Seventh-day Adventists Answer

283 Pages·2002·1.42 MB·English

by  Paul Nethercott

Seventh-day Adventists Answer
QUESTIONS on DOCTRINE

AN EXPLANATION OF CERTAIN MAJOR ASPECTS
OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST BELIEF

Prepared by a Representative Group of
Seventh-day Adventist Leaders, Bible Teachers,
and Editors

REVIEW AND HERALD
PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION
WASHINGTON, D.C.

1957
Contents

Introduction
Fundamental Beliefs of Seventh-day Adventists

1. PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS
1. Doctrines We Share With Other Christians
2. The Bible, Only Rule of Faith and Practice
3. Seventh-day Adventist Relationship to Past Positions

2. QUESTIONS ABOUT CHRIST
4. Deity and Eternal Pre-existence of Christ
5. Deity of Christ and Church Membership
6. The Incarnation and the "Son of Man
7. The Bodily Resurrection of Christ
8. Christ, and Michael the Archangel

3. QUESTIONS ON THE RELATIONSHIP OF ELLEN G. WHITE'S WRITINGS TO THE BIBLE
9. Ellen G. White's Writings and Their Relation to the Bible

4. QUESTIONS ON THE LAW AND LEGALISM
10. Christ the Heart of the Advent Message
11. The Basis and Fruitage of Christian Experience
12. The Ten Commandments, God's Standard of Conduct
13. Distinction Between the Decalogue and the Ceremonial Law
14. The Relationship of Grace to Law and Works

5. QUESTIONS ON THE SABBATH, SUNDAY, AND THE MARK OF THE BEAST
15. The Foundation of Sabbath Observance
16. The Sabbath and the Moral Law
17. Saturday Observance a Valid Criterion
18. Historic Concept of the Mark of the Beast
19. When the Mark Will Be Received
20. Who Constitute the "Remnant Church"
21. What Constitutes "Babylon"

5. QUESTIONS ON PROPHECY, DANIEL 8 AND 9, AND THE 2300 DAYS
22. Basic Principles of Prophetic Interpretation
23. Christ Pre-eminent in Daniel 8 and 9

6. QUESTIONS ON DOCTRINE
24. Problems Pertaining to Daniel 8
25. Relation of Seventy Weeks of Daniel 9 to 2300 Days of Daniel 8
26. The Seventieth Week of Daniel 9 and the Gap Theory
27. Scholarly Precedents for 1844 Ending of 2300 Year-Days
28. Antiochus Epiphanes and the Prophetic Specifications of Daniel 8
7. QUESTIONS ON CHRIST AND His MINISTRY IN THE SANCTUARY
29. A Wider Concept of the Atonement
30. Sacrificial Atonement Provided; Sacrificial Atonement Applied
31. Salvation Prefigured in the Sanctuary Service
32. The Heavenly Sanctuary-Figurative or Literal Concepts
33. The High-Priestly Ministry of Christ
34. The Meaning of Azazel
35. The Transaction With the Scapegoat 396
36. The Investigative Judgment in the Setting of the Arminian Concept

8. QUESTIONS ON THE SECOND ADVENT AND THE MILLENNIUM
37. The Second Coming of Christ
38. Varied Concepts of the Millennium
39. Adventist Understanding of the Millennium

9. QUESTIONS ON IMMORTALITY
40. Innate or Conditional Immortality
41. The Condition of Man in Death
42. The Punishment of the Wicked
43. The Rich Man and Lazarus
44. Champions of Conditional Immortality Span the Centuries

10. MISCELLANEOUS QUESTIONS
45. Intent of the Term "Everlasting Gospel
46. Satan, Demons, and Angels
47. The Question of Unclean Foods
48. Adventist Relationship to World Missions Program
Representative Adventist Doctrinal Literature

11. APPENDIXES AND INDEXES
A. Christ's Place in the Godhead
B. Christ's Nature During the Incarnation
C. The Atonement
Introduction

This book came into being to meet a definite need. Interest concerning Seventh-day Adventist
belief and work has increased as the movement has grown. But in recent years especially, there seems to be
a desire on the part of many non-Adventists for a clearer understanding of our teachings and objectives.
Uncertainty regarding our basic beliefs is abundantly evident in much of the literature published
concerning us. There are already many books purporting to give the story of this people.
Recently, however, one of the large Protestant publishing houses here in the United States planned
the production of still another book. An author of several works dealing with the history and beliefs of
certain religious groups was requested to produce this new book, the purpose of which was to present a
general review of our history and belief. It was to be an objective analysis, with particular emphasis in
those areas wherein Adventist teachings differ from some other Christian groups.
In order to be factual in his treatment of the subject this author did what authors in general have
failed to do: he visited our denominational headquarters in Washington, D.C., and obtained firsthand
information. Moreover, he came not for just a single visit, but in company with other scholars made a
number of trips to the General Conference covering a period of almost two years. Hundreds of hours went
into this research, and hundreds of books and pamphlets, both Adventist and non-Adventist, were
examined. In addition there were a large number of interviews. During these many months of study, the
major aspects of Adventist teaching were carefully analyzed. The inquiries growing out of this
investigation were ultimately couched in a series of searching questions to which comprehensive answers
were requested.
The replies were prepared by a group of recognized leaders, in close counsel with Bible teachers,
editors, and administrators. The goal was to set forth our basic beliefs in terminology currently used in
theological circles. This was not to be a new statement of faith, but rather an answer to specific questions
concerning our faith. It was natural that these answers would come within the framework of the official
statement of Fundamental Beliefs of Seventh-day Adventists which appears in our Church Manual and is
included in this volume, pages 11-18. In view of this fact, these answers represent the position of our
denomination in the area of church doctrine and prophetic interpretation.
As the work on the answers progressed, it was felt that our church members would be equally
benefited by the material being prepared, and therefore it was decided to publish the completed work in
book form. So this volume came into being. While the form of' the work is rather unusual, it will, we trust,
meet a definite need.
The writers, counselors, and editors who produced the answers to these questions have labored
conscientiously to state accurately the beliefs of Seventh-day Adventists. But because of the very nature of
the Seventh-day Adventist Church organization no statement of Seventh-day Adventist belief can be
considered official unless it is adopted by the General Conference in quadrennial session, when accredited
delegates from the whole world field are present. The answers in this volume are an -expansion of our
doctrinal positions contained in the official statement of Fundamental Beliefs already referred to. Hence
this volume can be viewed as truly representative of the faith and beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist
Church.
Those who have prepared these answers make no claim that they have provided the final word on
Christian doctrine. Seventh-day Adventists believe that man's understanding of God's truth is progressive.
"The path of the just is as the shining light, that shines more and more unto the perfect day" (Prov. 4:18).
We surely should know more of God's will and purpose than did righteous men of earlier ages. And in days
to come we should rightly expect further unfolding of Bible truth.
While we accept the Bible and the Bible only as our rule of faith and practice, we clearly
recognize that we don not understand perfectly all truth which God would have His children know today.
Nor have we ever claimed such knowledge. We honor the noble line of witnesses such as Wycliffe, Luther,
Tyndale, Calvin, Knox, Wesley, and other great leaders of the past, whose advance into new light led the
church forward into its fuller understanding of God's will. And we believe that God has given special light
in these last days that is in advance of the gospel light perceived by earlier Christian leaders.
In harmony with the apostolic injunction, "Be ready always to give an answer to every man that
asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear" (1 Peter 3:15), we have here sought to
give reasons for our faith. We invite our Christian friends to examine these answers in the light of the
Word of God.
The officers of the General Conference of Seventh day Adventists felt that the material appearing
in this volume would not only be helpful to the members of their own church but that it would also furnish
reliable information on Adventist beliefs and teachings to the many inquiries, that, in recent years, have
arisen regarding Adventist doctrines. They have therefore requested that this book be published for general
use with the fervent prayer and hope that it may be useful in making clearer the way of salvation through
our Lord Jesus Christ.

THE EDITORIAL COMMITTFE
Fundamental Beliefs of Seventh-day Adventists

Seventh-day Adventists hold certain fundamental beliefs, the principal features of which, together with a
portion of the scriptural references upon which they are based, may be summarized as follows:
1. That the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were given by inspiration of God,
contain an all-sufficient revelation of His will to men, and are the only unerring rule of faith and practice (2
Tim. 3:15-17).
2. That the Godhead, or Trinity, consists of the Eternal Father, a personal, spiritual Being,
omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, infinite in wisdom and love; the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the
Eternal Father, through whom all things were created and through whom the salvation of the redeemed
hosts will be accomplished; the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Godhead, the great regenerating power
in the work of redemption (Matt. 28:19).
3. That Jesus Christ is very God, being of the same nature and essence as the Eternal Father.
While retaining His divine nature He took upon Himself the nature of the human family, lived on the earth
as a man, exemplified in His life as our example the principles of righteousness, attested His relationship to
God by many mighty miracles, died for our sins on the cross, was raised from the dead, and ascended to
the Father. where He ever lives to make intercession for us (John 1: 1, 14; Heb. 2:9-18; 8:1, 2; 4:14-16;
7:25). 4. That every person in order to obtain salvation must experience the new birth; that this comprises
an entire, transformation of life and character by the recreative power of God through faith in the Lord
Jesus Christ (John 3:16; Matt. 18:3; Acts 2:37-39).
5. That baptism is an ordinance of the Christian church and should follow repentance and
forgiveness of sins. By its observance faith is shown in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. That
the proper form of baptism is by immersion (Rom. 6:1-6; Acts 16:30-33)
6. That the will of God as it relates to moral conduct is comprehended in His law of ten
commandments; that these are great moral, unchangeable precepts, binding upon all men, in every age (Ex.
20: P 17).
7. That the fourth commandment of this unchangeable law requires the observance of the seventh
day Sabbath. This holy institution is at the same time a memorial of creation and a sign of sanctification, a
sign of the believer's rest from his own works of sin, and his entrance into the rest of soul which Jesus
promises to those who come to Him. (Gen. 2:1-3; Ex. 20:8-11; 31:12-17; Heb. 4:1-10)
8. That the law of ten commandments points out sin, the penalty of which is death. The law cannot
save the transgressor from his sin, nor impart power to keep him from sinning. In infinite love and mercy,
God provides a way whereby this may be done. He furnishes a substitute, even Christ the Righteous One,
to die in man's stead, making "him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the
righteousness of God in him" (2 Cor. 5:21). That one is justified, not by obedience to the law, but by the
grace that is in Christ Jesus, By accepting Christ, man is reconciled to God, justified by His blood for the
sins of the past, and saved from the power of sin by His indwelling life. Thus the gospel becomes "the
power of God unto salvation to every one that believes" (Rom. 1: 16). This experience is wrought by the
divine agency of the Holy Spirit, who convinces of sin and leads to the Sin Bearer, inducting the believer
into the new covenant relationship, where the law of God is written on his heart, and through the enabling
power of the indwelling Christ, his life is brought into conformity to the divine precepts. The honor and
merit of this wonderful transformation belong wholly to Christ. (1 John 2:1, 2; 3:4; Rom. 3:20; 5:8-10; 7:7;
Eph. 2:8-10; 3:17; Gal. 2:20; Heb. 8:8-12)
9. That "God only hath immortality" (1 Tim. 6:16). Mortal man possesses a nature inherently
sinful and dying. Eternal life is the gift of God through faith in Christ (Rom. 6:23). "He that hath the Son
hath life" (1 John 5:12). Immortality is bestowed upon the righteous at the second coming of Christ, when
the righteous dead are raised from the grave and the living righteous translated to meet the Lord. Then it is
that those accounted faithful "put on immortality” (1 Cor. 15:51-55)
10. That the condition of man in death is one of unconsciousness. That all men, good and evil
alike, remain in the grave from death to the resurrection. (Eccl. 9:5, 6; Ps. 146:3, 4; John 5:28, 29)
II. That there shall be a resurrection both of the just and of the unjust. The resurrection of the just
will take place at the second coming of Christ; the resurrection of the unjust will take place a thousand
years later, at the close of the millennium. (John 5:28, 29; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; Rev. 20:5-10)
12. That the finally impenitent, including Satan, the author of sin, will, by the fires of the last day,
be reduced to a state of nonexistence, becoming as though they had not been, thus purging God's universe
of sin and sinners' (Rom. 6:23; Mal. 4:1-3; Rev. 20:9, 10; Obadiah 16).
13. That no prophetic period is given in the Bible to reach the second advent, but that the longest
one, the 2300 days of Daniel 8:14, terminated in 1844, and brought us to an event called the cleansing of
the sanctuary.
14. That the true sanctuary, of which the tabernacle on earth was a type, is the temple of God in
heaven, of which Paul speaks in Hebrews 8 and onward, and of which the Lord Jesus, as our great high
priest, is minister; that the priestly work of our Lord is the antitype of the work of the Jewish priests of the
former dispensation; that this heavenly sanctuary is the one to be cleansed at the end of the 2300 days of
Daniel 8:14, its cleansing being, as in the type, a work of judgment, beginning with the entrance of Christ
as the high priest upon the judgment phase of His ministry in the heavenly sanctuary, foreshadowed in the
earthly service of cleansing the sanctuary on the day of atonement. This work of judgment in the heavenly
sanctuary began in 1844. Its completion will close human probation. '
15. That God, in the time of the judgment and in accordance with His uniform dealing with the
human family in warning them of coming events vitally affecting their destiny (Amos 3:6, 7), sends forth a
proclamation of the approach of the second advent of Christ; that this work is symbolized by the three
angels of Revelation 14; and that their threefold message brings to view a work of reform to prepare a
people to meet Him at His coming.
16. That the time of the cleansing of the sanctuary, synchronizing with the period of the
proclamation of the message of Revelation 14, is a time of investigative judgment; first, with reference to
the, dead, and second, with reference to the living. This investigative judgment determines who of the
myriads sleeping in the dust of the earth are worthy of a part in the first resurrection, and who of its living
Multitudes are worthy of translation. (1 Peter 4:17, 18; Dan. 7:9, 10; Rev. 14:6, 7; Luke 20:35)
17. That the followers of Christ should be a godly people, not adopting the unholy maxims or
conforming to the unrighteous ways of the world, not loving its sinful pleasures or countenancing its
follies. That believers should recognize their bodies as the temple of the Holy Spirit, and that therefore they
should clothe that body in neat, modest, dignified apparel. Further, that in eating and drinking and in their
entire course of conduct they should shape' their lives as becomes followers of the meek and lowly Master.
Thus the followers of Christ will be led to abstain from all intoxicating drinks, tobacco, and other narcotics,
and to avoid every body- and soul-defiling habit and practice. (1 Cor. 3:16, 17; 9:25; 10:31; 1 Tim. 2:9, 10;
1 John 2:6)
18. That the divine principle of tithes and offerings for the support of the gospel is an
acknowledgment of God's ownership in our lives, and that we are stewards who must render account to
Him of all that He has committed to our possession (Lev. 27:30; Mal. 3:8-12; Matt. 23:23; 1 Cor. 9:9-14; 2
Cor. 9:6-15).
19. That God has placed in His church the gifts of the Holy Spirit, as enumerated in 1 Corinthians
12 and Ephesians 4. That these gifts operate in harmony with the divine principles of the Bible, and are
given for the perfecting of the saints, the work of the ministry, the edifying of the' body of Christ (Rev.
12:17; 19: 10; 1 Cor. 1:5-7). That the gift of the Spirit of prophecy is one, of the identifying marks of the
remnant church. (1 Cor. 1:5, 7; 12A, 28; Rev. 12:17; 19:10; Amos 3:7; Hosea 12: 10, M.) They recognize
that this gift was manifested in the life and ministry of Ellen G. White.
20. That, the second coming of Christ is the great hope of the church, the grand climax of the
gospel and plan of salvation. His coming will be literal, personal, and visible. Many important events will
be associated with His return, such as the resurrection of the dead, the destruction of the wicked, the
purification of the earth, the reward of the righteous, the establishment of His everlasting kingdom. The
almost complete fulfillment of various lines of prophecy, particularly those found in the books of Daniel
and the Revelation, with existing conditions in the physical, social, industrial, political, and religious
worlds, indicates that Christ's coming "is near, even at the doors" (Matt. 24:33). The exact time of that
event has not been foretold. Believers are exhorted to be ready, for "in such an hour as you think not the
Son of man" (Matt. 24:44) will be, revealed. (Luke 17:26-30; 21:25-27; John 14:1-3; Acts 1: 9-11; Rev.
1:7; Heb. 9:28; James 5:1-8; Joel 3:9-16; 2 Tim. 3:13; Dan. 7:27; Matt. 24:36, 44)
21. That the millennial reign of Christ covers the period between the first and the second
resurrections, during which time the saints of all ages will live with their blessed Redeemer in heaven. At
the end of the millennium, the Holy City with all the saints will descend to the earth. The wicked, raised in
the second resurrection, will go up on the breadth of the earth with Satan at their head to compass the camp
of the saints, when fire will come down from God out of heaven and devour them. In the conflagration
which destroys Satan and his host, the earth itself will be regenerated and cleansed from the effects of the
curse. Thus the universe of God will be purified from the foul blot of sin. (Revelation 20; Zech. 14:14; 2
Peter 3:7-10)
22. That God will make all things new. The earth, restored to its pristine beauty, will become
forever the abode of the saints of the Lord. The promise to Abraham, that through Christ he and his seed
should possess the earth throughout the endless ages of eternity, will be fulfilled. "The kingdom and
dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven will be given to the people of the
saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey
him" (Dan. 7:27). Christ the Lord will reign supreme, and every creature which is in heaven and on the
earth and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, will ascribe 'Blessing, and honor, and glory, and
power" unto "him that sits upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever- (Gen. 13:14-17; Rom.
4:13; Heb. 11:8-16; Matt. 5:5; Isaiah 35; Rev. 21:1-7; 5:13; Dan. 7:27).
1. Doctrines We Share With Other Christians

What doctrines do Seventh-day Adventists hold in common with Christians in general, and in what aspects
of Christian thought do they differ?
Christians in general are divided into various schools of thought on practically every doctrine of
the Bible. On some doctrines Seventh-day Adventists find themselves in one group, and on other doctrines
we may be classified quite differently. With some religious groups we hold many doctrines in common.
With others we may find little common doctrinal ground. We do not accept certain doctrines held by some
Christians because we feel they are not based on the Word of God. Practically all Seventh-day Adventist
beliefs are held by one or more Christian, groups. A few are distinctive with us. Our beliefs could be
classified in relation to the beliefs of other Christians under the following headings:

I. In Common With Conservative Christians and the Protestant Creeds

1. That God is the Sovereign Creator, upholder, and ruler of the universe, and that He is eternal,
omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent.
2. That the Godhead, the Trinity, comprises God the Father, Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
3. That the Scriptures are the inspired revelation of God to men; and that the Bible is the sole rule of faith
and practice.
4. That Jesus Christ is very God, and that He has existed with the Father from all eternity.
5. That the Holy Spirit is a personal being, sharing the attributes of deity with the father and the Son.
6. That Christ, the Word of God, became incarnate through the miraculous conception and the virgin birth;
and that He lived an absolutely sinless life here on earth.
7. That the vicarious, atoning death of Jesus Christ, once for all, is all-sufficient for the redemption of a lost
race.
8. That Jesus Christ arose literally and bodily from the grave.
9. That He ascended literally and bodily into heaven.
10. That He now serves as our advocate in priestly ministry and mediation before the Father.
11. That He will return in a pre-millennial, personal, imminent second advent.
12. That man was created sinless, but by his subsequent fall entered a state of alienation and depravity.
13. That salvation through Christ is by grace alone, through faith in His blood.
14. That entrance upon the new life in Christ is by regeneration, or the new birth.
15. That man is justified by faith.
16. That man is sanctified by the indwelling Christ through the Holy Spirit.
17. That man will be glorified at the resurrection or translation of the saints, when the Lord returns.
18. That there will be a judgment of all men.
19. That the gospel is to be preached as a witness to all the world.

II. On Certain Controverted Doctrines Among Conservative Christians

We Believe-

1. That man is free to choose or reject the offer of salvation through Christ; we do not believe that
God has predetermined that some men shall be saved and others lost.
2. That the moral law of ten commandments, or the Decalogue, is the standard of life and conduct
for all men of all ages; we do not believe that the Decalogue has been either changed or abolished.
3. That baptism is to be administered by single immersion; we do not believe that it may be
administered by sprinkling, pouring, or trine immersion.
4. That man was endowed at creation with conditional immortality; we do not believe that man
has innate immortality or an immortal soul.
5. That the wicked will be punished by suffering and complete destruction in the lake of fire; we
do not believe in an eternally burning hell in which souls are tormented without end.
6. That the seventh day of the week is the Sabbath; we do not believe that the Sabbath has been
abolished, changed to the first day, or is merely a seventh part of time.
7. That the principle of tithing is God's plan for the support of His church; we do not believe that
tithing was only for the Jews.
8. That God created the world in six literal days; we do not believe that creation was
accomplished by long aeons of evolutionary processes.
9. That the correct view of prophetic interpretation is best set forth by what is known as the
historical school; we do not accept the systems followed by either the preterists or the futurists.
10. That church and state should operate in entirely separate spheres; we do not believe that in an
attempt to control men's religion or religious activities the church should dominate the state, or that the
state should govern the church.
11. That the ordinance instituted by Christ-that of washing one another's feet at the time of the
Lord's Supper-is to be practiced; we do not believe that this was merely an accommodation to the customs
and necessities of those times.
12. That we should abstain from such practices as the use of alcohol and tobacco; we do not
believe that indulgence in these things is fully representative of the character of our Lord.

III. In a Few Areas of Christian Thought, Our Doctrines Are Distinctive

We Believe-

1 That there is a sanctuary in heaven where Christ, our High Priest, ministers in two distinct
phases of His mediatorial work.
2. That there is to be an investigative judgment in which the destinies of all men are decided
before Christ comes in the clouds of glory.
3. That the Spirit of prophecy, or the prophetic gift, is one of the gifts of the Spirit promised to the
church in the last days, and that that gift was manifested to the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the work
and writings of Ellen G. White.
4. That the seal of God and the mark of the beast, mentioned in Revelation, are the symbols of the
opposing forces of good and evil in the last great conflict before Christ comes the second time.
5. That the three angels of Revelation 14 represent the proclamation of God's last message to the
world in preparation for the coming of our Lord. The Bible Only rule of Faith and Practice