SDA
Fundamental Beliefs
God
Adventists base
their faith in God as revealed through Jesus Christ and as shown
through the Bible, inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Faith
Faith means placing
complete trust in God, and accepting his offer of salvation.
Such trusting faith is fundamental to Adventist beliefs. A
living relationship with God is essential to faith.
The Bible
Written down over
many years, the Bible presents the essential truth about God.
The Holy Spirit inspired human writers to reveal the character
of God and how he wishes to save all those who come to him. The
Bible explains the nature of God and the way God’s followers
will behave as a result of their relationship with him.
The Gospel
The heart of the
Adventist message is the gospel, God’s good news of salvation.
Through Jesus’ death on the cross human beings may be won back
to love and trust God, and accept God’s free gift of eternal
life for all those who follow him.
Creation
Creator of the
Universe, Christ formed our world in seven days, and created the
first man and woman. At the close of his creative work, God gave
the Sabbath as a day of celebration and worship.
The Sabbath
The seventh-day
Sabbath (Saturday) is given as a reminder of the God who both
creates and saves, and is the day God invites all to come and
worship him. Jesus observed the seventh-day Sabbath while on
earth, and Adventists follow his example in keeping the fourth
of the Ten Commandments.
The Second Advent
Adventists look
forward to the soon return of Jesus Christ as prophesied and as
he himself promised, but do not set any date for this glorious
event when he comes to take home all who accept him as their
Lord.
Life After Death and the Future
Adventists follow
Jesus in identifying those who die as sleeping. Those who have
trusted God are raised to life when Jesus returns, and look
forward to a wonderful future--eternal life in God’s presence.
Baptism and Commitment
Those who choose to
accept God’s way for their lives and his offer of eternal life
demonstrate their belief through baptism (being immersed in
water), following the example of Jesus. Adventists follow lives
of commitment to God and his plan for us, which include
following his commands as being for our best good.
Education
The Adventist
Church operates one of the largest educational systems in the
world, and features Universities such as Loma Linda whose
Medical Center is at the forefront of treatments such as the
innovative Proton Accelerator for cancer treatment. Through a
world-wide network of schools, Adventists seek to better
humanity through providing education and vocational training.
Community Aid
Through the
Adventist Development and Relief Agency and other programs, the
Adventist Church provides practical assistance to those less
fortunate, caring for the poor and disadvantaged in many
countries of the world, without regard for race, religion or
nationality. The Church also operates youth camps, community
service projects, family life counseling and other programs to
assist those wishing to overcome drug addiction and alcohol or
tobacco dependence.
The
Communication of Hope
Seventh-day
Adventists will communicate hope by focusing on the quality of
life that is complete in Christ. Communication is a vital aspect
of faith, sharing the good news of God and keeping the family of
believers in touch through a global system that includes
satellite broadcasting, TV, radio, print and the Internet. Visit
www.adventist.org.
Copyright ©
2003 General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
12501 Old Columbia Pike
Silver Spring, MD 20904-6600 USA.
Main Phone
Number: (301) 680-6000