Understanding the One Fold in John 10:16

John 10:16

16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

Yes, both Adventists and non-Adventists compose the one fold mentioned in John 10:16 as this "one fold" represents the unified body of all true believers from every nation and denomination who hear and obey the voice of the Good Shepherd John 10:16PTUK August 1, 1895, page 484.4+1.

🐑 The Composition of the One Fold

The Lord has a deep, earnest interest in those who are currently outside the immediate Seventh-day Adventist communionCCh 313.3+1. This fold is composed of several groups:

• Other Denominations: There are many faithful "shepherds of the flock" and ministers in other churches for whom Christ is interceding and whom He wants to saveCCh 313.3+2.

• The Scattered Gentiles: The sheep belonging to Christ are not only of the Jewish fold but include the scattered sheep of the GentilesLTJMB4 122.3.

• Israel in a Spiritual Sense: All sheep whom the Savior finds and brings back are considered part of the "one fold" of Israel, which is the church that has been "called out" from the worldPTUK August 1, 1895, page 484.4+1.

• The Unity of All Believers: When Christ’s work is completed, He will take the Jews out of their special fold and lead the Gentiles to equality of faith and privileges, making of both one flockLTJMB4 122.3+2.

🌟 The Mission of Gathering

The work of gathering souls into this fold is a shared responsibility for all who love GodPH007 14.1+1.

• Laboring for Others: We are called to manifest compassion for the erring and to labor earnestly for the ministers and members of other churches so they may obtain immortality through faith and obedienceCCh 313.3+1.

• Reaching the Lost: True missionary spirit is a desire to lead those wandering in the wilderness of sin back to the fold of ChristHS 288.5+1.

• The Power of Unity: The unity of Christ’s followers is the "badge of their discipleship" and the primary evidence that convinces the world of God's loveRH July 21, 1903, par. 10.

🛡️ Characteristics of the Fold and its Shepherd

The "one fold" is not a physical location but a spiritual condition of being under the care of the only true Door, Jesus ChristDA 477.3.

• One Shepherd: There will be a perfect theocracy when there is but one fold and one Shepherd, and the will of God is done in all the earth as it is in heavenAMS July 29, 1897, page 470.3.

• Hearing the Voice: The essential characteristic of the sheep in this fold is that they hear, recognize, and follow the voice of the Good Shepherd while fleeing from the voice of strangers John 10:3-5LTJMB4 122.3+1.

• A Shared Heritage: All who receive the doctrine of the Lord’s coming and embrace the truth become, by "gentle necessity," the lambs of one flock under the Chief ShepherdHST November 1, 1840, page 117.1+1.

The glorious consummation of the gospel is reached when all believers, regardless of their past background, become one flock and one Shepherd John 10:16LTJMB4 122.3.