28 Fundamental
Beliefs

2 Tim. 3:16–17 · 2 Pet. 1:20–21 · Prov. 30:5–6 · John 17:17

The Holy Scriptures — the Old and New Testaments — are the written Word of God, given by divine inspiration. The inspired authors spoke and wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. In this Word, God has committed to humanity the knowledge necessary for salvation. The Holy Scriptures are the supreme, authoritative, and infallible revelation of His will. They are the standard of character, the test of experience, the authoritative revealer of doctrines, and the trustworthy record of God's acts in history. The Scriptures are the final authority for the Christian in all matters of faith and practice, superior to tradition, human reason, and personal experience.

Matt. 28:19 · 2 Cor. 13:14 · Eph. 4:4–6 · 1 Pet. 1:2

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. He is forever worthy of worship, adoration, and service by the whole creation. The three divine Persons are fully God, equal in nature, distinct in role, and united in purpose — together creating, sustaining, and redeeming the universe.

Gen. 1:1 · Rev. 4:11 · 1 Cor. 15:28 · John 3:16 · 1 John 4:8

God the eternal Father is the Creator, Source, Sustainer, and Sovereign of all creation. He is just and holy, merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. The qualities and powers exhibited in the Son and the Holy Spirit are also revelations of the Father. He initiated the plan of salvation out of His boundless love, and it is through Him that all things exist and are held together. He hears the prayers of His children, cares intimately for each person, and governs the universe with wisdom and grace.

John 1:1–3, 14 · Col. 1:15–19 · Phil. 2:5–11 · Heb. 2:9–18 · 2 Cor. 5:19–21

God the eternal Son became incarnate in Jesus Christ. Through Him all things were created, the character of God is revealed, the salvation of humanity is accomplished, and the world is judged. Forever truly God, He also became truly human, Jesus the Christ. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived and experienced temptation as a human being, yet without sin. He proclaimed the kingdom of God, healed the sick, cast out demons, and served those in need. He suffered and died voluntarily on the cross for our sins, was bodily raised from the dead, ascended to heaven to minister for us in the heavenly sanctuary, and will return in glory to claim all who have accepted Him as Lord and Saviour.

Gen. 1:1–2 · Luke 3:16 · Acts 1:8 · 1 Cor. 12:7–11 · 2 Cor. 3:18

God the eternal Spirit was active with the Father and the Son in Creation, incarnation, and redemption. He inspired the writers of Scripture, filled Christ's life with power, and draws and convicts human beings. At Pentecost He came upon the disciples, bringing the Church to birth. The Spirit indwells every believer as the personal presence of God, guides believers into all truth, unifies the Church, equips it with spiritual gifts for ministry, convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and is the source of all genuine renewal and sanctification.

Gen. 1–2 · Col. 1:16 · John 1:3 · Rev. 14:7 · Heb. 11:3

God is Creator of all things and has revealed in Scripture the authentic account of His creative activity. In six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth and all living things upon the earth, and rested on the seventh day of that week. Thus He established the Sabbath as a perpetual memorial of His completed creative work. The first man and woman were made in the image of God as the crowning work of Creation, given dominion over the world, and charged to care for it. When creation was finished, God pronounced it very good — glorious testimony to His power, wisdom, and love.

Gen. 1:26–27 · 2:7 · Ps. 8:4–8 · Eccl. 12:7 · 1 Cor. 15:45

Man and woman were made in the image of God with individuality, the power and freedom to think and to do. Though created free beings, each is an indivisible unity of body, mind, and spirit, dependent on God for life and breath and all else. When Adam and Eve chose to disobey God, they denied their dependence on Him and fell from their high position. The image of God in them was marred, and they became subject to death. Their descendants share this fallen nature and its consequences. Humanity was left without hope apart from God's saving grace.

Rev. 12:4–9 · Isa. 14:12–14 · Ezek. 28:12–18 · Gen. 3 · John 12:31

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 global 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.

John 3:16 · Isa. 53:4–6 · 1 Pet. 2:21–22 · 1 Cor. 15:3–4, 20–22

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 bodily resurrection of Christ proclaims God's triumph over the forces of evil.

Eph. 2:8–10 · Titus 3:3–7 · John 3:3–8 · Rom. 5:6–10 · 2 Cor. 5:17

In infinite love and mercy, God made Christ, who knew no sin, to become 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 saving faith, which receives Christ as personal Saviour and Lord, 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, sanctified, and empowered for service.

2 Pet. 3:18 · Gal. 5:22–25 · Rom. 8:3–4 · Phil. 2:12–13 · 1 John 1:9

By His death and resurrection, Jesus Christ triumphed over the forces of evil. He who subjugated the demonic spirits during His earthly ministry has broken their power and made certain their ultimate doom. Jesus' victory gives us victory over the evil forces that still seek to control us as we walk with Him in peace, joy, and assurance of His love. The Holy Spirit dwells within us and empowers us; as we are continually committed to Jesus as our Saviour and Lord we are set free from the burden of our past deeds. No longer do we live in the darkness, fear of evil powers, ignorance, and meaninglessness of our former way of life.

Matt. 16:18 · Eph. 1:22–23 · 4:11–15 · Acts 2:38–42 · 1 Cor. 12:13

The church is the community of believers who confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. In continuity with the people of God in Old Testament times, we are called out from the world, and we join together for worship, for fellowship, for instruction in the Word, for the celebration of the Lord's Supper, for service to humanity, and for the proclamation of the gospel to all the world. The church derives its authority from Christ, who is the incarnate Word, and from the Scriptures, which are the written Word. The church is God's family; adopted by Him as children, its members live on the basis of the new covenant.

Rev. 12:17 · 14:6–12 · 18:1–4 · 2 Cor. 5:10 · 1 Pet. 1:16–19

The universal church is composed of all who truly believe in Christ. But in the last days — a time of widespread apostasy — a remnant has been called out to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. This remnant announces the arrival of the judgment hour, proclaims salvation through Christ, and heralds the approach of His second advent. This proclamation is symbolised by the three angels of Revelation 14; it coincides with the work of judgment in heaven and results in a work of repentance and reform on earth. Every believer is called to have a personal part in this worldwide witness.

John 17:20–23 · Eph. 4:3–6 · Gal. 3:27–29 · Col. 3:12–15 · Acts 17:26

The church is one body with many members, called from every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. In Christ we are a new creation; distinctions of race, culture, learning, and nationality, and differences between high and low, rich and poor, male and female, must not be divisive among us. We are all equal in Christ, who by one Spirit has bonded us into one fellowship with Him and with one another; we are to serve and be served without partiality or reservation. Through the revelation of Jesus Christ in the Scriptures we share the same faith and hope, and reach out in one witness to all.

Matt. 28:19–20 · Acts 2:38 · Rom. 6:3–6 · Gal. 3:27 · Col. 2:12–13

By baptism we confess our faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and testify of our death to sin and of our purpose to walk in newness of life. Thus we acknowledge Christ as Lord and Saviour, become His people, and are received as members by His church. Baptism is a symbol of our union with Christ, the forgiveness of our sins, and our reception of the Holy Spirit. It is by immersion in water and is contingent on an affirmation of faith in Jesus and evidence of repentance of sin. It follows instruction in the Holy Scriptures and acceptance of their teachings.

1 Cor. 10:16–17 · 11:23–30 · Matt. 26:17–30 · Rev. 3:20 · John 6:48–63

The Lord's Supper is a participation in the emblems of the body and blood of Jesus as an expression of faith in Him, our Lord and Saviour. In this experience of communion Christ is present to meet and strengthen His people. As we partake, we joyfully proclaim the Lord's death until He comes again. Preparation for the Supper includes self-examination, repentance, and confession. The Master ordained the service of foot washing to signify renewed cleansing, to express a willingness to serve one another in Christlike humility, and to unite our hearts in love. The communion service is open to all believing Christians.

Rom. 12:4–8 · 1 Cor. 12:9–11, 27–28 · Eph. 4:8, 11–16 · 1 Pet. 4:10–11

God bestows upon all members of His church in every age spiritual gifts which each member is to employ in loving ministry for the common good of the church and of humanity. Given by the agency of the Holy Spirit, who apportions to each member as He wills, the gifts provide all abilities and ministries needed by the church to fulfil its divinely ordained functions. According to the Scriptures, these gifts include such ministries as faith, healing, prophecy, proclamation, teaching, administration, reconciliation, compassion, and self-sacrificing service and charity for the help and encouragement of people.

Joel 2:28–29 · Acts 2:14–21 · Heb. 1:1–3 · Rev. 12:17 · 19:10

The Scriptures testify that one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is prophecy. This gift is an identifying mark of the remnant church and was manifested in the ministry of Ellen G. White. As the Lord's messenger, her writings are a continuing and authoritative source of truth which provide for the church comfort, guidance, instruction, and correction. They also make clear that the Bible is the standard by which all teaching and experience must be tested. The prophetic gift continues to be given as God chooses, always consistent with Scripture and serving the needs of His people.

Exod. 20:1–17 · Ps. 40:7–8 · Matt. 22:36–40 · Deut. 28:1–14 · Rom. 8:3–4

The great principles of God's law are embodied in the Ten Commandments and exemplified in the life of Christ. They express God's love, will, and purposes concerning human conduct and relationships and are binding upon all people in every age. These precepts are the basis of God's covenant with His people and the standard in God's judgment. Through the agency of the Holy Spirit they point out sin and awaken a sense of need for a Saviour. Salvation is all of grace and not of works, but its fruitage is obedience to the Commandments. This obedience develops Christian character and results in a sense of well-being.

Gen. 2:1–3 · Exod. 20:8–11 · Luke 4:16 · Isa. 56:5–6 · Heb. 4:1–11

The beneficent Creator, after the six days of Creation, rested on the seventh day and instituted the Sabbath for all people as a memorial of Creation. The fourth commandment of God's unchangeable law requires the observance of this seventh-day Sabbath as the day of rest, worship, and ministry in harmony with the teaching and practice of Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath. The Sabbath is a day of delightful communion with God and one another. It is a symbol of our redemption in Christ, a sign of our sanctification, a token of our allegiance, and a foretaste of our eternal future in God's kingdom.

Gen. 1:26–28 · 2:15 · 1 Chron. 29:14 · Hag. 1:3–11 · Mal. 3:8–12 · 1 Cor. 9:9–14

We are God's stewards, entrusted by Him with time and opportunities, abilities and possessions, and the blessings of the earth and its resources. We are responsible to Him for their proper use. We acknowledge God's ownership by faithful service to Him and our fellow human beings, and by returning tithes and giving offerings for the proclamation of His gospel and the support and growth of His church. Stewardship is a privilege given to us by God for nurture in love and the victory over selfishness and covetousness. The steward rejoices in the blessings that come to others as a result of his faithfulness.

Rom. 12:1–2 · 1 John 2:6 · Eph. 5:1–21 · Phil. 4:8 · 2 Cor. 7:1 · 1 Pet. 3:1–4

We are called to be a godly people who think, feel, and act in harmony with the principles of heaven. For the Spirit to recreate in us the character of our Lord, we involve ourselves only in those things which will produce Christlike purity, health, and joy in our lives. This means that our amusement and entertainment should meet the highest standards of Christian taste and beauty. While recognising cultural differences, our dress is to be simple, modest, and neat, befitting those whose true beauty does not consist of outward adornment but in the imperishable ornament of a gentle and quiet spirit.

Gen. 2:18–25 · Matt. 19:3–9 · John 2:1–11 · 2 Cor. 6:14 · Eph. 5:21–33

Marriage was divinely established in Eden and affirmed by Jesus to be a lifelong union between a man and a woman in loving companionship. For the Christian, a marriage commitment is to God as well as to the spouse, and should be entered into only between partners who share a common faith. Mutual love, honour, respect, and responsibility are the fabric of this relationship, which is to reflect the love, sanctity, closeness, and permanence of the relationship between Christ and His church. The family is the basic unit of society, and parents are called to bring up their children to love and obey God.

Heb. 8:1–5 · 9:11–28 · Dan. 7:9–27 · 8:13–14 · Rev. 14:6–7

There is a sanctuary in heaven, the true tabernacle that the Lord set up and not merely humans. In it Christ ministers on our behalf, making available to believers the benefits of His atoning sacrifice offered once for all on the cross. At His ascension, He was inaugurated as our great High Priest and began His intercessory ministry. In 1844, at the end of the prophetic period of 2300 days, He entered the second and last phase of His atoning ministry — the investigative judgment — which is part of the ultimate disposition of all sin. This judgment vindicates the justice of God in saving those who believe in Jesus.

Titus 2:13 · John 14:1–3 · Acts 1:9–11 · Matt. 24:14 · Rev. 1:7

The second coming of Christ is the blessed hope of the church — the grand climax of the gospel. The Saviour's coming will be literal, personal, visible, and worldwide. When He returns, the righteous dead will be resurrected, and together with the righteous living will be glorified and taken to heaven, but the unrighteous will die. The almost complete fulfilment of most lines of prophecy, together with the present condition of the world, indicates that Christ's coming is imminent. The time of that event has not been revealed, and we are therefore exhorted to be ready at all times.

Gen. 2:7 · Eccl. 12:7 · John 11:11–14 · 1 Tim. 6:15–16 · 1 Cor. 15:51–54

The wages of sin is death. But God, who alone is immortal, will grant eternal life to His redeemed. Until that day death is an unconscious state for all people. When Christ, who is our life, appears, the resurrected righteous and the living righteous will be glorified and caught up to meet their Lord. The second resurrection — the resurrection of the unrighteous — will take place a thousand years later. In the light of this truth the assurance of the resurrection gives hope and courage in the face of death, pointing the believer to the promise of the morning star.

Rev. 20 · Zech. 14:1–15 · 1 Cor. 6:2–3 · 2 Pet. 3:7–14 · Mal. 4:1

The millennium is the thousand-year reign of Christ with His saints in heaven between the first and second resurrections. During this time the wicked dead will be judged; the earth will be utterly desolate, without living human inhabitants, but occupied by Satan and his angels. At its close Christ with His saints and the Holy City will descend from heaven to earth. The unrighteous dead will then be resurrected, and with Satan and his angels will surround the city; but fire from God will consume them and cleanse the earth. The universe will thus be freed of sin and sinners forever.

2 Pet. 3:13 · Isa. 35 · 65:17–25 · Matt. 5:5 · Rev. 21:1–7 · 22:1–5

On the new earth, in which righteousness dwells, God will provide an eternal home for the redeemed and a perfect environment for everlasting life, love, joy, and learning in His presence. For here God Himself will dwell with His people, and suffering and death will have passed away. The great controversy will be ended, and sin will be no more. All things, animate and inanimate, will declare that God is love; and He shall reign forever and ever. We eagerly await that day when the promise of a new heaven and a new earth — where the righteous shall inherit all things — is gloriously fulfilled.