Is The SDA Church A Cult? Denying The Trinity / Bible + Ellen G. White?

Watch as General Conference President Ted Wilson fields questions about the Arian heresy and how it is a problem among SDA's. He shares information about early 7th-Day Adventist Church leaders admitting how many denied the Trinity. As I've stated before not all Seventh Day Adventists are cultic, however some are, and this video demonstrates why Evangelicals have historically viewed the SDA's as heterodox rather than orthodox.

[Pastor_Grant]

Lord willing later this week I will post a message titled "What is a Cult?" Look for that Thursday morning as that will be the message, we record for our Wednesday night service. Indecently I remember attending the Christian Festival in Orange Mass a few years back where a certain "Baptist Church" was the headline act with their gay affirming pastor and rock n roll band on stage and the first booth at the event was the 7th Day Adventists. The heresy is creeping into local churches more than most people know.

[ElijahAndMoses]

Unwittingly, Seventh-day Adventists may have set themselves up for criticism because of the way they treat Ellen G. White's writings. Many SDAs seem to take her every word and opinion as being inspired by God, making no difference between her opinions and the Divine revelations that were given to her in visions and dreams. Even prophets such as Daniel and the Apostle Paul clearly differentiated between their limited view and experience as opposed to the matters that were revealed to them. We should do the same. Ellen G. White did receive visions and dreams that accord with the scriptures and these should be treated no differently from the way prophets of the Bible and otherwise, who accord with the Bible, should be treated.

Concerning the Trinity, Ellen White saw in vision that sin started in heaven because Lucifer was envious of Jesus's position which was next to the Father's position. The Father was the Supreme Being, Jesus His son was next. This accords fully with scripture, which teaches that the Father is the Supreme Being - the blessed and only Potentate. God is the Father of Christ. Christ is the son of God. God sent His son into the world. Christ died and was raised from the dead by His Father (Gal. 1:1). Nowhere in the scripture is the one true God described as three persons. The Israelites of scripture had no concept of a three-in-one God, and neither did the apostles; but the pagans of their day did. In this regard the pioneers of Seventh-day Adventism, including Ellen White, believed in and worshipped the true God unlike the popular paganized trinity worshippers of modern Christendom that modern Adventists try to emulate.

[green]

Your videos piqued my interest because I’m a SDA. I want to say thank you for making these videos. I’m sorry that you found SDA commenters rude, and I hope my comment does not come off as being rude. I mainly wanted to say that (as far as I know) the SDA’s that I know/pastors I listen to believe in the trinity (including me) so I do think a large number of SDA’s believe the trinity doctrine, however I do think that there may be differing opinions, so like you mentioned there are likely SDA’s who fall on both sides of that teaching. I also personally believe that each individual has to try every word of prophets through the bible, so with EGW you have to go back to the bible as the main source. We all have to study the bible and let God lead us to the truth!

[benallen]

Keep preaching Truth. It's important that we run from these false gospel's. To say that worshipping The One True God on Sunday is worshipping The Beast and will send someone to hell is utter nonsense and a Big Red flag preaching another Gospel other than forgiveness of sin by repentance and Faith in Jesus Christ.

[ajw]

Ex-SDA here. This issue continunes to dog the SDA church resulting in splinter groups and offshoots. Why? Instead of going sola scriptura, scripture is interpreted through the lens of EGW. Case in point, two (among many more) of her writings are, quite frankly, heretical:

"The great Creator assembled the heavenly host, that he might in the presence of all the angels confer special honor upon his son. The Son was seated on the throne with the Father, and the heavenly throng of holy angels was gathered around them. THE FATHER THEN MADE KNOWN THAT IT WAS ORDAINED BY HIMSELF THAT CHRIST, HIS SON, SHOULD BE EQUAL WITH HIMSELF; so that wherever was the presence of his Son, it was as his own presence". EGW Spirit of Prophecy, v1. p17 (1SP 17.1).

“The exaltation of the Son of God as equal with the Father was represented as an injustice to Lucifer, who, it was claimed, was also entitled to reverence and honor.” EGW, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 37

These two imply that Jesus was not always part of the Godhead, and thus not always co-equal with the Father.

Sure her thoughts did evolve (at best) to resemble a form of trinity but more of a relational trinity (the term heavenly trio gets used a lot in her writings, and in the organization website, that is, the 28 fundamental beliefs). Sure most SDAs nowadays make the full leap and accept orthodox trinitarianism (that is, God as one being, manifested in three persons, all three co-equal, co-eternal, omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent). But very few know or do not dig into SDA church history to realize that the SDA church was founded on arianism. As a result, arianism off-shoots and movements continually spring up.

[medinarad]

Sda believe in the Trinity. We don’t believe Sunday is the Mark of the beast. We believe in a relationship with Jesus. However, have you read Desires of Ages! No one speaks more about Jesus with beauty than her. Mrs Ellen is a servant of the Lord. Her writings are inspired but we believe they are the lesser light. They have a special place. God has given her special revelation on health, prophecy, education. We don’t worship her, just Jesus. Her insights are helpful but not necessary. Adventist can prove our views without her writings. We believe in a Triune God!!!

[stephenseebran]

Even Jesus denied the Trinity: John 17:3 kjv "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."

[samuelwilliams]

When SDA argue with other SDA. They often use White.

A point that White actually opposed.

"Lay Sister White right to one side: lay her to one side. Don't you never quote my words again as long as you live, until you can obey the Bible. When you take the Bible and make that your food, and your meat, and your drink, and you make that the elements of your character, when you can do that you will know better how to receive some counsel from God. But here is the Word, the precious Word, exalted before you today. And don't you give a rap any more what 'Sister White Said' —'Sister White said this, ' and 'Sister White said that, ' and 'Sister White said the other thing'. But say, 'Thus saith the Lord God of Israel.'" -- Spalding and Magan Collection 167.2

Sadly. Many to not listen to that point.

White supported the Trinnity. It should be something you can agree with. Since she did support the Trinity.

We have a couple of books written and supported in our Basic Beliefs we teach the Trinity.

We also publish books that support the Trinity. I have read some of them.


So here is the Fundamental beliefs on the Trinity from the bible and from SDA supporters of the Trinity.


#2 There is one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a unity of three coeternal Persons. God is immortal, all-powerful, all-knowing, above all, and ever present. He is infinite and beyond human comprehension, yet known through His self-revelation. God, who is love, is forever worthy of worship, adoration, and service by the whole creation. (Gen. 1:26; Deut. 6:4; Isa. 6:8; Matt. 28:19; John 3:16 2 Cor. 1:21, 22; 13:14; Eph. 4:4-6; 1 Peter 1:2.)
Understanding The Trinity This book is available from Seventh-day Adventist book shops. It has been described as the best defence of the Trinity doctrine during the last fifty years. It provides the grounds for acceptance of the doctrine and answers numerous objections to it by people who don't really understand what they are objecting to.
The Trinity Doctrine - Books


So as to the Funamental beliefs. It is settled. But it is true some oppose it. The church as a Bosy rjects the anti TRinity doctrines.

God the Father, God the Son and the Holy Spirit the three in one.

God is lover.

[Dominick-ubso]

I was a Seventh-day Adventist. Most of the conservative, traditional members are not trinitarian. After 1980, a huge wave of converts came that believe in the trinity which is why today most Adventists are trinitarian (about 75%). Unfortunately, the church tolerates and prefers members to reject the trinity in spite of fundamental belief #2. If it was not for the new converts the church has gotten from Baptist, Pentecostal and Catholics only about 50% of the members today would be trinitarian.

[TheCountofToulouse]

"If the root be corrupt, then the WHOLE TREE is corrupt". That scripture is true concerning Islam (whose root is Muhammad), of Buddhism, or Jehovah's Witness', Mormons, damn near ALL the Charismatic denominations (Notice that they CALL themselves 'charismatics'...now go look up the word Charisma...sound Christian?) and last is the SDA's. I'm not a Calvinist and it's not wise to be an outright secessionist either but most of what we see is error and it's spreading. I still can't believe that there are people speaking in 'secret angel languages' or as they call it 'tongues', good luck trying to convince them, that unclean spirit they have is also HATE filled a VERY defensive.

[kanyohoho]

Its better to be called a cult by men for believing scripture than believe a man made view of God. Secondly, denying the 3 in 1 god isnt denying the divinity of the Christ, His divinity is derived from His Father( Proverbs 8:22-30 and Hebrews 1;5)

[Sevendayscreation]

It is more rude to say that these religious group are a cult than saying the truth about what bible says. SDA believe in trinity and I don't know where did you get that info that SDA didn't know about the God head? Maybe the mystery of God but not the trinity.

Mrs. White message is from God, she didn't tell that her writtings is greater than the bible. She was just used by God to tell prophecies. SDA believe in bible alone but we used other references to prove the truth in the bible. It is not unusual to have a prophetess in the church, if we look in the old testament there are a few women called by God to do his will. And don't think that SDA is cursed because of following the old testament. It is required for us to follow all the commandments in the old and new testament. Yes, we are not under Moses Laws but remember who gave the laws to Moses ? It is God, the same God in the new testament.

[Paulusfan]

No his name is Petrus, ( petros, fem. Petra) the rock.

Peter was our first pope.
Irenäus von Lyon mentioned this in his letters.

Stop telling nonsens.

[revelation]

I am one of those 7th day adventists that do not hold to a Trinity belief because it is not in the scriptures. There is the Father, and there is the Son of God, and there is the spirit of God in the scriptures. I hold to all this. There is a Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, but that does not have to be understood in a trinitarian type of understanding. The Bible teaches there is one true God: that is the Father and there is 1 Lord Jesus Christ. You only need to go to any writer of the New Testament to have that established. And all the New Testament writers agree that there is a Father, and there is a Son and there is a spirit, but none of them have stated that there is a Trinity. So it should not be a problem to say that a person does not believe in the trinity. Putting Ellen White aside would be the best thing to do when deciding on doctrine. That is what she recommended and she would be horrified should her writings be used to establish doctrine. SdA doctrine is best established from the Bible alone (and are Biblical....including soul sleep, annihilation of the wicked, mark of the beast etc, with the exceptionof the trinity)

[bonita]

If we are the child of God, we should have seen that no matter what the religion is, we all are Praising ONE God. And being in a religion helps us to live our lives according to what God wants. Whatever the difference of the teachings, we do it for the will God.

[mak]

Does SDA say that Jesus is Michael the Archangel?

[lesirterholland]

John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Jesus emphatically stated that His Father is the only true God

[Paulusfan]

JESUS gave Peter and his catholic church the keys of the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 16, 17-19

[hwna]

Tell me what is difference between worshipping golden cow or worshipping written paper by a human? Then have nothing to offer a real historical piece of written thing? Then thus say have a good faith dah

[naturallybless]

Facts ❤I am sda and I have the same question if it's eg white first or God word.