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What We BelieveWe share the following Christian beliefs with all Christian churches:
GOD We believe in one God, who created the world and you! We believe that God is sovereign; that is, God is the ruler of the universe. We believe that God is love. We can experience God’s love every day!
JESUS We believe that Jesus was human. He lived as a man and died when he was crucified. We believe that Jesus is divine. He is the Son of God. We believe that God raised Jesus from the dead and that the risen Christ lives today. (Christ and Messiah both mean "God’s anointed.") We believe that Jesus is our Savior. In Christ we receive eternal life and forgiveness of sins. We believe that Jesus is our Lord and that we are to follow His teachings to live the abundant life.
HOLY SPIRIT We believe that the Holy Spirit is God with us. We believe that the Holy Spirit comforts us when we are in need and convicts us when we stray from God. We believe that the Holy Spirit awakens us to God’s will and empowers us to live obediently.
HUMAN BEINGS We believe that God created human beings in God’s image. We believe that humans can choose to accept or reject a relationship with God. We believe that all humans need to be in relationship with God in order to be fully human. We believe God created and formed both males and females in the image of God to fulfill His specific purposes and plans (Genesis 1:27, Matthew 19:4, Genesis 2:7, Jeremiah 1:5). We believe marriage is ordained by God to be a covenantal, sacred agreement between a man and woman (Genesis 2:24, Ephesians 5:25, Matthew 19:5, I Corinthians 7:2).
We believe human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born babies, older adults, any person who is variously abled, and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death (Psalms 139:13-16, Jeremiah 1:5, Psalms 127:3-5).
THE CHURCH We believe that the church is the body of Christ, an extension of Christ’s life and ministry in the world today. We believe that the mission of the church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ. We believe that the church is “the communion of saints,” a community made up of all past, present, and future disciples of Christ. We believe that the church is called to worship God and to support those who participate in its life as they grow in faith.
THE BIBLE We believe that the Bible is God’s written Word. We believe that the Bible is the primary authority for our faith and practice. We believe that Christians need to know and study the Old Testament and the New Testament (the Hebrew Scriptures and the Christian Scriptures).
SALVATION We believe that Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life! We believe that through the grace of God that we receive through faith in Jesus Christ we can live forever in Heaven and avoid the wages of sin, which is eternal death (Romans 6:23 and Revelation 21:8)
THE KINGDOM OF GOD We believe that the Kingdom or Reign of God is both a present reality and future hope. We believe that wherever God's will is done, the Kingdom or Reign of God is present. It was present in Jesus' ministry, and it is also present in our world whenever persons reach out to help people, encourage people, lend a hand, listen, share gifts, lay hands on the sick for healing. We believe that although the fulfillment of God's kingdom--the complete restoration of creation--is still to come. We believe that the church is called to be both witness to the vision of what God's kingdom will be like and a participant in helping to bring it to completion. We believe that the reign of God is both personal and social. Personally, we display the kingdom of God as our hearts and minds are transformed and we become more Christ-like. Socially, God's vision for the kingdom includes the restoration and transformation of all of creation.
SACRAMENTS With many other Protestants, we recognize the two sacraments in which Christ himself participated: Baptism and the Lord's Supper. Baptism Through baptism we are joined with the church and with Christians everywhere. Baptism is a symbol of new life and a sign of God's love and forgiveness of our sins. Persons of any age can be baptized. We baptize by sprinkling, immersion or pouring. A person receives the sacrament of baptism only once in his or her life. The Lord's Supper (Communion, Eucharist) The Lord's Supper is a holy meal of bread and wine that symbolizes the body and blood of Christ. The Lord's Supper recalls the life, death and resurrection of Jesus and celebrates the unity of all the members of God's family. By sharing this meal, we give thanks for Christ's sacrifice and are nourished and empowered to go into the world in mission and ministry. We practice "open Communion," welcoming all who love Christ, repent of their sin, and seek to live in peace with one another.
If you have any further questions about our beliefs, please feel free to contact Pastor Kevin at 833-6171.
Jesus said: "I am the door, if anyone enters by me, he will be saved..." John 10:9.
The Bible says: "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Romans 10:13. Prayer of Salvation: "Dear God, I believe in You. I believe Jesus is the Son of God, that He died for my sins, and that He was buried and rose again as written in the Bible. I'm sorry for the things I've done that hurt You. Forgive me for all my sins. Come into my heart, take charge of my life and make me the way You want me to be. With Your help, I will turn away from my sins. Cleanse my heart with Your precious blood. Write my name in Your Book of Life. I confess Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Thank You that I am saved! In Jesus' Name, Amen." If you prayed the prayer of salvation, we would love to hear from you! CALL us at (417) 833-6171 or e-mail us at: antioch.methodist@mchsi.com |
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