Differences between COG7 and SDA - Jacksonville Church of God Seventh Day

What are the doctrinal differences between the Church of God (seventh day) and the Seventh-day Adventist Church?

History

October 22, 1844, is an important historical date for both the Church of God (seventh day) [COG7] and the Seventh-day Adventists [SDA]. William Miller and others had predicted Christ would return to earth on that date. Perhaps as many as 50,000 “Adventists,” nearly all of whom resided in the Northeastern United States, looked forward expectantly to the return of Jesus. When Jesus did not return as expected, the Adventists were terribly disappointed. Afterwards, many of them returned to their former churches. Some gave up the faith altogether. But a few sought to find meaning in the mistake. They began diligently studying their Bibles to understand what happened. Laying all previous doctrines aside, they determined to know nothing but the Bible and the Bible alone. They determined to abandon every “tradition of man” that was not based upon a “thus saith the Lord.”

As a result of this study, the Adventists discovered such truths as:

The seventh day Sabbath was still relevant (Matthew 5:17-19)
Hell is not an eternal torture chamber and the wicked only suffer until they are annihilated (“perish,” John 3:16)
The Biblical name of God’s New Covenant people is the Church of God (Acts 20:28; 1 Cor. 1:2, 10:32, 11:22, 15:9; 2 Cor. 1:1; Gal. 1:13; 1 Tim. 3:5)
The Lord’s Supper was celebrated annually on Passover Eve (Luke 22:15)
Pagan holidays, such as Christmas and Easter, should not be honored by Christians (2 Cor. 6:14)

In the late 1840s, several hundred Adventists began to practice these Biblical doctrines. This group was led by former sea captain Joseph Bates. James and Ellen White joined up with Bates in 1846 and became influential among this group. At this time Ellen White was having what some regarded as “visions.” In 1852, Bates taught the Sabbath to a Sunday-keeping minister named Gilbert Cranmer. Cranmer began preaching the the Bible alone and started raising up churches.

Beginning around 1855, some Adventists started pushing for adopting the “visions” of Ellen White as inspired truth from God that should be followed. Other Adventists strongly opposed this. They denied her “visions” were inspired because her early “visions” contradicted themselves, the Bible, and known facts. Besides, there was a strong belief by many that they went through the 1844 disappointment for a reason: To teach them the absolute importance of following the Bible and the Bible alone. Therefore, they rejected having another source of truth other than the Bible.

In 1858, Gilbert Cranmer became deeply troubled as he watched James and Ellen White advocate the “visions” of Ellen. Some Adventist churches began making belief in her “visions” a test of fellowship. Distraught over this disastrous turn of events, he decided to part ways with Bates and the Whites. In 1860, he joined forces with churches in Iowa that chose to stand on the Bible alone, and in 1863, the COG7 was officially formed.

Doctrinal Differences

SDAs abandoned several doctrines that were common among Sabbath-keeping Adventists during the late 1840s and 1850s, and added a number of new doctrines that were based on the visions of Ellen White, not solid Biblical evidence.

Here are the doctrines that the SDAs abandoned:

In 1863, they officially decided against the Biblical name “Church of God,” and instead adopted the name Seventh-day Adventists (SDAs)
They abandoned the Bible’s annual observance of the Lord’s Supper, and adopted the tradition of some Protestant denominations in celebrating it quarterly
They gradually returned to celebrating pagan holidays such as Christmas and Easter

Here are doctrines that were added by SDAs and are rejected by the COG7:

SDAs taught that a door of salvation was shut in 1844, and Jesus began the “Day of Atonement” and the Investigative Judgment of the righteous. This is based entirely on the visions of Ellen White. COG7 rejected these teachings, as do many modern SDA scholars, because the Bible teaches the Atonement was completed at the cross, not in 1844. The Bible also teaches that God already knows who His children are and needs no Investigative Judgment to figure that out. COG7 teaches 1844 was nothing more than a tragic mistake, but some good came out of it because people began studying their Bibles, thus discovering the truth about Sabbath and the annihilation of the wicked in hell.
SDAs labeled Ellen White as the Spirit of Prophecy and adopted her writings as an authoritative source of truth. COG7 teaches the Spirit of Prophecy is the Holy Spirit, who inspired the writers of the Bible. COG7 teaches the Bible is the only authoritative source of truth for the Church of God.
SDAs adopted the teachings of Joseph Bates regarding Sabbath-keeping being the “Seal of God” and Sunday-keeping being the “Mark of the Beast.” While the Bible does not identify these symbols, SDAs depend upon the visions of Ellen White to make this identification. COG7 does not advocate these teachings because they are speculative and entirely devoid of Biblical proof.
SDAs regard themselves as the true remnant people of God as described in the book of Revelation. According to their printed materials, they regard Catholicism as “fallen” and all other Protestant churches as “apostate.” SDAs see it as their mission to convert other Christians to SDA beliefs. COG7 regards all honest-hearted believers in Christ, regardless of denomination, to be the people of God. COG7 does not recruit from other churches but follows Christ’s Great Commission to seek and save the lost.
SDA leaders have adopted a neutral stance towards abortion. Abortions are performed in some SDA hospitals. COG7 is staunchly pro-life.
SDAs teach the saints will be in heaven during the Millennium. The COG7 adheres to the Biblical evidence which shows the saints will inhabit earth during the Millennium.
SDAs teach that vegetarianism and abstinence from alcohol and coffee are an important part of sanctification. The COG7 teaches against intoxication, whether it is through drug abuse or drunkenness. However, decisions about what foods to eat and what beverages to drink are left to the individual as guided by the Holy Spirit residing in the individual’s soul temple. The COG7 teaches that the Kingdom of God is not about meat or drink (Romans 14:17).
Structurally, the SDA Church has a strong, multi-level hierarchy similar to the Catholic Church. The COG7 has a less-centralized organization, with local churches retaining greater autonomy.