Seventh-Day Evangelist Church
Encyclopedia
The Seventh-Day Evangelist Church is a Christian
denomination that recently grew out of the teachings that were embraced by a group of Sudanese people who formerly joined the Adventist
Church. The church was founded in 1985 in South Sudan
under the leadership of Moses B. Matthew. He was only 15 years old when he started preaching the gospel of God's kingdom. Other members were active. About thirty people joined the church as members but experienced regular and constant acts of persecution
by other Christian churches especially because of the Sabbath observance.
The rebel government was not educated about the principles of democracy and religious freedom. Those who were aware of these facts were on higher levels of administration. These churches used the local government
at the time to persecute the group and tried to discourage them from spreading their beliefs. In 1987 the local government ran by The SPLA at the time managed to close the Evangelist church and presented their church building as a gift to the Episcopal church for their constant disagreement and pursuit of accusations against the Evangelist Church. The members of the Seventh-Day Evangelist Church fled Bor and went to Ethiopia
where they had the freedom to worship and share their beliefs with other people.
The following were among the members. Sarah Ajok Biar Chol, Moses Matthew, Peter Duot Mabior, Andrew Bul Arok, Daniel Duot Aruei, Abdun Aruei Arok, Daniel Deng Akur, Rachel Abuk Atem, Elizabeth Adut Warebek, Mary Ayok, Rachel Awaak Malek, Stephen Nul Biar Chol, Rachel Achol Garang, Rachel Apul Aguil, Mary Achol, Ayen Mabior Gak, and John Mabior Barach. There were around 30 members. Most of these members are now in the Adventist Church. With the exception of Pastor Moses Banak Matthew B. Chol who is the founder and the church leader. They were not called Evangelists then, but the teachings they embraced are among the present fundamental teachings of The Seventh-Day Evangelist Church. The Church in abbreviation is known as " The SDE Church "
. The Church teaches also that when Jesus comes there will be no more opportunity for salvation, it will be a time of judgement and reward. Those who have been saved will be taken to heaven and those who have not been saved will be condemned to everlasting death.
Another doctrine that the Seventh-Day Evangelist Church teaches is that marriage in God's eyes is not practiced by a large number of people in the world. The church teaches that despite going to church for a wedding ceremony and obtaining a legal documentation and approval without God's approval and recognition it is nothing more than an immoral practice and an organized form of adultery. Among the 25 fundamental teachings there are other unique doctrines like the one pertaining to marriage. All in all The most important doctrine of The Seventh-Day Evangelist Church is the doctrine of salvation. Evangelists may have beliefs in common with the SDA church, but it never originated from the Adventist Church. It is simply a Bible-centered church.
, South Sudan
and South Korea
. It is also reaching Australia
, Canada
and the United States of America while it is building up its presence in the Continent of Africa
and Europe
.
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
denomination that recently grew out of the teachings that were embraced by a group of Sudanese people who formerly joined the Adventist
Adventist
Adventism is a Christian movement which began in the 19th century, in the context of the Second Great Awakening revival in the United States. The name refers to belief in the imminent Second Coming of Jesus Christ. It was started by William Miller, whose followers became known as Millerites...
Church. The church was founded in 1985 in South Sudan
South Sudan
South Sudan , officially the Republic of South Sudan, is a landlocked country located in the Sahel region of northeastern Africa. It is also part of the North Africa UN sub-region. Its current capital is Juba, which is also its largest city; the capital city is planned to be moved to the more...
under the leadership of Moses B. Matthew. He was only 15 years old when he started preaching the gospel of God's kingdom. Other members were active. About thirty people joined the church as members but experienced regular and constant acts of persecution
Persecution
Persecution is the systematic mistreatment of an individual or group by another group. The most common forms are religious persecution, ethnic persecution, and political persecution, though there is naturally some overlap between these terms. The inflicting of suffering, harassment, isolation,...
by other Christian churches especially because of the Sabbath observance.
The rebel government was not educated about the principles of democracy and religious freedom. Those who were aware of these facts were on higher levels of administration. These churches used the local government
Government
Government refers to the legislators, administrators, and arbitrators in the administrative bureaucracy who control a state at a given time, and to the system of government by which they are organized...
at the time to persecute the group and tried to discourage them from spreading their beliefs. In 1987 the local government ran by The SPLA at the time managed to close the Evangelist church and presented their church building as a gift to the Episcopal church for their constant disagreement and pursuit of accusations against the Evangelist Church. The members of the Seventh-Day Evangelist Church fled Bor and went to Ethiopia
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
where they had the freedom to worship and share their beliefs with other people.
The following were among the members. Sarah Ajok Biar Chol, Moses Matthew, Peter Duot Mabior, Andrew Bul Arok, Daniel Duot Aruei, Abdun Aruei Arok, Daniel Deng Akur, Rachel Abuk Atem, Elizabeth Adut Warebek, Mary Ayok, Rachel Awaak Malek, Stephen Nul Biar Chol, Rachel Achol Garang, Rachel Apul Aguil, Mary Achol, Ayen Mabior Gak, and John Mabior Barach. There were around 30 members. Most of these members are now in the Adventist Church. With the exception of Pastor Moses Banak Matthew B. Chol who is the founder and the church leader. They were not called Evangelists then, but the teachings they embraced are among the present fundamental teachings of The Seventh-Day Evangelist Church. The Church in abbreviation is known as " The SDE Church "
Fundamental Beliefs
The Seventh-Day Evangelist Church has 25 fundamental beliefs. These include the observance of Saturday as day of worship and seventh-day Sabbath according to the Biblical teaching. The Evangelist Church believes that for a person to become a Christian they must experience new birth now and not when Jesus returns. The church teaches that when Jesus came the first time He came to save. This work of salvation is the reason why He has not returned yet, so that everyone has a chance to repent and become a ChristianChristian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
. The Church teaches also that when Jesus comes there will be no more opportunity for salvation, it will be a time of judgement and reward. Those who have been saved will be taken to heaven and those who have not been saved will be condemned to everlasting death.
Another doctrine that the Seventh-Day Evangelist Church teaches is that marriage in God's eyes is not practiced by a large number of people in the world. The church teaches that despite going to church for a wedding ceremony and obtaining a legal documentation and approval without God's approval and recognition it is nothing more than an immoral practice and an organized form of adultery. Among the 25 fundamental teachings there are other unique doctrines like the one pertaining to marriage. All in all The most important doctrine of The Seventh-Day Evangelist Church is the doctrine of salvation. Evangelists may have beliefs in common with the SDA church, but it never originated from the Adventist Church. It is simply a Bible-centered church.
Lifestyle
The Evangelist Church teaches health programs for a better experience on earth. The Church believes in a set of health programs which promote soundness of mind and body. The Evangelists believe in the healthy environment where cleanliness is embraced and enjoyed on a daily basis. The church teaches that cultures of men can have a negative impact on the church as a heavenly representative on earth. The Evangelist Church is currently enjoying its presence in UgandaUganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
, South Sudan
South Sudan
South Sudan , officially the Republic of South Sudan, is a landlocked country located in the Sahel region of northeastern Africa. It is also part of the North Africa UN sub-region. Its current capital is Juba, which is also its largest city; the capital city is planned to be moved to the more...
and South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
. It is also reaching Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and the United States of America while it is building up its presence in the Continent of Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
and Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
.