Methodist

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ProtestantMainline

Arminian + Wesleyan, emphasis on sanctification

Founded: 1784 (American Methodist Episcopal), 1739 (Wesleyan movement)
Headquarters: Varies; United Methodist Church offices in Nashville
Membership: Approx. 9 million worldwide (UMC ~6 million in U.S.)
Key Documents: Articles of Religion, General Rules, Book of Discipline

Theological Positions

Showing 1-10 of 193 matching positions

People who never hear the gospel cannot be saved.

Evangelism & Missions / neutral

Jesus died on the cross for our sins.

Jesus / stronglyAgree

Jesus is the only way to salvation.

Jesus / stronglyAgree

Jesus never sinned during His earthly life.

Jesus / stronglyAgree

Jesus rose from the dead on the third day.

Jesus / stronglyAgree

Jesus was born of a virgin.

Jesus / stronglyAgree

A person can lose their salvation.

Salvation / agree

It is a common belief that true believers cannot fall from grace… but that they can, and do so, is a plain fact proved by Scripture and experience.

Source: John Wesley, Sermon 110 – Free Grace

A person can lose their salvation.

Salvation / agree

A person must be born again to be saved.

Salvation / stronglyAgree

God chooses who will be saved before they believe.

Salvation / disagree

Writings and Documents

Articles of Religion

Article V of Wesley’s 1784 Articles of Religion affirming the sufficiency and ultimate authority of Scripture for salvation and doctrine.

Source: Articles of Religion, Article V

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General Rules

John Wesley’s 1743 General Rules outlining the three-fold Methodist rule of life—do no harm, do good, and attend upon the ordinances of God—forming the ethical core of Methodist discipleship.

Source: General Rules of the Methodist Church

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Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace Through Separation

2020 mediated proposal that outlined terms for an amicable separation of the United Methodist Church, paving the way for the launch of the Global Methodist Church.

Source: GC2020 Protocol Document

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Sermon: Justification by Faith

John Wesley’s 1738 standard sermon explaining that sinners are pardoned and declared righteous solely through faith in Christ, the foundation of Methodist preaching.

Source: John Wesley, Sermon 1 (1738)

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Transitional Book of Doctrines and Discipline (Global Methodist Church)

Foundational doctrinal and governance document released in 2022 for congregations departing the UMC into the new Global Methodist Church.

Source: GMC Transitional Discipline ¶101

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