🕊️ Is the SDA the True Church?
A Catholic Response to Seventh-Day Adventist Objections
The Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church claims to be the true Church of Christ because they observe the Saturday Sabbath and uphold certain biblical doctrines that, according to them, the Roman Catholic Church has abandoned.
But is their claim historically and biblically accurate? Let’s examine this respectfully through the lens of Scripture, history, and Church authority.
⛪ 1. The True Church is Apostolic and Historical
📖 Biblical Foundation:
“You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church...” – Matthew 16:18
Jesus established one visible Church, not many denominations. That Church was:
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Founded directly by Jesus Christ.
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Given authority to bind and loose (Matthew 18:18).
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Led by the Apostles, with Peter as the chief shepherd.
📜 Historical Proof:
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The Roman Catholic Church can trace its bishops back to Peter, the first bishop of Rome.
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The SDA Church was founded in 1863, in the United States—more than 1800 years after Jesus!
✅ Conclusion: The SDA Church is not apostolic in origin. The Catholic Church alone holds this historical continuity.
📅 2. The Sabbath Controversy: Saturday vs. Sunday Worship
The SDA insists that true Christians must worship on Saturday, based on the Old Testament Sabbath.
✅ Catholic Answer:
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Early Christians, including the Apostles, gathered on Sunday, the “Lord’s Day,” to commemorate the Resurrection of Christ (see Acts 20:7, 1 Cor 16:2, Rev 1:10).
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Sunday replaced the Jewish Sabbath not because of paganism, but because Jesus rose from the dead on Sunday—the new beginning of creation.
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The Church has the authority to establish liturgical norms (see Matthew 18:18, Luke 10:16).
➡️ The Apostles themselves worshiped on Sunday, long before the papacy was institutionalized or Constantine became emperor.
📖 3. The Bible Alone (Sola Scriptura) vs. Apostolic Tradition
The SDA, like most Protestant-based movements, uses sola scriptura—“Bible alone”—as the rule of faith.
Catholic Clarification:
“So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter...” – 2 Thessalonians 2:15
The Apostolic Tradition is not unbiblical—it is the very foundation of the Church’s life and teaching.
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The Bible itself came from the Catholic Church, which discerned and compiled the canon.
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The early Church existed for centuries before the New Testament was finalized (~4th century A.D.).
✅ Conclusion: If the SDA depends on the Bible, they are indebted to the Catholic Church who preserved and defended it.
🧱 4. The Church Must Be Universal (Catholic)
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations...” – Matthew 28:19
The word "Catholic" means universal. The true Church:
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Exists in all nations.
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Has continuity of doctrine and practice.
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Has an unbroken leadership (bishops in apostolic succession).
The SDA is not present in all nations and has no historical apostolic succession. Their doctrine has changed over time (e.g., failed end-time predictions in 1844).
❗ 5. The Problem of Doctrinal Errors in SDA Beliefs
Here are some SDA doctrines that contradict Scripture and early Christian belief:
| SDA Doctrine | Catholic Response |
|---|---|
| Investigative Judgment (1844) | Not found anywhere in Scripture; invented in 19th century. |
| Soul sleep (Annihilationism) | Refuted by Luke 23:43, Phil 1:23, Revelation 6:9-10. |
| No eternal hell | Refuted by Matthew 25:46, “eternal punishment.” |
| Ellen G. White as prophet | Her writings contain failed prophecies and contradict the Bible. |
🛡️ Final Catholic Response:
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The Catholic Church is not perfect because its members are not perfect—but it is the true Church established by Christ Himself, with apostolic authority, sacraments, and unity in doctrine.
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The SDA Church, while sincere in many ways, was man-founded, relies on misinterpretation of prophecy, and rejects apostolic tradition.
“He who hears you hears Me...” – Luke 10:16
Christ gave His authority to His Church, not to self-proclaimed prophets or recent denominations.
📌 Summary Table: Catholic vs. SDA
| Criteria | Catholic Church | SDA |
|---|---|---|
| Founded by | Christ (33 AD) | Man (1863) |
| Apostolic Succession | Yes | No |
| Worship Day | Sunday (Lord’s Day) | Saturday (Old Covenant) |
| Authority | Scripture + Tradition | Scripture Alone |
| Universal Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Founder’s Name | Jesus Christ | Ellen G. White / Adventist pioneers |
| Prophetic Basis | Apostolic Witness | 19th-century prophecy |
| Bible Canon | Defined by Church | Accepted from Catholic Tradition |
✍️ Conclusion:
Dear SDA brethren, the Catholic Church does not attack your sincerity. But sincerity without truth is dangerous.
The true Church of Christ must be:
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Founded by Jesus
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Rooted in the Apostles
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Consistent in doctrine
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Present since the 1st century
That Church is the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.
Read also:
❓ Why Do Most Christians Eat Pork While Some (like SDA) Don't?;
Did Marcion Compile the Bible? A Catholic Response to SDA Pastor's Claim;
Seventh-day Adventist Pioneers on the Trinity: Unpacking the Historical Reality Behind Their Early Beliefs;
"Is the Seventh-day Adventist Church the Pillar and Foundation of Truth? A Biblical and Historical Examination of 1 Timothy 3:15";
Is the SDA Church the True Remnant of Bible Prophecy? A Balanced Look at Scripture, History, Fathers & Scholars
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