Bro,
Thanks for keeping in me prayer. You know, in a way i understand where you are coming from. I don't expect you understand why I hold on to certain beliefs because obviously we come from different backgrounds. I am 26 years old and still have a lot to learn but in the Adventist Church I found truth or i should say they are the closest to truth in doctrine.
This past Sunday I was studying with a group of JW's and i was amazed about some of the teachings which is clearly not in the Bible. I have also researched about the Mormons and Josephs smith teaching about Nature of God...also very strange teachings. In my mind i considered them to be far extreme in terms of doctrine so in a way i can understand why some folks see them as a cult. Surprisingly, you have added Adventists in your group of cults based on what you stated in your previous response which i found interesting.
Also, what do you think about the Evangelicalism Christian movements who also have different teachings even within itself if you really look deep into it? You have conservative evangelicalism, open evangelicalism, and post evangelicalism. Time will not permit to to address other churches like the Baptist, Lutherans, Calvinists, etc..and how they all have "certain doctrines" that distinguish them.
It is apparent that God's intention was not to have us divided like this in doctrine but it was bound to happen and that is Why Paul wrote to the church of Ephesus (4:14) saying..So we are no longer to be children, tossed back and forth by waves and carried about by every wind of teaching by the trickery of people who craftily carry out their deceitful schemes. Because of the craftiness of man we are bombarded with so many churches/movements all claiming to teach the truth.
Our only hope is to search diligently for ourselves till we are come to "Truth". Unfortunately some of us have been brainwashed already so we study with preconceived ideas. So over the years i have been digging deeper in the Word and trying to understand the views of all churches including my own church. There are things that were clear and things that i put a question mark by (some of these were doctrine in my own church). It was more complex than I thought it will be so i started with a different mindset.
Pilate asked Christ, What is truth? In John 14:6 Jesus says, "I am the way and the truth and the life...So then truth is Christ! So i thought to myself..whatever teachings are not pointing to Christ is not truth. Christ told His disciple to go and preach the gospel to every nation and teach them everything He has commanded them. Paul also mentions doctrine/teaching numerous times in his writings. Doctrine is important in the life of a christian. There are movements now that call them self non-denominational which is fine but what do they mean by non-denominational. Paul spend ample time talking about the necessity of a church with right doctrine.
When I examine other protestant/evangelical churches i really find strange teachings. For example, what is this thing i hear about secret rapture (some people will be taken from us straight to heaven before the second coming), using hell fire doctrine to convert others instead of showing the love of Christ, silence in lifestyle issues (people can eat, drink and smoke whatever they want and God is fine with it). The Bible has been watered down so that we do not offend people. Christ did not die on the cross for us to live anyhow we want. Christ in us- the hope of glory..we are suppose to be growing in Christ daily. It is only a backsliding church the lowers the standard of God's word. Once you raise the standard for people and start quoting scripture like "without holiness, no one will see God" then folks start to say that you are legalistic or a perfectionist.
Now, you also say that the Adventist Church is also teachings things that are not in the Bible. And that was your initial question. So here is what I think about that.
In addition to all the doctrine/teachings this site upholds with the exception of eternal hell fire (i believe in hell fire but not that it will be burning forever and ever) and i don't know where you guys stand on this doctrine about the secrete rapture that absolutely shocks me...Adventist believe in the Ten commandments as the constitution of God (Is this heresy?). Adventists teach that by allowing Jesus Christ in your life you can keep the commandments of God (Is this heresy?) and we do it not to be saved but because of our love for God. Christian should not eat things that God said are abominable in Leviticus cause if the meat was not good for consumption back then why would it be good for us now even though we have the same physiology (Is this heresy because Paul said all food is clean. just pray for over it. what was the context and if so do you think Paul ate every kind of meat). You asked about the mark of the beast (This is connected to the 10 commandments of God which most think is for the Israelite only which i will never believe- nothing is wrong with The Law of GOD..We are the problem not the 10 commandments). The Catholic Church claim that the changing of the Seventh day Sabbath was their act and the act is the MARK of her ecclesiastical power and authority in religious matters." . You can read this from the library collection in "Faith of Our Fathers, p. 14, C.F. Thomas, Chancellor of Cardinal Gibbons. This goes with the prophecy in Daniel 7:25 - He will speak against the Most High and oppress his holy people and try to change the set times and the laws..The devil is seeking to change times and laws by using human agencies. (What laws then is been addressed if the law is done away with). So do you really think that this is so absurd to be considered a heresy..I mean compare this angle with absurdities like the mark of the beast been a barcode, stamp, etc. Which is more sound? Also please let me know what you think it is..perhaps you have a better understanding of it then me.
Also you brought up investigative judgment..In Rev 14:6-7 it says, "Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language and people.He said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come" Notice the tense of the verb describing the judgment. The text clearly says, "The hour of [God's] judgment HAS come!". Some translations declare, "The hour of [God's] judgment is come." In other words, it is here. It has arrived. Jesus speaks of the day of judgment in the future. Paul describes "judgment to come". In the days of both Jesus and Paul the judgment was certainly a future event. Revelation's urgent message for us today is "the hour of [God's] judgment is come." It is here. So what does this mean right now if there is not a judgment going right now in a sense? (Is this also so absurd that it should be considered a heresy). To say that these teaching are are heresy and so the adventists is a cult is quite a stretch my good brother. If you asked me teaching that some people will be taken to heaven before the audible and visible second coming is really stretch but people still hold their heads up and esteem such teachings. Also i found different teachings about tribulations even on here.. This is where you must be careful. As long as a church has scriptures for what they believe that are "sound", i don't know how you can call them a cult. This is what happens when you get second hand information and google things online. For example if you google ellen white you may think that she was the biggest false prophet ever because things are taken out of contest. I have never seen an author esteem Christ and the Bible like her before. At times she say if i state anything contrary to the Bible please go with the Bible. For example read her book "Desire of Ages" and tell me that this was not inspired. She even was a little angry at times because people where putting her on a level that she did not want to be. But of course like the media you will always get excerpts or quotes taken out of context that will lead you to think in a way that is contrary to what the person meant.
Anyways I wrote a lot more than I intended. If you still think i am brainwashed so then so be it. The fact of the matter is that there is not a perfect church..but Adventists are really big on using the word and the Word alone whether you believe it or not which I really like.
What denomination are you?
I will end with this..as i am growing in Christ i am understanding the need to pray more and spend less time in debates cause nobody is willing to admit that what they believe may not be right after all. Personally, when i am not so sure about something i may state that this is the way i understand it but please study for yourselves also and allow the spirit to lead you. we are not to shove our understanding of scripture on other people throats but to direct them to the SOURCE. The only reason i say a lot on here is cause i also understand the importance of right teachings cause Paul always addressed issues concerning doctrine.
Also, God is more worried about what we do in the real world after we type messages on sermonindex. He is worried about how we act in our homes, workplace, etc. Doctrine is important but we must not be like the pharisees. May the Lord help us to pray more and talk less. On that note I may not be spending much time on these discussions any longer. I will go back to only listening to the sermons like i use to cause I don't know if this is really helping. Just like you are praying for me i am also praying for you to search all of scripture with a genuine heart that we may rightly divide the word of truth.
Also remember the words Jesus told his disciples in Mark 9:40- whoever is not against us is for us. But since you think i am part of a cult i guess you see me differently..
Much love brother
Kwamenat
PS: i couldn't go deep into all of your question cause it will just be too much but i offered a text to at least show you the angle we are coming from.
