Introduction:
One of the great cries of the Protestant Reformation was “salvation by grace through faith alone” (Ephesians 2:8–9). Martin Luther and the Reformers stood against the Roman Catholic Church’s sale of indulgences—promises of reduced punishment for sin in exchange for money or religious acts. These indulgences were more than corruption; they were a distortion of the gospel. What few realize today is that the core idea behind indulgences—salvation through performance—is alive and well in modern religious systems, including Seventh-day Adventism.
While SDAs don’t sell certificates to escape purgatory, they offer something similar: assurance of salvation based on law-keeping, particularly the Sabbath. This modern version of salvation by works subtly leads believers away from the sufficiency of Christ and back into bondage.
Let’s unpack the similarities.
1. Indulgences: Salvation Through Religious Acts
The Roman Catholic Church taught (and still teaches) that the merits of Christ and the saints can be applied to reduce punishment for sin through indulgences. This system:
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Added human effort to Christ’s finished work
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Required participation in Church-approved actions (pilgrimages, prayers, almsgiving)
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Left people uncertain about their standing with God
Indulgences created a works-based pathway to grace, contrary to Scripture.
2. Adventism: Salvation Through Law-Keeping
Seventh-day Adventism officially teaches salvation by grace. But in practice, many SDAs believe:
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Salvation is maintained by ongoing obedience to the Ten Commandments, especially the Sabbath
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One’s eternal destiny depends on passing the Investigative Judgment
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Those who worship on Sunday in the end-times will receive the Mark of the Beast
Just like indulgences, this creates a system of religious performance tied to salvation.
In the words of former Adventist and Christian theologian D.M. Canright (once a close associate of Ellen White):
"While claiming to preach salvation by grace, they hold that it is only for those who keep the law. They call that grace."
3. The Gospel Denied in Practice
The Apostle Paul faced similar distortions in the early church. In Galatians 3:1–3, he rebukes those who began in the Spirit but tried to be perfected by the flesh:
“Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?”
The same rebuke applies to both indulgences and Adventist legalism.
The SDA doctrine of the Investigative Judgment, where Christ allegedly began reviewing believers’ lives in 1844, places the believer’s assurance not in the cross, but in their record of law-keeping. This undermines the finished work of Christ and keeps members in fear.
Similarly, indulgences kept Catholics giving money, lighting candles, praying prayers—not out of love for God, but out of fear for their souls.
4. Both Systems Undermine Assurance
In both Catholicism and Adventism:
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There is no true assurance of salvation
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Believers are taught they may fall away or fail if they do not meet a certain standard
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Jesus is Savior and Inspector
This is tragically opposed to the gospel that says:
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1)
True peace with God comes not from our performance, but from Christ’s obedience alone (Romans 5:19).
5. Grace + Anything = Nothing
Any system that adds human effort to grace cancels grace. Paul makes this crystal clear:
“But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise, grace would no longer be grace.” (Romans 11:6)
That means:
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Grace + Law = Law
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Grace + Sabbath = Law
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Grace + Investigative Judgment = Works
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Grace + Indulgence = Condemnation
There is no room in the gospel for "Jesus did His part, now you must do yours." Jesus did everything.
Conclusion: From Shadows to Substance
Seventh-day Adventism clings to the shadow of the law, much like Roman Catholicism clings to rituals and sacraments. Both systems deny the believer full assurance and spiritual rest in Christ.
Paul said of the Sabbath and festivals:
“These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.” (Colossians 2:17)
Indulgences are no longer sold on street corners—but legalism is still sold from many pulpits. Adventism has repackaged the indulgence not with money, but with performance.
But the gospel invites us to a better way:
“Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
Call to Action:
If you're tired of striving, if you're questioning whether you've done enough to be saved—you're not alone. And the truth is, you never could do enough. But Jesus did.
Former Adventists Philippines
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