Fundamental Beliefs
Seventh-day Adventists accept the Bible as the only source of our beliefs. We consider our movement to be the result of the Protestant conviction Sola Scriptura—the Bible as the only standard of faith and practice for Christians.
Currently, Adventists hold 28 fundamental beliefs that can be organized into six categories—the doctrines of God, man, salvation, the church, the Christian life and last day events. In each teaching, God is the architect, who in wisdom, grace and infinite love, is restoring a relationship with humanity that will last for eternity.
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1. Holy Scriptures
Ancient and timeless, a masterpiece of literature, the Holy Bible reveals God’s role in human history, our place in God’s plan, and truth to guide us and shield us from deception.
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2. The Trinity
Immortal, all-powerful and all-loving, God is a relationship of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The only being worthy of our worship, God is our Creator, Redeemer and Friend.
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3. The Father
God the Father is the source of all love and life. He sent His Son to save us from our sin and ourselves, and to show us what He is like.
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4. The Son
Jesus became human to save us. Through Him—our helper, advocate and redeemer—we can begin again. He is preparing heaven for us and will return to take us there.
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5. The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit inspires us, empowers us and guides our understanding. The Spirit touches our hearts and transforms us, renewing the image of God in which we were created.
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6. Creation
God made our world with brilliant creativity and tender care. He created humanity to take care of and take pleasure in the planet, with rest and recreation in perfect balance.
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7. Nature of Humanity
Once molded in God’s image, now fractured by sin, it took a perfect Savior to reconcile us. The Spirit restores God’s reflection within us so God can work through us.
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8. The Great Controversy
Satan accused God of being untrustworthy and unfair. God gave us freedom to choose, and human history shows the result of rebellion—and the incredible power of God’s love to save us.
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9. The Life, Death, and Resurrection of Christ
God sent Jesus, His Son, to live the perfect life we could not and die the death our sins deserve. When we accept Jesus’ sacrifice, we claim eternal life.
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10. The Experience of Salvation
When we accept God’s grace and salvation, the Holy Spirit reveals our need for Jesus and recreates us. The Spirit builds our faith and helps us leave our broken lives behind.
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11. Growing in Christ
Salvation transforms how we see our world. We no longer fear our pasts or future, but embrace a present full of hope, love, passion and praise as the Spirit lives in us.
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12. The Church
The church is God’s family on Earth, serving, celebrating, studying and worshiping together. Looking to Jesus as its leader and Redeemer, the church is called to take the good news of salvation to all.
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13. The Remnant and Its Mission
At the end of time, God will call His people back to core truths. While declaring Jesus’ soon return, the remnant will highlight God as Creator, the heavenly judgment and the danger of spiritual compromise.
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14. Unity in the Body of Christ
The human body serves as the perfect metaphor for the people of God on Earth. Comprised of many parts that are as different from one another as imaginable, harmony of voices and unity of mission comes as a result of the Holy Spirit in us.
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15. Baptism
Baptism symbolizes and declares our new faith in Christ and our trust in His forgiveness. Buried in the water, we arise to a new life in Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit.
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16. The Lord’s Supper
The Lord’s Supper symbolizes our acceptance of the body and blood of Jesus, spilled and broken for us. By searching our hearts and washing one another’s feet, we remember Jesus’ humble example of service.
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17. Spiritual Gifts and Ministries
From art to teaching and listening to preaching, the Holy Spirit empowers each of us with skills and talents to use for God’s glory and the church’s mission.
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18. The Gift of Prophecy
In the last days, as in biblical times, the Holy Spirit has blessed God’s people with the gift of prophecy. One who demonstrated this gift was Ellen G. White, a founder of the Seventh-day Adventist church.
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19. The Law of God
The Ten Commandments reveal God’s will and love for us. Its guidelines tell how to relate to God and others. Jesus lived out the law as both our example and perfect substitute.
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20. The Sabbath
The Sabbath is God’s gift to us, a time for rest and restoration of our connection to God and others. It reminds us of God’s creation and Jesus’ grace.
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21. Stewardship
God entrusts us with responsibility for ourselves, our world, our fellow humans, and our material resources. God blesses our efforts as we live for Him.
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22. Christian Behaviour
God calls us to live in light of His grace, knowing the infinite cost God paid to save us. Through the Holy Spirit we glorify God in our minds, bodies and spirits.
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23. Marriage and the Family
Created in God’s image, male and female, we are designed to live in relationships. Marriage is God’s ideal to live in harmony, and for children to grow up in security and love.
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24. Christ’s Ministry in the Heavenly Sanctuary
Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice gives us confidence to approach God, knowing we are forgiven. Now Jesus is reviewing our lives before returning, so there’s no question that His judgments are made in love.
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25. The Second Coming of Christ
We look forward to Jesus’ promised return, when He will resurrect His saved children and take them to heaven. Though we cannot know exactly when He will come back, we can live in joyful anticipation.
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26. Death and Resurrection
The unconscious nothingness of death separates us from the God of life, yet Jesus’ defeat of death means the saved can look forward to resurrection and living forever.
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27. The Millennium and the End of Sin
While the saved reconnect with God, Satan and his followers are trapped on Earth by themselves. After a thousand years God will resurrect the lost for the final judgment before destroying sin and sinners.
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28. The New Earth
God will recreate our once-stained world, and live with us forever. We will finally achieve our true potential, living in the love and joy for which God created us.
A Worldwide Church Family
The Seventh-day Adventist Church is a mainstream Protestant church with approximately 19 million members worldwide, including more than one million members in North America. The Adventist Church operates 173 hospitals and sanitariums and more than 7,500 schools around the world. The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) works within communities in more than 130 countries to provide community development and disaster relief.