Religion and Theology - Christian Denomination Essay

Religion and Theology - Christian Denomination - Essay Example The Seventh-day Adventist Church originated in the Millerite Movement 1832-1844 in which the Second Coming of Jesus Christ is proclaimed to occur. William Miller, a Baptist minister heralded the Great Awakening which spiritually revived Christendom in North America. After the crushing Great Disappointment, when Christ does not appear and a significant Millerite following falls away, â€Å"many nevertheless remained Adventists since they believed the second coming is still imminent†. A remnant of Protestant Christians perseveres in studying the Bible and meeting for regular Sabbath services. In 1860 at Battle Creek, Michigan, they give themselves the denominational name, Seventh-day Adventists, to signify their distinguishing beliefs: the seventh day Sabbath and the soon, second return of Christ. In the organizational framework comes into place when local congregations expand into conferences which are incorporated as the General Conference of Seventh day Adventists in 1863. Ot her notable early Adventists are Joseph Bates, James White, Uriah Smith, Hiram Edson and J.N Andrews. The current membership of Seventh-day Adventists worldwide stands at 12 million (Seventh-day Adventist General Conference Session 2005; Rhodes 27) Christian Denomination: The Seventh-day Adventists The authority of the Seventh-day Adventist Church is hinged on the Bible as the rule of standard and is resident structurally in the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. The spiritual authority of the Seventh day Adventist Church resides in the Bible which is regarded as â€Å"the infallible revelation of (God’s) will† (General Conference of Seventh day Adventists 9). However, as far as organizational structure is concerned, the General Conference is the highest authority as â€Å"all subordinate organizations and institutions will recognize the General Conference as the highest authority under God among Seventh-day Adventists† (General Conference 2005). All SDA subsidiary conferences, missions and institutions operate under the aegis of the General Conference. Spearheaded by a President elected every quinquennium, and located in Silver Spring, Maryland, the General Conference orchestrates the international functions of the Church. Another noteworthy authority of the Seventh-day Adventist Church is Ellen G. White, (1827-1915) one who relayed to the early church with messages from God. Based on the belief of the spirit of prophecy, Seventh-day Adventists endorse Ellen G. White’s writings as inspirational, prophetic and truth. Ellen G. White was a prolific author and visionary that composed more than forty books, entered about 50,000 articles and letters (White). Her writings are mentioned as Spirit of Prophecy books. The General Conference advocates the â€Å"promoting, the purchase and reading of Spirit of Prophecy books for personal and spiritual development and nurture† (General Conference 2005). White’s literary expositions of counsel on a wide range of subjects such as health, education, family, prophecy and church organization are undisputed as a Church authority and â€Å"her writings †¦considered by church members to be authoritative† (Rhodes 2005). Worship within the Seventh day Adventist church belongs to the God and Creator of heaven and earth. It takes place in the daily life of every believer and culminates in the observation of the seventh-day Sabbath. Seventh day Adventist believers realize that â€Å"the Sabbath worship service is the most important of all meetings of the