The Truth About Seventh Day Adventist: How Their Belief Contradict to the Scripture

 

Ever wonder what Seventh Day Adventists really believe? You've probably heard they worship on Saturday, avoid pork and alcohol, and are into healthy living. But there's a lot more to this group than that. As a researcher, I was shocked to discover how many of their core beliefs actually contradict the Bible they claim to follow. For example, did you know they believe Jesus is the archangel Michael? Or that God the Father and Jesus are not co-eternal? Adventist beliefs are full of ideas like these that just don't line up with Scripture. Over the next few minutes, I want to give you an inside look at what Adventists are really taught - and why their beliefs are unbiblical. You may be surprised by what's hiding behind their wholesome facade.

They Believe the Sabbath Must Be Observed on Saturday

The Seventh Day Adventists believe that Christians must observe the Sabbath on Saturday, the seventh day of the week, based on the fourth commandment. But here's the thing - the Sabbath was part of the old covenant given to Israel, not the new covenant of grace we have in Christ.

• The Sabbath was the sign of the Mosaic covenant made with Israel, but Christians are under the new covenant, not the old one. The new covenant is through faith in Christ, not by works of the law like keeping the Sabbath.
• The early Christians met on Sunday, the day of Christ's resurrection, not Saturday. Sunday became the new day of worship and rest to commemorate Jesus' resurrection.
• The New Testament never commands Christians to observe the Sabbath. In fact, it condemns those who insist on imposing old covenant laws like the Sabbath on Christians.
• The Sabbath was a shadow of the rest we have in Christ, but the reality is found in Jesus, not in observing a particular day. We have true rest and salvation through faith in Christ alone.
• Paul warned against those who insisted on observing special days and Sabbaths. Our rest is in Christ, not in observing days.

While Seventh Day Adventists are sincere in their beliefs, their insistence on keeping the Saturday Sabbath contradicts the teachings of the New Testament. The old covenant has been fulfilled in Christ, who gives us true rest, not by observing the law but through faith in Him.

They Deny the Immortality of the Soul and Eternal Torment

The Seventh Day Adventists believe that when you die, your soul remains unconscious until the final resurrection. They deny the immortality of the soul and the concept of eternal torment in hell.

• According to their teachings, the dead enter an unconscious state until Christ returns. At that point, the righteous will be resurrected to eternal life in heaven, but the wicked will be annihilated and cease to exist.

This belief contradicts what the Bible clearly teaches about the afterlife. The Bible says that after death, the soul continues on - the righteous go to be with the Lord (2 Cor 5:8), while the wicked go to a place of torment (Luke 16:22-24). Jesus himself warned about the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels (Matt 25:41).

The Seventh Day Adventists claim that eternal torment in hell would be cruel and unjust. But God is perfectly just, and as the creator of life, He has the right to destroy it as He sees fit. While the thought of eternal damnation in hell is frightening, it should motivate us to preach the Gospel and warn people about God's judgment.

The Seventh Day Adventists have some beliefs that align with Scripture, but on this crucial point, they have departed from the clear teaching of the Bible. The immortality of the soul and the reality of eternal punishment are hard truths, but they are truths nonetheless. As Christians, we must believe what Scripture says, not what fits our preconceived ideas. The stakes are too high to get this wrong.

They Believe Ellen G White's Writings Are Inspired

Ellen White Claimed Divine Inspiration

Seventh Day Adventists believe Ellen G. White, one of the founders of their church, was a prophetess who received divine inspiration and guidance. Her writings are considered authoritative and almost equal to Scripture. However, some of her prophecies and teachings directly contradict the Bible.

Ellen White made several predictions that did not come to pass, proving she was not inspired by God. For example, she predicted England would attack the United States during the Civil War, and that the world would end in her lifetime. Neither of these events occurred. According to the Bible, if a prophet's predictions do not happen, they are false prophets (Deuteronomy 18:22).

White also taught the investigative judgment, that in 1844 Jesus entered the heavenly Holy of Holies to begin judging who would be saved. However, the Bible says Jesus entered the heavenly temple once for all after His ascension (Hebrews 9:12). The concept of an investigative judgment is not found in Scripture.

Some of White's teachings also contradict salvation by faith alone. She taught that obedience to the 10 Commandments, especially the 4th about keeping the Sabbath, was required for salvation. But the Bible says we are saved by grace through faith, not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9). Keeping the law cannot save us.

While Seventh Day Adventists revere Ellen White as an inspired prophetess, her failed prophecies, unbiblical teachings, and contradictions of Scripture prove she was not inspired by God. Her writings should not be considered authoritative or equal to the Bible. The truth of God's Word is found in the Scriptures alone, not in the teachings of Ellen G. White.

They Believe Jesus' Atonement Wasn't Completed on the Cross

The Seventh Day Adventists believe that Jesus' atonement wasn't completed on the cross. They teach that after Jesus died, he entered the heavenly sanctuary to begin a second phase of atonement. This contradicts what the Bible clearly teaches.

Jesus Said "It Is Finished"

When Jesus died on the cross, he said "It is finished" (John 19:30). This shows that his atoning work was completed at the cross. The veil in the temple was torn in two, symbolizing that access to God was now open through Jesus' sacrifice (Mark 15:38). The book of Hebrews says Jesus made purification for sins and sat down at the right hand of God, signaling his work was done (Hebrews 1:3).

No Need for Further Sacrifice

The Bible says there is no longer any need for sacrifice for sin (Hebrews 10:18). Jesus' death paid our sin debt in full. The Adventists teach that Jesus is still ministering and sacrificing in the heavenly sanctuary, but this contradicts Scripture. Jesus made one sacrifice for sins for all time (Hebrews 10:12). His sacrifice does not need to be repeated.

Salvation Comes Through Faith, Not Works

The Adventists believe that in addition to faith in Jesus, following the Ten Commandments and Sabbath-keeping are required for salvation. But the Bible says we are saved by grace through faith, not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9). Our obedience and good works are the result of salvation, not the means to it. The Adventists have added unnecessary requirements to the simple Gospel.

In summary, the Seventh Day Adventists hold beliefs that contradict the clear teachings of Scripture regarding Jesus' atonement and the simplicity of the Gospel. Their teachings add extra requirements for salvation not found in the Bible. Jesus' words, "It is finished" are a reminder that he alone has completed the work of atonement. Our salvation rests in his finished work, not in anything we can do.

They Promote Salvation by Works, Not Faith Alone

The Seventh Day Adventists believe that faith in Jesus alone is not enough for salvation. They teach that obedience to the law, especially the Ten Commandments, is also required. This directly contradicts the Bible's clear teaching that we are saved by grace through faith, not by works.

Salvation by Grace, Not Law

The Bible says we are justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law (Romans 3:28). Salvation is a gift of God, not something we earn by obeying the law (Ephesians 2:8-9). The law cannot save us; it only shows us our need for a Savior (Galatians 3:24-25). Jesus paid our penalty so we could be forgiven and declared righteous through faith in Him.

Jesus Fulfilled the Law

Adventists fail to understand that Jesus fulfilled the law for us (Matthew 5:17). We are no longer under the law, but under grace (Romans 6:14). The old covenant based on law-keeping has been replaced with the new covenant based on faith in Christ (Hebrews 8:13). We now serve God by the Spirit, not by the written code (Romans 7:6).

Impossible Standard

The law is an impossible standard because no one can keep it perfectly. We all fall short of God's glory (Romans 3:23). If we have to obey the law to be saved, no one would make it to heaven! But when we trust in Jesus, His perfect obedience is credited to us (2 Corinthians 5:21). He met the standard of the law that we never could.

Rest in Jesus, Not Saturday

Finally, Adventists insist that Christians must worship on Saturday, the Sabbath day. But the New Testament clearly shows that Christians are not required to observe the Sabbath. We have rest in Jesus, not in a particular day (Hebrews 4:9-10). We are free to worship God every day, not just on Saturday (Romans 14:5-6; Colossians 2:16-17).

The beliefs of Seventh Day Adventists contradict the Bible's teaching on salvation by adding human works and law-keeping. But we are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Our salvation depends on what He has done, not on what we do.

Conclusion

So there you have it, the truth about Seventh Day Adventists and how their beliefs contradict Scripture. As you've seen, they hold some views that just don't align with the Bible. While they seem like sincere Christians who love God, some of their doctrines are problematic. The good news is, as with any denomination, you'll find diversity of beliefs among members. Not all Adventists subscribe to the same interpretations. The most important thing is that we focus on the essentials of faith in Christ. At the end of the day, no church or denomination is perfect. But if their teachings concern you, don't be afraid to ask questions and think critically about what you're told. Your relationship with God is personal, so make sure your beliefs match up with His Word.

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