What We Believe

METHODIST DOCTRINE AND BELIEFS

THE AUTHORITY OF SCRIPTURE

Methodists lift up the Bible as the ultimate authority. We affirm that all scripture (in the Canon) is inspired of God and contains everything essential for Salvation. (2 Timothy 3:16)

GOD’S LOVE FOR ALL PERSONS

We believe that God loves all persons even when they are totally undeserving. God is actively reaching out with His love and forgiving us for turning away from Him. This is God’s “grace.”

JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH: AVAILABLE FOR ALL

Methodists believe that the way a person enters into a right relationship with God “is justified” by our faith and not by any good works we may do. The life, death and resurrection Jesus made it possible for every person to be forgiven and put into a new relationship with God.

SANCTIFICATION: THE PURSUIT OF HOLINESS

Continuous growth toward perfect love and scriptural holiness is achieved through Prayer, Bible Study, Worship, the Sacraments (Holy Communion/ Baptism), morality and the confrontation of evil and oppression. Most of all, it is achieved through faith.

THE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION

We believe in the absolute assurance that we have entered into a new relationship with God through the activity of the Holy Spirit. By faith we can be assured through “justification and sanctification” that we have received God’s forgiveness and that we are growing toward a perfect state of holiness.

CHRISTIAN PERFECTION THROUGH PERSONAL HOLINESS

After you have been saved by the power of the Holy Spirit, your goal is Christian Perfection. Although this perfect love is achievable in this life it does not make a person infallible nor does it keep a person from involuntary sin.

CHRISTIAN PERFECTION THROUGH SOCIAL JUSTICE

Methodists must be “Holy” and socially involved to confront evil on every front. (John 15:1-17, Eph. 4:1-16)

SACRAMENTS

There are two Sacraments that we celebrate in our Church: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper or Holy Communion. These were ordained by Jesus Himself and are signs of grace and God’s goodwill toward us.

BAPTISM

Baptism is the sign of new life through Jesus Christ. It unites the one baptized with Christ and with His people. By Baptism we participate in Christ’s Death and Resurrection. A personal confession of faith is integral when one is baptized. When an infant is baptized the personal response will be offered at a later moment in life. Infants are brought by parents or guardians in collaboration with the church to bring up the children in the Christian faith.

Baptism is an unrepeatable act. Methodists only baptize once and there are three modes or methods in our church: sprinkling, pouring, and immersion. “Christening” is not a practice we affirm.

LORD’S SUPPER (HOLY COMMUNION)

Holy Communion is also a sign of the love that Christians ought to have among themselves; but further is a sacrament of our redemption of Christ’s death. All baptized believers, including children may take the sacrament of Holy Communion. The broken bread (wafer) is a symbol of the broken body of our crucified Lord and the wine is the symbol of the blood that flows from wounds of His brow, His hand, His feet and side.

Holy Communion is administered in our Church at least once a month (but can be more). Where there is a means, you are to kneel at the altar symbolizing our humility, faith and trust in God grace. The palm of the right hand should rest on the palm of the left hand when receiving the elements. (Read the Ritual in the hymn book)