Adventist Heritage

I. IntroductionI. Introduction

• Christianity (37%)

• Islam (23%)

• Hinduism (15%)

• Buddhism (8%)

• Chinese Religions

• Tribal Religions

• Judaism

World Religions:World Religions:


The Christian Church is a community of believers that accept Jesus Christ and receive Him as their own personal Savior and Lord.

2. What is the Christian Church?2. What is the Christian Church?


3. Who is the leader? 3. Who is the leader?

Ephesians 5:23Ephesians 5:23


4. What is the task of the church? 4. What is the task of the church?

Matthew 28:19-20Matthew 28:19-20

Matthew 28:19-20Matthew 28:19-20

“… Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing… teaching…”

II. Heralds of the Second Coming of JesusII. Heralds of the Second Coming of Jesus


1. Manuel de Lacunza y Diaz1. Manuel de Lacunza y Diaz

1731-18011731-1801


1. Manuel de Lacunza y Diaz1. Manuel de Lacunza y Diaz

The book influence 1790-1824

• 1824 - Pope Leo XII


2. Edward Irving2. Edward Irving (1792-1834) (1792-1834)

Lewis Way

Partial Translationin French

Similarities between Lacunza and Irving

Irving translate the book into English

Ben Ezra is identified as Lacunza

3. 3. The Millerite MovementThe Millerite Movement

William Miller (1830-1844)

3. 3. The Millerite MovementThe Millerite Movement

The extension of the movementThe extension of the movement

• USA 50,000 to 100,000• 1 million of spectators

1818 – The Doctrine of the Second Coming1818 – The Doctrine of the Second Coming

• Thousand years before the 2nd Coming was a mistake.

• Jewish return to Palestine has no biblical support.

• Jesus comes personally.

• God’s kingdom establish at the 2nd Coming.

• Fire purification

• Renovated earth

• Resurrection of the just by the 2nd Coming

• Resurrection of wicked after 1,000 years


• We are living on the last days

• Prophetic times, 2nd Coming by the year 1843


The prophecy of Daniel 8 and 9The prophecy of Daniel 8 and 9

The order of Artaxerxes

457 AC

Jesus Baptism

27 DC

31 DC

34 DC

70 Weeks

2300 days (years)

1844

The First DisappointmentThe First Disappointment

The Great Disappointment - Oct. 22, 1844The Great Disappointment - Oct. 22, 1844

“We cried, and cried till the sunrise”. Hiram Edson

Two InterpretationsTwo Interpretations

The calculus of the period was wrong

– 2300 days would be in the future– Miller, Himes, Litch, Bliss, Hale

Two interpretationsTwo interpretations

The event was wrong

– Storres, Bates, White, Jacobs, Marsh

Millerism divided in three groupsMillerism divided in three groups

1. “Evangelical Adventists”

2. The fanatics

3. The group that originated the SDA

III. III. The Remnant Church The Remnant Church

A. What are the characteristics of the remnant? (Rev 14:12; 12:17; 19:10)

1. Obedience to the commandments

2. Faith in Jesus

3. Spirit of Prophecy

B. The Spirit of Prophecy

- 2 Chron. 20:20

- 1 Thess. 5:20-21

A. The socio-cultural and religious context of its appearance

IV. The Seventh-day Adventist Movement

1) The democratic spirit

2) Denominationalism

3) The 2nd great American revival

4) The great movement of the 2nd coming

B. Roots of the Adventist Theology

IV. The Seventh-day Adventist Movement

1) Protestantism

2) Millerism

3) Puritanism

4) Christian Connection

5) Methodism

6) Restoration movement

7) Common sense philosophy

1) PROTESTANTISM:The Authority of the Scriptures

1. The Principle “sola escritura”.

2. Anabaptists

3. The first Seventh-day Adventists recognized the

authority of the Scriptures:

– Foundation to the doctrines

– Broke traditions that do not harmonized with

the Bible

– Opposed to formulate a creed

2) MILLERISM:2) MILLERISM:The imminence of the Second ComingThe imminence of the Second Coming

1. Christ’s Second Coming

2. World awakening about the Second Coming

3. The Seventh-day Adventists heritage from

the Millerits their emphasis on the eminent,

premillenial and visible coming of Jesus

3) PURITANISM:The observance of the Sabbath

1. The puritans developed a rigid observance

of the weekly rest (Sunday)

2. The Seventh-day Baptists

3. The Seventh-day Adventists

4) CHRISTIAN CONNECTION:4) CHRISTIAN CONNECTION:The anti-trinitarianismThe anti-trinitarianism

1.1. No biblical concept that confound No biblical concept that confound

the distinct personalities of the the distinct personalities of the

Father and the SonFather and the Son

2.2. These ideas were gradually These ideas were gradually

disappearing of the Adventist disappearing of the Adventist

community between 1890 and 1940community between 1890 and 1940

5) THE METHODISM:5) THE METHODISM:The concept of salvationThe concept of salvation

1.1. The concept of salvation were related The concept of salvation were related

to the doctrine of predestination.to the doctrine of predestination.

2.2. ““Libre Albedrio”Libre Albedrio”

3.3. Ellen White was Methodist before Ellen White was Methodist before

starting follow the Millerite movement.starting follow the Millerite movement.

F. RESTAURATION MOVEMENT:The concept of restoration of the truth

1. The ideal of restoring Christianity to its

early purity

2. The Seventh-day Adventism arose as a

restoration movement of the biblical truth

3. “Present Truth”

7) THE COMMON SENSE FILOSOPHY:7) THE COMMON SENSE FILOSOPHY:The understanding of the truthThe understanding of the truth

1.1. All human beings can know and All human beings can know and defend the truth.defend the truth.

2.2. William MillerWilliam Miller

3. “People Theologians” - systematic 3. “People Theologians” - systematic study of the Bible, followed by prayer study of the Bible, followed by prayer and the Holy Spirit illumination.and the Holy Spirit illumination.

C. Formation of the Adventist Doctrinal SystemC. Formation of the Adventist Doctrinal System

IV. IV. The Seventh-day Adventist Movement The Seventh-day Adventist Movement

Definition of the Doctrines – 1844 a 1847Definition of the Doctrines – 1844 a 1847

- The progressive revelation- The progressive revelation

- The doctrine of the sanctuary- The doctrine of the sanctuary

- The doctrine of the Sabbath- The doctrine of the Sabbath

The Seventh-day BaptistsThe Seventh-day Baptists

First Church – William FarnsworthFirst Church – William Farnsworth

Joseph Bates and the SabbathJoseph Bates and the Sabbath

Washington, New Hampshire

The Seventh-day BaptistsThe Seventh-day Baptists

• From England to America• Rachel Oakes• William Farnsworth

Joseph Bates and the SabbathJoseph Bates and the Sabbath

• Capt. Joseph Bates – “Mr. Sabbath”Capt. Joseph Bates – “Mr. Sabbath”• March 1845 read Preble article March 1845 read Preble article

about the Sabbathabout the Sabbath

““Within a few days I decided to Within a few days I decided to keep the fourth commandment.”keep the fourth commandment.”

The famous “Sabbath Bridge”

Between New Bedford and Fairhaven

A friend salutes Capt. Bates, “What is new?”

The answer: “The new is the seventh-day is the Sabbath.”

- Joseph Bates- Joseph Bates

- James and Ellen White- James and Ellen White

- The gift of prophecy- The gift of prophecy

V. V. The First Leaders The First Leaders

• Capitan Joseph Bates– Sabbath– Temperance– Abolitionist

JOSEPH BATESJOSEPH BATES


• Accepted soon return of Jesus

• Conditional Immortality

• The Sabbath• March 1845, article of Thomas M. Preble

• The visit to Frederic Wheeler and Cyrus Farnsworth.

• The Sabbath Bridge - “What is the news?”


• The theology of the sanctuary through

the article of Crosier and the visit to

Hiram Edison

• Gift of Prophecy of Ellen G. White, in

Topsham - Maine.

THIAGO AND ELLEN WHITETHIAGO AND ELLEN WHITE

• The second coming as Millerites.

• The conditional immortality before 1844.

• The sanctuary – article of Crosier.

• The Sabbath - Joseph Bates, fall 1846.

• Ellen White – first vision Dec. 1844, James accepted in beginning of 1845

1827 - Gorham, Maine

Ellen G. Harmon (1827 – 1915)

Portland, Maine9 years-old

March 1840Preaching of William Miller

Methodist Camp MeetingBuxton, MaineAccepted Jesus (Life and Teaching, 16-20)

Disfellowship from the Methodist Church at Pine Street in 1843

Ellen was baptized by immersionJune 26, 1842 Casco Bay, Portland

First VisionFirst Vision

December 1844South Portland, Maine.

“If they fail to follow the infallible light, they would fall from the narrow way; and would never reach the city of God.” (LeRoy Edwin Froom, Movement of Destiny, p. 82).

First VisionFirst Vision

The call for prophetic ministryThe call for prophetic ministry

William Ellis Foy - Millerit preacherWilliam Ellis Foy - Millerit preacherJanuary 18, 1842January 18, 1842

Fall 1844

If he did not reported… the

responsibility would be taken

from him and given over one

the most fragile of God’s

children.” (SDA Encyclopedia, 473)

Ellen G. Harmon,A seventeen-year old lady

The second visionPerspective of trials

Summer of 1845The longest vision 4 hours, Randolph

November 1846Ellen G. White had a detailed

vision about astronomy - Joseph Bates

April, 1847April, 1847Topsham, MaineTopsham, Maine

A vision of the heavenly sanctuary, A vision of the heavenly sanctuary, God’s Law with a hale of light God’s Law with a hale of light

around the fourth commandment. around the fourth commandment. (Early Writings, 32-33)(Early Writings, 32-33)

Authenticity of the Gift of Prophecy

1- Physical Phenomenon2- Content of visions3- Biblical Foundation

The Gift of Prophecy

Ellen White and the Bible

As a “lesser light” she direct her readers to the Scriptures, the “greater light” (Evangelism, 257).

1)1) PublicationsPublications

- 1846, Joseph Bates – New Bedford, MA- 1846, Joseph Bates – New Bedford, MA

VI. Propagation of the DoctrineVI. Propagation of the Doctrine1847 and beyond1847 and beyond

- 1847, James and Ellen White, Joseph Bates – - 1847, James and Ellen White, Joseph Bates –

“A Word to the Little Remnant”“A Word to the Little Remnant”

- 1849, Present Truth – First Periodic- 1849, Present Truth – First Periodic

- 1850, Adventist Review – Second Periodic- 1850, Adventist Review – Second Periodic

2) Biblical (Sabbath) Conferences2) Biblical (Sabbath) Conferences

-- At the end of 1840’ At the end of 1840’


-- New England & New York New England & New York

- To spread the doctrines - To spread the doctrines

2) Sabbath Conferences - Importance:2) Sabbath Conferences - Importance:

- Pre-millennial 2- Pre-millennial 2ndnd Coming Coming


- 2- 2ndnd phase of Jesus’ ministry in the heavenly phase of Jesus’ ministry in the heavenly

sanctuary after 1844sanctuary after 1844

- The 7- The 7thth day is the Sabbath day is the Sabbath

- The Spirit of Prophecy- The Spirit of Prophecy

- The Three Angel’s Message- The Three Angel’s Message

- The last seven plagues- The last seven plagues

- Extermination of the wicked after 1,000 years- Extermination of the wicked after 1,000 years

3) Unifying Elements:3) Unifying Elements:

- The Sanctuary in heaven- The Sanctuary in heaven

- The 2,300 days- The 2,300 days

- The Purification of the - The Purification of the

sanctuarysanctuary

- The Three Angel’s Message- The Three Angel’s Message



4) Foundations of the System of 4) Foundations of the System of DoctrinesDoctrines

a. Seventh-day Adventist Beliefs

1872 - Synopsis of our Faith

1931 - 22 Fundamental

Beliefs


Beliefs


Beliefs

b. The Restoration of Truth and the b. The Restoration of Truth and the RemnantRemnant

• Flood – Noah

• Ur – Abraham

• Egypt – Exodus – Moses

• Roman Empire – Jesus

• Dark Age – Reformers

• 19th Century – Adventist Movement

• Great Controversy

• The Law and the Sabbath

• The Sanctuary and the Judgment

• Death and Hell

• Creation and Eschatology

• Wholeness of Man - Health

• Christian Lifestyle

c. Distinctive Doctrines

Jesus, the center of the message,the center of every doctrine.

“Let every teacher present an

open door before all who

will come to Jesus, repentingof their sins” (Evangelism, 217).

Distinctive Doctrines

1) Development: 1845 – 1859

- Local church

- First Problems

VII. The organization of the Seventh-day Adventist Church

2) Organization

- 1860 – Seventh-day Adventist

- 1863 – Formal Organization

– 125 Churches

– 3,500 members


3) World Mission

- 1874 – J. N. Andrews

- 1890 – Pitcairn

- 1894 – Africa and South America


The PitcairnThe First SS Mission Project

Why Pitcairn? Why Pitcairn?

• 1886 – John Tay began the work

in Pitcairn.

• Elder A.J. Cudney was appointed

to go. But he could not find any

ship passing that way.

• Finally a small vessel was

purchased in Honolulu.

• 1886 – John Tay began the work in

Pitcairn. The church on Pitcairn

unanimously kept the seventh day

as the Sabbath of the Lord.

Sabbath keepers were waiting in

Pitcairn for baptism.

• Elder A.J. Cudney was appointed

to go. But he could not find any

ship passing that way.

Why Pitcairn? Why Pitcairn?

The History of the Sabbath School ProjectThe History of the Sabbath School Project

• Then the Sabbath schools made offerings to

build our first mission ship, the “Pitcairn”

• Oct 28, 1890, the “Pitcairn” passed the Golden

Gate and set its course for Pitcairn island. They

arrived on November 25, 1890… before the

vessel left, 82 had been baptized…

The Pitcairn began the work in the The Pitcairn began the work in the following places:following places:

• Pitcairn Island• Society Islands• Tonga• The Cook• The Samoan• The Fiji Group• Tahiti

THE FIRST 13TH SABBATH SCHOOL MISSION PROJECT WAS INTRODUCED IN 1912

THE FIRST 13TH SABBATH SCHOOL MISSION PROJECT WAS INTRODUCED IN 1912

1/1912: INDIA

2/1912: AFRICA

School in East Africa

Now: Adventist University ofEast Africa

3/1912: CHINA

4/19124/1912South America:South America:

Chile and ArgentinaChile and Argentina

A training school in Chile

Now: CHILE ADVENTIST UNIVERSITY

First school in Brazil Sao Paulo

Now: BRAZIL ADVENTIST UNIVERSITY

•

How many SS mission projects have ever been completed?

1200 major projects all over the world

WHY WORLD MISSION?

• MISSION IS A BIBLICAL COMMAND

• WE ARE A PART OF THE BODY OF CHRIST

• WE NEED TO UNITEDLY SUPPORT WORLD

MISSION THROUGH PRAYER AND GIVING

• MORE BLESSED TO GIVE THAN TO RECEIVE

• CHRIST LIKE CHARACTER IS BEING DEVELOPED

BY GIVING

4) Reorganization – 1901

1903 – From Battle Creek, MI to

Washington, D.C.

1989 – Silver Springs, MD


Reorganization – 1901


Local Church

Local Field

Union

Division

General Conference

5) The Remnant Today5) The Remnant Today

VII. VII. The organization of the Seventh-day The organization of the Seventh-day Adventist ChurchAdventist Church

33%

8%

33%

3%

3%

2%

18%

The world churchThe world church

• % annual growth = 4.65%• Adventist / Population ratio

1 / 482

Annual 980,920Daily 2,685.61Per hour 111.90Per minute 1.87

Growth 2002

1 New church / 3.63 hours

Official language – English

Most spoken language – Spanish

Country with more Adventists:

Brazil – 1,063,962 members

General characteristicsGeneral characteristics

Lacunza

18001830

Miller

The Great Disappointment

1844

El movimiento Millerista

The Great Adventist Movement

The sanctuary

First Vision

The Sabbath

1850

1863Church

Organization

Adventist Heritage

Documents

Transcript of Adventist Heritage