Are Methodists Cristian

Answer 1

A Methodist is a Christian. It is a division or subset of Christianity. The Christian faith includes catholics, lutherans, presbyterians, baptists and many others. Methodism is a denomination within Christianity.

Answer 2

Are Methodists Christian? The answer is a resounding yes. The core source of authority for Methodist life and practice is, of course, The Bible. Understandably, some points of interpretation will vary among members of any denomination. Contained in the Discipline, our book of administrative necessities such as the denominational history (synopsis), constitution, church procedures or law, and Social Principles you will also find the Articles of Religion/Confession of Faith.

Here are some of the things that you will find:

• Scripture is the primary source and is completely sufficient for guiding one into faith in Christ and in cultivating faith and spiritual discipline (maturity)
• Worship should be conducted in the local vernacular.
• Methodists view the death of Jesus Christ to be the full, complete, and sufficient sacrifice that pays or atones for the sins of the world.
• Jesus' resurrection from the dead secures our promise of life with Him for ever. In this present experience and following our own physical death.
• Methodists believe in One God who manifests Himself in the united presence of His three coequal personalities. God the Father, God the Son (i.e. Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit.

The term Methodist began as a term of derision actually. Fellow students at Oxford University found the conscientious spiritual practices of John and Charles Wesley, George Whitfield, and other young men to be peculiar and laughable. Years later, after decades of leading Britain to experience a spiritual awakening, the term took on a more respectful meaning.

John Wesley, considered to be the founder of Methodism did not set out to establish a new denomination. He merely worked to bring about spiritual reform in his own church, the Church of England. Throughout his life British Methodists were still Anglicans with a distinctive fervor. In 1784 Methodists in America established a new church out of practical necessity. Now free from the British crown, Anglican worshipers were left adrift without any structure. (I believe that 12 parishes eventually formed the Episcopal Church under Bishop Seabury) The rest formed up the Methodist Episcopal Church under the guidance of Bishop Francis Asbury.

Methodist history is filled with interesting stuff, both ups and downs. We cannot claim to be without our faults!

Theologically speaking Methodists are orthodox, Trinitarian Christians who fit nicely between the more liturgical Anglican tradition on one side of the spectrum and the Holiness Movement and modest expressions of pentecostal experience on the other. Understandably, most individuals will feel more personally drawn to a particular expression and not necessarily to the full realm of faithful possibilities. Allow me one bout of humor. There are "high church holy rollers" among Methodists who love liturgical worship AND desire a 'Spirit-Filled' life characterized by personal intimacy with their Lord.

There are a number of denominations that are called "Methodist" by name. The United Methodist Church just happens to be big. There are also Free Methodists, and African Methodists in the AME, AME Zion, and CME branches of the family. All of these descend from the American root of Methodism. Many others emerge from the British root. Methodism is a global Christian movement. There are also denominations who are considered Methodist though their name may not give a clear indication at first sight. Among them are the Salvation Army, the Wesleyan Church, and the Church of the Nazarene. Together they cooperate in a fellowship known as the World Methodist Council. Every four years there is a gathering known as the World Methodist Conference. Again, this connection is not a denominational structure but rather an opportunity for unity, cooperation and fellowship among Christians who share a common theological ancestry and heretical.

The very heart of Methodist Christianity is to share the message of Jesus Christ through our words, actions, and the signs that God is at work among us to the end that lives are transformed for the good. Specifically that human suffering is relieved, broken hearts are comforted, and that the "wild and wicked" discover Jesus' offer of forgiveness and His invitation to a radically refreshing, adventure filled relationship with Him.

PS Methodists are not the only ones with this audacious mission. We just happen to go about it in our own way. Hope you find this helpful.

Answer 3

Methodists are Christian.