Adventist Beliefs
About the Bible
The entire Bible, Old and New Testaments, is a revelation of the character of God, given to us with the distinct, inspired purpose of leading us to Jesus and forming us into His image. (John 20:30; 2 Timothy 3:15, 16)
About God
God is the creator and ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God. (Genesis 1:1, 26, 27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2; 1 Corinthians 13:14)
About Man
At the conclusion of the Bible’s creation story, the first humans are made in the image of God, given dominion over the world, and charged with the responsibility to care for it. But Adam and Eve, who were created with an unforced freedom to make their own choices, disobeyed, ran away, and tried to hide from God, and, as a result of their choice, became mortal. We, their descendants, share this desire to sin and the consequences of those sins. (Romans 3:10, 11; Romans 3:23; Ezra 9:6, 7, 15; Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Isaiah 59:1,2}
About The Mess We’re In
All humanity is now involved in a great controversy between Christ and Satan regarding the character of God, and the nature of God’s government. The conflict began in heaven when Lucifer, an unfallen angel, openly rebelled against God. This world became the arena of the universal conflict, and ultimately will be the scene of the triumph of God’s grace and the vindication of God’s character with the victorious return of Jesus. (Revelation 12:7-9; Genesis 3:15)
About Jesus
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all men by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to heaven’s glory and will return again.(Matthew 1:22, 23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14, 15; 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4; Romans 1:3, 4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14, 15; Titus 2:13)
About Salvation
Salvation is a gift from God to man. Man can never make up for his sin by self-improvement or good works – only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can man be saved from sin’s penalty. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith. (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8, 9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1)
About Baptism
Baptism by immersion symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus and is your public declaration that you have accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. Baptism does not save you, but shows the world that you have already been saved. And while baptism is not required for salvation, it is a biblical command and demonstrates your love and obedience to Christ. (Colossians 2:12; Acts 2:41; Ephesians 2: 8-9; Matthew 28:19-20)
About The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son as God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. The Christian seeks to live under his control daily. (2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16, 17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:1)
About The Law
The Law of God (The Ten Commandments) are foundational principles that exhibit the character of God. God’s lovingly teaches us how to love Him and love others. God’s law remains the standard of judgment, but since we on our own are incapable of keeping the law perfectly we gratefully accept that the law leads us to Jesus where we find strength and grace to keep God’s perfect law as a symbol of our love for God. (Psalm 19:7,8; Matthew 22:37-40; Romans 2:21-23; Matthew 19:17; Galatians 3:24; John 14:15)
About The Sabbath
The Sabbath is one of the original gifts to humanity at the creation of the world, along with marriage. It remains God’s holy day, set apart from all other days as a time to be reminded to worship the one true creator God. The Sabbath is part of the perfect law of God. (Genesis 2:3; Exodus 20:8-11; John 14:15)
About The Second Coming
The Second Coming of Christ is the most anticipated moment in earth’s history! At the coming of Christ those who have died as friends of Jesus will be raised from their graves to spend eternity with Him. Those still living who have accepted Jesus as their Savior and best friend, will also be raised up into the sky to be meet Jesus face to face. At the Second Coming, the followers of Jesus will be given new bodies, immortal bodies, the earth will be destroyed, and we will be taken to live with God in Heaven. No one knows when this event will occur so we are implored by Jesus Himself to live each day ready for His coming! (2 Peter 3:10; John 14:3; Matthew 24: 26, 27; Matthew 25:13; 1 Corinthians 15:51-54)
About Death
When we die, we are in unconscious state, as in a “sleep” knowing nothing until Jesus comes at His Second Coming. (Ecclesiastes 9:5; John 11:12, 13; 1 Corinthians 15:51-54)
