Nature and Influence of the “Testimonies”
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individuals I have been influenced to write as I did by letters received
from members of the church. There have been those who claimed that
testimonies purporting to be given by the Spirit of God were merely
the expression of my own judgment, based upon information gathered
from human sources. This statement is utterly false. If, however,
in response to some question, statement, or appeal from churches or
individuals, a testimony is written presenting the light which God has
given concerning them, the fact that it has been called forth in this
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manner in nowise detracts from its validity or importance. I quote
from Testimony 31 a few paragraphs bearing directly upon this point:
“How was it with the apostle Paul? The news he received through
the household of Chloe concerning the condition of the church at
Corinth was what caused him to write his first epistle to that church.
Private letters had come to him stating the facts as they existed, and
in his answer he laid down general principles which if heeded would
correct the existing evils. With great tenderness and wisdom he exhorts
them to all speak the same things, that there be no divisions among
them.
“Paul was an inspired apostle, yet the Lord did not reveal to him at
all times just the condition of His people. Those who were interested
in the prosperity of the church, and saw evils creeping in, presented the
matter before him, and from the light which he had previously received
he was prepared to judge of the true character of these developments.
Because the Lord had not given him a new revelation for that special
time, those who were really seeking light did not cast his message
aside as only a common letter. No, indeed. The Lord had shown him
the difficulties and dangers which would arise in the churches, that
when they should develop, he might know just how to treat them.
“He was set for the defense of the church. He was to watch for
souls as one that must render account to God, and should he not take
notice of the reports concerning their state of anarchy and division?
Most assuredly; and the reproof he sent them was written just as much
under the inspiration of the Spirit of God as were any of his epistles.
But when these reproofs came, some would not be corrected. They
took the position that God had not spoken to them through Paul, that
he had merely given them his opinion as a man, and they regarded
their own judgment as good as that of Paul. So it is with many among
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our people who have drifted away from the old landmarks and who