Witnessing to a SDA

How to talk to a Seventh day Adventist?

Q: I was talking to a coworker who also said they were a Christian, after hearing me mention a picnic I had with my church last Sunday.

We talked for a bit about Christ and church, then she said she was 7th day Adventist (😬👀). I didn't say anything, and it was a nice conversation with a coworker.

I didn't say anything because I didn't want to start a fight, also because we were at work and I wanted to be professional.

How do we talk to 7th day Adventist and Jehova Witnesses, Christian Scientists, etc. Without being mean, while also telling them they are not Christians?

I dont want to be mean, or the "uh, actually" guy, but I also feel a strong sense to correct terrible theology, rooted in heresy long debunked by the historic Church. 

For now I say nothing, only because I don't know what to say. I'm scared I won't be a good witness to the Good News we share.

I work hard and try my best to love everyone, no matter hard it is. After all, I can't imagine what it takes for YHWH to love me, after all I've done.

A: While we do say SDA is a cult, not everyone in it is unsaved. I'd be hesitant to start by saying all in SDA are not Christians. Some may be better described as confused and misled. Or married to one unknowingly that its a cult group, and might not realize its a cult until long after married.

The issues with Seventh Day Adventists are significantly different than with Mormons and Jehovahs Witnesses (who deny the trinitarian truth of Christ's full deity and full humanity).

Denial of Christ's ability to save us by being fully God and fully man is far more serious. So keep that in mind. 

My young cousin married a guy whose whole family was in that cult. Instead of her mom telling her this was an area to obey God over man, she naively told her to submit in this area. She was stuck in that cult and lived on the family property with all the cult parents kids in their own homes, greatly influenced by them, incl all their kids once born. Fortunately she was ablr to move them away our of state after 10 yrs, [once one of the other kids did], but she fell for their dietary deception and still looks malnourished, about 10 yrs later. I was so concerned for the kids for 18 yrs. Praying they all finally leave those thoughts behind. Who knows what else they devieved them about regarding Christianity. Just grateful over the years she brought her family all to our family Christmas gathering reunion almost every year till grandpa passed away. They got to go to Christian chyrch and Sunday School and hear the Christian Sermons snd Gospel there. I'm sure my aunt also did her best to teach them about Jesus and guide my cousin in the Truth as much as possible, since they lived in the same town there, and moved away together too (when she finally got to move). Not many have that kind of set up and Christian family nearby and in their lives. 

Any works based religion is false, cult, catholic or otherwise. If baptism is a work in their opinion then its a false gospel they embraced.

Focus on the Gospel in those convos, see if & where their belief aligns with Scripture, ask if you can show verses that point to biblical truth on the matter, even if its memorozing verses & to pull up on your phone as you talk. But only do it in grace and love, and only if they're open. You may have been led by the Holy Spirit to handle it as you initially did. There can be opps later on. Be intentional and actively looking. And use Scripture in the convos as if its normal to do so in Christian convos. 

Also your life is your witness. A light in a dark world. The brighter your life shines for Christ, the more people are drawn to the light, the more error is revealed. Because if unsaved she will begin to notice a difference. And may begin asking you questions about what you believe, maybe questioning if she is Christian, or curious the differrnces between her "church" and your denomination. Focus on the Essentials/Gospel and not secondary matters. You want her to get saved, then let God change her other beliefs through discipleship and Scripture study. 

I wouldn't tell her she's not a Christian. Ask for their testimony, share yours with the Gospel in it, and tell them how the Lord works in your life. As you get to know them ask a question or two, keeping it friendly.

Eventually she will make a statement, and then ask something like, "Don't you agree?" Then just answer honestly, "No, I don't agree." Usually he or she will then go on to ask you why. That is your opening, with no rudeness involved. Using Scripture as the authority. 

I would highly recommend listening to Cultish’s episodes on Seventh Day Adventism if you haven’t so you can better understand their theology/where it’s flawed in the event they try to probe you about the Bible. From there you can find loving ways to bring her to Scripture and pray the Spirit stirs her heart.

Here's some other evangelistic resources to help. I believe theres SDA info near the bottom, and in the video playlists by religion to show witnessing examples irl. And does point to the Cultish episode 😉😊.

God bless