THE ARTICLES OF RELIGION
Membership Commitments, Elementary Principles,
and Special Directions of
The Wesleyan Church
Foreword
The printed page is designed to be read. The objective may
be entertainment, explanation, information, motivation or
one of multiple other intents. It is assumed that the reader
of this small work has either a theological interest in the
doctrinal emphases of The Wesleyan Church or is engaged in
an eager quest for assurance concerning commitment to this
body of faith.
If the reader's interest is academic, it hopefully will be
recognized that The Wesleyan Church is proclaiming a sure
Scriptural message in an unsure world. We believe that, in
the reading, all who peruse these pages will discover that
the warm welcome enjoyed in their local Wesleyan fellowship
is established on sound doctrinal foundations.
Dr. Ronald D. Kelly
General Secretary
Prepared by:
Office of the General Secretary
The Wesleyan Church
Chapter IV
THE CONSTITUTION OF THE NORTH AMERICAN GENERAL CONFERENCE
Preamble
200. In order that we may wisely preserve and pass on to
posterity the heritage of doctrine and principles of Christian
living transmitted to us as evangelicals in the Arminian-Wesleyan
tradition, and to insure church order by sound principles
of ecclesiastical polity, and to prepare the way for more
effective cooperation with other branches of the church of
Christ in all that makes for the advancement of God's kingdom
among all people, we, the ministers and lay members of The
Wesleyan Church meeting in official assemblies, do hereby
ordain, establish, and set forth as the fundamental law, or
constitution of The Wesleyan Church, the articles of religion,
rules of Christian living, privileges and conditions of church
membership, and articles of organization and government, here
following:
Article I. Name
205. The name of this communion is The Wesleyan Church. Wherever
the use of this name is impossible or impractical, adaptation
may be made by the authorized body (340:2).
Article II. Articles of Religion
I. Faith in the Holy Trinity
210. We believe in the one living and true God, both holy
and loving, eternal, unlimited in power, wisdom, 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. 2 1:17; Heb. 1:8; 1 John 5:20.
II. 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 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.
III. 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.
IV. 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 mankind, 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.
V. 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.
VI. 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.
VII. 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.
VIII. 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.
IX. 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.
X. 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 wrong doings,
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.
XI. 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.
XII. 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.
XIII. 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.
XIV. 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.
XV. 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.
XVI. 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.
XVII. 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.
XVIII. 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.
XIX. The Resurrection of the Dead
246. We believe in the bodily resurrection from the dead
of all mankind--of the just unto the resurrection of life,
and of the unjust unto the resurrection of damnation. The
resurrection of the righteous dead will occur at Christ's
Second Coming, and the resurrection of the wicked will occur
at a later time. The resurrection of Christ is the guarantee
of the resurrection of those who are in Christ. 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.
XX. 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.
XXI. 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 III. 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) 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 quasi-religious 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 believer to realize his full potential
in Christ, or which would enslave him. 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 Christ-like
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 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 IV. 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 the works' sake, and to render them a
righteous compensation for their labors.
SUMMARY OF ARTICLES OF RELIGION
299. Candidates for full membership shall declare their agreement
with the following summary of the Articles of Religion:
We believe in God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
We believe that Jesus Christ the Son suffered in our place
on the cross, that He died but rose again, that He now sits
at the Father's right hand until He returns to judge every
person at the last day.
We believe in the Holy Scriptures as the inspired and inerrant
Word of God.
We believe that by the grace of God every person has the
ability and responsibility to choose between right and wrong,
and that those who repent of their sin and believe in the
Lord Jesus Christ are justified by faith.
We believe that God not only counts the believer as righteous,
but that He makes him righteous, freeing him of sin's dominion
at conversion, purifying his heart by faith and perfecting
him in love at entire sanctification, and providing for his
growth in grace at every stage of his spiritual life, enabling
him through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit to live
a victorious life.
The Discipline of
The Wesleyan Church
Chapter V
SPECIAL DIRECTIONS
400. The special directions are expressions by which The
Wesleyan Church seeks to bear witness to contemporary society
concerning the Christian life and character required by its
Articles of Religion and Membership Commitments. While they
are not membership commitments, they are official admonitions
to the members, ministers and officials of The Wesleyan Church,
and provide guidelines for bearing public testimony on the
issues discussed.
A. Christian Social Concern
410. The Wesleyan Church seeks recognition by the society
which surrounds it of the authority of Almighty God, and the
authority of the Lord Jesus Christ, in civil, political and
temporal as well as spiritual matters, and the transformation
of that society into the image of Christ insofar as is possible
in this present age. It believes that such a transformation
of society shall primarily be accomplished by the divine transformation
through faith in Christ of the individuals who compose society,
but that Christians ought also to manifest social concern
in every manner that is in keeping with their Christian testimony.
To this end:
(1) Equal Rights. The Wesleyan Church upholds the right of
all individuals to equal opportunity politically, economically
and religiously, and pledges itself to an active effort to
bring about the possession of dignity and happiness by all
people everywhere (cf. 220; 265:10, 11; 360:3d).
(2) Peace. The Wesleyan Church, knowing that war results
in great suffering for the bodies, minds and souls of men
and women, staggering economic loss with its legacy of debt
for future generations, and the unleashing of the baser passions
of life, urges that persons and nations seek by every legitimate
means to avoid armed conflict among the peoples and nations
of the world. The Wesleyan Church also urges that holy people
everywhere pray earnestly for those in authority, so that
peace may prevail (1 Tim. 2:2), and for the quick return of
the Prince of Peace.
(3) Military Service. The Wesleyan Church teaches respect
for properly constituted civil authority and the proper loyalty
to one's country. It recognizes the responsibility of the
individual to answer the call of government and to enter into
military service. However, there are those within the fellowship
of The Wesleyan Church who believe that military service is
contrary to the teaching of the New Testament and that their
consciences are violated by being compelled to take part in
such. The Wesleyan Church will therefore lend moral support
to any member who asks and claims exemption by legal processes
from military service as a sincere conscientious objector
and who asks to serve one's country as a noncombatant.
(4) Substance Abuse. The Wesleyan Church is opposed to the
production, sale, purchase and use of alcoholic beverages,
tobacco, narcotics and other harmful drugs, unless for mechanical,
chemical or medicinal purposes (cf. 265:4). The unprescribed
use of hallucinogens, stimulants and depressants, and the
misuse and abuse of regularly prescribed medicines should
be prohibited; only on competent medical advice and under
medical supervision should such drugs be used.
(5) Human Sexuality. The Wesleyan Church abhors the trend
to ignore God's laws of chastity and purity, and vigorously
opposes public acceptance of sexual promiscuity and all factors
and practices which promote it. The Wesleyan Church maintains
a biblical view of human sexuality which makes the sexual
experience, within the framework of marriage, a gift of God
to be enjoyed as communion of a man and woman, as well as
for the purpose of procreation. Sexual relationships outside
of marriage and sexual relationships between persons of the
same sex are immoral and sinful. The depth of the sinfulness
of homosexual practice is recognized, and yet we believe the
grace of God sufficient to overcome both the practice of such
activity and the perversion leading to its practice.
(6) Divorce and Remarriage. On the basis of a careful study
of the Scriptures, and in keeping with its Membership Commitments
(265:5), The Wesleyan Church teaches the following with reference
to divorce and remarriage after divorce:
(a) To obtain a divorce on other than scriptural grounds
is a sin against God and humanity. Such putting asunder of
what God has joined is a direct and deliberate act of disobedience
against both the Law and the Gospel. It separates one from
God and subjects a member to Church discipline (5350; 5370).
(b) However, recognizing the fallen state of humanity, divorce
has been recognized in the Scriptures as a valid and permanent
dissolution of marriage with all its rights and responsibilities.
Divorce is not reversible. There is no way to "restore"
a dissolved marriage. The divorced (unmarried) status can
be changed only by a new marriage to the same person or another
person. No divorced and remarried person has two spouses--only
a former spouse and a present spouse, as in Deuteronomy 24:1-4
and 1 Corinthians 7.
(c) Divorce, however sinful the act and however serious the
consequences, is not "unpardonable." A redeemed
sinner or reclaimed backslider is "free" to marry
"in the Lord" or to remain unmarried--a eunuch for
the kingdom of God's sake. The one exception to this freedom
of choice is mentioned by the Apostle Paul. It is a believer
who disobeys the commandment of God and puts away a believing
spouse. That person must remain unmarried to leave room for
reconciliation to the spouse (1 Cor. 7).
(d) The right to remarry in no way excuses the sin of divorce.
It only implies that the Church must forgive and restore those
whom the Lord forgives and restores. Neither penance nor penalty
remain to the truly penitent and restored sinner--or backslider--whatever
the traumatic consequences of the sin may be.
(7) Merchandising on the Lord's Day. The Wesleyan Church
opposes the legalization of merchandising on the Lord's Day
(cf. 265:1).
(8) Religion in Public Life. The Wesleyan Church, believing
that it is possible to allow recognition of God and the invoking
of His aid in public functions without violating the Constitution
of the United States, advocates the enactment of suitable
legislation by the Congress which will strengthen the present
provision for the free exercise of religion in national life
and allow reference to, or the invoking of the aid of God,
in any governmental or public document, proceeding, activity,
ceremony or institution. The Wesleyan Church further affirms
its belief in the public school's duty to do full justice
to the large place of the Judeo-Christian tradition in our
American heritage, and its conviction that the Bible is an
appropriate book for reading in the public schools and that
the right of students to pray should not be abridged.
(9) Public School Activities. The Wesleyan Church protests
the inclusion of such questionable items as social dancing
in the public school curriculum and maintains the right of
its members to seek exemption from participation by their
children in all matters that are contrary to scriptural doctrines
and principles as expressed in the Articles of Religion, Membership
Commitments or Elementary Principles of The Wesleyan Church,
without prejudice to academic standing.
(10) Judicial Oaths. The Wesleyan Church reserves for its
members the right to affirm the truth in testimony before
the civil and criminal courts rather than to engage in a judicial
oath.
(11) Abortion. The Wesleyan Church seeks to recognize and
preserve the sanctity of human life from conception to natural
death and, thus, is opposed to the use of induced abortion.
However, it recognizes that there may be rare pregnancies
where there are grave medical conditions threatening the life
of the mother, which could raise a serious question about
taking the life of the unborn child. In such a case, a decision
should be made only after very prayerful consideration following
medical and spiritual counseling. The Wesleyan Church encourages
its members to become informed about the abortion issue and
to become actively involved locally and nationally in the
preparation and passage of appropriate legislation guaranteeing
protection of life under law to unborn children.
(12) Use of Leisure Time. The Wesleyan Church believes that
its members should exercise responsible stewardship of their
leisure time. This will include careful regulation of the
use in the home of mass media, such as current literature,
radio and television, guarding the home against the encroachment
of evil (cf. 265:6). It will also involve witnessing against
social evils by appropriate forms of influence, the refusal
to participate in social dancing, the refusal to patronize
the motion picture theater (cinema), together with other commercial
ventures as they feature the cheap, the violent or the sensual
and pornographic, and the refusal to engage in playing games
which tend to be addictive or conducive to gambling (cf. 265:4).
(13) Modesty in Attire. The Wesleyan Church believes that
our people should provide clear testimony to Christian purity
and modesty by properly clothing the body and by dressing
with Christian simplicity.
B. Christian Worship and Fellowship
420. Rites and Ceremonies of Churches. True religion does
not consist in any ritual observances such as forms or ceremonies,
even of the most excellent kind, be they ever so decent and
significant, ever so expressive of inward things. The religion
of Christ rises infinitely higher and lies infinitely deeper
than all these. Let no one conceive that rites and ceremonies
have any intrinsic worth, or that true worship cannot subsist
without them. Therefore, 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 customs, provided
that nothing be ordained against God's Word.
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
Thess. 3:6, 14; 1 Tim. 1:4, 6; 1 Peter 2:16.
430. Healing. The truth that Jesus is both able and willing
to heal the body as well as the human soul, whenever such
healing is for His glory, is clearly set forth in God's Word
and attested by the experience of many of His people at the
present day. Prayer for healing according to the pattern set
forth in the Scriptures shall be encouraged.
Matt. 10:8; Luke 9:2; 10:9; Acts 4:10, 14; 1 Cor. 12:9, 28,
James 5:14-16.
440. Christian Liberty. Christ, through His death on the
cross, has freed His followers from sin and from bondage to
the law. The Christian is "called unto liberty"
(Gal. 5:13), and is not under the law as a means of salvation.
He is rather exhorted, "Stand fast therefore in the liberty
wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again
with the yoke of bondage" (Gal. 5:1).
This liberty, however, is not to be construed as license
(Gal. 5:13). Rather, love for Christ constrains the Christian
to live righteously and holily as God demands. By the Spirit
of God, His laws are written on the heart (Heb. 8:10). So
the Christian resists evil and cleaves to the good, not in
order to be saved, but because he has been saved.
Within the bounds of Christian liberty, there will be differences
of opinion. In such cases, the believer seeks to avoid offending
his brother. The stronger brother is mindful of the opinions
of the one with the weaker conscience (1 Cor. 8 and 10), and
is careful not to put a stumbling block in his brother's way
(1 Cor. 10:24; Gal 5:13). On the other hand, the weak does
not criticize the strong (1 Cor. 10:29-30), for the conscience
of the weak may need instruction.
The recognition and exercise of that liberty which Christ
affords will glorify God and promote the unity of the Church.
450. Christian Unity. The Wesleyan Church, having originated
through merger between those of like precious faith, is fully
committed to that true Christian unity which is based on scriptural
truth and the fellowship of the Spirit, and deplores the separation
or division of Christian brethren over peripheral and nonessential
matters. While The Wesleyan Church opposes the building of
one all-inclusive ecclesiastical organization which regards
neither scriptural doctrine nor practice, it welcomes fellowship
with those who are committed to the same doctrines and standards
of holy living, and cooperation across denominational lines
with those who hold the cardinal doctrines of the Christian
religion revealed in the Bible.
C. Christian Stewardship
460. Meaning of Stewardship. The Scriptures teach that God
is the owner of all persons and all things, that people are
His stewards of both life and possessions, that God's ownership
and one's stewardship ought to be acknowledged, and that every
person shall be held personally accountable to God for the
exercise of their stewardship (cf. 265:3). God, as a God of
system and order in all of His ways, has established a system
of giving which acknowledges His ownership and mankind's stewardship.
To this end all His children should faithfully tithe and present
offerings for the support of the gospel.
465. Storehouse Tithing. Storehouse tithing is a scriptural
and practical performance of faithfully and regularly placing
the tithe into that church to which the member belongs. Therefore,
the financing of the church shall be based on the plan of
storehouse tithing, and The Wesleyan Church shall be regarded
by all its people as the storehouse. All who are a part of
The Wesleyan Church are urged to contribute faithfully one-tenth
of all their increase as a minimum financial obligation to
the Lord and freewill offerings in addition as God has prospered
them.
Gen. 14:20; 28:22; Lev. 27:30-32; Deut. 14:22; Prov. 3:9-10;
11:24-25; Mal. 3:10-11; Matt. 23:23; Acts 4:34-35; 6:1-3;
1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor. 8:13-14; Heb. 7:1-2, 6, 9.
470. Methods of Fund Raising. In the light of the scriptural
teaching concerning the giving of tithes and offerings (cf.
465) for the support of the gospel, and for the erection of
church buildings, no Wesleyan church should engage in any
method of fund raising which would detract from these principles,
hinder the gospel message, sully the name of the Church, discriminate
against the poor, or misdirect the people's energies from
promoting the gospel.
475. Wills, Bequests and Annuities. It is essential in the
exercise of Christian stewardship that careful thought be
given as to what shall be done with one's estate after death.
Civil laws often do not provide for the distribution of an
estate in such a way as to glorify God. Each Christian should
give careful attention to the preparation of a last will and
testament in a careful and legal manner, and The Wesleyan
Church and its various ministries through the local church,
the district, world missions, extension and evangelism, education
and benevolences are recommended for consideration. The General
Director of Estate Planning is prepared to assist in these
matters (2070-2080; 4240; 4940).
The pages of this pamphlet were taken directly from The Discipline
of The Wesleyan Church, 1996 edition.
They include the Articles of Religion, Membership Commitments,
Elementary Principles, and the Special Directions.
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