INTRODUCTION

The Seventh-day Adventists (SDA) is one of the most considered for devoted religious groups all

over the world. It emphasize the two key doctrines about prophecy (the Second Coming of

Christ) and Sabbath observance (keeping Saturday holy). Their beliefs were rooted from the two

individuals namely William Miller and Ellen G. White.

The book entitled witnessing of the cult - a practical study course for Christian workers by

Alex Wilson and Christine Tetley, highlights the exposition of Satan's deception that currently

presented in our world today. Within this study, the author signify particularly the teachings and

doctrines of the Seventh day Adventist as one of the most controversial issues regarding the

context of the belief of Christianity.

BODY

The number of world's religions increase every year. Sadly, many of these are false Christian

religious groups. The book entitled witnessing of the cult - a practical study course for Christian

workers by Alex Wilson and Christine Tetley, examined with deep understanding about the

Teachings and doctrines of the Seventh-day Adventists (SDA) as closer to Biblical Christianity

than other groups often labeled as cults. However, opinions vary on whether they should be

considered Evangelicals. Some believe they teach faith plus works for salvation that makes them

legalistic, while others accept them as part of the body of Christ. The Seventh-day Adventists

hold several distinctive beliefs in their teachings, including the importance of the Sabbath

(Genesis 2:2-3; Exodus 20:8-11), the Second Coming of Christ (Revelation 14:14-20), and the

investigative judgment (Daniel 7:9-27; 8:14; Hebrews 8:1-2).

Judgment that Christ ascended to heaven and began interceding for believers. The SDA, believes

that In 1844, He entered the heavenly sanctuary to begin the Investigative Judgment—reviewing

believers' lives to determine their eternal destiny. Only those found in harmony with God's law

will be granted eternal life. This judgment is still ongoing. SDA also teach that after the

judgment about Second Coming of Christ as the central to SDA doctrine. They believe that Jesus

Christ will return to Earth soon to establish God's Kingdom and judge the living and the dead.

This belief strongly influences their evangelism and lifestyle. They believe Christ will return and

the earth will be desolate for 1,000 years. Satan will bear the sins of humanity like the scapegoat

in Leviticus 16, however they deny as he plays a role in atonement. As the Great Controversy,

they believe in a cosmic conflict between God and Satan, often referred in which humanity

plays a part in the unfolding drama between good and evil. For them, the wicked will ultimately

be annihilated after judgment. Also, The SDA Church advocates for a holistic approach to

health, emphasizing a vegetarian diet, abstinence from alcohol, tobacco, and other harmful

substances, for they follow Old Testament food laws such avoiding to eat pork any fishes that

has scales or seafoods based on the Old Testament's "clean and unclean" laws, particularly those

found in Genesis 7:1-2, Leviticus 11:7, 9-12 and Deuteronomy 14, and 2 Timothy 3:16 reiterates

the dietary laws, reinforcing the prohibition of certain foods. Which designate certain animals

and fish as unfit for consumption. They interpret these verses as a continuing mandate from God,

viewing them as part of a broader pattern of living in accordance with God's will.

The SDA Church emphasizes the observance of the Sabbath on Saturday (the seventh day of

the week) as a day of rest and worship, which sets them apart from most other Christian

denominations that observe Sunday as the Lord's Day and gathering to worship God along with
other believers. They rooted it as Law of God in Ten Commandments especially keep the

Sabbath and making it holy (Saturday worship).

SDA teach that during the Great Tribulation, worshiping on Sunday will be the Mark of the

Beast, and those who do so cannot be saved as they interpret the "mark of the beast" in

Revelation 13 as a symbolic representation of allegiance to a false system of worship,

specifically, the enforcement of Sunday observance, which they believe that it is a man-made

day of worship in contrast to the Sabbath, a commandment of God.

Furthermore, SDA teach salvation by grace through faith alone. Ellen G. White, however,

wrote that salvation depends on obedience to the law, leading to confusion about whether they

truly believe in salvation by grace alone or not. They also regard her writings as "inspired

counsel," but claim they do not equate them with Scripture and they raises concerns about extra-

biblical authority. Thus, they accept the Bible as the inspired Word of God.

Moreover, they believe in the Trinity, Christ’s deity, His atonement on the cross, and His

resurrection. They agree with Evangelicals on many core Christian doctrines (God’s triune

nature, Christ’s deity, His atonement, resurrection, and the need for regeneration). However,

they teach that Christ took on Adam’s sinful nature, though He never sinned.

They also teach about Soul-Sleep & Annihilation that The dead are unconscious until the

resurrection. The wicked will not suffer eternal torment in hell but will be completely destroyed

after judgment.

STAND / CRITIQUE

The book entitled "Witnessing to the Cults" by Alex Wilson and Christine Tetley inspires the

readers and true believers to read God's word daily to cultivate the real context and truths that
God is able to reveal in every religious sect. The author advocates for an extensive awareness of

the scripture's rich capacity through Christian Faith. This book provides a critical evaluation of

various religious groups that are considered by some to be cults, including the Seventh-day

Adventist (SDA) Church particularly the SDA teachings, as this book presentd with different

aspects. The emphasis of the author about the Seventh-Day Adventist's teachings regarding the

Sabbath as the true day of worship, the viewpoint of the end time as investigate judgment, thier

Christian beliefs such as its understanding of hell (often viewed as annihilationism rather than

eternal torment), and prophesying the specific day of coming of JESUS Christ, their emphasis

about places on lifestyle choices and behavior, their evangelistic approach and being grounded

to the teachings of Elen G. White are fully argued within this book that makes the researcher's

agreed the idea of the authors as they press this religious sect as cult. As a reader, I found it

excellent that the author strived to capture Christ Believers' interest to deal with the

accountability and awareness of the cults scattered in different places today. Because the

teachings of the SDA's insistence are interpreted from the Bible with the wrong context. Since,

they considered it as a salvific requirements which could obscure the message of salvation by

grace through faith alone in Christ Jesus alone. I loved the way the authors' created tension in

this object; I am looking for more to read the entire book’s other edition knowing that every

word that authors said increased the Christians' confidence in their ability to deal with different

people from this sect and helping them to find the solution wisely for the awareness of true belief

in One True God - The God the Father who created everything, through the teachings of Jesus

Christ the source of our salvation and the only way to eternal life, and through the conviction and

guidance of the Holy Spirit .

Therefore Witnessing to the Cults likely to give grasp the Seventh-day Adventist Church

teachings for its theological distinctives, particularly its views on salvation, prophecy, and its

unique practices, which deviate from traditional Christian doctrine. The book emphasizes the

potential dangers of placing too much reliance on Ellen G. White’s writings, the doctrinal

divergence from mainstream Christianity, and the focus on works as part of salvation. However,

these idea must be balanced by recognizing that SDA theology has its own perspective and stand

of belief by embracing their teachings. Unlike any other religious system, contains elements that

its adherents find meaningful and scripturally rooted. Thus, as Christians believers who truly

follow the steps of Jesus Christ, this could be our gateway to cultivate more in God's word and

by having an intimate relationship with God and not neglecting our devotion with Him through

prayers. So that we cannot be ensnare the works of the enemy by introducing us the wrong

teachings that leads us to the misconception of the truthfulness of God in our lives and guide us

to the distortion of the gospel.

RECOMMENDATIONS

In "Witnessing to the Cults," authors Tetley and Wilson address various cultic groups, including

the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) church. Their examination of the SDA teachings typically

critiques key theological issues where they differ from mainstream Christian doctrine. If you

want to find more ideas and aims to grasp the details of the the other cultic religions particularly

the SDA history, doctrines, teachings, refutation and their way of worship, this book is a good

place to start. Some of the primary arguments Tetley and Wilson make regarding Seventh-day

Adventism is their teachings and doctrines. They suggest that while the SDA church may have a
strong focus on biblical principles, its deviation from mainstream Christian teachings in these

key areas warrants caution when engaging with their theology without the central authority of

their focus on the teachings and prophesy of Ellen G. White by holding grasps on the Millerite's

movement.