The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
Photograph of Mother Zion in Harlem, NY
What We Believe
Good Hope is a member-church of the African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Zion Church connection. The A.M.E. Zion Church was founded in 1796, when James Varick, the first Bishop of the Church, led most of the Black members of the John Street Methodist Church to withdraw their membership and establish their own church, after enduring ungodly racism even in the house of the Lord.
The withdrawn members held services in various places on Sundays until in 1799, they decided to build a church of their own. This church was dedicated in October of 1800 and was called "Zion." In 1820, the members of Zion met at Varick's house, and Varick and Abraham Thompson became Superintendents of the Church (the title 'Bishop' had not been adopted yet).
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In 1848, to honor the Mother church of the denomination, the word 'Zion' was added to the African Methodist Episcopal Church of New York's title, thus firmly establishing the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in America. The A.M.E. Zion Church has been a torchbearer of equal and equitable rights of all people since its inception, granting it the namesake of "The Freedom Church." Membership of the Church has included Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth, and Harriet Tubman.
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We believe that all men are sinners.
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We believe that God the Father loves all men and hates all sin.
We believe that Jesus Christ died for all men to make possible their salvation from sin through their belief.
We believe that all who repent of their sins and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ receive the forgiveness of sin.
We believe that all that are accepted as the children of God may receive the inward assurance of the Holy Spirit to that fact.
We believe that all that are made “new creatures” in Christ Jesus are accepted as the children of God.
We believe that all who truly desire to seek it may love God with all their hearts, souls, minds and strength and their neighbors as themselves.
We believe that a man born of god is consecrated and set apart for service unto God and that the process of growth begins and is followed by degrees of development ever having as its goal entire sanctification and Christian perfection.
We believe that the gift of the Holy Spirit is possible unto all men as a guide, a teacher and a light.
We believe in the Kingdom of God which means the reign of God in every area of human life and society.
We believe that all who persevere to the end shall be saved but that souls may lapse from grace and become partially corrupt or even fall wholly away from God and be lost forever.
We believe that God is eternal and Jesus is the conqueror of the grave and we, being united by faith with Him share His everlasting life.