Background
The Gospel Study Group began as a continuation of studies started by the Primacy of the Gospel Committee, which had been appointed by the General Conference ADCOM. That committee met about twice a year from May 1995 through February 8, 2000.
The new study group was planned to meet at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. Half of the original invited members had also served on the Primacy of the Gospel Committee.
Original Members
- Fred Bischoff
- Richard Davidson PGC
- Lloyd Knecht PGC
- Jon Paulien
- Jerry Moon
- John Peters
- Brian Schwartz PGC
- Peter Van Bemmelen PGC
The initial attendance list included all eight original members.
Purpose
The document framed the death of Christ on Calvary as the group's central hope and theme, and called the members to study together with mutual respect. The notes describe the group as brothers together, not two groups, bringing personal convictions from individual study while praying and studying through differences where possible.
Consensus statements could be prepared as desired, and individual studies could be published in Seventh-day Adventist and scholarly journals.
First Meeting
The first meeting was held March 30, 31, and April 1, 2001, in the Whirlpool Room of Chan Shun Hall. The meeting page for that gathering is also preserved in the archive.
Secretary Notes
| Session | Presenter | Subject |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, 3:00-6:00pm | Richard Davidson | Corporate identity of Old Testament scripture |
| Friday, 7:30-9:30pm | Jon Paulien | What difference the cross? |
| Sabbath, 9:00am-noon | Peter Van Bemmelen | Revelation 14 and the everlasting gospel |
| Sabbath, noon-12:30pm | Lloyd Knecht | Predestined |
| Sabbath, 2:30-4:30pm | Jerry Moon | History of 1844 and beyond |
| Sunday, 8:00-11:45am | Fred Bischoff | Faith and love |
| Sunday, 11:45am-1:15pm | Brian Schwartz | Even the death of the cross |
| Sunday, 3:10-4:30pm | John Peters | Salvation purchased for us at the cross |
Next Steps
The group observed that this was a rare opportunity for seminary professors to study the Word together. The next meeting was set for November 9, 10, and 11, with the topic continuing as "The Cross, Its Significance and Power."
- Romans 3 and 4 and Galatians 2 and 3 were selected for the next session.
- The group agreed to ask John Dybdal, Joe Kidder, Jerry Finneman, and another non-seminary participant to join.
- The group agreed to meet twice yearly and rotate chairman.
- Peter Van Bemmelen was to serve as chairman.
- Lloyd Knecht served as acting secretary.