“Bro, You Just Got Hurt… Forgive and Come Back to the SDA Church”: A Personal Response from a Former 24 years SDA Apologist!

I’ve heard this line so many times already. It usually comes in different forms:

“Maybe you just got hurt.”

“Let go of the past, bro.”

“Stop being bitter.”

“Come home. The church misses you.”

“People make mistakes. Don't leave Jesus because of them.”

Let me be honest. This kind of response is exactly what the enemy wants people to believe—to make them ignore the real issue, which is doctrinal error, not personal hurt. Like what 2 Corinthians 4:4 says, “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so that they cannot see the light of the gospel…”

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My Departure Was Not Because of “Tampo” or Bitterness

I get it—when people found out I left the SDA Church after 24 years of being active, some were shocked, some were sad, others were confused, and yes—some even rejoiced, maybe thinking they finally had a chance to take my place. 

But please understand this:

I didn’t leave because of personal issues or drama.

I left because of false teachings I could no longer defend with a clear conscience.

I’ve served the SDA Church faithfully. I got baptized in 1995. I defended the faith. I gave sermons. I trained others. I studied hard. I lived the message. I wasn’t a passive Adventist—I was a passionate one.

But when the Lord opened my eyes to the gospel of grace and the doctrinal errors within Adventism, I couldn’t keep silent anymore. And to prove that I wasn’t just “hurt,” I even launched a podcast (Investigating Adventism) and continued speaking publicly—but now focused on truth, not denomination.

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“Forgive Them and Come Back?”

Forgiveness is a non-issue for me. I’ve forgiven everyone who ever wronged me. That’s not the problem. True forgiveness is a choice, not a feeling. And if you’ve been a Christian long enough, you learn that pretty quickly.

But let me also say this:

Forgiveness doesn’t mean silence.

If your house is on fire, you don’t just forgive the one who started the fire—you warn others before more people get hurt.

So no—I didn’t leave because of emotional pain. I left because of truth.

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“Will You Ever Come Back to the SDA Church?”

Let me be clear:

No, I’m not going back.

Why? Because the more I searched the Scriptures, the more I saw how the teachings of Ellen G. White, the Investigative Judgment, the 1844 doctrine, and even the SDA view of the law and Sabbath don’t align with the gospel of grace taught in the Bible.

Many Adventists are realizing this. In fact, thousands have already left.

I know many pastors, elders, and even laypeople who are waking up to the truth. But sadly, some stay silent due to fear of losing income, community, or reputation.

But I decided long ago that I’d rather lose everything than gamble my soul on man-made doctrines.

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Jesus Said It Best

“Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”— Matthew 10:28

If I really believed the SDA Church is the “remnant church,” I’d risk my life to stay in it. But now that I’ve seen the truth, how could I remain?

If I stay silent, I become complicit in deceiving others. I can’t do that.

Jesus is enough. I no longer need Ellen White. I no longer need the Old Covenant law to make me feel “secure.” I now live by grace, through faith—not by fear, guilt, or performance.

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I Know Some of You Are Still Struggling Inside the Church

Maybe you’re an SDA pastor who has doubts about Ellen White.

Maybe you’re a youth who secretly doesn’t believe the church’s unique teachings anymore.

Maybe you’ve been silent because your family is all Adventist.

Maybe you’re afraid of being called a “traitor.”

I get it. I really do. It’s not easy. But Jesus also said:

“Whoever loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me… Whoever finds their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for My sake will find it.”— Matthew 10:36–39

Following Jesus sometimes means losing everything to gain what really matters—the gospel of grace and eternal life.

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To My SDA Friends and Loved Ones

I still love you. I still care.

My decision to leave wasn’t out of hate—it was out of conviction. And I share my story because I hope one day you’ll experience the same freedom I found in Christ.

True Christianity isn’t about church names or Sabbath-keeping.

It’s about knowing Jesus personally and being justified by faith—not by works, not by the law, and not by your performance.

Like the apostle Paul said:

“I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”— Galatians 2:20

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Final Thoughts

So, to answer that comment:

No, I didn’t leave because of hurt.

Yes, I’ve forgiven everyone.

But no, I’m not coming back to a system that teaches false hope, false gospel, and false assurance.

I’ve found freedom in Christ—and that’s not something I’ll trade for anything in the world.


In Christ,
Pastor Ronald Obidos
Founder, Former Adventists Philippines

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Former Adventists Philippines

“Freed by the Gospel. Firm in the Word.”

For more inquiries, contact us:

Email: formeradventist.ph@gmail.com

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