Frequently Asked Questions

“We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past history” (LS, p. 196).

 

The Most Important Question- Why Free Seventh-day Adventists?

"And I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell upon the earth and to every nation kindred tongue and people, saying with a loud voice, fear God and give glory to him for the hour of his judgement is come, and worship him that made heaven and earth and the sea and the fountains of waters." Revelation 14:6,7

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In what ways are Free Seventh-day Adventists similar to mainline Seventh-day Adventists?

We share a common heritage rooted in the Great Awakening of the 1800's, the Second Advent Movement of the 1840's, the preaching of William Miller, the Great Disappointment of 1844, and the understanding of  moving by faith with Christ into the Most Holy place of the heavenly sanctuary after that experience. We also share a common heritage in the recognition of Ellen White's visions and writings as the manifestation of the gift and Spirit of prophecy. In addition to this, we share a doctrinal heritage hammered out by men such as Elders Joseph Bates, Hiram Edson, James White, and J.N. Andrews. Free Seventh-day Adventists continue to strictly uphold this heritage to this very day, and all the fundamental teachings and reforms established by our pioneers, because we believe that they are founded in the holy scriptures.

Do Free Seventh-day Adventists believe that the church is Babylon?

No. The church is not Babylon, neither are we. Our fight is not with the "church." We pray for "the church." Our fight is to uplift Christ, preach the three angel's message, and expose the wickedness of the man of sin.  Our fight is against apostasy. We view our relationship with "the church," as that of Abraham and Lot. Conflict and compromise may have separated us, but "we be brethren."

The General Assembly of Free Seventh-day Adventists is an historically African American mission. Do they welcome people of all races and nationalities?

Yes we do. We only require that they believe, teach, and practice the principles of seventh-day adventism as outlined in scripture.

What is your position on the ordination of women as Elders/Pastors?

We believe that it is unbiblical. We do not see the bible as culturally based, but rather a sacred book superceding all cultures and time periods considered. We do not see the bible as based on male dominant society concept as many modern theologians suggest. They say that women could not lead in those times because they were uneducated and that it was a patriarchial society unlike ours today. However, it is actually the case that women in biblical times were well educated, took the lead in many areas of government, were missionaries who taught learned men, yet the bible reserves biblical eldership for the male gender. This is not a matter of superiority or equal rights, as every spiritual gift is of great value in the body of Christ, whether possessed by women or men.

What makes Free Seventh-day Adventists different than Regular Seventh-day Adventists?

While we are a part of a distinct and unique administrative body within seventh-day adventism, we view ourselves as being brethren to those in the other mainline Adventist administrative bodies. We hold to the same fundamental beliefs as the mainline adventist church. However, one thing that does distinguish us is that we do not give sanction to women's ordination as Elders/Pastors as is now being upheld in many of the mainline adventist union conferences. We believe that women have a role to play as gospel workers and missionaries for the Lord, rather than fulfilling roles as pastors and elders.

What do you believe has generated recent interest in the Free SDA movement?

As a reaction to the influence of the new theology of Desmond Ford, the new attitudes concerning Ellen White's counsels within adventism, and the new emphasis on certain worship styles, the so called "independent ministries" and churches arose beginning in the late 1980's. While it was widely believed that these newly developing missionary entities have a special place within adventism, many churches and ministries arising from this, found it prudent and biblical to organize together with an official and public "seventh-day adventist" identity among themselves. This was for greater effectiveness and cohesiveness among believers. The Free SDA organization, which was beginning to be discovered, provided this platform.

Since the "Free Seventh-day Adventists" started due to the immature racial practices within the church long ago, wouldn't that make its existence today obsolete?

No, not anymore than Oakwood University, Breath of Life, and Message magazine, all of which are historically black institutions, are obsolete and should be done away.

Now that the church seems to have made significant progress in matters of race, shouldn't your organization join with the "regular" church?

"We have heard much about everything moving in the regular lines. When we see that the 'regular lines' are purified and refined, that they bear the mold of the God of heaven, then it will be time to endorse these lines."   GCB, April 10, 1903 par. 3


 "My Guide said, "This work will be sowing seed for time and for eternity." And then the instruction was given, "The angels of the Lord will go before him. He will be accounted out of line. But many ought to be out of the lines that have been maintained to be the regular routine, and unless they themselves come into line, they will say, 'The temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord are we.'  Unless that temple is purified, cleansed, sanctified, God will not give them His presence in the temple of which they boast." . . . {3MR 264.2}

The regular structure of today does not bear the mold of heaven, and has not been purified or refined. We therefore cannot endorse these lines.  Those who say "we are the church" or "The temple of the the Lord are we," must be cleansed and sancified in order for that to be true in word and in deed. Otherwise God himself will not give them his presence. How then can we? However, we love and pray for those within that structure, and recognize that there are many that are honest in heart seeking to do God's will and to obey His Word in spreading the three angel's messages. It is our desire to help assist faithful adventists wherever they be found in spreading the gospel to all the world.

Doesn't it create a problem having an organization not supported by mainstream adventism that uses the name of seventh day adventists?

No, it should not. This has not created a problem within the Baptists, Methodists...etc. There are several baptist organizations, all believing the same, sharing a common heritage, but with different leadership. All of which have gotten along very well over the past century. For example-the United Methodists, The Free Methodists, the Christian Methodists Episcopal, The African Methodist Episcopal, and The African Methodist Episcopal Zion churches. These are all varied organizations, yet we all generally refer to them as "the Methodist church", or "the Methodists."

Also, Jesus was confronted with this issue in his day. How did he respond?, " “We found someone who was casting out devils in your name so we told him to stop!” Jesus’ response was humbling: “Whatever you do, don’t stop him! … Whoever is not against us is for us” (Mark 9:38-40).


What do you believe to be "the church?"

The General Assembly of Free Seventh-day Adventists is not "the church." but is a system, an administrative arm designed to assist the church. The General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists is not "the church." It is a system, an administrative entity if you please, designed to assist the church. The church includes all of God's people regardless of the system they choose to labor through. As the faithful reformer Melancthon once said, "There is no other church than the assembly of those who have the word of God and are purified by it." Because a portion of advent believers and companies organize within the free seventh-day adventist system, doesn't mean that they are against those in the GCSDA system. Same believing people; but separate systems aiming for the same goal. Same mission and purpose; but distinct methodologies. Same (car) make; but different model.

What is the difference between the organizational structure of the "Free Seventh-day Adventists", and the Main "Seventh-day Adventist Church"?

 Local churches in our system are autonomous, and not controlled by higher structural bodies. Why?-Because the local church is where preaching, bible study, and baptisms happen. As one pointed out, there are no baptismal pools in conference offices or committee board rooms. As in the early church, the local body under the unction of the Holy Spirit, dictates its own vision and destiny.  

Ours is also smaller, and allows for easier communication.  The main office in Brunswick, Georgia is the legal apparatus which welcomes members, and ensures doctrinal intergity for those entering the church. The hierarchy system with its many layers slows down and many times impedes the progress of advancing the message. This has not changed or simplified since its inception. More and more the local bodies are serving and financing the big hierarchy, and local bodies are becoming less and less important as far as the level of priority. The only change that has happened is the added layers of administrative control. We believe any of these can win people for the kingdom, we simply view our system as more efficient and biblically based.

How can our church or group be a part of the Free Seventh-day Adventist Church?

You can contact us at our North American Ministries office at 256-810-9146, or go to our contact page to recieve a packet and application for futher correspondence.