The Evangelical Methodist Church
catechism the journey of faith __________
“We should so work as if we were to be saved by our works; And so rely on Jesus Christ, as if we did no works.” —Francis Asbury: God’s Circuit Rider (1745-1816)
The Evangelical Methodist Church
CATECHISM Published by the authority of the 30th General Conference of the Evangelical Methodist Church, held in Indianapolis, Indiana March 12-15, 2010 General Editor: Dr. Edward W. Williamson, General Superintendent Department of Publications Editor: Mrs. Peggy Trim, Deaconess
Copyright Š 2012 by the General Conference of the Evangelical Methodist Church Department of Publications PRINTING 2012
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the Department of Publications. All Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (NIV) of the Bible unless otherwise noted. Printed in USA by 48HrBooks (www.48HrBooks.com)
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Evangelical Methodist Church International Headquarters P. O. Box 17070 Indianapolis, IN 46217 Location: 6838 South Gray Road Indianapolis, IN 46237
Additional copies of this publication may be ordered by contacting the Department of Publications at:
Phone: 317-780-8017 Email: publications@emchurch.org www.emchurch.org
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Table of Contents Foreword .................................................................................. 6 Lesson 1: Our History and Commitment ............................... 7 Lesson 2: The Articles of Religion ....................................... 15 Lesson 3: A Biblical View of the Scriptures ........................ 39 Lesson 4: A Biblical View of God and Humanity ................. 41 Lesson 5: A Biblical View of Sin and Redemption .............. 47 Lesson 6: A Biblical View of God’s Plan for Salvation ........ 51 Lesson 7: Sanctification ..................................................... 55 Lesson 8: A Biblical View of the Church and the Sacraments ......................................................... 59 Lesson 9: A Biblical View of Eternity .................................. 65 Lesson 10: Missions ............................................................ 69 Lesson 11: Our Government: Congregational and Connectional ............................................... 79 Lesson 12: Membership Responsibility ………. .................... 83 Lesson 13: Membership ...................................................... 89 Membership Covenant ...................................... 90 Appendix A: John Wesley’s The Scripture Way of Salvation A Break-Through Sermon .................................... 91 Appendix B: The Scripture Way of Salvation, John Wesley’s Sermon in Modern English … ............... 99 Appendix C: Explanatory Notes, Evangelical Methodist Articles of Faith ……………………… ................. 113 Appendix D: Basic Denominational Principles .................. …..127 Answers to Lesson Questions ................................................ 129
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Forward The General Board of Christian Education congratulates you for taking this step in expanding your knowledge of the basic doctrinal teachings to which the Evangelical Methodist Church adheres. The EMC is Wesleyan in doctrine which promotes purity of heart and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It is the desire of this Board that as you embark upon your journey through this study you will come to know the EMC better and appreciate its stand for holiness. While this study perhaps will not answer all your questions, it will serve as a foundation upon which you, as a student, may build your understanding of the Wesleyan tradition. As you work your way through this study, you will not only develop a better understanding of what the EMC is, but also establish personal disciplines of study which will serve you well as you grow in your personal relationship with the Lord. While this study gives you a basic understanding of the EMC, it also gives you information for becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ. Another study, Discipleship Training, A Venture in Learning and Accountability offered by the General Board of Christian Education, will help you become more disciplined in your daily walk with the Lord. It will also give you tools to disciple others, thus fulfilling the Great Commission that Jesus gave the Church while it waits for His return. The pastor and lay leaders will enlarge and supplement this material to accommodate their local church mission statement and unique missional ministries. 2010-2014 General Board of Christian Education Members: Rev. Debbie Miller, Chair Rev. Dan Cottrell Dr. William Dean Rev. John Gentry Mr. Benoit Kitenge Rev. Robert Perkins Rev. Daniel Stiles
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The Evangelical Methodist Church CATECHISM The Journey of Faith Answers to Lesson Questions LESSON 1- Questions are for discussion or follow up. LESSON 2 - The Articles of Religion of the Evangelical Methodist Church TRUE or FALSE 1. _T_ The Articles of Religion of the EMC are a type of creed, like the Apostles Creed or one of the well known Confessions of Faith. 2. _T_
John Wesley published 25 Articles of Religion, which came from the 39 Articles of Religion of the Church of England in which he was a priest.
3. _T_
The EMC uses 26 Articles of Religion.
4. _F_
In addition to Scripture, we need experience, ancient tradition, and reason to show all that is needed for salvation.
5. _F_
The EMC believes in the doctrine of transubstantiation in the Lord's Supper.
COMPLETION 1. What are the sacraments we believe Scripture teaches us about? Answer: (Article 16) Baptism and the Lord’s Supper 2. What do we believe about “original sin” or “birth sin”? Answer: (Article 7) All of mankind is born in sin, that we all keep sinning all the time, and that we must turn to Christ for salvation from that sin. 3. What do we believe about sin after justification? Answer: (Article 12) If you sin after justification, Jesus is faithful to allow you (and help you) to repent and be reconciled to Him. 129
4. What is the “Church”? Answer: (Article 13) The Church is the people of God who come together to hear His word, worship and praise Him, be baptized into Him, participate in His communion, and do those things He has commanded. 5. What is our responsibility to civil authority? Answer: (Article 23) It is the duty of all Christians, and especially of all Christian ministers, to observe and obey the laws and commands of the governing authority, and to participate in the governing process.
LESSON 3 – A Biblical View of the Scriptures TRUE or FALSE 1. _T_ We believe in the absolute authority of the Bible, both for salvation and daily living. 2. _T_
There are 27 books in the New Testament.
3. _T_
The Bible was written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
4. _T_
In the Bible, the will of God was communicated without error.
COMPLETION (1) The canon includes the books that have been accepted as inspired by God. (2) Inspired means “God-breathed.” (3) There are 39 books in the Old Testament. (4) 2 Peter is the Scripture passage that tells us that the Scriptures are not a matter of one's own understanding.
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LESSON 4 – A Biblical View of God and Humanity TRUE or FALSE 1. _F_ God has cloaked Himself in absolute secrecy from creation until now. 2. _T_
God is a Trinity
3. _T_
God is a person, spirit, eternal, perfect, holy, omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent, wisdom, love, good, just, righteous, merciful, truth, and gracious.
4. _T_
Humans were created by God in His image and likeness.
5. _T_
The first humans chose sin and we continue to choose sin.
COMPLETION 1. What do we mean when we say, God is a person? Answer: God has feelings; He thinks; He has a will and desire; He sees; He communicates; He sympathizes; He cares. 2. What do we mean when we say “God is omnipotent?” Answer: He is all powerful. He is able to do all that His character and nature wills to do. 3. What is the relationship between God's perfect justice and His mercy? Answer: God’s perfect justice is tempered with His perfect mercy. Perfect justice demands we pay for our sin; in His perfect mercy, He has already paid that debt. 4. What do we mean by God-conscious? Answer: Just as our bodies enable us to communicate with the world, our spirits enable us to communicate with God. 5. What do we mean when we say man was created in God's image and likeness? Answer: These two words do not mean a physical resemblance, but instead they are talking about a moral 131
and spiritual image and likeness. We were created as moral creatures: holy, just and good. 6. How was man unique in his creation (compared to the animals)? Answer: Only mankind was created in this moral image and likeness of God.
LESSON 5 – A Biblical View of Sin and Redemption 1.
What was the one thing that caused a curse upon God’s people? Answer: The act of disobedience caused the curse.
2.
A plan of redemption or salvation was given to take away the sin of man.
3.
Jesus the Savior is the perfect sacrifice for our sin.
LESSON 6 – A Biblical View of God’s Plan for Salvation 1.
How can a person be reconciled to God? Answer: One must be born again through faith is Jesus Christ.
2. Ephesians 2:8-9: It is by grace you have been saved. 3. Glorification: We will be raised imperishable and immortal.
LESSON 7 - Sanctification TRUE or FALSE 1. T Sanctification begins at the moment of justification. God sanctifies you the very moment He saves you by His grace through your faith in Jesus.
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2.
T
The word sanctified means “set apart,” “made suitable for His service,” and “made holy,” and it also means “purified” and “consecrated to God.”
3. T
Sanctification is an event, but it is also a process – or rather, a way of life.
4. T
When Jesus tells us to “be perfect,” He is telling us to live lives striving toward holiness.
LESSON 8 – A Biblical View of the Church and the Sacraments 1. What is the New Testament term for the called out ones? Answer: Ecclesia 2. In order to understand the Biblical view of the church, where do we start? Answer: We must examine the Old Testament roots. We find in Genesis God starting a clear process of establishing people in nations. 3. When God’s chosen people did not fulfill His divine plan to bring to the world His redemptive plan, to whom did God turn to fulfill His plan? Answer: The people with whom God established His new covenant are the people who have trusted Christ by faith for their salvation. 4. What are the two sacraments that we practice? Answer: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper 5. There is one requirement that the believer must fulfill before participating in the two sacraments; what is it? Answer: Repenting of our sins, loving our neighbors and obeying God, once our hearts are prepared. We then may participate in the two sacraments.
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LESSON 9 – A Biblical View of Eternity 1. The Scripture teaches that there is life after death. 2. The soul of man is considered to be eternal. 3. Who will be the final Judge of all? Answer: Jesus Christ 4. At the judgment seat, every individual will have to give an account of his life. 5. What is the last clue Jesus gave us concerning His return that will be accomplished? Answer: Once the dead are resurrected, the final judgment will occur.
LESSON 10 - Missions All questions in this lesson are either for personal reflection or group discussion.
LESSON 11 Connectional
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Our
Government
Congregational
and
1. The Evangelical Methodist Church International Headquarters is located where? Answer: Indianapolis, Indiana 2. What is the responsibility of the board of stewards? Answer: They have the responsibility of carrying out the programs and the business of the local church. 3. How often are the General Conferences held? Answer: Every four years
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4. Whose responsibility is it to find a pastor for the local church? Answer: The local church Pastoral Relations Committee will contact the superintendents for a list of qualified applicants for the pastoral position of the church, and the applicants will then candidate for that position.
LESSON 12 – Membership Responsibility 1. What is the importance of the faith section in the requirements? Answer: You must believe in Jesus as the Son of God and savior, and have put your faith in Him. 2. What does it mean to be good stewards of our time? What would be poor examples of time stewardship? Answer: Being good stewards of our time means not just wasting our day with things that cannot help anyone including ourselves. Playing video games all day, watching TV all day, actions that do not enhance our learning for God are examples of wasting our days. 3. What does it mean to be good stewards of our talents? What are your talents that could be used for the work of the ministry? Answer: Being good stewards of our talents means if you have a gift of teaching, music, business etc., using it for God and the church. 4. What does it mean to be good stewards of your treasure? How can we be better stewards of our treasure? Answer: Giving of our tithe and offerings, our time and talents is being good stewards of our treasure. 5. What does it mean to renounce the devil and all his works? What are some of the ways in which Satan endeavors to draw us back into the world of sin and selfishness? Answer: Do not allow the evil things of this world to influence us. He will try to get us to doubt God and the things we have been delivered from. 6. If someone asked you why you joined the Evangelical Methodist Church what reasons might you give? Answer: I believe in the doctrines and beliefs of the Evangelical Methodist Church. They are biblically sound. 135
LESSON 13 - Membership TRUE or FALSE 1. _T_ We believe in the absolute authority of the Bible, both for salvation and daily living. 2. _T_ There are 27 books in the New Testament. 3. _T_ The Bible was written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. 4. _T_ In the Bible, the will of God was communicated without error. COMPLETION 1. The canon includes the books that have been accepted as inspired by God. 2. Inspired means “God-breathed.� 3. There are 39 books in the Old Testament. 4. 2 Peter is the Scripture passage that tells us that the Scriptures are not a matter of one's own understanding.
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