Standing for the truth | Dr. Conrad Vine

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Scripture Verses:

  • Mark 10:17-21: The story of the rich young ruler, highlighting that Jesus loved him and therefore told him the truth about his spiritual condition.

  • 2 John 7-11: Warns against deceivers and the antichrist, emphasizing the need to abide in the teaching of Christ and not welcome those who bring false doctrine.

  • Acts 5:27-29: Peter and the apostles declare, “We must obey God rather than any human authority.”

  • Acts 4:18-19: Peter and John respond to the Sanhedrin’s order, stating they must listen to God rather than human authority.

  • Jeremiah 6: A call for warning, describing closed ears and false prophets crying “Peace, peace.” Includes the verse: “Thus says the Lord: Stand at the crossroads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way lies; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.”

  • Acts 20:17-27 (specifically vv. 20, 26-27): Paul’s farewell to the Ephesian elders, stating he did not shrink from declaring the whole purpose of God and was therefore not responsible for their blood.

  • Ezekiel 9:3-6: Instructions to mark those who “sigh and groan over all the abominations that are committed” in Jerusalem.

  • Revelation 3: Reference to the message to the Laodicean church (the “true witness” and being “lukewarm”).

Spirit of Prophecy (Ellen G. White) Quotes:

The speaker quotes extensively from Ellen G. White’s writings. Key quotes and their sources (as shown on the slides) include:

  1. “The church may appear as about to fall but it does not fall.” – This is presented as a famous Adventist quote. The speaker provides its full context from Selected Messages, Book 2, discussing the final crisis and the faithful remnant.

  2. Definition of the Church: “God has a church. It is not the great cathedral… It is the people who love God and keep His commandments.” – Manuscript Releases, Vol. 17.

  3. The Church Militant: “Has God no living church? He has a church, but it is the church militant, not the church triumphant… there are tares amid the wheat.” – Source not specified in transcript, but a well-known concept.

  4. Wheat and Tares: “The tares and wheat are now commingled… The time is not far distant when the test will come to every soul… In this time the gold will be separated from the dross in the church.” – Paraphrased from various sources, including Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5.

  5. Sunday Law Test: “Sundaykeeping is not yet the mark of the beast… The time will come when this day will be the test, but that time has not come yet.” – Selected Messages, Book 2.

  6. Love and Truth: “Jesus Himself never purchased peace by compromise. His heart overflowed with love… but He was never indulgent to their sins.” – The Desire of Ages, p. 356.

  7. Warning to Ministers: “Those ministers who are men-pleasers… smooth down the message… because they are self-indulgent and ease-loving. True love seeks first the honor of God and the salvation of souls.” – Source not specified, but aligns with Testimonies for the Church.

  8. Unity on Scripture: “I urge our brethren to unify upon a true, scriptural basis.” – Selected Messages, Book 1.

  9. Separation for Truth: “They saw that separation was an absolute necessity if they would obey the word of God… If unity could be secured only by the compromising of truth and righteousness, then let there be difference and even war.” – The Great Controversy.

  10. Thus Saith the Lord: “A ‘Thus saith the Lord’ is not to be set aside for a ‘Thus saith the church’ or ‘Thus saith the state.'” – The Acts of the Apostles.

  11. Foundation of Faith: “We are Seventh-day Adventists because we believe the Bible, the Bible and the Bible only is the foundation of our faith.” – The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials.

  12. The Watchman’s Duty: “It is the duty of both watchmen and laymen to give the trumpet a certain sound.” – Review and Herald.

  13. Reproof and Warnings: “If wrongs are apparent among His people, and if the servants of God pass on indifferent to them, they virtually sustain and justify the sinner… and will receive the displeasure of God.” – Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 3.

  14. Indifference as a Crime: “If God abhors one sin above another, of which His people are guilty, it is doing nothing in case of an emergency. Indifference and neutrality in a religious crisis is regarded of God as a grievous crime.” – Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 3.

  15. The Straight Testimony & Shaking: “I asked the meaning of the shaking I had seen… It was caused by the straight testimony called forth by the counsel of the True Witness to the Laodiceans.” – Early Writings.

Summary of the Speaker’s Main Points:

The sermon is a call to “stand for truth” with courage and love, especially when under public scrutiny (“the spotlight”). Key conclusions are:

  1. Kneel Down: In prayer and repentance, seeking the Holy Spirit.

  2. Stand Up: For biblical truth without fear.

  3. Speak Out: Give the “straight testimony” with love when called to do so.

  4. Trust God: Leave the consequences in His hands.