First Sebring is an independent Methodist church and holds true to the beliefs and doctrines of the Church Universal.
WE BELIEVE
in one true God who is the eternal King, Creator and Redeemer of all that is. He is perfectly holy, just, loving and truthful. He has revealed Himself to be eternally self-existent – one being in three persons: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
(Genesis 1&2; Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14)
WE BELIEVE
in Jesus Christ, the one and only Son of God, was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin – Mary – and is God’s Anointed One, empowered by the Holy Spirit to inaugurate God’s Kingdom on Earth. He was crucified for our sins, died, was buried, resurrected and ascended into heaven, and is now alive today in the presence of God the Father and in his people. He is “true God” and “true man.”There is salvation in no other name.
(John 1:14; Acts 4:10-12; I Corinthians 15:3-8; Colossians 1:15-20)
WE BELIEVE
the Holy Spirit is one with the Father and the Son. He is our Helper, Teacher and Guide, and the one who dwells in the lives of all true believers. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is poured out on believers that they might have power to be witnesses of the good news of Jesus in the entire world.
(John 14:15-18, 26; 16:13; Acts 1:4-8; Ephesians 5:18)
WE BELIEVE
the Holy Bible is the Word of God and contains all things necessary for salvation. The Bible is inspired by the Holy Spirit and it alone is the ultimate rule and guide for living the Christian life.
(Isaiah 40:8; John 20:31; II Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12)
WE BELIEVE
that all persons are sinners by nature and can only be saved by God’s grace, through faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Anyone can be restored to fellowship with God through repenting, believing and receiving Jesus as their Savior and Lord. The Holy Spirit convicts, regenerates, justifies and adopts us as we enter the Kingdom of God as His sons and daughters.
(Romans 3:23; 5:1-2, 6-11; 6:23; 10:9-11; Ephesians 2:8-9)
WE BELIEVE
the church consists of all who put their faith in Jesus Christ. He gave His church the sacraments of baptism and holy communion. The Church exists to carry on the ministry of Jesus Christ and further advance His Kingdom by undoing the works of the enemy, preaching and living the Good News God’s love, and discipling the nations – baptizing and teaching them to love and obey God.
(Matthew 16:18-19; I Corinthians 12:27; Ephesians 4:11-16)
WE BELIEVE
baptism is a sign of new life and God’s love and forgiveness for us. Through baptism we are joined with the church and with Christians everywhere. A person of any age may be baptized.
(Matthew 18:3-4; Luke 18:15-17; Romans 6:3-4; Ephesians 4:4-6)
WE BELIEVE
the Lord’s Supper is a holy meal that symbolizes the body and blood of Christ. By sharing this meal we give thanks for Christ’s sacrifice, experience his living presence and are nourished and empowered to go into the world in mission and ministry.
(I Corinthians 11:17-29)
WE BELIEVE
that God isn’t finished with us yet, because though he loves us exactly where we are, he loves us too much to leave us there. Growing followers of Jesus learn to cooperate with Holy Spirit in the gift of Christian community and experience sanctifying grace. This is when we learn to love God and other people even more and our lives begin to reflect the character of Jesus.
(Mark 12:28-31; John 15:1-8; I Thessalonians 4:3-8; I Peter 1:13-16; Hebrews 12:14)
WE BELIEVE
that in the ever-increasing Kingdom of God and in the glorious, visible return of our Lord Jesus Christ for His overcoming bride – His Church. Heaven and Hell are real places. There will be a resurrection of the saved and the lost, the one to everlasting life and the other everlasting death.
(Matthew 25:31-46; Luke 16:19-31; I John 5:11-12)