Seventh-day Adventist Church

Seventh-day Adventist Church is a Protestant Christian denomination that is distinguished by its observance of Saturday as the Sabbath, and by its emphasis on the imminent Second Coming of Jesus Christ. It was officially established in the United States in 1863, and has since spread worldwide with a membership exceeding 20 million.

History

The Seventh-day Adventist Church originated from an Adventist movement in the mid-19th century. This movement was largely the legacy of William Miller, a Baptist preacher who predicted the Second Coming would occur between 1843 and 1844. The failure of this prediction, an event known as the Great Disappointment, resulted in several groups forming, including those led by Ellen G. White, James Springer White, Joseph Bates, and J. N. Andrews. They collectively formed the Seventh-day Adventist Church in 1863.

Beliefs

The Seventh-day Adventist Church holds a number of fundamental beliefs, which are organized into six categories: the doctrines of God, man, salvation, the church, the Christian life, and the last day events. Among its beliefs are Sabbath observance, the inspiration of Ellen G. White, the Second Coming, and conditional immortality.

Organization

The Seventh-day Adventist Church is organized into a hierarchical structure of church conferences, starting at the local level and progressing up to the General Conference, the highest level of administration. It operates many schools and hospitals worldwide, and sponsors numerous outreach programs.

Controversies

The Seventh-day Adventist Church has faced a number of controversies and criticisms, particularly in relation to its founder Ellen G. White, and its doctrines of the investigative judgment and the Sabbath.

See also

• History of the Seventh-day Adventist Church
• 28 Fundamental Beliefs (Adventist)
• Prophecy in the Seventh-day Adventist Church
• Criticism of the Seventh-day Adventist Church

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