You probably have Baptist friends, or you are Baptist, as it’s the 2nd-largest religious group in the U.S. Over 42 million people in America are members of Baptist churches. By contrast, the Seventh-day Adventist church has 1.2 million members in the U.S. and 20 million worldwide.
Perhaps you’ve wondered what the differences are between the two groups. What do they agree on, and where do they differ? Before unwrapping all that, remember that while most Seventh-day Adventist churches hold the same fundamental beliefs, the Baptists are more diverse. Numerous Baptist groups agree on many of the basics, but not everything.
Origin of Baptists and Seventh-day Adventists
Baptist origins go back to the 1525 Anabaptist movement and the 17th-century English Separatists. Charles Spurgeon and other prominent Baptists have argued that the Baptists existed from the time of Christ. The Anabaptists said that babies should not be baptized – only people old enough to confess their belief in Christ and ask to be baptized (believers baptism). The English Separatists believed in “separation of church and state” – or that government should not control the church and vice-versa. This and believer’s baptism have always been strong Baptist beliefs.
The Separatists and Puritans also believed that the Protestant Reformers had not done enough to weed out some of the problematic teachings and practices of the Roman Catholic Church. Helwys formed the first Baptist church in Coventry, England in 1614 with a group of Puritans. Their two central beliefs were the believer’s baptism and the Bible as the only authority for belief and practice.
The Seventh-day Adventists emerged in the mid-1800s in the United States. A Baptist named William Miller became obsessed with Biblical prophecy and calculated that Jesus Christ would return on October 22, 1844. His teachings became known as “Millerism.” When Jesus didn’t return, many people abandoned Millerism after the “Great Disappointment.”
However, one avid follower, Hiram Edson, had a “revelation” that October 22, 1844, wasn’t Jesus’ Second Coming to earth. It was when Jesus moved from the Holy Place to the Most Holy Place in heaven’s temple. He believed this was the “2,300 days” in Daniel 8:1-14.
Miller joined with other Christians who believed that Saturday, not Sunday, should be the day of rest and worship, as it is the seventh day of the week. God said, “Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God.” (Exodus 20:8-11) Edson’s beliefs led to the formation of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in 1863. The name “Seventh-day” reflects their worship on Sunday. “Adventists” refers to their eager anticipation of the Lord’s return.
Sabbath Beliefs
Baptists: the Baptists and most Christians observe Sunday, the first day of the week, as the day of worship and the day of rest. Why Sunday? First, Jesus rose from the dead on the first day of the week. The New Testament mentions the disciples meeting for worship and to “break bread” on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7). The Apostle John spoke of being “in the Spirit” on the “Lord’s Day” during his exile on the Isle of Patmos (Revelation 1:10). The “Lord’s Day” most likely meant the day Jesus resurrected, not the Jewish Sabbath. In 321 AD, Emperor Constantine made Sunday an official day of rest for the Roman Empire. All shops and businesses had to close on that day. Since then, Sunday has been the day of rest and worship for most Christians.
Seventh-day Adventists worship and rest on Saturday, the seventh day of the week, because that’s when God rested after creating the world (Genesis 2:1-3). It’s also when God told His people to rest.
- “For six days work may be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of complete rest, a day of sacred assembly. You must not do any work; wherever you live, it is a Sabbath to the LORD.” (Leviticus 23:3)
Seventh-day Adventists celebrate the Sabbath from sunset on Friday evening to sunset on Saturday evening, just as observant Jews do.
Fun Fact: In China, the days of the week have numbers. Monday is “xīng qī yī” or “day one, Tuesday is “day two,” and so on. Sunday is the only day without a number. It is “Heaven’s Day” and the last day of the week. Australia and many European countries consider Monday the first day of the week and Sunday the seventh day.
Even in countries where Sunday is technically the first day of the week, it’s also the “weekend.” It’s already a “day of rest,” regardless of religion. Since most people return to work or school on Monday, it seems as if Monday is really the first day of the week and Sunday the last.
View of the Bible
Baptists: most Baptists believe that divinely inspired men wrote the Bible with God as its true author. It is heaven’s instructions for God’s people and includes the way of salvation and God’s judgment at the end of the world. It is entirely true with no error. Scripture will judge all human behavior, opinions, and beliefs.
Seventh-day Adventists believe the Bible is the “God-breathed” word of God. God inspired human authors to communicate His will to everyone. It teaches God’s will and how to live. It gives instructions for all aspects of life. It tells about who God is and His great love for us. It is relevant for everyone at all times.
However, in addition to the Bible, some of the church’s historic leaders had dreams, visions, or revelations upon which some Seventh-day Adventist doctrine was built. In addition to Edson, a woman named Ellen Harmon White had many visions, which the Seventh-day Adventists consider authoritative.
Salvation differences between Baptists and Seventh-day Adventists
Baptists believe God created the first man and woman in holiness, but they decided to disobey God. Their sin resulted in all humanity being sinners by choice because their fallen nature makes them inclined to evil. Their sin makes them guilty of God’s judgment – eternal ruin.
However, Jesus, through His great love for us, through grace, and by the Father’s appointment, became human, yet without sin. He was fully obedient to God’s law and made atonement for our sins by His death on the cross. He rose from the dead and is now enthroned in heaven, our all-sufficient Savior.
Seventh-day Adventists believe in the “Great Controversy” between Christ and Satan. After Satan became God’s adversary and led the angels in rebellion, he introduced that rebellious spirit to Adam and Eve and brought disorder to the created world. The entire world is now an arena of universal conflict. Satan distorted Eve’s understanding of God’s character, and all humanity wrestles with Satan’s lies about God’s goodness and love. They believe God’s only Son, Jesus Christ, died in our place, taking the punishment for sin and enabling us to be reconciled with God.
Eternal life
Baptists believe all who trust in Jesus are justified, pardoned from sin, and receive eternal life – not by our righteous works – but only through faith in Jesus’s blood and perfect righteousness. We must realize our guilt before God and that Christ is the only way of salvation.
Most Baptists believe in the “Perseverance of the Saints,” meaning that everyone who is a true believer will persevere in their faith until they die or Jesus returns.
Seventh-day Adventists believe that those who cling to Christ’s promises will be saved (“But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved” Matthew 24:13). One promise they cling to is Romans 10:9: “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Seventh-day Adventists believe that if they accept God’s free gift of salvation, serve God, and live by His commandments, they will have eternal life. They might fall into sin, but if they repent and ask God’s forgiveness, that sin isn’t counted against them.
Seventh-day Adventists believe that when someone dies, their spirit does not immediately go to Hell or Heaven. They don’t think the soul is separate from the body and that both are resting in an unconscious state until Jesus returns.
Worship
Baptists gather on Sunday mornings for Sunday School and worship services. They may also meet on Sunday night, Wednesday night, or other times for prayer meetings or other services. Worship looks different depending on the church. Some use the piano and sing hymns, while others have guitars and drums and sing worship songs. Baptists believe in the priesthood of all believers, so everyone can hold various roles in the worship service. Generally, the pastor, who is usually male, delivers the sermon. The “Lord’s Supper,” or communion, is generally celebrated once a month during the Sunday morning service.
Baptists typically have an orderly service. Many Baptists believe that the sign gifts ended when the original apostles died. Thus, their services would not have spontaneous prophecies or speaking in tongues and interpretations. However, a recent survey indicated that about half of Southern Baptist pastors believe that God gives some Christians a “private prayer language” for their personal worship.
Seventh-day Adventists meet on Saturday for their main worship service of the week. They have “Sabbath School” (like Sunday School but on Saturday) followed by the worship service. The Sabbath School uses the same curriculum for all churches, focusing on a biblical passage or teaching each quarter. A typical service has singing, prayers, a time for testimonies, a missions spotlight, and a sermon. Most Seventh-day Adventist churches have a foot-washing ceremony and communion once a quarter.
The Seventh-day Adventists permit women pastors, but most are men. Music can be traditional hymns or contemporary worship. Most Seventh-day Adventists disapprove of speaking in tongues in the worship service. Seventh-day Adventists believe that God still speaks to the church through prophecy today. However, since Ellen White died, no one in the mainstream Adventist churches seems to have the gift.
End times
Baptists believe that the end of the world is coming soon, but no one knows the day or the hour (Matthew 24:36). They believe that Jesus Christ will return from heaven personally and visibly. He will raise the dead for their final fate, separating the wicked from the righteous. The wicked will receive eternal punishment in hell and the righteous endless joy in heaven.
Baptists agree on the above but do not agree on exactly how or when the sequence of events in the end times will occur. Many believe that Jesus will rapture the believers (dead and alive), followed by the seven-year tribulation, then the Second Coming, when Jesus sets foot on Mount Zion. This begins the 1000-year reign, and the unsaved will be resurrected for the Great White Throne judgment at the end of this period.
Seventh-day Adventists believe that everyone on earth will see Jesus’ second coming on a cloud. Jesus will resurrect the righteous dead and glorify the righteous living. This is the First Resurrection. He will not set foot on the earth but will take both the resurrected dead and righteous living to heaven. Seventh-day Adventists believe Jesus’ return is imminent because most prophecy has been fulfilled and because of the world’s present condition. However, the time has not been revealed, so the righteous should be ready at all times.
The Second Resurrection follows the 1000 years. This is the resurrection of people who chose not to follow Christ in their lifetime. These people will face the Second Death. However, the Adventists believe it will not be fire and brimstone and suffering. They will be eternally separated from God and simply cease to exist altogether. After this, God will create a new earth where His people will live, free from sin, death, pain, and sorrow.
Health
Baptists don’t really have any dietary or health guidelines aside from discouraging alcohol and smoking. The Southern Baptist Convention urges churches not to place people who drink alcohol in positions of leadership. However, a survey shows that about one-third of Southern Baptists consume alcohol. It used to be common to see Baptist men finishing their cigarettes in the churchyard before going inside. However, the Southern Baptist Convention strongly urges pastors and church leaders not to smoke. They urge Baptist members who grow tobacco to switch to a different crop. Other more conservative Baptists, like the Independent Baptists, Freewill Baptists, and General Association of Regular Baptist churches, forbid alcohol and smoking for all members.
Seventh-day Adventists believe we should care for and respect our bodies because they are God’s divine creation. They discourage gluttony and any excess. Adventists are supposed to avoid alcohol and tobacco and are encouraged to follow a well-balanced vegetarian diet. Why vegetarian? One of Ellen White’s prophecies was that meat should be avoided. Today, the church discourages consuming meat, fish, coffee, and tea. They point out that after Adam and Eve were created, God gave them (and the animals) the plants to eat (Genesis 1:29-30). It wasn’t until after the Flood that God permitted them to eat meat (Genesis 9:3). These guidelines seem to work for the Adventists. One study shows that, on average, they live ten years longer than the average American and are less likely to be obese or have diabetes, heart disease, or colon cancer.
Conclusion
The Baptists and Adventists have many things in common. Some minor things set them apart, like their day of worship and dietary guidelines. And then, there’s the major differences.
Several beliefs put the Adventists not only at odds with the Baptists but with God’s Word. The first is faith and works for salvation. The Seventh-day Adventists believe salvation comes by faith but also by serving God and living by His commandments. Baptists believe we are saved by faith alone.
- “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
The Adventists also believe that after death, they will be in an unconscious state until Jesus returns. However, this flies in the face of Jesus’ teaching of Lazarus and the rich man in Luke 16:19-31. Upon dying, Lazarus the beggar, was immediately transported to Abraham’s side. At the same time, the evil rich man was sent to Hades for torment. This passage also proves wrong the Adventists’ idea that no suffering exists after death. The rich man said, “I am in agony in this fire.”
