The Origin of Seventh-day Adventists
In 1844, as a result of intense study of the prophetic portions of scripture by earnest Christians representing various religious groups, there arose a keen awareness, that Christ our Heavenly High priest, upon completing His investigation of the Life records of all professed Christians, would return in person to earth with His rewards. This spontaneous conviction of these unpopular views caused these sincere believers to be separated from their churches, as they persistently held to these beliefs. However, being drawn together, this revival grew into a world movement encompassing all but 15 of the 205 countries and approximately 750 languages.
Seventh-day Adventists Believe
In a personal God. Heb. 1:1-3
That the Godhead, consists of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Matt 28:19)
In Jesus Christ, as the Divine Son of God, Creator and our Saviour. John 1:1-3,14; Heb 7:25
In the Holy Spirit, the Divine Comforter. John 15:26
That the Bible is the Inspired Word of God. 2Tim. 3:16
That salvation is a free gift from God, which we receive through faith. Eph 2:5-8
That Jesus Christ will return soon in person, in a visible manner to redeem his people. (Matt 24:30)
That man by nature is mortal. Job 4:17; Tim. 6:15,16
That immortality is the gift of God and is received only through Christ. Rom.6:23; 1 John 5: 11, 12
That the dead are unconscious. Eccl. 9:5; John 11:11-14
That there will be a literal resurrection of the dead. 1 thess. 4:16,17
That the wicked will not burn eternally, but will be burned up. Mal. 4:1-3
That the law of the Ten Commandments is the standard of righteousness, by which all will judged and which all Christians are commanded to obey. James 2: 10-12; John 2: 3-6; Ex. 20:3-17
That the original Seventh-day Sabbath, Saturday, has never been changed by divine authority and therefore all Christians should want to keep it holy. Gen. 2:2-3; Ex 20:8; Luke 23:52; 24:1
That a tithe (10%) of our income is holy and is reserved for the support of the Gospel ministry. Mal 3:8-12
In baptism by immersion. Mark 1:9,10; Rom. 6: 3-5
In the Ordinances of Humility and the Lord’s Supper. John 13:4-17; 1 Cor. 11:23-26
In the gifts of the Spirit including the spirit of prophecy. Eph. 4:8, 11; Rev. 12:17; Rev. 19:10
That the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and is not to be defiled by alcohol, tobacco, drugs or wrong eating habits. 1 Cor 3:16, 17; 6:19, 20
That followers of Jesus should manifest true Christian modesty in dress and deportment and should shun all questionable amusements. 1 Tim. 2:9, 10; Matt. 24:37-44; James 1:27
The foregoing principles are practised, not from a sense of obligation or to enable the individual to `earn` a place in heaven, but rather as a result of an experience in which there is a closer walk with Christ as a natural consequence of accepting him as a personal Saviour.
Full Statement of Fundamental beliefs
A complete statement of the 28 fundamental beliefs of Seventh-day Adventists is available as a pdf file. Click to view or right click and "save target as" to download.
More on Adventist Beliefs
A series of answers to questions on Adventist beliefs are available on the the headquarters website of the Seventh-day Adventist church in the UK & Ireland. A free Bible Correspondence course that will help explain our beliefs more fully is available from the Adventist Discovery Centre.
