What the 7th Day Adventist Church Believes (Part 1)

[3AM]

27 Fundamental Beliefs of Seventh Day Adventists   (Part 1)


1. The Holy Scriptures: The Holy Scriptures, Old and New Testaments, are the written Word of God, given by divine inspiration through holy men of God who spoke and wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. In this Word, God has committed to man the knowledge necessary for salvation. The Holy Scriptures are the infallible revelation of His will. They are the standard of character, the test of experience, the authoritative revealer of doctrines, and the trustworthy record of God's acts in history. (2 Peter 1:20, 21; 2 Tim. 3:16, 17; Ps. 119:105; Prov. 30:5, 6; Isa. 8:20; John 17:17; 1 Thess. 2:13; Heb. 4:12.)
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2. The GodHead: There is one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a unity of three co-eternal Persons. God is immortal, all-powerful, all-knowing, above all, and ever present. He is infinite and beyond human comprehension, yet known through His self-revelation. He is forever worthy of worship, adoration, and service by the whole creation. (Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14; Eph. 4:4-6; 1 Peter 1:2; 1 Tim. 1:17; Rev. 14:7.)
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3. The Father: God the eternal Father is the Creator, Source, Sustainer, and Sovereign of all creation. He is just and holy, merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. The qualities and powers exhibited in the Son and the Holy Spirit are also revelations of the Father. (Gen. 1:1; Rev. 4:11; 1 Cor. 15:28; John 3:16; 1 John 4:8; 1 Tim. 1:17; Ex. 34:6, 7; John 14:9.)
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4. The Son: God the eternal Son became incarnate in Jesus Christ. Through Him all things were created, the character of God is revealed, the salvation of humanity is accomplished, and the world is judged. Forever truly God, He became also truly man, Jesus the Christ. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived and experienced temptation as a human being, but perfectly exemplified the righteousness and love of God. By His miracles He manifested God's power and was attested as God's promised Messiah. He suffered and died voluntarily on the cross for our sins and in our place, was raised from the dead, and ascended to minister in the heavenly sanctuary in our behalf. He will come again in glory for the final deliverance of His people and the restoration of all things. (John 1:1-3, 14; Col. 1:15-19; John 10:30; 14:9; Rom. 6:23; 2 Cor. 5:17-19; John 5:22; Luke 1:35; Phil. 2:5-11; Heb. 2:9-18; 1 Cor. 15:3, 4; Heb. 8:1, 2; John 14:1-3.)
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5. The Holy Spirit: God the eternal Spirit was active with the Father and the Son in Creation, incarnation, and redemption. He inspired the writers of Scripture. He filled Christ's life with power. He draws and convicts human beings; and those who respond He renews and transforms into the image of God. Sent by the Father and the Son to be always with His children, He extends spiritual gifts to the church, empowers it to bear witness to Christ, and in harmony with the Scriptures leads it into all truth. (Gen. 1:1, 2; Luke 1:35; 4:18; Acts 10:38; 2 Peter 1:21; 2 Cor. 3:18; Eph. 4:11, 12; Acts 1:8; John 14:16-18, 26; 15:26, 27; 16:7-13.)
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6. Creation: God is Creator of all things, and has revealed in Scripture the authentic account of His creative activity. In six days the Lord made "the heaven and the earth" and all living things upon the earth, and rested on the seventh day of that first week. Thus He established the Sabbath as a perpetual memorial of His completed creative work. The first man and woman were made in the image of God as the crowning work of Creation, given dominion over the world, and charged with responsibility to care for it. When the world was finished it was ``very good,'' declaring the glory of God. (Gen. 1; 2; Ex. 20:8-11; Ps. 19:1-6; 33:6, 9; 104; Heb. 11:3.)
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7. The Nature of Man: Man and woman were made in the image of God with individuality, the power and freedom to think and to do. Though created free beings, each is an indivisible unity of body, mind, and spirit, dependent upon God for life and breath and all else. When our first parents disobeyed God, they denied their dependence upon Him and fell from their high position under God. The image of God in them was marred and they became subject to death. Their descendants share this fallen nature and its consequences. They are born with weaknesses and tendencies to evil. But God in Christ reconciled the world to Himself and by His Spirit restores in penitent mortals the image of their Maker. Created for the glory of God, they are called to love Him and one another, and to care for their environment. (Gen. 1:26-28; 2:7; Ps. 8:4-8; Acts 17:24-28; Gen. 3; Ps. 51:5; Rom. 5:12-17; 2 Cor. 5:19, 20; Ps. 51:10; 1 John 4:7, 8, 11, 20; Gen. 2:15.)
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8. The Great Controversy: All humanity is now involved in a great controversy between Christ and Satan regarding the character of God, His law, and His sovereignty over the universe. This conflict originated in heaven when a created being, endowed with freedom of choice, in self-exaltation became Satan, God's adversary, and led into rebellion a portion of the angels. He introduced the spirit of rebellion into this world when he led Adam and Eve into sin. This human sin resulted in the distortion of the image of God in humanity, the disordering of the created world, and its eventual devastation at the time of the worldwide flood. Observed by the whole creation, this world became the arena of the universal conflict, out of which the God of love will ultimately be vindicated. To assist His people in this controversy, Christ sends the Holy Spirit and the loyal angels to guide, protect, and sustain them in the way of salvation. (Rev. 12:4-9; Isa. 14:12-14; Eze. 28:12-18; Gen. 3; Rom. 1:19-32; 5:12-21; 8:19-22; Gen. 6-8; 2 Peter 3:6; 1 Cor. 4:9; Heb. 1:14.)
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9. The Life, Death, and Resurrection of Christ: In Christ's life of perfect obedience to God's will, His suffering, death, and resurrection, God provided the only means of atonement for human sin, so that those who by faith accept this atonement may have eternal life, and the whole creation may better understand the infinite and holy love of the Creator. This perfect atonement vindicates the righteousness of God's law and the graciousness of His character; for it both condemns our sin and provides for our forgiveness. The death of Christ is substitutionary and expiatory, reconciling and transforming. The resurrection of Christ proclaims God's triumph over the forces of evil, and for those who accept the atonement assures their final victory over sin and death. It declares the Lordship of Jesus Christ, before whom every knee in heaven and on earth will bow. (John 3:16; Isa. 53; 1 Peter 2:21, 22; 1 Cor. 15:3, 4, 20-22; 2 Cor. 5:14, 15, 19-21; Rom. 1:4; 3:25; 4:25; 8:3, 4; 1 John 2:2; 4:10; Col. 2:15; Phil. 2:6-11.)
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T10. The Experience of Salvation: In infinite love and mercy God made Christ, who knew no sin, to be sin for us, so that in Him we might be made the righteousness of God. Led by the Holy Spirit we sense our need, acknowledge our sinfulness, repent of our transgressions, and exercise faith in Jesus as Lord and Christ, as Substitute and Example. This faith which receives salvation comes through the divine power of the Word and is the gift of God's grace. Through Christ we are justified, adopted as God's sons and daughters, and delivered from the lordship of sin. Through the Spirit we are born again and sanctified; the Spirit renews our minds, writes God's law of love in our hearts, and we are given the power to live a holy life. Abiding in Him we become partakers of the divine nature and have the assurance of salvation now and in the judgment. (2 Cor. 5:17-21; John 3:16; Gal. 1:4; 4:4-7; Titus 3:3-7; John 16:8; Gal. 3:13, 14; 1 Peter 2:21, 22; Rom. 10:17; Luke 17:5; Mark 9:23, 24; Eph. 2:5-10; Rom. 3:21-26; Col. 1:13, 14; Rom. 8:14-17; Gal. 3:26; John 3:3-8; 1 Peter 1:23; Rom. 12:2; Heb. 8:7-12; Eze. 36:25-27; 2 Peter 1:3, 4; Rom. 8:1-4; 5:6-10.)
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11. The Church: The church is the community of believers who confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. In continuity with the people of God in Old Testament times, we are called out from the world; and we join together for worship, for fellowship, for instruction in the Word, for the celebration of the Lord's Supper, for service to all mankind, and for the worldwide proclamation of the gospel. The church derives its authority from Christ, who is the incarnate Word, and from the Scriptures, which are the written Word. The church is God's family; adopted by Him as children, its members live on the basis of the new covenant. The church is the body of Christ, a community of faith of which Christ Himself is the Head. The church is the bride for whom Christ died that He might sanctify and cleanse her. At His return in triumph, He will present her to Himself a glorious church, the faithful of all the ages, the purchase of His blood, not having spot or wrinkle, but holy and without blemish. (Gen. 12:3; Acts 7:38; Eph. 4:11-15; 3:8-11; Matt. 28:19, 20; 16:13-20; 18:18; Eph. 2:19-22; 1:22, 23; 5:23-27; Col. 1:17, 18.)
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12. The Remnant and Its Mission: The universal church is composed of all who truly believe in Christ, but in the last days, a time of widespread apostasy, a remnant has been called out to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. This remnant announces the arrival of the judgment hour, proclaims salvation through Christ, and heralds the approach of His second advent. This proclamation is symbolized by the three angels of Revelation 14; it coincides with the work of judgment in heaven and results in a work of repentance and reform on earth. Every believer is called to have a personal part in this worldwide witness. (Rev. 12:17; 14:6-12; 18:1-4; 2 Cor. 5:10; Jude 3, 14; 1 Peter 1:16-19; 2 Peter 3:10-14; Rev. 21:1-14.)
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13. Unity in the Body of Christ: The church is one body with many members, called from every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. In Christ we are a new creation; distinctions of race, culture, learning, and nationality, and differences between high and low, rich and poor, male and female, must not be divisive among us. We are all equal in Christ, who by one Spirit has bonded us into one fellowship with Him and with one another; we are to serve and be served without partiality or reservation. Through the revelation of Jesus Christ in the Scriptures we share the same faith and hope, and reach out in one witness to all. This unity has its source in the oneness of the triune God, who has adopted us as His children. (Rom. 12:4, 5; 1 Cor. 12:12-14; Matt. 28:19, 20; Ps. 133:1; 2 Cor. 5:16, 17; Acts 17:26, 27; Gal. 3:27, 29; Col. 3:10-15; Eph. 4:14-16; 4:1-6; John 17:20-23.)
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14. Baptism: By baptism we confess our faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and testify of our death to sin and of our purpose to walk in newness of life. Thus we acknowledge Christ as Lord and Savior, become His people, and are received as members by His church. Baptism is a symbol of our union with Christ, the forgiveness of our sins, and our reception of the Holy Spirit. It is by immersion in water and is contingent on an affirmation of faith in Jesus and evidence of repentance of sin. It follows instruction in the Holy Scriptures and acceptance of their teachings. (Rom. 6:1-6; Col. 2:12, 13; Acts 16:30-33; 22:16; 2:38; Matt. 28:19, 20.)
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Continued in Part 2...........

[Tu Es Petrus]

Seventh Day Adventism sprang out of a false prediction of the Second Coming. William Miller (1782–1849), a Baptist minister, had interpreted the 2,300-day prophecy of Daniel 8:14 as indicating that the year of Christ's return to Earth would be 1843 (later revised to 1844). He ignored the New Testament warning that "no one knows about that day or hour" (Matt. 24:36).

When Christ failed to return, Miller withdrew from setting dates, but some of his followers were not so willing to confess error. They insisted the end was imminent. They re-interpreted the prophecy to mean Christ's heavenly ministry had entered a new phase in 1844. Several leaders of this group, through a series of "theological insights" confirmed by the visions of Ellen Gould White (1827–1915), who was thought a prophetess, formed the Seventh-day Adventist denomination. The whole denomination is false and based on a false prophecy.

One of these "theological insights," that Christians are required to observe the Jewish Sabbath, led Seventh-day Adventists to conclude they were God's movement for the last days. Just as the Reformers believed they had recovered the principle of justification by faith, Seventh-day Adventists believed they have rescued God's Law from Catholic corruptions.

Even though Seventh-day Adventism had much of its origins in Baptist theology, it is considered heterodox by Fundamentalists and Evangelicals, many of whom consider Seventh-day Adventism a non-Christian cult because of its doctrinal deviations.

Seventh-day Adventists love to challenge the rest of Christianity on the belief that the Jewish Sabbath is still binding on Christians. This is a central tenet of Adventist teaching. In Adventist theology, the Catholic Church is the Great Whore of Babylon described in Revelation 17 because it has trampled on God's commandments by changing the observance of the Sabbath to Sunday. In fact, Seventh-day Adventists teach that "Sunday-keeping" will be the mark of the beast and will be evident when the divine command goes forth to observe the Sabbath.

This divine command is carried by the angel from Revelation 14:7 who says, "Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water." Since this verse points to God as Creator, and since the Sabbath is a memorial of creation, Adventists conclude this means the angel will make it clear it is idolatrous to observe Sunday worship.

The strongest verse refuting Adventism on this point is Colossians 2:16: "Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a sabbath." Seventh-day Adventists claim Paul was talking about the Jewish ceremonial Sabbaths, but the majority of scholars, Protestant and Catholic, agree Paul was referring to yearly, monthly, and weekly observances, including the weekly Sabbath. A similar verse can be found in Galatians 4:10.

There is evidence for the Catholic Church's teaching that the early Church replaced the Jewish Sabbath with Sunday to commemorate the Resurrection of Christ from the dead on the first day of the week. This day was called the "Lord's Day" (Rev. 1:10). It is the day on which Christians gathered to "break bread" (Acts 20:7) and the day on which the Corinthians were to set aside money for the collection (1 Cor. 16:2).

Ignatius of Antioch (c. 110) wrote, "Those who walk in the ancient practices attain to newness of hope, no longer observing the Sabbath, but fashioning their lives after the Lord's Day on which our life also arose through him, that we may be found disciples of Jesus Christ, our only teacher" (Letter to the Magnesians).

In the middle of the second century Justin Martyr explained why Sunday is the day Christians observe: "Sunday is the day on which we all gather in a common assembly, because it is the first day, the day on which God, changing darkness and matter, created the world, and it is the day on which Jesus Christ our Savior rose from the dead" (First Apology).

Seventh-day Adventists try to counter with the argument that the early Church apostatized from Christ's teaching after the death of the apostles. This argument is untenable. The Fathers were a theologically conservative lot, willing to suffer martyrdom rather than compromise the smallest portion of the faith. Besides, accusing the Church of general apostasy contradicts Christ's teaching that the "gates of hell will not prevail against it" (Matt. 16:18).

A second doctrine which Seventh-day Adventists are likely to challenge Catholics on is the doctrine of the extinction of the soul. Adventists teach that the soul of man is not conscious after death, but that it enters into a kind of sleep when the body dies. When the resurrection occurs, bodies and souls will be revivified. Just people will enter into life everlasting, while the wicked will be punished by fire until they die and cease to exist once again. A corollary to the doctrine of the extinction of the soul is the doctrine that the punishment of hell is not eternal. This doctrine Adventists share with Jehovah's Witnesses and Herbert W. Armstrong's Worldwide Church of God.

Paul writes in Philippians 1:23–24, "I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body." He is saying he would prefer to be martyred and be with Christ, but he realizes it is necessary for him to remain alive in order to spread the gospel by his preaching. If the soul "sleeps" (ceases to exists, really) at death, how could it be "better by far" to be martyred rather than continue to have fruitful labor here on Earth?

Adventists are fond of quoting Ecclesiastes 3:19–21 and other Old Testament passages which seem to indicate there is no afterlife. These passages are either written from a human point of view, or they are based on the incomplete revelation the Israelites had concerning the afterlife. It was only when Jesus brought "life and immortality to light through the gospel" (2 Tim. 1:10) that it became clear what the state of the soul is after death.

The Bible teaches the eternal duration of hell. Jesus says in Matthew 25:46, "They will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life:" If Adventists concede eternal life is never-ending, they must also concede eternal punishment is never-ending.

Bottom line: Seventh Day Adventism is un-Biblical and at odds with authentic Christianity

[Bon Voyage]

SDA's don't care much for the reverence Catholics have for Mary, yet look at their reverence for Ellen White.

[Tu Es Petrus]

SDA's don't care much for the reverence Catholics have for Mary, yet look at their reverence for Ellen White.

Ain't that the truth?
They belly-ache about the pope, and then practically worship White as their guru.

[3AM]

 I'm waiting for an honest person, to comment anything about the OP.

[Bon Voyage]

I'm waiting for an honest person, to comment anything about the OP.

2 people did already.

[3AM]

I'm waiting for an honest person, to comment anything about the OP.

2 people did already.

I mean, honest people that have read the Bible verses which accompained each topic.

For example: Have you read each Bible verse carefully, which accompained topic #8...or #12 ?

[Lee Freeman]

I'm waiting for an honest person, to comment anything about the OP.

2 people did already.

I mean, honest people that have read the Bible verses which accompained each topic.

For example: Have you read each Bible verse carefully, which accompained topic #8...or #12 ?

3AM, We've all read these verses probably as much as you have. Reading and understanding are two different things. I would argue that Gary and Tu Est Petrus have a better, more biblical understanding of these passages than the SDA Church.

For example, how do we know the SDA interpretation of these passages is the correct one?

Pax.

[3AM]

For example, how do we know the SDA interpretation of these passages is the correct one?

Pax.

Isaiah  8:20   To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, [it is] because [there is] no light in them. 

These next 2 Bible verses identify the SDA church......

Revelation 14:12   Here is the patience of the saints: here [are] they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. 

Revelation 12:17   And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. 

[Lee Freeman]

For example, how do we know the SDA interpretation of these passages is the correct one?

Pax.

Isaiah  8:20   To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, [it is] because [there is] no light in them. 

These next 2 Bible verses identify the SDA church......

Revelation 14:12   Here is the patience of the saints: here [are] they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. 

Revelation 12:17   And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. 

But how can I be certain you've interpreted these two verses correctly? The Jehovah's Witnesses probably use these passages to point to their church.

Do you see my point? Anyone can interpret scripture. . . doesn't mean they've interpreted it correctly. As I said, there's a huge difference between the words and what the words mean. So how do we determine which church or denomination is interpreting scripture more accurately? It's not as simple as a group insisting that they're simply defending the plain meaning of the text. I know because many well-meaning folks in my denomination often make this claim for some of our unusual views. Anyone who disagrees with them or their interpretation they believe either doesn't understand or is purposely misinterpreting the text(s). The mainline and Anti-institutional Churches of Christ claim that their views are nothing more than the plain, simple meaning of the biblical texts. Every other denomination's views, are corruptions and misinterpretations of that plain, simple meaning.

But again, and with all due respect to these folks, many of whom are family, it isn't that simple. Scripture cannot be boxed up and wrapped in such a neat package.

Pax.

[3AM]

For example, how do we know the SDA interpretation of these passages is the correct one?

Pax.

Isaiah  8:20   To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, [it is] because [there is] no light in them. 

These next 2 Bible verses identify the SDA church......

Revelation 14:12   Here is the patience of the saints: here [are] they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. 

Revelation 12:17   And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. 

But how can I be certain you've interpreted these two verses correctly? The Jehovah's Witnesses probably use these passages to point to their church.

The JW's do not keep the commandments.
They ignore God's 4th commandment, for one.

And, their faith in Jesus Christ is questionable also.

Do you see my point? Anyone can interpret scripture. . . doesn't mean they've interpreted it correctly. As I said, there's a huge difference between the words and what the words mean.

When a person learns to let the Bible interpret itself....then, they will understand what the Bible is realy saying.

So how do we determine which church or denomination is interpreting scripture more accurately?

It is a matter of knowing everything the Bible says.
[qquote]
It's not as simple as a group insisting that they're simply defending the plain meaning of the text. I know because many well-meaning folks in my denomination often make this claim for some of our unusual views. Anyone who disagrees with them or their interpretation they believe either doesn't understand or is purposely misinterpreting the text(s). The mainline and Anti-institutional Churches of Christ claim that their views are nothing more than the plain, simple meaning of the biblical texts. Every other denomination's views, are corruptions and misinterpretations of that plain, simple meaning.

2 Corinthians  13:1   This [is] the third [time] I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established. 

When 2-3 Bible writers say the same thing...you can bet that that is FACT !

But again, and with all due respect to these folks, many of whom are family, it isn't that simple. Scripture cannot be boxed up and wrapped in such a neat package.

Pax.

Agreed !

Too many people just rely on what the NT says, and must realize that the whole Bible is God's word, not just the NT.

The OT can be compared to the foundation of a house....while the NT, is the rest of the house.

Without a good foundation, the rest of the house would fall.