Chapter 5—Investigation of New Light
Not to Be Suspected—When a doctrine is presented that does not
meet our minds, we should go to the word of God, seek the Lord in
prayer, and give no place for the enemy to come in with suspicion
and prejudice. We should never permit the spirit to be manifested that
arraigned the priests and rulers against the Redeemer of the world.
They complained that He disturbed the people, and they wished He
would let them alone; for He caused perplexity and dissension. The
Lord sends light to us to prove what manner of spirit we are of. We
are not to deceive ourselves.
In 1844, when anything came to our attention that we did not
understand, we kneeled down and asked God to help us take the right
position; and then we were able to come to a right understanding and
see eye to eye. There was no dissension, no enmity, no evil-surmising,
no misjudging of our brethren. If we but knew the evil of the spirit of
intolerance, how carefully would we shun it!—
Gospel Workers, 301,
302
(1915).
The Test of New Light—Our brethren should be willing to in-
vestigate in a candid way every point of controversy. If a brother is
teaching error, those who are in responsible positions ought to know
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it; and if he is teaching truth, they ought to take their stand at his side.
We should all know what is being taught among us; for if it is truth, we
need it. We are all under obligation to God to know what He sends us.
He has given directions by which we may test every doctrine,—“To
the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word,
it is because there is no light in them.” If the light presented meets this
test, we are not to refuse to accept it because it does not agree with our
ideas.—
Gospel Workers, 300, 301
.
Examination of New Views—Truth is eternal, and conflict with
error will only make manifest its strength. We should never refuse
to examine the Scriptures with those who, we have reason to believe,
desire to know what is truth as much as we do. Suppose a brother held
a view that differed from yours, and he should come to you, proposing
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