GENERAL

History
         The Seventh-day Adventist Church grew out of the early nineteenth century "Advent Awakening". At that time, thousands of people in all the major churches on both sides of the Atlantic became deeply involved in the Bible prophecies dealing with the second coming of Jesus Christ. As a distinct religious body, Adventists date from the 1840s. After the 'Millerites' failed to properly predict the 2nd coming of Jesus in 1844.

QUESTION: Who were the Millerites?

          They saw that the event was the right date only it was a changing in positions of Christ in heaven, from the Holy to the Most Holy place based on Rev. 14

         The Seventh-day Adventist church was not organized until 1863. One of the founders of the Adventist Church was Ellen White.

General Description
        Missions oriented. Adventists are actively working in 207 nations in the world.  Their educational system includes over 5,500 schools. 5 universities and 81 colleges. Over 913,000 students attend these institutions. 3,675 physicians are employed in the 157 Adventist hospitals and health-care centers, and clinics.

        The church's Development and Relief Agency. Distributes an annual average of 25 million articles of clothing and $120 million of overseas aid to the under-privileged and disaster-ravaged people of the world. Welfare is given without regard    to nationality or creed.

        World membership that exceeds 9 million. 40,000 churches worldwide. Are not members of the World Council of Churches but do cooperate with other denominations.

DOCTRINAL BELIEF

         They claim to share the historic doctrines of the major Protestant churches. As their name implies, they are 2nd coming oriented and focused.

 Specifically
      -The inspiration of the Holy Scriptures. Their infallibility and inerrency.
      -The eternal Trinity
      -They believe in limited substitutional atonement for mans sin by  Jesus Christ
      -Jesus died for your sins but is now in heaven judging your life in Christ and will make final judgment when you are in
       Heaven. You may have to go to hell.
     -Salvation is a free gift from God.
     -Spiritual gifts- there has been no cessation of gifts.
     -Prophesy gift is important: One of the founders Ellen G. White, had this gift. When she died in 1915 she had over 2000
      visions. She made predictions which either have or are believed to be in the process of being fulfilled. She believed that her
      prophesy was intended to bring people closer to the Bible and to God.
     -The Christian life is both a life of grace through Jesus Christ and being obedient to the 10 commandments. Salvation is by
      faith alone but the fruit of that faith is an obedience to the commandments.
     -Salvation is not secure
     -The Sabbath is God's perpetual sign of his eternal covenant between Him and His people. Following and observing the
      Sabbath is necessary to please God.
    -The Bible nowhere tells of a  change to Sunday worship. It was a gradual tradition of the church but there is no Biblical
      precedence.

QUESTION: What about this? Is this true?   Read Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:2

   -In fact, they believe it is sinful to worship on  Sunday.
   -Their diet is highly restrictive; no alcohol, drugs, tobacco or any of the unclean foods mentioned in scripture.
   -Eschatology plays a  major part of their teaching.
   -Highly  involved in numerology. In fact, one of their founders predicted when Christ would come  in 1843-44, He didn't
    come and  he left the church.
   -The 2nd coming of Jesus Christ is imminant and will be literal, personal and visible.
   -Millennium is a 1000yr.  reign of Christ w/his saints IN HEAVEN between the 1st and 2nd resurrections.  During the
    Millenium, the earth will be occupied by Satan and demons. It will be desolate and there will be no living human beings.
    During this time the wicked dead will be judged for their sin.
   -Investagative judgement
         -All believers are written in the book of Life, but not all believers are true believers  (Wheat and tares), there will be an
           investigation in heaven of the 'believers' there and some will be cast out.

QUESTION: Have you ever heard of this before? Is this Biblical?

               (this  idea is nowhere to be found in the Bible)

   -New heaven and earth...physical reality.

WORSHIP

         Is the corporate assembly of the community of faith for the adoration and praise of God, for  thanksgiving, sacrifice and communion.

  -They worship on Saturday not Sunday.
  -Worship is 'free' charismatic not liturgical.
  -Prayer is often extempore and spontaneous.
  -There is usually no 'order of worship'
  -Kneeling is the most reverent position for prayer and all face the pulpit for prayer including those up front.
  -General order might include:
   Organ prelude - call to worship (scriptural or musical) - hymn - invocation - scripture reading - pastoral prayer -offering
  -special music - sermon - benediction - organ     Postlude.
  -Services are high on emotion

Sacraments
  Baptism:
         It is a symbol of our union with Christ. It represents our death to sin and resurrection to Jesus Christ. Baptism is not necessary for salvation but should follow it. See baptism as a sign of the New Covenant in Jesus Blood. All members of the church must be baptized. Process: Immersion of all who profess a faith in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

  The Lord's Supper:
         It is a celebration and a memorial of his death. Christ meets with his people to strengthen them during this communion. It is open to all believers.

  Foot washing:
           Precedes all communion services as this was the pattern of our lord. Purpose: A memorial of Christ's humility, a type of a higher cleansing or the heart, a fellowship of forgiveness, a fellowship with Christ and believers.

CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

       Non-smoking, non-drinking, lacto-ovo-vegetarians.  Their optimistic faith in God, sense of community, abstinence from alcohol, tobacco and harmful drugs, emphasis on the need to maintain a balance in rest, work, exercise and diet, and their concern for moral values undoubtedly contributes to their good health.

GOVERNMENT

 Representative-type government, in which ministers and lay members participate.
 Ordained ministers (pastors) and licensed ministers.
 Local churches elect their own officers.
 The world headquarters is in Silver Spring, Maryland.