Counsels for the Church - Ellen G. White

when he asks, "What wilt Thou have me to do?" the Saviour does not tell
him directly, but places him in connection with His church. They will tell
thee what thou must do. Jesus is the sinner's friend, His heart is ever open,
ever touched with human woe; He has all power, both in heaven and upon
earth; but He respects the means which He has ordained for the
enlightenment and salvation of men. He directs Saul to the church, thus
acknowledging the power that He has invested in it as a channel of light to
the world. It is Christ's organized body upon the earth, and respect is
required to be paid to His ordinances. In the case of Saul, Ananias represents
Christ, and he also represents Christ's ministers upon the earth who are
appointed to act in Christ's stead.
In the conversion of Paul are given us important principles which we
should ever bear in mind. The Redeemer of the world does not sanction
experience and exercise in religious matters independent of His organized
and acknowledged church, where He has a church.
The Son of God identified Himself with the office and authority of His
organized church. His blessings were to come through the agencies that He
has ordained, thus connecting man with the channel through which His
blessings come. Paul's being strictly conscientious in his work of persecuting
the saints does not make him guiltless when the knowledge of his cruel work
is impressed upon him by the Spirit of God. He is to become a learner of the
disciples.
All the members of the church, if they are sons and daughters of God,
will have to undergo a process of discipline before they can be lights in the
world. God will not make men and women channels of light while they are
in darkness and are content to remain so, making no special efforts to
connect with the Source of light. Those who feel their own need, and arouse
themselves to the deepest thought and the most earnest, persevering prayer
and action, will receive divine aid. There is much for each to unlearn with
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