What does Ellen White write about...
Adventistische Schriften über: "Handling confidential information about sins before baptism"
Answer
The handling of confidential confessions before baptism requires great caution so as not to bring God's cause into disrepute. It is emphasized that private sins that concern only God should be known only to Him, while sins against fellow humans must be personally reconciled. Confidential information about shameful acts should never be made public, but presented only to a selected circle of responsible persons.
Handling confidential sin confessions
»God is better honored when we confess the secret, innate corruption of the heart to Jesus alone, rather than opening its depths to the finite, erring human who cannot judge righteously unless his heart is constantly filled with the Spirit of God. God knows the heart, even every secret of the soul; therefore do not pour the story that should be heard by God alone into human ears. There are confessions of a kind that should be brought before a selected circle and acknowledged by the sinner in deepest humility. [...] If there are matters of a shameful nature that should be brought before the congregation, then let them be presented to a few suitable persons who have been chosen to hear them, and do not expose the cause of Christ to public shame by spreading the hypocrisy that has existed in the congregation everywhere.«
Private announcement and confidentiality
»If, to prevent suspicion and jealousy, I were to give a full explanation of my actions and make public what should remain private, I would be sinning against God and wronging the individual. I must keep private admonitions of private transgressions to myself, enclosed within my own heart. Let others judge as they will; I will never abuse the trust placed in me by the erring and repentant, nor reveal to others what should be presented only to those who are guilty.«
Requirements for baptism and examination
»The test of discipleship is not applied as strictly as it should be to those who apply for baptism. It should be clarified whether they merely adopt the name of the Seventh-day Adventists or whether they stand on the Lord's side to come out of the world and be set apart... Before baptism, a thorough investigation of the candidates' experience should take place. Do not let this investigation be conducted in a cold and distant manner, but rather with kindness and sensitivity.«
Confession before God and people
»I am instructed to say that there are sins between a person and his God that no other human being need know. When the one on whom such sins rest makes peace with God, the Lord will forgive him... He will then make a confession to his fellow humans if he has wronged them, and when he confesses, God will be merciful and forgive his sin.«
Avoidance of public shame
»It is not your duty to publish a confession that will cause unbelievers to rejoice; rather, confess before those for whom it is appropriate, who will not take advantage of your wrongdoing, according to the Word of God, and let them pray for you, and God will accept your work and heal you.«
Original Sources (English)
Stephan Krol
Founder of EGW Vision
Why I built EGW Vision
Hello, I am Stephan Krol. I started this Ellen White website to make the writings of Ellen G. White and the Adventist pioneers easier to access for everyone.
EGW Vision helps you find topics, statements, and quotes faster, especially when many original sources are not yet fully available in your language. The tool searches semantically, groups relevant content by topic, and presents matching results as clearly as possible in your language.
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