SDA Statements of
Beliefs on Salvation
In 1980 the General Conference of Seventh-day
Adventists expanded their statements of basic beliefs to
27 articles. Here are the three statements which most
directly address the topic of salvation. For the full
"Fundamental Beliefs" document, see the SDA official web
site.
8.
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, God's adversary, and led into rebellion a portion
of the angels. He introduced the spirit of rebellion into
this world when he led Adam and Eve into sin. This human
sin resulted in the distortion of the image of God in
humanity, the disordering of the created world, and its
eventual devastation at the time of the worldwide flood.
Observed by the whole creation, this world became the
arena of the universal conflict, out of which the God of
love will ultimately be vindicated. To assist His people
in this controversy, Christ sends the Holy Spirit and the
loyal angels to guide, protect, and sustain them in the
way of salvation. (Rev. 12:4-9; Isa. 14:12-14; Eze. 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.)
9. 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, so that those who by
faith accept this atonement may have eternal life, and
the whole creation may better understand the infinite and
holy love of the Creator. This perfect atonement
vindicates the righteousness of God's law and the
graciousness of His character; for it both condemns our
sin and provides for our forgiveness. The death of Christ
is substitutionary and expiatory, reconciling and
transforming. The resurrection of Christ proclaims God's
triumph over the forces of evil, and for those who accept
the atonement assures their final victory over sin and
death. It declares the Lordship of Jesus Christ, before
whom every knee in heaven and on earth will bow. (John 3:16;
Isa. 53; 1 Peter 2:21, 22; 1 Cor. 15:3, 4, 20-22; 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.)
10. The Experience of Salvation:
In infinite love and mercy God made Christ, who knew no
sin, to be sin for us, so that in Him we might be made
the righteousness of God. Led by the Holy Spirit we sense
our need, acknowledge our sinfulness, repent of our
transgressions, and exercise faith in Jesus as Lord and
Christ, as Substitute and Example. This faith which
receives salvation comes through the divine power of the
Word and is the gift of God's grace. Through Christ we
are justified, adopted as God's sons and daughters, and
delivered from the lordship of sin. Through the Spirit we
are born again and sanctified; the Spirit renews our
minds, writes God's law of love in our hearts, and we are
given the power to live a holy life. Abiding in Him we
become partakers of the divine nature and have the
assurance of salvation now and in the judgment. (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. 10:17; Luke 17:5; Mark 9:23,
24; Eph. 2:5-10; Rom. 3:21-26; Col. 1:13, 14; Rom. 8:14-17;
Gal. 3:26; John 3:3-8; 1 Peter 1:23; Rom. 12:2; Heb. 8:7-12;
Eze. 36:25-27; 2 Peter 1:3, 4; Rom. 8:1-4; 5:6-10.)
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