The Seventh-day Adventist Church’s 28 Fundamental Beliefs are officially found in the Seventh-day Adventist Church Manual. These doctrinal beliefs summarize core biblical truths which all Seventh-day Adventists subscribe to. We typically study these doctrines in preparation for baptism. However, the Scriptural injunction which requires us to give a reason for our faith at all times (1 Peter 3:15) compels us to regularly refresh ourselves with our doctrinal beliefs.
In case you might struggle to remember what all our Fundamental Beliefs actually are, it is easier to remember that the 28 Fundamental Beliefs are actually grouped together in five major doctrinal beliefs: The Doctrine of God, the Doctrine of Humanity, the Doctrine of Salvation, the Doctrine of the Church and the Doctrine of Last Things/End Times. If we understand how our doctrinal beliefs are arranged, we can almost see a story emerge between the lines.
The Fundamental Beliefs begin with the doctrine of God. As such, the very first doctrine is (1) the Holy Scriptures, since it is the most reliable source of divine revelation. Scripture tells us of God, who is a (2) Trinity, a unity of three co-eternal and co-equal Persons composed of (3) The Father, (4) The Son and (5) The Holy Spirit.
The fundamental beliefs then explain the origin of humanity in (6) Creation. During Creation, God created everything perfectly. How and why did things go wrong then? The question of how is answered through the (7) Nature of Humanity, while the question of why is answered through (8) The Great Controversy.
Does this mean that all hope is lost for humanity now? Certainly not according to the doctrine of salvation. (9) The Life, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ provides a substitute and atonement for us and affords us an opportunity to (10) Experience Salvation. Salvation is not a once off or once-saved-always-saved kind of deal. The saved daily keeps (11) Growing in Christ through the process of justification and sanctification which leads to glorification.
Once saved, we are part of God’s family on earth. We join God’s church established on Jesus Christ, the solid rock (Matthew 16:18). So the doctrine of the church defines the (12) Church, and identifies the (13) Remnant and its Mission. In the remnant church there is (14) Unity in the Body of Christ, an inherent equality among all races, gender and social classes. The ordinances of (15) Baptism, through which we join the church, and (16) The Lord’s Supper, through which we continually renew our baptismal covenant with God, are also explained in our fundamental beliefs. All church members, through the Holy Spirit, are equipped and empowered with (17) Spiritual Gifts and Ministries which they should use to contribute to the spreading of the gospel. One of the spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit, is the (18) Gift of Prophecy, especially made manifest in the life and ministry of Ellen G. White.
Another identifying mark of the church is (19) The Law of God, in which is contained the (20) Sabbath. God’s church lives according to the divine precepts found in God’s unchangeable law and embraces God’s Sabbath as a perpetual sign between God and His people. Since creation, humanity was entrusted with gifts from God and therefore the church practices faithful (21) Stewardship. (22) Christian Behavior is addressed as well as God’s ideals for (23) Marriage and the Family.
The final doctrine of last day events shows how the sin problem brought about by the great controversy and the fall of humanity is eventually resolved in (24) Christ’s Ministry in the Heavenly Sanctuary. The events of human history climaxes with the (25) Second Coming of Christ when God will receive the redeemed unto Himself. Until then, (26) Death and Resurrection remains the lot of all people. Following the second coming and the resurrection of the righteous, we will personally experience and witness the (27) Millennium and the End of Sin. Finally comes our ‘happily ever after’ in God’s great story when the redeemed inhabit (28) The New Earth throughout all eternity.
As we can see, the 28 Fundamental Beliefs tell the story of God’s eternal love for humanity from creation to redemption. If our doctrinal beliefs teach us about God’s love for us, should we not regularly study for ourselves and share our wonderful message with all our family and friends? You can learn more about our 28 Fundamental Beliefs on these following online platforms:
1) Official Adventist Church Website: https://www.adventist.org/beliefs/
2) Explained by Dr Ted Wilson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3ZsESZgOSs&list=PL-k2Gb-DBYo8XAFQULNh6UD0afT4K4fV3
3) Short clips: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFjt_sBii3w&list=PL-k2Gb-DBYo-T5daQ1F6DahenT43il_xA&index=1
4) Amazing Facts Bible Studies: https://www.amazingfacts.org/media-library/read/c/2/t/bible-study-guides
