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LifeWay Indianapolis Free Methodist Church

is a Mission-driven, Spirit-filled Community of Faith in Christ Jesus

that LOVES God, LOVES Others and Makes Disciples.

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DISTINCTIVES:

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Free Methodists seek to express the concept of the church of Jesus Christ, their historical perspective, and meeting the needs of persons in specific principles and commitments.

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     1. Free Methodists today seek to continue the mission of first-century Christianity which was recovered by John Wesley and the early Methodists who declared they existed "to raise up a holy people."

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     2. Free Methodists are a fellowship of Christians in earnest to get to heaven and committed to working in the world for the salvation of all.

               a. They place their commitment to Christ and His church above all others.

               b. They keep themselves free from alliances which would compete for their highest loyalty and from                        all which would encumber and compromise their effective witness to the Trinitarian faith and                              man's dependence upon the grace of God.

               c. They deny themselves, take up their cross daily and follow Jesus. 

               d. They conform to all of the will of God as made known in His Word.

               e. They believe the conditions of salvation are the same now as they were in the days of the apostles.

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     3. In doctrine, Free Methodists' beliefs are the standard beliefs of Evangelical, Arminian Protestantism, with distinctive emphasis on the scriptural teaching of entire sanctification as held by John Wesley.

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     4. In experience, Free Methodists stress the reality of an inner-cleansing and power that attests the doctrine of entire sanctification, both in the inward consciousness of the believer and in their outward life.

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     5. Their worship is characterized by simplicity and freedom of the Holy Spirit, untrammeled by elaborate ritual.

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     6. Free Methodists maintain a life of daily devotion to Christ that springs from inward holiness and separates the Christian from the world, even while he/she lives in the world. They believe the best way to keep worldliness from invading the church is for the church to invade the world with redemptive purpose.

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     7. They practice complete consecration of every power and possession to the service of God and humanity. They believe so strongly in the mission of the church that they are committed to responsible stewardship in finance. Therefore, the church does not need to resort to commercial efforts to support the cause of Christ.

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     8. Free Methodists recognize that God gives spiritual gifts of service and leadership to both men and women. Since male and female are both created in the image of God, that image is most fully reflected when both women and men work in concert at all levels of the church. Therefore, all positions in the church are accessible to any whom God has called.

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     9. Free Methodists sense a special obligation to preach the gospel to the poor. The provisions of the gospel are for all. The "glad tidings" (Good News) must be proclaimed to every individual of the human race. God sends the true light to illuminate and melt every heart. Jesus set the example. Of His ministry it was reported, "The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them." It was the preaching to the poor that was the crowning proof that He was the one who should come. In this respect the church must follow in the very footsteps of Jesus.

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    10. Free Methodists are committed to the New Testament ideals of simplicity and modesty as a style of life. They wish to call attention, not to themselves, but to the Lord.

 

These distinctives of the Free Methodist Church from its origin are still living issues. In every era and every land these distinctives are the witnesses of the church, needing utterance clear and strong that they may be heard and heeded amidst the world's confusing and misleading voices.   

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