What United Methodists Believe
Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.
John 20: 29b
United Methodists share a common heritage with all Christians. According to our foundational statement of beliefs in The Book of Discipline, we share the following basic affirmations in common with all Christian communities:
Trinity
We describe God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, though in referring to this threefold nature of God, sometimes the terms Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer are used.
• God, the Father, Creator
We believe in one God, who created the world and all that is in it; who is the sovereign ruler of the universe; and who is a loving God who extends his love and grace to us.
• Jesus, the Son, Redeemer
We believe that Jesus Christ was human, and who lived as a man and died when he was crucified; that Jesus is divine, and is the only Son of God.
We believe that God raised Jesus from the dead and that the risen Christ lives today. (Christ and Messiah mean the same thing—God’s Anointed.); that Jesus is our Savior and in Christ we receive abundant life and forgiveness of sins; and that Jesus is our Lord and we are called to pattern our lives after his.
• God, the Holy Spirit, Sustainer
We believe that the Holy Spirit is “God with us.”
We believe that the Holy Spirit awakens us to God’s will and empowers us to live obediently; and that the Holy Spirit comforts us when we are in need and convicts us when we stray from God.
God's Kingdom on Earth
• Human Beings
We believe that God created human beings in God’s image, and that all humans need to be in relationship with God in order to be fully human.
We believe that humans can choose to accept or reject a relationship with God.
• The Church
We believe that the church is the body of Christ, an extension of Christ’s life and ministry in the world today and that the mission of the church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ.
We believe that the church is “the communion of saints,” a community made up of all past, present, and future disciples of Christ, and as such, is called to worship God and to support those who participate in its life as they grow in faith.
• The Bible
We believe that the Bible is the primary authority for our faith and practice, and that all Christians need to know and study the Old Testament and the New Testament (the Hebrew Scriptures and the Christian Scriptures).
• The Reign of God
We believe that the kingdom or reign of God is both a present reality and future hope: wherever God's will is done, the kingdom or reign of God is present. It was present in Jesus' ministry, and it is also present in our world whenever persons and communities experience reconciliation, restoration, and healing.
We believe that the church is called to be both witness to the vision of what God's kingdom will be like and a participant in helping to bring it to completion. We believe in this present reality and future hope even though the fulfillment of God's kingdom--the complete restoration of creation--is still to come.
We believe that the reign of God is both personal and social: personally, we display the kingdom of God as our hearts and minds are transformed and we become more Christ-like; socially, God's vision for the kingdom includes the restoration and transformation of all of creation.
Sacraments
With many other Protestants, we recognize the two sacraments in which Christ himself participated: Baptism and the Lord's Supper.
• Baptism
Baptism is a symbol of new life and a sign of God's love and forgiveness of our sins; and through baptism we are joined with the church and with Christians everywhere.
We baptize by sprinkling, immersion or pouring; and persons of any age can be baptized.
A person receives the sacrament of baptism only once in his or her life.
• The Lord's Supper (Communion, Eucharist)
The Lord's Supper is a holy meal of bread and wine (or juice) that symbolizes the body and blood of Christ, recalls the life, death and resurrection of Jesus and celebrates the unity of all the members of God's family.
By sharing this meal, we give thanks for Christ's sacrifice and are nourished and empowered to go into the world in mission and ministry.
We practice the “Open Table,” that is, welcoming ALL who love Christ, repent of their sin, and seek to live in peace with one another.
At Palm Coast United Methodist Church, The Lord's Supper is celebrated the first Sunday of every month at all services.
If you would like to know more about United Methodist beliefs, click here.
