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Do Seventh-Day Adventists…

Do Seventh-Day Adventists…

#1 Do Seventh-Day Adventists Vaccinate?

In 2019, AdventistsHealth.org contributed education on how to help stop the spread of Measles through the use of vaccination, the Adventist Church does support immunization and vaccinating all adults and children. Asserting “there is no downside to vaccinating your children,” it is not merely supported but passionately advocated for on multiple platforms within the Adventist Church. 

AdventistReview.org writes of the adopted stance of the Adventist Church on vaccines:

“The Seventh-day Adventist Church has issued an official statement on vaccines, saying it “encourages responsible immunization” and has no faith-based reason to discourage believers from participating in immunization programs.”

AdventistsHealth.org adds:

“Vaccines help your body develop immunity to a disease before a real, full-blown infection takes hold. They contain killed or weakened forms of an antigen, so the exposure to them can’t cause serious illness.

Many serious, even life-threatening diseases are no longer common in the U.S. thanks to vaccines. Smallpox, polio and diphtheria are some examples. But since some diseases aren’t that common anymore, why do we still need vaccines for them?

The short answer is, the diseases we’ve suppressed with vaccines haven’t gone away. Outbreaks still occur. If people lack vaccine protection, these diseases may mount a comeback. Measles is a recent example.”

If a person decided not to vaccinate their child due to religious reasons, it is likely due to a very literal interpretation of the Bible that states God will protect all, God will heal all, and the body is a temple worth keeping clean. None of these notions are mutually exclusive of vaccines, but one could easily interpret them as being conflicting.

Those that justify their choice not to vaccinate often cite scriptures such as:

  • “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.” Psalm 118:8
  • “The Lord sustains him on his sickbed; in his illness you restore him to full health.” – Psalm 41:3 
  • “But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.” – Matthew 9:12.
Adventists.org – Adventist Health

Related Scripture(s):

  • “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” – 1 Corinthians 6:19-2.0 

Related Video(s):

#2 Do Seventh-Day Adventists Dance?

There are two primary schools of thought regarding dance in the Adventists Church, but also a great deal of room for gray interpretation as compared to the matter being clear-cut or black-and-white.

With the combating opinions on the controversial subject of dancing and it would depend on how extremist of an Adventist disciple you asked.

You will come across these main two opinions, with others falling in the middle of these extremes:

  1. The Adventist Church that supports Sensual Tribal Dances (by Seventh-day Adventists University).

(And)

Although the Bible declares no official banishment against dancing (even encouraging that there is ‘a time to laugh, a time to mourn, and a time to dance’ (Ecclesiastes 3:4)) – many find dancing:

  • Overly-vulgar
  • Promiscuous
  • Too sensual
  • A trigger of non-spiritual temptation
  • A separate from God’s holiness

These fundamentalist perspectives are considered very strict and less applicable to modern-day life, in which many people dance at school, with friends, or in non-sexual ways. If a Seventh-day Adventist did choose to dance, it would unquestionably have to be modestly and appropriately.

Nonetheless, many Seventh-day Adventists do not dance, feeling that it is not worth the risk of sinful behavior.

In fact, founder of the religion, Ellen G. White, wrote about dancing and counseled against it:

“David’s dancing in reverent joy before God has been cited by pleasure lovers in justification of the fashionable modern dance, but there is no ground for such an argument. In our day dancing is associated with folly and midnight reveling. Health and morals are sacrificed to pleasure. By the frequenters of the ballroom God is not an object of thought and reverence; prayer or the song of praise would be felt to be out of place in their assemblies.

This test should be decisive. Amusements that have a tendency to weaken the love for sacred things and lessen our joy in the service of God are not to be sought by Christians. The music and dancing in joyful praise to God at the removal of the ark had not the faintest resemblance to the dissipation of modern dancing. The one tended to the remembrance of God and exalted His holy name. 

[Modern dancing] is a device of Satan to cause men to forget God and to dishonor Him. (Counsels for the Church, 164).”

Many Seventh-day Adventists prescribe to a life of no temptation, and this includes dance for a large population of Seventh-day Adventists, making “no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts,” Romans 13:14.  This could consist of more sexualized styles of dance, such as the tango.

Others find no issue with cultural dancing, ballet, and dancing spiritually in the name of God.

Goanddance.com – Tango

Related Scripture(s):

  • “Again I will build you, and you shall be built, O virgin Israel! Again you shall adorn yourself with tambourines and shall go forth in the dance of the merrymakers.”-  Jeremiah 31:4

Related Video(s):

#3 Do Seventh-Day Adventists Celebrate Birthdays?

Sometimes being confused with Jehovah’s Witnesses (who do not celebrate holidays or birthdays), the Seventh-day Adventists do indeed participate in Birthdays.

See the Adventist News Network in which they congratulate the granddaughter of the first Seventh-Day Adventists on her 100th Birthday.

ANN

You will find some Adventists avoid all of the following holidays:

  • Christmas
  • Easter
  • Birthdays
  • And other holidays that do not support their interpretation of the Bible

But you will also find data and research on Adventist customs that describes:

They do celebrate Birthdays, Christmas, Thanksgiving etc.”

So there is an equal divide across the religion regarding the Adventist Church members that lean more towards the Jehovah’s Witness approach to holidays, and those that celebrate birthdays like general Christian-Americans.

Psalm 118:24 says:

“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Despite this, many find plenty of arguments to avoid holidays altogether. The reasons that a person of the Adventist faith may avoid holidays includes:

  • The Nicolaitans – Deeds and Doctrines A document that discusses how Christians at festivals and celebratory holidays are tied to paganism.
  • Birthdays originated from Ancient Egypt in which they would worship the days of birth of their gods/goddesses and then this translated to Pagans celebrating their days of birth too (taking authority from the ‘one true God).’
  • The Satanic Bible, written in 1969 by Anton LaVey with this particular line by Alistair Crowley, decrees that the greatest holiday is Satan’s Birthday.
Adventist Birthday

Related Scripture(s):

  • “A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of birth.” – Ecclesiastes 7:1.

Related Video(s):

#4 Do Seventh-Day Adventists Believe in The Trinity?

Yes, Seventh-day Adventists believe in the Trinity.

Adventist.org proclaims:

“There is one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the 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. 

This theology and perspective have evolved over time, with the Journal of the Adventist Theological Society writing of the history of Adventist pioneers:

“In rejecting the trinity, some saw the “orthodox” Christian view as pagan tri-theism. Others argued that the Trinity degraded the person-hood of Christ and the Father by blurring the distinction between them.

It should be noted that while the early positions on the Trinity and deity of Christ were flawed, there was a sincere attempt to oppose certain legitimate errors. Early Adventists strove to be true to Scripture. When they read “first-born of every creature,” they took it at face value. Other Bible phrases, such as “only begotten Son of God,” also were understood on a literal English level.

By 1890 Adventists had come to a harmonious position that rejected the idea of Jesus as a created being and viewed Him the “begotten” or originated divine Son of God. He was seen as the Creator with the Father. The nature of the Holy Spirit was lightly discussed, though He was generally considered to be the omnipresent influence from the Father or the Son rather than a person.”

Despite being mentioned in historical days, it wasn’t until 1941 that a trinitarian statement became associated with Adventists; and only as of 1985 that the Trinity became unreservedly ‘accepted into the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

“In 1941, the Baptismal Vow was revised to include the Trinitarian statement. (Froom was involved in this action as well). So in order to become a Seventh-day Adventist, you now had to agree with the trinity doctrine.

A new hymnal was also released which was further updated in 1985 and now includes a section on the Trinity and hymns with Catholic teachings! See the Trinity and Catholicism in the SDA hymnal for details that will shock.”

Lastly, a book that was written by the Seventh-day Adventist religion to answer the questions of non-Adventists, Questions on Doctrine, adds to a more modernized outlook on the Trinity:

“As to Christ’s place in the Godhead, we believe Him to be the second person of the heavenly Trinity—comprised of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—who are united not only in the Godhead but in the provisions of redemption. . . . Christ is one with the Eternal Father—one in nature, equal in power and authority, God in the highest sense, eternal and self-existent, with life original, unborrowed, underived; and that Christ existed from all eternity, distinct from, but united with, the Father, possessing the same glory, and all the divine attributes.”

Seventh-day Adventist Belief in the Trinity?

Related Scripture(s):

  • “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” – John 14:26

Related Video(s):

 

#5 Do Seventh-Day Adventists Eat Pork?

Seventh-day Adventists are known for being ‘one of the healthiest religions in the world,’ due to the teachings that lead roughly 40% of them consume an entirely plant-based diet.

Taking scriptures to heart in a very literal form, Adventists feel they are following God’s law. Leviticus 11:1-47 declares:

“And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying to them, “Speak to the people of Israel, saying, These are the living things that you may eat among all the animals that are on the earth. Whatever parts the hoof and is cloven-footed and chews the cud, among the animals, you may eat. Nevertheless, among those that chew the cud or part the hoof, you shall not eat these: The camel, because it chews the cud but does not part the hoof, is unclean to you. And the rock badger, because it chews the cud but does not part the hoof, is unclean to you.”

Although Leviticus 11:1-47 does not explicitly mention pork, Isaiah 66:15-17 does so quite purposely:

“For behold, the Lord will come in fire, and his chariots like the whirlwind, to render his anger in fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire. For by fire will the Lord enter into judgment, and by his sword, with all flesh; and those slain by the Lord shall be many. “Those who sanctify and purify themselves to go into the gardens, following one in the midst, eating pig’s flesh and the abomination and mice, shall come to an end together, declares the Lord.

Also, Deuteronomy 14:8 unambiguously forbids consuming pork or pig-derivative meats:

“And the pig, because it parts the hoof but does not chew the cud, is unclean for you. Their flesh you shall not eat, and their carcasses you shall not touch.”

List of Forbidden Animals in the Bible

Related Scripture(s):

  • “But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.”’ – Acts 10:14 

Related Video(s):

 

#6 Do Seventh-Day Adventists Celebrate Easter?

No, the majority of Seventh-day Adventists do not publicly or ceremonially celebrate Easter.

Taking Scripture as God’s indisputable word, there is no mention of celebrating Easter in the Bible, and therefore, Adventists find no justifiable reason to celebrate Easter. 

The reasons that Adventists actively avoid celebrating Easter are due to the explanations of:

  1. No mention of it in the Bible.
  2. This is a time for outreach and to help those in need, not celebrate selfishly.
  3. Some find it to be linked to paganism/pagan-roots.
  4. Many Adventists substitute Easter as a popular day for Baptisms, finding the story of Jesus’s resurrection to be a connection to their own baptism and spiritual rebirth.

The AdventistReview.org adds context about some of their members introducing Easter observances to be more inviting to external Christian denominations. By incorporating Easter, as many Adventist churchleaders this they should do more of to rouse an increase in Adventist converts around the world and appear more inviting to everyone. They write about Easter:

“However, we live in a society saturated with celebration of Easter. To a large degree this is driven, as with Christmas, by an opportunity to sell goods to people to mark the day. Clothing, in particular, is associated with Easter, as are toys with Christmas. In an effort to convey the idea that Adventists are believers in the resurrection, a few of our people have introduced Easter observances. They are fearful we will be misunderstood, and for them, it is important that we be seen as orthodox and acceptable to the society around us. They conform to customs around us, at times unthoughtfully.

Actually, this practice conveys another misunderstanding — the idea that we give special significance to Sunday because it was the resurrection day. A few of our churches have introduced Sunday morning services for Easter, which for many Adventists creates problems. We recognize that we are not treating Sunday as holy time, but the public may not catch the subtle difference.

Although there exists no clear biblical reason for observing Easter as a religious festival, in parts of the world the public is so oriented to Easter observance that it is a time of year when they become open to special studies in the Bible. An opportunity opens to reach out to the public with the fuller message of Christ, often with good response”

Is Easter Pagan? Adventist Record

Related Scripture(s):

  • “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,” – John 11:25.

Related Video(s):

 

#7 Do Seventh-Day Adventists Believe in Hell?

No, Seventh-day Adventists do not believe in the afterlife possibilities of:

  • Going to Heaven
  • Going to hell

(Or)

  • Being reincarnated into different lives

The beliefs and teachings of Adventism are centered around the concept that after a human dies, their bodies will remain unconscious until the day upon which Christ returns (with Adventists often calling Christ ‘God’, while others consider him to be the separate Son of God), and a judgment day ensues.

The reasons that Adventists do not prescribe to a belief for eternal damnation and punishment in the fiery pits of hell include the following justifications:

  • They believe in a loving God with the gift of ‘everlasting life,’ Romans 6:23
  • Torment may perpetuate sin, suffering, and the opposite of holy revelation.
  • The idea of hell detracts from God’s love, so is therefore, not possible.
  • Atoning Christ will ‘put away sin’ Heb. 9:26
  • They do not believe the soul is yours to carry regardless, feeling that everyone will be laid to rest in the ground until God is ready to cast judgement and arise those worthy of salvation.
  • They cannot grasp a God that could simultaneously be benevolent while casting eternal punishment.

Despite this public statement and the teachings that the official Church has tried to encourage (that hell is not real), Pewresearch.org found that:

“Most Adventists (85%) believe in Heaven, but far fewer (52%) believe in hell. The relatively low level of belief in hell by Seventh-day Adventists stands out among evangelical Protestants, 82% of whom say they believe in hell.”

Related Scripture(s):

  • “These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” – Matthew 25:46.

Related Video(s):

 

#8 Do Seventh-Day Adventists Eat Meat?

There are over 1.2-million Seventh-day Adventists in the United States and nearly 19-million members worldwide,  with approximately 40% of Adventists reportedly consuming an entirely plant-based diet. 

As a frequently-used scripture by Adventists to derive truth regarding the consumption of meat, Leviticus 11:42 says:

“You are not to eat any creature that moves along the ground, whether it moves on its belly or walks on all fours or on many feet; it is unclean.”

By determining which meats are ‘clean’ versus ‘unclean,’ Adventists feel they are keeping their body clean in the way that God advises. There are many mentions of God that describe the world as a lush offering for one to feast and be nourished from, but also many mentions of cuisine to avoid.

Even in the story of Noah, you will see God mention that unclean animals must go in two-by-two, while the clean animals to consume would enter the ark seven-by-seven.

‘Clean meats’ that most Adventists will eat:

  • Poultry
  • Certain fish
  • Certain red meats, excluding pork
  • Some will consume animal products such as eggs and honey

‘Unclean meats’ that most Adventists will not eat:

  • Pork
  • Rabbit
  • Shellfish
  • Bottom-feeders
  • Some will not consume milk, eggs, or animal products
The  Seventh-day Adventists Health Message – Former and Inquiring Adventists

Related Scripture(s):

  • “You are the sons of the Lord your God. You shall not cut yourselves or make any baldness on your foreheads for the dead. For you are a people holy to the Lord your God, and the Lord has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. “You shall not eat any abomination. These are the animals you may eat: the ox, the sheep, the goat, the deer, the gazelle, the roebuck, the wild goat, the ibex, the antelope, and the mountain sheep.” – Deuteronomy 14:1-29.
  • “And he called out with a mighty voice, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place for demons, a haunt for every unclean spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable beast.” – Revelation 18:2

Related Video(s):

#9 Do Seventh-Day Adventists Celebrate Christmas?

As there are Seventh-day Adventist Special Christmas-themed Sermons, certain members of the religion do at least acknowledge Christmas and utilize it’s sacredness as another excuse to worship Jesus’ sacrifice for mankind.

However, Adventists outwardly do not support the superficiality of lavish gifts, ornate decorations, or distractions that could detract from the true spirit of Christmas.

Essentially not being officially against or for Christmas, Adventists are allowed to celebrate Christmas as they see fit, but would likely not be seen placing more importance on gifts or feasts than that of Jesus’ martyr. 

The North American Division of the Seventh-day Adventists Church writes:

Adventists are not, nor should we be, against Christmas. Why would we be against a period of time when Christians remember the birth of our Savior?

However, since this festivity is not ordained by Scripture, we don’t consider it to be binding on believers. We recognize only one holy day, the Sabbath; and we keep it holy in obedience to our Creator and Redeemer.”

The founder and prophetess of the Adventist religion, Ellen G. White, wrote about her outlook on Christmas holiday celebrations (as sourced by the Biblical Research Institute):

“It is accepted by the unbelieving world, and by the Christian world generally, as the day on which Christ was born. When the world at large celebrate the day, they show no honor to Christ. They refuse to acknowledge him as their Saviour, to honor him by willing obedience to his service. They show preference to the day, but none to the one for whom the day is celebrated, Jesus Christ.”

She acknowledges that we do not know Jesus’ Birthday assuredly:

“There is no certainty that we are keeping the veritable day of our Saviour’s birth. History gives us no certain assurance of this. The Bible does not give us the precise time.” 

White additionally addresses about the misdirection that Christmas causes and how it confuses many Christians from the true focus of what Christmas should be about – Jesus Christ:

“There is no divine sanctity resting upon the twenty-fifth of December; and it is not pleasing to God that anything that concerns the salvation of man through the infinite sacrifice made for them, should be so sadly perverted from its professed design. Christ should be the supreme object; but as Christmas has been observed, the glory is turned from him to mortal man, whose sinful, defective character made it necessary for him to come to our world.

The youth should be treated very carefully. They should not be left on Christmas to find their own amusement in vanity and pleasure-seeking, in amusements which will be detrimental to their spirituality. Parents can control this matter by turning the minds and the offerings of their children to God and his cause and the salvation of souls.”

Ultimately, the founders’ final statements that encapsulates these theories is:

“While urging upon all the duty of first bringing their offerings to God, I would not wholly condemn the practice of making Christmas and New Years gifts to our friends. It is right to bestow upon one another tokens of love and remembrance if we do not in this forget God, our best friend. We should make our gifts such as will prove a real benefit to the receiver.” – Ibid., Dec. 26, 1882.

SDAs Who Celebrate Christmas

Related Scripture(s):

  • “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” – Isaiah 9:6.

Related Video(s):

#10 Do Seventh-Day Adventists Drink Alcohol?

No, Seventh-day Adventists do not consume or condone the consumption of alcohol, especially public intoxication or long-term addictions. ‘The occasional drink’ is much more likely to be acceptable to a less strict Adventist, but it is not typical to find one that drinks alcohol.

Galatians 5:21 states:

“Envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Living modest lives with an intense code of ethics regarding how one should take care of the body and keep it ‘clean’ Adventists are taught to avoid the following:

  • Alcohol
  • Drugs
  • Caffeine
  • Unclean meat (pork, certain birds, bottom-feeders)

These are all considered ‘unclean’ chemicals and substances to the body, as well as many refined foods.

In regards to their reasoning, The First Adventist Church concisely sums up their case:

“Why? Because those who use wine and strong drink cannot tell holy from unholy and clean from unclean… In these last days can you risk this? Then the Adventist stand on not using alcohol) and recreational drugs) is still correct.”

Adventist.org expands on health:

“Exercise and avoidance of harmful substances such as tobacco, alcohol, and mind-altering substances lead to clear minds and wise choices. A well-balanced vegetarian diet that avoids the consumption of meat coupled with intake of legumes, whole grains, nuts, fruits and vegetables, along with a source of vitamin B12, will promote vigorous health.”

Adventist Review Online – Alcohol

Related Scripture(s):

  • “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.” – Ephesians 5:18.
  • “Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.” – Proverbs 20:1

Related Video(s):

#11 Do Seventh-Day Adventists Believe in Jesus?

Yes, Seventh-day Adventists unreservedly believe in Jesus Christ, often referring to him in a blanket statement as ‘God.’

1 Peter 2:24 states:

“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds, you have been healed.

Adventist.org writes in their piece Why Adventists Cling to Jesus as the Only Way to Salvation:

“Adventists believe Jesus Christ is the very reason salvation is possible for humanity…

‘He accepted the sins of everyone in the world, throughout all of history, and died in our place. That means everyone who accepts Jesus as their Savior can be saved.  Understanding Jesus’ sacrificial role in the plan of salvation is foundational for Adventists. 

Next comes Heaven, where “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4, ESV).’

Seeing Jesus as the vessel that will carry Adventists and devout Christians to eternal life in paradise, Jesus is the true Lord and savior that they follow until their ‘death sentence.’

28 Fundamental Beliefs

Related Scripture(s):

  • “Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” – Romans 10:9.

Related Video(s):

  • Who is the Adventist Jesus? – Published September 27th, 2018. “Is the Jesus of Ellen G. White and Seventhday Adventist theology the same as the one portrayed in Scripture.”

#12 Do Seventh-Day Adventists Believe in Speaking in Tongues?

No, Seventh-day Adventists do not utilize glossolalia (the practice of speaking in tongues), seeing it as something that was done acceptably in the days of the Bible due to the barriers in languages while communicating the gospel; however, they do not find it acceptable in modern-day.

The beliefs of Adventists regarding tongues range from:

  • Speaking in tongues is devilish
  • Speaking in tongues is outdated
  • Speaking in tongues is useless
  • Speaking in tongues is a distraction to worship
  • Speaking in tongues is simply not necessary
  • Speaking in tongues is fine/acceptable, if only 2-3 voices are speaking at once (1 Corinthians 14:27)

The perspective will depend on which Adventist you ask.

Nonetheless, the prevailing opinion of the Adventist faith pertaining to glossolalia is that it is a practice that is not mentioned in the new testament and is, therefore, irrelevant.

God refers to it in a positive light within the Bible on numerous occasions, even telling, “Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy.” 1 Corinthians 14:1-40), but Adventists still have their disagreements about it.

SabbathSchool.net – The Gift of Tongues

Related Scripture(s):

  • “So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.” – 1 Corinthians 14:2.

Related Video(s):

#13 Do Seventh-day Adventists Believe in the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?

Yes, baptism is seen as a sacred rebirth into Adventism, upon which your soul/spirit is connected to the Holy Spirit of God.

Matthew 28:19 is written in the New International Version of the Bible, asking men to make disciplines ‘in the name of the holy spirit:’

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

Adventist.org defines the Work of the Holy Spirit, citing baptisms as one of the Holy Spirits’ main responsibilities:

“The Holy Spirit unites us in baptism into one body; hence the Church as a community of faith is the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 3:1617Eph. 2:19–22).

Furthermore, the Holy Spirit actively supports and sustains the various members of the body of Christ by giving special spiritual gifts. Different gifts, given by “one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills” (1 Cor. 12:11, RSV), work together “for the common good” (v. 7, RSV).” 

SDAnet.org writes about what Seventh-day Adventists Believe: God the Holy Spirit:

“The Holy Spirit Is Truly God
Scripture views the Holy Spirit as God. Peter told Ananias that, in lying to the Holy Spirit, He had lied not” ‘to men but to God’ (Acts 5:3, 4). Jesus defined the unpardonable sin as “‘blasphemy against the Spirit, ‘” saying, “‘Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come'” (Matt. 12:31, 32). This could be true only if the Holy Spirit is God.

The Holy Spirit is considered equal with the Father and the Son in the baptismal formula (Matt. 28:19), the apostolic blessing (2 Cor. 13:14), and the spiritual-gifts discourse (1 Cor. 12:4-6).

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit

Related Scripture(s):

  • “Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.” – John 3:5.

Related Video(s):

 

#14 Do Seventh-Day Adventists Believe in The Rapture?

Yes, Adventists believe in the Rapture and second coming of Jesus Christ.

Despite various predictions, Adventists have miscalculated or been incorrect about the date on several occasions. Still anticipating a final judgment day in the future, Adventists believe they will be saved and brought into God’s kingdom upon his conviction after the Rapture.

Rejecting a dispensationalist theory, Adventists believe that the Church will be sustained throughout the end of earth and crises of the final days. In the early days of the religion, William Miller, an Adventist teacher, proclaimed that Jesus would return to the earth between March 1843 and March 1844.

Interpreting the old testament to anticipate a rapture, many expected Jesus to come between these dates. Of course, he didn’t arrive, and thus the date was moved to October of 1844, upon which there was no rapture yet again.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church of the modern day published a video in 2020 titled The Secret Rapture is NOT in the Bible. Adventist.org follows up on this published sermon:

“Some people have developed a theory that conceives a “secret rapture,” in which believers are whisked away to Heaven in a flash while others go about their business. The secret-rapture theory relies primarily on texts that speak of the Lord coming like a thief in the night.”

In conclusion, the Adventists encourage people to prepare for the final days that are descending upon us, writing in their piece, What to Expect When Jesus Returns:

“Revelation describes two groups.

One will experience the second coming of Christ as a horrifying surprise. They will pray for the rocks to fall on them and hide them from Him (see Revelation 6:15—17).

The second group will experience it as a wonderful deliverance—a fulfillment of all they’ve lived for. They will be singing ecstatically, “This is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us” (Isaiah 25:9, KJV).

Yes, God, our Creator, will someday soon descend from outer space and make a spectacular appearance. That’s the great hope that shines through the New Testament. That’s the hope that can lift us above our dreary days and out of our darkest night.”

To be considered for salvation upon the Rapture, Adventist.org recommends that you choose ‘today to make Jesus your personal savior.”

Pacific Standard – Rapture

Related Scripture(s):

  • “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from Heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then will appear in Heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of Heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of Heaven to the other.” – Matthew 24:29-31.
  • “For the Lord himself will descend from Heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 
  • “Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.” – Revelation 1:7.

Related Video(s):

#15 Do Seventh-Day Adventists Believe Jesus is God?

Yes, Adventists will use the titles ‘Jesus’ and ‘God’ interchangeably. While simultaneously considering Jesus to be the Son of God, they also refer to Jesus as ‘The Lord,’ and an intrinsic part of God that cannot be separated from mankind’s salvation.

Taking scriptural context highly-literally, Adventists do not believe that God would add scriptures that were intended to be abstract, open to interpretation, or subjective. Feeling instead that the word of the Bible is God’s primordial law, there are many scriptures that lead Adventists to weave together the descriptions of God, the Father, and Jesus, the Son.

The scriptures that identify God and Jesus as a single unified force (despite also believing in the Trinity and triad of powers), include but are not limited to the following:

  • “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,”1 Timothy 2:5.
  • “Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”John 20:28
  • I and the Father are one.” The Jews picked up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?” The Jews answered him, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.”’ – John 10:30-33.
  • “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).” – Matthew 1:23.
  • “Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” – Romans 10:9.

Adventist.org writes about their fundamental beliefs of the Son:

                “Forever truly God, He became also truly human, Jesus the Christ.”

Is Jesus God?

Related Scripture(s):

  • “Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,” – Titus 2:13.

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#16 Do Seventh-Day Adventists Believe in The Holy Spirit?

Yes, Adventists believe in the Holy Spirit.

Pronouncing on Adventists.org:

“THE HOLY SPIRIT INSPIRES US, EMPOWERS US AND GUIDES OUR UNDERSTANDING. THE SPIRIT TOUCHES OUR HEARTS AND TRANSFORMS US, RENEWING THE IMAGE OF GOD IN WHICH WE WERE CREATED.

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 in 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, in harmony with the Scriptures lead it into all truth.”

The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit

Related Scripture(s):

  • “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” –  John 14:26.
  • “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” –  Romans 8:26.
  • “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” – Romans 15:13.  
  • “And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” – Romans 5:5.

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#17 Do Seventh-Day Adventists Believe in Heaven?

Yes, most Adventists believe in Heaven, but they do not believe it is a haven reserved for all good Christians.

Seeing Heaven as a place reserved for sacred leaders (such as the disciples of Jesus, and few sacred prophets across history), Adventists are of the creed that God will not raise the general population of humankind until the second coming of Jesus Christ, and after the final days of judgment.

To this point, Heaven is not currently a place for mankind in the Adventist denomination, but it will someday be a paradise for those that God sees as deserving of this honor.

PewResearch.org finds that:

“Most Adventists (85%) believe in Heaven, but far fewer (52%) believe in hell. The relatively low level of belief in hell by Seventh-day Adventists stands out among evangelical Protestants, 82% of whom say they believe in hell.”

Ultimately, Heaven is in existence but will not be a place for humankind (including Adventists) until God has laid every sinner and non-sinner down to rest, then deciding which spirits to rise up into the gates of Heaven.

Matthew 6:19-21 says:

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Believing that their time will soon come, Scripture affirms this to Adventists due to quotations such as 2 Peter 3:13:

“But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.”

Heaven and Heroism

Related Scripture(s):

  • “After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in Heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in Heaven, with one seated on the throne. And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald. Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God,” –Revelation 4:1-11
  • “To an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,”1 Peter 1:4 

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