Core Beliefs
The following are the core beliefs of Chapman United Methodist Church based on the foundational truths taught in the bible. All of our teaching and ministry is rooted in and flows out of these biblical doctrines.
God
There is one eternally existing God who has three distinct persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. God is the creator of all that exists, both visible and invisible, and is therefore worthy of all glory and praise. God is perfect in love, power, holiness, goodness, knowledge, wisdom, justice, and mercy. The biblical witness testifies to God's activity and gracious self-involvement in history and anticipates the consummation of God's reign.
Revelation
God has revealed God's self to us through God's incarnation of Jesus Christ, who is the visible image of the invisible God, the holy scriptures, and through all of creation itself.
Humankind
Human beings are created in God's image for God's glory. Human beings are free to accept or reject a relationship with God. We believe that to accept a relationship with God is to be fully human.
The Fall
When Adam and Eve chose not to obey God, they chose to elevate the created over the creator resulting in broken relationship with God.
Salvation
Jesus Christ came to reconcile us with God. He lived a life without sin and willingly died on the cross to pay the penalty for our transgressions. God raised him from the dead and now, by grace, offers as a free gift eternal life to all who follow Christ, by faith, as their Lord and Savior. That is why salvation can be found in Christ alone.
The Church
The Church is meant to be the visible body of Christ, sent into the world to glorify God and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Ressurection
Jesus Christ is returning one day to judge both the living and the dead and to usher in the fullness of God's kingdom on earth.