The Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church has teachings that differ significantly from what the Bible reveals about Jesus and the gospel. This article will show how their teachings are false, list doctrines that contradict the Bible, and expose their founder, Ellen G. White, as a false prophet.
False Teachings about Jesus and the Gospel
Jesus as Michael the Archangel
The SDA Church teaches that Jesus is Michael the Archangel. This contradicts the Bible, which shows Jesus as God, not an angel. John 1:1-3 (NASB) states, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.” Jesus is eternal and uncreated, unlike an angel.
The Gospel of Works
The SDA Church emphasises keeping the Sabbath and Old Testament dietary laws as essential for salvation. This is a works-based gospel, contrary to the gospel of grace in the Bible. Ephesians 2:8-9 (NASB) says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
Contradictory Doctrines
- Sabbath Observance
- SDA Teaching: Keeping the Sabbath on Saturday is essential for salvation.
- Bible Teaching: Colossians 2:16-17 (NASB) says, “Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day—things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.”
- Investigative Judgment
- SDA Teaching: Jesus began an investigative judgment in 1844 to examine the lives of believers.
- Bible Teaching: Hebrews 10:14 (NASB) says, “For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.” Salvation is secured by Christ’s finished work, not by an ongoing process.
- Soul Sleep
- SDA Teaching: The dead are unconscious until the resurrection.
- Bible Teaching: Philippians 1:23 (NASB) says, “But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better.”
- Dietary Laws
- SDA Teaching: Old Testament dietary laws must be followed by Christians.
- Bible Teaching: 1 Timothy 4:4-5 (NASB) says, “For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude; for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer.”
- Great Controversy Theme
- SDA Teaching: A cosmic conflict between Jesus and Satan is the central theme of the Bible.
- Bible Teaching: The central theme of the Bible is redemption through Jesus Christ. John 3:16 (NASB) says, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”
False Prophecies of the SDA Cult
- 1844 Return of Christ
- Predicted Jesus’ return in 1844, which did not happen.
- Bible Response: Matthew 24:36 (NASB) says, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.”
- Probation Closing in 1844
- Claimed probation for humanity closed in 1844.
- Bible Response: Revelation 22:17 (NASB) says, “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.”
- Ellen G. White’s Health Visions
- Claimed specific foods would cause diseases, which modern science has disproven.
- Bible Response: 1 Timothy 4:1-5 (NASB) warns against doctrines that prohibit foods.
- Civil War Prophecy
- Predicted the Civil War would spread globally.
- Bible Response: Deuteronomy 18:22 (NASB) says, “When a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the thing does not come about or come true, that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.”
- Return of Jews to Jerusalem
- Predicted Jews would never return to Jerusalem.
- Bible Response: Ezekiel 37:21 (NASB) says, “Thus says the Lord God, ‘Behold, I will take the sons of Israel from among the nations where they have gone, and I will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land.'”
Ellen G. White: False Prophet
Ellen G. White’s prophecies often failed to come true and contradicted the Bible. Deuteronomy 18:20-22 (NASB) provides the test for a true prophet: if their predictions do not come true, they are false. Her failed prophecies and doctrinal errors demonstrate that she is a false prophet.
The New Covenant and the Law
The Mosaic Law was external and failed because of human weakness. Jesus fulfilled the Law and established a New Covenant. Hebrews 8:10 (NASB) says, “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their minds, and I will write them on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” The New Covenant is based on the Law of Christ, written on believers’ hearts, not on the old Mosaic Law.
Conclusion
The teachings of the Seventh-day Adventist Church about Jesus and the gospel are not aligned with the Bible. Their doctrines often contradict Scripture, and their foundational prophet, Ellen G. White, made many false prophecies. Galatians 1:8-9 (NASB) warns, “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!” We must adhere to the true gospel as preached by the apostles and reject any teachings that deviate from the Word of God.
