Seventh Day Adventist

[BlessedinHim]

8If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

[Daniel1210]

In his book The Kingdom of the Cults, the late Dr. Walter Martin devoted the last part of the book to a study of the SDA. His conclusion was you couldn't really define the SDA as a cult.

[Betty]

Of course Dr. Walter Martin is entitled to his opinion but when you take from the Bible and add to the Bible this puts you in a cult group in many people's minds.
betty

[Daniel1210]

Where have the SDA done that? There is a Clear Word Bible that they have but it usually isn't the one used.

As far as I know there's nothing equivalent to a Book of Mormon or anything. You may hear a lot of refernces to Ellen White, but Lutherans refer to Luther and Methodists to Wesley and Reformed Presbyterians to Calvin, etc., ad nauseam.

[Betty]

They took away hell. They don't believe in it. They added to the Bible when they said going to Church on Sunday is the mark of the beast. They also believe that what Ellen said should over ride the Bible. Quacks like a cult to me.:rolleyes

[Momma D]

As followers of Christ, we have a set of beliefs that are essential to salvation.
Most of us hold to some unorthodox beliefs. As long as we hold to the non-negotiables, any unorthodox beliefs we may have that do not negate the esentials are not going to cost our salvation. Nothing that I have seen in SDA contradicts any non-negotiable belief regarding salvation.

[CountryBumpkin]

As followers of Christ, we have a set of beliefs that are essential to salvation.
Most of us hold to some unorthodox beliefs. As long as we hold to the non-negotiables, any unorthodox beliefs we may have that do not negate the esentials are not going to cost our salvation. Nothing that I have seen in SDA contradicts any non-negotiable belief regarding salvation.

I disagree and here’s why. The SDAs have added rules and regulations to salvation. Scripture says:
Rom 11:6 And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.


The following are just a few examples of how they have added works.
In their church manual under baptism it states:

"Baptism a Prerequisite to Church Membership—“Christ has made baptism the sign of entrance to His spiritual kingdom.

Apostasy and Rebaptism—Although apostasy clearly existed in the apostolic church (e.g., Heb. 6:4-6), Scripture does not address the question of rebaptism. Ellen G. White supports rebaptism when members have fallen away in apostasy and have lived in such a manner that the faith and principles of the church have been publicly violated. Then they should, in case of reconversion and application for church membership, enter the church as in the beginning, by baptism."


The SDAs believe that they are the true church , the remnant. This is a typical sign of a cult.

The SDAs are mostly vegetarian and while it is left to your own conscience eating meat is frowned upon.

This is in their church manual:
"These cannot be safely ignored, for we are told that those “who choose to follow their own preferences in this matter, eating and drinking as they please, will gradually grow careless of the instruction the Lord has given regarding other phases of the present truth and will lose their perception of what is truth.”—Testimonies, vol. 9, pp. 156, 157. "


This too:
"We earnestly warn against the subtle and sinister influence of the moving-picture theater, which is no place for the Christian.


“To dress plainly, abstaining from display of jewelry and ornaments of every kind, is in keeping with our faith.”—Testimonies, vol. 3, p. 366. It is clearly taught in the Scriptures that the wearing of jewelry is contrary to the will of God. ‘.


Another form of amusement that has an evil influence is social dancing. “The amusement of dancing, as conducted at the present day, is a school of depravity, a fearful curse to society.”—Messages to Young People, p. 399. "


The SDAs may in theory believe in salvation through faith but in practice they believe in salvation through the keeping of the Sabbath, abstaining from meats etc.

Ellen G. White writes: "To retain pure and undefiled religion it is necessary to be workers, persevering in effort. We must do something ourselves. None but ourselves can work out our salvation with fear and trembling. This is the very work which the Lord has left for us to do."