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Study Section 16: Distinguishing Doctrines of the Adventist Church

16.1 Connect.

The major distinguishing doctrines of the Adventist Church come from the teachings and
writings of Ellen G. White. She more or less is the prophet who interprets the meaning of
Scripture for the Church. Some Adventists have distanced themselves from her writings while
others observe them very carefully. Today we will look at some of the doctrines of the Adventist
Church that are distinguishing them among other Christian denominations.

16.2 Objectives.

1. The student should be able to Understand what Adventists teach about the soul of man and
eternity.

2. The student should be able to Understand what Adventists believe about Christ’s nature.

3. The student should be able to clearly differentiate between what Adventists believe about the
atonement of Christ and what the Bible declares.

16.3 Let’s Review the Distinguishing Doctrines of the SDA Church.

Mankind – Seventh Day Adventists do not believe that the whole man or any part of him is
inherently "immortal" (Q.D., p. 518). SDAs believe in "soul sleep" for the saved (i.e., no
conscious existence from the time of death until the resurrection), and annihilation for the
wicked (i.e., the body and soul are destroyed at death rather than experiencing everlasting
torment). How, then, can one get to heaven?: SDAs believe that one can have immortality only
on the condition that he comes to Christ through Ellen G. White; i.e., a works program, following
salvation by grace with light of revelation through Ellen G. White as the infallible guide to Holy Scripture,
apart from which one cannot have immortality. Then, at resurrection day, the body will be re-created
(necessary because of soul sleep) for all those who believe in White's guidance and teachings (while
non-SDAs will remain in "soul sleep" forever; i.e., will cease to exist [annihilated] and will not suffer
everlasting torment).

What does God’s Word say about everlasting torment?

1. The place of disembodied spirits. Acts 2:31.
a. Which Christ visited. Luke 23:43; Acts 2:31; 1Peter 3:19.
b. Contains, a place of rest, Abraham’s bosom. Luke 16:23.
c. Paradise. Luke 23:43.
d. And a place of torment. Luke 16:23.
2. The place of future punishment
a. Destruction from the presence of God. 2Thess. 1:9.
3. Described as
a. Everlasting punishment. Matthew 25:46.
b. Everlasting fire. Matthew 25:41.

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