Letters to the Editor

Personal opinion within the framework of God's truths is not wrong. Individual or independent church doctrines (teachings) within the framework of God's truths are not wrong either. Imposing them on others is where we go wrong!

We have the Christian responsibility to love, respect and accept those of a different school of thought than our own, as long as those thoughts, teachings or opinions are within the framework of God's Laws.

I want to thank you for your valiant efforts. I think that you are doing an excellent job, and are getting better at it as time goes on.

Darl E. Arbogast

We appreciate your kind words at The Sabbath Sentinel, and at the Bible Sabbath Association. Your point clearly echoes our sentiments, that we have "common ground" in the Laws of God, and that the rest of our differences are a result of our limited understanding of a mind that is far beyond our ability to know. It is clear that God has given those of us He has called a mission, to preach, indeed to publish, the gospel, the good news of His coming Kingdom. Embedded firmly in the middle of that Kingdom are His Laws. And, within His Laws, we find a gift for man, His Sabbaths! What a glorious God and Savior we have!

The job done at The Sabbath Sentinel is not the work of your editor alone, however. There are many who contribute to getting this magazine out bimonthly. Your acknowledgment goes to them for their tireless efforts. There is an old saying that goes like this, "It is amazing what we can accomplish if we don't care who gets the credit." How much more amazing is the work we can do when we give God and Christ the credit? --- Royce

I love reading about Sabbath keepers all over the world. Also enjoyed the introductions to the new Board of Directors. I believe TSS is helping all of us to see how many beliefs and principles really unite us. Keep up this important work.

Faith Matwey

Could you please send the tapes on the Sabbath? Employers these days are thinking that it's so easy to just come to the job on THE SABBATH to click a mouse, or throw a switch...that it should be no problem for a Sabbath keeper in an "emergency." What can we legally do if our employer asks us that? Either we obey Yahweh or man, but the temptation to just click a button these days is great. I hope this issue is addressed some day.

Stephen & Penny Weber

I hope that by now your request for tapes has been met, Stephen. Several things in your letter caught my eye as I was preparing this issue. As you undoubtedly know, neither TSS nor BSA can engage in the dissemination of legal advice. But, I think that we can give some helpful advice on the situation. Something helpful would be a study on the Sabbath and what Christ did on those days, as well as what His words were to those who accused Him of working on the Sabbath. In the end, however, whatsoever is not of faith is of sin. You will have to choose whether what you are being asked to do is a sin. That must be based on what God tells you from His Word. It should not be based on any advice I or others give you. God calls us all to work out our own salvation, with fear and trembling. He looks to those who come before Him with a humble heart, and tremble at the thought of violating His Laws. If you maintain that lowliness of mind, He will provide you with the answer you seek. That is His promise. --- Royce

Serbia is one of few countries in the world where a sabbath keeping denomination (SDA) is the biggest Protestant church. Only the Slovakian Lutheran Church & Hungarian Reformed (Calvinist) Church in Yugoslavia have more members. In many parts of Serbia, "subotar," meaning sabbathkeeper, is synonymous with one who reads the Bible -- most new born Christians are sabbath keepers. In Montenegro, 80+% of the Protestant population are sabbath keepers and belong to the SDA church or Reform movement of SDA church.

Drasko Djenovic

This is to thank you for the Jan-Feb. 2000 copy of "The Sabbath Sentinel" which you sent to me. I read the whole pages prayerfully and for the first time I came to know the meaning of Exodus 3:5 "PULLOFF YOUR SHOES." God has blessed us immensely through the article by Ernest P. Bergman. It is good to know God requires daily holiness in order to be in line with His perfect will. Secondly we must allow God to mature us.

Also bro. Royce Mitchell Jr.'s article was a great source of blessings. "WOULD YOU WASH THEM (ALL)?" reechoed the Spirit of humility which is lacking in most churches in our time. Thanks for reminding us of this very important teaching.

All the articles are very beneficial to us. Praise God we have to walk the part He lays before us in order to survive. The President's letter on the Sabbath issues is timely and I pray that we Sabbatarians will take it very seriously-and we must first agree before we can reach those within and without successfully.

Thank you for publishing our letter in your magazine. We never expected that. We hope some one out there will write us at least to know they are praying for us. Ours is the first independent Sabbath ministry in Gabon.

There is no single life in Gabon and for one to serve God faithfully it is better to remain independent. I cannot afford losing sincere souls who are searching for perfection. I am very sorry for saying that but it is the truth. I pray it is not same all over the world.

MICHAEL PORTER < portermichael@voila.fr >

Thanks for your kind letter. I know that we are all sorrowful to hear of your continual trials. It is difficult to walk the Way of God when so many are condemned by that very walk. Still, many can be encouraged to take those first fledgling steps into truth by the example that you set for them. Please be encouraged that, even though it does not seem like it, others watch, and God knows. --- Royce

My wife is a SDA and I have come under increasing conviction of the seventh-day Sabbath. However I do not wish to join her church for various reasons preferring to attempt to convince members of my church (Church of Christ) that Sunday observance is wrong and Sabbath keeping is correct in God's eyes. The response is mixed but encouraging at least from the laity, the eldership being very set in their ways. I like your website and am using some of the information supplied. Email correspondence on this matter would be appreciated.

Steve Lucks

When we first come to the Sabbath Truth, many of us become zealots. We attempt to convince everybody we know of the correctness of our new beliefs. That is understandable, but often leads to a lot of conflict with those we love. We tend to think, "It is so clear, why can't everybody understand that the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord our God?" The answer is found in John 6:44. Nobody can come to Christ and His Truth unless the Father draws him by opening his mind. I Corinthians 2:9-10 says that the Spirit reveals Truth, not scholarship, not convincing arguments from us. Now, I am not trying to dampen your zeal to convert your local Church of Christ to the blessed Sabbath, but please keep these scriptures in mind, and remember to be kind in your discussions with Sunday-keepers. Perhaps two of the most helpful books I know of on the Sabbath could be excellent gifts to your friends. They are, "From Sabbath to Sunday," and "Sabbath Under Crossfire," both written by Dr. Samuele Bacchiocchi and available from the BSA. Also, the tract, "Roman Catholic and Protestant Confessions about Sunday," can be an excellent tool to help your Sunday-keeping friends. We can send you a supply of these booklets. I urge you to personally contact my friend in Sydney, Craig White, < craig1@primus.com.au >. I am available to help you in any way that I can. May God bless you! --- Rich Nickels

TSS

May - June 2000 The Sabbath Sentinel