1. The Cults Ron Williams University of Life Ridgecrest Baptist Church © 2007 Ron Williams Seventh-Day Adventism, and Community of Christ

2. Seventh-Day Adventism Official Official name is: Seventh-day Adventist Church Ellen Ellen White (1827-1915) is the central figure. Jan Paulsen is the current President Headquartered Headquartered in Silver Spring, MD 11.3 11.3 million members/47543 churches in 230 countries”

3. SDA Chief Outlets Radio and television Radio and television The Voice of Prophecy The Voice of Prophecy Amazing Facts Amazing Facts It is Written It is Written Signs of the Times Signs of the Times Adventist Review Adventist Review Uncle Arthur’s Bedtime Stories Uncle Arthur’s Bedtime Stories

4. The SDA Founder The SDA teaches that Ellen White possessed a modern “spirit of prophecy” and that her visions and writings were divinely inspired interpretations of scripture. The SDA teaches that Ellen White possessed a modern “spirit of prophecy” and that her visions and writings were divinely inspired interpretations of scripture. Actually, the SDA was built upon the earlier Millerite Movement (Second Adventism) which predicted the coming of Christ in 1844 and Seventh-day Sabbatarianism as taught by Joseph Bates Actually, the SDA was built upon the earlier Millerite Movement (Second Adventism) which predicted the coming of Christ in 1844 and Seventh-day Sabbatarianism as taught by Joseph Bates White combined these teachings and established the SDA movement in the 1850’s. The church was formally organized in 1863 (Battle Creek, Michigan) White combined these teachings and established the SDA movement in the 1850’s. The church was formally organized in 1863 (Battle Creek, Michigan)

5. The SDA Skinny... SDA is not a classical cult. Instead it is defined as a Christian sect because it has many beliefs in common with Christian doctrine, however, it deviates in a number of major areas SDA is not a classical cult. Instead it is defined as a Christian sect because it has many beliefs in common with Christian doctrine, however, it deviates in a number of major areas

6. SDA Scripture Authority Affirms the inspiration and authority of the Bible. They affirm the trinity nature of the Godhead. Affirms the inspiration and authority of the Bible. They affirm the trinity nature of the Godhead. They agree with standard theology on the nature of God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. They agree with standard theology on the nature of God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. They affirm Christ was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, was crucified, died and was resurrected in bodily form. They affirm Christ was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, was crucified, died and was resurrected in bodily form.

7. The SDA Remnant Church They believe the early Christian church was corrupted by Roman Catholic priests. One effect of this was the change of the sabbath to its present Sunday. They believe they are the only remnant church practicing true worship They believe the early Christian church was corrupted by Roman Catholic priests. One effect of this was the change of the sabbath to its present Sunday. They believe they are the only remnant church practicing true worship Our response. There is no one true church. No organization can lay title to this claim. Our response. There is no one true church. No organization can lay title to this claim.

8. The SDA Sabbath They believe the Biblical sabbath should be maintained on the seventh day of the week (Friday evening to Saturday evening). They believe the Biblical sabbath should be maintained on the seventh day of the week (Friday evening to Saturday evening). They believe only those worshipping as they do are “sealed” against satan They believe only those worshipping as they do are “sealed” against satan They believe those worshipping on Sunday as will ultimately bear the mark of the beast They believe those worshipping on Sunday as will ultimately bear the mark of the beast Our response: The early Christian church met on the Lord’s Day, our Sunday. There is no Biblical requirement for mandatory sabbath worship. Their stance is legalistic, if not fully heretical. Our response: The early Christian church met on the Lord’s Day, our Sunday. There is no Biblical requirement for mandatory sabbath worship. Their stance is legalistic, if not fully heretical.

9. SDA Salvation They believe in a strict observance of their sabbath requirement They believe in a strict observance of their sabbath requirement They believe in strict adherence to dietary regulations and abstinence from alcohol, tobacco and drugs. These are legalistic in nature and requirement for salvation. They believe in strict adherence to dietary regulations and abstinence from alcohol, tobacco and drugs. These are legalistic in nature and requirement for salvation. Our response: salvation is a result of grace, not any observed act of legalism. Our response: salvation is a result of grace, not any observed act of legalism.

10. SDA …After Death They believe the Holy of Holies is in heaven and that Christ in 1844 began a 2nd phase of his atonement They believe the Holy of Holies is in heaven and that Christ in 1844 began a 2nd phase of his atonement In this, he examines the dead to see if they are worthy to be a part of the first resurrection and who among the living is a true disciple In this, he examines the dead to see if they are worthy to be a part of the first resurrection and who among the living is a true disciple Our response: There is no Biblical basis for the 2nd atonement step they believe exists. The assertion of an entry into the Holy of Holies in 1844 has no basis. Christ’s death, burial and resurrection is all the atoning act needed to fulfill God’s plan. Our response: There is no Biblical basis for the 2nd atonement step they believe exists. The assertion of an entry into the Holy of Holies in 1844 has no basis. Christ’s death, burial and resurrection is all the atoning act needed to fulfill God’s plan.

11. SDA.. Death=sleep They believe the dead are in an unconscious state who will awake at the coming of Christ. They believe the dead are in an unconscious state who will awake at the coming of Christ. Our response: The Bible implies that Christian’s spirits go to be with the Lord immediately after death. They will return with Christ and at that time receive a resurrected body (John 11; 2 Cor 5; Phil 1; 1 Thess 4; 2 Tim 1) Our response: The Bible implies that Christian’s spirits go to be with the Lord immediately after death. They will return with Christ and at that time receive a resurrected body (John 11; 2 Cor 5; Phil 1; 1 Thess 4; 2 Tim 1)

12. SDA… The Second Coming They believe the last days are upon us. They believe the last days are upon us. They believe that a specific sign, namely mandatory, world-wide legal requirement for Sunday worship will mark this period. They believe that a specific sign, namely mandatory, world-wide legal requirement for Sunday worship will mark this period. Our response: Evangelicals also believe that the signs of Jesus’ return is drawing near. Our response: Evangelicals also believe that the signs of Jesus’ return is drawing near.

13. SDA.. Judgement They believe that after the Millennial reign, a 2nd resurrection of those not saved will occur. The unsaved will be cast into a lake of fire and no longer exist. They believe that after the Millennial reign, a 2nd resurrection of those not saved will occur. The unsaved will be cast into a lake of fire and no longer exist. Our response: The Bible affirms the doctrine of an eternal hell. Christ affirms this teaching (Matt 18 and 25; Mark 9; Rev 20-22). Our response: The Bible affirms the doctrine of an eternal hell. Christ affirms this teaching (Matt 18 and 25; Mark 9; Rev 20-22).

14. Witnessing to SDA Have a clear understanding of what individual members believe Have a clear understanding of what individual members believe understand their legalistic attitude against Sunday worship understand their legalistic attitude against Sunday worship they are Christian but their beliefs differ sharply from ours on the nature of worship, the state of death, and the 1844 2nd atonement process. they are Christian but their beliefs differ sharply from ours on the nature of worship, the state of death, and the 1844 2nd atonement process. Relate to them the doctrine of grace and scripture dealing with life after death. Relate that White’s teachings are unfounded. Relate to them the doctrine of grace and scripture dealing with life after death. Relate that White’s teachings are unfounded.

15. The Cults Ron Williams University of Life Ridgecrest Baptist Church Community of Christ www.namb.net

16. Community of Christ (COC) Official Official name: Formerly known as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) Headquarters:Independence Headquarters:Independence Missouri Membership: Membership: 250 worldwide 50 50 countries Original Original leader= Joseph Smith Jr and Joseph Smith III. Current leader is W. Grant McMurray

17. Background Similar Similar to present Mormons but differing in some areas. Represents Represents a split over church leadership back in the 1800s. Joseph Joseph Smith’s oldest son was rejected by the LDS in favor of Brigham Young. His mother (Emma Smith) insisted that Joseph Smith III had been named the successor by his father. Part of the LDS membership agreed and a new church was formed.

18. COC-Background Until Until 1996 all Presidents of the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints were direct descendents of Joseph Smith. Joseph Joseph Smith had originally planned for a great temple in Independence, Missouri. The RCLD dedicated a temple in 1994 near the original planned site. The RCLD officially changed its name to Community of Christ in 2001

19. COC-Background While While still having much Mormon influence, the COC has distanced itself from this teaching in the last 20-30 years. They They now state no official creed must be accepted by its members as opposed to that of its Mormon roots.

20. COC-Background The The COC have numerous beliefs that are counter to accepted Christian thought Their Their concept of God, Jesus, man and salvation is not fully the same as that of evangelicals Do Do not be deceived, they are not Christians.

21. COC Chief Outlets Centered mostly in the MidWest Centered mostly in the MidWest Not as missionary-minded as the Mormons Not as missionary-minded as the Mormons

22. COC Scripture Authority They accept the Bible but only the Joseph Smith translation. They accept the Bible but only the Joseph Smith translation. The Book of Mormon The Book of Mormon The Doctrines and Covenants The Doctrines and Covenants Our response: Their interpretation of scripture is not based on inspiration. The additional works they hold as authoritative have no merit Our response: Their interpretation of scripture is not based on inspiration. The additional works they hold as authoritative have no merit

23. COC- Who is God? Their statement of faith indicates a belief in the Trinity. Their statement of faith indicates a belief in the Trinity. However, they never refer to God as “Father” However, they never refer to God as “Father” It does not appear to accept the unique identity of each member of the Trinity, rather a modalistic view is held It does not appear to accept the unique identity of each member of the Trinity, rather a modalistic view is held Our response: The Father, Son and Holy Ghost are separate members of the Trinity with unique characteristics. They are each distinct. Our response: The Father, Son and Holy Ghost are separate members of the Trinity with unique characteristics. They are each distinct.

24. COC-Who was Jesus? They state Jesus is “God with us”. However they do not assign him the full character of his being They state Jesus is “God with us”. However they do not assign him the full character of his being Our response: Jesus was the only Son of God. No one is like him. He was born of a virgin and lived as man and God. He was sin-less. He is co- equal with God. Our response: Jesus was the only Son of God. No one is like him. He was born of a virgin and lived as man and God. He was sin-less. He is co- equal with God.

25. COC-Who is the Holy Spirit? The deity of the Holy Spirit is accepted but He is not given the fullness of his being. Again it is more of a multibeing God they report The deity of the Holy Spirit is accepted but He is not given the fullness of his being. Again it is more of a multibeing God they report Our response: The Holy Spirit is the in-dwelling of Christ. He is a part of the Trinity, not just a force used by the Father Our response: The Holy Spirit is the in-dwelling of Christ. He is a part of the Trinity, not just a force used by the Father

26. COC-How are we saved? They say salvation is through baptism and discipleship. They do not fully examine the need for a personal response to God’s offer of grace They say salvation is through baptism and discipleship. They do not fully examine the need for a personal response to God’s offer of grace Our response:we obtain salvation as a gift of God,it is not of works. Our response:we obtain salvation as a gift of God,it is not of works.

27. COC-The Church They believe that their church is the true restored church and that no others meet this criteria. They believe that their church is the true restored church and that no others meet this criteria. They also believe they are directly related to Aaron and Melchisedec. They also believe they are directly related to Aaron and Melchisedec. Our response: There is no true church. Joseph Smith’s original teachings cannot be substantiated scripturally or historically. Our response: There is no true church. Joseph Smith’s original teachings cannot be substantiated scripturally or historically.

28. COC-Belief in Sacraments They believe in the same eight sacraments as that of the Mormons. They believe in the same eight sacraments as that of the Mormons. Observance of these sacraments and ordinances are linked to salvation and church discipline Observance of these sacraments and ordinances are linked to salvation and church discipline Our response: The Bible teaches two ordances (the Lord’s Supper and Baptism). Our response: The Bible teaches two ordances (the Lord’s Supper and Baptism).

29. Witnessing to COC They believe in many of the same ideas as the Mormons’ They believe in many of the same ideas as the Mormons’ Share the plan of salvation Share the plan of salvation Share the deity of the Godhead, the unique nature of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost Share the deity of the Godhead, the unique nature of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost