About 200 administrators, teachers, evangelists, and lay leaders followed the footsteps of Moses and Jesus through Egypt, Jordan, and Israel in the first Inter-American Division (IAD) Bible Conference. Organized by the IAD together with the Inter-American Adventist Theological Seminary and in consultation with the Biblical Research Institute, the objective of the conference was to give participants an overview of the geographical and archeological background of the Biblical accounts and to empower them to be more effective in the pulpit and in the classroom. The papers read were developed in harmony with the Methods of Bible Study guide guidelines voted in Rio de Janeiro in 1986 and covered primarily topics in the areas of protology and eschatology, but also soteriology and hermeneutics. In addition, an important series of lectures was given in the areas of stewardship and applied theology, including church growth, evangelism, worship, anointing the sick, spiritual formation, and ministerial ethics. Each presentation was followed by time for questions and discussion, enabling a valuable dialogue among the English-, Spanish-, and French-speaking participants.
Elie Henry, IAD Vice President, said that “the program was a big opportunity for our theology professors to get a better understanding of the Bible’s settings, of the challenges on protology and eschatology. Also it was a golden opportunity to share ideas, papers and concerns in formal group discussions and informal conversations. They are very appreciative for this unforgettable experience.” The official report voted by the attendees, described the history and purpose of the conference, a summary of activities, and the following statement of consensus and commitment:
Statement of Consensus
After coming together to search the Scriptures, to understand more clearly and deeply its message for God’s end-time people, and to pray for divine guidance in humility of heart, we were moved by the Spirit of God to reaffirm that:
The Bible is the inspired Word of God and is its own best interpreter. Therefore, the hermeneutical principles for biblical interpretation should be found in the Scriptures themselves.
Through the power of the three divine persons of the Godhead, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, everything that is came into existence and they will likewise manifest their power in the re-creation of the world.
Genesis 1-11 provide a reliable historical account of the creation of the world, the entrance of sin, the degradation of the human race, and the destructive effects of a worldwide flood.
God created this world in six consecutive 24-hour days and rested on the seventh day, establishing by His example the rhythm of human life of work and rest.
God sent His Son Jesus to redeem the world and the human race through His life on earth, His death on the cross, and His ministry in heaven so that human beings may fulfill the original purpose of their creation.
Through Ellen White the Lord provided for the remnant church guidance in the areas of protology, soteriology, hermeneutics and eschatology.
God restored us through Jesus as stewards of His riches, which include nature, our body, time, resources, abilities, and most importantly the gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ and that we are accountable before Him. Therefore, we should be responsible and efficient in administering them to His glory.
God provided in Scripture a reliable account of end-time events, but did not give us information to establish a date for the Second Coming.
We as a church should work unitedly, fervently and intelligently under the guidance of the Holy Spirit in the fulfillment of the mission of the church, strengthening the spiritual experience within our ranks, and meeting successfully the challenges of a deceitful enemy.
Commitment
In view of the above reaffirmations, we commit ourselves to a more dedicated and deeper study of the Word of God, to apply its teachings to our personal lives and to our educational, evangelistic and administrative responsibilities, as well as to a more faithful stewardship of our health and the gifts God has provided in order to prepare ourselves and others for His glorious coming.
Pastor Israel Leito, in summing up the success of the conference, promised that it would not be the last and announced that, for the first time in IAD history, accessions to the church for the current quinquennium have surpassed 1,000,000. Praise was given to God for enabling such growth, which is a fitting testimony to the potential that exists when commitment to a close study of the Scriptures and to the message and mission of the church are combined.