Seventh-day Adventists accept the Bible as their sole creed and uphold fundamental beliefs derived from its teachings. These beliefs, as outlined here, represent the church’s understanding and expression of Scripture. Revisions to these statements may occur during a General Conference session, guided by the Holy Spirit, to reflect a deeper understanding of biblical truth or to find more precise language for expressing the teachings of God’s Word. These beliefs encompass diverse aspects of Christian theology and practical Christian living, guiding our faith and actions.
These are our fundamental beliefs of
Seventh-day Adventists:
The Holy Scriptures, Old and New Testaments, are the written Word of God, given by divine inspiration. The inspired authors spoke and wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. In this Word, God has committed to humanity the knowledge necessary for salvation. The Holy Scriptures are the supreme, authoritative, and the infallible revelation of His will. They are the standard of character, the test of experience, the definitive revealer of doctrines, and the trustworthy record of God’s acts in history. (Ps. 119:105; Prov. 30:5, 6; Isa. 8:20; John 17:17; 1 Thess. 2:13; 2 Tim. 3:16, 17; Heb. 4:12; 2 Peter 1:20, 21.)
There is one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a unity of three coeternal Persons. Furthermore, God is immortal, all-powerful, all-knowing, above all, and ever present. He is infinite and beyond human comprehension, yet known through His self-revelation. God, who is love, is forever worthy of worship, adoration, and service by the whole creation. (Gen. 1:26; Deut. 6:4; Isa. 6:8; Matt. 28:19; John 3:16 2 Cor. 1:21, 22; 13:14; Eph. 4:4-6; 1 Peter 1:2.)
God the eternal Father is the Creator, Source, Sustainer, and Sovereign of all creation. He is just and holy, merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. The qualities and powers exhibited in the Son and the Holy Spirit are also those of the Father. (Gen. 1:1; Deut. 4:35; Ps. 110:1, 4; John 3:16; 14:9; 1 Cor. 15:28; 1 Tim. 1:17; 1 John 4:8; Rev. 4:11.)
God the eternal Son became incarnate in Jesus Christ. Through Him all things were created, the character of God is revealed, the salvation of humanity is accomplished, and the world is judged. Forever truly God, He became also truly human, Jesus the Christ. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived and experienced temptation as a human being, but perfectly exemplified the righteousness and love of God. By His miracles He manifested God’s power and was attested as God’s promised Messiah. He suffered and died voluntarily on the cross for our sins and in our place, was raised from the dead, and ascended to heaven to minister in the heavenly sanctuary in our behalf. (Isa. 53:4-6; Dan. 9:25-27; Luke 1:35; John 1:1-3, 14; 5:22; 10:30; 14:1-3, 9, 13; Rom. 6:23; 1 Cor. 15:3, 4; 2 Cor. 3:18; 5:17-19; Phil. 2:5-11; Col. 1:15-19)
God the eternal Spirit was active with the Father and the Son in Creation, incarnation, and redemption. He is as much a person as are the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit inspired the writers of Scripture. He filled Christ’s life with power. He draws and convicts human beings; and those who respond He renews and transforms into the image of God. Sent by the Father and the Son to be always with His children, He extends spiritual gifts to the church, empowers it to bear witness to Christ, and in harmony with the Scriptures leads it into all truth. (Gen. 1:1, 2; 2 Sam. 23:2; Ps. 51:11; Isa. 61:1; Luke 1:35; 4:18; John 14:16-18, 26; 15:26; 16:7-13; Acts 1:8; 5:3; 10:38; Rom. 5:5; 1 Cor. 12:7-11; 2 Cor. 3:18; 2 Peter 1:21.)
God has revealed in Scripture the authentic and historical account of His creative activity. He created the universe, and in a recent six-day creation the Lord made “the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them” and rested on the seventh day. Thus He established the Sabbath as a perpetual memorial of the work He performed and completed during six literal days that together with the Sabbath constituted the same unit of time that we call a week today. The first man and woman were made in the image of God as the crowning work of Creation, given dominion over the world, and charged with responsibility to care for it. When the world was finished it was “very good,” declaring the glory of God. (Gen. 1-2; 5; 11; Exod. 20:8-11; Ps. 19:1-6; 33:6, 9; 104; Isa. 45:12, 18; Acts 17:24; Col. 1:16; Rev. 10:6; 14:7.)
Man and woman were made in the image of God with individuality, the power and freedom to think and to do. Though created free beings, each is an indivisible unity of body, mind, and spirit, dependent upon God for life and breath and all else. When our first parents disobeyed God, they denied their dependence upon Him and fell from their high position. The image of God in them was marred and they became subject to death. Their descendants share this fallen nature and its consequences. They are born with weaknesses and tendencies to evil. But God in Christ reconciled the world to Himself and by His Spirit restores in penitent mortals the image of their Maker. Created for the glory of God, they are called to love God and one another as well. (Gen. 1:26-28; 2:7, 15; 3; Ps. 8:4-8; 51:5, 10; 58:3; Acts 17:24-28; Rom. 5:12-17)
All Humanity is engaged in a cosmic conflict between Christ and Satan over the character of God, His law, and His sovereignty. This conflict began in heaven when a created being, endowed with freedom of choice, rebelled, becoming Satan and leading others in rebellion. Satan introduced sin into the world through Adam and Eve, distorting God’s image in humanity and bringing disorder and eventual devastation, as seen in Genesis 1-11. This world became the battleground where God’s love will ultimately triumph. To aid His people, Christ sends the Holy Spirit and loyal angels for guidance, protection, and support in the path of salvation (Gen. 3; 6-8; Job 1:6-12; Isa. 14:12-14; Ezek. 28:12-18; Rom. 1:19-32; 3:4; 5:12-21; 8:19-22; 1 Cor. 4:9; Heb. 1:14; 1 Peter 5:8; 2 Peter 3:6; Rev. 12:4-9).
In Christ’s life of perfect obedience to God’s will, His suffering, death, and resurrection provide the sole atonement for human sin. By faith in this atonement, individuals gain eternal life, and creation comprehends God’s infinite and holy love better. This perfect atonement upholds the righteousness of God’s law and reveals His gracious character by condemning sin and offering forgiveness. Christ’s death is substitutionary and expiatory, reconciling and transforming. His bodily resurrection signifies God’s victory over evil and guarantees victory over sin and death for those who accept the atonement. It declares Jesus Christ’s Lordship, before whom every knee will bow in heaven and on earth (Gen. 3:15; Ps. 22:1; Isa. 53; John 3:16; 14:30; Rom. 1:4; 3:25; 4:25; 8:3, 4; 1 Cor. 15:3, 4, 20-22; 2 Cor. 5:14, 15, 19-21; Phil. 2:6-11; Col. 2:15; 1 Peter 2:21, 22; 1 John 2:2; 4:10).
In infinite love and mercy, God made Christ, who knew no sin, to become sin for us, so that in Him we might receive the righteousness of God. Guided by the Holy Spirit, we recognize our need, confess our sinfulness, repent, and place faith in Jesus as Savior, Lord, Substitute, and Example. This saving faith, a gift of God’s grace through the power of His Word, justifies us and adopts us as His children, freeing us from sin’s dominion. Through the Spirit, we are born again, sanctified, and transformed. The Spirit renews our minds, writes God’s law of love in our hearts, and empowers holy living. Abiding in Christ, we partake in the divine nature and have assurance of salvation now and in the judgment (Gen. 3:15; Isa. 45:22; 53; Mark 9:23, 24; John 3:3-8, 16; 16:8; Rom. 3:21-26; 8:1-4, 14-17; 1 Peter 1:23; 2:21, 22; Rev. 13:8).
Through His death on the cross, Jesus triumphed over evil forces. He subdued demons in His earthly ministry and ensured their ultimate defeat. His victory grants us victory over these forces as we walk with Him in peace, joy, and assurance of His love. The Holy Spirit now indwells and empowers us. Committed to Jesus as Savior and Lord, we are liberated from past burdens, darkness, and fear. In this new life, we grow into Christ’s likeness through prayer, study of His Word, meditation, worship, and mission. Following His example, we compassionately minister to human needs. Our service and witness transform every task into a spiritual experience, sustained by His presence (1 Chron. 29:11; Ps. 1:1, 2; 23:4; 77:11, 12; Matt. 20:25-28; 25:31-46; Luke 10:17-20; John 20:21; Rom. 8:38, 39; 2 Cor. 3:17, 18; Gal. 5:22-25; Eph. 5:19, 20; 6:12-18; Phil. 3:7-14).
The church is the community of believers who confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Continuously connected to God’s people since Old Testament times, we are called out from the world to worship, fellowship, receive biblical instruction, celebrate the Lord’s Supper, serve humanity, and proclaim the gospel worldwide. The church derives authority from Christ, the incarnate Word revealed in Scripture. It is God’s family, adopted as His children under the new covenant. The church is Christ’s body, with Him as the Head, and His bride sanctified through His sacrifice. At His triumphant return, Christ will present the church—a glorious assembly of faithful believers throughout ages—as His redeemed, purchased by His blood, pure and holy (Gen. 12:1-3; Exod. 19:3-7; Matt. 16:13-20; 18:18; 28:19, 20; Acts 2:38-42; 1 Cor. 1:2; Eph. 1:22, 23; 2:19-22; 3:8-11; 5:23-27).
The universal church is composed of all who truly believe in Christ, but in the last days, a time of widespread apostasy, a remnant has been called out to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. This remnant announces the arrival of the judgment hour, proclaims salvation through Christ, and heralds the approach of His second advent. This proclamation is symbolized by the three angels of Revelation 14; it coincides with the work of judgment in heaven and results in a work of repentance and reform on earth. Every believer is called to have a personal part in this worldwide witness. (Dan. 7:9-14; Isa. 1:9; 11:11; Jer. 23:3; Mic. 2:12; 2 Cor. 5:10; 1 Peter 1:16-19; 4:17; 2 Peter 3:10-14; Jude 3, 14; Rev. 12:17; 14:6-12; 18:1-4.)
The church is one body with many members, called from every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. In Christ we are a new creation; distinctions of race, culture, learning, and nationality, and differences between high and low, rich and poor, male and female, must not be divisive among us. We are all equal in Christ, who by one Spirit has bonded us into one fellowship with Him and with one another; we are to serve and be served without partiality or reservation. Through the revelation of Jesus Christ in the Scriptures we share the same faith and hope, and reach out in one witness to all. This unity has its source in the oneness of the triune God, who has adopted us as His children. (Ps. 133:1; Matt. 28:19, 20; John 17:20-23; Rom. 12:4, 5; 1 Cor. 12:12 14; 2 Cor. 5:16, 17; Gal. 3:27-29; Eph. 2:13-16; 4:3-6, 11-16)
By baptism we confess our faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and testify of our death to sin and of our purpose to walk in newness of life. Thus we acknowledge Christ as Lord and Saviour, become His people, and are received as members by His church. Baptism is a symbol of our union with Christ, the forgiveness of our sins, and our reception of the Holy Spirit. It is by immersion in water and is contingent on an affirmation of faith in Jesus and evidence of repentance of sin. It follows instruction in the Holy Scriptures and acceptance of their teachings. (Matt. 28:19, 20; Acts 2:38; 16:30-33; 22:16; Rom. 6:1-6; Gal. 3:27; Col. 2:12, 13.)
The Lord’s Supper is a participation in the emblems of the body and blood of Jesus as an expression of faith in Him, our Lord and Saviour. In this experience of communion Christ is present to meet and strengthen His people. As we partake, we joyfully proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes again. Preparation for the Supper includes self-examination, repentance, and confession. The Master ordained the service of foot-washing to signify renewed cleansing, to express a willingness to serve one another in Christlike humility, and to unite our hearts in love. The communion service is open to all believing Christians. (Matt. 26:17-30; John 6:48-63; 13:1-17; 1 Cor. 10:16, 17; 11:23-30; Rev. 3:20.)
God graciously bestows spiritual gifts on all members of His church across ages. These gifts, distributed by the Holy Spirit as He determines, equip believers for ministry within the church and in service to humanity. Scripturally affirmed gifts include faith, healing, prophecy, teaching, administration, reconciliation, compassion, and self-sacrificial service. Some are specifically called and empowered by the Spirit for pastoral, evangelistic, and teaching roles, crucial for nurturing spiritual growth, fostering unity, and equipping others for service. As faithful stewards of God’s grace, when members use these gifts, the church is protected from false teachings, grows spiritually, and strengthens in faith and love (Acts 6:1-7; Rom. 12:4-8; 1 Cor. 12:7-11, 27, 28; Eph. 4:8, 11-16; 1 Tim. 3:1-13; 1 Peter 4:10, 11).
The Scriptures testify that one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is prophecy. This gift is an identifying mark of the remnant church and we believe it was manifested in the ministry of Ellen G. White. Her writings speak with prophetic authority and provide comfort, guidance, instruction, and correction to the church. They also make clear that the Bible is the standard by which all teaching and experience must be tested. (Num. 12:6; 2 Chron. 20:20; Amos 3:7; Joel 2:28, 29; Acts 2:14-21; 2 Tim. 3:16, 17; Heb. 1:1-3; Rev. 12:17; 19:10; 22:8, 9.)
God’s great principles are embodied in the Ten Commandments and revealed in Christ’s life. They articulate God’s love, will, and intentions for human behavior and relationships, binding all people across time. These precepts form the foundation of God’s covenant and serve as His standard in judgment. Through the Holy Spirit, they convict of sin and reveal the need for a Savior. Salvation is solely by grace, not works, with obedience to the Commandments as its fruit. Such obedience shapes Christian character, fostering well-being and demonstrating love for God and humanity. Faithful obedience showcases Christ’s transformative power, enhancing Christian testimony (Exod. 20:1-17; Deut. 28:1-14; Ps. 19:7-14; 40:7, 8; Matt. 5:17-20; 22:36-40; John 14:15; 15:7-10; Rom. 8:3, 4; Eph. 2:8-10; Heb. 8:8-10; 1 John 2:3; 5:3; Rev. 12:17; 14:12).
The Creator, after the six days of Creation, rested on the seventh day and instituted the Sabbath for all people as a memorial of Creation. The fourth commandment of God’s unchangeable law requires the observance of this seventh-day Sabbath as the day of rest, worship, and ministry in harmony with the teaching and practice of Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath. It is a symbol of our redemption in Christ, a sign of our sanctification, a token of our allegiance, and a foretaste of our eternal future in God’s kingdom. The Sabbath is God’s perpetual sign of His eternal covenant between Him and His people. Joyful observance of this holy time from evening to evening, sunset to sunset, is a celebration of God’s creative and redemptive acts. (Gen. 2:1-3; Exod. 20:8-11; 31:13-17; Lev. 23:32; Isa. 56:5, 6; 58:13, 14; Ezek. 20:12, 20; Matt. 12:1-12)
We are God’s stewards, entrusted by Him with time and opportunities, abilities and possessions, and the blessings of the earth and its resources. We acknowledge God’s ownership by faithful service to Him and our fellow human beings, and by returning tithe and giving offerings for the proclamation of His gospel and the support and growth of His church. Stewardship is a privilege given to us by God for nurture in love and the victory over selfishness and covetousness. Stewards rejoice in the blessings that come to others as a result of their faithfulness. (Gen. 1:26-28; 2:15; 1 Chron. 29:14; Haggai 1:3-11; Mal. 3:8-12; Matt. 23:23; Rom. 15:26, 27; 1 Cor. 9:9-14; 2 Cor. 8:1-15; 9:7.)
We are called to be a godly people who think, feel, and act in harmony with biblical principles in all aspects of life. For the Spirit to recreate in us the character of our Lord we involve ourselves only in those things that will produce Christlike purity, health, and joy in our lives. While recognizing cultural differences, our dress is to be simple, modest, and neat, befitting those whose true beauty does not consist of outward adornment but in the imperishable ornament of a gentle and quiet spirit. Our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit, we are to care for them intelligently. Along with adequate exercise and rest, we are to adopt the most healthful diet possible and abstain from the unclean foods identified in the Scriptures. (Gen. 7:2; Exod. 20:15; Lev. 11:1-47; Ps. 106:3; Rom. 12:1, 2; 1 Cor. 6:19, 20; 10:31; Eph. 5:1-21)
Marriage, established in Eden and affirmed by Jesus, is a lifelong union between a man and a woman in loving companionship. For Christians, it is a commitment to God and each other, entered into by those who share a common faith. This relationship is characterized by mutual love, honor, respect, and responsibility, reflecting the sanctity and permanence of Christ’s love for His church. Jesus taught that divorce, except for marital unfaithfulness, leads to adultery. Despite imperfections, couples committed to each other in Christ can achieve unity through spiritual guidance and church support. God blesses families, encouraging mutual assistance toward maturity. Strengthening family bonds is vital in proclaiming the gospel. Parents nurture children to love and obey the Lord, teaching them through word and example about Christ’s care and His desire for them to join His family (Gen. 2:18-25; Exod. 20:12; Deut. 6:5-9; Prov. 22:6; Matt. 5:31, 32; 19:3-9, 12).
There is a sanctuary in heaven, the true tabernacle that the Lord set up and not humans. Christ ministers on our behalf there, granting believers the benefits of His atoning sacrifice offered once for all on the cross. After His ascension, He became our great High Priest, beginning His intercessory ministry, akin to the earthly high priest’s work in the holy place. In 1844, following the prophetic period of 2300 days, Christ entered the second phase of His atoning ministry, akin to the high priest entering the most holy place on the Day of Atonement. This phase involves investigative judgment, typified by the cleansing of the ancient sanctuary. Unlike animal sacrifices, Christ’s perfect sacrifice purifies heavenly things. The investigative judgment reveals which deceased believers, asleep in Christ, are worthy to partake in the first resurrection (Lev. 16; Num. 14:34; Dan. 7:9-27; 8:13, 14; 9:24-27; Rev. 8:3-5; 22:11, 12).
The second coming of Christ is the blessed hope of the church, the grand climax of the gospel. The Saviour’s coming will be literal, personal, visible, and worldwide. When He returns, the righteous dead will be resurrected, and together with the righteous living will be glorified and taken to heaven, but the unrighteous will die. The almost complete fulfillment of most lines of prophecy, together with the present condition of the world, indicates that Christ’s coming is near. The time of
that event has not been revealed, and we are therefore exhorted to be ready at all times. (Matt. 24; Mark 13; Luke 21; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Cor. 15:51-54; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; 5:1-6; 2 Thess. 1:7-10; 2:8; 2 Tim. 3:1-5; Titus 2:13; Heb. 9:28; Rev. 1:7; 14:14-20; 19:11-21.)
The wages of sin is death. But God, who alone is immortal, will grant eternal life to His redeemed. Until that day death is an unconscious state for all people. When Christ, who is our life, appears, the resurrected righteous and the living righteous will be glorified and caught up to meet their Lord. The second resurrection, the resurrection of the unrighteous, will take place a thousand years later. (Job 19:25-27; Ps. 146:3, 4; Eccl. 9:5, 6, 10; Dan. 12:2, 13; Isa. 25:8; John 5:28, 29; 11:11-14; Rom. 6:23; 16; 1 Cor. 15:51-54; Col. 3:4; 1 Thess. 4:13-17; 1 Tim. 6:15; Rev. 20:1-10.)
The millennium is the thousand-year reign of Christ with His saints in heaven between the first and second resurrections. During this time the wicked dead will be judged; the earth will be utterly desolate, without living human inhabitants, but occupied by Satan and his angels. At its close Christ with His saints and the Holy City will descend from heaven to earth.
The unrighteous dead will then be resurrected, and with Satan and his angels will surround the city; but fire from God will consume them and cleanse the earth. The universe will thus be freed of sin and sinners forever. (Jer. 4:23-26; Ezek. 28:18, 19; Mal. 4:1; 1 Cor. 6:2, 3; Rev. 20; 21:1-5.)
On the new earth, in which righteousness dwells, God will provide an eternal home for the redeemed and a perfect environment for everlasting life, love, joy, and learning in His presence. For here God Himself will dwell with His people, and suffering and death will have passed away. The great controversy will be ended, and sin will be no more. All things, animate and inanimate, will declare that God is love; and He shall reign forever. Amen. (Isa. 35; 65:17-25; Matt. 5:5; 2 Peter 3:13; Rev. 11:15; 21:1-7; 22:1-5.)
These beliefs summarize the core doctrines that Seventh-day Adventists affirm based on their understanding of the Bible. They guide the faith, worship, and practices of the SDA community worldwide.