First Methodist Church of Azle Core Beliefs

God made a promise in the Bible that if we seek after Him, we’ll find Him. Our Christian Faith and Doctrine focuses on the Holy Scripture, The Nicene & Apostles' Creeds, the Ten Commandments, and the Articles of Religion and Confession of Faith of the Global Methodist Church. These can be explored at https://globalmethodist.org/what-we-believe/ Join us as we pursue God together!

BIBLE

We believe the Bible to be the complete Word of God.

• We believe the Holy Bible, Old and New Testaments, reveals the Word of God so far as it is necessary for our salvation. 
  • Psalm 119:105, 130; Matthew 4:1-4; 2 Thessalonians 2:15; 2 Timothy 3:16-17
• The Holy Bible is to be received through the Holy Spirit as the true rule and guide for faith and practice. 
  • Proverbs 30:5-6; James 1:21-25; 1 Peter 1:23-25; 2 Timothy 3:16-17

GOD

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.     

Genesis 1:1-31; 17:1; Joshua 2:11; Psalm 8:3-8; Isaiah 42:5; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 4:6; Hebrews 1:5; Revelation 4:11

• God is the one true, holy and living God, the Eternal Spirit, the Holy Trinity. 
  • Deuteronomy 6:4; Leviticus 19:2; Jeremiah 10:10; Matthew 28:19; John 17:3; Hebrews 9:14.
• God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, distinct but inseparable, eternally one in essence and power. 
  • Luke 3:21-22; John 15:26; Acts 2:33; Romans 8:9-11; 2 Corinthians 13:13; Galatians 4:4-6; Ephesians 2:18; Titus 3:4-6; Hebrews 9:14; 1 Peter 1:2
• God is infinite in power, wisdom, justice, goodness, and love.
  • Job 12:13; 42:2; Psalm 89:14; 107:1; Isaiah 55:9; Jeremiah 32:17; Matthew 19:26; Luke 1:37, 18:7; Romans 5:8, 11:33-36, 16:27; 1 John 4:7-16
• God is Creator, Sovereign, and Preserver of all things.
  • Genesis 1:1-31; Deuteronomy 4:39; 1 Kings 8:23; Nehemiah 9:6; Psalm 8:1; Proverbs 16:9; Isaiah 44:24; Acts 17:24; Romans 8:28; Revelation 4:11
• God rules with gracious regard for the well-being and salvation of all, to the glory of his name.
  • Exodus 34:6; Psalm 104:31, 116:5; Joel 2:13; Micah 7:18-20; John 3:16; Ephesians 2:4-7; 2 Peter 3:9

JESUS CHRIST

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through Him all things were made.

• We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God. 
  • Mark 9:7; Matt. 3:17; John 3:16; Acts 2:36; Romans 10:9; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Philippians 2:11; Jude 1:4
• The Son is eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father.
  • Luke 10:22; John 1:1, 14, 18; 8:12; 10:30; Philippians 2:6; Colossians 1:15, 19; 2:9; Hebrews 1:1-5.)
• Through Him all things were made. 
  • John 1:3; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 1:2.

For us and for our salvation He came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human.

John 3:17; 14:6; Acts 4:12; 16:30-31; Rom. 3:21-26; 10:9; Titus 3:6-7; Heb. 7:25.

• He came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. 
  • Matt. 1:18; Luke 1:30-35; John 1:1-2, 14; Rom. 1:3-4; Gal. 4:4; Phil. 2:6-8; 1 John 1:1-3, 4:2.
• The Son of God and our Lord Jesus Christ are one person in whom the divine and human natures are perfectly and inseparably united.
  • Isa. 9:6; Matt. 1:20-23; John 1:14, 14:9-11; Rom. 1:3-4; Col. 1:15-20; 1 Tim. 3:16; Heb 1:1-3

For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate; He suffered death and was buried. On the third day He rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and His kingdom will have no end.

• God reconciles us to himself through the death of Christ upon the cross.
  • Matt. 27:26, 50, 59-60; Mark 15:15, 37, 45-46; Luke 23:23-25, 46, 53; John 19:16, 30, 33-34, 38-42; Rom 3:21-26; 5:6-11; 1 Cor. 15:3-4
• On the third day He rose bodily from the dead in accordance with the Scriptures.
  • Matt. 28:1-10; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-11, 36-43; John 20:1-17, 27; Acts 2:22-36; 1 Cor. 15:3-8, 1 Pet. 1:3.
• Jesus ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and His kingdom will have no end.
  • Luke 1:33, 24:51; John 5:22-29; Acts 1:9-11; 10:42; Rom. 8:34; 2 Cor. 5:10; Phil. 2:9-11; 2 Pet. 1:11; Rev. 11:15.
• Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
  • Rom. 8:34; Heb. 4:14-16; 7:11-28; 1 John 2:1-2.
• All stand under the righteous judgment of Jesus Christ both now and in the last day. 
  • Matt. 7:21-23; 25:31-46; John 5:22-29; Acts 10:42; 17:30-31; 2 Cor. 5:10

THE HOLY SPIRIT

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. Who convinces of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment.

• We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life. 
  • Isa 11:2; 61:1; 2 Cor. 3:17-18.; John 6:63; Rom. 8:11; Gal 6:8
• The Holy Spirit is God and proceeds from the Father and the Son and with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified. 
  • Matt. 28:19-20; Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 2:9-11; 3:16; Gal 4:6
• The Holy Spirit has spoken through the prophets. 
  • 2 Sam. 23:2; Isa. 61:1-3; Zech 7:12; Matt. 1:22-23; Heb. 1:1-2; 1 Pet. 1:10-12; 2 Pet. 1:20-21.
• The Holy Spirit convinces the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. 
  • Mic 3:8; John 16:7-11
• The Holy Spirit leads us through faithful response to the gospel into the fellowship of the Church.
  • John 3:3-6; Rom. 8:9-17; Eph. 2:17-22; Titus 3:4-7.
    
• The Holy Spirit comforts, sustains and empowers the faithful and guides us into all truth. 
  • John 14:25-26; 16:12- 15; Rom. 8:2-6, 12-17, 26-27; 1 Cor. 12:4-11; Gal. 5:16-25

Mankind & Salvation

We believe the natural state of humanity is fallen from righteousness and, apart from the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, is destitute of holiness and inclined to evil. That by the sin of disobedience he fell from that state.

Gen. 6:5; Ps. 51:5; Eccl. 9:3; Jer. 17:9-10; Rom. 3:23; 5:12-14; Eph. 2:1-3; 1 John 1:8

• We cannot free ourselves of the misery of the natural state. In our own strength, without divine grace, we cannot do good works pleasing and acceptable to God.
  • Ps. 51:5; John 6:63; Rom. 7:14-24; Gal. 5:17; Eph. 2:1
• Only with God can any be saved. With mortals it is impossible, but with God all things are possible. 
  • Matt. 19:26; John 3:5, 16, 36; 5:24; 6:40; 8:51; 11:25-26; Rom. 5:8; Gal. 2:21; Eph. 2:1-10; 2 Tim. 1:9; Titus 3:5 
• God saves us by his preventing, convincing, justifying, sanctifying, and glorifying grace. 
  • Rom. 2:14-16; 3:21-26; 5:15; 6:14; 2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 2:21; Eph. 2:8-9; Phil. 2:12-13; 2 Tim. 1:9; Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7; Heb. 10:22; 1 Pet. 4:10; 5:10; 1 John 3:9
    
• Grace can dawn in the helpless soul. God’s preventing (or prevenient) grace lightens the effects of original sin even before we are aware of our need for God.
  • Deut. 4:37; 7:6-8; 14:2; Matt 5:45; Luke 15:20; John 6:44; 15:5; 2 Pet. 3:9; Titus 2:11-12
    
• Preventing grace lightens the effects of original sin. It prevents the full consequences of our alienation from God and awakens conscience, giving an initial sense of God and the first inclinations toward life in its fullest sense. 
  • Luke 24:45; John 6:37; 12:32; Acts 16:14; Rom. 8:7-8; 1 Cor. 2:14
    
• Preventing grace re-established the freedom of the will. While in our bound and helpless state, preventing grace breaks through and enables genuine response to God’s further grace. 
  • 2 Kings 6:17, 20; John 16:8-11; Acts 2:37; 8:31; 15:8; 16:30
    
• God does not determine all human actions. Influenced and empowered by the Holy Spirit, humans are responsible in freedom to exercise their wills for good. 
  • Gen. 2:16-17; Deut. 30:15-20; Josh. 24:14-15; 2 Chron. 7:14; Isa. 55:6-7; Matt. 16:24; Mark 1:17; John 1:12-13; 7:17; Rom. 10:8-9; 1 Cor. 10:13; 2 Pet. 3:9; Rev. 3:20
    
• Salvation is more than the promise of eternal life, but a present deliverance from sin, a restoration of the soul to its original purity;  a recovery of the divine nature; in righteousness and true holiness, in justice, mercy and truth.
  • Rom. 5:10; 2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 5:22-25; Titus 2:11-12, 3:5; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 1:9, 2:2.
    
• God leads us to repentance. God’s convincing grace awakens in us a desire to flee the wrath to come and enables us to begin to fear God and work righteousness.
  • Hos. 6:1; Mic. 4:1-2; Hab. 2:4; Zech. 8:20-23; John 16:8; Eph. 2:4-5; 2 Cor. 7:9-10; Heb. 13:18 
• God reconciles himself to us. God’s justifying grace works by faith to bring reconciliation to God through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
  • Isa. 53:4-6, 12; John 3:16; Rom. 5:10-11; 2 Cor. 5:18-19; Eph. 2:13-16; Col. 1:19-20; Heb. 2:17
• Christ’s atoning sacrifice is meant for all humanity.  The offering Christ freely made on the cross is the perfect and sufficient sacrifice for the  sins of the whole world.
  • Gen. 12:3; Isa. 56:8; John 1:29; 3:16-17; 5:24; 8:12; 11:25; 12:32; Rom. 8:11; 2 Cor. 5:14-15; 1 Tim. 2:3-6; Heb. 2:9; 10:12; 2 Pet. 3:9; 1 John 1:9; 2:2
• God does not require any other sacrifice. Christ’s offering redeems us from all sin, so that no other satisfaction is required. 
  • Deut. 10:12- 13; Rom. 3:21-26; 1 Tim. 2:5-6; Heb. 10:12-14