Summary of Doctrinal Statements
The Holy Scriptures
The Holy Scriptures –both Old and New Testaments-- is the written Word of God, given by divine inspiration through holy men who spoke and wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit 2Peter 1:20, 21. In this Word, God has committed to man the knowledge necessary for salvation 2Tim. 3:15. The Holy Scriptures are the infallible revelation of His will Num. 23:19. They are the standard of character John 17:17, the test of experience Heb. 4:12; 1Thess. 2:13, the authoritative revealer of doctrines 2Tim. 3:16, 17; Isa. 8:20, and the trustworthy record of God's acts in history Rom. 15:4; Psa. 119:160. God has committed Himself to preserving His Word Psa. 12:5,6 and places a curse on those who would tamper with it Rev. 22:18,19. We believe that the King James Version 1611, based on the Masoretic Text, and the Textus Receptus is the most accurate version of the Bible in the English language today.
The Godhead
There is one God Deut. 6:4: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a unity of three eternal Persons Matt. 28:19; 2Cor. 13:14;1 Peter 1:2. God is immortal 1Tim. 1:17, all-powerful Jer. 32:27, all-knowing Isa. 46:9,10, above all Eph. 4:4-6, and omni-present Psa. 139:7-12. He is infinite and beyond human comprehension Job 11:7-9, yet known through His self-revelation John 1:18; John 14:8,9. He is forever worthy of worship, adoration, and service by the whole creation Rev. 5:11-13. The Holy Spirit is the third Divine Person of the Godhead and all new believers are to baptized in the name of Father, Son and Holy Ghost Acts 5:3,4; Luke 3:21,22; Matt. 28:19.
The Nature of Christ
His Divine Nature: Jesus Christ was the “Word” that existed in the beginning and became flesh and dwelt among men John 1:1-3,14. In Christ dwelt “all the fullness of the Godhead bodily” Col. 2:9. Jesus declared His oneness with the Father John 10:30. The Father Himself testified of the Godhood of His Son Heb. 1:8. Jesus’ divinity is evidenced by both His creative power Heb. 1:2; John 1:3 and His eternal nature John 8:58; John 17:5. Twenty eight times in the four Gospels, Jesus is referred to as the “Son of God”.
His Human Nature: Jesus --God’s divine Son-- became a man with the same frail humanity common to all men Hebrews 2:16-17; Gal 4:4; Rom. 8:3. Mary was the “mother of Jesus” John 2:1,3; Acts 1:14; and not a surrogate parent –but passed on real human genes to her Child. Yet Jesus was untouched by the taint of sin 1Pet. 2:22; John 14:30. Eighty four times in the four Gospels, Jesus is referred to as the “Son of man”. His humanity sets forth an example of what man, by God’s grace, may become 1Pet.2:21-23; 1John 2:6.
The Law of God
The great principles of God's law are embodied in the Ten Commandments Ex. 20:1-17 and are exemplified in the life of Christ Rom. 10:4; Psa. 119:172. This law was not done away at the Cross but is eternal Matt. 5:17-20; Psa. 119:142; Psa. 100:5. They express God's love Rom. 13:8-10, His will Ps. 40:7, 8, and purposes concerning human conduct Gal. 5:14. These precepts are the basis of God's covenant with His people Heb. 8:8-10 and the standard in God's judgment James 2:12. Through the agency of the Holy Spirit the Ten Commandments point out sin 1John 3:4; Rom. 7:7; John 16:7,8 and like the ceremonial law, they awaken a sense of need for a Saviour Gal. 3:24. Salvation is all of grace and not of works, but its fruitage is faith-inspired works of obedience Eph. 2:8-10; James 2:17-20. This obedience develops Christian character Ps. 19:7-14 and results in a sense of well-being Psa. 119:165. It is an evidence of our love for the Lord and our concern for our fellow men Matt. 22:36-40. The obedience of faith demonstrates the power of Christ to transform lives, and therefore strengthens Christian witness Rom. 8:3, 4; James 2:18,21-26.
State of The Dead
Death is an unconscious state where no earthly thoughts, feelings, deeds, knowledge or wisdom survive Eccl. 9:5, 6,10; Ps. 146:3, 4. The dead are not in Heaven praising the Lord Psa. 115:16-18. This unconscious state is also referred to as “sleep” John 11:11-14. God alone possesses immortality1Tim. 6:15,16 but He will bestow immortality upon the redeemed when He appears at the Second Coming1Cor. 15:51-54. At Jesus Second Coming the righteous dead (who are raised from their sleep) and the living righteous (who have never died) will be glorified and caught up to meet their Lord in the air1Thess. 4:13-17. This is the first resurrection John 11:21-24. The wicked, who have died, will continue to sleep in the grave until the second resurrection which will take place a thousand years later John 5:28, 29; Rev. 20:1-10.
The Three Angels Message
The last time that the word “Gospel” is mentioned in the Scriptures is in the Three Angels Messages found in Revelation 14:6-12. The good tidings of the Gospel center in Jesus’ life, death and resurrection which He wrought out to redeem men from sin 1Cor. 15:1-4 both individual and corporate. The First Angel brings to light the necessity of man cooperating with Jesus in His ministry of removing personal sin Matt. 1:21; John 2:1-6 through the triple duties of respecting God Pro. 8:13, glorifying God John 15:8 and worshipping God John 4:24. It emphasizes that these duties are especially important because the time of God’s Judgment has arrived Rev. 14:7. The Second Angel highlights Jesus ministry of separating the redeemed from collective, denominational sin 2Cor. 6:14-18, Amos 3:3. The Second Angel warns against receiving erroneous religious doctrines, which it likens unto wine Isa. 28:7-10. The Third Angel warns against reverencing and obeying the leading characters in Satan’s destructive work of the last days --the Beast power …the Papacy Rev. 13:1-10 and the Image of the Beast, the Ecumenical movement Rev. 13:11-15; Isa. 8:9-13. This Angel warns against accepting the spurious Sunday Sabbath which will eventually become the great test for mankind. This angel depicts the fearful consequences which will be reaped by all who worship Satan through these agencies Rev. 14:9-12. The Third Angel closes by pointing the world to the Heaven-appointed agencies for sanctifying a people in preparation for the Lord’s soon return—the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus Rev. 14:12; Isaiah 4:1, 2Peter 3:10-14.
The Sanctuary Message
The Gospel was preached to the Jews in Old Testament times as well as in the days of Paul Heb. 4:2. This true Gospel, described in the OT rites and symbols of the ceremonial law, revolved around animal sacrifices, a Sanctuary and a priestly ministry. This sacrificial service described in Exodus and Leviticus, was a type of the Heavenly and the true service described in Daniel, Revelation and Hebrews. We refer to this Gospel as The Sanctuary Message. The Scriptures teach that both the Tabernacle built by Moses and His helpers, as well as the Temple given to David, and later built by Solomon and his assistants, were constructed according to patterns God had shown them Ex. 25:9,40; 1Chron. 28:19. This OT Sanctuary and its services were representations of “the true” Heb. 9:22-24. Paul points everyone to the Sanctuary in Heaven, the True Tabernacle which the Lord set up and not man Heb. 8:1-5. In it Christ ministers on our behalf Heb. 4:14-16, making available to believers the benefits of His atoning sacrifice offered once for all on the cross Heb. 9:11-28. After His ascension Jesus was inaugurated as our great High Priest and began His intercessory ministry Rom. 8:34; Col. 3:1. In 1844, at the end of the prophetic period of 2300 days, He entered the second and last phase of His atoning ministry Dan. 7:9-27; 8:13, 14; 9:24-27 Num. 14:34; Eze. 4:6. This second phase of His High Priestly ministry will include a work of investigative judgment which is part of the ultimate disposition of all sin Matt. 22:1-14; Matt. 13: 47-50. In the OT Scriptures the Judgment of God’s people was typified by the cleansing of the ancient Hebrew Sanctuary on the Day of Atonement Lev. 16:1-34. In that typical service the Sanctuary was cleansed with the blood of animal sacrifices, but the heavenly things are purified with the perfect sacrifice of the blood of Jesus Heb. 9:22-26. This judgment vindicates the justice of God in saving those who believe in Jesus Rev. 14:6, 7. It declares that those who have remained loyal to God shall receive the kingdom Dan. 7:13,14; Dan. 7:21,22. The completion of this ministry of Christ will mark the close of human probation before the Second Advent Rev. 20:12; 14:12; 22:12.
The Lord's Supper
The Lord's Supper is a participation in the emblems of the body and blood of Jesus as an expression of faith in Him, as Lord and Savior Matt. 26:17-30. As believers partake worthily, they joyfully proclaim the Lord's death until He comes again1Cor. 11:23-30. Preparation for the Supper includes self-examination, repentance, and confession John 6:48-63; 1Cor. 11:28. The Master ordained the service of foot washing to signify renewed cleansing of the heart from pride and selfishness, and to express a re-commitment to serve one another in Christ-like humility John 13:1-17. The communion service is open to all believing Christians Rev. 3:20.
The Gift of Prophecy
The Bible contains the character-perfecting principles of doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness 2 Tim. 3:16,17. The Holy Scriptures are their own expositor and are not to be interpreted privately 2Pet. 1:20. We are to request the aid of the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth John 16:13; Luke 11:13. The Bible itself predicted a future time when God would send prophetic messages to His people and that a special prophetic gift would be manifested within His commandment-keeping people during the last days of this earth’s history Joel 2:28; Rev. 12:17; Rev. 19:10; 1Cor. 12:1,8-11. Because false prophets are gone out into the world, we are commanded by God to test a prophet’s messages, predictions, and fruits by the word of God; and only as he or she passes these tests, are we safe in believing that the messages are from God Matt. 24:11; 1John 4:1; Isa. 8:20; 1Cor. 14:32; Deut. 18:21,22; Matt. 7:20. Once authenticated, the messages sent to His people through a more recent prophetic messenger are also Spirit-inspired and have authority in the church of God based upon the principle that God does not change Mal. 3:6; Eccl. 3:15; Heb. 13:8. In harmony with all the above principles, we have tested and accepted the messages of Ellen G. White referred to as the Spirit of Prophecy as being inspired by God and recommend, teach, and practice the counsels of God within these messages. Thus, we govern our lives by the principles of the Bible and Spirit of prophecy Rev. 12:17; Rev.19:10; Joel 2:28, 29.
Education
God is the one who is to instruct and teach His people Psa. 32:8; Isaiah 54:13. In True Education the Christian is admonished to learn more about Christ’s character Matt.11:28-30. This education will teach God’s people how to set their affection on things above Col. 3:1-3. It will cause minds to dwell on that which true and honest, pure and lovely Phil 4:8. In contrast, False Education will lead minds to the philosophies and traditions of men Col. 2:8; Matt. 15:9. It will cause minds to imbibe principles of the flesh, such as idolatry, variance and emulation Gal. 5:19-21. False Education will work contrary to the plain teachings of the Scripture by causing the student to set their affection on the things of this world 1John 2:15-17. True Education will always implant and cultivate the mind and character of Christ within each student Phil 2:5-8. With some Spirit-guided exceptions, the Scriptures appear to counsel against sending students to educational institutions secular or religious, which promotes curriculum and employs faculty that work at cross purposes to the development of a symmetrical Christian character Amos 3:3; Ephes. 5:11.
Health Reform
The Holy Scriptures teach that God dwells in the body of each converted Christian 2Cor. 6:16; Heb. 3:5,6. It teaches that God intends that every believer should glorify Him in both body and spirit 1Cor. 6:19,20. So serious is this responsibility, that Paul declares that any one who knowingly destroys the temple God has loaned them --if they do not repent-- will ultimately be destroyed 1Cor. 3:16,17. The Scriptures teach that all true healing comes from God and that obeying both His voice and His commandments are a prerequisite to preventing disease Psa. 103:2,3; Ex. 15:26. Some of these divine laws are: Keeping appetite under strict control Pro. 23:1,2. Abstaining from unclean meats and things strangled Deut. 14:1-20; Isa. 66:15-17; Acts 15:28,29. Abstaining from fornication and other carnal practices “which war against the soul 1Cor. 6:13,18; 1Pet. 2:11. Abstaining from alcoholic beverages and intoxicating foods Pro. 23:29-32; Eccles. 10:17. The Scriptures teach, that in most cases, people are sick because they are following in the footprints of the paralytic of Bethesda, and thus their sickness is a result of their own transgression John 5:14. The Bible teaches that physical health is not a peripheral subject, but part of God’s means of saving souls in every nation Psa. 67:1,2. Because sickness clouds the mind and hinders the revelation of God’s glory, a large portion of Jesus time was properly spent in eradicating disease Matt. 4:23,24. Because Jesus came to save the “whole man” and commanded His disciples to walk as He walked 1John 2:6 we accept that the Gospel commission positively enjoins every follower of Christ to combine the work of physical healing with the introduction of the life-changing truths of the Bible Mark 16:15-18; Matt. 10:7,8.
Christian Dress and Adornment
The Bible principles of dress admonish men and women to dress modestly 1Tim. 2:9,10 because nakedness brings shame Ex. 32:25, Isa. 47:1-3. God revealed His will when He replaced Adam and Eve’s aprons with coats that concealed the flesh and form Gen. 3:21. Appropriate dress will also help to equalize circulation and protect the body from taking chill Pro. 31:21 (marginal reading) Acts 12:8. The Bible teaches that the dress habits which Heaven approves will show a clear distinction between the sexes Deut. 22:5. The Holy Scriptures teach that God’s people should not adorn themselves with gold, fancy braids of showy apparel which will attract attention to “self”. They should rather put on the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit 1Pet. 3:1-4.
Music
It is our belief that music was created to be used for the worship and praise of God Psa. 92:1-3; Psa. 100:1,2. Acceptable music consists of spiritual hymns, psalms and spiritual songs based on the Holy Bible Eph. 5:19; Col 3:16. The Bible sets forth God’s works, His goodness, His holiness and His redemption as examples of appropriate themes of song 1Chr. 16:9; Psa. 13:6; Psa. 30:4; Jer. 20:13. Music can affect the mood and spirit 1Sam. 16:14-16,23. In Heaven Lucifer was evidently a master musician and even had “tabrets” and “pipes” prepared in him. In the idolatrous worship which took place in ancient Babylon music was used to communicate to the masses that it was time to “bow down” to false gods Dan. 3:4-6. Any music that promotes idolatry, advances inappropriate themes, or employs excessive percussion to stimulate the senses should be excluded from our homes and houses of worship.
The Feast Days
The Holy Scriptures teach that the laws contained in ordinances requiring the observance of the seven annual feasts was nailed to the Cross and should not be observed today Col. 2:13,14. While we acknowledge that all the feasts of the Old Covenant typified chronological events in the Plan of Redemption Lev. 23:4-44 --some of which have not met their antitype-- the Bible clearly commands that the observation of every feast required some literal, sacrificial offering including animals, flour, and wine. Because Christ’s death on the Cross in A.D. 31fulfilled the purpose of all these literal, typical sacrifices, the Church after the Cross is free from observing the literal types and should turn her attention to the spiritual, antitypical fulfillments of these events. Heaven signaled to the world that the earthly services were no longer to be observed –that the earthly Temple precincts were no longer sacred-- by the tearing of the veil at the moment of Christ’s death Matt. 27:50,51. Hebrews chapter nine clearly sets forth the transition from the type (shadow) to the antitype (substance). Here the Scriptures teach that when the earthly High Priest ministered in the first and second part of the Tabernacle, the Holy Spirit was signifying that the way into the holiest (of the Heavenly Temple) was not yet manifested, but when Christ became a High Priest in the “greater and more perfect Tabernacle”, this ministration was not accomplished by the offering of “the blood of goats and calves”, but was made effective by His own blood Heb. 9:6-14.
The Name of God
The Holy Bible teaches that all Scripture is given by inspiration of God and was written by Holy men who were moved by the Holy Ghost 2Tim. 3:16,17; 2Pet. 1:20,21. This would include the names used for God in both the Old and New Testament (KJV). It is not necessary for English-speaking people to use the Hebrew and Greek names for God. The Holy Scriptures teach that in the name of Jesus believers were baptized Acts 2:38, the sick were healed Acts 3:6, and demons were cast out Acts 16:18. Paul declares that the Son has been given a name that is above every name, and that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow Phil. 2:9,10. The remnant Church of the last days is portrayed in prophecy as having the testimony of Jesus Rev. 12:17; Rev. 19:10.