The Teaching of the Second Advent Movement by William Warren Prescott

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 4, 1909

The Teaching of the Second Advent Movement

By William Warren Prescott

THE fundamental idea which has served as the actuating impulse and the creative principle of this movement is loyalty to the plain teaching of the Word of God rather than to tradition or creed. United with this is the recognition of the fact that God gives light upon the Scriptures for the proclamation of special truths due to the world at any special time. Thus, when the time came for the manifestation of the Son of God in the flesh, “the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.” Charged with a divine message, based on the fulfilment of prophecy, this forerunner of our Lord proclaimed to rulers, priests, and people the truths they needed to know in order to be ready to receive the Saviour.

1. MISSIONARY GRAVE OF A. G. WATSON, NYASSALAND
2. CANTONESE BELIEVERS AND EVANGELIST — MISSIONARY GRAVE OF A. G. WATSON, NYASSALAND

CANTONESE BELIEVERS AND EVANGELIST

Just so, as the great prophetic periods recorded in Scripture had either come to a close or were nearly fulfilled, and the specific signs marking the last generation were appearing, the providence of God raised up the great second advent movement. This movement is proclaiming to the world the speedy second coming of Christ in power and glory, urging upon all “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” The time has come for the preaching of that final gospel message which is “to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” To this work Seventh-day Adventists are devoting their means and their lives.

For the benefit of inquirers who desire a general statement of belief in few words, we may say that Seventh-day Adventists believe,—

1. In the inspiration and divine authority of the Word of God, and that the Bible is a sufficient rule of faith and practise.

2. In the deity, the divinity, and the pre-existence of Christ.

3. In salvation from sin through faith in the merits and atoning work of Christ,— righteousness by faith,— the original Protestant doctrine.

4. 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.

5. In the perpetual obligation to obey the law of God, the ten commandments, and therefore in the obligation to obey the fourth commandment, which declares that “the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God;” but that this can be done only by grace through faith.

6. That life and immortality were brought to light through the gospel, and that, therefore, man is not immortal by nature.

7. In a literal resurrection from the dead, and that rewards and punishments are bestowed at the time of the general judgment.

8. That immersion is the Scriptural method of baptism.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. In the practise of temperance in the strictest sense; and they are in favor of proper legislation prohibiting the manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors.

12. 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.

13. That the divine commission to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature is still in full force.

W. W. PRESCOTT.