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Monday, January 16, 2006
Seventh Day Adventists in W. Visayas hold confab
THE Association of Seventh Day Adventist Churches held its Western Visayas Conference in Iloilo City last Dec. 25 to 30, 2005 at the Robinsons Place Iloilo in celebration of the church's 100 years.
The celebration's activities were photo information exhibit, caravan, press conference, music festival, free medical-dental check-ups, free alternative medicine services and awarding of outstanding Adventists in the districts. The last activity was held at the Iloilo Central Church.
The community has every right to celebrate. This fast-growing community has come a long way.
It first started with only a handful of individuals who studied the Bible in their search for truth. Now, it's a community of over eight million members.
Doctrinally, Seventh-day Adventists are heirs of the interfaith Millerite movement of the 1840s. The denomination was officially organized in May 21, 1863.
Between 1831 and 1844, William Miller --- a Baptist preacher and former army captain in the War of 1812 --- launched the "great second advent awakening" which eventually spread throughout most of the Christian world. Based on his study of the prophecy of Daniel 8:14, Miller calculated that Jesus would return to earth sometime between 1843 and 1844. Others within the movement calculated a specific date of October 22, 1844. When Jesus did not appear, Miller's followers experienced what became to be called "the great Disappointment.
Many left, but a few went back to their Bibles to find why they had been disappointed. Soon they concluded that the October 22 date had indeed been correct. They became convinced that the Bible prophecy predicted not that Jesus would return to earth in 1844, but that He would begin at that time a special ministry in heaven for His followers. They still looked for Jesus to come soon, however, as do Seventh-day Adventists yet today. From this small group who refused to give up after the "great disappointment" arose several leaders who built the foundation of what would become the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
This small nucleus of "adventists" began to grow -- mainly in the New England states of America, where Miller's movement had begun. Ellen G. White, a mere teenager at the time of the "great Disappointment," grew into a gifted author, speaker and administrator, who would become and remain the trusted spiritual counselor of the Adventist family for more than seventy years until her death in 1915. Early Adventists came to believe -- as have Adventists ever since -- that she enjoyed God's special guidance as she wrote her counsels to the growing body of believers.
Adventists base their faith in God as revealed through Jesus Christ and as shown through the Bible, inspired by the Holy Spirit.
For Adventists, faith means placing complete trust in God, and accepting his offer of salvation. Such trusting faith is fundamental to Adventist beliefs. A living relationship with God is essential to faith.
For them, the Bible presents the essential truth about God. The Holy Spirit inspired human writers to reveal the character of God and how he wishes to save all those who come to him. The Bible explains the nature of God and the way God's followers will behave as a result of their relationship with him.
The heart of the Adventist message is the gospel, God's good news of salvation.
Through Jesus' death on the cross human beings may be won back to love and trust God, and accept God's free gift of eternal life for all those who follow him. They also believe that the creator of the universe, Christ formed our world in seven days, and created the first man and woman. At the close of his creative work, God gave the Sabbath as a day of celebration and worship.
Sabbath, which falls on a Saturday, is a reminder of the God who both creates and saves, and is the day God invites all to come and worship him. Jesus observed the seventh-day Sabbath while on earth, and Adventists follow his example in keeping the fourth of the Ten Commandments.
Adventists look forward to the soon return of Jesus Christ as prophesied and as he himself promised, but do not set any date for this glorious event when he comes to take home all who accept him as their Lord.
Adventists follow Jesus in identifying those who die as sleeping. Those who have trusted God are raised to life when Jesus returns, and look forward to a wonderful future--eternal life in God's presence.
Those who choose to accept God's way for their lives and his offer of eternal life demonstrate their belief through baptism (being immersed in water), following the example of Jesus. Adventists follow lives of commitment to God and his plan for us, which include following his commands as being for our best good.
The Adventist Church operates one of the largest educational systems in the world, and features Universities such as Loma Linda whose Medical Center is at the forefront of treatments such as the innovative Proton Accelerator for cancer treatment. Through a worldwide network of schools, Adventists seek to better humanity through providing education and vocational training.
Through the Adventist Development and Relief Agency and other programs, the Adventist Church provides practical assistance to those less fortunate, caring for the poor and disadvantaged in many countries of the world, without regard for race, religion or nationality. The Church also operates youth camps, community service projects, family life counseling and other programs to assist those wishing to overcome drug addiction and alcohol or tobacco dependence.
Seventh-day Adventists communicate hope by focusing on the quality of life that is complete in Jesus. Communication is a vital aspect of faith, sharing the good news of God and keeping the family of believers in touch through a global system that includes satellite broadcasting, TV, radio, print and the Internet. Visit www.adventist.org.
(January 16, 2006 issue)
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