“If SDA Isn’t True, Then What?

The Usual Challenge

One of the most common questions we hear from Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) friends when we point out contradictions in their church is:

“If SDA isn’t the true church, then what is? If SDA teachings are wrong, then what’s right? If Ellen G. White (EGW) is a false prophet, then who’s the real one? Why don’t you start your own group and get followers?”

This challenge has two parts:

1. A set of questions about the “true church,” “true doctrine,” and “true prophet.”

2. A sarcastic dare to start my own sect, just like their founder did.

The assumption here is that you must have your own denomination or prophet to be valid. Let’s unpack that.

1. The Logical Fallacy

The SDA argument assumes from the start that:

• SDA is the true church.

• SDA has the right teachings.

• EGW is a true prophet.

That’s circular reasoning, using the conclusion as proof of the premise.

Think about it: if an Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) member said, “If INC isn’t true, then what is? If Felix Manalo isn’t God’s messenger, then who is?”, would an SDA accept that? Of course not. They’d demand biblical proof first. So why use the same flawed logic themselves?

2. The Theological Dilemma

Here’s the tension: SDA identity as the “Remnant Church” is inseparable from EGW’s prophetic claims.

• If EGW is a true prophet → SDA can claim legitimacy.

• If EGW is a false prophet → SDA is a false movement.

You can’t have one without the other. The Bible never shows God’s true church being led by a false prophet.

That’s why SDA defenders lean heavily on verses like 2 Chronicles 20:20 (“Believe in his prophets and you will succeed”) or Proverbs 29:18 (“Where there is no vision, the people perish”).

Their official Fundamental Belief #18 even says EGW’s writings carry “prophetic authority.” Originally, it even called her writings “a continuing and authoritative source of truth”, which clearly clashes with Sola Scriptura. They later softened the wording, but in practice, her writings still function as the final authority.

Two Common Excuses

1. “Belief in EGW isn’t required for salvation.” But EGW herself wrote: “If they fight against the visions… the church may know that they are not right.” (Testimonies, Vol. 1, p. 328).

2. “She never claimed to be a prophet.” True, she avoided the title “prophetess,” but she called herself a “messenger” with a broader commission than a prophet. That’s basically claiming even higher authority.

3. Culture and Defense Mechanisms

The second part of the challenge, “Show us your doctrine, your prophet, your sect”, reveals a psychological defense.

From experience, SDA defenders often:

• Use ad hominem attacks instead of addressing evidence (like Walter Rea’s research showing EGW plagiarized up to 80–90% of her writings).

• Show laziness in study, relying on spoon-fed apologetics rather than digging into Scripture or history.

• Fear being without an organization, since Filipino culture values group identity and belonging.

4. The Biblical Response

The New Testament answers these questions clearly:

• “If SDA isn’t true, then what is?” Answer: Jesus is the Truth, not a denomination. (John 14:6)

• “If SDA teachings are wrong, then what’s right?” Answer: Only Christ has the words of eternal life. (John 6:68)

• “If EGW is false, then who’s the prophet?” Answer: Jesus Himself is God’s final revelation. (Hebrews 1:1–2)

The early church wasn’t called “Adventists.” They were simply called Christians (Acts 11:26). The true church is wherever the Gospel is faithfully preached, and Christ-centered in its preaching, not in a corporate headquarters in Maryland.

Friend, you don’t need to start a new sect or find another prophet. Salvation was finished at the cross (John 19:30).

Here’s what you need:

1. Go directly to Christ. Don’t rely on membership in an organization for salvation.

2. Study Scripture alone. Don’t let EGW’s writings dictate how you read the Gospel.

3. Join a faithful Christian community. Look for a church centered on Christ, grounded in grace alone, faith alone, and Scripture alone.

The truth isn’t a denomination; it’s a Person. And His name is Jesus Christ.

"SDA as True Church Claim Debunked!"

Recently, a trending video posted by an "SDA Bible Missionary" on Facebook has been making the rounds. It features an old clip of me confidently declaring that the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) church is the only true church, and there is no other.

Back when I was an active SDA evangelist/apologist, my favorite punchline to the congregation was this: "People in other religions are actually luckier than Adventists. Why? Because when they leave their church, they can still transfer to the true one, the SDA church! But for us Adventists, if we leave our church, there’s nowhere else to go but hell!"

Since I stepped out of the denomination on September 12, 2019, this exact quote has been weaponized against me. Some of my former brothers and sisters pull this out like old "receipts" to prove that by leaving, I’ve made the biggest mistake of my life.

But does this argument actually hold water? Is it the ultimate proof that the SDA church is the one and only truth? Let's unpack this together.

The Blind Spot of My Past

Yes, I said those words. I own them. But I said them when I was still an Adventist. Since leaving, my eyes have been opened by the Holy Spirit to a much grander view of God's grace.

For 24 years, I was genuinely blind to the fullness of the New Covenant. I was conditioned to believe that salvation was tied to our specific organization. Using my past blindness to disprove my current freedom in Christ is a logical fallacy. It’s like telling a butterfly it’s wrong for flying because it used to aggressively defend life as a caterpillar. When the light of the gospel shines, perspectives change.

The Plot Twist: I Said the Same Thing for the Jehovah's Witnesses

If anyone wants to insist that my old quote is solid, unshakeable evidence that the SDA is the true church, then they have a massive problem on their hands. Why? Because to be consistent, they would also have to accept that the Jehovah's Witnesses (JW) are the true church!

Here is the plot twist: I used that exact same argument in my preaching during my 16 years as a Jehovah’s Witness! I actually learned that "nowhere else to go" reasoning back in the 1980s from my JW friends, the De Leon brothers from Tondo, who were also deeply into religious debates.

Let’s take a trip down memory lane. In 1992, I had a public debate in Bulacan against Mr. Eliseo Soriano of Ang Dating Daan. The topic? "Alin ang tunay na Iglesia na ililigtas ng Diyos?" (Which is the true Church that God will save?). During that intense debate, I passionately defended that the Jehovah's Witnesses were the exclusive group that would survive Judgment Day. That entire debate is recorded on video.

Imagine if a JW apologist posted that 1992 video on Facebook today with the caption:

"Ronald Obidos testifies that Jehovah’s Witnesses is the true church! We are already in the truth, if you leave, there is nowhere else to go but hell!"

Who would be happy about that? The Adventists or the Jehovah's Witnesses? Obviously, the JWs would win that round. It would completely backfire on the SDA Bible Missionary because I was using that exact script for the JWs long before I ever brought it into the Adventist pulpit!

The Cultural Mindset of the "True Church"

In our Filipino culture, loyalty is a huge deal. We love to belong to a samahan (a group or brotherhood), and we easily attach our identity to our affiliations. Sadly, this spills over into religion. Denominations use fear to keep their members in check, acting like exclusive clubs with VIP access to heaven.

This is an empty, man-made concept. Often, it operates like a franchise a money-making scheme hiding behind the name of religion.

This is where understanding New Covenant theology changes absolutely everything. Under the New Covenant, we are not made righteous by keeping Old Testament laws. True salvation is a free gift of grace, fully paid for by Christ, not by our exhausted efforts to keep the law.

Conclusion: Who is the Real Truth?

Does this mean I believe there are no saved people inside the SDA denomination? Of course not. I firmly believe there are true, born-again children of God sitting in those pews. When the Lord Jesus returns in the clouds to gather His people, many of them will rise to meet Him.

But hear me clearly: they will not be saved because they are card-carrying members of the Seventh-day Adventist organization. They will be saved because of their personal, saving relationship with Jesus Christ. They are saved by grace, not by their own law-keeping righteousness.

To my SDA friends: I kindly ask that you stop using my old testimonies as proof of your church's exclusivity. It is a recycled argument that any cult or religion in the world can use, and I know you wouldn't accept it if another group used it against you.

Jesus Christ alone is the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE (John 14:6), not the SDA church. Jesus is perfect; human denominations are not. I pray that you won't let fear stop you from researching and seeking the truth. Keep your hearts and minds open to the light God wants to show you before it’s too late.

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8-9

Call to Action: Today, take a brave step and examine where your security truly lies. Is your confidence rooted in a church name, a set of rules, and fear, or is it resting entirely in the finished, perfect work of Jesus Christ on the cross? Open your Bible, read the New Testament without the lens of your denomination, and let His grace set you free. Share this message with someone who needs to hear about the true freedom found in Christ alone!

Question: “Pastor Ronald, have you ever considered they might be staying in the SDA church because they don’t know of any other church that’s more biblical?”

Answer:

Honestly, that’s a very important question, and we need to answer it directly, not with vague or diplomatic words.

First of all, if someone stays in the SDA church because they feel there’s “no more biblical church available,” then we are shifting the blame to the lack of options, when in reality, the deeper issue is not the absence of churches but the presence of false doctrine. The problem is not geography, it’s theology.

Second, let’s be clear: in the Philippines, there are many historic, gospel-centered, orthodox Christian churches, Evangelical, Reformed, Baptist, Pentecostal, and independent Bible churches that preach a clear gospel, uphold sound Christology, and practice faithful hermeneutics. So the idea that “there’s nowhere else to go” is not accurate. The real issue is that many people are unwilling to let go of the teachings they grew up with, even when those teachings contradict Scripture.

Third, if the SDA church is truly “more biblical,” then we must ask:

• Why do they elevate Ellen White as a prophet whose writings function as the final authority in practice? 
• Why do they teach the Investigative Judgment, a doctrine never taught by Jesus or the apostles
• Why is their gospel a mixture of grace, law, and Sabbath-keeping, instead of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone? 
• Why do they claim to be the “remnant church,” contradicting Ephesians 4:4-6, which says there is one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all? 
• Why do they universalize the Old Covenant Sabbath, when the New Testament clearly teaches freedom from the law? 
• And why do they reinterpret Christ’s finished work on the cross as an “ongoing atonement” in a heavenly sanctuary? 

Is that truly biblical, or does it only sound biblical until you examine it closely?

Fourth, the irony is this: many remain in the SDA church not because they have no choice, but because they have never heard the clear gospel and sound doctrine outside of it. That’s the real challenge for us.

So what should we do?

• Let’s keep planting churches with solid biblical teaching.
• Let’s keep preaching the pure gospel without mixture.
• Let’s keep reaching out to SDAs with truth and grace, not hostility.
• Let’s build safe, loving communities where former Adventists can grow in Christ.

Because the solution is not to tolerate error, it’s to make truth accessible. If people say they can’t find a “more biblical church,” then it’s our responsibility as pastors and leaders to show them that such churches do exist and have always existed, not built on Ellen White, but built on Scripture alone and centered on Christ alone.

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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

Website: formeradventistph.blogspot.com

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The Three Angels’ Messages: An SDA Distortion of Revelation 14

Introduction

Few things are more central to Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) identity than the Three Angels’ Messages of Revelation 14. In fact, the denomination’s official mission statement explicitly ties its purpose to proclaiming these messages worldwide:

“Make disciples of Jesus Christ who live as His loving witnesses and proclaim to all people the everlasting gospel of the Three Angels’ Messages in preparation for His soon return” (Matt. 28:18–20; Acts 1:8; Rev. 14:6–12).¹

Fundamental Belief #13 makes the same claim:

“This remnant announces the arrival of the judgment hour, proclaims salvation through Christ, and heralds the approach of His second advent. This proclamation is symbolized by the three angels of Revelation 14.”²

But what do these messages actually mean in context? And do the SDA claims about their fulfillment hold up to biblical and historical scrutiny? Let’s examine the evidence step by step.

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Why Are the Three Angels’ Messages Significant to SDA Identity?

For Adventists, the messages are not just theological curiosities—they are the church’s very mission.

Ellen White herself declared:

“In a special sense, Seventh-day Adventists have been set in the world as watchmen and light-bearers… There is no other work of so great importance.”³

But here’s the question: did God really design a message in Revelation to be fulfilled only by one small sect that arose in the 19th century? Or is Revelation’s vision pointing to something far greater—the gospel itself going to the nations in the apostolic age?

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When Did Adventists Apply Their Fulfillment?

SDA historians claim the messages began their fulfillment with the Millerite preaching of the 1830s–40s.⁴ But was the “mid-19th-century New England revival” really what John saw in Revelation? Can a failed prediction in upstate New York really be equated with an angel flying in mid-heaven with the everlasting gospel?

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The First Angel’s Message: The Everlasting Gospel

Revelation 14:6–7 announces the gospel to every nation, declaring the hour of judgment and a call to worship the Creator. Adventists, however, tie this directly to William Miller’s failed date-setting of 1843/1844.⁵

But let’s be honest: did Miller and his colleagues even preach the gospel? Swedish Adventist scholar Kai Arasola concluded after a deep study of their writings:

“They make no mention of Christ, of salvation, or of the gospel. This matches the near-total lack of devotional writing in Millerite periodicals.”⁶

How could the “everlasting gospel” be fulfilled by a movement that largely ignored Christ’s saving work?

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Did Miller’s Message Reach “Every Nation”?

Joshua Himes, Miller’s right-hand man, admitted after 1844:

“…the cry of the seventh month was a local and partial one. It was confined to this country.”⁷

If even its own leaders admitted it never reached beyond America, how can this possibly match the worldwide angel of Revelation 14?

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Did Miller Preach the Judgment of Revelation 14?

Not at all. Revelation 14 clearly depicts the wrath of God poured out on the wicked (vv. 10–11, 19–20). Miller expected such judgment in 1844, but when it failed, Adventists retrofitted the text to mean an “investigative judgment” in heaven. But where does Revelation 14 speak of God conducting a heavenly audit? Nowhere. This was a theological invention, created to save face after the Great Disappointment.

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Ellen White’s Contradictions

Early on, Ellen White declared that Miller’s 1844 preaching was the fulfillment of the First Angel’s Message.⁸ But later in life, she revised her position, teaching in The Great Controversy that it referred to Christ’s heavenly ministry in 1844.⁹

So which is it? Either her early visions were false, or her later reinterpretations were. If her “prophetic gift” cannot provide a consistent explanation, why should Christians trust it at all?

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Biblical Fulfillment of the First Angel’s Message

In reality, the New Testament itself tells us the gospel was already preached to all nations in the apostolic era. Paul declared:

• “The gospel… was preached to every creature under heaven” (Col. 1:23).

• “Now is the judgment of this world” (John 12:31).

• “The time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God” (1 Pet. 4:17).

Even Paul’s sermon to the idolaters in Lystra (Acts 14:13–16) almost directly echoes Revelation 14:7—calling pagans to worship the Creator of heaven, earth, and sea. Doesn’t this fit far better than a failed movement in 1844?

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The Second Angel’s Message: Babylon Is Fallen

SDA teaching links this message to churches that rejected Millerism.¹⁰ In other words, Babylon = “any church that didn’t join the Millerites.” But Revelation says Babylon fell because of her immorality and spiritual corruption—not because she refused a false date for Christ’s return.

Historically, Protestants long identified Babylon with Rome. Martin Luther himself called the Papacy “Babylon the Great” in 1520, centuries before Miller.¹¹ Can the Millerites really claim credit for a message the Reformers thundered to the nations three hundred years earlier?

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The Third Angel’s Message: The Mark of the Beast

SDA theology insists this message is about Sunday-keeping churches receiving the mark of the beast, while Adventists alone bear the “seal of God” by keeping Saturday. Ellen White even described non-Adventist churches as being filled with “unclean and hateful birds.”¹²

But is the Sabbath ever called the “seal of God” in the New Testament? No. Instead, Paul says believers are sealed with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13-14; 4:30). The Lord’s Supper, not the Sabbath, is the sign of the New Covenant (Luke 22:19-20). So why exchange the Spirit of God for a calendar day?

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Conclusion

Seventh-day Adventists have taken an obscure passage from Revelation and twisted it into their denominational identity badge. By doing so, they have painted other Christians as “Babylon” and themselves as God’s only remnant. But the biblical and historical evidence points elsewhere:

• The First Angel’s Message was fulfilled in the apostolic age, when the everlasting gospel was proclaimed “to every nation under heaven” (Col. 1:23; Acts 17:30–31). This angel represents the gospel’s worldwide announcement before the judgment on Jerusalem in AD 70, calling both Jew and Gentile to turn to the Creator through Christ.
  
  
• The Second Angel’s Message was fulfilled in the fall of Jerusalem—Babylon the Great—in AD 70. This was the covenantal judgment on apostate Israel, which had rejected her Messiah and shed the blood of the prophets and saints (Matt. 23:35–36; Rev. 18:24). Her “fall” was announced before it happened, and her destruction confirmed that the Old Covenant order had passed away.
  
  
• The Third Angel’s Message warned of judgment upon those who aligned themselves with the beastly power of Rome and participated in idolatrous worship rather than remaining faithful to Christ. In a Partial Preterist reading, this applied to first-century Jews and Gentiles who compromised with Caesar worship or clung to the corrupt temple system rather than following the Lamb. Their “torment” was realized in the fiery destruction of Jerusalem and the exposure of Rome’s tyranny.

So instead of stretching fulfillment across centuries (Reformers, Protestants, Adventists), Partial Preterism sees all three messages tied to the first-century context of Revelation, pointing to gospel proclamation, the fall of Jerusalem, and judgment on those who clung to the beast system rather than Christ.

Rather than dividing the body of Christ, we should remember Jesus’ prayer in John 17: “that they may be one.” Sectarian exclusivism may be good for building a movement—but it is not faithful to the gospel of grace.

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Notes

1. General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Mission Statement, Annual Council Session, Silver Spring, MD, October 13, 2014.

2. General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, 28 Fundamental Beliefs, Belief #13.

3. Denis Fortin and Jerry Moon, eds., Ellen White Encyclopedia (Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald, 2013), 1219.

4. Ibid., 1219.

5. Ibid., 1219.

6. Kai Arasola, The End of Historicism (Sigtuna: Datem Publishing, 1990), 59.

7. Joshua V. Himes, The Morning Watch, February 20, 1845.

8. Ellen G. White, Early Writings (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald, 1882), 232.

9. Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy (Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press, 1911), 424.

10. Fortin and Moon, Ellen White Encyclopedia, 1219.

11. J.H. Merle D’Aubigné, History of the Reformation, vol. 2 (New York: American Tract Society, 1845), 130–40.

12. Ellen G. White, Spiritual Gifts, vol. 1 (Battle Creek: James White, 1858), 190–91.

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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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FAP Indoctrination Series #2: What is the True Church?

Lesson Objective

To explain the biblical definition of the true Church as the body of believers saved by grace through faith in Christ and to dismantle the false claim that any denomination (including the SDA Church) holds exclusive remnant status.

Opening Prayer (5 minutes)

I. The Church in the New Testament (10 min)

• The word “church” (Greek ekklesia) means “called-out ones.”
• It refers to all believers in Jesus Christ, not an institution.

Key Verse:

"And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it." Matthew 16:18 (CSB)

II. Marks of the True Church (15 min)

Based on biblical teaching:

1.) Preaches the true Gospel (Galatians 1:8-9)

"But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, a curse be on him! As we have said before, I now say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, a curse be on him!" Galatians 1:8-9 (CSB)

2.) Administers baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Acts 2:41-42)

"So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand people were added to them. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer." Acts 2:41-42 (CSB)

3.) Practices church discipline (Matthew 18:15-17)

“If your brother sins against you, go tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he won’t listen, take one or two others with you, so that by the testimony of two or three witnesses every fact may be established. If he doesn’t pay attention to them, tell the church. If he doesn’t pay attention even to the church, let him be like a Gentile and a tax collector to you." Matthew 18:15-17 (CSB)

4.) Teaches the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27)

"Because I did not avoid declaring to you the whole plan of God." Acts 20:27 (CSB)

5.) Exists wherever believers gather in Jesus' name (Matthew 18:20)

"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there among them.” Matthew 18:20 (CSB)

Illustration: A hospital isn’t a building—it’s wherever doctors and nurses treat patients. Similarly, the Church is where believers worship Christ together.

III. Debunking the “Remnant Church” Claim (10 min)

Key Points:

• The SDA Church claims to be the only true remnant.
• The Bible teaches that the remnant are those faithful to Christ across history, in any place.

Key Verse:

Revelation 12:17 (properly interpreted in its original context) refers to faithful believers in Christ across history, in any place. Not an institutionalized denomination

"So the dragon was furious with the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring—those who keep the commands of God and hold firmly to the testimony about Jesus." Revelation 12:17 (CSB)

IV. Decision Time (5 min)

Will you trust in Christ’s universal Church or an institution claiming exclusivity?

Closing Prayer (5 min)

Heavenly Father,

We thank You for revealing through Your Word the truth about Your Church, not as a denomination or earthly institution claiming exclusive authority, but as the body of believers called out by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Thank you for reminding us today that the true Church is built upon the unshakable foundation of Christ alone and that it stretches across generations, nations, and congregations of those who trust in His finished work.

In the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

For more inquiries, contact us:

• Email: formeradventist.ph@gmail.com
• Website: formeradventistph.blogspot.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/formeradventistph
• Phone: 09695143944

CHAPTER 3: IF THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH IS WRONG WHAT IS RIGHT?

Pastor Ronald Obidos

This article is titled "Chapter 3" because it's part of a book the author is writing titled, "Leaving Adventism: an Adventist Apologist Journey to Faith," which is a helpful guide to transitioning Seventh-day Adventists.

I am often asked the following questions by my Seventh-day Adventist friends:

1. If the teachings of the SDA church are wrong, what is the correct religion or sect?
2. If Ellen White is a false prophet, who is the true prophet or messenger for us today?
3. Instead of attacking the SDA church, can you introduce your own doctrine, correct religion or sect, and prophet and start preaching your own church?

The first part of this question comprises a series of interconnected questions. The second part is a challenge that I should present my own doctrine, sect, and prophet or messenger to be introduced while also preaching instead of "attacking" their teachings. In other words, the assumption is that I would establish my own religion or sect, as some tend to do.

It's important to note that the questioner automatically assumes that the SDA church is the only true biblical church, that they possess the correct teachings, and that Ellen White is a true prophet, even though he has not provided any evidence from the Bible to support his claims. This is known as circular reasoning and is considered a flawed method in the field of argumentation.

As defined by an educational website, circular reasoning is when an argument assumes its conclusion, committing a logical fallacy. An example of this is when the religion, Iglesia ni Cristo 1914, asked the SDA, "If Iglesia ni Cristo is not the true church, then what? If the teaching of Iglesia ni Cristo is wrong, what is right? If Felix Manalo is a false prophet, then who is?" While the question may seem straightforward, it employs circular reasoning. An SDA defender may respond by saying, "First prove that the INC is the true church with the correct teaching and also first prove that Felix Manalo is God's messenger!" The question remains - would SDAs accept this argument if it came from an Iglesia ni Cristo member?

It's a common misconception that all Seventh-day Adventists believe in the prophetic authority of Ellen White. In fact, many members, elders, and pastors don't subscribe to this belief. This raises some fundamental questions about the church's claim to being the true church.

It's worth noting that the church's veracity is entirely dependent on Ellen White's authenticity as a prophet and messenger of God. If she is indeed a true prophet, then the SDA church is also a true church. Conversely, if she's a false prophet, then the SDA church is also a false church.

It's worth noting that the church's veracity is entirely dependent on Ellen White's authenticity as a prophet and messenger of God. If she is indeed a true prophet, then the SDA church is also a true church. Conversely, if she's a false prophet, then the SDA church is also a false church.

The Bible attests that the true church can’t be governed or led by a false prophet. It’s concerning that many active members of the SDA church aren’t familiar with Ellen White’s teachings. Adventists often cite 2 Chronicles 20:20 to support their beliefs, but this raises serious questions that need to be addressed.

“Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.” 2 Chron. 20:20 NIV

Devoted members of SDA frequently cite a verse from Proverbs 29:18 KJV to bolster Ellen White's status as a prophet.

“Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Proverbs 29:18 (KJV)

The Seventh-day Adventist Church faces a significant challenge today as there is a lack of consensus on a crucial doctrine. It is surprising that "The Gift of Prophecy" is still considered one of their 28 Fundamental Beliefs (#18) despite this.

“The Gift of Prophecy” #18:

“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 we believe it was manifested in the ministry of Ellen G. White. Her writings speak with prophetic authority and provide comfort, guidance, instruction, and correction to the church. They also make clear that the Bible is the standard by which all teaching and experience must be tested. (Numbers 12:6; 2 Chronicles 20:20; Amos 3:7; Joel 2:28, 29; Acts 2:14-21; 2 Timothy 3:16, 17; Hebrews 1:1-3; Revelation 12:17; 19:10; 22:8, 9.)”[2]

For the SDA Church, their belief that they are the true remnant church on the last day hinges on its more than 18 million members worldwide subscribing to Fundamental Belief #18. This belief states that Ellen White is a prophet with the gift of prophecy. Without this, the church cannot be identifiable as the remnant church. Therefore, any Adventist who denies Ellen White's prophethood while claiming the SDA Church as the true church is not acceptable.

It's common for some Adventists to use the excuse that rejecting Ellen White's teachings is acceptable, as she is not the savior of the Adventist faith, but rather, it is Christ. As an Adventist defender, I used to argue that one's belief in Mrs. White should not be a test of fellowship. However, this goes against Ellen White's own statement. According to her, Adventists who doubt her authority as a prophet are either mistaken or misguided.

“Others are like doubting Thomas; they cannot believe the published Testimonies, nor receive evidence through the testimony of others, but must see and have the evidence for themselves. Such must not be set aside, but long patience and brotherly love should be exercised toward them until they find their position and become established for or against. If they fight against the visions, of which they have no knowledge; if they carry their opposition so far as to oppose that in which they have had no experience, and feel annoyed when those who believe that the visions are of God speak of them in meeting and comfort themselves with the instruction given through vision, the church may know that they are not right.” (Testimonies for the Church Vol. 1 p. 328)

Other Adventists argue that Ellen White did not claim to be a prophet so it is okay not to believe in her. Are these arguments correct? Some Adventist apologists, in fact, use it in response to my posts exposing that Ellen White is not a true prophet of God. Let's find out what Ellen White really said about it:

“Ellen White never assumed the title of prophetess, but she did not object when others called her by that title. . . To claim to be a prophetess is something that I have never done. If others call me by that name, I have no controversy with them. But my work has covered so many lines that I cannot call myself other than a messenger.” [3]

It's worth noting that Ellen White never referred to herself as a "Prophet" in her writings. She did not use the title "Prophet Ellen White" in any of her books. It's important to mention that she did not object when others referred to her as a "Prophet."

Why Founding a New Religion Isn't Necessary

The second part of the question I was presented with was a challenge, accompanied by mockery. This challenge is evidence of the Adventists' inability to defend or address the errors I have exposed about the SDA church and their prophet, Ellen White's false prophecy. Frankly, I have yet to receive a meaningful response from their so-called top apologists since I began exposing these issues.

Most of the Adventists' comments are evasive and lacking in substance. Many of their responses are just personal attacks or insults. They don't even read my articles before commenting. I'm not surprised by their negative attitude, as this seems to be a common trait among Adventists. In my experience, many Adventists are simply too lazy to read. This is evident in the low attendance during their Sabbath school lesson study, which only increases during the second part of the service or divine service. Most Adventists are accustomed to being spoon-fed information.

It is for these reasons that I believe they challenged me with these types of questions. This book will leave Adventists with no choice but to confront these issues head-on. They want me to lay down my own doctrine so that they can avoid answering my challenges that until now have no sensible answer. I noticed that Adventists are better at criticizing others than responding to my exposition of their false teachings. One reason is that they lack scholarly resources and are not used to dealing with deeper studies. Another factor is that most of their debaters in the Philippines have difficulty speaking English. They prefer to read Tagalog over English because they find it difficult to understand. This is probably why they cannot answer deeper issues in their doctrines, especially at a scholarly level, because most of them have a hard time understanding English, not to mention biblical Hebrew and Greek.

However, I must continue in my work of exposing their false teachings. I will no longer participate in their meaningless comments. I will just choose from their sensible questions and answer them as an article on our FAFP website and pray to God that the things I present will help other Adventists to open their minds and hearts to the truth of the gospel of Christ. Therefore, this challenge is more indicative of the weakness of the Adventist defenders than their strength.

The question, "If the teaching of SDAs is wrong, what is right? If Ellen White is a false prophet, then who is?" is certainly thought-provoking. The conventional Adventist answer is that the Seventh-day Adventist Church is undeniably the one true church and that the teachings of Ellen White are infallible. However, this answer is too superficial and fleeting, as truth cannot be based on personal feelings, which are subject to change based on circumstances. Instead, we should look to the Bible for guidance. 

1.) The Seventh-day Adventist organization or denomination was not present during the New Testament era in the 1st century. In those times, the term "church" referred to a group of believers and not a specific religious denomination or building. The existence of various Christian denominations began much later, in the 16th century, during the Protestant Reformation when the Roman Catholic Church was challenged.

2.) The name "Seventh-day Adventist" was not used during biblical times. The followers of Christ were commonly referred to as "Christians" and not "Adventists" (Acts 11:26). While it may be difficult to accept, this is the truth based on evidence and not emotions.

3.) Ellen White, a prominent figure in Seventh-day Adventism, was not known during the New Testament era. Claims that her writings are a "continuing and authoritative source of truth" and speak with "prophetic authority" are considered to be boastful by some. Furthermore, it has been proven that many of her books were copied from other authors, rather than directly from God. Additionally, Seventh-day Adventist leadership has been accused of concealing some of her works from the public.

Despite the lack of knowledge regarding the SDA church and Ellen White, the New Testament highlights a critical issue about the salvation of sinners. Is it based on religion or denomination? Where do we find the truth according to the New Testament? Should it be through joining a denomination or developing a personal relationship with Jesus Christ?

Let's turn to Jesus, the founder and owner of the Christian church, for guidance on this matter.

“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 (NIV)

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 (NIV)

The Lord Jesus is the only true source of truth, as he proclaimed, "I am the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE." No denomination or church, including the SDA, can take its place in leading us to the Father in heaven.

Conclusion

In summary of my response, let me rephrase the questions at hand:

Question#1: "If the teaching of SDA is wrong, what is right?"

Answer: Regarding the teachings of the SDA, it is important to note that only Christ holds the key to eternal life. Jesus himself said:

John 6:68 (ESV)
“Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

Question#2: "If Ellen White is a false prophet, then who is?"

Answer: Ellen White is not a genuine prophet. Instead, it is Jesus who is the ultimate Prophet of God in the last days.

Hebrews 1:1-2 (ESV)

“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, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.”

You don’t need to be a Seventh-day Adventist to be saved and receive eternal life. What you need is to accept the person and work of the Son of God, Jesus Christ which is sufficient to save you with certainty!

Glory to our God!

Footnotes:

[1] Nordquist, Richard. “Circular Reasoning Definition and Examples.” 7 July 2019. https://www.thoughtco.com/circular-reasoning-petitio-principii-1689842. 5 April 2020.

[2] This is a revised version of the Seventh-day Adventist’s Fundamental Belief #18. The original version stated that “As the Lord’s messenger, her writings are a continuing and authoritative source of truth”. This statement was against the principle of Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone) which is a fundamental belief of Protestantism. The Seventh-day Adventists claimed that Ellen White’s writings are in addition to the Bible because her writings are also an “authoritative source of truth”. This created confusion as the Seventh-day Adventists had two authoritative sources of truth. To address this issue, they revised their statement to “Her writings speak with prophetic authority”.

[3] Ministerial Association General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Seventh-day Adventists Believe…A Biblical Exposition of 27 Fundamental Beliefs. Hagerstown: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1988, p.224

BAKIT HINDI TUNAY NA RELIGION ANG SDA CHURCH?

BAKIT FAKE CHURCH ANG SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH?

ADVENTISM IS UNBELIEF!

    The apostle Paul wrote the following words in 2 Corinthians, perhaps his most gut-wrenching letter of all his epistles:

“And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:3-4)

    Have you ever wondered why non-Christians are called unbelievers in the New Testament? It’s not as though there were atheists hanging around in ancient Rome—modern atheism is by and large a product of the Enlightenment and perhaps even more so since Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution was formulated. It is very plainly possible to be a highly religious individual, and still fall under the category of “unbeliever” in the New Testament. The simple reason for this is that believing in the Lord Jesus Christ counts for everything, without which every other form of belief is both pointless and inimical to the gospel of God.

    It’s instructive to hear how the apostle Paul initially described the Athenians in his address on Mars Hill: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious” (Acts 17:22). Unfortunately, this religiosity did not do most of them any good, for Luke reports that the reaction of the majority to Paul’s gospel was negative: “Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, ‘We will hear you again about this’” (Acts 17:32). The verdict of the New Testament is the same whether religious individuals respond with mockery or indifference: to reject the gospel is to be classed as an unbeliever.

OTHER FORMS OF UNBELIEF

    As paradoxical as it is to view non-Christian religions as “unbelief,” it is even more difficult to give the same diagnosis in cases where a religious movement presents itself as offering a version of Christianity, yet one that in the final analysis is not true Christianity. Throughout history (and already in New Testament times), there have been various movements which vigorously proclaim that they are Christian, yet turn out to be anything but. The difficulty lies when one asks particular belief-related questions:

“Do you believe in Jesus?”

“Do you believe in the Bible?”

“Do you believe in the gospel?”

    No false religious movement would ever answer such questions in the negative, precisely because it is in the very nature of these organizations to portray themselves as truly believing movements, and especially as believing in the claims of Christianity. Thus it is that there have been people and groups since the very beginnings of Christianity who have emphatically proclaimed their belief in these things even as they were deceiving others (or themselves) about their underlying unbelief.

Deception, whether deliberate or self-inflicted, makes the evaluation of religious claims extremely difficult.

    Deception, whether deliberate or self-inflicted, makes the evaluation of religious claims extremely difficult.

.    When Paul wrote his second epistle to the Thessalonians, he was confronting, in part, a false and destructive claim being made by certain other professing believers, namely that the day of the Lord had already come. When Paul corrected this misunderstanding, he explained that a certain “man of lawlessness” will first come before the end of this age. Perhaps surprisingly, lawlessness will not express itself in blatant, explicit disobedience to God. Rather, as Paul describes: “The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception” (2 Thess 9–10). These deceptions are for individuals that Paul describes as “perishing.” “They refused to love the truth and so be saved” (2 Thess. 2:10).

    We should therefore not expect the distinction between biblical belief and unbelief to be as clear as one might expect. We should not assume that “loving the truth” is a straightforward conclusion when examining the claims of deceptive religious movements. This is especially the case with Seventh-day Adventism, today largely accepted as a conservative denomination within Protestant Christianity.

THE UNBELIEF OF ADVENTISM

    A prime example of Adventist unbelief is the propagation of their “Three Angels’ Messages,” deceptively clothed in the guise of Scripture. This is not an accessory to the gospel, though it is advertised as such. It is not an end-times contextualization of the gospel, despite Adventist claims: “The mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church is to proclaim to all peoples the everlasting gospel in the context of the Three Angels’ messages of Revelation 14:6–12.”

    The true reality of how the Adventist “Three Angels’ Messages” functions can easily be seen when examining the summary statements of SDA General Conference president Ted Wilson in a recent article for Adventist World:

Message #1: “Since October 22, 1844, we have been living in the period of time known as the pre-Advent judgment—the cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary. The results of this investigative judgment will determine who will be taken to heaven when Jesus returns.”

Message #2: “Although the fall of Babylon began in the summer of 1844, it is a gradual process and will not be complete until (1) the churches reject the three messages of Revelation 14 and accept the strong delusions and lying wonders presented by Satan; (2) these apostate churches unite fully with the world, accepting and believing what the world accepts and believes.”

Message #3: “The mark of the beast, observance of a false day of worship, is an institution that clearly sets forth the authority of the beast. One church boldly boasts that it has changed the seventh-day Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday. Other churches indicate they worship on Sunday as a memorial of Christ’s resurrection. Neither assertion is biblical.”

    Adventism has flatly rejected the righteousness that God offers in his Son, a righteousness that is alien to us, and substituted a manufactured, human-generated righteousness…

    One sees immediately here that the “good news” of Seventh-day Adventism is diametrically opposed to the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Adventism has flatly rejected the righteousness that God offers in his Son, a righteousness that is alien to us, and substituted a manufactured, human-generated righteousness that supposedly will stand firm until the end on the truth of the Sabbath, aided by the power of the Holy Spirit.

    If we were to repeat the same questions asked earlier to President Ted Wilson (“Do you believe in Jesus? Do you believe in the Bible? Do you believe in the gospel?”), there is no doubt in my mind that he would firmly assent to all of them. Yet he heads a movement whose claims are of such a nature that they reveal an underlying unbelief no different than that of the atheist or the Muslim, or the Hindu. They are all alike because, like the Jews Paul described in Romans 10, they are “ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.”

    At the end of the day, whether they realize it or not, people reject the gospel of Jesus Christ because they do not believe what God has said in his Word, namely that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, that none is righteous, and that one can only be justified by the grace of God which comes to us as a gift through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. They simply cannot believe that man is as wicked as the Bible portrays, or that God is as holy and just as he describes Himself, or that our only means of justification before our Creator is the vicarious death of the God-man on a lonely hill outside Jerusalem.

A PRAYER FOR DISCERNMENT

    John famously concludes his gospel by noting that “these things are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31). When it comes to Adventism, our duty as Christians is to unmask the underlying unbelief of this movement in order to point Adventists to the Son of God, so that they too may have life in his name and believe. May God give us the grace and the wisdom to “discern the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect,” (Romans 12:2) and cut through the deception of false religious movements and their claims in order to bring people to the Lord Jesus Christ. †

Kaspars Ozolins was born in Latvia to an Adventist family. They moved to Los Angeles where Kaspars attended Adventist elementary and high schools in Glendale, California, and his father was an Adventist pastor. He met Ieva, his wife, while studying in Latvia before pursuing a doctorate at UCLA in historical linguistics. After Kaspars completed an M. Div. at The Master’s Seminary in Sun Valley, California, he served as a research associate at Tyndale House in Old Testament and the Ancient Near East. He is now on the faculty at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary as Assistant Professor of Old Testament Interpretation.

"WHAT IS THE TRUE CHURCH?"

    A very important issue that comes up for those transitioning out of Adventism is the question of the church. Where should I go to church when there are so many different options? How do I know what church is teaching the truth? Is being a part of a church even necessary? Perhaps all the different local churches and denominations to choose from are just man-made traditions. Indeed, questions about church can be daunting and overwhelming at first to those leaving the simplistic Adventist bubble.

    After all, in Adventism the doctrine of the church is quite simple. The real or true church is quite simply the Seventh-day Adventist organization. We were taught that it alone has the truth, and that all other churches are “apostate”, and part of “fallen Babylon”, while the Adventist Church is the “remnant church” of Bible prophecy. And as an Adventist, this definition made things quite simple. If the Seventh-day Adventist name was on the sign, it was okay to go there. If some other name was on the sign, that was a false church. End of story.

    If the Seventh-day Adventist name was on the sign, it was okay to go there. If some other name was on the sign, that was a false church. End of story.

    Of course, this view assumed that the church must specifically consist in a particular human organization. And seeing that various organizations calling themselves churches teach things differently from each other, we assume there must be one that alone is right, while all others are wrong. In reality, though, this view of the church as a particular human-constructed, human-recognized particular organization is mistaken. Let me attempt to explain why.

    The universally recognized Nicene Creed (which contains doctrines that all orthodox Christians believe) has a very interesting line of confession in it that is worthy of our consideration: “I believe one holy catholic and apostolic church.” The Creed mentions four characteristics of the church. The church is:

One

Holy

Catholic

Apostolic

What do these descriptors tell us or teach us about the church of Jesus Christ?

UNDERSTANDING THE CHURCH

    First of all, the Lord Jesus Christ has ONE church. He has built one church through the ages, and He continues with one church (Matt. 16:18). The church specifically consists of those who have been united to Christ by faith. Every true Christian believer has an unbreakable and secure union with Christ. We are in Him, and He in us. Even more, since every single believer is united to Christ, by virtue of that union we are also united to each other in Him. Each of us has an unbreakable bond together through our Head, Jesus Christ. We have all been adopted into the one family of God. Furthermore, we are not simply united with those Christians who are currently alive on earth, but we are united with all of God’s people from all times and all places (Hebrews 12:22-24). What building we may worship in, what name might be on the building makes no difference if, in fact, we are united to Christ. When we are in Him, we are all part of the ONE church that is our Lord’s.

    Second, the church of Jesus Christ is HOLY. This statement might seem silly at first glance; after all, so many churches have so many issues. So many people professing Christ fall short of their high calling in so many ways. Nevertheless, the statement is true. Think about how Paul often began his Epistles to the different churches to whom he wrote. He often addressed them as “saints” (1 Corinthians. 1:2, 2 Cor. 1:1 Eph. 1:1, Phil. 1:1, etc.). Now, that word “saints” means “holy ones”.

    After addressing them as saints, Paul would often reprimand them for all of the sins that were occurring in that particular congregations at that time (1 Corinthians. 1:11, for example). Nevertheless, he would address them as holy ones. How can this be?

    In spite of our ongoing war against our flesh, though, the Scriptures declare that the church consists of the saints, or holy ones, and the Creed echoes this scriptural declaration.

    Again it comes back to union with Christ. Our Head, Christ, is perfectly holy, and we are in Him and He in us. By His great work of redemption accomplished for us, He has justified us ungodly people, not by works, but by faith (Romans 4:5). His holiness is ours; it is accounted to us by the grace of God. And the rest of the Christian life on earth is a holy war that each of us is engaged in against our flesh (Galatians 5:16-17). As we all know, we all still fall short in so many ways. In spite of our ongoing war against our flesh, though, the Scriptures declare that the church consists of the saints, or holy ones, and the Creed echoes this scriptural declaration. The church of Jesus Christ is objectively holy because of Christ’s own work to make it so.

    Third, the church is CATHOLIC. For many of us, the word “catholic” evokes squeamishness. “What do you mean, catholic?” I can hear you asking. “We are Protestant, not Catholic.”

    But the original meaning of the word “catholic” is “universal”. In other words, when we say the church is catholic, we mean it is universal. Christianity is universal in multiple ways. In the first place, the gospel has been given to us to take to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people, without distinction (Matt. 28:19). The gospel is to be spread and published universally without discrimination, to make disciples of all the nations. But in addition to this, as Christians we all have a common faith. We confess faith in the essential doctrines of Christianity together. The faith which we all believe is not unique to us or our congregation or denomination. Rather, we confess in common with other believers down through the ages a faith in the Triune God of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three in person and one in substance, as revealed in Holy Scripture.

    Further, we confess faith in Jesus Christ the God-man, and in His perfect life, death for our sins, burial, and bodily resurrection, all accomplished for our salvation. We confess faith in the saving gospel of Jesus Christ to save to the uttermost all who come to God through Him. In other words, every genuine Christian is worshiping the same God, believing in the same Jesus, and being saved by the same gospel.

    In other words, the church is catholic in its basic doctrine that separates the Christian faith from heresies, cults, and world religions.

    In other words, the church is catholic in its basic doctrine that separates the Christian faith from heresies, cults, and world religions. Yes, there are different theological traditions such Lutheran, Reformed, Anglican, Presbyterian, Baptist, and so forth. Finer points of doctrine are sometimes understood differently, such as the nature of baptism or the Lord’s supper, how the church should be governed, or what the worship service should look like. But in the essentials of who God is, who Christ is, and what the saving gospel is, these different theological traditions are all part of the catholic Christian faith. There is, as it has been said, an “umbrella of orthodoxy” allowing for conscientious differences in matters that don’t compromise who God or Christ is, or what the gospel is. The church of Jesus Christ is catholic.

Fourth, the church is APOSTOLIC. That is, the church is built on the apostles and their teaching.

"Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit "(Ephesians 2:19-22).

    Notice the foundation the church is built upon is the apostles and prophets, and that Christ Himself is the chief cornerstone. That is, Christ is the chief apostle (Hebrews 3:1). What this truth fundamentally means is that the church is not built upon human tradition or human teachings, but upon the apostolic teaching which is contained in the Bible. It was Jesus Himself who chose the apostles (John 15:16) and gave them the authority to teach His gospel. Read the gospels and read the book of Acts, and the apostles’ divine call and unique role becomes abundantly clear.

    There are so-called “red letter Christians” who would place a premium on the words of Jesus over the rest of Scripture. And of course, having come from Adventism, we know there are those who downplay Paul. But this attitude simply doesn’t work. To reject the apostles is to reject Christ who gave them their authority (Matt. 10:40, Acts 1:1-8). Moreover, we have been blessed by the Lord to have the teachings of the apostles preserved in their own written words of the New Testament, so we don’t have to guess at the apostolic teaching. The church is apostolic, the foundation it’s built on is the apostles and prophets (Old Testament and New Testament), with Jesus Himself being the chief cornerstone.

    The church is apostolic, the foundation it’s built on is the apostles and prophets (Old Testament and New Testament), with Jesus Himself being the chief cornerstone.

So, all of this being the case, what is the true church, and where should you go to church?

    The answer is: go to church wherever the Triune God is worshiped in Spirit and Truth. Go where the Biblical Christ is upheld and glorified as the Savior. Go where the preaching of the saving gospel of the finished work of Jesus is front and center. Go where the teaching of the apostles and prophets, contained in the 66 books of the Bible, is confessed as the infallible standard of all doctrine and practice. Go where baptism and the Lord’s supper are faithfully practiced in accordance with the institution of Christ. Where these things are the case, wherever these things are practiced by believers who are united to Christ by faith, there is a true church.

WHAT I'VE EXPERIENCED

    In my own experience, I have traveled around the western United States frequently, and I have ended up being in different towns on Sundays. But wherever I happen to be when Sunday is coming, I want to find a place to worship with the body of Christ. I have my particular theological persuasion, so often I will look for a church that is most likely to be closest to that. But often times the towns might be small with only have a few church options. In that case I will ascertain what those are and select the one most likely to be solid, according to the characteristics mentioned above. In doing this I have attended Presbyterian churches, Baptist churches, Bible churches, Community churches, Calvary Chapels, and so on. Now, I don’t endorse each doctrinal point of all these different local bodies and denominations. But I have rarely came away with a negative experience. In fact, my family and I will usually leave after the service is over, thankful to the Lord that we got to meet and worship with brothers and sisters in Christ that we didn’t know before, and thankful that we heard the gospel preached.

    Two thousand years of the Lord Jesus building His church across this world has borne great fruit that all Christians get to enjoy.

    Indeed, since leaving Adventism it has been one of my greatest joys to realize that there are wonderful brothers and sisters in Christ all over in different towns and cities—and across the various countries of the world, for that matter. Two thousand years of the Lord Jesus building His church across this world has borne great fruit that all Christians get to enjoy. I marvel that almost anywhere I have gone, I can find fellow believers there. And to meet fellow believers who are brothers and sisters, united in Christ together with us, and to be able to worship our great God together and fellowship together is one of the most joyous privileges of being a Christian.

    So, I would appeal to all to embrace the Biblical historic doctrine of the church if you haven’t yet done so: the church is one, holy, catholic, and apostolic. And in doing so let your belief spring into action in assembling with the body of Christ on a regular basis. Though it is natural for people leaving Adventism to often be weary of church or organized worship, please don’t let the bad experiences of being in a false church deter you from receiving the marvelous benefits the Lord has for you through worshiping and fellowshipping together with the true church of Jesus Christ. As Christians we are not stand-alone individualists, but each of us is an essential part of the church which our Lord is building. It is both to our benefit and to the benefit of the rest of the body that each of us assemble together to worship our Lord Jesus who has saved us by His marvelous grace. 

Richard Foster is blessed to reside in beautiful San Juan Island, Washington, with wife Virlinda, and children Enoch and Taylianna. As an excavation contractor and septic system installer, he helps island homes to properly make wastewater go away, as well as digging holes and filling them in whenever needed. Formerly an Adventist for 13 years, the Lord providentially led him on a journey of deeper Bible study, and a realization of the true biblical gospel through learning what the real issues were in the Protestant Reformation. He continues to enjoy studying biblical theology in his spare time. He and his family happily attend and help with ministry in a local community church, where the preaching is expository, and the central focus is the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ alone.

Source: https://blog.lifeassuranceministries.org/2023/09/21/what-is-the-true-church/   

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