Point of Interest Concerning the Sabbath

[HARK!]

Please forgive me if I'm misunderstanding something. I'm sincerely trying to learn more about SDAs

Does the Seventh Day Adventist Church officially have a doctrine, unified across the body of this denomination, as to when the Sabbath begins?

 

[HARK!]

I found a great clue in the SOP:

20. Sabbath:
The beneficent Creator, after the six days of Creation, rested on the seventh day and instituted the Sabbath for all people as a memorial of Creation. The fourth commandment of God's unchangeable law requires the observance of this seventh-day Sabbath as the day of rest, worship, and ministry in harmony with the teaching and practice of Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath. The Sabbath is a day of delightful communion with God and one another. It is a symbol of our redemption in Christ, a sign of our sanctification, a token of our allegiance, and a foretaste of our eternal future in God's kingdom. The Sabbath is God's perpetual sign of His eternal covenant between Him and His people. Joyful observance of this holy time from evening to evening, sunset to sunset, is a celebration of God's creative and redemptive acts. (Gen. 2:1-3; Ex. 20:8-11; Luke 4:16; Isa. 56:5, 6; 58:13, 14; Matt. 12:1-12; Ex. 31:13-17; Eze. 20:12, 20; Deut. 5:12-15; Heb. 4:1-11; Lev. 23:32; Mark 1:32.)

 

[SabbathBlessings]

I found a great clue in the SOP:

20. Sabbath:
The beneficent Creator, after the six days of Creation, rested on the seventh day and instituted the Sabbath for all people as a memorial of Creation. The fourth commandment of God's unchangeable law requires the observance of this seventh-day Sabbath as the day of rest, worship, and ministry in harmony with the teaching and practice of Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath. The Sabbath is a day of delightful communion with God and one another. It is a symbol of our redemption in Christ, a sign of our sanctification, a token of our allegiance, and a foretaste of our eternal future in God's kingdom. The Sabbath is God's perpetual sign of His eternal covenant between Him and His people. Joyful observance of this holy time from evening to evening, sunset to sunset, is a celebration of God's creative and redemptive acts. (Gen. 2:1-3; Ex. 20:8-11; Luke 4:16; Isa. 56:5, 6; 58:13, 14; Matt. 12:1-12; Ex. 31:13-17; Eze. 20:12, 20; Deut. 5:12-15; Heb. 4:1-11; Lev. 23:32; Mark 1:32.)

Yes! I was going to provide this reference, but looks like you found it.

 

[BobRyan]

I found a great clue in the SOP:

20. Sabbath:
The beneficent Creator, after the six days of Creation, rested on the seventh day and instituted the Sabbath for all people as a memorial of Creation. The fourth commandment of God's unchangeable law requires the observance of this seventh-day Sabbath as the day of rest, worship, and ministry in harmony with the teaching and practice of Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath. The Sabbath is a day of delightful communion with God and one another. It is a symbol of our redemption in Christ, a sign of our sanctification, a token of our allegiance, and a foretaste of our eternal future in God's kingdom. The Sabbath is God's perpetual sign of His eternal covenant between Him and His people. Joyful observance of this holy time from evening to evening, sunset to sunset, is a celebration of God's creative and redemptive acts. (Gen. 2:1-3; Ex. 20:8-11; Luke 4:16; Isa. 56:5, 6; 58:13, 14; Matt. 12:1-12; Ex. 31:13-17; Eze. 20:12, 20; Deut. 5:12-15; Heb. 4:1-11; Lev. 23:32; Mark 1:32.)

Yep belief # 20 in our official denominational 28 Fundamental Beliefs.
https://szu.adventist.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/28_Beliefs.pdf

North American Division publishes the same voted document like this
Beliefs | North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists


Fundamental Beliefs of the Seventh Day Adventist Church
=============== wikipedia has an interesting historical article on how that came about.

from: Sabbath in seventh-day churches - Wikipedia.

In 1851, Adventists taught that the sabbath begins at 6PM Friday, and not at sunset, nor midnight, nor sunrise:[52]

It is clear, therefore, from Scripture testimony that every day commences at 6 o’clock, and not at sunset, nor at midnight, as many contend, nor yet at sunrise as some others believe. Therefore the Sabbath commences at 6 P. M. on what is called Friday. Every hour and minute of it is sanctified time, “holy to the Lord, and holy to those who keep it. (ARSH April 21, 1851, p71.7)

The Adventists held a conference at Battle Creek, Mich., Nov. 16, 1855. At this conference, they voted to accept J.N. Andrews's decision that the Sabbath begins at sunset:

A division among them was arising over this question. So Elder J. N. Andrews, the best scholar they then had, was requested to study the subject and present his conclusion to the conference held at Battle Creek, Mich., Nov. 16, 1855. This he did, and decided that sunset was the Scriptural time to begin the Sabbath. The conference voted to accept his view.... “Then, four days after Andrews and the conference had settled it, Mrs. White had a vision in which an angel told her that sunset was the right time!!! ... In that vision she complained to the angel and asked for an explanation. She says: ‘I inquired why it had been thus, that at this late day we must change the time of commencing the Sabbath. Said the angel, “Ye shall understand, but not yet, not yet.”’ (‘Test.,’ Vol. I., p. 116).

 

[HARK!]

Yep belief # 20 in our official denominational 28 Fundamental Beliefs.
https://szu.adventist.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/28_Beliefs.pdf

This would seem to settle it. However...

=============== wikipedia has an interesting historical article on how that came about.

from: Sabbath in seventh-day churches - Wikipedia.

In 1851, Adventists taught that the sabbath begins at 6PM Friday, and not at sunset, nor midnight, nor sunrise:[52]

It is clear, therefore, from Scripture testimony that every day commences at 6 o’clock, and not at sunset, nor at midnight, as many contend, nor yet at sunrise as some others believe. Therefore the Sabbath commences at 6 P. M. on what is called Friday. Every hour and minute of it is sanctified time, “holy to the Lord, and holy to those who keep it. (ARSH April 21, 1851, p71.7)

The Adventists held a conference at Battle Creek, Mich., Nov. 16, 1855. At this conference, they voted to accept J.N. Andrews's decision that the Sabbath begins at sunset:

A division among them was arising over this question. So Elder J. N. Andrews, the best scholar they then had, was requested to study the subject and present his conclusion to the conference held at Battle Creek, Mich., Nov. 16, 1855. This he did, and decided that sunset was the Scriptural time to begin the Sabbath. The conference voted to accept his view.... “Then, four days after Andrews and the conference had settled it, Mrs. White had a vision in which an angel told her that sunset was the right time!!! ... In that vision she complained to the angel and asked for an explanation. She says: ‘I inquired why it had been thus, that at this late day we must change the time of commencing the Sabbath. Said the angel, “Ye shall understand, but not yet, not yet.”’ (‘Test.,’ Vol. I., p. 116).

...I'm just curious. There seemed to be some division leading up to the 1855 conference. Did everyone get on board with this understanding, which, to my understanding, is solidly founded in scripture? In other words, to your knowledge, are there any splinter groups of SDAs who honor the Sabbath at any other time, yet still gather under the label of SDA?

 

[LoveGodsWord]

This would seem to settle it. However...
...I'm just curious. There seemed to be some division leading up to the 1855 conference. Did everyone get on board with this understanding, which, to my understanding, is solidly founded in scripture? In other words, to your knowledge, are there any splinter groups of SDAs who honor the Sabbath at any other time, yet still gather under the label of SDA?

This was a time when some of the old Pioneers were just learning about the Sabbath and were not correctly keeping it. God eventually corrected them. You can read about the full Historical context here. Keep in mind all of this was before the SDA Church ever existed. The SDA Church did not start until 1863 and by that time to my understanding they had been keeping the Sabbath correctly for many years already. There has never been any splinter groups I am aware of in regards to the 6-6pm Sabbath time.

God bless

 

[BobRyan]

This would seem to settle it. However...
...I'm just curious. There seemed to be some division leading up to the 1855 conference. Did everyone get on board with this understanding, which, to my understanding, is solidly founded in scripture? In other words, to your knowledge, are there any splinter groups of SDAs who honor the Sabbath at any other time, yet still gather under the label of SDA?

The SDA denomination officially adopted their name in 1860. 1863 the General Conference was created which is the top level organization for the denomination.

There have been splinter groups but I don't know of any that base their split on which hour of the day to begin the Sabbath.

Here is a chart summarizing the organizational history of the denomination

https://www.adventistarchives.org/brief-organizational-history-of-seventh-day-adventists.pdf

 

[HARK!]

The SDA denomination officially adopted their name in 1860. 1863 the General Conference was created which is the top level organization for the denomination.

There have been splinter groups but I don't know of any that base their split on which hour of the day to begin the Sabbath.

Here is a chart summarizing the organizational history of the denomination

https://www.adventistarchives.org/brief-organizational-history-of-seventh-day-adventists.pdf

That chart looks very comprehensive.

 

[LoveGodsWord]

The SDA denomination officially adopted their name in 1860. 1863 the General Conference was created which is the top level organization for the denomination.

There have been splinter groups but I don't know of any that base their split on which hour of the day to begin the Sabbath.

Here is a chart summarizing the organizational history of the denomination

https://www.adventistarchives.org/brief-organizational-history-of-seventh-day-adventists.pdf

It is interesting I was looking in the "Office of Archives and Statistics Research" and looking at the membership in the SDA Church over around the past 120 years from 1899 to 2019. At that time (1899) it only had around 58,498 members world-wide and now in 2019 has 21,554,837 members. The interesting thing is the massive jump over the last 30 years which in 1990 was 5,561,482 members to around 21,554,837 members in 2019 (around 4x). Just as striking, going back to 1960 there was only around 1,245,125 members. So we are talking massive jumps in numbers over short periods of time. These are big rises in membership numbers from when the Church started in 1863 with only 3500 members worldwide.

God bless

 

[HARK!]

It is interesting I was looking in the "Office of Archives and Statistics Research" and looking at the membership in the SDA Church over around the past 120 years from 1899 to 2019. At that time it only had around 58,498 members world-wide and now in 2019 has 21,554,837 members. The interesting this is the massive jump over the last 30 years only which in 1990 was 3,402,738,404 members to around 21,554,837 members in 2019. Going back in 1960 there was only around 413,667,883 members. So we are talking massive jumps in numbers over short periods of time. These are big rises in membership numbers from when the Church started in 1863 with only 3500 members worldwide.

God bless

It's not just the SDA. There is a huge awakening taking place worldwide concerning the Sabbath truth.

 

[LoveGodsWord]

It's not just the SDA. There is a huge awakening taking place worldwide concerning the Sabbath truth.

I believe JESUS is coming soon! I know it is something we always say but look at what is happening in the world at the moment. Pandemics (more than one), the worst bush fires on record not to mention all the other world-wide natural disasters and their increased frequencies. We need to be active in sharing Gods Word and helping all to get ready. It will also be interesting to see what might happen with a new Catholic President of the US. The national Sunday laws are still law in the US it is just that they have never been enforced. They are called Blue laws. Time to get ready ladies and gents and get your house in order. JESUS is coming ready or not.

God bless

 

[HARK!]

I believe JESUS is coming. Look what is happening in the work at the moment. Pandemic, the worst bushfires on record not to mention all the other world-wide natural disasters and their increased frequencies. We need to be active in sharing Gods Word and helping all to get ready. It will also be interesting to see what might happen with a new Catholic President of the US.

God bless

I don't want to provide scripture for teaching here; but I believe that you and I are reading from the same pages.

 

[BobRyan]

It is interesting I was looking in the "Office of Archives and Statistics Research" and looking at the membership in the SDA Church over around the past 120 years from 1899 to 2019. At that time (1899) it only had around 58,498 members world-wide and now in 2019 has 21,554,837 members.

The interesting thing is the massive jump over the last 30 years which in 1990 was 3,402,738,404 members to around 21,554,837 members in 2019 (around 7x). Just as striking, going back to 1960 there was only around 413,667,883 members. So we are talking massive jumps in numbers over short periods of time. These are big rises in membership numbers from when the Church started in 1863 with only 3500 members worldwide.

God bless

I think your numbers might be comparing a 3.4 billion tithe value or ??? in 1990 to a 21 million membership value in 2019 ... is that correct?. The chart at that link says that church membership in 1966 was 5.5 Million and church membership in 2019 was 22 million -- so that is about 4 x expansion in that 60 year window. There has never been 413 Million members in our church, you must be looking at a tithe value for some year in the past with that 413 million value.

 

[BobRyan]

I don't want to provide scripture for teaching here; but I believe that you and I are reading from the same pages.

Feel free to quote scripture all you want - we love it.

 

[HARK!]

SHABBAT SHALOM

Brothers and Sisters!!

 

[LoveGodsWord]

I think your numbers might be comparing a 3.4 billion tithe value or ??? in 1990 to a 21 million membership value in 2019 ... is that correct?. The chart at that link says that church membership in 1966 was 5.5 Million and church membership in 2019 was 22 million -- so that is about 4 x expansion in that 60 year window. There has never been 413 Million members in our church, you must be looking at a tithe value for some year in the past with that 413 million value.

Nope I made a mistake though at the 1960 membership which is now fixed up. It should be 1,245,125 membership to 2019 is 21.5 million big jump.

God bless

 

[BobRyan]

Nope I made a mistake though at the 1960 membership which is now fixed up. It should be 1,245,125 membership to 2019 is 21.5 million big jump.

God bless

ok I do see that 1,245,125 for 1960 here

https://documents.adventistarchives.org/Statistics/ASR/ASR1961.pdf

I see you have this

The interesting thing is the massive jump over the last 30 years which in 1990 was 5,561,482 members to around 21,554,837 members in 2019 (around 4x). Just as striking, going back to 1960 there was only around 1,245,125 members.

Which looks good to me. thanks for that.

 

[Gary K]

I don't like to throw cold water on the party, but numbers don't mean much to me.

What means something is faithful converts who are very grounded in scripture for these are the people who will be found among the 5 wise virgins with their lamps full of oil. That to me is meaningful. For me pointing to pure numbers as success is an exercise in futility. I think we're seeing the results of the focus on numbers in the church with so many SDAs abandoning our landmark truths and becoming ecumenicists who just "want to go along to get along" with the rest of the world. I've just had too many discussions with those SDAs who consider our doctrines in a very negative light. Yeah, their names are on the books, but to what end and why? They certainly do not have a true understanding of the Bible.

Seeing people like HARK and IMGE here excited about learning truth and committed to studying does my heart a lot of good.

 

[EastCoastRemnant]

The acceptance of the Trinity doctrine into our Fundamental beliefs in 1980 had a lot to do with the influx of members into the church. Remember back in the 50's when we were called a cult because of our foundational beliefs and the resulting QOD to appease the religious world?

 

[HARK!]

The acceptance of the Trinity doctrine into our Fundamental beliefs in 1980 had a lot to do with the influx of members into the church. Remember back in the 50's when we were called a cult because of our foundational beliefs and the resulting QOD to appease the religious world?

I wasn't aware of this.

I have a lot to learn about SDA.