First CME Church

Methodist Beliefs

Some Methodist beliefs which are important because of their emphasis within the Methodist tradition are:

Christian Perfection: Though the Methodists never claimed that a perfect, sinless life was ever attained, they taught that it was attainable. The Methodists taught that every Christian must strive for perfection and should evidence some progress in that direction.

Universal Redemption: The universal redemption proclaims that Jesus Christ died for all people and that all people can be saved - not just a select few. It also declares that acceptance by Jesus Christ has nothing to do with one's status in life or with one's position or possessions.

Justification by Faith: The belief that one is saved by faith in the saving grace of Jesus Christ alone is central to Methodist Doctrine. The service of the Christian life is an expression of one's faith - not the faith. It is because of the grace, the unmerited love of God in Jesus Christ, that men and women are saved - not because of anything they do.

The Witness of the Holy Spirit: The inner certainty which each Christian can have that he/she is a child of God as well as the conviction that God is at work in the world and in the life of the believer bringing about His Kingdom gives credence to the witness of the Holy Spirit in the believer's life.

Falling from Grace: Emphasis upon the real possibility that a Christian can live in such a way that he/she will reject God's grace even though it was once accepted.

The Sacraments: Methodists believe that a sacrament is a "visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace" instituted by Jesus Christ. There are two sacraments observed by Methodists: Baptism and The Lord's Supper. (For more detailed information on each, see the heading titled Sacraments.)