Core Teachings of the 1888 Message: Justification by Faith

The core of the 1888 message was the presentation of justification by faith in the context of the third angel's message, identifying Christ's imputed righteousness as the only basis for our acceptance by God and the essential power for true obedience Revelation 14:12GP 112.3+2.

The Revelation of Christ’s Righteousness

The primary teaching emphasized by Ellen G. White was the "righteousness of Christ," which she identified as the third angel's message in verityRH April 1, 1890, par. 7+1. She taught that:

• The message was sent to bring the uplifted Saviour more prominently before the world as the sacrifice for sinARSH January 9, 1900, page 24.10.

• Righteousness is not achieved by obeying commandments through human effort alone, but is the priceless gift of Christ's own righteousness imparted to the helpless human agentGP 112.3+1.

• This truth was intended to rescue the gospel from being buried beneath the rubbish of formality and legalism8MR 277.3+1.

• True faith is a "faith that works by love and purifies the soul," leading to perfect obedience to the law of God through the strength of the Divine Redeemer Galatians 5:6ST May 19, 1890, par. 10.

The Nature of Faith and the Law

E. J. Waggoner focused heavily on the relationship between the law and the gospel, particularly in the books of Romans and GalatiansPTUK October 11, 1894, page 643.4+1. His core teachings included:

• Justification by Faith Alone: He maintained that since the law is universal and all are guilty, no one can obtain righteousness through its works, but only through faith in the blood of Christ Romans 3:28PTUK October 11, 1894, page 643.4+1.

• The Power of God in the Gospel: Waggoner taught that redemption is essentially creation; the same power that made the worlds works in men to save and sanctify them 1 Corinthians 1:24PTUK May 18, 1893, page 149.4.

• Christ in the Law: He emphasized that the law is "spiritual" and "alive," and that a person is made a doer of the law only when Christ dwells in them, working His own righteousness Romans 8:3-4PTUK October 11, 1894, page 643.4+1.

• The Inheritance: He taught that the promise made to Abraham of the land of Canaan was actually a promise of the whole earth, to be inherited through the righteousness of faith Romans 4:13EVCO 88.1+1.

The Third Angel’s Message and the Living Word

A. T. Jones emphasized that the 1888 message was the beginning of the "latter rain" and the "loud cry" which lightens the earth with glory Revelation 18:1GCB/GCDB 1893, page 243.9. His teachings focused on:

• Absolute Sufficiency of Faith: Jones taught that faith alone sets us in the right way and keeps us in the right way, and that the power to fulfill the law is found in the faith itself, received as a free giftARSH November 14, 1899, page 737.3+1.

• The Unity of Law and Faith: He insisted that one cannot truly preach the commandments of God without the faith of Jesus, nor the faith of Jesus without the commandments Revelation 14:12ARSH June 20, 1899, page 392.6.

• Liberty from Bondage: He demonstrated that seeking justification by law is a return to the flesh and results in being "dead to God," whereas justification by faith makes the believer alive unto God Galatians 2:19-21ARSH October 17, 1899, page 668.8.

• The Practicality of Righteousness: He simplified the definition of righteousness as "doing the right thing instead of the wrong thing" through the living presence of Jesus ChristGCDB March 4, 1897, page 253.2+1.

Summary of the Shared Message

Together, these teachers presented a unified front against legalism, asserting that the only security against sin is to keep oneself under the molding influence of the Holy SpiritCT 488.1. They taught that we continually need the covering of Christ's righteousness for the present, not just for the sins of the pastGP 112.3. This message was intended to prepare a people for the judgment by bringing their lives into perfect harmony with the law of God through the faith of Jesus Revelation 14:12ARSH January 9, 1900, page 24.5+1.