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In essential
beliefs - we have UNITY.
"There is one Body and one Spirit…there is one Lord, one
faith, one baptism and one God and Father of us all…" Ephesians 4:4-6
In
non-essential beliefs - we have LIBERTY.
"Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment
on disputable matters…Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own
master he stands or falls…So then each of us will give an account of himself to
God…So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God."
Romans 14:1,4,12,22
In all our beliefs - we show
CHARITY.
"…If I hold in my mind not only all human knowledge but
also the very secrets of God, and if I have the faith that can move mountains -
but have no love, I amount to nothing at all." 1 Corinthians. 13:2
The Essentials:
1. About God
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe, and is
revealed in the three personalities: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
The three (Trinity) are co-equal and are one God.
Genesis 1:1,26,27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter
1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:13
2.
About Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ, as the Son of God, is co-equal with the God.
Jesus, born of the Virgin Mary, lived a sinless human life and offered Himself
as the perfect sacrifice for the sin of all people by dying on a cross. He arose
from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He
ascended to heaven and will return someday to earth to reign as King of kings,
and Lord of lords.
Matt 1:22,23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Heb. 4:14,15;
I Corinthians. 15:3-4; Rom. 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13
3.
About the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with God and the Son of God.
The Holy Spirit is present in the world to make people aware of their need to be
reconciled to God. The Holy Spirit also lives in every Christian from the moment
of conversion, and provides the spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is
right. The Holy Spirit gives every believer a spiritual gift when they accept
Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of their lives. As Christians we seek to live
under His influence daily.
2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13; 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; 1
Corinthians 2:12; 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25
4.
About the Bible
The Bible is God's Word to us. It was written by human
authors, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of
truth for Christian beliefs and living, and contains all things necessary for
salvation.
2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20,21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm
119:105.160; Proverbs 30:5
5. About Human Beings
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like
character. We are the supreme act of God's creation. Although every person has
great potential for good, we are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward
God called "sin". This attitude - a "bent" to sin - separates people from God
and causes many problems in life.
Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23;
Isaiah 59: 1-2
6.
About Salvation
Salvation is God's free gift to us but we must accept it.
We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by
trusting in Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from
sin's penalty: eternal separation from God. Eternal life, the life which God
intends for us, begins the moment a person accepts Jesus Christ into our life by
faith.
Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 1:12, 14:6; Titus 3:5;
Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1
7.
About Baptism
We believe Baptism signifies entrance into the household of
faith, and is a symbol of repentance and inner cleansing from sin, a
representation of the new birth in Christ Jesus and a mark of Christian
discipleship.
We believe children are under the atonement of Christ and
as heirs of the Kingdom of God are acceptable candidates for Christian baptism.
Children of believing parents through baptism become the special responsibility
of the Church.
They should be nurtured and led to personal acceptance of
Christ, and by profession of faith confirm their baptism.
We believe Baptism was given to build up the church, not to
tear it up with dissention... as a result: The United Methodist Church
acknowledges and practices ALL forms of baptism. We also recognize
baptisms from other denominations. (You don't have to be re-baptized to
join the church)
Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 16:14; Col. 2:12
8.
About the Lord's Supper
We believe the Lord's Supper is a representation of our
redemption, a remembrance of the suffering and death of Christ, and a symbol of
love and union which Christians have with Christ and with one another. When
received by faith, the bread and juice become for us the body and blood of
Christ.
Further we believe that all are invited to participate in
the Lord's Supper. We believe that The Supper can be both a confirming and
converting experience. Jesus invited all to His table, even Judas the betrayer.
Children who have been properly instructed in the meaning
of this sacrament may also participate with their parents even though they may
not have reached the time in their life when they are ready to be "confirmed".
1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Luke 22:21
For More Information on The
United Methodist Church please
CLICK HERE!
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