Righteousness by faith in Christ

 

The Governor's message of 1888 is a significant document in the history of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It was presented at the Minneapolis General Conference, and it emphasized the importance of righteousness by faith in Christ. The message was delivered by Elders E.J. Waggoner and A.T. Jones, and it was met with mixed reactions from the delegates.

Some delegates were opposed to the message, believing that it was too radical. They argued that it downplayed the importance of the law and obedience. Others, however, embraced the message, seeing it as a return to the biblical gospel of salvation by grace through faith.

The Governor's message of 1888 has had a lasting impact on the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It has helped to clarify the church's understanding of righteousness by faith, and it has provided a foundation for Christian growth and development.

The accompanying reports and documents of the 1888 General Conference provide additional context for the Governor's message. They show that the message was not something that Waggoner and Jones came up with on their own. Rather, it was the result of a careful study of the Bible and the writings of Ellen G. White.

These reports and documents also show that the Governor's message was not met with universal opposition. There were many delegates who supported the message, and they saw it as a vital part of the church's mission.

The following are some of the key points of the Governor's message of 1888:

• Salvation is by grace through faith in Christ alone.
• Christ's righteousness is imputed to the believer at the moment of justification.
• The believer is then sanctified by the Holy Spirit, who enables him or her to live a life of obedience to God's law.
• The law and the gospel are two sides of the same coin. The law shows us our need for salvation, and the gospel provides the salvation that we need.
• The third angel's message of Revelation 14:6-12 is a message of righteousness by faith in Christ.

The Governor's message of 1888 is a powerful and challenging message. It calls us to rely on Christ alone for our salvation, and it challenges us to live a life of obedience to God's law. It is a message that is still relevant today, and it is a message that can help us to grow in our faith and experience the fullness of God's love and grace.