OUR BELIEFS
What we believe.
Seventh-day Adventists accept the Bible as their only creed. These 28 fundamental beliefs represent our understanding of Scripture.
FOUNDED ON SCRIPTURE
A faith rooted in the Bible.
Seventh-day Adventists hold certain fundamental beliefs to be the teaching of the Holy Scriptures. These beliefs constitute the church's understanding and expression of Scripture. They are not a rigid creed but a living document — open to revision as the church is led by the Holy Spirit to a fuller understanding of God's Word.
THE 28 FUNDAMENTALS
Our fundamental beliefs.
Select any belief to read a summary. Organised into six categories.
THE DOCTRINES OF GOD
The Bible is the written Word of God, given by divine inspiration. It is the infallible standard of character and the authoritative revealer of doctrine.
There is one God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — a unity of three co-eternal Persons, forever worthy of worship.
God the eternal Father is the Creator, Sustainer, and Sovereign of all creation — just, holy, merciful, and abounding in steadfast love.
God the eternal Son became incarnate in Jesus Christ — who lived, died for our sins, rose from the dead, and will come again in glory.
The Holy Spirit draws people to God, transforms them into the image of Christ, and empowers the church to bear witness.
THE DOCTRINES OF HUMANITY
God created the heavens and the earth in six days, resting on the seventh and establishing the Sabbath as a memorial of His creative work.
Humanity was made in the image of God. Through sin that image was marred, but in Christ, God restores what was lost.
A cosmic conflict exists between Christ and Satan. God's love will ultimately be vindicated and sin defeated forever.
THE DOCTRINES OF SALVATION
Christ's atoning death and resurrection provide the only means of salvation and assure our final victory over sin.
Through faith in Christ we are justified, adopted as God's children, and empowered by the Spirit to live a holy life.
In Christ we are set free from the past and called to grow daily in His likeness through prayer, His Word, and service.
THE DOCTRINES OF THE CHURCH
The church gathers for worship, fellowship, the Lord's Supper, and the worldwide proclamation of the gospel.
God has called a remnant to keep His commandments and proclaim the gospel. Every believer has a part in this witness.
In Christ all distinctions of race and culture are overcome. We are equal in Him, called to serve one another.
Baptism by immersion is a public declaration of faith and commitment to walk in newness of life as a member of Christ's church.
The communion service celebrates Christ's sacrifice and proclaims His return, open to all believing Christians.
God gives every believer spiritual gifts through the Holy Spirit for the building up of the church.
Ellen G. White ministered in the gift of prophecy. Her writings provide comfort, guidance, and correction for the church.
THE DOCTRINES OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
God's law, summarised in the Ten Commandments, is the standard of character and the basis of His covenant with His people.
The seventh-day Sabbath is God's perpetual sign of His covenant — a day of rest, worship, and communion with God observed each Saturday.
We are stewards of God's gifts — time, abilities, and resources. Faithful stewardship includes returning tithes and giving offerings.
We are called to live in harmony with heaven's principles in our choices, our bodies, and our engagement with the world.
Marriage is a lifelong union established by God — a place of love, mutual respect, and Christian nurture.
THE DOCTRINES OF LAST EVENTS
Christ ministers in the heavenly sanctuary, making available the benefits of His atoning sacrifice to all who believe.
Christ will return literally and visibly. His return is the blessed hope of the church — the climax of the gospel.
Death is an unconscious state. At Christ's return the righteous dead will be resurrected and taken to be with the Lord.
After a thousand-year reign sin and sinners will be finally consumed and the universe freed from evil forever.
God will create a new earth as an eternal home for the redeemed — a place of everlasting life, love, and joy in His presence.