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Adventism, Adventist, Amazing Facts, Christian, desire of ages, EGW, Ellen White, Former Adventist, Great Controversy, Millerism, Sabbath, Seventh-Day Adventism, Seventh-Day Adventist, Spirit of Prophecy
In actuality the count is much higher if you add in the additional 27–now 28–Fundamental Beliefs referenced. I’m talking about the requirements to be Baptized into the Seventh-Day Adventist Church.
When I was first baptized at the age of 12 and then later on in 2000 with my wife Kathe, we were required to take Baptism classes. I don’t quite recall how many times as a kid and also later as an adult I met with my pastor to go over the Seventh-Day Adventist Doctrines. By looking at the Baptismal Certificate and remembering the Question and Answer pamphlets I filled out the first time, I suspect there were at least 13 lessons or meetings.
In Seventh-Day Adventism membership is ONLY by Baptism or a confession of “faith”, a faith as it is defined by the Doctrines of Seventh-Day Adventism. Just try asking to be baptized into Seventh-Day Adventism and saying you believe only 12 of the 13, or 6 of the 13 or even just 1 of the 13 and see.
Some time during the Baptismal class or in front of the congregation, the Baptismal Candidate is asked to affirm their acceptance of these Vows in order to gain entrance.
This is why it is, at worst, a lie when someone tells you don’t have to believe ALL the doctrines to be a Seventh-Day Adventist. A Seventh-Day Adventist who tries to re-brand themselves with the label “Evangelical Seventh-Day Adventist“ because they claim to reject their unique SDA teachings such as (i) the Mark of the Beast is given to Christians because they go to church on the Lord’s Day (Sunday), or (ii) EGW is the SDA divinely inspired prophet, or (iii) weekly Jewish Sabbath observance is important for salvation , is really talking nonsense. They might as well say they are a “cat-dog-fish-bird“. It is non-sensical because the unique Seventh-Day Adventist beliefs are contrary to Scripture and to be an SDA per your oath you believe those things as true. You can’t gain admittance into Seventh-Day Adventism as an ala carte Baptismal Candidate yet somehow we are to believe you can earn a form of “tenure” once you are in? Again that, is nonsense.
My membership into the "Remnant Church of Bible Prophecy", Seventh-Day Adventism, supposedly had its privileges.
In contrast I when I signed up for Baptism Class at my Christian church I attended the one class. I was surprised as I assumed it would be deep in doctrine, wrong. Perhaps I was to read and sign something, an eight page statement of faith, or fundamental beliefs. Actually it was much deeper than that!
No doctrines just one question pass or fail, no notes, no study lessons, no binder with leaflets no ‘Do you promise to do this or that.’ Each student faced one question and the answer was in The Book each continues to study!
The next Lord’s Day, 50 of us adults, teens, & kids were Baptized not into a denomination but into THE BODY OF CHRIST!
Praise God for His grace and the simplicity of the Message
After dedicating a verse for me which he selected (2 Timothy 2:1) my pastor asked me the question to the Final exam again for all to hear my answer,
Pastor Tony, ‘Ben, Have you trusted in Christ alone as your personal savior?’
Me, ‘Yes in Christ ALONE!’
Pastor Tony, ‘Ben, based on your public confession of faith, I baptize you in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!
. . . genuine faith in Christ is the only thing needed prior to baptism. Praise God for his grace and the simplicity of the Message.
