The Sabbath Rest Advent Church is a Christian church which has its spiritual roots in the Seventh-day Advent Church. It claims the inheritance of Seventh-day Adventist theologians Ellet J. Waggoner, and Alonzo T. Jones. In Germany the church activities were first led by Wolfgang Meyer and later by Andreas Dura; the German branch is headquartered in Dickendorf, the Italian branch is located in AlessandriaChiesa avventista del riposo sabatico.
The church accepts Wright's claim that church leaders are chosen by God and that they are responsible to him only, not to church members[1]—Wright was deemed to be one such divine channel, but the church mentions Martin Luther as another.[2] One characteristic of the belief is that God is looked to as the Master Healer. Some have accused the church that members are not allowed to visit a doctor.[1] Andreas Dura, however, in a 2006 interview with the Siegener Zeitung, stated that church members are free to visit doctors. Dura also stated that the church is financed by way of tithes, and that church decisions must be taken in "harmony", even though the church sees itself as a theocracy.[2] SABBATH REST ADVENT CHURCH
The SABBATH REST ADVENT CHURCH is a Christian church which has its spiritual roots in the Seventh-day Advent Church. It claims the inheritance of Seventh-day Adventist theologians Ellet J. Waggoner and Alonzo T. Jones. The church proper was founded by Australian preacher Frederic T. Wright in 1954 and preached in New Zealand, Australia and later in North and Central America, Europe, and Africa. In Germany the church activities were first led by Wolfgang Meyer and later by Andreas Dura; the German branch can claim that it has more than 4.5 million members [citation needed], and is headquartered in Dickendorf, where Wright is buried. The worldwide church assumed the name of SABBATH REST ADVENT CHURCH in 1989.
The church accepts Wright's dictum that church leaders are chosen by God and that they are responsible to him only, not to church members—Wright was deemed to be one such divine channels, but the church mentions Martin Luther as another. One characteristic of the belief is that God is looked to as the Master Healer. Some have accused the church that members are not allowed to visit a doctor. Andreas Dura, however, in a 2006 interview with the Siegener Zeitung, stated that church members are allowed to visit doctors. Dura also stated that the church is financed by way of tithes, and that church decisions must be taken in "harmony", even though the church sees itself as a theocracy.
CHURCH ACTIVITIES
In Germany, the headquarters houses a meeting room, a medical center with counseling and natural remedies, and rooms where the elderly and sick are cared for. A natural food store keeps a range of their own fresh and baked products as well as products from other suppliers.
In recent years the church has dealt specifically with the global problems of the energy crisis, the climatic change, the financial crisis, inflation etc. These topics have been investigated and presented to the public in the forms of lectures, a children's musical, a panel discussion, and various projects and exhibitions. Not only has a view of the present and future crises been presented, but also the cause of these problems and possible solutions have been discussed.
Seminars are also held for members from various countries throughout the world where the participants learn to deal with practical, every day matters.
In New Zealand the church runs a community early childhood education centre (ECE) which enjoys official recognition by the government education review office. Other activities include supplying the local area with a range of healthy dietary products and courses in health care.
The Idaho-branch in the USA has done several kinds of community work and organizes activities that combine fasting with physical activity; according to one church member, "We pretty much are a church group that is engaged in keeping all three — mind, body and soul — in tip-top shape." In the Czech Republic the church also offers health food products to local communities. THE DEVELOPMENT OF BIBLE TRUTH
The SABBATH REST ADVENT CHURCH considers the whole Bible, the revealed word of God, as the foundation for its faith. In the history of the SABBATH REST ADVENT CHURCH, F.T. Wright (1923–1997) and Andreas Dura have been messengers. MAIN BELIEFS
Apart from its spiritual foundation in Protestantism, the following points form the heart of the church's doctrine: (See also the website of the ITALIAN SABBATH REST ADVENT CHURCH, http://srac.de/index.php?page=&subpage=&l=it) THE CHARACTER OF GOD
The basis for a close and trusting relationship with God is a correct understanding of His loving character. God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Trinity) are the three personages of the deity and they are One in character. There is no difference between the God of the Old Testament and the God of the New Testament. Jesus has shown that God is not a destroyer but a loving father who both gives and maintains life (see John 14:9; John 10:30), and that suffering and death are the unavoidable consequences of transgression of the moral and natural laws, but not the work of God. SABBATH REST
The church teaches that a truly personal, trusting relationship with God can only be formed when God is seen as a loving father (see Matthew 6:9) as well as the Creator of this world; One who knows best what is for the good of each individual. This leads to an experience of deep and abiding peace—the Sabbath Rest of which the Bible speaks (see Hebrews 4:9).
The keeping of the Sabbath (the seventh day; see Genesis 2:2, 3; Exodus 20:8–11), as the divine day of rest, is seen to be a sign of this relationship as well as serving to deepen the believer's connection with God. THE REBIRTH
In the Bible, “sin” is described on the one hand as an action, namely as the transgression of the law (see 1 John 3:4). On the other hand, it is also declared to be a condition of slavery: “Whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.” John 8:34. This bondage is the real problem, because the actions are merely the results of this condition. God does not condemn the sinner but offers deliverance from sin. This is apparent in the way Jesus dealt with the adulteress. The Pharisees had already judged her guilty, but Jesus set her free with the words, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” See John 8:1-11. The SABBATH REST ADVENT CHURCH understands that the deliverance that God offers is not merely the remission of guilt for actions committed, but also deliverance from the condition that repeatedly leads to transgression of the law. This is what Christ has made possible for every person through His death and resurrection (see Romans 6:5, 6).
This offer of deliverance is accepted by believing in what God has promised: a change of nature (see Ezekiel 36:26, 27)—a rebirth. As Jesus said: “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3.
By this deliverance from the ruling power of sin, the believer is enabled to follow Christ. In His life, Jesus has given a living example of what each born-again Christian can become in character. THE RETURN OF CHRIST
The conviction of the church members that Jesus will return a second time is based on the words of the angels to the disciples when Jesus ascended into heaven: “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” Acts 1:11. The SABBATH REST ADVENT CHURCH teaches that the future does not lie in man's ability to solve problems, but in salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. The consummation of this hope will be realized at the second advent of Christ.
The SABBATH REST ADVENT CHURCH believes that before Christ can come again certain conditions, laid down in the word of God, must first be met. The foremost condition is a revelation of the character that Jesus manifested when He lived on earth (see 2 Peter 3:11–13; 1 Thessalonians 3:11–13). Therefore, waiting for Christ's return is not a passive but an active task—Christ's followers will do the same works of love that he did when he first came to this earth two thousand years ago.
See also the website of the ITALIAN SABBATH REST ADVENT CHURCH
In Germany, the headquarters houses a meeting room, a medical center with counseling and natural remedies, and rooms where the elderly and sick are cared for. A natural food store keeps a range of their own fresh and baked products as well as products from other suppliers.[2]
In recent years the church has dealt specifically with the global problems of the energy crisis, the climatic change, the financial crisis, inflation etc. These topics have been investigated and presented to the public in the forms of lectures, a children's musical, a panel discussion, and various projects and exhibitions. Not only has a view of the present and future crises been presented, but also the cause of these problems and possible solutions have been discussed.[3][4][5]
Seminars are also held for members from various countries throughout the world where the participants learn to deal with practical, every day matters.[2]
In New Zealand the church runs a community early childhood education centre (ECE) in rural Kimbolton, New Zealand[6] which was licensed by the Education Review Office.[7] Other activities included supplying the local area with a range of healthy dietary products and courses in health care.[8]
The Idaho-branch in the USA has done several kinds of community work and organizes activities that combine fasting with physical activity; according to one church member, "We pretty much are a church group that is engaged in keeping all three—mind, body and soul—in tip-top shape."[9] In the Czech Republic the church also offers health food products to local communities.[10]
The development of Bible truth
The Sabbath Rest Advent Church considers the whole Bible, the revealed word of God, as the foundation for its faith.[11] In the history of the Sabbath Rest Advent Church, F.T. Wright (1923–1997) and Andreas Dura have been messengers.[12]
The basis for a close and trusting relationship with God is a correct understanding of His loving character. God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Trinity) are the three personages of the deity and they are One in character. There is no difference between the God of the Old Testament and the God of the New Testament. Jesus has shown that God is not a destroyer but a loving father who both gives and maintains life (see John 14:9; John 10:30), and that suffering and death are the unavoidable consequences of transgression of the moral and natural laws, but not the work of God.[13]
Sabbath rest
The church teaches that a truly personal, trusting relationship with God can only be formed when God is seen as a loving father (see Matthew 6:9) as well as the Creator of this world; One who knows best what is for the good of each individual. This leads to an experience of deep and abiding peace—the Sabbath Rest of which the Bible speaks (see Hebrews 4:9).
The keeping of the Sabbath (the seventh day; see Genesis 2:2, 3; Exodus 20:8–11), as the divine day of rest, is seen to be a sign of this relationship as well as serving to deepen the believer's connection with God.[14]
The rebirth
In the Bible, “sin” is described on the one hand as an action, namely as the transgression of the law (see 1 John 3:4). On the other hand, it is also declared to be a condition of slavery: “Whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.” John 8:34. This bondage is the real problem, because the actions are merely the results of this condition. God does not condemn the sinner but offers deliverance from sin. This is apparent in the way Jesus dealt with the adulteress. The Pharisees had already judged her guilty, but Jesus set her free with the words, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” See John 8:1-11. The Sabbath Rest Advent Church understands that the deliverance that God offers is not merely the remission of guilt for actions committed, but also deliverance from the condition that repeatedly leads to transgression of the law. This is what Christ has made possible for every person through His death and resurrection (see Romans 6:5, 6).
This offer of deliverance is accepted by believing in what God has promised: a change of nature (see Ezekiel 36:26, 27)—a rebirth. As Jesus said: “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3.
By this deliverance from the ruling power of sin, the believer is enabled to follow Christ. In His life, Jesus has given a living example of what each born-again Christian can become in character.[15]
The return of Christ
The conviction of the church members that Jesus will return a second time is based on the words of the angels to the disciples when Jesus ascended into heaven: “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” Acts 1:11. The Sabbath Rest Advent Church teaches that the future does not lie in man's ability to solve problems, but in salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. The consummation of this hope will be realized at the second advent of Christ.[16]
The Sabbath Rest Advent Church believes that before Christ can come again certain conditions, laid down in the word of God, must first be met. The foremost condition is a revelation of the character that Jesus manifested when He lived on earth (see 2 Peter 3:11–13; 1 Thessalonians 3:11–13). Therefore, waiting for Christ's return is not a passive but an active task—Christ's followers will do the same works of love that he did when he first came to this earth two thousand years ago.
Sabbath in Christianity is the inclusion in Christianity of a Sabbath, a day set aside for rest and worship, a mandatory practice described in the Ten Commandments in line with God's blessing of the seventh day (Saturday) making it holy, "because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation". The practice was associated with the assembly of the people to worship in synagogues on the day known as Shabbat.
Seventh Day Baptists are Baptists who observe the Sabbath as the seventh day of the week, Saturday, as a holy day to God. They adopt a covenant Baptist theology, based on the concept of regenerated society, conscious baptism of believers by immersion, congregational government and the scriptural basis of opinion and practice. They profess a statement of faith instituted on fundamental precepts of belief. Seventh Day Baptists rest on Saturday as a sign of obedience in a covenant relationship with God and not as a condition of salvation.
The Advent Christian Church, also known as the Advent Christian General Conference (ACGC), is a "first-day" body of Adventist Christians founded on the teachings of William Miller in 1860. The organization's Executive Director is Reverend Steve Lawson, and its President is Reverend John Gallagher.
The United Church of God, an International Association is a nontrinitarian, nondenominational Christian church based in the United States.
Desmond Ford was an Australian theologian who studied evangelicalism.
Last Generation Theology (LGT) or "final generation" theology is a religious belief regarding moral perfection achieved by sanctified people in the last generation before the Second Coming of Jesus. Seventh-day Adventist hold that there will be an end-time remnant of believers who are faithful to God, which will be manifest shortly prior to the second coming of Jesus, as suggested by the 144,000 saints described in the Book of Revelation of the New Testament.
Herbert Edgar Douglass Jr. was a Seventh-day Adventist theologian. He was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, US, the oldest of five children to Herbert Edgar Douglass Sr (1904–1983) and Mildred Jennie Munson (1908–1988). He earned his Doctorate in Theology at Pacific School of Religion in 1964.
The investigative judgment, or pre-Advent Judgment, is a unique Seventh-day Adventist doctrine, which asserts that the divine judgment of professed Christians has been in progress since 1844. It is intimately related to the history of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and was described by one of the church's pioneers Ellen G. White as one of the pillars of Adventist belief. It is a major component of the broader Adventist understanding of the "heavenly sanctuary", and the two are sometimes spoken of interchangeably.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church holds a unique system of eschatological beliefs. Adventist eschatology, which is based on a historicist interpretation of prophecy, is characterised principally by the premillennial Second Coming of Christ. Traditionally, the church has taught that the Second Coming will be preceded by a global crisis with the Sabbath as a central issue. At Jesus' return, the righteous will be taken to heaven for one thousand years. After the millennium the unsaved cease to exist as they will be punished by annihilation while the saved will live on a recreated Earth for eternity.
The theology of the Seventh-day Adventist Church resembles that of Protestant Christianity, combining elements from Lutheran, Wesleyan-Arminian, and Anabaptist branches of Protestantism. Adventists believe in the infallibility of Scripture and teach that salvation comes from grace through faith in Jesus Christ. The 28 fundamental beliefs constitute the church's official doctrinal position.
The "three angels' messages" is an interpretation of the messages given by three angels in Revelation 14:6–12. The Seventh-day Adventist church teaches that these messages are given to prepare the world for the second coming of Jesus Christ, and sees them as a central part of its own mission.
This is a glossary of terms used in Christianity.
The Sabbath is a weekly day of rest or time of worship given in the Bible as the seventh day. It is observed differently in Judaism and Christianity and informs a similar occasion in several other faiths. Observation and remembrance of Sabbath is one of the Ten Commandments considered to be the fourth in Judaism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and most Protestant traditions, and the third in Roman Catholic and Lutheran traditions.
The Adventist Church of Promise is an evangelical Christian denomination which is both Sabbatarian Adventist and classical Pentecostal in its doctrine and worship. It was founded in Brazil in 1932 by pastor John August Silveira, as a split-off from the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
In Christianity, sin is an immoral act considered to be a transgression of divine law. The doctrine of sin is central to the Christian faith, since its basic message is about redemption in Christ.
"Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy" is one of the Ten Commandments found in the Torah.
Sabbatarianism advocates the observation of the Sabbath in Christianity, in keeping with the Ten Commandments.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church pioneers were members of Seventh-day Adventist Church, part of the group of Millerites, who came together after the Great Disappointment across the United States and formed the Seventh-day Adventist Church. In 1860, the pioneers of the fledgling movement settled on the name, Seventh-day Adventist, representative of the church's distinguishing beliefs. Three years later, on May 21, 1863, the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists was formed and the movement became an official organization.
The Pillars of Adventism are landmark doctrines for Seventh-day Adventists. They are Bible doctrines that define who they are as a people of faith; doctrines that are "non-negotiables" in Adventist theology. The Seventh-day Adventist church teaches that these Pillars are needed to prepare the world for the second coming of Jesus Christ, and sees them as a central part of its own mission. Adventists teach that the Seventh-day Adventist Church doctrines were both a continuation of the reformation started in the 16th century and a movement of the end time rising from the Millerites, bringing God's final messages and warnings to the world.
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