The Book of Dicsipline states that the doctrinal standards are unchangeable (¶¶ 3, 16) and that all candidates for ordained ministry must agree to believe, preach, and maintain the United Methodist doctrines (¶ 425). ¶¶ 15.6, 16 state that it is the role of General Conference to maintain and guide the application of the doctrinal standards of The United Methodist Church. Part II states that the Council of Bishops, in its study of wisdom, states, "Doctrinal Standards and Our Theological Task provides the foundation for responding dialogically and faithfully to current issues." Our Theological Task "is grounded upon God's supreme mode of self-revelation--the incarnation of Jesus Christ (Book of Discipline, page 75).
We reaffirm our faith in:
- the triune God (Articles of Religion, Article I; Luke 3:21-22; 1 Peter 1:2; Matthew 28:19)
- Jesus Christ as the unique Son of God, fully human and fully God (Articles of Religion, Article II; Confession of Faith, Article II; Matthew 1:20-23; John 1:14)
- Salvation by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord (Articles of Religion, Articles II, VIII, IX; Romans 3:28 and 4:5)
- And the sacrificial death of Christ as the sole required redemption and satisfaction for sin (Articles of Religion, Articles II, XX; Confession of Faith, Articles II, VIII; Romans 5:8 and 10:8-10).
We stand firm on Acts 4:12 that tells us that salvation is in no one else but Jesus and that there is no other name by which we can be saved! We reject all acts of worship addressed literally or metaphorically to Sophia as a substitute for the 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 God's will or was not necessary for our salvation. We further reject teaching that religions other than the Christian faith provide a means of salvation apart from God's grace manifested in Jesus Christ. We reject practicing non-Christian religious rituals.
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
Petition Text: 22209-DI-NonDis-O
1996 United Methodist General Conference