Many viewers witnessed a heated debate the other night between a Seventh-day Adventist debater and a Born Again Apologist. The topic of contention revolved around Christians proving that the Ten Commandments are "expired" and have been replaced by the Holy Spirit as the guide for the faith and service under the New Testament. The SDA defender made a strenuous effort to manipulate passages in the New Testament to suggest that the Ten Commandments still exist within its confines. What the SDA debater fails to realize is that due to the excessive exaltation of the Ten Commandments in their perspective, they are inadvertently stripping the Holy Spirit of its role and authority as the guide for Christians in their service to God.
For Seventh-day Adventists (SDAs), the role of the Holy Spirit is merely to provide support in empowering SDAs to follow the Ten Commandments. According to SDAs, whatever the Holy Spirit teaches believers is nothing more and nothing less than based on the Ten Commandments.
The case of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:3) was used as an example by the SDA defender, where they were killed by the Lord as punishment for their sin of lying to the Holy Spirit. The SDA debater utilized this verse to argue that the Ten Commandments had not yet expired because the commandments were still valid; they were punished by God with death for allegedly violating the commandment "Thou shalt not bear false witness" or "Thou shalt not lie," which is the ninth commandment in the Ten Commandments. Is that argument correct? Is that really what the Bible teaches? If we simply listen to that kind of argument, they seem correct. However, if we allow the Bible to teach us, we will understand that it is not true and lacks truth. The book of Proverbs warns us:
Proverbs 14:12 (NLT)
12 There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.
If you want to avoid eternal death, do not succumb to the dangerous teaching of the Seventh-day Adventists that "seems right."
If you want to avoid eternal death, do not succumb to the dangerous teaching of the Seventh-day Adventists that "seems right."
Issues with the Defense Presented by the SDA Debater:
#1. The SDA debater endeavors to reconcile being "Led by the Spirit" while simultaneously being "subject to the law."
Let's revisit the case of Ananias and Sapphira. Is it true that the basis of their sin of lying was the Ten Commandments? Does the Holy Spirit lack the ability to teach Christians "Do not lie"? Or is the role of the Holy Spirit merely to remind us and empower us to follow the Ten Commandments?
According to the presentation of the SDA debater, the teachings of the Holy Spirit, as portrayed by the teachings of the SDA, are focused solely on what is stated in the Ten Commandments. It's as if the role of the Holy Spirit is to monitor whether a person is complying with or violating the Ten Commandments. Is this really the teaching of Jesus and the apostles in the New Testament? Let's read John 16:7-9:
Let's revisit the case of Ananias and Sapphira. Is it true that the basis of their sin of lying was the Ten Commandments? Does the Holy Spirit lack the ability to teach Christians "Do not lie"? Or is the role of the Holy Spirit merely to remind us and empower us to follow the Ten Commandments?
According to the presentation of the SDA debater, the teachings of the Holy Spirit, as portrayed by the teachings of the SDA, are focused solely on what is stated in the Ten Commandments. It's as if the role of the Holy Spirit is to monitor whether a person is complying with or violating the Ten Commandments. Is this really the teaching of Jesus and the apostles in the New Testament? Let's read John 16:7-9:
John 16:7-9 (NLT)
.8 And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.9 The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me.
According to this passage the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, leading us to repentance and reconciliation with God. SDAs may argue that "sin is the transgression of the law" (1 John 3:4), including the Ten Commandments, hence the relationship of the Holy Spirit to the Ten Commandments. They could present it that way if they ignore the context of John 16:7-9. Context is the number one weakness of SDAs; they prefer proof-texting or cherry-picking verses that sound similar but are unrelated to the essence.
John 16:7-9 does not state that the world will be convicted of sin because it violated the Ten Commandments. It is not because of the Ten Commandments but because of God's righteousness through faith in Christ. That's why verse 9 says, "The world's sin is that it refuses to believe in ME, not the Ten Commandments."
The Bible explains the distinction between the Righteousness of the law and Righteousness by faith in Christ, so they should not be mixed together:
The Bible explains the distinction between the Righteousness of the law and Righteousness by faith in Christ, so they should not be mixed together:
Romans 10:5-10 (NLT)
5 For Moses writes that the law’s way of making a person right with God requires obedience to all of its commands. 6 But faith’s way of getting right with God says, “Don’t say in your heart, ‘Who will go up to heaven?’ (to bring Christ down to earth). 7 And don’t say, ‘Who will go down to the place of the dead?’ (to bring Christ back to life again).”8 In fact, it says, “The message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart.” And that message is the very message about faith that we preach:9 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.
They really shouldn't be combined because it will lead to spiritual adultery. It's only right for our Seventh-day Adventist friends to accept that the law has been removed so that we can live under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It won't work for someone to maintain their relationship with the Old Covenant Ten Commandments.
Romans 7:1-4 (NLT) 1 Now, dear brothers and sisters—you who are familiar with the law—don’t you know that the law applies only while a person is living? 2 For example, when a woman marries, the law binds her to her husband as long as he is alive. But if he dies, the laws of marriage no longer apply to her. 3 So while her husband is alive, she would be committing adultery if she married another man. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law and does not commit adultery when she remarries. 4 So, my dear brothers and sisters, this is the point: You died to the power of the law when you died with Christ. And now you are united with the one who was raised from the dead. As a result, we can produce a harvest of good deeds for God.
I don't think any of our Seventh-day Adventist friends would want to commit spiritual adultery, right? If so, then they shouldn't be afraid that they'll become bad people if they leave the Ten Commandments behind. There's no reason for such fear because the law of the Spirit is broader, and it will even give you strength to follow the will of your life from the heart and not just because it's an obligation to follow.
A Seventh-day Adventist should only choose one of two options if they don't want to commit spiritual adultery:
(1) "subject to the law" o
(2) "led by the Spirit"
They really shouldn't be combined because it will lead to spiritual adultery. It's only right for our Seventh-day Adventist friends to accept that the law has been removed so that we can live under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It won't work for someone to maintain their relationship with the Old Covenant Ten Commandments.
Romans 7:1-4 (NLT) 1 Now, dear brothers and sisters—you who are familiar with the law—don’t you know that the law applies only while a person is living? 2 For example, when a woman marries, the law binds her to her husband as long as he is alive. But if he dies, the laws of marriage no longer apply to her. 3 So while her husband is alive, she would be committing adultery if she married another man. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law and does not commit adultery when she remarries. 4 So, my dear brothers and sisters, this is the point: You died to the power of the law when you died with Christ. And now you are united with the one who was raised from the dead. As a result, we can produce a harvest of good deeds for God.
I don't think any of our Seventh-day Adventist friends would want to commit spiritual adultery, right? If so, then they shouldn't be afraid that they'll become bad people if they leave the Ten Commandments behind. There's no reason for such fear because the law of the Spirit is broader, and it will even give you strength to follow the will of your life from the heart and not just because it's an obligation to follow.
A Seventh-day Adventist should only choose one of two options if they don't want to commit spiritual adultery:
(1) "subject to the law" o
(2) "led by the Spirit"
Galatians 5:18 (Voice) 18 But when you are led by the Spirit, you are no longer subject to the law.
Therefore, the Word of God does not support the doctrine promoted by Seventh-day Adventists that they fulfill the law because of the guidance of the Holy Spirit. If one adheres to such a deceiving doctrine, instead of pleasing God, one will be judged for spiritual adultery. The truth of God's word is very clear: If you are truly guided by the Holy Spirit, you no longer need to be subject to the law or the Ten Commandments. And if you boast as a Seventh-day Adventist that you continue to adhere to the Ten Commandments, it only means one thing: You are not guided by the Holy Spirit.
For more information about the incompatibility of the law and the Holy Spirit, I invite you to read my previous article titled:"Tama Bang Sabihin ng Isang Adventist na Nasusunod niya ang 10 Utos Dahil sa Biyaya ng Diyos?"
I pray that our beloved Seventh-day Adventists may be enlightened by the truth that true Christians today, under the New Covenant, serve in a new way through the Spirit and no longer through the old way with the "written rules" of the Ten Commandments:
Romans 7:6 (ERV) 6 In the past the law held us as prisoners, but our old selves died, and we were made free from the law. So now we serve God in a new way, not in the old way, with the written rules. Now we serve God in the new way, with the Spirit.
Because Christians, like Ananias and Sapphira, serve God in a "new way" through the guidance and teachings of the Holy Spirit, they no longer rely on the "old way with the written rules" of the Ten Commandments. The error in the teachings of the SDA church compared to the Bible is evident.
The sole basis of the Holy Spirit's holiness and character as the third person of the Godhead in the Trinity, is none other than His essential nature of "love," not the Ten Commandments as erroneously believed by the SDAs. God is love (1 John 4:8). The Holy Spirit is holy not because He follows the Ten Commandments. The Holy Spirit doesn't need to be commanded because He is inherently holy and loving. He loves not because there is a commandment like the Ten Commandments, but because love is inherent in His character. Hence, the verse says, "God is love," not "God has love."
Romans 7:6 (ERV) 6 In the past the law held us as prisoners, but our old selves died, and we were made free from the law. So now we serve God in a new way, not in the old way, with the written rules. Now we serve God in the new way, with the Spirit.
Because Christians, like Ananias and Sapphira, serve God in a "new way" through the guidance and teachings of the Holy Spirit, they no longer rely on the "old way with the written rules" of the Ten Commandments. The error in the teachings of the SDA church compared to the Bible is evident.
The sole basis of the Holy Spirit's holiness and character as the third person of the Godhead in the Trinity, is none other than His essential nature of "love," not the Ten Commandments as erroneously believed by the SDAs. God is love (1 John 4:8). The Holy Spirit is holy not because He follows the Ten Commandments. The Holy Spirit doesn't need to be commanded because He is inherently holy and loving. He loves not because there is a commandment like the Ten Commandments, but because love is inherent in His character. Hence, the verse says, "God is love," not "God has love."
This is called the universal law of love by theologians. It is universal because it applies both in heaven and on earth. Unlike the Ten Commandments, which were designed after sin entered the earth for sinful people, the specific commands like "Do not commit adultery" and "Honor your father and mother" are not applicable in Heaven.
The universal law of love is co-eternal with the existence of the eternal God. The Ten Commandments did not yet exist when Adam and Eve had not sinned; this law prevailed at that time. According to Seventh-day Adventists, Cain violated the Ten Commandments when he killed his brother Abel. However, this is incorrect. Seventh-day Adventists are ignorant of the existence of the universal law of love, which is why they claim that Abel violated the Ten Commandments. However, if Seventh-day Adventists would only allow the Bible to speak to them instead of twisting its verses, they would see that it was the universal law of love that Cain violated, not the commandment "Thou shall not kill" of the Ten Commandments.
1 John 3:11-12 (ERV) 11 This is the teaching you have heard from the beginning: We must love each other. 12 Don’t be like Cain. He belonged to the Evil One. Cain killed his brother. But why did he kill him? Because what Cain did was evil, and what his brother did was good.
The universal law of love is co-eternal with the existence of the eternal God. The Ten Commandments did not yet exist when Adam and Eve had not sinned; this law prevailed at that time. According to Seventh-day Adventists, Cain violated the Ten Commandments when he killed his brother Abel. However, this is incorrect. Seventh-day Adventists are ignorant of the existence of the universal law of love, which is why they claim that Abel violated the Ten Commandments. However, if Seventh-day Adventists would only allow the Bible to speak to them instead of twisting its verses, they would see that it was the universal law of love that Cain violated, not the commandment "Thou shall not kill" of the Ten Commandments.
1 John 3:11-12 (ERV) 11 This is the teaching you have heard from the beginning: We must love each other. 12 Don’t be like Cain. He belonged to the Evil One. Cain killed his brother. But why did he kill him? Because what Cain did was evil, and what his brother did was good.
Hopefully, Seventh-day Adventists will notice in this verse that what Cain violated when he killed his brother Abel was not the Ten Commandments but the universal law of love, which states "We must love each other," (v.11) not the "Thou shall not kill" of the Ten Commandments. The verse blames Cain because "what Cain did was evil," not "Because Cain violated the Ten Commandments."
Apostle Paul also explained in his letter to the Romans that there was a law that came before the law of Moses in general and the Ten Commandments in particular.
Apostle Paul also explained in his letter to the Romans that there was a law that came before the law of Moses in general and the Ten Commandments in particular.
Romans 5:13 (TLB) 13 We know that it was Adam’s sin that caused this because although, of course, people were sinning from the time of Adam until Moses, God did not in those days judge them guilty of death for breaking his laws—because he had not yet given his laws to them nor told them what he wanted them to do.
In fact, Paul, who was an expert and had a background in the law, taught that the ten commandments was added only after 430 years of slavery in Egypt, unlike any Seventh-day Adventist scholars who claim otherwise.
Galatians 3:17 (TLB) 17 Here’s what I am trying to say: God’s promise to save through faith—and God wrote this promise down and signed it—could not be canceled or changed four hundred and thirty years later when God gave the Ten Commandments.
Therefore, it is a mistake for anyone to assume that the Ten Commandments are eternal and existed in heaven before sin entered the world. It is also a mistaken teaching to say that only the Ten Commandments are what the Holy Spirit requires Christians to follow. The Ten Commandments are not the foundation of moral law; rather, the universal law of love is the true foundation of the 613 laws of Moses, including the Ten Commandments. This was the clear teaching of Christ when he was asked by the Jewish teachers of the law which commandment was the greatest of all.
Galatians 3:17 (TLB) 17 Here’s what I am trying to say: God’s promise to save through faith—and God wrote this promise down and signed it—could not be canceled or changed four hundred and thirty years later when God gave the Ten Commandments.
Therefore, it is a mistake for anyone to assume that the Ten Commandments are eternal and existed in heaven before sin entered the world. It is also a mistaken teaching to say that only the Ten Commandments are what the Holy Spirit requires Christians to follow. The Ten Commandments are not the foundation of moral law; rather, the universal law of love is the true foundation of the 613 laws of Moses, including the Ten Commandments. This was the clear teaching of Christ when he was asked by the Jewish teachers of the law which commandment was the greatest of all.
Matthew 22:34-40 (CEV) After Jesus had made the Sadducees look foolish, the Pharisees heard about it and got together. One of them was an expert in the Jewish Law. So he tried to test Jesus by asking, "Teacher, what is the most important commandment in the Law?" Jesus answered: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. This is the first and most important commandment. The second most important commandment is like this one. And it is, "Love others as much as you love yourself." All the Law of Moses and the Books of the Prophets are based on these two commandments.
Returning to Christ's teachings in John 16, the passage also mentions "when He comes" (John 16:8), indicating the promise of His coming for the disciples under the New Covenant. If it were about the Ten Commandments, why would He only start convicting of sin for violating the Ten Commandments under the New Covenant and not from the time of Moses at Sinai for the Israelites?
I am not saying that the Holy Spirit had no function back then (Isaiah 63:10); the function of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament was selective, unlike today under the New Covenant, where He not only accompanies the disciples but also dwells within them, including us now in our time as believers in Christ.
John 14:16-17 (NLT) 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you.17 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.
I am not saying that the Holy Spirit had no function back then (Isaiah 63:10); the function of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament was selective, unlike today under the New Covenant, where He not only accompanies the disciples but also dwells within them, including us now in our time as believers in Christ.
John 14:16-17 (NLT) 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you.17 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.
That's the significant difference between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant. The Law revealed sin and pointed to the need for a Savior (Romans 3:20; Galatians 3:24). It couldn't provide complete forgiveness or transform hearts. However, in the New Covenant, Jesus fulfilled the Law for us (Matthew 5:17; Romans 5:18-19; 8:3-4) and became the ultimate sacrifice for sin (Hebrews 10:10). It offers complete forgiveness, regeneration, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 8:8-12).
Apostle John also emphasized even more the significant difference between the Old Covenant law under Moses and the New Covenant under Christ.
John 1:17 (NIV) 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
Apostle John also emphasized even more the significant difference between the Old Covenant law under Moses and the New Covenant under Christ.
John 1:17 (NIV) 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
The verse clearly states that the law, including the Ten Commandments, was given to Moses, while grace and truth, through Christ, were bestowed upon Christians under the New Covenant. Does this imply that there was no "grace and truth" during Moses' era? Absolutely not. Grace and truth existed during Moses' time, but they weren't fully revealed, which is why Moses' ministry under the Old Covenant was considered merely a "shadow." However, under Christ's New Covenant, what was once a shadow has transformed into a complete reality because of Christ.
Colossians 2:16-17 (NLT) 16 So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths. 17 For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ himself is that reality.
Based on our careful and thorough study of this point, we can truly say that the argument of the SDA debater in attempting to reconcile being "led by the Spirit" while at the same time being "subject to the law" is indeed misleading.
#2. The SDA Debater exalts the Ten Commandments more than the Holy Spirit.
This is one of the deceptive teachings of the SDA, to glorify and elevate the Ten Commandments above the Holy Spirit. Deceptive because in their defense of the Ten Commandments, they fail to realize that they are sidelining the authority and role of the Holy Spirit to teach and guide the holy living of Christians under the New Covenant.
They merely assume that the role of the Holy Spirit is to encourage and empower believers to fulfill the Ten Commandments. This is a false teaching propagated by false teachers like the Seventh-day Adventists influenced by the false prophet Mrs. Ellen G. White. If this is the extent of the Holy Spirit's role for them, there is no doubt that they deserve to be called a cult for demoting the nature of the Holy Spirit. It cannot be denied that their recognized prophet, Ellen G. White, at the beginning of her ministry as a prophet of the SDA church, was a semi-Arian non-Trinitarian. For Ellen G. White, the Holy Spirit was merely a force or power of God, not a persona.
They merely assume that the role of the Holy Spirit is to encourage and empower believers to fulfill the Ten Commandments. This is a false teaching propagated by false teachers like the Seventh-day Adventists influenced by the false prophet Mrs. Ellen G. White. If this is the extent of the Holy Spirit's role for them, there is no doubt that they deserve to be called a cult for demoting the nature of the Holy Spirit. It cannot be denied that their recognized prophet, Ellen G. White, at the beginning of her ministry as a prophet of the SDA church, was a semi-Arian non-Trinitarian. For Ellen G. White, the Holy Spirit was merely a force or power of God, not a persona.
This is the statement of Dr. Merlin Burt, director for the Center for Adventist Research at an Ellen G. White Estate branch office and associate professor of Church History at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, regarding the semi-Arian view of the early pioneers of the SDA church, which, in my opinion, is a trademark of a cult because of its unorthodox teachings.
"The Sabbatarian and Seventh-day Adventist understanding of the Holy Spirit, until the 1890s, was largely focused on the tangible, or “living reality,” of the Holy Spirit as a divine manifestation rather than His nature or personality. During the period up to the 1890s, most Adventists did not accept that the Holy Spirit had a distinct personality. For them, the Godhead included the Father (who was omnipotent and omniscient), the pre-Incarnate begotten Divine Son, and the Holy Spirit as a manifestation of the presence or power of the Father or the Son. Adventists emphasized the separate and distinct personalities of the Father and the Son. For many early Adventists, a personality required a material form, which prevented omnipresence. By defining the Holy Spirit as an influence or power from the Father or the Son, it allowed for God to be omnipresent." [1]
From the very beginning of their existence, it is clear that the Seventh-day Adventist denomination is a cult because their teaching about the nature and personality of the Holy Spirit is incorrect. They consider Him only as a force or power to manifest the presence of the Father and the Son. It was also mentioned that this belief persisted until the 1890s. Even when I was still a former SDA evangelist and a talent on a program at Hope Channel of the North Philippine Union Conference, I noticed a significant problem in the SDA church's doctrine regarding the Holy Spirit while I was preparing for a series on the Trinity in the history of the SDA church.
I believe that up to now, the SDA church still holds onto these cultic teachings that limit the nature and function of the Holy Spirit as merely an enforcer and empowerment for SDA members to fulfill the Ten Commandments. They may not realize it, but now they will come to know that they are guilty of this mistake, glorifying the Ten Commandments over the Holy Spirit due to their narrow perspective.
However, if SDAs allow the authority of the Bible to teach them, they will realize that this is not the perspective of the New Testament. For example, according to Paul, the ministry of the Holy Spirit is glorified compared to the ministry of the Ten Commandments, which he even called the "ministry of death" and "ministry of condemnation."
From the very beginning of their existence, it is clear that the Seventh-day Adventist denomination is a cult because their teaching about the nature and personality of the Holy Spirit is incorrect. They consider Him only as a force or power to manifest the presence of the Father and the Son. It was also mentioned that this belief persisted until the 1890s. Even when I was still a former SDA evangelist and a talent on a program at Hope Channel of the North Philippine Union Conference, I noticed a significant problem in the SDA church's doctrine regarding the Holy Spirit while I was preparing for a series on the Trinity in the history of the SDA church.
I believe that up to now, the SDA church still holds onto these cultic teachings that limit the nature and function of the Holy Spirit as merely an enforcer and empowerment for SDA members to fulfill the Ten Commandments. They may not realize it, but now they will come to know that they are guilty of this mistake, glorifying the Ten Commandments over the Holy Spirit due to their narrow perspective.
However, if SDAs allow the authority of the Bible to teach them, they will realize that this is not the perspective of the New Testament. For example, according to Paul, the ministry of the Holy Spirit is glorified compared to the ministry of the Ten Commandments, which he even called the "ministry of death" and "ministry of condemnation."
2 Corinthians 3:6-11 (TLB) 6 He is the one who has helped us tell others about his new agreement to save them. We do not tell them that they must obey every law of God or die; but we tell them there is life for them from the Holy Spirit. The old way, trying to be saved by keeping the Ten Commandments, ends in death; in the new way, the Holy Spirit gives them life. 7Yet that old system of law that led to death began with such glory that people could not bear to look at Moses’ face. For as he gave them God’s law to obey, his face shone out with the very glory of God—though the brightness was already fading away. 8 Shall we not expect far greater glory in these days when the Holy Spirit is giving life? 9 If the plan that leads to doom was glorious, much more glorious is the plan that makes men right with God. 10 In fact, that first glory as it shone from Moses’ face is worth nothing at all in comparison with the overwhelming glory of the new agreement. 11 So if the old system that faded into nothing was full of heavenly glory, the glory of God’s new plan for our salvation is certainly far greater, for it is eternal.
Here are the highlights of 2 Corinthians 3:6-11, teaching us that the ministry of the Holy Spirit is more glorified than the ministry of the Ten Commandments, which Paul referred to as the "ministry of death" and "ministry of condemnation."
The Ministry of the Holy Spirit versus the Ministry of the Ten Commandments:
- The Holy Spirit gives life, but the law of the ten commandments brings death, as it is written: "He is the one who has helped us tell others about his new agreement to save them. We do not tell them that they must obey every law of God or die; but we tell them there is life for them from the Holy Spirit. The old way, trying to be saved by keeping the Ten Commandments, ends in death; in the new way, the Holy Spirit gives them life." (2 Cor 3:6 TLB)
- The Holy Spirit reveals the glory of God in the face of Christ, but the law of the ten commandments veils the glory of God from the people, as it is written: "Will not the operation of the Spirit have a much greater glory? 9 For if the operation of the law, producing punishment, had its glory, how much greater will be the operation of the Spirit causing righteousness?(2 Corinthians 3:8-9 BBE) 8
- The Holy Spirit enables us to behold and reflect the glory of God, but the law of the ten commandments condemns us and makes us lose hope, as it is written: In fact, that first glory was not glorious at all compared with the overwhelming glory of the new way. 11 So if the old way, which has been replaced, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new, which remains forever! (2 Corinthians 3:10-11 NLT)
- The Holy Spirit is the source of freedom, transformation and glory, but the law of the ten commandments is the ministry of bondage, decay and fading glory, as it is written: 11 So if the old system that faded into nothing was full of heavenly glory, the glory of God’s new plan for our salvation is certainly far greater, for it is eternal. 12 Since we know that this new glory will never go away, we can preach with great boldness, 13 and not as Moses did, who put a veil over his face so that the Israelis could not see the glory fade away. 14 Not only Moses’ face was veiled, but his people’s minds and understanding were veiled and blinded too. Even now when the Scripture is read it seems as though Jewish hearts and minds are covered by a thick veil, because they cannot see and understand the real meaning of the Scriptures. For this veil of misunderstanding can be removed only by believing in Christ. 15 Yes, even today when they read Moses’ writings their hearts are blind and they think that obeying the Ten Commandments is the way to be saved. 16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord from his sins, then the veil is taken away. 17 The Lord is the Spirit who gives them life, and where he is there is freedom from trying to be saved by keeping the laws of God. 18 But we Christians have no veil over our faces; we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord. And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him. (2 Corinthians 3:11-18 TLB)
In summary, it is evident that the Holy Spirit exceeds the law of the Ten Commandments in all aspects. The Holy Spirit grants us life, unveils God's glory to us, empowers us to reflect God's glory, and molds us into His likeness. Conversely, the law of the Ten Commandments leads only to death, obscures God's glory from us, condemns us, and diminishes our hope. Thus, we should rejoice in the new covenant that God has established with us through His Spirit.
When I was still a Seventh-Day Adventist, honestly speaking, I read these verses several times, and the message they conveyed was difficult for me to accept. My initial impression upon reading these verses as an SDA was that Paul emphasized the importance of the ministry of the Holy Spirit more than the Ten Commandments. I also attempted to read the Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary regarding these verses, but it only confused me further and raised more questions than answers. I was also puzzled by Samuele Bacchiocchi's explanation of these passages. I asked many pastors and elders of the SDA church about it, but they couldn't provide much help, so I decided to avoid these verses for a while and hoped to understand them someday.
Since I was born again and left the Seventh-day Adventist church in 2019, that's when I began to gradually understand many Bible verses that I didn't fully comprehend when I was still with the SDA. I revisited 1 Corinthians 3:6-11, and praise the Lord, the message became crystal clear to me! It's as if a huge veil was lifted from my eyes, allowing me the freedom to understand the love letter from my heavenly Father. This experience resonates with what Paul mentioned in the verses we are discussing.
2 Corinthians 3:14-17 (TLB) 14 Not only Moses’ face was veiled, but his people’s minds and understanding were veiled and blinded too. Even now when the Scripture is read it seems as though Jewish hearts and minds are covered by a thick veil, because they cannot see and understand the real meaning of the Scriptures. For this veil of misunderstanding can be removed only by believing in Christ. 15 Yes, even today when they read Moses’ writings their hearts are blind and they think that obeying the Ten Commandments is the way to be saved.16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord from his sins, then the veil is taken away. 17 The Lord is the Spirit who gives them life, and where he is there is freedom from trying to be saved by keeping the laws of God.
Conclusion:
I also hope and pray for the SDAs who may still have veiled minds and understanding. Sometimes, even though the verses are clear that salvation comes only through the grace we receive through our faith in Christ, their minds remain veiled and blinded. We have also come to understand the numerous deceptions in the arguments of SDA debaters, aimed at elevating the now glory-less Ten Commandments. We have learned that for Christians, the Ten Commandments are no longer relevant because they are part of the Old Covenant, meant to teach the Israelites that they would not be saved by obeying the commandments. Instead, it would further emphasize their sinfulness rather than their holiness according to Scripture.
Romans 5:20 (TLB) 20 The Ten Commandments were given so that all could see the extent of their failure to obey God’s laws. But the more we see our sinfulness, the more we see God’s abounding grace forgiving us.
Romans 5:20 (TLB) 20 The Ten Commandments were given so that all could see the extent of their failure to obey God’s laws. But the more we see our sinfulness, the more we see God’s abounding grace forgiving us.
This is contrary to the teachings of the SDAs who believe that by obeying the Ten Commandments, some of them even claim to have perfected their adherence to the commandments. But now we know that this is not true; rather, it only shows that their Seventh-day Adventist religion is leading them astray and deceiving them. So, if you, the reader, are a Seventh-day Adventist seeking salvation, do not allow yourself to be implicated in the judgment of the Lord God on the final day of Judgment. You still have the freedom to leave behind falsehood and embrace the truth in the abundant grace of God.
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