God
God is the creator and ruler of the universe. He exists in three persons (the Holy Trinity): the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God. God gives grace to everyone who asks and has provided a way for salvation from sin through Jesus. God spoke through the prophets, continues to speak through the Word, has been revealed through the Son Jesus, and gives us his presence through the Holy Spirit.
Genesis 1:1,26,27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He is the eternal Word made flesh. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered himself as the perfect sacrifice for our sins. After the crucifixion, he was then raised on the third day. In this he proved his power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven and will return again to reign as King of kings, and Lord of lords. He is the object of our faith.
Matthew 1:22,23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14,15; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; Romans 1:3,4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14,15; Titus 2:13
Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son as God. God's grace, through the work of the Holy Spirit, is constantly drawing us into a deeper understanding of God. The Holy Spirit provides Christians with power for living, gifts for service, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in this life. Anyone who is in a growing relationship with Jesus is called to live under the Holy Spirit's guidance daily.
2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16,17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:1
You
You are a special creation and are deeply loved by God. God desires a personal relationship with you. Although we have tremendous potential for good, we all have an attitude of disobedience toward God. This attitude of disobedience causes a separation between God and us. However, we believe that we have been called away from the captivity of sin towards freedom in Jesus. The only way to be restored is through a personal commitment to Jesus Christ.
Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1,2
The Church
We are baptized into a community that seeks to grow in our commitment to God, connection with one another, compassion in service and in our calling to serve God through acts of worship.
Matthew 22:35-38; Matthew 28:18-20
Salvation and Eternity
Salvation is available to everyone. It is a new life through Jesus Christ. We can never make up for our sin by simply trying to "do good". Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness can we be saved from our sin. Eternal life begins the moment we receive Jesus Christ by faith. God made us as eternal beings. This means that we will either live eternally in Heaven (through salvation) or in Hell (rejection of salvation).
Romans 5:1, 6:23; Ephesians 2:8,9; John 14:6, 3:16, 2:25, 5:11-13, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Revelation 20:15; 1 John 5:11-12, Matthew 25:31-46
The Bible
The Bible is a precious gift given from a loving God to his people. It is the supreme source for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without any error or contradiction.
2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20, 21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105,160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5
The United Methodist Church
The Ridge is a United Methodist Church located in the Northwest District of the South Georgia Conference. The Ridge was established by the Conference under the leadership of Bishop James R. King in 2009 as a church plant. The Ridge was officially constituted on February 20th, 2013. For more information on the United Methodist Church: sgaumc.org.