25 Articles of Religion (A.M.E.)

Question 1

1 Of Faith in the Holy Trinity

Answer 1

There is but one living and true God, everlasting, inifinite power, wisdom and goodness; Maker and Preserver of all things visible and invisible.

Question 2

2 Of the Word, or Son of God Who Was Made Very Man

Answer 2

The Son, who is the Word of te Father, the very an eternal God, took man’s nature to be a sacrifice not only for original sin but for the actual sins of humankind

Question 3

3 Of the Resurrection of Christ

Answer 3

Christ did truly rise again from the dead and took his body with all things appertaining to the perfection of man’s nature, then ascended into heaven, andthere sits at the right hand of God the Father until he returns to judge all men at the last day.

Question 4

4 Of the Holy Ghost

Answer 4

The Holy Ghost, proceeding from the Fatherand the Son is of one substance, majesty, and glory with the Father and the Son, very eternal God.

Question 5

5 Of the Sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures for Salvation

Answer 5

The Holy Scriptures contain all things necessary for salvation.

Question 6

6 Of the Old Testament

Answer 6

The Old Testament is not contrary to the New; for both in the Old and New Testament, everlasting life is offered to humankind by Christ. The only Mediator between God and humankind. Being both God and human.

Question 7

7 Of Original or Birth Sin

Answer 7

Original sin stands not in the following of Adam, but it is the corruption of the nature of every human.

Question 8

8 Of Free Will

Answer 8

The condition of humankind after the fall of Adam is such that we cannot turn and prepare ourselves by our own natural strength and works, to faith and calling upon God, without the grace of God by Christ preventing us and working with us

Question 9

9 Of the Justification of Humankind (Man)

Answer 9

We are accounted righteous before God only for the merit of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, by faith and not of our own works.

Question 10

10 Of Good Works

Answer 10

Although good works, which are the fruit of faith, and follow after justification, cannot put away our sins, and endure the severity of God’s judgement: yet are they pleasing and acceptable to God in Christ. (as a tree is discerned by its fruit)

Question 11

11 Of Works of Supererogation

Answer 11

Voluntary works, besides, over and above God’s Commandments, which they call works of supererogation, can’t be taught without arrogance and impiety

Question 12

12 Of Sin After Justification

Answer 12

Not every sin willingly committed after justification is the sin against the Holy Ghost, and unpardonable.

Question 13

13 Of the Church

Answer 13

The visible Church of Christ is a congregation of faithful people in which the word of God is preached

Question 14

Of Purgatory

Answer 14

T’he Romish doctrine concerning purgatory, pardon, worshipping and adoration, of images, relics, and invocation of saints. A fond thing, vainly invented, and grounded up on no warrant of scripture, but repugnant of the Word of God.

Question 15

Of Speaking in the Congregation in Such a Tongue as the People Understand

Answer 15

It is a thing plainly repugnant to the Word of God, and the custom of the primitive Church, to have public prayer in the Church, or to minister the Sacraments, in a tongue not understood by the people.

Question 16

Of the Sacraments

Answer 16

Sacraments ordained by Christ are not only badges or tokens of Christian profession, but rather they are certain signs of grace, and God’s good will towards us, by which he does work invisibly in us, and doesn t only quicken, but also strengthen and confirm our faith in Him. There are 2 Sacraments ordained by Christ: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper . The 5 commonly called sacraments; Confirmation, Penance, Orders, Matrimony, and Extreme Unction are not counted as Sacraments of the Gospel. (they have been partly grown out of the corrupt following of the Apostles and partly are states of life allowed in the Scriptures. But as yet have no visible sign, or ceremony ordained by God.

Question 17

Of Baptism

Answer 17

Baptism is not only a sign of profession , but a sign of regeneration, or the new birth. The baptism of children is to be retained in the Church

Question 18

Of the Lord’s Supper

Answer 18

The Supper of the Lord is not only a sign of the love that Christians ought to have among themselves one to another, but rather is a Sacrament of our redemption by Christ’s death (for those who rightly, and worthily with faith receive the same, the bread which we break is a partaking of the body of Christ; and likewise the cup of blessing is a partaking of the blood of Christ. **Transubstantiation, or the change of the substance of bread and wine in the Supper of our Lord, cannot be proved by Holy Writ; but is repugnant to the plain words of Scripture.

Question 19

Of Both Kinds

Answer 19

The cup of the Lord is not to be denied to the lay people: for both the parts of the Lord’s Supper, by Christ’s ordiance and commandment, ought to be administered to all Christians alike.

Question 20

Of the one Oblation of Christ, finished upon the Cross

Answer 20

The offering of Christ , once made, is that perfect redemption, propitiation, and satisfaction for the sins of the whole world, both original and actual; and there is none other satisfaction for the sins of the whole world, both original and actual. No other satisfaction for sin but that alone.

Question 21

Of the Marriage of Ministers

Answer 21

The ministers of Christ are not commanded by God’s law either to vow the estate of single life, or to abstain from marriage; therefore, it is lawful for them, as for all other Christians, to marry at their own discretion, as they shall judge the same to serve best to godliness

Question 22

Of the Rites and Ceremonies of Churches

Answer 22

It isn’t necessary that rites and ceremonies should in all places be the same, or exactly alike; for they’ve always been different and may be changed according to the diversity of the countries, times, and human manners, so that nothing be ordained against God’s Word.

Question 23

Of the Rulers of the United States of America

Answer 23

The President, the Congress, the General Assemblies, the Governors, and the Councils of State, as the delegates of the people, are the rulers of the United States of America, according to the division of power made to them by the constitution of the United States, and by the constitution of their respective states.

Question 24

Of Christian (Men’s/Women’s) Goods

Answer 24

The riches and goods of Christians are not common as touching the right, title, an possession of the same, as some o falsely boast. No withstanding every one should of the things they possess, liberally give alms to the poor, according to their ability.

Question 25

Of a Christian (Man’s/ Woman’s) Oath

Answer 25

As we confess that vain and rash swearing is forbidden Christian men by our Lord Jesus Christ and James, His apostle, so we judge that the Christian religion doesn’t prohibit, but that a christian may swear when the magistrate requires it, in a cause of faith and charity, so it be done according to the prophet’s teaching, in justice, judgement, and truth