What do Seventh Day Adventist believe in?

• The doctrine of predestination
  
• Baptism by sprinkling
  
• Infant baptism
  
• The immortality of the soul
  
• The eternity of hell fire
  
• Any use of alcohol (as a drink) or tobacco
  

• Our sins will ultimately be placed on Satan - The Great Controversy, p. 422, 485.
  
• Jesus is Michael the Archangel.
  
• Worship must be done on Saturday (the Sabbath).
  
• On October 22, 1844 Jesus entered the second and last phase of his atoning work.
  
• Investigative Judgment - the fate of all people will be decided based upon this event in the future.
  
• The dead do not exist anymore -- soul sleep.
  
• The wicked are annihilated.
  
• Ellen G. White, the "founder" of Seventh Day Adventism, was a messenger from God gifted with the spirit of prophecy.
  
• There is a sanctuary in heaven where Jesus carries out his mediatorial work.
  

• 1849 - First paper, the Present Truth, was printed in Middletown, Conn.
  
• 1850 - First issue of the Second Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, printed in Paris, Maine.
  
• 1860 - Name of Seventh-day Adventist adopted by the church.
  
• 1863 - First General Conference and formation of the SDA church on May 21, 1863.
  
• 1871 - First college opened which became Andrews University.
  
• 1871 - J. N. Andrews sent to Switzerland as a missionary.
  
• 1885 - Missionary work begun in Australia.
  
• 1915 - Ellen G. White dies on July 16, at St. Helena, CA.
  
• 1941 - Opening of Theological Seminary at Takoma Park.
  
• 1942 - Voice of Prophecy radio show begins broadcasting coast to coast.
  
• 1950 - Faith for Today TV show begins.
  
• 1955 - SDA membership hits 1 million.
  
• 1986 - SDA membership hits 5 million.2
  

In the life and ministry of Ellen
G White (1827-1915), we see God's promise fulfilled to provide the remnant
church with the "spirit of prophecy." Although Ellen G White did
not claim the title "prophet," we believe she did the work of a
prophet, and more. She said: "My commission embraces the work of a prophet,
but it does not end there" (Selected Messages, Book One,
p 36); "If others call me by that name [prophetess], I have no controversy
with them" (ibid., p 34); "My work includes much more than
this name signifies. I regard myself as a messenger, entrusted by the Lord
with messages for His people" (ibid., p 36). This statement was approved and
voted by the General Conference session in Utrecht, the Netherlands, June
30, 1995.

common wrote:I believe William Miller more FOUNDED the church than Ellen White. Second, Christ did not come in 1844 because he wasn't due to come in that time! Miller's error was what constitues the sanctuary. He thought the Earth was the sanctuary and would thus be CLEANSED by fire at the Second Coming of Christ. That was his error. But the
change concerning that it was the sanctuary in heaven IS biblical. I
say thus because the Bible teaches that. Paul brings it out in Hebrews!

The Seventh-day Adventist (abbreviated "Adventist"[3]) Church is a Christian denomination which is distinguished mainly by its observance of Saturday, the original seventh day of the Judeo-Christian week, as the Sabbath. The denomination grew out of the Millerite movement in the United States during the middle part of the 19th century and was formally established in 1863.[4] Among its founders was Ellen G. White, whose extensive writings are still held in high regard by the church today.

1. “I have seen that the 1843 chart (Wm. Miller’s) was directed by the hand of the Lord and that it should not be altered that the figures were as he wanted them.” EARLY WRITINGS p. 64 edition 1882(First Vision 12/1844) “It was just as impossible for them (those that gave up their faith in the 1844 movement) to get on the path again and go to the city, as all the wicked world which God had rejected. They fell all the way along the path one after another,” (Foregoing now deleted) “until we heard the voice of God like many waters, WHICH GAVE US THE DAY AND HOUR OF JESUS’ COMING. The living saints, 144,000 in number, knew and understood the voice, while the wicked thought it was thunder and an earthquake. When God spake the time, he poured on us the Holy Ghost, and our faces began to light up and shine with the glory of God as Moses’ did when he came down from Mount Sinai.” A WORD TO THE LITTLE FLOCK (1847 edition) p. 14
   
2. ELLEN FORGETS HOUR PROCLAIMED “I have not the slightest knowledge as to the time spoken by the voice of God. I heard the hour proclaimed, but had no remembrance of that hour after I came out of vision.” SELECTED MESSAGES 1 p. 298 (1889)
   
3. ELLEN LOST HER VISIONS “In our frequent change of location in the earlier history of the publishing work, and I have crossed the plains no less than 17 times I lost all trace of the first published works.” .. . “And here I pause to state that any of our people having in their possession a copy of any or all of my first views, as published prior to 1851, will do me a great favor if they will send them to me without delay.” SELECTED MESSAGES 1 p. 60
   
4. “It is well known that many were expecting the Lord to come at the 7th month, 1845. That Christ would then come we firmly believed. A few days before the time passed, I was at Fairhaven, and Dartsmouth, Mass, with a message on this point of time. At this time, Ellen was with the band at Carver, Mass, where she saw in vision, that we should be disappointed,” A WORD TO THE LITTLE FLOCK p. 22 by James White 1847
   
5. E. G. White prophesied the world would end in 1843, 1844, 1845 & 1851: “Now time is almost finished, (1851) and what we have been 6 years in learning they will have to learn in months.” EARLY WRITINGS p. 57
   
6. “For a time after the disappointment in 1844, I did hold, in common with the advent body, that the door of mercy was then forever closed to the world . . . I was shown in vision, and I still believe, that there was a shut door in 1844.” SELECTED MESSAGES 1 p. 63
   
7. “I saw the state of the different churches since the second angel proclaimed their fall. (In 1844) They have been growing more and more corrupt . . . Satan has taken full possession of the churches as a body . . . Their professions, their prayers and their exhortations are an
   abomination in the sight of GOD.” Spiritual Gifts Vol 1­p. 189.
   
8. White blames her failed prophecy on the members of the Seventh-day Adventist church! “Thus the work was hindered, and the world was left in darkness. Had the whole Adventist body united upon the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, how widely different would have been our history.” SELECTED MESSAGES, Book 1, p. 299
   
9. Concerning some of her “revelations,” Biederwolf, Seventh-Day Adventism, p. 8f “In one of her visions her accompanying angels told her that the time of salvation for all sinners ended in 1844. She now claims the door of mercy is still open…In another vision she discovered that women should wear short dresses with pants and she and her sister
   followers dressed this way for eight years. But the ridiculous custom has now been abandoned….”
   
10. The following is a glimpse at some other peculiar teachings of Mrs. White which shows what she believed God to be instructing in matters of diet:
    
11. “You have used the fat of animals, which God in his word expressly forbids” page 61).
    
12. “Cheese should never be introduced into the stomach” (Testimonies to the Church, Vol. 2, page 68).
    
13. “It is just as much sin to violate the laws of our being as to break one of the Ten Commandments” ([eating a slice of bacon is as sinful as committing adultery] Testimonies to the Church, Vol. 2, page 70).
    
14. “The use of swine’s flesh is contrary to his express commandments” (Testimonies to the Church, Vol. 2, page 96).
    
15. She also affirms that her “visits” to heaven were easily made because after having left there during one of her visits an angel “handed me a green cord coiled up closely. This he directed me to place next to my heart, and when I wished to see Jesus, take from my bosom and stretch it to the utmost. He cautioned me not to let it remain coiled for any length of time lest it should become knotted and difficult to straighten.”
    
16. Quoting further from ‘Early Writings’ (pp. 258-261) we find Mrs. White claimed that the teaching that Christ moved into the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary in 1844 was the “third angel’s message”, and then she declares, Woe to him who shall move a block or
    stir a pin of these messages.” She said further that those who reject her interpretation of the “third angel’s message” were “fighting against God” and “they offered up their useless prayer to the apartment which Jesus (Yeshua) has left, and Satan, pleased with the deception, assumes a religious character, and leads the minds of these professed
    Christians to himself working with his power, his signs and lying wonders to fasten them in his snare.” From the foregoing statements of Mrs. White we find that all one needs to do is to disbelieve her interpretations of the 1844 move in the Heavenly Sanctuary and Satan
    immediately “fastens them in his snare” and they are hopelessly deceived. This statement is so radical and obviously untrue that even the S.D.A.’s do not believe it any more. Yet look at what White said again!
    
17. “I was shown the company present at the Conference. Said the angel: Some food for worms, some subject to the last plagues, some will be alive and remain upon the earth to be translated at the coming of Jesus’” (Vol. 1, p. 131). NOTE: This statement was made in 1856 and every one present in that meeting is now dead. Obviously, this was a false prophecy. Some S.D.A.’s, in trying to extricate themselves from the dilemma of this false statement, have argued that had God’s people been faithful the Lord would have come long ago. But this excuse will not hold water, because God knew ahead of time what would happen. And Mrs. White made no conditions for the fulfillment of her prophecy. Her statement is plain and to the point.
    
18. “Thousands have been induced to enlist with the understanding that this war to exterminate slavery, but now that they are fixed, they find that they have been deceived, that the object of this war is not to abolish slavery, but to preserve it” Vol. 1, pp. 254, 258). We know now that the Civil War in the USA did indeed abolish slavery. Mrs. White was wrong.
    
19. “This nation will yet be humbled into the dust. England is studying whether it is best to take advantage of the present weak condition of our nation and venture to make war on her…When England does declare war, all nations will have one interest of their own to serve, and there will be general war, general confusion”(Vol.1 p.259). NOTE: This
    was a FALSE prophecy. England did not declare war on the U.S.A.
    
20. “Eggs should not be placed upon your table. They are an injury to your children” (Vol. 2, p. 400). “We bare positive testimony against tobacco, rich cakes, spirituous liquors, snuff, tea, coffee, flesh meats, butter, spice, mince pies…” (Vol. 3, p. 21).”Children are
    allowed to eat flesh meats, spices, butter, cheese, pork, rich pastry…These things do their work of deranging the stomach” (Vol. 3, p.136). Mrs. White places “meat, butter and cheese” in the same category as tobacco, liquor, etc. This, is contrary to the Bible for Jesus
    Himself ate fish (Luke 24:41-43). In John 21:9-12 we find that Jesus Himself prepared flesh meat and said to His disciples, “Come and eat.” The Bible tells us that Jesus ate butter (Isaiah 7:15) Mrs. White said, “Do not eat” but Jesus said, “Come and dine”. Paul said, “In the latter times some shall depart from the faith…commanding to abstain from meats which God had created to be received” (1 Timothy 4:3).The Bible declares that to teach to abstain from meats is a “departing from the faith”.
    
21. “Soon we heard the voice of God like many waters which gave us the day and hour of Jesus coming…When God spoke the time, He poured upon us the Holy Spirit” (Vol. 1 p. 59). In this reference Mrs. White claims that the Lord gave her the day and hour of His coming. In Matthew’s 24:36 Jesus said, “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no not the angels in heaven, but my Father only.” And, of course, we know today she was wrong because Jesus did not come when she expected Him.
    
22. Next we find that Mrs. White claimed that she was one of the 144,000 who would be living when Jesus comes. Here is the question: “Then Jesus’ silver trumpet sounded, as He descended on the cloud, wrapped in saints, then raised His eyes and hands to heaven, and cried, ‘Awake! Awake! Awake! ye that sleep in the dust and arise!’ Then there was almighty earthquake. The graves opened, and the dead came up clothed with immortality. The 144,000 shouted Alleluia! as they recognized their friends whom had been torn from them by death, and in the same moment we were changed” (Vol. 1, p.60). Mrs. White was mistaken again for she died in 1915 and therefore the vision was false. She was also wrong in stating that there would be only 144,000 “living saints” at the hour of Jesus’ coming (p. 59). The Bible says they would be without number Revelation 7:9.
    

1. Now wish to refer the reader to quotations from Mrs. White’s book entitled “Early Writings” and show some of the errors and contradictions found therein. On page 11 she says, “In 1842 I constantly attended the second advent meetings in Portland, Maine, and
   fully believed that the Lord was coming.” Then she describes, “What a fullness I enjoyed through believing that the Lord was coming. Inexpressible love for Jesus filled my soul. Wave after wave of glory rolled over me, until my body grew stiff…I remained in this state of body and mind a long time” (p.12). NOTE: Her joy was based upon the belief that Jesus was coming back to earth in 1844. This proved to be a false belief.
   
2. When Jesus did not come in 1844 as Mrs. White believed, she then said that “the 1843 chart was directed by the hand of the Lord and that it should not be altered, that the figures were as He wanted them, that his hand was over and hid a mistake in some of the figures so that none could see it, until His hand was removed” (Early Writings, p.74).
   
3. On pages 42-45 (Early Writings) Mrs. White describes a closing of a door in the holy place of the heavenly sanctuary, and an opening in the most holy place (in 1844), that the “midnight cry” was finished at the seventh month 1844, (see p. 43), that then was the “sealing time”, and that the time for salvation for sinners had passed (p.45). All the
   above statements have been proven false by the fact that Christ did NOT return to earth in 1844. The “midnight cry” WAS NOT FINISHED IN 1844, FOR THE BIBLE TEACHES THAT HE DID THIS AT HIS ASCENSION (SEE HEBREWS 6:19; 9:24). The time for the salvation of sinners did NOT pass in 1844. If it did WE ARE TOAST TODAY!
   
4. When the Advent people and Mrs. White were disappointed in 1844 because Jesus did not come they revised their interpretation of certain prophecies and concluded that they were wrong in their figures that Jesus would come in the spring of 1844, but that the correct time would be on the seventh month of 1850. Here is what Mrs. White said, “Time is almost finished”, (E.W.,p. 64). “Said the angel ‘Deny self, ye must step fast.’ Some of us have had the time to get the truth and to advance step by step…But now TIME IS ALMOST FINISHED, and what we have been years learning they will have to lean IN A FEW MONTHS” (E.W.,p.67). “Some are looking too far off for the coming of the Lord.
   Time has continued a few years longer than they expected therefore they think it may continue a few years more. And in this way their minds have been led from present truth…I saw the time for Jesus to be in the most holy place WAS NEARLY FINISHED and that time can last but very little longer. The sealing time is very short and will soon be over” (E.W.,p.58).
   
5. In the year 1850 Bible scholars were teaching of the return of the Jews to Palestine and the restoration of Jerusalem. Here is what Mrs. White said about this: “I also saw that old Jerusalem would never be built up, and that Satan was doing the utmost to lead the minds of the children of the Lord into these things now in the gathering time, to keep them from throwing their interests into the work of the Lord and to cause them to neglect the necessary preparation”(E.W.,p.75).
   
6. Mrs. White taught that Jesus moved from the first apartment of the heavenly sanctuary into the most holy place in 1844, and that those who did not believe this doctrine, Satan answered their prayers when they prayed for the Holy Spirit. Here is her statement: “I saw the Father rise from the throne and in a flaming chariot go into the holy of holies within the vale, and sit down. Then Jesus rose up from the throne and the most of those who bowed down arose with Him. Then a cloudy chariot…came to where Jesus was. He stepped into the chariot and was borne to the throne; they did not know that Jesus had left it.
   Satan appeared to be by the throne, trying to carry on the work of God. I saw them look up to the throne and say, ‘Father give us the Spirit.’ Satan would than breathe upon them an unholy influence…”(E.W.,p.55,56). In the first place, the Bible teaches that when Jesus ascended to heaven He went directly into the most holy place or “within the vale”(Hebrews 6:19;9:24), not in 1844. Further, when Jesus died on the cross/tree the vale between the holy and the most holy place was rent in two (Matthew 27:51) which indicated that Christ’s sacrifice made it possible for believers’ prayers to reach the very dwelling place of
   GOD, which was in the most holy place, and more particularly, between the cherubim’s above the mercy seat of the ark (Exodus 25:22; Leviticus 16:2). This happened immediately after Christ’s ascension, not in 1844. It is therefore grossly erroneous to teach that Satan answers the prayers of those who do not believe that Jesus moved from one apartment to another in 1844!
   
7. Mrs. White taught that in the communion service the sisters should wash the feet of the brethren (E.W.,p.117). Now this is considered so out of order that even S.D.A’s do not follow this instruction.Next, we wish to take another book written by Mrs. White. The
   following quotations will be taken from her book ‘THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.’ On page 546, she says, “In 1844, attended by heavenly angels, our great High Priest entered the holy of holies, and there appears in the presence of God, to engage in the last acts of His ministration in behalf of man-to perform the work of investigative judgment, and to MAKE ATONEMENT for all who are shown to be entitled to its benefits.” (Quotes from ‘Great Controversy’, 1927 Ed.) Yet in Hebrews 9:26-28 it says that Christ “put away sin, once, by the sacrifice of Himself” and “Christ was once offered to bear the sins of
   many”, and again in Hebrews 10:10, “By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ ONCE FOR ALL”, and in verse 14, “For by ONE offering He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified.”
   
8. Mrs. White teaches that no sins were blotted out until 1844-”at the close of the 2300 days, in 1844, BEGAN the work of investigation AND THE BLOTTING OUT OF SINS” (G.C.,p.552).Mrs. White teaches that an “Investigative Judgment” began in 1844,
   that only the cases of the righteous come up for investigation in this judgment and the purpose is “to determine” who are saved. Here is her statement: “In 1844…our High Priest entered the holy of holies… to perform the work of investigative judgment. The only cases considered are those of the professed people of God” (p.546). “All who have ever
   taken upon themselves the name of Christ must pass its searching scrutiny”(p.552). “This work of examination of character, of determining who are prepared for the kingdom of God, is that of the Investigative Judgment”(p.489). “There must be an examination of the
   books of record to determine who, through repentance of sin and faith in Christ are entitled to the benefits of His atonement”(p.480).
   
9. Mrs. White stated further, “The judgment is now passing in the sanctuary above. For many years this work has been in progress. Soon-none know how soon-it will pass to the cases of the living” (p. 556). At this point I wish to quote from another notable S.D.A. writer,
   L.H. Christian, in his book, ‘Facing the Crisis’, published in 1937 by the ‘Review and Herald’, that elaborated upon Mrs. White’s statement. “In this work of judgment which began in heaven in 1844, when the 2300 years ended, the eternal faith of every soul will be decided. Beginning, no doubt with Abel, the first to die, one by one the names of all are called and the destiny of each decided…From that decision there will be no appeal. We know not what hour the Lord will come to our name and decide our case forever. It may be today, it may be tomorrow” (p. 283).
   
10. On page 481 of ‘Great Controversy’ (1927 ed.) Mrs. White says, “When Christ by virtue of His own blood removes the sins of His people from the heavenly sanctuary at the close of His ministration, He will place them upon Satan, who in execution of the judgment, must bear the final penalty.”
    
11. Mrs. White states that the prophecy of Daniel 8:14-”Unto 2300 days, then shall the sanctuary be cleansed,” was fulfilled in 1844 (G.C.,pp.484, 475, 486), that it was the heavenly sanctuary that was cleansed (p. 475), and that it was the confessed sins of God’s people that defiled the heavenly sanctuary (p. 480).
    
12. On page 487 (G.C.) Mrs. White says, “The proclamation, ‘Behold the Bridegroom cometh’ in the summer of 1844, led thousands to expect the immediate advent of Christ. At the appointed time the Bridegroom came, not to the earth, as the people expected, but to those Ancient of Days in heaven to the marriage, the reception of His kingdom. They that were ready went in with Him to the marriage, and the door was shut.” Also, “In the summer and autumn of 1844 the proclamation ‘Behold the Bridegroom cometh’ was given. The two classes represented by the wise and foolish virgins were then developed.”
    
13. On page 492 (G.C.) Mrs. White says that if anyone rejects her interpretation of the sanctuary service, etc. there is no atonement for that person. Here is her statement: “It is those who by faith follow Jesus in the great work of atonement, who receive the benefits of His mediation in their behalf, while those who REJECT THE LIGHT which brings to view this work of ministration, are not benefited thereby.”
    
14. In TESTIMONIES, (Volume 8, p. 117), Mrs White says, “The seal of God is revealed in the observance of the Seventh Day Sabbath.”In TESTIMONIES, Volume 1, pp. 206, 207, Mrs. White says PORK is “nourishing and strengthening food” and rebukes a brother for teaching that it was forbidden food. “They who labor with their hands must nourish their strength to perform this labor, and those also who labor in the Word and doctrine must nourish their strength. They should eat of nourishing and strengthening food to build up their strength…I saw that your views concerning swine’s flesh would prove no injury to you
    if you have them to yourself; but in your judgment and opinion you have made this question a test. IF GOD REQUIRES HIS PEOPLE TO ABSTAIN FROM SWINE’S FLESH, He will convict them on the matter. If it is the duty of the church to abstain from swine’s flesh God will discover it to more than two or three.”
    

This site seems to contain some more very good information on Seventh Day Adventism (written by a former Adventist): http://www.truthorfables.com/SUBJECTS.htm

Faithfulson,
Ellen White WAS a messenger of God.
Seventh Day Adventism teaches that worship can be done ANY DAY OF THE WEEK. The issue with the Sabbath is that no secular work is to be done on that day and that it is a day especially consecrated to God. It is usually a time of gathering to hear and preach the word of God. Our sins will be placed on Satan. Now don't think our "sins" in that sense are something tangible that we can see. Thats not the case all the time. But the weight of the guilt (our sins) will be placed on Satan. This is displayed in the earthly sanctuary system!! The scapegoat represents Satan. More on that another time.
Concerning Tobacco and Alcohol use, I believe that is the choice of the member. I don't think Adventist leaders should FORCE their members to stop. That is not of God. I'm not saying SDA is right in every aspect. After all, it is what the BIBLE teaches.

Thirsty,
I agree. Ellen White was "AMONG its founders." If you really look into it you'll see that William Miller started it all. If it wasn't for Miller, who's to say the church would be even in existance today? The word "Adventism" IS "looking forward to the Coming."

Common wrote:Ellen White's writings can seem very contradicting. And there are
places where "predictions" have not come to pass. ---But is that to say
she is a false prophet. OK, look at this. What about the other things
she predicted that have come to pass? Will you throw that away too

For Common

Why do you keep on asking for discussion, we are in to it. So come with your explanation and defend Adventism with verses from the Bible.

Common wrote:Miller, and you know, not all about Miller, we need to look at what the Bible says. First, I will give some background. Lets go to Exodus 25:8. It is here that God brings to Moses that he wants the children of Israel to make Him a sanctuary. (Let us read and study from the KJV). If you read the chapters to follow, you will see how it was constructed and how God wanted it to be.

1. The building-tent (sanctuary) had two apartments, called the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. A veil separated the two. Another name for the Holy Place was the Holy of Holies. Besides that bldg-tent there was an outer court which was "fenced" in with hangings and linen. The entrance was on the eastern end. That is just the outset here that I've gave you.

But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;
Heb 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
Heb 9:13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:
Heb 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (1 Cor 9:11-14)