If the video does not play here, try the direct link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CRbMiOWRgA


How should we feel about the situation presented in the video?

It is not clear exactly what they began to believe that caused such a reaction, but if it was something along the lines of arianism or semi-arianism, I can understand the concern. How they handled it seems to be the question, and both seemed to have locked into a struggle, rather than a loving one on one, to go over the issue and come to a understanding. We had a church where a Sabbath School teacher began to teach that Christ was created by the Father, and the church had to remove him pretty much in the same manner. It's a very hard thing to deal with and come to a understanding on the GodHead, for myself I studied long and hard for many years before it began to come together.

John 14 seems clear on it.


If one claims they are an Adventist, at what point in diverging beliefs is one NOT an Adventist?

Who decides what is divergent beliefs? Do we use the 28FB as a creed? What is one does not subscribe to all 28FB? Does that mean they are not Seventh-day Adventists? The Adventist Pioneers could not now subscribe to the 28FB. We they not true SDAs?

It's not something that is easy to grasp and understand, and much like the state of the dead has text which can lead to misinterpretation or wrong conclusions, but has to be studied with much prayer and guidance and wisdom which comes I feel from God.

How do you deal with someone who openly does not subscribe to the 28 fundamental beliefs, the bedrock of the denomination? An anti-Trinitarian perspective might be one (a benign claim in the eyes of some) ... but what if one were to start preaching that there was no God, or that the Bible was riddled with errors and therefore untrustworthy? What then?

It's difficult to walk away from one's family; but the right thing for the couple to have done was to graciously accept that they were no longer SDA and begin a new Study Group with people who shared their new-found belief. That does not mean holding SDA as enemies and shutting them out, but keeping them as friends just like one may have friends of the Mormons or the JWs or the Buddhists or the Muslims.

Crisis is hard but necessary. A breakup is not easy and people hurt BADLY; but for the sake of peace, let it go. What you see in that video is the heartbreak from the end of the relationship. But time heals, and they will move on. Hopefully they would still be good friends in the end.

THE 5 STAGES AFTER A BREAKUP

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As for when is one divergent in their beliefs as to NOT be a Adventist IMHO is the wrong question as you can change your badge of denomination and that is when they stop being a member. The real question is when do they have to be separated from the body of believers, and that answer is much clearer, when they begin to teach or lead others away from Gods truth.

What is GOD'S TRUTH? There is no such thing in reality; otherwise God would be the author of confusion. SDA believe one thing, the Mormons another, the JWs still another and that's not even counting the Catholics; and wonder of wonders ... each group claims it is in the right in condemnation of the others. The Church of Christ has become sick and cancerous, deluded and drunk ... with everyone calling the other the devil.

Rather, shouldn't we be guided by ONE fundamental belief: that Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ and Saviour and we all are brethren? In that way, people are free to read the Bible for themselves and come to conclusions in accordance with their sacred conscience. But now, elders police the thoughts of the members and execute draconian sentences that break the hearts of the innocent.

But God sees everything; and knows all. And in Him we trust.

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It's in His Word, and the Ho!y Spirit guides us in understanding the Word.

And what I'd like to know is those who were brought in under the 27, are they now disfellowshipped for not following the 28th or are they grandfathered in?


And... if there were 27 "fundamental beliefs" and now there are 28, then would that mean those who only saw 27 were all in error?

And... does that mean if the number of 27 were wrong, then could it mean that 28 are wrong and there are really 29, or more? What if someone believes in the 33rd one and it has not been "discovered" yet, should they be fellowshipped for being ahead or is it just if you reject one of the past?

And... if the number of 27 were wrong, does that mean possibly any one of those 27 could be wrong in their entirety or partially especially suggested by that some were reworded? Are you grandfathered in a certain wording?