Advent Christian Church

The Advent Christian Church, also known as the Advent

Advent Christian Church
Christian General Conference (ACGC), is a "first-day" body of
Adventist Christians founded on the teachings of William Miller in (Advent Christian General
1860. The organization's Executive Director is Reverend Steve Conference)
Lawson, and its President is Reverend John Gallagher.[5]

Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the functions of its

central offices include global missions, leadership development,
church health, church planting and management of organizational
publications and media.[5] These ministries are under the
leadership of the organization's Executive Director, Rev. Steve
Lawson,[6] who is accountable to the organization's executive
council. This council, a governing board made up of elected
representatives from Advent Christian Churches,[7] is chaired by
the organization's president, Rev. John Gallagher.[8]
Abbreviation ACGC[1]
In addition to the work of the central offices, more localized work Classification Protestant
is done in five regions of the U.S. and Canada under the direction
of five regional superintendents,[9] as well as in several state Governance Congregational
conference bodies and in 30 countries around the world. Director Rev. Steve
Lawson[2]
The organization holds to a congregational structure, in which
each of its member churches and their members has input into the Associations National
overall direction of the organization.[7] Association of
Evangelicals,[3]
Evangelical
Early history Council for
Financial
William Miller Accountability,[4]
Headquarters Charlotte, North
The first Advent Christian Association was founded in Salem, Carolina
Massachusetts, in 1860. The church's formation is rooted in the
Founder Jonathan
Adventist teachings begun by Baptist preacher William Miller of
Cummings
Pittsfield, Massachusetts. For many years, Miller studied the
prophecies recorded in the Old Testament, especially the book of Origin 1860
Daniel, and the book of Revelation from the New Testament. After Salem,
many calculations, he announced in 1831 that the Second Advent Massachusetts
would occur in 1844. Thousands of people believed him and sold
Branched from Millerites
their possessions. His followers, called Millerites, waited for the
coming of Christ and the end of the world and were greatly Official website www.acgc.us (htt
disappointed when his predictions proved incorrect. p://www.acgc.us)

Albany Conference
The Albany Conference, formed in the aftermath of Miller's failed predictions, was held in 1845. The
conference included many major Millerite leaders, such as Miller himself. The Advent Christian Church has
its roots in this group.

Jonathan Cummings

Jonathan Cummings (1817–1894),[10] a disciple of Miller who reset Miller's prediction of Christ's coming
to 1854, also influenced individuals who founded the Advent Christian Association. A third root of the
Advent Christians is found in the rise of the doctrine of conditional immortality among Adventist preachers
such as Charles F. Hudson (1795–1881) and George Storrs (1796–1879). Rejecting what they believed
was a component of Greek philosophy (immortality of the soul), they taught that though man was created
for immortality, that immortality had been forfeited in the fall of Adam. They believed that only the
redeemed would receive eternal life; the dead unconsciously would await the resurrection and final
judgement. At the time of judgement, the wicked would suffer extinction. These teachings separated them
from some within the Millerite movement.

Beliefs

Statement of faith

The Advent Christian statement of faith is as follows:[11]

We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God. (2
Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21)

We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy
Spirit. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19)

We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His
miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily
resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in
power and glory. (Philippians 2:6-11; 1 Peter 3:18; Romans 5:9; Matthew 26:64)

We believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful people, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is
absolutely essential. (Titus 3:4-7)

We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is
enabled to live a godly life. (John 14:15-18; John 16:13; John 16:7-11)

We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved unto the
resurrection of life and them that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation. (1 Corinthians
15:10-23; John 5:28-29)
 We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 1:22-23; Acts
2:41-47)

Declaration of principles

The Advent Christian declaration of principles is as follows:[12]

1. We believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, being in its entirety a revelation given
to man under divine inspiration and providence; that its historic statements are correct, and
that it is the only divine and infallible standard of faith and practice.
2. We believe, as revealed in the Bible:
1. In one God, our Father, eternal, and infinite in his wisdom, love, and power, the Creator
of all things, "in whom we live, and move, and have our being."
2. And in Jesus Christ, our Lord, the only begotten Son of God, conceived of the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary; who came into our world to seek and to save that which was lost;
who died for our sins; who was raised bodily from the dead for our justification; who
ascended in heaven as our High Priest and Mediator, and who will come again in the
end of this age, to judge the living and the dead, and to reign forever and ever.
3. And in the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, sent from God to convince the world of sin, of
righteousness and of judgment, whereby we are sanctified and sealed unto the day of
redemption.
3. We believe that man was created for immortality, but that through sin he forfeited his divine
birthright; that because of sin, death entered into the world, and passed upon all men; and
that only through faith in Jesus Christ, the divinely ordained Life-giver, can men become
"partakers of the divine nature," and live forever.
4. We believe that death is a condition of unconsciousness to all persons, righteous and
wicked; a condition which will remain unchanged until the resurrection at Christ's Second
Coming, at which time the righteous will receive everlasting life while the wicked will be
"punished with everlasting destruction;" suffering complete extinction of being.
5. We believe that salvation is free to all those who, in this life and in this age, accept it on the
conditions imposed, which conditions are simple and inflexible, namely, turning from sin,
repentance toward God, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and a life of consecration to the
service of God; thus excluding all hope of a future probation, or of universal salvation.
6. We believe that Jesus Christ, according to his promise, will come again to this earth, even
"in like manner" as he went into heaven - personally, visibly and gloriously - to reign here
forever; and that this coming is the hope of the church, inasmuch as upon that coming
depend the resurrection and reward of the righteous, the abolition of sin and its
consequences, and the renewal of the earth - now marred by sin - to become the eternal
home of the redeemed, after which event the earth will be forever free from sin and death.
7. We believe that Bible prophecy has indicated the approximate time of Christ's return, and
comparing its testimony with the signs of our times, we are confident that he is near, "even at
the doors," and we believe that the great duty of the hour is the proclamation of this soon-
coming redemption, the defense of Bible authority, inspiration and truth, and the salvation of
lost men.
8. We believe the church of Christ is an institution of divine origin, which includes all true
Christians, of whatever name; but that local church organizations should be independent of
outside control, congregational in government, and subject to no dictation of priest, bishop or
pope - although true fellowship and unity of action should exist between all such
organizations.
 9. We believe that the only ordinances of the church of Christ are Baptism and the Lord's
Supper; immersion being the only true baptism.
10. We believe that the first day of the week, as the day set apart by the early church in
commemoration of Christ's resurrection, should be observed as the Christian Sabbath, and
used as a day of rest and religious worship.
11. We believe that war is contrary to the spirit and teachings of our Lord and Master, Jesus
Christ; that it is contrary to the spirit of true brotherhood; and that our influence should be
used against it. We believe the Bible also teaches that properly constituted government is
ordained by God and is a divine instrument for man's welfare and protection. When an
Advent Christian decides on the basis of Scripture and conscience, either to bear arms or to
submit to penalties imposed for his refusal to do so, local Advent Christian congregations
should extend continued fellowship and nurture.

Statistics
In 2006, the Advent Christian Church had about 25,600 members in 293 churches across the United
States─a number not radically different from the 28,300 it had in 1925, with relatively stable membership
during the intervening years.[13] The largest concentration of churches is along the eastern coast of the
United States, where they have a strong concentration of churches in most states. Additionally, they claim
approximately 100,000 members internationally, spread out over work in 30 countries.

Memberships and partnerships

The Advent Christian Church is a member of the National Association of Evangelicals and the Evangelical
Council for Financial Accountability. They also have working partnerships with several other evangelical
ministries.[14]

See also
Christian revival
Christianity in the 19th century
Sarah Katherine Taylor
Joshua Vaughan Himes
List of Christian denominations#Millerites and comparable groups
List of religions and religious denominations#Adventist and related churches
Second Great Awakening
Other movements in Category:Adventism

References
1. "Advent Christian General Conference" (http://www.acgc.us). Advent Christian General
Conference. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
2. "Contact Us - Advent Christian General Conference" (https://web.archive.org/web/20141020
070859/http://acgc.us/Contact-Us/Contact-Us). Acgc.us. Archived from the original (http://acg
c.us/Contact-Us/Contact-Us) on 20 October 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
3. "Denominational Members" (https://web.archive.org/web/20141020071952/http://www.nae.n
et/membership/current-members). Archived from the original (http://www.nae.net/membershi
p/current-members) on 2014-10-20. Retrieved 2014-10-13.
 4. "Advent Christian General Conference of America (Accredited Organization Profile) -
ECFA.org" (http://www.ecfa.org/MemberProfile.aspx?ID=4179). Ecfa.org. Retrieved 9 June
2018.
5. "Advent Christian General Conference" (http://www.acgc.us). Advent Christian General
Conference. Retrieved 2017-09-08.
6. "Contact Us - Advent Christian General Conference" (https://web.archive.org/web/20141020
070859/http://acgc.us/Contact-Us/Contact-Us). Advent Christian General Conference.
Archived from the original (http://acgc.us/Contact-Us/Contact-Us) on 2014-10-20. Retrieved
2017-09-08.
7. "Archived copy" (https://web.archive.org/web/20141020070617/http://acgc.us/Portals/1/PDF/
ARTICLES%20of%20Association%20and%20Bylaws%20-%20Policy.pdf) (PDF). Archived
from the original (http://acgc.us/Portals/1/PDF/ARTICLES%20of%20Association%20and%2
0Bylaws%20-%20Policy.pdf) (PDF) on 2014-10-20. Retrieved 2014-10-13.
8. "Executive Council - Advent Christian General Conference" (http://acgc.us/Contact-Us/Exec
utive-Council). Advent Christian General Conference. Retrieved 2017-09-08.
9. "Regional Superintendents - Advent Christian General Conference" (http://acgc.us/Contact-
Us/Regional-Superintendents). Advent Christian General Conference. Retrieved
2017-09-08.
10. Mooar, George. The Cummings Memorial, B.F. Cummings, 1903, p. 263,4.
11. "About Us - Advent Christian General Conference" (http://acgc.us/about-us/). Acgc.us.
Retrieved 9 June 2018.
12. "Advent Christian Declaration of Principles - Advent Christian General Conference" (http://ac
gc.us/About-Us/Advent-Christian-Declaration-of-Principles). Acgc.us. Retrieved 9 June
2018.
13. "Advent Christian Church- Religious Groups - The Association of Religion Data Archives" (h
ttp://www.thearda.com/Denoms/D_1101.asp). Thearda.com. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
14. "Advent Christian General Conference" (http://www.acgc.us/). Advent Christian General
Conference. Retrieved 2017-06-30.

Bibliography
Crocombe, Jeff (2003). "Advent Christian Church" (https://books.google.com/books?id=4bnv
bTel4Y4C&q=%22advent+christian+church%22&pg=PA10). In Hillerbrand, Hans Joachim
(ed.). Encyclopedia of Protestantism. Vol. 1. New York: Taylor and Francis. p. 10.
ISBN 9780203484319.
Glenmary Research Center. Churches and Church Membership in the United States (1990).
Hewitt, Clyde E. Midnight and Morning: The Millerite Movement and the Founding of the
Advent Christian Church.
Knight, George R. (1994). 1844 and the Rise of Sabbatarian Adventism. Hagerstown, MD:
Review and Herald Publishing. (Part VIII highlights the Albany Conference of 1845 which
became a formative meeting in the development of the Advent Christian denomination
(132).)
Mead, Frank S.; Hill, Samuel S.; Atwood, Craig D. Handbook of Denominations in the United
States.
Melton, J. Gordon (ed.). Encyclopedia of American Religions.
Tarling, Lowell R. (1981). "The Advent Christian Church". The Edges of Seventh-day
Adventism: A Study of Separatist Groups Emerging from the Seventh-day Adventist Church
 (1844–1980). Barragga Bay, Bermagui South, NSW: Galilee Publications. pp. 12–23.
ISBN 0-9593457-0-1.

External links
Official website (http://www.acgc.us)

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