J. N. Andrews on the Visions

The next week J. N. Andrews came in with an editorial, “Our Use of the Visions of Sister White.” It opened:2BIO 285.5

It is quite generally understood that the Seventh-day Adventists are believers in the perpetuity of spiritual gifts. It is also understood that we regard the visions of Sister White as given by the Spirit of God. But the use which we make of the doctrine of spiritual gifts, and particularly the visions of Sister White, is very generally misunderstood.—The Review and Herald, February 15, 1870.2BIO 286.1

In twenty numbered propositions he set forth clear-cut positions on the work of the Holy Spirit. After referring to Paul's words in Ephesians 4:11-13, he declared:2BIO 286.2

14. The object of spiritual gifts is to maintain the living work of God in the church. They enable the Spirit of God to speak in the correction of wrongs, and in the exposure of iniquity. They are the means whereby God teaches His people when they are in danger of taking wrong steps. They are the means by which the Spirit of God sheds light upon church difficulties, when otherwise their adjustment would be impossible. They also constitute the means whereby God preserves His people from confusion by pointing out errors, by correcting false interpretations of the Scriptures, and causing light to shine out upon that which is in danger of being wrongly understood, and therefore of being the cause of evil and division to the people of God.2BIO 286.3

In short, their work is to unite the people of God in the same mind and in the same judgment upon the meaning of the Scriptures. Mere human judgment, with no direct instruction from Heaven, can never search out hidden iniquity, nor adjust dark and complicated church difficulties, nor prevent different and conflicting interpretations of the Scriptures. It would be sad indeed if God could not still converse with His people.—Ibid.2BIO 286.4

He pointed out that the gifts of the Spirit are primarily for the church; members do not test others by these gifts. But he stated clearly:2BIO 286.5

There is such a thing ...as men having in the providence of God an opportunity to become acquainted with the special work of the Spirit of God, so that they shall acknowledge that their light is clear, convincing, and satisfactory. To such persons, we consider the gifts of the Spirit are clearly a test.—Ibid.2BIO 286.6