What We Believe

The 28 Fundamental Beliefs

These are the shared, Bible-based convictions of the worldwide Seventh-day Adventist Church — each rooted in Scripture. Not a checklist to join us; simply an honest look at what we hold to be true. Explore, question, and search it out for yourself.

The Doctrines of God

Beliefs 1–6
  • 1

    The Holy Scriptures

    The Bible is God's inspired Word — the trustworthy revelation of His will and the authoritative standard for faith and life.

    Scripture2 Timothy 3:16, 17 · 2 Peter 1:20, 21 · Psalm 119:105

  • 2

    The Godhead

    There is one God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — a unity of three co-eternal Persons.

    ScriptureDeuteronomy 6:4 · Matthew 28:19 · 2 Corinthians 13:14

  • 3

    The Father

    God the Father is Creator, Source, Sustainer, and Sovereign of all — just and holy, merciful and gracious.

    ScriptureGenesis 1:1 · John 3:16 · 1 John 4:8

  • 4

    The Son

    Jesus Christ, fully God and fully human, lived a sinless life, died for our sins, rose again, and ministers for us in heaven.

    ScriptureJohn 1:1-3, 14 · Philippians 2:5-11 · Hebrews 2:9-18

  • 5

    The Holy Spirit

    The Holy Spirit draws us to God, empowers and transforms believers, and guides the church into all truth.

    ScriptureJohn 14:16-18, 26 · John 16:7-13 · Acts 1:8

  • 6

    Creation

    God is Creator; in six days He made the heavens and the earth and rested on the seventh — the foundation of the Sabbath.

    ScriptureGenesis 1 & 2 · Exodus 20:8-11 · Psalm 33:6, 9

The Doctrines of Humanity

Beliefs 7–8
  • 7

    The Nature of Humanity

    Made in God's image, we are a unity of body, mind, and spirit — given great dignity and freedom, yet in need of God.

    ScriptureGenesis 1:26-28 · Genesis 2:7 · Psalm 8:4-8

  • 8

    The Great Controversy

    All humanity is caught in a cosmic conflict between Christ and Satan over God's character; the cross assures Christ's victory.

    ScriptureRevelation 12:4-9 · Romans 5:12-21 · Genesis 3

The Doctrines of Salvation

Beliefs 9–11
  • 9

    The Life, Death & Resurrection of Christ

    Through Christ's sinless life, atoning death, and resurrection, God provided the only means of our salvation.

    Scripture1 Corinthians 15:3, 4 · John 3:16 · 2 Corinthians 5:14-21

  • 10

    The Experience of Salvation

    By grace through faith in Jesus we are forgiven, adopted as God's children, and freed from the condemnation of sin.

    ScriptureEphesians 2:4-10 · Romans 3:21-26 · John 3:16

  • 11

    Growing in Christ

    Christ's victory frees us from evil's grip; abiding in Him, we grow daily into His likeness through prayer, the Word, and community.

    ScriptureColossians 1:13, 14 · Colossians 2:6, 14, 15 · Luke 10:17-20

The Doctrines of the Church

Beliefs 12–18
  • 12

    The Church

    The church is the community of believers who confess Jesus as Lord — a family for worship, fellowship, and mission.

    ScriptureMatthew 16:13-20 · Ephesians 1:22, 23 · Ephesians 2:19-22

  • 13

    The Remnant & Its Mission

    In the last days God calls a people to keep His commandments and the faith of Jesus, and to proclaim the everlasting gospel to the world.

    ScriptureRevelation 12:17 · Revelation 14:6-12 · Revelation 18:1-4

  • 14

    Unity in the Body of Christ

    The church is one body of many members from every nation — equal in Christ, called to serve together in love.

    Scripture1 Corinthians 12:12-14 · Ephesians 4:1-16 · Psalm 133:1

  • 15

    Baptism

    By baptism (immersion) we publicly express faith in Jesus — dying to sin and rising to new life in Him.

    ScriptureRomans 6:1-6 · Matthew 28:19, 20 · Acts 2:38

  • 16

    The Lord's Supper

    In Communion we share bread and cup to remember Christ's sacrifice and proclaim His death until He comes.

    Scripture1 Corinthians 11:23-30 · Matthew 26:26-28 · John 13:1-17

  • 17

    Spiritual Gifts & Ministries

    God gives every believer spiritual gifts to serve the church and bless the world.

    ScriptureRomans 12:4-8 · 1 Corinthians 12:9-11, 27, 28 · Ephesians 4:8, 11-16

  • 18

    The Gift of Prophecy

    The Spirit's gift of prophecy is a mark of the last-day church, and in our history was expressed through the ministry of Ellen G. White.

    ScriptureJoel 2:28, 29 · Revelation 12:17 · Revelation 19:10

The Doctrines of the Christian Life

Beliefs 19–23
  • 19

    The Law of God

    God's Ten Commandments express His character and His will for our lives — upheld, not abolished, by grace.

    ScriptureExodus 20:1-17 · Matthew 5:17-20 · Romans 8:3, 4

  • 20

    The Sabbath

    The seventh-day Sabbath (Saturday) is God's gift of rest and worship — a weekly reminder of creation and redemption.

    ScriptureGenesis 2:1-3 · Exodus 20:8-11 · Mark 2:27, 28 · Hebrews 4:1-11

  • 21

    Stewardship

    We are caretakers of God's gifts — our time, bodies, talents, resources, and the earth — managing them for His glory.

    ScriptureGenesis 1:26-28 · Malachi 3:8-12 · Matthew 23:23

  • 22

    Christian Behavior

    Called to live joyfully and healthfully, we seek in all things to honor God with our whole selves.

    Scripture1 Corinthians 6:19, 20 · 1 Corinthians 10:31 · Philippians 4:8

  • 23

    Marriage & the Family

    Marriage is a lifelong covenant between a man and a woman, and the family is God's design for love, nurture, and belonging.

    ScriptureGenesis 2:18-25 · Matthew 19:3-9 · Ephesians 5:21-33

The Doctrines of Last Things

Beliefs 24–28
  • 24

    Christ's Ministry in the Heavenly Sanctuary

    Jesus serves as our High Priest in heaven, applying the benefits of His sacrifice and bringing final judgment and restoration.

    ScriptureHebrews 8:1-5 · Hebrews 9:11-28 · Daniel 8:13, 14

  • 25

    The Second Coming of Christ

    Jesus will return literally, visibly, and gloriously to gather His people — our blessed hope.

    ScriptureTitus 2:13 · John 14:1-3 · 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17

  • 26

    Death & Resurrection

    Death is an unconscious rest until the resurrection; at Christ's coming the righteous are raised to eternal life.

    ScriptureEcclesiastes 9:5, 6 · 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 · John 5:28, 29

  • 27

    The Millennium & the End of Sin

    After Christ's coming, a thousand years unfold before sin and death are finally and forever ended.

    ScriptureRevelation 20 · 1 Corinthians 6:2, 3 · Jeremiah 4:23-26

  • 28

    The New Earth

    God will re-create a new heaven and new earth, where the redeemed dwell with Him forever — free from pain and death.

    Scripture2 Peter 3:13 · Isaiah 65:17-25 · Revelation 21:1-7 · Revelation 22:1-5

Summaries are written in plain language, with a few key supporting texts noted for each belief. The full, official statements — with their complete Scripture references — are published by the worldwide Seventh-day Adventist Church. Have a question about any of them? We'd love to talk it through with you.

Questions are welcome here.

You don't have to agree with everything to belong while you explore. Bring your honest questions — we'll bring an open Bible.