Basic Beliefs:

Grace

Grace is the unmerited love of God. John Wesley, the initiator of the Methodist Church, understood God’s grace to be experienced in three distinct ways.

Prevenient Grace is the love of God that is at work within us to draw us into a relationship with God before we are even conceived. It is undeserved, unearned, and waiting for all to receive! Prevenient grace never stops. Isaiah 49 says, “The Lord called me before I was born, while I was in my mother’s womb he named me.”

We are justified through the gift of God’s grace as we turn and say “yes” to God. Justifying Grace is God’s grace that restores us to a right relationship with God.

Sanctifying Grace is the grace of God that becomes evident in the world through our lives. As we grow closer to Christ, we grow closer to one another and give our lives in ministry and service. As a result, mission and outreach are an evidence of God’s work in our lives.

The Means of Grace are those things that help connect us to God and God’s grace.

Grace always begins with God. We may experience each of the above over and over throughout our lives. As we grow closer to God, we grow closer to one another.

Scripture

Scripture reveals God to us. It is our rule and guide for faith and practice. It is the primary means by which we come to know God and ourselves. Sometimes Scripture is difficult to understand, and it can be very confusing! However, we believe that God is consistent in God’s message of reaching out to us, calling us, and offering us the gift of salvation all the way from the first of Genesis to the end of Revelation.

Here at Alliance UMC we study Scripture in community. We learn and grow together as we study God’s Word. In and through the Word we are able to catch both a glimpse of who God is, and who we are in relation to God. Through Scripture and prayer we are able to discern our call in Christ. As we live out that call we are able to usher in the Kingdom of God here on earth—now, as well as in a time to come.

God as Three-in-One

We believe in God who “has created and is creating,”⁽¹⁾ who is “infinite in power, wisdom, justice, goodness and love.” We believe God is revealed as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

We believe in Jesus Christ, fully God and fully human. Jesus lived, suffered, and died on the cross. He was buried, and rose triumphant from the grave and lives eternally with God.

We believe the Holy Spirit leads us into relationship with God through the fellowship of the Body of Christ, called the Church. Our faith is sustained and empowered through the gift of the Holy Spirit. ⁽²⁾

(1) Affirmation of Faith #883 in The United Methodist Hymnal © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House

(2) The Articles of Religion and Confession of Faith,. The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church © 2004

Sacraments

Baptism and Holy Communion are the two Sacraments ordained by Christ. We believe them to be the Means of Grace through which God works in us to draw us into relationship, to strengthen and confirm our faith.

Baptism is a sign of new birth in Christ Jesus. It is a mark of Discipleship and a sign of God’s grace. Infant baptism (and baptism of all ages) is practiced in the United Methodist Church because we understand it to be a gift from God, not of our own earning or learning.

Through Holy Communion we remember that Christ died for us, and calls us into new life. We live in union with Christ and are strengthened for our faith journey as we leave the communion table. We invite all who desire a relationship with Jesus Christ to the table.