UNITED METHODIST CHURCHES
The United Methodist Church denomination was formed in 1968 by the merger of the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church.
Issues/Concerns we have regarding this denomination:
Infant Baptism - Listed below is what this denomination believes.
"Understanding the practice as an authentic expression of how God works in our lives, The United Methodist Church strongly advocates the baptism of infants within the faith community: “Because the redeeming love of God, revealed in Jesus Christ, extends to all persons and because Jesus explicitly included the children in his kingdom, the pastor of each charge shall earnestly exhort all Christian parents or guardians to present their children to the Lord in Baptism at an early age” (1992 Book of Discipline, par. 221)" (para. 226 in the 2004 Book of Discipline)." "Baptism is, among other things, incorporation into the body of Christ." (http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?ptid=16&mid=3196)
"From the beginning, baptism has been the door through which one enters the church." "...baptism, as a means of grace, signifies God’s initiative in the process of salvation. John Wesley preached “prevenient grace,” the grace that works in our lives before we are aware of it, bringing us to faith. The baptism of children and their inclusion in the church before they can respond with their own confirmation of faith is a vivid and compelling witness to prevenient grace." (Source: www.umc.org/site/c.lwL4KnN1LtH/b.1697379/k.9027/Baptism_Overview.htm)
To find out what is wrong with infant baptism, please view our link on that topic HERE.
Baptismal Salvation - Listed below is what this denomination believes.
"To become Christian is to receive a new identity. You no longer allow others to tell you who you are. Christ now claims you and instructs you. A Christian is one who has “put on Christ.” Baptism celebrates becoming that new person. That is why the church’s ritual begins with putting off the old, renouncing sin and the evil powers of the world, and pledging our loyalty to Christ. God Initiates the Covenant We also believe that in baptism God initiates a covenant with us, announced with the words, “The Holy Spirit works within you, that being born through water and the Spirit, you may be a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ.” This is followed by the sign-act of laying hands on the head, or the signing of the cross on the forehead with oil." " God Has Chosen Us". " ... Christian baptism means that God has also chosen us as daughters and sons, and knows us intimately as a parent. So the most important things about us, our true identity, is that we are now sons and daughters of God. That is why the introduction to the United Methodist Baptismal Covenant states, “We are incorporated into God’s mighty acts of salvation and given new birth through water and the Spirit.” The introduction also says, “Through the Sacrament of Baptism, we are initiated into Christ’s holy church.
”(Source: www.umc.org/site/c.lwL4KnN1LtH/b.1697379/k.9027/Baptism_Overview.htm)
To find out what is wrong with baptismal salvation, please view our link on that topic HERE.
INFORMATION REGARDING THIS DENOMINATION
Denomination Home Page: www.umc.org/site/c.lwL4KnN1LtH/b.1353935/k.BE6A/Home.htm
Related Colleges & Seminaries
Related Publishing Companies
Related Publications
Links by others about this denomination
The United Methodist Church denomination was formed in 1968 by the merger of the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church.
Issues/Concerns we have regarding this denomination:
Infant Baptism - Listed below is what this denomination believes.
"Understanding the practice as an authentic expression of how God works in our lives, The United Methodist Church strongly advocates the baptism of infants within the faith community: “Because the redeeming love of God, revealed in Jesus Christ, extends to all persons and because Jesus explicitly included the children in his kingdom, the pastor of each charge shall earnestly exhort all Christian parents or guardians to present their children to the Lord in Baptism at an early age” (1992 Book of Discipline, par. 221)" (para. 226 in the 2004 Book of Discipline)." "Baptism is, among other things, incorporation into the body of Christ." (http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?ptid=16&mid=3196)
"From the beginning, baptism has been the door through which one enters the church." "...baptism, as a means of grace, signifies God’s initiative in the process of salvation. John Wesley preached “prevenient grace,” the grace that works in our lives before we are aware of it, bringing us to faith. The baptism of children and their inclusion in the church before they can respond with their own confirmation of faith is a vivid and compelling witness to prevenient grace." (Source: www.umc.org/site/c.lwL4KnN1LtH/b.1697379/k.9027/Baptism_Overview.htm)
To find out what is wrong with infant baptism, please view our link on that topic HERE.
Baptismal Salvation - Listed below is what this denomination believes.
"To become Christian is to receive a new identity. You no longer allow others to tell you who you are. Christ now claims you and instructs you. A Christian is one who has “put on Christ.” Baptism celebrates becoming that new person. That is why the church’s ritual begins with putting off the old, renouncing sin and the evil powers of the world, and pledging our loyalty to Christ. God Initiates the Covenant We also believe that in baptism God initiates a covenant with us, announced with the words, “The Holy Spirit works within you, that being born through water and the Spirit, you may be a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ.” This is followed by the sign-act of laying hands on the head, or the signing of the cross on the forehead with oil." " God Has Chosen Us". " ... Christian baptism means that God has also chosen us as daughters and sons, and knows us intimately as a parent. So the most important things about us, our true identity, is that we are now sons and daughters of God. That is why the introduction to the United Methodist Baptismal Covenant states, “We are incorporated into God’s mighty acts of salvation and given new birth through water and the Spirit.” The introduction also says, “Through the Sacrament of Baptism, we are initiated into Christ’s holy church.
”(Source: www.umc.org/site/c.lwL4KnN1LtH/b.1697379/k.9027/Baptism_Overview.htm)
To find out what is wrong with baptismal salvation, please view our link on that topic HERE.
INFORMATION REGARDING THIS DENOMINATION
Denomination Home Page: www.umc.org/site/c.lwL4KnN1LtH/b.1353935/k.BE6A/Home.htm
Related Colleges & Seminaries
Related Publishing Companies
Related Publications
Links by others about this denomination