Arlington United Methodist Church

What We Believe

United Methodists believe certain things that are common to all Christians.

We believe in One God who exists as a community of three persons: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

We believe that God, the creator and sustainer of the universe, became a human being in the person of Jesus Christ.

Jesus lived our life, died our death, and rose again, breaking the power of death proclaiming that God has both the first and last word in all creation.

We believe that God is present with us in the person of the Holy Spirit, who helps us understand our sinfulness, guides us, comforts and empowers us in our walk with Christ.

We believe that humans are made in God's image and have the freedom to choose to accept or reject God's love.

We believe that God has called the Church together to be the body of Christ, actively participating in God's redeeming work in the world.

We believe that the Bible is the primary, though certainly not the only means that God uses to communicate the living word to us and is our primary authority for how we believe and how we live.

We believe that wherever God's will is being done, the Kingdom of God is present. We look forward to the full and final reign of the Kingdom in this world.

Like most other Protestants, we recognize two sacraments (special means by which we experience God's grace) that were instituted by Jesus himself: Baptism and Holy Communion.

Baptism is for persons of all ages. It represents God's claim on all of our lives and shapes our identity as followers of Jesus.

Holy Communion, also called the Lord's Supper or the Eucharist, is a holy meal of bread and juice that is the real presence of the body and blood of Jesus. Holy Communion is open to all who wish to come regardless of religious affiliation or belief.

United Methodists also hold certain beliefs that are unique to Wesleyans: Christians who trace their roots to the Methodist movement begun by John Wesley.

We believe that the life of faith begins and ends with grace-God's free and unearned mercy. Grace is present in three major ways:

Prevenient Grace

Prevenient grace comes before our ability to understand anything about God, sin, or faith. This grace never goes away from us, no matter how far we stray from God's will.

Justifying Grace

Justifying, or "saving" grace is experienced when we make the conscious decision to give our lives to Jesus Christ and live as his disciples. This grace enables us to experience the forgiveness of sins.

Sanctifying Grace

 Sanctifying, or ˜perfecting' grace empowers us to grow and mature as disciples of Jesus as we experience all the ups and downs of life.

Faith and Works

We believe that personal faith and good works are both essential elements in the life of faith, and cannot exist apart from one another.

Community

We believe that human beings are created to live in relationship with one another, and that we only reach our full potential through participation in the church community.

Tolerence

We respect those who believe differently than we do and strive to work together people of all backgrounds to build a more peaceful, loving world.

We believe in YOU

You are a child of God, created in God's image. You possess a sacred worth that is not changed by your gender, ethnic or racial background, socio-economic status, age, sexual orientation, immigration status, employment, political views, or any of the other categories that religious groups have come up with to undermine and deny that sacred worth.

We are a broadly inclusive faith community, and we believe that you will bless us with your presence, and that we will bless you in return.


Learn more about the United Methodist Church and our beliefs, including our Wesleyan heritage, our theology, and social principles, at www.umc.org

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