Q: Does the Adventist Church have an official stance on what makes up the law of God? Some church members believe that “new light” will be received in the end time, and this “new light” is we must keep the Jewish ceremonial feasts and all 613 “statues and judgments” to be saved. They believe that the Seventh-day Adventist Church is not the remnant church because we have rejected this “new light.” — Carol, from Canada
A: Carol, our Fundamental Belief No. 19, the “Law of God,” identifies the law as the Ten Commandments. (You may read this and all of the Seventh-day Adventist Fundamental Beliefs at https://www.adventist.org/en/beliefs/.)
Unfortunately, there are those who claim that “new light” demands keeping of the Old Testament feasts and ceremonial laws. But when considering any so-called “new light” we must remember Isaiah 8:20: “To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them” (NKJV). This refers to the whole of Scripture — which today includes both the Old and New Testament. Any true “new light” will never contradict what has already been revealed in God’s Word.
It’s clear from Scripture and the Spirit of Prophecy that we do not need to observe the Old Testament feasts and ceremonial laws. “Israelite Festivals and the Christian Church” by Dr. Angel Manuel Rodriguez, former director of the Biblical Research Institute, is an excellent resource and is available at https://adventistbiblicalresearch.org/materials/theology-festivals/israelite-festivals-and-christian-church
Sometimes, however, it seems there are those who have already made up their minds and no amount of Bible study or reasoning will convince them otherwise. At times, these individuals continue to actively promote their views within Adventist congregations, pressuring members to conform.
In John 10:10, Jesus warns us about the thief who “comes only to steal and kill and destroy,” and in these cases it is important to protect the flock from those who would do harm. Taking action can be painful, nevertheless it is important to protect church members and visitors from those who are trying to impose these unbiblical views within a Seventh-day Adventist congregation.