Colossians 2:16-18
Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into things he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind
The Seventh-day Adventist Church, a Christian denomination with many valid criticisms of the Roman Catholic Church, is known for doctrines that set it apart from other Christian groups. However, several of these do not align with the Bible. Here are examples of ten such doctrines:
1. Sabbath Observance on Saturday: Many Christians argue that the New Testament does not mandate a specific day for Sabbath observance, pointing to Romans 14:5 and Colossians 2:16-17. The Adventist's strict Saturday Sabbath observance is legalistic and not biblically required.
2. Investigative Judgment: Adventist doctrine of Investigative Judgment, which posits that God began a final judgment of all humanity in 1844, is not biblical. The Bible teaches judgment occurs at death (Hebrews 9:27). The 1844 date is based on a misinterpretation of Daniel 8:14.
3. Annihilationism: The Adventist belief in annihilationism, that the wicked will be destroyed rather than endure eternal torment, is disputed by many Christians. Passages like Revelation 14:11 and Matthew 25:46 suggest eternal conscious punishment for the wicked.
4. Vegetarianism: While Adventists promote vegetarianism, the Bible does not mandate meat restrictions for Christians. Passages like 1 Timothy 4:3-4 and Romans 14:2 elaborate on this. The whole New Testament context is clear we no longer have Old Testament dietary restrictions.
5. The Three Angels' Messages: The Adventist focus on the Three Angels' Messages of Revelation 14 is a misinterpretation and overemphasis, with additional doctrines that deviate from core Gospel message, like books added to the Church of Latter-Day Saints or Jehovah’s Witnesses.
6. The Remnant Church: The Adventist belief that they are the "remnant church" of prophecy (Revelation 12:17) is exclusive and not biblical, and creates a cult-like mindset of separation from others. The true "remnant" is not a specific denomination but all true believers in Christ.
7. The State of the Dead: The Adventist doctrine that the dead are unconscious until the resurrection is disputed by passages like 2 Corinthians 5:8 and Philippians 1:23 as evidence of conscious existence after death.
8. The Mark of the Beast: The Adventist interpretation of the "mark of the beast" as Sunday worship is a misinterpretation of Rev. 13:16-17. This is a novel concept and not without merits, Sunday worship could be seen as being marked in the thoughts (forehead) or deeds (right hand), but the number of the beast as the number of a man relating to this (I.e. the Pope) is spurious.
9. Ellen G. White's Authority: The Adventist Church regards Ellen G. White, one of its founders, as a prophet, and her writings as authoritative, particularly in books like The Great Controversy. Critics argue that this is not biblical, pointing to passages like Hebrews 1:1-2 which suggest that God has spoken fully and finally through His Son, Jesus Christ, and not prophets.
10. Conditional Immortality: The Adventist doctrine of conditional immortality, which posits that immortality is granted only to the righteous at the Second Coming is disputed, passages like John 3:16 and John 5:24 suggest that believers receive eternal life at the point of faith, not at the Second Coming.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we bow before Your throne of grace and mercy today, acknowledging Your sovereignty, Your power, and Your love. We lift members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, as but humble servants in Your vineyard, striving to understand Your Word and live by Your statutes. We thank You for the privilege of being called Your children, and we are ever grateful for the love and mercy You continually extend to us.
Lord, we come before You today with a deep desire for wisdom. We acknowledge that true wisdom comes only from You, the source of all knowledge and understanding. As Your children, we yearn to grow in wisdom, that we may rightly divide Your Word of truth and faithfully adhere to Your teachings. We pray for pastors, elders, teachers, and all those in positions of leadership within the SDA church. Grant them, Lord, a special measure of Your wisdom. May they lead with discernment, guide with understanding, and serve with humility.
We also pray for each member of their congregation. Lord, we live in a world filled with diverse doctrines and teachings, and it can sometimes be challenging to discern truth from error. We ask for Your Spirit to guide us into all truth. Help us remain steadfast in the face of false teachings and to cling firmly to the truth in Your Word. May our faith not be shaken by the winds of doctrine that blow around, but may we may firmly anchor it in the rock of our salvation, Jesus Christ.
Lord, we pray that the church will not only be a place where correct doctrine is taught but also a place where love abounds. Let our doctrine be a means of uniting us in Your truth. Help us remember that the greatest commandment You have given us is to love You with all our hearts, souls, and minds, and to love our neighbours as ourselves. May this commandment guide our actions, our words, and our attitudes towards each other and towards those in our communities.
Father, we also pray for those who may struggle with doubts or confusion about their faith. We ask that You would draw near to them, comfort them, and guide them to a clear understanding of Your Word. As we look forward to the soon return of our Lord Jesus Christ, we pray You would keep us faithful. Help us hold fast to the truths we have learned and to live out these truths in our daily lives. May our lives reflect Your love and grace, and may we be a beacon of light in a world that is often dark and confusing.
Thank You, Lord, for hearing our prayers. We trust in Your wisdom and Your guidance, and we look forward to the day when we will fully understand all things. Until that day, keep us faithful, keep us humble, and keep us in Your love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.