Adventistische Schriften über: "Is baptism recommended for non‑vegans in the Adventist Church?"

The writings of Ellen G. White make clear that the consumption of meat should never be made a condition for baptism or fellowship (a so‑called “test of fellowship”). While a plant‑based diet is presented as ideal and health‑promoting for God’s people, it is emphasized that one must be loving and patient toward new converts and people in difficult life circumstances. The decision for baptism should be based on a heartfelt conversion, whereas health reform is an ongoing process of education and personal conviction. ### No condition for fellowship >

»We should not make the enjoyment of meat foods a test for fellowship, but we should consider the influence that professing believers who eat meat have on others. ... I have been instructed that meat foods tend to harden nature, rob men and women of the love and sympathy they should feel for everyone, and give lower passions control over the higher powers of the being.«

1 - Ellen Gould White, Shall We Use Flesh Foods? (SUFF 5.8)

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### No extreme standards in the test >

»In her 1909 statement she makes clear that “we must not make the use of meat foods a test for fellowship.” She never at any time, even remotely, proposed such an extreme stance. Instead, she acknowledged that a strictly vegetarian diet was not always a practical possibility in all parts of the world.«

2 - Ellen G. White Estate, A Critique of the Book Prophetess of Health (CBPH 81.17)

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### Consideration of circumstances and poverty >

»I have never felt it my duty to say that no one should ever eat meat under any circumstances. To say that when people are so accustomed to living on meat would be to take things to an extreme. ... I feel sincere compassion for families who are newly converted and suffer such poverty that they do not know where their next meal will come from. It is not my duty to give them lectures on healthy eating.«

3 - Ellen Gould White, Counsels on Diet and Foods (CD 463.1)

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### Instruction before baptism >

»The testing of discipleship is not applied as strictly as it should be to those who apply for baptism. It should be clear whether they merely adopt the name of Seventh‑Day Adventists or whether they take a stand on the Lord’s side. ... One area where the newly baptized need instruction is the topic of clothing. ... In most cases, submission to the requirements of the gospel will demand a decisive change in dress.«

4 - Ellen Gould White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6 (6T 95.2)

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