What We Believe
Methodism has its roots in the life and teachings of John Wesley (1703-91), an Anglican minister. It originated as a revival movement within Church of England and became a separate denomination after Wesley’s death.
With this heritage it is unsurprising that the Methodist Church holds the same basic beliefs as the major Christian traditions. These are summarised in historic documents such as the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed.
We are historically connected to the Protestant Reformation, with its stress on the primacy of the Bible as the source of inspiration and authority in the church. Methodism follows the so-called ‘Arminian’ emphasis on the importance of human free will, but there are no beliefs or practices that are unique to Methodists and not shared by other Christians.
A popular summary of Methodist belief is called the ‘Four Alls’:
All need to be saved
All can be saved
All can know they are saved
All can be saved to the uttermost
What do these mean? Here is a brief outline:
All need to be saved
We believe that human selfishness (‘sin’, if you want the religious word) separates us from God and makes us deserving of divine judgement.
We are unable to change this of ourselves, but God can. Jesus’ death on the Cross absorbs the power of evil and the cost of forgiveness, putting us right with God. His resurrection gives us new life.
Our response is to trust this good news and turn away from our selfish ways of living in gratitude for what God has done in Jesus.
All can be saved
We believe no-one is beyond the possibilities of God’s transforming love. This good news is for everyone. God does not exclude anyone from the offer of his love. That means you and me!
All can know they are saved
What’s more, God wants us to be sure that he loves us. We believe God wants us to have that assurance. It comes through both the promises God makes us in the Bible and in an inner personal experience of God’s love through the Holy Spirit.
All can be saved to the uttermost
The Christian life isn’t just about being forgiven now and waiting for heaven. It’s about our lives being changed for the better here and now. We believe God wants to do that through the power of the Holy Spirit. We want to live differently as a sign of gratitude for God’s love. We want to make a difference in the world as a result.
(With thanks to Rev Dave Faulkner, The ‘Four Alls of Methodism’ Today)
For further information about what Methodists believe, visit www.methodist.org.uk/about-us/the-methodist-church/what-is-distinctive-about-methodism/
Contact Details
GENERAL ENQUIRIES:
Businessmanager@walworthmethodist.org.uk
MINISTRY TEAM: ministry@walworthmethodist.org.uk
PHONE: 020 7703 2477
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Walworth Methodist Church
Walworth Methodist Church
54 Camberwell Road
London
SE5 0EW