United Methodist Beliefs 1-of-2

There are certain essential beliefs that United Methodists put their faith in; beliefs that strengthen our relationship with God and encourage us to spread the word of our faith to others.

We believe in one God who is infinite in wisdom, power, and love. We affirm our trust in God as the Creator, Sustainer, and Ruler of all things, the One who comes to us as the Holy Spirit. We believe that the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ give us a clear, full and true revelation of God. We believe that God is Spirit (John 4:24). No one has ever seen God, but we know God is Love. "If we love one another, God abides in us" (1 John 4:7-21). We believe that God is all merciful, righteous, and just. Through prayer and in fellowship with God, we grow in our understanding of the divine purpose and will for our lives.

We believe in Jesus Christ--the promised Messiah, Deliverer, and Savior of the world. We believe that Jesus lived a life that was truly human and divine. He was tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning (Hebrew 4:15-16), he lived in perfect obedience to God. The unmatched depth of God's love is revealed within the life and ministry of Jesus' preaching, teaching, and healing; and in his suffering, death, and resurrection. We affirm the faith of early Christians that Jesus Christ is the Lord. We believe the living Christ is present with us and that through faith in Christ we experience the joy of salvation.

We believe in the Holy Spirit as God present with us for guidance, comfort, and strength. We affirm the Holy Spirit's presence in our lives, inspiring those qualities known in the New Testament as "the fruits of the Spirit"--"love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control" (Gal. 5:22-23). Likewise the Holy Spirit inspires gifts that are to be used for our mutual upbuilding: "To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good" (1 Cor. 12:4-7). The Spirit helps us in our weakness and keeps us in perpetual remembrance of the truth of Christ.

We believe in the reality of sin and the forgiveness of sin. "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. When we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:8-9). We confess that we have alienated ourselves from God by our self-centeredness and disobedience. Our estrangement thwarts our hopes of achieving what is good. We believe the Holy Spirit quickens our conscience, convicts us of sin, and prompts us toward righteousness. God's gracious love and acceptance match our repentance. Forgiveness re-establishes a broken relationship and enables us to begin again. Since God forgives us, we are expected to forgive others.

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