The Development of SDA Beliefs

[Gregory Matthews]

Part I:  Introduction.

I have decided that it might be well to review the development of SDA beliefs from our pre-organization beginning in the 1840s to the present day.  In the interest of brevity, I am dividing my post into short segments.

The early founders of what became the SDA denomination came from several Christian backgrounds.   Ellen  White came from a Methodist background.  James White, along with others, came from what is sometimes called the Christian Connection.  This background   had some Arian roots.  There were those who came from a Baptist background.  Depending somewhat on the time involved, there were  others who came from other Christian backgrounds.  

In the developing days of the SDA denomination, our early leaders were typically young and also lacking training   in Theology.  It may be seen that they did not speak and write from the perspective of a theologian.  In addition they probably did not have a well founded understanding of theological issues.  An example of this may be found in their understanding of the Trinity.  Many of them who rejected the doctrine of the Trinity did so, in part, from a faulty understanding as to what the Trinity doctrine actually taught.

In those early days, the people who eventually became the SDA denomination were united on only one teaching.  That was the teaching of the Baptist, William Miller, that Christ was going to return to Earth  during a one-year period of time that began in 1843 and ended in 1844.   It was believed that with the Second Advent so near, no other doctrine mattered.

However, there was a common belief that has remained to some degree to the present day.  That belief was a rejection of the idea that Christianity should have a Creed.  Those early people believed in a dynamic state in which under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, growth in understanding doctrine was progressive.  The understood the Christian Creeds to lock people into a set of beliefs that limited the Holy Spirit's ability to further inform people.

Further, it must be understood that the followers of William Miller were typically committed Christians from within other Christian denominations.  They were not typically secular people who had no Christian background.

[Gregory Matthews]

Part II:  The Sabbath Conferences.

With the passage of time, those early believers decided that they needed to come up with a minimal set of beliefs that distinguished them from other Christians.  At this point, it must be understood that while some differences existed, all were united as committed Christians.  Therefore, the focus was  not on basic Christian beliefs.  In actual fact as the distinguishing beliefs were developed, t here was no mention   of the core beliefs of Christianity.  

This might result in some people calling the SDA Church cultish.  But, that is not entirely fair as the basics of Christianity were simply assumed to be present.

These distinguishing beliefs were developed in a series of five (5) conferences that are typically called the Sabbath Conferences by people who study SDA history.  The reason was that they all began on a Sabbath.  In no specific order of priority, those five (5) doctrines were:

*  The State of the Dead:  The fundamental idea here is that the soul is asleep and not conscious until awakened at the Second Advent.  It should be noted that while SDAs have generally understood to mean that there is no such thing as an independent soul, this is not required by SDA belief.  Therefore, a minority of SDAs are  fully accepted to believe  in an independent soul, that is simply unconscious in the grave  until awakened at the 2nd Advent.  

*  The Second Advent:  This was a belief that there will be a literal 2nd Advent, at some time in the future, known only to God.  SDAs are not into time-setting.  

*  The Sabbath:  This is a belief that God established a 7th day Sabbath that has value and meaning for us today.  However, there are wide differences that exist within the SDA Church as to how to apply this to our lives today.  As an example, differences exist between SDAs in Europe and in the United States.

*  The Sanctuary Service:  The core of this belief related to the 2nd Advent.  That core simply states that there is an End Time,, Christ will return to Earth and all humanity must  make a decision as to whether or not they want to spend eternity with God.  Yes, it should be noted that differences exist within Adventism on this doctrine. 

*  The Spirit of Prophecy:  The fundamental core of this belief is that prophecy is one of the Biblical spiritual gifts that may exist in the Church.  This is the fundamental teaching of the SDA Church today.  While the SDA Church teaches that Ellen White  had this gift, one is not required to believe that she had it.  In addition, there is often a fundamental misunderstanding as to what this means as applied to Ellen White.  In brief, the official teaching of both the SDA Church and of Ellen White is that the Bible is the authority in doctrine and therefore, the writings of Ellen  White are subject to the authority of the Bible.

 

[Gregory Matthews]

Part III:  SDA beliefs as they are developed today.

Introduction:  The SDA denomination formally organized in 1863.  Every aspect of this process  debated.  Some argued against formal organization and registration with the government.  The name of this denomination was debated.  Some wanted to have some version of the name Church of God.  In addition, due to a rejection of the idea of having a creed, many did not want any formal statement of belief.

However, this developing denomination had come to the place where it owned property, or rather the property was owned by individual SDA members, due to the fact that it had not formally organized.  The need to protect denominational property and assets was a major factor in the formal organization of this denomination.

In addition, there was a need for the denomination to issue some sort of a belief statement in order to obtain an exemption for its members serving in the U.S. civil war.  NOTE:  SDA members today serve in the military.

Over  a period of time, gradually a statement of SDA beliefs was developed which was not considered to be a Creed.  I will not go into this development.  Rather, I will mention the following ant he role that they have in SDA society today.  However, the first published statement of SDA belief consisted of 25 statements published in 1872.

*  The Thirteen Baptismal Vows:  The following are the standard 13 doctrinal statements that have been traditional required for membership in the SDA Church.

NOTE:  a)  Even in the below, a wide range in understanding as to how the below is applied to one's life.

              b)  Number 8 does not require a belief in Ellen White.

               c)  Number 5, The Bible it the only rule of faith and practice for the Christin.

 

1. Do you believe in God the Father, in His Son Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Spirit?

2. Do you believe and receive the death of Jesus Christ on Calvary as the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world, and believe that through faith in His shed blood we are saved from sin and its penalty?

3. Renouncing the world and its sinful ways, have you received Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour, and do you believe that God, for Christ's sake, has forgiven your sins and given you a new heart?

4: Do you accept by faith the righteousness of Christ, recognizing Him as your Intercessor in the heavenly sanctuary, and do you claim His promise to strengthen you by His indwelling Spirit, so that you may receive power to do His will?

5. Do you believe that the Bible is God's inspired word, and that it constitutes the only rule of faith and practice for the Christian?

6. Do you accept the Ten Commandments as still binding upon Christians; and is it your purpose, by the power of the indwelling Christ, to keep the law of God, including the fourth commandment, which calls us to keep the seventh day of the week as the Sabbath of the Lord?

7. Is the soon coming of Jesus the blessed hope in your heart, and are you determined to be personally ready to meet the Lord, and to do all in your power to witness to His loving salvation, and by life and word to help others to be ready for His glorious appearing?

8. Do you believe the Biblical teaching of spiritual gifts, and do you believe that the gift of prophecy is one of the identifying marks of the remnant church?

9. By God's grace do you purpose in your heart to biblically support the church by your tithes and offerings, your personal effort, and influence?

10. Do you believe that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and that you are to honor God by caring for your body, avoiding the use of that which is harmful? To abstain from all unclean foods, and from the use of all alcoholic beverages, tobacco, narcotics or any other type of drugs?

11. Knowing and understanding the fundamental Bible principles as taught in the Scriptures, is it your purpose, by the grace of God, to order your life in harmony with these principles?

12. Do you accept the New Testament teaching of baptism by immersion, and do you desire to be so baptized as a public expression of your faith in Christ and in the forgiveness of your sins?

13. Do you believe that the Seventh-day Adventist Church is the remnant church of Bible prophecy, Rev. 12:17, and that people of every nation, race, and language are invited and accepted into its fellowship? Do you desire to be a member of this local assembly of the world church?

 

*  The Brief Baptismal Vow:  The following is a 2nd statement of SDA Belief that may be used as the standard for joining the SDA Church.

1. Do you accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and Lord,

2. Do you accept the teachings of the Bible as expressed in the Statement of Fundamental Beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and do you pledge by God’s grace to live your life in harmony with these teachings?

3. Do you desire to be baptized as a public expression of your belief in Jesus Christ, to be accepted into the fellowship of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and to support the church and its mission as a faithful steward by your personal influence, tithes and offerings, and a life of service?

 

It is problematic in that some people have assumed that # 2 requires agreement with the 27/28 that I have commented on below.

 

This was not intended by those who proposed it.  In actual fact, this statement is often used to allow people to join the SDA Church simply on the basis of a commitment to follow Christ and a desire to join the SDA Church.

 

 

*  The 28 Fundamental Beliefs:  https://szu.adventist.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/28_Beliefs.pdf

This began as 27 statements of SDA belief that were published in 1980.  It was never intended to be a Creed.  It was only intended to be informational as to common beliefs.  As it developed into a book, that book consisted of 27 chapters.  Each began with a printing of the official statement of belief, followed by a chapter that explained it in more detail and also discussed on some levels that differences in understandings that   existed in the SDA church as to how the belief should be understood and applied to ones life.  To be clear, those chapters were not voted statements of belief.  Rather, they consisted of the understandings of a large committee of people as to the range of belief and application that existed within the SDA denomination.

With the passage of time this has expanded into the present 28 statement of belief which I have cited above.  It addition, it is expected that in 2020 an additional statement may be added to make 29.  However I have a question as to whether that proposal will actually pass.

It should also be noted that today there are some in Adventism that treat this set of beliefs as a Creed, in violation of our historic SDA position and the intent of the original authors of the 27.

In my practice of ministry as SDA clergy, I have treated this set of beliefs as a set of beliefs that I use to instruct people who want to know more about the SDA denomination.  I do not use it as a set of beliefs required for SDA membership.

 

[Kevin H]

Excellent! Part of the 1888 issue was that while the original generation looked at our uniqueness from their basic Christian background, the second generation did not have that strong a Christian background and were viewing our doctrines from a different perception and traditions, Instead of growing up like their parents who were first of all had the Christianity from their varied backgrounds, then added the uniqueness and placed them in this context. The next generation had more of a foundation on our uniqueness. 

This is an interesting topic and could go back a lot farther and how we can follow an evolving  thread from Joachim of Flore through the Franciscans into Protestantism and the Advent movement in England in the 1700s then this thread moved into Millerism and the United States to Ellen White. 

[Gustave]

I'm going through these 3 parts of SDA development slowly and noticed something in part 1. 

That those folks who became SDA's essentially rallied around one core belief that they should avoid having a "Creed" because they believed it would stagnate their receptiveness to instruction from the Holy Spirit.

I think it's safe to say that any student of early Church History agrees that the understanding of the early Church was that there was ONE Deposit of Faith which was left with the Apostles and as time progressed and specific questions were asked, the Doctrines became more defined. 

There generally isn't a need to address a question or belief that hasn't been asked or that is in such a minority view as to not merit attention. This is essentially what happened with the question about WHO or WHAT Christ was. When it reached a point the Church had to address it a Council was held and the Doctrine was further developed / defined. The Basic elements of the Christian Faith were compiled and put into a "Creed". 

Would it be safe to say that the early SDA Church made a mistake in not leveraging the basic elements of the Christian Faith that were revealed by the Holy Spirit to the early Church? If a Church is formed out of young people who have no formal training or knowledge of the Biblical Languages, no theological training and actually go on to formulate an idea that they shouldn't have a Creed because it would stagnate their receptiveness of the Holy Spirit it proves that the group rejected the idea of the Holy Spirit being responsible for any other Church's Doctrines, Creeds. I'm pretty sure this is what I found in the SDA General Conference Archives - repeated articles calling out pretty much every Denominations creed and doctrines as apostate and Luciferian. 

How do contemporary SDA's view their origins in light of these things?