Baptismal Vows 2005 (Alternate)

An alternative baptismal vow was introduced in 2005. It originated with the South Pacific Division branch of the Biblical Research Committee. It consists of the following three affirmations:

1. Do you accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and Lord, and do you desire to live your life in a saving relationship with Him?

2. Do you accept the teachings of the Bible as expressed in the Statement of Fundamental Beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and do you pledge by God’s grace to live your life in harmony with these teachings?

3. Do you desire to be baptized as a public expression of your belief in Jesus Christ, to be accepted into the fellowship of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and to support the church and its mission as a faithful steward by your personal influence, tithes and offerings, and a life of service?

A caution was expressed by Dr. Brian Bull on theological grounds, "who worried that placing the wording 'as expressed in the Statement of Fundamental Beliefs' led to the danger of the church turning the fundamentals into a creed." Other delegates expressed concerns that the alternative vow is not detailed enough, but it was passed because of its optional nature - the choice of which vow to use is at the discretion of the pastor preparing the baptismal candidate.

"Delegates Debate Baptismal Vows" (Press release).

Adventist News Network. 2005-07-08.