Unpacking Filipino Seventh-day Adventist Identity: A Quantitative Exploration of Doctrines and Beliefs in relation to Practices among Varied Demographics

This study examined the relationship between awareness and practices of Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) doctrines and beliefs among baptized Filipino SDA members in the Southeastern Philippine Union Mission (SEPUM), with particular attention to the Sabbath, health and lifestyle, and the Law of God. A quantitative descriptive-correlational design was employed among 376 respondents selected through random sampling from the Davao Mission. Data were collected using a researcher-developed 99-item questionnaire administered through a six-point Likert scale. The instrument underwent expert validation and pilot testing and demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.85). Descriptive statistics, ANOVA, independent-samples tests, and Spearman’s rank-order correlation were used to analyze the data. Findings indicated that respondents demonstrated full awareness of SDA doctrines and beliefs (overall M = 5.71) and highly practiced these doctrines (overall M = 5.50). Awareness was highest for the Law of God (M = 5.82), followed by the Sabbath (M = 5.74) and health and lifestyle (M = 5.57). Significant positive relationships were found between awareness and practice for the Sabbath (ρ = .544, p < .01), health and lifestyle (ρ = .595, p < .01), and the Law of God (ρ = .584, p < .01). Demographic differences were evident in selected domains, particularly age, church position, educational background, and church location, while years of membership generally showed no significant relationship with practices. The findings indicate that stronger doctrinal awareness is consistently associated with stronger religious practice among members, underscoring the importance of sustained, context-sensitive doctrinal education, sustained faithfulness, and continued institutional support.