Bahá'ís of Hunterdon



FOSTER BAHA'I SCHOOL
(Sunday School located in Ewing, NJ)

American Baha'is: www.bahai.org/
1-800-22-UNITE

Christ Church
Currently worshipping at:
Three Bridges Elementary School
Office: 9 Sutphin Road, Flemington, NJ 08822
Phone: 908-788-8266
Email: christchurchnj@earthlink.net

Clinton Baptist Church
7 Pittstown Road, Clinton, NJ 08809
(908)735-5252 - (908)735-6004 (FAX)
Sr. Pastor: Nathan Tuckey
Pastor of Family Ministries: Randy Hunt
Pastor of Youth: Pete Gatto
Email: info@clintonbaptist.org    www.clintonbaptist.org

Flemington United Methodist
Church 116 Main Street - Flemington, NJ 08822
908-782-1070
Email: FUMC2@earthlink.net
Pastor: Reverend Richard Dudinak
Youth Pastor: Geoff Stanley
http://www.geocities.com/FlemingtonUMC/

CHRISTIANITY
There are many different variations or "denominations". The major division is between Orthodox and Western Christianity (which itself is divided into Roman Catholicism and Protestantism). Protestant churches rose out of protest against Roman Catholicism in the 16th century.
Divine Teacher: Christ, "Messiah, Redeemer"
(4 B.C.? - 33 A.D.) - Advent of Christ in Jesus.
Seed Idea: SALVATION - LOVE - SERVICE / Crucifixion / Resurrection / Miracles / Parables / Symbols / Morals / Rituals / Redemption / Immortablity / Sacrifice / Foretold One To Come.
Civilization Progress: Gothic Architecture 1200 AD - Slowly Awakening Spiritual Consciousness with Devotion and Reverence but Growing Confusion of Beliefs - Purity lost in rituals, creeds, materialism, desire for power. Wars in all the known world.
Origin: Palestine - There are no traces of its roots in either Assyria, Babylon, Egypt, Greece or Rome.
Note: The first Christians were Jewish Christians. The Pentateuch was of great importance to them and they kept its laws, keeping the sabbath and performing circumcision. Christian beliefs were spreading largely among Jews, and Christianity was a group within Judaism. They were called Jewish Christians because their membership consisted largely of Jews who had joined them and followed their beliefs and teachings. They believed Jesus was a prophet who had tried to make people more aware of the intent of the Pentateuch and had tried to intensify the application of its laws. As Jews had in any case to follow and live according to the Pentateuch's laws, so what were Jews and Jewish Christians arguing about? .
 
Baptist church
The Baptist Church beliefs: I. The Scriptures of the Old and New Testament were given by inspiration of God, and are the only sufficient, certain and authoritative rule of all saving knowledge, faith and obedience. II. There is but one God, the Maker, Preserver and Ruler of all things, having in and of himself, all perfections, and being infinite in them all; and to Him all creatures owe the highest love, reverence and obedience. III. God is revealed to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit each with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence or being. IV. God from eternity, decrees or permits all things that come to pass, and perpetually upholds, directs and governs all creatures and all events; yet so as not to destroy the free will and responsibility of intelligent creatures. V. Election is God's eternal choice of some persons unto everlasting life -- not because of foreseen merit in them, but of his mere mercy in Christ -- in consequence of which choice they are called, justified and glorified. VI. God originally created man in His own image, and free from sin; but, through the temptation of Satan, he transgressed the command of God, and fell from his original holiness and righteousness; whereby his posterity inherit a nature corrupt and wholly opposed to God and His law, are under condemnation, and as soon as they are capable of moral action, become actual transgressors. VII. Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, is the divinely appointed mediator between God and man. Having taken upon Himself human nature, yet without sin, He perfectly fulfilled the Law, suffered and died upon the cross for the salvation of sinners. He was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended to His Father, at whose hand He ever liveth to make intercession for His people. He is the only Mediator, the Prophet, Priest and King of the Church, and Sovereign of the Universe. VIII. Regeneration is a change of heart, wrought by the Holy Spirit, who quickeneth the dead in trespasses and sins enlightening their minds spiritually and savingly to understand the Word of God, and renewing their whole nature, so that they love and practice holiness. It is a work of God's free and special grace alone. IX. Repentance. Repentance is an evangelical grace, wherein a person being, by the Holy Spirit, made sensible of the manifold evil of his sin, humbleth himself for it, with godly sorrow, detestation of it, and self-abhorrence, with a purpose and endeavor to walk before God so as to please Him in all things. X. Saving faith is the belief, on God's authority, of whatsoever is revealed in His Word concerning Christ; accepting and resting upon Him alone for justification and eternal life. It is wrought in the heart by the Holy Spirit, and is accompanied by all other saving graces, and leads to a life of holiness. XI. Justification is God's gracious and full acquittal of sinners, who believe in Christ, from all sin, through the satisfaction that Christ has made; not for anything wrought in them or done by them; but on account of the obedience and satisfaction of Christ, they receiving and resting on Him and His righteousness by faith. XII. Those who have been regenerated are also sanctified, by God's word and Spirit dwelling in them. This sanctification is progressive through the supply of Divine strength, which all saints seek to obtain, pressing after a heavenly life in cordial obedience to all Christ's commands. XIII. Those whom God hath accepted in the Beloved, and sanctified by His Spirit, will never totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace, but shall certainly persevere to the end; and though they may fall, through neglect and temptation, into sin, whereby they grieve the Spirit, impair their graces and comforts, bring reproach on the Church, and temporal judgments on themselves, yet they shall be renewed again unto repentance, and be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. XIV. The Lord Jesus is the Head of the Church, which is composed of all his true disciples, and in Him is invested supremely all power for its government. According to his commandment, Christians are to associate themselves into particular societies or churches; and to each of these churches he hath given needful authority for administering that order, discipline and worship which he hath appointed. The regular officers of a Church are Bishops, or Elders, and Deacons. XV. Baptism is an ordinance of the Lord Jesus, obligatory upon every believer, wherein he is immersed in water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, as a sign of his fellowship with the death and resurrection of Christ, of remission of sins, and of his giving himself up to God, to live and walk in newness of life. It is prerequisite to church fellowship, and to participation in the Lord's Supper. XVI. The Lord's Supper is an ordinance of Jesus Christ, to be administered with the elements of bread and wine, and to be observed by his churches till the end of the world. It is in no sense a sacrifice, but is designed to commemorate his death, to confirm the faith and other graces of Christians, and to be a bond, pledge and renewal of their communion with him, and of their church fellowship. XVII. The Lord's Day is a Christian institution for regular observance, and should be employed in exercises of worship and spiritual devotion, both public and private, resting from worldly employments and amusements, works of necessity and mercy only excepted. XVIII. God alone is Lord of the conscience; and He hath left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men, which are in anything contrary to His word, or not contained in it. Civil magistrates being ordained of God, subjection in all lawful thing commanded by them ought to be yielded by us in the Lord, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. XIX. The bodies of men after death return to dust, but their spirits return immediately to God -- the righteous to rest with Him; the wicked to be reserved under darkness to the judgment. At the last day, the bodies of all the dead, both just and unjust, will be raised. XX. God hath appointed a day, wherein he will judge the world by Jesus Christ, when every one shall receive according to his deeds; the wicked shall go into everlasting punishment; the righteous, into everlasting life. - God has not changed. God’s Word has not changed. - If we claim faithfulness to Him and His Word, we cannot change or compromise!
 
Catholic Church
The Catholic beliefs: I. To gain the happiness of heaven we must know, love, and serve God in this world. Man must know, love and serve God in a supernatural manner in order to gain happiness of heaven. Man is raised to the supernatural order only by grace, a free gift of God. II. We learn to know, love, and serve God from Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who teaches us through the Catholic Church. III. In order to be saved, all persons who have attained the use of reason must believe explicitly that God exist and that he rewards the good and punishes the wicked; in practice they must also believe in the mysteries of the Blessed Trinity and the Incarnation. IV. By the Blessed Trinity we mean one and the same God in three divine persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. V. By the Incarnation is meant that the Son of God, retaining His divine nature, took to Himself a human nature, that is, a body and soul like ours. VI. The Church is the congregation of all baptized persons united in the same true faith, the same sacrifice, and the same sacraments, under the authority of the Sovereign Pontiff and the bishops in communion with him. VII. We find the chief truths taught by Jesus Christ through the Catholic Church in the Apostles' Creed.
Catholics must follow THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OF GOD I am the Lord your God; you shall not have strange gods before me. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. Remember to keep holy the Lord's day Honor your father and your mother. You shall not kill. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife. You shall not covet you neighbor's goods. THE CHIEF COMMANDMENTS OR LAWS, OF THE CHURCH To assist at Mass on all Sundays and holy days of obligation. To fast and abstain on the days appointed. To confess our sins at least once a year. To receive Holy Communion during the Easter time. To contribute to the support of the Church. To observe the laws of the Church concerning marriage. Christians throughout history have always regarded sin not only as a transgression of divine law but also--though not always in a direct and evident way -- as contempt for or disregard of the friendship between God and man, just as they have regarded it as a real and unfathomable offense against God and indeed an ungrateful rejection of the love of God shown us through Jesus Christ, who called his disciples friends and not servants. They are 7 sacrements: BAPTISM is one of them. Baptism is the sacrament that frees man from original sin and from personal guilt, that makes him a member of Christ and His Church. It is thus the door to a new and supernatural life. Baptism is necessary for salvation. The genuine significance of Catholic devotion to Mary is to be seen in the light of the Incarnation itself. The Church cannot separate the Son and the Mother. Mary, who was empty of all egotism, free from all sin, was as pure as the glass of a very clean window that has no other function than to admit the light of the sun (Son). If we rejoice in that light, we implicitly praise the cleanness of the window. Prayer For Peace O Lord Jesus Christ, Who said to Your Apostles: "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you," regard not my sins but the faith of Your Church, and deign to give her peace and unity according to Your Will: Who live and reign, God, world without end. Amen.
 
Christian Reformed Church
The beliefs and doctrine of the Christian Reformed Church are based on the Holy Bible, God's infallible written Word contained in the 66 books the Old and New Testaments. We believe that it was uniquely, verbally and fully inspired by the Holy Spirit and that it was written without error (inerrant) in the original manuscripts. It is the supreme and final authority in all matters on which it speaks. As followers of Jesus Christ, living in this world-- which some seek to control, but which others view with despair-- we declare with joy and trust: Our world belongs to God! --from the Preamble. Humanity is created in the image of God; all theorizing that minimizes this fact and all theories of evolution which deny the creative activity of God are rejected. The clear teaching of Scripture and the confessions rules out holding views that support the reality of evolutionary forebears of the human race. But further investigation or discussion regarding the origin of humanity should not be limited. Scripture teaches that beverages containing alcohol can be a blessing or a source of evil. Those who drink alcohol must consider its effects on themselves and on others. Abstinence from alcohol may be an appropriate moral response in particular situations, but it is not demanded by Scripture and therefore should not be demanded by the church. According to Scripture, all Christians must avoid drunkenness. Though abstinence from alcohol is a morally creditable choice, those who, in their freedom in Christ, choose to use alcohol moderately are not to be condemned. The church should provide pastoral care and guidance for alcoholic church members and their families, including intervention and discipline when necessary. In light of what has been learned about the risks involved in the use of beverages containing alcohol, congregations were asked to examine the traditional practice of using wine in the sacrament of holy communion. Many churches are choosing to use grape juice out of deference to those with alcohol problems. Scripture, the saving revelation of God in Jesus Christ, addresses us with full divine authority in its total extent and in all its parts, and therefore the CRC speaks of the Bible as the inspired and infallible Word of God. The authority of Scripture is inseparable from the historical reality of the events recorded in it. Interpreted historical events are presented in Scripture not simply as isolated events but for their revelational meaning. Scripture is self-authenticating; it is not dependent on the findings of science, but these findings may lead to a better understanding of Scripture and must be developed within a Christian community which is faithful to the authority of Scripture.
Christian because they belong to Jesus Christ and want to be his followers. We recognize as fellow-Christians all people who accept the teachings of the Bible as summarized in the Apostle’s Creed. Reformed because they're part of that historic branch of the Christian church that follows the teachings of 16th-century reformer John Calvin, who struggled to return Christianity to its biblical roots. Church because God has called them to be a fellowship of his people in the world.
 
The Episcopal Church
The official standard is the Book of Common Prayer, but some parts of that are more clearly doctrinal than others. Their beliefs are quite diverse: Of the going down of Christ into Hell. Of the Resurrection of Christ. Of the Holy Ghost. Of the Sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures for Salvation. Of the Old Testament. Of the Creeds. Of Original or Birth Sin. Of Free Will. Of the Justification of Man. Of Good Works. Of Works before Justification. Of Works of Supererogation. Of Christ alone without Sin. Of Sin after Baptism. Of Predestination and Election. Of obtaining eternal Salvation only by the Name of Christ. Of the Church. Of the Authority of the Church. Of the Authority of General Councils. Of Purgatory. Of Ministering in the Congregation It is not lawful for any man to take upon him the office. Of Speaking in the Congregation in such a Tongue as the people understandeth. Of the Sacraments. Of the Unworthiness of the Ministers, which hinders not the effect of the Sacraments. Of Baptism Of the Lord's Supper. Of the Wicked, which eat not the Body of Christ in the use of the Lord's Supper.Of both Kinds. Of the one Oblation of Christ finished upon the Cross. Of the Marriage of Priests. Of excommunicate Persons, how they are to be avoided. Of the Traditions of the Church. Of the Homilies. Of Consecration of Bishops and Ministers. Of the Power of the Civil Magistrates. Of Christian Men's Goods, which are not common. Of a Christian Man's Oath.
 
The Church of God
The Worldwide Church of God is a Christian denomination. The Worldwide Church of God has members in more than 120 countries and territories. As part of the body of Christ, our mission is to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ around the world and to help members grow spiritually (Matthew 28:19-20). As a Spirit-led body of believers, the church is exhorted, "Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18). The Spirit of God leads the church into all truth (John 16:13). Accordingly, this Statement of Beliefs is not a closed creed. The Worldwide Church of God constantly renews its commitment to truth and deeper understanding and responds to God's guidance in its beliefs and practices. Their beliefs are: In one holy, loving, all-powerful, and gracious Creator God who exists in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. That the Bible is the inspired and infallible Word of God, fully authoritative for all matters of faith and practice. That Jesus Christ, born of the virgin Mary, fully God and fully human, is both Lord and Savior. That Jesus Christ suffered and died on the cross for human sin, that he was raised bodily on the third day, and that he ascended to heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father. That Jesus Christ will come again to judge the living and the dead and to reign over all things. In the Holy Spirit, who brings sinners to repentance, who gives eternal life to believers, and who lives in them to conform them to the image of Jesus Christ. That Christians should gather in regular fellowship and live lives of faith that make evident the good news that humans enter the kingdom of God by putting their trust in Jesus Christ. In the spiritual unity of all believers in our Lord Jesus Christ. That salvation comes not by works, but only by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ. In the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Bible prophecy reveals God and his will and purpose for humanity. In Bible prophecy, God declares that human sinfulness is forgiven through repentance and faith in the saving work of Jesus Christ. Prophecy proclaims God as Sovereign Creator and Judge of all, assures humanity of his love, mercy, and faithfulness, and motivates the believer to live a godly life in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ, as he promised, will return to earth to judge and reign over all nations in the kingdom of God. His second coming will be visible, and in power and glory. This event inaugurates the resurrection and reward of the saints. (John 14:3; Revelation 1:7; Matthew 24:30; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; Revelation 22:12) - The Millennium is the time span described in the book of Revelation during which Christian martyrs reign with Jesus Christ. After the Millennium, when all enemies have been put under his feet, and all things made subject to him, Christ will deliver the kingdom to God the Father, and heaven and earth will be made new. Some Christian traditions interpret the Millennium as a literal 1000 years to precede or follow the return of Jesus, while others believe that the scriptural evidence points to a figurative interpretation: an indeterminate time span commencing with Jesus’ resurrection and concluding with his return. (Revelation 20:1-15; 21:1, 5; Acts 3:19-21; Revelation 11:15; 1 Corinthians 15:24-25)
 
The Evangilical Lutheran Church
The ELCA, along with other Lutheran churches, can trace its roots directly to the Protestant Reformation that took place in Europe in the 16th century. By the late 1500s the Reformation had spread throughout Europe. Followers of Martin Luther's teachings were labeled "Lutherans" by their enemies and adopted the name themselves. Strong belief in the inerrancy of the Bible. "A Brief Statement" had been adopted in 1932, stating: Since the Holy Scriptures are the Word of God, it goes without saying that they contain no errors or contradictions, but that they are in all their parts and words the infallible truth ...
 
The Roman Catholic Church
It is the largest of the Christian denominations. It believes in the primacy and authority of the Bishop of Rome (the Pope), who is traditionally regarded as Christ's representative on earth and the successor of St Peter (one of Jesus' disciples and the first Bishop of Rome).
Three important beliefs about Christian origins by the Roman Catholic church are: Jesus assigned to Peter the responsibility of creating the Christian church. Peter was the first pope. At his death, his work was continued by a continuous succession of popes. The 1st century CE popes were: St. Peter (30 to 67 CE, approximately) Linus ( 67 to 76) Cletus (76 to 88) Clement of Rome (88 to 97) St Evaristus (97 to 105) 1 The Roman Catholic church was a fully functioning organization with authority centered at Rome, as early as the middle of the 1st century. "History proves that from that time [of Peter] on, both in the East and the West, the successor of Peter was acknowledged to be the supreme head of the [Christian] Church." 2 Jesus' Apostles ordained bishops, who in turn ordained the next generation of bishops. This continuous line of ordination, called the apostolic succession, has continued down to the present day. Thus the authority for the ordination of a new bishop today could theoretically be traced back as far as the individual Apostles -- except that accurate records were not kept in the early decades of the Christian movements. These beliefs conflict with those of many liberal theologians and religious historians who maintain that: The Bible describes Jerusalem as being the initial center of Christianity, with James the brother of Jesus at its head. The book of Acts, Paul's epistles, and others describe Paul as being the main founder and supreme authority of the Gentile churches -- that is of Pauline Christianity. Meanwhile, Jesus' disciples formed the Jewish Christian movement centered in Jerusalem, under the leadership of James, the brother of Jesus. Peter probably did not write any part of the Christian Scriptures (New Testaments). 1 Peter was probably not written by Peter; 2 Peter certainly was not. The author of the 1 Peter claims that Peter was only an elder.(1 Peter 5:1) Although churches are mentioned in the Christian Scriptures (as in Revelation 1:4) they are described as independent groups, apparently not part of a religious organization that is centrally controlled from Rome. Siricius, who reigned at the end of the 4th century CE, was the first bishop of Rome to be called pope. Pope Leo I, who reigned from 440 to 461 CE was the first to claim that the bishop of Rome was highest ranking of the bishops of the church. It took many centuries before the pope could speak for the church. Before that, all decisions affecting Christendom had to be settled by all of the bishops meeting together, as at the Council of Nicea in 325 CE. The early Pauline congregations were informal faith communities. A formal, hierarchical organization only came much later.

Moravian
Moravians recognize the example of Christ's life and proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord. Living the Christian life depends not only on our own effort, but upon God our Father, who in Jesus Christ accepts us as heirs of God and strengthens and sustains us. In baptism we are united with Christ in his death and resurrection, so we have died to sin and should walk in newness of life. We deem it a sacred responsibility and genuine opportunity to be faithful stewards of all God has entrusted to us: our time, our talents, and our financial resources. We view all of life as a sacred trust to be used wisely. Moravians support collegial experiences with children of God in other Christian churches, and carefully avoid all disputes, respecting opinions and ceremonies peculiar to one or another Church. We recognize that through the grace of Christ different denominations have received many gifts and that the Church of Christ may be enriched by these many and varied contributions. It is our desire that we may learn from one another and rejoice together in the riches of the love of Christ and the manifold wisdom of God. We welcome every step that brings us nearer the goal of unity in Him. In this fellowship we cooperate with other churches in the support of public charities or Christian enterprises, which have a just claim upon us as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. A basic motto: In accepting other creeds of the Christian Church (such as the Apostles' Creed, Nicene Creed, the Augsburg Confession) and in its practice, the Moravian Church has always stood by its motto: "In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; and in all things, love."
 
Presbyterian Church
The Presbyterian Church in America has a strong commitment to evangelism, missionary work at home and abroad, and to Christian education. From its inception, the church has determined its purpose to be “faithful to the Scriptures, true to the reformed faith, and obedient to the Great Commission.” In this new century, the Presbyterian Church in America continues its commitment to evangelism world-wide and the building up of the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ. Beliefs of the Presbyterian Church in America:1. The Bible is the inspired and inerrant Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice. 2. There is one God, eternal and self-existing in three persons (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) who are to be equally loved, honored, and adored. 3. All mankind participated in Adam's fall from his original sinless state and is thus lost in sin and totally helpless. 4. The Sovereign God, for no other reason than His own unfathomable love and mercy, has chosen lost sinners from every nation to be redeemed by the quickening power of the Holy Spirit and through the atoning death and resurrection of His son, Jesus Christ. 5. Those sinners whom the Spirit quickens, come to believe in Christ as Savior by the Word of God, are born again, become sons of God, and will persevere to the end. 6. Justification is by faith and through it the undeserving sinner is clothed with the righteousness of Christ. 7. The goal of God's salvation in the life of the Christian is holiness, good works, and service for the glory of God. 8. At death the Christian's soul passes immediately into the presence of God and the unbeliever's soul is eternally separated from God unto condemnation. 9. Baptism is a sign of God's covenant and is properly administered to children of believers in their infancy as well as to those who come as adults to trust in Christ. 10. Jesus Christ will return to earth, visibly and bodily, at a time when He is not expected, to consummate history and the eternal plan of God. 11. The Gospel of God's salvation in Jesus Christ must be published to all the world as a witness before Jesus Christ returns. The Presbyterian Church in America is one of the fastest-growing denominations in the United States. "Reformed" defines the doctrinal beliefs of the PCA, which holds that the purist expressions of scriptural doctrine are found in the Calvinistic creeds, particularly the Westminster Confession of Faith. The PCA's representative form of church government is rooted in its name -- presbyterian. Local churches are governed by elders (presbyters) elected by the church members. This form of government extends through the regional presbyteries, which facilitate connectionalism, to the national General Assembly, which expresses PCA's connectionalism and the bond of union between/among all the churches.
 
 
United Methodist Church
With Christians of other communions we confess belief in the triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This confession embraces the biblical witness to God’s activity in creation, encompasses God’s gracious self-involvement in the dramas of history, and anticipates the consummation of God’s reign. Although we recognize that God’s revelation and our experiences of God’s grace continually surpass the scope of human language and reason, we also believe that any disciplined theological work calls for the careful use of reason. By reason we read and interpret Scripture. By reason we determine whether our Christian witness is clear. By reason we ask questions of faith and seek to understand God’s action and will.We believe good works are the necessary fruits of faith and follow regeneration but they do not have the virtue to remove our sins or to avert divine judgment. They believe good works, pleasing and acceptable to God in Christ, spring from a true and living faith, for through and by them faith is made evident.The Church in mission is a sign of God’s presence in the world. The United Methodist Church believes God’s love for the world is an active and engaged love, a love seeking justice and liberty. We cannot just be observers. So we care enough about people’s lives to risk interpreting God’s love, to take a stand, to call each of us into a response, no matter how controversial or complex. The Church helps us think and act out a faith perspective, not just responding to all the other "mind-makers-up" that exist in our society. The Social Principles are a prayerful and thoughtful effort on the part of the General Conference to speak to the human issues in the contemporary world from a sound biblical and theological foundation as historically demonstrated in United Methodist traditions. They are intended to be instructive and persuasive in the best of the prophetic spirit. The Social Principles are a call to all members of The United Methodist Church to a prayerful, studied dialogue of faith and practice. (See ¶ 509.) We, the people called United Methodists, affirm our faith in God our Creator and Father, in Jesus Christ our Savior, and in the Holy Spirit, our Guide and Guard.
 

Mormons
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - The basic beliefs of the church are: We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression. We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel. We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof. We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth. We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God. We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon this the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory. We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law. We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things. The Book of Mormon is another witness that Jesus Christ really lived, that He was and is God’s Son. It contains the writings of ancient prophets. One of these, Lehi, lived in Jerusalem around 600 B.C. God commanded Lehi to lead a small group of people to the American continent. There they became a great civilization. God continued to call prophets among these people. People are expected to pay 10 percent of their income to move forward the work of the Church. Through the ordinance of baptism, they make a promise, called a covenant, with God. They promise to accept Christ, to become His followers, and to keep His commandments to the end of our lives. In return, our Heavenly Father promises to forgive their sins and let them return to live with Him, provided they keep our covenants. The gift of the Holy Ghost is given by someone who has priesthood authority from God. It is given by the laying on of hands after a person is baptized.
   
 

 
 Jehovah's Witness
THE modern history of Jehovah's Witnesses began more than a hundred years ago. In the early 1870's, a rather inconspicuous Bible study group began in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, U.S.A., which is now a part of Pittsburgh. Charles Taze Russell was the prime mover of the group. In July 1879, the first issue of the magazine Zion's Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence appeared. By 1880 scores of congregations had spread from that one small Bible study into nearby states. In 1881 Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society was formed, and in 1884 it was incorporated, with Russell as president. The Society's name was later changed to Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. Many were witnessing from house to house offering Bible literature. JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES believe in Almighty God, Jehovah, Creator of the heavens and the earth. Their belief is: Bible is God's Word and is truth; Bible is more reliable than tradition ; Christ is God's Son and is inferior to Him ; Christ was first of God's creations ; Christ died on a stake, not a cross ; Christ's human life was paid as a ransom for obedient humans ; Christ's one sacrifice was sufficient ; Christ was raised from the dead as an immortal spirit person ; Christ's presence is in spirit ; We are now in the 'time of the end' ; Kingdom under Christ will rule earth in righteousness and peace ; Kingdom will bring ideal living conditions to earth ; Earth will never be destroyed or depopulated ; God will eliminate present system of things in the battle at Har-Magedon ; Wicked will be eternally destroyed ; People God approves will receive everlasting life; There is only one road to life ; Human death is due to Adam's sin ; The human soul ceases to exist at death ; Hell is mankind's common grave ; Hope for dead is resurrection ; Adamic death will cease ; Only a little flock of 144,000 go to heaven and rule with Christ ; The 144,000 are born again as spiritual sons of God ; New covenant is made with spiritual Israel ; Christ's congregation is built upon himself ; Prayers are to be directed only to Jehovah through Christ ; Images should not be used in worship ; Spiritism must be shunned ; Satan is invisible ruler of world ; A Christian ought to have no part in interfaith movements ; A Christian should keep separate from world ; Obey human laws that do not conflict with God's laws ; Taking blood into body through mouth or veins violates God's laws ; Bible's laws on morals must be obeyed ; Sabbath observance was given only to Israel and ended with Mosaic Law ; A clergy class and special titles are improper ; Man did not evolve but was created ; Christ set example that must be followed in serving God ; Baptism by complete immersion symbolizes dedication ; Christians gladly give public testimony to Scriptural truth.