Introducing... the Advent Christian Church

Introducing... the Advent Christian Church
by Norval S. Richardson

Origin

The United States of the early nineteenth century was marked by phenomenal growth. It was a period of expansion westward as new land was constantly being claimed for the young nation. Industrialization was coming into its own, and the cities began to thrive. The birth rate was high and immigration brought many thousands to these shores, rapidly increasing the population of the country.

The period was also marked by the quickened interest in the study of the Bible by clergy and laity alike. It was in the 1830s that a man by the name of William Miller began to preach the soon return of Jesus Christ to the earth. His convictions were the result of serious study of Bible prophecy. He believed the event would take place about 1843 or 1844. He toured New England, New York State and adjacent areas lecturing on the prophecies of the Bible and urging people to prepare for the Day of the Lord by repenting. Many responded and began an earnest study of the Bible on these matters. One historian estimates that more than a million people became believers in the near return of Christ. When one considers that the population of the United States was about 17,000,000 at the time, the “Advent” movement was something of religious and social significance.

When the date of Miller’s expectation passed, there were many who abandoned the hope of Christ’s coming. A far greater number, however, were convinced that, while Mr. Miller had been mistaken as to the time, he was unquestionably correct in holding to the certainty and the nearness of the Advent. Miller himself acknowledged his error but until his death believed Christ’s coming to be “near at hand”.

Those who held to the doctrine of the Lord’s coming soon felt the need for close fellowship through conferences and campmeetings. In many places persecution arose that drove many to band themselves together into local churches. It was a natural development that there would be conferences of churches leading to a denominational structure. The first organized local churches appeared about 1844 or 1845. By 1860 they were scattered over New England and the Mid-West with several in other regions.

The Advent Christian General Conference of America came into being in 1861. Doctrinally it was founded on the twin biblical teachings of the return of Christ and that eternal life is obtained only by faith in him. Its “Declaration of Principles” was adopted in January 1900. This is not a “creed” but a statement of the general teachings of the Church.

Christians First

Along with the vast majority of Christian people, Advent Christians believe in one God and in his divine son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. With most other Christians, we believe the Bible to be the inspired word of God, and we believe in the divine origin if the Church. We believe in the ordinances of the church and practice the observance of the Lord’s Supper and baptism. Immersion is the only form of baptism administered in this church. We believe that Sunday is the day for Christian worship in commemoration of the Master’s victory over death. Our church covenants usually read that we take the Bible as our only rule of faith and conduct and that we make Christian character the only test of fellowship and communion.

We Are Different

We have mentioned that the message of our Lord’s return was the first reason for the calling out of a new denomination more than a century ago. Continued Bible study led many leaders in the Advent movement to see the biblical truth that immortality is a gift of God rather than a natural possession and that this gift is bestowed at the resurrection of the dead when Christ returns to earth (1 Corinthians 15:13,18). Thus it was seen that at death man “falls asleep” to remain in a state of unconsciousness (Ecclesiastes 9:5) until the day of his coming when “all that are in their graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation” (John 5:28,29). As our Lord Jesus Christ is Judge, Life-giver, and King, the fate of the finally unrepentant is death, ultimate and eternal.

The Advent Christian Church is conservative and evangelical. It maintains programs of higher education and homes for the orphaned and aged. It sends and supports missionaries in many parts of the world. It seeks, in humility, to declare the whole counsel of God and to urge people everywhere to repent “for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

For more information, contact:
Dr. John H. Roller
5847 Brookstone Dr.
Concord, NC, USA 28027-2535
704-782-9574
johnroller@faithbiblechristian.com