That should go without saying. By "separation" I don't mean that we have nothing to do with those who think differently or that they are not invited to worship with us.



Who in our church do not accept this? Perhaps some individuals have a view of it as different from yours or from mine, but that doesn't mean they don't believe in being saved by grace. You may be talking about some of the details in the doctrine, about which it is not necessary for everyone to have perfect agreement.



Of course we welcome everyone to worship with us. That is not the question, is it? I thought the question is why have the 28. We have the 28 to draw a distinction, so people will know we believe in certain distinctive doctrines. If we didn't say so, how would anyone know to join us in our beliefs?

That would be fine if people knew what that only one entailed. There are people who think that loving their neighbor includes going to bed with their spouse. That loving their neighbor means telling them how or who to worship because they think their neighbor doesn't know any better.

Gerry

Why would it be necessary for them to join 'us' ?

What is important is for people to join Christ. For example ... when one is baptized by an Adventist minister ... you are baptized into Christ. At some point .... people are accepted into the SDA denomination by a popular vote. But the important thing is that people join the Body of Christ. Joining a denomination by a vote ... is just saying that you happen to share some common interpretations of scripture.

Not sure what significance there is in that. People will be saved from ALL different kinds of denominations. We are saved by the blood of Christ ... not which denomination we associate with.

Do you believe in the great commission? i.e. of teaching not only the gospel but everything He commanded to be taught?

Gerry

At the time of baptism a covnant is made with God. It is a public declaration that he has died to the world. His life is dedicated to God, Christ and the Holy Spirit. From then on you have the assurance that if you claim Their help, these powers will help in every emergency,

The main purpose of the church is to represent God to the world. Although each individual has the responsibility to do this, working together is the most successful way. There has to be organization in order to do this.

Is not "joining Christ" making a public declaration that you beleive His teachings?
If this is true, joining the Body of Christ is the natural result.

The way you join the Body of Christ is through baptism.

The way you join the church is through a vote. And that would be anything greater than 50% of those present at a particualar time .

What is the Body of Christ if not the church? This is not a "popularity" vote.

Ours is a reforming movement, bearing the burden of God's final message. It is the Elijah message, containing both rebuke and exhortation.


oG

The Body is represented by ALL those who are HIS. A denomination is just a subspecies of the Body. In order to belong to the subspecies ... you have to have a popularity vote. If you have 50% of your friends stacked into church at a moment in time ... you are in.

What is the purpose of the existence of the Seventh-day Advendist Church? Why are you a member? Is it of any importance at all? Why aren't you a member of, say, the Seventh-day Baptist church-- or of any other denomination?

I believe that God is the One who called the Seventh-day Adventist movement into existence. I assume you do as well. If you believe this, what purpose does He have for the SDA church? Why is it in the world today?