Changing my denomination?

[Fraught]

Perhaps i'll be kicked off this forum, but i am truly considering converting to a seventh day adventist church. It will not be an impulsive choice. Here is what has happened:

I have been praying for wisdom and insight for some time. Certain traditional preachings i haven't been able to accept after many many sermons preached in their favor. Other things i do believe as truth, i can't hear a sermon on no matter what preacher i try to listen to.

I finally heard this weekend some adventist sermons. I don't know everything about them yet, but i am taking it under serious consideration and would ask for prayer and godly counsel in this matter.

[artsylady]

I don't know anything about the 7th day adventists other than they worship Saturday as opposed to Sunday. Can you explain more? Praying for wisdom in your decision.

And remember, there is always SOME truth to every religion in the world as well as every denomination.

[OneLight]

Perhaps i'll be kicked off this forum, but i am truly considering converting to a seventh day adventist church. It will not be an impulsive choice. Here is what has happened:

I have been praying for wisdom and insight for some time. Certain traditional preachings i haven't been able to accept after many many sermons preached in their favor. Other things i do believe as truth, i can't hear a sermon on no matter what preacher i try to listen to.

I finally heard this weekend some adventist sermons. I don't know everything about them yet, but i am taking it under serious consideration and would ask for prayer and godly counsel in this matter.

They are very legalistic. I would suggest that you take the time to do a complete study, the pro's and con's of their belief system and history. There are many sites that are available for you to read. There are also many book written about them.

One thing that my research has shown me is that they believe that Jesus Christ bore the title of Michael the archangel before He came to earth as Jesus. (Questions on Doctrine, 71)

You would be wise to lean and understand who their prominent figures were, those who the doctrines followed. Ellen G. White is considered an inspired prophetess among the SDA. In their Fundamental Beliefs, you will see the following:

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.)

Be wise, my friend, and so take the necessary time to research them.

God Bless,

Alan

[artsylady]

You are a very intelligent person so I know you will make the right decision. Look up criticisms of the church and weigh it all prayerfully and Biblically.

One thing that stands out in my very short research (all of 5 minutes for lack of time!) is that the religion was founded based by a woman, Ellen White, who had new revelations? We have the Bible in it's entirety and it seems when a new religion starts because a person SINCE the writings of the Bible has seen some sort of new light, or revelation, a red flag is raised. Joseph Smith, Constantine, Mohammed and a whole host of others have founded religions bringing new 'revelations' based on the Bible, but also extraneous to the Bible, or to previous beliefs based on the Bible.

[Smalcald]

My uncle is a SDA minister so if you want to talk about them I can a little.

The Ellen White stuff in my opinion is a little creepy. But outside of that they know their bible, they are close knit, they will push tithing, I hope you don't like pork or shellfish or coffee or beer, although vegetarianism is not required, if you want to be in good status with them you will not eat meat.

They will do foot washing, which I like, of course there is the Sabbath rules, at one time they believed that Sabbath breakers would not be saved, however I do not believe that is doctrine today at all, so check them out.

I also do not like the fact that they are essentially pro-choice from what I can tell, they are really into medical stuff with Loma Linda and all of that.

Those are just some random thoughts. In your research check out the abortion issue for me if you will, I could never get a straight answer out of them or got conflicting answers, so I don't know what current doctrine is on the practice.

[Smalcald]

Oh I found it.

http://www.adventist.org/beliefs/guidelines/main_guide1.html

They are pro-choice and thier hospitals peform abortions...

[WayneB]

They are pro-choice and thier hospitals peform abortions...

But yet they refrain from eating pork, shellfish, coffee and beer?

Sort of a RED FLAG for me...

I honestly don't know why people feel the need to convert to a "denomination", though. I converted once and for all and it was to follow Jesus Christ who revealed Himself to us through His Word and the Holy Spirit. Jesus spoke clearly from the Cross of our salvation that the work of our redemption was done; when HE said..."It is finished" and then gave up HIS spirit. The victory over Satan and death has been won! There is nothing else to be done! HE did it ALL at Calvary!!!

Before you "convert" to the SDA, I strongly advise you to research their doctrine regarding Justification and Salvation and not base your decision on a few "feel good" sermons.

[nebula]

They have good points and bad points like any denomination.

What bothers me the most about them is they have the kind of exclusive attitude you see with cults - the "we are the true Church" mentality that is.

Be wary.

[Believer1997]

They have good points and bad points like any denomination.

What bothers me the most about them is they have the kind of exclusive attitude you see with cults - the "we are the true Church" mentality that is.

Be wary.

Exactly!!! They have some very conflicting ideas (imo) and I know that once you get 'in'... it is hard to get 'out'. I know someone who had a bad experience leaving the church.

[elkieDannsa' Air An Drochaid]

In past their "prophecy" included the date of the end of time,ie. Christ's Second coming , which was wrong, of course,(thus name "Seventh Day Advent" their end date was readily preached !) I hope you really do research them out. Beyond legalistic, teachings don't match up with Scripture.

The following Scripture how to identify a false prophet:

Deut.18:21,22

And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken?

When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not(*does not come true),nor come to pass, that [is}the thing which the LORD hath not spoken,[but] the prophet hath spoken presumptously:thou shalt not be afraid of him. -KJV

We can see if such "prophets" people follow and start new groups from are not of God if what they say does not take place or come true, then they are false and we are not to follow them. There were similar groups started in that time period fortelling the end date (WHICH BIBLES SAYS ONLY GOD KNOWS)and falsely teaching Michael the Arcangel was Jesus ,(totally unBiblical)as the Jehovah's Witnesses.

~~~~~~Follow that which is founded on Christ.~~~~~~~

NIV; Deu 18:21 You may say to yourselves, "How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the Lord?"

Deu 18:22 If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him.