FIRST QUARTER January – March 2009 Gerhard Pfandl - Principal Contributor John the Baptist was called by Jesus to be the greatest of all the prophets. But “the prophetic gift involved something other than writing the books of the Bible.” This Sabbath School Bible Study Guide not only introduces God’s messengers through out the ages but the also Source of all true prophecy, the ‘Gift-Giver.’

FIRST QUARTER 2009 This Sabbath School lesson help was produced for the glory of God. It is being distributed through the internet media for you to use as you teach our Sabbath School classes. Please do not alter the way it was arranged. Thanks and God bless. Yours–in-Christ, Pastor N. V. Macatiag

March 7, 2009 Memory Text: “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you” (1 Timothy 4:16, NKJV).

Lesson Title: The Message of the Prophets March 7, 2009 Introduction Faith, initiative, hard work, earnest prayer and Bible study characterized the experience of the early pioneers of the Seventh Day Adventist Church. Thus the doctrinal framework of this church was established. AS Ellen G. White said on 1904, “Often we remained together until late at night, and sometimes through the entire night, praying for light and studying the Word.”— Selected Messages, book 1, p. 206

Lesson Title: The Message of the Prophets March 7, 2009 It is only when theses group of pioneers had exhausted every means to clarify what they have been studying that EG White supplied an answer for what they had been studying. We can conclude then that the Bible is the sole standard of creed that our teachings are based on. We will be studying the pillars of our belief as Seventh Day Adventist.

Lesson Title: The Message of the Prophets March 7, 2009 Problem – Sin was the greatest problem of humanity. The only cure was Christ and the cross. But sinful humanity should be taught and warned of sins consequences. Since man was alienated from God and could not directly communicate with human beings. God sent his messengers the prophets to proclaim His love to human beings.

Lesson Title: The Message of the Prophets March 7, 2009 C. The Messages 1. Righteousness by Faith – the cloak that saves a. By living faith, by earnest prayer to God, and depending upon Jesus' merits, we are clothed with His righteousness, and we are saved.. {FW 71.2}

Lesson Title: The Message of the Prophets March 7, 2009 b. It is to fully accept that Jesus Christ died as our sacrifice; that He became the curse for us, took our sins upon Himself, and imputed unto us His own righteousness. Therefore we claim this righteousness of Christ, we believe it, and it is our righteousness. FW70 c. Romans 3:28 - For we consider that a person is declared righteous by faith apart from the works of the law.

Lesson Title: The Message of the Prophets March 7, 2009 At the 1888 Minneapolis General Conference Session, E. J. Waggoner and A. T. Jones did just that. The burden of their message was “to affirm the truth that the only way righteousness can be obtained is through a living faith in the Lamb of God, whose blood was shed on Calvary’s cross as a propitiation for the sins of the world. No one can enter the kingdom of God without being clad in the spotless robe of Christ’s righteousness.

Lesson Title: The Message of the Prophets March 7, 2009 This robe can neither be purchased with silver or gold nor earned by good works. This message was a clarion call to make Christ and His righteousness the center of all our living and our preaching. It placed special emphasis on righteousness by faith as a real personal experience rather than a mere theory.” —A. V. Olson, Through Crisis to Victory 1888–1901 (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald® Publishing Association, 1966), p. 35.

Lesson Title: The Message of the Prophets March 7, The Sanctuary – the symbol that enlightens a.With the sanctuary service, God produced a visual demonstration that enabled the sinner to understand the great plan of salvation. b. In the OT, the sinner received forgiveness through faith in the atoning blood of the Promised Seed. (Gen. 3:15)

Lesson Title: The Message of the Prophets March 7, The Sabbath – The DAY that reminds about: a. Creation – It is one of the two institutions that was created before sin entered. Gen 2:1-3 b. Redemption – It is a reminder for the deliverance of Israelites from slavery in Egypt. Deut. 5:12-15

Lesson Title: The Message of the Prophets March 7, State of the Dead – Conditional Immortality a.Sin resulted to death. Satan capitalized it so that we might lose hope. This doctrine about man’s condition is needed in order to clarify the perverted view Satan tried to inculcate into the human mind. b.Jesus taught that death is a sleep that ends in “two resurrections” – a resurrection of life and a resurrection of damnation. John 5:28,29

Lesson Title: The Message of the Prophets March 7, Second Coming – the culmination of Salvation a.The message of John 14:1-3 enlightens us to have hope. b.As the disciples of Jesus, after the terrible night of their anguish and disappointment, were "glad when they saw the Lord," so did those now rejoice who had looked in faith for his second coming. GC 422

Lesson Title: The Message of the Prophets March 7, 2009 And in this time of peril the followers of Christ are to bear to the world the warning of the Lord's second advent; and a people are to be prepared to stand before Him at His coming, "without spot, and blameless." 2 Peter 3:14. At this time the special endowment of divine grace and power is not less needful to the church than in apostolic days. {GC ix.4}

Lesson Title: The Message of the Prophets March 7, 2009 D. Reaction – 1. Questions: a. As we look at these messages, what lessons can we gleaned that will enable us to be faithful Seventh Day Adventist? b. Are we looking forward to Jesus second advent?

Lesson Title: The Message of the Prophets March 7, Quotations: a.While Adventists are characterized by these important doctrines, we always have affirmed that the Bible is our only creed and that we are a people of the Book. Although non-canonical prophets can provide helpful insights, the Bible should be the only foundation on which our doctrine and faith rest. b. At the end of EG White’s life, her last words were, "I know in whom I have believed."-- LS, p. 449.

Lesson Title: The Message of the Prophets March 7, 2009 God Bless and a Happy Sabbath! MARANATHA!