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A brief survey of theA brief survey of the270 year history270 year historyof the Methodist of the Methodist

movementmovement

The Methodist Church is a unique blend of New Testament Christianity, the Protestant

Reformation and the influence of John Wesley.” (John Stockman)

History of Methodism

Originated with Johnand Charles Wesley

Name “Methodist” can be traced back to incidents at Oxford University in 1729

Methodist movement did not take shape until 1739

TheThe UUnitednited MMethodist ethodist CChurchhurch

John Wesley1703 – 1791

History of Methodism

Methodist religion was a denominationof people who broke away from the Church of England

Other divisionswithin the Methodistchurch have takenplace over the years

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Organization of UMCUMC

Government closelyresembles America’sDemocratic Government

Have three Government branches that serve aschecks and balances Legislative Branch Judicial Branch Executive Branch

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NOTE: Though some of these offices are

familiar in name to us, the Methodist

hierarchy has nothing in common with the

scriptural organizational pattern,

nor of a plurality of bishops in each local

churchActs 14:23; 20:17, 28; Titus 1:5; 1 Peter 5:1-

3

Multiple Standards of Authority

Boasts of Methodism – “no peculiar church doctrines are to be bound upon its members”

Wesley and others have contributed writings and statements of belief that have become accepted standards of authority in the UMCUMC

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Multiple Standards of Authority

The Book of Discipline Twenty-Five Articles

of Religion The Confession of Faith Fifty-Two Sermons of

John Wesley Notes on the New

Testament by John Wesley

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Multiple Standards of Authority

Four Guidelines for Interpreting “Christian” Beliefs ScriptureScripture Christian TraditionChristian Tradition ExperienceExperience ReasonReason

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Doctrines that Contradict Bible Truth

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UMCUMC Doctrines Bible TruthBible Truth Old Testament laws

have been removed, but moral laws are still binding

Justified by faith only

Baptism is only symbolism and not necessary for salvation

Luke 24; Matt 5:17;Jer 31:31-34; Heb 8:6-13; Gal 3:25; Heb 7:11-16

Eph 2:8-10; Jam 2:20-24

1 Pet 3:21; Acts 22:16; 2:38, 47; Gal 3:26-27; Rom 6:3-4; John 3:23

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By practicing the things in the By practicing the things in the Articles of Faith and Articles of Faith and

Disciplines of the United Disciplines of the United Methodist Church, one will Methodist Church, one will

become a Methodistbecome a Methodist..

By practicing the thingsBy practicing the thingscontained only in the Bible,contained only in the Bible,

one will one will become a Christianbecome a Christian..