One God in three eternal persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
The Seventh-day Adventist Church affirms the Trinity as defined in its 28 Fundamental Beliefs (Beliefs 2–5). God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit are each fully divine, co-eternal, and distinct persons forming one Godhead. This Trinitarian affirmation developed gradually in early Adventist history — some early Adventists held anti-Trinitarian views — but was settled doctrinally by the early 20th century.
Adventist Trinitarian theology draws on the classic ecumenical formulas while placing special emphasis on the unity of purpose among the three persons in the plan of salvation: the Father's love, the Son's atonement, and the Spirit's transforming presence.
Key Distinctions
- Persons ontology:
- three coequal persons, one divine substance
- Spirit procession:
- from Father and Son (filioque)
- Creed stance:
- 28 Fundamental Beliefs (Belief 2-4); formal Trinitarian statement adopted 1980
Scripture References
Sources
- Seventh-day Adventist Church, 28 Fundamental Beliefs, Beliefs 2–5