What We Believe
Doctrinal Standards for The United Methodist Church

The following information comes from   The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church, 2000  edition.

“Paragraph 101. Section 1 --- Our Doctrinal Heritage

“United Methodists profess the historic Christian faith in God, incarnate in Jesus Christ for our salvation and ever at work in human history in the Holy Spirit. Living in a covenant of grace under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, we participate in the first fruits of God’s coming reign and pray in hope for its full realization on earth as in heaven.

“Our heritage in doctrine and our present theological task focus upon a renewed grasp of the sovereignty of God and of God’s love in Christ amid the continuing crises of human existence.

“Our forebears in the faith reaffirmed the ancient Christian message as found in the apostolic witness even as they applied it anew in their own circumstances.

“Their preaching and teaching were grounded in Scripture, informed by Christian tradition, enlivened in experience, and tested by reason.

“Their labors inspire and inform our attempts to convey the saving gospel to our world with its needs and aspirations.” (Page 41)

Our Common Heritage as Christians

“United Methodists share a common heritage with Christians of every age and nation. This heritage is grounded in the apostolic witness to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, which is the source and measure of all valid Christian teaching.” (Pages 41-42)

Our Distinctive Heritage as United Methodists

“The underlying energy of the Wesleyan theological heritage stems from an emphasis upon practical divinity, the implementation of genuine Christianity in the lives of believers.

“…Their task was not to reformulate doctrine. Their tasks were to summon people to experience the justifying and sanctifying grace of God and encourage people to grow in the knowledge and love of God through personal and corporate disciplines of the Christian life.”

“…The thrust of the Wesleyan movement and of the United Brethren and Evangelical Association was ‘to reform the nation, particularly the Church, and to spread scriptural holiness over the land.’”

“…The Wesleyan emphasis upon the Christian live---faith and love put into practice---has been the hallmark of those traditions now incorporated into The United Methodist Church. The distinctive shape of the Wesleyan theological heritage can be seen in a constellation of doctrinal emphases that display the creating, redeeming, and sanctifying activity of God.” (Page 45)

Please borrow   The Book of Discipline  from a United Methodist pastor to fully inform yourself of the doctrinal history and standards of The United Methodist Church found on pages 41 through 86.