Searching the Scriptures - Samuel Pipim

pressed in the first article of our fundamental beliefs, which states, "The Holy Scripturesare the infallible revelation of His [God's] will. They are the standard of character, thetest of experience, the authoritative revealer of doctrines, and the trustworthy record ofGod's acts in history." Therefore,The Seventh-day Adventist church should use this issue of women's ordination toreaffirm its commitment to biblical authority, to a sound method of interpreting Scripture,and to an attitude of trust and respect for the teachings of the Bible. [6]Because the Christian church's authority is delegated to it from Jesus Christ, its authoritymust be exercised within the limits He has imposed in Scripture. The church cannot, outof its own wisdom and discretion, legislate for itself doctrines, practices or policies whichconflict with the Word of God in Scripture. It has authority only to declare the Word ofGod, not to enact its own choices out of harmony with that Word. For this reason theSeventh-day Adventist church has always sought to remain within the bounds set by theHoly Spirit in His written Word. This historic position, this priceless legacy, we mustever cherish and uphold, at whatever cost. This is why we must maintain biblical fidelityon the issue of women's ordination.A Test of LoyaltyThe church should not accept these appeals, or any other, uncritically. Rather, like theBereans of old, the church should search the Scriptures "with all readiness of mind" anddetermine whether the conclusions arrived at in Searching the Scriptures are in harmonywith the teachings of the Bible (Acts 17:11). If they are not, our investigation should becorrected by the Word of God. On the other hand, if what we have discovered in thisstudy passes the test of biblical scrutiny, the appeal should be taken seriously. ForScripture urges us, "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good" (1 Thess 5:21).Holding fast to that which is good should be the ultimate goal of any serious study of theBible. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, forreproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may beperfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Tim 3:16, 17).There are always two choices that face us any time we encounter biblical truth. Are wegoing to accept it? Or will we reject it? Thus, just as with any other unresolvedtheological question (such as baptizing practicing polygamists, embracing homosexuallifestyle, divorce and remarriage, abortion, racism, fighting in the wars of one's tribe ornation, etc.) the critical question for us today regarding women's ordination is: Whatshould be our attitudes toward the conclusions arrived at in our searching the Scriptures?Those who are seeking to know and to do God's will greet the discovery of any Bibletruth with joy and repentance. Whereas they once lived in darkness, they now rejoicebecause the Holy Spirit has not only led them into allPage 91