|
INDEX
|
United
Methodism
An
Overview
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Theology is
our effort to reflect upon God’s gracious action in
our lives. In response to the love of Christ, we desire
to be drawn into a deeper relationship with the "author
and perfecter of our faith." Our theological explorations
seek to give expression to the mysterious reality of God’s
presence, peace, and power in the world. By so doing, we
attempt to articulate more clearly our understanding of
the divine-human encounter and are thereby more fully prepared
to participate in God’s work in the world.
|
|
|
|
|
United
Methodists profess the historic Christian faith in
God, incarnate in Jesus Christ for our salvation
and ever at work in human history in the Holy Spirit.
Living in a covenant of grace under the Lordship
of Jesus Christ, we participate in the first fruits
of God's coming reign and pray in hope for its full
realization on earth as in heaven.
Our heritage
in doctrine and our present theological task
focus upon a renewed grasp of the sovereignty of
God and of God's love in Christ amid the continuing
crises of human existence.
|
|
|
| Articles
of Religion |
The
original twenty-five Articles
of Religion from the Discipline of 1808 (when
the first Restrictive Rule took effect), collated
against Wesley's original text in The Sunday Service
of the Methodists (1784) include:
• Of Faith in the Holy Trinity
• Of the Word, or Son of God, Who Was Made Very Man
• Of the Resurrection of Christ
• Of the Holy Ghost
• Of the Sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures for Salvation
• Of the Old Testament
• Of Original or Birth Sin
• Of Free Will
• Of the Justification of Man
• Of Good Works
• Of Works of Supererogation
• Of Sin After Justification
• Of the Church of Christ
• Of Purgatory
• Of Speaking in the Congregation in Such a Tongue as the People Understand
• Of the Sacraments
• Of Baptism
• Of the Lord's Supper
• Of Both Kinds
• Of One Oblation of Christ, Finished Upon the Cross
• Of the Marriage of Ministers
• Of the Rites and Ceremonies of Churches
• Of the Rulers of the United States of America
• Of Christian Men's Goods
• Of a Christian Man's Oath
• To these are added two Articles: "Of Sanctification" and "Of
the Duty of Christians to the Civil Authority," which are legislative enactments
and not integral parts of the document as protected by the Constitution (see
Judicial Council Decisions 41, 176).
|
|
|
| The
General Rules |
"In
the latter end of the year 1739 eight or ten persons
came to Mr. Wesley, in London, who appeared to be
deeply convinced of sin, and earnestly groaning for
redemption. They desired, as did two or three more
the next day, that he would spend some time with
them in prayer, and advise them how to flee from
the wrath to come, which they saw continually hanging
over their heads. That he might have more time for
this great work, he appointed a day when they might
all come together, which from thenceforward they
did every week, namely, on Thursday in the evening.
To these, and as many more as desired to join with
them (for their number increased daily), he gave
those advices from time to time which he judged most
needful for them, and they always concluded their
meeting with prayer suited to their several necessities."
The Nature,
Design, and General Rules can be found at the
United Methodist Church Library web site.
|
|
|
|
|
 Church
Office Email: office@trinityumcsunnyvale.org
Maintained
By: Our Web Servant as a stewardship to our local United Methodist
church.
Copyright © 2002-2009 Trinity United Methodist Church, Sunnyvale,
CA. All rights reserved.
 ® The
Cross and Flame is a registered trademark and the use is supervised
by the General Council on Finance and Administration of The United
Methodist Church. Permission to use the Cross and Flame must be obtained
from the General Council on Finance and Administration of The United
Methodist Church - Legal Department, 1200 Davis Street, Evanston, IL
60201.
Last Updated
August 29, 2009 9:01
PT
|
Church
Office Email: office@trinityumcsunnyvale.org
