Why does the Seventh-day Adventist church believe that Ellen G. White
received the gift of prophecy when she said that she did not claim to be a
prophetess? The misuse often made of this Ellen White statement is an
illustration of the importance of proper context. Here, in her own words, is
what Ellen White did and did not mean by her statement:
"Some have stumbled over the fact that I said I did not claim to be a
prophet; and they have asked, Why is this?
"I have had no claims to make, only that I am instructed that I am the
Lord's messenger; that He called me in my youth to be His messenger, to receive
His word, and to give a clear and decided message in the name of the Lord
Jesus.
"Early in my youth I was asked several times, Are you a prophet? I have
ever responded, I am the Lord's messenger. I know that many have called me a
prophet, but I have made no claim to this title. My Saviour declared me to be
His messenger. 'Your work,' He instructed me, 'is to bear My word. Strange
things will arise, and in your youth I set you apart to bear the message to the
erring ones, to carry the word before unbelievers, and with pen and voice to
reprove from the Word actions that are not right. Exhort from the Word. I will
make My Word open to you. It shall not be as a strange language. In the true
eloquence of simplicity, with voice and pen, the messages that I give shall be
heard from one who has never learned in the schools. My Spirit and My power
shall be with you.' . . .
"Why have I not claimed to be a prophet?--Because in these days many who
boldly claim that they are prophets are a reproach to the cause of Christ; and
because my work includes much more than the word 'prophet' signifies. . . .
"To claim to be a prophetess is something that I have never done. If
others call me by that name, I have no controversy with them. But my work has
covered so many lines that I cannot call myself other than a messenger, sent to
bear a message from the Lord to His people, and to take up work in any line
that He points out.
"When I was last in Battle Creek, I said before a large congregation
that I did not claim to be a prophetess. Twice I referred to this matter,
intending each time to make the statement, 'I do not claim to be a prophetess.'
If I spoke otherwise than this, let all now understand that what I had in mind
to say was that I do not claim the title of prophet or prophetess" (Review
and Herald, July 26, 1906, reprinted in Selected Messages, book 1,
pp. 31-35).
"During the discourse, I said that I did not claim to be a prophetess.
Some were surprised at this statement, and as much is being said in regard to
it, I will make an explanation. Others have called me a prophetess, but I have
never assumed that title. I have not felt that it was my duty thus to designate
myself. Those who boldly assume that they are prophets in this our day are
often a reproach to the cause of Christ.
"My work includes much more than this name signifies. I regard myself as
a messenger, entrusted by the Lord with messages for His people" (Letter 55,
1905; quoted in Selected Messages, book 1, pp. 35, 36).