Mission Statement:
Out of obedience to God's Great Commission, to produce disciple making churches that will lead our world to Christ.
-
Home
- History
- Ministry
-
Bible Readings
- Calendar of Meetings
- Organization
-
School of Theology
-
Board of Christian Ministries
- Creed
- Insignia
-
Discipline
-
Notes and News
-
Yearbook
- Links
to Primitive Methodism
- Missions
- Directory
- Camp
-
Special Events
-
General Information
OF THE DISCIPLINE |
||
|
200 MEANS
OF GRACE While the Holy Spirit can and does operate directly upon the soul of the sinner, He does largely bind Himself to certain means in the communication of His grace. In the strictest sense there are but two means of grace: The preaching of the Word and the administration of the sacraments. These two may never dissociate from Christ, the operation of the Holy Spirit or the ministry of the Church. (Acts 2:41-47) 201 THE WORD The Bible is the primary means employed by the Holy Spirit in the conversion of sinners, the extension of the church and the edification and growth of the saints. It is as the word of God is preached and taught in our churches, our homes and communities, etc. that is employed by the Holy Spirit as a means of grace. (Hebrews 4:12, Romans 1:16, Ephesians 6:17) A. The Church The church is not to be considered a means of grace alongside the Word and the Sacrament, since she does not communicate grace except through these. Her power and effectiveness is found in her faithfulness to the preaching of the Word and the administration of the sacraments. (Matthew 28:19) B. The Lord's Day The Primitive Methodist Church strongly advocates the observance of the Lord's Day as a day of rest and worship. C. Prayer Meeting and Bible Studies The members of our churches are urged to participate in Prayer Meetings and Bible Study classes to promote spiritual growth. D. Praying in Jesus' Name Inasmuch as Jesus Christ said, "Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive and your joy will be made complete", we as the Primitive Methodist Church in the USA believe that we should pray in Jesus' Name. 202 THE SACRAMENTS Primitive Methodists hold to two sacraments; namely, Baptism and Holy Communion. These sacraments are signs and symbols of God's grace and good will towards us. We believe that the two sacraments are pledges and pictures of God's grace and of the redeeming love of Jesus Christ. They are ceremonies which have been instituted and ordained by God. It is therefore incumbent upon every child of God to keep them. While the Word can and does exist and function apart from the sacraments, the sacraments have no function apart from the Word of God. In other words, the Word of God must accompany the sacrament. A. Baptism Definition: Baptism is an outward sacred rite signifying an inward purity accomplished by Christ's atonement, administered by the use of water to professing believers or to their children in obedience to the Holy Scriptures in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. 1. Use of Water - Acts 8:38 2. Preaching of the Word - Acts 2:38 3. Command of God - Matthew 28:19-20 4. Infant Baptism: Children of believing parents, parent, or guardian are suitable candidates for baptism. As infant baptism includes an act of dedication whereby believers by sacred oath consign the child to God, it contemplates (1) a course of religious training, (2) that those presenting children for baptism are to bring them up in fear and love of God, and (3) that they are to be solemnly admonished to a faithful performance of these things. 5. Believer's Baptism: Persons who have not previously been baptized, upon repentance of sin and confession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation, are suitable candidates for baptism. 6. Re-Baptism: We discourage and do not require or demand the re-baptism of those baptized in infancy who belong to our church or desire to join, but if an individual would request the rite of baptism, we leave this to the freedom of the conscience of the individual, and our Pastors are free to perform the rite of baptism in such cases. 7. Mode: The ordinance of baptism may be administered either by immersion, pouring, or sprinkling, to those who request it, either for themselves or their children. 8. We reject as unscriptural the doctrine that baptism produces regeneration (salvation). 9. Infant Dedication Without Water: Although a Primitive Methodist pastor is required to baptize an infant of a believer, if a parent or guardian requests a dedication without water, a pastor is permitted to participate, provided the local Quarterly Conference agrees with the practice. B. The Lord's Supper (Holy Communion) Definition: The Lord's Supper is the memorial of our redemption through the suffering and death of our Savior Jesus Christ, for through this supper we show forth the Lord's death till He comes. It is also the symbol of the soul of the believer feeding on Christ. It is the sign of the communion we have with one another as members of the body of Christ. (Matthew 26:26-29; I Corinthians 11:20-30) 1. While we do not limit the partaking of the bread and cup to those who are members of our local churches, we do warn that such participation is an act of faith and therefore limited to those who are by saving faith united to Jesus Christ. (Those who discern the body and blood of Christ. I Corinthians 11:29) 2. We reject the doctrine of transubstantiation: that is, that the substance of bread and wine are changed into the very body and blood of Christ in the Lord's Supper. We likewise reject that doctrine which affirms the physical presence of Christ's body and blood to be by, with and under the elements of bread and wine (consubstantiation). 3. The Lord's Supper shall be observed at such times as set by the Quarterly Conference. It is the requirement of the Primitive Methodist Church to use only unfermented wine. Both the cup and the bread are to be offered and neither denied to any of Christ's people. |
||