It's Christian!

It's Adventist!

In the last few chapters we've talked about several important aspects of mission, and in the last chapter we studied some of the biblical reasons why we go. We focused on texts that don't just suggest that we go, or present going as one of many options, but actually command that we go. But why is it so important? What do we as Christians have to offer to the world? Many would say that since many people seem to be very happy as they are, we should just leave them alone and not bother them with Christianity. Others would argue that if we don't go and share the Good News of the Gospel with them, they will be lost and it will be our fault.

Think about it

• Just why is it so important for us to go?
• Why does Christ command us to go on mission?
• Why do we need Adventist missionaries?

 

What Christianity Has to Offer

One reason why we "go" is that there are some important aspects of Christianity that people need to know and experience in order to enjoy the abundant life here and now and to be ready to meet Jesus. The Psalmist said, "Taste and see that the Lord is good." In reality, Christianity must be experienced to be truly understood. We will review here some of the basic beliefs Christians share. But we must remember that when we introduce Christianity to nonChristians, we can't just string a list of Bible texts together to "prove" Christianity. They must experience God as a friend rather than just accept a list of beliefs. However, for us it is important to realize that our convictions are firmly anchored in Scripture. Let's review them now.

1. Jesus is the unique source of life and salvation and people need to know about Him.

  • John 3:36: "Whoever believes in the Son of God has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life."
  • Acts 4:12: "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."
  • 1 John 5:12: "He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life."

2. Jesus is the divine son of God. He does not claim to be just a good teacher (like Mohammed or the Buddha) or a great leader (like Moses or David) or some kind of half-god or lesser god (like Siva).

  • He claims full divinity—equality with God (John 8:58, 59; 10:30-33).
  • His disciples also claimed it fearlessly (Matt. 16:14-16). The proof that they gave for their claims was the resurrection (1 Cor. 15:14-20). If God raised Him, what He said must be true.
 

Jesus, the Divine Son of God

No other major religion—not Islam, nor Hinduism, nor Buddhism—claims divinity for its founder

 
3. Jesus offers a unique salvation—salvation by grace through faith.
  • For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works so that no one can boast. (Eph. 2:8, 9)
No other world religion has such a salvation. They may have high standards, ethical behavior, health laws, a lofty philosophy, or nice people. But they believe that people can save themselves by what they do! The foundation of these non-Christian religions is that salvation comes by works.
 
4. Jesus offers a universal salvation—all-inclusive and exclusive.
  • For God so loved the world that whosoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)
Christianity is not an ethnic or national religion that belongs to one group of people. The offer of salvation includes everyone in the world! But while Christianity is freely offered to all, it is also exclusive in that it calls for a commitment that asks one to forsake that which is incompatible with Christian belief in order to become a follower.

The truth is that God wants all people to hear the message—the Good News message that God offers a free salvation based on this unique Jesus. In the Great Commission Jesus makes it clear that we can have a part in sharing this Good News with others.

What Adventism Has to Offer

Now that we've looked at some key aspects of Christianity, we'll consider what the basis is for Adventist mission. Is there anything different and unique about Adventist mission to the world?

As Adventists we have believed from the very early days of our church that we are to reach out "to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people" (Rev. 14:6). That conviction resulted in about 12 million members in over 200 countries at the beginning of the twenty-first century. What is the essence of the message that has driven this mission? What are we to share with the world?

 
Think about it
  • If someone asked you why you are an Adventist, what would you say?
  • What reasons would you give for your belief?
  • What Bible texts would you give?
  • How would you relate the Adventist message to the unique Christian message we just talked about?
  • How would you relate the Adventist message to the non-Christian world religions?

Remember that some statements and cliches we use to describe ourselves are not understood by those with no Adventist or Christian background. Though most of the individual beliefs of Seventh-day Adventists are shared by some other Christians, the "package" of SDA beliefs is unique among Christian groups. We have summarized them as three convictions that guide what we believe and how we see our mission.


Conviction # 1: Jesus is coming back again a second time this coming is visible, literal and imminent (soon).

Before Adventism got started most Christians either did not believe in a literal coming or de-emphasized it. Many were post-millennialists. This means they believed that there would be a millennium or thousand years of peace and prosperity and then Jesus would come. What people looked for and labored for was this millennium, not the second coming.

Adventists believe on the basis of their Bible study that the real hope of the world is not a millennium, but the "blessed hope" (Titus 2:13) of Jesus' second coming.

  • They read the promises of the coming: John 14:1-3: "I will come back and take you to be with me." Revelation 22:7, 12, 20: "I am coming soon." Note the threefold emphatic refrain.
  • This coming is clearly literal. Acts 1:11: "This same Jesus . . . will come back in the same way . . ."
  • The coming is portrayed as visible. Matthew 24:30: ". . . they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory." Revelation 1:7: "Look, He is coming with the clouds and every eye will see Him."
  • All signs point to a near, soon, imminent coming. Revelation 22:7, 12, 20: Jesus over and over used the word "soon." Matthew 24:4-28, Luke 21:7-28: The signs Jesus Himself gave were being fulfilled around them. The great prophecies of Daniel and Revelation pointed to the nearness of the coming. While this coming is bad news to evil doers, it is wonderful Good News to believers.
  • They would see Jesus (John 14:3) and be with Him forever (1 Thes. 4:17).
  • The dead will be raised (1 Thes. 4:13-16) and believers will receive immortality (1 Cor. 15:53).
  • Tears, mourning, and death will be abolished (Rev. 21:3, 4).

Our Mission Today
Today many Christians who are not Adventists believe in the second coming. This should encourage us to realize the persuasiveness of our position. Many, however, do not believe in Jesus' coming or if they do, it is only in a partial or warped way. They need this Good News of the blessed hope. The biggest challenge we face, however, is the non-Christian world. Millions of animists, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and others have never heard of this hope. We must tell them. Jesus wants them to hear about His coming.


Conviction # 2: God calls believers to loving obedience and serious discipleship.

In light of Jesus' coming we need to make serious preparation. Faithful obedience discipleship is important. Adventists have always believed that Jesus is our Savior. Nothing we can do will earn our salvation. Only the free grace of Jesus enables us to become forgiven children of God. Our faithful discipleship does not build up merit points which gain favor with God.

Adventists have always emphasized that true faith is manifested in making Jesus also Lord. People saved by Jesus should gladly make Him Lord and in gratitude follow Him.

Before Adventism, many sincere Christians saw a conflict between the gospel of Jesus and the law of God. They believed that people saved by Jesus were free of certain standards of law. Some were lax in their discipleship. Adventists believe that both the gospel and God's law are vital and go together harmoniously like the two oars of a boat. The law leads us to Christ and serves as our standard. Jesus releases us from the law's condemnation and His spirit writes the law on our hearts. For this reason Adventists:

• Support the whole Ten Commandments including the neglected Sabbath fourth commandment believing that:

 

1. Jesus gave it at creation (Gen. 2:2)
2. Jesus reiterated it in the Ten Commandments (Ex. 20:8-11)
3. Jesus reinforced it during His ministry (Mk. 2:27)

• Believe the Sabbath is a powerful symbol of:
 

1. God's creating power (Gen. 2:2, Ex. 20:8-11)
2. Saving grace (Ex. 20:2, Deut. 5:12-15)
3. The final rest of redemption in heaven (Heb. 4:1-11, esp. 9)

• Accept the Lordship of Christ in all areas of life, including marriage and family, dress, recreation, diet, etc.
 

1. Husband, wives, children (Eph. 5:21-6:4).
2. Whatever is true, noble, right, and pure is good (Phil. 4:8, 9).
3. Your body is the temple of God (1 Cor. 6:19, 20).
4. Dress and demeanor are important (1 Tim. 2:8-10).


Our Mission Today
More than ever, in a world where disregard for any standards of morality and decency abound, Christianity should promote a holy life. In a world where hurry and haste lead to high levels of stress, Christians under the lordship of Christ can find joy and rest in the Sabbath. They should demonstrate in their lives both the saviorness and the lordship of Jesus.


Conviction #3: God restores in believers the wholeness of life in Christ.

Christians don't go to heaven as disembodied souls. The second coming restores all of life. Christians should prepare for the second coming as whole people. God wants to restore us as whole people. Salvation involves every part of life and being. Jesus wants us to live full and complete lives. In John 10:10 He says, "I have come that they may have life and have it to the full."

Before Adventism most Christians believed that religion dealt with the soul or spirit of people. At death the soul went to either heaven or hell (or maybe purgatory). The body had little or no meaning. This led to the neglect of health rules and other parts of human existence.

Adventists believed that human beings are a unit. There is not a separate soul which exists by itself. All parts of life affect all other parts. A healthy body and mind help make for a healthy spiritual life and vice versa. Not only is physical health and mental health a part of religion, so are human relationships. The salvation or healing Jesus wants to give affects all parts of us.

For this reason we:

  • Promote healthful living including hygiene, abstinence from smoking, alcohol, and drugs, vegetarianism as an ideal, health education, exercise and proper rest.
  • Endorse Christian education by our schools and seminars.
  • Encourage proper social relationships.
  • Oppose war.
  • Try to care for the physical, spiritual and mental needs of people in our mission work.
  • Believe that when we die we sleep, waiting to be resurrected as a whole person when Jesus comes again.
  • Encourage practical, vocational work as a part of education.
 

Our Mission Today
More than ever a world that is sick, addicted, and living in ignorance needs the message of a Jesus who cares for and ministers to all parts of our life. A dying world needs the hope of new life lived to its fullness by God's grace and power.

 

Does It Make Sense to You?

All of these beliefs point to a fuller presentation of Jesus. I am an Adventist because to me Adventism is the fullest presentation of Jesus that I see.

  • A Jesus whom I will see again when He comes.
  • A Jesus who is Savior and Lord, and who cares enough to guide my life.
  • A Jesus who can and does heal not just my soul or spiritual nature, but wants to heal and minister to all I am.
 

The Adventist Message and Lifestyle

Adventism makes more sense to the non-Christian religions of the world than other major Christian groups.

 

Adventists often feel weird or strange among other Christians for things like the Sabbath and our diet and standards. We shouldn't forget that things which make us strange to other Christians are often the things that make sense to millions of non-Christians.

  • Jews identify with us on the Sabbath and some aspects of diet.
  • Muslims like our high standards in relationship to recreation, modesty, unclean meats, and alcohol.
  • Millions of Buddhists and Hindus teach vegetarianism as an ideal and agree with our stand on non-combatancy and war.
These people are our real mission field! They need to hear about Christ from people they can readily identify with in other areas.

Your Turn

1. Do you really believe that Jesus is the unique Son of God who offers a wonderful salvation which is a free gift? Has it made a difference in your life? How? If you really believe it, what should happen? How would it affect your mission?

2. Do you agree with the unique Adventist emphasis presented here? What parts mean the most to you? What parts mean the least? Why? What do you think are the most important parts of the chapter?

3. Do you believe Adventism is a fuller presentation of Jesus? Why? What could you add to this? How has your faith added to your picture of Jesus? Have we as a church always presented our unique message as connected to Jesus? What can we do to improve in this area?