The universal church is composed
of all who truly believe in Christ, but in the last days, a time of widespread
apostasy, a remnant has been called out to keep the commandments of God
and the faith of Jesus. This remnant announces the arrival of the judgment
hour, proclaims salvation through Christ, and heralds the approach of His
second advent. This proclamation is symbolized by the three angels of Revelation
14; it coincides with the work of judgment in heaven and results in a work
of repentance and reform on earth. Every believer is called to have a personal

The church is the community of believers who
confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. In continuity with the people
of God in Old Testament times, we are called out from the world; and we
join together for worship, for fellowship, for instruction in the Word,
for the celebration of the Lord's Supper, for service to all mankind, and
for the worldwide proclamation of the gospel. The church derives its authority
from Christ, who is the incarnate Word, and from the Scriptures, which
are the written Word. The church is God's family; adopted by Him as children,

In infinite love and mercy God
made Christ, who knew no sin, to be sin for us, so that in Him we might
be made the righteousness of God. Led by the Holy Spirit we sense our need,
acknowledge our sinfulness, repent of our transgressions, and exercise
faith in Jesus as Lord and Christ, as Substitute and Example. This faith
which receives salvation comes through the divine power of the Word and
is the gift of God's grace. Through Christ we are justified, adopted as
God's sons and daughters, and delivered from the lordship of sin. Through

In Christ's life
of perfect obedience to God's will, His suffering, death, and resurrection,
God provided the only means of atonement for human sin, so that those who
by faith accept this atonement may have eternal life, and the whole creation
may better understand the infinite and holy love of the Creator. This perfect
atonement vindicates the righteousness of God's law and the graciousness
of His character; for it both condemns our sin and provides for our forgiveness.
The death of Christ is substitutionary and expiatory, reconciling and transforming.

All humanity is now involved in a great
controversy between Christ and Satan regarding the character of God, His
law, and His sovereignty over the universe. This conflict originated in
heaven when a created being, endowed with freedom of choice, in self-exaltation
became Satan, God's adversary, and led into rebellion a portion of the
angels. He introduced the spirit of rebellion into this world when he led
Adam and Eve into sin. This human sin resulted in the distortion of the
image of God in humanity, the disordering of the created world, and its

Man and woman were made in the image of
God with individuality, the power and freedom to think and to do. Though
created free beings, each is an indivisible unity of body, mind, and spirit,
dependent upon God for life and breath and all else. When our first parents
disobeyed God, they denied their dependence upon Him and fell from their
high position under God. The image of God in them was marred and they became
subject to death. Their descendants share this fallen nature and its consequences.
They are born with weaknesses and tendencies to evil. But God in Christ