What do Seventh-day Adventists believe?
Maybe you have Adventist family or friends, or you’re visiting an Adventist church, and you want to understand what they believe and how it compares.
Seventh-day Adventists share many core Christian beliefs: the Trinity, Jesus as God and Savior, His death and resurrection, salvation by grace and His second coming. Their distinctives are keeping the Sabbath on Saturday, teaching that the dead are unconscious until the resurrection (often called “soul sleep”), that the unrepentant are destroyed rather than suffering forever, and giving special authority to the writings of Ellen G. White. Become holds that the Sabbath is fulfilled in Christ, that believers go immediately to be with the Lord when they die (2 Corinthians 5:8), and that Scripture alone is our final authority.
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Jesus on the Sabbath
Jesus’ disciples were picking grain on the Sabbath, and the religious leaders objected. Jesus answered, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. Therefore the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath” (Mark 2:23–28). Jesus didn’t throw out rest. He showed that He Himself is the rest the Sabbath pointed to (Matthew 11:28).
Where Adventists and Become agree
One God in three persons. Jesus fully God and fully man. Salvation by grace through faith. The authority of Scripture. Jesus’ literal return. A strong emphasis on health, family and service, which we admire.
Where we differ
The Sabbath: Adventists worship on Saturday. We believe the Sabbath is fulfilled in Christ, and that believers may gather on the Lord’s day, Sunday, the day of the resurrection (Colossians 2:16–17; Romans 14:5–6; Acts 20:7).
After death: Adventists teach the dead are unconscious until the resurrection. We believe believers go immediately to be with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23; Luke 23:43).
Judgment: Adventists teach the unrepentant will be destroyed. We believe judgment is eternal (Matthew 25:46).
Authority: Adventists honor Ellen G. White as having a prophetic gift. We hold that Scripture alone is the final authority.
What the Bible says
- 01
Lord of the Sabbath.
“Then Jesus declared, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. Therefore, the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.””
Mark 2:27–28 - 02
A shadow of what was to come.
“Therefore let no one judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a feast, a New Moon, or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the body that casts it belongs to Christ.”
Colossians 2:16–17 - 03
One day or another.
“One person regards a certain day above the others, while someone else considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes a special day does so to the Lord; he who eats does so to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.”
Romans 14:5–6 - 04
At home with the Lord.
“We are confident, then, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.”
2 Corinthians 5:8 - 05
Eternal punishment, eternal life.
“And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.””
Matthew 25:46 - 06
Scripture is enough.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:16–17
Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.
If you have Adventist friends, ask them what Jesus means to them, and share what He means to you. Start from what you agree on.
Common questions
Are Seventh-day Adventists Christians?
Adventists affirm the core of the Christian faith, including the Trinity and salvation through Jesus. We differ on several important teachings.
Do Christians have to worship on Saturday?
No. The early church gathered on the first day of the week, the day Jesus rose (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2). Rest is a gift, and Jesus is Lord of every day.
Why don’t Adventists eat pork?
Many follow Old Testament food laws for health reasons. The New Testament teaches that all foods are clean (Mark 7:19; Acts 10:15), though healthy eating is wise.
Bring your real question.
Talk is a place on Become to ask anything, in your own words and your own language, any hour. No question is too honest.