150th anniversary of the Adventist Church

Most think of the Great Disappointment of the Millerite movement in October of 1844 as the beginning of the Seventh-day Adventist church.  The historic birthday of our church came much later.  At the time of the Great Disappointment of 1844, the leaders whose names became associated with our church development were mostly young, in their late teens.  John N. Andrews was 15,  Ellen White and Annie Smith were 16; Minerva Loughborough not quite 15. Uriah Smith and John N. Loughborough (brothers of Annie and Minerva) were only 13, and George I. Butler was just 10, James White was 23.

These young men and women, aided by elder statesmen like Joseph Bates, who in 1844 was 52, took the lead in the Bible conferences of the late 1840s and the 1850s.  During this time they met, discussed, debated, published a series of pamphlets, as well as a magazine, The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald (today's Adventist Review), which connected all the widely scattered believers together.  Their work persuasively communicated six key beliefs:

1.   Literal imminent Second Coming of Christ
2. ‚  Seventh-day is God’s Sabbath and a sign of obedience to God
3. ƒ “Sleep” as a state of the dead until resurrection, and no eternal torment but annihilation of the wicked after Judgment
4. „  Sanctuary on earth was a revelation of God’s Plan of Salvation pointing to the work of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary
5. …  God’s remnant church of last days will communicate the Three Angels Message of Revelation 14:6-12
6. †  The remnant are identified by the spirit of Prophecy, a prophetic guidance.

These beliefs led early pioneers to mission.  They transform a network of small groups into an organization that would unite all Seventh-day Adventists for mission. It October of 1860 the name “Seventh-day Adventist” was suggested by David Hewitt of Battle Creek.  On May 20 and 21, 1863, at a special meeting, delegates from all those American states with Seventh-day Adventist congregations formed the "General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists" — an organized church focused on the Mission to the whole world.  The founding pioneers did not think that the church would still be on this earth 150 years later.  Believers through generations expected Jesus to return and make the earth anew.  This ‘anniversary’ is a time to reflect, repent, give thanks for God’s mercy and renew our personal commitment to the purpose for which we are called – mission to all the world.

This Sabbath, May 18, 2013 is designated worldwide as a day of prayer, remembrance, and recommitment to mission. We must consider how God has led us here in London as a congregation, consider where we must go from here as the work to which we are called is not finished.  We must pledge ourselves anew to preaching "the everlasting gospel … to every nation, tribe, tongue and people" (Rev. 14:6).