Global Methodist Beliefs
Our Original Mandate
“I am glad brother D — has more light with regard to full sanctification (fully mature, perfect in love). This doctrine is the grand depositum which God has lodged with the people called Methodists; and for the sake of propagating this chiefly He appeared to have raised us up.” ~ John Wesley - September 15, 1790 (Pictured Right)
As Methodists, we believe that the goal of every believer is to become perfected in love. This generally takes a lifetime of discipleship for the grace of God to achieve in us. We make progress towards this goal by being consistent and diligent in these three primary practices by which we grow in grace:
Growing in our understanding of scripture.
Prayer, both private and corporate.
Gathering with other believers in worship to hear the pure word of God preached and to receive the sacraments.
If we are consistent and diligent in these practices we can rest assured that:
Phil 1:6 “he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE CONSIDERED TO BE WHAT CONSTITUTES AUTHORITATIVE DOCTRINE FOR THE PEOPLE CALLED METHODISTS
Doctrine and Discipline of the Global Methodist Church - (including the Apostle’s Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the The Definition of Chalcedon (A.D. 451)
The General Rules of the United Societies
In order to make explicit the expectations upon those who are members of the Methodist societies, John Wesley first devised a set of rules in 1738, publishing it five years later. The General Rules were subsequently adopted by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1785, one year after its formation. The General Rules provide a helpful summation of the kind of intentional discipleship which marked early Methodism, summed up in three simple rubrics: do no harm, do good to all, and stay connected to the sacramental and devotional life of the church.