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In Common with Other Christians…
As followers of Jesus Christ, we affirm those basic beliefs which have been accepted “always, everywhere and by all Christians.” Perhaps the most common articulation of these beliefs is found in the Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth;
and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord: Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic (“universal”) church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
United Methodist Theological Distinctives…
Methodism began in the eighteenth century as a renewal movement within the Church of England, under the leadership of our founder, The Rev. John Wesley. It developed out of a practical need to spread the Gospel among the “common people.” Wesleyan theology can be summarized this way:
These affirmations address practical concerns, yet reflect underlying theological issues. For example: the idea that all need to be saved reflects our understanding of original sin; the idea that all may be saved reflects our understanding that Christ died to give everyone an opportunity to be saved, not just a predestined few; that all may know they are saved reflects our understanding of the witness of the Holy Spirit with our spirits, and the idea of “blessed assurance”; and that all may be saved to the uttermost reflects our understanding of sanctification and Christian perfection.
Four documents define the doctrinal teaching of the United Methodist Church: The Articles of Religion of the Methodist Church (1784); The Confession of Faith of the Evangelical United Brethren Church (1963); John Wesley’s Standard Sermons; and John Wesley’s Notes on the New Testament. The Articles of Religion and Confession of Faith summarize our positions on specific issues (ex: the Holy Spirit, the Bible, the Sacraments, the relationship between faith and good works, etc) in short paragraph form. Wesley’s Sermons are, obviously, sermons on key issues and his Notes are like a Bible commentary. You can access all these resources online at www.umc.org. Of course, our Pastor will be glad to answer any questions you have about our beliefs as well.
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