Adventists are opposed to the formulation of creeds, so the 28 fundamental beliefs are considered descriptors, not prescriptors; that is, that they describe the official position of the church but are not criteria for membership.
They may be grouped into the doctrines of God, humanity, salvation, the church, Christian life, and the restoration.
In the October 8, 1861 Review and Herald, J. N. Loughborough wrote: Several summaries of Adventist theology have been presented at various times.
The preamble to the 28 Fundamentals states that Adventists accept the Bible as their only creed, and that revision of the statements may be expected during the church General Conference Session: Seventh-day Adventists accept the Bible as their only creed and hold certain fundamental beliefs to be the teaching of the Holy Scriptures.
These beliefs, as set forth here, constitute the church's understanding and expression of the teaching of Scripture.
Revision of these statements may be expected at a General Conference Session when the church is led by the Holy Spirit to a fuller understanding of Bible truth or finds better language in which to express the teachings of God's Holy Word."[9]1.
All of these doctrines, with the exception of item 11 (regarding the premillennial return of Christ), are widely held amongst conservative or evangelical Protestants.
(Different Protestant groups hold varying views on the millennium.)