The Spirit of Prophecy tells us, “In the life of a true Christian there are no non-essentials” (Messages to Young People, 148).
In our walk with God we are not seeing anything that God requires of us—no matter how small—as unimportant. We can only go back to the fall of our first parents over what would be termed a small matter in eating the fruit. The same issue is here today concerning the growing acceptance of the wearing of jewelry among Seventh-day Adventists in our churches, institutions etc.
There was once a time at least on the surface that you didn’t see our people adorned with jewelry, but things have changed! From the laymen to pastors and even pastor’s wives we are seeing a pandemic of compromise on this issue.
The Spirit of Prophecy tells us,
“There is a terrible sin upon us as a people, that we have permitted our church members to dress in a manner inconsistent with their faith. We must arise at once and close the door against the allurements of fashion. Unless we do this, our churches will become demoralized.” 4T 648.
The Bible tells us concerning the wearing of jewelry, that we are to be adorned in modest apparel and “…..not with….gold or pearls or costly array” (1 Timothy 2:9). The Contemporary English Version of the Bible makes it even plainer that we are not to “….put on jewelry made of gold or pearls.”
This text, along with others (Genesis 35:2-4; Exodus 33:1-6 and 1 Peter 3:3, 4 etc.) prohibits the wearing of jewelry and God’s people are violating His expressed will by doing the contrary. Ellen White commented on this verse by saying,
“Have not our sisters sufficient zeal and moral courage to place themselves without excuse upon the Bible platform? The apostle has given most explicit directions on this point: “I will therefore ... that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.” Here the Lord, through His apostle, speaks expressly against the wearing of gold. Let those who have had experience see to it that they do not lead others astray on this point by their example. That ring encircling your finger may be very plain, but it is useless, and the wearing of it has a wrong influence upon others. 4T 630.
Though these scriptures and quotes by the servant of the Lord are plain, nevertheless we are seeing a growing trend of leaping compromise on this topic and this deserves answers so that God’s people can make intelligent decisions on this subject.
The question now being ported around concerning this issue is the question, “Is the wearing of jewelry salvific?”, meaning is the wearing of jewelry a heaven or hell issue? This question properly answered will help the people to God to see that this is an issue of obedience or disobedience of which with anything that God commands us has eternal consequences.
Recently Dr. Isaac Olatunji, pastor of the State Line SDA Church in Ardmore, AL and adjunct professor of Theology at Oakwood University did a video presentation on this subject in response to this question. May the Lord bless all who view this video come to the proper conclusion on this subject which answers this very important question. This video in addition covers the subject of the wedding ring, makeup and other questions as it relates to this interesting topic.
Isaac Olatunji Jr., PhD is the pastor of the State Line SDA Church and Adjunct Professor of Theology at Oakwood University and is the Speaker/Director of Project Latter Rain Ministries. You can know more about this ministry at www.projectlatterrain.com
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