An Overview of Our Beliefs
We are Bible-believing Christians who hold to biblical truth. What follows are the general beliefs of the East Salem Church, a Seventh-day Adventist family of believers.
The Holy Scriptures:
We believe in the authority and inspiration of the Bible as the Word of God. It is the sole authority in our belief and faith.
The Trinity:
We believe in one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a unity of three co-eternal Persons.
The Father:
We believe in God the Father, the creator and sustainer of the universe.
The Son:
We believe in Jesus Christ, fully God and fully human, the Savior of humanity, and the focus of our worship.
The Holy Spirit:
We believe in the Holy Spirit as a personal being, the Comforter and Guide for our lives.
Creation:
We believe in the literal week-long creation account in Genesis and acknowledge God as the Creator.
The Nature of Humanity:
We believe in the inherent dignity of all human beings, created in the image of God. However, we have all sinned and are in need of our Savior.
The Great Controversy:
We recognize an ongoing struggle between good and evil and the ultimate triumph of God.
The Life, Death, and Resurrection of Christ:
We believe in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus as essential for human salvation.
The Experience of Salvation:
We emphasize the necessity of a personal relationship with Christ for salvation and justification by faith.
Growing in Christ:
We believe in the ongoing process of spiritual growth and sanctification.
The Church:
We recognize the church as the community of believers and the body of Christ on Earth.
The Remnant and Its Mission:
We see ourselves as part of God's people as we near the end of time, called to proclaim the good news about Jesus.
Unity in the Body of Christ:
We believe in the importance of unity in the body of Christ, emphasizing mutual love and forgiveness.
Baptism:
We practice believer's baptism by immersion as a symbol of cleansing, renewal, and acceptance of an eternal relationship with Jesus.
The Lord’s Supper:
We observe the Lord’s Supper, also called communion, a memorial of Christ’s death, as a time of self-examination and spiritual renewal.
Spiritual Gifts and Ministries:
We believe the Holy Spirit gives each of us special abilities to help others, and recognize their diverse functions within the body of Christ.
The Gift of Prophecy:
We believe that God still speaks through humans in special ways to inspire us into a deeper relationship with Him. Adventists believe that one such individual was Ellen White, who was inspired by God to encourage us in our faith.
The Law of God:
We believe in the Ten Commandments as a moral and ethical guide for Christian living.
The Sabbath:
We observe the seventh-day Sabbath, from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset, as a day of rest and worship.
Stewardship:
We emphasize the importance of faithful use of time, talents, and resources to serve others and the church.
Christian Behavior:
We believe in living a Christ-like life, characterized by love, humility, and social responsibility.
Marriage and the Family:
We uphold the sanctity of marriage and the importance of family life based on biblical principles.
Christ’s Ministry in the Heavenly Sanctuary:
We believe in Jesus is in Heaven, offering ongoing forgiveness for our sins and preparing for the final judgment and Second Coming.
The Second Coming of Christ:
We anticipate the literal, visible, and imminent return of Jesus Christ to take those who have accepted his forgiveness, and established a relationship with God, home to Heaven.
Death and Resurrection:
We believe in the resurrection of the dead by the power of God and the final judgment of those who have rejected Him.
The Millennium and the End of Sin:
We believe in the literal thousand-year reign of Christ and the ultimate eradication of sin.
The New Earth:
We anticipate the establishment of the new earth, where God make all things new, and He will dwell with His people for eternity.
We believe in the authority and inspiration of the Bible as the Word of God. It is the sole authority in our belief and faith.
The Trinity:
We believe in one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a unity of three co-eternal Persons.
The Father:
We believe in God the Father, the creator and sustainer of the universe.
The Son:
We believe in Jesus Christ, fully God and fully human, the Savior of humanity, and the focus of our worship.
The Holy Spirit:
We believe in the Holy Spirit as a personal being, the Comforter and Guide for our lives.
Creation:
We believe in the literal week-long creation account in Genesis and acknowledge God as the Creator.
The Nature of Humanity:
We believe in the inherent dignity of all human beings, created in the image of God. However, we have all sinned and are in need of our Savior.
The Great Controversy:
We recognize an ongoing struggle between good and evil and the ultimate triumph of God.
The Life, Death, and Resurrection of Christ:
We believe in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus as essential for human salvation.
The Experience of Salvation:
We emphasize the necessity of a personal relationship with Christ for salvation and justification by faith.
Growing in Christ:
We believe in the ongoing process of spiritual growth and sanctification.
The Church:
We recognize the church as the community of believers and the body of Christ on Earth.
The Remnant and Its Mission:
We see ourselves as part of God's people as we near the end of time, called to proclaim the good news about Jesus.
Unity in the Body of Christ:
We believe in the importance of unity in the body of Christ, emphasizing mutual love and forgiveness.
Baptism:
We practice believer's baptism by immersion as a symbol of cleansing, renewal, and acceptance of an eternal relationship with Jesus.
The Lord’s Supper:
We observe the Lord’s Supper, also called communion, a memorial of Christ’s death, as a time of self-examination and spiritual renewal.
Spiritual Gifts and Ministries:
We believe the Holy Spirit gives each of us special abilities to help others, and recognize their diverse functions within the body of Christ.
The Gift of Prophecy:
We believe that God still speaks through humans in special ways to inspire us into a deeper relationship with Him. Adventists believe that one such individual was Ellen White, who was inspired by God to encourage us in our faith.
The Law of God:
We believe in the Ten Commandments as a moral and ethical guide for Christian living.
The Sabbath:
We observe the seventh-day Sabbath, from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset, as a day of rest and worship.
Stewardship:
We emphasize the importance of faithful use of time, talents, and resources to serve others and the church.
Christian Behavior:
We believe in living a Christ-like life, characterized by love, humility, and social responsibility.
Marriage and the Family:
We uphold the sanctity of marriage and the importance of family life based on biblical principles.
Christ’s Ministry in the Heavenly Sanctuary:
We believe in Jesus is in Heaven, offering ongoing forgiveness for our sins and preparing for the final judgment and Second Coming.
The Second Coming of Christ:
We anticipate the literal, visible, and imminent return of Jesus Christ to take those who have accepted his forgiveness, and established a relationship with God, home to Heaven.
Death and Resurrection:
We believe in the resurrection of the dead by the power of God and the final judgment of those who have rejected Him.
The Millennium and the End of Sin:
We believe in the literal thousand-year reign of Christ and the ultimate eradication of sin.
The New Earth:
We anticipate the establishment of the new earth, where God make all things new, and He will dwell with His people for eternity.
Learn More
If you'd like to take a deeper dive on these believes, you can check out this amazing online multimedia bible study at A Picture of God.
Of course we'd also love the opportunity to meet you and answer any questions you may have, to be a study buddy, or generally help you in your discovery of the awesomeness of God. Fill out the form below, let us know how we can help and we'll be in touch!
Of course we'd also love the opportunity to meet you and answer any questions you may have, to be a study buddy, or generally help you in your discovery of the awesomeness of God. Fill out the form below, let us know how we can help and we'll be in touch!