Evidence

     Quotations from the writings of Ellen G. White with the word . . .

             E  v  i  d  e  n  c  e                 ( 6  RELATED  PHRASES )                  

         The word  'Evidence'  appears   5,589  times in the writings of Ellen G. White                          not on Original website                                          Related Phrases:   abundant evidence (  )  - - hearsay evidence  ( below )  - -  accept evidence  ( 9 )  - -  strong evidence  (  )  - -  evidence of experience  ( 3 )  - -  unquestionable evidence  ( 10 )  - -  Evidence that . . .  ( 1,831 )  - -  conclusive evidence  ( 44 )  - -   give evidence  (  )

  The enemies of the disciples could not but be convinced that Christ had risen from the dead. The evidence was too clear to be doubted. Nevertheless, they hardened their hearts, refusing to repent of the terrible deed they had committed in putting Jesus to death. Abundant evidence that the apostles were speaking and acting under divine inspiration had been given the Jewish rulers, but they firmly resisted the message of truth. Christ had not come in the manner that they expected, and though at times they had been convinced that He was the Son of God, yet they had stifled conviction, and crucified Him. In mercy God gave them still further evidence, and now another opportunity was granted them to turn to Him. He sent the disciples to tell them that they had killed the Prince of life, and in this terrible charge He gave them another call to repentance. But feeling secure in their own righteousness, the Jewish teachers refused to admit that the men charging them with crucifying Christ were speaking by the direction of the Holy Spirit. { AA 61.1} 

 

 
 The arguments of the apostles alone, though clear and convincing, would not have removed the prejudice that had withstood so much evidence.  But the Holy Spirit sent the arguments home to hearts with divine power. The words of the apostles were as sharp arrows of the Almighty, convicting men of their terrible guilt in rejecting and crucifying the Lord of glory.  { AA 45.1} 

 

  It is not a conclusive evidence that a man is a Christian because he manifests spiritual ecstasy under extraordinary circumstances. Holiness is not rapture: it is an entire surrender of the will to God; it is living by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God; it is doing the will of our heavenly Father; it is trusting God in trial, in darkness as well as in the light; it is walking by faith and not by sight; it is relying on God with unquestioning confidence, and resting in His love. { AA 51.2} 

 

  Upon hearing this, the disciples received him as one of their number. Soon they had abundant evidence as to the genuineness of his Christian experience. The future apostle to the Gentiles was now in the city where many of his former associates lived, and to these Jewish leaders he longed to make plain the prophecies concerning the Messiah, which had been fulfilled by the advent of the Saviour. Paul felt sure that these teachers in Israel, with whom he had once been so well acquainted, were as sincere and honest as he had been. But he had miscalculated the spirit of his Jewish brethren, and in the hope of their speedy conversion he was doomed to bitter disappointment. Although “he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians,” those who stood at the head of the Jewish church refused to believe, but “went about to slay him.” Sorrow filled his heart. He would willingly have yielded up his life if by that means he might bring some to a knowledge of the truth. With shame he thought of the active part he had taken in the martyrdom of Stephen, and now in his anxiety to wipe out the stain resting upon one so falsely accused, he sought to vindicate the truth for which Stephen had given his life. { AA 129.1} 

 

  The Spirit of God had wrought with and through Paul in his labors for his countrymen. Sufficient evidence had been presented to convince all who honestly desired to know the truth. But many permitted themselves to be controlled by prejudice and unbelief, and refused to yield to the most conclusive evidence. Fearing that the faith of the believers would be endangered by continued association with these opposers of the truth, Paul separated from them and gathered the disciples into a distinct body, continuing his public instructions in the school of Tyrannus, a teacher of some note. { AA 285.3} 

 

  God never asks us to believe, without giving sufficient evidence upon which to base our faith. His existence, His character, the truthfulness of His word, are all established by testimony that appeals to our reason; and this testimony is abundant. Yet God has never removed the possibility of doubt. Our faith must rest upon evidence, not demonstration. Those who wish to doubt will have opportunity; while those who really desire to know the truth will find plenty of evidence on which to rest their faith. { CSA 46.1 } 

 

  God does not conceal His truth from men. By their own course of action they make it obscure to themselves. Christ gave the Jewish people abundant evidence that He was the Messiah; but His teaching called for a decided change in their lives. They saw that if they received Christ, they must give up their cherished maxims and traditions, their selfish, ungodly practices. It required a sacrifice to receive changeless, eternal truth. Therefore they would not admit the most conclusive evidence that God could give to establish faith in Christ. They professed to believe the Old Testament Scriptures, yet they refused to accept the testimony contained therein concerning Christ’s life and character. They were afraid of being convinced lest they should be converted and be compelled to give up their preconceived opinions. The treasure of the gospel, the Way, the Truth, and the Life, was among them, but they rejected the greatest gift that Heaven could bestow. { COL 105.1} 

 

  “If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.” These words were proved true in the history of the Jewish nation. Christ’s last and crowning miracle was the raising of Lazarus of Bethany, after he had been dead four days. The Jews were given this wonderful evidence of the Saviour’s divinity, but they rejected it. Lazarus rose from the dead and bore his testimony before them, but they hardened their hearts against all evidence, and even sought to take his life. ( John 12:9-11). { COL 265.1}

 

  The priests and elders had had unmistakable evidence of Christ’s power. In His cleansing of the temple they had seen Heaven’s authority flashing from His face. They could not resist the power by which He spoke. Again in His wonderful deeds of healing He had answered their question. He had given evidence of His authority which could not be controverted. But it was not evidence that was wanted. The priests and elders were anxious for Jesus to proclaim Himself the Messiah that they might misapply His words and stir up the people against Him. They wished to destroy His influence and to put Him to death. { COL 273.3} 

 

  It is not enough for us to believe that Jesus is not an impostor, and that the religion of the Bible is no cunningly devised fable. We may believe that the name of Jesus is the only name under heaven whereby man may be saved, and yet we may not through faith make Him our personal Saviour. It is not enough to believe the theory of truth. It is not enough to make a profession of faith in Christ and have our names registered on the church roll. “He that keepeth His commandments dwelleth in Him, and He in him. And hereby we know that He abideth in us, by the Spirit which He hath given us.” [1 John 3:24];  “Hereby we do know that we know Him if we keep His commandments.” 1 John 2:3. This is the genuine evidence of conversion. Whatever our profession, it amounts to nothing unless Christ is revealed in works of righteousness. { COL 312.3} 

 

   When the Saviour appears in the clouds of heaven, no one will be given another opportunity to gain salvation. All will have made their decision. Before the close of this world’s history those who are willing to accept evidence will have the dark veil removed from their minds. Hearts will be cleansed through accepting Christ during the time that the whole world is lighted with the glory of the angel who comes down from heaven. { YI July 31, 1902, par. 3 }

 

                                               you  give  evidence  of  . . .

  Take the word of Christ as your assurance. Has he not invited you to come unto Him?  Never allow yourself to talk in a hopeless, discouraged way.  If you do you will lose much. By looking at appearances and complaining when difficulties and pressure come, you give evidence of a sickly, enfeebled faith.  Talk and act as if your faith was invincible. The Lord is rich in resources. He owns the world. Look heavenward in faith. Look to Him who has light and power and efficiency.    Christ’s Object Lessons, page 146, par. 5 

 

 

                                                                           h e a r s a y    e v i d e n c e                                                                              

 

  Through the acceptance of hearsay evidence the enemy obtains great advantage in council and committee meetings. Those who would stand for the right if they knew what it was, are led astray by the evil surmisings of others in whom they have confidence. Their prayers are thus hindered, their faith is paralyzed and unkind thoughts, unholy suspicions, alienate them from their brethren. Thus God is dishonored, and souls are imperiled.  {RH, May 14, 1895 par. 9}

 

 
Through this acceptance of hearsay evidence the enemy obtains great advantage in councils and committee meetings. Those who would stand for the right, if they knew what it was, have to wade about in the foul pools of evil surmisings, because they are misled by the surmisings of someone in whom they have confidence. Their prayers are hindered, their faith is paralyzed, and unkind thoughts, unholy suspicions, come in to do their work of alienation among brethren. God is dishonored, souls are imperiled.  {15MR 175.2}

 

    This phrase appears only two times in the writings of EGW

 

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Related Information

EGW quotes - E-F Earthquake Emboldened in sin Embrace Emergency Encourage End justifies the means Endeavor Endurance Enemy Enrich the mind Enter the strait gate (15) Entering wedge Envy Error (Separate page) Escape Essence (160) Essential ( is essential ) Essential for man Eternal Evangelism Every (separate page) Every person we contact Evil (Separate page) Example Excommunicate Excuse (2,291) Exercise Experience Experimental religion Eye salve Eyes Fact - Facts (Separate page) Failure Fair chance Faith (Separate page) Fall False (Separate page) Familiar Fanaticism Fasting (418) - Fear (Separate page) Feast of Pentecost Feelings Fidelity (separate page) 989 Fighting Fire (separate page) Flattery Follow Jesus Follow their own (359) Foolishness Forbearance of God Forbidden Force Forgive Form of Godliness Formation of small companies Fortification Forward (Go Forward) France ( French Revolution ) Free - Freedom ( Separate section ) Fruits of the Spirit (Separate page) Fulness (Separate page) Fundamental principle Future (Separate page) Accept evidence (8) Conclusive evidence Evidence of experience Evidence that . . .