During the General Conference Session in Saint Louis, Missouri, a new fundamental belief was added to the Adventist Statement of Fundamental Beliefs. The process of study and consultation covered a period of over two years. A decision of this nature required the participation of the world church in the process of formulating the new statement. The discussions during the Session indicated that thinking globally on doctrinal and theological issues, and finding the proper language to express that thinking, is indeed a challenge for a world church. But the church did very well and was able to express itself with freedom and in Christian unity. It demonstrated that when the church is firmly grounded in the Scriptures and guided by the presence of the Holy Spirit it can move as one body, united to Christ in the message and mission He entrusted to it.

The new statement is valuable to the church in at least four ways. First, it reaffirms the Adventist understanding of the cross of Christ and His sacrificial death as central and indispensable in the resolution of the cosmic conflict. In fact, it is the only means of freedom from the forces of evil. Second, it raises the topic of freedom from spiritual hostile powers to a new level of importance within the church. This is necessary due to the remarkable increase of the presence and influence of spiritualism around the world. Third, it also reaffirms the need for a deep personal communion and fellowship with the resurrected Lord. Therefore, it declares irrelevant and totally unnecessary any type of subjection to evil spiritual beings. Fourth, the addition of a new fundamental belief to the body of doctrines of the church reminds us that the Statement of Fundamental Beliefs is indeed a living document. It reflects the dynamic nature of Adventist thinking, message, and mission.