Statement of Faith
The following is a statement, in short form, of the Wesleyan-Arminian theological doctrines on which Asbury Theological Seminary was founded in 1923.
WE BELIEVE:
- God
In the one God, Creator and Sustainer of all things, infinite in love, perfect in judgments and unchanging in mercy. God exists eternally in three persons — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit;
- Scripture
In the divine inspiration, truthfulness and authority of both the Old and New Testaments, the only written Word of God, without error in all it affirms. The Scriptures are the only infallible rule of faith and practice. The Holy Spirit preserves God's Word in the church today and by it speaks God's truth to peoples of every age;
- Humankind
The human beings were created in the image of God. This image was marred in every part through the disobedience of our first parents, and fellowship with God was broken. God, in His prevenient grace, restores moral sensibility to all humankind and enables all to respond to His love and to accept His saving grace, if they will;
- Jesus Christ
That Jesus Christ is God's Son incarnate, born of the Virgin Mary. He died for the sins of all, taking on Himself, on behalf of sinful persons, Gods judgment upon sin. In His body he rose from the grave and ascended to the right hand of the Father where He intercedes for us;
- Holy Spirit
That the Holy Spirit is God present and active in the world. The Holy Spirit was given to the church in His fullness at Pentecost. By the Spirit, Christ lives in His church, the gospel is proclaimed and the kingdom of God is manifested in the world;
- Justification
That God graciously justifies and regenerates all who trust in Jesus Christ. Believers become children of God and begin to live in holiness through faith in Christ and the sanctifying Spirit;
- Entire Sanctification
That God calls all believers to entire sanctification in a moment of full surrender and faith subsequent to their new birth in Christ. Through sanctifying grace the Holy Spirit delivers them from all rebellion toward God, and makes possible wholehearted love for God and for others. This grace does not make believers faultless nor prevent the possibility of their falling into sin. They must live daily by faith in the forgiveness and cleansing provided for them in Jesus Christ;
- Assurance of Believers
That all believers are assured that they are children of God by the inward witness of God's Spirit with their spirits, by faith in the gracious promises of God's Word, and by the fruit of the Spirit in their lives;
- Christians in Society
That Christians are called to live in daily witness to the grace which comes to us in Jesus Christ, to preach the gospel to every person according to the command of Christ, and to declare God's insistence upon righteousness and justice in all relationships and structures of human society;
- The Church
That the Church is the people of God composed of all those who believe in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. The Church is Christ's body; it is visible in the world wherever believers, in obedience of faith, hear the Word, receive the sacraments, and live as disciples;
- Return of Christ
In the personal return of Jesus Christ, in the bodily resurrection of all persons, in final judgment, and in eternal reward and punishment;
- God's Ultimate Victory
In God's ultimate victory over Satan and all evil and the establishment of His perfect kingdom in a new heaven and a new earth.