Frequently Asked Questions

 Seventh-day Adventists are a global family of Christians who hold the Bible as the ultimate authority. There are, however, a few distinguishing characteristics that set them apart from many other Christian denominations, including upholding the importance of the biblical Creation and the 4th commandment, the Seventh-day Sabbath, Christ’s ministry in the heavenly sanctuary, and the second coming of Christ. 

 Seventh-day Adventists accept the Bible as their only creed and hold certain fundamental beliefs to be the teaching of the Holy Scriptures. These beliefs constitute the church’s understanding and expression of the teaching of Scripture. Revision of these statements may be expected at a General Conference Session when the church is led by the Holy Spirit to a fuller understanding of Bible truth or finds better language in which to express the teachings of God’s Holy Word. Currently, Adventists hold 28 fundamental beliefs that can be organized into six categories—the doctrines of God, man, salvation, the church, the Christian life 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. 

 Ellen G. (Harmon) White (1827-1915) was one of the co-founders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church along with her husband, James, and fellow church founder, Joseph Bates. Ellen described being called by God at the age of 17 to be His prophetic messenger to the former Millerite believers out of which developed the Seventh-day Adventist Church (established 1863). She authored more than 40 books and 5,000 articles on such topics as health, education, and family life, as well as extensive writing on Bible history and Christian living. Her most popular book is Steps to Christ (1892), which has been translated into more than 165 languages. Ellen was a much sought-after speaker, both within and without the Adventist Church, and was featured in 2015 by Smithsonian magazine as one of the 100 most significant Americans of all time.

While Seventh-day Adventists believe that Ellen White was inspired by God to draw attention to the Bible and its principles, they do not place her writings on the same level as the Holy Scriptures, “which stand alone—the unique standard by which her writings and all other writings must be judged and to which they must be subject” (Seventh-day Adventists Believe, Ministerial Association, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Silver Spring, MD, 2018, p. 264). Her ministry is recognized as a fulfillment of Christ’s promise that the Holy Spirit will continue to guide and instruct His followers until His return (John 14:26; 16:13; Ephesians 4:11-14).