Madisonville First United Methodist Church

The standard doctrines of the United Methodist Church are contained in two foundational documents from our heritage - the Articles of Religion of the Methodist Episcopal Church and the Confession of Faith of the Evangelical United Brethren Church. When these two bodies merged in 1968 to form the United Methodist Church both documents became part of the Book of Discipline. In addition, the Constitution of the Methodist Church contains Restrictive Rule ¶17, Article I, which states “the General Conference shall not revoke, alter or change our Articles of Religion or establish any new standards or rules of doctrine contrary to our present existing and established standards of doctrine.” Article II says the same about the Confession of Faith. As long as there is a denomination known as the United Methodist Church these two documents will continue as the standard of what our church believes.

Rather than reprint all 25 Articles of Religion and the 16 articles in the Confession of Faith in their entirety (and in 18th century English!) we have attempted to summarize these documents into “WE BELIEVE” statements. We have used more contemporary English in hopes of making them more “believer friendly.” A few of the articles, such as whether or not the United States is recognized as a sovereign nation, we have intentionally omitted. Copies of the actual documents are available if you are interested.

We have also included scripture references after each statement. We believe the Bible is the primary source of “doing theology.” John Wesley referred to himself as a “man of one book,” and he wanted the Methodists to be “Bible Christians.” He sought a scriptural Christianity energized by the presence of the Holy Spirit, and we are committed to the same.

Finally, we don’t claim to be the exclusive holders to the keys to the kingdom nor do we by any means believe our doctrine to be perfect. But we do serve a perfect God who will one day help each of us to “know fully, even as I am fully known.” (I Corinthians 13:12) We do hope that reading, reflecting and discussing these core beliefs will help you to establish anchor points for your faith on your continuing journey as a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ. We join with John Wesley in proclaiming what we hope in the desire of us all when he said, I want to know one thing - the way to heaven!”

THE CORE OF UNITED METHODIST DOCTRINE

WE BELIEVE in one true, holy and living God who is the maker and preserver of all things. He has revealed Himself as the Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit - three persons of one substance, power and eternity. (Genesis 1 & 2; Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19, 2 Corinthians 13:14)

WE BELIEVE in Jesus Christ, who is fully God and fully man. He is the Word made flesh, born of the virgin - Mary - by the power of the Holy Spirit. He suffered, was crucified, died and buried to reconcile us to the Father and to be the perfect sacrifice for our sins. There is salvation in no other name. (John 1:14; Acts 4:10-12; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Colossians 1:15-20)

WE BELIEVE in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave as an actual event in recorded history. He arose with an actual body, ascended into heaven and will return again to earth as the final judge of all persons. (Matthew 28:5-7; Acts 2:29-36; 1 Corinthians 15: 15-22; Acts 10:39-42)

WE BELIEVE the Holy Spirit is one with the Father and the Son. He is our Helper, Teacher and Guide, and the one who dwells in the lives of all true believers. He provides power to be witnesses of the good news of Jesus in all the world. (John 14:15-18, 26; John 16:13; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 5:18)

WE BELIEVE the Holy Bible is the word of God and contains all things necessary for salvation. The Bible is inspired by the Holy Spirit and it alone is the ultimate rule and guide for living the Christian life. (Isaiah 40:8; John 20:31; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12)

WE BELIEVE that all persons are sinners by nature and are helpless to change their condition through any human power or ability. We are put into a right relationship to God by faith in Jesus Christ alone. Salvation is a gift of the grace of God and is available to all who as an act of free will respond to God’s offer of salvation. (Romans 3:13; 5:1-2 & 6-11; 6:23; 10:9-11; Ephesians 2:8-9)

WE BELIEVE all who put faith in Jesus Christ and the salvation He alone can give are born again and, therefore, citizens of the Kingdom of God. They are made new creations by the power of the Holy Spirit, Freed from the curse of sin, and enabled to be faithful servants of God and others. Forgiveness is available to all who turn from their sin and desire to live a new life following Jesus Christ. (John 3:3; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 John 1:6-7, 3:5-10)

WE BELIEVE the church is the community of all true believers of Jesus Christ. All Christians need to be a part of the fellowship of a local congregation where the word of God is preached and the sacraments are administered. The church exists for the ownership of God, to proclaim the good news about Jesus to all the world and to help believers mature in their faith so they can be a ministry in the church mission in the world. (Matthew 16:18-19; 1 Corinthians 12:27; Ephesians 4:11-16)

WE BELIEVE the sacraments are signs of God’s love and grace for us and of our profession of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. In the practice of the sacraments, by the mystery of faith, we experience the grace of God in our lives and are strengthened in our faith. We observe two sacraments: Baptism and Holy communion (or the Lord’s Supper). (Matthew 3:13-17; 28:10-18; Matthew 26:26-30)

WE BELIEVE baptism is a sign that we are followers of Christ and marks us as belonging to the family of God. It is a sign of the new birth. We practice the baptism of children but do not believe it is sufficient for salvation. All persons, at some point in their lives, must accept for themselves God’s offer of salvation in Jesus Christ. (Matthew 18:3-4; Luke 18:15-17; Romans 6:3-4; Ephesians 4:4-6)

WE BELIEVE the Lord’s Supper is a sign of God’s love toward us through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It also reminds us of the way we are to love each other. We are to participate in Holy communion in faith and with a sincere desire to live a new life following Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:17-29)

WE BELIEVE that followers of Jesus Christ are to continue growing in their faith and are to seek to be in ministry and mission in and through their local church. Christians are set apart or “sanctified” to live lives that are both fruitful and faithful to the will of God. A person who is sanctified is freed from the power of sin and seeks to live a holy life which is defined as loving God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and loving others as you would yourself. (Mark 12:28-31: John 15:1-8: 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8; 1 Peter 1:13-16; Hebrews 12:14)

WE BELIEVE it is the will of God for Christians to join together regularly for the public worship of God. Worship is essential to the life of the church and the regular gathering of the Christian community is necessary for Christian fellowship and growth. (Acts 2:46; Hebrews 10:24-25)

WE BELIEVE that all persons will stand under a final judgment of Jesus Christ.

WE BELIEVE in the resurrection of the dead.

WE BELIEVE those who are in a right relationship to Jesus Christ will live forever with God in a place the Bible calls heaven, and those who reject the gift of salvation will spend eternity separated from God in a place the Bible calls hell. (Matthew 25:31-46; Luke 16:19-31: 1 John 5:11-12; Revelation 22:12-17)

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Our Beliefs