Osadchuck 1 Erik Osadchuck Mr.

Cosmin Ritivoiu English 102 4 February 2014 Adventism and Salvation by Works On a Christian website that repudiates the Adventist church, one individual asserted, Adventists Teach Salvation by Works! (Stewart, Hidden Heresies). This is a reasonable assumption because many Adventists practice certain lifestyles that most Christians do not, such as abstaining from coffee, eating a vegetarian diet, and keeping the Sabbath. This gives the impression that Adventists are works-oriented. Although some may think that Adventists hold the view of salvation by works, Adventists actually believe in salvation by grace through faith in a past, present, and future experience. Adventists base their doctrines solely on the Bible. The official Adventist website affirms, Seventh-day Adventists accept the Bible as the only source of our beliefs (SeventhDay Adventist Church Beliefs). Since Adventists derive their doctrines directly and entirely from the Bible, then the inquirer must study the biblical model of salvation in order to understand the Adventist view on this subject. However, it is first crucial to recognize the necessity for salvation. The need for salvation began when sin entered the

Osadchuck 2 world. After Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, the sin virus infected their lives and passed down to their posterity. The apostle Paul describing this phenomenon stated, Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned (King James Version, Romans 5.12). The result of sin entering the universe was death. Since all have sinned (Romans 3.23) and the wages of sin is death (Romans 6.23), then all must die. In order to prevent His creation from dying, God decided that He needed to send His Son to die a substitutionary death on the cross for humans. John realized this fact and thus stated, For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved (John 3.17). Although all people deserved to die, Christ took their place on the cross so that they may live. Paul exclaimed, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5.8). Christ took sin upon Himself in the sinners place so that the sinner could take Christs righteousness upon himself (2 Cor. 5.22). Paul further expounds on this process of trading places in his epistles to the Galatians and Hebrews. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree (Gal. 3.13). But we see Jesus crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man (Hebrews 2.9). By dying

Osadchuck 3 on the cross, Christ experienced the curse of sin death - so that the sinner would not have to die. Because of Christs substitutionary death on the cross, sinful humans are justified freely by his [Gods] grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 3.24). Contrary to what some believe, Adventists do not hold to the fact that they are justified by their own good deeds. Rather, Adventists believe that the basis for this justification is not our obedience, but Christs (Damsteegt et. al. 121). Adventists agree with Pauls statement in his letter to Titus: Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost (Titus 3.5). Christs obedience and perfection serves as a basis to justify the sinner of his sin. Paul further explains this: Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. (Romans 5.18, 19) Because of Christs righteousness and obedience while He was on earth, humans have a means for salvation.

Osadchuck 4 Salvation did not simply occur in the past, it is an ongoing process. The first step in this process is repentance of sins. This occurs when the sinner acknowledges the pain and suffering his sin brought upon Jesus. Paul urges the penitent, Repent and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord (Acts 3.9). The act of repentance does not commend humans to God. Rather, it allows people to acknowledge their wicked ways and receive the grace that God wants to bestow upon them. After repenting, it is necessary to confess and acknowledge the specific sins that were committed. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1.9). God will forgive and purify those who admit their sins to Him. Although the sinner must repent and confess to be saved, the mere act of admitting sin does not save the sinner. Rather, it allows God to forgive and cleanse the sinner from sin. The Bible confirms that salvation is by grace through faith and that it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast (Ephesians 2.8, 9). The only work involved in salvation is the act of choosing to accept Christ by believing in Him. Adventists affirm that anyone can have eternal life by accepting Gods Son, Jesus. John recorded how simple this is:

Osadchuck 5 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. (1 John 5.11-13) Adventists agree that salvation is a present experience and gift of God for all who believe (Finley 10). This means that the sanctification component of salvation is not mans product, but Gods gift. Jesus said, Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth (John 17.17). As Christians spend time growing in their relationship with Christ through Bible study and prayer, the Lord sanctifies them. Although Only the Creator can accomplish the creative work of transforming our lives He does not do so without our participation (Damsteegt et al. 125). The believers role in sanctification is to behold Christ by meditating on His life and allowing the Spirit to work through him. As the Lord sanctifies his followers, they become more like Him in their actions and words. This sanctifying work of Christ prepares the believer to live with Him eternally. Once the believer has experienced Christs sanctifying work, Christ can safely grant him the final gift of salvation

Osadchuck 6 an immortal, glorified body. This process is known as glorification. Paul described, unto them that look for him shall he [Christ] appear the second time without sin unto salvation (Hebrews 9.28). Christ will bring salvation with him at the Second Coming when we shall all be changed (1 Cor. 15.51) into his image. Yet again, it is Christs work, not ours, which saves us in the final phase of salvation. Glorification occurs at the Second Coming when the righteous shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God (Romans 8.21). Adventists believe in a three-fold experience of salvation by grace through faith, which has occurred, is occurring, and will occur. Since Adventists embrace some unique doctrines such as observing the Sabbath that may appear legalistic, some people assume that Adventists believe their salvation depends on their works. Although this seems rational, it is nonetheless erroneous. Seventh-day Adventists firmly hold the biblical view of salvation by Gods grace apart from mans works.

Osadchuck 7 Works Cited Damsteegt, Pieter G., et al. Seventh-day Adventists Believe: A Biblical Exposition of 27 Fundamental Doctrines. Washington, DC: Ministerial Association, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, 1988. Print. Finley, Mark. Studying Together: A Ready-reference Bible Handbook. Revised ed. Fallbrook, CA: Hart Research Center, 1991. Print. Holy Bible King James Version, The. Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2000. Print. "Seventh-Day Adventist Church Beliefs." Beliefs: The Official Site of the Seventh-day Adventist World Church. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Jan. 2014. Stewart, David. "Hidden Heresies of Seventh-Day Adventists." Jesus-is-Saviour.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Feb. 2014.