I was wondering why do people think the seventh day adventist's are a cult?

Question

My brother recently got into this church and went from non religious to bible thumper in a matter or weeks. I have heard it is like a cult but no one has told me why they think that any info may help thank you.

Answer 1

1.) Their origins are in the Millerites (that is, a group in the 1800's dedicated to prophecy, however, all of their prophecies have failed).
1A.) They follow in the path of the Millerites, and their brethren, the Jehovah's Witnesses, in the "proclaim prophecy/failed prophecy" cycle [Note: The Bible gives a 'litmus test' as to whether a prophet has been sent by God... all prophets are to be tested to be sure of their legitimacy, and if any prophecy of theirs fails, they are a false prophet, and not to be heeded - 1 John 4:1 and Deut. 18:22]

2.) They believe all sins will be put on Satan (ie denying that our sins were placed on Jesus on the cross).

3.) They believe Jesus is Michael the archangel, just as the Jehovah's Witnesses do (therefore denying that Jesus is God, and denying Hebrews 1:5 "For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?").

4.) On October 22, 1844 Jesus entered the second and last phase of his atoning work (as opposed to Jesus' own words, "It is finished"... meaning, when He said that, He either lied or made a mistake, and really wasn't finished... therefore making Him to be a liar, and/or not God)

5.) Investigative Judgment - the fate of all people will be decided based upon this event in the future

6.) They also stand firm in the belief of soul sleep, also shared by the Jehovah's Witnesses (that is, the dead have no immortal souls... the dead exist in the same sense as an atheist believes in the dead... complete and utter non-existance, that is, until the resurrection).

7.) The wicked are annihilated [once again, just like the JW's] (that is, there is no such thing as hell. Non-believers just stop existing. *poof*. Gone. No knowledge of what they lost out on).

8.) Requirement of Sabbath-keeping as part of salvation... believes only true Christians are Sabbath-keepers (ignores the fact that Jesus was raised on the 'first day of the week', and that is the day which the disciples chose to worship... not the Sabbath, but the first day of the week. Also ignores the fact that Jesus fulfilled the Law. Also ignores, "One man regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Let each man be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God." - Rom. 14:5-6).

9.) Forbids the eating of meat (again, see Romans 14:5-6).
9A.) While Ellen G. White forbade the eating of meat, she herself hypocritically ate it.

10.) Ellen G. White proclaims to be a infallible prophetess (someone who is led by the Holy Spirit to either interpret the Bible or fortell prophecies, and their messages cannot be false or be contrary to Scripture), however her teachings run contrary to the Bible.

11.) Belittles other denominations of Christianity, calling themselves "The Remnant Church" (it is akin to Catholicism being "the one true church" and JW's claim to also being "the remnant chuch"), and calling all other denominations as "Babylon" (ie the false church as depicted in Revelation) and those within them are lost and without salvation.

12.) Publishes their own version of the Bible (The Clear Word Bible). Technically, it is a Commentary (that is, a copy of the Bible, with the editor's comments and opinions written next to, but seperate, from the actual text), however, the comments are written within the text, and like the JW's New World Translation, is reworded to support their beliefs and deny Biblical doctrine they don't agree with. (Note, fortunately, all SDA's I've encountered tell me they use the KJV, so I can only assume that the CWV is only being used as a Commentary, for the most part).

13.) Promotes a "works-based" version of salvation (akin to Catholics and JW's... that is, 'the desire to do good [and then doing so] and having faith will count you as worthy to have God's grace to save you') as opposed to the Biblical doctrine of 'God's grace alone saves you because of your faith, and then it is evidenced by the desire to do good [and then doing so]').

I hope that helps in showing you what they believe, and how it can be defined as a cult.

Answer 2

People tend to react negatively when they do not understand something.

Seventh day Adventist is not a cult, just another religious sector with beliefs that different from other religions and denominations. One noticeable thing about them is that there church members are more loyal and trusting to each other, they do have certain beliefs concerning their health, and they attend church services on Saturday.

However, if that's what a cult is, then every denomination is a cult, because there are so many religions that do not have similar characteristics or "non-traditional" practices (Muslims pray toward the East, Catholics has mass, etc)

For your brother, he may have found something that he feels completes his life or it may be helping him in his daily life with certain issues. It is not unusual for someone to practice a new faith and become (or seem to) a different or more (less) religious person.

Answer 3

My my, it seems many people do not have many facts to present.

I know exactly why I don't ask Don - he has no idea what he is talking about. Let us look at some of the strange responses we have here.

"I don't know too much about them but I know they place emphasis on the Sabbath. Something about you must keep the Sabbath to go to Heaven. This is wrong as you see Jesus paid our sin in full on the cross. When a so called christian comes along and tells us we must also do this or that it adds to the cross and therefore elemenates what Jesus did for us. When you add to the cross you basically believe Jesus' payment was not enough and you HAVE TO BELIEVE HE PAYED OUR DEBT IN FULL. "

So in this person's opinion, doing something that Jesus did makes a group a cult? Here is a question, do murderers need to stop killing to get into heave, or can they still murder? Can people who reject God still get to heaven or must they confess the true God? Do people who commit adultery need to stop committing adultery to get to heaven? The same law that says these things must not be done says that the Sabbath must be observed. Is it wrong if we expect Jesus to give us a better life to live?

"7th Day is often called a Cult because they claim that if you aren't a 7th day member you are doomed!"

Wrong again DON! For the fourth time now, Seventh-day Adventists believe that people of all faiths can be saved.

"They insist on keeping the old Levitical Laws that Jesus abolished-including the Sabbath day."

Wrong again DON! for the fourth time now, there are no Adventists that offer blood sacrifices and the Sabbath is found in Genesis and Exodus - how is this the Lavitical law?

"they may be religious, the book they read from is not the same Bible I read - and they are defiantly not Christians - so can you see why people think they are a cult. "

Strange, most Adventists use the authorized King James Version. What Bible do you read from?

"By definition a cult is anything that adds to or takes away from this concept."

That is not found in any dictionary I've read.

"They believe Jesus is Michael the archangel, just as the Jehovah's Witnesses do (therefore denying that Jesus is God, and denying Hebrews 1:5 "For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?")."

That is really off. Here is what the Adventist church believes: "There is one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a unity of three co-eternal Persons. God is immortal, all-powerful, all-knowing, above all, and ever present. He is infinite and beyond human comprehension, yet known through His self-revelation. He is forever worthy of worship, adoration, and service by the whole creation."

"Forbids the eating of meat "

Not true, Adventists can and do eat kosher meats.

"Publishes their own version of the Bible (The Clear Word Bible). "

True, but the church does not recommend this bible for study but casual reading. Genuine translations are recommend for Bible study.

I could go on and on and address each and every claim, but what would be the point. Bottom line, if you want to know what the Adventist church really believes, do not listen to cult rumors and go to the official list of beliefs found at http://www.adventist.org/beliefs/fundamental/index.html

Answer 4

William Miller founded the interfaith Millerite movement on whose doctrine the Adventist Church first formed. Three key leaders arose from this group to found what eventually became the Seventh-Day Adventists: James and Ellen White and Joseph Bates.

I think people consider them a cult because they know so very little about them. I realized I know little about them, so I got some links where both you and I can go to learn. I got some, "straight to the source" and also one or two which are hopefully more objective.

Answer 5

The most significant special characteristics of the Adventists are their early, false prophet leadership, and their continuing belief that we must follow the letter of the old law, particularly the Saturday sabbath, when most all of Christianity understands that the old law no longer applies, and that the Christian sabbath has long ago been legitimately moved to Sunday.

For some people, counter cultural religious groups have a special kind of appeal, which may be part of the reason for your brother's strong conversion.

Then again, maybe he's simply discovered God.

The Adventists believe in Christ, too, so things aren't really that bad.

For more, go here:

http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0881834.html

Answer 6

The Grace of God, through Christ is a belief that Christ is God, died on the cross, was risen and is the saving atonement for our sins. The only way to Heaven is through Christ.

By definition a cult is anything that adds to or takes away from this concept.

For example, belief in Christ is not enough, you must also not drink caffeine, you must not smoke and you must perform at least one mission in your lifetime. then you can be saved... is an example of a cult.

The seventh day Adventist's, in addition to belief in Christ must also complete the churches sacraments, are restricted from certain forms of entertainment, etc.... they add to Grace. That is why they are considered by most fundamentalist Christians to be a cult.

Answer 7

There are some things that they believe that don't quite line up with the Bible. I'm sorry I cannot remember them off hand but the main thing your brother needs to do is to make sure EVERYTHING they preach to him he must search the scriptures for himself to make sure it's true. Tell him also to listen to his heart, there have been quite a few times I have been listening to a sermon and have had an uneasy feeling about what was being said, then later having found out it was a little off. One of the main things to check out is that the church believes that one is saved by faith through the death and resurrection of Jesus and NOT saved by works or any other way.

Answer 8

well a cult is a religious group who doesn't believe Jesus is God and have a leader that is consider a god. here is the dictionary meaning:
cult (klt)
n.
1.
a. A religion or religious sect generally considered to be extremist or false, with its followers often living in an unconventional manner under the guidance of an authoritarian, charismatic leader.
I can say as i have worked closely with Seventh Day Adventist (I am one) and studied what they believe that they are not a cult. They believe in Jesus as God and they believe in the Trinity. They believe in the soon coming of Jesus. Check out the link below to see all thier beliefs.
And the only way we can get to Heaven is by God's grace and the sacrifice of Jesus blood that saves us. Not by works.
Titus 3:5 - Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
But when one is truly saved by God they want to serve Him and follow His laws. His law is perfect and can only help us. I must say i am suprised by whynotaskdon's reply, i always thought he studied out his answers and didn't jump to conclusions.

Answer 9

It is not a cult. Cults focus on giving their life up for God (literally) (like the ones that have happened in the past). It is a religion and some times religion tend to put things in people's heads that are not accurate. When you talk to him about your concern, don't mention cult, that will just make him angry. Just tell him that you are concerned he is not learning the truth of things. One thing he will be out of is money. they take 10 % of his earnings and that's wrong.

To answer your question....it is not a cult. You don't have to worry about his life being in danger, but you do have to worry that what he is being taught is totally wrong.

Answer 10

A cult is an organization which radically restructures the thinking of a person and drives them away from those they formerly held close.

The main part is the division a cult causes. Any group which separates a person from his family and refuses to allow contact is a cult.

Answer 11

Well everything is considered a cult these days,but tell your brother to read his bible,and ask God to reveal the truth to him because its not found in the adventist