MASOMO 2

SEVENTH - DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
Fundamental Beliefs

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.

1. The Holy Scriptures:
The Holy Scriptures, Old and New Testaments, are the written Word of God, given by divine
inspiration through holy men of God who spoke and wrote as they were moved by the Holy
Spirit. In this Word, God has committed to man the knowledge necessary for salvation. The
Holy Scriptures are the infallible revelation of His will. They are the standard of character, the
test of experience, the authoritative revealer of doctrines, and the trustworthy record of God's
acts in history. (2 Peter 1:20, 21; 2 Tim. 3:16, 17; Ps. 119:105; Prov. 30:5, 6; Isa. 8:20; John
17:17; 1 Thess. 2:13; Heb. 4:12.)

2. The Trinity:
There is one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a unity of three co-eternal Persons. God is
immortal, all-powerful, all-knowing, above all, and ever present. He is infinite and beyond
human comprehension, yet known through His self-revelation. He is forever worthy of worship,
adoration, and service by the whole creation. (Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14; Eph. 4:4-6;
1 Peter 1:2; 1 Tim. 1:17; Rev. 14:7.)

3. The Father:
God the eternal Father is the Creator, Source, Sustainer, and Sovereign of all creation. He is
just and holy, merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and
faithfulness. The qualities and powers exhibited in the Son and the Holy Spirit are also
revelations of the Father. (Gen. 1:1; Rev. 4:11; 1 Cor. 15:28; John 3:16; 1 John 4:8; 1 Tim.
1:17; Ex. 34:6, 7; John 14:9.)

4. The Son:
God the eternal Son became incarnate in Jesus Christ. Through Him all things were created,
the character of God is revealed, the salvation of humanity is accomplished, and the world is
judged. Forever truly God, He became also truly man, Jesus the Christ. He was conceived of
the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived and experienced temptation as a human
being, but perfectly exemplified the righteousness and love of God. By His miracles He
manifested God's power and was attested as God's promised Messiah. He suffered and died
voluntarily on the cross for our sins and in our place, was raised from the dead, and ascended
to minister in the heavenly sanctuary in our behalf. He will come again in glory for the final
deliverance of His people and the restoration of all things. (John 1:1-3, 14; Col. 1:15-19; John
10:30; 14:9; Rom. 6:23; 2 Cor. 5:17-19; John 5:22; Luke 1:35; Phil. 2:5-11; Heb. 2:9-18; 1 Cor.
15:3, 4; Heb. 8:1, 2; John 14:1-3.)

5. The Holy Spirit:
God the eternal Spirit was active with the Father and the Son in Creation, incarnation, and
redemption. He inspired the writers of Scripture. He filled Christ's life with power. He draws and
convicts human beings; and those who respond He renews and transforms into the image of
God. Sent by the Father and the Son to be always with His children, He extends spiritual gifts
to the church, empowers it to bear witness to Christ, and in harmony with the Scriptures leads
it into all truth. (Gen. 1:1, 2; Luke 1:35; 4:18; Acts 10:38; 2 Peter 1:21; 2 Cor. 3:18; Eph. 4:11,
12; Acts 1:8; John 14:16-18, 26; 15:26, 27; 16:7-13.)

6. Creation:
God is Creator of all things, and has revealed in Scripture the authentic account of His creative
activity. In six days the Lord made "the heaven and the earth" and all living things upon the
earth, and rested on the seventh day of that first week. Thus He established the Sabbath as a
perpetual memorial of His completed creative work. The first man and woman were made in
the image of God as the crowning work of Creation, given dominion over the world, and
charged with responsibility to care for it. When the world was finished it was ``very good,''
declaring the glory of God. (Gen. 1; 2; Ex. 20:8-11; Ps. 19:1-6; 33:6, 9; 104; Heb. 11:3.)

7. The Nature of Man:
Man and woman were made in the image of God with individuality, the power and freedom to
think and to do. Though created free beings, each is an indivisible unity of body, mind, and
spirit, dependent upon God for life and breath and all else. When our first parents disobeyed
God, they denied their dependence upon Him and fell from their high position under God. The
image of God in them was marred and they became subject to death. Their descendants share
this fallen nature and its consequences. They are born with weaknesses and tendencies to
evil. But God in Christ reconciled the world to Himself and by His Spirit restores in penitent
mortals the image of their Maker. Created for the glory of God, they are called to love Him and
one another, and to care for their environment. (Gen. 1:26-28; 2:7; Ps. 8:4-8; Acts 17:24-28;
Gen. 3; Ps. 51:5; Rom. 5:12-17; 2 Cor. 5:19, 20; Ps. 51:10; 1 John 4:7, 8, 11, 20; Gen. 2:15.)

8. The Great Controversy:
All humanity is now involved in a great controversy between Christ and Satan regarding the
character of God, His law, and His sovereignty over the universe. This conflict originated in
heaven when a created being, endowed with freedom of choice, in self-exaltation became
Satan, God's adversary, and led into rebellion a portion of the angels. He introduced the spirit
of rebellion into this world when he led Adam and Eve into sin. This human sin resulted in the
distortion of the image of God in humanity, the disordering of the created world, and its
eventual devastation at the time of the worldwide flood. Observed by the whole creation, this
world became the arena of the universal conflict, out of which the God of love will ultimately be
vindicated. To assist His people in this controversy, Christ sends the Holy Spirit and the loyal
angels to guide, protect, and sustain them in the way of salvation. (Rev. 12:4-9; Isa. 14:12-14;
Eze. 28:12-18; Gen. 3; Rom. 1:19-32; 5:12-21; 8:19-22; Gen. 6-8; 2 Peter 3:6; 1 Cor. 4:9; Heb.
1:14.)

9. The Life, Death, and Resurrection of Christ:
In Christ's life of perfect obedience to God's will, His suffering, death, and resurrection, God
provided the only means of atonement for human sin, so that those who by faith accept this
atonement may have eternal life, and the whole creation may better understand the infinite and
holy love of the Creator. This perfect atonement vindicates the righteousness of God's law and
the graciousness of His character; for it both condemns our sin and provides for our
forgiveness. The death of Christ is substitutionary and expiatory, reconciling and transforming.
The resurrection of Christ proclaims God's triumph over the forces of evil, and for those who
accept the atonement assures their final victory over sin and death. It declares the Lordship of
Jesus Christ, before whom every knee in heaven and on earth will bow. (John 3:16; Isa. 53; 1
Peter 2:21, 22; 1 Cor. 15:3, 4, 20-22; 2 Cor. 5:14, 15, 19-21; Rom. 1:4; 3:25; 4:25; 8:3, 4; 1
John 2:2; 4:10; Col. 2:15; Phil. 2:6-11.)

10. The Experience of Salvation:
In infinite love and mercy God made Christ, who knew no sin, to be sin for us, so that in Him
we might be made the righteousness of God. Led by the Holy Spirit we sense our need,
acknowledge our sinfulness, repent of our transgressions, and exercise faith in Jesus as Lord
and Christ, as Substitute and Example. This faith which receives salvation comes through the
divine power of the Word and is the gift of God's grace. Through Christ we are justified,
adopted as God's sons and daughters, and delivered from the lordship of sin. Through the
Spirit we are born again and sanctified; the Spirit renews our minds, writes God's law of love in
our hearts, and we are given the power to live a holy life. Abiding in Him we become partakers
of the divine nature and have the assurance of salvation now and in the judgment. (2 Cor.
5:17-21; John 3:16; Gal. 1:4; 4:4-7; Titus 3:3-7; John 16:8; Gal. 3:13, 14; 1 Peter 2:21, 22;
Rom. 10:17; Luke 17:5; Mark 9:23, 24; Eph. 2:5-10; Rom. 3:21-26; Col. 1:13, 14; Rom.
8:14-17; Gal. 3:26; John 3:3-8; 1 Peter 1:23; Rom. 12:2; Heb. 8:7-12; Eze. 36:25-27; 2 Peter
1:3, 4; Rom. 8:1-4; 5:6-10.)

11. Growing in Christ:
By His death on the cross Jesus triumphed over the forces of evil. He who subjugated the
demonic spirits during His earthly ministry has broken their power and made certain their
ultimate doom. Jesus' victory gives us victory over the evil forces that still seek to control us, as
we walk with Him in peace, joy, and assurance of His love. Now the Holy Spirit dwells within us
and empowers us. Continually committed to Jesus as our Saviour and Lord, we are set free
from the burden of our past deeds. No longer do we live in the darkness, fear of evil powers,
ignorance, and meaninglessness of our former way of life. In this new freedom in Jesus, we
are called to grow into the likeness of His character, communing with Him daily in prayer,
feeding on His Word, meditating on it and on His providence, singing His praises, gathering
together for worship, and participating in the mission of the Church. As we give ourselves in
loving service to those around us and in witnessing to His salvation, His constant presence
with us through the Spirit transforms every moment and every task into a spiritual experience.
(Ps 1:1, 2; 23:4; 77:11, 12; Col 1:13, 14; 2:6, 14, 15; Luke 10:17-20; Eph 5:19, 20; 6:12-18; 1
Thess 5:23; 2 Peter 2:9; 3:18; 2 Cor. 3:17, 18; Phil 3:7-14; 1 Thess 5:16-18; Matt 20:25-28;
John 20:21; Gal 5:22-25; Rom 8:38, 39; 1 John 4:4; Heb 10:25.)

12. The Church:
The church is the community of believers who confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. In
continuity with the people of God in Old Testament times, we are called out from the world; and
we join together for worship, for fellowship, for instruction in the Word, for the celebration of the
Lord's Supper, for service to all mankind, and for the worldwide proclamation of the gospel.
The church derives its authority from Christ, who is the incarnate Word, and from the
Scriptures, which are the written Word. The church is God's family; adopted by Him as
children, its members live on the basis of the new covenant. The church is the body of Christ, a
community of faith of which Christ Himself is the Head. The church is the bride for whom Christ
died that He might sanctify and cleanse her. At His return in triumph, He will present her to
Himself a glorious church, the faithful of all the ages, the purchase of His blood, not having
spot or wrinkle, but holy and without blemish. (Gen. 12:3; Acts 7:38; Eph. 4:11-15; 3:8-11;
Matt. 28:19, 20; 16:13-20; 18:18; Eph. 2:19-22; 1:22, 23; 5:23-27; Col. 1:17, 18.)

13. The Remnant and Its Mission:
The universal church is composed of all who truly believe in Christ, but in the last days, a time
of widespread apostasy, a remnant has been called out to keep the commandments of God
and the faith of Jesus. This remnant announces the arrival of the judgment hour, proclaims
salvation through Christ, and heralds the approach of His second advent. This proclamation is
symbolized by the three angels of Revelation 14; it coincides with the work of judgment in
heaven and results in a work of repentance and reform on earth. Every believer is called to
have a personal part in this worldwide witness. (Rev. 12:17; 14:6-12; 18:1-4; 2 Cor. 5:10; Jude
3, 14; 1 Peter 1:16-19; 2 Peter 3:10-14; Rev. 21:1-14.)

14. Unity in the Body of Christ:
The church is one body with many members, called from every nation, kindred, tongue, and
people. In Christ we are a new creation; distinctions of race, culture, learning, and nationality,
and differences between high and low, rich and poor, male and female, must not be divisive
among us. We are all equal in Christ, who by one Spirit has bonded us into one fellowship with
Him and with one another; we are to serve and be served without partiality or reservation.
Through the revelation of Jesus Christ in the Scriptures we share the same faith and hope, and
reach out in one witness to all. This unity has its source in the oneness of the triune God, who
has adopted us as His children. (Rom. 12:4, 5; 1 Cor. 12:12-14; Matt. 28:19, 20; Ps. 133:1; 2
Cor. 5:16, 17; Acts 17:26, 27; Gal. 3:27, 29; Col. 3:10-15; Eph. 4:14-16; 4:1-6; John 17:20-23.)

15. Baptism:
By baptism we confess our faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and testify of our
death to sin and of our purpose to walk in newness of life. Thus we acknowledge Christ as
Lord and Saviour, become His people, and are received as members by His church. Baptism is
a symbol of our union with Christ, the forgiveness of our sins, and our reception of the Holy
Spirit. It is by immersion in water and is contingent on an affirmation of faith in Jesus and
evidence of repentance of sin. It follows instruction in the Holy Scriptures and acceptance of
their teachings. (Rom. 6:1-6; Col. 2:12, 13; Acts 16:30-33; 22:16; 2:38; Matt. 28:19, 20.)

16. The Lord's Supper:
The Lord's Supper is a participation in the emblems of the body and blood of Jesus as an
expression of faith in Him, our Lord and Saviour. In this experience of communion Christ is
present to meet and strengthen His people. As we partake, we joyfully proclaim the Lord's
death until He comes again. Preparation for the Supper includes self-examination, repentance,
and confession. The Master ordained the service of foot washing to signify renewed cleansing,
to express a willingness to serve one another in Christlike humility, and to unite our hearts in
love. The communion service is open to all believing Christians. (1 Cor. 10:16, 17; 11:23-30;
Matt. 26:17-30; Rev. 3:20; John 6:48-63; 13:1-17.)

17. Spiritual Gifts and Ministries:
God bestows upon all members of His church in every age spiritual gifts which each member is
to employ in loving ministry for the common good of the church and of humanity. Given by the
agency of the Holy Spirit, who apportions to each member as He wills, the gifts provide all
abilities and ministries needed by the church to fulfill its divinely ordained functions. According
to the Scriptures, these gifts include such ministries as faith, healing, prophecy, proclamation,
teaching, administration, reconciliation, compassion, and self-sacrificing service and charity for
the help and encouragement of people. Some members are called of God and endowed by the
Spirit for functions recognized by the church in pastoral, evangelistic, apostolic, and teaching
ministries particularly needed to equip the members for service, to build up the church to
spiritual maturity, and to foster unity of the faith and knowledge of God. When members
employ these spiritual gifts as faithful stewards of God's varied grace, the church is protected
from the destructive influence of false doctrine, grows with a growth that is from God, and is
built up in faith and love. (Rom. 12:4-8; 1 Cor. 12:9-11, 27, 28; Eph. 4:8, 11-16; Acts 6:1-7; 1
Tim. 3:1-13; 1 Peter 4:10, 11.)

18. The Gift of Prophecy:
One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is prophecy. This gift is an identifying mark of the remnant
church and was manifested in the ministry of Ellen. G. White . As the Lord's messenger, her
writings are a continuing and authoritative source of truth which provide for the church comfort,
guidance, instruction, and correction. They also make clear that the Bible is the standard by
which all teaching and experience must be tested. (Joel 2:28, 29; Acts 2:14-21; Heb. 1:1-3;
Rev. 12:17; 19:10.)

19. The Law of God:
The great principles of God's law are embodied in the Ten Commandments and exemplified in
the life of Christ. They express God's love, will, and purposes concerning human conduct and
relationships and are binding upon all people in every age. These precepts are the basis of
God's covenant with His people and the standard in God's judgment. Through the agency of
the Holy Spirit they point out sin and awaken a sense of need for a Saviour. Salvation is all of
grace and not of works, but its fruitage is obedience to the Commandments. This obedience
develops Christian character and results in a sense of well-being. It is an evidence of our love
for the Lord and our concern for our fellow men. The obedience of faith demonstrates the
power of Christ to transform lives, and therefore strengthens Christian witness. (Ex. 20:1-17;
Ps. 40:7, 8; Matt. 22:36-40; Deut. 28:1-14; Matt. 5:17-20; Heb. 8:8-10; John 15:7-10; Eph.
2:8-10; 1 John 5:3; Rom. 8:3, 4; Ps. 19:7-14.)

20. The Sabbath:
The beneficent Creator, after the six days of Creation, rested on the seventh day and instituted
the Sabbath for all people as a memorial of Creation. The fourth commandment of God's
unchangeable law requires the observance of this seventh-day Sabbath as the day of rest,
worship, and ministry in harmony with the teaching and practice of Jesus, the Lord of the
Sabbath. The Sabbath is a day of delightful communion with God and one another. It is a
symbol of our redemption in Christ, a sign of our sanctification, a token of our allegiance, and a
foretaste of our eternal future in God's kingdom. The Sabbath is God's perpetual sign of His
eternal covenant between Him and His people. Joyful observance of this holy time from
evening to evening, sunset to sunset, is a celebration of God's creative and redemptive acts.
(Gen. 2:1-3; Ex. 20:8-11; Luke 4:16; Isa. 56:5, 6; 58:13, 14; Matt. 12:1-12; Ex. 31:13-17; Eze.
20:12, 20; Deut. 5:12-15; Heb. 4:1-11; Lev. 23:32; Mark 1:32.)

21. Stewardship:
We are God's stewards, entrusted by Him with time and opportunities, abilities and
possessions, and the blessings of the earth and its resources. We are responsible to Him for
their proper use. We acknowledge God's ownership by faithful service to Him and our fellow
men, and by returning tithes and giving offerings for the proclamation of His gospel and the
support and growth of His church. Stewardship is a privilege given to us by God for nurture in
love and the victory over selfishness and covetousness. The steward rejoices in the blessings
that come to others as a result of his faithfulness. (Gen. 1:26-28; 2:15; 1 Chron. 29:14; Haggai
1:3-11; Mal. 3:8-12; 1 Cor. 9:9-14; Matt. 23:23; 2 Cor. 8:1-15; Rom. 15:26, 27.)

22. Christian Behavior:
We are called to be a godly people who think, feel, and act in harmony with the principles of
heaven. For the Spirit to recreate in us the character of our Lord we involve ourselves only in
those things which will produce Christlike purity, health, and joy in our lives. This means that
our amusement and entertainment should meet the highest standards of Christian taste and
beauty. While recognizing cultural differences, our dress is to be simple, modest, and neat,
befitting those whose true beauty does not consist of outward adornment but in the
imperishable ornament of a gentle and quiet spirit. It also means that because our bodies are
the temples of the Holy Spirit, we are to care for them intelligently. Along with adequate
exercise and rest, we are to adopt the most healthful diet possible and abstain from the
unclean foods identified in the Scriptures. Since alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and the
irresponsible use of drugs and narcotics are harmful to our bodies, we are to abstain from them
as well. Instead, we are to engage in whatever brings our thoughts and bodies into the
discipline of Christ, who desires our wholesomeness, joy, and goodness. (Rom. 12:1, 2; 1 John
2:6; Eph. 5:1-21; Phil. 4:8; 2 Cor. 10:5; 6:14-7:1; 1 Peter 3:1-4; 1 Cor. 6:19, 20; 10:31; Lev.
11:1-47; 3 John 2.)

23. Marriage and the Family:
Marriage was divinely established in Eden and affirmed by Jesus to be a lifelong union
between a man and a woman in loving companionship. For the Christian a marriage
commitment is to God as well as to the spouse, and should be entered into only between
partners who share a common faith. Mutual love, honor, respect, and responsibility are the
fabric of this relationship, which is to reflect the love, sanctity, closeness, and permanence of
the relationship between Christ and His church. Regarding divorce, Jesus taught that the
person who divorces a spouse, except for fornication, and marries another, commits adultery.
Although some family relationships may fall short of the ideal, marriage partners who fully
commit themselves to each other in Christ may achieve loving unity through the guidance of
the Spirit and the nurture of the church. God blesses the family and intends that its members
shall assist each other toward complete maturity. Parents are to bring up their children to love
and obey the Lord. By their example and their words they are to teach them that Christ is a
loving disciplinarian, ever tender and caring, who wants them to become members of His body,
the family of God. Increasing family closeness is one of the earmarks of the final gospel
message. (Gen. 2:18-25; Matt. 19:3-9; John 2:1-11; 2 Cor. 6:14; Eph. 5:21-33; Matt. 5:31, 32;
Mark 10:11, 12; Luke 16:18; 1 Cor. 7:10, 11; Ex. 20:12; Eph. 6:1-4; Deut. 6:5-9; Prov. 22:6;
Mal. 4:5, 6.)

24. Christ's Ministry in the Heavenly Sanctuary:
There is a sanctuary in heaven, the true tabernacle which the Lord set up and not man. In it
Christ ministers on our behalf, making available to believers the benefits of His atoning
sacrifice offered once for all on the cross. He was inaugurated as our great High Priest and
began His intercessory ministry at the time of His ascension. In 1844, at the end of the
prophetic period of 2300 days, He entered the second and last phase of His atoning ministry. It
is a work of investigative judgment which is part of the ultimate disposition of all sin, typified by
the cleansing of the ancient Hebrew sanctuary on the Day of Atonement. In that typical service
the sanctuary was cleansed with the blood of animal sacrifices, but the heavenly things are
purified with the perfect sacrifice of the blood of Jesus. The investigative judgment reveals to
heavenly intelligences who among the dead are asleep in Christ and therefore, in Him, are
deemed worthy to have part in the first resurrection. It also makes manifest who among the
living are abiding in Christ, keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and in
Him, therefore, are ready for translation into His everlasting kingdom. This judgment vindicates
the justice of God in saving those who believe in Jesus. It declares that those who have
remained loyal to God shall receive the kingdom. The completion of this ministry of Christ will
mark the close of human probation before the Second Advent. (Heb. 8:1-5; 4:14-16; 9:11-28;
10:19-22; 1:3; 2:16, 17; Dan. 7:9-27; 8:13, 14; 9:24-27; Num. 14:34; Eze. 4:6; Lev. 16; Rev.
14:6, 7; 20:12; 14:12; 22:12.)

25. The Second Coming of Christ:
The second coming of Christ is the blessed hope of the church, the grand climax of the gospel.
The Saviour's coming will be literal, personal, visible, and worldwide. When He returns, the
righteous dead will be resurrected, and together with the righteous living will be glorified and
taken to heaven, but the unrighteous will die. The almost complete fulfillment of most lines of
prophecy, together with the present condition of the world, indicates that Christ's coming is
imminent. The time of that event has not been revealed, and we are therefore exhorted to be
ready at all times. (Titus 2:13; Heb. 9:28; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:9-11; Matt. 24:14; Rev. 1:7; Matt.
24:43, 44; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; 1 Cor. 15:51-54; 2 Thess. 1:7-10; 2:8; Rev. 14:14-20; 19:11-21;
Matt. 24; Mark 13; Luke 21; 2 Tim. 3:1-5; 1 Thess. 5:1-6.)

26. Death and Resurrection:
The wages of sin is death. But God, who alone is immortal, will grant eternal life to His
redeemed. Until that day death is an unconscious state for all people. When Christ, who is our
life, appears, the resurrected righteous and the living righteous will be glorified and caught up
to meet their Lord. The second resurrection, the resurrection of the unrighteous, will take place
a thousand years later. (Rom. 6:23; 1 Tim. 6:15, 16; Eccl. 9:5, 6; Ps. 146:3, 4; John 11:11-14;
Col. 3:4; 1 Cor. 15:51-54; 1 Thess. 4:13-17; John 5:28, 29; Rev. 20:1-10.)

27. The Millennium and the End of Sin:
The millennium is the thousand-year reign of Christ with His saints in heaven between the first
and second resurrections. During this time the wicked dead will be judged; the earth will be
utterly desolate, without living human inhabitants, but occupied by Satan and his angels. At its
close Christ with His saints and the Holy City will descend from heaven to earth. The
unrighteous dead will then be resurrected, and with Satan and his angels will surround the city;
but fire from God will consume them and cleanse the earth. The universe will thus be freed of
sin and sinners forever. (Rev. 20; 1 Cor. 6:2, 3; Jer. 4:23-26; Rev. 21:1-5; Mal. 4:1; Eze. 28:18,
19.)

28. The New Earth:
On the new earth, in which righteousness dwells, God will provide an eternal home for the
redeemed and a perfect environment for everlasting life, love, joy, and learning in His
presence. For here God Himself will dwell with His people, and suffering and death will have
passed away. The great controversy will be ended, and sin will be no more. All things, animate
and inanimate, will declare that God is love; and He shall reign forever. Amen. (2 Peter 3:13;
Isa. 35; 65:17-25; Matt. 5:5; Rev. 21:1-7; 22:1-5; 11:15.)

Copyright © 2005, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists




DONDOO FUPI ZA KINA JUU YA MADA ZA MUZIKI NA UIMBAJI KATIKA
MTAZAMO WA KIKRISTO.

Dondoo zimeandaliwa na Makao Makuu ya Kanisa la Waadventista wa Sabato, South Nyanza Conference, Mkurugenzi wa huduma za muziki na uimbaji wa Kikristo, Pr Juma Y.

Vitabu Rejea:

1. Biblia Takatifu.
2. Testimonies, vol. 4, p.71.
3. Testimonies, vol. 9, 143, 143.
4. Evangelism, P. 504. 509.

Kanuni za kibiblia zinazoongoza muziki wa Kikristo,

1. Maana Mungu si Mungu wa machafuko, bali Mungu wa utaratibu
2. Maana Bwana ndiye mtawala wa dunia yote imbeni kwa akili.. Zaburi 47:7
3. Niondoleeni kelele za nyimbo na vinanda vyenu maana sitaki kuzisikia..Hosea 5:22-23.
4. Basi mlapo, au mnywapo, au mtendapo neno lolote, fanyeni yote kwa kwa utukufu wa Mungu. 1 Wakorintho 10:31.
5. Mkihakiki ni nini impendezayo Mungu.,, Efeso 5:10-20

MUZIKI WA KIKRISTO UNAUNDWA NA MISINGI MIKUU MITATU.

1. Theolojia ya Muziki wa Kikristo.
2. Falsafa ya Muziki wa Kikristo.
3. Sanaa ya Muziki wa Kikristo.

1.THEOLOJIA YA MUZIKI WA KIKRISTO

 Neno Theolojia linamaanisha elimu juu ya Uungu, Katika msingi huu waimbaji Wanapaswa kujifunza na kumwelewa Mungu kupitia sayansi ya kiroho juu Ya uimbaji unaomwakilisha Mungu, si uimbaji unaowakilisha sanaa ya Matamasha na uimbaji wa kibiashara. Maana uimbaji ni daraja Linalomuunganisha msikilizaji na Mungu wake, si msikilizaji na mwimbaji, Waimbaji wakishindwa kumuunganisha msikilizaji na Mungu, Wakamuunganisha kwa wao wenyewe, kusudi la uimbaji wao hufanana na Uimbaji wa matamasha ya kidunia yenye lengo hilo.
 Kwa mantiki hiyo, Theolojia ya Muziki wa Kikristo inajengwa kuangalia mambo yafuatayo na jinsi yanavyomwakilisha Mungu katika utunzi, uchaguzi sahihi wa ujumbe, maneno, na mlio wa sauti. Mambo hayo ni:
[I] Usahihi wa uchaguzi wa maneno katika utunzi, yawe ni ya Mungu. Epuka kutunga nyimbo za uungu kwa kuchanganya maneno ya slogan Za siasa, maneno ya mtaani na ya kada nyingine ambayo si muhimu Kuingiza, mf. Kasi mpya na hari mpya, usipompokea Yesu, Utajiju siku Ya Mwisho, Ni kutesa kwa zamu, na Itakuwa noma Siku ya moto wa Jehanum. Epuka maneno haya kama unakaka theolojia ya kweli na maneno mengine ya jinsi hiyo.
[II] Usahihi wa uunganishaji wa Maneno. Mfano Kamasi wewe Ningekuwa wapi? , Enjoo kwa Yesu, Nk.
[III] Utumiaji sahihi wa Vifungu vya Biblia. Unaimba na kutunga Kuhimiza ‘ kama akikupiga shavu la kuume mgeuzie na la pili Ndivyo Yesu alituagiza nk.
[IV] Utumiaji wa tafsiri sahihi za maneno ya unabii Mfano:

Nchi hiyo Ni nchi ya Tanzania, nabii alionyeshwa, juu ya watu
warefu, na mlima Mrefu, Tafsiri hii siyo sahihi japo tayari
imerekodiwa mpaka kuvuka mipaka Ya nchi.

[V]. Usahihi wa ukweli wa ujumbe wa wimbo.
Tunapendekeza kagua Misingi ya mafundisho makuu ya
imani katika wimbo wako, je Umebeba kweli gani?

2. FALSAFA YA MUZIKI WA KIKRISTO.

 Neno falsasafa limeundwa kutokana na neno la kiingereza, Philo-sophy Lenye maana ya elimu ya kujifunza hekima, maarifa. Falsafa ya Muziki wa kikristo inazingatia na kuangalia mihemko, hisia, miitikio ya Uimbaji, ladha ya wimbo, misukumo, na mielekeo ya wimbo. Kanisa
Lina falsafa yake iliyopitiwa upya katika baraza kuu la
GC na kutoa Mapendekezo yake juu ya muziki wa
Kikristo. Chukua nakala ya Falsafa hiyo kwa upana katika
ofisi ya idara ya vijana SNC. Ina kurasa Nyingi kidogo,
imekuwa siyo rahisi kuiunganisha katika dondoo hizi
Fupi.

3. SANAA YA MUZIKI WA KIKRISTO.
 Sanaa ya muziki ni elimu tanzu ya muziki, inayojenga taaluma halisi ya muziki kwa kufuata kanuni zote za muziki za notation ya muziki unaosomeka na kutafsrika kimuziki kwa kufuata kanuni za muziki. Siyo kufuata dini, dhehebu, au muziki wa dunia. Hapa kinachoangaliwa ni kanuni za uundaji wa muziki kwa notations. Hapa ndipo wengi wa viongozi wa makanisa hatuna elimu hii. Na kujikuta tukijikita katika Theolojia na falsafa tu. Na tunapokutana na wataalam halisi wa sanaa hii tunaweza kugongana kama tusipokuwa waangalifu.
 Ndani ya Sanaa ya Muziki ndio tunakutana na kila utaalamu wa uchezaji au utumiaji wa vyombo vya muziki kwa jinsi zake na utumiaji wa miundo ya sauti za mdomo kwa jinsi zake.

 Ndani ya sanaa ya muziki unaweza kupanga makundi ya manbo muhimu ya kutathimini msingi huu kama ifuatavyo:
-Mpangilio wa sauti zote, soprano, alto, tenor, na bass.
-Mpangilio na utulivu wa vyombo vya muziki.
-Muda wa kuimba wimbo mmoja.
-Namna ya kuingia na kujipanga kwa stage.
-Uniform sahihi zenye uwiano na utulivu wa rangi.
-Flexibility katika kusimama.
-Matamshi ya maneno na uundaji wa maneno mdomoni.

Kwa namna nyingine tunasema Sanaa ya uimbaji ina mgawanyo wa mambo makuu matatu ya kuifafanua na kuifundisha:
[I] Melody---Hii ni mlingano wa mvumo wa sauti.
[II] Harmony---Hii ni mlinganowa aina za sauti, soprano, alto, tenor, bass za kupendeza.[III] Rhythm---Hii ni mlingano wa mdundo.






UHURU WA IBADA/ IMANI/ DINI NA KUABUDU KWA VIJANA WA TAASISI ZA ELIMU NA RAIA KAMA ULIVYOBAINISHWA KATIKA KATIBA MAMA YA JAMUHURI YA MUUNGANO WA TANZANIA.

Ambassador’s Congress 25th Dec 2010- Y.I. Juma

KUSUDI LA SOMO:

1. Kusaidia vijana wetu wa kanisa kujenga uimara wa imani yao kwa Mungu, Ujasiri wa mahusiano yao na Mungu katika hali zote za maisha, kazini, Biashara, Taasisi za elimu na mtandao mzima wa shughuli za maisha zinazoweza kuathiri mahusiano yao ya ki-imani na kuwalazimisha kufanya kazi/ Kusoma/ kufanya biashara au burudani na michezo isiyo na maadili siku ya sabato au kinyume cha imani yao kwa ujuzi wa kuielewa sheria ya nchi na sauti ya Mungu Math 22:21-22, Warumi 13:1-8, 1Petro 2:13-17

2. Kuwasaidia vijana wa kanisa kusimama imara katika imani kwa zamu yao bila tegemezi la mtu yoyote, awe mchungaji , mzazi au kanisa. Imani aliyoielewa aisimamie kwa dhati hata katikati ya moto. Daniel 3:16-18

UJUZI WA KISHERIA NA WA-KIIMANI KATIKA KULINDA IMANI YA VIJANA WA KANISA

1. Ni heri kumtii Mungu kuliko Mwanadamu- Matendo 5: 29
2. Jua haki ya Kikatiba na Sheria ya nchi ya kila raia katika swala zima la kuabudu na kushiriki shughuli za Ki-imani.
3. Jua wajibu wako katika kujihusisha na mambo ya imani na ibada
4. Jua nini cha kufanya haki yako ya ibada/imani inapokiukwa makusudi na mamlaka iliyo chini yako.
5. Jua hatua za kisheria na za-kinidhamu zitakazochukuliwa dhidi yako kwa kukiuka wajibu wako katika maswala ya imani.

DONDOO NA NUKUU ZA KATIBA YA JAMHURI YA MUUNGANO WA TANZANIA KATIKA MASWALA YA IMANI NA IBADA

1. ‘Kila mtu anastahili kuwa na uhuru wa mawazo, imani na uchunguzi katika mambo ya dini’ Uhuru wa mtu kuamini dini atakayo: sheria ya 1984 Number 15, ib. 6

2. Bila ya kuathiri sheria zinazohusika za Jamhuri ya Muungano, kazi ya kutangaza dini, kufanya ibada na kueneza dini itakuwa ni huru na jambo la hiari ya mtu binafsi; na shughuli na uendeshaji wa jumuiya za dini zitakuwa nje ya shughuli za Mamlaka ya nchi. Uhuru wa mtu kuamini dini atakayo: sheria ya 1984 Number 15, ib. 6

3. Kila palipotajwa neno “ dini” katika ibara hii ifahamike kwamba maana yake ni pamoja na madhebu ya dini, na maneno mengineyo yanayofanana au kuambatana na neno hilo nayo yatatafsiriwa kwa maana hiyo. Uhuru wa mtu kuamini dini atakayo: sheria ya 1984 Number 15, ib. 6

4. Kila raia anayo haki na uhuru wa kushiriki kwa ukamilifu katika kufikia uamuzi juu ya mambo yanayomhusu yeye, maisha yake au yanayohusu Taifa. Uhuru wa Kushiriki shughuli za umma: sheria ya 1984 Number 15, ib. 6

VIJANA WA KANISA NA TAASISI ZA ELIMU NA WAJIBU WAO KATIKA KUTII SHERIA ZA NCHI
Wajibu huu ni kwa mujibu wa katiba kipengele cha “ Wajibu wa kutii Sheria za nchi:
Sheria ya 1984 Na. 15, ib. 6
1. Ni wajibu wa kisheria na agizo la Mungu vijana kufanya kazi halali za mapato au za jamii bila kuvunja sheria ya nchi na Sheria ya Mungu.
2. Ni wajibu wa Kisheria na agizo la Mungu kutii sheria halali za nchi bila kumkosea Mungu.
3. Ni wajibu wa Kisheria kulinda mali za umma na kuepuka hali zote za machafuko na kualifu amani ya jamii kwa nia ya kuhujumu mali za umma unazozitumia.
4. Ni wajibu wa Kisheria kulinda na kusimamia ulinzi na usalama wa raia katika mambo yote, likiwapo swala la ibada.

BIBLIA NA MIFANO YA WATU WALIOSIMAMIA IMARA IMANI ZAO BILA KUVUNJA SHeRIA YA NCHI WALA SHERIA YA MUNGU

1. YUSUFU- Mzo 39:9-11 “ Hakuna mkuu katika nyumba hii kuliko mimi, wala hakunizuilia kitu chochote ila wewe, kwa kuwa wewe u mkewe” Sheria ya Misri ya Mahusiano ya ndoa na sheria ya Mungu Kutoka 20:14 ‘Nifanyeje ubaya nimkose Mungu’

2. ESTER- Esta 4:16 “ Nitaingia kwa mfalme, Kinyume cha Sheria; nami nikiangamia, na niangamie” Sheria ya Wa-Amedi na Waajemi isiyobadilika”

3. Daniel- Dan 6:4-5, 8, 10, 16 : Sasa ee mfalme piga marufuku, ukatie sahihi maandiko haya, yasibadilike, kama ilivyo sheria ya Waamedi na Waajemi. Daniel akapiga magoti mara tatu kila siku, akasali, akashukuru mbele za Mungu wake, kama alivyokuwa akifanya tokea hapo.

4. Shadraka, meshaki abednego- Dan 3:16, Dan 3:18 “ Bali kama si hivyo, ujue Ee mfalme, ya kuwa sisi hatukubali kuitumikia miungu yako, wala kuisujudia hiyo sanamu ya dhahabu uliyoisimamisha.

5. Paul: Matendo 22:25- Je ni halali ninyi kumpiga mtu aliye mrumi naye hajahukumiwa bado? Sheria za Rumi

6. Yesu: Mathayo 10:17-20 “ Jihadharini na wanadamu; kwa maana watawapeleka mabarazani, na katika masinagogi yao watawapiga. Nanyi mtachukuliwa mbele ya maliwali na wafalme kwa ajili yangu, kuwa ushuhuda kwao na kwa mataifa, Msifikiri-fikiri jinsi ya kusema, mtapewa saa ile ile mtakavyosema kwa kuwa Roho atawaongoza kunena

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Ambassador’s Congress 25th December 2010, Nyanza Secondary- Pr Juma