A recent issue has arisen in our church, with a young minister expressing disagreement with a core teaching of our faith. But before I continue, I’d like to point out that in discussing theological matters, particularly when they touch upon cherished beliefs and deeply held convictions, it’s important to approach the conversation with grace and respect.
I want to be clear that this article is not an attack on the character or integrity of my friend, Chris Mindanao. Having had the privilege of attending Seminary with him and sharing moments together in the Seminary chorale, I know firsthand his dedication to the Christian faith and ministry. Therefore, it saddens me deeply to see him step down from his role, even if I disagree with his views.
Articles have been published online disparaging this young man, and I wish to strongly object to anyone who might dare to question his character or launch personal attacks against him. This discussion is solely about theology, not about the person, and how the church as a whole should navigate theological disagreements.
According to a social media post written by Chris himself, he mentions the fact that he is a recent graduate of the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary and was hired to pastor in the New Jersey Conference. However, during a recent podcast where he shared some of his doubts regarding the topic discussed in this article, it caught the attention of Conference leaders who approached him to discuss these concerns.
In what I consider to be an act of both humility and integrity, Chris voluntarily resigned from his position, recognizing that his personal views might create a conflict of interest with his pastoral duties. His decision is commendable, one that I pray many others would be as honest in following, as it reflects a level of responsibility to his conscience and to the community he served. The local Conference leadership likewise deserves praise for approaching the matter with openness and concern for doctrinal integrity.
Now, let’s dive into Chris’s primary argument that the Bible does not provide a direct basis for identifying the Sabbath as the "seal of God." While it's true that Scripture does not explicitly say "the Sabbath is the seal of God" in a single statement, Adventist theology makes a strong, theologically sound deduction based on Scriptural patterns, much like the doctrine of the Trinity, which also lacks a single proof-text but is inferred through the Biblical consensus. My contention is that we still have, despite continued objections and attacks, very good reasons to hold onto this teaching.
The Seal of God as a Mark of Loyalty and Identity
A "seal" in biblical terms often represents ownership, authority, and loyalty. In ancient times, kings and rulers would use a seal to authenticate official documents, establishing their authority. Revelation 7:2-3 speaks of God’s servants receiving a "seal" on their foreheads, a symbol of those who are faithful and loyal to Him during the last days. Chris suggests that the Adventist stance on the end-time seal relies solely upon Ellen G. White. But to the contrary, I would argue that we can make a solid case from the Scriptures alone.
The strongest Biblical case for connecting the Sabbath to the "seal of God" comes from Ezekiel 20:12, where God says, “Moreover, I also gave them My Sabbaths, to be a sign between them and Me, that they might know that I am the Lord who sanctifies them.” Again, in Ezekiel 20:20, God reaffirms, “Hallow My Sabbaths, and they will be a sign between Me and you, that you may know that I am the Lord your God.”
In these verses, the Sabbath is presented as a special sign of the relationship between God and His people, a mark of their identity as His followers. While the Bible doesn’t use the exact term "seal" here, the use of the word "sign" clearly reflects the concept of a seal—something that marks and identifies the people of God. Just as believers infer the doctrine of the Trinity by piecing together references to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit acting as One, we can similarly infer that the Sabbath functions as the "seal" of God's people by linking scriptural themes of God's law, sanctification, and the covenant.
Of course, while the dispensationalists will argue that the Sabbath is a part of the old Jewish dispensation, we understand that the Sabbath commandment is a moral imperative that existed even before a Jew was in existence (Gen. 2:1-3; Ex. 20:11), therefore binding upon humanity before, during, and after God’s covenant with Israel.
God’s Law and the Seal: The Sabbath as a Sign of Authority
In understanding seals in the Biblical context, it is also important to consider that God's seal is directly connected to His law. The mark of loyalty to God, in contrast to loyalty to the world, is tied to obedience to His commandments. Isaiah 8:16 says, “Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples.” Here, the sealing process is associated with God’s law. The Sabbath, enjoined by the Fourth Commandment in the Decalogue, is unique because it specifically points to God as Creator: “For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day” (Ex. 20:11).
This directly mirrors the call in Revelation 14:7, which commands people to "worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.” While it is true that Christian believers during the apostolic era and beyond also met on Sunday, there is never any Biblical injunction to observe Sunday in the same way we are commanded to observe the seventh day.
The Connection with End-Time Worship and Loyalty
In the last days the great controversy between Christ and Satan, as depicted in Revelation, centers on worship and allegiance, with one group receiving the mark of the beast and the other keeping "the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus" (Rev. 14:12). The final test is about worship—whether people will follow God's commandments or human traditions.
The Fourth Commandment, which calls for rest on the seventh-day Sabbath, is decisive in this conflict, as it symbolizes loyalty to God as Creator. By contrast, the beast’s attempt to "change times and laws" (Daniel 7:25) is seen as shifting worship to Sunday, representing human authority. Linking the Sabbath to God’s seal is consistent with biblical themes of worship, authority, and loyalty, much like the theological deduction of the Trinity from multiple passages.
Chris’s position that the commandments referred to in the New Testament constitute “belief” and “love” (he uses 1 John 3:22-24) rather than the moral law of Ten Commandments, overlooks the New Testament's consistent affirmation of the Ten Commandments as binding on the Christian. Paul emphasizes in Romans 7:7 that we would not know sin without the law, specifically citing the Tenth Commandment, and clarifies in Romans 3:31 that faith does not nullify the law, but rather, upholds it. Jesus also affirmed the permanence of the moral law, saying in Matthew 5:17-18 that not one jot or tittle of the law would pass away, and when asked about the conditions for receiving eternal life, He pointed to the Ten Commandments (Matt. 19:17-19).
Moreover, Revelation 14:12 describes the saints as those who "keep the commandments of God”—which, given the context, includes the Decalogue. Thus the moral law, far from being superseded, remains central to the Christian life, guiding believers in sanctification and distinguishing the faithful in the end times.
The Church's Approach: Balancing Interpretive Freedom with Doctrinal Identity
One of the beautiful aspects of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and indeed of many Christian communities, is the allowance for individual study, dialogue, and sometimes, varying interpretations of certain Biblical passages and doctrinal concepts. Throughout its history, the Adventist Church has encouraged its members to be diligent students of the Word, creating an environment where believers are encouraged to explore the depths of Scripture.
This interpretive freedom reflects the church's commitment to the priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:9) and the belief that the Holy Spirit leads individuals into truth (John 16:13). Chris's openness to discuss his theological questions and the dialogue that followed with his local Conference leaders is evidence of the church's commitment to transparency and intellectual honesty in matters of faith.
However, alongside this freedom must come an understanding of the importance of boundaries. The Bible itself warns us against being taken captive by “every wind of doctrine” (Eph. 4:14). Every religious group, including the SDA Church, needs clear doctrines that safeguard its identity. Without these foundational boundaries, the church risks losing its unique voice and mission. While there should be some room for theological exploration, the church must maintain certain non-negotiable beliefs to preserve its prophetic message and purpose. Otherwise, the church would have no reason to exist.
Just as the early Christian church defended core doctrines such as the deity of Christ and the authority of Scripture against heresy, the SDA Church must also defend the beliefs that set it apart, including the doctrine of the Sabbath and the role it plays in God’s end-time message. Otherwise Seventh-day Adventism would be just another mainstream Christian community. For many that is the ideal, but it makes little sense to the Adventist who finds in the Sacred Word a distinct mission and calling.
The challenge then for the church is finding the balance between allowing healthy discussion and ensuring that key doctrines remain intact. Amos 3:3 asks, “Can two walk together unless they are agreed?” A community of faith must have a shared understanding of core principles, or it will lose its ability to act with unity and purpose. Just as any organization needs to clearly define what it stands for, so too must the church, else it would be unable to effectively proclaim the gospel it has been entrusted with. This is not about shutting down dialogue, but rather ensuring that, while differences are allowed in certain areas, the church’s identity and mission are preserved and strengthened.
In this case, both Chris's resignation and the church's engagement with him reflect this delicate balance. Chris understood that his theological views were moving away from the core teachings of the church, while the SDA leadership exhibited responsibility in safeguarding the church's doctrinal identity. Whether or not you agree with the core beliefs of the church, this approach ensures that the church remains unified around its prophetic mission, while also respecting the individual's journey of faith and understanding, even if it means the parting of ways.
Conclusion
The doctrine of the Sabbath as the end-time seal of God follows the same pattern of theological deduction as doctrines like the Trinity, which are built on the harmony of biblical teachings rather than on a single explicit statement. The Sabbath, as a sign of God’s authority and a mark of His creative power, holds a central place in the final test of loyalty between God's law and human tradition. Through this lens, Adventists conclude that the Sabbath functions as the seal of God in the final crisis, marking those who remain faithful to their Creator.
This is not just a "Sabbath issue," but a question of authority and worship—who do we recognize as the ultimate source of truth and sovereignty? The Bible consistently points us to the commandments of God, and the Sabbath stands as a critical expression of our allegiance to Him.
While Chris and I may stand on different sides of certain theological issues, I admire his courage to be transparent about his beliefs and the church's firm yet gracious handling of the situation. This kind of dialogue and the action that followed—though difficult—are necessary in a faith community that holds unity in Christ and the reflection of His character as its highest ideal. According to Jesus, unity in the church is based on sanctification through the divine Word of truth (John 17:17-21). It is therefore crucial that we maintain the balance of love and firmness as we discuss theological issues, always striving to reflect Christ's grace in how we handle disagreements.
My prayer is that this conversation leads to a deeper understanding of God’s truth for all involved.
Lemuel Valendez Sapian was born and raised in Denton, Texas and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the University of North Texas. Married with four fast-growing children, his passion is for world, religious, American and military historical studies. A lifelong Christian, he is an aspiring minister in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, a business owner and avid traveler.