Our Beliefs
Seventh-day Adventist beliefs are meant to permeate your whole life. Growing out of scriptures that paint a compelling portrait of God, you are invited to explore, experience and know the One who desires to make us whole. The Bible is the only source of our beliefs. We consider our movement to be the result of the Protestant conviction Sola Scriptura—the Bible as the only standard of faith and practice for Christians.
Currently, Adventists hold 28 fundamental beliefs that can be organized into categories—the doctrines of God, man, salvation, the church, the Christian life, Sabbath rest and last day events. In each teaching, God is the architect, who in wisdom, grace and infinite love, is restoring a relationship with humanity that will last for eternity.
GOD
We Believe that God Loves
God is love, power, and splendor—and God is a mystery. His ways are far beyond us, but He still reaches out to us. God is infinite yet intimate, three yet one, all-knowing yet all-forgiving.
HUMANITY
We Believe that God Creates
From neurons to nebulae, DNA to distant galaxies, we are surrounded by wonder. Yet the beauty is broken. God made our world with brilliant creativity and tender care. He created humanity to take care of and take pleasure in the planet, with rest and recreation in perfect balance. Once molded in God’s image, now fractured by sin, it took a perfect Savior to reconcile us. The Spirit restores God’s reflection within us so God can work through us
SALVATION
We Believe that God Redeems
From neurons to nebulae, DNA to distant galaxies, we are surrounded by wonder. Yet the beauty is broken. God made our world with brilliant creativity and tender care. He created humanity to take care of and take pleasure in the planet, with rest and recreation in perfect balance. Once molded in God’s image, now fractured by sin, it took a perfect Savior to reconcile us. The Spirit restores God’s reflection within us so God can work through us
CHURCH
We Believe that God Inhabits
Jesus gave His followers a bold mission: to share the world of His love and His promise to return, and to love others as He did. Though entrusting imperfect people was risky, God chose to work through us, believing the reward was worth it. The church is called to reflect Jesus—serving selflessly, depending on God, studying His Word, and proclaiming His love. Male and female, rich and poor, people from all backgrounds or ethnicities are all equal in Jesus, united in worship and encouragement. Though flawed, the church is led by Christ and, through His grace and sacrifice, is being transformed into a radiant new creation.
LIVING
We Believe that God Transforms
God’s law in the Ten Commandments show us how to live and make clear our need for Jesus. Though the law shows us the path to follow and convicts us of sin, it’s about far more than just toeing the line. The commandment’s principles outline a holistic relationship with God, self and others. God desires us to live in wholeness and balance, caring for our bodies, refining our minds and nourishing our spirits.
REST
We Believe that God Rests
God established the original Sabbath at creation (Genesis 2:3), when He shifted from “making” to “enjoying.” He set the seventh day apart from the rest of the week, so we can experience that same enjoyment on a regular basis. The weekly Sabbath presents the perfect opportunity for intentional, prayerful time with God. After all, it’s a day set apart to recognize and celebrate Him as our Creator. Sabbath is the perfect opportunity to take this kind of restorative rest. As an extended blessing of the Sabbath, as we take time to slow down and reconnect with God, we also have a perfect opportunity to better connect with others as well.
RESTORATION
We Believe that God Triumphs
From the Garden of Eden to the Tower of Babel, the destruction of Sodom to the Exodus from Egypt, God has always investigated before taking action. Now, before His return, Jesus is investigating the lives of everyone who ever lived, revealing the choices that led to salvation or destruction. God wants to make clear and transparent to the watching universe that no one reaps a fate they did not choose. We look forward to Jesus’ Second Coming, when Jesus will resurrect His saved from the dead so they can live forever.