Statement of Beliefs & Faith
ABOUT GOD
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God. God is both holy and loving.
Genesis 1.1,26,27; 3.22; Psalm 90.2; Matthew 28.19;
I Peter 1.2; II Corinthians 13.14; Isaiah 6.1-7;
I John 4.16.
ABOUT JESUS CHRIST
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to heaven's glory and will return again someday to earth to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.
Matthew 1.22, 23; Isaiah 9.6; John 1.1-5, 14.10-30; Hebrews 4.14, 15;
I Corinthians 15.3,4; Romans 1.3,4; Acts 1.9-11; I Timothy 6.14,15; Titus 2.13.
ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God.
He is present in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift. As Christians we seek to live under His control daily.
II Corinthians 3.17; John 16.7-13, 14.6,17; Acts 1.8;
I Corinthians 2.2, 3.6; Ephesians 1.3; Galatians 5.5; Ephesians 5.8.
ABOUT THE BIBLE
The Bible is God's Word to us. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living.
II Timothy 3.16; II Peter 1.20,21; II Timothy 1.13; Psalm 119.105, 160, 12.6; Proverbs 30.5.
ABOUT HUMAN BEINGS
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God's creation.
Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called "sin". This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life.
Genesis 1.27; Psalm 8.3-6; Isaiah 53.6a; Romans 3.23; Isaiah 59.1,2.
ABOUT SALVATION
Salvation is God's free gift to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin's penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.
Romans 6.23; Ephesians 2.8,9; John 14.6, 1.12; Titus 3.5; Galatians 3.26; Romans 5.1.
PRAYER TO RECEIVE THE LORD’S SAVING GRACE
- in the One almighty God, who has revealed Himself through His Word as Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.
Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." John 14:6-7
If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me... out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." John 7:37-38
If God is drawing you to Himself and you long to receive the cleansing, forgiveness and eternal life that He makes available to us through the Cross, trust Him to show you the way. pray out loud this simple prayer believing in your heart the words you speak . Your prayer might include the following:
"If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9
Confess your sins: Admit in prayer that you have sinned against Him. The words King David prayed may help you:
"Search me, O God, and know my heart... and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Psalm 139:23-24
Repent: Express your willingness and desire to turn from all wrong ways and follow Jesus, then trust Him -- now and each coming day -- to accomplish it by His Spirit in you.
“He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
"I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance." Luke 15:7
Thank Him: Thank Him for the "exchanged life": taking your weak and sinful life and, in turn, giving you His good and perfect life, enabling you to know His will and share His triumph.
"Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." 2 Corinthians 5:20-21
| You may want pray something like this, but ask Him to guide you: |
"Dear Lord, I know I have sinned and don't deserve Your love. But I believe that You died for me, carried my sins to the cross and offer me full forgiveness for all my sins. Please change my heart, fill me with your Spirit, and purify my life. Only by Your holy life in me can I follow Your ways and do what is right. Give me a hunger for your Word and a growing desire to serve You. I trust you to show me your will and enable me to follow you -- no matter what the cost.
"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9 |
ABOUT GOOD WORKS
Though we are not saved by our own righteousness, "good works" are not optional for the Christian life. A relationship with Christ is expected to produce the fruit of loving our neighbors as ourselves and living as a "holy sacrifice" to God.
John 14.15; Romans 12.1-2; Ephesians 2.10; James 2.14.19.
OUR BELIEFS & LIFESTYLE STATEMENT
Beliefs are not worth much unless they are translated into actions. Based on what the Bible teaches, we feel very strongly about the following ten practices.
Maturing in Christ is mandatory.
1 Peter 2.2-3: "Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good."
Ephesians 4.11-13: "Christ gave ... some to be pastors and teachers to prepare God's people ... until we all become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."
God accepts us as we are, but he loves us too much to leave us that way. Members of MBUMC are not expected to know much about the Christian life when they join. But they are expected to commit themselves to an active, life-long journey of learning, growing, and maturing. This learning is best done with other Christians in a Bible study, an adult Sunday School class, or other discipleship group.
Every Member is a minister.
Revelation 1:6 "Christ loves us, and by his death he has freed us from our sins and made us a kingdom of priests to serve God."
1 Peter 2:9 "You are...the King's priests,...Gods own people, chosen to proclaim the wonderful acts of God."
The church's pastors have a special ministry of building up our members through teaching God's Word and administering the sacraments But all members are called to minister the love and truth of God to others so that the church may do God's will.
Ephesians 4.11-13: "Christ gave ... some to be pastors and teachers to prepare God's people for works of service so that the Body of Christ may be built up."
Because every member is a minister, members will not only give ministry to other lay persons, but will be open to receive ministry from other (trained) lay persons.
TELLING OTHERS ABOUT CHRIST
1 Peter 3:15 "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have."
It is the responsibility of every Christian to share the Good News with those God brings us into contact with. We practice personal sharing about Christ and inviting friends to church.
HIGHEST AUTHORITY IS THE SCRIPTURES
2 Timothy 3:15 "All Scripture is given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us to do what is right."
Since God's Word is the only completely reliable and truthful authority, we accept the Bible as our manual for living. Our first question when faced with a decision is "What does the Bible say?" We practice daily Bible reading, Bible study, and Bible memorization. The Bible is the basis for all we believe.
Openness to all races and ethnic groups.
Galatians 3.26-28: "You are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus ....
There is neither Jew nor Gentile ... for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
The Church of Jesus Christ is open to all persons. The members of MBUMC rejoice in the diversity of race and ethnic backgrounds which God in his wisdom has created. We are glad to welcome into our fellowship all persons who accept Christ as Lord and Savior. We believe that we are a better church because our members come from many countries and with diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds.
DRUGS AND ALCOHOL to be USEd only IN KEEPING WITH Christian tEACHING.
1 Corinthians 6.19: "Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God. You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body."
We honor God with our bodies by refraining from the use of illegal drugs. Those who choose to drink alcohol are expected to do so in moderation and in a way that respects the Lordship of Christ over their lives. Alcohol is not served at church functions.
INVOLVEMENT IN THE COMMUNITY.
Matthew 5.13-14: "You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world. ...
Let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."
Members are not called to hide in the church but to make a difference in the world. It is important for non-believers to come to church, but it is even more important that the church goes to non-believers, helping with the needs of our community.
SEXUAL PURITY
1 Thessalonians 4.3-5: "It is God's will that you should be holy; that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God."
The Scriptures teach that Christians are called to fidelity in marriage and to celibacy in singleness. Members and persons desiring membership are called to live by this Biblical norm.
TITHING
Leviticus 26:30 "A tithe of everything you produce belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord."
At MBUMC we encourage tithing for the support of Christ's Body, the church, as God commands. We recognize that giving 10% of our income is the Biblical standard of giving.
We know that for many of our new members reaching a tithe in their giving requires planning and time. We ask that, as in all areas of the Christian life, they commit themselves to making progress in reaching the standard of faithful stewardship.
SPIRIT-LED/SPIRIT-FED LIVING
John 15.5 (Jesus said) "I am the Vine, you are the branches. If you abide in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; but apart from me you can do nothing."
We believe the only way possible to live the Christian life is by God's power within us. So we seek to practice a daily dependence on God's Spirit to enable us to do what is right.
- Philippians 2.13; Ephesians 5.18
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THE ESSENTIALS WE BELIEVE: