About

What We Believe

Historic Christian faith in the Wesleyan tradition.

• I. The Holy Trinity

  We believe in one holy and living God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—everlasting Creator of all things, infinite in power, wisdom, justice, goodness, and love. The one God reveals himself as three persons, distinct but inseparable, eternally one in being, majesty, power, and glory.

• II. Jesus Christ

  We believe in Jesus Christ, truly God and truly human, born of the Virgin Mary, who suffered, died for our sins, rose bodily, ascended, and will return in glory. His once-for-all offering is the perfect atonement for the sins of the whole world; there is no other satisfaction for sin.

• III. The Holy Spirit

  We believe in the Holy Spirit, coequal with the Father and the Son, who convicts the world, leads us to faith in Christ, incorporates us into the Church, and sanctifies us. He distributes gifts, empowers mission, comforts the faithful, and guides us into all truth. (Global Methodists may omit “and the Son” from the Spirit’s procession, in keeping with ¶105.)

• IV. Creation and Providence

  We believe the triune God created all things out of nothing as a free expression of his perfect love, and that all he creates is good. God continuously upholds and sustains creation; human free will and responsibility operate within his providence.

• V. Human Nature

  We believe human beings were created in God’s image—male and female—made good, for love of God and neighbor, family, community, and stewardship of creation. Though fallen far from original righteousness, we remain of inestimable worth to God.

• VI. Sin and Free Grace

  Apart from the grace of Jesus Christ we are inclined to evil from birth; original sin corrupts every part of our humanity. Only by prevenient grace can we turn to God; any good will we have comes through God’s grace in Christ and the Spirit at work in us.