What is Methodism? 7 Core Beliefs that Define the Methodist Denomination

Among Christians, it is easy to forget what differences exist between denominations. Most Christians just classify themselves as “Christian” and do not know that there are many nuances between different styles of belief. Across the world, there are more than 200 distinct Christian bodies in the United States alone. So, the question remains: What is Methodism, and what makes it distinct from other denominations? Below is a brief overview of seven key beliefs that are supported within the Methodist tradition.

United Methodist Church

1. God

The United Methodist Church believes that there is only one God. Along with the belief that God is one, we believe that God is revealed as a Trinity – three persons in one. The three persons that constitute the Trinity are the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

2. Jesus

One of the three persons of the Trinity, the Son, is Jesus Christ. We, as Methodists, believe that salvation is gained through Jesus. We believe God became human through Jesus and sent him to redeem the world. Jesus’s life, preaching, death, and resurrection show that God’s redeeming love saves each and every one of us from our sins.

3. Holy Spirit

We also believe that the third member of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, is God working around us. The United Methodist Church believes that the Holy Spirit is God’s way of leading, challenging, and comforting us in our daily lives.

4. Human Beings

The United Methodist Church believes that all humans have been made by the Creator, God. Further, we believe that we have been made in the image of God. Therefore, we all have some of the characteristics of God and are capable of loving, caring, and creating, just like He does.

5. The Church

Another extension of Christ’s mission is the church. We believe that the church is the body of Christ and through it, we can show others Christ’s love. The church is a shelter for those in need and is a way for Christians to further Jesus’s call to ministry in our world today.

6. The Bible

The United Methodist Church believes that the Bible is God’s Word. Also, we take the Bible as the primary authority for our faith and practice. Therefore, we follow its teachings and base our preachings on its wisdom.

7. God’s Reign

Finally, the United Methodist Church believes that one day, God’s kingdom will reign. While we live in a fallen world, we have hope that He will return and bring his kingdom back to himself. We believe that the kingdom of God is a present reality and future hope.

Have any questions? Please visit our About page to learn more about us and our staff, or contact us with any thoughts, comments, or questions you may have! You can also dig deeper into the Methodist beliefs on the national United Methodist Church page.