God

God is and there is only One. He is the Creator of all things seen and unseen. Humanity is made in the image of God which means we have several characteristics like Him; but one thing is clear, He is God and we are not. One of those characteristics is the right to choose (free will). We can choose to live outside the will and kingdom (the rule and reign of God) or not to accept His gracious invitation to be in relationship with Him.

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Jesus

Jesus is the only begotten Son of God; He is the Author and finisher of our faith. Jesus came to earth full God and fully human through the virgin birth. Jesus came for the purpose of giving His life in atonement for our sins and accomplished it once and for all on the cross. Jesus rose again 3 days after His death, ascended, and sit on the right hand of God until such time He shall return to earth to unite all believers with Himself for all eternity.

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Holy Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit is the Helper, Comforter, and Counselor sent for all believers. We believe the Holy Spirit empowers the believer in life and service to the glory of God in Christ Jesus. We believe the Holy Spirit indwells the believer and reveals God’s truth, expresses Himself through the gifts given believers for the common good of the local body, the church, and those gifts are operating today.

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Salvation

We believe that Jesus Christ is the only way to enter into a personal relationship with God as stated in the Scriptures (the Bible). God has established the terms by which we must enter into this relationship. Those terms are centered on “grace”. Grace is defined as unmerited favor toward those who deserve the opposite. “For by grace you have been saved through faith…” (Ephesians 2:8-9). No matter what you have done, no matter who you are, no matter where you have been, God offers this unmerited favor to all.

Our part in this is to decide whether or not we will believe and receive it. If we choose to receive it we can begin a new, exciting, and full life now that has no end. It is a journey and there will be plenty of questions along the way and that’s OK. God reveals Himself to us (including what He’s revealed in the Bible) along the way, but will always remain mysterious and beyond wonder!

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The Church

We believe the Church to be the living body of Christ; not a building; an organization; or an institution. It is people who have accepted God’s invitation to be in relationship with Him (John 1:12). People therefore don’t really go to church. They are the Church. The Church (body) goes to worship; goes to serve; gathers to celebrate and to grow in Christ to the glory of God the Father.

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The Bible

Guthrie UMC is a place for people no matter where they are on the spiritual journey, whether they are just beginning to investigate whether there is a God to those who have committed their life to being a Christ follower. The Bible brings a message that is life changing. We don’t make the assumption that people believe, or knows the Bible, but we do assume that everyone who comes is open to exploring it. We believe the Bible is God’s inerrant truth and it is the foundation to everything we do.

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“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.”

-2 Timothy 3:16–17 (NLT)