Testimony Treasures, Volume 1 - Ellen G. White

acknowledged church, where He has a church.
Many have the idea that they are responsible to Christ alone for their
light and experience, independent of His acknowledged followers in the
world. But this is condemned by Jesus in His teachings and in the examples,
the facts, which He has given for our instruction. Here was Paul, one whom
Christ was to fit for a most important work, one who was to be a chosen
vessel unto Him, brought directly into the presence of Christ; yet He does not
teach him the lessons of truth. He arrests his course and convicts him; and
when he asks, "What wilt Thou have me to do?" the Saviour does not tell
him directly, but places him in connection with His church. They will tell
thee what thou must do. Jesus is the sinner's friend, His heart is ever open,
ever touched with human woe; He has all power, both in heaven and upon
earth; but He respects the means which He has ordained for the
enlightenment and salvation of men. He directs Saul to the church, thus
acknowledging the power that He has invested in it as a channel of light to
the world. It is Christ's organized body upon the earth, and respect is
required to be paid to His ordinances. In the case of Saul, Ananias represents
Christ, and he also represents Christ's ministers upon the earth who are
appointed to act in Christ's stead.
Christ gives power to the voice of the church. "Verily I say unto you,
Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever
ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." Matthew 18:18. No such
thing is countenanced as one man's starting out upon his own individual
responsibility and advocating what views he chooses, irrespective of the
judgment of the church. God has bestowed the highest power under heaven
upon His church. It is the voice of God in His united people in church
capacity which is to be respected.
God has given to His church men who have an experience, those who
have fasted and wept and prayed, even through the entire night, for the Lord
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