p. 199 | A QUESTION

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 2, 1867

A QUESTION.

By William Rogers; John Norton Loughborough

Being an anxious inquirer after truth, I am solicitous for information in regard to the following question: and perhaps by giving the desired information publicity through the Review, the effect may be to allay anxiety on the minds of others on the same subject. The circumstances causing the question are these: In 1831 I was connected with the Disciple church, and after having been a member of good standing a few years was ordained an elder. In 1853 I embraced the Advent doctrine under the teaching of Geo. Storrs. In the year 1859 I embraced the Sabbath, acting also in the capacity of elder. Now the question arises: After having administered the ordinance of baptism to a number of persons, as a fully ordained elder, under these different organizations, is it to be considered as fulfilling the requirements of the gospel or not? WILLIAM ROGERS.

ANSWER.

This question was once considered in General Conference, and referred to the Gen. Conf. Committee, who responded by letter to the parties inquiring, that it was their opinion that those who had labored as ordained elders, or ministers in other denominations, were not qualified, by virtue of that ordination, to officiate among us until they were ordained according to the usages of Seventh-day Adventists. As to those who have been baptized by you among the S. D. Adventists, if they are satisfied with their baptism, we see no reason for their being baptized again, as they probably went forward in all good faith, supposing there was no question as to the authority of the administrator to officiate. J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.