions? Jesus declared of the Priests of his days: ”For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men:…” Mark 7:8 “The teachers of Israel were not sowing the seed of the word of God. Christ’s work as a teacher of truth was in marked contrast to that of the rabbis of His time. They dwelt upon traditions, upon human theories and speculations. Often that which man had taught and written about the word, they put in place of the word itself. Their teaching had no power to quicken the soul. The subject of Christ’s teaching and preaching was the word of God. He met questioners with a plain, “It is written.” “What saith the Scriptures?” “How readest thou?” At every opportunity, when an interest was awakened by either friend or foe, He sowed the seed of the word. He who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, Himself the living Word, points to the Scriptures, saying, “They are they which testify of Me.” And “beginning at Moses and all the prophets,” He opened to His disciples “in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.” John 5:39; Luke 24:27. Christ Object Lessons, 38.3 “Christ’s servants are to do the same work. In our day, as of old, the vital truths of God’s word are set aside for human theories and speculations. Many professed ministers of the gospel do not accept the whole Bible as the inspired word. One wise man rejects one portion; another questions another part. They set up their judgment as superior to the word; and the Scripture which they do teach rests upon their own authority. Its divine authenticity is destroyed. Thus the seeds of infidelity are sown broadcast; for the people become confused and know not what to believe. There are many beliefs that the mind has no right to entertain. In the days of Christ the rabbis put a forced, mystical construction upon many portions of Scripture. Because the plain teaching of God’s word condemned their practices, they tried to destroy its force. The same thing is done today. The word of God is made to appear mysterious and obscure in order to excuse transgression of His law. Christ rebuked these practices in His day. He taught that the word of God was to be understood by all. He pointed to the Scriptures as of unquestionable authority, and we should do the same. The Bible is to be presented as the word of the infinite God, as the end of all controversy and the foundation of all faith.” IBID, 39.1 “A man might pass over the place where treasure had been concealed. In dire necessity he might sit down to rest at the foot of a tree, not knowing of the riches hidden at its roots. So it was with the Jews. As a golden treasure, truth had been intrusted to the Hebrew people. The Jewish economy, bearing the signature of Heaven, had been instituted by Christ Himself. In types and symbols the great truths of redemption were veiled. Yet when Christ came, the Jews did not recognize Him to whom all these symbols pointed. They had the word of God in their hands; but the traditions which had been handed down from generation to generation, and the human interpretation of the Scriptures, hid from them the truth as it is in Jesus. The spiritual import of the sacred writings was lost. The treasure house of all knowledge was open to them, but they knew it not.” IBID, 104.4 “God does not conceal His truth from men. By their own course of action they make it obscure to themselves. Christ gave the Jewish people abundant evidence that He was the Messiah; but His teaching called for a decided change in their lives. They saw that if they received Christ, they must give up their cherished maxims and traditions, their selfish, ungodly practices. It required a sacrifice to receive changeless, eternal truth. Therefore they would not admit the most conclusive evidence that God could give to establish faith in Christ. They professed to believe the Old Testament Scriptures, yet they refused to accept the testimony contained therein concerning Christ’s life and character. They were afraid of being convinced lest they should be converted and be compelled to give up their preconceived opinions. The treasure of the gospel, the Way, the Truth, and the Life, was among them, but they rejected the greatest gift that Heaven could bestow.” IBID, 105.1 “Jesus pointed out the power of false teaching to destroy the appreciation and desire for truth. “Noman,” He said, “having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.” All the truth that has been given to the world through patriarchs and prophets shone out in new beauty in the words of Christ. But the scribes and Pharisees had no desire for the precious new wine. Until emptied of the old traditions, customs, and practices, they had no place in mind or heart for the teachings of Christ. They clung to the dead forms, and turned away from the living truth and the powerof God.” The Desire of Ages, 279.3 These very facts have been plaguing Christianity since the days of the great apostasy! Well warned the Apostle Paul: “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the traditions of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.” Colossians 2:8 “It is true that the world’s men of learning are not easily reached by the practical truths of God’s word. The reason is, they trust to human wisdom, and pride themselves upon their intellectual superiority, and are unwilling to become humble learners in the school of Christ. Our Saviour did not ignore learning or despise education; yet he chose unlearned fishermen for the work of the gospel, because they had not been schooled in the false customs and traditions of the world. They were men of good natural ability, and of a humble, teachable spirit; men whom he could educate for his great work. In the ordinary walks of life there is many a man patiently treading the round of daily toil, all unconscious that he possesses powers, which, if called into action, would raise him to an equality with the world’s most honored men. The touch of a skillful hand is needed to arouse and develop those dormant faculties. It was such men whom Jesus connected with himself; and he gave them the advantages of three year’s training under his own care. No course of study in the schools of the rabbis or the halls of philosophy could have equaled this in value.” Christian Education, 203.3 “The use of images by the Roman Catholic Church is antichristian. Those who worship them are commandment-breakers. Image worship is contrary to God’s positive commands. The second commandment is entirely opposed to such practices. But the popes have tampered with the commandments. In all the books of devotion given to the people the second commandment is omitted. The third they call the second, the fourth the third; and the tenth they have divided into two. Thus in the place of conforming their practices to God’s commands, they have altered His commandments to harmonize with their practices. To suit their worship they have taken away from and added to God’s Word.” Spirit of Prophecy, Vol.2, 182.4 “By their treatment of His Word, the popes have exalted themselves above the God of heaven. This is the reason that in prophecy the papal power is specified as the “man of sin.” Satan is the originator of sin. The power that he causes to alter any one ofGod’s holy precepts, is the man of sin. Under Satan’s special direction the papal power has done this very work. Although those standing at the head of the papacy claim to have great love for God, He looks upon them as haters of Him. They have turned the truth of God into a lie. Tampering with God’s commandments and placing in their stead human traditions, is the work of Satan, and will divorce the religious world from God; for He declares, “I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me.” God will fulfill this word. “Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7). Pharaoh sowed obstinacy, and reaped obstinacy. He himself put this seed into the soil. There was no more need for God by some new power to interfere with its growth, than there is for Him to interfere with the growth of a grain of corn. All that is required is that a seed shall be left to germinate and spring up to bring forth fruit after its kind. The harvest reveals the kind of seed that has been sown.” IBID, 182.5