What It Means to Be a Christian: Consecration, Discipleship, and the Feast

Being a Christian exactly means living a life of unreserved consecration to the service of God, actively embodying the character of Christ through obedience and self-denialChS 235.3+1.

The Christian life is not merely a profession or a set of forms, but a deeply practical and transformative experience that focuses entirely on the life of Jesus Christ being made manifest in the believerYI June 10, 1897, par. 13+2.

1. The Foundation of True Christianity

True Christianity is defined by a complete dedication of oneself to God, leading to transformation in thought, character, and action8LtMs, Lt 45, 1893, par. 6+1.

• Wholeness in Service: True holiness is wholeness in the service of God, requiring an unreserved consecration, where Christ demands the heart, the mind, the soul, and the strengthChS 235.3. Self is not to be cherished, as he who lives to himself is not a ChristianChS 235.3.

• A Living Connection: Genuine conversion brings the soul into a living connection with Christ and begins to fashion the character after the divine PatternST October 13, 1890, par. 1. Our growth, joy, and usefulness depend entirely on our oneness with Christ, spending time with Him day by day, hour by hourSTJ 68.1.

• Spiritual Discernment: The essential righteousness of a living Christianity requires an unction from the Holy Spirit and spiritual discernment, which the true Witness counsels believers to buy, comparing these needs to gold, white raiment, and eye-salveDAR1909 406.1+1.

2. Learning in the School of Christ

To be a follower of Christ means taking on His character traits and submitting to His teaching and discipline4MR 157.2+1.

• Meekness and Lowliness: Jesus invites us to "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest to your souls" Matthew 11:29. When people learn this lesson of meekness and lowliness of heart, they become qualified to be Christ's true witnessesAdvance March 1, 1899, par. 2+1.

• Mental Discipline: The mind is to be disciplined, educated, and trained, often requiring that the training and education of a lifetime must be discarded so that one may become a learner in the school of Christ1MCP 5.2. Every thought, word, and act must be in accord with the principles of God’s Word, which are as high as heaven and compass eternity1MCP 5.2.

• Obedience of Thought: We are called to bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, realizing that imagination and speculation have no place in God’s work, which deals only in facts 2 Corinthians 10:5PTUK October 20, 1898, page 664.3.

3. Practical Discipleship and Fruits

Being a Christian requires action, demonstrating faith not merely in theory but in the daily, practical aspects of life1888 1753.1+1.

• Doing the Word: True Christians must be diligent in the study of the Bible, the Chart of life, and must be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving their own selves James 1:224T 493.2+1. If we know the things Christ teaches, we are happy if we do them John 13:17.

• Service and Ministry: Practical Christianity is the actual operation of Christian principles, requiring us to stand ready to receive the orders of Providence and go about doing good, imitating the divine MasterARSH December 4, 1860, page 18.20+1. Christ's followers must cherish no selfish motives, understanding that the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister Matthew 20:2812LtMs, Ms 43, 1897, par. 18.

• The Fruit of the Spirit: The fruit of true Christianity is defined as "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance" Galatians 5:22-2312LtMs, Lt 53, 1897, par. 6. By these fruits, the world will know on whose side we stand Matthew 7:2022LtMs, Ms 141, 1907, par. 4.

4. Self-Denial and Separation

The test of discipleship involves forsaking self and the world12LtMs, Ms 132, 1897, par. 5+2.

• Taking Up the Cross: If any man will be Christ's disciple, he must deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Him Matthew 16:241888 1303.2+1. Self-denial is a definite mark of Christianity12LtMs, Ms 132, 1897, par. 5.

• Overcoming Worldliness: The mark of Christian distinction is scarcely discerned in those who yield to carnal minds and seek conformity to the world, spending God's money to make an appearance like worldlings9LtMs, Ms 8a, 1894, par. 4. To follow Christ truly, one must die to self and be crucified to selfAdvance March 1, 1899, par. 2.

• Avoiding Idolatry: Those who love life and desire to see good days must refrain their tongue from evil and their lips from speaking guile 1 Peter 3:10ARSH September 2, 1858, page 125.42. Furthermore, loving the gifts of God more than the Giver reveals that riches are an idol, disqualifying a person from true discipleshipHLv 348.2.

• Choosing Sides: There are only two services—the service of sin leading to death, or the service of Christ leading to obedience unto righteousnessGCDB March 18, 1891, page 159.3. He that is not with Christ is against Him, and he that gathers not with Him scatters abroad Matthew 12:3022LtMs, Ms 141, 1907, par. 4.

That is a wonderful question that delves into the spiritual continuity of God’s purpose! The camp meeting is not the same as the ancient Feast of Tabernacles, but it is a blessed spiritual convocation designed to fulfill similar purposes of gathering, instruction, and dedication to God ✨.

The two gatherings differ in their origin and mandatory requirements, but they both serve as vital times for separation from the world and focus on eternal truth.

The Biblical Feast of Tabernacles

The Feast of Tabernacles was a divinely established observance within the law of Moses, primarily serving two major functions2SP 343.4.

• A Commemoration of Sojourn: This feast was celebrated annually to commemorate the time when the Hebrews lived in tents during their sojourn in the wilderness2SP 343.4+1. The people were required to leave their homes and live in booths (or leafy structures) erected outside the city walls, which created a picturesque sight2SP 343.4.

• A Harvest Festival: It was the third great feast, celebrated after the ingathering of the entire harvest, symbolizing God’s provision Exodus 23:16HSFD 86.1. The period of the Feast of Tabernacles covered seven days, with the first and eighth days designated as annual sabbathsRCASDA 31.3.

• The Fulfillment of Types: The sacrificial services pointed to Christ, and the types of the law of Moses—including the autumnal types like the Day of Atonement and the Feast of Tabernacles—were viewed as pointing toward the events connected with the second advent of ChristLIFIN 191.4+1.

The Modern Camp Meeting

The annual camp meetings are gatherings of great importance, established to bring together believers and proclaim the gospel to outsidersKC 123.4+1.

• Seeking the Lord: The main object of these holy convocation meetings is to ensure that the brethren are separated from business cares and burdens so they may devote a few days exclusively to seeking the LordRH August 15, 1882, par. 1.

• Evangelistic Work: These meetings are designed to be evangelistic, focusing on the study of principles and the work, thereby helping the people receive new light upon the Word of GodPUR March 27, 1902, page 13.3+1. The truth is proclaimed in large camp meetings so that the churches have the opportunity to hear the Bible truthKC 123.4.

• Tenting Experience: Similar to the ancient feast, participants often camp or tent out upon the grounds, sometimes finding improved health from the experience of sleeping with the ends of the tent open to the airHR April 1, 1871, par. 26.

• Essential Attendance: God calls upon His people to take their place among the rank and file of believers at these gatherings, urging them to make no excuse that would keep them from gaining every spiritual advantage possibleLS 345.1.

The Spiritual Connection

Although the external practices differ, the spiritual outcome points to a greater experience: that of continual union with Christ.

While the sacrificial system and the service of the earthly sanctuary have passed away, we now look to Jesus, the High Priest of the new covenant Hebrews 12:24+1. Today, a life of complete consecration and joyful gratitude for God's blessings is regarded as a continual Feast of Tabernacles, a continuous thank offering unto the Lord18MR 270.2.

The camp meeting provides a focused opportunity for believers to humble themselves, confess, repent, and open the door of the heart to the wonderful manifestation of the power of God, preparing them to be men and women of discernment, rich in the grace of His SpiritPC 342.1.