¶4.1 “Dearly
beloved, the church is of God and will continue to the end of this present age
for the promotion of His worship and the proper administration of His Truth and
sacraments, the maintenance of Christian fellowship and discipline, the
edification of believers, and the proclamation of the Gospel to the world. All, of every age and station, stand in need
of the means of grace which it alone supplies.
The persons before you come professing to have already entered into this
Holy Community.”
“These
people now come seeking admission into this denomination and this local
church. They have been instructed in the
purpose, theology, and objective of the
“Dearly
beloved, you profess to have a desire to flee from the wrath to come, to be
saved from your sins, and to be a faithful servant in the Kingdom of God; you
seek the fellowship of the people of God, to assist you in working out your
salvation; I therefore ask:”
As
to repentance:
Question:
“Do you renounce Satan and all of his works, the standards and ways of
the world, so that you will not follow or be led by them?”
Answer:
“I renounce them all.”
As
to faith:
Question:
“Do you believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:
and in Jesus Christ His only Son, our Lord; that He was conceived by the Holy
Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, that He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was
crucified, dead, and buried, that the third day He rose from the dead; that He
ascended into heaven, and is sitting at the right hand of God the Father
Almighty; and from there He shall come to judge the living and the dead? And do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the
one universal Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection
of the body, and the life everlasting?”
Answer:
“All this I steadfastly believe.”
Question:
“Will you then obediently keep God’s holy will and commandments, and
walk in the same all the days of your life?”
Answer:
“I will, God being my helper.”
As
to service:
Question:
“Will you be loyal to the Bethel Methodist Church, and uphold it by your
prayers, your presence, your gifts, and your service, as long as it remains
faithful to Christ and His Church according to the scriptures?”
Answer:
“I will.”
“We
rejoice to recognize you as members of this church, and bid you welcome to all
of its privileges; and pray that you may continue with His people here, and
with His saints in glory forever. Amen.”