Just a few questions

[Marc15]

I'm planning on attending my local SDA's churches service on Saturday. I have a few questions.

First, What exactly is Sabbath school? Is it a bible study group?

I'm confused about the doctrine of Investigative Judgement, an explanation would be great.

Does SDA believe one can have assurance of salvation?

If Im correct, SDA teaches salvation is received by faith alone and then obedience to the ten commandments is fruitage. Thats correct-right?

Thank you all very much who take the time to answer my questions!

 

[EastCoastRemnant]

I'm planning on attending my local SDA's churches service on Saturday. I have a few questions.

First, What exactly is Sabbath school? Is it a bible study group?
It's like Sunday school if you are familiar with that... yes, Bible subjects are studied in a group environment.

I'm confused about the doctrine of Investigative Judgement, an explanation would be great.
In a nutshell, IJ is the work Jesus is now doing in the most holy apartment in the heavenly sanctuary. It began in 1844 when the prophesy of Daniel was fulfilled to begin the cleansing of the sanctuary (day of atonement) All those, from Adam onward, whose names are written in the Lambs book of life, are brought before the throne for judgement and to have Jesus declare 'pardoned by my blood'.

Does SDA believe one can have assurance of salvation?
Salvation is assured through our faith in the blood of Christ (justification) the keeping of our salvation is through repentence of any sins revealed through the Holy Spirit (sanctification).

If Im correct, SDA teaches salvation is received by faith alone and then obedience to the ten commandments is fruitage. Thats correct-right?
Yes. that is correct... obedience out of love for the one who gave all for us, not out of obligation.

Thank you all very much who take the time to answer my questions!

God bless brother, remember to pray to receive the Holy Spirit... He will lead you into all understanding.

 

[Stryder06]

I'm planning on attending my local SDA's churches service on Saturday. I have a few questions.

Amen

First, What exactly is Sabbath school? Is it a bible study group?

You could say that. Sabbath School is a time when we come together and study certain subjects in regards to the faith. It's a more intimate time of the service.

I'm confused about the doctrine of Investigative Judgement, an explanation would be great.

1 Peter 4:7 says:
For the time [is come] that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if [it] first [begin] at us, what shall the end [be] of them that obey not the gospel of God?

The IJ, essentially, is our teaching that deals with God judging His people before His return. It's pretty in depth, but this is the essence of the teaching.

Does SDA believe one can have assurance of salvation?

Most certainly

If Im correct, SDA teaches salvation is received by faith alone and then obedience to the ten commandments is fruitage. Thats correct-right?

That is correct, but our emphasis is not just on obeying the commandments, but obeying God. Obedience to God is evidence of the Spirit that works within.

Thank you all very much who take the time to answer my questions!

I hope you have a great time at the SDA church you're going to visit, and if you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask.

 

[OntheDL]

I'm planning on attending my local SDA's churches service on Saturday. I have a few questions.

First, What exactly is Sabbath school? Is it a bible study group?

I'm confused about the doctrine of Investigative Judgement, an explanation would be great.

Does SDA believe one can have assurance of salvation?

If Im correct, SDA teaches salvation is received by faith alone and then obedience to the ten commandments is fruitage. Thats correct-right?

Thank you all very much who take the time to answer my questions!

Hi,

God always investigates before He pronounces and carries out judgment. God already knows who is saved and who is not. He does so for the purpose that there would be no controversy among His created intelligent beings in the universe in regard to His justice. So in a sense, God Himself is on trial in His handling of those who chose to follow Him and those who chose to reject Him.

SDAs do believe in assurance of salvation. The bible teaches that he who endures to the end the same is saved. That's the assurance. The essence of faith is: hoping for something that is unseen. But we reject the notion of 'once saved, always saved'. OSAS removes the believers' choice and obligation in the salvation process and implies that the believers can not lose their salvation once they begin the walk with God. We believe the salvation is granted in the end after Judgment, not in the beginning at the foot of the cross.

Obedience to God is always the requirement of salvation. Adam and Eve lost it because of disobedience. The law is the expressed will and character of God. Thus the obedience to the law is the condition of our entrance into heaven. However man because of his fallen nature by his own will and power is unable to obey. Thus by the empowering spirit, man obeys by allowing and cooperating with the spirit to be transformed and to achieve the state of obedience by grace through faith.

Hope this helps.

 

[EastCoastRemnant]

Adam and Eve lost it because of disobedience.

Just wanted to add that we know that Adam, at least, repented of his sin and regained the assurance of eternal life. More beautiful facets of God's character, that He is merciful, long suffering and has already forgiven us...we just need to repent.