Methodist churches

The Methodist church has beliefs that are similar to Protestant beliefs. In fact, Methodist churches are derived from Protestant churches. The Methodist church began in the mid 18th century to revive the official Church of England. From there, Methodist churches sprang up in the United States and the British Empire, especially after the Methodist church founder, John Wesley, died.

•Believers in the Methodist church follow certain ideas. One of the beliefs of the Methodist church is a belief of free will. All other branches of Christianity believe in a predestined life plan, with individuals thinking that they have free will as they live. Methodist churches believe that free will really does exist and that one’s destiny can change at any time. Like other Christian and Catholic faiths, the Methodist church believes in the Trinity of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Methodists take it a step further by celebrating the saints. In America, Methodist churches associate the celebration of the saints with All Saints Day.

•The Methodist church also believes in studying religion based on reason. Methodist churches conduct all of their studies on religion with the belief that reason wins over all. The member of the Methodist church are expected to follow this line of thinking when asking questions of God. Understanding the bible and God is a large underlying part of the Methodist church, but members are expected to be reasonable in their line of thinking when questioning anything. Members of the Methodist church are also expected to help the community and their fellow man. The Methodist church follows the belief that salvation can only be achieved if a person truly enjoys helping others and actively does so.

•When it comes to the Methodist churches view on Sacraments, a historical approach is taken when interpreting the two Sacraments. While some branches of Christianity believe in just one and Catholics believe in three, the Methodist believes that each member should have both a baptism and a communion. Both are though to be the acts of Jesus in the eyes of the Methodist church.

Methodist churches have some views that are different than other religions. However, the core of the Methodist church is about helping others, which is what many branches of Christianity believe in as well.