OUR STATEMENT OF FAITH
What We Believe
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 you 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 WE BELIEVE:
1. ABOUT GOD
WE BELIEVE IN GOD THE FATHER ALMIGHTY, MAKER OF HEAVEN AND EARTH…
The Apostles’ Creed
“We believe in the one true, holy and living God, Eternal Spirit, who is Creator, Sovereign and Preserver of all things visible and invisible. He is infinite in power, wisdom, justice, goodness, and love, and rules with gracious regard for the well-being and salvation of men, to the glory of his name. We believe the one God reveals himself as the Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, distinct but inseparable, eternally one in essence and power.”
UM Book of Discipline 2000 page 66
Genesis 1:1,26,27,3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14
2. ABOUT JESUS CHRIST
AND (WE BELIEVE) IN JESUS CHRIST HIS ONLY SON OUR LORD: WHO WAS CONCEIVED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, BORN OF THE VIRGIN MARY, SUFFERED UNDER PONTIUS PILATE, WAS CRUCIFIED, DEAD, AND BURIED; THE THIRD DAY HE ROSE FROM THE DEAD; HE ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN, AND SITS ON THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD THE FATHER ALMIGHTY; FROM THERE HE SHALL COME TO JUDGE THE LIVING AND THE DEAD.
The Apostles’ Creed
“We believe in Jesus Christ, truly God and truly man, in whom the divine and human natures are perfectly and inseparably united. He is the eternal Word made flesh, the only begotten Son of the Father, born of the Virgin Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit. As ministering servant he lived and died on the cross. He was buried, rose from the dead and ascended into heaven to be with the Father, from whence he shall return. He is eternal Savior and Mediator, who intercedes for us, and by him all men are judged.”
UM B.O.D. 2000 pp. 67
Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1;1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14-15; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13.
3. ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT
WE BELIEVE IN THE HOLY SPIRIT, THE HOLY UNIVERSAL CHURCH, THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS, THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS, THE RESURRECTION OF THE BODY AND THE LIFE EVERLASTING.
The Apostles’ Creed
“We believe in the Holy Spirit who proceeds from and is one in being with the Father and the Son. He convinces the world of sin, of righteousness and of judgment. He leads men through faithful response to the gospel into the fellowship of the Church. He comforts, sustains and empowers the faithful and guides them into all truth.”
UM B.O.D. 2000 page 67
The Holy Spirit is present in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ. The Spirit also lives in every Christian. The Holy Spirit provides the Christian with power for living, understanding spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. As Christians we seek to live under the Holy Spirit’s control 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; Ephesians 5:18
4. ABOUT THE HOLY BIBLE
“We believe the Holy Bible, Old and New Testaments, reveals the Word of God so far as it is necessary for our salvation. It is to be received through the Holy Spirit as the true rule and guide for faith and practice. Whatever is not revealed in or established by the Holy Scriptures is not to be made an article of faith nor is it to be taught as essential to salvation.”
UM B.O.D. 2000 page 67
2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105, 160, 12:6
5. ABOUT THE CHURCH
“We believe the Christian Church is the community of all true believers under the Lordship (leadership) of Christ. We believe it is one, holy, apostolic and catholic. It is the redemptive fellowship in which the Word of God is preached by men divinely called, and the sacraments are duly administered according to Christ’s own appointment. Under the discipline of the Holy Spirit the Church exists for the maintenance of worship, the edification of believers and the redemption of the world.”
UM B.O.D. 2000 page 67 -68
All United Methodists churches are connected in a strong worldwide bond. This connection helps us adequately supply pastors to all churches. Our connection provides for one of the largest mission organizations in the world, with hundreds of missionaries. Our connection helps us to provide social services and social witness to justice issues in our communities and throughout the world. Or connection is supported by each church’s “apportionments” or giving beyond the local church. Our apportionments are a privilege and our responsibility to our faithful witness as a church.
6. ABOUT HUMAN BEINGS
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like God in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin”. This attitude separates people from God and causes problems in life.
Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:12
7. 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 save from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.
Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1
8. ABOUT ETERNITY
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with God is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.
John 3:16; John 14:17; Romans 6:23; Romans 8:17-18; Revelation 20:15;
1 Corinthians 2:7-9
9. ABOUT TITHING
At Center Point UMC we practice tithing for the support of Christ’s Body, the church as God commands. We recognize that giving 10% of our income is the Biblical standard of giving. We accept God’s promise to bless us when we tithe.
Leviticus 26:30; Malachi 3:10; Luke 18:22