Our Beliefs
Core Beliefs
The following are a summary of the major beliefs of Compass Church, a Free Methodist ministry. If you are looking for something that is not answered in the summary we suggest you click here for our denominational beliefs, and if the question is not answered there, we suggest you look at the Free Methodist Book of Discipline or talk to a pastor.
God
We believe in one living God in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
There is but one living and true God, the maker, and preserver of all things. And in the unity of this Godhead, there are three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are one in eternity, deity and purpose; everlasting, of infinite power, wisdom and goodness.
The Scriptures
We believe in the authority of God’s Word over our lives.
The Bible is God’s written Word, uniquely inspired by the Holy Spirit. It bears an unerring witness to Jesus Christ, the living Word. As attested by the early church and subsequent councils, it is the trustworthy record of God’s revelation, completely truthful in all it affirms. It has been faithfully preserved and proves itself true in human experience. The Scriptures have come to us through human authors who wrote, as God moved them, in the languages and literary forms of their times. God continues, by the illumination of the Holy Spirit, to speak through this Word to each generation and culture. The Bible has authority over all human life. It teaches the truth about God, His creation, His people, His one and only Son, and the destiny of humankind. It also teaches the way of salvation and the life of faith. Whatever is not found in the Bible nor can be proved by it is not to be required as an article of belief or as necessary to salvation.
Humankind
We believe humankind are created in the image of God as free moral persons.
God created human beings in His own image, innocent, morally free, and responsible to choose between good and evil, right and wrong. By the sin of Adam, humans as the offspring of Adam are corrupted in their very nature so that from birth they are inclined to sin. They are unable by their own strength and work to restore themselves in right relationship with God and to merit eternal salvation. God, the omnipotent, provides all the resources of the Trinity to make it possible for humans to respond to His grace through faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. By God’s grace and help, people are enabled to do good works with a free will.
Salvation
We believe that new life in Christ, free from the guilt and penalty of sin, is given to all who believe.
Christ offered once and for all the perfect sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. No other satisfaction for sin is necessary; none other can atone.
The Church
We believe in the Church. The people of God, who exist to fulfill the purposes of God in Christ.
The church is created by God. It is the people of God. Christ Jesus is its Lord and Head. The Holy Spirit is its life and power. It is both divine and human, heavenly and earthy, ideal and imperfect. It is an organism, not an unchanging institution. It exists to fulfill the purposes of God in Christ. It redemptively ministers to persons. Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it that it should be holy and without blemish. The church is a fellowship of the redeemed and the redeeming, preaching the Word of God and administering the sacraments according to Christ’s instruction. The Free Methodist Church purposes to be representative of what the church of Jesus Christ should be on earth. It, therefore, requires specific commitment regarding the faith and life of its members. In its requirements, it seeks to honor Christ and obey the written Word of God.
Last Things
We believe in the Kingdom of God established now in the hearts of believers, the return of Christ, at a time chosen by the Father, and our hope in the resurrection and eternal glory.
The kingdom of God is a prominent Bible theme providing Christians with both their tasks and hope. Jesus announced its presence. The kingdom is realized now as God’s reign is established in the hearts and lives of believers.
The church, by its prayers, example and proclamation of the gospel, is the appointed and appropriate instrument of God in building His kingdom.
But the kingdom is also future and is related to the return of Christ when judgment will fall upon the present order. The enemies of Christ will be subdued; the reign of God will be established; a total cosmic renewal, which is both material and moral, shall occur; and the hope of the redeemed will be fully realized.
