What We Believe

The United Methodist Church shares a great deal with other denominations. Explore what we believe about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the Bible, and more.

We also have a unique heritage and areas of emphasis. Learn what we mean when we talk about grace, how we serve people around the world, and ways we grow as disciples of Jesus Christ. 

Also, be sure to check out our answers to some common questions.

https://www.umc.org/en/what-we-believe/basics-of-our-faith

United Methodists share a common heritage with all Christians. According to our foundational statement of beliefs found in The Book of Discipline, we share the following basic affirmations in common with all Christian communities.

Explore what we say about God, human being, the church, the Bible and more.

Our Christian Beliefs: God

God, who is one, is revealed in three distinct persons. Read More

Our Christian Beliefs: Jesus

We believe in the mystery of salvation through Jesus Christ. God became human in Jesus of Nazareth; and his life, death and resurrection demonstrate God's redeeming love. Read More

Our Christian Beliefs: The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is God's present activity in our midst. When we sense God's leading, God's challenge, or God's support or comfort, it's the Holy Spirit at work. Read More

Our Christian Beliefs: Human Beings

Genesis 1:27 asserts that we've been made in the image of the Creator. Like God we have the capacity to love and care, to communicate, and to create. Read More

Our Christian Beliefs: The Church

The church is the body of Christ, an extension of Christ’s life and ministry in the world today. Read More

Our Christian Beliefs: The Bible

We believe that the Bible is the primary authority for our faith and practice. Read More

Our Christian Beliefs: God’s Reign

The kingdom or reign of God is both a present reality and future hope. Read More

https://www.umc.org/en/what-we-believe/basics-of-our-faith/our-christian-roots

Taking an active stance in society is nothing new for followers of John Wesley. He set the example for us to combine personal and social piety. Ever since predecessor churches to United Methodism flourished in the United States, we have been known as a denomination involved with people's lives, with political and social struggles, having local to international mission implications. Such involvement is an expression of the personal change we experience in our baptism and conversion. 

The United Methodist Church believes God's love for the world is an active and engaged love, a love seeking justice and liberty. We cannot just be observers. So we care enough about people's lives to risk interpreting God's love, to take a stand, to call each of us into a response, no matter how controversial or complex. The church helps us think and act out a faith perspective, not just responding to all the other 'mind-makers-up' that exist in our society."

Excerpt from The Book of Resolutions of The United Methodist Church 2016. Copyright © 2016 by The United Methodist Publishing House. Used by permission.

Preface: Social Principles

The Social Principles are a prayerful and thoughtful effort of the General Conference to speak to the issues in the contemporary world from a sound biblical and theological foundation. Read More

Preamble

We affirm our unity in Jesus Christ while acknowledging differences in applying our faith in different cultural contexts as we live out the gospel. Read More

The Natural World

All creation is the Lord’s, and we are responsible for the ways in which we use and abuse it. Read More

The Nurturing Community

We believe we have a responsibility to innovate, sponsor, and evaluate new forms of community that will encourage development of the fullest potential in individuals. Read More

The Social Community

We affirm all persons as equally valuable in the sight of God's sight. We reject discrimination and assert the rights of minority groups to equal opportunities. Read More

The Economic Community

We claim all economic systems to be under the judgment of God no less than other facets of the created order. Read More

The Political Community

We hold governments responsible for the protection of people’s basic freedoms. We believe that neither church nor state should attempt to dominate the other. Read More

The World Community

God’s world is one world. We pledge ourselves to seek the meaning of the gospel in all issues that divide people and threaten the growth of world community. Read More

Our Social Creed

Our Social Creed is a statement of faith reflecting our Social Principles. Read More

https://www.umc.org/en/what-we-believe/basics-of-our-faith/our-social-positions