FOUNDER
WILLIAM MILLER (born 1782) deist, saved in 2nd great awakening, Baptist minister, zealous Bible student, focus on prophecy, return of Christ
Oct 22, 1843 Jesus to return (didn’t, said off by one year) then said he was wrong
never became Seventh day Adventist or shared their beliefs, his error was setting a date
Some of his followers left to start Seventh Day Adventists, got new leader
HIRAM EDSON – said Jesus came Oct 23, 1844, but just to heaven to finish His work of atonement
Jesus now in heavenly sanctuary investigating all, any unrepentant/unforgiven sin & blotted out
ELLEN WHITE – followed Miller as a little girl, very sickly & poor health, nervous system wrecked
Neurotic, had visions which she claimed were divine
JOSEPH BATES, emphasized Sabbath worship, said only 144,000 would be saved
(7th Day Baptists – Ephrata Cloisters)
2 groups above merged in 1855, changed names to “Seventh Day Adventists” (many split-off groups)
NAME
SEVENTH DAY = when they worship (Saturday, not Sunday)
ADVENTISTS = focus on second Advent of Christ
AUTHORITY
Writings of Ellen White (she claimed inspiration for herself) – much of her writing plagiarized
SDA today say don’t see her writings as inspired, but she did, and they believe her teachings
VIEW of GOD
Same beliefs as evangelical Christianity
VIEW of the TRINITY
Same beliefs as evangelical Christianity
VIEW of CHRIST
Partook of our sinful, fallen nature by inheriting a sinful nature (therefore couldn’t be God)
“Michael” another one of his many titles
Atonement not finished, goes on in heavenly sanctuary
Virgin birth, resurrection, etc. – same beliefs as evangelical Christianity
VIEW of the HOLY SPIRIT
Same beliefs as evangelical Christianity
VIEW of SIN
Forgiveness of sin at salvation, blotting out not until after investigative judgment (can lose forgiveness)
Arminian – can lose salvation
VIEW of SALVATION
Emphasis on good works: tithing, Sabbath worship, dietary laws, etc. (144,000 applies to them)
Keeping the Sabbath important to earn/keep salvation – used to mislead poorly instructed Christians)
VIEW of HEAVEN & HELL
No hell (annihilation) – Soul Sleep – soul not separate from body
Resurrection = recreation
WHY WORSHIP ON SUNDAY, NOT SABBATH
I. SABBATH IS CEREMONIAL LAW
1. Sabbath wasn’t known before the law was given at Mt Sinai (Nehemiah 9:13-14)
2. Sabbath worship was commanded as a special covenant between God & Israel (Exodus 31:12-17; Deut 5:15; Ezek 20:12,20)
3. Sabbath observance not written in the heart like moral law (Rom 2:14-15) – The ceremonial law was only a shadow to teach spiritual truth – Col 2:16-17; Gal 4:9-11
4. Sabbath observance was only given to the Jews in Palestine who were under God’s rule, like
-Death by stoning for breaking the Sabbath Ex 35:2
-No fires or heat in house on Sabbath (Palestine is in a warm climate) Ex 35:3
-Must stay in home on Sabbath, can’t gather together Ex 16:29
II. JESUS REPLACED THE SABBATH WITH SUNDAY
1. Christ broke the Jewish legalistic Sabbath observance often (John 5:17-18)
2. Eighth day is really first day of a new week = new day for new beginning of new people belonging to a new creation (II Cor 5:17)
3. Sabbath only one of the Ten Commandments not reaffirmed in the New Testament by anyone
4. Jesus rose from the dead on the first day of the week (John 20:1)
5. Jesus appeared to the 10 disciples on the first day of the week (John 20:19)
6. Jesus didn’t appear after Sunday until the following Sunday (John 20:26)
III. THE EARLY CHURCH WORSHIPPED ON SUNDAY
1. The Holy Spirit came on the first day of the week (Lev 23:16 – Pentecost)
2. Peter preached on that same first day, many were saved (Acts 2:14)
3. Three thousand converts at start of church on first day of the week (Acts 2:41)
4. Baptism administered for first time that same first day (Acts 2:41)
5. At Troas believers gathered worship on first day of the week (Acts 20:7), Paul, who was trained in the law, broke the Sabbath there and others times
6. Paul preached on the first day of the week (Acts 20:6-7)
7. Paul told the believers at Corinth to make contributions on first day of the week (I Cor 16:2)
8. The early church, in exercise of Christian liberty (Rom 14:5-6) voluntarily chose first day for fellowship and worship (Acts 20:7; I Cor 16:2)
9. Sunday observed as day of memory of Christ (Mt 28:9), service (Mt 28:10) & spiritual rest (Heb 4:9-10
10. Early church warned not to submit to bondage of legalistic observance of days Col 2:16; Gal 4:9-11
IV. THE LATER CHURCH WORSHIPPED ON SUNDAY
1. Barnabas, companion of Paul, wrote in 100 AD, “We observe the 8th day on which Jesus rose.”
2. Ignatius, follower of John, wrote in 107 AD, “We no longer the Sabbaths but keep the Lord’s Day.”
3. John the disciple called Sunday the “Lord’s day”(Rev 1:10)
4. Justin Martyr testified to Sunday worship (145-150 AD)
5. Irenaeus’ testimony was to Sunday worship (155 – 202 AD)