SDA’S IN TIME OF WAR–4 GEN. CONF. RESOLUTIONS 1865,67
CALL TO REPENT: We call on the General Conference of SDA to repent of its current involvement in war, and return to the position regarding war on which it RESOVED to stand in 1865 and 1867. (See Below.)
General Conference Resolution - 1865
General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
THIRD ANNUAL MEETING -
OUR DUTY TO THE GOVERNMENT
RESOLVED, That we recognize civil government as ordained of God, that order, justice, and quiet may be maintained in the land; and that the people of God may lead quiet and peaceable lives in all godliness and honesty. In accordance with this fact we acknowledge the justice of rendering tribute, custom, honor, and reverence to the civil power, as enjoined in the New Testament. While we thus cheerfully render to Caesar the things which the Scriptures show to be his, we are compelled to decline all participation in acts of war and bloodshed as being inconsistent with the duties enjoined upon us by our divine Master toward our enemies and toward all mankind.
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General Conference Resolution - 1867
General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
FIFTH ANNUAL SESSION -
WAR
RESOLVED, That it is the judgment of this Conference, that the bearing of arms, or engaging in war, is a direct violation of the teachings of our Saviour and the spirit and letter of the law of God. Yet we deem it our duty to yield respect to civil rulers, and obedience to all such laws as do not conflict with the word of God. In the carrying out of this principle we render tribute, customs, reverence, etc.
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[CALLTOREPENT adds the following:]
“Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the OLD PATHS, where is the GOOD WAY, and WALK THEREIN, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.” Jeremiah 6:16.
“We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past history.” Life Sketches, 196 (1902).