By God’s grace, the majority of gospel workers—ministers, elders, Bible workers—of the European Region of our church were present for a seminar on Bible doctrine in Porumbacu, Sibiu, Romania, from October 29–November 4, 2018. During this week we deeply felt the presence and the blessing of God through the topics presented, through the warm brotherly fellowship, and the beautiful natural ambience of the campus which hosted the event.

The theme of the seminar was the very most important subject that should engulf all our attention and interest concerning our salvation, the subject of all subjects: “Christ Our Righteousness,” the truth that will prepare a people to be ready for the soon coming of our dear Saviour.

The topics were presented by Br. Davi Paes Silva, the President of the General Conference, and Br. Peter Lausevic, the first Vice President. We were privileged as well with some medical topics presented by Br. Dragan Ivanov, the Medical Missionary Department Director and Br. Emil Barbu, his assistant in this department.

In this seminar, the presentations of Br. Silva were based on the apostle Paul’s letter to Romans—accompanied by the Spirit of Prophecy, in which the inspired Word of God unveils the precious truth of righteousness by faith. Paul declares: “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith” (Romans 1:16, 17).

“In his epistle to the Romans, Paul set forth the great principles of the gospel. He stated his position on the questions which were agitating the Jewish and the Gentile churches, and showed that the hopes and promises which had once belonged especially to the Jews were now offered to the Gentiles also.

“With great clearness and power the apostle presented the doctrine of justification by faith in Christ. He hoped that other churches also might be helped by the instruction sent to the Christians at Rome; but how dimly could he foresee the far-reaching influence of his words! Through all the ages the great truth of justification by faith has stood as a mighty beacon to guide repentant sinners into the way of life. It was this light that scattered the darkness which enveloped Luther’s mind and revealed to him the power of the blood of Christ to cleanse from sin. The same light has guided thousands of sin-burdened souls to the true Source of pardon and peace. For the epistle to the church at Rome, every Christian has reason to thank God.”1

“The Lord in His great mercy sent a most precious message to His people through Elders Waggoner and Jones. This message was to bring more prominently before the world the uplifted Saviour, the sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. It presented justification through faith in the Surety; it invited the people to receive the righteousness of Christ, which is made manifest in obedience to all the commandments of God. Many had lost sight of Jesus. They needed to have their eyes directed to His divine person, His merits, and His changeless love for the human family. All power is given into His hands, that He may dispense rich gifts unto men, imparting the priceless gift of His own righteousness to the helpless human agent. This is the message that God commanded to be given to the world. It is the third angel’s message, which is to be proclaimed with a loud voice, and attended with the outpouring of His Spirit in a large measure.”2

Br. Peter Lausevic’s presentation, “Married to Christ,” brought anew to attention the beautiful biblical comparison between the marriage of a man with his wife and the “marriage” of Christ with the believer. “Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man. Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, evento him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God” (Romans 7:1–4).

“Every association we form, however limited, exerts some influence upon us. The extent to which we yield to that influence will be determined by the degree of intimacy, the constancy of the intercourse, and our love and veneration for the one with whom we associate.”3

In the same way the husband becomes one with his wife, sharing the same spirit as they associate together in life, likewise, the more we associate with the “old man”—the desires and inclinations of the flesh—the more we become like it. In contrast, by dying to the claims of the flesh, by crucifying the old man, we resurrect with Jesus in newness of life, ready for the marriage with Him, a marriage that will last throughout eternity. “Thus by acquaintance and association with Christ we may become like Him, the one faultless Example.”4

“Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (2 Peter 1:4). The “new birth” (John 3:3–5) brings us to partake of the divine nature.

In the presentation “What is Righteousness?” was revealed the meaning of righteousness and how it can be achieved and expressed in the Christian’s daily experience.

“Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” (Romans 6:16).

“The religion that comes from God is the only religion that will lead to God. In order to serve Him aright, we must be born of the divine Spirit. This will purify the heart and renew the mind, giving us a new capacity for knowing and loving God. It will give us a willing obedience to all His requirements. This is true worship.”5

“Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous” (1 John 3:7). This means to have a character like that of the Lord Jesus.

Beside the spiritual topics, we also enjoyed some very important subjects relating to the medical field, presented by the brethren Dragan Ivanov and Emil Barbu—topics such as “The Open Windows to Heaven,” “The Benefits of Autophagy,” and “The Resurrection and Reincarnation in the Light of God’s Word.” As Gospel workers busy serving the people, we have to take care of our own health—a talent so valuable that we should make every effort to ensure that the level of both our spiritual and physical health be as high as possible, and as close as possible to the Lord’s will for us!

After the presentations, both spiritual and medical, opportunity was given for written or verbal questions. All of us gained a better understanding of various aspects of the precious truths presented, in a dynamic ambience.

Every morning and evening worship provided a chance for all of the participants to deepen our understanding of the topics of the seminar, as our colleagues, fellow gospel workers of the European Region presented timely meditations from God’s Word.

On the weekend, on the Sabbath day, besides the gospel workers present in the Seminar, many other brethren from the neighboring churches, some of them coming from longer distances, came to enjoy the Word of God, the brotherly fellowship, and the praise and experiences program of the afternoon. On Sunday, November 4th, the seminar concluded under the special blessing of the Lord, and the workers left to their respective homes and missionary fields.

We thank the Lord for every moment spent in this seminar, and may He make that everyone present, together with the entire people of God may accept wholeheartedly this all-important message of justification by faith! And under the power of the Holy Spirit may He help us all to proclaim this saving message to all the corners of the world; and when the Lord will come, may He give us the great joy to continue with Him in His holy kingdom forever!