Seventh-Day Adventists (SDAs) claim to believe in salvation through Jesus Christ, the authority of Scripture, and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. However, their distinctive doctrines, particularly the teachings of Ellen G. White, their Sabbath requirement, and the Investigative Judgment, raise serious concerns that place the SDA movement outside of biblical Christianity.
While they affirm the deity of Christ and salvation by grace, SDAs add extra-biblical requirements and interpretations that obscure the gospel.
One of their core doctrines is the Investigative Judgment, which claims that in 1844, Jesus began a new phase of His heavenly ministry, reviewing the lives of believers to determine their salvation. This concept is nowhere found in Scripture and contradicts the clear teaching of assurance in Christ:
“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1)
“He who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment.” (John 5:24)
The elevation of Ellen G. White as a prophet and interpreter of Scripture undermines the sufficiency of the Bible. Her writings are treated as authoritative in practice, despite biblical warnings:
“Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:20–21)
“If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book.” (Revelation 22:18)
SDAs also insist that Sabbath observance is a mark of true faith. Yet Paul wrote:
“Let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths.” (Colossians 2:16)
Scripture declares that salvation is not based on keeping the law but on faith in Christ alone. Adding Sabbath observance or allegiance to Ellen G. White distorts the gospel.
Some individuals within the SDA church may genuinely trust Christ, but the official teachings of the denomination place it outside the bounds of biblical Christianity.