Personal experience of God Essay Example

them to a bountiful land. This interaction between God and Moses reveals His true nature. I have faith in a God who has seen His people's suffering, listened to their pleas, and shown genuine concern for their agony. Another translation indicates that God was aware of their anguish. In this chapter, "my people" refers specifically to the Israelites who were enslaved under Pharaoh's rule in Egypt. Despite other nations considering themselves superior or more honorable than the Hebrews, according to the Bible, God saw and heard the cries of these oppressed slaves even though they were disregarded and mistreated. The Hebrew term used for "to know" in Exodus 3:8 implies knowing through personal experience. The text highlights belief in a proactive God who actively created the universe, attentively listened to and empathized with marginalized slaves, and personally experienced their suffering. In contrast to an indifferent ruler seated in Heaven, Christianity portrays God as intimately familiar with His people and maintaining a close relationship with them. The story of Exodus illustrates God's intentionality, mightiness, supreme authority, and plan to liberate His people from sin by governing and controlling the entire world. As an all-powerful being unrestricted by time or space, God is omnipresentThroughout my life, I have personally experienced God in various forms. One form is experiencing Him as Immanuel, always present with me just like when Jesus came to earth as Immanuel according to the Bible (Mt.1:23, 28:20). Whether it was deciding to attend seminary in Korea, serving in the Korean Army, or moving to America for further study, I always felt reassured by God's presence and lacked fear. Despite my weaknesses, one thing remains

certain - God has always been with me and loves me unconditionally.

When it comes to the existence of evil in the world, I align myself with Augustine's belief that "God is good and every creation is good" (Augustine Chapter 34). Every living being has been created by God without exception. The question then arises - how do we explain the origin of evil if it comes from a perfect and good Creator? Like Augustine, I believe that evil stems from a deficiency of goodness. Just as turning away from the sun casts a shadow, evil arises from a lack of God's goodness.

I firmly hold onto the belief that God included mankind among His perfect creations. Adam and Eve were created in His image and had the freedom to choose whether to follow or disobey Him. Without free will, there would be no choice between good and evil. In order for humans to freely choose good, they must also have the freedom to choose evil.Therefore, God did not create immorality but instead gave humans the freedom to choose. It was through their own free will that they chose immorality after disobeying God, which marked the beginning of evil in this world. Augustine acknowledges in "The City of God" that both evil and the goodness of God's Kingdom coexist throughout history (Augustine, Chapter 13.4). However, he believes that ultimately, God will transform evil into the goodness of His Kingdom. Due to original sin, all humanity has strayed from God's image and is now dominated by evil. Fortunately, God has provided a way for us to restore His image within us and be saved from our sins -

Jesus Christ. In my understanding, humanity is flawed by sin and separated from God but possesses an inherent longing for spiritual fulfillment beyond ourselves. This longing can only be fulfilled through God's grace - His undeserved favor and forgiveness. It is through His grace that we can reconcile with Him and find true fulfillment in our lives.
Within a 24-hour period, as stated in Genesis 1:26, God said "Let us create man in our image." This refers to the non-physical aspect of humans designed for His purpose (Gen.1:28). He granted us the ability to communicate with Him and shaped us mentally, morally, and socially in His likeness. Our intended role was to serve as agents of God and care for the world (Gen 1:26,28).Adam and Eve's disobedience resulted in their separation from God, displeasing Him, corrupting human nature, and making it impossible to please Him. Previously, they had direct communion with God but lost it due to their offense. As a consequence, they were expelled from the garden while God pronounced curses on them, their descendants, and the Earth as a whole. Death became part of the plan and everyone is born with a sinful nature. However, God devised a plan for our redemption out of His love and grace. According to Apostle Paul in Ephesians 2:4-7, even when we were dead in sin, God made us alive with Christ. Our own efforts cannot overcome our sinful nature or impending death; however, salvation has already been provided through Jesus Christ by God Himself. By having faith in His grace (Eph 2:8-9), we can receive salvation. Jesus Christ demonstrated the path to redemption through His crucifixion as

He embodies God's grace. Through this act, Jesus fully paid for our sins so that we are not held accountable. Redemption is only attainable through faith in Jesus Christ which is also a gift from God Himself. Therefore, our redemption is solely the work of God. Those who believe in Jesus Christ will be saved by God's grace.The phrase "Jesus Christ is Lord" signifies that Jesus holds the official title of our Lord and is equivalent to the Hebrew term "Messiah," meaning the Anointed OneAcknowledging Jesus Christ as Lord means recognizing Him as our Savior, who redeems us from sin by accepting His dual nature as fully human and fully divine. This duality is crucial for redemption. The concept of the virgin birth holds significance as it signifies that Jesus' birth was a miraculous event brought about by the Holy Spirit working within Mary's body. Mary served as a vessel for God's incarnation, implying that Jesus was truly human with a physical connection.

According to the Bible, Jesus had a physical body like ours but was also fully God with an eternal and sinless nature (John 1:14, Acts 20:28, Hebrews 2:14-17). His birth through a virgin prevented the transmission of a sinful nature and allowed God to become a perfect man. The divinity of Christ alongside his humanity is central in Christianity.

The Bible states that only God can forgive sins, and Jesus had this authority (Mark 2:5-7, Acts 5:31, Colossians 3:13). He is also referred to as the ultimate judge of the living and the dead (2 Timothy 4:1), and Apostle Paul called him "great God and Savior," emphasizing his pre-incarnation existence as God (Titus 2:13)

(Philippians 2:5-8).

In John 1:1, it affirms that Christ is divine and part of the Trinity. The Holy Spirit, as the third person of the Trinity, plays a role in personal faith, the community of believers, and living responsibly in the world. According to both the Bible and church tradition, like the Father and Son, the Holy Spirit is considered God.The Nicene Creed states that the Holy Spirit proceeds from both the Father and Son and is worshipped and glorified alongside them. The Holy Spirit is also known as the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Jesus Christ, sharing their essence. Apostle Paul describes believers as being baptized by the Spirit, forming part of Christ's body in establishing the church. Through worship guided by God's Spirit, believers are led towards a new life in Christ. Each local congregation represents a smaller part of this larger community embodying Christ's presence. The Holy Spirit serves as a guide for spiritual growth and helps individuals fulfill God's mission in their lives, convicting lost individuals about sin, righteousness, judgment leading them towards repentance and faith through God's power. As Christians undergo sanctification, the Holy Spirit resides in them aiding their growth to become more like Christ while faithfully serving Him. The Scriptures reveal various roles played by the Holy Spirit throughout our redemption journey such as guiding us to repent (John 16:7), granting us spiritual rebirth (John 3:3-5), and empowering us to live righteously and bear good fruits (Galatians 5:22-23). The concepts of God's kingdom, resurrection, and eternal life hold significant importance.Psalm 145:13 declares that God's Kingdom is everlasting and His dominion endures throughout all generations. I firmly believe

that God governs His chosen people. Both the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed affirm my belief that Christ will be the ultimate judge on judgment day, while God reigns over the entire world. The Nicene Creed also acknowledges that God's kingdom will have no end, indicating a future realm where God's rule influences everything.

However, understanding the Kingdom of God goes beyond its anticipated establishment in the future. It currently exists within this world but is not fully realized yet. The perfect and complete reign of God over creation is seen as a future consequence. In Luke 17:20-21, Jesus explains that God's land does not come through careful observation but resides within individuals. We can experience glimpses of God's rule in both the present and the future, although it is only a taste of His Kingdom.

The Resurrection of Christ, occurring three days after his crucifixion, and his Ascension to be with God until His eventual return for final judgement provide a pathway for those who have faith in Him. When the Good News spreads globally, Jesus will come back to earth from Heaven with power and glory (Matthew 24:14;1 Thessalonians 4:16).Believers who have accepted Jesus as their Savior will experience resurrection from death according to 1 Thessalonians 4:15-16. This Resurrection demonstrates Christ's triumph over sin and death in both physical and spiritual aspects. As followers of Christ, we also have the privilege to claim this victory in our physical and spiritual lives. Ultimately, our resurrected souls will enjoy eternal life free from aging or decay. The belief in eternal life is expressed in both the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed through phrases such as

"the life everlasting" and "the life of the universe to come". Those who accept Christ will find eternal joy in His presence, while those who reject Him will face everlasting condemnation.

Baptism holds great significance within my ministry as a sacrament established by Christ and administered by the church to symbolize God's grace. It visually represents something internal and unseen, serving as a means for God to work within us through the Holy Spirit. In the New Testament, Jesus Himself was baptized by John (Mt.3:13-17) and commanded His followers to baptize others (Mt.28:19). Therefore, anyone who accepts Jesus can be baptized, receiving God's redeeming grace that forgives sins through Christ's sacrifice. Regardless of age or status, baptism symbolizes God's impartiality towards all people.

While baptism allows us to experience God's forgiveness through Christ, it does not guarantee salvationJohn Wesley emphasized in his discourse "Scripture Way of Salvation" that redemption is an ongoing process where we respond to God's grace. Through the act of baptism, we are included in God's covenant people and can trust that the Holy Spirit will work within us. However, it is important to understand that baptism alone does not guarantee redemption; instead, we must accept Jesus as our Savior, have faith in Him, and strive to live a righteous life so that we may draw closer to God. Baptism serves as a ceremonial initiation into the Church and establishes a covenant relationship between God and members of the church community. As Christians who have been baptized, we join the universal Church and pledge our loyalty to Christ's body.

In my role as a minister, the Lord's Supper holds immense significance and plays an essential

part in our spiritual journey. It is one of the gifts given to us by Christ himself and enables us to experience His grace firsthand. By following Jesus' example during this sacred meal, we receive symbolic elements: bread symbolizing His body and wine representing His blood. This sacrament serves both as a communal act of remembrance and participation in Christ's sacrifice for our salvation. Through this holy meal, we are reminded of God's boundless grace and love towards us.

The Lord's Supper strengthens our faith and deepens our connection with God as well as fellow believers within the church community.When we partake in this sacrament, we come together as one family with Christ at the center. The risen Christ extends an invitation to anyone who sincerely loves Him, genuinely repents their sins, and desires to live devotedly as a Christian to participate in the Lord's Supper within the United Methodist Church. By accepting this invitation, we affirm and strengthen our relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

The symbolism of bread and wine representing the body and blood of Jesus in the Lord's Supper is challenging to comprehend; it remains a mystery. Different churches have different interpretations of the Lord's Supper: some see it as a commemoration of Christ's sacrifice and a symbol of unity among Christians, while others believe that the bread and wine possess a unique spiritual power. Lutherans emphasize the actual presence of Christ, while Roman Catholic churches assert transubstantiation - where bread and wine are transformed into Christ's true body and blood while retaining their physical appearance.

In the United Methodist Church, we hold firm belief in the real presence of Christ being communicated to

believers. Participating in the Lord's Supper goes beyond mere remembrance; it is an active experience where we receive grace through symbolically represented bread and wine. The historical events surrounding Christ's death, resurrection, and ascension have profound effects on us even in our present moment. They touch us deeply, bring about change within us, and provide healing for our souls.As we come together at the table, our joy is evident as we celebrate the risen Lord. With Christ's presence through the Holy Spirit, we express gratitude for God's works in our lives and in the world. Approaching this table with hope and anticipation for God's future reign is essential.

Implementing Part II of the Discipline (Doctrinal Standards and Our Theological Task) in our ministry is crucial because our beliefs shape our Christian identity. This section provides insight into Methodist heritage in faith and theology, shedding light on its core principles. Therefore, studying it is vital for Methodist churches to understand their heritage, philosophy, and collective faith.

The Christian religion builds upon traditions handed down by religious leaders. It is our responsibility to contribute our own profession of faith to this tradition and pass it on to future generations. As ministers, guiding people along the correct path of Christianity involves affirming and teaching what we believe as Christians.

To effectively fulfill this mission, I will preach the Gospel that aligns with both our tradition and divinity. A minister's role does not involve preaching personal beliefs but rather professing a communal faith rooted in tradition. Through sermons and small group studies, I will teach about the Methodist heritage. Understanding the beliefs of our religious ancestors helps us grasp our identity and

current position more fully.
Building on this tradition is crucial as it creates a lasting legacy for future generations, guiding them in their adherence to their parents' faith. Teaching children about the Methodist heritage and philosophy will take place during Sunday School. As per the United Methodist Church, the essence of Christian faith is unveiled through Scripture, tradition, personal experience, and reason. Grasping this theological standpoint entails acknowledging that Scripture forms the foundation of Christianity and offers guidance for spiritual growth. By engaging in Bible reading, we invite the Holy Spirit to guide us towards truth that profoundly impacts our lives. It is vital to reflect on and interpret Scripture through church tradition since it holds authority passed down from previous generations. Tradition aids in comprehending Scripture by providing a perspective through which to perceive it. Personal experience also shapes our understanding of the Bible and theology as we encounter God in our own lives. This communal experience within a faith community empowers us to grasp God's word within our present reality. Reason plays a role in evaluating theological reflection and interpretation of the Bible by enabling us to pose questions and seek comprehension concerning God's actions and intentions.
It should be noted that reason, in the Christian faith practice, involves contemplation guided by the Holy Spirit rather than negative thoughts. The Wesleyan quadrilateral emphasizes the importance of maintaining checks and balances among four practices while prioritizing the Bible. Focusing solely on one approach can be dangerous for churches as it may lead to extremism and an imbalance in their adherence to Christianity. It is crucial to maintain equilibrium among these approaches.

The nature and mission of the

Church today can be described using the Nicene Creed, which refers to it as "one holy Catholic and apostolic church." In this context, the Church represents a cosmopolitan Christian body united in Christ. It is considered "holy," indicating its separation from secular influences. Although currently only a portion of this sanctity is evident, its entirety will be witnessed upon Christ's return.

The Church includes all people and is universal. According to 1 Corinthians 12:27, it is likened to the Body of Christ where different parts come together as a perfect structure with Christ as the head. This analogy demonstrates that the church encompasses comprehensive Christian education and diverse individuals functioning as various body parts. Furthermore, the church maintains continuity with the teachings of the apostles and is apostolicThe church's mission, as outlined in Article 13 of the Twenty-five Articles of Religion from 1784, encompasses three vital components: religion, preaching God's pure Word, and administering sacraments. Comprised of devoted individuals who propagate the Good News of Jesus Christ and conduct sacraments, the church strives to convert people into followers of Christ. Through sermons, teachings, worship, and nurturing, the Church serves as God's designated means to disciple others and exhibit the grace discovered in Christ's body. Currently, it is imperative for the Church to remain a mission-focused institution that remains connected to both God and each other through Christ while residing within a community setting. Losing this dynamic essence would result in forfeiting its influential power. The importance of unity within a church is underlined since disconnection from the larger whole renders it meaningless. To make an impact and transform society, a local church must establish connections with

nearby individuals and groups while also spiritually aligning with the universal church. This divine connection was exemplified by Jesus when He assumed human form to live among us and convey love's Good News. A truly impactful church acknowledges and supports members within its community by sharing their joys and sorrows while assisting them in cultivating trust in Jesus Christ.The United Methodist civil order has unique characteristics that distinguish it from other religious organizations. One of these distinct features is the practice of "itinerancy," which involves pastors being sent to different congregations rather than being called by them. This allows local churches to be open and receptive to new leadership, regardless of their personal qualities or expectations.

The civil order has also made successful efforts in engaging women and minorities within the church. This is achieved through conferences that serve as decision-making bodies at various levels of authority. The annual conference serves as a main connection for local churches and is where ordinations take place.

At the highest level, the General Conference holds governing power over Methodism as a whole. It establishes policies that govern the entire church. In terms of organization, one-year conferences are grouped into jurisdictional conferences, with five such conferences located in the US. Cardinal conferences focus on international church work, while territory conferences involve churches within a specific country.

Charge conferences are annual meetings held among local folds or groups assigned to a member of a one-year conference. Methodist administration places importance on official leadership roles, including bishops who hold executive powers related to clergy assignments.

Territory overseers act as intermediaries between local parishes and the bishop's cabinet in a conference setting. They preside over charge

conferences and ensure smooth communication between different levels of authority within the church.

There has been an intentional effort to involve laypeople in decision-making processes and legislative bodies within Methodism. This results in shared responsibility between clergy and laypeople in contemporary Methodism.

Lay preachers and leaders continue their important work within local churches, contributing to the overall functioning and ministry within Methodism.