About PROVIDENCE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
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At PROVIDENCE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, St. Matthews in South Carolina, we believe in The Holy Trinity: Father, Son, Spirit. Three in one. That is, God the Father: Eternal. Creator. Loving. Life wouldn't exist without Him. Jesus: The only Son of God. He died on the cross for our sins. He rose from the dead. We can have eternal life through Him. And The Holy Spirit: God is active in the world through His spirit. God gives His spirit to live inside of those who follow Jesus. We live in a universe that's been created and designed by God. God allows evil to exist because He allows free will to exist. Everyone has been separated from God because of sin. We all need to be saved. God offers salvation through Jesus. Anyone who accepts Jesus as their Lord and Savior can receive salvation. We take the Lord 's Supper every week. This is a time we come together to remember Jesus and what He has done for us. Be ready, friends. Jesus will return and we won't know when. Heaven and Hell are real. Anyone who accepts Jesus as their Lord and Savior can have eternal life in Heaven. Everyone else will be eternally separated from God in Hell.
We believe that God's justifying grace in the gospel must not be separated from its sanctifying power and purpose. God commands us to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and our neighbor as ourselves, acting with compassion toward the poor and needy, seeking justice for the oppressed. In fellowship with one another, we are to combat the spiritual forces of evil, especially with the Word of God and prayer. In all that we do, we are to bear witness to the gospel in word and deed, making disciples among all people.
About The Church: We believe that the church is the body and bride of Christ and consists of Christians everywhere. (Matthew 16:13-18; Acts 2:14-47)
About Separation of Church and State: We believe that each local church is self-governing, and must be free from interference by any external ecclesiastical or political authority; that every human being is ultimately responsible to God in matters of faith and life; and that each person is free to worship God according to the dictates of his/her conscience. We further believe that governments are established by God; that Christians, as good citizens, should be subject to governing authorities insofar as possible, recognizing our greater allegiance to God and His kingdom in matters wherein human authorities conflict with clear, biblical mandates.