An SDA view of the 11 doctrines of the Salvation Army?

[Sojourner]

Greetings All,

I have posted some topics in your town hall section, yet understand that questions like this one may be more appropriate in this forum, so I would like to post this here and see if I can get any responses.

My situation is that I have been a member of the Salvation Army for a number of years, but have recently begun attending meetings at the local Seventh Day Adventist Church. Its for several reasons, and rather than take this topic off thread I will bring those up at a later stage as I would like to discuss that with you.

Anyway, what I am wondering is how the Seventh Day Adventist Church might respond to these eleven points of doctrine, I realize you have 28. Yet from this list, how many does the SDA endorse and agree with, and on the other side of the coin, which ones would be incompatible with the teachings of the SDA?

Here is the list from the Salvation Army Headquarters in London,

We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were given by inspiration of God, and that they only constitute the Divine rule of Christian faith and practice.

We believe that there is only one God, who is infinitely perfect, the Creator, Preserver, and Governor of all things, and who is the only proper object of religious worship.

We believe that there are three persons in the Godhead-the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, undivided in essence and co-equal in power and glory.

We believe that in the person of Jesus Christ the Divine and human natures are united, so that He is truly and properly God and truly and properly man.

We believe that our first parents were created in a state of innocency, but by their disobedience they lost their purity and happiness, and that in consequence of their fall all men have become sinners, totally depraved, and as such are justly exposed to the wrath of God.

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has by His suffering and death made an atonement for the whole world so that whosoever will may be saved.

We believe that repentance towards God, faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and regeneration by the Holy Spirit, are necessary to salvation.

We believe that we are justified by grace through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and that he that believeth hath the witness in himself.

We believe that continuance in a state of salvation depends upon continued obedient faith in Christ.

We believe that it is the privilege of all believers to be wholly sanctified, and that their whole spirit and soul and body may be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We believe in the immortality of the soul; in the resurrection of the body; in the general judgment at the end of the world; in the eternal happiness of the righteous; and in the endless punishment of the wicked.

[BobRyan]

Here is the list from the Salvation Army Headquarters in London,

We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were given by inspiration of God, and that they only constitute the Divine rule of Christian faith and practice.

[Gerr]

I believe most if not all SDAs are in agreement with these beliefs except for the last paragraph:

"We believe in the immortality of the soul; in the resurrection of the body; in the general judgment at the end of the world; in the eternal happiness of the righteous; and in the endless punishment of the wicked."

"We believe in the immortality of the soul;" "and in the endless punishment of the wicked" - SDAs definitely do not agree with this. This is clearly unbiblical. "The soul that sinneth it shall die." "Only God has immortality." Besides, how can a loving and righteous God punish someone for a short life of crime or non-crime except for unbelief and burn them forever? That makes Him worse than the devil! "They shall be burned up," and "ashes under your feet."

"in the resurrection of the body;" - we agree with this. I am puzzled how one can believe the immortality of the soul and still also believe in the resurrection. What's the point?

"in the general judgment at the end of the world;" - Many SDAs would probably be a little hesitant to answer yes or no, but may ask for more clarification. Most if not all SDAs believe that the judgment of the saints and the lost are two separate events.

[joeb]

Greetings All,

I have posted some topics in your town hall section, yet understand that questions like this one may be more appropriate in this forum, so I would like to post this here and see if I can get any responses.

My situation is that I have been a member of the Salvation Army for a number of years, but have recently begun attending meetings at the local Seventh Day Adventist Church. Its for several reasons, and rather than take this topic off thread I will bring those up at a later stage as I would like to discuss that with you.

Anyway, what I am wondering is how the Seventh Day Adventist Church might respond to these eleven points of doctrine, I realize you have 28. Yet from this list, how many does the SDA endorse and agree with, and on the other side of the coin, which ones would be incompatible with the teachings of the SDA?

Here is the list from the Salvation Army Headquarters in London,

We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were given by inspiration of God, and that they only constitute the Divine rule of Christian faith and practice.

We believe that there is only one God, who is infinitely perfect, the Creator, Preserver, and Governor of all things, and who is the only proper object of religious worship.

We believe that there are three persons in the Godhead-the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, undivided in essence and co-equal in power and glory.

We believe that in the person of Jesus Christ the Divine and human natures are united, so that He is truly and properly God and truly and properly man.

We believe that our first parents were created in a state of innocency, but by their disobedience they lost their purity and happiness, and that in consequence of their fall all men have become sinners, totally depraved, and as such are justly exposed to the wrath of God.

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has by His suffering and death made an atonement for the whole world so that whosoever will may be saved.

We believe that repentance towards God, faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and regeneration by the Holy Spirit, are necessary to salvation.

We believe that we are justified by grace through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and that he that believeth hath the witness in himself.

We believe that continuance in a state of salvation depends upon continued obedient faith in Christ.

We believe that it is the privilege of all believers to be wholly sanctified, and that their whole spirit and soul and body may be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We believe in the immortality of the soul; in the resurrection of the body; in the general judgment at the end of the world; in the eternal happiness of the righteous; and in the endless punishment of the wicked.

I would agree with all but the parts I'll list of the last statement of belief.

We believe in soul sleep and mortality of the soul except for those whom God grants eternal life when He takes them to heaven. We also that a just God cannot push a person forever for a short lifetime of sin because it is against His character of love. We believe in an eternal punishment--one that the effects of last forever--not an eternal punishing that goes on forever.

[Ted Oplinger]

It's that last line...

Quote:

We believe in the immortality of the soul; in the resurrection of the body; in the general judgment at the end of the world; in the eternal happiness of the righteous; and in the endless punishment of the wicked.

that is the Achille's heal of Protestantism, and Christendom in general.

Once you accept Satan's proposition on one part - you'll accept all the rest he offers.

That's what Adam and Eve found out...the hard way.

Blessings,