Our Beliefs
What We Believe as United Methodists
Our faith is rooted in Scripture, shaped by tradition, informed by reason, and experienced in community. Discover the theological foundations that guide us.
A United Methodist Congregation
Hopewell United Methodist Church is part of the United Methodist Church, a global denomination with millions of members worldwide. We hold to the historic tenets of Christian faith while embracing the Wesleyan tradition of grace, love, and service to others.
Our theological heritage comes from John Wesley, an 18th-century Anglican priest who emphasized that authentic faith must be both believed in the heart and lived out in action. Wesley taught that God's grace is freely offered to all people and that we are called to grow in holiness and serve our neighbors.
As United Methodists, we seek to balance personal piety with social responsibility, believing that faith without works is incomplete and that true worship leads to compassionate service.
How We Understand Our Faith
United Methodists use four sources to discern God's will and understand our faith, commonly known as the Wesleyan Quadrilateral:
Scripture
The primary source and foundation for all theological reflection
Tradition
The wisdom and experience of the Church throughout history
Reason
Critical thinking and rational reflection on God's truth
Experience
Personal and communal encounters with God's presence and work
Our Core Beliefs
Click on each section to explore what we believe
Historic Christian Creeds
The Apostles' Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Nicene Creed
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary
and became truly human.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son
is worshiped and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church.
We acknowledge one baptism
for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
These ancient creeds, shared by Christians worldwide, express the core truths of our faith and connect us to believers throughout history.
A Church for All People
At Hopewell United Methodist Church, we believe that God's love is inclusive and unconditional. While we hold firmly to the core tenets of Christian faith, we also recognize that people of sincere faith may interpret some matters of theology and practice differently.
We welcome people at all stages of their faith journey - from those who are exploring Christianity for the first time to those who have walked with Christ for decades. We believe that Christian community is enriched by diverse perspectives and experiences.
Our doors are open to all who seek God, regardless of background, ethnicity, economic status, or where you are in your spiritual journey. We strive to be a place where questions are welcomed, doubts are honored, and all people can encounter the transforming love of Jesus Christ.
"In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity."
- A motto often attributed to early Methodist leaders
Learn More About United Methodist Beliefs
Official UMC Resources
Explore the official United Methodist Church website for comprehensive information about our denomination's beliefs, history, and global mission.
Visit UMC.org →The Book of Discipline
The official book of doctrine and polity for the United Methodist Church, containing our theological statements and organizational structure.
Learn More →Articles of Religion
Our historic doctrinal standards, adapted from the Church of England by John Wesley for the Methodist movement in America.
Read the Articles →Social Principles
Our church's stance on contemporary social issues, rooting our call to social justice in our theological convictions.
Explore Social Principles →Have Questions About Our Beliefs?
We'd love to talk with you about faith, theology, and what it means to follow Jesus in the Methodist tradition.