Is the GC still our authority on earth?

[Tammy]

I have been discovering some things about the GC that is news to me.  I'm not referring just to WO, so read beyond this particular paragraph.  Prior to this I have been quoting Ellen White where she says that when the GC is in session with delegates from around the world, we should abide by their decisions (to that effect from 9T).  So I have thought all along that the GC was against women pastors and the NAD is going against them.  Then I find out that the GC is OK with commissioned women pastors, it's just the ordaining of them.  It doesn't seem that a commissioned woman pastor is in line with what the Bible teaches about God's order of things.  Wouldn't they still have authority over the elders in the church?

Then I was listening to David Gates, who I consider to be a credible source, and he's saying that several of our unions have signed some document with the Catholic church agreeing not to say anything against other churches, so therefore we can't really give the 3 Angels Messages.  And have read other things even more shocking, but not sure how reliable the websites.

Then I'm learning of other places where she says that the GC is no longer the voice of God or something like that.  Anybody know of the different quotes and when they were written and where we are at today.  Do we still pay our tithe like usual and let God take care of it?  Or do we pay our tithe to a ministry that we feel is more in line with the Bible?

Then I read where Ellen White said that God allows "apostasies to take place in order to show how little dependence can be placed in man."  Guess that is what it's doing for me, for sure!  Because before I had total faith in the GC when in session.

[newbie]

still give your tithe because it is a command of God...  give and let God take care of it

GC is not always right...trust in the Word of God....

[Tammy]

My question on tithe was not whether to pay it or not, but rather where.

[Listen]

Do you read the articles and comments on the Fulcrum7 website?  You will find information there.  And you can ask questions.

[Raven]

Then I read where Ellen White said that God allows "apostasies to take place in order to show how little dependence can be placed in man."  Guess that is what it's doing for me, for sure!  Because before I had total faith in the GC when in session.

It's a complicated issue.  The bottom line is that present truth is still valid.  Whatever is done at the GC level does not change any particle of the pillars of our faith.  Even if at the next GC Session it was voted to allow the ordination of women, it would not force any local church to do so.  There is a statement in the SOP (and I always have trouble finding it) to the effect that if things need adjusting at "the head of the work" (I believe that's how it's phrased), God will take care of it.

As for the heresies that have come it, the SOP is clear that this is part of the Shaking.  "God will arouse His people; if other means fail, heresies will come in among them, which will sift them, separating the chaff from the wheat."  5T 707.  Tris is exactly what we've been seeing over the past 50 years or so.  It is the tares that are shaken out, not the wheat.

As for tithe, one must do what their conscience tells them, but I'm not comfortable sending my tithe anywhere else.  I put it in the offering plate at my local church.  I can't know where every penny goes, but God will deal with those who dare to misuse it.

[Listen]

There are and have been too many leaders and laity that have/are/will make bad decisions.  Just because people are in leadership positions does not make them infallible.  We are told in SoP that many members and leaders have not been converted.  We were told that apostasy will take place.  Even with all the negative happening this still applies. "Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him  1 Kings 19:18."

Even if the SdA message were to be repudiated (and it is is some parts of the church) does not make it a false message.  The faithful need to go forward with what God's will is for them.

[Tammy]

Just because people are in leadership positions does not make them infallible. 

I agree.  But what about the GC when it's in session with delegates from all over the world?

[Tammy]

GC is not always right...

What exactly do you know that they have not been right about and how did you find out about it?

[newbie]

where did the widow with 2 mites give?

[Tammy]

where did the widow with 2 mites give?

Good point.

[Listen]

But what about the GC when it's in session with delegates from all over the world?

I am not aware of any errors coming out of the GC world sessions.  The errors and wrong actions I am aware of have been done by lower level groups or by individual persons. 

I will repeat what Raven said "As for tithe, one must do what their conscience tells them".  Some people live in areas that the conference and many churches are not believing/preaching/living the SdA message.  Their conscience may tell them something different than the next person. 

[Tammy]

I am not aware of any errors coming out of the GC world sessions. 

So do you think, then, that commissioned women pastors is supported by scripture?

[Listen]

Did that come out of the world church session or a spring or autumn council? 

[Tammy]

Did that come out of the world church session or a spring or autumn council?

I understand that women elders came out of an annual council meeting, but I don't know about commissioned pastors.

[V. Hahn]

Tammy, I wish I had more time to answer your questions, but here are a few thoughts...

Here may be the quote you are referencing (published in 1909):

General Conference in Session Highest Authority—I have often been instructed by the Lord that no man’s judgment should be surrendered to the judgment of any other one man. Never should the mind of one man or the minds of a few men be regarded as sufficient in wisdom and power to control the work, and to say what plans should be followed. But when, in a General Conference, the judgment of the brethren assembled from all parts of the field, is exercised, private independence and private judgment must not be stubbornly maintained, but surrendered. Never should a laborer regard as a virtue the persistent maintenance of his position of independence, contrary to the decision of the general body .... God has ordained that the representatives of His church from all parts of the earth, when assembled in a General Conference, shall have authority. The error that some are in danger of committing, is in giving to the mind and judgment of one man, or of a small group of men, the full measure of authority and influence that God has vested in His church, in the judgment and voice of the General Conference assembled to plan for the prosperity and advancement of His work.—Testimonies for the Church 9:260, 261. {ChL 1.8}

As for tithe, think about what Jesus said about it.  He praised the widow and her mite given at the temple, even though he knew that the church at the time was corrupt.  This article might help:  http://www.adventistsaffirm.org/article/177/previous-issues/volume-20-number-2/in-search-of-the-storehouse

There is so much misinformation floating around these days, so much confusion.  This is as Satan wants it.  Yesterday I heard a few sermons that contained many veiled insinuations that could cause distrust in the Adventist church and her messenger.  If I hadn't been somewhat informed on what he was referencing, I'm pretty sure it would have caused me serious concern.  It was very subtle.

Without the Holy Spirit's help...without a close walk with Jesus...we are sitting ducks for Satan's ploys.  May we keep our eyes on Jesus and pray like never before.