Petition Text: 22207-DI-NonDis-O

Understanding Petition Numbers

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Whereas, the Articles of Religion and Confession of Faith, along with Wesley's Standard Sermons and Explanatory Notes Upon the New Testament remain the unchangeable doctrinal standards of The United Methodist Church; and

Whereas, all candidates for ordained ministry must agree to believe, preach, and maintain the doctrines of The United Methodist Church; and

Whereas, it is the role of General Conference to interpret, maintain, and guide the application of the doctrinal standards of the Church; and

Whereas, teaching of various doctrines and practices has aroused confusion and caused division within the Church, hindering our mission;

We petition the 1996 General Conference to uphold the centrality of Christ in the doctrinal standards of The United Methodist Church, particularly reaffirming our faith in:

- the triune God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit)

- Jesus Christ as the unique Son of God

- salvation by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord

- the sacrificial death of Christ as the sole required redemption and satisfaction for sin

Thereby, specifically rejecting these current examples of theology as contrary to our doctrinal standards:

- acts of worship addressed literally or metaphorically to Sophia as a substitute for Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

- teaching that Jesus Christ is only one of many incarnations of God, or that Jesus is not the incarnation of God

- teaching that Jesus' sacrificial death was not necessary for our salvation

- teaching that religions other than the Christian faith provide a means of salvation apart from God's grace manifested in Jesus Christ

- practicing non-Christian religious rituals in the context of United Methodist worship.

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Petition Text: 22207-DI-NonDis-O
1996 United Methodist General Conference