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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esson 13 Membership
The purpose of the church is worship, Christian fellowship, and spiritual growth, participating in baptism and communion for our spiritual strength, and spreading the gospel to the world. Receiving instruction on the beliefs and practices of the Evangelical Methodist Church (EMC) is only one part of the requirements for membership. Membership in the EMC is based not on what we believe, but in whom we believe. To become a member in the EMC, you must profess that Jesus Christ is your Savior and Lord, you must become a faithful servant in His kingdom, and you must seek to unite in fellowship with other Christians. To become a member of the EMC requires a covenant between you and Christ, who is the head of the Church. This covenant for membership is your commitment to: 1. participate in weekly worship with the body of Christ and daily personal devotion, 2. support and deepen the spiritual growth of your family and church, and 3. become a good steward of your time, talents, and finances, giving them to God in service to others. We believe that as we worship together, support one another in prayer, fellowship, and study, and as we witness to others of God's redeeming love, we will fulfill the mission of the church. If Jesus Christ is truly your Savior and you have repented and trusted Him for the forgiveness of sins; if you received baptism as a sign and seal of the same; if you desire to become a faithful servant of God; if you wish to unite in fellowship with other Christians of like mind and faith and if you will covenant together with Christ and His church for worship, growth, and service, we invite you to join in the fellowship and love of this church.
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My Covenant for Membership I, ___________________________________________, on this day, the ________ of ____________________, in the year of our Lord 20_______, do hereby affirm that: 1. I have been born again through personal acceptance of Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord. 2. I have been baptized. 3. I covenant together with Christ and His church to give of my time, talents, and finances in service to God through worship, growth, and witness. 4. I have been instructed in the doctrines and purposes of the Evangelical Methodist Church and am in agreement with them. 5. I choose to unite in membership at this time. ________________________________________________ (Full name, please print) ________________________________________________ (Signature) ________________________________________________ (Street Address) ________________________________________________ (City, State Zip) ________________________________________________ (Phone) ________________________________________________ (Pastor's Signature) 90