Article I - God

We believe in the one true, holy and living God, Eternal Spirit, who is Creator, Sovereign and Preserver of all things visible and invisible. He is infinite in power, wisdom, justice, goodness and love, and rules with gracious regard for the well-being and salvation of men, to the glory of his name. We believe the one God reveals himself as the Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, distinct but inseparable, eternally one in essence and power.

This article pretty much explains itself. It is obviously a central truth of Christianity. We believe in a personal God who is eternal and infinite. God wishes well for us, indeed, loves us. God is not an impersonal force or principle. There is only one God, a very loving and personal one. Whatever our situation, God loves us and is powerfully able to help us.

God has revealed the divine nature as a triune God - one God with three persons. This is not three gods and not just three ways of looking at God. God is revealed as our loving creator and parent in the Hebrew scriptures; God is revealed as our savior Jesus in the gospels; and God is revealed as the indwelling Spirit after Jesus left the earth. I don't think that I can explain it any better than that. I certainly don't understand the trinity any better than that.

Article II - Jesus Christ

We believe in Jesus Christ, truly God and truly man, in whom the divine and human natures are perfectly and inseparably united. He is the eternal Word made flesh, the only begotten Son of the Father, born of the Virgin Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit. As ministering Servant he lived, suffered and died on the cross. He was buried, rose from the dead and ascended into heaven to be with the Father, from whence he shall return. He is eternal Savior and Mediator, who intercedes for us, and by him all men will be judged.

Here is the core of what distinguishes Christianity from other religions, the person of Jesus Christ. Many other religions have similar concepts of God, but Jesus is what makes us unique. I can't begin to cover all of what Jesus means in one article, so here are just some highlights.

Jesus was Almighty God in human flesh. He really was God, not just god-like or very, very holy. He was also really human, not just God appearing to be human. The mystery of the incarnation is that Jesus was 100% divine and 100% human. He was God's offspring in a unique way, from before the beginning of the universe. God almighty became human and lived on earth with us.

Jesus worked, taught, and healed for about three years. Around 30 AD the authorities killed him for what he did and said. They killed him by the most painful and humiliating method yet devised - crucifixion. After Jesus was dead and buried, he returned to life. In his new body he taught and performed miracles for a few months and then rose bodily from the earth. He lives with us now in a very real spiritual way.

Jesus is our savior. Through his death on the cross we have been saved. Exactly how this works is a mystery we will discuss later. We believe that an event of cosmic significance occurred around 30 AD, and that because of this event we are able to know God personally. Jesus unites us with God. If you do not believe that Jesus was uniquely divine, that he rose from the dead, and that we are saved by him, then in some sense you are not really a Christian. That is the essence of Christianity.

Article III - The Holy Spirit

We believe in the Holy Spirit who proceeds from and is one in being with the Father and the Son. He convinces the world of sin, of righteousness and of judgment. He leads men through faithful response to the gospel into the fellowship of the Church. He comforts, sustains and empowers the faithful and guides them into all truth.

Here we reach the least well understood part of the Godhead - the Holy Spirit. The third person of the trinity usually gets less mention that the other two but is equal with them. The Holy Spirit is God. The Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force or idea, but is a person as much as Jesus is. The Bible refers to the Holy Spirit with a personal pronoun, "he", not as an object such as "it".

The Holy Spirit (or Holy Ghost) is with us everyday. Jesus promised his followers that the Spirit would be with them always, and that promise was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost. Since then Christians have experienced God in a new an intimate way - as the indwelling Spirit. It is through the Spirit that religion becomes personal rather than secondhand - we come into an intimate relationship with God rather than simply believe what others have told us about the Bible or God.

It is difficult to draw a clear line between where Jesus works in our lives and where the Holy Spirit works. Fortunately, we don't have to - we only need to know that God is at work. To faithfully follow God we need a relationship, not a degree in theology. As Paul said, love builds us up, knowledge only puffs us up with pride.

It is through the Holy Spirit's work that we are drawn to God in the first place. It is the Spirit's mission to show us where we err. The Spirit lives in us and gives us courage and power. The Holy Spirit leads us, teaches us, comforts us, and guides

Article IV - The Bible

We believe the Holy Bible, Old and New Testaments, reveals the Word of God so far as it is necessary for our salvation. It is to be received through the Holy Spirit as the true rule and guide for faith and practice. Whatever is not revealed in or established by the Holy Scriptures is not to be made an article of faith nor is it to be taught as essential to salvation.

Last month I promised to discuss what Methodists believe about the Bible. Did you wonder about that? Methodists express a variety of beliefs about the Bible: everything from those who believe in an actual six day creation and not eating pork to those who think that the virgin birth and the resurrection are a quaint myths. So what do all United Methodists believe about the Bible, and how do I separate my personal views from the definitive core?

Well, I can't fully put aside my personal views. We each think our beliefs are rational and represent the "middle ground" with the radical views on either extreme. I'm no different. I think my view is correct (or I would change my view!) and that it represents the middle ground. Some of you probably think I'm an ultra-liberal, while others despair at my hopeless traditionalism. So be it. It is important that we show loving tolerance toward believers with whom we disagree. We must recognize the other person as a beloved sister or brother in Christ; not as our enemy.

All Methodists believe that the Bible reveals the Word of God. In the Bible we read what God has told us about salvation. Not everything that is true about God is necessarily in the Bible, and not everything that is in the Bible is necessarily significant (or even true in a strict literal sense). Many other truths about God (who is infinite) can be learned from other sources, but those other truths are not essential for our salvation. Everything necessary for our personal salvation, God has disclosed in the Bible. The Bible's purpose is to lead us to Christ. The Holy Spirit explains the scriptures to us.

A wonderful tenet of Methodism is the Wesleyan quadrilateral (which means four-sided). The four sides are: the Bible, tradition, experience, reason.

First and foremost is the plain teaching of the Bible. That is primary and authoritative. Secondly, we learn about God through tradition. Much of what we do in church and know about Christianity is passed down to us through tradition. Tradition helps to explain scripture. Paul said that this was important (1Cor 11:2; 2Th 2:15; 2Th 3:6), but tradition does not override scripture. Third is personal experience. Unless the words of the Bible resonate in our hearts, it is mere intellectual belief. The words by themselves kill, the spirit brings life. Finally, we understand God through our reason. God has given us our intellect, and, no matter how imperfect, we must use our intellect to understand God. Even reading the "plain meaning" of the scriptures requires use of intellect.

Our Book of Disciple (¶ 63) says that "the Christian faith [is] revealed in Scripture, illuminated by tradition, vivified in personal experience, and confirmed by reason." Amen!

Article V - The Church

We believe the Christian Church is the community of all true believers under the Lordship of Christ. We believe it is one, holy, apostolic and catholic. It is the redemptive fellowship in which the Word of God is preached by men divinely called, and the sacraments are duly administered according to Christ's own appointment. Under the discipline of the Holy Spirit the Church exists for the maintenance of worship, the edification of believers and the redemption of the world.

Wow! What a statement! The Church isn't a building or a denomination; it is the community of all believers. There is only one Church, and every Christian is part of it -- even people who attend that strange church down the street or across town. The Church is one (not several), holy (set apart from the world), apostolic (carries out the ministry of God), and catholic (inclusive). You and I and all living Christians together make up the Church of Jesus Christ.

All Christians are part of the Church, even Christians who are weak, mistaken, or confused. All sinners who acknowledge Jesus as their Lord are part of the Church. Note that Jesus is the head of the Church, not the pastor, bishop, or even the lay leader.

The Church is where the Word of God (Jesus) is preached and the sacraments (baptism and communion) are administered. The purpose of the Church is to worship God, edify (strengthen) Christians, and redeem (rescue) the world.

The Church is not restricted to Methodists, Protestants, or those with correct doctrine and holy lifestyle. The Church consists of all of us who place our lives in Jesus' hands.

Article VI - The Sacraments

 We believe the sacraments, ordained by Christ, are symbols and pledges of the Christian's profession and of God's love toward us. They are means of grace by which God works invisibly in us, quickening, strengthening and confirming our faith in him. Two sacraments are ordained by Christ our Lord, namely Baptism and the Lord's Supper.

We believe Baptism signifies entrance into the household of faith, and is a symbol of repentance and inner cleansing from sin, a representation of the new birth in Christ Jesus and a mark of Christian discipleship. We believe children are under the atonement of Christ and as heirs of the Kingdom of God are acceptable subjects for Christian baptism. Children of believing parents through baptism become the special responsibility of the Church. They should be nurtured and led to personal acceptance of Christ, and by profession of faith confirm their baptism.

We believe the Lord's Supper is a representation of our redemption, a memorial of the sufferings and death of Christ, and a token of love and union which Christians have with Christ and with one another. Those who rightly, worthily and in faith eat the broken bread and drink the blessed cup partake of the body and blood of Christ in a spiritual manner until he comes.

This article is so lengthy and detailed that there is little space, or need, for commentary. Here are a few highlights.

Just as Jesus and the early Christians were all baptized with water, so are we. Baptism indicates official entry into the Christian church - it's how you tell the world that Jesus is your lord. United Methodists recognize all forms of baptism: immersion, pouring, and sprinkling. We believe in infant baptism, but the child is expected to personally accept Jesus when they reach maturity.

In Communion (the Lord's Supper, Eucharist) we remember and identify with Christ's sacrifice. We use bread (any kind) and grape juice or wine. All Christians are welcome to take communion in the United Methodist Church; you do not have to be a member. At Rainier UMC we celebrate Communion on the first Sunday of every month. Only ordained clergy may officiate.

Baptism and communion are symbols of deep spiritual truths, not magical or miraculous events themselves. Therefore it does not matter whether one is immersed or sprinkled, or whether you use wine or grape juice. The attitude of your heart is what matters.

Article VII - Sin and Free Will

 We believe man is fallen from righteousness and, apart from the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, is destitute of holiness and inclined to evil. Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God. In his own strength, without divine grace, man cannot do good works pleasing and acceptable to God. We believe, however, man influenced and empowered by the Holy Spirit is responsible in freedom to exercise his will for good.

Let me take a moment to say that I am very aware of the gender-specific language in our Confession of Faith. It takes great restraint not to reword it to include women. I know that traditionally "man" and "he" is supposed to include women (in theory). But the reality of the language is that it only talks about men...women are assumed to be included. Perhaps for this topic some of you prefer it that way - MEN are inclined to evil. Enough on that.

This article tells us that we are all inclined toward evil and cannot please God through what we do. We are wholly inadequate to the standard of righteousness required to satisfy God. This is evident to anyone who has prayerfully examined their life. We cannot reach God through our efforts.

It is only through the undeserved grace of God, as demonstrated through Jesus, that we can be acceptable to God. It is all God's doing; we receive it as a gift. Until we accept this rebirth of recognizing our utter dependence on God, we will not come under God's reign.

The article goes out its way to emphasize that although we cannot be good enough for God, we are expected to do good in the world through the power of the Holy Spirit. God is pleased by our efforts to be good and help people. God is easy to please, but hard to satisfy. Thanks be to God.

Article VIII - Reconciliation Through Christ

We believe God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself. The offering Christ freely made on the cross is the perfect and sufficient sacrifice for the sins of the whole world, redeeming man from all sin, so that no other satisfaction is required.

The key ideas here are:

God was in Christ. Jesus was not just a righteous man, a good teacher, or a great prophet. Almighty God was in Jesus in a unique way. This is a mystery, but a true one.

God reconciled the world to himself. God initiated the reconciliation. We did not do it. God took the first step in bring us to together, and God finished it through Jesus.

Jesus knew what he was doing. The crucifiction was not forced on him. He did it willingly enduring the pain of the cross in order to acheive the ultimate outcome.

Because of what Jesus did, God is satisfied. We are acceptible to God. YOU are acceptible to God. Nothing else is neccesary.

ï Jesus died for the whole world, not just for some group or another, not just for Christians; for everyone.

Article IX - Justification and Regeneration

We believe we are never accounted righteous before God through our works or merit, but that penitent sinners are justified or accounted righteous before God only by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. We believe regeneration is the renewal of man in righteousness through Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit, whereby we are made partakers of the divine nature and experience newness of life. By this new birth the believer becomes reconciled to God and is enabled to serve him with the will and the affections.

We believe, although we have experienced regeneration, it is possible to depart from grace and fall into sin; and we may even then, by the grace of God, be renewed in righteousness.

 The first paragraph emphasizes that we are saved entirely through Jesus, not through our good deeds or other special status. Further, we are fundamentally changed by this relationship into a new way of living. We are not just forgiven, we are transformed!

The second paragraph address an issue on which Christians sometimes disagree. Methodists believe that it is possible to sin after receiving God's grace. But even then, God will receive us again. God welcomes all of us, sinners as we are.

Article X - Good Works

We believe good works are the necessary fruits of faith and follow regeneration but they do not have the virtue to remove our sins or to avert divine judgment. We believe good works, pleasing and acceptable to God in Christ, spring from a true and living faith, for through and by them faith is made evident.

In case it wasn't obvious from the previous articles, Article 10 clarifies that we are save by God's free, undeserved favor. Any good deeds that we do are a result of God's saving grace, not the cause of it.

Article XI - Sanctification and Christian Perfection

We believe sanctification is the work of God's grace through the Word and the Spirit, by which those who have been born again are cleansed from sin in their thoughts, words and acts, and are enabled to live in accordance with God's will, and to strive for holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

Entire sanctification is a state of perfect love, righteousness and true holiness which every regenerate believer may obtain by being delivered from the power of sin, by loving God with all the heart, soul, mind and strength, and by loving one's neighbor as one's self. Through faith in Jesus Christ this gracious gift may be received in this life both gradually and instantaneously, and should be sought earnestly by every child of God.

We believe this experience does not deliver us from the infirmities, ignorance, and mistakes common to man, nor from the possibilities of further sin. The Christian must continue on guard against spiritual pride and seek to gain victory over every temptation to sin. He must respond wholly to the will of God so that sin will lose its power over him; and the world, the flesh, and the devil are put under his feet. Thus he rules over these enemies with watchfulness through the power of the Holy Spirit.

We believe, although we have experienced regeneration, it is possible to depart from grace and fall into sin; and we may even then, by the grace of God, be renewed in righteousness.

I'll let this article speak for itself.

Article XII - The Judgment and the Future State

 We believe all men stand under the righteous judgment of Jesus Christ, both now and in the last day. We believe in the resurrection of the dead; the righteous to life eternal and the wicked to endless condemnation.

Article XII (that's 12 for those of you who don't read Roman) deals with the future. It states that one day we will be resurrected to judgment. The righteous (that's us) will go on to eternal life. The wicked (that's them) will receive condemnation.

Recently someone asked me what the official United Methodist position was on the second coming of Christ. Here is it is: Jesus is coming.

Several conservative denominations have an approved doctrine of what will happen during the second coming. These doctrines usually involve an invisible and sudden "rapture" of the Christians off the earth, followed by seven years of tribulation under the antichrist, followed by a visible triumphant return of Jesus on a white horse to establish a 1000 year kingdom. Sometimes the rapture is scheduled in the middle of the tribulation or at its end. Sometimes Jesus returns after the millennium. There are almost as many versions of what will happen as there are people who research it.

The United Methodist Church has no official chronology that you are required to believe. John Mars, a previous pastor here, said the wisest thing I ever heard about the second coming; he said, "God will get it right."

I don't know how it will happen and you don't know how it will happen. God will get it right. When Jesus came the first time, the best Biblical scholars of the day missed it because they thought they knew how it would happen. No one understood until afterward. The same is true of the second coming. Anyone who thinks they know how to interpret the details of Biblical prophecies is wasting their time. Prophecies are never understood until after they are fulfilled. All we can do is remain faithful and trust God for the details. God will get it right.

Article XIII - Public Worship

We believe divine worship is the duty and privilege of man who, in the presence of God, bows in adoration, humility and dedication. We believe divine worship is essential to the life of the Church, and that the assembling of the people of God for such worship is necessary to Christian fellowship and spiritual growth.

We believe the order of public worship need not be the same in all places but may be modified by the Church according to circumstances and the needs of men. It should be in a language and form understood by the people, consistent with the Holy Scriptures to the edification of all, and in accordance with the order and Discipline of the Church.

Wow. I love this one. It says it so well. Notice that a "lone ranger" religion is not adequate; we must gather together for public worship. Joining together is necessary for our spiritual growth - to encourage and challenge each another. Not only are we required to gather, we are privileged to gather. What an incredible gift from God, that we can join in worship and God will be there!

Also, there is not only one right way to worship; a variety of ways are acceptable to God. Worship can be structured as the congregation sees fit, as long as it is "consistent with the Holy Scriptures ... and in accordance with the order and Discipline of the Church". I'm not sure what that specifically means ... no snakes?

Notice that the service and teaching should in the language that the people speak - modern English for us. When this article was written, the Roman Catholic Church celebrated the mass in Latin. Since Vatican II in 1964, the mass has been presented in modern languages.

Article XIV - The Lord's Day

We believe the Lord's Day is divinely ordained for private and public worship, for rest from unnecessary work, and should be devoted to spiritual improvement, Christian fellowship and service. It is commemorative of our Lord's resurrection and is an emblem of our eternal rest. It is essential to the permanence and growth of the Christian Church, and important to the welfare of the civil community.

The Lord's Day is for worship and rest. It should be devoted to spiritual development, not to "unnecessary work", whatever that is. Since Sunday commemorates Jesus' resurrection, we worship on Sunday instead of Saturday; we worship on the first day of the week (like the early church) rather than the seventh day like the Jews. I don't understand why the Sabbath is important to the welfare of the civil community? Is this in support of "blue" laws that prohibit commerce on Sundays? Such laws have disappeared in the United States. Resting on Sunday out of personal devotion to God is good, legislating that everyone else must also rest on Sunday is pointless.

There is a need of all of us to step back and take a breather. To take a look at our world and ourselves. We lose perspective if we are always on the run and doing things, even good things. Sunday is a great day for that - public and private worship.

Article XV - The Christian and Property

 We believe God is the owner of all things and that the individual holding of property is lawful and is a sacred trust under God. Private property is to be used for the manifestation of Christian love and liberality, and to support the Church's mission in the world. All forms of property, whether private, corporate or public, are to be held in solemn trust and used responsibly for human good under the sovereignty of God.

 The point of this seems to be that private property is OK, but never forget that all we have is on loan from God. God ultimately owns everything. We are caretakers and are to be held accountable for how we use these possessions.

Article XVI - Civil Government

We believe civil government derives its just powers from the sovereign God. As Christians we recognize the governments under whose protection we reside and believe such governments should be based on, and be responsible for, the recognition of human rights under God. We believe war and bloodshed are contrary to the gospel and spirit of Christ. We believe it is the duty of Christian citizens to give moral strength and purpose to their respective governments through sober, righteous and godly living.

Did you read that? We oppose all wars. There is no such thing as a just war or a good war. All wars are contrary to the gospel.

Governments are empowered by God. Note that governments derive their just powers from God, but not their unjust powers. We can, and must, oppose the unjust powers. Governments must ensure human rights - the rights of people. This article can very difficult to apply to specific situations. God loving Christians can come to opposite decisions regarding what is just and right.