STUDY8A

(This study was authored and written by Bro. Don Adair; it was copyrighted in 1997. No one has permission to offer it for sale. You can print a copy of this study for yourself, but you cannot take credit for it. You can share this study with others if you make no changes in this study, if you charge no money for it, if you include this notification in this parenthesis with it; and if you include his address at the bottom.)

WHO ARE THE
BRETHREN OF EXPERIENCE

COPYRIGHT 1997
by Don Adair
All Rights Reserved
282 Davidian Way
Tamassee, S. Carolina 29686
Phone/Fax (864) 944-1254

AGITATE AND AGITATE--CAUSE A SHAKING IN GOD'S CHURCH TODAY

"Agitate, agitate, agitate {everyone in God's church today}!"--Gospel Workers, pg. 299:3--by EGW (bold emphasis, braces added by author).

Sooner or later this shaking (as if it were an earthquake) will surely come to your church to agitate its members. Sis. White said so:

"I asked the meaning of the shaking I had seen and was shown that it would be caused by the straight testimony called forth by the counsel of the True Witness {who is Jesus--2T36:2} to the Laodiceans {God's church today}. This will have its effect upon the heart of the receiver, and will lead him {a saint in the church of God} to exalt the standard and pour forth the straight truth. Some {of the members in God's church} will not bear this straight testimony. They {the wicked} will rise up against it {because the saints do not rise up against truth}, and this {rising up of the wicked against the truth} is what will cause a shaking among God's people."--Early Writings, pg. 270:2--by EGW (bold emphasis, braces added by author).

When this truth comes to your church, most of the members will reject it. And if they learn that you are listening to the teachers of this "straight testimony" at their Bible studies, they will try to stop you from attending any further studies by telling the pastor, who may call you into his office. He will tell you that you are studying a false doctrine that is fostered by teachers of an "offshoot" organization, and that you should not listen to them. He will also tell you that you should listen to the General Conference leaders of God's church, because they are the "brethren of experience." And he may read the following inspired statement by Sis. White:

SAINTS OF GOD SHOULD COUNSEL WITH THE BRETHREN OF EXPERIENCE

"There are a thousand temptations in disguise prepared for those {members in God's church} who have the light of truth; and the only safety for any of us is in receiving no new doctrine, no new interpretation of the Scriptures, without first submitting it to brethren of experience. Lay it before them in a humble, teachable spirit, with earnest prayer; and if they see no light in it, yield to their judgment; for 'in the multitude of counselors there is safety.'"--5 Testimonies, pg. 293:1--by EGW (bold emphasis, braces added by author).

The statement above came from Jesus, which He inspired His prophetess (E.G. White) to write in His testimony to the church, about the "brethren of experience." It was written in 1885, three years before the General Conference leaders rejected the message of the "Righteousness of Christ" (TM91,92; 1SM234,235) in 1888. The purpose of that testimony (quoted above) was to direct the saints to the true "brethren of experience." They were, of course, the early pioneers of the advent faith, including their prophetess (E.G. White), who had accepted the truthof the "Righteousness of Christ." And the few saints who came to these true "brethren of experience" for advice about that 1888 message, were told that it was a true message from Jesus to edity the church with new light, and they accepted it.

But there were also false "brethren of experience" among the General Conference leaders who rejected that 1888 message. They told the majority of the laity who asked them for advice that it was a false message and they rejected it, as noted below:

"An unwillingness {of General Conference leaders} to yield up preconceived opinions, and to accept this truth, lay at the foundation of a large share of the opposition manifested at Minneapolis {by them} against the Lord's message {of Christ's righteousness} through [E.J.] Waggoner and [A.T.] Jones."--1 Selected Messages, pg. 234:6--brackets [] by book editor (bold emphasis, braces {} added by author).

Today the ministers of God's church say that these "brethren of experience" are the General Conference leaders; and that anyone who teaches a "new doctrine" must submit it to them and "yield to their judgment," because they represent the "voice of God" to the people. And that is why your pastor will insist that you must let these leaders decide for you what is truth and what is error; because they claim that they have investigated what you are studying and found it to be error!

But you are a saint who seeks the "straight testimony" of Jesus, and you know that as it was in 1888, so it will be today. You know that you must avoid the advice of the false "brethren of experience" and accept the advice of the true "brethren of experience" for this reason: When the message of Christ's righteousness was rejected in 1888, you know that Jesus did not throw up his hands in disgust and say, "Oh well, that truth wasn't all that important, and besides they didn't want it anyway, so I will forget about sending it again"! And since you also know that Jesus would not send an unimportant message to His church, then you know that He must send that very important message again.

Now if your pastor calls you into his office and tells you to listen to the advice of the General Conference leaders, because they are the "brethren of experience," you must let the Holy Spirit help you decide whether or not they are what they claim to be. And if they are not, then you must find those who would be the true "brethren of experience" to help you find the "new light" of that very important message, which must come again. To do this you must read certain statements from the testimonies of Sis. White to your pastor and ask him questions; and then carefully note whether or not his demeanor is Christian when he answers your questions. This will help you to decide who are the true "brethren of experience" and whose advice you should hear.

GENERAL CONFERENCE LEADERS NO LONGER THE VOICE OF GOD

Explain to your pastor that since the General Conference leaders rejected the 1888 message of the "Righteousness of Christ," then they could not be the true "brethren of experience" to tell you what is or what is not the truth. That, of course, is the very reason why their prophetess, Sis. Ellen G. White, told the people in God's church that these few brethren at their Headquarters, which was formerly in Washington, D.C. but today is in Silversprings, Maryland, are no longer the "voice of God" to His people:

"That these {few leading} men should stand in a sacred place to be as the voice of God to the people, as we once believed the General Conference to be,--that is past."--General Conference Bulletin, April 3, 1901--by EGW (bolds, braces added).

In 1888 these few men rejected the truth God sent to them by brethren A. T. Jones and E. J. Waggoner, and that is why Sis. White said they were no longer the voice of God to the people! And the same applies to any other few men who should be given charge of the church after the delegates return home.

"God has ordained that the representatives {voting delegates} of His church from all parts of the earth, when assembled in a General Conference, shall have authority {as God's voice to the people}."--Gospel Workers, pg. 490:1--by EGW (boldings, braces added).

If these few men do not obey the testimonies, or votes of the delegates at their General Conference meeting, then they are not God's voice to the people!

Tell your pastor that these few General Conference leaders of today, who preside at their Headquarters, are no longer the "voice of God" to His people since 1888 for at least three main reasons:

(1) They are also guilty of rejecting the message of Christ's righteousness in 1888, because:
(2) They have not to this day repented of that guilt by condemning its rejection.
(3) Had they repented, they would tell the laity that God must send that important message again.

Therefore, they cannot be the leadership who are the "counsel of God" to the laity of God's church:

GENERAL CONFERENCE LEADERS NO LONGER THE COUNSEL OF GOD

"Who are standing in the counsel of God at this time? Is it those {the General Conference leaders that say they are the counsel of God} who virtually excuse wrongs among the professed people of God and who murmur in their hearts, if not openly, against those {saints} who would reprove sin? Is it those {General Conference leaders} who take their stand against them {the saints who reprove sin} and sympathize with those {ministers and laity} who commit wrong? No, indeed! Unless they {General Conference leaders} repent, and leave the work of Satan in oppressing {casting out of the church of God} those {saints} who have the burden of the work and {and repent} in holding up the hands of sinners in Zion, they {General Conference leaders} will never receive the mark of God's sealing approval. They will fall {be slain by God's angels} in the general destruction {Ezek. 9 slaughter} of the wicked {ministers and laymembers}."--3 Testimonies, pg. 267:1--by EGW (bold emphasis, braces added by author).

Now ask your pastor these questions: If the General Conference leaders today are the "counsel of God" and the "brethren of experience" as you say they are, then would they excuse the wickedness of the members? or murmur against the saints who reprove their sins? or cast them out of God's church? Note his reaction: Does he manifest a Christian deportment? Does he admit your "point when it is well sustained" (G.W. 301:2)? Then read to him what these "sinners in Zion" are doing that God condemns:

TRUE BRETHREN OF EXPERIENCE NOT CAUSE LAITY TO DOUBT TESTIMONIES

"The {people in the} church {of God} has turned back from following Christ her leader and is steadily retreating toward Egypt {meaning that they are becoming worldly}. Yet few are alarmed or astonished at their want of spiritual power. Doubt and even disbelief of the testimonies of the Spirit of God, is leavening our churches everywhere. Satan would have it thus. Ministers who preach self instead of Christ would have it thus {that laymembers should doubt the testimonies}."--5 Testimonies, pg. 217:2--by EGW (bold emphasis, braces added by author).

"Those {ministers in God's church today} who seek to lessen the faith of God's people in these testimonies {to make them appear doubtful}, which have been in the church for the last thirty-six years, are fighting against God."--5 Testimonies, pg. 234:3--by EGW (bold emphasis, braces added by author).

"It is Satan's plan to weaken the faith of God's people in the testimonies {by some ministers}....When the testimonies, which were once believed, are doubted {by God's people} and given up, Satan knows the deceived ones will not stop at this; and he redoubles his efforts till he launches them into open rebellion, which becomes incurable and ends in destruction."--5 Testimonies, pg. 672:1--by EGW (bold emphasis, braces added by author).

"We {some ministers} believe the visions, but Sister White, in writing them {testimonies}, put in her own words, and we will believe that portion which we think is of God, and will {doubt and} not heed the other."--1 Testimonies, pg. 234:--by EGW (bold emphasis, braces added by author).

Now ask your pastor these questions: If the General Conference leaders today are the "brethren of experience" as you say they are, would they tell me not to believe the testimonies? Would they excuse the sin of those ministers who try to lead me to "doubt the testimonies" of Jesus? and would they tell me not to "love and obey" them?

"We must follow the directions given through the Spirit of prophecy {the testimonies}. We must love and obey the truth for this time {not doubt the testimonies}. This will save us from accepting strong delusions."--Gospel Workers, pg. 308:1--by EGW (bold emphasis, braces added by author).

If your pastor is an honest minister he will answer "No" to your questions--meaning that the "brethren of experience" would not try to make you "doubt the testimonies." It's not likely, of course, that he would answer "Yes" to your questions! Or he may not answer at all, and ask you to continue--meaning that he does not want to admit your "point when it is well sustained" (G.W. 301:2). Anyway, whatever is his answer, read other statements to him:

TRUE BRETHREN OF EXPERIENCE NOT DENY NEW LIGHT IS TO COME

"We {the General Conference leaders and ministers} must not for a moment think that there is no more light, no more truth, to be given us. We are in danger of becoming careless, by our indifference losing the sanctifying power of truth, and composing ourselves with the thought, 'I am rich, and increased with goods {old light}, and have need of nothing {new light}.' While we must hold fast to the truths which we have already received {the old light}, we must not look with suspicion upon any new light that God may send."--Gospel Workers, pg. 310:4--by EGW (bolds, braces added by author).

"No one {especially General Conference leaders and ministers} should claim that he has all the light there is for God's people. The Lord will not tolerate this. He has said, 'I have set before thee an open door {to reveal new light}, and no man {General Conference leaders} can shut it {to keep truth from the saints}.'"--Testimonies to Ministers, pg. 107:1--by EGW (bold emphasis, braces added).

Now ask your pastor these questions: If the General Conference leaders today are the "brethren of experience" as you say they are, would they tell me that I am rich with truth and need no more? Would they tell me that God will not send again the rejected message of Christ's Righteousness to His church as"new light"? Note whether or not he admits your "point when it is well sustained" (G.W. 301:2)--that "new truth" will come? And then read more:

TRUE BRETHREN OF EXPERIENCE NOT RESTRICT BIBLE STUDY WITH OTHERS

"We {members of God's church} should never refuse to examine the Scriptures with those who, we have reason to believe desire to know what is truth. Suppose a brother held a view that differed from yours, and he should come to you, proposing that you sit down with him and make an investigation of that point in the Scriptures; should you rise up, filled with prejudice, and condemn his ideas, while refusing to give him a candid hearing? The only right way would be to sit down as Christians and investigate the position presented in the light of God's Word, which will reveal truth and unmask error."--Testimonies to Ministers, pg. 107:2--by EGW (bold emphasis, braces added by author).

"If a message comes {with new light} that you do not understand, take pains that you may hear the reasons the messenger may give {at their Bible studies}, comparing scripture with scripture, that you may know whether or not it is sustained by the Word of God."--Counsels on Sabbath School Work, pg. 29:0--by EGW (bolds, braces added by author).

Now ask your pastor these questions: If the General Conference leaders today are the "brethren of experience" as you say they are, would they tell me that I should not obey the testimonies and "sit down as Christians" with other members of God's church to study His Word? Would they tell me not to "take pains" to attend Bible studies to hear a message of "new light" sent from God? Note his reaction: Does he admit your "point when it is well sustained" (G.W. 301:2)--study "new truth" with others? Or does he insist that you should not attend any Bible studies with anyone at any time? Then read more to him:

TRUE BRETHREN OF EXPERIENCE NOT DENY COMING OF ELIJAH

"Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but He revealeth His secret {new light to His church} unto His servants the prophets"--Amos 3:7 (bold emphasis, braces added by author).

"Prophecy must be fulfilled. The Lord says: 'Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet {to God's church} before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.' Somebody is to come in the spirit and power of Elijah, and when he appears, men may say: 'You are too earnest, you do not interpret the Scriptures in the proper way. Let me tell you how to teach your message."--Testimonies to Ministers, pg. 475:3--by EGW (bolds, braces added).

Now explain to your pastor that Sis. White stated that the "new light" which the Lord will send to the people in His church, is to come by the "message" of Elijah the prophet. Tell him that this Elijah could not be Sis. E. G. White for these three basic reasons: (1) The prophet Elijah is "somebody" (not Sis. White) who "is to come" in the future from her day. (2) This Elijah is a "he" (Mal. 4:6) not a she (not Sis. White). (3) This Elijah is a prophet (Mal. 4:5), a male person, not a prophetess (Jud. 4:4), a female person--not Sis. Ellen G. White (1SM34:5).

ERRORS THAT FALSE BRETHREN OF EXPERIENCE TELL THE LAITY

Now ask your pastor these seven questions: If the General Conference leaders of God's church today really are the "brethren of experience" as you say they are, then

(1) Would they act like false "brethren of experience" and tell me that the testimonies are not reliable, and that I should "doubt" what they teach?
(2) Would they say the testimonies are wrong for saying God will send "new light" to His church?
(3) Would they say the testimonies are wrong for saying Elijah is to come with a "message" of truth?
(4) Would they say Sis. White was Elijah when she could not be, because she made no such claim?
(5) Would they say the testimonies are wrong for saying that I should sit down with others and listen to their Bible studies, to know if it is the "new light" of the message of Elijah?
(6) Would they say the testimonies are wrong for saying that I must study to find that "new light"?
(7) And what if I listen to others and study to find Elijah's "message" and accept it, would they act as false leaders (while claiming that they are "brethren of experience") and do what the testimonies say they must not do--cast me out of God's church?

"The Lord forbids us {false brethren of experience} to proceed in any violent way against those {members} whom we think erring {by casting them out of God's church}, and we are not to deal out excommunications and denunciations to those who are faulty....We are not to {judge any of the church members and} say what constitutes the wheat {all those members whom they like}, and what the tares {all those members whom they do not like}. The time of the harvest {during probationary time} will fully determine the character of the two classes specified under the figure of the tares {wicked} and the wheat {saints}. The work of separation is given to the angels of God, and not committed into the hands of any man."--Testimonies to Ministers, pg. 47:1, 2--by EGW (boldings and braces added by author).

CONCLUSION TO QUESTION--WHO ARE THE TRUE BRETHREN OF EXPERIENCE?

Among the saints who do not reject "new light," there are some Davidians who are the true "brethren of experience." That is because they have had a special experience in investigating, accepting, and teaching the "new light" of Elijah's message to the "elect" (Mt. 24:24) who cannot be deceived. And when the elect come to these experienced brethren for spiritual advice, they let the Holy Spirit guide them into "all truth" (Jn. 16:13) by studying for themselves. But those in God's church who are too lazy to study, have no other choice but to trust in the false "brethren of experience," and they will be deceived--"misled."

"The mind {of anyone in God's church} that depends upon the judgment of others {false brethren of experience} is certain, sooner or later, to be misled {if he does not study for himself}."--Education, pg. 231:0 (bold emphasis, braces added by author).

END OF STUDY 8A