"What United Methodists Believe"

      1.We Believe In God...infinite in wisdom, power and love, maker of Heaven and earth and redeemer of all mankind. (Psalm 89:26)

    2.We Believe In Jesus Christ...the son of God, His death recalls the redeeming Love of God, His Resurrection assures of immortality. (John 14:9)

    3.We Believe In The Holy Spirit...God's presence.  Convicting us of sin, comforting in sorrow and revealing the will of God in the world.        (1 John 3:24)

    4.We Believe In Salvation From Sin...That every person is a sinner and may be saved by Divine Grace.  Salvation is given through faith in Jesus Christ.    (John 3:3)

    5.We Believe In Human Beings...as Gods creation.  They are sacred in the sight of God.  Free to choose between evil and good.   (Genesis 2:7)

    6.We Believe In The Church...The church is of God and will be preserved to the end of time, for the promotion of worship, the edification of believers and conversion of the world.

   7.We Believe In The Bible...as the record of God's revelation through inspired writers; as a guide to daily living, a book to be read by every Christian.    (Acts 17:11)

   8.We Believe In The Kingdom Of God...as the reign of God in the world.  God working in social, economic and international affairs.

   9.We Believe In Divine Judgment...God is not only Creator and Redeemer, but judge of all.  Human Beings are tested according to how they use the gifts God has entrusted to them: Time, Talents, Money.    (Romans 14:12)

   10.We Believe In Eternal Life...Earth is our temporary dwelling place but Heaven is our eternal home.  Jesus conquered death and promised eternal life to His followers.    (1 John 2:25)

    These ten Beliefs above are shared with Christians of other denominations.  The United Methodist Church has emphasized 

certain other beliefs which have been its source of power and made it distinct.

   1.United Methodists Believe In Christian Experience...That every person can experience God through Christ.  Assurance and peace comes to those who find new life through personal experience.    (Ephesians 3:17)

    2.United Methodists Believe In The Witness Of The Spirit...John Wesley said: "The Spirit of God witnesses to my spirit that I am a child of God; that even Jesus has loved me, and given Himself for me; that all my sins were blotted out, and I, even I, am reconciled to God."

    3.United Methodists Believe In Christian Perfection...Not in human judgment, not in being free from sin and temptation.  But.....PERFECTION in Christian love, in active good will to all men.

  4.United Methodists Believe In The Power Of Christ To Transform Society...The interest of the Methodist Church in social welfare springs from the labors of John Wesley, who ministered to the physical, intellectual and social needs of the people to whom he preached the gospel of personal redemption.    (Matthew 6:10)

    Every member of the church should understand these beliefs, accept them as divine gifts, strengthen them by prayer 

and study and prove them in daily experience.