B.1 The supreme authority
of scripture
The Methodist Church affirms that the Bible contains all that is necessary
for salvation, and that nothing should be thought necessary to salvation
which is not contained within the books of the Bible or which may not be
proved from them. As with other Protestant Churches we recognise only 66
books as part of the Bible, 39 in the Old Testament, as in the Hebrew Bible,
and 27 in the New Testament. Other books, and portions of books in the so
called “Apocrypha” are recognised as being suitable for reading
and study, but are not regarded as having the same authority as the books
of the Old and New Testaments.
In the Bible, which we seek to have in the most accurate and intelligible
form possible, we have the record of God's revelation of himself in the
experience of his people. As such the Bible is often referred to as the
Word of God. This record of God’s word to his people reflects the
historical, cultural and religious circumstances of those people at various
stages of history. Our circumstances are often very different from those
in which the Bible was written, so we have to apply them with wisdom to
our situation. For instance, the laws concerning the diagnosis and treatment
of leprosy (Lev. 13:1-14, 57) should not be applied directly to public health
issues today.
How then can we assess the authority of different parts of the Bible, and
how can we hear the Word of God to us through its words? The Bible is effectively
God's plan of salvation, which is crystallised in the life and work of Jesus
Christ, described by the Gospel according to John as “the Word made
flesh.” We must test scripture against other parts of scripture; never
taking small parts in isolation, and ultimately all interpretations must
be made in the light of the words and actions of Jesus.
The Bible was the source of authority for John Wesley. He described himself
as a 'man of one book' yet at the same time he steeped himself in a wide
variety of literature and learning and encouraged others to do the same,
affirming that we must view the Bible through the windows of tradition,
reason and experience.
B.2 Salvation by grace through faith in Christ
Salvation, in the terms of the Apostles Creed is the forgiveness of sins
that allows us to enjoy eternal life, thus saving us from death. The Protestant
reformers emphasised that this salvation is a product of God's grace alone.
As Paul said: 'For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this
is not your own doing, it is the gift of God' (Eph. 2: 8 & 9).
Salvation means not only the forgiveness of sins, but also freedom; freedom
from the fear of death and hell, and freedom from the fear that life is
without purpose or meaning. This can all be ours because of God's grace:
his undeserved goodness to us. Neither good deeds nor pious religious practices
in themselves, can earn salvation, whether they are done by us or on our
behalf. Indeed such attempts to earn salvation show our concern to do something
by ourselves for ourselves. This concern with self is the very opposite
of that denial of self which is required of those who would follow Jesus.
All that is asked of us is that we have faith. Faith in this context is
not a confession of faith such as the Apostles’ Creed or a specific
religious faith, but primarily trust in God through Christ. We have to recognise
God's loving kindness reaching out to us, especially from the cross of Christ,
and accept this personally.
B.3 The priesthood of all believers
The title ‘priest’ is never used in the New Testament of any
office holder or leader in the church, other than of Christ, the head of
the church. The reformers taught, however, that there was ‘a priesthood
of all believers;’ not primarily that each individual believer has
a priestly function, but that the Church as a whole exercises a priestly
role. This is based on both the Old and New Testaments. The Old Testament
promised that the people of Israel would be a kingdom of priests and a holy
nation (Exodus. 19: 6), whilst the New Testament describes Christ as “The
Great High Priest.” Therefore the Church, as the “New Israel”
and “the Body of Christ”, also exercises a priestly function,
as a “royal priesthood, a holy nation.”
Every Christian can approach God directly without any human intermediary.
Each can receive the forgiveness of God without any priestly absolution.
All Christians, however, share the responsibility and privilege of intercession
and leading others into personal relationship with God. Within the church
there are different gifts or functions, but all are included in the “priesthood
of all believers.”' There is, however, no sacrifice for other priests
to make because Christ has made the one sufficient, perfect and unrepeatable
sacrifice. All that we as individuals, and as a church, can do is to follow
the sacrificial example of Christ.
 |
The Methodist Church in Ireland |
 |
 |
|
|
