28 Fundamental Beliefs
The 28 fundamental beliefs are the core beliefs of Seventh-day Adventist theology. Adventists are opposed to the formulation of creeds, so the 28 fundamental beliefs are considered "descriptors", not "prescriptors"; that is, that they describe the official position of the church but are not criteria for membership. These beliefs were originally known as the 27 fundamental beliefs when adopted by the church's General Conference in 1980. An additional belief (number 11) was added in 2005. The "Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary" is a significant expression of Adventist theological thought. They may be grouped into the  doctrines of God, humanity, salvation, the church, Christian life, and the restoration. History. Adventists have historically been reluctant to formalize a creed. In the October 8, 1861 Review and Herald, J. N. Loughborough wrote: Several summaries of Adventist theology have been presented at various times. Preamble. The preamble to the 28 Fundamentals states that Adventists accept the Bible as their only creed, and that revision of the statements may be expected during the church General Conference Session: Seventh-day Adventists accept the Bible as their only creed and hold certain fundamental beliefs to be the teaching of the Holy Scriptures . These beliefs, as set forth here, constitute the church's understanding and expression of the teaching of Scripture. Revision of these statements may be expected at a General Conference Session when the church is led by the Holy Spirit to a fuller understanding of Bible truth or finds better language in which to express the teachings of God's Holy Word." Theological beliefs. Doctrines of God. 1. Holy Scriptures 2. Trinity 3. Father 4. Son 5. Holy Spirit The doctrines of humanity. 6. Creation 7. Nature of Humanity The doctrines of salvation. 8. The Great Controversy 9. The Life, Death , and Resurrection of Christ 10. The Experience of Salvation 11. Growing in Christ The doctrines of the church. 12. The Church 13. The Remnant and Its Mission 14. Unity in the Body of Christ 15. Baptism 16. The Lord's Supper 17. Spiritual Gifts and Ministries 18. The Gift of Prophecy The doctrines of Christian living. 19. The Law of God 20. The Sabbath 21. Stewardship 22. Christian Behavior 23. Marriage and the Family The doctrines of the restoration. 24. Christ's Ministry in the Heavenly Sanctuary 25. The Second Coming of Christ 26. Death and Resurrection 27. The Millennium  and the End of Sin 28. The New Earth Shared Protestant doctrine. In "Seventh-day Adventists Answer Questions on Doctrine" (1957), the editors outlined the doctrines that they share with Protestant Christianity. All of these doctrines, with the exception of item 11 (regarding the premillennial return of Christ), are widely held amongst conservative or evangelical Protestants. (Different Protestant groups hold varying views on the millennium.) Regarding salvation, a major statement was the 1980 "The Dynamics of Salvation". External links. Each issue of "Adventist World" comments on a fundamental belief. Following is the list to February 2012 inclusive: 1, 2, 3 , 5, 6, 6, 7, 9, 9, 10, 10, 11, 12, 12, 15, 15, 16, 16, 17, 17, 17, 19, 20, 20, 21, 21, 22, 22, 23, 23, 24, 24, 25, 26, 27, 27, 28