The Eternal Gospel Church

The Eternal Gospel Church

The Church of God

It is important for infinite man to understand God. His name is written in righteousness and holiness.

“Why shouldest thou be as a man astonied, as a mighty man that cannot save? yet thou, O LORD, art in the midst of us, and we are called by thy name; leave us not.” Jeremiah 14:9.

We Are Called By His Holy Name

In His holy name we were called—chosen to be witnesses in His name. Only those who will hallow His name in holiness by justification and sanctification can be His disciples in Titus chapter 2.

“Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man.” 2 Corinthians 7:1-2.

“But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.” 2 Thessalonians 2:13.

“Jeremiah 33:16. This name is put upon every follower of Christ. It is the heritage of the child of God. The family are called after the Father. The prophet Jeremiah, in the time of Israel's sore distress and tribulation, prayed, ‘We are called by Thy name; leave us not.’ Jeremiah 14:9.” Mount of Blessing, 107.

God the Father and the Holy Spirit, we must use these names, with reverence. Awesome are the names of the Godhead. These names represent there character.

The name Christian was given to the church after the ascension of our Lord; as it is recorded in the book of Acts—The purity of the church after Pentecost

The apostle identified themselves as Christians. The purity of their lives represented the character of Christ. This name, Christian, should set us aside as God’s peculiar people.

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.” Titus 2:11.

This name makes us heirs of God’s salvation.

“But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:4-7.

How about the Seventh-day Adventist?

This name was given to us by God.

“No name which we can take will be appropriate but that which accords with our profession and expresses our faith and marks us a peculiar people. The name Seventh-day Adventist is a standing rebuke to the Protestant world. Here is the line of distinction between the worshipers of God and those who worship the beast and receive his mark. The great conflict is between the commandments of God and the requirements of the beast. It is because the saints are keeping all ten of the commandments that the dragon makes war upon them. If they will lower the standard and yield the peculiarities of their faith, the dragon will be at peace; but they excite his ire because they have dared to raise the standard and unfurl their banner in opposition to the Protestant world, who are worshiping the institution of papacy.

“The name Seventh-day Adventist carries the true features of our faith in front, and will convict the inquiring mind. Like an arrow from the Lord’s quiver, it will wound the transgressors of God’s law, and will lead to repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 223-224.

This name is sacred. How many are living up to this sacred name given to us by God through His prophet Ellen White? This name has separated us from the rest of the churches. This name has made us the remnant church of God. How many of our leaders, pastors, and laity are living up to this very important name? Fifteen million have taken the name Seventh-day Adventist in the right of baptism. How many of these millions understand the responsibility of taking this name and the requirements that God demands?

This Name Demands

1. Perfect Sabbath keeping from Friday at sundown to Sabbath evening at sundown.

2. It demands the purity of the gospel—loving obedience to all known truth without a single compromise.

3. It demands that every Seventh-day Adventist be a witness of this name in witnessing of the power of Christ; Christ working in love to find the seekers for truth and salvation.

“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5.

To those who do not honor the name Christian and Seventh-day Adventist in holy living, they are not truly Christians or true Seventh-day Adventists. When using this name, we surely become heirs of salvation by holy living. Not by what we do, but by what we experience in the Holy Spirit—overcoming all sin by the Holy Spirit’s power—This is the gospel of Jesus Christ.

“ ‘To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne.’ We can overcome. Yes; fully, entirely. Jesus died to make a way of escape for us, that we might overcome every evil temper, every sin, every temptation, and sit down at last with Him.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 144.

“A character formed according to the divine likeness is the only treasure that we can take from this world to the next. . . . To everyone engaged in this work Christ says, I am at your right hand to help you. As the will of man co-operates with the will of God, it becomes omnipotent.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 332-333.

Holy living by the power of the Holy Spirit is the only way God can be sure that there will never be another rebellion in God’s universe. We must show by our obedience that we can be trusted in Heaven.

“Christ came to the world to counteract Satan’s falsehood that God had made a law which men could not keep. Taking humanity upon Himself, He came to this earth, and by a life of obedience showed that God has not made a law that man cannot keep. He showed that it is possible for man perfectly to obey the law. Those who accept Christ as their Saviour, becoming partakers of His divine nature, are enabled to follow His example, living in obedience to every precept of the law. Through the merits of Christ, man is to show by his obedience that he could be trusted in heaven, that he would not rebel.” Faith I Live By, 114.

Study and pray, live according to 1 Corinthians chapter 13.

—Pastor Ron Spear

The Eternal Gospel Church

The Eternal Gospel Church