Thesis
Application
Events
About us
home page forums

Baptismal Vows

In earlier times, there was a thorough investigation of the candidates for baptism in front of the congregation of the church, so that it might be ascertained whether or not they were ready for baptism and the heavy responsibility of church membership. In an age where most Christians have forgotten the great truths of the gospel, it has become increasingly important that the candidates affirm the great central themes of Adventism, as well as the lifestyles that the Bible outlines. An alarming situation now exists, in which the baptismal vows have been so eroded that many of the great truths have been lost.

A very cursory look at the baptismal vows that have been listed in the Church Manual for many years shows a diminution and down-playing of some of the key commitments that Adventists of former generations declared. With the tremendous pressure presently upon pastors to gain members in the church, there is a concomitant risk that such pastors, in their endeavor to meet the expectations of church leaders, and perhaps their own ambition, will find it very easy to baptize people who have only a cursory knowledge of the great Advent Message.

1932 Baptismal Vows 2000 Baptismal Vows Comments
1. Do you believe in the existence of God as a personal being, who is our heavenly Father? 1. Do you believe there is one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a unity of three coeternal Persons? 27 Fundamental Beliefs uses the term "the Trinity". Ellen White avoided this phrase, using instead the term "the Godhead," no doubt recognizing that the concept of the Trinity as presented in the mysteries of Catholicism is not consistent with Seventh-day Adventism.
2. Do you believe in the Lord Jesus as the eternal Son of God, as the Saviour and Redeemer of mankind? Have you fully accepted Him as your personal Saviour, and the salvation He offers through grace? 2. Do you accept the death of Jesus Christ on Calvary as the atoning sacrifice for your sins and believe that by God's grace through faith in His shed blood you are saved from sin and its penalty?  
3. Do you believe in the Holy Spirit and in His work in leading to repentance and obedience to all God's requirements?   The concepts of "repentance" and "obedience" are not present in the newer vows.
4. Do you accept the Bible as the inspired word of God, and will you study faithfully its teachings and by the grace of God practice them in your life? 5. Do you believe that the Bible is God's inspired Word, the only rule of faith and practice for the Christian? Do you covenant to spend time regularly in prayer and Bible study?  
5. Do you believe in conversion as an experience spoken of by Christ as the new birth?    
6. Have you confessed your sins to God, as far as they have been made known to you; and have you on your part, as far as in you lies, tried to make wrongs right with your fellow men?   The concepts of "confession" and "restitution" are not present in the newer vows.
7. Do you claim by faith in Christ that God for Christ's sake has forgiven your past sins, and that He is yours and you are His? 3. Do you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal Saviour believing that God, in Christ, has forgiven your sins and given you a new heart, and do you renounce the sinful ways of the world?  
8. So far as you have studied and investigated the doctrines as taught by the Seventh-day Adventist denomination, do you believe in and accept them? 11. Do you know and understand the fundamental Bible principles as taught by the Seventh-day Adventist Church? Do you purpose, by the grace of God, to fulfill His will by ordering your life in harmony with these principles?  

9. Do you believe in the second coming of Jesus, which is taught in the Scriptures as the blessed hope, and that this event is soon to take place, and that you should prepare for His coming by being purified from sin and evil?

7. Do you look forward to the soon coming of Jesus and the blessed hope when "this mortal shall . . . put on immortality"? As your prepare to meet the Lord, will you witness to His loving salvation by using your talents in personal soul-winning endeavor to help others to be ready for His glorious appearing? The concept of "being purified from sin and evil" (i.e., sanctification) before the second coming of Jesus is not present in the newer vows.
10. Recognizing obedience as the fruit of faithful love, do you believe that all ten of the commandments as spoken by the Lord are still binding, and by God's grace will you keep those commandments, the fourth with the rest, observing as sacred the seventh-day Sabbath from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday? 6. Do you accept the Ten Commandments as a transcript of the character of God and a revelation of His will? Is it your purpose by the power of the indwelling Christ to keep this law, including the fourth commandment, which requires the observance of the seventh day of the week as the Sabbath of the Lord and the memorial of Creation? Newer vows do not specify Sabbath from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday.
11. Do you recognize the fact that God claims one-tenth of all our substance as His for the support of His work in advancing the gospel of Christ; and will you faithfully render to Him His own tithe and offerings in the support of the worldwide work of the church? 9. Do you believe in church organization? Is it your purpose to worship God and to support the church through your tithes and offerings and by your personal effort and influence? Newer vows does not specify one-tenth as tithe.
12. Do you believe that man by nature is mortal, and that immortality and eternal life come only through the gospel and are bestowed as the free gift of God through Christ at His second coming?    
13. Do you believe that we are living in the time of the investigative judgment, which began in 1844, and that Christ, as our High Priest, is closing His ministry in the most holy apartment of the heavenly sanctuary in preparation for His coming? 4. Do you accept by faith the righteousness of Christ, your Intercessor in the heavenly sanctuary, and accept His promise of transforming grace and power to live a loving, Christ-centered life in your home and before the world? The investigative judgment, which began in 1844, not specified in newer vows.
14. Do you believe that the closing gospel message is now going to the world and will be finished in this generation; and will you use your means, as God impresses you, your time, and your talents, that others may be blessed with the light of truth that has brought blessing and light to you?    
15. Will you seek to build up the interests of the church by attendance at its meetings and ordinances, and by adding your influence to extend its work while the church, on their part, exercise their watchcare over you?   Church attendance not a requirement in newer vows.
16. Do you understand the principles of Christian temperance as taught by the Seventh-day Adventists, and will you carry out those principles in your life, abstaining from the use of intoxicating liquors, tobacco in all its forms, swine's flesh, and all other unclean foods and habit-forming drugs? [1946 Baptismal Vows adds abstaining from narcotics, tea, coffee, and other harmful things] 10 Do you believe that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit; and will you honor God by caring for it, avoiding the use of that which is harmful; abstaining from all unclean foods; from the use, manufacture, or sale of alcoholic beverages; the use, manufacture, or sale of tobacco in any of its forms for human consumption; and from the misuse of or trafficking in narcotics or other drugs? Newer vows do not mention tea and coffee. Swine's flesh is presumed to be included in all unclean foods.
17. In matters of dress will you follow the Bible rule of plainness and simplicity, abstaining from the wearing of gold as ornaments and costly array, observing the principles of modesty and Christian dignity?   No mention of plain dress and abstaining from wearing of gold as ornaments and costly attire.
18. Do you believe the Bible doctrine of "spiritual gifts" in the church, and do you believe in the gift of the Spirit of prophecy which has been manifested in the remnant church through the ministry and writings of Mrs. E. G. White? 8. Do you accept the biblical teaching of spiritual gifts and believe that the gift of prophecy is one of the identifying marks of the remnant church? Ellen G. White is not mentioned in newer vows.
19. Do you believe in baptism by immersion, and is it your desire, by going forward in this ordinance, to manifest your faith in the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ? 12. Do you accept the New Testament teaching of baptism by immersion and desire to be so baptized as a public expression of faith in Christ and His forgiveness of your sins?  
20. Do you, by going forward in baptism, thus declare that from henceforth you will have no part in such soul-destroying amusements as card playing, theater going, dancing, and all other entertainments and amusements which tend to deaden and destroy the spiritual life and perceptions?   No mention of card playing, theater going, dancing, and other entertainments.
21. Will you submit to the decisions of the body of the church in matters of church discipline? 13. Do you accept and believe that the Seventh-day Adventist Church is the remnant church of Bible prophecy and that people of every nation, race, and language are invited and accepted into its fellowship? Do you desire to be a member of this local congregation of the world church?

Note the difference in perspective on church authority. One has local focus, the other world-wide.

 

Portions of the above were excerpted from Organizational Structure and Apostasy, by Colin and Russell Standish, pages 94-100.