Our Statement of Belief

The theological beliefs and doctrinal standards of the RENEW Network are grounded in the historic, orthodox, and evangelical tenets of the Christian faith in accordance with the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. These standards have been expressed in the Apostle’s Creed, Nicene Creed, and in John Wesley’s standard Sermons and the Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament. We affirm these truths as the foundation for United Methodism and the ministry of RENEW.

We believe in one true and perfect God, eternally existing in divine unity through three distinct persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—and which the Church historically has described as the Holy Trinity.

God as Father: As the first Person of the Holy Trinity, God the Father is the Creator and Sovereign Ruler of heaven and earth. He is omnipresent (all-present), omnipotent (all-powerful), omniscient (all- knowing), and fatherly in His attitude toward humankind. He is infinite and unchangeable in power, wisdom, and love. God has provided a covenant through which His creatures can be redeemed and His creation can be liberated from all evil and brought into final righteousness.

God as Son: Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity—both true God and true man. We believe in His eternal preexistence, His conception by the Holy Spirit, His virgin birth, His attesting miracles, His sinless life, His sacrificial death on the cross, His glorious bodily resurrection from the dead, His ascension into heaven, and His present work in heaven as High Priest and Intercessor for humankind. Jesus provided the only way to salvation and reconciliation between God and humanity. Christ will return in power and glory to judge the world, complete His redemptive mission, and establish His Kingdom of righteousness and peace.

God as Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Holy Trinity, was active from the beginning in creation, revelation, and redemption. Through His anointing, the Word of God was revealed to the prophets, priests became intermediaries between God and His people, and kings were given ruling authority. The presence and power of the Holy Spirit were shown mightily through Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit illuminates humankind to understand biblical truth; convicts humanity and the lost of sin; regenerates and gives new birth to the repentant; and indwells, enlightens, and empowers the believer for holy living and the Church for Christ’s mission in the world. The Holy Spirit imparts spiritual gifts to enable believers to bear fruit for the kingdom of God and His guidance is always in harmony with Christ and the truth of the Holy Scriptures.

We believe the physical universe is the visible creation of God. It declares the glory of God and gives a revelation of His character and purpose. In Scripture, God declares that through creation all humanity recognizes His existence, power, glory, and wisdom.

We believe God created man and woman in His image and likeness to fellowship with Him and bring Him glory. Humankind was created pure and innocent, but possessing free will. Through selfish disobedience, the corruption of sin entered the human race and pervaded society and creation, bringing physical and spiritual death. Therefore, all humankind is born with a sinful nature, separated from God, and in need of redemption through the atoning work of Christ on the cross. Humankind is only capable of responding to God’s offer of redemption through the prevenient, or preparing, grace of God Himself. It is only through the justifying and sanctifying grace of the Triune God that humanity can be saved from the corruption of sin and become increasingly conformed to the image of Christ.

We believe the Old and New Testaments of the Bible to be the infallible and authoritative Word of God, inerrant as originally given, inspired by God, and accurately recorded throughout human history. The Holy Scriptures contain all that is necessary for our knowledge of the nature and character of God, His holy and sovereign will, of Jesus Christ, the salvation of humanity, and our growth in grace as Christians. They are the supreme and final authority for the faith, doctrines, and practices of humanity and the Church. Anything not clearly revealed or that is contrary to the teachings of Holy Scriptures is in opposition to the purposes and will of God.

We believe that God offers salvation to a sinful humanity and lost world through faith in Jesus Christ, apart from human merit, works, or religious ceremony. When we accept by faith God’s atoning work in Jesus Christ on the cross, we are forgiven, justified, regenerated by His Holy Spirit, and adopted into the family of God. By His grace, God sanctifies His children, purifying their hearts by faith, renewing them in the image of God, and enabling them to love God and neighbor with a whole heart.

We believe the Church is the universal body of Jesus Christ composed of all persons, living and dead, who have been joined to Christ through their covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel. This Body of Christ shares one Lord, one faith, and one baptism. The Church belongs to God and is set apart for His purposes in the world. It was commissioned and granted authority to the apostles by Christ Himself. God calls this community of faith to join together for worship, prayer, encouragement, the proclamation of the Gospel, and observance of the holy sacraments. Christ has given the Great Commission to His people, to go into the entire world to preach the Gospel to every person, baptizing and teaching all those who believe.

We believe that Jesus Christ will come again to the earth—personally and visibly—to consummate history and the eternal plan of God. As the sovereign Lord, He will resurrect the saved to eternal life and the lost to eternal condemnation. This event will result in the liberation of creation, God’s final victory over every power and dominion, and the establishment of a new heaven and earth. This is our blessed hope as Christian believers and serves as an incentive for holy living and faithful service.