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Seventh Day Adventism

Administrator
Staff Member
What does Seventh Day Adventism Teach?

Affirmations
  • The Bible is inspired and the word of God.
  • Trinitarian: The Father, Son, Holy Spirit are all one God in three persons.
  • Jesus is God and has always existed with the Father.
  • The Holy Spirit is a person.
  • Jesus' sacrifice was vicarious.
  • Salvation is by grace, not works.
  • Jesus rose from the dead physically in his glorified body.
  • Jesus ascended bodily into heaven.
  • Baptism is by immersion
  • The literal, visible return of Jesus.
  • Jesus will return to set up a millennial kingdom. They are Premillennial.
  • Literal six day creation, not long periods.
Denials
  1. Denies the doctrine of predestination
  2. Denies baptism by sprinkling
  3. Denies infant baptism.
  4. Denies the immortality of the soul.
  5. Denies the eternality of hell fire.
  6. Denies any use of alcohol (as a drink) or tobacco.
Aberrant (unbiblical teachings)
  1. Our sins will ultimately be placed on Satan - The Great Controversy, p. 422, 485.
  2. Jesus is Michael the Archangel.
  3. Worship must be done on Saturday (the Sabbath).
  4. On October 22, 1844 Jesus entered the second and last phase of his atoning work.
  5. Investigative Judgment - the fate of all people will be decided based upon this event in the future.
  6. The dead do not exist anymore -- soul sleep.
  7. The wicked are annihilated.
  8. Ellen G. White, the "founder" of Seventh Day Adventism, was a messenger from God gifted with the spirit of prophecy.
  9. There is a sanctuary in heaven where Jesus carries out his mediatorial work.
The History of the Seventh Day Adventist Church

Modern Seventh Day Adventism traces its origins back to the early 1800's to Mr. William Miller (1782-1849) of Low Hampton, New York. Mr. Miller had converted from deism to Christianity in 1816 and became a Baptist. He was an avid reader, dedicated to God's word, and sought to reconcile apparent biblical difficulties raised by deists. He relied heavily on the Cruden's Concordance in his studies and developed a focus on the imminent return of Jesus. He began preaching at the age of 50.

The time was right. America was hot with discussions on the return of Christ. As a result, many thousands (called Millerites) accepted his idea that Jesus would return in the year covering 1843-1844. He had arrived at this date based upon a study of Daniel 8:14 which says, "And he said to me, "For 2,300 evenings and mornings; then the holy place will be properly restored." He interpreted the 2300 evenings and mornings to be years and counted forward from 457 BC when the commandment to rebuild Jerusalem was given (Dan. 9:24-25).<sup>1</sup> When his initial predictions failed, he adjusted his findings to conclude that Jesus would return on March 21, 1844 and then later on October 22, 1844. After these too failed, Miller quit promoting his ideas on Jesus' return and the "Millerites" broke up.

On the morning following the "Great Disappointment" of October 22, 1844, a Mr. Hiram Edson claimed to have seen a vision. He said that he saw Jesus standing at the altar of heaven and concluded that Miller had been right about the time, but wrong about the place. In other words, Jesus' return was not to earth, but a move into the heavenly sanctuary as is referenced in Heb. 8:1-2.

Mr. Joseph Bates (1792-1872), a retired sea captain and a convert to "Millerism" then began to promote the idea of Jesus moving into the heavenly sanctuary. He published a pamphlet which greatly influenced James (1821-1881) and Ellen White (1827-1915). It is these three who were the driving force behind the SDA movement.

Numerous reports state that Ellen G. White (1827-1915) saw visions from an early age. Such was the case shortly after the Great Disappointment. Mrs. White claimed to see in a vision of a narrow path where an angel was guiding Adventists. Subsequent visions resulted in interpretations of the three angels in Rev. 14:6-11 as being 1843-1844 as the hour of God's judgment; the fall of Babylon signified by Adventists leaving various churches, and admonitions against Sunday worship.
  • 1849 - First paper, the Present Truth, was printed in Middletown, Conn.
  • 1850 - First issue of the Second Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, printed in Paris, Maine.
  • 1860 - Name of Seventh-day Adventist adopted by the church.
  • 1863 - First General Conference and formation of the SDA church on May 21, 1863.
  • 1871 - First college opened which became Andrews University.
  • 1871 - J. N. Andrews sent to Switzerland as a missionary.
  • 1885 - Missionary work begun in Australia.
  • 1915 - Ellen G. White dies on July 16, at St. Helena, CA.
  • 1941 - Opening of Theological Seminary at Takoma Park.
  • 1942 - Voice of Prophecy radio show begins broadcasting coast to coast.
  • 1950 - Faith for Today TV show begins.
  • 1955 - SDA membership hits 1 million.
  • 1986 - SDA membership hits 5 million.<sup>2</sup>
 
Member
This is something that I have read some on, I work with someone whom is a SDA and had invied m to church with her - you can find most this information on the SDA website - it makes for very interesting reading - needless to say, I didnt attend church with her a the SDA's!
 
Member
It seems that most of these religions lean on "man" to do God's work for them. Somehow they aren't satisfied enough with the true Word of God and they make alterations or additions, yet subtly to God's Word.

It's sad, I know someone who's a 7th day Adventist. You can't pray to Michael, he's a servant of God, Jesus is God.
 
Member
Is this for real, honestly, I have been to charismatic Seven day. Is there a difference? thanks
 
Member
Is this for real, honestly, I have been to charismatic Seven day. Is there a difference? thanks

I am not familiar with Charismatic Seventh Day Adventists but i have researched the basic Seventh Day adventist church and find it to be cultish*. I would look into the major doctrines about salvation, the law, and justification against what mainstream Christianity teaches. Can the teachings of the SDA stand against the Word of God with truth? From my own personal study, no it does not.
 
Member
Now I am really confused

If they believe that the Son of God is Jesus, then how can they be not with God?
 
Administrator
Staff Member
Just because they say they believe in Jesus, does not mean it is true. Example: read the Denials and Aberrant sections carefully once again in the article. Why should they deny these thigns and teach the unbiblical things? Because they are not truly following Jesus and walking with the Spirit. If they were, they would not make their own version of the Word and live by that.
 
Member
I have always thought when meeting, reading of such SDA

The whole emphasis appears to be upon the day......rather than the Savour

Seems rather odd,,,,to me
 
Member
Praise God for these posts regarding SDA! I was so confused a few days ago,that I asked God why was I allowed to be this confused! In my spirit,I remembered that somewhere in the bible,it is written that we should not let anyone judge us on what we eat or drink,and also that anyone who calls upon the Name of The Lord shall be saved!
 
Member
Thank you for all your posts they have made good reading.

However, one thing that it is important to remember is that much as we can look at SDA and assess doctrinally what they believe, and make conclusions as to whether these beliefs are Biblical, we cannot and should not pass judgement over individuals attending an adventist church. We are called to lead all people into truth, whatever their attitude towards God, and not to judge them.

I say this because in the past I have made the mistake of judging individuals (including SDA) based on what their religion dictates as truth. I agree that SDA teaching is heretical, but I earnestly believe that in the midst of false teaching, Jesus can still guide people into His truth.

In every Christian "denomination" (a word which I try to avoid) there are people who are saved and people who are not (yet) saved. We cannot know for certain what someone's relationship with God is like. But we have a responsibility and commision from Jesus to make them his disciples. So in the same way there are adventists who are saved and adventists who are not saved. I would never encourage anyone to go to a SDA church, because I believe they preach false teaching, but I would also never dare suggest that all adventists are unsaved.

We have to always make sure we assess doctrinal truth independent of judging (or condemning) those who, on account of their denominational label, adhere to it.

Jesus' church is made up of individuals, not of denominations.

I have a good friend who is an adventist and we have talked extensively about our beliefs, and it is very obvious that she has a living and loving relationship with Jesus. We have talked about the controversial issues, many of which she rejects, some of which she has not considered, and she is always clear that she wants to follow Biblical truths. She said that some of what is said at her SDA church she does not agree with, although she stays there because of her cultural upbringing. I have encouraged her to go to a church more gorunded in Biblical truth, and she now attends church with me also. I would say she is a Christian in spite of Adventism, not because of it. But we would be foolish to suppose that God cannot save people through imperfect situations!!
 
Member
This is just something i observed, doesn't it say in the Ten Commandments that the Sabbath day is on the 7th day of the week?
 
Member
This is just something i observed, doesn't it say in the Ten Commandments that the Sabbath day is on the 7th day of the week?

Yes it does.

Some of Chad's information is incorrect and confusing. If anyone wants to know the SDA beliefs, they have a web site and many books. You should find out for yourself. It does require more than a surface skim of information, just like with any 'denomination'.

And, like you said redfox, there are saved and unsaved everywhere, including the SDA church.

I'd like to add that not one of us here has a complete understanding of scripture. One thing about the SDA's, is they remain open to deeper understandings of scripture. The Bible holds a lifetime of learning for everyone. And everyone is at their own place in their own understanding. It is unfairly critical - and arrogant - to think that we hold more knowledge than another, especially if we find a fault-finding attitude coming out of our mouths. A fault-finding attitude is a sure sign of immaturity. It causes division. I'm speaking from my own experience. I'm not picking on anyone. We all let ourselves fall into that pit. Do we trust God? Then we can trust that God is working in the lives of people who are diligently searching the Word, and applying it to their lives - regardless of denomination.

Once we break through our 'attitudes' we have built up and acquired during our lives of living in 'the world', scripture can have a completely fresh meaning to us. What we criticize today, we might find light in down the road. Some things are obvious, like our call to LOVE, but God is full of surprises and some of the finer details we might disagree with only because we still have growing to do. My own experience has been such, and this has taught me a bit of humility that expresses as compassion for people where they are, that sees God working in many lives at many stages at many levels. The key is faith. We all grow in faith and this growth continues until our death. So our speech is best left to encouraging one another, regardless of their denominational affiliation. If they have faith, we can trust God, and do not need to be so concerned with bashing denominational diversities. It's such a hard-hearted thing to do. Instead of researching what's wrong with everybody else, why not be still with God and pray for the compassion of Christ, or to know how to fully live out His love for us?

I have spent time with the SDA Church in my city, and they have proven themselves to be a mixture of normal folk, some of who are the most devoted and committed followers of Christ I have met to this day. And the SDA Church has been incredibly concerned and active in mission work, in applying scripture to actual living, and in fellowship. This is not the case at ANY of the more general denominations which I have also spent time exploring, which most of the forum here would probably agree with. The SDA in my city seriously challenges their congregation to walk the talk.

I don't know all of the beliefs of the SDA Church, but I do know that some of the ones that have been posted here are innacurate and/or misleading.
 
Member
Thanx for that, Dchena! It seems like anything in print has become truth for many of us, when in fact, we should really be looking into it ourselves and not allowing someone else's interpretation to become "gospel."

I have looked at the SDA's site, and have to agree with you, that they are God-fearing Christians who are no different from us as far as seeking out God's plan. Of course, in every church, there seems to be misplaced ambition, but we are supposed to look at the moat in our own eye first before judging someone else.
 
Member
The one's I have known personally were mostly Baptist in doctrine but id not east pork and worshipped on Saturday. They (the SDA folks I know) seem to really love and walk with Jesus. They have some other oddbal doctrines but none that interfered with the Gospel.
 
Member
SDA challenges you

I have read the post here and being a seventh day adventist myself gives my a rather different perspective.

I have learned over the years that it takes time to know the truth as it is in Christ. in saying that I have been corrected many times in my walk with Jesus. so while from your point of view we are unbiblical it looks the same from my perspective.

yet we cannot both be right. if i believe that the Bible says one thing and you see another then of course im going to think that your wrong and vise versa. so there is only one way around it and that is to open up diologue on the topics that we can not agree on.

we may be surprised at what we find. maybe we can even help each other out. who knows. lut us pray together and search the word together and stop thowing insults towards one another. after all we are all chuildren of GOd if we cant get along here then how do we expect to in heaven.

with an open mind and a heart that listens to GOd we can walk togehter and seek truth together. but one thing i have learned is, be carful what you call herasy or heretical because in our ignorance we could be calling Gods own word heretical without realising it.

blessings all and may GOd dwell with you in the person of the Holy Spirit.
 
Member
Bless you my brother. What differences we have (doctrinally) are not a salvation issue and if we are born again we are family.
Much love in Christ,
your brother Larry.
 
Member
Ah, beg to differ with you, Boanerges,

I don't know if you're talking something specific to this thread, but there are differences in doctrines that can lead one to believe they are saved, who actually will not be saved.

Mathew 7:21-23

<SUP>21</SUP>"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.

<SUP class=versenum id=en-NASB-23339>22</SUP>"Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' <SUP class=versenum id=en-NASB-23340>23</SUP>"And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'

The people Jesus' is describing are obviously a little shocked that they are not being given the reward they thought they were going to receive.

dchena
 
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