On the back of the Bulletin on Sunday morning at Bethany Church there was a Statement of Doctrine; the Bulletins are long gone but the impression remains!
Lawrence Eastwood's Faith:
My grandpa Lawrence's father, David Eastwood, was active in Stone's Methodist Church in Ripponden, West Yorkshire England; it is probably safe to assume that they were fairly conservative in their beliefs. If you go through Lawrence's Post Card Collection there are a few churches represented and some other things with a religious connotation. When his family was young they attended the First Methodist Episcopal Church in Pasadena CA.
P.E. 'Doc' Lacey's Faith:
'Doc's' grandfather, Elijah Lacey, was a Frontier Methodist Preacher. No doubt, he was a preacher when he married Ruth McDonald in 1828. They moved to Texas about 1858, he served in churches in the Hill Country; he signed Marriage Records as Elijah Lacey M.G. (Minister of the Gospel). Some of 'Doc's' Uncles and Cousins were recognized Methodist preachers. 'Doc' and his family attended the Methodist Church in White Oaks; when he and his family moved to Sierra Madre they attended Bethany Church.
Not knowing exactly what they believed I found this Creed from a Methodist Organization that goes back to the earliest years of Methodism. I agree, it is my Faith also, Rich.
OUR CREED
We believe the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, to be the only true rule of faith and practice. We hold it to be wholly and verbally given by God and therefore without error in all its teachings.
We believe in One God, who exists in three persons; Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
We believe in the Deity of Jesus Christ, the Son; conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.
We believe in the Deity and Personality of the Holy Spirit.
We believe in the creation of man by a direct act of God; man's fall into sin and the resulting corruption of the human race.
We believe in the provision of redemption for all men through the death of the Lord Jesus Christ upon the cross.
We believe in the necessity of Repentance, including Godly sorrow for sin and reformation of life.
We believe in Regeneration, through the work of the Holy Spirit.
We believe in Justification by grace through faith of all who believe.
We believe in Sanctification by the Holy Spirit, producing Holiness of Heart and Life.
We believe in the Resurrection of the dead and the conscious future existence of all men.
We believe in the Second Coming of Christ in power and glory.
We believe in the future Judgment of both the just and the unjust issuing in eternal rewards and punishments of all men.
We believe in the Church, which is instituted by Christ and composed of all believers in Christ as Savior.