Adventists, Seventh Day — a comparison of the doctrine of 17 current religions
Prepared by and presented by Rex Bennett
An overview of the beliefs of the Seventh Day Adventists:
- Adventists (Seventh Day)
- Atonement — The Atonement was for all sins, original and personal. The benefit of the Atonement applies only to those who believe in Christ.
- Baptism — Baptism expresses a person’s personal faith in Christ, who died for our sins. By immersion only. Baptisms by other churches are accepted on conditions.
- Did Christ organize a church while on earth? — Christ did not organize a visible church during His ministry. It was his disciples that created the organization. The church has been raised up to give God’s special message for today.
- Ecclesiastical authority — Divine authority is invested in the church for teaching and guiding, and is not vested in any one man. Other churches can have authority if they are in harmony with God and His word.
- God — God is a personal being that is invisible and spiritual in nature. He is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent.
- Heaven and Hell — Heaven is where the throne of God is. He dwells there in the sense that He does not dwell anywhere else. Hell is the fires of the last days which will destroy the wicked.
- Holy Bible — The infallible word of God, written by men as they were moved upon by the Holy Spirit. The only infallible rule of faith. Contains all teachings necessary for our salvation.
- Holy Ghost — The Holy Ghost is the third person of the Godhead. The executive of the Godhead and when present is the presence of the Father and the Son.
- Holy Trinity — The Holy Trinity is three persons: God the Father, a spiritual being; Jesus Christ, the very God, a being of same nature and essence as the Father; Holy Spirit, the great regenerating power.
- Is membership in a church needed for salvation? — Membership in the invisible church of Christ is absolutely necessary for salvation. Membership in His visible church is in accordance with His plan, though exceptions are possible.
- Life after death — When man dies he is in a state of unconscious sleep between the time of death and resurrection. Unrepentant wicked are destroyed at the time of judgement. Righteous receive immortality with God.
- Marriage — Marriage is a divine institution, ordained for the good of man during life only, “until death do us part”. There is no marriage relationship in the future state.
- Miracles — Miracles have happened in the past and still do happen. A miracle is the divine interposition of divine power apart from God’s usual way of working.
- Future status of non-believers in Christ — Those who do not believe in nor have faith in Christ, and do not accept His gift of life, will be eternally destroyed. There is no probation after death.
- Pre-existence of man — There is no pre-existence of man. Man begins to exist when he is born into this world.
- Purpose of life — Man has been and is created for the glory of God. Our purpose is to cooperate with God in the realization of this divine plan, and is not part of eternal life.
- Resurrection — Belief in the literal resurrection of a perfected body. After death, men do not go to reward or punishment immediately, but sleep until the resurrection day.
- Revelation — Belief that ancient revelations are divine but there will be no more “canon of scripture”. God may still reveal Himself to the church by prophecy.
- Sacrament — The bread and wine symbolically represent the body and blood of Christ. All who partake in remembrance of Christ, show their faith in His atonement.
- Satan — A created being that became a fallen angel. He will be reduced to non-existence with all other impenitent ones.
- Second Coming of Christ — Second Coming will be a bodily visible return of Christ to this earth in power and glory. It is near but the definite time has not been revealed.
- Vicarious work for the dead — No human being can do anything to change the status of the dead. After death, neither the deceased or anyone else can do anything for him.
- Virgin birth, immaculate conception — Christ (Very God) with His divine nature, voluntarily took upon Himself human flesh conceived by the Holy Spirit. Born of the Virgin Mary, without sin, both man and God
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