Growing in
Christ
This new fundamental belief should be numbered
as #11 [after #10, The Experience of Salvation and before #11, The Church.
VOTED, To approve the following addition to the Statement of Fundamental
Beliefs:
"By His death on the cross Jesus triumphed over the forces of evil. He who
subjugated the demonic spirits during His earthly ministry has broken their
power and made certain their ultimate doom. Jesus’ victory gives us victory
over the evil forces that still seek to control us, as we walk with Him in
peace, joy, and assurance of His love. Now the Holy Spirit dwells within us
and empowers us. Continually committed to Jesus as our Saviour and Lord, we
are set free from the burden of our past deeds. No longer do we live in the
darkness, fear of evil powers, ignorance, and meaninglessness of our former
way of life. In this new freedom in Jesus, we are called to grow into the
likeness of His character, communing with Him daily in prayer, feeding on His
Word, meditating on it and on His providence, singing His praises, gathering
together for worship, and participating in the mission of the Church. As we
give ourselves in loving service to those around us and in witnessing to His
salvation, His constant presence with us through the Spirit transforms every
moment and every task into a spiritual experience. (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; 1 Thess 5:16-18; Matt
20:25-28; John 20:21; Gal 5:22-25; Rom 8:38, 39; 1 John 4:4; Heb 10:25.)"
Baptism Vows
(VOTED, To amend the
Church Manual, Chapter 6, Church Membership, page 32 and 33,
Baptismal Vow and Baptism, to read as follows)
- Do you believe there is one God: Father, Son,
and Holy Spirit, a unity of three coeternal Persons
- Do you accept the death of Jesus Christ on
Calvary as the atoning sacrifice for your sins and believe that by God’s
grace through faith in His shed blood you are saved from sin and its
penalty?
- Do you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and
personal Savior believing that God, in Christ, has forgiven your sins and
given you a new heart, and do you renounce the sinful ways of the world
- Do you accept by faith the righteousness of
Christ, your Intercessor in the heavenly sanctuary, and accept His promise
of transforming grace and power to live a loving, Christ‑centered life in
your home and before the world?
- Do you believe that the Bible is God’s
inspired Word, the only rule of faith and practice for the Christian? Do you
covenant to spend time regularly in prayer and Bible study?
- Do you accept the Ten Commandments as a
transcript of the character of God and a revelation of His will? Is it your
purpose by the power of the indwelling Christ to keep this law, including
the fourth commandment, which requires the observance of the seventh day of
the week as the Sabbath of the Lord and the memorial of Creation?
- Do you look forward to the soon coming of
Jesus and the blessed hope when “this mortal shall . . . put on
immortality”? As you prepare to meet the Lord, will you witness to His
loving salvation by using your talents in personal soul-winning endeavor to
help others to be ready for His glorious appearing?
- Do you accept the biblical teaching of
spiritual gifts and believe that the gift of prophecy is one of the
identifying marks of the remnant church?
- Do you believe in church organization? Is it
your purpose to worship God and to support the church through your tithes
and offerings and by your personal effort and influence?
- Do you believe that your body is the temple of
the Holy Spirit; and will you honor God by caring for it, avoiding the use
of that which is harmful; abstaining from all unclean foods; from the use,
manufacture, or sale of alcoholic beverages; the use, manufacture, or sale
of tobacco in any of its forms for human consumption; and from the misuse of
or trafficking in narcotics or other drugs
- Do you know and understand the fundamental
Bible principles as taught by the Seventh‑day Adventist Church? Do you
purpose, by the grace of God, to fulfill His will by ordering your life in
harmony with these principles?
- Do you accept the New Testament teaching of
baptism by immersion and desire to be so baptized as a public expression of
faith in Christ and His forgiveness of your sins?
- Do you accept and believe that the Seventh‑day
Adventist Church is the remnant church of Bible prophecy and that people of
every nation, race, and language are invited and accepted into its
fellowship? Do you desire to be a member of this local congregation of the
world church?
Alternative
Baptism Vows
- Do you accept Jesus Christ as your personal
Savior and Lord, and do you desire to live your life in a saving
relationship with Him?
- Do you accept the teachings of the Bible as
expressed in the Statement of Fundamental Beliefs of the Seventh-day
Adventist Church and do you pledge by God’s grace to live your life in
harmony with these teachings?
- Do you desire to be baptized as a public
expression of your belief in Jesus Christ, to be accepted into the
fellowship of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and to support the Church
and its mission as a faithful steward by your personal influence, tithes and
offerings, and a life of service?
Rebaptism
VOTED, To amend the Church Manual, Chapter 6,
Church Membership, page 42, Rebaptism, to read as follows:
Rebaptism is specifically mentioned in only one
biblical passage (Acts 19:1-7), where the apostle Paul endorsed it for a group
of about 12 believers. Their previous baptism had been that of John, which was
a baptism of repentance. In addition to repentance, Christian baptism is
associated with a clear understanding of and personal commitment to the gospel
and the teachings of Jesus and a reception of the Holy Spirit. With this
increased understanding and commitment, it was acceptable for them to be
rebaptized.
Individuals From Other Christian Communions—On
biblical grounds, individuals from other Christian communions who have
embraced the Seventh-day Adventist message and who have previously been
baptized by immersion, may request rebaptism. The following examples suggest
that rebaptism may not be required. Evidently the instance of Acts 19 was a
special one, for Apollos is reported to have received John’s baptism (Acts
18:25), and there is no record that he was rebaptized. Apparently some of the
apostles themselves received John’s baptism (John 1:35-40), but there is no
record of subsequent baptism.
On the basis of acceptance of significant new
truths, Ellen G White supports rebaptism as the Spirit leads the new believer
to request it. This follows the developmental pattern of Acts 19. Individuals
who have previously experienced believer baptism should evaluate their new
religious experience and determine whether rebaptism may be desirable. There
is to be no urging. “This [rebaptism] is a subject which each individual must
conscientiously take his position upon in the fear of God. This subject should
be carefully presented in the spirit of tenderness and love. Then the duty of
urging belongs to no one but God; give God a chance to work with His Holy
Spirit upon the minds, so that the individual will be perfectly convinced and
satisfied in regard to this advanced step.”—Evangelism, p. 373.
Apostasy and Rebaptism—Although apostasy clearly existed in the
apostolic church (e.g. Heb. 6:4-6), Scripture does not address the question of
rebaptism. Ellen G. White supports rebaptism when members have fallen away in
apostasy and have lived in such a manner that the faith and principles of the
church have been publicly violated. Then they should, in case of reconversion
and application for church membership, enter the church as in the beginning,
by baptism. (See Evangelism, pp 189, 197.)
“The Lord calls for a decided reformation. And
when a soul is truly reconverted, let him be rebaptized. Let him renew his
covenant with God, and God will renew His covenant with him.”—Evangelism, p.
375. Clearly what is referred to here is not a recurring spiritual revival in
a believer’s experience, but a radical change in life.
Inappropriate Rebaptism—On the basis of
biblical teaching and the guidance of
Ellen G White, rebaptism should occur only in special circumstances and should
be relatively rare. To administer it repeatedly, or on an emotional basis,
lessens the meaning of baptism and represents a misunderstanding of the
gravity and significance which Scripture assigns to it. A church member whose
spiritual experience has become cold needs a spirit of repentance which leads
to revival and reformation. This experience will be followed by participation
in the ordinance of foot-washing and the Lord’s Supper to signify renewed
cleansing and fellowship in the Body of Christ. Therefore, rebaptism is not
necessary.
Properly applied, baptism becomes the avenue of
induction into the church. Baptism is fundamentally the pledge of entrance
into Christ’s saving covenant, intended to be permanent, and should be treated
as a joyful and solemn welcome to the family of God.
Getting Married to A Non
Adventist
- Courtship is recognized - No
change
- Marriage is the foundation -
No change
- The failure to follow these
principles - No change
- “The family tie is the closest
- No change
- Worship of God - No change
- ‘Can two walk together - No
change
- The Spirit of Prophecy
consistently - No change
NEW "The church recognizes that it
is the prerogative of the individual to make the final decision relative to
the choice of a marriage partner. However, it is the hope of the church that,
if the member chooses a marriage partner who is not a member of the church,
the couple will realize and appreciate that the Seventh-day Adventist
minister, who has covenanted to uphold the principles outlined above, should
not be expected to perform such a marriage. If an individual does enter into
such a marriage, the church is to demonstrate love and concern with the
purpose of encouraging the couple toward complete unity in Christ. (For
further information on the subject of marriage, see Chapter 15, Marriage,
Divorce, and Remarriage.)"
