Adventist Identity in Non-Denominational Bible Studies

A Seventh-day Adventist church should prioritize organizing efforts that are distinctly in harmony with the church's mission and the individual accountability of its members to GodWM 144.2+1. While the Lord desires that we help our sisters feel their individual responsibility to Him, this work is most effective when laid out in clear, simple, and definite lines that reflect the specific light given to the remnant churchWM 144.2+2.

The Importance of Distinctive Identity

The Seventh-day Adventist Church occupies a peculiar and exalted position, defined by keeping the commandments of God and having the testimony of Jesus Revelation 14:12PH011 16.1. Mixing this sacred work with a "non-denominational" or worldly policy can be dangerous, as it may lead to the pure principles of truth being overcome by sentiments that do not recognize the specific claims of God's lawSpM 137.5+1.

• Unity in Truth: Truth must stand in its own order and be linked only with other truths7MR 189.3.

• Avoiding Confusion: Adopting a platform that ignores the foundation of the faith can cause the mind to become confused, making it difficult to discern between truth and error7MR 189.3.

• A Call to Separation: The Lord has called a people to live a message that demonstrates the effectiveness of His values for renewal, acting as a "peculiar people" called out of darkness into His marvelous lightPCP 8.1+1.

Focus of Women's Work

The work of helping sisters understand their value and accountability is a good and necessary endeavor that has long been neglectedEv 461.2. However, this work should be conducted in a way that:

• Strengthens Home Duties: Proper instruction leads to home duties being performed more intelligently rather than being neglectedWM 144.2.

• Urges the Worth of Souls: The primary focus should be on the value of the human soul and urging that worth upon those who do not understand itEv 461.2.

• Maintains Divine Standards: Women should be encouraged to walk in the way of good men and keep the paths of the righteous Proverbs 2:20.

The Risk of Independent Movements

Those who start up messages or organizations on their own individual responsibility, or who seek to move in a way that does not give the Seventh-day Adventist Church credit for its principles, are not following the divine planGRC 35.1+1.

• Kingly Power and Order: While no "kingly power" should control the body, responsibilities are distributed among competent men and women to ensure the work is done in an orderly manner8T 236.3.

• Pressing Together: The burden of the message for this time is the unity of the church, symbolized by the call to "press together" in union2TT 360.3.

• Counseling Together: In the work of laborers, there should be a counseling together rather than striking out on independent judgmentMR311 20.3.

Ultimately, every Seventh-day Adventist church exists to represent the whole gospel as given in the third angel’s messageARSH February 10, 1903, page 13.8. Therefore, any Bible study or missionary effort should be conducted under the banner of the truth that has made us who we are, ensuring that the "candlestick" of the church is not removed due to a lack of godliness or a departure from a plain "Thus saith the Lord"SpM 137.5+1. Rather than seeking a non-denominational path, we are encouraged to search for wisdom as for hid treasures, for then we shall find the knowledge of God Proverbs 2:4-5.