PILLARS OF OUR ADVENTIST FAITH
THE PILLARS
THE COLUMNS OR FOUNDATION OF
THE HOUSE OF WISDOM
These pillars or core fundamental principles are essential to us and to our faith as Christians. But can we distinguish between a pillar and a foundation? To answer this, it is helpful to first define the terms:
① Pillar:
(1) A rigid supporting element, taller than it is wide, usually with a square or polygonal section, used to bear the weight of a building, arch, or other structure.
(2) A person or thing considered to be a support or basis of something.
{Source: google.com/search}
When applied to the structure of the Adventist message, pillars are the truths that give strength and stability to its doctrinal framework. While all teachings of Holy Scripture are divinely inspired, certain truths serve as key supports—pillars of light that uphold the spiritual house of God.
② Foundation:
(1) The underlying principle or origin upon which something is built.
(2) The main or basic reason or motive behind a thing.
{Source: google.com/search}
So, while a pillar is a strong support that holds up the visible structure, the foundation is what those pillars stand upon. The same relationship is seen in the formation of the Advent movement: the foundation is Christ, and the pillars are the truths revealed through His Word—especially for this time.
The Bible speaks poetically of this divine structure:
“Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars.” – Proverbs 9:1
COLUMNS (THE PILLARS)
Do we truly believe what we read in the Holy Scriptures when it says:
“Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars.” — Proverbs 9:1
It is indeed fascinating, for the Bible also reveals who this “Wisdom” is that built the house.
Let’s read:
“But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.” — 1 Corinthians 1:24
“But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.” — 1 Corinthians 1:30
Yes, the Son of God who is Christ, He is the Wisdom of God. He is the same Wisdom described in Proverbs 8, the One who was begotten of the Father in eternity past.
“I wisdom dwell with prudence...” — Proverbs 8:12
“The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way...” — Proverbs 8:22-25
“For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.” — John 16:27-28
“Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” — Micah 5:2
“In the beginning was the Word...” — John 1:1-2
This divine Wisdom, was made flesh, Christ came to earth, built His house (the church), and sent forth His apostles and prophets. He testifies of this:
“Therefore also said the Wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute.” — Luke 11:49
So it is Christ, the Wisdom of God, who built His house, the church. And that house, according to Proverbs 9:1, is founded upon seven pillars. Revelation is full of sevens: seven churches, seven seals, seven trumpets, etc. All of this signifying the full scope of God’s work and judgment. Seven symbolizes God’s perfect order and finished work.
We are called to honor, uphold, and never compromise these pillars of our faith. They are not merely doctrines, they are the very structure of truth, hewn out by the hand of Wisdom Himself.
CHRIST IS THE WISDOM OF GOD!
The pillars are the truths that God has revealed through His own Son. The foundation is the solid base upon which these pillars stand. Christ warned that without a foundation, any structure no matter how well-built will collapse.
Let us hear His words:
“But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built a house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.” — Luke 6:49
It is also profoundly significant that in Hebrew culture, it was forbidden to remove the boundaries or ancient landmarks that marked roads, property, and heritage.
The Bible says:
“Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.” — Proverbs 22:28
And David, under inspiration, asked:
“If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” — Psalm 11:3
In examining the pillars and foundation of the Advent movement, we find that Elder Joseph Bates was the first to publish a pamphlet outlining these foundational truths. This was in 1847, just three years after the Great Disappointment of 1844.
In that publication, Elder Bates emphasized the biblical call to return to the original waymarks, quoting:
“Set thee up waymarks, make thee high heaps: set thine heart toward the highway, even the way which thou wentest: turn again, O virgin of Israel, turn again to these thy cities.” — Jeremiah 31:21
Indeed, today we are called to return to these ancient boundaries the pillars of the faith which stand firmly upon the true foundation: Jesus Christ, His high priestly work, and the prophetic truths revealed through Him.
Ellen G. White wrote:
“The scripture which above all others had been both the foundation and the central pillar of the Advent faith was the declaration: ‘Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.’” — The Great Controversy, p. 409 (referring to Daniel 8:14)
Pillars presented since 1844
This statement makes it undeniably clear: the teaching of the sanctuary is a central pillar of our faith. But there is more. Other inspired statements give us an expanded understanding of what constitutes the pillars of the Adventist message.
Ellen G. White wrote:
_“The passing of the time in 1844 was a period of great events, opening to our astonished eyes the cleansing of the sanctuary transpiring in heaven, and having decided relation to God's people upon the earth, [also] the first and second messages and the third, unfurling the banner on which was inscribed: ‘The commandments of God and the faith of Jesus [including the righteousness by faith message].’ One of the landmarks under this message was the temple of God, seen by His truth-loving people in heaven, and the ark containing the law of God. The light of the Sabbath of the fourth commandment flashed its strong rays in the pathway of the transgressors of God's law. The non-immortality of the wicked is an old landmark.”* — Counsels to Writers and Editors, pp. 30-31
From this, we can identify five foundational pillars:
The Heavenly Sanctuary
The Non-Immortality of the Wicked
The Law of God (including the Sabbath)
The Faith of Jesus (Righteousness by Faith)
The Three Angels’ Messages
However, many overlook the other key pillars it is not just a few but a complete work of God Proverbs 9:1.
To complete the structure, we must also include:
Baptism – the public symbol of entering into the covenant with Christ and being buried and raised with Him.
“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved...” – Mark 16:16
“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death...” – Romans 6:4
The Lord’s Supper (Communion) – the ongoing reminder of Christ’s sacrifice and our unity with Him and one another.
“This do in remembrance of me.” – Luke 22:19
“For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.” – 1 Corinthians 11:26
These two ordinances are not optional, they are divine institutions ordained by Christ Himself and taught by the early Adventist pioneers as part of the present truth for this time.
Ellen White also strongly warns:
“Those who seek to remove the old landmarks do not stand firm; they do not remember what they have received and heard. Those who try to introduce theories that would tear down the pillars of our faith concerning the sanctuary, or the personality of God or of Christ, are working as blind men. They seek to introduce uncertainties and leave God’s people as a ship without anchor.” — Ye Shall Receive Power, p. 235
In light of Scripture and the Spirit of Prophecy, we see seven pillars of our faith stand as follows:
The Heavenly Sanctuary and Christ’s Ministry Within
The Law of God and the Sabbath
The Non-Immortality of the Wicked
The Faith of Jesus (Righteousness by Faith)
The Three Angels’ Messages
Baptism
The Lord’s Supper (Communion)
Each of these rests on the foundation of Jesus Christ, the Wisdom of God, who has built His house upon these truths. We still have more, lets continue to study and see what else is part of this wonderful amazing list of truthst.
CHRIST IS THE WISDOM OF GOD!
The above statement again affirms the sanctuary as a pillar of our faith, but it also highlights the personalities of God and Christ as pillars and introduces the symbol of the anchor as a safeguard.
An anchor keeps a vessel stable and secure amid storms. Likewise, the pillars of truth are spiritual anchors that hold the church firm in times of crisis.
Consider another clarifying statement from the Spirit of Prophecy:
"The only safety now is to seek the truth as revealed in the word of God, like a hidden treasure. Sabbath’s themes, the nature of man, and the testimony of Jesus are the great and important truths that must be understood; these will prove to be an anchor to sustain God's people in these dangerous times." — Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, p. 300
Here, the testimony of Jesus is grouped among the great and important truths, serving the same function as a pillar or point of reference. Though the word "pillar" is not explicitly used, the anchor metaphor conveys equivalent meaning—something solid, foundational, and immovable.
When we gather all inspired references from the Spirit of Prophecy, we arrive at this complete list of core pillars:
❶ The Sanctuary
❷ The Non-Immortality of the Wicked
❸ The Law of God, including the Sabbath
❹ The Faith of Jesus (Righteousness by Faith)
❺ The Three Angels' Messages
❻ The Personalities of God and of Christ
❼ The Testimony of Jesus (The Spirit of Prophecy)
❽ Baptism
❾ Communion
❿ Christ in Us (The Indwelling of the Son of God)
These are the core pillars, with Baptism and Communion rounding out the complete structure of the Advent faith, rooted in Christ and revealed through the Spirit.
Ellen G. White firmly warned:
“There is to be no change in the general features of our work. It is to stand as clear and distinct as prophecy has made it. ... No line of truth that has made the Seventh-day Adventist people what they are is to be weakened. We have the old landmarks of truth, experience, and duty, and we are to stand firmly in defense of our principles, in full view of the world.” — 6T 17
She also saw in vision:
“I was shown a platform, braced by solid timbers,--the truths of the Word of God. Someone high in responsibility in the medical work was directing this man and that man to loosen the timbers supporting this platform. Then I heard a voice saying, 'Where are the watchmen that ought to be standing on the walls of Zion? Are they asleep? This foundation was built by the Master Worker, and will stand storm and tempest. Will they permit this man to present doctrines that deny the past experience of the people of God? The time has come to take decided action.'” — Special Testimonies, Series B, No. 2, p. 54
She continued:
“One thing it is certain is soon to be realized, — the great apostasy, which is developing and increasing and waxing stronger... We are to hold fast the first principles of our denominated faith, and go forward from strength to increased faith... We need now larger breadth, and deeper, more earnest, unwavering faith in the leadings of the Holy Spirit.” — Special Testimonies, Series B, No. 7, p. 57
And yet, none of these truths can be rightly understood unless one accepts the main foundation of the Christian faith:
Jesus is the literal Son of God, and aside from the fact he came as a human being, He truly is to come in the flesh, in our flesh.
“Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. ... Upon this rock I will build my church.” — Matthew 16:16-18
“And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ...” — 1 John 3:23
“Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God.” — 1 John 4:2-3
“Christ in you, the hope of glory.” — Colossians 1:27
These are not optional teachings, they are salvation truths, rooted in the Word of God and sealed by the Spirit of Prophecy.
We are called not to shift the landmarks, but to restore the old paths, hold the line, and stand upon the true foundation and its seven pillars, built by the Master Worker Himself.
The Sanctuary and
the personality of God and Christ
These are indeed fundamental doctrines, truths of great importance not only for the Adventist people, but for every true Christian. Yet sadly, not all receive them.
Many speak of the “pillars” of the faith, but they fail to realize that even if one knows what the pillars are, they are of no lasting value if they do not rest upon a solid and unshakable foundation.
We must be clear, unwavering, and deeply grounded in this vital question:
What is the foundation upon which these pillars stand?
According to the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy, the teaching that Jesus is the Son of God is the foundation of the Christian experience.
When Jesus and His disciples came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked:
“Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?” — Matthew 16:13
After they reported the popular opinions of the day, Peter boldly declared:
“Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” — Matthew 16:16
And Christ’s reply was decisive:
“Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” — Matthew 16:17-18
The rock is not Peter, for the gates of hell did prevail against him (see Matthew 26:69–75; Galatians 2:11–12). The rock is the truth that Peter confessed—that Jesus is the Son of the living God.
This is confirmed by the Spirit of Prophecy:
_“The truth which Peter had confessed is the foundation of the believer's faith. It is that which Christ Himself has declared to be eternal life. But the possession of this knowledge was no ground for self-glorification. Through no wisdom or goodness of his own had it been revealed to Peter. Never can humanity, of itself, attain to a knowledge of the divine. "It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know?" Job 11:8. Only the spirit of adoption can reveal to us the deep things of God, which "eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man." "God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God." 1 Corinthians 2:9, 10. "The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him;" and the fact that Peter discerned the glory of Christ was an evidence that he had been "taught of God." Psalm 25:14; John 6:45. Ah, indeed, "blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee."’” —The Desire of Ages, pp. 412–413
Thus, the foundation of the true church is not built on man, tradition, or creed, but on the eternal identity of Jesus Christ as the only begotten Son of God, revealed by the Father and received by faith.
Let us never forget: the pillars must rest on this foundation, or they will collapse when the winds of false doctrine blow.
CHRIST IS THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD
Next, we will see that the foundation of the believers is our Lord Jesus Christ, when the Scriptures declare plainly that "Now therefore you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens of the saints, and members of the family of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;.” (Ephesians 2:19, 20)
In conclusion, the foundation of the apostles stands or rests on this foundation: "Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God." If the pillars do not rest on a solid foundation, their foundation is not firm structure. And what happens when the foundation is not laid in what solid?
Let us remember the words of our Savior, "But he who heard and did not do is like the man who built his house on land, without foundation; against which the river hit with impetus, and then fell, and the ruin of that house was great." (Luke 6:49.) So, the foundation of the church that Christ founded is Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God; and the foundation of the Adventist message is the same statement that came from God through the apostle Peter: Jesus Christ is "the Son of the living God"
And, what is the foundation of the Adventist message? Could it be another? Every Adventist believer should check if they really believe this. Perhaps you were surprised that we have pointed out the need to continue believing the same thing that the apostolic church founded by our Lord Jesus Christ, and the same thing that our Adventist pioneers when they received God's message, including the prophetess Ellen White. However, the truth is that many say they believe the same thing, but when they declare what they believe, it turns out that they do not accept the fact that Christ was born in heaven, before coming to earth through the Virgin Mary. This theology moves away from Holy Scripture and is not sound doctrine.
JESUS CHRIST
THE CHIEF CORNER STONE
Next, we will clearly see that the foundation of the believers is our Lord Jesus Christ, as declared plainly in the Scriptures:
“Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.” — Ephesians 2:19–20
In conclusion, the foundation upon which the apostles stood was not their own authority or wisdom, but the very truth Peter confessed:
“Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God.”
If the pillars of our faith do not rest on this foundation, they have no lasting stability. A structure without a true foundation cannot stand.
Christ Himself warned:
“But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.” — Luke 6:49
So then, the true foundation of the church that Christ established is this:
Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God.
And likewise, the foundation of the Adventist message must be the very same confession, as declared by Peter under divine inspiration. This is the truth upon which Christ builds His church.
A Critical Question
What is the foundation of your faith as an Adventist believer?
Could it be any other?
Every honest soul who calls themselves an Adventist should examine whether they truly believe this foundational truth, not merely in words, but in doctrine and understanding.
Some may be surprised that we emphasize the importance of continuing in the same fundamental principle held by the apostolic church, founded by Christ Himself, and upheld by the early Adventist pioneers, including the prophetess Ellen G. White.
But the truth is this: many today claim to believe as the pioneers did, yet when they explain their fundamental principles, they reject the biblical fact that Christ was begotten of the Father in heaven, before He came to earth through the virgin Mary.
This denial of Christ’s divine origin and literal Sonship is not a small matter. It represents a departure from Holy Scripture and is not sound doctrine.
To reject the true foundation is to shift the pillars and endanger the entire structure.
Let us return to the foundation laid by God Himself, and stand firm upon it—lest we fall with the coming storm.
Disciple of Christ
Jeser Alejo