The Wesleyan Discipline (2004)

 

Article 2. Articles of Religion

1. Faith in the Holy Trinity

210. We believe in the one living and true God, both holy and loving,

eternal, unlimited in power, wisdom and goodness, the Creator and Preserver

of all things. Within this unity there are three persons of one essential nature,

power and eternity — the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Gen. 1:1; 17:1; Ex. 3:13-15; 33:20; Deut. 6:4; Ps. 90:2; Isa.

40:28-29; Matt. 3:16-17; 28:19; John 1:1-2; 4:24; 16:13;

17:3; Acts 5:3-4; 17:24-25; 1 Cor. 8:4, 6; Eph. 2:18; Phil. 2:6;

Col. 1:16-17; 1 Tim. 1:17; Heb. 1:8; 1 John 5:20.

2. The Father

212. We believe the Father is the Source of all that exists, whether of

matter or spirit. With the Son and the Holy Spirit, He made man, male and

female, in His image. By intention He relates to people as Father, thereby

forever declaring His goodwill toward them. In love, He both seeks and

receives penitent sinners.

Ps. 68:5; Isa. 64:8; Matt. 7:11; John 3:17; Rom. 8:15;

1 Peter 1:17.

3. The Son of God

214. We believe in Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God. He was

conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, truly God and truly

man. He died on the cross and was buried, to be a sacrifice both for original

sin and for all human transgressions, and to reconcile us to God. Christ rose

bodily from the dead, and ascended into heaven, and there intercedes for us at

the Father’s right hand until He returns to judge all humanity at the last day.

Ps. 16:8-10; Matt. 1:21, 23; 11:27; 16:28; 27:62-66; 28:5-9, 16-

17; Mark 10:45; 15; 16:6-7; Luke 1:27, 31, 35; 24:4-8, 23; John

1:1, 14, 18; 3:16-17; 20:26-29; 21; Acts 1:2-3; 2:24-31; 4:12;

10:40; Rom. 5:10, 18; 8:34; 14:9; 1 Cor. 15:3-8, 14; 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; 9:14, 28; 10:12; 13:20; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 2:2; 4:14.

4. The Holy Spirit

216. We believe in the Holy Spirit who proceeds from the Father and

the Son, and is of the same essential nature, majesty, and glory, as the Father

and the Son, truly and eternally God. He is the Administrator of grace to all,

and is particularly the effective Agent in conviction for sin, in regeneration, in

sanctification, and in glorification. He is ever present, assuring, preserving,

guiding, and enabling the believer.

Job 33:4; Matt. 28:19; John 4:24; 14:16-17; 15:26; 16:13-15;

Acts 5:3-4; Rom. 8:9; 2 Cor. 3:17; Gal. 4:6.

5. The Sufficiency and Full Authority

of the Holy Scriptures for Salvation

218. We believe that the books of the Old and New Testaments

constitute the Holy Scriptures. They are the inspired and infallibly written

Word of God, fully inerrant in their original manuscripts and superior to all

human authority, and have been transmitted to the present without corruption

of any essential doctrine. We believe that they contain all things necessary to

salvation; so that whatever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is

not to be required of any man or woman that it should be believed as an article

of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation. Both in the Old and

New Testaments life is offered ultimately through Christ, who is the only

Mediator between God and humanity. The New Testament teaches Christians

how to fulfill the moral principles of the Old Testament, calling for loving

obedience to God made possible by the indwelling presence of His Holy Spirit.

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, Acts, 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; Matt. 5:17-19; 22:37-40; Luke 24:27, 44; John 1:45;

5:46; 17:17; Acts 17:2, 11; Rom. 1:2; 15:4, 8; 16:26; 2 Cor.

1:20; Gal. 1:8; Eph. 2:15-16; 1 Tim. 2:5; 2 Tim. 3:15-17; Heb.

4:12; 10:1; 11:39; James 1:21; 1 Peter 1:23; 2 Peter 1:19-21;

1 John 2:3-7; Rev. 22:18-19.

6. God’s Purpose for Humanity

220. We believe that the two great commandments which require us to

love the Lord our God with all the heart, and our neighbors as ourselves,

summarize the divine law as it is revealed in the Scriptures. They are the

perfect measure and norm of human duty, both for the ordering and directing

of families and nations, and all other social bodies, and for individual acts, by

which we are required to acknowledge God as our only Supreme Ruler, and

all persons as created by Him, equal in all natural rights. Therefore all persons

should so order all their individual, social and political acts as to give to God

entire and absolute obedience, and to assure to all the enjoyment of every

natural right, as well as to promote the fulfillment of each in the possession

and exercise of such rights.

Lev. 19:18, 34; Deut. 1:16-17; Job 31:13-14; Jer. 21:12; 22:3;

Micah 6:8; Matt. 5:44-48; 7:12; Mark 12:28-31; 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; Titus 3:1; James 2:8; 1 Peter 2:17; 1 John

2:5; 4:12-13; 2 John 6.

7. Marriage and the Family

222. We believe that every person is created in the image of God, that

human sexuality reflects that image in terms of intimate love, communication,

fellowship, subordination of the self to the larger whole, and fulfillment. God’s

Word makes use of the marriage relationship as the supreme metaphor for His

relationship with His covenant people and for revealing the truth that that

relationship is of one God with one people. Therefore God’s plan for human

sexuality is that it is to be expressed only in a monogamous lifelong relationship

between one man and one woman within the framework of marriage. This is

the only relationship which is divinely designed for the birth and rearing of

children and is a covenant union made in the sight of God, taking priority over

every other human relationship.

Gen. 1:27-28; 2:18, 20, 23-24; Isa. 54:4-8; 62:5b; Jer. 3:14;

Ezek. 16:3ff.; Hosea 2; Mal. 2:14; Matt. 19:4-6; Mark 10:9;

John 2:1-2, 11; 1 Cor. 9:5; Eph. 5:23-32; 1 Tim. 5:14; Heb.

13:4; Rev. 19:7-8.

8. Personal Choice

224. We believe that humanity’s creation in the image of God included

ability to choose between right and wrong. Thus individuals were made

morally responsible for their choices. But since the fall of Adam, people are

unable in their own strength to do the right. This is due to original sin,

which is not simply the following of Adam’s example, but rather the

corruption of the nature of each mortal, and is reproduced naturally in

Adam’s descendants. Because of it, humans are very far gone from original

righteousness, and by nature are continually inclined to evil. They cannot

of themselves even call upon God or exercise faith for salvation. But

through Jesus Christ the prevenient grace of God makes possible what

humans in self effort cannot do. It is bestowed freely upon all, enabling all

who will to turn and be saved.

Gen. 6:5; 8:21; Deut. 30:19; Josh. 24:15; 1 Kings 20:40; Ps.

51:5; Isa. 64:6; Jer. 17:9; Mark 7:21-23; Luke 16:15; John 7:17;

Rom. 3:10-12; 5:12-21; 1 Cor. 15:22; Eph. 2:1-3; 1 Tim. 2:5;

Titus 3:5; Heb. 11:6; Rev. 22:17.

9. The Atonement

226. We believe that Christ’s offering of himself, once and for all, through

His sufferings and meritorious death on the cross, provides the perfect

redemption and atonement for the sins of the whole world, both original and

actual. There is no other ground of salvation from sin but that alone. This

atonement is sufficient for every individual of Adam’s race. It is

unconditionally effective in the salvation of those mentally incompetent from

birth, of those converted persons who have become mentally incompetent, and

of children under the age of accountability. But it is effective for the salvation

of those who reach the age of accountability only when they repent and

exercise faith in Christ.

Isa. 52:13—53:12; Luke 24:46-47; John 3:16; Acts 3:18; 4:12;

Rom. 3:20, 24-26; 5:8-11, 13, 18-20; 7:7; 8:34; 1 Cor. 6:11;

15:22; Gal. 2:16; 3:2-3; Eph. 1:7; 2:13, 16; 1 Tim. 2:5-6; Heb.

7:23-27; 9:11-15, 24-28; 10:14; 1 John 2:2; 4:10.

10. Repentance and Faith

228. We believe that for men and women to appropriate what God’s

prevenient grace has made possible, they must voluntarily respond in

repentance and faith. The ability comes from God, but the act is the

individual’s. Repentance is prompted by the convicting ministry of the Holy Spirit.

It involves a willful change of mind that renounces sin and longs for

righteousness, a godly sorrow for and a confession of past sins, proper

restitution for wrongdoings, and a resolution to reform the life. Repentance

is the precondition for saving faith, and without it saving faith is impossible.

Faith, in turn, is the only condition of salvation. It begins in the agreement

of the mind and the consent of the will to the truth of the gospel, but issues

in a complete reliance by the whole person in the saving ability of Jesus Christ

and a complete trusting of oneself to Him as Savior and Lord. Saving faith is

expressed in a public acknowledgment of His Lordship and an identification

with His Church.

Mark 1:15; Luke 5:32; 13:3; 24:47; John 3:16; 17:20; 20:31;

Acts 5:31; 10:43; 11:18; 16:31; 20:21; 26:20; Rom. 1:16; 2:4;

10:8-10, 17; Gal. 3:26; Eph. 2:8; 4:4-6; Phil. 3:9; 2 Thess. 2:13;

2 Tim. 2:25; Heb. 11:6; 12:2; 1 Peter 1:9; 2 Peter 3:9.

11. Justification, Regeneration and Adoption

230. We believe that when one repents of personal sin and believes on

the Lord Jesus Christ, that at the same moment that person is justified,

regenerated, adopted into the family of God, and assured of personal salvation

through the witness of the Holy Spirit.

We believe that justification is the judicial act of God whereby a person

is accounted righteous, granted full pardon of all sin, delivered from guilt,

completely released from the penalty of sins committed, by the merit of our

Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, by faith alone, not on the basis of works.

We believe that regeneration, or the new birth, is that work of the Holy

Spirit whereby, when one truly repents and believes, one’s moral nature is given

a distinctively spiritual life with the capacity for love and obedience. This new

life is received by faith in Jesus Christ, it enables the pardoned sinner to serve

God with the will and affections of the heart, and by it the regenerate are

delivered from the power of sin which reigns over all the unregenerate.

We believe that adoption is the act of God by which the justified and

regenerated believer becomes a partaker of all the rights, privileges and

responsibilities of a child of God.

Justification: Hab. 2:4; Acts 13:38-39; 15:11; 16:31; Rom. 1:17;

3:28; 4:2-5; 5:1-2; Gal. 3:6-14; Eph. 2:8-9; Phil 3:9; Heb. 10:38.

Regeneration: John 1:12-13; 3:3, 5-8; 2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 3:26; Eph.

2:5, 10, 19; 4:24; Col. 3:10; Titus 3:5; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:3-4;

2 Peter 1:4; 1 John 3:1.

Adoption: Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:5, 7; Eph. 1:5.

Witness of the Spirit: Rom. 8:16-17; Gal. 4:6; 1 John 2:3; 3:14, 18-19.

12. Good Works

232. We believe that although good works cannot save us from our sins

or from God’s judgment, they are the fruit of faith and follow after

regeneration. Therefore they are pleasing and acceptable to God in Christ,

and by them a living 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; 5:6; Eph. 2:10; Phil. 1:11; Col. 1:10; 1 Thess. 1:3;

Titus 2:14; 3:5; James 2:18, 22; 1 Peter 2:9, 12.

13. Sin After Regeneration

234. We believe that after we have experienced regeneration, it is possible

to fall into sin, for in this life there is no such height or strength of holiness

from which it is impossible to fall. But by the grace of God one who has fallen

into sin may by true repentance and faith find forgiveness and restoration.

Mal. 3:7; Matt. 18:21-22; John 15:4-6; 1 Tim. 4:1, 16;

Heb. 10:35-39; 1 John 1:9; 2:1, 24-25.

14. Sanctification: Initial, Progressive, Entire

236. We believe that sanctification is that work of the Holy Spirit by

which the child of God is separated from sin unto God and is enabled to love

God with all the heart and to walk in all His holy commandments blameless.

Sanctification is initiated at the moment of justification and regeneration.

From that moment there is a gradual or progressive sanctification as the

believer walks with God and daily grows in grace and in a more perfect

obedience to God. This prepares for the crisis of entire sanctification which

is wrought instantaneously when believers present themselves as living

sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, through faith in Jesus Christ, being

effected by the baptism with the Holy Spirit who cleanses the heart from all

inbred sin. The crisis of entire sanctification perfects the believer in love and

empowers that person for effective service. It is followed by lifelong growth

in grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The life of

holiness continues through faith in the sanctifying blood of Christ and

evidences itself by loving obedience to God’s revealed will.

Gen. 17:1; Deut. 30:6; Ps. 130:8; Isa. 6:1-6; Ezek. 36:25-29;

Matt. 5:8, 48; Luke 1:74-75; 3:16-17; 24:49; John 17:1-26; Acts

1:4-5, 8; 2:1-4; 15:8-9; 26:18; Rom. 8:3-4; 1 Cor. 1:2; 6:11; 2

Cor. 7:1; Eph. 4:13, 24; 5:25-27; 1 Thess. 3:10, 12-13; 4:3, 7-

8; 5:23-24; 2 Thess. 2:13; Titus 2:11-14; Heb. 10:14; 12:14;

13:12; James 3:17-18; 4:8; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Peter 1:4; 1 John 1:7,

9; 3:8-9; 4:17-18; Jude 24.

15. The Gifts of the Spirit

238. We believe that the Gift of the Spirit is the Holy Spirit himself, and

He is to be desired more than the gifts of the Spirit which He in His wise

counsel bestows upon individual members of the Church to enable them

properly to fulfill their function as members of the body of Christ. The gifts

of the Spirit, although not always identifiable with natural abilities, function

through them for the edification of the whole Church. These gifts are to be

exercised in love under the administration of the Lord of the Church, not

through human volition. The relative value of the gifts of the Spirit is to be

tested by their usefulness in the Church and not by the ecstasy produced in

the ones receiving them.

Luke 11:13; 24:49; Acts 1:4; 2:38-39; 8:19-20; 10:45; 11:17;

Rom. 12:4-8; 1 Cor. 12:1—14:40; Eph. 4:7-8, 11-16; Heb. 2:4;

13:20-21; 1 Peter 4:8-11.

16. The Church

240. We believe that the Christian Church is the entire body of believers in

Jesus Christ, who is the founder and only Head of the Church. The Church

includes both those believers who have gone to be with the Lord and those who

remain on the earth, having renounced the world, the flesh and the devil, and

having dedicated themselves to the work which Christ committed unto His church

until He comes. The Church on earth is to preach the pure Word of God, properly

administer the sacraments according to Christ’s instructions, and live in obedience

to all that Christ commands. A local church is a body of believers formally

organized on gospel principles, meeting regularly for the purposes of evangelism,

nurture, fellowship and worship. The Wesleyan Church is a denomination

consisting of those members within district conferences and local churches who, as

members of the body of Christ, hold the faith set forth in these Articles of Religion

and acknowledge the ecclesiastical authority of its governing bodies.

Matt. 16:18; 18:17; Acts 2:41-47; 9:31; 11:22; 12:5; 14:23;

15:22; 20:28; 1 Cor. 1:2; 12:28; 16:1; 2 Cor. 1:1; Gal. 1:2; Eph.

1:22-23; 2:19-22; 3:9-10, 21; 5:22-33; Col. 1:18, 24; 1 Thess.

1:1; 2 Thess. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:15; Heb. 12:23; James 5:14.

17. The Sacraments: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper

242. We believe that water baptism and the Lord’s Supper are the

sacraments of the church commanded by Christ and ordained as a means of

grace when received through faith. They are tokens of our profession of

Christian faith and signs of God’s gracious ministry toward us. By them, He

works within us to quicken, strengthen and confirm our faith.

We believe that water baptism is a sacrament of the church, commanded

by our Lord and administered to believers. It is a symbol of the new covenant

of grace and signifies acceptance of the benefits of the atonement of Jesus Christ.

By means of this sacrament, believers declare their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior.

Matt. 3:13-17; 28:19; Mark 1:9-11; John 3:5, 22, 26; 4:1-2;

Acts 2:38-39, 41; 8:12-17, 36-38; 9:18; 16:15, 33; 18:8; 19:5;

22:16; Rom 2:28-29; 4:11; 6:3-4; 1 Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:27-29;

Col. 2:11-12; Titus 3:5.

We believe that the Lord’s Supper is a sacrament of our redemption by

Christ’s death and of our hope in His victorious return, as well as a sign of the

love that Christians have for each other. To such as receive it humbly, with a

proper spirit and by faith, the Lord’s Supper is made a means through which

God communicates grace to the heart.

Matt. 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19-20; John 6:48-58;

1 Cor. 5:7-8; 10:3-4, 16-17; 11:23-29.

18. The Second Coming of Christ

244. We believe that the certainty of the personal and imminent return

of Christ inspires holy living and zeal for the evangelization of the world. At

His return He will fulfill all prophecies made concerning His final and

complete triumph over evil.

Job 19:25-27; Isa. 11:1-12; Zech. 14:1-11; Matt. 24:1-51; 25;

26:64; Mark 13:1-37; Luke 17:22-37; 21:5-36; John 14:1-3;

Acts 1:6-11; 1 Cor. 1:7-8; 1 Thess. 1:10; 2:19; 3:13; 4:13-18;

5:1-11, 23; 2 Thess. 1:6-10; 2:1-12; Titus 2:11-14; Heb. 9:27-

28; James 5:7-8; 2 Peter 3:1-14; 1 John 3:2-3; Rev. 1:7; 19:11-

16; 22:6-7, 12, 20.

19. The Resurrection of the Dead

246. We believe in the bodily resurrection from the dead of all people—

of the just unto the resurrection of life, and of the unjust unto the resurrection

of damnation. The resurrection of Christ is the guarantee of the resurrection

which will occur at Christ’s Second Coming. The raised body will be a

spiritual body, but the person will be whole and identifiable.

Job 19:25-27; Dan. 12:2; Matt. 22:30-32; 28:1-20; Mark 16:1-

8; Luke 14:14; 24:1-53; John 5:28-29; 11:21-27; 20:1—21:25;

Acts 1:3; Rom. 8:11; 1 Cor. 6:14; 15:1-58; 2 Cor. 4:14; 5:1-11;

1 Thess. 4:13-17; Rev. 20:4-6, 11-13.

20. The Judgment of All Persons

248. We believe that the Scriptures reveal God as the Judge of all and the

acts of His judgment are based on His omniscience and eternal justice. His

administration of judgment will culminate in the final meeting of all persons

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; 14:10-12; 2 Cor. 5:10; 2 Tim. 4:1; Heb. 9:27;

2 Peter 3:7; Rev. 20:11-13.

CONSTITUTION 265

23

21. Destiny

250. We believe that the Scriptures clearly teach that there is a conscious

personal existence after death. The final destiny of each person is determined

by God’s grace and that person’s response, evidenced inevitably by a moral

character which results from that individual’s personal and volitional choices

and not from any arbitrary decree of God. Heaven with its eternal glory and

the blessedness of Christ’s presence is the final abode of those who choose the

salvation which God provides through Jesus Christ, but hell with its

everlasting misery and separation from God is the final abode of those who

neglect this great salvation.

Dan. 12:2; Matt. 25:34-46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 13:3; John

8:21-23; 14:2-3; 2 Cor. 5:6, 8, 10; Heb. 2:1-3; 9:27-28; 10:26-

31; Rev. 20:14-15; 21:1—22:5, 14-15.

Article 3. Covenant Membership Commitments

260. To be identified with an organized church is the blessed privilege

and sacred duty of all who are saved from their sins and are seeking

completeness in Christ Jesus. From the Church’s beginnings in the New

Testament age, it has been understood that such identification involves

putting off the old patterns of conduct and putting on the mind of Christ. In

maintaining this Christian concept of a transformed life, The Wesleyan

Church intends to relate timeless biblical principles to the conditions of

contemporary society in such a way as to respect the integrity of the individual

believer, yet maintain the purity of the Church and the effectiveness of its

witness. This is done in the conviction that there is validity in the concept of

the collective Christian conscience as illuminated and guided by the Holy

Spirit. The following items (265) represent historic, ethical and practical

standards of The Wesleyan Church. While it is hoped that our people will

earnestly seek the aid of the Spirit in cultivating a sensitivity to evil which

transcends the mere letter of the law, it is expected that those entering into

Covenant Membership shall follow carefully and conscientiously these guides

and helps to holy living. Disregard of the principles embraced in these

Covenant Membership Commitments subjects a member to Church

discipline (268).

265. Those admitted to Covenant Membership in our churches commit

themselves to demonstrate their life in Christ in such ways as:

Toward God

(1) To reverence the name of God and to honor the Lord’s Day by

divine worship and spiritual edification, participating in those activities which

contribute to the moral and spiritual purposes of this day.

Gen. 2:3; Ex. 20:3, 7-11; Deut. 5:11-15; Isa. 58:13-14; Mark

2:27; Acts 20:7; Heb. 4:9.

(2) To seek only the leading of the Holy Spirit and to abstain from all forms

of spiritism, such as the occult, witchcraft, astrology and other similar practices.

Lev. 19:31; 20:6; Deut. 18:10-14; Acts 19:18-19; Gal. 5:19-20.

Toward Self

(3) To exercise faithful stewardship through the wise use of their time

and material resources, practicing careful self-discipline in order to further the

mission of Christ’s church (remembering the principle of tithing which is

basic to the New Testament standard of stewardship) and to demonstrate

compassion to those in need.

Prov. 3:9; Mal. 3:10; Matt. 25:34-40; Acts 20:35; 1 Cor. 16:2; 2

Cor. 9:7; Eph. 5:16; Col. 3:17; James 2:15-16; 1 John 3:17.

(4) To demonstrate a positive social witness by abstaining from all

forms of gambling and by abstaining from using or trafficking (production,

sale or purchase)* (*See 6805 in Appendix B).

in any substances destructive to their physical, mental and

spiritual health, such as alcoholic beverages, tobacco and drugs (other than

proper medical purposes of drugs); and by refraining from membership in

secret societies and lodges which are oath bound, believing that the quasireligious

nature of such organizations divides the Christian’s loyalty, their

secret nature contravenes the Christian’s open witness and the secret nature of

their oaths is repugnant to the Christian conscience.

Ex. 20:17; Rom. 14:21; 1 Cor. 6:12. Gambling violates the

principle of Christian stewardship and the tenth commandment,

is harmful to the individual in that it is emotionally addictive, is a

poor example to others, and pollutes the moral climate of society.

Prov. 20:1; Rom. 6:12; 14:21; 1 Cor. 6:12-20; 10:23; 2 Cor. 7:1;

Eph. 5:18; 1 Thess. 5:22. Christians are to regard their bodies as

temples of the Holy Spirit. While no “thing” of itself is sinful, the

Christian should avoid the use of anything which would not help

build the fellowship of the church, would not help the believers to

realize their full potential in Christ, or which would enslave them.

In the light of the scientific knowledge of our day concerning the

actual and potential harm of these substances, total abstinence is

more in keeping with these biblical principles than is moderation.

Ex. 20:3; Matt. 5:34-36; John 18:20; Acts 4:12; James 5:12.

These prohibitions do not restrict membership in labor, civic

or other organizations which do not contradict loyalty to

Christ and the Church. When in these relationships Christian

principles are violated, members shall be dealt with because of

such violations and not because of the membership itself.

Toward Family

(5) To follow the teachings of the Scriptures regarding marriage and

divorce. We affirm that sexual relationships outside of marriage and sexual

relationships between persons of the same sex are immoral and sinful. We

further affirm that heterosexual monogamy is God’s plan for marriage, and we

regard sexual sin of the spouse, such as adultery, homosexual behavior,

bestiality or incest, as the only biblical grounds for considering divorce, and

then only when appropriate counseling has failed to restore the relationship.

Ex. 20:14, 17; 22:19; Lev. 20:10-16; Matt. 5:32; 19:19; Mark

10:11-12; Luke 16:18.

(6) To preserve the sanctity of the home by honoring Christ in every

phase of family life and by demonstrating Christlike love (always avoiding

spousal or child abuse), and by living peacefully with one another, thereby

encouraging the nurture and education of the children in the Christian faith

so as to bring them early to the saving knowledge of Christ.

Prov. 22:6; Mark 10:9; Eph. 5:28; 6:4.

Toward The Church

(7) To work together for the advancement of God’s kingdom and for

the mutual edification of fellow believers in holiness, knowledge and love; to

walk together in Christian fellowship by giving and receiving counsel with

gentleness and affection; by praying for each other; by helping each other in

sickness and distress; and by demonstrating love, purity and courtesy to all.

Rom. 15:1-2; Eph. 4; 1 Thess. 5.

(8) To grow in the knowledge, love and grace of God by participating

in public worship, the ministry of the Word of God, the Lord’s Supper, family

and personal devotions and fasting.

Mark 2:18-20; Acts 13:2-3; 14:23; Rom. 12:12; 1 Cor. 11:23-

28; Eph. 6:18; Phil. 4:6; 1 Tim. 2:1-2; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Heb.

10:25; 1 Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 3:18.

(9) To preserve the fellowship and witness of the Church with reference to

the use of languages. The Wesleyan Church believes in the miraculous use of

languages and the interpretation of languages in its biblical and historical setting.

But it is contrary to the Word of God to teach that speaking in an unknown tongue

or the gift of tongues is the evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit or of that

entire sanctification which the baptism accomplishes; therefore, only a language

readily understood by the congregation is to be used in public worship. The

Wesleyan Church believes that the use of an ecstatic prayer language has no clear

scriptural sanction, or any pattern of established historical usage in the Church;

therefore, the use of such a prayer language shall not be promoted among us.

Acts 8:14-17; 1 Cor. 12:1—14:40; Gal. 5:22-24.

Toward Others

(10) To do good as much as is possible to all people as God gives

opportunity, especially to those in the body of Christ; by giving food to the

hungry, by clothing the destitute, by visiting or helping those who are sick or

in prison; by instructing, correcting or encouraging them in love.

Matt. 25:31-46; Eph. 5:11; 1 Thess. 5:14; Heb. 3:13; 10:23-25.

 (11) To respect the inherent individual rights of all persons, regardless of

race, color or sex.

1 Cor. 8:13; 12:13; Gal. 3:28; 1 Tim. 5:21.

(12) To live honestly, be just in all dealings and faithful in all

commitments.

Eccl. 5:4-5; Rom. 12:17; Phil. 4:8-9; 1 Peter 2:12.

268. These are the Covenant Membership Commitments of our Church.

We believe all these to be consistent with the principles of Christ as taught in

the Word of God, which is the only and sufficient rule both of our faith and

practice. If any among us do not observe them, and/or habitually break any of

them, we will admonish such persons in love with the hope of restoring them

to lives of harmony with the above Covenant Membership Commitments. If

such efforts of restoration continue to prove fruitless, official action should be

taken toward termination of said persons’ church membership. However, the

church members are encouraged to continue efforts toward the spiritual

restoration of these persons.

Matt. 18:15-17; 1 Cor. 5:6-7, 9-13; 2 Cor. 2:5-7; 5:18-20; 6:14-

18; Gal. 6:1-10; Eph. 4:25-32; Titus 3:10-11.

Article 4. Elementary Principles

270. Christ is the only Head of the Church, and the Word of God the

only rule of faith and conduct.

272. No person who loves the Lord Jesus Christ, and obeys the gospel

of God our Savior, ought to be deprived of church membership.

274. Every person has an inalienable right to private judgment in

matters of religion, and an equal right to express personal opinions in any way

which will not violate the laws of God or the rights of others.

276. All church trials should be conducted on gospel principles only;

and no minister or member should be excommunicated except for

immorality, the propagation of unchristian doctrines, or for neglect of duties

enjoined by the Word of God.

278. The pastoral or ministerial office and duties are of divine

appointment, and all ordained ministers in the church of God are equal; but

ministers are forbidden to be lords over God’s heritage, or to have dominion

over the faith of the saints.

280. The Church has a right to form and enforce such rules and regulations

only as are in accordance with the Holy Scriptures, and may be necessary or have

a tendency to carry into effect the great system of practical Christianity.

282. Whatever power may be necessary to the formation of rules and

regulations is inherent in the ministers and members of the Church; but so

much of that power may be delegated from time to time, upon a plan of

representation, as they may judge necessary and proper.

284. It is the duty of all ministers and members of the Church to

maintain godliness and oppose all moral evil.

286. It is obligatory upon ministers of the gospel to be faithful in the

discharge of their pastoral and ministerial duties, and it is also obligatory

upon the members to esteem ministers highly for their works’ sake, and to

render them a righteous compensation for their labors

 

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