What's in a name?

Our denominational name is Seventh-day Adventist Church. But where did our name come from? Does our name have meaning? And does it matter how we spell our name? Let’s see what we may learn from the history of our Church’s name.

During the early days of our church history, many disappointed Adventists resisted any form of church organization, believing that organized churches were Babylon. The Whites, however, advocated for church organization since 1853, referring to it as the “gospel order.” Several challenges propelled the church to organize, including, among others, the need to incorporate legally in order to hold title deeds and insurances for their worship properties and institutions such as the publishing house. It became a serious problem when faithful Adventist Sabbatarians died and their children, who inherited their properties, were not always favourable to the Church and evicted the church in order to use these properties for their personal benefit.

Incorporation required a name. James White raised the question of selecting a name for the church in February 1860. R. F. Cottrell vigorously opposed this idea believing that wanting “to make a name for ourselves” lies at the foundation of Babylon (cf. Genesis 11:4). He argued that they should trust God for any losses sustained and that God would repay them. James White, on the other hand, responded by saying that “if God in his everlasting word calls on us to act the part of faithful stewards of his goods, we had better attend to these matters in a legal manner.”

Consequently, a session was called in Battle Creek in 1860 which accomplished three forward steps in favour of church organization: the first was the adoption of a constitution for legal incorporation; the second was for local churches to organize formally in order to hold their properties; and the third was the selection of a denominational name. Several names were proffered including “Seventh day people,” “Seventh-day Doorshutters,” “Sabbath-keeping Adventists,” and “Shut-door Seventh-day Sabbath and Annihilationists.” One of the most favored names was “Church of God.” This name was ultimately rejected because many other denominational church groups already used it.

Finally, Davis Hewitt moved the name “Seventh-day Adventists.” His motion carried and it became the name of our Church. During the entire session, Ellen White remained silent on the subject but later commented by saying:

“The name Seventh-day Adventist is a standing rebuke to the Protestant world. Here is the line of distinction between the worshipers of God and those who worship the beast and receive his mark….

The name Seventh-day Adventist carries the true features of our faith in front, and will convict the inquiring mind. Like an arrow from the Lord’s quiver, it will wound the transgressors of God’s law, and will lead to repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, p. 223).

It is important to note that the name of our Church is appropriately spelled “Seventh-day Adventist Church,” and not “Seventh day,” “Seventh Day,” “Seventh-Day” or any other variant form. When using capital letters only, it is acceptable to write the name as “SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH.” Let’s take pride in our denominational name and carry it with us as a witness of our faith. Ellen White said it best, “We are Seventh-day Adventists. Are we ashamed of our name? We answer, No, no! We are not. It is the name the Lord has given us. It points out the truth that is to be the test of the churches” (Letter 110, 1902).

Note: For more information about the organizing of our Church, read the following books:

Knight, George, R. Organizing to Beat the Devil. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald, 2001.

Schwarz, Richard W., and Floyd Greenlead. Light Bearers. Nampa, ID: Pacific Press, 1995.