7 MISCONCEPTIONS OF THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH

1.THAT IT IS A CULT....

A cult is a religious group or movement that follows the teachings or guidance outside of the Word of God or teachings that do not have the Word of God as a base. Adventists follow the whole word from Genesis to Revelation. The foundation of the church is healthy both physically and spiritually. In addition, it is growing, recognized and accepted as a world-wide Christian Church. As of 2006 there were 61,818 churches, 15,115,806 members, 7000 schools, 168 Adventist Hospitals (Loma Linda University is one), and many other Seventh-day Adventist founded and based organizations.

2. DOES NOT WEAR JEWELRY BECAUSE IT IS AGAINST THE RELIGION OF THE SDA CHURCH........

Most Adventists do not wear jewelry based upon scripture from God's Holy Word which clearly specifies God's clear displeasure in outward adornment. There are still many Baptists, Methodists, Pentecostals and other religious groups that are somewhat Bible-based holding to God's council on the subject of jewelry. Many Adventists do not wear jewelry not because of a church doctrine or rule but because of what the Bible says.

3. FOLLOWS A WOMAN PROPHET BY THE NAME OF ELLEN G. WHITE.....

In the early 19th century a Methodist girl by the name of Ellen White began to study God's word and pray. Based upon Biblical tests found from God's word, she had visions and dreams which gave her great enlightenment of His word. She went on to become a great author writing many books - many best sellers: Steps to Christ, The Desire of Ages and The Great Controversy to name a few of the most popular. Many preachers from many different faiths study and preach from her writings today. She also wrote about healthy living writing about nicotine, eggs and other substances that doctors are finding out today are harmful. In her writings and sermons, she never called herself a prophet and always told the people that the Bible is the Word of God and this is where she receives the inspiration from. 'Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.' Prov. 29:18 So just like with any high profile person, falsities, lies and rumors always go out about them.

4. ARE ALL VEGETARIANS.....

Based upon findings from the 19th century, it was prophesied that the meats of the 21st century would be unhealthy. Today, doctors are removing pork, red meats, other meats and other high fatty foods from their patient's diets to avoid or cure heart disease, cancer, diabetes and other life threatening diseases. Many are finding out now that vegetarians live longer.. Vegetarianism is not a salvation issue but a 'living longer and healthier issue.'(1 Cor. 3:16, 17 ; 3 John 1:2) God wants us to be healthy. However today, there are more vegetarians outside the Adventist church then in. So this is a great misconception.

Note* In regard to Pork.......
The Bible list a number of foods that are unclean. God doesn't change. If they were unclean to Him then, they are unclean now. Medical research even points this out. By the way, Peter's dream had nothing to do with food. It had everything to do with racism. Read Acts 10 and 11.

5. BELIEVES THEY ARE SAVED BY KEEPING THE LAW....

Jesus says, 'If you love me keep my commandments' John ..14:15... He also said that we can't keep the Law of ourselves. Eph 2:8-9 And that we are not saved by doing so but instead by Him, keeping it through us. Phil ..2:13.. The Ten Commandments are simply 10 guidelines equal to God's character. These guidelines are to lead us to pray and surrender our lives so that we can be like Him. We will not be saved by freely living sinfully - contrary to God's Law and Character.

6. KEEPING LAW THAT WAS NAILED TO THE CROSS....

(....Col.... 2:14) Back then, the Apostles of old had to constantly remind and pull God's people away from the Old Testament ceremonies and sacrifices which were a symbol of Jesus sacrificing His life for us. The practice of sacrificing an innocent lamb when they sinned was nailed to the cross. Why would they keep sacrificing an innocent lamb after Jesus, the Lamb of God, died on the cross sacrificially for our sins once and for all? So living God's character (law) was not nailed to the cross or the world would be allowed to kill, cheat, steal, etc.

7. KEEPING SEVENTH-DAY SATURDAY SABBATH OF THE JEWS....

(Mark ..2:27..) Jesus said that the Sabbath was made for man. (Gen.2:2,3) God created and sanctified the seventh-day after creating the first 6 days. It was a verbal command to the world until the chosen people began to backslide and He had to remind them. (Ex 20:8-11) He then put it in writing. (Ex.31:18). Then when Jesus came He kept it too. (Luke 4:16) Then after He died His apostles continued keeping it. (Acts 18: 3,4) Then Christianity spread around as the Jews rejected God. (Acts 8:4) All of the first Christians of the world kept the Seventh-day. Daniel had previously prophesied that man would change God's times and laws. (Daniel 7:25) and sure enough man determining to separate themselves from what they thought was the Sabbath of the Jews, gradually changed the day to Sunday. This officially took place, by man, in 321 AD, when ....Constantine.... made the decree.....Today, the majority still rules just as ....Sodom.... and ....Gomorrah.... and just as those who perished in Noah's day. They thought they were right...following the crowd. Something to think about. ....The Adventists keep Saturday instead of Sunday for the simple purpose of holding to the 'Bible Sabbath' and not going on to man's Sabbath.. for the Bible clearly teaches Saturday the Seventh-day Sabbath and no where does it say anything else. James ..2:10.. says 'For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.' See also Heb.4....

BOTTOM LINE: The truth is that Seventh-day Adventist Christians hold to the truths of the Bible from beginning to end without changing a thing - It's all about Jesus. John 1:1-2.

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Your brother in Christ,

Doc

Thank you, Doc, for these clear explanations. It has been a long time since I visited this site, and the last time I logged in, I was frustrated to see so many people argueing bitterly about everything. Now, I see that Beliefnet has changed a lot of things, and I don't see the threads in which people were so hateful to each other. I pray that the new forums stay free of personalities and bitter anger, and that instead, we show other people the love that our Lord charged us to share with all the world.

Blessings to you, Brother Doc.

Spudette

Sep 13, 2010 -- 10:58AM, whoyt999 wrote:

The Adventist belief that Jesus was once (and is now) Michael the Archangel puts them, if not udner the heading of cult, under the heading of heretical at the very least.

Jesus is the form of the invisible God. 

Whoyt,  www.adventist.org  under fundamental beliefs list the SDA Church official beliefs.  That isn't one of them. However, there is much evidence that such could be more true than that false belief Sunday has replaced the Seventh day Sabbath. That is heretical.

Doc

 I read your article on views of the SDA and I must say I cannot agree with you that salvation is received by keeping the 10 commandments, although the 10 commandments should be a guide for the Christian to live by. I believe we must receive on the Lord Jesus Christ into our hearts and lives,  and repent of our sins and be scripturally baptized to receive God's forgiveness. Although the Law of God is holy. just and good, it in itself cannot show you mercy or forgiveness. The purpose of the Law is to reveal sin. Because the Law does this, the Law becomes a schoolmaster to bring us TO Christ for salvation. Salvation is only found in Jesus Christ.

I know for a fact that E G White believed Jesus was Michael the Archangel, for it is written in some of her publications.This is why the SDA general conference must agree to that.Because sister White said so. Also, I believe some, not all of the early Adventists held to the the Jesus is Michael teaching as well. I do see where Jesus at his returns speaks with the voice of the Archangel and in Daniel 12 it says Micheal shall stand up for his people in the last days. I believe the problem could be eliminated if everyone would understand that angel also means messenger and not always a created being. Irregardless, stating that Jesus was once an angel of the highest rank is to make him a created being.For God is neither created nor an angel in any form.