SALEM
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
SALEM C.M.E. CHURCH
Vision, Mission, and Beliefs
VISION: We are a Transforming Church (Romans 12:1, 2)
MISSION: To show the healing power of God's love in Christ Jesus
to everyone we meet. (John 3:16)
The foundational doctrines of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, of which Salem CME Church is governed by, are found in what is commonly referred to in Wesleyan Methodism as The Articles of Religion. These Articles derived from the Church of England and abridged by John Wesley, Founder of Methodism, for Methodists in America in 1784. An abbreviated summary of the Articles is included on this page.
We believe that there is one God in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. He is the living and true God, who is everlasting, of infinite power, wisdom, and good. God is the maker and preserver of all things, both visible and invisible.
We believe that the Word of God became flesh and dwelt amongst us. He is the second Person of the Trinity, who was truly God and truly Man, the only begotten Son of God the Father, Jesus the Christ. Jesus was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered, was crucified, dead, and buried, to reconcile us to His heavenly Father and bring to us the gift of saving grace.
We believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christ did rise from the dead, ascended into heaven, and now sits at the right hand of God the Father until He returns to judge all people.
We believe that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Godhead. The Holy Spirit is of one substance, majesty, and glory with the Father and the Son, very and eternal God.
We believe in the Sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures for Salvation. The canonical Bible contains all things necessary to salvation; so that whatever is not read within it, nor can be proved as being a part of it, is not to be required as an article of faith, nor be considered necessary for salvation.
We believe in the sinful condition of humanity. The condition of humanity after the fall of Adam is such that we cannot turn and prepare ourselves, by our own strength and works, to faith, and calling upon God. We have no power to do good works that would be pleasant and acceptable to God, without the grace of God in Christ Jesus working mightily within us.
We believe in the justification of believers through Jesus Christ. We are accounted righteous before God based only on the merit of Jesus Christ.
We believe that Good Works cannot save us. While good works should follow after saving grace; and do confirm that we are connected to the Vine of our faith, our works cannot absolve our guilt before God.
We believe in the visible Church of Jesus Christ. The visible church of Christ is a congregation of faithful persons in which the pure Word of God is preached, and the Sacraments duly administered according to Christ's ordinance.
We believe that one should not speak in tongues in the public assembly unless there is an interpreter. It is plainly said in Scripture that to have public prayer in the church or to minister the Sacraments, in a tongue not understood by the people is of no edification for all present.
We believe in the sacraments ordained by Jesus Christ. There are two Sacraments ordained by Christ in the Gospel; they are, Baptism and Holy Communion. They are signs of grace, and God's goodwill toward us, by which God works invisibly in us, and does not only quicken but also strengthens and confirms our faith in Him.
We believe in Baptism. Following Christ's command in Matthew 28:19, we believe in baptizing converts in the name of the Father, and in the name of Son, and in the name of the Holy Spirit.
We believe in the Lord's Supper (Communion). Communion is not only a sign of the love that Christians have for each other, but it is also a sacrament of our redemption by Christ's death. We accept the symbolic elements of bread (wafer) and blood (juice) as representations and not actual manifestations of Christ's body which was given for us and of His blood which was shed for us.
We believe that Christ made a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice on the cross through which all who put their faith in Him can be saved. There is no other satisfaction for sin other than that which Christ made on Calvary's cross.