Lessons from History on Church Organisation

Jones and Waggoner began to teach that the organisation of the church was conducted by the Spirit of God alone. No human agency was needed for one man to direct another man. Their principles were based upon the individual as a body, the body of Christ.

The Church in heaven was built upon the relationship of the Father and Son. The Church on earth as an image of heaven was built upon the relationship of Adam and Eve. That primary relationship is the pattern of church organisation.

The spiritualistic views of Jones and Waggoner in relationship to the church and other teachings led both men off the Adventist platform and into apostasy. May we discern the lessons left by these men and develop our conception of organisation upon the Father and His Son.