OUR FAITH
We are a Methodist (Wesleyan-Arminian) congregation that affirms the theology and doctrine established by the early Christian Church, particularly during the first few centuries after the life of Jesus Christ.
Key components of our faith include:
- The Trinity: We believe in the Holy Trinity, which understands that God has revealed himself in Jesus Christ and the Scriptures that God exists as three Persons—Father, Son (Jesus Christ), and Holy Spirit. While God is exists as three Persons, He is one essence.
- Nicene Creed: We accept the Nicene Creed (Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed), which was formulated in the 4th century to define essential beliefs, particularly in response to challenges like Arianism.
- Scriptural Authority: We enthusiastically affirm the inspiration, authority, clarity, inerrancy, unity, and sufficiency of the Bible including both the Old and New Testaments.
- Salvation by Grace through Faith: We believe in salvation by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ, as expressed in Ephesians 2:8–9 (and other passage).
- Soteriology (theology of salvation): We affirm that at the heart of salvation is individual reconciliation to God through Jesus Christ’s atoning sacrifice.
- Sanctification: We affirm traditional Methodism’s understanding of sanctification as having three distinct movements of grace: (1) initial sanctification, (2) the process of sanctification, and (3) entire sanctification.
- Sacraments: We acknowledge that the two sacraments of the church are baptism and communion as the means of grace instituted by Jesus.
- Ecclesiology: We believe in the Church as the body of Christ and the community of believers, with Christ as its head.
- Eschatology: We believe in the return of Christ, the resurrection of the dead, and final judgment.
WHAT IS A METHODIST?
In response to the question, “What is a Methodist?” Wesley said, “A Methodist is one who has ‘the love of God shed abroad in his heart, by the Holy Ghost given unto him;’ one who ‘loves the Lord his God with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his mind, and with all his strength.’ God is the joy of his heart, and the desire of his soul; which is constantly crying out – ‘Whom have I in Heaven but thee, and there is none upon Earth that I desire beside thee! My God and my all! Thou art the strength of my heart and my portion for ever!’”