What is Sin By Dennis Preibe

Overview

The video is a full Sabbath church service that kicks off a “Righteous by Faith” seminar day. The central theme is:

“What is Sin” by Dennis Priebby / Dr. Dennis Prebby

The program blends worship, announcements, testimonies, a children’s story, and then a long Bible-study presentation arguing for a specific definition of sin.

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Service Highlights (Worship & Community)

Praise service

• The service opens with hymns including “Oh, How I Love Jesus,” “Praise Him,” and “He Lives.”
• There’s a light, friendly interaction during “He Lives,” including a joke to someone who is already standing.

Announcements & schedule

• Announcements emphasize a long day schedule (church, potluck, and afternoon presentations).
• Members are encouraged to stay for the full seminar.

Evening nature program (creationism)

• A featured speaker introduces an evening nature program focused on animal evidence for creationism.
• The outreach message emphasizes practical evangelism:
  • Don’t only point people to the Bible—use scientific evidence and imagery to help them reconsider.

Missions trip and The Great Controversy

• Another announcer highlights a missions trip (Aug 26–30).
• The plan includes distributing many copies of The Great Controversy, linking mission to both gospel and health messaging.

VBS (Aug 3–7)

• VBS is announced for kids (Aug 3–7).
• Calls for volunteers include:
  • Group leaders
  • Station helpers
  • Other support roles

Rededication / baptism moment

• Brandy Bean comes forward to rededicate her life to Christ.
• The service reads through the Adventist fundamental beliefs (13 points).
• A motion is made to accept her.
• The hymn “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus” is sung, with the refrain “No turning back.”

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Devotional Theme: “Alignment”

A short devotional uses Amos 3:3:

“Do two walk together unless they have agreed to meet.”

It argues:

• Relationship with God requires chosen alignment, not just closeness.
• The idea is applied practically to health, diet, and rhythm (rest, movement, recovery).
• Misalignment is framed as what creates strain.

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Children’s Segment: “Don’t Be Fooled”

The children’s story is delivered by Audrey and teaches a lesson using two main ideas:

Fool’s gold vs. real gold

• Fool’s gold looks shiny but is worthless.
• It may also be described as having different qualities (including smell and sparkling behavior).

“Prop trick” surprise

• Audrey uses a fun demonstration:
  • Something that looks like a stick
  • Turns out to be a caterpillar
• The key is the surprise/fear reaction (“Ah, what was that?”).

Spiritual takeaway

• The lesson emphasizes that Satan is the one who tricks.
• Children are encouraged to:
  • Ask God for help
  • Not be deceived
• The segment ends with prayers.

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Main Event: Dennis Prebby’s Bible Study — “What is Sin?”

The centerpiece is a seminar-style lecture with handouts and citations from the Bible and Ellen White. The presentation argues for two competing definitions of sin.

Definition A: “Sin as nature” (original sin)

• People are sinners because they inherit a fallen nature from Adam.
• Emphasizes guilt/condemnation at birth.
• Includes a controversial claim that an infant could be subject to the “second death” shortly after birth.

Definition B: “Sin as choice”

• Sin is not treated as automatic inherited condemnation.
• Sin happens when a person knowingly chooses to disobey.
• Uses a strong illustration contrasting evil vs. guilt:
  • Evil = harmful suffering/pain (compared to animal instincts such as predation)
  • Guilt = moral responsibility when someone rejects known truth

Animal/pet illustration (cat and mouse)

• He describes a cat torturing a mouse repeatedly as “evil.”
• The argument follows:
  • Humans don’t assign guilt to the cat because cats lack conscience and choice.
• The conclusion: human sin involves conscience and consent.

Scripture & Ellen White reasoning (core arguments)

Key claims include:

• God responds immediately when sin enters:
  • “As soon as there was sin, there was a savior.”
• Punishment and salvation are separated into:
  • First death: tied to “evil” (natural outcome of a broken world)
  • Second death / hell: tied to guilt (choice-based)
• Rejected light = guilt, supported with Jesus’ wording about remaining in sin.
• Temptation is distinguished from sin:
  • Temptation = being drawn/enticed
  • Sin = when lust is conceived and the person chooses/consents
• Multiple Ellen White statements support the idea that sin is an individual act requiring will/consent, not merely inherited nature.

Why it matters (the “gospel” conclusion)

• He argues Definition A leads people to think Jesus cannot fully solve the root problem, because humans remain condemned sinners by nature until Jesus returns.
• He argues Definition B makes forgiveness, justification, and sanctification work together more fully, including the possibility of character transformation before Christ’s return.
• He warns that worshiping the wrong “Christ of original sin” leads to a distorted gospel.
• He closes by saying the series will continue in the afternoon to explain:
  • How Christ lived and what nature/temptation meant for Him
  • Whether believers can overcome before Jesus comes

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Questions & Closing

Question about evangelism

• A question is asked:
  • If sin is tied to “light,” why evangelize?
• Reply:
  • People must recognize their personal need for forgiveness and healing from guilt.

Prayer, hymn, dismissal

• Closing prayer thanks God for stepping into Eden and emphasizes a second chance:
  • People are weak and need both forgiveness and healing.
• Closing hymn: “Oh Brother, Be Faithful.”
• People are dismissed for a fellowship meal downstairs.

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Standout Personalities (as Appearing)

• Dennis Prebby (Dr. Dennis Prebby) — main Bible-study speaker on “What is sin?”
• Matthew Prebby — referenced in the ministry family (in the prayer/intro)
• Audrey — children’s story leader (“Don’t Be Fooled”)
• Brandy Bean — rededication participant
• Unnamed church speakers/announcers — multiple program parts (VBS/mission/nature)
• Pastor Dennis (referred to as “Pastor Dennis” / “Dr. Dennis”) — introduced and prayed with during the service