A Bit about Methodist History
What Does It Mean to Be Methodist?
The Methodist movement began in the 1700s with John and Charles Wesley, two brothers in England who were passionate about living out a deep, personal faith in Jesus. They believed the Christian life should be marked by prayer, Bible study, worship, and service to others. Their organized “method” of following Jesus gave rise to the name Methodists.
From the very beginning, Methodists have been people of faith who take Scripture seriously, hold fast to the good news that “Jesus is Lord” (Romans 10:9), and seek to grow in both personal holiness and practical acts of love. The heart of the movement is simple: to know God’s grace through Jesus Christ and to share that grace with the world.
If you wanted to distill what we distinctly believe down, you could settle on these core elements (see the Our Beliefs page for more on specific doctrine)
Today, being Methodist still means loving God, loving our neighbors, and living out our faith in ways that transform lives and communities. At Erlanger Methodist Church, we joyfully continue this heritage—rooted in the Bible, centered on Christ, and committed to following Him in everyday life.
We are a church Where Disciples Make A Difference!
The Methodist movement began in the 1700s with John and Charles Wesley, two brothers in England who were passionate about living out a deep, personal faith in Jesus. They believed the Christian life should be marked by prayer, Bible study, worship, and service to others. Their organized “method” of following Jesus gave rise to the name Methodists.
From the very beginning, Methodists have been people of faith who take Scripture seriously, hold fast to the good news that “Jesus is Lord” (Romans 10:9), and seek to grow in both personal holiness and practical acts of love. The heart of the movement is simple: to know God’s grace through Jesus Christ and to share that grace with the world.
If you wanted to distill what we distinctly believe down, you could settle on these core elements (see the Our Beliefs page for more on specific doctrine)
- Jesus is Lord
- The Bible is our foundation
- Grace is for everyone
- Faith is lived out
- Community matters
Today, being Methodist still means loving God, loving our neighbors, and living out our faith in ways that transform lives and communities. At Erlanger Methodist Church, we joyfully continue this heritage—rooted in the Bible, centered on Christ, and committed to following Him in everyday life.
We are a church Where Disciples Make A Difference!
We believe in 3 means of Grace
Prevenient Grace
Experience Wesley's understanding of grace as God's continual presence in our lives, independent of our actions or response. It is a precious gift, always within reach yet capable of being declined. This divine grace ignites a longing to connect with God and equips us to accept His invitation for a relationship. Through this grace, we gain clarity in distinguishing between right and wrong, empowering us to live faithful Christ-centered lives. God initiates the bond with humanity, He actively pursues us!
Justifying Grace
Paul wrote to the church in Corinth: “In Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them” (2 Corinthians 5:19). And in his letter to the Roman Christians, Paul wrote: “But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8), "For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved." (Romans 10:10) These verses demonstrate the justifying grace of God. They point to reconciliation, pardon, and restoration. Through the work of God in Christ our sins are forgiven, and our relationship with God is restored. According to John Wesley, founder of the Methodist movement, the image of God — which has been distorted by sin — is renewed within us through Christ’s death.
Sanctifying Grace
Sanctifying work of the Lord is a dynamic journey, not a one-time event. It involves experiencing God's transformative presence continuously shaping us into the individuals we are meant to be. "Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth." (John 17:17) John Wesley referred to this aspect of God's grace as sanctification or holiness. Through God's sanctifying grace, we progress in emulating Jesus' way of life. By engaging in prayer, studying Scriptures, fasting, worshiping, and connecting with fellow believers, we deepen our relationship with God. Responding to human needs with compassion and advocating for justice in our communities enhances our ability to love our neighbors. Our thoughts, intentions, actions, and behavior become aligned with God's will, reflecting our unity with Him. "May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Thessalonians 5:23)