Questions for the SDA Church

eleos1954

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What do SDA’s believe?




Is God the Father:

  1. God?
  2. Angel?
  3. Man?
  4. Other?


Is Jesus Christ the only begotten Son of God:


  1. God?
  2. Angel?
  3. Man?
  4. Other?



Is the Holy Spirit:


  1. God?
  2. Angel?
  3. Man?
  4. Other?
They believe and the bible teaches. There is one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a unity of three coeternal Persons.



JLB
 
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JLB777

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I wanted to hear directly from some of those who are members, to know what it is exactly they believe as a whole.


I don’t want to misrepresent them or misquote them.



From what I have studied, their statements tend to “talk around” this subject, so I wanted to make it plain and simple.


Thank you for your response.





JLB
 
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eleos1954

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I wanted to hear directly from some of those who are members, to know what it is exactly they believe as a whole.


I don’t want to misrepresent them or misquote them.



From what I have studied, their statements tend to “talk around” this subject, so I wanted to make it plain and simple.


Thank you for your response.

ok, so take it directly from "their" official website and not any one person as anyone should when researching out doctrines.

Beliefs :: The Official Site of the Seventh-day Adventist world church

God Bless.


JLB
 
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eleos1954

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The point is, the SDA teaches its people that Jesus is Michael the arch angel, just as the JW’s do, because they both seem to have come from the same background, which is called the Millerite's.






JLB

well the word angel means messenger. the word angel is sometimes is applied to angels (as in angelic beings, heavenly beings) sometimes applied to human beings, and also many times applied to "the Lord". Go do some scriptural searches on angels, angel of the Lord.

One example ... who was on Mt. Sinai?

Exodus 3

2 There the Angel of the LORD appeared to him (Moses) in a blazing fire from within a bush.

SDA do not believe nor do not teach Jesus was a created angelic being. They do not hold the same viewpoint as JW's on this.

Did Jesus have messages? Oh yeah, a bunch of them.

The term arch angel ... means leader of angels .... is Jesus the leader of the angels? Yes Does He command the angels? Yes

Do these facts in any way deny Him as the supreme deity/His divine status? OF COURSE NOT

More info on SDA teaching regarding this topic here.

Christ, and Michel the Archangel q08.htm

Again, when researching doctrines, always go to the official sites ... and form your own opinions from there ... otherwise you are relying on another persons opinion and what they think about it of which many times is in error.

All doctrine, regardless where it comes from should be measured with Gods Holy Word.

God Bless.
 
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JLB777

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well the word angel means messenger. the word angel is sometimes is applied to angels (as in angelic beings, heavenly beings) sometimes applied to human beings, and also many times applied to "the Lord". Go do some scriptural searches on angels, angel of the Lord.


I fully aware that the Angel of the Lord was a reference to Christ.


The Angel of the Lord is referred to as God.


Angels are son of God.

The Angel of the Lord is The Son of God, the only begotten of the Father.


Michael is not the Angel of the Lord.



Jesus Christ is Lord; YHWH


He is not a created being.




JLB
 
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JLB777

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Again, when researching doctrines, always go to the official sites ... and form your own opinions from there ... otherwise you are relying on another persons opinion and what they think about it of which many times is in error.


I have heard from former members, as well as read some of their literature.


It seems they only make public certain things.


Then there are different sects within the SDA, that believe differently.



That’s why I started this thread to hear from SDA members themselves, or former members.



JLB
 
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eleos1954

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I have heard from former members, as well as read some of their literature.


It seems they only make public certain things.


Then there are different sects within the SDA, that believe differently.



That’s why I started this thread to hear from SDA members themselves, or former members.



JLB

This is true of all denominations ... that's why it's best to go to the official sites.
 
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JLB777

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This is true of all denominations ... that's why it's best to go to the official sites.


First of all I don’t believe, nor am I associated with any denomination.


Secondly, this thread was started to help me discover from SDA members themselves what this organization teaches, because you can’t go by what the put on their website.


The “official sites” don’t teach everything they believe.


I heard from one couple that was excommunicated from the SDA organization because they begin to discover that Jesus was the Son of God, and taught others, until they were banished.



 
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eleos1954

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I fully aware that the Angel of the Lord was a reference to Christ.


The Angel of the Lord is referred to as God.


Angels are son of God.

The Angel of the Lord is The Son of God, the only begotten of the Father.


Michael is not the Angel of the Lord.



Jesus Christ is Lord; YHWH


He is not a created being.


JLB

I stated very clearly Jesus is NOT a created being ... and SDA do not teach that He is.
 
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Daniel Marsh

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What do SDA’s believe?




Is God the Father:

  1. God?
  2. Angel?
  3. Man?
  4. Other?


Is Jesus Christ the only begotten Son of God:


  1. God?
  2. Angel?
  3. Man?
  4. Other?



Is the Holy Spirit:


  1. God?
  2. Angel?
  3. Man?
  4. Other?



JLB
From their websites,

First the mainline SDA site,

28 Fundamental Beliefs

The Holy Scriptures Z1 The Holy Scriptures, Old and New Testaments, are the written Word of God, given by divine inspiration. The inspired authors spoke and wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. In this Word, God has committed to humanity the knowledge necessary for salvation. The Holy Scriptures are the supreme, authoritative, and the infallible revelation of His will. They are the standard of character, the test of experience, the definitive revealer of doctrines, and the trustworthy record of God’s acts in history. (Ps. 119:105; Prov. 30:5, 6; Isa. 8:20; John 17:17; 1 Thess. 2:13; 2 Tim. 3:16, 17; Heb. 4:12; 2 Peter 1:20, 21.)

The Trinity Z2 There is one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a unity of three coeternal Persons. God is immortal, all-powerful, all-knowing, above all, and ever present. He is infinite and beyond human comprehension, yet known through His self-revelation. God, who is love, is forever worthy of worship, adoration, and service by the whole creation. (Gen. 1:26; Deut. 6:4; Isa. 6:8; Matt. 28:19; John 3:16 2 Cor. 1:21, 22; 13:14; Eph. 4:4-6; 1 Peter 1:2.)

The Father God the eternal Father is the Creator, Source, Sustainer, and Sovereign of all creation. He is just and holy, merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. The qualities and powers exhibited in the Son and the Holy Spirit are also those of the Father. (Gen. 1:1; Deut. 4:35; Ps. 110:1, 4; John 3:16; 14:9; 1 Cor. 15:28; 1 Tim. 1:17; 1 John 4:8; Rev. 4:11.)

The Son Z4 God the eternal Son became incarnate in Jesus Christ. Through Him all things were created, the character of God is revealed, the salvation of humanity is accomplished, and the world is judged. Forever truly God, He became also truly human, Jesus the Christ. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived and experienced temptation as a human being, but perfectly exemplified the righteousness and love of God. By His miracles He manifested God’s power and was attested as God’s promised Messiah. He suffered and died voluntarily on the cross for our sins and in our place, was raised from the dead, and ascended to heaven to minister in the heavenly sanctuary in our behalf. He will come again in glory for the final deliverance of His people and the restoration of all things. (Isa. 53:4-6; Dan. 9:25-27; Luke 1:35; John 1:1-3, 14; 5:22; 10:30; 14:1-3, 9, 13; Rom. 6:23; 1 Cor. 15:3, 4; 2 Cor. 3:18; 5:17-19; Phil. 2:5-11; Col. 1:15-19; Heb. 2:9

The Holy Spirit Z5
God the eternal Spirit was active with the Father and the Son in Creation, incarnation, and redemption. He is as much a
person as are the Father and the Son. He inspired the writers of Scripture. He filled Christ’s life with power. He draws and
convicts human beings; and those who respond He renews and transforms into the image of God. Sent by the Father and
the Son to be always with His children, He extends spiritual gifts to the church, empowers it to bear witness to Christ, and in
harmony with the Scriptures leads it into all truth. (Gen. 1:1, 2; 2 Sam. 23:2; Ps. 51:11; Isa. 61:1; Luke 1:35; 4:18; John 14:16-18,
26; 15:26; 16:7-13; Acts 1:8; 5:3; 10:38; Rom. 5:5; 1 Cor. 12:7-11; 2 Cor. 3:18; 2 Peter 1:21.)

...

The Life, Death, and Resurrection of Christ Z9
In Christ’s life of perfect obedience to God’s will, His suffering, death, and resurrection, God provided the only means of
atonement for human sin, so that those who by faith accept this atonement may have eternal life, and the whole creation
may better understand the infinite and holy love of the Creator. This perfect atonement vindicates the righteousness of
God’s law and the graciousness of His character; for it both condemns our sin and provides for our forgiveness. The death
of Christ is substitutionary and expiatory, reconciling and transforming. The bodily resurrection of Christ proclaims God’s
triumph over the forces of evil, and for those who accept the atonement assures their final victory over sin and death. It
declares the Lordship of Jesus Christ, before whom every knee in heaven and on earth will bow. (Gen. 3:15; Ps. 22:1; Isa. 53;
John 3:16; 14:30; Rom. 1:4; 3:25; 4:25; 8:3, 4; 1 Cor. 15:3, 4, 20-22; 2 Cor. 5:14, 15, 19-21; Phil. 2:6-11; Col. 2:15; 1 Peter 2:21,
22; 1 John 2:2; 4:10.)

The Experience of Salvation
In infinite love and mercy God made Christ, who knew no sin, to be sin for us, so that in Him we might be made the righteousness of God. Led by the Holy Spirit we sense our need, acknowledge our sinfulness, repent of our transgressions, and
exercise faith in Jesus as Saviour and Lord, Substitute and Example. This saving faith comes through the divine power of the
Word and is the gift of God’s grace. Through Christ we are justified, adopted as God’s sons and daughters, and delivered
from the lordship of sin. Through the Spirit we are born again and sanctified; the Spirit renews our minds, writes God’s law
of love in our hearts, and we are given the power to live a holy life. Abiding in Him we become partakers of the divine
nature and have the assurance of salvation now and in the judgment. (Gen. 3:15; Isa. 45:22; 53; Jer. 31:31-34; Ezek. 33:11;
36:25-27; Hab. 2:4; Mark 9:23, 24; John 3:3-8, 16; 16:8; Rom. 3:21-26; 8:1-4, 14-17; 5:6-10; 10:17; 12:2; 2 Cor. 5:17-21; Gal. 1:4;
3:13, 14, 26; 4:4-7; Eph. 2:4-10; Col. 1:13, 14; Titus 3:3-7; Heb. 8:7-12; 1 Peter 1:23; 2:21, 22; 2 Peter 1:3, 4; Rev. 13:8.)https://szu.adventist.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/28_Beliefs.pdf
 
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Popular “fringe” ideas within Adventism

Semi-Arianism: Citing certain Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) pioneers who often misunderstand the historic formulation of the Trinity,[14] today’s semi-Arian Adventists usually adopt one or both of the following ideas: the Father alone is the only true God, with Jesus merely a literal son created sometime in the past; and the Holy Spirit is not a separate divine “person” or “being” of the Godhead.[15] The problem is these proponents almost always strongly endorse the prophetic authority of Ellen White, who said, “From the days of eternity the Lord Jesus Christ was one with the Father…. In Christ is life, original, borrowed, underived.”[16] Similarly, Mrs White said, “The Holy Spirit has a personality…. He must also be a divine person.”[17] This results in a reluctant acceptance that God is in fact somehow, “One God in three persons.”[18] Adventism’s Weird Fringe: Heterodox or Heresy? | Adventist Today

Significant Semi-Arian within Traditional Adventism
Significant Semi-Arian within Traditional Adventism
 
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JLB777

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From their websites,

First the mainline SDA site,

28 Fundamental Beliefs

The Holy Scriptures Z1 The Holy Scriptures, Old and New Testaments, are the written Word of God, given by divine inspiration. The inspired authors spoke and wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. In this Word, God has committed to humanity the knowledge necessary for salvation. The Holy Scriptures are the supreme, authoritative, and the infallible revelation of His will. They are the standard of character, the test of experience, the definitive revealer of doctrines, and the trustworthy record of God’s acts in history. (Ps. 119:105; Prov. 30:5, 6; Isa. 8:20; John 17:17; 1 Thess. 2:13; 2 Tim. 3:16, 17; Heb. 4:12; 2 Peter 1:20, 21.)

The Trinity Z2 There is one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a unity of three coeternal Persons. God is immortal, all-powerful, all-knowing, above all, and ever present. He is infinite and beyond human comprehension, yet known through His self-revelation. God, who is love, is forever worthy of worship, adoration, and service by the whole creation. (Gen. 1:26; Deut. 6:4; Isa. 6:8; Matt. 28:19; John 3:16 2 Cor. 1:21, 22; 13:14; Eph. 4:4-6; 1 Peter 1:2.)

The Father God the eternal Father is the Creator, Source, Sustainer, and Sovereign of all creation. He is just and holy, merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. The qualities and powers exhibited in the Son and the Holy Spirit are also those of the Father. (Gen. 1:1; Deut. 4:35; Ps. 110:1, 4; John 3:16; 14:9; 1 Cor. 15:28; 1 Tim. 1:17; 1 John 4:8; Rev. 4:11.)

The Son Z4 God the eternal Son became incarnate in Jesus Christ. Through Him all things were created, the character of God is revealed, the salvation of humanity is accomplished, and the world is judged. Forever truly God, He became also truly human, Jesus the Christ. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived and experienced temptation as a human being, but perfectly exemplified the righteousness and love of God. By His miracles He manifested God’s power and was attested as God’s promised Messiah. He suffered and died voluntarily on the cross for our sins and in our place, was raised from the dead, and ascended to heaven to minister in the heavenly sanctuary in our behalf. He will come again in glory for the final deliverance of His people and the restoration of all things. (Isa. 53:4-6; Dan. 9:25-27; Luke 1:35; John 1:1-3, 14; 5:22; 10:30; 14:1-3, 9, 13; Rom. 6:23; 1 Cor. 15:3, 4; 2 Cor. 3:18; 5:17-19; Phil. 2:5-11; Col. 1:15-19; Heb. 2:9

The Holy Spirit Z5
God the eternal Spirit was active with the Father and the Son in Creation, incarnation, and redemption. He is as much a
person as are the Father and the Son. He inspired the writers of Scripture. He filled Christ’s life with power. He draws and
convicts human beings; and those who respond He renews and transforms into the image of God. Sent by the Father and
the Son to be always with His children, He extends spiritual gifts to the church, empowers it to bear witness to Christ, and in
harmony with the Scriptures leads it into all truth. (Gen. 1:1, 2; 2 Sam. 23:2; Ps. 51:11; Isa. 61:1; Luke 1:35; 4:18; John 14:16-18,
26; 15:26; 16:7-13; Acts 1:8; 5:3; 10:38; Rom. 5:5; 1 Cor. 12:7-11; 2 Cor. 3:18; 2 Peter 1:21.)

...

The Life, Death, and Resurrection of Christ Z9
In Christ’s life of perfect obedience to God’s will, His suffering, death, and resurrection, God provided the only means of
atonement for human sin, so that those who by faith accept this atonement may have eternal life, and the whole creation
may better understand the infinite and holy love of the Creator. This perfect atonement vindicates the righteousness of
God’s law and the graciousness of His character; for it both condemns our sin and provides for our forgiveness. The death
of Christ is substitutionary and expiatory, reconciling and transforming. The bodily resurrection of Christ proclaims God’s
triumph over the forces of evil, and for those who accept the atonement assures their final victory over sin and death. It
declares the Lordship of Jesus Christ, before whom every knee in heaven and on earth will bow. (Gen. 3:15; Ps. 22:1; Isa. 53;
John 3:16; 14:30; Rom. 1:4; 3:25; 4:25; 8:3, 4; 1 Cor. 15:3, 4, 20-22; 2 Cor. 5:14, 15, 19-21; Phil. 2:6-11; Col. 2:15; 1 Peter 2:21,
22; 1 John 2:2; 4:10.)

The Experience of Salvation
In infinite love and mercy God made Christ, who knew no sin, to be sin for us, so that in Him we might be made the righteousness of God. Led by the Holy Spirit we sense our need, acknowledge our sinfulness, repent of our transgressions, and
exercise faith in Jesus as Saviour and Lord, Substitute and Example. This saving faith comes through the divine power of the
Word and is the gift of God’s grace. Through Christ we are justified, adopted as God’s sons and daughters, and delivered
from the lordship of sin. Through the Spirit we are born again and sanctified; the Spirit renews our minds, writes God’s law
of love in our hearts, and we are given the power to live a holy life. Abiding in Him we become partakers of the divine
nature and have the assurance of salvation now and in the judgment. (Gen. 3:15; Isa. 45:22; 53; Jer. 31:31-34; Ezek. 33:11;
36:25-27; Hab. 2:4; Mark 9:23, 24; John 3:3-8, 16; 16:8; Rom. 3:21-26; 8:1-4, 14-17; 5:6-10; 10:17; 12:2; 2 Cor. 5:17-21; Gal. 1:4;
3:13, 14, 26; 4:4-7; Eph. 2:4-10; Col. 1:13, 14; Titus 3:3-7; Heb. 8:7-12; 1 Peter 1:23; 2:21, 22; 2 Peter 1:3, 4; Rev. 13:8.)https://szu.adventist.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/28_Beliefs.pdf


The problem is, that’s what they promote on their website, but that is not what they teach the people over time.



Thanks for sharing.




JLB
 
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JLB777

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the Father alone is the only true God, with Jesus merely a literal son created sometime in the past; and the Holy Spirit is not a separate divine “person” or “being” of the Godhead.[


Yes, this what I was told they teach and lead people to believe, by twisting the scriptures.



JLB
 
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JLB777

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Popular “fringe” ideas within Adventism

Semi-Arianism: Citing certain Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) pioneers who often misunderstand the historic formulation of the Trinity,[14] today’s semi-Arian Adventists usually adopt one or both of the following ideas: the Father alone is the only true God, with Jesus merely a literal son created sometime in the past; and the Holy Spirit is not a separate divine “person” or “being” of the Godhead.[15] The problem is these proponents almost always strongly endorse the prophetic authority of Ellen White, who said, “From the days of eternity the Lord Jesus Christ was one with the Father…. In Christ is life, original, borrowed, underived.”[16] Similarly, Mrs White said, “The Holy Spirit has a personality…. He must also be a divine person.”[17] This results in a reluctant acceptance that God is in fact somehow, “One God in three persons.”[18] Adventism’s Weird Fringe: Heterodox or Heresy? | Adventist Today

Significant Semi-Arian within Traditional Adventism
Significant Semi-Arian within Traditional Adventism


Then there is the strict keeping of the Sabbath.


I would like to hear from an SDA member, how they go about observing the Sabbath. @ Lovesgodsword


What specifically constitutes sin cornering the Sabbath today,

I was hoping for one of them to provide any scriptures from Jesus or His Apostles that instruct the Church what we can or can not do on the Sabbath so that we don’t sin.


Questions for Sabbath keepers and SDA members:


  • Do you believe it’s a sin to go to Church on Sunday rather than Saturday?

  • Do you believe it’s a sin to work on Saturday?
Is travel a sin on the Sabbath?
Is cooking a sin on the Sabbath?
Is taking someone to the hospital on the Sabbath a sin?
Is bathing on the Sabbath a sin?


  • Do you have any scriptures where Jesus or His Apostles command the Church to assemble for a Church service on the Sabbath?



  • Do you have any scriptures where Jesus or His Apostles give specific instructions as to how the Church is observe the Sabbath under the New Covenant.




JLB
 
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The point is, the SDA teaches its people that Jesus is Michael the arch angel, just as the JW’s do, because they both seem to have come from the same background, which is called the Millerite's.






JLB
However, their beliefs about Michael the Archangel are very different.
JW's believe that Jesus is a created being, and was known as Michael the Archangel. They do not believe in the Trinity.

SDAs believe in the Trinity per their statement of faith, and believe Michael the Archangel is a name for Christ prior to the Incarnation, and that the "archangel" part is that He was often a messenger in the OT times.
This is not dissimilar to many Protestant leaders of the reformation who believed that many times in the OT, the Angel of the Lord in various passages refer to the pre-Incarnate Christ. The older King James Bible often referred to an 'angel of the Lord' when clearly referring to an angel, and "Angel of the Lord" when that "Angel" accepts deference or worship.

see Christophany - Wikipedia

An example is Exodus 3 and the burning bush.


see Theophanies in the Old Testament

Christians generally agree that the above passages and many others that mention “the Angel of the Lord” are appearances of the pre-incarnate Christ (Christ before He came in the flesh).2 Let’s take a look at some of the characteristics of this “Angel” as given in the various passages.

If you research Church history, you will see many leaders who believe this.


My point is that SDAs and JWs are not the same, or hold the same view. SDAs are recognised as Christians on this site. Jehovah Witnesses are not Trinitarian and are not recognised as such on this site.
 
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