Adventist, Brief History, Beliefs

This denomination was started as the General Conference of 7th-Day Adventists, in Battle Creek, Michigan, in 1863, with a membership of 3,500. As their name implies, they worship on the Sabbath, Saturday, and believe in an imminent, pre-millennial, universally visible second advent.

The Seventh Day Adventist believe that Scripture is inspired and without error, the final, totally trustworthy rule of faith. The standard Protestant canon is accepted. Ellen G. White, a leader in the early church, was a prophet, and her writings authoritatively impart instruction in the Scriptures.
Seventh Day Adventist SDA church doctrine states that God is the One Creator and Lord of all, existing eternally as the Trinity; Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

That Jesus is the eternal Son incarnate, fully God and fully human, conceived and born of the virgin Mary, died on the Cross for our sins, rose bodily from the grave, ascended into heaven, and will come again in glory to judge us all.

Some Church Practices;

• They observe a sunset to sunset Sabbath beginning Friday evening.
• They follow an evangelical format with emphasis placed on the sermon, Prayer meetings throughout the week and children attending Adventist schools.
• They practice full emersion adult baptism.
• They do not consume pork or any unclean meat as noted in Leviticus.
• Missionary outreach is aimed at both unbelievers and other Christian Churches.
• They operate a significant number of hospitals. Their predominate school of medicine in North America is in Loma Linda, California.
• The SDA Church runs one of the largest education system in the world. They operate some 5,700 pre-school, primary and secondary schools, along with colleges, universities, seminaries and medical schools in 145 countries worldwide.


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Adventists are Very Health Conscious

Adventists are known for promoting a health message that recommends vegetarianism and expects adherents to the kosher laws of Leviticus 11. Following these laws means abstinence from pork, shellfish, and other foods proscribed as "unclean".

The church discourages the use of alcohol, tobacco or illegal drugs among its member base. In addition, most Adventists avoid coffee, tea, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Mountain Dew and other caffeine products.

The Adventist Church was considered pioneers in the breakfast cereal market. These "breakfast" cereals developed as health foods led to the founding of Kellogg's by Adventist William Kellogg. In both Australia and New Zealand, the Adventist Church-owned Sanitarium Health Food Company is one of the leading manufacturers of health and vegetarian-related products.

Research funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health shows that the average Adventist in California lives 4 to 10 years longer than the average Californian. This is attributed to the fact that Adventists do not smoke or drink alcohol, have a day of rest every week, and maintain a healthy, low-fat vegetarian diet that is rich in nuts and beans.



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