The following excerpts from
the booklet entitled “This We Believe”, published by the
Chapter 4
THE CONSTITUTION OF THE NORTH
AMERICAN
GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE
Article 2. Articles of Religion
1. Faith in the Holy Trinity
We believe in
the one living and true God, both holy and loving, eternal, unlimited in power,
wisdom and goodness, the Creator and Preserver of all things. Within this unity
there are three persons of one essential nature, power and eternity — the
Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Gen. 1:1; 17:1; Ex. 3:13-15; 33:20;
Deut. 6:4; Ps. 90:2; Isa. 40:28-29; Matt. 3:16-17; 28:19; John 1:1-2; 4:24;
16:13; 17:3; Acts 5:3-4; 17:24-25; 1 Cor. 8:4, 6; Eph. 2:18; Phil. 2:6; Col.
1:16-17; 1 Tim. 1:17; Heb. 1:8; 1 John 5:20.
2. The Father
We believe the
Father is the Source of all that exists, whether of matter or spirit. With the
Son and the Holy Spirit, He made man, male and female, in His image. By
intention He relates to people as Father, thereby forever declaring His
goodwill toward them. In love, He both seeks and receives penitent sinners. Ps.
68:5; Isa. 64:8; Matt. 7:11; John 3:17; Rom. 8:15; 1 Peter 1:17.
3. The Son of God
We believe in Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God. He was conceived
by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, truly God and truly man. He
died on the cross and was buried, to be a sacrifice both for original sin and
for all human transgressions, and to reconcile us to God. Christ rose bodily
from the dead, and ascended into heaven, and there intercedes for us at the
Father’s right hand until He returns to judge all humanity at the last day. Ps.
16:8-10; Matt. 1:21, 23; 11:27; 16:28; 27:62-66; 28:5-9, 1617; Mark 10:45; 15;
16:6-7; Luke 1:27, 31, 35; 24:4-8, 23; John 1:1, 14, 18; 3:16-17; 20:26-29; 21;
Acts 1:2-3; 2:24-31; 4:12; 10:40; Rom. 5:10, 18; 8:34; 14:9; 1 Cor. 15:3-8, 14;
2 Cor. 5:18-19; Gal. 1:4; 2:20; 4:4-5; Eph. 5:2; 1 Tim. 1:15; Heb 2:17; 7:27;
9:14, 28; 10:12; 13:20; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 2:2; 4:14.
4. The Holy Spirit
We believe in the Holy Spirit who proceeds from the Father and the Son, and
is of the same essential nature, majesty, and glory, as the Father and the Son,
truly and eternally God. He is the Administrator of grace to all, and is
particularly the effective Agent in conviction for sin, in regeneration, in
sanctification, and in glorification. He is ever present, assuring, preserving,
guiding, and enabling the believer. Job
33:4; Matt. 28:19; John 4:24; 14:16-17; 15:26; 16:13-15; Acts 5:3-4; Rom. 8:9;
2 Cor. 3:17; Gal. 4:6.
5. The Sufficiency and Full Authority of the Holy Scriptures for
Salvation
We believe that the books of the Old and New Testaments constitute the Holy
Scriptures. They are the inspired and infallibly written Word of God, fully
inerrant in their original manuscripts and superior to all human authority, and
have been transmitted to the present without corruption of any essential
doctrine. We believe that they contain all things necessary to salvation; so
that whatever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be
required of any man or woman that it should be believed as an article of faith,
or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation. Both in the Old and New
Testaments life is offered ultimately through Christ, who is the only Mediator
between God and humanity. The New Testament teaches Christians how to fulfill
the moral principles of the Old Testament, calling for loving obedience to God
made possible by the indwelling presence of His Holy Spirit.
The canonical books of the Old Testament
are: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers,
Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1
Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Psalms, Proverbs,
Ecclesiastes, The Song of Solomon, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel,
Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah,
Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi.
The canonical books of the New Testament
are: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John,
Acts, Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians,
Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus,
Philemon, Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude and
Revelation.
Ps. 19:7; Matt. 5:17-19; 22:37-40; Luke 24:27, 44; John 1:45; 5:46; 17:17; Acts
17:2, 11; Rom. 1:2; 15:4, 8; 16:26; 2 Cor. 1:20; Gal. 1:8; Eph. 2:15-16; 1 Tim.
2:5; 2 Tim. 3:15-17; Heb. 4:12; 10:1; 11:39; James 1:21; 1 Peter 1:23; 2 Peter
1:19-21; 1 John 2:3-7; Rev. 22:18-19.
6. God’s Purpose for
Humanity
We believe that the two great commandments which require us to love the
Lord our God with all the heart, and our neighbors as ourselves, summarize the
divine law as it is revealed in the Scriptures. They are the perfect measure and norm of human duty,
both for the ordering and directing of families and nations, and all other
social bodies, and for individual acts, by which we are required to acknowledge
God as our only Supreme Ruler, and all persons as created by Him, equal in all
natural rights. Therefore all persons should so order all their individual,
social and political acts as to give to God entire and absolute obedience, and
to assure to all the enjoyment of every natural right, as well as to promote
the fulfillment of each in the possession and exercise of such rights. Lev. 19:18, 34; Deut. 1:16-17; Job
31:13-14; Jer. 21:12; 22:3; Micah 6:8; Matt. 5:44-48; 7:12; Mark 12:28-31; Luke
6:27-29, 35; John 13:34-35; Acts 10:34-35; 17:26; Rom. 12:9; 13:1, 7-8, 10;
Gal. 5:14; 6:10; Titus 3:1; James 2:8; 1 Peter 2:17; 1 John 2:5; 4:12-13; 2
John 6.
7. Marriage and the Family
We believe that every person is created in the image of God, that human
sexuality reflects that image in terms of intimate love, communication,
fellowship, subordination of the self to the larger whole, and fulfillment.
God’s Word makes use of the marriage relationship as the supreme metaphor for
His relationship with His covenant people and for revealing the truth that that
relationship is of one God with one people. Therefore God’s plan for human
sexuality is that it is to be expressed only in a monogamous lifelong
relationship between one man and one woman within the framework of marriage.
This is the only relationship which is divinely designed for the birth and
rearing of children and is a covenant union made in the sight of God, taking
priority over every other human relationship.
Gen. 1:27-28; 2:18, 20, 23-24; Isa. 54:4-8; 62:5b; Jer. 3:14; Ezek.
16:3ff.; Hosea 2; Mal. 2:14; Matt. 19:4-6; Mark 10:9; John 2:1-2, 11; 1 Cor.
9:5; Eph. 5:23-32; 1 Tim. 5:14; Heb. 13:4; Rev. 19:7-8.
8. Personal Choice
We believe that humanity’s creation
in the image of God included ability to choose between right and wrong. Thus
individuals were made morally responsible for their choices. But since the fall
of Adam, people are unable in their own strength to do the right. This
is due to original sin, which is not simply the following of Adam’s example,
but rather the corruption of the nature of each mortal, and is reproduced
naturally in Adam’s descendants. Because of it, humans are very far gone from
original righteousness, and by nature are continually inclined to evil. They
cannot of themselves even call upon God or exercise faith for salvation. But
through Jesus Christ the prevenient grace of God
makes possible what humans in self effort cannot do. It is bestowed freely upon
all, enabling all who will to turn and be saved. Gen. 6:5; 8:21; Deut. 30:19; Josh. 24:15;
1 Kings 20:40; Ps. 51:5; Isa. 64:6; Jer. 17:9; Mark 7:21-23; Luke 16:15; John
7:17; Rom. 3:10-12; 5:12-21; 1 Cor. 15:22; Eph. 2:1-3; 1 Tim. 2:5; Titus 3:5;
Heb. 11:6; Rev. 22:17.
9. The Atonement
We believe that Christ’s offering of himself, once and for all, through His
sufferings and meritorious death on the cross, provides the perfect redemption
and atonement for the sins of the whole world, both original and actual. There
is no other ground of salvation from sin but that alone. This atonement is
sufficient for every individual of Adam’s race. It is unconditionally effective
in the salvation of those mentally incompetent from birth, of those converted
persons who have become mentally incompetent, and of children under the age of
accountability. But it is effective for the salvation of those who reach the
age of accountability only when they repent and exercise faith in Christ. Isa. 52:13—53:12; Luke 24:46-47; John
3:16; Acts 3:18; 4:12; Rom. 3:20, 24-26; 5:8-11, 13, 18-20; 7:7; 8:34; 1 Cor.
6:11; 15:22; Gal. 2:16; 3:2-3; Eph. 1:7; 2:13, 16; 1 Tim. 2:5-6; Heb. 7:23-27;
9:11-15, 24-28; 10:14; 1 John 2:2; 4:10.
10. Repentance and Faith
We believe that for men and women to appropriate what God’s prevenient grace has made possible, they must voluntarily
respond in repentance and faith. The ability comes from God, but the act is the
individual’s.
Repentance is
prompted by the convicting ministry of the Holy Spirit. It involves a willful
change of mind that renounces sin and longs for righteousness, a godly sorrow
for and a confession of past sins, proper restitution for wrongdoings, and a
resolution to reform the life. Repentance is the precondition for saving faith,
and without it saving faith is impossible. Faith, in turn, is the only
condition of salvation. It begins in the agreement of the mind and the consent
of the will to the truth of the gospel, but issues in a complete reliance by
the whole person in the saving ability of Jesus Christ and a complete trusting
of oneself to Him as Savior and Lord. Saving faith is expressed in a public
acknowledgment of His Lordship and an identification
with His Church. Mark 1:15; Luke
5:32; 13:3; 24:47; John 3:16; 17:20; 20:31; Acts 5:31; 10:43; 11:18; 16:31;
20:21; 26:20; Rom. 1:16; 2:4; 10:8-10, 17; Gal. 3:26; Eph. 2:8; 4:4-6; Phil.
3:9; 2 Thess. 2:13; 2 Tim. 2:25; Heb. 11:6; 12:2; 1 Peter 1:9; 2 Peter 3:9.
11. Justification, Regeneration and Adoption
We believe that when one repents of personal sin and believes on the Lord
Jesus Christ, that at the same moment that person is justified, regenerated,
adopted into the family of God, and assured of personal salvation through the
witness of the Holy Spirit.
We believe that
justification is the judicial act of God whereby a person is accounted
righteous, granted full pardon of all sin, delivered from guilt, completely
released from the penalty of sins committed, by the merit of our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ, by faith alone, not on the basis of works.
We believe that
regeneration, or the new birth, is that work of the Holy Spirit whereby, when
one truly repents and believes, one’s moral nature is given a distinctively
spiritual life with the capacity for love and obedience. This new life is
received by faith in Jesus Christ, it enables the pardoned sinner to serve God
with the will and affections of the heart, and by it the regenerate are
delivered from the power of sin which reigns over all the unregenerate.
We believe that adoption is the act of God by which the justified and
regenerated believer becomes a partaker of all the rights, privileges and
responsibilities of a child of God.
Justification: Hab. 2:4; Acts
13:38-39; 15:11; 16:31; Rom. 1:17; 3:28; 4:2-5; 5:1-2; Gal. 3:6-14; Eph. 2:8-9;
Phil 3:9; Heb. 10:38.
Regeneration:
John 1:12-13; 3:3, 5-8; 2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 3:26; Eph. 2:5, 10, 19; 4:24; Col.
3:10; Titus 3:5; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:3-4; 2 Peter 1:4; 1 John 3:1.
Adoption:
Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:5, 7; Eph. 1:5.
Witness of the Spirit: Rom. 8:16-17; Gal. 4:6; 1 John 2:3; 3:14, 18-19.
12. Good Works
We believe that although good works cannot save us from our sins or from
God’s judgment, they are the fruit of faith and follow after regeneration.
Therefore they are pleasing and acceptable to God in Christ, and by them a
living faith may be as evidently known as a tree is discerned by its
fruit. Matt.
5:16; 7:16-20; John 15:8; Rom 3:20; 4:2, 4, 6; Gal. 2:16; 5:6; Eph. 2:10; Phil.
1:11; Col. 1:10; 1 Thess. 1:3; Titus 2:14; 3:5; James 2:18, 22; 1 Peter 2:9,
12.
13. Sin After Regeneration
We believe that after we have experienced regeneration, it is possible to
fall into sin, for in this life there is no such height or strength of holiness
from which it is impossible to fall. But by the grace of God one who has fallen
into sin may by true repentance and faith find forgiveness and restoration. Mal.
3:7; Matt. 18:21-22; John 15:4-6; 1 Tim. 4:1, 16; Heb. 10:35-39; 1 John 1:9;
2:1, 24-25.
14. Sanctification: Initial, Progressive,
Entire
We
believe that sanctification is that work of the Holy Spirit by which the child
of God is separated from sin unto God and is enabled to love God with all the
heart and to walk in all His holy commandments blameless. Sanctification is
initiated at the moment of justification and regeneration. From that moment
there is a gradual or progressive sanctification as the believer walks with God
and daily grows in grace and in a more perfect obedience to God. This prepares
for the crisis of entire sanctification which is wrought instantaneously when
believers present themselves as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God,
through faith in Jesus Christ, being effected
by the baptism with the Holy Spirit who cleanses the heart from all inbred sin.
The crisis of entire sanctification perfects the believer in love and empowers
that person for effective service. It is followed by lifelong growth in grace
and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The life of holiness
continues through faith in the sanctifying blood of Christ and evidences itself
by loving obedience to God’s revealed will.
Gen. 17:1; Deut. 30:6; Ps. 130:8; Isa. 6:1-6; Ezek. 36:25-29; Matt.
5:8, 48; Luke 1:74-75; 3:16-17; 24:49; John 17:1-26; Acts 1:4-5, 8; 2:1-4;
15:8-9; 26:18; Rom. 8:3-4; 1 Cor. 1:2; 6:11; 2 Cor. 7:1; Eph. 4:13, 24;
5:25-27; 1 Thess. 3:10, 12-13; 4:3, 78; 5:23-24; 2 Thess. 2:13; Titus 2:11-14;
Heb. 10:14; 12:14; 13:12; James 3:17-18; 4:8; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Peter 1:4; 1 John
1:7, 9; 3:8-9; 4:17-18; Jude 24.
15. The Gifts of the Spirit
We believe that the Gift of the Spirit is the Holy Spirit himself, and He
is to be desired more than the gifts of the Spirit which He in His wise counsel
bestows upon individual members of the Church to enable them properly to
fulfill their function as members of the body of Christ. The gifts of the
Spirit, although not always identifiable with natural abilities, function
through them for the edification of the whole Church. These gifts are to be
exercised in love under the administration of the Lord of the Church, not
through human volition. The relative value of the gifts of the Spirit is to be
tested by their usefulness in the Church and not by the ecstasy produced in the
ones receiving them. Luke 11:13;
24:49; Acts 1:4; 2:38-39; 8:19-20; 10:45; 11:17; Rom. 12:4-8; 1 Cor. 12:1—14:40;
Eph. 4:7-8, 11-16; Heb. 2:4; 13:20-21; 1 Peter 4:8-11.
16. The Church
We believe that the Christian
Church is the entire body of believers in Jesus Christ, who is the founder and
only Head of the Church. The Church includes both those believers who have gone
to be with the Lord and those who remain on the earth, having renounced the
world, the flesh and the devil, and having dedicated themselves to the work
which Christ committed unto His church until He comes. The Church on
earth is to preach the pure Word of God, properly administer the sacraments
according to Christ’s instructions, and live in obedience to all that Christ
commands. A local church is a body of believers formally organized on gospel
principles, meeting regularly for the purposes of evangelism, nurture,
fellowship and worship. The
17. The Sacraments: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
We believe that water baptism and the Lord’s
Supper are the sacraments of the church commanded by Christ and ordained as a
means of grace when received through faith. They are tokens of our profession
of Christian faith and signs of God’s gracious ministry toward us. By them, He
works within us to quicken, strengthen and confirm our faith.
We believe that water baptism is a sacrament of the church, commanded by our
Lord and administered to believers. It is a symbol of the new covenant of grace
and signifies acceptance of the benefits of the atonement of Jesus Christ. By
means of this sacrament, believers declare their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior.
Matt. 3:13-17; 28:19; Mark 1:9-11; John 3:5, 22, 26; 4:1-2; Acts 2:38-39,
41; 8:12-17, 36-38; 9:18; 16:15, 33; 18:8; 19:5; 22:16; Rom 2:28-29; 4:11;
6:3-4; 1 Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:27-29; Col. 2:11-12; Titus 3:5.
We believe that the Lord’s Supper is a sacrament of our redemption by Christ’s
death and of our hope in His victorious return, as well as a sign of the love
that Christians have for each other. To such as receive it humbly, with a
proper spirit and by faith, the Lord’s Supper is made a means through which God
communicates grace to the heart. Matt.
26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19-20; John 6:48-58; 1 Cor. 5:7-8; 10:3-4,
16-17; 11:23-29.
18. The Second Coming of Christ
We believe that the certainty of the personal and imminent return of Christ
inspires holy living and zeal for the evangelization of the world. At His
return He will fulfill all prophecies made concerning His final and complete
triumph over evil. Job 19:25-27; Isa.
11:1-12; Zech. 14:1-11; Matt. 24:1-51; 25; 26:64; Mark 13:1-37; Luke 17:22-37;
21:5-36; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:6-11; 1 Cor. 1:7-8; 1 Thess. 1:10; 2:19; 3:13;
4:13-18; 5:1-11, 23; 2 Thess. 1:6-10; 2:1-12; Titus 2:11-14; Heb. 9:2728; James
5:7-8; 2 Peter 3:1-14; 1 John 3:2-3; Rev. 1:7; 19:1116; 22:6-7, 12, 20.
19. The Resurrection of the Dead
We believe in the bodily resurrection from the dead of all people— of the
just unto the resurrection of life, and of the unjust unto the resurrection of
damnation. The resurrection of Christ is the guarantee of the resurrection
which will occur at Christ’s Second Coming. The raised body will be a spiritual
body, but the person will be whole and identifiable. Job 19:25-27; Dan. 12:2; Matt. 22:30-32;
28:1-20; Mark 16:18; Luke 14:14; 24:1-53; John 5:28-29; 11:21-27; 20:1—21:25;
Acts 1:3; Rom. 8:11; 1 Cor. 6:14; 15:1-58; 2 Cor. 4:14; 5:1-11; 1 Thess.
4:13-17; Rev. 20:4-6, 11-13.
20. The Judgment of All Persons
We believe that the Scriptures reveal God as the Judge of all and the acts
of His judgment are based on His omniscience and eternal justice. His
administration of judgment will culminate in the final meeting of all persons
before His throne of great majesty and power, where records will be examined
and final rewards and punishments will be administered. Eccl. 12:14; Matt. 10:15; 25:31-46; Luke
11:31-32; Acts 10:42; 17:31; Rom. 2:16; 14:10-12; 2 Cor. 5:10; 2 Tim. 4:1; Heb.
9:27; 2 Peter 3:7; Rev. 20:11-13.
21. Destiny
We believe that the Scriptures clearly teach that there is a conscious
personal existence after death. The final destiny of each person is determined
by God’s grace and that person’s response, evidenced inevitably by a moral
character which results from that individual’s personal and volitional choices
and not from any arbitrary decree of God. Heaven with its eternal glory and the
blessedness of Christ’s presence is the final abode of those who choose the
salvation which God provides through Jesus Christ, but hell with its
everlasting misery and separation from God is the final abode of those who
neglect this great salvation. Dan.
12:2; Matt. 25:34-46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 13:3; John 8:21-23; 14:2-3; 2 Cor.
5:6, 8, 10; Heb. 2:1-3; 9:27-28; 10:2631; Rev. 20:14-15; 21:1—22:5, 14-15.
Article 3. Covenant Membership Commitments to a
To be identified with an organized church is the blessed privilege and
sacred duty of all who are saved from their sins and are seeking completeness
in Christ Jesus. From the Church’s beginnings in the New Testament age, it has
been understood that such identification involves putting off the old patterns
of conduct and putting on the mind of Christ. In maintaining this Christian
concept of a transformed life, The Wesleyan Church intends to relate timeless
biblical principles to the conditions of contemporary society in such a way as
to respect the integrity of the individual believer, yet maintain the purity of
the Church and the effectiveness of its witness. This is done in the conviction
that there is validity in the concept of the collective Christian conscience as
illuminated and guided by the Holy Spirit. The following items (265) represent
historic, ethical and practical standards of The Wesleyan Church. While it is
hoped that our people will earnestly seek the aid of the Spirit in cultivating a sensitivity to evil which transcends the mere letter of
the law, it is expected that those entering into Covenant Membership shall
follow carefully and conscientiously these guides and helps to holy living.
Disregard of the principles embraced in these Covenant Membership Commitments
subjects a member to Church discipline (268).
Those admitted
to Covenant Membership in our churches commit themselves to demonstrate their
life in Christ in such ways as:
BASIC PRINCIPLES
Toward God
(1) To reverence the name of God and to honor the Lord’s Day by divine
worship and spiritual edification, participating in those activities which
contribute to the moral and spiritual purposes of this day. Gen. 2:3; Ex. 20:3, 7-11; Deut. 5:11-15;
Isa. 58:13-14; Mark 2:27; Acts 20:7; Heb. 4:9.
(2) To seek only the leading of the
Holy Spirit and to abstain from all forms of spiritism,
such as the occult, witchcraft, astrology and other similar practices. Lev. 19:31; 20:6; Deut. 18:10-14; Acts 19:18-19; Gal.
5:19-20.
Toward Self
(3) To exercise faithful stewardship
through the wise use of their time and material resources, practicing careful
self-discipline in order to further the mission of Christ’s church (remembering
the principle of tithing which is basic to the New Testament standard of
stewardship) and to demonstrate compassion to those in need. Prov. 3:9; Mal. 3:10; Matt. 25:34-40; Acts
20:35; 1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor. 9:7; Eph. 5:16; Col. 3:17; James 2:15-16; 1 John
3:17.
(4) To demonstrate a positive social witness by abstaining from all forms
of gambling and by abstaining from using or trafficking (production, sale or
purchase)* in any substances destructive to their physical, mental and
spiritual health, such as alcoholic beverages, tobacco and drugs (other than
proper medical purposes of drugs); and by refraining from membership in secret
societies and lodges which are oath bound, believing that the quasi-religious
nature of such organizations divides the Christian’s loyalty, their secret
nature contravenes the Christian’s open witness and the secret nature of their
oaths is repugnant to the Christian conscience. Ex. 20:17; Rom. 14:21; 1
Cor. 6:12. Gambling violates the principle of Christian stewardship and the
tenth commandment, is harmful to the individual in that it is emotionally
addictive, is a poor example to others, and pollutes the moral climate of
society. *See 6805 in Appendix B.
Prov. 20:1; Rom. 6:12; 14:21; 1 Cor. 6:12-20; 10:23; 2 Cor. 7:1; Eph. 5:18;
1 Thess. 5:22. Christians are to regard their bodies as temples of
the Holy Spirit. While no “thing” of itself is sinful, the Christian should
avoid the use of anything which would not help build the fellowship of the
church, would not help the believers to realize their full potential in Christ,
or which would enslave them. In the light of the scientific knowledge of our
day concerning the actual and potential harm of these substances, total
abstinence is more in keeping with these biblical principles than is
moderation. Ex.
20:3; Matt. 5:34-36; John 18:20; Acts 4:12; James 5:12.
These prohibitions do not restrict membership in labor, civic or other
organizations which do not contradict loyalty to Christ and the Church. When in
these relationships Christian principles are violated, members shall be dealt
with because of such violations and not because of the membership itself.
Toward Family
(5) To follow the teachings of the Scriptures
regarding marriage and divorce. We affirm that sexual relationships outside of
marriage and sexual relationships between persons of the same sex are immoral
and sinful. We further affirm that heterosexual monogamy is God’s plan for
marriage, and we regard sexual sin of the spouse, such as adultery, homosexual
behavior, bestiality or incest, as the only biblical grounds for considering
divorce, and then only when appropriate counseling has failed to restore the
relationship. Ex. 20:14, 17; 22:19;
Lev. 20:10-16; Matt. 5:32; 19:19; Mark 10:11-12; Luke 16:18.
(6) To preserve the sanctity of the home by honoring Christ in every phase
of family life and by demonstrating Christ like love (always avoiding spousal
or child abuse), and by living peacefully with one another, thereby encouraging
the nurture and education of the children in the Christian faith so as to bring
them early to the saving knowledge of Christ. Prov. 22:6; Mark 10:9; Eph.
5:28; 6:4.
Toward The Church
(7) To work together for the advancement of God’s kingdom and for the
mutual edification of fellow believers in holiness, knowledge and love; to walk
together in Christian fellowship by giving and receiving counsel with
gentleness and affection; by praying for each other; by helping each other in
sickness and distress; and by demonstrating love, purity and courtesy to all.
(8) To grow in the knowledge, love and grace of God by participating in
public worship, the ministry of the Word of God, the Lord’s Supper, family and
personal devotions and fasting. Mark 2:18-20; Acts 13:2-3; 14:23; Rom.
12:12; 1 Cor. 11:2328; Eph. 6:18; Phil. 4:6; 1 Tim. 2:1-2; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Heb.
10:25; 1 Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 3:18.
(9) To preserve the fellowship and witness of the Church with reference to
the use of languages. The
Toward Others
(10) To do good as much as is possible to all people as God gives
opportunity, especially to those in the body of Christ; by giving food to the
hungry, by clothing the destitute, by visiting or helping those who are sick or
in prison; by instructing, correcting or encouraging them in love. Matt. 25:31-46; Eph. 5:11; 1 Thess. 5:14;
Heb. 3:13; 10:23-25.
(11) To respect the inherent individual rights of all persons, regardless
of race, color or sex. 1 Cor. 8:13; 12:13; Gal. 3:28; 1 Tim. 5:21.
(12) To live honestly, be just in all dealings and faithful in all
commitments. Eccl. 5:4-5; Rom. 12:17;
Phil. 4:8-9; 1 Peter 2:12.
These are the Covenant Membership Commitments of our Church. We believe all
these to be consistent with the principles of Christ as taught in the Word of
God, which is the only and sufficient rule both of our faith and practice. If
any among us do not observe them, and/or habitually break any of them, we will
admonish such persons in love with the hope of restoring them to lives of
harmony with the above Covenant Membership Commitments. If such efforts of
restoration continue to prove fruitless, official action should be taken toward
termination of said persons’ church membership. However, the church members are
encouraged to continue efforts toward the spiritual restoration of these
persons. Matt. 18:15-17; 1 Cor.
5:6-7, 9-13; 2 Cor. 2:5-7; 5:18-20; 6:1418; Gal. 6:1-10; Eph. 4:25-32; Titus
3:10-11.
Article 4. Elementary Principles
Christ is the only Head of the Church, and the Word of God the only rule of
faith and conduct.
No person who loves the Lord Jesus Christ, and obeys the gospel of God our
Savior, ought to be deprived of church membership.
Every person has an inalienable right to private judgment in matters of
religion, and an equal right to express personal opinions in any way which will
not violate the laws of God or the rights of others.
All church trials should be conducted on gospel principles only; and no
minister or member should be excommunicated except for immorality, the
propagation of unchristian doctrines, or for neglect of duties enjoined by the
Word of God.
The pastoral or ministerial office and
duties are of divine appointment, and all ordained ministers in the
The Church has a right to form and enforce such rules and regulations only as
are in accordance with the Holy Scriptures, and may be necessary or have a
tendency to carry into effect the great system of practical Christianity.
Whatever power may be necessary to the formation of rules and regulations is
inherent in the ministers and members of the Church; but so much of that power
may be delegated from time to time, upon a plan of representation, as they may
judge necessary and proper.
It is the duty of all ministers and members of the Church to maintain godliness
and oppose all moral evil.
It is obligatory upon ministers of the gospel to be faithful in the discharge
of their pastoral and ministerial duties, and it is also obligatory upon the
members to esteem ministers highly for their works’ sake, and to render them a
righteous compensation for their labors.
Article 5. Observance of Sacraments
All persons to be baptized shall have the choice of baptism by immersion,
pouring or sprinkling. Since children are born into this world with natures
inclined to sin, and yet the prevenient grace of God
provides for their redemption during the period before reaching the age of
accountability, those parents who so choose may testify to their faith in God’s
provision by presenting their small children for baptism, while those who
prefer to emphasize baptism as a testimony by individual believers to their own
act of faith may present their children for dedication. Mark
10:13-16; Acts 2:38-39; 16:15; 18:8.
The Lord’s Supper shall be observed in each local Wesleyan church at least
once each three months.
Article 6. Membership in The
The privileges and conditions of
covenant membership in the Church are constitutional, and changes therein may
be made only by constitutional enactment. The General Conference may at its own
discretion establish categories of membership other than covenant membership.
Nothing shall be included in the membership ritual that is contrary to
the following definitions, conditions and privileges of membership.
The conditions of covenant membership are:
(1) Confession of a personal experience in regeneration, and a pledge to seek
diligently until sanctified wholly if that grace has not been obtained.
(2) Christian baptism.
(3) Acceptance of the Articles of Religion which
are summarized below, the Covenant Membership Commitments, the Elementary
Principles, and the authority of The Discipline in matters of church
government.
(4) A covenant to support the Church, to live in fellowship with the members
thereof, and to seek God’s glory in all things.
(5) The approving vote of the members of the receiving church who are present
and voting, unless the church by vote shall delegate this right to the church
board. In both cases, it shall be by majority vote, provided that when
objections are urged against the reception of a member, it shall require a vote
of two-thirds of those present and voting to receive.
Summary of the Articles of Religion
Candidates for covenant membership shall declare their agreement with the
following summary of the Articles of Religion:
We believe in God the Father, the Son and the Holy
Spirit.
We believe that Jesus Christ the Son suffered in our place on the cross, that
He died but rose again, that He now sits at the
Father’s right hand until He returns to judge every person at the last day.
We believe in the Holy Scriptures as the inspired and inerrant Word of God.
We believe that by the grace of God every person has the ability and
responsibility to choose between right and wrong, and that those who repent of
their sin and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ are justified by faith.
We believe that God not only counts the believer as righteous, but that He
makes such persons righteous, freeing them from sin’s dominion at conversion,
purifying their hearts by faith, perfecting them in love at entire
sanctification, and providing for their growth in grace at every stage of
spiritual life, enabling them through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit
to live victorious lives.
The
rights of covenant membership are:
(1) The fellowship of the saints and
the encouragement, admonition and spiritual guidance of the ministry.
(2) The access to the sacraments and ordinances of the Church.
(3) The right to vote and the eligibility to hold any office for which a person
in covenant membership is eligible, if not under discipline.
(4) The right to trial and appeal if charged with failure to maintain the
conditions of membership, with the specific provision that joining another
religious body shall of itself sever membership in the Church.
(5) A covenant member in good standing in any Wesleyan church is entitled to
membership privileges in any Wesleyan church to which a transfer of membership
may be desired, subject to 297:5.
Church
membership may be terminated only by one or more of the following:
(1) Voluntary withdrawal.
(2) Joining another religious body or a secret order.
(3) Expulsion after proper trial and conviction.
(4) Persistent neglect of church relationship as defined by The Discipline.