Our Foundation
What We Believe
Rooted in Scripture, grounded in the historic Christian faith
As a congregation of the Global Methodist Church, Providence holds to the historic Christian faith as expressed in the Apostles' Creed, the Nicene Creed, the Articles of Religion, and the Confession of Faith. Our doctrinal standards are rooted in Scripture and understood through the Wesleyan lens of faith.
"The faith once for all entrusted to the saints"— Jude 1:3
The Holy Trinity
The Holy Trinity
We believe in one living and true God, everlasting, of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness — the Maker and Preserver of all things. In the unity of the Godhead there are three persons of one substance, power, and eternity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ
We believe in Jesus Christ, truly God and truly man, in whom the divine and human natures are perfectly and inseparably united. He is the eternal Word made flesh, born of the Virgin Mary. He lived, suffered, was crucified, died, was buried, rose from the dead, and ascended into heaven. He is our eternal Savior and Mediator, and He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
John 1:14; Philippians 2:5-11; 1 Timothy 2:5
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit
We believe in the Holy Spirit, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, and is of one substance, majesty, and glory with the Father and the Son. The Spirit convinces the world of sin, leads people into the fellowship of the Church, comforts, sustains, and empowers the faithful, and guides them into all truth.
John 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:26-27
Holy Scripture
Holy Scripture
We believe the Holy Bible, Old and New Testaments, contains all things necessary for salvation and is the primary rule and authority for faith, morals, and service. It is to be received through the Holy Spirit as the true rule and guide for faith and practice.
2 Timothy 3:16-17; Psalm 119:105
Salvation by Grace Through Faith
Salvation by Grace Through Faith
We believe that the gift of salvation is available to all persons by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. We are accounted righteous before God only for the merit of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, by faith, and not for our own works or deservings. In the Wesleyan tradition, we affirm God's prevenient, justifying, and sanctifying grace at work in our lives.
Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 5:1; Romans 8:16
The Sacraments
The Sacraments
We believe that the Sacraments ordained by Christ — Baptism and the Lord's Supper — are signs of grace and God's good will toward us, by which He works invisibly in us, quickening, strengthening, and confirming our faith in Him. The Baptism of young children is to be retained in the Church.
Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Acts 2:38-39
The Church
The Church
We believe the Christian Church is the community of all true believers under the Lordship of Christ. It is one, holy, apostolic, and catholic. It is the redemptive fellowship in which the Word of God is preached and the Sacraments are duly administered according to Christ's own appointment.
Ephesians 4:4-6; Matthew 16:18; Acts 2:42
Sanctification & Holy Living
Sanctification & Holy Living
We believe that sanctification is the renewal of our fallen nature by the Holy Ghost, received through faith in Jesus Christ. We are not only delivered from the guilt of sin, but washed from its pollution, saved from its power, and enabled through grace to love God with all our hearts and to walk in His holy commandments. With John Wesley, we believe that entire sanctification should be the goal of each person's journey with God.
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; Hebrews 12:14; 1 John 1:7
Our Heritage
The Wesleyan Way of Salvation
Prevenient Grace
God's grace that goes before us, awakening in every person a basic knowledge of God and the moral law, even before we are aware of our need for Him.
Justifying Grace
Through faith in Jesus Christ, we are pardoned for our sins and reconciled to God. The Spirit witnesses with our spirit that we are children of God.
Sanctifying Grace
God's ongoing work in us as we continually turn to Him, being perfected in His love. The Holy Spirit increasingly cleanses the heart in Christlikeness.
Glorification
Our ultimate hope and promise in Christ, where our souls and bodies will be perfectly restored to live with God eternally through the new creation.
Our Denomination
The Global Methodist Church
Providence is proud to be part of the Global Methodist Church, a denomination committed to the authority of Scripture and the Wesleyan tradition of holiness. We stand on the historic Christian faith and are passionate about making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
Learn About the GMCQuestions About Our Faith?
We'd love to talk with you about what we believe and why it matters. Reach out to us or visit us this Sunday — all are welcome.