A Statement of Belief

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 26, 1908

A Statement of Belief.

INQUIRY is often made whether Seventh-day Adventists are evangelical in their doctrine. The most satisfactory reply to this question will be a brief statement concerning their belief:—

Seventh-day Adventists believe in the inspiration and divine authority of the Word of God, and that the Bible is a sufficient rule of faith and practise.

Seventh-day Adventists believe in the deity, the divinity, and the pre-existence of Christ.

Seventh-day Adventists believe in salvation from sin through faith in the merits and atoning work of Christ,—righteousness by faith,—the original Protestant doctrine.

Seventh-day Adventists believe in conversion, or a new birth, by the operation of the Spirit, and that only regenerated persons can be admitted to the kingdom of God.

Seventh-day Adventists believe that life and immortality were brought to light through the gospel, and that, therefore, man is not immortal by nature.

Seventh-day Adventists believe in the perpetual obligation to obey the law of God as it reads, but that this can be done only by grace through faith.

Seventh-day Adventists believe in a literal resurrection from the dead, and that rewards and punishments are bestowed at the time of the general judgment.

Seventh-day Adventists believe that the best method for the support of the gospel is that which God himself has established, and they have, therefore, adopted the tithing system for raising means with which to carry forward their work.

Seventh-day Adventists believe that immersion is the Scriptural method of baptism, and they govern their practise accordingly.

Seventh-day Adventists believe in the separation of church and state, and in granting to every man freedom to believe or not to believe, to worship or not to worship, according to his own choice.

Seventh-day Adventists believe in Christian education; and in order to provide for the young people of the denomination suitable intellectual training, they have established educational institutions covering the whole course, from the primary grade to the completed college curriculum.

Seventh-day Adventists believe in and practise temperance in the strictest sense, and are in favor of proper legislation prohibiting the manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors.

Seventh-day Adventists believe that Christ will return to this earth according to his promise, and that he is now “near, even at the doors;” but they do not set any definite time for his appearing.

Seventh-day Adventists believe that the divine commission to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature is still in full force.