A Bíblia Sagrada é considerada por muitos um livro essencial que proporciona diferentes ensinamentos e preceitos válidos para guiar em todos os aspectos da vida humana. O valor da Bíblia, como conjunto de princípios morais e espirituais significativos para o comportamento humano, é reconhecido mesmo por pessoas que não professam a fé cristã.
Para os Adventistas do Sétimo Dia, as Escrituras Sagradas são a primeira crença fundamental da organização. O texto dessa crença expressa que “nenhum livro jamais foi tão amado e reverenciado como a Bíblia. Inspirou os maiores e mais nobres actos da história humana. A singularidade da Bíblia não advém das suas influências políticas, culturais e sociais sem paralelo no mundo, mas sim da sua fonte original e dos temas que aborda”.
THE IMPORTANCE OF BIBLICAL TEACHING
The Bible represents a guide of teachings relevant to human life. Biblical history itself has always been characterized by the need for teachings to be transmitted, especially within the family. This is what Deuteronomy 4:10 says: “Do not forget the day you stood before the Lord your God in Horeb, when the Lord said to me, ‘Gather the people together, and I will make them hear my words, so that they may learn to fear me all the days they live in the land and also teach them to their children’” (Holy Bible, New Almeida Atualizada).
Or, in another passage from Deuteronomy 6:6 and 7. There, the biblical author points out that “these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you get up, (Holy Bible, New Almeida Atualizada).
In the New Testament, there are many texts related to the importance of biblical teaching. After His resurrection, according to the Gospel of Luke 24:13-35, Jesus Christ tried to give a kind of lesson to two of His disciples as they were on their way to the village of Emmaus. It is said that He presented what the Torah, the books of the prophets and the psalms said about Him.
The apostle Paul, already in the first century of the Christian era, in one of his letters to the young pastor Timothy, summarizes what he considers the primary objective of the Holy Scriptures. The text of II Timothy 3:14-17 states that “as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be complete, equipped for every good work (Holy Bible, New Almeida Updated).
Adventist Pioneers and the Bible
The relevance of biblical teaching is also quite clear in the writings of Adventist pioneers. The Millerite movement, whose inspiration preceded and provided the basis for the later formation of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the 19th century in the United States, is marked by a genuine interest in the in-depth study of the Holy Bible.
In the figure of the Baptist preacher William Miller, it is possible to identify the habit of daily study of biblical texts. A former deist, previously critical of the Bible, he had an experience with God through the practice of individual study of the book that he previously despised.
Ellen White, one of the founders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, emphasizes the intellectual benefit of studying the Bible. And she recommends that, in order to achieve this goal, the book be studied by people in order to understand it and adopt it as a rule of life. She states that “the Bible is the only rule of faith and doctrine. And there is nothing more appropriate to invigorate the mind and strengthen the intellect than the study of the Word of God. There is no other book that is so powerful to elevate the thoughts and invigorate the faculties as the vast and ennobling truths of the Bible” (Fundamentals of Christian Education, p. 126).
SYSTEMATIC
EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Seventh-day Adventists maintain different systematic Bible teaching programs. One of the best known and most comprehensive is Sabbath School, which was conceived in the 19th century. It consists of one of the parts of weekly worship in which members and guests of Adventist congregations gather in smaller groups (by age group) to review the study of a guide called the Sabbath School Lesson. This is a material prepared for global use that allows people to study portions of books or biblical themes on a daily basis. In these teaching units, people are also involved in regular prayer programs, solidarity actions and mutual spiritual support both in congregations and in homes.
In addition, the Seventh-day Adventist Church in South America produces dozens of printed or digital Bible study guides every year, aimed at different age groups and themes (health, prophecy, among others). It also maintains a large Bible school structure on the Novo Tempo Communication Network, responsible for regularly sending out thousands of studies and accompanying thousands of students.
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Education
Quality education, which prepares for the future and for eternity, has a special role for Adventists, who maintain schools, colleges and universities focused on the harmonious development of their students.
Health
For more than a century and a half, Adventists have been promoting a healthy lifestyle that protects the body and mind from illness and fosters a relationship with God.
Community
The denomination is closely linked to the communities in which it operates, and offers projects that help to reduce inequality and strengthen personal development.
organizational STRUCTURE
From the local church to the world headquarters, learn about the administrative levels that work to strengthen faith, Bible teaching and support different initiatives aimed at members, others and society.
IDENTITY
With a clear vision of its mission to proclaim hope to the world, the Adventist Church has a unique identity based on the Bible. This is present from its fundamental beliefs to its elementary fronts of action.