Are the SDAs a Cult?

This came up a while ago and I'm still not sure about it. I've had people tell me that the Seventh Day Adventists are a cult, but I've read some of their statement of faith and it's a lot more biblical than some other denominations.

I also read a book called, A Thousand Shall Fall, that made me think they weren't a cult. It tells about how God helped a man that was drafted into Hitler's army in Germany and he didn't have to work on the Sabbath, eat pork, or compromise his convictions.

I realize the Bible says that we can eat pork, that's not what I want to focus on. Can someone give me clear evidence that they are or aren't a cult?

Jordan

They are not a cult. They just have Grace and works intermingled. They stand on the Law, then they are saved by Grace, through works. They must build their own faith and do their own works to make Faith work in their salvation. That is what religion is all about. Do to get, not freely get then learn to do.

In Christ: Phillip

Hi Phillip,

Would you please clarify? Are you saying they believe that they're justified by their works?

Thanks,
Jordan

Jordan, do you have someone close who is into SDA's?

You ask are they cult, I suggest you to start reading about their roots or more specifically about their main founder and prophet Ellen White.
You cannot see are they cult just by reading some statements of faith, a lot of things are not written there.

Here is good website for that purpose:

http://www.ellenwhite.org/

Seventh Day Adventist doctrine espouses annihilationism, soul sleep and investigative judgment. Annihilationsim denounces a literal hell. Soul Sleep defies the belief that the soul is eternal. Investigative Judgment teaches that the judgment of believers has been in process since 1844. They abstain from meats, teach others to do so, and place a legal emphasis on sabbatarianism. They also view their church as the true "remnant", a similiar belief held respectively by the Jehovah Witnesses, Mormons, the Roman Catholic Church, United Pentecostal Church, etc.

This is not to to libel any one particular denomination or movement, but I would encourage you to honestly investigate fully the claims and beliefs of the SDA church, and weigh what you find in light of Holy Scripture. Do this with any church or religious movement or belief system that is not abundantly clear, but is purporting to follow Christ. And especially investigate any movement that apostacizes other churches that do not share in their convictions.

Brother Paul

My Pastor is a former SDA, he runs an outreach website with lots of helpful info and sermons on this cult...[url=http://www.exadventist.com/]Ex Adventist[/url]

In Christ,

Ron

Greg,
Interesting site. Here I will post a comment from it hoping it will whet someone's interest to check it out some more:

A prophet does not have to make predictions in order to be a prophet. A prophet is defined as "somebody who interprets or passes on the will of a deity." (Encarta Dictionary) Typically, however, Biblical prophets do make predictions about future events. These predictions help to establish the claims and validity of a prophet because knowledge of future events surpasses human ability and resides in the domain of omnipotent power. Jeremiah writes that… ...when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known, that the LORD hath truly sent him. (Jer. 28:9)

ginnyrose

that website the dear brother sent

I agree with Greg. It is a fantastic website, and this page is good in that it exposes their failed prophecies. Bringing up a movement's failed prophecies is a [i]coup de grace[/i] for any discussion. Like the Jehovah Witnesses, they would just as well sweep these lethal embarassments under the rug of history, but, alas, God will not allow it. I always find it interesting that false religious systems are so constrained to issue "kingdom arrival" prophecies. Such is the grace of God!

Thanks for all the info everyone. Looking at her "prophecies" really helped.

Jordan

so if someone is in the SDA does that mean that they are not saved? my cousin is in the SDA church... :-o

I would say that it's probably the same as with the Catholic church- they may honestly come to know the Lord, but (1) it won't be through the church's doctrine, and (2) if they're growing in sanctification and the knowledge of the Word, they won't remain in that church for long.

PaulWest wrote:
I always find it interesting that false religious systems are so constrained to issue "kingdom arrival" prophecies.

Yes brother, and also some special prophet behind those prophecies with [i]special[/i] enlightenment from heaven.