1. Adventism believes Ellen White exercised the divine gift of prophecy and that she was raised up by God to guide the development of the SDA Movement.

...the church leaders from the first have accepted this heavenly light that God has caused to shine upon their pathway. One reason we have prospered is that we have had this divine guidance, which we have tried to follow faithfully ... Seventh-day Adventists believe that Mrs. Ellen G. White exercised the true prophetic gift. They believe that God graciously spoke to her in divine revelations, and that through her He sent inspired messages to His church  (Ellen G. White and the S.D.A. Church, p. 2).

Is it not a solemn thought that the Spirit of Prophecy books on the shelves of your home contain the revelations of God?  (Prophetic Guidance, Test Questions Sheet for Lesson 4).

The divine inspiration [of the Bible and of the writings of White] is the same in both cases. But the product given by inspiration in each case is to serve its distinct purpose or function. ... The Holy Spirit that inspired Moses, Paul, and John, also inspired Sister White. The inspiration of the prophets is one thing  (The Spirit of Prophecy Treasure Chest, p. 30).

In the providence of God, Ellen G. White was given the role of prophetic messenger to the Advent people. The visions given to her at night were prophetic dreams, divinely inspired and of similar nature to those that came to the prophets of old  (Ibid., p. 29).

"Ellen White, as an inspired commentator, was instructed to say ... In her published writings are to be found thousands of such comments on the Holy Scriptures. Her writings are regarded by thousands as an inspired commentary. While Ellen Harmon was called to her work as a mere youth in her teens, she was commanded by her Saviour: `Exhort from the word. I will make My word open to you. It shall not be as a strange language. In the true eloquence of simplicity with voice and pen, the messages that I give shall be heard from one who has never learned in the schools. My Spirit and My power shall be with you.' There is an inexhaustible treasure of exhibits to illustrate the function of God's modern messenger as an inspired commentator on the Bible (Ellen G. White and the S.D.A. Church, pp. 37-39).

She wrote in 1906 ... He instructed me ... Never deviate from the truth under any circumstances. Give the light I shall give you. The messages for these last days shall be written in books, and shall stand immortalized...  (Prophetic Guidance, Lesson 13, p. 50).

Through the last half of Mrs. White's life, as she delineated the great controversy story in detail in the five volumes of the Conflict of the Ages series, she was ever mindful that she was writing for the world as well as for the church  (Prophetic Guidance, Lesson 13, p. 50).

'We recognize that the principles set forth in the Spirit of Prophecy writings do not change with the passage of the years, that time and trial have not made void the instruction given,' and `the instruction that was given in the early days of the message is to be held as safe instruction to follow in these its closing days'  (Treasure Chest, p. 125).

Ellen White declared, `Little heed is given to the Bible, and the Lord has given a lesser light to lead men and women to the greater light' (Colporteur Ministry, p. 125).
... So it is with the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy  (The Spirit of Prophecy Treasure Chest, p. 30).

The Ellen G. White books have been likened also to a telescope which greatly enlarges the vision of God's plans as revealed in His word. A telescope does not put more stars in the sky, but merely helps us see more clearly those that are already there  (Ellen G. White and the S.D.A. Church, p. 34).

G.I. Butler, president of the General Conference for twelve years while Mrs. White was living, correctly expressed the faith of Adventists: `Instead of our setting up these visions above and outside of the Scriptures as another rule of authority ... we claim that none can really take the Bible and fairly apply its teachings without accepting these visions as from God. ... Those who stand on the Bible and the Bible alone, are bound to receive the Bible teaching on spiritual gifts, including the gift of prophecy in the remnant church'  (Ellen G. White and the S.D.A. Church, pp. 34-35).

These messages, we believe, should be faithfully followed by every believer. Next to the Bible, and in connection with it, they should be read and studied. They throw a floodlight upon the Sacred record (Prophetic Guidance, Lesson 16, p. 60).

God's blessing upon you will be in proportion to your belief in and loyalty to the instruction He has sent to guide and guard His people. How abundantly the Lord can and does bless those who wholeheartedly accept the counsels given...  (Prophetic Guidance, Lesson 18, p. 17).

To all who have stood in the way of the Testimonies, I would say, God has given a message to His people and His voice will be heard, whether you hear or forbear. Your opposition has not injured me; but you must give an account to the God of heaven, who has sent these warnings and instruction to keep His people in the right way...  (Ellen White, Ibid., p. 71).

Consistency calls for acceptance of the Spirit of Prophecy writings as a whole. We cannot justify accepting part and rejecting part. For example, to accept one of Mrs. White's books of a devotional character while questioning what she has written on doctrine, morals, or health standards, is really accepting one part and rejecting another  (Prophetic Guidance, Lesson 18, p. 70).

...in the providence of God, Ellen G. White was given the role of prophetic messenger to the Advent people. ... Several other persons in the history of the Seventh-day Adventist Church have claimed prophetic inspiration, but none has given satisfactory evidence that he has received instruction from God  (The Spirit of Prophecy Treasure Chest, p. 29).

Included in Mrs. White's biography, Messenger to the Remnant, are six pages of testimonies from various witnesses to Mrs. White's visions. These are expressly included in the biography to help establish confidence in the divine origin of the visions through presentation of the strange phenomena surrounding the visions. Some of these testimonies are descriptions of medical examinations which were conducted during Mrs. White's vision experiences. Such testimonies place a large emphasis upon the supposed fact that Mrs. White did not breathe during her vision experiences.

General Phenomena

For about four or five seconds she seems to drop down like a person in a swoon, or one having lost his strength; she then seems to be instantly filled with super-human strength, sometimes rising at once to her feet and walking about the room. There are frequent movements of the hands and arms, pointing to the right or left as her head turns. All these movements are made in a most graceful manner. In whatever position the hand or arm may be placed, it is impossible for anyone to move it. Her eyes are always open, but she does not wink; her head is raised, and she is looking upward, not with a vacant stare, but with a pleasant expression, only differing from the normal in that she appears to be looking intently at some distant object  (Messenger to the Remnant, p. 22).

M. G. Kellogg, M.D. ... I am quite certain that she did not breathe at that time while in vision, nor in any of several others which she has had when I was present. ... A lighted candle was held close to her eyes, which were wide open; not a muscle of the eye moved. He then examined her in regard to her pulse, and also in regard to her breathing, and there was no respiration  (Messenger to the Remnant, pp. 22-23).

As they closed this part of the examination, she arose to her feet, still in vision, holding a Bible high up, turning from passage to passage, quoting correctly, although her eyes were looking upward and away from the book ... while in vision, Ellen Harmon stepped over to a bureau upon which rested the large volume (18.5> pound family Bible), picked it up, placed it on her left hand, and then, extending it at arm's length, held the closed book with ease for half an hour ... Under ordinary circumstances she was unable to pick up this book, for she was in frail health and at that time weighed only eighty pounds. She was in no way fatigued by the experience (Messenger to the Remnant, p.23).
 

1. Mrs. White taught doctrines which deviate from New Testament Revelation (Ro. 16:17,18; Is. 8:20).

The fact that a group holds many true doctrines does not mean we are to overlook its heresy. False imitations of Christianity have always been characterized by a mixture of truth and error. The Galatians heretics were probably orthodox in most of their doctrines. They were probably right about the Trinity and the Resurrection and Inspiration, but the fact that they added to Paul's inspired gospel brought upon them a divine curse. The Galatian heretics were all the more dangerous because of their seeming orthodoxy in most areas.

It is true that Ellen White contended for the Trinity and the deity of Christ and the inspiration of the Scriptures and for other sound doctrines. Yet her deviation in many points from N.T. revelation identifies her and her followers as heretics which Paul warned of in Romans 16. He taught that such "serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly." No matter how good and sincere they might seem, revelation warns us of their true inward condition before God. Doctrine tells the tale, and we must accept the Apostle's warning by faith.

Ro. 16:17 warns us to mark and avoid those who cause divisions contrary to the doctrine which we have learned. Seventh-day Adventism causes division contrary to many of the teachings given by the Apostles in the inspired Scripture. They cause divisions contrary to the apostolic doctrine of death, to the apostolic doctrine of sabbath-keeping, to the apostolic doctrine of Hell, to the apostolic doctrine of the ministry of Christ during this present age, to the apostolic doctrine of the Mosaic law, to the apostolic doctrine of the woman's place in the church, to the apostolic doctrine of the last days.

2. The true prophetic gift guaranteed infallible revelation.

Even though, as we have seen, Adventism has a very high regard for Mrs. White's visions and writings, it does not claim that her prophetic utterances are perfectly infallible and without error. To teach this would be folly in face of the fact that Ellen White's writings and recorded visions contained human error. In fact, portions of her writings were found to have been plagiarized. Adventists defend Mrs. White's visions and writings as revelation, but not as infallible and absolutely perfect.
This is a distinction the Bible does not allow. Being from God, the prophecies received would have to be infallible. No middle ground is allowed. Prophetical writings cannot be only partially inspired. They are either wholly inspired, or they are not inspired at all. Any deviation from truth, any failure in prediction, marks the prophet as false (De. 18:21,22).

3. Mrs. White's visions encouraged twisted views of Scripture to suit SDA doctrine.

The verses offered by Adventist teachers as proof texts for doctrines such as Investigative Judgment or Sabbath-keeping in the church age in no way do so. No one studying these verses alone would come to the strange ideas that the Adventists find in them. How, then, do they come to these conclusions? The peculiar doctrines of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination were often developed through the visions of Ellen White. The perversions of Scripture were encouraged by Ellen White's visions and interpretations. The following quote of Ellen White confirms this suspicion:

Many of our people do not realize how firmly the foundation of our faith has been laid. My husband, Elder Joseph Bates, Father Pierce, Elder Edson, and others who were keen, noble, and true, were among those who, after the passing of time in 1844, searched for the truth as for hidden treasure. I met with them, and we studied and prayed earnestly. Often we remained together until late at night, and sometimes through the entire night, praying for light and studying the Word.

Again and again these brethren came together to study the Bible in order that they might know its meaning, and be prepared to teach it with power. When they came to the point in their study where they said, `We can do nothing more,' the Spirit of the Lord would come upon me, I would be taken off in vision, and a clear explanation of the passages we had been studying would be given me, with instruction as to how we were to labor and teach effectively.

Thus light was given that helped us to understand the Scriptures in regard to Christ, His mission, and His priesthood. A line of truth extending from that time to the time when we shall enter the city of God, was made plain to me, and I gave to others the instruction that the Lord had given me.

During this whole time I could not understand the reasoning of the brethren. My mind was locked, as it were, and I could not comprehend the meaning of the scriptures we were studying. This was one of the greatest sorrows of my life. I was in this condition of mind until all the principal points of our faith were made clear to our minds, in harmony with the word of God. The brethren knew that when not in vision, I could not understand these matters, and they accepted as light direct from heaven the revelations given (Messenger to the Remnant, pgs. 38-39, quoting Ellen G. White Special Testimony, Series B, No. 2, pp. 56-57).

4. Women are not to teach nor usurp authority over men.

God calls men, not women, to lead the churches. "Let the women learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence" (1 Ti. 2:11-12). See also 1 Co. 14:34-35. Ellen white lived in direct opposition to these commands. Not only did she guide in the development of SDA doctrine, but she was also a leading voice in the development of all SDA organization and practices. She maintained a diligent public speaking ministry, addressing large mixed crowds of men and women, frequently even addressing, teaching, and guiding groups composed mostly of men. Surely the Lord would not operate contrary to His revealed will.

5. The true prophetic gift was to cease when its purposes for this age were fulfilled.

"Charity never faileth: but WHETHER THERE BE PROPHECIES, THEY SHALL FAIL; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away" (1 Co. 13:8-10).

The context of 1 Corinthians 13 concerns spiritual gifts. The entire section from chapter 12 to 14 deals with this subject. 1 Co. 13:8-10 refers to the revelation gifts of prophecy, knowledge, and tongues, through which God spoke to the early churches. These gifts were to pass away upon completion of their divine purpose, just as many other elements of God's program for the ages have passed away upon expiration of their intended usages.

1 Co. 13:8 promises that "prophecies ... shall fail." Now, we know that the sure Word of Prophecy contained in the Bible will never fail. It was the gift of prophecy that would fail, or pass away. Again, verse eight says "knowledge ... shall vanish away." Surely it is obvious that knowledge in general shall never cease. It is the gift of knowledge that is transitory. The gift of knowledge shall and has vanished away with the completion of the N.T. Scriptures.

Similarly, 1 Co. 13:8 states that "tongues ... shall cease." Will tongues as such ever cease? Of course not. It is the gift of tongues that will cease. The question asked at this point is, "It seems clear that at some point prophecy will cease to be given, but at what point in history?" The answer is found in Ep. 3:20. This verse classes the prophets together with the Apostles and says they were foundation gifts to the church. They laid the foundation. They established the first churches, spread the gospel across the civilized world, and wrote the N.T. Scriptures. Their job was then complete. The foundation was firmly laid, and they were no longer needed. Just as there are no Apostles today, in the early church sense, there are also no prophets today in the sense of those who possess gifts of receiving and imparting revelation. "Prophecy" has, in this sense, "failed."

Ellen White did not receive the N.T. gift of prophecy, not only because her supposed gift operated contrary to revelation, but because that gift ceased with the passing of the Apostles and the early prophets who laid the church's foundation. There exists no further need of such gift, since revelation for this age is complete in the Bible.

6. Revelation for this present age is complete and not to be added to.

...ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was ONCE DELIVERED unto the saints  (Jude 3).

For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book  (Re. 22:18-19).

The faith has been delivered once for all to the saints. It is not to be added to or tampered with; it is to be contended for. The Holy Spirit has given everything needed to make the man of God perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works  (2 Ti. 3:16,17). This refers to the completed Scriptures, and a seal has been placed in the last chapter of the Book, warning all men against claiming to have some new or fresh word from God (Re. 22:18-19).

There is no doubt that Ellen White's visions added to the prophecies contained in the Bible. As such, they fly in the face of God's warning in Revelation 22. The idea that the apostolic gift of prophecy has remained operative after the completion of the Scriptures has wrought error in every group which has promoted it. To teach that there is still a purpose for the divine gift of prophecy and that the Scriptures are not sufficient for life, practice, and doctrine is to open the door to Satanic deception. It seems that those who refuse to accept the Scriptures as the final Word of God for this age, as the  faith once delivered unto the saints, find themselves receiving yet another word through erroneous visions and prophecies. Seventh-day Adventism is the product of this error.