God
Holy Scriptures • The Trinity • God the Father • God the Son • God the Holy Spirit
Holy Scriptures
The Holy Scriptures, Old and New Testaments, are the written Word of God — the infallible revelation of His will and the authoritative revealer of doctrines. They are the standard of character, the test of experience, the definitive revealer of doctrines, and the trustworthy record of God's acts in history.
Ps. 119:105; Prov. 30:5, 6; Isa. 8:20; John 17:17; 1 Thess. 2:13; 2 Tim. 3:16, 17; Heb. 4:12; 2 Peter 1:20, 21.
The Trinity
There is one God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — a unity of three co-eternal Persons. God is immortal, all-powerful, all-knowing, above all, and ever-present. Each Person of the Trinity is fully divine and works together in perfect unity for the creation, redemption, and restoration of humanity.
Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14; Eph. 4:4-6; 1 Peter 1:2.
God the Father
God the eternal Father is the Creator, Sustainer, and Sovereign of all creation. He is just and holy, merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. The qualities and powers exhibited in the Son and the Holy Spirit are also revelations of the Father.
Gen. 1:1; Rev. 4:11; 1 Cor. 15:28; John 3:16; 1 John 4:8; 1 Tim. 1:17; Ex. 34:6, 7; John 14:9.
God the Son — Jesus Christ
God the eternal Son became incarnate in Jesus Christ. Through Him all things were created, the character of God is revealed, the salvation of humanity is accomplished, and the world is judged. He was truly God and truly human, rose bodily from the dead, ascended to heaven, and will return in glory.
John 1:1-3, 14; Col. 1:15-19; John 10:30; 14:9; Rom. 6:23; 2 Cor. 5:17-19; John 5:22; Luke 1:35; Phil. 2:5-11; Heb. 2:9-18; 1 Cor. 15:3, 4; Heb. 8:1, 2; John 14:1-3.
God the Holy Spirit
God the eternal Spirit was active with the Father and the Son in Creation, incarnation, and redemption. He inspired the writers of Scripture, filled Christ's life with power, draws and convicts human beings, and bestows spiritual gifts on the Church and empowers it to bear witness.
Gen. 1:1, 2; Luke 1:35; 4:18; Acts 10:38; 2 Peter 1:21; 2 Cor. 3:18; Eph. 4:11, 12; Acts 1:8; John 14:16-18, 26; 15:26, 27; 16:7-13.
Humanity
Creation • Nature of Humanity
Creation
God is the Creator of all things, and has revealed in Scripture the authentic account of His creative activity. In six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth and rested on the seventh day of that first week. The Sabbath memorial of Creation calls us to revere God as Creator and Sustainer.
Gen. 1-2; Ex. 20:8-11; Ps. 19:1-6; 33:6, 9; 104; Heb. 11:3; Rev. 10:6; 14:7.
Nature of Humanity
Man and woman were made in the image of God with individuality, the power and freedom to think and to do. Each person is an indivisible unity of body, mind, and spirit — dependent on God for life, breath, and all else. When our first parents disobeyed God, they denied their dependence on Him and fell from their high position.
Gen. 1:26-28; 2:7; Ps. 8:4-8; Acts 17:24-28; Gen. 3; Ps. 51:5; Rom. 5:12-17; 2 Cor. 5:19, 20; Ps. 104:29, 30; 1 Cor. 15:53, 54; Eccl. 12:7; Dan. 12:2; Rev. 20:12, 13; Job 19:25-27; 1 Thess. 4:13-17.
Salvation
The Great Controversy • Life, Death & Resurrection of Christ • The Experience of Salvation • Growing in Christ
The Great Controversy
All humanity is now involved in a great controversy between Christ and Satan regarding the character of God, His law, and His sovereignty over the universe. This conflict originated in heaven when a created being, endowed with freedom of choice, in self-exaltation became Satan. The cross of Christ is the final proof of God's love.
Rev. 12:4-9; Isa. 14:12-14; Ezek. 28:12-18; Gen. 3; Rom. 1:19-32; 5:12-21; 8:19-22; Gen. 6-8; 2 Peter 3:6; 1 Cor. 4:9; Heb. 1:14.
The Life, Death and Resurrection of Christ
In Christ's life of perfect obedience to God's will, His suffering, death, and resurrection, God provided the only means of atonement for human sin. Those who by faith accept this atonement may have eternal life. His resurrection proclaims God's triumph over evil and guarantees the final victory of all who believe.
John 1:1-3, 14; Isa. 53; 1 Peter 2:21, 22; 1 Cor. 15:3, 4; 2 Cor. 5:14, 15, 19-21; Rom. 1:4; 3:25; 4:25; 8:3, 4; 1 John 2:2; 4:10; Col. 2:15; Phil. 2:6-11.
The Experience of Salvation
In infinite love and mercy God made Christ, who knew no sin, to be sin for us so that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. Led by the Holy Spirit, we sense our need, acknowledge our sinfulness, repent of our transgressions, and exercise faith in Jesus. This justification is wholly of grace and not of works.
2 Cor. 5:17-21; John 3:16; Gal. 1:4; 4:4-7; Titus 3:3-7; John 16:8; Gal. 3:13, 14; 1 Peter 2:21, 22; Rom. 3:21-26; Col. 1:13, 14; Rom. 8:14-17; Gal. 3:26; John 3:3-8.
Growing in Christ
By His death and resurrection, Jesus Christ triumphed over the forces of evil. Through the Holy Spirit, we are continually being renewed in His image — growing in prayer, Scripture, and fellowship — and are victorious over the enemy through Christ's power alone.
Ps. 1:1, 2; 23:4; 77:11, 12; Col. 1:13, 14; 2:6, 14, 15; Luke 10:17-20; Eph. 5:19, 20; 6:12-18; 1 Thess. 5:23; 2 Peter 2:9; 3:18; 2 Cor. 3:17, 18; Phil. 3:7-14; Gal. 5:22-25; Rom. 8:38, 39; 1 John 4:4; Heb. 10:25.
Church
The Church • The Remnant • Unity • Baptism • The Lord's Supper
The Church
The Church is the community of believers who confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. It is the body of Christ and the family of God. Christ is the Head of the Church, and it continues His work — preaching, healing, teaching, and serving.
Gen. 12:3; Acts 7:38; Eph. 4:11-15; 3:8-11; Matt. 28:19, 20; 16:18; Acts 2:38-42; Col. 1:13, 14; Rev. 12:17.
The Remnant and Its Mission
In the last days a remnant has been called out to keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. This remnant announces the arrival of the hour of God's judgment, proclaims salvation through Christ, and heralds the approach of His second advent.
Rev. 12:17; 14:6-12; 18:1-4; 2 Cor. 5:10; Jude 3, 14; 1 Peter 1:16-19; 2 Peter 3:10-14; Rev. 21:1-14.
Unity in the Body of Christ
The Church is one body with many members, called from every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. In Christ we are a new creation; distinctions of race, culture, nationality, and differences between high and low, rich and poor, male and female, must not be divisive among us. We are all equal in Christ.
Rom. 12:4, 5; 1 Cor. 12:12-14; Matt. 28:19, 20; Ps. 133:1; 2 Cor. 5:16, 17; Acts 17:26, 27; Gal. 3:27, 29; Col. 3:10-15; Eph. 4:14-16; 4:1-6; John 17:20-23.
Baptism
By baptism we confess our faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and testify of our death to sin and of our purpose to walk in newness of life. Baptism is by immersion in water, and is contingent on affirmation of faith and evidence of repentance of sin.
Rom. 6:1-6; Col. 2:12, 13; Acts 16:30-33; 22:16; 2:38; Matt. 28:19, 20.
The Lord's Supper (Communion)
The Lord's Supper is a participation in the emblems of the body and blood of Jesus as an expression of faith in Him, our Lord and Saviour. The service of foot washing symbolizes renewed cleansing and a willingness to serve one another. As often as we partake, we proclaim the Lord's death until He comes.
1 Cor. 10:16, 17; 11:23-30; Matt. 26:17-30; Rev. 3:20; John 6:48-63; 13:1-17.
Daily Living
Spiritual Gifts • Gift of Prophecy • Law of God • The Sabbath • Stewardship • Christian Behavior • Marriage and the Family
Spiritual Gifts and Ministries
God bestows upon all members of His Church in every age spiritual gifts which each member is to employ in loving ministry for the common good of the Church and of humanity. Given by the Holy Spirit, these gifts operate in and through believers to build up the body of Christ.
Rom. 12:4-8; 1 Cor. 12:9-11, 27, 28; Eph. 4:8, 11-16; Acts 6:1-7; 1 Tim. 3:1-13; 1 Peter 4:10, 11.
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.
Joel 2:28, 29; Acts 2:14-21; Heb. 1:1-3; Rev. 12:17; 19:10.
The Law of God
The great principles of God's law are embodied in the Ten Commandments and exemplified in the life of Christ. They express God's love, will, and purposes concerning human conduct and relationships. The law is binding upon all people in every age, and together with the gospel it brings conviction of sin, leading to repentance and salvation.
Ex. 20:1-17; Ps. 40:7, 8; Matt. 22:36-40; Deut. 28:1-14; Matt. 5:17-20; Heb. 8:8-10; John 15:7-10; Eph. 2:8; 1 John 5:3; Rev. 12:17; 14:12.
The Sabbath
The beneficent Creator, after the six days of Creation, rested on the seventh day and instituted the Sabbath for all people as a memorial of Creation. The fourth commandment requires the observance of this seventh-day Sabbath from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday — a day of delightful communion with God and one another.
Gen. 2:1-3; Ex. 20:8-11; Luke 4:16; Isa. 56:5, 6; 58:13, 14; Matt. 12:1-12; Ex. 31:13-17; Ezek. 20:12, 20; Deut. 5:12-15; Heb. 4:1-11; Lev. 23:32; Mark 1:32.
Stewardship
We are God's stewards, entrusted by Him with time and opportunities, abilities and possessions, and the blessings of the earth and its resources. We acknowledge God's ownership by faithful service to Him and our fellow human beings, and by returning tithes and giving offerings for the proclamation of His gospel.
Gen. 1:26-28; 2:15; 1 Chron. 29:14; Haggai 1:3-11; Mal. 3:8-12; 1 Cor. 9:9-14; Matt. 23:23; 2 Cor. 8:1-15; Rom. 15:26, 27.
Christian Behavior
We are called to be a godly people who think, feel, and act in harmony with the principles of heaven. For the Spirit to recreate in us the character of our Lord, we involve ourselves only in those things which will produce Christlike purity, health, and joy in our lives.
Rom. 12:1, 2; 1 John 2:6; Eph. 5:1-21; Phil. 4:8; 2 Cor. 10:5; 6:14-7:1; 1 Peter 3:1-4; 1 Cor. 6:19, 20; 10:31; Lev. 11:1-47; 3 John 2.
Marriage and the Family
Marriage was divinely established in Eden and affirmed by Jesus to be a lifelong union between a man and a woman in loving companionship. Parents are to bring up their children to love and obey the Lord, and the family is to reflect the love, sanctity, closeness, and permanence intended in a relationship with God.
Gen. 2:18-25; Matt. 19:3-9; John 2:1-11; 2 Cor. 6:14; Eph. 5:21-33; Matt. 5:31, 32; Mark 10:11, 12; Luke 16:18; 1 Cor. 7:10, 11; Ex. 20:12; Eph. 6:1-4; Deut. 6:5-9; Prov. 22:6; Mal. 4:5, 6.
Restoration (End Times)
Heavenly Sanctuary • Second Coming • Death & Resurrection • Millennium • The New Earth
Christ's Ministry in the Heavenly Sanctuary
There is a sanctuary in heaven, the true tabernacle which the Lord set up. In it Christ ministers on our behalf, making available to believers the benefits of His atoning sacrifice. At His ascension He was inaugurated as our great High Priest and began His intercessory ministry.
Heb. 8:1-5; 4:14-16; 9:11-28; 10:19-22; 1:3; Rev. 8:3-5; Dan. 7:9-27; 8:13, 14; 9:24-27; Num. 14:34; Ezek. 4:6; Lev. 16; Rev. 14:6-7, 12.
The Second Coming of Christ
The second coming of Christ is the blessed hope of the Church, the grand climax of the gospel. The Saviour's coming will be literal, personal, visible, and worldwide. When He returns, the righteous dead will be resurrected, and together with the righteous living will be glorified and taken to heaven.
Titus 2:13; Heb. 9:28; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:9-11; Matt. 24:14; Rev. 1:7; Matt. 24:43, 44; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; 1 Cor. 15:51-54; 2 Thess. 1:7-10; 2:8; Rev. 14:14-20; 19:11-21; Matt. 24; Mark 13; Luke 21; 2 Tim. 3:1-5; 1 Thess. 5:1-6.
Death and Resurrection
The wages of sin is death. But God, who alone is immortal, will grant eternal life to His redeemed. Until that day, death is an unconscious state for all people. When Christ, who is our life, appears, the resurrected righteous and the living righteous will be glorified and caught up to meet their Lord.
Rom. 6:23; 1 Cor. 15:26; Eccl. 9:5, 6; Ps. 146:3, 4; John 11:11-14; Col. 3:4; 1 Cor. 15:51-54; 1 Thess. 4:13-17; John 5:28, 29; Rev. 20:1-10.
The Millennium and the End of Sin
The millennium is the thousand-year reign of Christ with His saints in heaven between the first and second resurrections. During this time the wicked dead will be judged; the earth will be utterly desolate. At its close, Christ with His saints will descend, and fire from God will consume the unrighteous. Sin and sinners will be no more.
Rev. 20; 1 Cor. 6:2, 3; Jer. 4:23-26; Rev. 21:1-5; Mal. 4:1; Ezek. 28:18, 19.
The New Earth
On the new earth, in which righteousness dwells, God will provide an eternal home for the redeemed and a perfect environment for everlasting life, love, joy, and learning in His presence. God Himself will dwell with His people, suffering and death will have passed away, and He shall reign forever and ever.
2 Peter 3:13; Isa. 35; 65:17-25; Matt. 5:5; Rev. 21:1-7; 22:1-5; Col. 1:19, 20.