p. 10 | Our Experiences in Turkey by Z. G. Baharian

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 25, 1909

Our Experiences in Turkey

By Z. G. Baharian

Z. G. BAHARIAN

It will probably be remembered that in 1904 Satan planned, through the government, to destroy God's work, but did not succeed. God marvelously saved us from jail, and his name was glorified. Satan, seeing that he failed in this, devised another way to cause a complete destruction.

From Egypt he opened the flood-gates of a fantastic heresy. It came suddenly, and professed to be the water of life. As we had always taught our people to try the spirits, everywhere they set themselves to investigate this question. One of our workers gave himself up to it, and began to teach it. Against it we could do nothing but distribute Bible studies on the principles of our message. In a short time the enemy was obliged to give way, because there was no unity among his ranks. Moreover, one believed one thing to-day, and to-morrow another, and in a short time the leader left this heresy, and followed others. When I went to Adrianople last, I found our former worker greatly confounded and ashamed, and willing to stand back on our firm platform. But he would not humiliate himself to confess. He is still opposing the spirit of prophecy, and, consequently, holding himself away from the message.

We do not know what Satan will invent next to turn people from the truth. Let us all earnestly study the principles of the message. Let us open our hearts to the sanctifying power of these principles. Only when we are sanctified through the truth, will it be so dear to our souls that we shall not be willing to change it for other things.

What did we gain in this controversy?—A deeper knowledge of the faith of Jesus. We studied the gospel which showed us that Christ died for our sins; that he was raised up for our justification; that he ascended to the right hand of God, as our Mediator, and as our Judge over the living and the dead; and that he will come again to finish the work of salvation. Belief in these things constitutes the faith of Jesus. This faith was counted righteousness to all believers, and the Holy Spirit was poured upon them. The study of this important subject was a blessing to all our brethren and sisters in this field.

This controversy taught us also the importance of keeping the Testimonies of the Spirit. Before this our people knew very little about the Testimonies, as they are not published in our native languages, yet all believed that these truths have been testified to by the spirit of prophecy. But when a severe attack was made against the spirit of prophecy, they began to doubt, even to that degree that they doubted the whole truth. God marvelously helped us in establishing them in the truth; but we found that in that the future we must carefully teach our people the Testimonies, as far as possible. Let us all appreciate this gift of Christ to us. It is a wonderful help in the study of the Bible, and is an assurance that we have the truth.

Constantinople.