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Statement of Faith
WHAT WE BELIEVE…
ABOUT GOD
God is the Creator and Ruler of the Universe. He has eternally existed in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.
ABOUT HUMANITY
We are made in the image of God, to be like Him in character. Although we have tremendous potential for good, everyone is marred by an attitude of rebellion toward God called sin. Sin separates people from God.
ABOUT ETERNITY
People are created to exist forever. Every person will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation.
ABOUT JESUS CHRIST
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus was born of the virgin Mary by miraculous conception, lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days, demonstrating His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory where He is the only Mediator between God and people. He will return again to earth and will reign as King of kings and Lord of lords
WHAT WE BELIEVE…
ABOUT SALVATION
Salvation is a gift from God to all people. People can never make up for their sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus as God’s offer of forgiveness can a person be forgiven and become a child of God. John 3:16 states, “for God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” We believe that God is not partial to any particular group, but loves ALL people regardless of national origin, ethnicity, culture, race, sex or orientation. All who place their trust in what the Lord Jesus has done for us through His death, burial and resurrection shall be saved.
ABOUT GOD’S DEPENDABILITY
Because God gives human beings eternal life through Jesus Christ, and adopts them as His own, salvation is received and maintained by the grace and power of God—not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives believers the assurance of salvation. No power in the universe can separate God’s children from Him.
ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son as God. The Holy Spirit is present in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. The Holy Spirit provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. The Christian seeks to live under the Holy Spirit’s control daily.
ABOUT THE BIBLE
The Bible, both Old and New Testaments, is God’s word to all. It was written by human authors, by the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Scriptures are inspired by God and are the unique authority on all matters of faith and practice.
ABOUT THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Antioch United Methodist Church on The Rock is a United Methodist Congregation. The United Methodist Church is not the church, but part of the greater Church of Jesus Christ which is made up of people from every nation, tribe, culture and tradition on earth. The United Methodist Church is a world wide church that is part of the Methodist movement which began as a revival movement led by Charles and John Wesley in the last part of the 18th and early part of the 19th century in Great Britain. John Wesley was s priest in the Church of England when he experienced the saving power of God while attending a church meeting at Aldersgate Street in London. He later wrote in his journal about his conversion saying, “I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldergate Street, where one was reading Luther’s preface to the Epistle to the Romans. About a quarter before nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust Christ, Christ alone for salvation; and an assurance was given to me that he had taken away my sins, even mine and saved me from the law of sin and death.” At the core of Methodist beliefs, is the belief in the Triune God, who is one God, but who is in the form of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Jesus died on the cross, was buried and rose again on the third day. All who place their trust in Jesus are saved and filled with the Holy Spirit. We believe that the Spirit calls us to both social holiness and good works. We witness to our faith in God by loving others as Christ has loved us. We believe that our understanding of faith is impacted by Scripture (central to our faith), Tradition, Experience and Reason. The Word of God tells us what we need to know about salvation. Our understanding of faith is passed down through the generations to us. We each have experiences that inform us and shape our understanding of God and salvation. God has given us brains that allow us to think and figure things out.