What is Sabbath like for a Seventh Day Adventist?

[spedteacherita]

The SDA churches ar e very zealous in sharing the gospel with neighbors in the community. They have some very active ministries within the US and abroad. I use a Roku to get channels on my TV. and have noticed lately thst they have about 5 different channels which they use t poo share the gospel with those outside of there denomina tion
Of course, they focus on those potential converts and sharing their “truths.” It seems as if the Catholics, SDA’s and the Mormons each have use the technology of radio, television anf computer in order to reach those without a local place to worship. I’ve asked some LC- MS ministries I f we had something comparable and I was unable to find anything that has or will be developed.

 

[QuestLove]

Because many people are joining them, or because they are small?

If a congregation of 100 gets ten new members, it increases by 10%. If a congregation of 5000 gets 250 new members, it increases by 5%. It is important in these kind of statistics to know that percentage wise growth doesn’t necessarily tell us much.

They are small, so the growth looks more impressive but this doesn’t necessarily mean that a lot of people are joining them. The raw numbers for other christian groups such as RCC, Methodists, Baptists etc. are indeed much higher than SDA (even though the statistics show that these traditional churches are facing declining numbers).

The SDA are also expanding by building hospitals, schools and colleges, which is opening up the church to a set of new converts. So at least in this aspect the number of congregants are growing as well.

Now I made the qualification that this growth is happening in the Caribbean and Latin america. I do not know anything about the growth of the SDA church in North America, Europe etc.

 

[KjetilK]

They are small, so the growth looks more impressive but this doesn’t necessarily mean that a lot of people are joining them. The raw numbers for other christian groups such as RCC, Methodists, Baptists etc. are indeed much higher than SDA (even though the statistics show that these traditional churches are facing declining numbers).

Yes, which was my point, exactly.

 

[dreamfleur]

Thank you that information was informative and answered a little of what I needed to know.

Were there any rituals or traditions to 'bring in" the Sabbath. Such as the Jewish people light a candle 18 minutes before and have a meal?

Also, it is not easy to talk to a SDA all they want to do is convert.

I am a former adventist converting to the Catholic faith so I will answer this question. I am answering based only on what I grew up with and what I observed in the Adventists around me (although different parts of the country are more/less conservative).

Friday sundown typically consists of a “vespers” (some churches hold these services but others do it at home). My family typically gathered and started with prayer, singing hymns, reciting memory verses/ or a devotional reading, and welcoming the Sabbath by finishing with prayer and saying “Happy Sabbath” to eachother. Then the Sabbath would “begin”. You were expected to then listen to Christian music/ classical music but nothing secular and kids could watch “christian” videos. Bible study and the Sabbath school lesson is also prepared/studied for the next day at church.

The sundown on Sabbath followed this same exact format ending with “Happy Week”.

Sda really try to make the Sabbath “feel” different from the other days of the week. Typically most churches have fellowship potlucks after the service and many people stay at church all day because sometimes special programs are included in the afternoon.
They emphasize community and most will ask if you are a visitor and focus on helping you to feel “at home” by introducing you to others.

Hope this helps.

 

[daddyd]

I recently found out my cousin became a SDA and a friend of my boyfriend became one.

I don’t want to attend a church service and/or hang out with his friend for the entire Sabbath, because I don’t want to join and I don’t need people thinking I do.

I guess my question is from Sundown Friday to Sundown Sunday what is a SDA Sabbath like? Does it have any hint of Judaism? Such as a meal with prayers? Or is is more " we don’t spend money today".

Do they prepare for the Sabbath like the Jewish people I know? Such as chabad.org/media/pdf/33/pcvH330992.pdf

How do they define “work” and not working.

What is a church service like? Do you have to be invited or can you just go?

Honestly, any videos on youtube videos, links or personal experiences would be great.

I think their website is a bit wordy and confusing.

I honestly don’t know much about them except they seem to really hate Catholics because we worship idols and took away the Sabbath (her words not mine)

Any help would be great

Exodus 20
8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:

10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:

11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and
rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

This is what it is like. By the way it’s sundown Friday to sundown Saturday. The Sabbath is Saturday. Luke23:52-24:1 Also it is not an SDA Sabbath or a Jewish Sabbath. It is the Lord’s Sabbath and it is a sign that those who keep it are His chosen people.
Ezekial20
12 Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify them.
20 And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the Lord your God.

 

[bogiemunster]

Sabbath for an SDA is wonderful; it’s a time carved out of the week where the common tasks of the week are laid aside and we try to engage in activities that direct our thoughts and hearts to our relationship with the creator. I’ve read some of the posts here and it is very sad to see the hatred and ignorance. I had really hoped to find something to give me some kind of idea why my father would want to become a part of the CC. And as for the examples I’ve seen here, VERY DISTURBING.

 

[LPS]

For 3 years I lived next door to a family who was SDA. We became close friends and I learned SO MUCH from them about how we all ought to observe a day of rest joyfully and for the LORD.

As others have said, they observed from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday. During the day Friday my friend cooked all kinds of foods to share the next day; they often had potlucks or gatherings at their church and in each others’ homes. If we went to a movie on Saturday night or out to eat, we planned it for after sundown when Sabbath had ended because she didn’t “shop” or spend money during Sabbath.

They also followed certain dietary restrictions - no shellfish or pork among others.

Though I disagree with many of their teachings I loved the example they set. Sabbath was meant to be a gift to us, not something to dread or simply “endure.” I now make a sincere effort to set aside one day a week to be truly restful. I don’t really care which day it is and I try not to be legalistic about it, but I’ve come to treasure that day and really look forward to it.

 

[bogiemunster]

And one other thing; SDA’s don’t “hate” Catholics. You can not change history because you don’t like it. Every catholic as well as any other Christian should get familiar with the history of the church. SDA’s (every single one I engage with) want to see people converted and a part of God’s family. If you want to know what SDA’s believe you should stay off the sda hate websites. They’re no better than the sites that are for hating catholics, jews, mormons or any other such groups. bogiemunster@aol.com and I will tell you what I believe according to the Scriptures. BTW I have two Catholic Catechisms one is a pocket sized book put out by TAN Books and Publishers which is a Catholic book publishing company. Get it and read page 50 in particular. Then read the Catholic Encyclopedia’s entry on the ten Commandments, “The Church, on the other hand, after changing the day of rest from the Jewish Sabbath, or seventh day of the week, to the first, made the Third Commandment refer to Sunday as the day to be kept holy as the Lord’s Day. The Council of Trent (Sess. VI, can. xix) condemns those who deny that the Ten Commandments are binding on Christians.” This is why catholics accuse SDA’s of “hating” catholics. SDA’s have a bit of a hard time swallowing a church’s assumed authority of changing something God has commanded. But again, the information is at hand for anyone to read. You have my email and if you send a sincere and legitemate question I will be glad to respond.