1.Holy scriptures

The Holy Scriptures – the Old and New Testaments – are the written Word of God, given by divine inspiration. The inspired authors spoke and wrote under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. In this Word, God has entrusted to humanity the knowledge necessary for salvation. The Holy Scriptures are the supreme, authoritative, and infallible revelation of His will. They are the norm of character, the criterion of experience, the irrevocable revealer of doctrines, and the trustworthy record of God’s interventions in history. (Psalm 119:105; Proverbs 30:5-6; Isaiah 8:20; John 17:17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Peter 1:20-21).

2. The Trinity

There is one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a unity of three co-eternal persons. God is immortal, omnipresent, omniscient, sovereign, and ever-present. He is infinite and beyond human comprehension, yet He can be known through the revelation He gives of Himself. He is always worthy of invocation, worship, and service by the whole creation. (Genesis 1:26; Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 6:8; Matthew 28:19; John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22; 13:14; Ephesians 4:4-6; 1 Peter 1:2).

3. The Father

God the eternal Father is the Creator, Source, Sustainer, and Sovereign of all creation. He is just and holy, merciful and compassionate, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. The virtues and powers manifested by the Son and the Holy Spirit are also revelations of the Father. (Genesis 1:1; Deuteronomy 4:35; Psalm 110:1,4; John 3:16; 14:9; 1 Corinthians 15:28; 1 Timothy 1:17; 1 John 4:8; Revelation 4:11).

4. The Son

Eternal God, the Son, became incarnate in Jesus Christ. Through him all things were created, the character of God was revealed, the salvation of humanity was accomplished, and the world is judged. Eternally and truly God, he also became truly human, Jesus the Christ. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He lived and was tempted as a man, yet he gave a perfect example of God’s justice and love. His miracles demonstrated the power of God and confirmed him as the promised Messiah. He suffered and died willingly on the cross for our sins and in our place, he rose from the dead and ascended to minister in our behalf in the heavenly sanctuary. He will return in glory to finally deliver his people and restore all things. (Isaiah 53:4-6; Daniel 9:25-27; Luke 1:35; John 1:1-3,14; 5:22; 10:30; 14:1-3,9,13; Romans 6:23; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 5:17-19; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:15-19; Hebrews 2:9-18; 8:1,2)

5.The Holy Spirit

God, the eternal Spirit, has participated, along with the Father and the Son, in the creation, incarnation, and redemption. He is a person just as much as the Father and the Son. He inspired the writers of the Bible. He empowered the life of Christ. He attracts and persuades human beings; those who respond favorably, He regenerates and transforms them into the image of God. Sent by the Father and the Son to be always with believers, He dispenses His spiritual gifts to the Church, gives her the necessary power to bear witness to Christ and, in harmony with the Scriptures, leads her into all truth. (Genesis 1:1-2; 2 Samuel 23:2; Psalm 51:11; Isaiah 61:1; Luke 1:35; 4:18; John 14:16-18,26; 15:26; 16:7-13; Acts 1:8; 5:3; 10:38; Romans 5:5; 1 Corinthians 12:7-11; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 2 Peter 1:21).

6. The Creation

7. The nature of man

Man and woman were created in the image of God and endowed with individuality, that is, the power and freedom to think and act. Although created free, each of them, made up of an indivisible unity of body, soul, and spirit, was dependent on God for life, breath, and everything else. When our first parents disobeyed God, they refused to depend on Him and were thus stripped of their exalted position. The divine image was marred in them, and they became mortal. Their descendants share in this fallen nature and bear its consequences. They are born with weaknesses and tendencies to sin. But God, in Christ, reconciled the world to Himself, and by His Spirit, restores in repentant mortals the image of the One who made them. Created for the glory of God, they are called to love Him, to love one another, and to care for their environment. (Gen 1:26-28; 2:7,15; 3; Ps 8:4-8; 51:5,10; 58:3; Jer 17:9; Acts 17:24-28; Rom 5:12-17; 2 Cor 5:19,20; Eph 2:3; 1 Thess 5:23; 1 John 3:4; 4:7,8,11,20).

8. The great controversy

The entirety of humanity is currently involved in a vast conflict between Christ and Satan regarding the character of God, His law, and His sovereignty over the universe. This conflict began in heaven when a created being with the freedom to choose, by exalting himself, became Satan, the enemy of God, and led a rebellion with some of the angels. He introduced a spirit of rebellion into this world when he tempted Adam and Eve to sin. This human sin resulted in the alteration of the image of God in humanity, the disruption of the created world, and its destruction in the planetary flood, as shown in the historical account of Genesis 1-11. In the context of all creation, this world has become the stage of the universal conflict in which the God of love will ultimately be vindicated. To aid His people in this conflict, Christ sends the Holy Spirit and faithful angels to guide, protect, and support them on the path of salvation. (Gen 3; 6; 7; 8; Job 1:6-12; Isa 14:12-14; Ezek 28:12-18; Rom 1:19-32; 3:4; 5:12-21; 8:19-22; 1 Cor 4:9; Heb 1:14; 1 Pet 5:8; 2 Pet 3:6; Rev 12:4-9).

9. The life, death, and resurrection of Christ.

The life of Christ, perfectly submitted to the divine will, His sufferings, death, and resurrection are the necessary means that God has provided to free humanity from sin, so that all those who accept this redemption by faith may obtain eternal life. Consequently, the entire creation can better understand the holy and infinite love of the Creator. This perfect reconciliation proves the justice of God’s law and the nobility of His character, for it condemns our sin while providing for our forgiveness. The death of Christ has a substitutive and redeeming value; it is able to reconcile and transform. His physical resurrection proclaims the triumph of God over the forces of evil, and to those who accept reconciliation, it ensures the final victory over sin and death. It attests to the lordship of Jesus Christ, before whom every knee will bow in heaven and on earth. (Gen 3:15; Ps 22:1; Isa 53; John 3:16; 14:30; Rom 1:4; 3:25; 4:25; 8:3-4; 1 Cor 15:3-4,20-22; 2 Cor 5:14-15,19-21; Phil 2:6-11; Col 2:15; 1 Pet 2:21-22; 1 John 2:2; 4:10).

10. The experience of salvation

Jesus did not know sin. Yet, in His infinite love, God made Him sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. Under the influence of the Holy Spirit, we become aware of our need, recognize our condition as sinners, repent of our transgressions, and express our faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior, as substitute and as an example. This faith by which we receive salvation comes from the divine power of the Word; it is a gift of the grace of God. Through Christ, we are justified, adopted as sons and daughters of God, and delivered from the dominion of sin. Through the Spirit, we are born again and sanctified; the Spirit regenerates our spirit, engraves the law of love in our hearts, and we receive the power needed to live a holy life. By remaining in Him, we become partakers of the divine nature, we have the assurance of salvation, now and on the day of judgment. (Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 45:22; 53; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 33:11; 36:25-27; Habakkuk 2:4; Mark 9:23,24; John 3:3-8,16; 16:8; Romans 3:21-26; 8:1-4,14-17; 5:6-10; 10:17; 12:2; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Galatians 1:4; 3:13,14,26; 4:4-7; Ephesians 2:4-10; Colossians 1:13,14; Titus 3:3-7; Hebrews 8:7-12; 1 Peter 1:23; 2:21,22; 2 Peter 1:3,4; Revelation 13:8).

11. Growing in Christ

Through his death on the cross, Jesus triumphed over the forces of evil. He who subdued demonic spirits during his earthly ministry broke their power and ensured their ultimate destruction. Jesus’ victory makes us victorious over the forces of evil that seek to dominate us as we walk with him in peace, joy, and assurance of his love. The Holy Spirit now dwells within us and makes us stronger. As we remain in constant engagement with Jesus, our Savior and Lord, we are freed from the burden of our past actions. We no longer live in darkness, fear of evil powers, ignorance, and vanity of our former way of life. In this new freedom in Jesus, we are called to grow in the likeness of his character as we commune with him every day through prayer, feeding on his word, meditating on it and divine providence, singing his praises, gathering to worship him, and participating in the mission of the Church. We are also called to follow Christ’s example by compassionately striving to meet the physical, mental, social, emotional, and spiritual needs of humanity. As we give ourselves in loving service to those around us and bear witness to his salvation, his constant presence with us through the Spirit transforms every moment and task into a spiritual experience. (1 Chron 29:11, Ps 1:1-2, 23:4, 77:11-12, Mt 20:25-28, 25:31-46, Lk 10:17-20, Jn 20:21, Rom 8:38-39, 2 Cor 3:17-18, Gal 5:22-25, Eph 5:19-20, 6:12-18, Phil 3:7-14, Col 1:13-14, 2:6, 14-15, 1 Thess 5:16-18, 23, Heb 10:25, James 1:27, 2 Pet 2:9, 3:18, 1 Jn 4:4).

12. The Church

The Church is the community of believers who confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. In continuity with the people God raised up in the Old Testament, we are called among the inhabitants of the world, and we gather to worship, fellowship, be instructed in the Word of God, celebrate the Holy Communion, assist humanity, and proclaim the Gospel to the whole world. The Church derives its authority from Christ, the incarnate Word revealed in the Scriptures. The Church is the family of God; adopted by the Lord as His children, its members live according to the provisions of the new covenant. The Church is the body of Christ, a community of faith of which He Himself is the head. The Church is the bride for whom Christ died in order to sanctify and cleanse her. At His triumphant return, He will present her to Himself as a glorious Church, faithful through the ages, redeemed by His blood, without spot, or wrinkle, but holy and blameless. (Gen 12:3; Exo 19:3-7; Mat 16:13-20; 18:18; 28:19-20; Act 2:38-42; 7:38; 1 Cor 1:2; Eph 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 3:8-11; 5:23-27; Col 1:17-18; 1 Pet 2:9).

13. The Church of the Remnant and its mandate.

The Universal Church encompasses all those who truly believe in Christ. However, in the last days, in a time of widespread apostasy, a remnant has been raised up to keep the commandments of God and the faith in Jesus. This remnant proclaims that the hour of judgment has come, preaches salvation through Christ, and announces the nearness of his second coming. This proclamation is symbolized by the three angels of Revelation 14; it coincides with the work of judgment in heaven and is translated into a work of repentance and reformation on earth. Every believer is called to personally participate in this worldwide testimony. (Dan 7:9-14; Isa 1:9; 11:11; Jer 23:3; Mic 2:12; 2 Cor 5:10; 1 Pet 1:16,19; 4:17; 2 Pet 3:10-14; Jude 3,14; Rev 12:17; 14:6-12; 18:1-4)

14. The unity of the body of Christ

The Church is a body composed of many members, from every nation, tribe, language, and people. In Christ, we are a new creation; distinctions of race, culture, education, nationality, social status, or gender should not be a cause of division among us. We are all equal in Christ who, through His Spirit, has united us in a common brotherhood with Him and with one another; therefore, we should serve and be served without prejudice or ulterior motive. Through the revelation of Jesus Christ in the Scriptures, we share the same faith and hope in order to give a unanimous witness to all people. This unity finds its source in the unity of the Trinitarian God who has adopted us as His children. (Psalm 133:1; Matthew 28:19-20; John 17:20-23; Acts 17:26-27; Romans 12:4-5; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; 2 Corinthians 5:16-17; Galatians 3:27-29; Ephesians 2:13-16; 4:3-6, 11-16; Colossians 3:10-15).

15. The baptism

Through baptism, we confess our faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and we testify to our death to sin and our decision to live a new life. Thus, recognizing Christ as Lord and Savior, we become His people and are received as members of His Church. Baptism is a symbol of our union with Christ, of the forgiveness of our sins, and of the reception of the Holy Spirit. It is celebrated by immersion in water and involves a profession of faith in Jesus and evidence of repentance. It is preceded by instruction based on Holy Scripture and an acceptance of the teachings it contains. (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:38; 16:30-33; 22:16; Romans 6:1-6; Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:12-13).

16. The Holy Communion

The Holy Communion is the participation in the emblems of the body and blood of Jesus; it expresses our faith in Him, our Lord and Savior. In this experience of communion, Christ is present to meet His people and strengthen them. By joyfully taking part in it, we proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes again. Preparation for the communion service involves self-examination, repentance, and confession. The Master has prescribed the washing of feet to symbolize renewed purification, express a willingness to mutual service in humility like that of Christ, and unite our hearts in love. The communion service is open to all Christians. (Mt 26.17-30; Jn 6.48-63; 13.1-17; 1 Co 10.16,17; 11.23-30; Rev 3.20).

17. Spiritual Gifts and Ministries

At all times, God provides all members of His Church with spiritual gifts which each one must employ in order to exercise a service of love for the common good of the Church and humanity. Granted through the Holy Spirit, who distributes them to each one individually as He wills, these gifts make available to the Church all the skills and ministries necessary to fulfill its divine mission. According to Scripture, these gifts can be exercised in the areas of faith, healing, prophecy, preaching, teaching, administration, reconciliation, compassion, and selfless loving service for the support and encouragement of others. Some are called by God and qualified by the Holy Spirit to fill functions recognized by the Church: pastors, evangelists, and teachers, ministries particularly necessary for training members for service, developing the spiritual maturity of the Church, and maintaining the unity of the faith and knowledge of God. When members employ these spiritual gifts as faithful stewards of the various benefits of God, the Church is preserved from the deleterious influence of false doctrines; it develops in accordance with the divine will and is built up in faith and love.

(Acts 6:1-7; Rom 12:4-8; 1 Cor 12:7-11, 27, 28; Eph 4:8,11-16; 1 Tim 3:1-13; 1 Pet 4:10,11).

18. The Gift of Prophecy

In Scripture, prophethood is among the gifts of the Holy Spirit. This gift is one of the characteristics of the remnant church. We believe that it was manifested in the ministry of Ellen White. Her writings speak with prophetic authority and provide the church with encouragement, guidance, instruction, and reproof. They clearly affirm that the Bible is the standard for evaluating all teaching and experience. (Numbers 12:6; 2 Chronicles 20:20; Amos 3:7; Joel 2:28-29; Acts 2:14-21; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 1:1-3; Revelation 12:17; 19:10; 22:8-9).

19. The Law of God

The fundamental principles of God’s law are contained in the Ten Commandments and manifested in the life of Christ. They express God’s love, will, and purposes regarding human conduct and relationships, and are imperative for all human beings of all times. These precepts constitute the foundation of the covenant God made with His people and the standard of His judgment. Acting through the Holy Spirit, the law exposes sin and creates a need for a Savior. Salvation is entirely by grace and not by works, but its fruits are manifested in obedience to God’s commandments. Such obedience promotes the development of Christian character and produces a sense of well-being. It is a manifestation of our love for the Lord and our concern for our fellow human beings. Obedience that comes from faith reveals the power of Christ that transforms lives and strengthens the Christian’s witness.

(Exodus 20:1-17; Deuteronomy 28:1-14; Psalm 19:7-14; 40:7-8; Matthew 5:17-20; 22:36-40; John 14:15; 15:7-10; Romans 8:3-4; Ephesians 2:8-10; Hebrews 8:8-10; 1 John 2:3; 5:3; Revelation 12:17; 14:12).

20. The Sabbath

At the end of the six days of creation, the benevolent Creator rested on the seventh day and instituted the Sabbath as a memorial of creation for all humanity. The fourth commandment of the divine and immutable law requires the observance of this seventh day of the week as a day of rest, worship, and service, in harmony with the teachings and example of Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath. The Sabbath is a day of joyful communion with God and with one another. It is a symbol of our redemption in Christ, a sign of our sanctification, a testimony of our faithfulness, and a foretaste of our future life in the kingdom of God. The Sabbath is the permanent sign of God’s eternal covenant with His people. The joyful observance of this sacred time from evening to evening, from sunset to sunset, is a celebration of God’s creative and redemptive work. (Genesis 2:1-3; Exodus 20:8-11; 31:12-17; Leviticus 23:32; Deuteronomy 5:12-15; Isaiah 56:5-6; 58:13-14; Ezekiel 20:12,20; Matthew 12:1-12; Mark 1:32; Luke 4:16; Hebrews 4:1-11).

21. Christian stewardship of life

We are God’s stewards: the Lord has entrusted us with time, opportunities, abilities, possessions, the goods of the earth, and the resources of the soil, and we are accountable to Him for their proper use. We recognize His ownership rights by faithfully serving Him and our fellow human beings, by giving tithes and offering for the proclamation of the Gospel, the support, and development of His Church. Managing our lives as Christians is a privilege that God grants us to help us grow in love and overcome selfishness and greed. The honest steward rejoices in the blessings given to others as a result of faithful stewardship. (Gen 1:26-28; 2:15; 1 Chr 29:14; Hag 1:3-11; Mal 3:8-12; Matt 23:23; Rom 15:26-27; 1 Cor 9:9-14; 2 Cor 8:1-15; 9:7).

22. The Christian Ethics

23.Marriage and Family

24. The Ministry of Christ in the Heavenly Sanctuary

In heaven there is a sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord and not by humans. In this sanctuary, Christ performs a ministry on our behalf, thus making available to believers the benefits derived from his redeeming sacrifice offered once and for all on the cross. At his ascension, he was inaugurated as high priest and began his ministry of intercession, the antitype of the work carried out by the high priest in the holy place of the earthly sanctuary. In 1844, at the end of the prophetic period of 2,300 days, he entered the second and final phase of his ministry of reconciliation, the antitype of the work carried out by the high priest in the most holy place of the earthly sanctuary. This consists of an instruction in judgment that prepares for the final eradication of sin; this work was symbolized by the purification of the ancient Hebrew sanctuary on the Day of Atonement. During this symbolic ceremony, the sanctuary was purified with the blood of sacrificed animals, while heavenly realities are purified by the perfect sacrifice of the blood of Jesus. The judgment instruction reveals to heavenly intelligences those among the dead who sleep in Christ and who, therefore, are judged worthy in him to participate in the first resurrection. This judgment instruction also reveals those among the living who remain in Christ, keeping the commandments of God and the faith in Jesus, ready by this means and in him to be introduced into his eternal kingdom. This judgment vindicates the righteousness of God by saving those who believe in Jesus. It proclaims that those who have remained faithful will receive the kingdom. The completion of this ministry of Christ will mark the expiration of the time of grace for humanity before his second coming. (Lv 16; Nb 14.34; Ez 4.6; Dn 7.9-27; 8.13,14; 9.24-27; He 1.3; 2.16,17; 4.14-16; 8.1-5; 9.11-28; 10.19-22; Ap 8.3-5; 11.19; 14.6,7; 20.12; 14.12; 22.11,12).

25. The second coming of Christ

The Second Coming of Christ is the blessed hope of the church, the climax of the gospel. The advent of the Savior will be literal, personal, visible, and worldwide in scope. Upon His return, the righteous dead will be resurrected; together with the righteous living, they will be glorified and taken to heaven, while the wicked will die. The almost complete fulfillment of most prophecies and the current state of our world indicate that the coming of Christ is near. The day and hour of this event have not been revealed, so we are urged to be ready at all times. (Mt 24; Mk 13; Lk 21; Jn 14:1-3; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Cor 15:51-54; 1 Thess 4:13-18; 5:1-6; 2 Thess 1:7-10; 2:8; 2 Tim 3:1-5; Tit 2:13; Heb 9:28; Rev 1:7; 14:14-20; 19:11-21).

26. The state of the dead and the resurrection

The wages of sin is death, but God, who alone is immortal, will grant eternal life to His redeemed. In the meantime, death is a state of unconsciousness for all. When Christ – who is our life – appears, the righteous who have died and the righteous who are still alive at His coming will be glorified and caught up to meet their Lord. The second resurrection, that of the wicked, will take place a thousand years later. (Job 19:25-27; Psalm 146:3,4; Ecclesiastes 9:5,6,10; Daniel 12:2,13; Isaiah 25:8; John 5:28,29; 11:11-14; Romans 6:23; 16; 1 Corinthians 15:51-54; Colossians 3:4; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; 1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 20:1-10).

27. The thousand years and the elimination of sin

The Millennium is the reign of Christ with his chosen ones in heaven, which will last for a thousand years. It occurs between the first and second resurrection. During this period, the dead reprobates will be judged. The earth will be completely deserted; it will not have a single living human being, but will be occupied by Satan and his angels. When the thousand years are over, Christ, accompanied by his chosen ones, will descend from heaven to earth with the holy city. The dead reprobates will then be resurrected, and along with Satan and his angels, they will invade the city. But fire from God will consume them and purify the earth. Thus, the universe will be forever liberated from sin and sinners. (Jeremiah 4:23-26; Ezekiel 28:18-19; Malachi 4:1; 1 Corinthians 6:2-3; Revelation 20; 21:1-5).

28. The New Earth