Do Methodists believe the rapture theory?

Answer 1

From a Sermon of May 23, 2004 by Dr. Jim Standiford, Senior Pastor:

The concept of the rapture is a hot topic now, perhaps because of the "Left Behind" series popular in the book market. The idea of the rapture is always simmering on some theological stovetop somewhere. It is a concept not actually in The Bible. It is derived from the passage we heard this morning from the Book of Revelation, and a few other passages as well, molded together to develop a concept that runs roughly like this: Jesus will return at some future time, the faithful dead will be raised from their graves, the faithful living will be taken into heaven, and then the tribulation will begin. The "Left Behind" accounts are all about the tribulation times.

This rapture is not central to United Methodist thinking. Of course we might confess there is not much that is central to United Methodist thinking, since we are a church that does not subscribe to one particular creed or confession of faith. There are United Methodists who believe strongly in the rapture, but it is not a central part of our faith. Yet the idea of the rapture is all around us in our culture.

I think the following statement, written by Arvin Luchs , expresses very well a number of aspects of our Methodist tradition: "John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, was a man of deep faith and firm beliefs. But he realized that others of integrity and deep faith had different views from his. While he embraced classical Christian ideas, he understood that unity and common mission arises not so much out of doctrinal agreement, but out of a vital encounter with the risen Christ."

Halford Luccock and Paul Hutchinson, in their classic work, The Story of Methodism, note that Wesley avoided any doctrinal tests for those seeking Methodist membership; rather he asked, "Is thy heart as my heart? Then give me thy hand."

Answer 2

A:

The 'Rapture' is a theological invention of John Nelson Darby, the nineteenth-century founder of the Plymouth Brethren. Although few people belong the the Plymouth Brethren Church, many Christians, including quite a few members of the Congregational Church, believe in Darby's most enduring theological creation, the Rapture.

The belief that Jesus will come again is not new, and Christians have always taught that Jesus will return to earth and that believers should live in anticipation of his second coming. Darby's new teaching was that Christ would return twice. The first return would be in secret, to "Rapture" his church out of the world and up to heaven. Christ would return a second time after seven years of global tribulation for non-believers, to establish a Jerusalem-based kingdom on earth. The Rapture has no genuine biblical support, and many mainstream churches regard the notion as false theology.

Answer 3

Yes, they believe that Jesus will return like a thief in the night. They just don't consume themselves with finding out the date or worrying about it.

Answer 4

Although many Methodists believe that there will be a rapture, the United Methodist church has no official position on this.
do methodist believe in the rapture?

Answer 5

Yes.

Some Baptists believe in the rapture, but not all.