The Articles of Religion, Part 3 of 4
Who we are : What
we Believe : Today's
Issues
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.
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Who we are : What
we Believe : Today's
Issues
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