Beliefs
White Memorial Wesleyan Methodist Church is a congregation of the Allegheny Wesleyan Methodist Connection, which is a part of the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church established by Our Lord, Jesus Christ. As such, we affirm the ecumenical creeds (Nicene Creed, Apostle's Creed, Athanasian Creed) of Christendom. As a traditional Methodist Christian church in the Holiness Movement, we also affirm our Articles of Religion: |
Nicene Creed
I believe in one God the Father Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth,
And of all things visible and invisible:
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God,
Begotten of his Father before all worlds,
God of God, Light of Light,
Very God of very God,
Begotten, not made,
Being of one substance with the Father,
By whom all things were made;
Who for us men, and for our salvation came down from heaven,
And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary,
And was made man,
And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate.
He suffered and was buried,
And the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures,
And ascended into heaven,
And sitteth on the right hand of the Father.
And he shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead:
Whose kingdom shall have no end.
And I believe in the Holy Ghost,
The Lord and giver of life,
Who proceedeth from the Father and the Son,
Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified,
Who spake by the Prophets.
And I believe in one Catholic and Apostolic Church.
I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins.
And I look for the Resurrection of the dead,
And the life of the world to come.
Amen.
Articles of Religion of the Allegheny Wesleyan Methodist Connection
I. Faith in the Holy Trinity
There is but one living and true God, everlasting, of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness; the Maker and Preserver of all things, visible and invisible. And in unity of this Godhead there are three persons of one substance, power, and eternity—the Father, the Son (the Word), and the Holy Ghost.
Gen. 1:1; 17:1; Exod. 3:13–15; 33:20; Deut. 6:4; Ps. 90:2; 104:24; Isa. 9:6; Jer. 10:10; John 1:1, 2; 4:24; 5:18; 10:30; 16:13; 17:3; Acts 5:3, 4; Rom. 16:27; 1 Cor. 8:4, 6; 2 Cor. 13:14; Eph. 2:18; Phil. 2:6; Col. 1:16; 1 Tim. 1:17; 1 John 5:7, 20; Rev. 19:13.
II. The Son of God
The only begotten Son of God was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried—to be a sacrifice, not only for original guilt, but also for the actual sins of men, and to reconcile us to God.
Mark 15; Luke 1:27, 31, 35; John 1:14, 18; 3:16, 17; Acts 4:12; Rom. 5:10, 18; 1 Cor. 15:3; 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; 9:28; 10:12; 1 Pet.
2:24; 1 John 2:2; 4:14.
III. The Resurrection of Christ
Christ did truly rise again from the dead, taking His body with all things appertaining to the perfection of man’s nature, wherewith He ascended into heaven, and there sitteth until He returns to judge all men at the last day.
Ps. 16:8–10; Matt. 27:62–66; 28:5–9, 16, 17; Mark 16:6, 7, 12; Luke 24:4–8, 23; John 20:26–29; 21:1–25; Acts 1:2; 2:24–31; 10:40; Rom. 8:34; 14:9, 10; 1 Cor. 15:6, 14; Heb. 13:20.
IV. The Holy Ghost
The Holy Ghost proceeding from the Father and the Son is of one substance, majesty, and glory with the Father and the Son, very and eternal God.
Job 33:4; Matt. 28:19; John 4:24; Acts 5:3, 4; Rom. 8:9; 2 Cor. 3:17; Gal. 4:6.
V. The Sufficiency and Full Authority of the Holy Scriptures for Salvation
The Holy Scriptures contain all things necessary to salvation; so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man, that it should be believed as an article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation. In the name of the Holy Scriptures, we so understand the books of the Old and New Testaments. These Scriptures we do hold to be the inspired and infallibly written Word of God, fully inerrant in their original manuscript and superior to all human authority.
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, The Acts, The Epistle to the 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; Luke 24:27; John 17:17; Acts 17:2, 11; Rom. 1:2; 15:4; 16:26; Gal. 1:8; 1 Thes. 2:13; 2 Tim. 3:15–17; Heb. 4:12; Jas. 1:21; 1 Pet. 1:23; 2 Pet. 1:19–21; Rev. 22:14, 19.
VI. The Old Testament
The Old Testament is not contrary to the New; for both in the Old and New Testaments everlasting life is offered to mankind through Christ, who is the only Mediator between God and man. Wherefore they are not to be heard who feign that the old fathers did look only for transitory promises. Although the law given from God by Moses, as touching ceremonies and rites, doth not bind Christians, nor ought the civil precepts thereof of necessity be received in any commonwealth, yet notwithstanding no Christian whatsoever is free from the obedience of the commandments
which are called moral.
Matt. 5:17–19; 22:37–40; Luke 24:27, 44; John 1:45; 5:46; Rom. 15:8; 2 Cor. 1:20; Eph. 2:15, 16; 1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 10:1; 11:39; 1 John 2:3–7.
VII. Relative Duties
Those two great commandments which require us to love the Lord our God with all the heart, and our neighbors as ourselves, contain the sum of the divine law as it is revealed in the Scriptures: they are the measure and perfect rule of human duty, as well as the ordering and directing of families and nations, and all other social bodies, as for individual acts, by which we are required to acknowledge God as our only Supreme Ruler, and all men as created by Him, equal in all natural rights. Wherefore all men are bound so to order all their individual, social, and political acts as to render to God entire and absolute obedience, and to secure to all men the enjoyment of every natural right, as well as to
promote the greatest happiness of each in the possession and exercise of such rights.
Lev. 19:18, 34; Deut. 1:15–17; 2 Sam. 23:3; Job 29:16; 31:13, 14; Jer. 21:12; 22:3; Matt. 5:44–47; 7:12; 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; Tit. 3:1; Jas. 2:8; 1 Pet. 2:17; 1 John 2:5; 4:12, 13; 2 John 6.
VIII. Original or Birth Sin
Original sin standeth not in the following of Adam (as the Pelagians do vainly talk), but it is the corruption of the nature of every man, that naturally is engendered of the offspring of Adam, whereby man is wholly gone from original righteousness, and of his own nature inclined to evil, and that continually.
Gen. 8:21; Ps. 51:5; Jer. 17:9; Mark 7:21–23; Rom. 3:10–12; 5:12, 18, 19; Eph. 2:1–3.
IX. Free Will
The condition of man after the fall of Adam is such that he cannot turn and prepare himself, by his own natural strength and work, in faith and calling upon God; wherefore we have no power to do good works, pleasant and acceptable to God, without the grace of God by Christ working in us, that we may have a good will, working with us when we have that good will.
Prov. 16:1; 20:24; Jer. 10:23; Matt. 16:17; John 6:44, 65; 15:5; Rom. 5:6–8; Eph. 2:5–9; Phil. 2:13; 4:13.
X. Justification of Man
We are accounted righteous before God only for the merit of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, by faith, and not our own works or deservings. Wherefore, that we are justified by faith only is a most wholesome doctrine and very full of comfort.
Acts 13:38, 39; 15:11; 16:31; Rom. 3:28; 4:2–5; 5:1, 2, 9; Eph. 2:8, 9; Phil. 3:9.
XI. Good Works
Although good works, which are the fruit of faith and follow after justification, cannot put away our sins and endure the severity of God’s judgment, yet they are pleasing and acceptable to God in Christ, and spring out of a true and lively faith, insomuch that by them a lively 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; Phil. 1:11; Tit. 3:5; Jas. 2:18, 22; 1 Pet. 2:9, 10.
XII. Sin after Justification
Not every sin willingly committed after justification is the sin against the Holy Ghost, and unpardonable. Wherefore repentance is not denied to such as fall into sin after justification. After we have received the Holy Ghost we may depart from grace given and fall into sin, and by the grace of God rise again to amend our lives. And therefore, they are to be condemned who say they can no more sin as long as they live here, or deny the place of forgiveness to such as truly repent.
Ps. 32:5; 95:7, 11; Eccl. 7:20; Jer. 3:13–15; Matt. 24:12; John 5:14; Gal. 5:4, 7; Eph. 5:14; Heb. 3:7–13, 15; Jas. 3:2, 8; 1 John 1:8, 9; 2:12; Rev. 2:5.
XIII. Regeneration
Regeneration is that work of the Holy Spirit by which the pardoned sinner becomes a child of God; this work is received through faith in Jesus Christ, whereby the regenerate are delivered from the power of sin which reigns over all the unregenerate, so that they love God and through grace serve Him with the will and affections of the heart—receiving the Spirit of adoption whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
John 1:12, 13; 3:3, 5; Rom. 8:15, 17; Gal. 3:26; 4:5, 7; Eph. 1:5; 2:5, 19; 4:24; Col. 3:10; Tit. 3:5; Jas. 1:18; 1 Pet. 1:3, 4; 2 Pet. 1:4; 1 John 3:1.
XIV. Entire Sanctification
Entire sanctification is that work of the Holy Spirit by which the child of God is cleansed from all inbred sin through faith in Jesus Christ. It is subsequent to regeneration, and is wrought when the believer presents himself a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God, and is thus enabled through grace to love God with all the heart and to walk in His holy commandments blameless.
Gen. 17:1; Deut. 30:6; Ps. 130:8; Ezek. 36:25–29; Matt. 5:48; Luke 1:74, 75; John 17:2–23; Rom. 8:3, 4; 11:26; 1 Cor. 6:11; 14:20; Eph. 4:13, 24; 5:25–27; Phil. 2:5, 7; Col. 4:12; 1 Thes. 3:10; 5:23; 2 Thes. 2:13; 2 Tim. 3:17; Tit. 2:12, 14; Heb. 9:13, 14; 10:14, 18–22; Jas. 1:27; 4:8; 1 Pet. 1:10; 2 Pet. 1:4; 1 John 1:7, 9; 3:8, 9; 4:17, 18; Jude 24.
XV. The Sacraments
Sacraments ordained of Christ are not only tokens of Christian profession, but they are certain signs of grace and God’s good will toward us, by which He doth work invisibly in us, and doth not only quicken but also strengthen and confirm our faith in Him. There are two sacraments ordained of Christ our Lord in the Gospel: that is to say, baptism,
and the Supper of the Lord.
Matt. 26:26–28; 28:19; Mark 14:22–24; Rom. 2:28, 29; 4:11; 1 Cor. 10:16, 17; 11:23–26; Gal. 3:27.
XVI. Baptism
Baptism is not only a sign of profession and mark of difference whereby Christians are distinguished from others who are not baptized, it is also a sign of regeneration or new birth. The baptism of young children is to be retained in the church.
Num. 8:7; Isa. 52:15; Ezek. 36:25; Matt. 3:13–17; Mark 1:10; 16:16; John 3:22, 26; 4:1, 2; Acts 2:38, 41; 8:12–17; 9:18; 16:33; 18:8; 19:5; 22:16; 1 Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:27–29; Col. 2:11, 12; Tit. 3:5.
XVII. The Lord’s Supper
The Supper of the Lord is not only a sign of love that Christians ought to have among themselves one to another, but it is also a sacrament of our redemption by Christ’s death; insomuch that to such as rightly, worthily, and with faith receive the same, it is made a medium through which God doth communicate grace to the heart.
Luke 22:19, 20; John 6:53, 56; 1 Cor. 5:7, 8; 10:3, 4, 16; 11:28.
XVIII. The One Oblation of Christ Finished upon the Cross
The offering of Christ, once made, is that perfect redemption and propitiation for all the sins of the whole world, both original and actual; and there is none other satisfaction for sin but that alone. Wherefore, to expect salvation on the ground of our own works, or by suffering the pains our sins deserve, either in the present or future state, is derogatory
to Christ’s offering for us and a dangerous deceit.
Acts 4:12; Rom. 5:8; 8:34; Gal. 2:16; 3:2, 3, 11; 1 Tim. 2:5, 6; Heb. 7:23–27; 9:11–15, 24–28; 10:14.
XIX. The Rites and Ceremonies of Churches
It is not necessary that rites and ceremonies should in all places be the same or exactly alike, for they have always been different and may be changed according to the diversities of countries, times, and men’s manners, so that nothing be ordained against God’s Word. Every particular church may ordain, change, or abolish rites and ceremonies, so
that all things may be done to edification.
Acts 15:10, 28, 29; Rom. 14:2–6, 15, 17, 21; 1 Cor. 1:10; 12:25; 14:26; 2 Cor. 13:11; Gal. 5:1, 13; Col. 2:16, 17; 2 Thes. 3:6, 14; 1 Tim. 1:4, 6; 1 Pet. 2:16.
XX. The Second Coming of Christ
The doctrine of the second coming of Christ is a very precious truth, and this good hope is a powerful inspiration to holy living and godly effort for the evangelization of the world. We believe the Scriptures teach the coming of Christ to be a bodily return to the earth and that He will cause the fulfillment of all prophecies made concerning His final and
complete triumph over all evil. Faith in the imminence of Christ’s return is a rational and inspiring hope to the people of God.
Job 19:25–27; Dan. 12:1–4; Ps. 17:15; Isa. 11:1–12; Zech. 14:1–11; Matt. 24:1–51; 26:64; Mark 13:27–37; Luke 17:26–37; 21:24–36; John 14:1–3; Acts 1:9–11; 1 Cor. 1:7, 8; 1 Thes. 4:13–18; Tit. 2:11–14; Heb. 9:27, 28; Jas. 5:7, 8; 2 Pet. 3:1–14; 1 John 3:2, 3; Jude
14; Rev. 1:7; 19:11–16; 22:6, 7, 12, 20.
XXI. The Resurrection of the Dead
We hold the Scriptural statements concerning the resurrection of the dead to be true and worthy of universal acceptance. We believe the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ was a fact of history and a miracle of supreme importance. We understand the manner of the resurrection of mankind to be the resurrection of the righteous dead, at Christ’s second coming, and the resurrection of the wicked at a later time, as stated in Revelation 20:4–6. Resurrection will be the reuniting of soul and body preparatory to final reward or punishment.
Job 19:25–27; Ps. 17:15; Dan. 12:2; Matt. 22:30–32; 28:1–20; Luke 14:14; John 5:28, 29; Acts 23:6–8; Rom. 8:11; 1 Cor. 15:1–58; 2 Cor. 4:14; 5:1–11; 1 Thes. 4:14–17; Rev. 20:4–6.
XXII. The Judgment of Mankind
The Scriptures reveal God as the Judge of all mankind and the acts of His judgment to be based on His omniscience and eternal justice. His administration of judgment will culminate in the final meeting of mankind 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, 11; 2 Cor. 5:10; 2 Tim. 4:1; Heb. 9:27; 2 Pet. 3:7; Rev. 20:11–13.
XXIII. Hell
The Scriptures reveal hell, the final doom of ungodly unbelievers, as a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth, unquenchable fire, outer darkness, everlasting fire, everlasting punishment, and torments in the lake of fire.
Matt. 3:12; 8:12; 25:41, 46; Luke 16:23; Rev. 20:15.
XXIV. Heaven
The Scriptures reveal heaven, the final home of every righteous believer. Jesus said it was His Father’s house where He went to prepare a place for us with no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither any more pain, with no more curse and no night there; the Lamb is the light thereof and His servants shall serve Him.
John 14:2; Rev. 21:4, 23; 22:3, 5.
I believe in one God the Father Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth,
And of all things visible and invisible:
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God,
Begotten of his Father before all worlds,
God of God, Light of Light,
Very God of very God,
Begotten, not made,
Being of one substance with the Father,
By whom all things were made;
Who for us men, and for our salvation came down from heaven,
And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary,
And was made man,
And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate.
He suffered and was buried,
And the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures,
And ascended into heaven,
And sitteth on the right hand of the Father.
And he shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead:
Whose kingdom shall have no end.
And I believe in the Holy Ghost,
The Lord and giver of life,
Who proceedeth from the Father and the Son,
Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified,
Who spake by the Prophets.
And I believe in one Catholic and Apostolic Church.
I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins.
And I look for the Resurrection of the dead,
And the life of the world to come.
Amen.
Articles of Religion of the Allegheny Wesleyan Methodist Connection
I. Faith in the Holy Trinity
There is but one living and true God, everlasting, of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness; the Maker and Preserver of all things, visible and invisible. And in unity of this Godhead there are three persons of one substance, power, and eternity—the Father, the Son (the Word), and the Holy Ghost.
Gen. 1:1; 17:1; Exod. 3:13–15; 33:20; Deut. 6:4; Ps. 90:2; 104:24; Isa. 9:6; Jer. 10:10; John 1:1, 2; 4:24; 5:18; 10:30; 16:13; 17:3; Acts 5:3, 4; Rom. 16:27; 1 Cor. 8:4, 6; 2 Cor. 13:14; Eph. 2:18; Phil. 2:6; Col. 1:16; 1 Tim. 1:17; 1 John 5:7, 20; Rev. 19:13.
II. The Son of God
The only begotten Son of God was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried—to be a sacrifice, not only for original guilt, but also for the actual sins of men, and to reconcile us to God.
Mark 15; Luke 1:27, 31, 35; John 1:14, 18; 3:16, 17; Acts 4:12; Rom. 5:10, 18; 1 Cor. 15:3; 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; 9:28; 10:12; 1 Pet.
2:24; 1 John 2:2; 4:14.
III. The Resurrection of Christ
Christ did truly rise again from the dead, taking His body with all things appertaining to the perfection of man’s nature, wherewith He ascended into heaven, and there sitteth until He returns to judge all men at the last day.
Ps. 16:8–10; Matt. 27:62–66; 28:5–9, 16, 17; Mark 16:6, 7, 12; Luke 24:4–8, 23; John 20:26–29; 21:1–25; Acts 1:2; 2:24–31; 10:40; Rom. 8:34; 14:9, 10; 1 Cor. 15:6, 14; Heb. 13:20.
IV. The Holy Ghost
The Holy Ghost proceeding from the Father and the Son is of one substance, majesty, and glory with the Father and the Son, very and eternal God.
Job 33:4; Matt. 28:19; John 4:24; Acts 5:3, 4; Rom. 8:9; 2 Cor. 3:17; Gal. 4:6.
V. The Sufficiency and Full Authority of the Holy Scriptures for Salvation
The Holy Scriptures contain all things necessary to salvation; so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man, that it should be believed as an article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation. In the name of the Holy Scriptures, we so understand the books of the Old and New Testaments. These Scriptures we do hold to be the inspired and infallibly written Word of God, fully inerrant in their original manuscript and superior to all human authority.
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, The Acts, The Epistle to the 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; Luke 24:27; John 17:17; Acts 17:2, 11; Rom. 1:2; 15:4; 16:26; Gal. 1:8; 1 Thes. 2:13; 2 Tim. 3:15–17; Heb. 4:12; Jas. 1:21; 1 Pet. 1:23; 2 Pet. 1:19–21; Rev. 22:14, 19.
VI. The Old Testament
The Old Testament is not contrary to the New; for both in the Old and New Testaments everlasting life is offered to mankind through Christ, who is the only Mediator between God and man. Wherefore they are not to be heard who feign that the old fathers did look only for transitory promises. Although the law given from God by Moses, as touching ceremonies and rites, doth not bind Christians, nor ought the civil precepts thereof of necessity be received in any commonwealth, yet notwithstanding no Christian whatsoever is free from the obedience of the commandments
which are called moral.
Matt. 5:17–19; 22:37–40; Luke 24:27, 44; John 1:45; 5:46; Rom. 15:8; 2 Cor. 1:20; Eph. 2:15, 16; 1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 10:1; 11:39; 1 John 2:3–7.
VII. Relative Duties
Those two great commandments which require us to love the Lord our God with all the heart, and our neighbors as ourselves, contain the sum of the divine law as it is revealed in the Scriptures: they are the measure and perfect rule of human duty, as well as the ordering and directing of families and nations, and all other social bodies, as for individual acts, by which we are required to acknowledge God as our only Supreme Ruler, and all men as created by Him, equal in all natural rights. Wherefore all men are bound so to order all their individual, social, and political acts as to render to God entire and absolute obedience, and to secure to all men the enjoyment of every natural right, as well as to
promote the greatest happiness of each in the possession and exercise of such rights.
Lev. 19:18, 34; Deut. 1:15–17; 2 Sam. 23:3; Job 29:16; 31:13, 14; Jer. 21:12; 22:3; Matt. 5:44–47; 7:12; 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; Tit. 3:1; Jas. 2:8; 1 Pet. 2:17; 1 John 2:5; 4:12, 13; 2 John 6.
VIII. Original or Birth Sin
Original sin standeth not in the following of Adam (as the Pelagians do vainly talk), but it is the corruption of the nature of every man, that naturally is engendered of the offspring of Adam, whereby man is wholly gone from original righteousness, and of his own nature inclined to evil, and that continually.
Gen. 8:21; Ps. 51:5; Jer. 17:9; Mark 7:21–23; Rom. 3:10–12; 5:12, 18, 19; Eph. 2:1–3.
IX. Free Will
The condition of man after the fall of Adam is such that he cannot turn and prepare himself, by his own natural strength and work, in faith and calling upon God; wherefore we have no power to do good works, pleasant and acceptable to God, without the grace of God by Christ working in us, that we may have a good will, working with us when we have that good will.
Prov. 16:1; 20:24; Jer. 10:23; Matt. 16:17; John 6:44, 65; 15:5; Rom. 5:6–8; Eph. 2:5–9; Phil. 2:13; 4:13.
X. Justification of Man
We are accounted righteous before God only for the merit of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, by faith, and not our own works or deservings. Wherefore, that we are justified by faith only is a most wholesome doctrine and very full of comfort.
Acts 13:38, 39; 15:11; 16:31; Rom. 3:28; 4:2–5; 5:1, 2, 9; Eph. 2:8, 9; Phil. 3:9.
XI. Good Works
Although good works, which are the fruit of faith and follow after justification, cannot put away our sins and endure the severity of God’s judgment, yet they are pleasing and acceptable to God in Christ, and spring out of a true and lively faith, insomuch that by them a lively 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; Phil. 1:11; Tit. 3:5; Jas. 2:18, 22; 1 Pet. 2:9, 10.
XII. Sin after Justification
Not every sin willingly committed after justification is the sin against the Holy Ghost, and unpardonable. Wherefore repentance is not denied to such as fall into sin after justification. After we have received the Holy Ghost we may depart from grace given and fall into sin, and by the grace of God rise again to amend our lives. And therefore, they are to be condemned who say they can no more sin as long as they live here, or deny the place of forgiveness to such as truly repent.
Ps. 32:5; 95:7, 11; Eccl. 7:20; Jer. 3:13–15; Matt. 24:12; John 5:14; Gal. 5:4, 7; Eph. 5:14; Heb. 3:7–13, 15; Jas. 3:2, 8; 1 John 1:8, 9; 2:12; Rev. 2:5.
XIII. Regeneration
Regeneration is that work of the Holy Spirit by which the pardoned sinner becomes a child of God; this work is received through faith in Jesus Christ, whereby the regenerate are delivered from the power of sin which reigns over all the unregenerate, so that they love God and through grace serve Him with the will and affections of the heart—receiving the Spirit of adoption whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
John 1:12, 13; 3:3, 5; Rom. 8:15, 17; Gal. 3:26; 4:5, 7; Eph. 1:5; 2:5, 19; 4:24; Col. 3:10; Tit. 3:5; Jas. 1:18; 1 Pet. 1:3, 4; 2 Pet. 1:4; 1 John 3:1.
XIV. Entire Sanctification
Entire sanctification is that work of the Holy Spirit by which the child of God is cleansed from all inbred sin through faith in Jesus Christ. It is subsequent to regeneration, and is wrought when the believer presents himself a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God, and is thus enabled through grace to love God with all the heart and to walk in His holy commandments blameless.
Gen. 17:1; Deut. 30:6; Ps. 130:8; Ezek. 36:25–29; Matt. 5:48; Luke 1:74, 75; John 17:2–23; Rom. 8:3, 4; 11:26; 1 Cor. 6:11; 14:20; Eph. 4:13, 24; 5:25–27; Phil. 2:5, 7; Col. 4:12; 1 Thes. 3:10; 5:23; 2 Thes. 2:13; 2 Tim. 3:17; Tit. 2:12, 14; Heb. 9:13, 14; 10:14, 18–22; Jas. 1:27; 4:8; 1 Pet. 1:10; 2 Pet. 1:4; 1 John 1:7, 9; 3:8, 9; 4:17, 18; Jude 24.
XV. The Sacraments
Sacraments ordained of Christ are not only tokens of Christian profession, but they are certain signs of grace and God’s good will toward us, by which He doth work invisibly in us, and doth not only quicken but also strengthen and confirm our faith in Him. There are two sacraments ordained of Christ our Lord in the Gospel: that is to say, baptism,
and the Supper of the Lord.
Matt. 26:26–28; 28:19; Mark 14:22–24; Rom. 2:28, 29; 4:11; 1 Cor. 10:16, 17; 11:23–26; Gal. 3:27.
XVI. Baptism
Baptism is not only a sign of profession and mark of difference whereby Christians are distinguished from others who are not baptized, it is also a sign of regeneration or new birth. The baptism of young children is to be retained in the church.
Num. 8:7; Isa. 52:15; Ezek. 36:25; Matt. 3:13–17; Mark 1:10; 16:16; John 3:22, 26; 4:1, 2; Acts 2:38, 41; 8:12–17; 9:18; 16:33; 18:8; 19:5; 22:16; 1 Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:27–29; Col. 2:11, 12; Tit. 3:5.
XVII. The Lord’s Supper
The Supper of the Lord is not only a sign of love that Christians ought to have among themselves one to another, but it is also a sacrament of our redemption by Christ’s death; insomuch that to such as rightly, worthily, and with faith receive the same, it is made a medium through which God doth communicate grace to the heart.
Luke 22:19, 20; John 6:53, 56; 1 Cor. 5:7, 8; 10:3, 4, 16; 11:28.
XVIII. The One Oblation of Christ Finished upon the Cross
The offering of Christ, once made, is that perfect redemption and propitiation for all the sins of the whole world, both original and actual; and there is none other satisfaction for sin but that alone. Wherefore, to expect salvation on the ground of our own works, or by suffering the pains our sins deserve, either in the present or future state, is derogatory
to Christ’s offering for us and a dangerous deceit.
Acts 4:12; Rom. 5:8; 8:34; Gal. 2:16; 3:2, 3, 11; 1 Tim. 2:5, 6; Heb. 7:23–27; 9:11–15, 24–28; 10:14.
XIX. The Rites and Ceremonies of Churches
It is not necessary that rites and ceremonies should in all places be the same or exactly alike, for they have always been different and may be changed according to the diversities of countries, times, and men’s manners, so that nothing be ordained against God’s Word. Every particular church may ordain, change, or abolish rites and ceremonies, so
that all things may be done to edification.
Acts 15:10, 28, 29; Rom. 14:2–6, 15, 17, 21; 1 Cor. 1:10; 12:25; 14:26; 2 Cor. 13:11; Gal. 5:1, 13; Col. 2:16, 17; 2 Thes. 3:6, 14; 1 Tim. 1:4, 6; 1 Pet. 2:16.
XX. The Second Coming of Christ
The doctrine of the second coming of Christ is a very precious truth, and this good hope is a powerful inspiration to holy living and godly effort for the evangelization of the world. We believe the Scriptures teach the coming of Christ to be a bodily return to the earth and that He will cause the fulfillment of all prophecies made concerning His final and
complete triumph over all evil. Faith in the imminence of Christ’s return is a rational and inspiring hope to the people of God.
Job 19:25–27; Dan. 12:1–4; Ps. 17:15; Isa. 11:1–12; Zech. 14:1–11; Matt. 24:1–51; 26:64; Mark 13:27–37; Luke 17:26–37; 21:24–36; John 14:1–3; Acts 1:9–11; 1 Cor. 1:7, 8; 1 Thes. 4:13–18; Tit. 2:11–14; Heb. 9:27, 28; Jas. 5:7, 8; 2 Pet. 3:1–14; 1 John 3:2, 3; Jude
14; Rev. 1:7; 19:11–16; 22:6, 7, 12, 20.
XXI. The Resurrection of the Dead
We hold the Scriptural statements concerning the resurrection of the dead to be true and worthy of universal acceptance. We believe the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ was a fact of history and a miracle of supreme importance. We understand the manner of the resurrection of mankind to be the resurrection of the righteous dead, at Christ’s second coming, and the resurrection of the wicked at a later time, as stated in Revelation 20:4–6. Resurrection will be the reuniting of soul and body preparatory to final reward or punishment.
Job 19:25–27; Ps. 17:15; Dan. 12:2; Matt. 22:30–32; 28:1–20; Luke 14:14; John 5:28, 29; Acts 23:6–8; Rom. 8:11; 1 Cor. 15:1–58; 2 Cor. 4:14; 5:1–11; 1 Thes. 4:14–17; Rev. 20:4–6.
XXII. The Judgment of Mankind
The Scriptures reveal God as the Judge of all mankind and the acts of His judgment to be based on His omniscience and eternal justice. His administration of judgment will culminate in the final meeting of mankind 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, 11; 2 Cor. 5:10; 2 Tim. 4:1; Heb. 9:27; 2 Pet. 3:7; Rev. 20:11–13.
XXIII. Hell
The Scriptures reveal hell, the final doom of ungodly unbelievers, as a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth, unquenchable fire, outer darkness, everlasting fire, everlasting punishment, and torments in the lake of fire.
Matt. 3:12; 8:12; 25:41, 46; Luke 16:23; Rev. 20:15.
XXIV. Heaven
The Scriptures reveal heaven, the final home of every righteous believer. Jesus said it was His Father’s house where He went to prepare a place for us with no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither any more pain, with no more curse and no night there; the Lamb is the light thereof and His servants shall serve Him.
John 14:2; Rev. 21:4, 23; 22:3, 5.