1. 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.’

2. 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

3. February 21, 2009 Memory Text: “Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:20, 21, NKJV)

4. February 21, 2009 Goal: 1.To acknowledge the importance of God’s prophets. 2.To provide Biblical proof that God alone through Christ provides authority to his prophets. 3.To show that EG White’s authority is the same as some OT non-canonical prophets.

5. Introduction February 21, 2009 Authority denotes power vested upon a person/s. It is either acquired by means of strength or by bestowal from another that is more powerful. For a prophet, authority comes from God, the scope and content of his message. “Personal power, influence, or charisma should not be confused with prophetic authority. Scripture is the ultimate authority.”

6. The Authority 1. The Source a. The Father – John 17:1-2 - When Jesus had finished saying these things, he looked upward to heaven and said, “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, so that your Son may glorify you just as you have given him authority over all humanity, so that he may give eternal life to everyone you have given him. February 21, 2009

7. The Recipients 1. Jesus "I am come in My Father's name, and ye receive Me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive." Jesus came by the authority of God, bearing His image, fulfilling His word, and seeking His glory; DA 212 February 21, 2009

8. The Recipients February 21, 2009 Jesus repelled the charge of blasphemy. My authority, He said, for doing the work of which you accuse Me, is that I am the Son of God, one with Him in nature, in will, and in purpose. In all His works of creation and providence, I co-operate with God. "The Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He seeth the Father do." DA 208

9. The Recipients Let the people exalt their Deliverer. Let the arrogant priests and rulers be forced to honor Him who comes clothed with the authority of God. DA 378 February 21, 2009

10. The Recipients 2. The Biblical Prophets a. Written i. 2 Kings 22:10-13 – King Josiah accepted the Written word as from God ii. Jeremiah 36:22-31 – King Jehoiakim rejected God’s message written in a scroll given through Jeremiah February 21, 2009

11. The Recipients February 21, 2009 iii. In the Written Word, the character and will of God, the meaning of human existence, and the purposes of God for humanity in all ages are stated in propositional form that all can understand.

12. The Recipients b. Spoken – i. Heb. 4:12 -For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to the point of dividing soul from spirit, and joints from marrow; it is able to judge the desires and thoughts of the heart. February 21, 2009

13. The Recipients February 21, 2009 ii. Heb. 4:2 For we had good news proclaimed to us just as they did. But the message they heard did them no good, since they did not join in with those who heard it in faith. iii. Like a surgeon’s knife, the Word of God can “penetrate to heal and restore” or it reveals a “deadly disease” that results to eternal condemnation.

14. The Recipients  Their Authority –  Jesus said, “It is written...” (Matt. 4:4,6,10). Therefore, recognizing it’s authority for “teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the  person dedicated to God may be capable and equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim. 3:16-17) February 21, 2009

15. The Recipients February 21, 2009 Non-canonical Prophets – Names of extra-canonical prophets: Gad, Nathan, Ahijah, Shemaiah, and Iddo. The prophets’ extra-canonical writings and Paul lost letters was said to be authoritative inspired messages outside of the Bible.

16. The Recipients February 21, 2009 Ellen G. White as God’s Prophet A Reluctant Prophetess - “For several days, and far into the night, I prayed that this burden might be removed from me, and laid upon some one more capable of bearing it. But the light of duty did not change, and the words of the angel sounded continually in my ears, ‘Make known to others what I have revealed to you.’ ”— Ellen G. White, Life Sketches of Ellen G. White, p. 69.

17. February 21, 2009 The Recipients Her Written messages - “He [Christ] pointed to the Scriptures as of unquestionable authority, and we should do the same. The Bible is to be presented as the word of the infinite God, as the end of all controversy and the foundation of all faith.”— Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, pp. 39, 40.

18. The Recipients Her Written messages - “He [Christ] pointed to the Scriptures as of unquestionable authority, and we should do the same. The Bible is to be presented as the word of the infinite God, as the end of all controversy and the foundation of all faith.”— Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, pp. 39, 40. February 21, 2009

19. Ponder on this words: February 21, 2009 You are just as important to God as any prophet He ever has called. He has a specific plan for your life. Do you know God’s plan for your life? What has He revealed to you that you have done or refused to do? If you already are not spending quality time with Jesus each day, how about rescheduling your life to include time to prayerfully study His Word—His messages to the prophets— and Ellen G. White’s writings. When you do so, God will help you discover His special plan for you.

20. February 21, 2009 God Bless and a Happy Sabbath! MARANATHA!