What are the differences between the five main Christian Sabbath keeping groups?
These main groups consist of the The Churches of God, Seventh-day Adventist, Church of God (Seventh Day), Seventh Day
Baptist, and Messianic Judaism.
The Churches of God believe in the following:
(Off shoots of
the old Worldwide Church of God include but not limited to, United Church of God,
Philadelphia Church of God, Restored Church of God, Living Church of God and
many others.)
Herbert Armstrong was a founder of the The Worldwide Church of God, later
splintering into the many Churches of God off shoots, and is regarded by them as a
true prophet whose writings are considered on the same level as the Bible.
That the seventh-day Sabbath is to be observed on Saturday.
That the whole Bible, Old and New Testaments, is the Word
of God.
That salvation is by the grace of God through faith in
Jesus Christ.
That all of the Ten Commandments are standards for God's
people today.
That Jesus Christ will soon return physically to the
earth.
There is no consciousness for humans between death and
resurrection.
That the wicked will finally be annihilated, not suffer
eternal torment in hell.
That most old testament laws are still to be observed (Holy Days, food
laws, etc).
That the celebrations of Christmas and Easter are seen
as a compromise with pagan customs and should not be practiced.
Denominational and church held beliefs are based upon the writings of Herbert
Armstrong.
Exact tenets vary from congregation to congregation.
Worship style tends to be very controlled, subdued, and
uncomfortable, lasting around 2 hours. Meeting locations tend to be in
unholy locations that require paying someone to work on sabbath, they do not
own church buildings.
The Seventh-day Adventist Churches believe in the following:
Mrs. White was a founder of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and is regarded by it as a
true prophetess whose writings are considered on the same level as the Bible.
That the seventh-day Sabbath is to be observed on Saturday.
That the whole Bible, Old and New Testaments, is the Word
of God.
That salvation is by the grace of God through faith in
Jesus Christ.
That all of the Ten Commandments are standards for God's
people today.
That Jesus Christ will soon return, but, will not physically touch the
earth.
There is no consciousness for humans between death and
resurrection.
That the wicked will finally be annihilated, not suffer
eternal torment in hell.
That laws other than the Ten Commandments have been nailed to the cross
and no longer are required, but still observe the food laws.
That it is ok to observe Christmas.
Worship style tends to be comfortable and based after the
traditional style that most people are familiar with, lasting around 1 hour.
They own their own church buildings.
The Church of God Seventh Day, and the Seventh-day Adventist Church began in the mid-1800's as outgrowths
of the William Miller Adventist movement.
The Church of God (Seventh Day) believe in the following:
That the seventh-day Sabbath is to be observed on Saturday.
That the whole Bible, Old and New Testaments, is the Word
of God.
That salvation is by the grace of God through faith in
Jesus Christ.
That all of the Ten Commandments are standards for God's
people today.
That Jesus Christ will soon return physically to the
earth.
There is no consciousness for humans between death and
resurrection.
That the wicked will finally be annihilated, not suffer
eternal torment in hell.
That laws other than the Ten Commandments have been nailed to the cross
and no longer are required.
That the celebrations of Christmas and Easter are seen
as a compromise with pagan customs and should not be practiced.
Exact tenets vary from congregation to congregation.
Worship style tends to be comfortable and based after the
traditional style that most people are familiar with, lasting around 1 hour.
Some own their own church buildings, while others rent space.
The Seventh Day Baptists believe in the following:
That the seventh-day Sabbath is to be observed on Saturday.
That the whole Bible, Old and New Testaments, is the Word
of God.
That salvation is by the grace of God through faith in
Jesus Christ.
That all of the Ten Commandments are standards for God's
people today.
That Jesus Christ will soon return physically to the
earth.
That laws other than the Ten Commandments have been nailed to the cross
and no longer are required.
That it is ok to observe Christmas.
Does not have denominational or even church held beliefs in the state of
the dead or eschatology or eating meat, leaving specific beliefs like that
to the individuals. Exact tenets vary from congregation to congregation.
Worship style tends to be comfortable and based after the
traditional style that most people are familiar with, lasting around 1 hour.
They own their own church buildings.
Messianic Judaism believe in the following: (A Messianic Jew is a person who was either born Jewish, or converted to
Judaism, and who acknowledges his Jewishness.)
That the seventh-day Sabbath is to be observed on Saturday.
That the whole Bible, Old and New Testaments, is the Word
of God.
That salvation is by the grace of God through faith in
Jesus Christ.
That all of the Ten Commandments are standards for God's
people today.
That Jesus Christ will soon return physically to the
earth.
There is no consciousness for humans between death and
resurrection.
That the wicked will finally be annihilated, not suffer
eternal torment in hell.
That most old testament laws are still to be observed (Holy Days, food
laws, etc).
That the celebrations of Christmas and Easter are seen
as a compromise with pagan customs and should not be practiced.
The New Testament is considered to be divinely inspired, but not
universally so.
Main focus is on teaching and the keeping of accepted Jewish roots/traditions
(man made).
Exact tenets vary from congregation to congregation.
Worship style tends to be comfortable and up beat. The length of
the service varies from group to group. Some own their own church buildings,
while others rent space.
The Church of God (Seventh Day) and the Seventh Day Baptists
consider both Mrs. White and Herbert Armstrong as it
would any other writer since their
“truth” is mixed with error.
This is the
fundamental difference between the churches.
Websites:
Churches of God (a sampling of some of the many
out their)
