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You may know a lot about the Seventh-day Adventist Church or nothing at all. Either way, this section may be just what you need to start a project or assignment.

Email the Communications department or phone +61 2 9847 3290 if you have other questions not covered in this section, or to receive a free book about Adventists for your school library.

We wish you the best as you complete your assignment.

Here is a list of frequently asked questions about the Adventist Church that links to the answer -

  1. What do Seventh-day Adventists believe?
  2. Why do we go to church on Saturday?
  3. How do Seventh-day Adventists worship?
  4. How is the Seventh-day Adventist Church organised?
  5. How does the Seventh-day Adventist Church relate to other denominations?
  6. What do Seventh-day Adventists think about current social issues?
  7. How does the Seventh-day Adventist Church contribute to the community?
  8. What are some of the common myths about Seventh-day Adventists?
  9. What does our name and logo mean?
  10. Interested in our early history?
  11. Want to know some current statistics?

 

What do Seventh-day Adventists believe?

We believe in God the Creator, Jesus Christ His Son, and the presence of the Holy Spirit. We also believe in Jesus' death and resurrection and in salvation we receive through faith in God. We treasure the Bible as our only creed. We also believe in sharing our faith through active, involved witness.

Read our 28 Fundamental Beliefs for a better understanding of what Adventists believe.

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Why do we go to church on Saturday?

We go to church on Saturday because it is the biblical day of worship of God as Creator and Saviour. God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh. He blessed the Sabbath (sunset Friday to sunset Saturday) and asked we honour and worship Him on that day. We worship, spend time with family and friends and rest on Saturday, God's Sabbath.

Read more about Sabbath-keeping.

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How does the Seventh-day Adventist church relate to other denominations?

We value our relationship with other Christian churches and religious organisations. We aim to be courteous, frank and fair when our work brings us in contact with people from other denominations.

We recognise true religion is based on conscience and conviction. No selfish interest or temporal advantage should draw people to our community of faith, or prevent them from leaving it. If a change of conviction leads a member of our church to feel no longer in harmony with Seventh-day Adventist faith and practice, we recognise not only the right but also the responsibility of that member to change religious affiliation. We expect other religious bodies to respond in the same spirit of religious liberty.

We believe it is our responsibility as Christians to tell other people everywhere about God and His plan of salvation. The Bible commissions us to preach the "everlasting gospel to every nation, and kindred, and tongue and people" (Revelation 14:6-14). This understanding of the Bible commission means we cannot restrict our activities to specific geographical areas. We also acknowledge the rights of other religious persuasions to operate without geographic restrictions.

Read the document on our relationship to other denominations and religious organisations.

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What does the Seventh-day Adventist Church have to say about current social issues?

From abortion to racism, from homosexuality to environment, Adventists are concerned about issues faced by our community. Adventist Perspectives express our thoughts about 21 social issues. Email communication@adventist.org.au if you need to know our position about other social issues not covered by this series.

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How does the Seventh-day Adventist Church contribute to the community?

Seventh-day Adventists in the South Pacific believe in communicating our faith through programs and events that meet spiritual, physical and social needs. We aim to serve you through our involvement in religious liberty and human rights issues, health and wholeness, education and personal growth and social and community issues, and the provision of humanitarian aid and development.

The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) provides aid including food and medical supplies, equipment and building materials, education programs and facilities, drug awareness, agricultural development, social action and more.

We are committed to making Adventist education accessible to all, not just Adventists. This is why we operate one of the largest unified Protestant education systems in the world. More and more students enrol in Adventist primary and secondary schools in the South Pacific. The church also runs four tertiary colleges and universities in the area. View the Education section.

A healthy lifestyle is very important as this affects your physical and mental wellbeing. We encourage people to live a healthier lifestyle free of alcohol, smoking and the use of illegal drugs. View the Health section.

We are also involved in ministering to your medical needs. Two hospitals and many clinics assist the church in the South Pacific to fulfil this ministry. Sydney Adventist Hospital (the San) is one of the largest and all-inclusive hospitals in Australia. It promotes good health, nurture and healing of the whole person. Atoifi Adventist Hospital also provides healing and education in the Solomon Islands. View the Sydney Adventist Hospital website.

We value and support families and run many programs that provide skills to educate and activities to strengthen healthy relations focusing on children, youth, singles, couples, women, and senior citizens. We also operate counselling centres and women's refuges for people in crisis. View the Life Development section.

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