Fundamental Belief Statements and Baptismal Vows

[Don777]

Fundamental Belief Statements and Baptismal Vows

The Seventh-day Adventist Church originated as a free gathering of believers in the Second Advent. They did not believe in rigidly stated creeds. Yet, they recognized the wisdom of defining their "present" position on Biblical truth. The current SDA fundamentals function much like a creed.

The view of clean and unclean foods illustrates this. We now take for granted that abstaining from unclean meats is a test of membership. However, it comes as a surprise that this did not develop until the early 1900s.

To show this example, we need to point to our belief statements. Thus, the focus of this thread is to show the various belief statements, hopefully chronologically.

[Don777]

just like GOD is leading HIS people today

step by step

Should we ever advocate a return to former ways? Is every new thing part of the step by step leading of God?

If no, yes, which contrasting features are God led and which are not?

If yes, no, which beliefs and patterns need to be resurrected?

[the1888message]

Are you talking about the 27/28 fundamental beliefs or the fundamental principles? Which set was it that the church grew with, that God gave? Are they even the same?

[the1888message]

Interesting question you pose.

Your question leads one to think that maybe something was changed or altered.

There is so much ‘theology’ and philosophy and much Hegelian dialectic speech in today’s fundamental belief statements, where they written in that manner to begin with? Are the ‘old’ ways better?

[Dr. Waite]

Fundamental Belief Statements and Baptismal Vows

The Seventh-day Adventist Church originated as a free gathering of believers in the Second Advent. They did not believe in rigidly stated creeds. Yet, they recognized the wisdom of defining their "present" position on Biblical truth. The current SDA fundamentals function much like a creed.

The view of clean and unclean foods illustrates this. We now take for granted that abstaining from unclean meats is a test of membership. However, it comes as a surprise that this did not develop until the early 1900s.

To show this example, we need to point to our belief statements. Thus, the focus of this thread is to show the various belief statements, hopefully chronologically.

"When God sends to men warnings so important that they are represented as proclaimed by holy angels flying in the midst of heaven, He requires every person endowed with reasoning powers to heed the message. The fearful judgments denounced against the worship of the beast and his image (Revelation 14:9-11), should lead all to a diligent study of the prophecies to learn what the mark of the beast is, and how they are to avoid receiving it. But the masses of the people turn away their ears from hearing the truth and are turned unto fables. The apostle Paul declared, looking down to the last days: "The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine." 2 Timothy 4:3. That time has fully come. The multitudes do not want Bible truth, because it interferes with the desires of the sinful, world-loving heart; and Satan supplies the deceptions which they love.

But God will have a people upon the earth to maintain the Bible, and the Bible only, as the standard of all doctrines and the basis of all reforms. The opinions of learned men, the deductions of science, the creeds or decisions of ecclesiastical councils, as numerous and discordant as are the churches which they represent, the voice of the majority--not one nor all of these should be regarded as evidence for or against any point of religious faith. Before accepting any doctrine or precept, we should demand a plain "Thus saith the Lord" in its support." {GC 595.1}

Do the current 28 Fundamental Beliefs measure up to this standard?

[the1888message]

I do not believe that they stand up to it.

[BobRyan]

Fundamental Belief Statements and Baptismal Vows

The Seventh-day Adventist Church originated as a free gathering of believers in the Second Advent. They did not believe in rigidly stated creeds. Yet, they recognized the wisdom of defining their "present" position on Biblical truth. The current SDA fundamentals function much like a creed.

The view of clean and unclean foods illustrates this. We now take for granted that abstaining from unclean meats is a test of membership. However, it comes as a surprise that this did not develop until the early 1900s.

To show this example, we need to point to our belief statements. Thus, the focus of this thread is to show the various belief statements, hopefully chronologically.

I assume you are going to start with the one in the 1870's. Or will it be the one that was used for getting an SDA ministerial license even before that time?

[the1888message]

The “SDA ministerial license” pertains to ministers while the 1870 Fundamental Principles pertain to the church as a whole; it is a list of their statement of beliefs as a church.

STEAM PRESS

OF THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST PUBLISHING

ASSOCIATION,

BATTLE CREEK, MICH.:

1872

In presenting to the public this synopsis of our faith, we wish to have it distinctly understood that we have no articles of faith, creed, or discipline, aside from the Bible. We do not put forth this as having any authority with our people, nor is it designed to secure uniformity among them, as a system of faith, but is a brief statement of what is, and has been, with great unanimity, held by them. We often find it necessary to meet inquiries on this subject, and sometimes to correct false statements circulated against us, and to remove erroneous impressions which have obtained with those who have not had an opportunity to become acquainted with our faith and practice.

Our only object is to meet this necessity. As Seventh-day Adventists we desire simply that our position shall be understood; and we are the more solicitous for this because there are many who call themselves Adventists who hold views with which we can have no sympathy, some of which, we think, are subversive of the plainest and most important principles set forth in the word of God.

As compared with other Adventists, Seventh-day Adventists differ from one class in believing in the unconscious state of the dead, and the final destruction of the unrepentant wicked; from another, in believing in the perpetuity of the law of God as summarily contained in the ten commandments, in the operation of the Holy Spirit in the church, and in setting no times for the advent to occur; from all, in the observance of the seventh day of the week as the Sabbath of the Lord, and in many applications of the prophetic scriptures.

With these remarks, we ask the attention of the reader to the following propositions which aim to be a concise statement of the more prominent features of our faith.

[ReturntoDar]

the1888 message. I am of like mind on the value of the Fundamental Principles, though perhaps we may not agree on all points when comparing the modern Fundamental Beliefs with the Fundamental Principles, but here is where I stand with the pioneers.

Consider the very opening statements. There is One God, the Father. He begat a Son, Jesus Christ. He, the Father, has a representative, His Holy Spirit. Jesus, God's Son, is a Prince, who in due time, will become the King. Is Jesus eternal? Of course! Now, how do we define "eternity"? The Father begat His Son before anything was created. How long was it before He begat (not created, but "begotten") His Son? "How long" is a question that relates to "time". There was no "time". There was no beginning point. God, the Father, just was. In a similar manner Jesus is eternal because when He came forth from His Father (begotten, literally) there was "nothing", no time, no created beings, no planets or stars, no "space". That, my friend, is the definition of eternity. It cannot be measured, forward or backward. "Time" is irrelevant. Jesus as life of Himself because He is the perfect image of His Father, God.

Christ is the exact image of His Father. The Biblical authors understood this, as did our own pioneers. Today? The Fundamental Beliefs are a little fuzzy on this important detail. Many, well educated, very sharp, deeply religious folks talk of a "God" that is three in one. Strange concept that, no bible author nor our pioneers accepted such philosophy. This is a modern adaptation trying to define "God" as something "other than" the Father.