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2012-05-17 20:43Z

[NOTE: When we first saw this, we realized immediately that the Tulsa Three Angel’s Seventh-day Adventist Church had created a path-breaking document. We reproduce it here with their permission for the consideration of all of God’s people in these trying hours. —LK]

Founding Charter

Tulsa’s Newest Seventh-day Adventist Congregation
Established under the authority of the Oklahoma Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

August 29, 2004

Recognizing the call to fulfill God’s great commission in proclaiming the last message of hope to a dying world, we, the undersigned, choose by God’s grace, to humbly step out in faith in forming a new congregation of faithful, loyal Seventh-day Adventists under the full authority and in full cooperation with the Oklahoma Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Sensing that time is short, that the challenges are immense, but that God is about to move with power, we accept the high calling that is set before us and choose to move forward in full cooperation with Him. To this end we wish to set forth the following:

I. Truth is Paramount

  1. By God’s grace, we choose to uplift Jesus Christ in His full splendor and loveliness. This means we will uphold His beautiful character by proclaiming all His teachings from all of Scriptures and from His testimony, the Spirit of Prophecy (Revelation 12:17; 19:10).
    1. The truth as it is in Jesus will be paramount in all church decisions. This means we will dispense with human opinion, human experience, and human scholarship as our ultimate guide. Instead, we will base our decisions prayerfully upon a “plain thus saith the Lord.” The Bible and Spirit of Prophecy in their entirety will be the basis of all decisions ultimately (2 Timothy 3:15-17).
      • We agree with Mrs. White when she says, “I take the Bible just as it is, as the Inspired Word. I believe its utterances in an entire Bible [in full context]” (Selected Messages, p. 17).
      • We agree that the only proper method of interpretation of both the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy is: “The testimonies themselves will be the key that will explain the messages given, as scripture is explained by scripture” (Selected Messages, vol. 1, p. 42; Isaiah 28:10; 2 Timothy 2:15). In other words, let the Bible explain itself.

II. Present Truth our Focus

  1. Knowing that there is much precious truth in Scriptures, we recognize that it is present truth that is needed at this time. We aim to focus attention on that present truth for our time (2 Peter 1:12b). We agree with the following definition of present truth:
    • “There are many precious truths contained in the Word of God, but it is ‘present truth’ that the flock needs now…. Such subjects as (1) the sanctuary, in connection with (2) the 2300 days, (3) the commandments of God and (4) the faith of Jesus, are perfectly calculated to explain the past Advent movement and show what our present position is, establish the faith of the doubting, and give certainty to the glorious future. These, I have frequently seen, were the principal subjects on which the messengers should dwell” (Early Writings, p. 63).
    • The three angel’s messages of Revelation 14.

III. Truth Challenges us to Higher Ground

  1. With God’s help, we will not neglect to walk in the blazing light of truth that He so graciously shines in our pathway. This means that we will study and educate ourselves in His counsels so that we are intelligent in the ways of God to follow Him in all that we do. We accept God’s call to continually come up to higher ground (Habakkuk 3:19).
  2. “But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day” (Proverbs 4:18).
  3. We understand that knowledge, apart from the Source of true knowledge, and apart from true love, serves only to puff up (1 Corinthians 8:1). At the same time, we recognize God’s warning that, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee (Hosea 4:6).

IV. The Truth about Our Purpose

  1. Our purpose as Seventh-day Adventists is to teach, preach, and live the message that will prepare a people to live in the sight of a holy God without an Intercessor (Revelation 22:11; 15:8; The Great Controversy, p. 614); to be translated without seeing death; to meet our soon-coming King; to help vindicate His wonderful character before a watching universe by overcoming as He overcame (Revelation 3:21; Matthew 5:14-16; Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 746; The Desire of Ages, p. 671); to develop characters that reflect the spotless character of Christ (Revelation 14:1, name=character; 19:7-8; Christ’s Object Lesson, p. 310).

V. The True Gospel and Salvation

  1. We reject all forms of “cheap grace”—grace that costs the sinner little. Instead, we recognize that self must die (Roman 6:6; Galatians 2:20) and that a new birth must occur (John 3:3, 5). We understand that “the gospel is the power of God unto salvation” (Romans 1:16); that salvation is a process of separating sin from the sinner (Jesus came to “save us from our sin” Matthew 1:21); that Jesus lives out His perfect life in and through us (Galatians 2:20) and that sin shall not have dominion over us (Romans 6:11-14).
  2. We understand salvation to be by grace, through faith, and not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9). Perfect obedience is and always has been the condition for eternal life (Luke 10:25-28). This we cannot offer apart from Christ. The perfect obedience of Christ is given as a gift to us to cover our past sins and present shortcomings as well as imparted to us for holy living as we continue to walk in the ever-increasing light shining on our pathway. Thus we live by faith (Romans 1:17); a faith that works by love (Galatians 5:6). This is righteousness by faith—faith-motivated obedience to the truth (Galatians 5:5, 7). Yet it is Christ’s obedience that saves us; not our own. But it is Christ’s obedience lived out in our lives that makes salvation effectual for the Christian (Galatians 2:20; The Faith I Live By, p. 113).
  3. The Bible teaches the conditions of salvation to be:
    • Belief of the truth (Acts 16:31)
    • Exercise of faith (Romans 3:28; Hebrews 11:6)
    • Death to self and a new life, which is the new birth, also known as conversion (John 3:3, 5)
    • Repentance, which includes a forsaking and turning away from sin (2 Corinthians 7:10; Ezekiel 14:6; 18:30; Acts 26:20). Repentance is a gift from God (Romans 2:4).
    • Confession of our sins (1 John 1:9).
    • For salvation to continue, there must be a constant faith-motivated obedience (Galatians 5:6-7; Hebrews 3:14; Matthew 10:22; John 14:15; John 15:14; 1 John 2:3-6). Thankfully, forgiveness is available if we sin (1 John 2:1).
    • Meeting these conditions can be as simple as a heartfelt cry of help, “Lord save me.”
  4. God initiates our salvation; we respond (Luke 15:4-6).
  5. Provided we have met and continue to meet the conditions of salvation, we may firmly believe that God has fully pardoned us, accepted us, and made us co-heirs with Christ. We may have the assurance of eternal life so long as we do not throw away our gift by our actions or neglect to continue in the ever-increasing path of light (1 John 5:12-13; Hebrews 10:35; 1 John 1:7). We may rest in the peace of Christ, knowing that if we were to die today, we would be safe in His kingdom at the resurrection of the saints. At the same time, we recognize that, “As long as man is full of weakness—for of himself he cannot save his soul—he should never dare to say, ‘I am saved’” (Selected Messages, vol. 1, p. 314).
  6. In this life we can never say we are without sin (1 John 1:8). Only God knows our hearts (Jeremiah 17:9-10). True saints will join with Paul in sincerely declaring themselves the chief of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15).
  7. As long as we put on Christ (Romans 13:14), we need not be anxious about what God thinks of us, but what He thinks of His own Son (Galatians 2:20; The Faith I Live By, p. 113). Thus, even amidst our struggles, we may live a joyous life of freedom and victory in Christ.

VI. The Truth—Living by It

  1. While avoiding extremes on either side, by God’s grace, we choose to uphold the unique, God-given message and lifestyle standards of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. These principles are designed by God to shield us from the harmful influences of the world.
    • We believe that these truths are given to help free people from the shackles of sin and worldliness. This includes such areas as: proper Sabbath-keeping, strict integrity, fairness and justice, healthy diet and lifestyle, modest clothing and adornment, appropriate choices in music and entertainment, Godly recreational activities, a firm commitment to the sanctity and perpetuity of marriage, and how we treat the less fortunate (Philippians 4:8; James 1:27).
    • By God’s grace, we reject all forms of extremism, fanaticism, or legalism. We aim to stay in the narrow way. False teachings will not be welcome. We categorically reject anti-trinitarianism, feast-day keeping, sacred-name teachings, futurism (putting past-fulfilled prophecies into the future), separationism (calling for separation from the Seventh-day Adventist Church), congregationalism, hiding the name “Seventh-day Adventist,” higher-critical liberalism, and all such related teachings and practices.

VII. The Truth of God’s End Time Church

  1. We affirm,
    • That the Seventh-day Adventist Church is the remnant church of Bible prophecy (Revelation 12:17).
    • That churches or groups that teach error are part of that great system of spiritual Babylon (Revelation 14:8; Revelation 18:14).
    • That Babylon is especially identified by the twin errors of: (1) Sunday sacredness, and (2) natural immortality of the soul (Selected Messages, vol. 2, p. 118).
    • That we are called to separate from all forms of Babylon (Revelation 18:1-4).
    • That God has His faithful scattered in other churches, but in the end there will be one fold, and one Shepherd (John 10:16).

VIII. The Truth Proclaimed

  1. We aim to actively and aggressively evangelize, but only by using those methods that heaven approves. By God’s grace, we will not water down, gloss over, withhold, compromise, or distort the pure truth of God’s Word.
  2. We firmly believe that the Seventh-day Adventist Church has been given the truth for this time. “It is as certain that we have the truth as that God lives” (Maranatha, p. 127). While realizing this, we reject all forms of elitism, spiritual pride, and triumphalism. Instead, we recognize that to whom much is given, much shall be required (Luke 12:48). We also recognize that we are but “earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us” (2 Corinthians 4:7).
    • “Those who engage in the solemn work of bearing the third angel’s message, must move out decidedly, and in the Spirit and power of God, fearlessly preach the truth, and let it cut. They should elevate the standard of truth, and urge the people to come up to it. It has been lowered down to meet the people in their condition of darkness and sin. It is the pointed testimony that will bring up the people to decide. A peaceful testimony will not do this. The people have the privilege of listening to this kind of teaching from the pulpits of the day. But God has servants to whom He has entrusted a solemn, fearful message, to bring out and fit up a people for the coming of Christ. There is as great a difference in our faith and that of nominal professors, as the heavens are higher than the earth. The people are asleep in their sins, and need to be alarmed before they can shake off this lethargy. Their ministers have preached smooth things. God’s servants, who bear sacred, vital truths should cry aloud and spare not, that the truth may tear off the garment of security, and find its way to the heart” (Spiritual Gifts, vol. 2, pp. 299, 300; emphasis supplied).
  3. Our church growth model is as follows: Seek to follow God in every particular and leave the results with Him. We will resist the temptation to count up numbers to determine whether we have been successful or not. Instead, we will simply ask, “Have we been faithful to God’s Word, His counsels, His commands, His way?” Having done our best to meet this high calling, we leave the results with God. Having thus made this unswerving commitment, our success or failure is completely in His capable hands.
  4. By God’s grace, we will not lower the standard in order to gain popularity. Instead we agree that it is the “degree of moral power… virtue, intelligence, and piety” that should be the test of our prosperity (Testimonies, vol. 5, pp. 31, 32).
  5. Our invitation and welcome to sinners will be wide and all-inclusive (2 Peter 3:9). At the same time we will not attempt to widen the “narrow way” (Matthew 7:13-14).
  6. We understand that truth is progressive. We will gladly allow people room to grow and by God’s grace, will never censure human weakness (The Desire of Ages, p. 353). At the same time, we will not suppress one word of truth, but will speak it always in love and at the appropriate time (The Desire of Ages, p. 353).

IX. True Unity

  1. By God’s grace, we esteem others better than ourselves (Philippians 2:3). This includes our own Seventh-day Adventist brothers and sisters in Tulsa, across the state, and around the world. Wherever possible, we aim to work on the plan of cooperation and not in the spirit of rivalry or competition (Testimonies, vol. 7, p. 174).
  2. We humbly seek unity within our own congregation as well as with all others within God’s remnant church. This unity cannot be based on compromise, but only upon the platform of eternal truth. “Truth is God’s basis for the unity of his people” (Gospel Workers, 1892 ed., p. 391; John 17:17, 21; 16:13).

X. Worship in Truth

  1. We aim for our worship services to be active, dynamic, interesting, lively, and God-centered. At the same time, we will uphold reverence, joyful solemnity, and respect.
    As such we will do our best to promote Godly music in accordance with the Bible, Spirit of Prophecy, the Church Manual (current at the time of this Charter) [see pp. 169-170], and with the General Conference Guidelines on Music (1972 version in effect at the time of this Charter).
  2. We refuse to use gospel gimmicks that tend to cheapen and mar the pure word of truth. Such methods as theatrical plays, skits, dramas, puppets, miming, clowns, Christian magic shows, dancing, applause, and other similar entertainment-oriented activities will be actively discouraged in worship services or evangelistic efforts.

XI. Guarding the Truth

  1. While we do not anticipate the need for it, we will not shirk our duty to administer church discipline whenever the need arises. While always seeking to redeem, we will, when necessary, follow the procedure outlined by Jesus in Mathew 18:15-18 and in the Church Manual. By God’s grace, we will always seek for absolute fairness, justice, openness, and forgiveness in the Spirit of Christ.

XII. Our True Need

  1. We recognize that “a revival of true godliness among us is the greatest and most urgent of all our needs. To seek this should be our first work.” This is obtained by “confession, humiliation, repentance, and earnest prayer” (Selected Messages, vol. 1, p. 121). Revival must be accompanied by reformation (Ibid., p. 128). “But this work must begin in the home” (Review and Herald, July 15, 1902).

XIII. Our Commitment to Truth

  1. By this Charter and by our starting a new congregation, we set out to prove nothing to anyone. We simply seek to please God and to serve our fellow man.
  2. This Charter shall not be construed to be a creed, an alternative belief statement, or a test of fellowship. All who sign hereby do so voluntarily. We affirm the 27 Fundamental Beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
  3. We hereby set forth our Charter to move forward in the fear of the Lord; to put God to the test to see if He will bless us, with the only condition being that we cooperate fully with Him and follow His plan to the very best of our ability. To this noble end, we hereby affix our signatures asking God to go before us and to be our Guide.
    • “The Lord will work for his people if they will work for him in his way, and not according to the ways of unsanctified hearts. The diligent, humble worker, seeking by earnest prayer and study of the truth as it is in Jesus, will most assuredly be regarded [by God]. He seeks for help, not from the ideas of human writers, but from the very fountain of wisdom and knowledge; and the Holy Spirit fulfils his office work to empty the golden oil into the golden bowls, that the lamps may send forth clear, perfect light, bringing to the understanding of others the purposes of God” (Review and Herald, October 7, 1909 emphasis supplied).
  4. “The church needs faithful Calebs and Joshuas, who are ready to accept eternal life on God’s simple condition of obedience” (Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 155).

Tulsa Three Angels Seventh-day Adventist Church
Vision Statement

To proclaim the solemn warning and hope-inspiring message of our soon-returning Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, with a special focus on the present truth found in the three angels of Revelation 14:6-12, calling upon all who are sincerely seeking salvation, truth, and victory, to answer the invitation of the Holy Spirit and the bride of Christ, His church. GCO