When you leave Adventism
By Robert K. Sanders
Everyone that has left or that plan on leaving the Seventh-day Adventist Church will experience different emotional feelings. Some may feel good about leaving the church because they are free from Ellen G. White's non-biblical teachings as well as those found in the SDA 28 fundamental beliefs. Others may feel hurt that the church has deceived them by learning that Ellen G. White is not the "Spirit of Prophecy," and that God does not call any denomination a "remnant church".
Others may feel loneliness being separated from family and friends in the church. Some will experience a mixture of these feelings. Some that leave the church may be second, third or fourth generation Seventh-day Adventist. Some may come from the families of church leaders or professional families and some may be new members that are leaving. Whatever your reasons you have for leaving the church keep in mind that God has been leading in your life and still wants to use you as his witness for truth. Leaving the SDA Church does not separate you from God, but from a false prophetess Ellen G. White and the church that she is still leads even after her death.
Do you remember hearing this statement, if you leave the "truth" meaning the beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church then you soon start questioning the Bible and will lose your salvation? This is a flat out lie that the church uses to try to hold its members. It may be true in some cases that some may leave God, but it is not true for all. Those individuals that leave God after leaving the Adventist church did not have their faith in Christ to start with, but had their faith in Adventism and Ellen G. White for their salvation. When the church failed them they had no anchor for their soul.
If you have been a dedicated Christian and believed that Jesus Christ was your Savior as a Seventh-day Adventist, then there is no reason to be afraid in leaving the Adventist Church. Remember this, you are renouncing a church with non-biblical doctrines and a false prophet, not your baptism and your faith in Jesus Christ. You will only loose your salvation by renouncing Christ and His Word.
The SDA Church teaches that we have the "truth" indicating outside their walls, truth cannot be found as other churches do not have Ellen G. White, the Sabbath or the Investigative Judgment and Sanctuary teachings. Truth is in the Word of God, but not as interpreted by EGW.
You have already discovered that the Truth is in Jesus and His Word the Bible and not in Ellen G. White and her books. Mrs. E.G. White wrote, "I testify to my brethren and sisters that the church of Christ, enfeebled and defective as it may be, is the only object on earth on which He bestows His supreme regard." I Testimonies, p. 15. Melbourne, Australia, December 23, 1892.
Ellen liked this statement so well that she stole it from John Harris who wrote it 50 years earlier without giving him credit: "But the church of Christ, enfeebled and defective as it may be, is that only object on earth on which he bestows his supreme regard." The Great Teacher, pp. 158-160, by John Harris, 1842.
Ellen believed and taught that God bestowed his supreme affection only on the Seventh-day Adventist Church and all other churches were Babylon. We know this is a falsehood, as the Bible teaches all Christians are precious in his sight, and Jesus died for each of us, and Jesus does not show favoritism to Christians by denominations.
We need to understand the concept of church so that we can proceed with our search of finding a church. Christ created a church with leaders to administrate it. Christ did not create denominations, as these are man made. The Seventh-day Church was started by the James and Ellen White, Joseph Bates. Jehovah's Witnesses by Charles Taze Russell, Latter Day Saints by Joseph Smith, Christian Scientist by Mary Baker Eddy, Lutherans by Martin Luther, and etc.
If you are looking for "the perfect church" or "the true church" you might as well stop right here, because you will not find one that totally teaches the Word as YOU understand it.
There is no such thing as a "true church" or "remnant church" taught in the Bible. Many denominations teach these non-biblical teachings to get other people, Christians and non-Christians into their fold. After all you do not want to be a member of a church if it is not "the true church"?
It is churches such as the SDA, Jehovah's Witness, Latter Day Saints, Catholics, and such that have confused its members by proclaiming that they are the true church. So when a person leaves those churches they look for a "true church." There is not a true church in the world. There are however true Christians that differ in their doctrinal beliefs. In fact the N T Churches had problems agreeing on doctrines. Belonging to a church does not save us we are saved by belonging to Christ. The church is not our savior, nor mediator between its members and God.
Christ established a church on earth for the purpose of evangelism, Bible study, fellowship, encouragement, prayer, and etc. The church was never to replace the Holy Spirit in leading people to the truth of God's word. In fact the church throughout history has persecuted its members for taking a path that was not according to their creeds, when they were attempting to follow the word, as they understood it. Churches have separated Christians because of their creeds.
Every individual needs to decide for themselves their needs as far as church membership or attendance as their needs differ from one another. I would never join a church that required me to accept beliefs that I do not believe to become a member. I may attend, but not join.
There are some churches that present a good fundamental gospel. You need to be mature enough to accept the premise that there will be truth and some errors in all churches. They are Christians as well as you and have the hope of eternal life. You will have theological difference. You will no longer have Ellen G. White's as your guide (A-men) and you will have to depend on the Holy Spirit to lead you into all truth. "But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.—" John 16:13 (NIV)
I do know this, when I see my Savior I do not want to explain why I stayed in a church with a false prophet and supporting it with my time, money and influence when I knew better.
The Bible gives the example of home church:
"You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints. I urge you, brothers," —I Cor 16:15 (NIV)
"Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house."—Col 4:15 (NIV)
Invite as many friends and family as you can to your church. If you are the only one take comfort that Jesus is with you. "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them. —" Mat 18:20 (NIV)
For Bible study you can select a book of the Bible for study. You can also go to Christian Book store and get Bible study outline guides that would be a basis for your study such as "Inductive Bible Study Guides". Have Christian music that you enjoy and good Christian books to read.
I have learned from the Bible that you do not need to join a church to be saved, as our salvation is in Christ alone.
God is The Anchor of Our Salvation, Not Churches or Denominations:
"Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." —Hebrews 6:17-19.
- Former Adventist pastor Dale Ratzlaff
- Former SDA Pastor Mark Martin
- Former Adventist Fellowship
- Proclamation Magazine and Blog
See: "Why remain in Adventism—How to resign from the church".