Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 11/10/2008

Question
QUESTION: is it biblically wrong to be involved with a seventhday adventist me being pentecostal

ANSWER: Hi Vern,

Thanks for this great question.  If you are both born again Christians, then you have a better foundation than if you were not.  You see if one is saved and one is not then it is an unequal yoke with an unbeliever.

2 Corinthians 6:14
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

There will be a problem though when it comes to doctrine.  SDA folks believe that to work on the Sabbath is to take the mark of the beast.  I think that unless you are willing to convert to SDA teaching, accept Ellen White as your prophet, then you will not be able to build a long relationship together.  

I suppose that the other option is if the other person were to convert from SDA and recognize that Jesus nailed the Sabbath laws to the cross, this would solve your problem too.

Colossians 2:14-16
14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.  
16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:   
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

So in short, I do not think it a sin, but it is unwise to date across denominational lines when those lines are so very different.

I hope that this helps you.

In Christ
Pastor Don

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: how do you know what is God's will for your life

Answer
Hi Vern,

Thanks for this outstanding follow up question.  Finding God's will is not as difficult and mysterious as one might think.  Here are several ways to determine God's will.

1.  Follow clear scriptural principles. If God says that something is wrong, then it is not God's will to do it.

Psalm 119:9
9 BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Proverbs 3:5-6
5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

2.  Follow the counsel of your parents and Pastor.

Proverbs 4:1-4

Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. 2 For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law. 3 For I was my father’s son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother. 4 He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Hebrews 13:17
17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.  

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

3.  Pray for wisdom.

James 1:5
5  If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

4.  Look for open and closed doors of opportunity,

Revelation 3:7
7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

I hope that this helps you.

In Christ
Pastor Don