Introduction
Many Catholics encounter well-trained Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) members who present their doctrines as “purely biblical.” Unfortunately, many of these teachings are selectively quoted, historically inaccurate, and taken out of biblical context. This article will expose several of these doctrinal and scriptural misrepresentations, providing solid biblical, historical, and early Church evidence to defend the Catholic faith.
1. Claim: The Catholic Church Changed the Sabbath to Sunday
SDA Teaching
SDAs argue that the Catholic Church, under Constantine or the papacy, changed God’s Sabbath command (Saturday) to Sunday, calling it the "mark of the beast."
Biblical & Historical Truth
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Biblical Evidence for Sunday Worship:
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Acts 20:7 — The early Christians gathered on the first day of the week to break bread.
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1 Corinthians 16:2 — Paul instructs the church to gather offerings on the first day.
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John 20:19, 26 — The risen Jesus appeared to His disciples on Sunday.
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Early Church Evidence:
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Didache (c. AD 70) — Christians are instructed to gather on “the Lord’s Day.”
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St. Ignatius of Antioch (c. AD 110) — Speaks of no longer keeping the Sabbath, but living in accordance with the Lord’s Day.
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Historical Context: Sunday worship originated from apostolic times to commemorate the Resurrection, not by papal decree.
2. Claim: The Pope is the “Little Horn” / Antichrist of Daniel 7
SDA Teaching
They interpret Daniel 7’s “little horn” and Revelation’s “beast” as symbols of the Papacy.
Biblical & Patristic Truth
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Daniel 7 Context — Most scholars identify the “little horn” as Antiochus IV Epiphanes, a Seleucid ruler, not a pope.
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Early Church Fathers (Hippolytus, Jerome, Cyril of Jerusalem) identify the “little horn” with a future Antichrist, not the Papacy.
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Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 675–677) — Teaches about a final Antichrist but never equates him with the pope.
3. Claim: Catholic Doctrines Are “Man-Made” and Not in the Bible
SDA Teaching
SDAs reject Catholic teachings like the Trinity, Marian doctrines, and the sacraments, claiming they are unbiblical inventions.
Biblical Truth
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Trinity: Matthew 28:19, 2 Corinthians 13:14.
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Baptismal Regeneration: John 3:5, Acts 2:38, 1 Peter 3:21.
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Eucharist: John 6:51–56, 1 Corinthians 10:16.
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Confession: John 20:22–23.
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Marian Honor: Luke 1:28, 48.
4. Claim: Ellen G. White is a True Prophetess
SDA Teaching
SDA members consider Ellen White’s visions and writings authoritative.
Evidence Against
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Failed Prophecies: Ellen White predicted the return of Christ in her generation (e.g., Early Writings, p. 58–59), which did not happen.
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Doctrinal Contradictions: Many of her teachings (e.g., investigative judgment starting in 1844) have no biblical basis and are absent from all early Christian writings.
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Plagiarism: Modern research has shown large portions of her writings were copied from other authors without acknowledgment.
5. Claim: Baptism Must Be by Immersion Only
SDA Teaching
They claim the Bible only allows baptism by immersion.
Biblical & Early Christian Truth
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Biblical Examples of Other Forms:
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Acts 9:18 — Saul (Paul) was baptized immediately indoors; immersion unlikely.
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Acts 16:33 — Philippian jailer baptized in the middle of the night, likely by pouring.
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Early Church Practice:
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Didache 7:1–3 — Allows pouring water three times on the head if immersion is not possible.
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Conclusion
The SDA’s method of argument often relies on isolated verses, misinterpretation of prophecy, historical distortion, and rejection of Sacred Tradition.
Catholics must be ready to respond with biblical clarity, early Church witness, and sound historical scholarship.
References
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Catechism of the Catholic Church, 675–677.
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Didache, ch. 7.
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St. Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to the Magnesians, 9.
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Jerome, Commentary on Daniel.
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USCCB Bible Commentary on Acts, Corinthians, John.
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Norman Geisler, Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics.
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Dave Armstrong, 100 Biblical Arguments Against Sola Scriptura.
- Does Daniel 7:24 Point to Rome—and the Papacy? A Contextual, Patristic, and Catholic Response;
- Is Immersion the Only Biblical Way to Baptize? A Catholic Perspective with Bible, Early Church, and Scholars’ Insights;
- 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 It Wrong to Observe Sunday Instead of Saturday as the Sabbath? Biblical and Historical Truths About Christian Worship
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