What We Believe

The following are the core beliefs of FUMC Collingswood based on the foundational truths taught in the bible. All of our teaching and ministry is rooted in and flows out of these biblical doctrines.

We believe in one God, who exists eternally in three equal yet distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  We believe that Jesus Christ became flesh through His miraculous birth to the Virgin Mary, and He is true God and true man.  
(Deut 6:4; Mt 1:18-25; Mk 1:9-11; Jn 1:1, 14; Col 2:9; Heb 2:14-18)

We believe the entire Bible is the Word of God, as men were inspired by the Holy Spirit to write down the words of Scripture. Therefore, it is without error, and is of supreme authority in every aspect of faith and life.  
(Ps 19:7-11; 2 Tim 3:16-17; Heb 4:12; 2 Pet 1:20-21)

We believe that humans were created in the image of God to be in relationship with Him, but became separated from Him through sinful disobedience.  As a result, all human beings are born with a sinful nature and are now completely incapable of entering into a relationship with God by their own effort.
 (Gen 1-3; Ps 51:5; Rom 3:9-18, 23; Rom 5:12)

We believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross as the necessary and sufficient payment for the sin of all people, and that He conquered the power of sin and death when He rose to life again.  His shed blood alone provides the basis for forgiveness of sin, and salvation only takes place when a person’s trust is placed in the person of Christ, and in the saving work of His death and resurrection.
 (Is 52:13-53:12; Acts 4:10-12; Rom 6; Rom 10:9; 1 Tim 2:3-6; 1 Jn 1:9; 1 Jn 2:1-2; 1 Jn 5:11-13)

We believe that everyone who has trusted Christ is now a new person by the power of the Holy Spirit, and has become a child of God.  They should no longer live for themselves, but for Christ.  By living in obedience to God’s Word, and by daily yielding to the Holy Spirit, all children of God will mature and experience renewal in their minds and spiritual transformation in their lives as they become more like Jesus.
(Jn 1:12; Rom 12:1-2; 2 Cor 3:17-18; 2 Cor 5:17; Gal 2:19-20; Gal 5:16-25)

We believe that following Christ’s death and resurrection, He ascended into heaven, and sent the Holy Spirit for His Church.  All people who have trusted Jesus as Lord and Savior are members of this Church, the body of Christ, of which Christ is the Head.  The purpose of the Church is to glorify God by loving Him, staying connected to Him, obeying Him, and making Him known to a world who needs Him, so that others will also trust and follow Him.
(Mt 28:18-20; Jn 15:1-8; Acts 1-2; 1 Cor 12; Eph 4:1-16)

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ will return again to bring his Church to Himself, and to establish His Kingdom on earth. Ultimately God’s work in this age will come to an end, evil will be destroyed by His good, and all people will be resurrected to stand before Him.  All those who rejected Him in this life will suffer in separation from Him forever, but all those who trusted Him in this life will reign with Him in His Kingdom forever.  
(Mt 25:31-46; 1 Thes 4:13-18; Rev 20:1-22:6)