Sydney Chinese Seventh-day Adventist Church

The church is made up of many people who accept and declare Jesus as their Lord and Saviour and believe in the teachings of the Bible. They are united in Jesus Christ. The purpose of God's church is to tell everyone about God's plan of salvation, His love for us and His second coming. What does it mean to get baptised? The Bible teaches us to be baptised by immersion. Baptism is a public declaration that you believe Jesus Christ died for your sins and rose again so you may have eternal life. By acknowledging this, you choose to leave behind your life of sin and walk in newness of life with God. What is the purpose of the Lord's Supper? The Lord's Supper is a memorial of Jesus' crucifixion. When we participate in this special occasion, we express our faith in Jesus as our Lord and Saviour. What is a spiritual gift? Who can be spiritually gifted? We believe a spiritual gift is a special gift God gives to members of His church for the common good of the church and of humanity. The Holy Spirit gives to each member different gifts-each plays a special role the church requires to fulfil its mission. Every believer can be spiritually gifted. What is the law of God? The Ten Commandments embody the principles of God's law and express His love and purpose for humankind. Jesus Christ obeyed the Ten Commandments during His life on earth. The Ten Commandments are eternal-they are binding for all people in every age. The principles of God's law are the basis of His promise with His people and the standard of His judgment. Why do we go to church on Saturday? We go to church on Saturday because it is the biblical day of worship. God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh. God's law, as expressed in the Ten Commandments, requires us to observe the seventh-day Sabbath, or Saturday, as a day of worship, rest and ministry. The Sabbath starts from sunset on Friday and finishes at sunset on Saturday. What are the characteristics of a Christian? There are many characteristics of a Christian. Christians are God's stewards. God has entrusted us with time and opportunities, abilities and possessions, the earth and its resources, so we can use them properly and faithfully. God wants His people to be godly-to think, feel and act in harmony with His principles. What is the meaning of marriage? Marriage is a lifelong union between a man and a woman in loving companionship. The marriage relationship is based on love, honour, respect and responsibility. It should reflect the love, sanctity, closeness and permanence of the relationship between Jesus Christ and His church. What happens when you die? According to the Bible, death is an unconscious, sleep-like state. When Jesus Christ comes again, He will resurrect the dead who believe in Him and will take them to heaven. The dead who are unbelievers will be resurrected 1000 years later. How is Christ working on our behalf at this moment? Jesus Christ is now in the heavenly sanctuary where He is the mediator between the people who believe in Him and God because His death paid the penalty for sin. Christ is also performing what theologians call the "investigative judgment. This judgment declares those who have remained loyal to Christ and who shall go to heaven. What happens at the second coming of Christ? Who will go to heaven? When Jesus Christ returns to earth for the second time, He will take to heaven the people who died believing in Him, as well as the people who will be alive at this time and believe in Him. People who do not believe in Christ will die. The Bible says Christ's coming will be literal, personal, visible and worldwide, but it does not reveal the exact time of this event. That is why we need to be spiritually ready at all times. What happens after the second coming? How will sin be destroyed? For a period of a thousand years the earth will be utterly desolate and only Satan and his angels will be on earth. At the end of the thousand years the the Holy City in heaven will descend to earth. The unrighteous dead will be resurrected and with Satan and his angels, they will surround the Holy City to attack God and His people. God will destroy Satan and his followers, hence removing sin forever. What will it be like to spend eternity with God? There will be no more suffering or death because sin will be no more. The earth will be transformed into a perfect environment and there will be everlasting life, love and joy because God will dwell with us. Read more about the Seventh-day Adventist Church at www.adventist.org.au