1. Faith in the Holy Trinity

We believe in the one living and true God, both holy and loving,
eternal, unlimited in power, wisdom and goodness, the Creator and Preserver
of all things. Within this unity there are three persons of one essential nature,
power and eternity — the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Gen. 1:1; 17:1; Ex. 3:13-15; 33:20; Deut. 6:4; Ps. 90:2; Isa.
40:28-29; Matt. 3:16-17; 28:19; John 1:1-2; 4:24; 16:13;
17:3; Acts 5:3-4; 17:24-25; 1 Cor. 8:4, 6; Eph. 2:18; Phil. 2:6;
Col. 1:16-17; 1 Tim. 1:17; Heb. 1:8; 1 John 5:20.

2. The Father
We believe the Father is the Source of all that exists, whether of
matter or spirit. With the Son and the Holy Spirit, He made man, male and
female, in His image. By intention He relates to people as Father, thereby
forever declaring His goodwill toward them. In love, He both seeks and
receives penitent sinners.
Ps. 68:5; Isa. 64:8; Matt. 7:11; John 3:17; Rom. 8:15;
1 Peter 1:17.

3. The Son of God
We believe in Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God. He was
conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, truly God and truly
man. He died on the cross and was buried, to be a sacrifice both for original
sin and for all human transgressions, and to reconcile us to God. Christ rose
bodily from the dead, and ascended into heaven, and there intercedes for us at
the Father’s right hand until He returns to judge all humanity at the last day.
Ps. 16:8-10; Matt. 1:21, 23; 11:27; 16:28; 27:62-66; 28:5-9, 16-
17; Mark 10:45; 15; 16:6-7; Luke 1:27, 31, 35; 24:4-8, 23; John
1:1, 14, 18; 3:16-17; 20:26-29; 21; Acts 1:2-3; 2:24-31; 4:12;
10:40; Rom. 5:10, 18; 8:34; 14:9; 1 Cor. 15:3-8, 14; 2 Cor.
5:18-19; Gal. 1:4; 2:20; 4:4-5; Eph. 5:2; 1 Tim. 1:15; Heb 2:17;
7:27; 9:14, 28; 10:12; 13:20; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 2:2; 4:14.

4. The Holy Spirit
We believe in the Holy Spirit who proceeds from the Father and
the Son, and is of the same essential nature, majesty, and glory, as the Father
and the Son, truly and eternally God. He is the Administrator of grace to all,
and is particularly the effective Agent in conviction for sin, in regeneration, in
sanctification, and in glorification. He is ever present, assuring, preserving,
guiding, and enabling the believer.
Job 33:4; Matt. 28:19; John 4:24; 14:16-17; 15:26; 16:13-15;
Acts 5:3-4; Rom. 8:9; 2 Cor. 3:17; Gal. 4:6.

5. The Sufficiency and Full Authority
of the Holy Scriptures for Salvation
We believe that the books of the Old and New Testaments
constitute the Holy Scriptures. They are the inspired and infallibly written
Word of God, fully inerrant in their original manuscripts and superior to all
human authority, and have been transmitted to the present without corruption
of any essential doctrine. We believe that they contain all things necessary to
salvation; so that whatever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is
not to be required of any man or woman that it should be believed as an article
of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation. Both in the Old and
New Testaments life is offered ultimately through Christ, who is the only
Mediator between God and humanity. The New Testament teaches Christians
how to fulfill the moral principles of the Old Testament, calling for loving
obedience to God made possible by the indwelling presence of His Holy Spirit.
The canonical books of the Old Testament are:
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges,
Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles,
Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, The Song of
Solomon, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos,
Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah
and Malachi.
The canonical books of the New Testament are:
Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians,
Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians,
1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John,
2 John, 3 John, Jude and Revelation.
Ps. 19:7; Matt. 5:17-19; 22:37-40; Luke 24:27, 44; John 1:45;
5:46; 17:17; Acts 17:2, 11; Rom. 1:2; 15:4, 8; 16:26; 2 Cor.
1:20; Gal. 1:8; Eph. 2:15-16; 1 Tim. 2:5; 2 Tim. 3:15-17; Heb.
4:12; 10:1; 11:39; James 1:21; 1 Peter 1:23; 2 Peter 1:19-21;
1 John 2:3-7; Rev. 22:18-19.

6. God’s Purpose for Humanity
We believe that the two great commandments which require us to
love the Lord our God with all the heart, and our neighbors as ourselves,
summarize the divine law as it is revealed in the Scriptures. They are the
perfect measure and norm of human duty, both for the ordering and directing
of families and nations, and all other social bodies, and for individual acts, by
which we are required to acknowledge God as our only Supreme Ruler, and
all persons as created by Him, equal in all natural rights. Therefore all persons
should so order all their individual, social and political acts as to give to God
entire and absolute obedience, and to assure to all the enjoyment of every
natural right, as well as to promote the fulfillment of each in the possession
and exercise of such rights.
Lev. 19:18, 34; Deut. 1:16-17; Job 31:13-14; Jer. 21:12; 22:3;
Micah 6:8; Matt. 5:44-48; 7:12; Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:27-29,
35; John 13:34-35; Acts 10:34-35; 17:26; Rom. 12:9; 13:1, 7-8,
10; Gal. 5:14; 6:10; Titus 3:1; James 2:8; 1 Peter 2:17; 1 John
2:5; 4:12-13; 2 John 6.

7. Marriage and the Family
We believe that every person is created in the image of God, that
human sexuality reflects that image in terms of intimate love, communication,
fellowship, subordination of the self to the larger whole, and fulfillment. God’s
Word makes use of the marriage relationship as the supreme metaphor for His
relationship with His covenant people and for revealing the truth that that
relationship is of one God with one people. Therefore God’s plan for human
sexuality is that it is to be expressed only in a monogamous lifelong relationship
between one man and one woman within the framework of marriage. This is
the only relationship which is divinely designed for the birth and rearing of
children and is a covenant union made in the sight of God, taking priority over
every other human relationship.
Gen. 1:27-28; 2:18, 20, 23-24; Isa. 54:4-8; 62:5b; Jer. 3:14;
Ezek. 16:3ff.; Hosea 2; Mal. 2:14; Matt. 19:4-6; Mark 10:9;
John 2:1-2, 11; 1 Cor. 9:5; Eph. 5:23-32; 1 Tim. 5:14; Heb.
13:4; Rev. 19:7-8.

8. Personal Choice
We believe that humanity’s creation in the image of God included
ability to choose between right and wrong. Thus individuals were made
morally responsible for their choices. But since the fall of Adam, people are
unable in their own strength to do the right. This is due to original sin,
which is not simply the following of Adam’s example, but rather the
corruption of the nature of each mortal, and is reproduced naturally in
Adam’s descendants. Because of it, humans are very far gone from original
righteousness, and by nature are continually inclined to evil. They cannot
of themselves even call upon God or exercise faith for salvation. But
through Jesus Christ the prevenient grace of God makes possible what
humans in self effort cannot do. It is bestowed freely upon all, enabling all
who will to turn and be saved.
Gen. 6:5; 8:21; Deut. 30:19; Josh. 24:15; 1 Kings 20:40; Ps.
51:5; Isa. 64:6; Jer. 17:9; Mark 7:21-23; Luke 16:15; John 7:17;
Rom. 3:10-12; 5:12-21; 1 Cor. 15:22; Eph. 2:1-3; 1 Tim. 2:5;
Titus 3:5; Heb. 11:6; Rev. 22:17.

9. The Atonement
We believe that Christ’s offering of himself, once and for all, through
His sufferings and meritorious death on the cross, provides the perfect
redemption and atonement for the sins of the whole world, both original and
actual. There is no other ground of salvation from sin but that alone. This
atonement is sufficient for every individual of Adam’s race. It is
unconditionally effective in the salvation of those mentally incompetent from
birth, of those converted persons who have become mentally incompetent, and
of children under the age of accountability. But it is effective for the salvation
of those who reach the age of accountability only when they repent and
exercise faith in Christ.
Isa. 52:13—53:12; Luke 24:46-47; John 3:16; Acts 3:18; 4:12;
Rom. 3:20, 24-26; 5:8-11, 13, 18-20; 7:7; 8:34; 1 Cor. 6:11;
15:22; Gal. 2:16; 3:2-3; Eph. 1:7; 2:13, 16; 1 Tim. 2:5-6; Heb.
7:23-27; 9:11-15, 24-28; 10:14; 1 John 2:2; 4:10.

10. Repentance and Faith
We believe that for men and women to appropriate what God’s
prevenient grace has made possible, they must voluntarily respond in
repentance and faith. The ability comes from God, but the act is the
individual’s.
Repentance is prompted by the convicting ministry of the Holy Spirit.
It involves a willful change of mind that renounces sin and longs for
righteousness, a godly sorrow for and a confession of past sins, proper
restitution for wrongdoings, and a resolution to reform the life. Repentance
is the precondition for saving faith, and without it saving faith is impossible.
Faith, in turn, is the only condition of salvation. It begins in the agreement
of the mind and the consent of the will to the truth of the gospel, but issues
in a complete reliance by the whole person in the saving ability of Jesus Christ
and a complete trusting of oneself to Him as Savior and Lord. Saving faith is
expressed in a public acknowledgment of His Lordship and an identification
with His Church.
Mark 1:15; Luke 5:32; 13:3; 24:47; John 3:16; 17:20; 20:31;
Acts 5:31; 10:43; 11:18; 16:31; 20:21; 26:20; Rom. 1:16; 2:4;
10:8-10, 17; Gal. 3:26; Eph. 2:8; 4:4-6; Phil. 3:9; 2 Thess. 2:13;
2 Tim. 2:25; Heb. 11:6; 12:2; 1 Peter 1:9; 2 Peter 3:9.

11. Justification, Regeneration and Adoption
We believe that when one repents of personal sin and believes on
the Lord Jesus Christ, that at the same moment that person is justified,
regenerated, adopted into the family of God, and assured of personal salvation
through the witness of the Holy Spirit.
We believe that justification is the judicial act of God whereby a person
is accounted righteous, granted full pardon of all sin, delivered from guilt,
completely released from the penalty of sins committed, by the merit of our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, by faith alone, not on the basis of works.
We believe that regeneration, or the new birth, is that work of the Holy
Spirit whereby, when one truly repents and believes, one’s moral nature is given
a distinctively spiritual life with the capacity for love and obedience. This new
life is received by faith in Jesus Christ, it enables the pardoned sinner to serve
God with the will and affections of the heart, and by it the regenerate are
delivered from the power of sin which reigns over all the unregenerate.
We believe that adoption is the act of God by which the justified and
regenerated believer becomes a partaker of all the rights, privileges and
responsibilities of a child of God.
Justification: Hab. 2:4; Acts 13:38-39; 15:11; 16:31; Rom. 1:17;
3:28; 4:2-5; 5:1-2; Gal. 3:6-14; Eph. 2:8-9; Phil 3:9; Heb. 10:38.
Regeneration: John 1:12-13; 3:3, 5-8; 2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 3:26; Eph.
2:5, 10, 19; 4:24; Col. 3:10; Titus 3:5; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:3-4;
2 Peter 1:4; 1 John 3:1.
Adoption: Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:5, 7; Eph. 1:5.
Witness of the Spirit: Rom. 8:16-17; Gal. 4:6; 1 John 2:3; 3:14, 18-19.

12. Good Works
We believe that although good works cannot save us from our sins
or from God’s judgment, they are the fruit of faith and follow after
regeneration. Therefore they are pleasing and acceptable to God in Christ,
and by them a living faith may be as evidently known as a tree is discerned by
its fruit.
Matt. 5:16; 7:16-20; John 15:8; Rom 3:20; 4:2, 4, 6; Gal.
2:16; 5:6; Eph. 2:10; Phil. 1:11; Col. 1:10; 1 Thess. 1:3;
Titus 2:14; 3:5; James 2:18, 22; 1 Peter 2:9, 12.

13. Sin After Regeneration
We believe that after we have experienced regeneration, it is possible
to fall into sin, for in this life there is no such height or strength of holiness
from which it is impossible to fall. But by the grace of God one who has fallen
into sin may by true repentance and faith find forgiveness and restoration.
Mal. 3:7; Matt. 18:21-22; John 15:4-6; 1 Tim. 4:1, 16;
Heb. 10:35-39; 1 John 1:9; 2:1, 24-25.

14. Sanctification: Initial, Progressive, Entire
We believe that sanctification is that work of the Holy Spirit by
which the child of God is separated from sin unto God and is enabled to love
God with all the heart and to walk in all His holy commandments blameless.
Sanctification is initiated at the moment of justification and regeneration.
From that moment there is a gradual or progressive sanctification as the
believer walks with God and daily grows in grace and in a more perfect
obedience to God. This prepares for the crisis of entire sanctification which
is wrought instantaneously when believers present themselves as living
sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, through faith in Jesus Christ, being
effected by the baptism with the Holy Spirit who cleanses the heart from all
inbred sin. The crisis of entire sanctification perfects the believer in love and
empowers that person for effective service. It is followed by lifelong growth
in grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The life of
holiness continues through faith in the sanctifying blood of Christ and
evidences itself by loving obedience to God’s revealed will.
Gen. 17:1; Deut. 30:6; Ps. 130:8; Isa. 6:1-6; Ezek. 36:25-29;
Matt. 5:8, 48; Luke 1:74-75; 3:16-17; 24:49; John 17:1-26; Acts
1:4-5, 8; 2:1-4; 15:8-9; 26:18; Rom. 8:3-4; 1 Cor. 1:2; 6:11; 2
Cor. 7:1; Eph. 4:13, 24; 5:25-27; 1 Thess. 3:10, 12-13; 4:3, 7-
8; 5:23-24; 2 Thess. 2:13; Titus 2:11-14; Heb. 10:14; 12:14;
13:12; James 3:17-18; 4:8; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Peter 1:4; 1 John 1:7,
9; 3:8-9; 4:17-18; Jude 24.

15. The Gifts of the Spirit
We believe that the Gift of the Spirit is the Holy Spirit himself, and
He is to be desired more than the gifts of the Spirit which He in His wise
counsel bestows upon individual members of the Church to enable them
properly to fulfill their function as members of the body of Christ. The gifts
of the Spirit, although not always identifiable with natural abilities, function
through them for the edification of the whole Church. These gifts are to be
exercised in love under the administration of the Lord of the Church, not
through human volition. The relative value of the gifts of the Spirit is to be
tested by their usefulness in the Church and not by the ecstasy produced in
the ones receiving them.
Luke 11:13; 24:49; Acts 1:4; 2:38-39; 8:19-20; 10:45; 11:17;
Rom. 12:4-8; 1 Cor. 12:1—14:40; Eph. 4:7-8, 11-16; Heb. 2:4;
13:20-21; 1 Peter 4:8-11.

16. The Church
We believe that the Christian Church is the entire body of believers in
Jesus Christ, who is the founder and only Head of the Church. The Church
includes both those believers who have gone to be with the Lord and those who
remain on the earth, having renounced the world, the flesh and the devil, and
having dedicated themselves to the work which Christ committed unto His church
until He comes. The Church on earth is to preach the pure Word of God, properly
administer the sacraments according to Christ’s instructions, and live in obedience
to all that Christ commands. A local church is a body of believers formally
organized on gospel principles, meeting regularly for the purposes of evangelism,
nurture, fellowship and worship. The Wesleyan Church is a denomination
consisting of those members within district conferences and local churches who, as
members of the body of Christ, hold the faith set forth in these Articles of Religion
and acknowledge the ecclesiastical authority of its governing bodies.
Matt. 16:18; 18:17; Acts 2:41-47; 9:31; 11:22; 12:5; 14:23;
15:22; 20:28; 1 Cor. 1:2; 12:28; 16:1; 2 Cor. 1:1; Gal. 1:2; Eph.
1:22-23; 2:19-22; 3:9-10, 21; 5:22-33; Col. 1:18, 24; 1 Thess.
1:1; 2 Thess. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:15; Heb. 12:23; James 5:14.

17. The Sacraments: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
We believe that water baptism and the Lord’s Supper are the
sacraments of the church commanded by Christ and ordained as a means of
grace when received through faith. They are tokens of our profession of
Christian faith and signs of God’s gracious ministry toward us. By them, He
works within us to quicken, strengthen and confirm our faith.
We believe that water baptism is a sacrament of the church, commanded
by our Lord and administered to believers. It is a symbol of the new covenant
of grace and signifies acceptance of the benefits of the atonement of Jesus Christ.
By means of this sacrament, believers declare their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior.
Matt. 3:13-17; 28:19; Mark 1:9-11; John 3:5, 22, 26; 4:1-2;
Acts 2:38-39, 41; 8:12-17, 36-38; 9:18; 16:15, 33; 18:8; 19:5;
22:16; Rom 2:28-29; 4:11; 6:3-4; 1 Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:27-29;
Col. 2:11-12; Titus 3:5.
We believe that the Lord’s Supper is a sacrament of our redemption by
Christ’s death and of our hope in His victorious return, as well as a sign of the
love that Christians have for each other. To such as receive it humbly, with a
proper spirit and by faith, the Lord’s Supper is made a means through which
God communicates grace to the heart.
Matt. 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19-20; John 6:48-58;
1 Cor. 5:7-8; 10:3-4, 16-17; 11:23-29.

18. The Second Coming of Christ
We believe that the certainty of the personal and imminent return
of Christ inspires holy living and zeal for the evangelization of the world. At
His return He will fulfill all prophecies made concerning His final and
complete triumph over evil.
Job 19:25-27; Isa. 11:1-12; Zech. 14:1-11; Matt. 24:1-51; 25;
26:64; Mark 13:1-37; Luke 17:22-37; 21:5-36; John 14:1-3;
Acts 1:6-11; 1 Cor. 1:7-8; 1 Thess. 1:10; 2:19; 3:13; 4:13-18;
5:1-11, 23; 2 Thess. 1:6-10; 2:1-12; Titus 2:11-14; Heb. 9:27-
28; James 5:7-8; 2 Peter 3:1-14; 1 John 3:2-3; Rev. 1:7; 19:11-
16; 22:6-7, 12, 20.

19. The Resurrection of the Dead
We believe in the bodily resurrection from the dead of all people—
of the just unto the resurrection of life, and of the unjust unto the resurrection
of damnation. The resurrection of Christ is the guarantee of the resurrection
which will occur at Christ’s Second Coming. The raised body will be a
spiritual body, but the person will be whole and identifiable.
Job 19:25-27; Dan. 12:2; Matt. 22:30-32; 28:1-20; Mark 16:1-
8; Luke 14:14; 24:1-53; John 5:28-29; 11:21-27; 20:1—21:25;
Acts 1:3; Rom. 8:11; 1 Cor. 6:14; 15:1-58; 2 Cor. 4:14; 5:1-11;
1 Thess. 4:13-17; Rev. 20:4-6, 11-13.

20. The Judgment of All Persons
We believe that the Scriptures reveal God as the Judge of all and the
acts of His judgment are based on His omniscience and eternal justice. His
administration of judgment will culminate in the final meeting of all persons
before His throne of great majesty and power, where records will be examined
and final rewards and punishments will be administered.
Eccl. 12:14; Matt. 10:15; 25:31-46; Luke 11:31-32; Acts 10:42;
17:31; Rom. 2:16; 14:10-12; 2 Cor. 5:10; 2 Tim. 4:1; Heb. 9:27;
2 Peter 3:7; Rev. 20:11-13.

21. Destiny
We believe that the Scriptures clearly teach that there is a conscious
personal existence after death. The final destiny of each person is determined
by God’s grace and that person’s response, evidenced inevitably by a moral
character which results from that individual’s personal and volitional choices
and not from any arbitrary decree of God. Heaven with its eternal glory and
the blessedness of Christ’s presence is the final abode of those who choose the
salvation which God provides through Jesus Christ, but hell with its
everlasting misery and separation from God is the final abode of those who
neglect this great salvation.
Dan. 12:2; Matt. 25:34-46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 13:3; John
8:21-23; 14:2-3; 2 Cor. 5:6, 8, 10; Heb. 2:1-3; 9:27-28; 10:26-
31; Rev. 20:14-15; 21:1—22:5, 14-15.

Covenant Membership Commitments
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).
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 quasireligious
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 believers to
realize their full potential in Christ, or which would enslave them.
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 Christlike 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 Covenant 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.

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 their works’ sake, and to
render them a righteous compensation for their labors.

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