Our desire is to focus on the essentials of the Christian faith while keeping the less important issues open to debate and discussion. Our church fathers determined that the following seven items are essential for those who choose to be United Brethren.
The Triune God
In the name of God, we declare and confess before men that we believe in the only true God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; that these three are one; the Father in the Son, the Son in the Father, and the Holy Ghost equal in essence or being with both. This triune God created the heavens and the earth and all that is in them, visible as well as invisible, and that He furthermore sustains, governs, protects, and supports the same.
Jesus Christ, the Son
We believe in Jesus Christ; that He is very God and man; that He became incarnate by the power of the Holy Ghost in the Virgin Mary and was born of her. And that He is the Savior and Mediator of the whole human race, if they with full faith in Him accept the grace offered in Jesus. We believe that Jesus suffered and died on the cross for us, was buried, rose again on the third day, ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God to intercede for us; and that He shall come again at the last day to judge the quick and the dead.
The Holy Spirit, Comforter and Guide
We believe in the Holy Ghost; that He is equal in being with the Father and the Son, and that He comforts the faithful, and guides them into all truth.
The Church
We believe in a holy Christian church, the communion of saints, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.
The Holy Bible and Salvation
We believe that the Holy Bible (both Old and New Testaments) is the Word of God, that it contains the only true way to our salvation, that every true Christian is bound to acknowledge and receive it with the influence of the Spirit of God as the only rule and guide, and that without faith in Jesus Christ, true repentance, forgiveness of sins, and following after Christ, no one can be a true Christian.
The Salvation Message
We also believe that the message of the Holy Scriptures, the fall in Adam and the redemption through Jesus Christ, shall be preached throughout the world.
The Christian Ordinances
We believe that the ordinances (i.e. baptism and the remembrance of the sufferings and death of our Lord Jesus Christ) are to be in use and practiced by all Christian societies; and that it is incumbent on all the children of God particularly to practice them. The manner in which ought always to be left to the judgment and understanding of every individual. In regards to the washing feet; it is left to the judgment of each christian to practice or not. It is not becoming of any of our preachers or members to slander any of their brethren whose judgment and understanding is different from their own, either in public or in private. Whosoever shall make himself guilty in this respect shall be considered slander against his brethren, and shall be answerable for the same.
For more information on the Church of the United Brethren in Christ you may check the website at www.ub.org.