Seventh-day Adventism is no longer a belief system that is defined by our sincerely held religious convictions. No, the term “Seventh-day Adventism” now refers to a federally protected trademark that describes what state-approved building you worship in.
On May, 9, 2022, Ted Wilson’s General Conference Corporation filed a three-count federal lawsuit against Joe Gresham, Sterling Trice, Linda Trice, Bill Mathis, Gay Mathis, and John Does. These are fellow believers who believe in the second coming of Jesus and the seventh-day Sabbath. These are brothers and sisters who sincerely believe in the Three Angels’ Messages. They are not Baptists, Pentecostals, or Roman Catholics. Who are they? They are people who believe in Seventh-day Adventism, and the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists has filed a lawsuit against them for violating the church’s trademark in the following ways:
Count 1 – Federal Trademark Counterfeiting
Count 2 – Federal Trademark Infringement
Count 3 – Federal False Designation of Origin/Unfair Competition
Here is a copy of the original lawsuit that was filed on May 9, 2022. To read the entire document click here.
On September 12, 2022, the lawsuit was amended to include Pastor Patrick M. Herbert, President and CEO of Berean Church of Free Seventh-day Adventists and the International Association of Free Seventh-day Adventists.
The International Association of Free Seventh-day Adventists and Pastor Patrick Herbert were parties to the amended lawsuit.
To see the entire document click here.
The General Conference, back in 1981, registered their church and trademarked the name Seventh-day Adventist with the United States Trademark and Patent Office. What would be achieved by doing this, and what would be its purpose? What will always occur when certain aspects of a religious faith are trademarked or registered with the federal government? Well, if Church leaders sign an agreement with the federal government, they will be able to prosecute, fine, or imprison people who openly and without authorization identify as Seventh-day Adventists or follow their beliefs.
Page 4 of the lawsuit says that the General Conference Corporation is responsible for prosecuting fellow believers.
Under Ted Wilson’s leadership, the General Conference has used and continues to use the federal courts, the powerful arm of the government, to provide law enforcement and protection for the General Conference Corporation. What they have done is anti-biblical, anti-American, and illegal according to our constitution.
According to page 6 of the lawsuit, they are attempting to stop certain people from using their federally protected trademarks.
Congress cannot grant legal preference to one person’s religious beliefs over another. Congress has never made any such laws. Congress did pass a federal trademark law called the Lanham Act, which protects words, phrases, names, pictures, symbols, or any combination of these things that distinguish the products of one company from another; these are usually registered and protected by law. The Lanham Act states that “no person shall, without consent of the registrant, use in commerce any trademark if such use is likely to cause confusion, or to cause mistake or to deceive.” [1]
Page 7 of the lawsuit says that the defendants are engaged in a “counterfeit, confusion, mistake, deception” and are not “legitimate.”
What this means to Seventh-day Adventist Christians who are not regular members of the official (state) church or to those who may have unjustly lost their membership with the official (state) church is simply this:
If you are preaching, publishing, singing, speaking, or participating in anything that is related to church activities that in any way might cause other people to think that you are an official member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church when actually you are not, then you are in violation of federal trademark laws and you will be dragged into court to face severe fines and/or imprisonment.
Page 9 of the lawsuit says that the General Conference has been irreparably damaged and injured and that “monetary damages” must reflect the “exceptional” harm done to them. They want relief, costs, and attorney’s fees.
It is unconstitutional what the leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church have done. Since commercial businesses use trademarks in their names, goods, and services to forbid other corporations and businesses from using them, maybe, just possibly, what the General Conference Corporation could not do—forbid self-supporting groups from practicing Seventh-day Adventism because of the first amendment of our Constitution—they have now found a way through a loophole.
Under the cover of a business seeking federal trademark protection, the General Conference, a religious institution, has trademarked its church, its church name, its goods, and its services with the federal government and is currently suing Seventh-day Adventist believers for violating federal trademark laws.
Page 10 of the lawsuit reveals that the General Conference Corporation is praying that they may recover a lot of money in damages. They are praying that the court will bankrupt the small company of fellow believers.
Seventh-day Adventism is a religion, not a business. We are Seventh-day Adventists because we believe in Seventh-day Adventism. It is our religious faith. It is how we identify our religious convictions. The Adventist prophet, Ellen G. White, has told us in her inspired writings that we must always identify ourselves, till the end of time, as “Seventh-day Adventists,” because this name describes our faith:
“We are Seventh-day Adventists. Are we ashamed of our name? We answer, ‘No, no! We are not. It is the name the Lord has given us.’ It points out the truth that is to be the test of the churches” (Letter 110, 1902).
“A company was presented before me under the name of Seventh-day Adventists, who were advising that the banner or sign which makes us a distinctive people should not be held out so strikingly; for they claimed it was not the best policy in securing success to our institutions. This distinctive banner is to be borne through the world to the close of probation” (Selected Messages, Book 2, p. 385).
“No name which we can take will be appropriate but that which accords with our profession and expresses our faith and marks us as a peculiar people. The name Seventh-day Adventist is a standing rebuke to the Protestant world” (Testimonies, Volume 1 p. 223).
“The name Seventh-day Adventist carries the true features of our faith in front” (Ibid., p. 224).
In the mind of our prophet, this position has never changed. We dare not repudiate the name or call ourselves by something different. Our name represents a statement of our faith.
“In the name of the Lord we are to identify ourselves as Seventh-day Adventists … The name is a true expression of our faith. I am instructed to call upon God’s people to bring their actions into harmony with their name, of which they have no need to be ashamed” (Battle Creek Letters, p. 52).
“Our institutions have taken a name which sets forth the character of our faith, and of this name we are never to be ashamed. I have been shown that this name means much, and in adopting it we have followed the light given us from heaven” (Manuscript 15, 1896).
The attorney handling this lawsuit for the General Conference Corporation is the same attorney who served as the “parliamentarian” during the General Conference Session in St. Louis earlier this year. When not conducting and supervising the secret voting process for the world session, he is suing fellow believers in federal court.
The Constitution, the Supreme Law of the Land, governs all federal laws! And the Constitution is supposed to protect the rights of people to practice their faith. What has happened? We have now, in our land of freedom, a state church. The federal court is now prosecuting at the behest of the General Conference Corporation in order to protect their exclusive rights and trademarks from being used in “commerce.” That commercial use includes conducting religious services. In other words, you cannot use the trademarks of the General Conference Corporation in your worship services without their permission. So then what kind of religious observances or church services can these fellow believers have? Roman Catholic worship services? What an abomination!
You are not supposed to do this in America! The church is not supposed to do this here! That is why people fled Europe and came to the shores of North America in search of religious liberty. If the church wants to employ the strong arm of the federal government, then let these leaders go back to Eastern Europe and create an image of the Papacy there. This is not supposed to happen because the result is inevitable.
“When troubles arise in the church we should not go for help to lawyers not of our faith. God does not desire us to open church difficulties before those who do not fear Him. He would not have us depend for help on those who do not obey His requirements. Those who trust in such counselors show that they have not faith in God. By their lack of faith the Lord is greatly dishonored, and their course works great injury to themselves. In appealing to unbelievers to settle difficulties in the church they are biting and devouring one another, to be “consumed one of another” (Galatians 5:15). These men cast aside the counsel God has given, and do the very things He has bidden them not to do. They show that they have chosen the world as their judge, and in heaven their names are registered as one with unbelievers. Christ is crucified afresh, and put to open shame. Let these men know that God does not hear their prayers. They insult His holy name, and He will leave them to the buffetings of Satan until they shall see their folly and seek the Lord by confession of their sin” (Selected Messages, Book 3 p. 299).
Pay close attention to the curses that will befall us when we sue our fellow believers in federal court. No other sin mentioned in the Spirit of Prophecy carries as many calamities in a single passage, as far as we are aware.
- They have no faith in God.
- They greatly dishonor our Lord.
- They greatly injure themselves.
- They are biting and devouring one another.
- They cast aside the counsel of God.
- They do the very things He has forbidden.
- They choose the world as their judge
- In heaven their names are registered as unbelievers.
- They crucify Christ afresh.
- They put Christ to open shame.
- God no longer hears their prayers.
- They insult God’s holy name.
- They are left to the buffetings of Satan.
Is Ted Wilson’s General Conference helping the United States prepare for the enforcement of the Mark of the Beast? This is exactly what the General Conference is doing by filing these federal lawsuits against other Sabbath-keeping Christians. This is what inspiration says:
“In order for the United States to form an image of the beast, the religious power must so control the civil government that the authority of the state will also be employed by the church to accomplish her own end” (Great Controversy, p, 443).
Let us all appeal to the leaders of the General Conference in the name of the Lord to repeal their unwarranted and unjustifiable lawsuits against fellow believers. Stop wasting God’s sacred tithe money to destroy the lives of Sabbath-keeping Christians. The church should work to get rid of the ringleaders of the Omega of Apostasy rather than picking on poor, defenseless believers. May God have mercy on us all in our struggle for religious liberty.
Sources
[1] https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1114
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Thank you for publishing this, Andy.
Amen !
It is truly sad that we are very comfortable with betraying our Lord. The Bible says that the devil believes AND trembles. There is a world in darkness because they have no fear of the Living God! Why? because we do NOT fear the great and mighty God! The devil does, but we humans who are dust does not. Yet, we will stand before the awesome God and will regret it if we do not humble themselves and repent before it is too late. The good Lord truly is at the door. Lord Jesus, for your name sake, wake us up! Please Lord! Wake us up!
Very interesting indeed! Before I can comment on the lawsuit I need more information on the group using the name of the Church. Who are they and what specifically are they doing? What discussions have gone on between the GC and this group in an attempt to settle the dispute? Has this group separated itself from the Church and the members no longer hold membership? We have counsel against breaking up into separate, independent groups. Let’s have more information on just what is going on.
I appreciate this comment. There are at times details unknown to us and we sometumes judge according to nearly no knowledge. I’m not taking sides in this, just saying we don’t know who this group is or what they may or may not be doing in representing Seventh-day Adventism.
The GC knows very well who the Free SDAs are. Most importantly, theu are very faithful to and uphold God’s Message to His final church – to His Word and the writings of Sister White. Listening to Pastor Herbert’s sermons is like hearing our Message when I came into the church some 45 years ago – reverent, faithful preaching in humility before God and given in concern for people who are going to be lost unless they hear that Message and accept it. They have been a separate but registered SDA church since 1915, and the GC lawyers advised them some time later that their position was entirely legal as to using the SDA name for their organisation. This separation was caused by the peculiar and stubborn refusal of the GC to accept and help their coloured SDA brethren as God wanted them to – a fact Sister White rebuked them for. There is nothing wrong with their sermons or discussions – they speak the Truth as we once long ago heard it – and it’s like a blast of fresh air.
AMEN The conference on the other is in apostasy shaking hands with the Papacy!
We don’t need to know all the facts to obey God’s word, and God says don’t sue your brothers in court:
1 Corinthians 6:1-8
1 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?
2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.
5 I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?
6 But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.
7 Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?
8 Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.
Amen!
I find it interesting that the GC does absolutely NOTHING in regards to the inclusion of what GOD CALLS AN ABOMINATION (lgbtxyz) on our university campuses and churches who use the name a Seventh day Adventist and Adventist Health with their uniting with the world but they are not being sued…. but hey, a little congregation is a nice soft target to put in the cross hairs.
Just remember that this is the same corporation that held a secret meeting with Catholics at the GC session this last year and has a PARL employee that gushes over meeting or being in the presence of the little horn power. And the father of the president of the GC gave a gold medallion to the same little horn power back in the 70’s. Look up the BEM Document Lima Peru.
Are they suing the Northern European division and the churches over there for their participation with Catholic religious services? Yeah…I didn’t think so…
Lord, please “deliver us from evil for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever amen!”
My name is Edsel Sapian, elder of this church where Joe Gresham is pastoring. I would like to make it clear that we did not separate ourselves from the Texas conference of SDA. Our church was closed down by the conference, and their officials refused to talk to us after several attempts to communicate with them. Previous president Leighton Holley claimed the problem was over the practice of Gresham’s using the KJV Bible only, while privately I was able to corner the next president, Carlos Craig, who claimed that the church was closed because the members sided with Gresham, rather than the conference. A small splinter group from the church claimed that the church was closed over the use of a special fund reserved by the members for the pastor, because the pastor was receiving halftime wages for fulltime work. There are so many issues that could have been the reason for closing down the church, but up to this point in time, I don’t know for sure what the real reason for closing the church is. It just seems to me that there is a strong strong spirit of undue ecclesiastical authority in this conference, and any expression of dissent against them is dealt with oppression.
And brother shall rise up against brother and children against parents… It comes as no surprise but still painful that this is happening.
May I ask if your church is conservative? Fundamental / Historic Adventist? I ask because here in Kaliforication the Northern California Conference has no problem with forcing liberal pastors onto conservative churches. If you protest then you are threatened with “viability assessments.” Which can escalate into closure and there is no conversation either. They just tell you what you WILL DO or else!!! They also encourage church treasurers to allow the conference direct access to bank accounts on the premise of ‘saving everyone the “aggravation” of writing a check and mailing it….’ NEVER ALLOW THEM ACCESS TO ANY ACCOUNTS AND DONT SEND THEM ANY EXTRA MONEY FOR THEM TO “SAVE” for you. BIG MISTAKE!!!!
And since it seems that you are a small church you are a soft target aka easily out gunned…if your church budget is great, that may be motive to seize assets through lawsuit and lawyer fees.
I am not trying to be harsh. Just speaking from experience and lessons learned from others.
HISTORY OF THE FREE SDA MOVEMENT
(The following are excerpts that are drawn from the manuscripts of a book currently being written by Pastor Patrick Herbert, dealing with the history of Free Seventh-day Adventists. Pastor Herbert is the senior pastor of Berean Church of Free SDA and is chairman of the Executive Committee of the International Association of Free Seventh-day Adventists.)
THE BEGINNING OF THE COLORED WORK
In this section we shall consider the circumstances that led up to the birth and development of the Free Seventh-day Adventist movement. To better understand how and when Free Seventh-day Adventists came into existence, we must first take some time to focus on a part of Adventist history that deals with the work that was done for and by colored members of the Adventist church in the early years of its existence. Therefore, let us now take a close look at some aspects of the history of the Seventh-day Adventist Church that will provide us relevant information on the origin of the Free Seventh-day Adventist movement.
William Miller
William Miller
When the Adventist movement began in the early 1800s blacks were included among the foundational members of the church. This fact can be seen in the historical records of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Church historians unequivocally show that in the 1830s there were black “adherents of the Adventist (Millerite) movement.” 1 In the 1840s a man by the name of William Ellis Foy, who was described as “a tall light-skinned colored man,” received more than one vision directly “relating to the near advent of Christ and to last day events.” 2 Foy received his first vision in the year 1842. However, one of the reasons he later gave for his unwillingness to share his visions with others was, as he put it, “the prejudice among the people against those of my color.” 3 Another early Adventist by the name of Hazen Foss also had the opportunity to reveal God’s end time message to the Advent people. Foss was given his first vision in the autumn of 1844, but his response and experience mirrored that of Foy’s before him. Both of these men were called of God before Ellen G. White was given her first vision in December of 1844, which started the beginning of her work in the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
What has happened is sad, however if the conference has removed this church from itself (for whatever reason), then this church under bible direction should not use a prohibited name. This church I believe could use [under a new name] a description such as:- “A Seventh Day Adventist STYLE movement in teaching and belief”. (Not SDA Conference). The use of the word ‘Style’ has in other cases navigated around the legal ban of using trademarked words.
God commands us to identify ourselves to the world as Seventh-day Adventists. So whatever man commands to the contrary, we must obey God and endure the consequences. In principle, if they can prohibit calling ourselves “Seventh-day Adventists,” they can also prohibit calling ourselves “Christians.”
Daniel did not have to continue his practice of opening his window and praying aloud toward Jerusalem to the God of heaven when it was illegal to do so. But doing so was not only excusable, but honorable.
The Three Hebrews did not have to remain standing when ordered to worship the Image of the Beast on the plain of Dura. But doing so was not only excusable, but honorable.
If the General Conference would be as honorable as the congregation they are suing, they should call themselves An Image of the Roman Hierarchy. In fact, N. C. Wilson did that in court, under oath, in 1976. And his witness is true.
“The image of the beast will be formed before probation closes; for it is to be the great test for the people of God, by which their eternal destiny will be decided….” {Mar 164.2}
What is the image of the beast? “The image to the beast represents another religious body clothed with similar power. The formation of this image is the work of that beast whose peaceful rise and mild professions render it so striking a symbol of the United States. Here is to be found an image of the papacy.” GC 278.
Please note: The image of the beast is NOT THE CIVIL, SECULAR GOVERNMENT! Like its mother, it is a RELIGIOUS BODY. It is supported by the secularist government that precedes it.
When the religious body “shall influence the state to enforce their decrees and to sustain their institutions, then Protestant America will have formed an image of the Roman hierarchy, and the infliction of civil penalties upon dissenters will inevitably result.” {GC 445.1} This was effected in 1892 with the Trinity Church Supreme Court decision and Enabling Act for the World’s Fair. Although the Sunday-closing provision of the Act was repealed the next year at the behest of the churches for the benefit of the churches, the creation of the Image was not undone. See The Captivity of the Republic, by A. T. Jones.
Over the last 46 years, we see the General Conference following in the footsteps of the churches that fell in 1844, in taking the civil sword to persecute. They shall perish by the sword they are usurping. Storm and tempest will sweep away their structure. The ten horns will hate her, eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. With the Jewish nation, they have no king but Caesar’s successor.
Thanks for your comment elder. Just one question, prior to this lawsuit by the GC against the church, did the church file a lawsuit against the conference and why?
This is all wrong! It was very wrong when his father started the original law suits this mess and has not improved over time.
They filed a suit in south Florida back in the ’80s against a church and the judge told them to work it out in private but they would not. Small churches all over have been hounded by this terrible copy right issue. Even after the gc won the cases the conditions that were imposed on the losers was terrible. Our church has no business involved in anything like this.
They have bigger things to deal with such as the conditions in our ministry and colleges and the General Conference!
This matter goes back to the time (EG White’s day) when the GC was ignoring the needs of coloured SDA members and churches and treating them in a non-Christian manner. As this was not corrected the Free SDA church was finally established so that coloured people who believe in the SDA Message had somewhere to worship, congregate and support each other, as all SDAs are meant to do. Because of the problems the group encountered and refusal by the GC to do the right thing, they formed their own church and this was registered in 1915. The GC’s lawyers later admitted in writing that under Natural Law (which governs just about every State in the USA) the FSDA group had full right to the use of the SDA name (which of course God Himself gave to all who believe in the SDA Message, not just those in the GC!) and the FSDA have been preaching our Message since that time. No problem has ever arisen, until now.
Below is the link for the talk published by Pastor Patrick Herbert of FSDA six months ago which explains the situation as he, and any faithful SDA, views it. It has far more serious and severe consequences than the GC suing FSDAs. The site for Balm of Gilead Ministries on YouTube also provides updates on the legal proceedings now started by the GC, which is to their shame. 1 Cor. 6: 1-9 is VERY clear indeed, and the GC is simply trampling all over the Lord’s specific instruction. The GC does NOT own the Seventh Day Adventist name! The name does not ‘belong’ to any corporation or institution: It was given to ALL SDA believers, whether a member of the GC or outside of it – and I find it absolutely appalling what the GC is now stooping to, in direct disobedience to the Lord’s command. The name belongs to God only: it is His ‘intellectual property’ so to speak, and only He has a right to say where and who and by who it will be used.
Please view this very interesting address at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Um5VdPU339I
Our SDA Church is misbehaving seriously_ Satan is attacking God’s people by using Leaders just within the church.
Thanks Andy. This is tragic beyond comprehension. This action by the GCC makes it clear that the Lord, in infinite mercy and justice, has arisen. His fan is in his hand. The GCC thinks to purge the church but they are the ones being purged. Pray for the blindness of each of us to be removed, that we’re closely and tenderly united in Christ and accounted worthy to escape these things and to stand before the son of man.
https://www.freesda.org/history/freesdabeginnings.html
HISTORY OF THE FREE SDA MOVEMENT
(The following are excerpts that are drawn from the manuscripts of a book currently being written by Pastor Patrick Herbert, dealing with the history of Free Seventh-day Adventists. Pastor Herbert is the senior pastor of Berean Church of Free SDA and is chairman of the Executive Committee of the International Association of Free Seventh-day Adventists.)
THE BEGINNING OF THE COLORED WORK
In this section we shall consider the circumstances that led up to the birth and development of the Free Seventh-day Adventist movement. To better understand how and when Free Seventh-day Adventists came into existence, we must first take some time to focus on a part of Adventist history that deals with the work that was done for and by colored members of the Adventist church in the early years of its existence. Therefore, let us now take a close look at some aspects of the history of the Seventh-day Adventist Church that will provide us relevant information on the origin of the Free Seventh-day Adventist movement.
William Miller
William Miller
When the Adventist movement began in the early 1800s blacks were included among the foundational members of the church. This fact can be seen in the historical records of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Church historians unequivocally show that in the 1830s there were black “adherents of the Adventist (Millerite) movement.” 1 In the 1840s a man by the name of William Ellis Foy, who was described as “a tall light-skinned colored man,” received more than one vision directly “relating to the near advent of Christ and to last day events.” 2 Foy received his first vision in the year 1842. However, one of the reasons he later gave for his unwillingness to share his visions with others was, as he put it, “the prejudice among the people against those of my color.” 3 Another early Adventist by the name of Hazen Foss also had the opportunity to reveal God’s end time message to the Advent people. Foss was given his first vision in the autumn of 1844, but his response and experience mirrored that of Foy’s before him. Both of these men were called of God before Ellen G. White was given her first vision in December of 1844, which started the beginning of her work in the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
HISTORY OF THE FREE SDA MOVEMENT
(The following are excerpts that are drawn from the manuscripts of a book currently being written by Pastor Patrick Herbert, dealing with the history of Free Seventh-day Adventists. Pastor Herbert is the senior pastor of Berean Church of Free SDA and is chairman of the Executive Committee of the International Association of Free Seventh-day Adventists.)
THE BEGINNING OF THE COLORED WORK
In this section we shall consider the circumstances that led up to the birth and development of the Free Seventh-day Adventist movement. To better understand how and when Free Seventh-day Adventists came into existence, we must first take some time to focus on a part of Adventist history that deals with the work that was done for and by colored members of the Adventist church in the early years of its existence. Therefore, let us now take a close look at some aspects of the history of the Seventh-day Adventist Church that will provide us relevant information on the origin of the Free Seventh-day Adventist movement.
William Miller
William Miller
When the Adventist movement began in the early 1800s blacks were included among the foundational members of the church. This fact can be seen in the historical records of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Church historians unequivocally show that in the 1830s there were black “adherents of the Adventist (Millerite) movement.” 1 In the 1840s a man by the name of William Ellis Foy, who was described as “a tall light-skinned colored man,” received more than one vision directly “relating to the near advent of Christ and to last day events.” 2 Foy received his first vision in the year 1842. However, one of the reasons he later gave for his unwillingness to share his visions with others was, as he put it, “the prejudice among the people against those of my color.” 3 Another early Adventist by the name of Hazen Foss also had the opportunity to reveal God’s end time message to the Advent people. Foss was given his first vision in the autumn of 1844, but his response and experience mirrored that of Foy’s before him. Both of these men were called of God before Ellen G. White was given her first vision in December of 1844, which started the beginning of her work in the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
So much for Religious liberty. They are speaking and acting like a dragon.
Just as prophesied, unfortunately. It is sickening to realise that any SDA could stoop to treat a member of his brethren in this way, directly against what Christ has clearly commanded in 1 Cor. 6.
It is no doubt that we are in the last days. …and the Scriptures says:
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of “GOD”: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. KJV — 1John 4:1
The Seventh-Day Adventist Church is by no means exempt from Satanic attacks: must every precautions afforded to them.
Whoever these people are: that are taking upon themselves to use and violate the churches Lo-Go to publish and promote their own way of spreading the Gospel of “JESUS CHRIST ” needs to be examined.
My question is: Did they get permission? To use the churches Logo,? To publish WHAT?
Whatever they published was it in tune with the WORD OF “GOD” …and the Spirit of Prophecy?
The Evidence the General Conference is taking against these individuals Prooves these folks refuse to cooperate with the General Conference and Its Working Policies, and have decided to go its own way without cooperation with the General Conference.
Without a doubt something is wrong. …and if the General Conference felt that strong to go to the courts, tells me that these so-called Seventh-Day Adventist refuse to cooperate.
This reminds me of a once president of of North American Division of Seventh-Day Adventist: Refuse To Accept the General Conference voting down for the third time on “Women’s Ordination” …and publicly stating that he would not honor or respect the vote that came out of 60 General Conference Session.
…and he did not: Thus Women’s Ordination is growing in the Seventh-Day churches without Scriptural Evidence to back up the reason for its existence in our churches.
…and the president that went against the Devine Scriptures and the Legitimate vote of the General Conference is now Deceased.
So this reality still brings about this question: Who Is It Thats Not Willing To Cooperate with the General Conference, wherein putting the General Conference in the frightening position to take Seventh-Day Adventist Members court? …and force them to STOP USING THE CHURCHES LOGO FOR THEIR PURPOSE THAT IS “NOT” IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GENERAL CONFERENCE WORKING POLICY?
We must be astute in our teaching and worship. Because it us certainly written:
Not everyone that saith unto me LORD LORD, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in Heaven.
Help Us LORD….
Sorry brother but, the International Association of Free Seventh Day Adventists, do not use the Logo of the General Conference, we have our own logo, the Free Seventh Day Adventists was formar in 1915 and was registered in 1916 by the state of California, the GC is walking in the wrong pata, and wen they do that, God can not be with them
I don’t remember right now how many years something had to exist in order to be grandfathered in, but my understanding is that the Free SDAs qualify to be exempt from the GC’s trademark laws, due to their longevity. That means that if they were using the name “Seventh-day Adventist” or “Adventist” long before those certain SDA terms were trademarked–which they were doing–they may continue to use them without fear of reprisal. I don’t know why the GC now thinks to challenge that exemption. And as one commentor noted, far worse things are happening in our denomination that reflect badly upon the denomination, but the GC takes no action. Here is a peaceable group of believers that believes and teaches Adventist beliefs. Why are they now targeted? What is the real reason? There’s more to learn, for all of us.
Amen.
I cannot think of a self-respecting Adventist, outside of Conference control, who would choose to use the new, ecumenical logo. This logo clearly has its roots in the World Council of Churches, not in SDA mission or teachings. It is the WORDS “Seventh-day Adventist” that they wish to prohibit us from using. In their own practice, the “Seventh-day” part is being muted. They want the name abbreviated “Adventist,” not SDA, when used by their own people. It is only one small step to setting aside the “Seventh-day,” and setting Sunday in its place. If in doubt, see Spalding-Magan Collection, pages 1, 2.
You are right! God gave Sister White through the Spirit of Prophecy a prediction that these events and more would come about in the final days. No true Christian SDA expected such an attack would come from the very church organisation which God initially called into existence, in betrayal of Him and His CLEAR instruction in 1 Cor. 6:1-8 however! The increasing, alarming apostasy being revealed now is so hard to believe. I love Pastor Herbert’s sermons on YouTube – it’s wonderful to hear the true Christian SDA messages being faithfully preached, which we no longer tragically hear in GC churches. Truth Triumphant is another ministry revealing true SDA history and upholding our Message. I assume the GC will be ‘going after them’ next, as well as any ministry daring to warn the world of the horrific times we are entering, and the nearness of the Close of Probation and Christ’s return. What a terrible accountability these men face.
HISTORY OF THE FREE SDA MOVEMENT
(The following are excerpts that are drawn from the manuscripts of a book currently being written by Pastor Patrick Herbert, dealing with the history of Free Seventh-day Adventists. Pastor Herbert is the senior pastor of Berean Church of Free SDA and is chairman of the Executive Committee of the International Association of Free Seventh-day Adventists.)
THE BEGINNING OF THE COLORED WORK
In this section we shall consider the circumstances that led up to the birth and development of the Free Seventh-day Adventist movement. To better understand how and when Free Seventh-day Adventists came into existence, we must first take some time to focus on a part of Adventist history that deals with the work that was done for and by colored members of the Adventist church in the early years of its existence. Therefore, let us now take a close look at some aspects of the history of the Seventh-day Adventist Church that will provide us relevant information on the origin of the Free Seventh-day Adventist movement.
William Miller
William Miller
When the Adventist movement began in the early 1800s blacks were included among the foundational members of the church. This fact can be seen in the historical records of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Church historians unequivocally show that in the 1830s there were black “adherents of the Adventist (Millerite) movement.” 1 In the 1840s a man by the name of William Ellis Foy, who was described as “a tall light-skinned colored man,” received more than one vision directly “relating to the near advent of Christ and to last day events.” 2 Foy received his first vision in the year 1842. However, one of the reasons he later gave for his unwillingness to share his visions with others was, as he put it, “the prejudice among the people against those of my color.” 3 Another early Adventist by the name of Hazen Foss also had the opportunity to reveal God’s end time message to the Advent people. Foss was given his first vision in the autumn of 1844, but his response and experience mirrored that of Foy’s before him. Both of these men were called of God before Ellen G. White was given her first vision in December of 1844, which started the beginning of her work in the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Brother educate yourself on the facts before misleading conspiracy narratives.
Why do you keep quoting this? Once is fine. This church holds to all the principles of the Adventists belief as found in the Bible and Ellen White no ecumenical mixing no emerging church, just the straight testimony. There was no during the Conference beforehand, no Conference wanting to meet or talk things out beforehand. They love the Lord with all their hearts and want to finish the work so we the Lord can come for His people!
I thought that the Free Seventh-day Adventists could not be sued by the GC, because they had their name long, long before the GC had the name copywritten? Is this incorrect, or does anyone know?
At any rate, people that support the GC, especially with $$, help to finance this.
Come out of her my people.
They can not lawsuit the Free SDA, because they know that they are going to lose the lawsuit, the Free SDA registered its name in 1916, the General Conference are wasting money for nothing, they are not going to win this lawsuit
Did you read the article? The IAFSDA has been ADDED to this lawsuit as a Defendant, by the GC, about 4 months after it was filed. They are NOT idiots. So yes, the IAFSDA IS BEING sued. Somebody has a sly plan to incriminate the Association. Wait and see. May God deliver them (and the rest of us)!
For a clear understanding of this complex issue, please view YouTube video by Pastor Patrick Herbert of Free SDAs – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Um5VdPU339I
It’s a far bigger and more complicated issue as to law because of the two systems of law needing to be considered: Natural Law and Civil Law, as I understand it.
The Free SDA Balm of Gilead Channel on YouTube has wonderful, true SDA sermons, just as we once heard from faithful ministers. NOTHING wrong with their ministry in regard to preaching our Message at all!
Amen and amen!
THANK YOU FOR PUBLISHING THIS ANDY,A FORESHADOWING OF FUTURE EVENTS ON A MUCH BROADER SCALE…
G C is in error.The names: 1.Jesus is not trademarked 2.God is not trademarked 3.Holy Spirit is not trademarked.If those above names are powefull and supreme,than the church on the earth,why trade marking only letters,words? Satan is the one moving GC.This means that our tithe and offering equaling to US$200,000 to be used in this lawsuit for lawyers and attorneys? Are people paying tithe if I am going to tell them are they going to be happy! Iam protesting what the GCSDA has done.Instead of focusing onthe mission they are focusing on law suits? Are our names which we are given at birth trade marked such that anyone on earth should no longer use the name? If possible brother Andy and other well wishers you buy an air ticket plus a visa and an express passport for me, from here where I live in Malawi and I fly to there in USA to protest at the court what GCSDA has done.
As I’ve commented elsewhere, 1 Cor. 6:1-8 is EXTREMELY clear, yet the GC, professing to uphold Christ and His instructions, is flying in the face of that precise instruction, and over the name God gave to ALL SDAs to uphold – it being the name that is the DIVIDING LINE between those who follow Him in all truth, and those who refuse – a VITAL witness in these end times. P.S. Have you heard about the disgusting GC atrocity in Haiti recently, involving millions of church members’ dollars? If you go to the Balm of Gilead channel on YouTube you will find a link to this latest shameful episode in ‘God’s church’ organisation.
The actions, and inaction, of the SDA organization, from the top down, on it’s slide into apostasy over the years is revolting. It has willingly become part of the image of the beast.
Come out of her my people. — Jer 51:45 and Rev 18:4
As Sister White tells us, it won’t become a total part of Babylon until it apostatises on the truth of the state of the dead (immortality of the soul lie) and Sunday ‘sacredness’, but it definitely is getting there at a rapid pace! Not safe to be there anymore.
Again and again, DEFUND THE GC…
Pass the word along to every SDA member to defund the GC Inc. , she has become a purely babylonian institution that is corrupt from tip to toe and drunk with the wine of the many jesuits that have infiltrated her.
Yes, the grasping for tithe in my opinion is more the issue than any challenge as to who uses the SDA name.
This is sad but not unexpected as we draw ever closer to Christ’s return. My brief research seems to indicate that SDA church leaders at the turn of the 20th century were at fault for promoting the segregation of Black (Colored) members and new converts in order to try and grow the white base in the southern states faster. I guess they just decided to skip right over Galatians 3:28!! Many SDA African Americans protested and tried to resist this separation mentality that was ramped in the church. And after the death of Ellen White in 1915 most gave up and started their own churches; the Berean Free SDA church in LA California being one of the first.
It appears that the church Christ raised up to herald the Three Angels Messages of Rev. 14 for these end-times has gone from being a movement (a church on fire for the Lord) to a stagnant corporation…”because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked” Rev. 3:17
This is still God’s end-time remnant church and Christ is the Head and we are the body. We still need to look to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.
Surrender your life each day to the Lord a living sacrifice for His glory until He comes.
Why would the General Conference even bother to pray, as they describe in this lawsuit, especially when they want to destroy people’s faith? I tell you, I would fear to be a General Conference staff member when the day of God’s retribution comes.
They pray to the Court. They have no king but Caesar, just as old Israel does today. They all work for Caesar’s successor, the Pope of Rome.
As the quote in red at the top of this page states, God does not hear their prayers!
This is the new Unholy Inquisition.
Thank you Steve, for that history, and I seem to remember that the Free SDA’s were “free” to use the name as well. The GC left them alone for a long time, why are they doing this now?
To me it can only mean one thing: Catholic control is in our midst and pressured efforts are now being made to ‘bring us back’ to the ‘mother church’ as quickly as possible, just as the evangelicals unfortunately continue to do. They want everyone brought together because it’s harder to control scattered ‘fringe groups’ who refuse to come under, and operate separately to, GCC dictatorship! How valuable are the writings of Mrs White to us now – prophecy is fulfilling very rapidly indeed.
What a trap!
Last week I was reviewing the registartion of my church (7th Day Adventist Church) in my country Rwanda as a required to any organizatition in the country and I realize how Adventists have fallen into a trap.
Honestly, in coming days if you proclaim to be an adventist, you will be punished if you do not accept what the leaders of the church want you to accept regardless to our Bible standards!
WE WILL BE CALLED THE PEOPLE WHO STEAL THE PERSONALITY OF SOMEBODY!!! What will be the next…? FINES, JAIL, PRISON, ….. DEATH
Wow! Talk about exposing to the world, the “dirty laundry” of the SDA General Conference…NO ONE does it better than they themselves!
This is just another rationale for believers to stop funding the GC. It is only through an overwhelming amount of resources that the GC can “go after” fellow believers. Now this should make everyone who submits tithes to their local churches to consider how to direct those tithes. We can support our local church without supporting local conferences, NAD, or the GC. My family supports our local church but haven’t supported the local conference on up through the GC for well over a year now. It is easy to find organizations that are dedicated to spreading the three angels message and support their efforts.
Well Brothers and Sisters, this effort to control is to be expected. The Seventh-day Adventist Corporation has changed the God we are to “have” and “fear” into a plurality therefore the operation of the body is not working correctly. God is not divide! Read 1 Corinthians 8:6! Anything else is confusion and doesn’t lead to unity, like Fundamental Belief #14 states, but to ecumenism. Look at the fact that we Adventists could not sit on ecumenical councils without the belief in a trinity and look at how this belief came into the early church and how it came into the Seventh-day Adventist movement via Froom, RA Anderson and just a few others. Please everyone, read the Fundamental Principles (from 1889) last published in the 1914 Adventist Yearbook and compare to Adventist.org of today. Those principles are “based upon unquestionable authority.”
The original Seventh-day Adventist Church had a different God. We had entire unanimity on these principles, not man-made creeds, but shareable principles with non-Adventists. The best picture we have of the true (means original) God and His Son Jesus Christ is from EJ Waggoner’s Christ Our Righteousness from the 1888 General Conference Session which also was a 1937 Adult Sabbath School Quarterly. The brethren were so focused on the law in Galatians 3 and identity of the 10 kingdoms yet they did believe the truths in this presentation about how God and the Son of God biblically are to be understood. It is a beautiful message on the divinity of the Father and the Son and why knowledge of the Son of God is essential for us as Adventists. That is who we have fellowship with by the way.
Seventh-day Adventists please study what biblically a spirit is. Study the first few chapters of Patriarchs and Prophets. Read the first line in Story of Redemption. The Spirit of Prophecy is given so that we might have the gifts of the Spirit. The Millerites were cast out of creed bound churches so that they could receive the gifts of the Spirit.
Church family, the issue is we have a different triune god vs the God believed by our pioneers as revealed to us from His Spirit-filled written word. Mrs White, like true prophets of all time, was a lesser light leading to the greater light (Jesus Christ). When we all come to a unity of the faith in the knowledge of the Son of God then I am sure God will pour out His Spirit on the church (the people) once again. Those tied to Babylon in any form will be left out. We will read God’s council, repent, and be empowered to correct every deviation from truth. We will be of one mind, in one accord because that mind of God is already been given to us in written form. We don’t even do education and gospel medical missionary work right among many other things. Why do we think our Andrews and BRI theologians are correct in doctrine? We must become educated individually and repent and return to God. Angels are waiting to give us more of God’s plans for His people but we don’t follow what they gave through Mrs. White to the church. We must repent and recognize our Laodicean condition. God will work miracles for His people through Christ through the ministration of angels if we will allow! All Heaven is waiting on us to cooperate unitedly.
God bless us all as we uncover our sacred history and the beautiful God and Savior that is based upon “unquestionable authority.” You too could be unlawfully disfellowshipped as we were in April. Yet I wouldn’t trade the truth about God and His Son for an entity that has stolen the name Seventh-day Adventist (r). A trinitarian Seventh-day Adventist is really an oxymoron when you investigate our history. It cannot exist without protest at least by our family but even the protest is happening in Sunday churches! I protest now that the Seventh-day Adventist Corporation has stolen the Seventh-day Adventist identity.
Here’s a parallel to consider. The name “Catholicos” = universal was stolen from the true universal church, the church in the wilderness. Read about that church history in Truth Triumphant. The true universal church spanned from the Celtic Isles to Japan and from Central Asia to Ethiopia. This is how Satan’s people work. Names are taken from the true church and placed on those with a different spirit. God’s true people are labeled as heretics and uprooted and that Triple Crown of triumphant is placed on the the head of a man, the man of sin who uprooted the three heretic nations. God has always had a people maligned but united in truth and purpose. He will do the same again! Persecution is right before us.
Shawn Speidel
“I have had the question asked, What do you think of this light that these men are presenting? Why, I have been presenting it to you for the last forty-five years—the matchless charms of Christ. This is what I have been trying to present before your minds. When Brother Waggoner brought out these ideas in Minneapolis, it was the first clear teaching on this subject from any human lips I had heard, excepting the conversations between myself and my husband. I have said to myself, It is because God has presented it to me in vision that I see it so clearly, and they cannot see it because they have never had it presented to them as I have. And when another presented it, every fiber of my heart said, Amen.. “
6LtMs, Ms 5, 1889, par. 38
Please read this beautiful book and let us unitedly say “so be it” with Sister White so that the Loud Cry will go forth!
Waggoner, E. J. (1890) Christ and His Righteousness. Pacific Press Publishing Company, Oakland, Cal..
https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/1290.0
Shawn, wonderfully and truthfully said, I agree with you, and every single SDA should seriously consider that the god proclaimed by the modern SDA, inc., is NOT the God that the founders of this movement worshiped. The modern SDA piously thinks they are “keeping” the 4th commandment, yet they are trampling the 1st!! I don’t know of any evangelical group (while they are certainly trinitarian), that proclaims that the sonship of Christ is a metaphor and not literal. But that is the official theology of the BRI, and it is preached by Adventist superstars and in some of our pulpits. Check it out people. You must research and study these things. Amen and amen.
To follow up on the points expressed by Shawn Speidel and LK above in reference to the GC’s departure from the truth about God to an insultingly ecumenical version of who God is, check out truthmedia.link. There’s a free downloadable book there titled “The TRUE Father, Son and Holy Spirit.” Check out the back cover and the table of contents for a quick summation. You can read for yourself how our leaders at the BRI, at Andrews, at the Review and Herald publishing offices, and even a well-known evangelist cannot defend with “thus saith the Lord” the very doctrine used creedally in Adventism to marginalize or disfellowship believers!
This lawsuit is just one more move toward ecumenicalism, I think. Our corporate church has joined other denominations on that “broad way that leads to destruction.” What an unspeakable tragedy, after such an inspired beginning! Our denomination was given SO MUCH LIGHT! How all heaven must grieve! Hang on, brothers and sisters. It’ll get uglier, and then … eternal peace and joy.
The SDA General Conference has become a modern-day Sanhedrin. They cover-up their bullying lawsuits; the 1000s of abortions performed in SDA hospitals for the
past 50 years for profit; Ellen White’s plagiarism, hypocrisy in meat eating, false visions (like the Chicago fiasco claiming that Dr. Kellogg was building expensive medical
buildings when it never happened despite “being shown” that it did, and more.) The SDA GC, White Estate, Biblical Research Institute, and President Ted Wilson will
never respond to belief challenges, the abortion problem, and appeals to confess and repent of their nonsense. And yet they continue their boasting to be God’s
remnant church and commandment-keepers! (Do they think that abortions are holy when performed in SDA hospitals? Does their behavior glorify God? What light
are they projecting to the world in all this nonsense? Do they really want Jesus to return during their current drama?) Jesus is knocking on the door of the SDA GC and
when they look out through the peep hole they see a man with long hair and a beard wearing a robe and sandals, they think it is a hippy from Woodstock! Sad but
true. The old Sanhedrin never repented and continued business as usual after Jesus’ death and resurrection. Can we expect less from the modern-day Sanhedrin?
The Seventh-day Adventist General Conference – “Corporation”, no less (“GCC”) – has usurped the Seventh-day Adventist body of Christ just as the Pharisees usurped God’s church 2,000+++ years ago. It became THEIR church after Jesus took God’s church away from them. They had established their own set of rules and Jesus gave them what they deserved – desolation. The same fate will soon befall the GCC, if it hasn’t already. The Son of God did not come to establish a “corporation”.
I am an attorney and former SDA. If anyone here is on contact with the Defendants, please let them know I am willing and able to help however I can. I can be reached at adumas@talentedtenthlaw.com.
What a great post Mr. Dumas! God bless you. C.W. Good
For those who study, they know that the GC is corrupted with wrong sentiments and principles and will be a curse till the end of time!!
Their actions are so against the direct instructions from Scripture, and their actions shows they do not respect the SBvath according to the Ten Commandments, etc etc!!
The Seventh Day Adventist Church and it’s name is apostate. If you’re associated with it at all, you are part of Babylon. Leave as soon as you can – do not tarry! Time is short; heed the call!
Revelation 18:4-5 KJV
[4] And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. [5] For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.
No one has damaged the name Seventh Day Adventist like the conference leaders have. ….From the beginning, when a general conference was formed, they have
deviated from the path of truth and righteousness. They persecuted our prophet, just as ancient Israel did their’s. Now we’re seeing the culmination of years of
apostasy. All the more, should we raise the banner of truth, and hold it high, for our redemption draweth nigh. ..Emmanuel, God with us. He is not with them, He
is with us. He wants His Holy Spirit to be King.
This person Walter “chick” Mcgill has taken a personal interest in this. He would like to help, but needs the names of the defendants in this case.
This is his facebook page..
https://www.facebook.com/walter.mcgill.140
The GCC actions are against the instructions from Scripture.
Berean Free Seventh-day Adventist Church group founded 1916?
https://gafreesda.org/berean-free-sda-church/
Has it started already? Is the scripture fulfilling right before my very eyes?
According to the “prophecy parables” in the Gospels, a little delay happens first on the part of the Lord or bridegroom. After that, the wicked servant begins to beat up the faithful maidens and menservants. At the when this internal fighting is going on, the Master finally arrives.
If the Seventh-day Adventist Church truly is the remnant church as she claims to be, then, the prophetic parables apply to her. There is, therefore, undeniable fulfilment of the prophecy parables on her part. And due also to the fact that part of the prophecy parables includes a shortening of time, we are at the very brink of the time of the Lord’s second Advent.
The second advent must happen anytime starting this very moment.
What means the remnant..?
What folks are not getting clear is that that this new group of free SDAs usurped the history and name from the true and original General Assembly of Free SDA. By associating with them originally, they stole the name from them indicating that they too found some old Berean name somewhere. They are fake and disingenuous.
The SDA denomination has gone the way of the other denominations for the most part, sad to say. They have their 28 published creeds and church manual and persecute any who don’t conform. They have forsaken the one true God of Scripture and have adopted a mystic 3-in-1 being. God and His only begotten Son have been forgotten and in many ways forsaken. The true church of God keeps the commandments of God (the Father) and has the faith of Jesus (the Son of God). The true church does not sue other believers and work with the state to oppress and persecute those who believe different from themselves. God’s true church are the faithful of all ages who live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God and trust fully in the merits of a crucified and risen Saviour, God’s beloved only begotten Son and are guided by the indwelling Spirit of Christ, as were the believers and prophets of old. The time has come to follow Christ and turn from those world loving “churches” that have confused teachings and that persecute others. Like the Jews of old, the SDA’s of today are trusting in the arm of flesh and are despising the truth of God as found in His Word. The “church” of today is following the trail of the serpent. https://thetrailoftheserpent.org — Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
Amen and amen! As the Lord instructs and warns us ‘Come out of her, My people’.
What a sad turn of events. However, on the other hand, there are good news. Christ’s coming is closer, the coming of the Groom is closer and closer. You may be interested in watching the video “The 10 Virgins”. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1nzH9-Ghzw&t=1471s Very, very illuminating 🙂 I encourage you all to watch it, completely. Thank you! May God bless you, and enlighten you as you watch and consider the questions and answers of this video. Thank you for allowing me to share it.
Herbert W Armstrong trademarked the name World Wide Church of God. After his death, His personally appointed successor and others repudiated most of his distinct doctrines, including the Sabbath. At this point about 60% of the members left, splintering into several different groups. The main group refused to let them continue to use the name World Wide Church of God even though they no longer used it!
This should be a warning to SDA’s
If the case against Pastor Herbert gets tried in the court of public opinion, it could stir up a lot of controversy in time of Identity Politics. How will it look for a large, relatively rich denomination take to court a poor small mostly black church to get sued over a fraudulently obtained trademark?
There are several groups that the Corporation won’t touch because it knows the fraud will come out and it will lose.
If the church actually lived up to it’s Heavenly mandate, it would bear the reproach of Christ and wouldn’t need to defend it’s “good name” in worldly courts
About 10 years ago, I fellowshipped at a church in Florida that shifted to a very liberal agenda. A new pastor with and outside doctorate was assigned to the church. He later left the church entirely. The church split 3 ways along ethnic and cultural lines as well as doctrinal issues such as Spiritual Formation. Most of the older, wealthier members left. The conference, rather insensitively tried to get them to rejoin the main church as it could hardly pay for it’s new building. One group at the other edge of the city eventually received company status. The other group got Cease and Desist letters. At my suggestion they joined the General Assembly of Free SDA’s and so far nothing more has been done against them.
When believers go to unbelievers for judgement they have committed a great sin against righteousness.
1Co 6:5 KJV I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?
1Co 6:6 KJV But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.
1Co 6:7 KJV Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?
1Co 6:8 KJV Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.
Their rejection of knowledge will cause their destruction.
Hos 4:6 KJV My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
I thank God for steering me away from Adventists 50 years ago.
Brother I pray the Lord steers you back to Adventism. You shouldn’t let what our fellow brethren of the SDA faith say or do to drive us away from the church. Remember this is the last church! ( Laodecia). This is where the wheat and tares will grow until the day of harvest!
Understand fully your not wanting anything to do with the GC churches – I hope it didn’t steer you away from the Adventist Message, however, for that is the only Truth. They’re not worth sacrificing your chance at eternal life with the Saviour – you just need to realise this is all prophesied and only those who cling to Jesus and His instructions to us by His Word and the Spirit of Prophecy, will survive it.
Understand fully your not wanting anything to do with the GC churches – I hope it didn’t steer you away from the Adventist Message, however, for that is the only Truth. They’re not worth sacrificing your chance at eternal life with the Saviour – you just need to realise this is all prophesied and only those who cling to Jesus and His instructions to us by His Word and the Spirit of Prophecy, will survive it.
This Lawsuit, as terrible as it is, is just another step downward in the ‘Omega of apostasy’. I think it’s important to thoroughly realize, in this late hour, that — ” NOTHING will be able to stand in the way of the New Movement (False reformation)”. Indeed, for the most part, and increasingly, the GC is not tolerating any sincere and bold attempt from anyone to truly preach the message! It just keeps getting worse.
Andy are there any updates on this litigation?
They settled the case with both sides coming to an agreement. The General Conference stipulates that the Free SDA has to use a tag line in their name that says that they are not associated with the GC.