What's the take of Former Adventists Philippines on the 'Rapture'?

The Former Adventists Philippines (FAP) perspective on the rapture is shaped by Reformed theology, New Covenant theology, and a partial preterist eschatology, which altogether emphasize a biblically grounded and historically contextual view of end-times. Here's how FAP would typically respond:

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What Does FAP Believe About the “Rapture”?

1. The Word “Rapture” Isn’t in the Bible — But the Concept Comes from 1 Thessalonians 4

The idea of a rapture—where believers are "caught up" to meet Christ—comes from 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17:

"For the Lord himself will descend from heaven... and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive... will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air..."

FAP affirms this literal return of Christ and the gathering of His people—but we do not teach the popular pre-tribulational secret rapture promoted by dispensationalist groups like Left Behind.

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2. We Reject the “Secret Rapture” Theory of Dispensationalism

The “pre-tribulation rapture” theory—where Christians are secretly taken away before a seven-year tribulation—is not found in the Bible. It’s a relatively new doctrine, made popular in the 1800s by John Nelson Darby and the Scofield Bible.

FAP believes:

• Christ’s return will be public, glorious, and final (Matthew 24:27–31).

• The “rapture” and the “resurrection” of the dead are part of the same event—the Second Coming.

• There is no biblical basis for a split between the rapture and Christ’s final return.

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3. Christ’s Second Coming Is One Event—Not Two Phases

Scripture does not separate the “rapture” and the Second Coming into two different events. Instead, they happen at the same time:

• Christ returns visibly (Revelation 1:7).

• The dead in Christ are raised (1 Thess. 4:16).

• Living believers are transformed (1 Cor. 15:51–52).

• All meet the Lord “in the air” (1 Thess. 4:17)—a welcoming party, not a disappearing act.

This is similar to how citizens would go out to meet a victorious king and escort Him back into the city—a first-century image of public triumph, not secret escape.

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4. We Focus on Being Ready, Not Escaping Tribulation

Instead of teaching escape from suffering, FAP teaches faithfulness in tribulation. Jesus said:

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

We are not promised escape—we are promised victory through suffering, not from it.

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5. Partial Preterist Eschatology Grounds Our View

FAP leans toward partial preterism—the view that many prophecies in Matthew 24, Revelation, and Daniel were already fulfilled in the first century, especially in the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70.

This means:

• The “great tribulation” already happened (Matthew 24:21, 34).

• We are now living in the gospel age, awaiting the final return of Christ.

• When Jesus returns, it will be the end of history—not the beginning of a 1,000-year earthly kingdom.

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In Summary: FAP’s Position on the Rapture

Aspect	FAP Belief
Rapture	Yes, believers will be caught up to meet Christ—at His final return.
Secret rapture	Rejected as unbiblical and recent.
Tribulation	Believers go through tribulation, not escape it.
Second Coming	One public, glorious return of Christ.
Eschatology	Partial Preterist; many prophecies fulfilled in A.D. 70.
Hope	Not in escaping, but in Christ’s victory and return.

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For more inquiries, contact us:

Email: formeradventist.ph@gmail.com

Website: formeradventistph.blogspot.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/formeradventistph

Phone: 09695143944

Where We Stand: Former Adventists Philippines on "Lordship Salvation" vs "Free Grace Theology"?

You’ve probably heard of the heated debate between “Lordship Salvation” and “Free Grace Theology.” For many Christians, especially those coming out of performance-based religious systems like Adventism, these discussions can feel overwhelming. So, what’s the perspective of Former Adventists Philippines (FAP) on this issue?

Let’s break it down in casual terms.

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What Are These Two Views About?

In simple words:

• Lordship Salvation teaches that Jesus must be received as both Savior and Lord. If you truly believe, your life will eventually show it through repentance, growth, and obedience. It’s not about being perfect, but about genuine faith that leads to a changed life.

• Free Grace Theology says that salvation is by faith alone in Christ alone, and it emphasizes that even if a person never shows spiritual growth or repentance afterward, they’re still saved if they believed. The focus is on faith alone, with no demands for outward change as evidence of salvation.

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Our Journey From Legalism to Liberty

As former Seventh-day Adventists, many of us came out of a system that measured salvation by obedience, Sabbath-keeping, dietary rules, tithe records, and more. We were taught that you needed to prove your salvation by how well you followed the law.

When we discovered the gospel of grace, it was life-changing! We learned that salvation is a gift, not a reward. That we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone—not by works, not by Sabbath, not by any human effort.

So naturally, when we first heard Free Grace Theology, we appreciated the emphasis on the freeness of salvation. It was a breath of fresh air after years of legalism. But as we studied Scripture more deeply, we also began to see the importance of the Lordship of Christ in the Christian life.

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So What Does FAP Believe?

Former Adventists Philippines stands somewhere in between the extremes. Here’s our balanced conviction:

1. Salvation is by grace through faith alone—period.
   
   You don’t need to prove your faith with works to be saved. Faith is enough, and salvation is not dependent on our performance.

2. True saving faith is never alone—it leads to a transformed life.
   
   
   We reject the idea that someone can believe in Jesus and remain permanently unchanged. That doesn’t mean instant maturity, but over time, the fruit of salvation (like repentance, obedience, and love) should show up naturally.

3. Jesus is not a Savior-only offer. He is the Lord.
   
   
   You don’t accept Jesus like a buffet, taking His forgiveness but not His authority. He is Lord, and a true believer will grow in surrendering to Him, even if imperfectly.

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Why This Matters for Former Adventists

We know what it’s like to be crushed by legalism. We also know what it’s like to swing the other way—into license or easy believism that downplays discipleship. That’s why we’re careful not to repeat either mistake.

We don’t believe you have to “maintain” your salvation through obedience. But we also believe that the Holy Spirit does real work in the hearts of those who are truly saved. Faith may start small, but it grows.

We preach a gospel that is 100% grace, but we also disciple people to follow Jesus as their loving Lord, not just a ticket out of hell.

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In Short:

• We affirm salvation by grace alone through faith alone.

• We reject salvation by works, including Sabbath-keeping or legalism of any form.

• We believe genuine faith results in a growing submission to Jesus.

• We avoid both extremes—legalistic Lordship teaching or passive, fruitless Free Grace ideas.

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Final Word

At FAP, we welcome discussions on hard topics like this. We encourage people to read their Bibles, walk with Jesus, and trust the finished work of the cross. We’re not here to police your salvation—we’re here to point you to Christ, who saves and transforms.

So whether you came out of strict religion or loose religion, remember this: You are saved by grace, and you are called to grow in grace. That’s the gospel we preach.

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Let’s follow Jesus—not just with our lips, but with our lives.

- Former Adventists Philippines

Biblical. Christ-Centered. Grace-Rooted.

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For more inquiries, contact us:

Email: formeradventist.ph@gmail.com

Website: formeradventistph.blogspot.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/formeradventistph

Phone: 09695143944

Why Former Adventists Philippines Chose "New Covenant Theology" Over "Covenant Theology": A Casual Blog Reflection on Our Theological Journey

When Former Adventists Philippines (FAP) was just beginning, one of the big questions we had to wrestle with was: Which theological framework best fits our journey out of Adventism and into a Christ-centered understanding of Scripture? Many former Adventists, after leaving the legalism of the old system, instinctively leaned toward Reformed theology. And naturally, that included exploring Covenant Theology (CT).

But as our team dug deeper into Scripture and compared both Covenant Theology (CT) and New Covenant Theology (NCT), we found that NCT was a better fit—biblically, pastorally, and theologically—for who we are and what God is doing through our ministry.

Let’s explain why.

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1. The Shadow vs. Substance Principle

One of the biggest things that drew us to New Covenant Theology is its strong emphasis on Jesus as the fulfillment of all the shadows of the Old Covenant. In NCT, the Law (including the Ten Commandments) is not seen as eternally binding, but as something pointing forward to Christ.

Take Hebrews 8:13 — “In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.”

This verse alone creates a massive theological shift for former Adventists. In Covenant Theology, there’s often the idea that the Moral Law (Ten Commandments) is still binding, even under grace, just not for salvation. But NCT teaches that the whole Old Covenant—including the Ten Commandments—was a temporary covenant made with Israel, and it has now been fulfilled and set aside by Christ.

That means the Sabbath (a core issue for Adventists) is no longer a moral obligation because it was a shadow (Colossians 2:16-17), and the substance belongs to Christ.

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2. Jesus Is the Final Lawgiver, Not Moses

In Adventism, Moses was central. But NCT re-centers us on Christ as the final and ultimate Lawgiver. This resonates deeply with ex-Adventists who are learning to look to Jesus, not the Law of Moses, for how to live.

Hebrews 1:1-2 says, “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son…”

Covenant Theology still keeps believers under the “Moral Law of Moses,” using the Ten Commandments as the guide. But NCT teaches that we’re under the “Law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2)—which includes all that Jesus and the apostles taught for New Covenant living, not the old Sinai code.

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3. Clarity in Biblical Interpretation

New Covenant Theology gave us clear biblical categories. We weren’t left trying to figure out which parts of the Law to keep and which to drop (as CT often does with civil, ceremonial, and moral divisions). NCT takes Scripture at its word: The Old Covenant is gone; the New has come.

2 Corinthians 3:6-11 makes this crystal clear. Paul contrasts the ministry of death (engraved in letters on stone—the Ten Commandments!) with the ministry of the Spirit. One is fading, the other is permanent and glorious.

This framework helped us make peace with verses like Romans 6:14:

“You are not under law but under grace.”

For those of us coming out of a rigid system, NCT gave us the freedom to read the Bible with Christ as the center, not a grid of legal categories.

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4. Christ-Focused Discipleship, Not Law-Based Morality

Let’s be real: Former Adventists often go through an identity crisis. We ask: If I’m not under the Law, what keeps me holy?

NCT answers that beautifully: Grace trains us.

Titus 2:11-12 says,

“For the grace of God has appeared… training us to renounce ungodliness…”

We don’t go back to Moses for morality—we go forward to Jesus and the apostles, who teach us how to live in the power of the Spirit. In contrast, Covenant Theology sometimes pulls us back to Sinai, using the Decalogue as a rulebook. But NCT helps us walk in joyful obedience through the Spirit, not duty-bound obligation under a stone tablet.

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5. Gospel Simplicity and Evangelistic Power

Lastly, NCT simplifies the gospel message. There’s no confusion about whether we’re still under parts of the Old Covenant. The message is simple: Jesus has fulfilled the Law. We are free in Him. Come to Christ and live under the law of love.

This gives clarity and boldness in evangelism. We don’t have to qualify our message by explaining which covenant applies or which laws still count. The message is: Come to Jesus. He is the New Covenant.

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Conclusion: Why NCT Matters for Former Adventists

New Covenant Theology isn’t just a theological preference for FAP. It’s a pastoral lifeline for those recovering from spiritual legalism. It honors Christ as the fulfillment of all things, liberates us from confusion about the Law, and gives us a clear path of gospel-centered discipleship.

In short, NCT gave us back the gospel—pure, simple, and centered on Jesus. And that’s why Former Adventists Philippines stands firmly on the New Covenant Theology position.

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Sample Bible Passages that Support NCT:

• Hebrews 8:6-13 – The Old Covenant is obsolete.

• Colossians 2:16-17 – The Sabbath and other shadows are fulfilled in Christ.

• Galatians 3:24-25 – The Law was a guardian, but now that Christ has come, we are no longer under it.

• Romans 7:4-6 – We have died to the Law through the body of Christ.

• 2 Corinthians 3:7-11 – The Law written on stone was a ministry of death that has now faded away.

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Let’s keep our eyes on Christ, the Mediator of a Better Covenant (Hebrews 8:6).

For former Adventists, that’s not just theology—it’s healing.

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For more inquiries, contact us:

Email: formeradventist.ph@gmail.com

Website: formeradventistph.blogspot.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/formeradventistph

Phone: 09695143944

Why We’re Reformed Arminians (and Not Calvinists)

When people find out that the Former Adventists Philippines (FAP) are no longer legalists or Sabbatarians, they often assume we’ve gone full Calvinist—especially since we love the doctrines of grace, preach sola fide, and affirm salvation by grace alone. But here’s the truth:

We are Reformed Arminians, not Calvinists.

And no, that’s not a contradiction. Let’s explain what that means—and why we hold this view.

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Wait... What Is Reformed Arminianism?

First things first: Reformed Arminianism is not the fluffy, man-centered, decision-based theology you often hear from modern evangelicalism. 

Reformed Arminianism affirms:

• Total depravity
• Salvation by grace through faith
• Necessity of prevenient grace
• Conditional election (based on God’s foreknowledge)
• Christ’s atonement is sufficient for all, efficient for believers
• Believers can fall away without perseverance

It’s Arminian in theology but Reformed in seriousness about sin, grace, and holiness—unlike popular “easy-believism” forms of Arminianism.

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A Little Church History 101

To understand why we hold this view, let’s back up.

• The early Church Fathers (like Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, and Tertullian) clearly taught free will and human responsibility while affirming that grace was essential.

• The strong determinism of later Calvinist theology didn’t fully take root until Augustine, and even then, Augustine still affirmed the real role of grace working with the human will.

Fast forward to the Reformation—not all Reformers were Calvinists. Many early Protestant thinkers held to synergistic soteriology (God works with man, not apart from his will). For example:

• Philip Melanchthon, Luther’s close ally, rejected unconditional election and believed in synergism.

• John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, followed classical Arminianism and emphasized holiness and grace-based responsibility.

• The Arminian Remonstrants (1610) were not heretics—they affirmed total depravity and salvation by grace but disagreed with Calvinism’s double predestination and limited atonement.

FAP aligns with this stream of thought.

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Historical Sources That Support Reformed Arminianism

1. Jacob Arminius (1560–1609)—A Dutch Reformed theologian who challenged Beza’s supralapsarian Calvinism. Arminius didn’t teach free-will works-righteousness. He wrote:

“No man believes in Christ unless the Father draws him by His Spirit; and no man comes unless he has heard and learned from the Father.” (Works of Arminius, Vol. 1)

2. The Five Articles of the Remonstrants (1610)—Taught that salvation begins with God's grace and that man cannot choose God unless moved first by the Holy Spirit.

3. Thomas C. Oden, a Reformed Arminian theologian, writes:

“Arminius and Wesley were closer to the early Church Fathers than Calvin ever was.” (The Transforming Power of Grace, p. 75)

4. J. Matthew Pinson, president of Welch College and author of Arminian and Baptist: Explorations in a Theological Tradition, clarifies:

“Reformed Arminianism is not semi-Pelagian. It is a grace-centered, biblically grounded tradition that simply rejects unconditional election and irresistible grace.”

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Why Not Calvinism?

We studied Calvinism deeply. Many of its doctrines (like total depravity and salvation by grace alone) resonated with us. But here’s where we part ways:

❌ Unconditional Election

We believe God chooses based on foreknowledge of who will trust Him (Romans 8:29). Election is in Christ, not apart from Him.

❌ Limited Atonement

Jesus died for the world (John 3:16; 1 John 2:2). The cross was sufficient for all and genuinely offered to all.

❌ Irresistible Grace

We believe in prevenient grace—the Spirit awakens and draws sinners, but that grace can be resisted (Acts 7:51).

❌ Perseverance of the Saints

We believe apostasy is possible (Hebrews 6:4-6, 2 Peter 2:20-22), though God desires to preserve those who trust in Him.

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Why This Makes Sense for Former Adventists

As ex-Adventists, we know what it’s like to be trapped in performance-based religion. Calvinism seemed attractive because it offered security and sovereignty. But after careful study, we found that:

• Calvinism sometimes replaces one form of bondage (legalism) with another (determinism).

• Reformed Arminianism gave us both grace and freedom, security and responsibility.

• It allowed us to affirm biblical tension: God is sovereign, and yet we are responsible.

We wanted a theology that emphasized grace, avoided man-centered decisionism, but still preserved human accountability. Reformed Arminianism gave us just that.

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Final Thoughts

We didn’t choose Reformed Arminianism to be “middle of the road” or avoid controversy. We chose it because:

• It aligns with the teaching of the early church.

• It is grace-centered and Christ-exalting.

• It emphasizes the call to holy living.

• And most importantly, it reflects what we believe the Bible teaches.

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We're Not Dividing the Body

We love our Calvinist brothers. We share 90% of the gospel essentials. But on the questions of how grace works, we believe Reformed Arminianism is more faithful to Scripture and the early church.

At the end of the day, we want to preach:

“Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. And that grace calls you to follow Jesus—not because you must earn salvation, but because you have freely received it.”

That’s why we’re Reformed Arminians.

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If you want to dig deeper, we recommend:

• Arminian Theology: Myths and Realities by Roger Olson

• The Works of Arminius (3 Volumes)

• Arminian and Baptist by J. Matthew Pinson

• Grace, Faith, Free Will by Robert Picirilli
  

For more inquiries, contact us:

Email: formeradventist.ph@gmail.com

Website: formeradventistph.blogspot.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/formeradventistph

Phone: 09695143944

What Should We Think About Justin Martyr’s View of Christ?

In the second century, long before any formal church councils existed, there were early Christian writers called apologists. One of the most well-known was Justin Martyr. He lived not long after the time of the apostles and tried to explain and defend the Christian faith to the Roman world.

Some people today look at Justin's writings and say, "See? Even early Christians didn’t fully believe in the Trinity. Even they thought the Son had a beginning!" But how should Former Adventists Philippines (FAP) respond to that?

Let’s talk about it.

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Justin's View: Partly True, Partly Confusing

Justin believed in the pre-existence of Christ—that’s good. He understood that Jesus wasn’t just an ordinary man. But he also taught that there was a time when God the Father was alone, and that the Son (or the Logos) only existed “in the mind” of God before being begotten or brought forth just before creation.

In other words, for Justin, the Son of God didn’t always personally exist. He was like a plan in God’s mind that later “came out” so He could help in creating the world.

This idea may sound “kind of close” to the truth, but it’s actually not biblically accurate. It leans more on Greek philosophy than on the actual teaching of the Bible.

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What Does the Bible Say?

The Gospel of John makes it crystal clear:

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."(John 1:1)

This verse tells us three important things:

1. The Word (Logos) already existed in the beginning.

2. The Word was with God—so there's a distinction.

3. The Word was God—so there’s full divinity.

It never says that there was a time when God was alone, or that the Son was just an idea in the Father's mind. From eternity past, Jesus has always been the eternal Son of God—co-equal and co-eternal with the Father.

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A Caution About Early Church Writings

We respect early Christian writers like Justin Martyr, but let’s be clear—they were not apostles, and their writings were not inspired Scripture.

They were doing their best with the knowledge they had, often surrounded by Greek philosophy and Roman thinking. Justin's idea of the Logos, for example, was partly influenced by Platonism. That’s why, even though he said some good things, he also introduced ideas that eventually led to errors—like the heresy of Arianism, which denied the full deity of Christ.

So yes, we can find “a bit of truth” in Justin’s writings—but we don’t build our beliefs on early church fathers. We build our beliefs on the unchanging Word of God.

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What FAP Believes

At Former Adventists Philippines, we affirm what the Bible teaches and what the early church later clarified in the Nicene Creed:

• Jesus Christ is eternally begotten, not made

• He is of one being with the Father

• Through Him all things were made

There was never a time when the Son did not exist.

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Final Thoughts

So if someone quotes Justin Martyr to try and say that the Son of God had a beginning, we can kindly say:

“We appreciate Justin’s role in early church history—but we follow the Bible, not early speculation. Jesus didn’t just come out of God’s mind—He is God, and He has always existed as the eternal Son.”

In the end, history is helpful—but Scripture is the final authority.

Follow us for more biblical truths and answers to confusing doctrines.

For more inquiries, contact us:

Email: formeradventist.ph@gmail.com

Website: formeradventistph.blogspot.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/formeradventistph

Phone: 09695143944

Did Christ Die for All People, or Only for a Chosen Few? A Biblical Answer from the Former Adventists Philippines

This is one of the biggest questions any Christian can ask — and how you answer it shapes your entire view of the gospel, grace, and salvation.

Many people wonder: Did Jesus Christ die only for a select group of people, or did He die for everyone? The Former Adventists Philippines (FAP) holds to the Reformed Arminian view, and here’s our clear and biblical answer:

Christ Died for All People

We believe Jesus’ death on the cross was for all humanity. That’s what Scripture repeatedly teaches:

“He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”— 1 John 2:2

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son…”— John 3:16

“We see Jesus… that He might taste death for everyone.” — Hebrews 2:9

Jesus’ sacrifice was not limited to a small group of predetermined people. It was for everyone, because God’s love is universal, and the gospel invitation is open to all.

But Only Believers Receive the Saving Benefits

Although Jesus died for all, not everyone is automatically saved. Salvation is only applied to those who repent and believe the gospel.

“Whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”— John 3:16

“Whoever does not believe stands condemned already.”— John 3:18

Jesus’ death is sufficient for all, but efficient only for believers. That means the offer of salvation is real for everyone — but only becomes effective when someone places their faith in Christ.

God Enables Everyone to Respond

You might wonder, “But how can anyone believe if they’re spiritually dead?” Good question. FAP affirms that God gives prevenient grace — a grace that comes before salvation, which awakens people, convicts them, and enables them to respond to the gospel freely.

“When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all people to Myself.”— John 12:32

That’s God’s loving initiative. He draws everyone, but He does not force anyone. People still have the real, God-enabled choice to respond in faith or reject Him.

Reformed Arminianism vs. Calvinism

FAP rejects two extremes:

View	Who Did Jesus Die For?	Who Benefits?
Universalism	All people	All are saved (even without faith)
Strict Calvinism	Only the elect	Only the elect
Reformed Arminianism (FAP)	All people	Only those who believe

We believe this is the best balance of God’s love and justice, sovereignty and human responsibility. It’s also consistent with how Scripture presents the gospel.

Why This Matters for Former SDAs

Most of us were taught in Adventism that salvation required faith plus Sabbath-keeping or obedience to the law. That’s not the gospel. The Bible is clear:

“It is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”— Ephesians 2:8-9

Christ’s death is enough. You don’t need to add to it. You don’t need to prove yourself first. The gospel isn’t about joining the right church or keeping the right day — it’s about trusting the right Savior.

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Let’s Talk: Friendly Dialogue

Q: So Jesus died for people who still go to hell?

A: Yes. Like the parable in Matthew 22, the king invited many to the wedding feast, but not all came. The invitation was real — but it had to be accepted.

Q: Isn’t that wasting His blood?

A: No. It shows that God’s love is real and offered sincerely. He doesn't force salvation — He gives people the freedom to accept or reject the gospel.

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Final Thoughts

At FAP, we proclaim a gracious, powerful gospel:

• Christ died for all.

• He offers salvation to everyone.

• Only those who believe will be saved.

That’s the good news — and the true freedom — we found after leaving Adventism. And it’s the message we now joyfully share.

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For more inquiries, contact us:

Email: formeradventist.ph@gmail.com

Website: formeradventistph.blogspot.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/formeradventistph

Phone: 09695143944

What Does Isaiah 66 Really Mean? A Former Adventists Philippines Take on This Powerful Chapter!

When most people read Isaiah 66, they immediately think it’s about the end of the world—especially verses that talk about fire, judgment, and “new heavens and a new earth.” But did you know that Partial Preterists believe this chapter isn’t about the final end of time, but about God’s judgment on Old Covenant Israel and the inauguration of the New Covenant in the first century?

Let’s walk through it together and see how this chapter unfolds in light of fulfilled prophecy.

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New Heavens and New Earth (Isaiah 66:22)

“For as the new heavens and the new earth that I make shall remain before me, says the Lord, so shall your offspring and your name remain.”

Most readers jump straight to Revelation 21 and assume this is about the end of time. But in context, Isaiah is contrasting the Old Covenant world (centered on temple sacrifices and rituals) with the coming New Covenant reality, which is spiritual, global, and permanent.

Former Adventists Philippines understand “new heavens and new earth” not as a literal redo of the cosmos, but as covenantal language—symbolizing a new era, a new creation in Christ (see 2 Corinthians 5:17), where God dwells with His people through the Spirit, not in a temple made by hands.

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The Temple God Does Not Want (Isaiah 66:1-2)

“Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool… All these things my hand has made… But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.”

This is a direct rebuke of the obsession with the physical temple in Jerusalem. God is not impressed by external religion. He desires hearts that are surrendered to Him.

For FAP, this shows that even before Jesus, God was preparing to move away from the Old Covenant system—with its sacrifices and temple buildings—toward a spiritual temple (see John 4:21-24 and 1 Corinthians 3:16).

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Coming Judgment on Apostate Israel (Isaiah 66:4-6)

“I also will choose harsh treatment for them and bring their fears upon them... A sound of uproar from the city! A sound from the temple! The sound of the Lord, rendering recompense to his enemies!”

This is key. The judgment is coming from the city and the temple itself—a clear pointer to Jerusalem's destruction in AD 70.

According to FAP, this was fulfilled when God judged Israel for rejecting Christ. Jesus Himself predicted this repeatedly (Matthew 23:37–24:2), and the Book of Acts shows the growing conflict between the apostles and temple authorities.

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A Nation Born in a Day (Isaiah 66:7-9)

“Before she was in labor she gave birth… Shall a land be born in one day? Shall a nation be brought forth in one moment?”

This beautifully matches the birth of the church at Pentecost. The “nation” born suddenly is the New Covenant people of God, composed of believing Jews and Gentiles, born by the Spirit—not by genealogy or temple ritual.

The apostles themselves apply this imagery to the early church (see 1 Peter 2:9–10).

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Global Mission and New Priests (Isaiah 66:19-21)

“They shall declare my glory among the nations… And some of them also I will take for priests and for Levites, says the Lord.”

No longer is the priesthood restricted to Israel! God is now calling Gentiles, foreigners, into His priesthood (fulfilled in Revelation 1:6 and Romans 15:16).

FAP see this as a powerful picture of the gospel going global—the very mission the church began in the first century and continues today.

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Worms and Unquenchable Fire (Isaiah 66:24)

“And they shall go out and look on the dead bodies of the men who have rebelled against me. For their worm shall not die, their fire shall not be quenched…”

Jesus quotes this in Mark 9:48 to speak of divine judgment. But Isaiah is picturing dead corpses outside Jerusalem—a vivid image of God’s wrath on those who rejected His covenant.

FAP apply this to the judgment that fell on Jerusalem in AD 70, where Josephus, the Jewish historian, described horrifying scenes that eerily match this prophetic language.

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So What’s the Big Picture?

Isaiah 66 isn’t primarily about the end of the physical world—it’s about the end of the Old Covenant world and the rise of the New Covenant kingdom through Christ. The chapter outlines:

• A rebuke of temple-centered worship

• A judgment on apostate Israel

• The birth of the church

• The global expansion of the gospel

• A new kind of priesthood among the nations

• And a warning of judgment to those who reject God’s final offer in Christ

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Final Thoughts

Reading Isaiah 66 through a Partial Preterist lens helps us see how powerfully and precisely God's Word was fulfilled. It also gives us confidence that God’s promises to establish His kingdom have already begun—and we are living in it today.

So don’t just look to the future—celebrate what God has already done. And let that give you courage to live faithfully now, as citizens of the new heavens and new earth already inaugurated in Christ.

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For more inquiries, contact us:

Email: formeradventist.ph@gmail.com

Website: formeradventistph.blogspot.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/formeradventistph

Phone: 09695143944

Bakit Hindi Dapat Patulan ang Debate Challenge ng mga SDA Defenders na May Dunning-Kruger Effect?

Let’s be honest—ang daming SDA lay defenders ngayon sa social media na super confident magsalita. Parang alam na alam nila lahat ng Bible doctrines, history, prophecy, theology, and even Greek! Minsan pa nga, sila pa ang unang nagyayabang ng "Debate tayo!" or "Pakitunayan mo kung mali si Ellen White!" Pero tanong: worth it ba talagang patulan sila?

Honestly, hindi. Most of them are walking examples of the Dunning-Kruger Effect—mga taong mababaw ang alam pero sobrang taas ng kumpiyansa sa sarili. Hindi sila bukas sa matino at mapagkumbabang pag-aaral. Gusto lang nila manalo sa argumento, hindi matuto. At kadalasan, sila mismo ay hindi fully equipped sa basic tools of biblical interpretation, church history, or even logic.

1. Walang Patutunguhang Usapan

Kahit anong galing mo sa Bible, kung ka-debate mo ay sarado ang isip at laging umiikot lang sa Ellen White quotes o sa mga out-of-context verses, wala talagang patutunguhan ang diskusyon. Sayang lang oras mo. Instead of growing together in knowledge, nagiging toxic word war lang.

2. Hindi Debate ang Kailangan Nila, Discipleship

Marami sa kanila ay biktima rin ng maling sistema ng doktrina. They've never been exposed to sound theology. Ang mas kailangan nila ay gentle correction and gospel-centered discipleship, hindi public humiliation or intellectual showdown. Kaya minsan, mas makapangyarihan pa rin ang private conversations or one-on-one Bible studies kaysa big-time debate.

3. Proverbs Reminder: Don’t Wrestle with a Fool

Sabi nga sa Proverbs 18:2, “A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.” Kapag alam mong ang goal lang ng kausap mo ay manalo, hindi matuto, move on na lang. Hindi kawalan ang umiwas sa debate. Actually, that’s wisdom in action.

4. Sayang Enerhiya, Sayang Platform

Instead of wasting your energy and credibility debating with someone who refuses to listen, why not use your platform to teach those who are genuinely seeking? Focus on those who are open, teachable, and hungry for the truth. Mas fruitful pa 'yan kaysa sa endless argument sa comment section.

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Final Advice: Wag Pa-Flex, Magpaka-Faithful

Hindi mo kailangang patunayan ang sarili mo sa SDA lay defenders who just want to debate for attention. Be faithful in teaching the Word, walk in humility, and let the Holy Spirit do the convicting. Remember: our goal is not to win arguments but to win souls. So the next time may SDA na nagyaya ng debate, check mo muna—baka Dunning-Kruger Effect lang 'yan, hindi leading ng Diyos.

For more inquiries, contact us:

Email: formeradventist.ph@gmail.com

Website: formeradventistph.blogspot.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/formeradventistph

Phone: 09695143944

5 Cult-Like Signs the Seventh-Day Adventist Church Doesn’t Want You to Notice!

Seventh-day Adventism (SDA) shares some cult-like tendencies with other religious groups, particularly in how they handle authority, information control, and group loyalty. While not all SDAs are extreme, certain sub-groups and lay defenders within Adventism—especially those demanding members to watch only SDA-approved podcasts or videos—reveal characteristics commonly associated with high-control religious systems or cults.

Below are some reasons why SDA exhibits cult-like behavior, particularly through media control like pushing members to watch only content like “Amazing Facts” by Doug Batchelor or Hope TV Channel Philippines and how to respond biblically and logically to such tactics.

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1. Information Control: Only SDA-Approved Media

Cult-like trait: Many cults try to control what their members read, watch, or listen to. SDAs often discourage or demonize outside perspectives, especially ex-Adventist or critical content. They push members to consume "safe" content like “Amazing Facts,” or “Hope Channel TV.”

✅ Refutation:

The Bible commands testing all things (1 Thessalonians 5:21), not avoiding them. Truth withstands scrutiny. A faith that discourages open examination is likely protecting falsehood. Jesus never demanded blind loyalty or censorship—He answered critics and invited sincere seekers (John 5:39; Acts 17:11).

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2. Fear-Based Warnings Against Leaving

Cult-like trait: SDAs, especially lay defenders, often warn members that leaving the church is “dangerous” or “apostasy.” They threaten with Ellen White’s warnings of doom or loss of salvation if someone leaves "the Remnant Church."

✅ Refutation:

This tactic manipulates through fear, not love or truth. True Christian faith rests on Christ alone, not church membership (Gal. 5:1). Paul warned against those who enslave believers with fear-based control (Gal. 2:4–5). Salvation is by grace through faith, not by loyalty to an organization (Eph. 2:8–9).

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3. Prophetic Authority of Ellen White

Cult-like trait: Like other cults with a "divine messenger" (e.g., Jehovah’s Witnesses with the Watchtower or LDS with Joseph Smith), SDAs elevate Ellen White as a “continuing and authoritative source of truth,” even if they deny it officially.

✅ Refutation:

Hebrews 1:1–2 declares that in these last days, God has spoken through His Son, not through modern prophets. Elevating White’s writings to interpret Scripture adds to God’s Word (Rev. 22:18). The Bereans were commended for checking Paul’s words against Scripture (Acts 17:11)—not against visions.

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4. Us-vs-Them Mentality

Cult-like trait: SDAs claim to be “the Remnant Church” with the “full truth,” implying other Christians are deceived or part of “Babylon.” This reinforces isolation and elitism, common in cults.

✅ Refutation:

Jesus said, “Whoever is not against us is for us” (Mark 9:40). The true Church is not one denomination but includes all born-again believers in Christ (John 10:16; Eph. 4:4–6). Humble faith, not exclusive claims, marks the people of God (Phil. 2:3–5).

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5. Enforced Consumption of SDA Propaganda

Cult-like trait: When leaders or lay influencers demand their followers watch only SDA programs or other defensive series without also engaging critical or opposing views, that is indoctrination—not discipleship.

✅ Refutation:

Proverbs 18:17 says, “The first to state his case seems right until another comes and examines him.” True seekers must examine all sides with Scripture as the final authority—not Ellen White, church manuals, or propaganda videos.

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Final Advice: Don’t Fall into the Trap

• Don’t accept the challenge to watch only their side. Instead, invite open, two-way discussions.

• Ask them, “If Adventism is the truth, shouldn’t it hold up even when challenged?”

• Encourage your friends to read the Bible without Ellen White’s glasses. Let God’s Word speak plainly.

• Avoid debating combatively; instead, disarm with questions and the spirit of Christ.

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For more inquiries, contact us:

Email: formeradventist.ph@gmail.com

Website: formeradventistph.blogspot.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/formeradventistph

Phone: 09695143944

Understanding the Bible: Definition of the Law-Gospel Hermeneutic

Definition of the Law-Gospel Hermeneutic

The law-gospel hermeneutic is the interpretive principle that properly distinguishes between God’s commands (law) and God’s promises (gospel) in Scripture.

This distinction is foundational to biblical theology and central to the right proclamation of the gospel. The law reveals God's holy, unchanging standards and exposes sin; the gospel proclaims God's free and gracious salvation through Jesus Christ, received by faith alone apart from works.

Why It Matters for Ex-Adventists

Seventh-day Adventism blurs the biblical distinction between law and gospel by:

• Mixing moral law observance (including Sabbath-keeping) into the conditions for salvation.

• Teaching a sanctification-based assurance, where one’s standing before God partly depends on personal obedience.

• Proposing investigative judgment theology, effectively tying salvation security to law-keeping performance.

Former Adventists Philippines teaches that this confusion undermines both the sufficiency of Christ’s finished work and the believer’s assurance. Recovering a biblical law-gospel hermeneutic is thus essential for former Adventists to rest in Christ alone and rightly understand the purpose of God's law for the redeemed.

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How FAP Understands the Role of the Law

In FAP’s teaching, the law functions in three ways:

• As a mirror (usus elenchticus): to reveal sin and drive people to Christ (Rom. 3:20; Gal. 3:24).

• As a civil guide (usus politicos): to restrain evil in society.

• As a rule of life for believers (usus didacticus): not for justification, but as a grateful response to grace (Rom. 6:14; 13:8-10).

We teach that the Decalogue, including the Sabbath command, is no longer a binding covenant obligation under the New Covenant (Heb. 8:13; Gal. 4:21-31), though the moral principles behind it continue in the law of Christ (1 Cor. 9:21; Gal. 6:2).

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The Gospel: Christ’s Finished Work, Not Law Plus Grace

FAP holds that the gospel is not an offer conditioned upon law-keeping or Sabbath observance. It is the finished, objective work of Christ in his sinless life, atoning death, and resurrection, freely offered to all and received by faith alone (Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 5:1).

Assurance comes from Christ's perfect righteousness imputed to the believer, not from one’s performance or perseverance in law observance.

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Biblical Hermeneutic Framework

FAP hermeneutics distinguishes Old Covenant typology and ceremonial laws, fulfilled and abrogated in Christ (Col. 2:16-17; Heb. 8:13). The law is interpreted in light of its covenantal context and fulfillment in Jesus.

• The Mosaic law was a temporary administration added because of transgressions (Gal. 3:19) and was always meant to point to Christ (Rom. 10:4).

• The New Covenant law of Christ is the believer’s rule of life, summarized in loving God and neighbor (Matt. 22:37-40), empowered by the Spirit.

No law observance contributes to justification, but good works naturally follow salvation as evidence, not a condition.

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Summary Statement (for FAP doctrinal document)

“We affirm that Scripture must be rightly divided between law and gospel. The law reveals God’s perfect standards and our sin; the gospel announces salvation accomplished by Christ, received by faith alone. In the New Covenant, believers are not under the Mosaic law as a covenant of works, but under the law of Christ as a rule of life. This hermeneutic frees former Adventists from legalistic bondage and secures assurance in Christ’s finished work alone.”

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Recommended FAP Pastoral Teaching Emphasis

• Expose the misuse of the law in Adventism (Gal. 3:10-14).

• Proclaim the sufficiency of the gospel (Rom. 3:21-26).

• Teach New Covenant theology and the abrogation of ceremonial law (Heb. 8:6-13; Col. 2:16-17).

• Explain the proper place of good works as fruit, not root, of salvation (Eph. 2:8-10).

• Highlight the pastoral dangers of law-gospel confusion (Gal. 1:6-9; 5:1-4).

Sola Scriptura: Why It's the ULTIMATE Authority (vs. Solo, Tota, Prima)

Was AD 70 Really the "Worst Ever"? Here's Why It Makes Sense in Partial Preterism

We get this question a lot, especially when people first hear about partial preterism, and usually, they bring up Matthew 24:21, where Jesus said:

“There will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again.”

That’s a strong statement, right? So the usual follow-up is:

“But how can that be? There have been way worse disasters and persecutions after AD 70, like the Holocaust, World War II, or even the persecution of Christians in other countries. Doesn’t that disprove what you’re saying?”

It’s a fair question! But here’s our simple, no-stress answer:

Jesus wasn’t talking about body count. He was talking about covenant judgment.

Let’s break that down into bite-sized pieces:

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1. Jesus wasn’t describing just any disaster—He was pointing to the end of the Old Covenant age.

If you go back and read the whole chapter of Matthew 24, Jesus is talking about the destruction of the temple (v.2) and the judgment on Jerusalem. This wasn’t just another war. It was a massive turning point in redemptive history—the final judgment on the Old Covenant system.

That meant:

• No more sacrifices.

• No more Levitical priesthood.

• No more temple.

That entire system was shut down. Boom. Done.

That’s what made it a “never-to-be-repeated” moment. Not because it was the bloodiest, but because it had the biggest theological impact. No other event in world history had that kind of spiritual weight.

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2. “Worst ever” doesn’t always mean most people died—it means most covenantally significant.

We’re not denying that there have been worse disasters in terms of death toll. We agree—terrible things have happened in history. But AD 70 wasn’t just about suffering—it was about meaning.

The Old Testament (especially Deuteronomy 28) warned that if Israel broke their covenant with God, a terrifying judgment would come. And in AD 70, it did—exactly as Jesus said it would.

Roman armies surrounded Jerusalem, just like in Luke 21:20. The city was crushed. The temple burned. The sacrificial system was erased.

For the Jewish people under the Old Covenant, that was the end of their world.

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3. The phrase “never to be equaled again” is covenantal, not just global.

People often assume Jesus was talking about the whole planet when He said “unequaled distress.” But the Bible often uses this kind of language in a local or covenant-specific way.

Check this out:

• Exodus 11:6 says there would be a wailing in Egypt “worse than there has ever been or will be again.” That didn’t mean all time and all nations—it meant Egypt.

• Daniel 12:1 says there will be “a time of distress” unlike anything before, for Israel, not the whole globe.

So when Jesus said, “never to be equaled again,” He wasn’t talking about every war or tragedy across the ages. He meant: this is the final covenant judgment on Old Covenant Israel. That fits the context perfectly.

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4. So, no—it doesn’t disprove partial preterism. It actually supports it.

If anything, the events of AD 70 confirm what Jesus said. It was:

• Sudden

• Final

• Prophetic

• Covenant-ending

That’s exactly what partial preterism teaches—that Jesus’ prophecies were fulfilled in His generation (just like Matthew 24:34 says), and that AD 70 marked the close of an era in redemptive history.

This isn’t about minimizing future hope—we still believe Jesus will physically return one day! But we also believe He kept His word about that generation facing a unique, once-for-all judgment.

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Conclusion: So Was AD 70 Really the Worst?

In the sense Jesus meant it—yes. It was the worst covenantal judgment in redemptive history. It was the end of the Old Covenant world. And that’s exactly what He warned about in Matthew 24.

So while it’s true that many terrible events have happened since then, none of them fulfilled that specific prophecy, and none carried the same covenantal finality.

Partial preterism helps us read the Bible in its proper historical and redemptive context. It doesn’t downplay suffering or tragedy—it simply helps us see that Jesus’ prophecy was fulfilled exactly as He said it would be.

Let’s keep reading the Bible in context, with eyes on Jesus—not just as a future hope, but as the King who’s already established His New Covenant kingdom.

For more inquiries, contact us:

Email: formeradventist.ph@gmail.com

Website: formeradventistph.blogspot.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/formeradventistph

Phone: 09695143944

Is the Former Adventists Philippines Really "Attacking" the Seventh-Day Adventist Church? Let’s Clear This Up!

We’ve been hearing some interesting things lately — especially from some of our beloved Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) friends who think that Former Adventists Philippines (FAP) exists just to badmouth or destroy the SDA church. Some even accuse us of “sinisiraan lang ang iglesia” or “lumalaban sa bayan ng Diyos.”

Well, let’s talk about this honestly and openly. It’s about time we clarify a few myths and give helpful tips to our SDA friends para hindi sila agad mapaniwala sa haka-haka.

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FAP’s Ministry Is About the Gospel, Not Grudges

First off, Former Adventists Philippines was created not to destroy but to reach out — to help those who, like us, had honest questions about SDA teachings and found biblical answers outside of it. FAP exists because we care enough to tell the truth, especially about doctrines we once believed and preached ourselves.

When we explain the errors in the SDA’s Investigative Judgment, Sabbath requirements, or Ellen G. White’s prophetic claims, it’s not out of bitterness — it’s about faithfully standing for the biblical gospel. Wala kaming galit sa mga tao. What we reject are the teachings we’ve seen to be unbiblical after careful study.

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Correction Is Not the Same as Destruction

To our SDA friends: There’s a big difference between attacking people and correcting wrong ideas.

Even Jesus and the apostles publicly corrected the Pharisees and false teachers in their time, not because they hated them, but because they cared for the souls of people being misled. The Bible commands believers to “contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3).

When FAP points out where the SDA doctrines go against Scripture, it’s part of our Christian duty. Hindi ito siraan — it’s loving correction. And just like how SDAs preach against Catholicism, Born-Again churches, or other faiths they disagree with, FAP also has the freedom and responsibility to explain why we left and what the Bible truly teaches.

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Tips for SDAs to Avoid Misunderstanding FAP

Dear SDA friends, here are some friendly reminders when you encounter FAP materials:

1. Listen to understand, not to react.
   Don’t assume agad that we’re attacking you personally. Listen to what’s actually being said, and check it against your Bible.

2. Separate people from teachings.
   We’re not against you as individuals. We’re addressing specific doctrines, and those can be examined without getting offended.

3. Check your church history honestly.
   Before accusing others of “attacking the church,” remember how early Adventists spoke against other denominations, too. Even Ellen White herself had sharp words for other faiths. If they had the right to do it for what they believed was the truth, so do we.

4. Use open dialogue, not defensive blocking.
   When people leave the SDA and share their reasons biblically, it deserves a fair hearing. Shouting “naninira kayo!” only shows insecurity in one’s own position.

5. Remember, Truth doesn’t fear examination.
   If your beliefs are truly biblical, you have nothing to fear from open, respectful dialogue.

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Conclusion: Let’s Talk Like Family

FAP isn’t here to mock, insult, or destroy anyone. We’re here to lovingly challenge and invite people to see the freedom of the gospel found in Christ alone, not in legalistic systems or man-made doctrines.

To our SDA friends: We were once like you. And it’s because we care about you that we dare to speak. Truth can stand examination. Falsehood fears it. So let’s talk, let’s reason, and let’s examine the Scriptures together.

No name-calling. No fear-mongering. Just honest, Bible-based conversation.

For more inquiries, contact us:

Email: formeradventist.ph@gmail.com

Website: formeradventistph.blogspot.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/formeradventistph

Phone: 09695143944

Why Former Adventists Need Legitimate Christian Water Baptism?

Let’s talk about something super important for those of us who’ve come out of Seventh-day Adventism and are now walking in the true gospel of Jesus Christ — Christian water baptism.

Some former SDAs might wonder:

"I was already baptized in the SDA Church — do I really need to get baptized again?"

The answer is yes. And not because we’re being picky or legalistic, but because biblically speaking, not all baptisms are legitimate Christian baptisms. Let’s break it down together.

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What Makes a Baptism Legitimate?

According to the Bible, a valid Christian baptism has three essentials:

1. Right understanding of the Gospel
   
   
   → Acts 2:38 — “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.”

   Baptism is a response to the true gospel — salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. It’s not a ritual tied to legalism or a false gospel.

2. Right authority
   
   
   → Matthew 28:19 — “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

   Christian baptism must be administered by a true gospel-preaching church, one that holds to the biblical gospel and the Lordship of Christ.

3. Right purpose
   
   
   → Romans 6:3-4 — “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?”

   Baptism identifies us with the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. It’s not about joining a denomination or committing to Old Covenant law-keeping.

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Why the SDA Baptism Is Not a Legitimate Christian Baptism

Now here’s the tough but loving truth: SDA baptism falls short in those essential areas.

They teach a different gospel.

The SDA Church officially teaches that salvation is by grace, plus Sabbath-keeping, adherence to Ellen G. White’s writings, dietary laws, and observance of Old Covenant regulations. This is not the biblical gospel (Galatians 1:6-9).

Their baptism is into a system, not into Christ alone.

When you’re baptized into the SDA church, you’re baptized into an institution that makes Sabbath observance a test of loyalty and claims to be the remnant church. That’s a false gospel attached to legalism.

They recognize Ellen G. White as an inspired prophet.

This adds extra-biblical authority to their teachings and clouds their gospel message.

2 Corinthians 11:4 warns about receiving a different gospel or a different spirit.

If the foundation is wrong, the baptism built upon it isn’t biblical.

Their view of the New Covenant is flawed.

They teach that Christians are still bound to Old Covenant laws, such as the Sabbath, dietary restrictions, and tithing mandates, which the New Testament says were shadows that have been fulfilled in Christ (Colossians 2:16-17).

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Why Former SDAs Should Be Properly Baptized

If you’ve come to know the true gospel — that salvation is by grace alone through faith in Christ alone apart from works of the law (Ephesians 2:8-9) — then you need to publicly identify with Jesus through legitimate Christian baptism.

It’s not about getting “re-baptized” because your old one was fine. It’s about receiving your actual, biblical baptism for the first time, now that you truly believe in the biblical gospel.

As seen in Acts 19:1-5, when Paul met disciples who had received John’s baptism (which wasn’t yet a full understanding of Christ), he baptized them in the name of the Lord Jesus after teaching them the full gospel. The same principle applies here.

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In Closing

Suppose you’re a former Adventist now standing in the true gospel of grace. In that case, your next step of obedience is legitimate Christian baptism, not to “join a church” but to publicly testify of your union with Christ in His death and resurrection.

You’re no longer under law but under grace (Romans 6:14).

You’re no longer bound to shadows but walking in the substance — Jesus Christ Himself (Colossians 2:17).

So, if you haven’t yet, talk to a faithful, Bible-believing church and get baptized biblically.

Not because you’re forced to, but because you get to.

It’s a beautiful declaration of the salvation you’ve already received.

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Frequently Asked Questions: Former Adventists and Christian Baptism

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Q: I was already baptized in the SDA Church. Why do I need to be baptized again?

Because your first baptism wasn’t done with a correct understanding of the biblical gospel.

Acts 19:1-5 shows that people who were baptized under a different or incomplete message were baptized again when they heard the true gospel.

In the SDA Church, baptism is tied to a legalistic system that requires obedience to Old Covenant laws like Sabbath-keeping as part of salvation.

True Christian baptism is a declaration of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.

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Q: Is it disrespectful to my SDA family if I get baptized again?

No. In fact, it’s one of the most loving things you can do because it declares your loyalty to Jesus Christ and His finished work alone.

Luke 14:26 reminds us to prioritize loyalty to Christ above all human relationships.

It doesn’t mean you hate your family — it means you love the Lord enough to obey Him and trust His word over religious traditions.

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Q: But the SDA Church baptizes in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, just like Matthew 28:19 says. Isn’t that valid?

Baptism isn’t valid just because of the words said during it.

What matters is the gospel you were baptized into.

If it’s a false gospel (Galatians 1:6-9), the baptism is invalid, no matter what formula was recited.

The SDA Church preaches a gospel of grace plus law, plus Ellen G. White, plus the Sabbath, which contradicts the biblical gospel of grace alone.

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Q: Can I just stay unbaptized? Isn’t salvation by faith alone anyway?

Yes — salvation is by faith alone. But baptism is a command of Jesus for believers. It’s an act of obedience after you’ve truly believed the gospel.

Acts 2:38 — “Repent and be baptized.”

It doesn’t save you, but it’s a public testimony that you have been saved.

If you truly love and follow Jesus, you’ll want to obey Him in this, too.

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Q: I’m nervous. What if people think I’m being too radical?

That’s okay. In fact, the early Christians were often misunderstood when they left their old religious groups to follow Christ.

Galatians 1:10 — “Am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God?”

You’re not doing this for people’s approval. You’re doing it for the Lord.

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Q: Where should I get baptized? Can any church do it?

Get baptized in a Bible-believing, gospel-preaching Christian church — one that teaches salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.

Avoid groups that attach salvation to works, legalism, or extra-biblical authorities like modern-day prophets.

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In Summary:

• SDA baptism is invalid because it’s tied to a false gospel.

• Legitimate Christian baptism requires:

  • Right gospel understanding

  • Right authority (true gospel church)

  • Right purpose (identification with Christ’s death and resurrection)

• You’re not dishonoring family — you’re honoring Christ.

• Salvation is by faith, but baptism is the first step of public obedience for believers.

• Do it with courage. Do it for Jesus.

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If you’re a former Adventist ready to follow Christ in biblical baptism, talk to your pastor or church leader today. It’s not too late. You’ll never regret obeying the Lord.