Seventh-day Adventist Frequently Asked Questions

Myths About Adventism

All SDA's are Vegetarians

False:  Not all Adventist's are vegetarian, and vegetarianism is not a required practice by the Adventist Church. Many Adventist are vegetarian but this is a personal choice, although the vegetarian lifestyle is recommended by the SDA Church. While SDA's are not vegetarian, the SDA Church does teach that one must abide by the Levitical Dietary Laws (Leviticus 11), which require abstaining from pork, shrimp, and shellfish among other foods These practices are followed because SDA's believe that these laws were never repealed for Christians.

SDA's don't believe in blood transfusions. 

False:  Adventist's run large health care systems and are often on the cutting edge of technology in the health field. Loma Linda Hosptial is an example of one of the priemier Adventist Medical Centers. Adventist's embrace all ethical medical treatments including blood transfusions.

SDA's consider Ellen G. White's writings to be scripture.

False:  Adventist's consider many Ellen G. White's (EGW) writings to be inspired, however, the church does not teach that her writings are equal with scripture in content or authority. There are some Adventists and some splinter groups that certainly do over emphasize the writings of EGW, however, the mainstream Church discourages this to a point. Having said this, however, it is important to note that her writings certainly do play a large part in the daily life and study of many devout Adventists, and her writings are cited liberally in Adventist writings.

The official SDA belief about EGW is:

18. The Gift of Prophecy:
One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is prophecy. This gift is an identifying mark of the remnant church and was manifested in the ministry of Ellen. G. White . As the Lord's messenger, her writings are a continuing and authoritative source of truth which provide for the church comfort, guidance, instruction, and correction. They also make clear that the Bible is the standard by which all teaching and experience must be tested. (Joel 2:28, 29; Acts 2:14-21; Heb. 1:1-3; Rev. 12:17; 19:10.) (http://www.adventist.org/beliefs/fundamental/index.html)

The SDA Church was founded by Ellen G. White

False: The Seventh-Day Adventist Church was founded by a group of people in the year 1863, almost 20 years after Ellen White claimed to have received visions. While her influence as a leader, and one who was considered to have the gift of prophecy, cannot be ignored, she was only one of a number of founders of the Adventist church. Ellen White was given a ministerial license but never served as an ordained minister in the SDA Church.

Adventist's get their doctrines from the writings of Ellen G. White

 Mostly False : Adventist's pride themselves on having an extensive list of Biblical proof texts for their doctrines. Most SDA's doctrines are based on their understanding and interpretation of specific passages of scripture. However, there are doctrines such as the Investigative Judgement, and their End of Times scenario's, which have less than adequate scriptural support. It is in these doctrines that the influence of Ellen G. White AND the early SDA leaders are most pronounced. Adventists officially teach the doctrine of Sola Scriptura.

Adventism is a Cult

False:  The Catholic Church officially recognizes that baptism and wedding ceremonies of the Adventist Church as valid Christian sacraments, and the SDA Church as a Christian denomination. Their peculiar beliefs place them on the fringes of Christianity, but the official teachings of the SDA Church are essentially Christian. Having said that, it is important to realize that with a leader/prophetess such as Ellen G. White, it is easy for some members to cross the line from Christianity to a form of the religion which would not be considered Christian.



Adventist Frequently Asked Questions


Q - Are SDA's Vegetarian?

A - Many SDA's are vegetarian, this is the diet recommended by the SDA Church. It is not required that one be vegetarian, however, to be a member of the Church. The reason for the recommendation is due to the healthy benefits of the vegetarian lifestyle.


Q - Do SDA's eat pork?

A - No, Adventists do not eat pork. Seventh-Day Adventists keep the dietary laws given in Leviticus 11, which were given to the Israelites by Moses. These dietary laws prohibit the consumption of pork, lobster, shrimp, and several other foods. Adventist's usually teach that this is done as a Biblical command which is still binding, however, more recently, some have related that it is more of a health choice.


Q - Are SDA's Democratic?

A - Yes, the SDA Church is ruled by a General Conference, the primary officers of which are voted into office by representatives of the church from around the world. 


Q - How is the Church Structured?

A - The Adventist Church has five primary organizational divisions.  The most basic organizational unit is the Church.  The local Church is governed by a Church board, the members of which are the heads of departments, which have been appointed by vote of the congregation, except for the Pastor, who is the chairman of the board, and who works for the conference. 

The Conference is a group of churches in a certain geographical area.  In the US this generally represents a state or a portion of a state if there is a large population.  I reside within the area of the Nevada-Utah Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists. 

The Union is the next organizational layer, and is composed of several conferences.  These are usually large regional area's.  I reside within the area of the Pacific Union. 

The Division is a organizational layer which is composed of several Unions, a Division is usually multi-national or continental.  I resude within the area of the North American Divison. 

Finally, the General Conference is the body within the Church which governs the world SDA Church.  The General Conference is located in Silver Spring, Maryland, and is the highest level of organization within the Adventist Church.


Q - What Ordinations do Adventist's recognize?

A - The Adventist Church has three primary ordinations, the first, that of the deacon, is performed at the local church by the Elders and Pastor of that Church.  The deacon's primary charge is to care for the physical needs of the Church, including those in the congregation who need help. 

Second, the Adventist Church ordains local elders at each congregation, these elders are ordained by the local pastor and the existing elders of that congregation.  Elders are generally appointed by a vote.  Elders are charged to be teachers and ministers, but not at the same level as the Pastor. 

Finally, there are ordained ministers.  Ordained ministers, or pastors, have only the office of an elder but are charged with the primary pastoral role in the Church as well as the primary administrative responsibilities.  In most circumstances, only the ordained minister can marry and baptize. 

Adventist's do not recognize the ordination of women, however, some divisions, such as the North American Divison, have created a newer role, called the credentialed minister, which can be male or female and has all the same responsibilities as an ordained minister.  


Q - Why Do SDA's go to church on Saturday?

A - Adventists believe that the seventh day sabbath was instituted at creation and reaffirmed in the ten commandments. Adventist's believe that the Sabbath was not only given to the Jews but to all mankind, and therefore is still binding on all Christians today. Adventist's observe the Sabbath from sundown on Friday night through sundown on Saturday night, in their own locale.


Q - Do Adventist's believe the Old Covenant was done away with?

A - Adventists do believe that the Old Covenant was done away with at the cross, but draw a distinction between the "ceremonial" law and the "moral" law. Adventist's believe the ceremonial laws did cease to be binding at the cross, however, the moral law (10 commandments) continued to be binging on all Christians. Also, SDA's often teach that the covenant was actually the agreement of the Israelites to keep Gods commandments, not the commandments themselves.


Q - What do Adventists do on their Sabbath?

A - The Adventist's Sabbath is their primary day of worship and rest. Most Adventists do not watch TV, listen to the radio, or shop from sundown Friday through sundown Saturday. During this time, they devote themselves to fellowship at church, studying, family, and helping others.

Note: For official guidelines on how Adventist's should keep the Sabbath, please click here!


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