The 28 fundamental beliefs are the core beliefs of Seventh-day Adventist theology. Adventists are opposed to the formulation of creeds, so the 28 fundamental beliefs are considered descriptors, not prescriptors; that is, that they describe the official position of the church but are not criteria for membership. These beliefs were originally known as the 27 fundamental beliefs when adopted by the church's General Conference in 1980. An additional belief was added in 2005. The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary is a significant expression of Adventist theological thought. They may be grouped into the doctrines of God, humanity, salvation, the church, Christian life, and the restoration.
History
Adventists have historically been reluctant to formalize a creed. In the October 8, 1861 Review and Herald, J. N. Loughborough wrote: Several summaries of Adventist theology have been presented at various times.
In 1872 a pamphlet was produced presenting twenty-five Fundamental Principles not to "secure uniformity" but "to meet inquiries" and "to correct false statements."
In 1931 a list of 22 Fundamental Beliefs was produced and published in the Adventist Yearbook, and subsequently in the Adventist Church Manual.
In 1980, the 27 Fundamentals were instituted by the denomination's General Conference. Fritz Guy was the secretary of the original committee which produced the 27 Fundamentals. They were discussed and adopted at the 1980 General Conference Session. Ron Graybill wrote the preamble. They are expanded upon in the book Seventh-day Adventists Believe: A Biblical Exposition of 27 Fundamental Doctrines. This elaboration does not constitute the "official" position of the church.
In 2005 another belief was inserted, fundamental belief number 11 "Growing in Christ", in response to the requests of Adventists in developing nations for a statement on spiritual warfare. It was voted in at the 2005 Adventist General Conference Session held in St. Louis, Missouri, yielding the current total of 28.
Preamble
The preamble to the 28 Fundamentals states that Adventists accept the Bible as their only creed, and that revision of the statements may be expected during the church General Conference Session:
Seventh-day Adventists accept the Bible as their only creed and hold certain fundamental beliefs to be the teaching of the Holy Scriptures. These beliefs, as set forth here, constitute the church's understanding and expression of the teaching of Scripture. Revision of these statements may be expected at a General Conference Session when the church is led by the Holy Spirit to a fuller understanding of Bible truth or finds better language in which to express the teachings of God's Holy Word."
Theological beliefs
Doctrines of God
1. Holy Scriptures 2. Trinity 3. Father 4. Son 5. Holy Spirit
12. The Church 13. The Remnant and Its Mission 14. Unity in the Body of Christ 15. Baptism 16. The Lord's Supper 17. Spiritual Gifts and Ministries 18. The Gift of Prophecy
The doctrines of Christian living
19. The Law of God 20. The Sabbath 21. Stewardship 22. Christian Behavior 23. Marriage and the Family
In Seventh-day Adventists Answer Questions on Doctrine, the editors outlined the doctrines that they share with Protestant Christianity. All of these doctrines, with the exception of item 11, are widely held amongst conservative or evangelical Protestants. Regarding salvation, a major statement was the 1980 "The Dynamics of Salvation".
