
Seventh-day adventist beliefs
Seventh-day Adventists accept the Bible as the only source for our beliefs. We consider our faith to be the result of the Protestant conviction sola scriptura, meaning the Bible is the singular authority and standard of doctrine and practice for Christians.
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The Trinity-
There is one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a unity of three coeternal 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. God, who is
love, is forever worthy of worship, adoration, and service by the whole creation.
(Gen. 1:26; Deut. 6:4; Isa. 6:8; Matt. 28:19; John 3:16 2 Cor. 1:21, 22; 13:14; Eph.
4:4-6; 1 Peter 1:2.)
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 those of the Father. (Gen. 1:1; Deut. 4:35; Ps. 110:1, 4; John 3:16;
14:9; 1 Cor. 15:28; 1 Tim. 1:17; 1 John 4:8; Rev. 4:11.)
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 human, 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 heaven 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. (Isa. 53:4-6; Dan. 9:25-27; Luke 1:35;
John 1:1-3, 14; 5:22; 10:30; 14:1-3, 9, 13; Rom. 6:23; 1 Cor. 15:3, 4; 2 Cor. 3:18;
5:17-19; Phil. 2:5-11; Col. 1:15-19; Heb. 2:9-18; 8:1, 2.)
The Holy Spirit-
God the eternal Spirit was active with the Father and the Son in Creation, incarnation,
and redemption. He is as much a person as are the Father and the Son. 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; 2 Sam. 23:2; Ps. 51:11; Isa. 61:1;
Luke 1:35; 4:18; John 14:16-18, 26; 15:26; 16:7-13; Acts 1:8; 5:3; 10:38; Rom. 5:5;
1 Cor. 12:7-11; 2 Cor. 3:18; 2 Peter 1:21.)
Creation-
God has revealed in Scripture the authentic and historical account of His creative
activity. He created the universe, and in a recent six-day creation the Lord made
“the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them” and rested on the seventh
day. Thus He established the Sabbath as a perpetual memorial of the work He performed
and completed during six literal days that together with the Sabbath constituted the
same unit of time that we call a week today. 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; 5; 11; Exod. 20:8-11; Ps. 19:1-6;
33:6, 9; 104; Isa. 45:12, 18; Acts 17:24; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:2; 11:3; Rev. 10:6; 14:7.)
The Nature of Humanity-
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. 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, 15; 3; Ps. 8:4-8; 51:5, 10; 58:3; Jer. 17:9; Acts 17:24-28; Rom.
5:12-17; 2 Cor. 5:19, 20; Eph. 2:3; 1 Thess. 5:23; 1 John 3:4; 4:7, 8, 11, 20.)
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 global flood,
as presented in the historical account of Genesis 1-11. 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. (Gen. 3; 6-8; Job 1:6-12; Isa. 14:12-14; Ezek. 28:12-18; Rom. 1:19-32;
3:4; 5:12-21; 8:19-22; 1 Cor. 4:9; Heb. 1:14; 1 Peter 5:8; 2 Peter 3:6; Rev. 12:4-9.)
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 bodily 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. (Gen. 3:15; Ps. 22:1; Isa. 53; John 3:16;
14:30; Rom. 1:4; 3:25; 4:25; 8:3, 4; 1 Cor. 15:3, 4, 20-22; 2 Cor. 5:14, 15, 19-21;
Phil. 2:6-11; Col. 2:15; 1 Peter 2:21, 22; 1 John 2:2; 4:10.)
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 Saviour and Lord, Substitute and Example. This saving faith 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. (Gen. 3:15; Isa. 45:22; 53; Jer. 31:31-34; Ezek.
33:11; 36:25-27; Hab. 2:4; Mark 9:23, 24; John 3:3-8, 16; 16:8; Rom. 3:21-26; 8:1-4,
14-17; 5:6-10; 10:17; 12:2; 2 Cor. 5:17-21; Gal. 1:4; 3:13, 14, 26; 4:4-7; Eph. 2:4-10;
Col. 1:13, 14; Titus 3:3-7; Heb. 8:7-12; 1 Peter 1:23; 2:21, 22; 2 Peter 1:3, 4; Rev.
13:8.)
Growing in Christ-
By His death on the cross Jesus triumphed over the forces of evil. He who subjugated
the demonic spirits during His earthly ministry has broken their power and made certain
their ultimate doom. Jesus’ victory gives us victory over the evil forces that still
seek to control us, as we walk with Him in peace, joy, and assurance of His love.
Now the Holy Spirit dwells within us and empowers us. Continually committed to Jesus
as our Saviour and Lord, we are set free from the burden of our past deeds. No longer
do we live in the darkness, fear of evil powers, ignorance, and meaninglessness of
our former way of life. In this new freedom in Jesus, we are called to grow into the
likeness of His character, communing with Him daily in prayer, feeding on His Word,
meditating on it and on His providence, singing His praises, gathering together for
worship, and participating in the mission of the Church. We are also called to follow
Christ’s example by compassionately ministering to the physical, mental, social, emotional,
and spiritual needs of humanity. As we give ourselves in loving service to those around
us and in witnessing to His salvation, His constant presence with us through the Spirit
transforms every moment and every task into a spiritual experience. (1 Chron. 29:11;
Ps. 1:1, 2; 23:4; 77:11, 12; Matt. 20:25-28; 25:31-46; Luke 10:17-20; John 20:21;
Rom. 8:38, 39; 2 Cor. 3:17, 18; Gal. 5:22-25; Eph. 5:19, 20; 6:12-18; Phil. 3:7-14;
Col. 1:13, 14; 2:6, 14, 15; 1 Thess. 5:16-18, 23; Heb. 10:25; James 1:27; 2 Peter
2:9; 3:18; 1 John 4:4.)
The Church-
The church is the community of believers who confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.
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 humanity, and for the
worldwide proclamation of the gospel. The church derives its authority from Christ,
who is the incarnate Word revealed in the Scriptures. 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. 12:1-3; Exod. 19:3-7; Matt. 16:13-20; 18:18; 28:19,
20; Acts 2:38-42; 7:38; 1 Cor. 1:2; Eph. 1:22, 23; 2:19-22; 3:8-11; 5:23-27; Col.
1:17, 18; 1 Peter 2:9.)
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.
(Dan. 7:9-14; Isa. 1:9; 11:11; Jer. 23:3; Mic. 2:12; 2 Cor. 5:10; 1 Peter 1:16-19;
4:17; 2 Peter 3:10-14; Jude 3, 14; Rev. 12:17; 14:6-12; 18:1-4.)
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.
(Ps. 133:1; Matt. 28:19, 20; John 17:20-23; Acts 17:26, 27; Rom. 12:4, 5; 1 Cor. 12:12-14;
2 Cor. 5:16, 17; Gal. 3:27-29; Eph. 2:13-16; 4:3-6, 11-16; Col. 3:10-15.)
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 Saviour, 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. (Matt. 28:19,
20; Acts 2:38; 16:30-33; 22:16; Rom. 6:1-6; Gal. 3:27; Col. 2:12, 13.)
The Lord's Supper-
The Lord’s Supper is a participation in the emblems of the body and blood of Jesus
as an expression of faith in Him, our Lord and Saviour. In this experience of communion
Christ is present to meet and strengthen His people. As we partake, we joyfully proclaim
the Lord’s death until He comes again. Preparation for the Supper includes self-examination,
repentance, and confession. The Master ordained the service of foot-washing to signify
renewed cleansing, to express a willingness to serve one another in Christlike humility,
and to unite our hearts in love. The communion service is open to all believing Christians.
(Matt. 26:17-30; John 6:48-63; 13:1-17; 1 Cor. 10:16, 17; 11:23-30; Rev. 3:20.)
Spiritual Gifts and Ministries-
God bestows upon all members of His church in every age spiritual gifts that each
member is to employ in loving ministry for the common good of the church and of humanity.
Given by the agency of the Holy Spirit, who apportions to each member as He wills,
the gifts provide all abilities and ministries needed by the church to fulfill its
divinely ordained functions. According to the Scriptures, these gifts include such
ministries as faith, healing, prophecy, proclamation, teaching, administration, reconciliation,
compassion, and self-sacrificing service and charity for the help and encouragement
of people. Some members are called of God and endowed by the Spirit for functions
recognized by the church in pastoral, evangelistic, and teaching ministries particularly
needed to equip the members for service, to build up the church to spiritual maturity,
and to foster unity of the faith and knowledge of God. When members employ these spiritual
gifts as faithful stewards of God’s varied grace, the church is protected from the
destructive influence of false doctrine, grows with a growth that is from God, and
is built up in faith and love. (Acts 6:1-7; Rom. 12:4-8; 1 Cor. 12:7-11, 27, 28; Eph.
4:8, 11-16; 1 Tim. 3:1-13; 1 Peter 4:10, 11.)
The Gift of Prophecy-
The Scriptures testify that one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is prophecy. This
gift is an identifying mark of the remnant church, and we believe it was manifested
in the ministry of Ellen G. White. Her writings speak with prophetic authority and
provide comfort, guidance, instruction, and correction to the church. They also make
clear that the Bible is the standard by which all teaching and experience must be
tested. (Num. 12:6; 2 Chron. 20:20; Amos 3:7; Joel 2:28, 29; Acts 2:14-21; 2 Tim.
3:16, 17; Heb. 1:1-3; Rev. 12:17; 19:10; 22:8, 9.)
The Law of God-
The great principles of God’s law are embodied in the Ten Commandments and exemplified
in the life of Christ. They express God’s love, will, and purposes concerning human
conduct and relationships and are binding upon all people in every age. These precepts
are the basis of God’s covenant with His people and the standard in God’s judgment.
Through the agency of the Holy Spirit they point out sin and awaken a sense of need
for a Saviour. Salvation is all of grace and not of works, and its fruit is obedience
to the Commandments. This obedience develops Christian character and results in a
sense of well-being. It is evidence of our love for the Lord and our concern for our
fellow human beings. The obedience of faith demonstrates the power of Christ to transform
lives, and therefore strengthens Christian witness. (Exod. 20:1-17; Deut. 28:1-14;
Ps. 19:7-14; 40:7, 8; Matt. 5:17-20; 22:36-40; John 14:15; 15:7-10; Rom. 8:3, 4; Eph.
2:8-10; Heb. 8:8-10; 1 John 2:3; 5:3; Rev. 12:17; 14:12.)
The Sabbath-
The gracious Creator, after the six days of Creation, rested on the seventh day and
instituted the Sabbath for all people as a memorial of Creation. The fourth commandment
of God’s unchangeable law requires the observance of this seventh-day Sabbath as the
day of rest, worship, and ministry in harmony with the teaching and practice of Jesus,
the Lord of the Sabbath. The Sabbath is a day of delightful communion with God and
one another. It is a symbol of our redemption in Christ, a sign of our sanctification,
a token of our allegiance, and a foretaste of our eternal future in God’s kingdom.
The Sabbath is God’s perpetual sign of His eternal covenant between Him and His people.
Joyful observance of this holy time from evening to evening, sunset to sunset, is
a celebration of God’s creative and redemptive acts. (Gen. 2:1-3; Exod. 20:8-11; 31:13-17;
Lev. 23:32; Deut. 5:12-15; Isa. 56:5, 6; 58:13, 14; Ezek. 20:12, 20; Matt. 12:1-12;
Mark 1:32; Luke 4:16; Heb. 4:1-11.)
Christian Behavior-
We are called to be a godly people who think, feel, and act in harmony with biblical
principles in all aspects of personal and social life. For the Spirit to recreate
in us the character of our Lord we involve ourselves only in those things that will
produce Christlike purity, health, and joy in our lives. This means that our amusement
and entertainment should meet the highest standards of Christian taste and beauty.
While recognizing cultural differences, our dress is to be simple, modest, and neat,
befitting those whose true beauty does not consist of outward adornment but in the
imperishable ornament of a gentle and quiet spirit. It also means that because our
bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit, we are to care for them intelligently.
Along with adequate exercise and rest, we are to adopt the most healthful diet possible
and abstain from the unclean foods identified in the Scriptures. Since alcoholic beverages,
tobacco, and the irresponsible use of drugs and narcotics are harmful to our bodies,
we are to abstain from them as well. Instead, we are to engage in whatever brings
our thoughts and bodies into the discipline of Christ, who desires our wholesomeness,
joy, and goodness. (Gen. 7:2; Exod. 20:15; Lev. 11:1-47; Ps. 106:3; Rom. 12:1, 2;
1 Cor. 6:19, 20; 10:31; 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1; 10:5; Eph. 5:1-21; Phil. 2:4; 4:8; 1 Tim.
2:9, 10; Titus 2:11, 12; 1 Peter 3:1-4; 1 John 2:6; 3 John 2.)
Marriage and the Family-
Marriage was divinely established in Eden and affirmed by Jesus to be a lifelong union
between a man and a woman in loving companionship. For the Christian a marriage commitment
is to God as well as to the spouse, and should be entered into only between a man
and a woman who share a common faith. Mutual love, honor, respect, and responsibility
are the fabric of this relationship, which is to reflect the love, sanctity, closeness,
and permanence of the relationship between Christ and His church. Regarding divorce,
Jesus taught that the person who divorces a spouse, except for fornication, and marries
another, commits adultery. Although some family relationships may fall short of the
ideal, a man and a woman who fully commit themselves to each other in Christ through
marriage may achieve loving unity through the guidance of the Spirit and the nurture
of the church. God blesses the family and intends that its members shall assist each
other toward complete maturity. Increasing family closeness is one of the earmarks
of the final gospel message. Parents are to bring up their children to love and obey
the Lord. By their example and their words, they are to teach them that Christ is
a loving, tender, and caring guide who wants them to become members of His body, the
family of God which embraces both single and married persons. (Gen. 2:18-25; Exod.
20:12; Deut. 6:5-9; Prov. 22:6; Mal. 4:5, 6; Matt. 5:31, 32; 19:3-9, 12; Mark 10:11,
12; John 2:1-11; 1 Cor. 7:7, 10, 11; 2 Cor. 6:14; Eph. 5:21-33; 6:1-4.)
Christ's Ministry in the Heavenly Sanctuary-
There is a sanctuary in heaven, the true tabernacle that the Lord set up and not humans.
In it, Christ ministers on our behalf, making available to believers the benefits
of His atoning sacrifice offered once for all on the cross. At His ascension, He was
inaugurated as our great High Priest and began His intercessory ministry, which was
typified by the work of the high priest in the holy place of the earthly sanctuary.
In 1844, at the end of the prophetic period of 2300 days, He entered the second and
last phase of His atoning ministry, which was typified by the work of the high priest
in the most holy place of the earthly sanctuary. It is a work of investigative judgment
which is part of the ultimate disposition of all sin, typified by the cleansing of
the ancient Hebrew sanctuary on the Day of Atonement. In that typical service the
sanctuary was cleansed with the blood of animal sacrifices, but the heavenly things
are purified with the perfect sacrifice of the blood of Jesus. The investigative judgment
reveals to heavenly intelligences who among the dead are asleep in Christ and therefore,
in Him, are deemed worthy to have part in the first resurrection. It also makes manifest
who among the living are abiding in Christ, keeping the commandments of God and the
faith of Jesus, and in Him, therefore, are ready for translation into His everlasting
kingdom. This judgment vindicates the justice of God in saving those who believe in
Jesus. It declares that those who have remained loyal to God shall receive the kingdom.
The completion of this ministry of Christ will mark the close of human probation before
the Second Advent. (Lev. 16; Num. 14:34; Ezek. 4:6; Dan. 7:9-27; 8:13, 14; 9:24-27;
Heb. 1:3; 2:16, 17; 4:14-16; 8:1-5; 9:11-28; 10:19-22; Rev. 8:3-5; 11:19; 14:6, 7;
20:12; 14:12; 22:11, 12.)
The Second Coming of Christ-
The second coming of Christ is the blessed hope of the church, the grand climax of
the gospel. The Saviour’s coming will be literal, personal, visible, and worldwide.
When He returns, the righteous dead will be resurrected, and together with the righteous
living will be glorified and taken to heaven, but the unrighteous will die. The almost
complete fulfillment of most lines of prophecy, together with the present condition
of the world, indicates that Christ’s coming is near. The time of that event has not
been revealed, and we are therefore exhorted to be ready at all times. (Matt. 24;
Mark 13; Luke 21; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Cor. 15:51-54; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; 5:1-6;
2 Thess. 1:7-10; 2:8; 2 Tim. 3:1-5; Titus 2:13; Heb. 9:28; Rev. 1:7; 14:14-20; 19:11-21.)
Death and Resurrection-
The wages of sin is death. But God, who alone is immortal, will grant eternal life
to His redeemed. Until that day, death is an unconscious state for all people. When
Christ, who is our life, appears, the resurrected righteous and the living righteous
will be glorified and caught up to meet their Lord. The second resurrection, the resurrection
of the unrighteous, will take place a thousand years later. (Job 19:25-27; Ps. 146:3,
4; Eccl. 9:5, 6, 10; Dan. 12:2, 13; Isa. 25:8; John 5:28, 29; 11:11-14; Rom. 6:23;
16; 1 Cor. 15:51-54; Col. 3:4; 1 Thess. 4:13-17; 1 Tim. 6:15; Rev. 20:1-10.)
The Millennium and the End of Sin-
The millennium is the thousand-year reign of Christ with His saints in heaven between
the first and second resurrections. During this time the wicked dead will be judged;
the earth will be utterly desolate, without living human inhabitants, but occupied
by Satan and his angels. At its close, Christ with His saints and the Holy City will
descend from heaven to earth. The unrighteous dead will then be resurrected, and with
Satan and his angels will surround the city; but fire from God will consume them and
cleanse the earth. The universe will thus be freed of sin and sinners forever. (Jer.
4:23-26; Ezek. 28:18, 19; Mal. 4:1; 1 Cor. 6:2, 3; Rev. 20; 21:1-5.)
The New Earth-
On the new earth, in which righteousness dwells, God will provide an eternal home
for the redeemed and a perfect environment for everlasting life, love, joy, and learning
in His presence. For here God Himself will dwell with His people, and suffering and
death will have passed away. The great controversy will be ended, and sin will be
no more. All things, animate and inanimate, will declare that God is love; and He
shall reign forever. Amen. (Isa. 35; 65:17-25; Matt. 5:5; 2 Peter 3:13; Rev. 11:15;
21:1-7; 22:1-5.)