We believe that Jesus was human. He lived as a man and died when he was crucified. We believe that Jesus is divine. He is the Son of God. We believe that God raised Jesus from the dead and that the risen Christ lives today. (Christ and messiah mean the same thing—God’s anointed.) We believe that Jesus is our Savior. In Christ we receive abundant life and forgiveness of sins.

 

Article I — Of Faith in the Holy Trinity
There is but one living and true God, everlasting, without body or parts, of infinite power,
wisdom, and goodness; the maker and preserver of all things, both visible and invisible.
And in unity of this Godhead there are three persons, of one substance, power, and
eternity—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

Article II — Of the Word, or Son of God, Who Was Made Very Man
The Son, who is the Word of the Father, the very and eternal God, of one substance with
the Father, took man’s nature in the womb of the blessed Virgin; so that two whole and
perfect natures, that is to say, the Godhead and Manhood, were joined together in one
person, never to be divided; whereof is one Christ, very God and very Man, who truly
suffered, was crucified, dead, and buried, to reconcile his Father to us, and to be a
sacrifice, not only for original guilt, but also for actual sins of men.

Article III — Of the Resurrection of Christ
Christ did truly rise again from the dead, and took again his body, with all things
appertaining to the perfection of man’s nature, wherewith he ascended into heaven, and
there sitteth until he return to judge all men at the last day.

Article IV — Of the Holy Ghost
The Holy Ghost, proceeding from the Father and the Son, is of one substance, majesty,
and glory with the Father and the Son, very and eternal God.

Article V — Of the Sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures for Salvation
The Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation; so that whatsoever is not
read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man that it should
be believed as an article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation. In the
name of the Holy Scripture we do understand those canonical books of the Old and New
Testament of whose authority was never any doubt in the church. The names of the
canonical books are:
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, The First Book
of Samuel, The Second Book of Samuel, The First Book of Kings, The Second Book of
Kings, The First Book of Chronicles, The Second Book of Chronicles, The Book of Ezra,
The Book of Nehemiah, The Book of Esther, The Book of Job, The Psalms, The Proverbs,
Ecclesiastes or the Preacher, Cantica or Songs of Solomon, Four Prophets the Greater,
Twelve Prophets the Less.
All the books of the New Testament, as they are commonly received, we do receive and
account canonical.

Article VI — Of the Old Testament
The Old Testament is not contrary to the New; for both in the Old and New Testament
everlasting life is offered to mankind by Christ, who is the only Mediator between God
and man, being both God and Man. Wherefore they are not to be heard who feign that
the old fathers did look only for transitory promises. Although the law given from God by
Moses as touching ceremonies and rites doth not bind Christians, nor ought the civil
precepts thereof of necessity be received in any commonwealth; yet notwithstanding, no
Christian whatsoever is free from the obedience of the commandments which are called
moral.

Article VII — Of Original or Birth Sin
Original sin standeth not in the following of Adam (as the Pelagians do vainly talk), but it
is the corruption of the nature of every man, that naturally is engendered of the offspring
of Adam, whereby man is very far gone from original righteousness, and of his own nature
inclined to evil, and that continually.

Article VIII — Of Free Will
The condition of man after the fall of Adam is such that he cannot turn and prepare
himself, by his own natural strength and works, to faith, and calling upon God; wherefore
we have no power to do good works, pleasant and acceptable to God, without the grace
of God by Christ preventing us, that we may have a good will, and working with us, when
we have that good will.

Article IX — Of the Justification of Man
We are accounted righteous before God only for the merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ, by faith, and not for our own works or deservings. Wherefore, that we are justified
by faith, only, is a most wholesome doctrine, and very full of comfort.

Article X — Of Good Works
Although good works, which are the fruits of faith, and follow after justification, cannot put
away our sins, and endure the severity of God’s judgment; yet are they pleasing and
acceptable to God in Christ, and spring out of a true and lively faith, insomuch that by
them a lively faith may be as evidently known as a tree is discerned by its fruit.

Article XI — Of Works of Supererogation
Voluntary works—besides, over and above God’s commandments—which they call
works of supererogation, cannot be taught without arrogancy and impiety. For by them
men do declare that they do not only render unto God as much as they are bound to do,
but that they do more for his sake than of bounden duty is required; whereas Christ saith
plainly: When you have done all that is commanded you, say, We are unprofitable
servants.

Article XII — Of Sin After Justification
Not every sin willingly committed after justification is the sin against the Holy Ghost, and
unpardonable. Wherefore, the grant of repentance is not to be denied to such as fall into
sin after justification. After we have received the Holy Ghost, we may depart from grace
given, and fall into sin, and, by the grace of God, rise again and amend our lives. And
therefore they are to be condemned who say they can no more sin as long as they live
here; or deny the place of forgiveness to such as truly repent.

Article XIII — Of the Church
The visible church of Christ is a congregation of faithful men in which the pure Word of
God is preached, and the Sacraments duly administered according to Christ’s ordinance,
in all those things that of necessity are requisite to the same.

Article XIV — Of Purgatory
The Romish doctrine concerning purgatory, pardon, worshiping, and adoration, as well of
images as of relics, and also invocation of saints, is a fond thing, vainly invented, and
grounded upon no warrant of Scripture, but repugnant to the Word of God.

Article XV — Of Speaking in the Congregation in Such a Tongue as the People Understand
It is a thing plainly repugnant to the Word of God, and the custom of the primitive church,
to have public prayer in the church, or to minister the Sacraments, in a tongue not
understood by the people.

[For the contemporary interpretation of this and similar articles, (i.e. Articles XIV,
XV, XVI, XVIII, XIX, XX, and XXI) in consonance with our best ecumenical insights
and judgment, see “Resolution of Intent: With a View to Unity,” The Book of
Resolutions, 2008, p.292).]

Article XVI — Of the Sacraments
Sacraments ordained of Christ are not only badges or tokens of Christian men’s
profession, but rather they are certain signs of grace, and God’s good will toward us, by
which he doth work invisibly in us, and doth not only quicken, but also strengthen and
confirm, our faith in him.
There are two Sacraments ordained of Christ our Lord in the Gospel; that is to say,
Baptism and the Supper of the Lord.
Those five commonly called sacraments, that is to say, confirmation, penance, orders,
matrimony, and extreme unction, are not to be counted for Sacraments of the Gospel;
being such as have partly grown out of the corrupt following of the apostles, and partly
are states of life allowed in the Scriptures, but yet have not the like nature of Baptism and
the Lord’s Supper, because they have not any visible sign or ceremony ordained of God.
The Sacraments were not ordained of Christ to be gazed upon, or to be carried about;
but that we should duly use them. And in such only as worthily receive the same, they
have a wholesome effect or operation; but they that receive them unworthily, purchase to
themselves condemnation, as St. Paul saith.

Article XVII — Of Baptism
Baptism is not only a sign of profession and mark of difference whereby Christians are
distinguished from others that are not baptized; but it is also a sign of regeneration or the
new birth. The Baptism of young children is to be retained in the Church.

Article XVIII — Of the Lord’s Supper
The Supper of the Lord is not only a sign of the love that Christians ought to have among
themselves one to another, but rather is a sacrament of our redemption by Christ’s death;
insomuch that, to such as rightly, worthily, and with faith receive the same, the bread
which we break is a partaking of the body of Christ; and likewise the cup of blessing is a
partaking of the blood of Christ.
Transubstantiation, or the change of the substance of bread and wine in the Supper of
our Lord, cannot be proved by Holy Writ, but is repugnant to the plain words of Scripture,
overthroweth the nature of a sacrament, and hath given occasion to many superstitions.
The body of Christ is given, taken, and eaten in the Supper, only after a heavenly and
spiritual manner. And the mean whereby the body of Christ is received and eaten in the
Supper is faith.
The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper was not by Christ’s ordinance reserved, carried
about, lifted up, or worshiped.

Article XIX — Of Both Kinds
The cup of the Lord is not to be denied to the lay people; for both the parts of the Lord’s
Supper, by Christ’s ordinance and commandment, ought to be administered to all
Christians alike.

Article XX — Of the One Oblation of Christ, Finished upon the Cross
The offering of Christ, once made, is that perfect redemption, propitiation, and satisfaction
for all the sins of the whole world, both original and actual; and there is none other
satisfaction for sin but that alone. Wherefore the sacrifice of masses, in the which it is
commonly said that the priest doth offer Christ for the quick and the dead, to have
remission of pain or guilt, is a blasphemous fable and dangerous deceit.

Article XXI — Of the Marriage of Ministers
The ministers of Christ are not commanded by God’s law either to vow the estate of single
life, or to abstain from marriage; therefore it is lawful for them, as for all other Christians,
to marry at their own discretion, as they shall judge the same to serve best to godliness.

Article XXII — Of the Rites and Ceremonies of Churches
It is not necessary that rites and ceremonies should in all places be the same, or exactly
alike; for they have been always different, and may be changed according to the diversity
of countries, times, and men’s manners, so that nothing be ordained against God’s Word.
Whosoever, through his private judgment, willingly and purposely doth openly break the
rites and ceremonies of the church to which he belongs, which are not repugnant to the
Word of God, and are ordained and approved by common authority, ought to be rebuked
openly, that others may fear to do the like, as one that offendeth against the common
order of the church, and woundeth the consciences of weak brethren.
Every particular church may ordain, change, or abolish rites and ceremonies, so that all
things may be done to edification.

Article XXIII — Of the Rulers of the United States of America
The President, the Congress, the general assemblies, the governors, and the councils of
state, as the delegates of the people, are the rulers of the United States of America,
according to the division of power made to them by the Constitution of the United States
and by the constitutions of their respective states. And the said states are a sovereign
and independent nation, and ought not to be subject to any foreign jurisdiction.

Article XXIV — Of Christian Men’s Goods
The riches and goods of Christians are not common as touching the right, title, and
possession of the same, as some do falsely boast. Notwithstanding, every man ought, of
such things as he possesseth, liberally to give alms to the poor, according to his ability.

Article XXV — Of a Christian Man’s Oath
As we confess that vain and rash swearing is forbidden Christian men by our Lord Jesus
Christ and James his apostle, so we judge that the Christian religion doth not prohibit, but
that a man may swear when the magistrate requireth, in a cause of faith and charity, so
it be done according to the prophet’s teaching, in justice, judgment, and truth.
[The following Article from the Methodist Protestant Discipline is placed here by the
Uniting Conference (1939). It was not one of the Articles of Religion voted upon by the
three churches.]
Of Sanctification
Sanctification is that renewal of our fallen nature by the Holy Ghost, received through faith
in Jesus Christ, whose blood of atonement cleanseth from all sin; whereby we are not
only delivered from the guilt of sin, but are washed from its pollution, saved from its power,
and are enabled, through grace, to love God with all our hearts and to walk in his holy
commandments blameless.
[The following provision was adopted by the Uniting Conference (1939). This statement
seeks to interpret to our churches in foreign lands Article XXIII of the Articles of Religion.
It is a legislative enactment but is not a part of the Constitution. (See Judicial Council
Decisions 41, 176, and Decision 6, Interim Judicial Council.)]
Of the Duty of Christians to the Civil Authority
It is the duty of all Christians, and especially of all Christian ministers, to observe and
obey the laws and commands of the governing or supreme authority of the country of
which they are citizens or subjects or in which they reside, and to use all laudable means
to encourage and enjoin obedience to the powers that be.
From The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church — 2016. Copyright 2016 by
The United Methodist Publishing House. Used by permission

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

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

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

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

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

Article VI — The Sacraments
We believe the Sacraments, ordained by Christ, are symbols and pledges of the
Christian’s profession and of God’s love toward us. They are means of grace by which
God works invisibly in us, quickening, strengthening and confirming our faith in him. Two
Sacraments are ordained by Christ our Lord, namely Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
We believe Baptism signifies entrance into the household of faith, and is a symbol of
repentance and inner cleansing from sin, a representation of the new birth in Christ Jesus
and a mark of Christian discipleship.
We believe children are under the atonement of Christ and as heirs of the Kingdom of
God are acceptable subjects for Christian Baptism. Children of believing parents through
Baptism become the special responsibility of the Church. They should be nurtured and
led to personal acceptance of Christ, and by profession of faith confirm their Baptism.
We believe the Lord’s Supper is a representation of our redemption, a memorial of the
sufferings and death of Christ, and a token of love and union which Christians have with
Christ and with one another. Those who rightly, worthily and in faith eat the broken bread
and drink the blessed cup partake of the body and blood of Christ in a spiritual manner
until he comes.

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

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

Article IX — Justification and Regeneration
We believe we are never accounted righteous before God through our works or merit, but
that penitent sinners are justified or accounted righteous before God only by faith in our
Lord Jesus Christ.
We believe regeneration is the renewal of man in righteousness through Jesus Christ, by
the power of the Holy Spirit, whereby we are made partakers of the divine nature and
experience newness of life. By this new birth the believer becomes reconciled to God and
is enabled to serve him with the will and the affections.
We believe, although we have experienced regeneration, it is possible to depart from
grace and fall into sin; and we may even then, by the grace of God, be renewed in
righteousness.

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

Article XI — Sanctification and Christian Perfection
We believe sanctification is the work of God’s grace through the Word and the Spirit, by
which those who have been born again are cleansed from sin in their thoughts, words
and acts, and are enabled to live in accordance with God’s will, and to strive for holiness
without which no one will see the Lord.
Entire sanctification is a state of perfect love, righteousness and true holiness which every
regenerate believer may obtain by being delivered from the power of sin, by loving God
with all the heart, soul, mind and strength, and by loving one’s neighbor as one’s self.
Through faith in Jesus Christ this gracious gift may be received in this life both gradually
and instantaneously, and should be sought earnestly by every child of God.
We believe this experience does not deliver us from the infirmities, ignorance, and
mistakes common to man, nor from the possibilities of further sin. The Christian must
continue on guard against spiritual pride and seek to gain victory over every temptation
to sin. He must respond wholly to the will of God so that sin will lose its power over him;
and the world, the flesh, and the devil are put under his feet. Thus he rules over these
enemies with watchfulness through the power of the Holy Spirit.

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

Article XIII — Public Worship
We believe divine worship is the duty and privilege of man who, in the presence of God,
bows in adoration, humility and dedication. We believe divine worship is essential to the
life of the Church, and that the assembling of the people of God for such worship is
necessary to Christian fellowship and spiritual growth.
We believe the order of public worship need not be the same in all places but may be
modified by the church according to circumstances and the needs of men. It should be in
a language and form understood by the people, consistent with the Holy Scriptures to the
edification of all, and in accordance with the order and Discipline of the Church.

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

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

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

From The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church — 2016. Copyright 2016 by
The United Methodist Publishing House. Used by permission