Being Saved in Methodism

[Banana Phone]

I was brought up in the UMC and I've heard about the idea of being saved from other churches like Baptists but not necessarily from Methodists. What do Methodists believe about being saved and how does this compare to other denominations. I was alwas under the impression that there wasn't any particular event that has to happen to gain salvation, you just have to believe. Hopefully I pay attention enough on Sundays!

 

[wvmtnkid]

I'll take a stab at this. In order to be saved, you have to acknowledge that you are a sinner and repent of those sins by accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and asking him into your heart and for forgiveness of your sins. The scripture for this is Romans 10:9-10:

That if you confess with your heart, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

Sometimes I wonder how well we explain the part about asking Jesus into your heart because when I was a child, I took this to mean that there was a little miniature Jesus living in my heart. That's a pretty traumatic thought for a kid to think Jesus the man is actually living in their heart.

 

[Banana Phone]

OK, I realised earlier that I had misworded what I asked. My mistake. I think we talk about being saved in salvation, I knew what I was saying didn't even really make sense to me. What I REALLY meant was, do Methodists ever talk about being "born again?" I sometimes hear of born again Christians, and I used to think that was a separate denomination, but it isn't.

By the way, that was funny about Jesus actually being physically in your heart. I thought that the radio in the car was actually the bands on the roof...I guess I had an overactive imagination.

 

[herev]

OK, I realised earlier that I had misworded what I asked. My mistake. I think we talk about being saved in salvation, I knew what I was saying didn't even really make sense to me. What I REALLY meant was, do Methodists ever talk about being "born again?" I sometimes hear of born again Christians, and I used to think that was a separate denomination, but it isn't.

By the way, that was funny about Jesus actually being physically in your heart. I thought that the radio in the car was actually the bands on the roof...I guess I had an overactive imagination.

to be born again is to be born a new man or woman or girl or boy--that happens when we believe--when we are saved

 

[HeatherJay]

I'll take a stab at this. In order to be saved, you have to acknowledge that you are a sinner and repent of those sins by accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and asking him into your heart and for forgiveness of your sins. The scripture for this is Romans 10:9-10:

Sometimes I wonder how well we explain the part about asking Jesus into your heart because when I was a child, I took this to mean that there was a little miniature Jesus living in my heart. That's a pretty traumatic thought for a kid to think Jesus the man is actually living in their heart.

But rather less traumatic, I think, than trying to comprehend the Holy 'Ghost' dwelling inside you...poor liitle children running around thinking they were possessed or something.

 

[wvmtnkid]

Very true Heather Jay. It's a wonder any of us make it through our childhoods with some of these notions in our head!

I'll have to admit, at least in the UMC's I have been in, the terminology of "born again" isn't used that much. It wasn't until I had friends of different denominations (generally Baptist) that I encountered the term "born again". I think Methodists talk about salvation and that you are a new person in Christ upon accepting Jesus into your life. However, I don't know that we use "born again" a lot to describe the process. Perhaps, it's cultural thing as well.

 

[Banana Phone]

Very true Heather Jay. It's a wonder any of us make it through our childhoods with some of these notions in our head!

I'll have to admit, at least in the UMC's I have been in, the terminology of "born again" isn't used that much. It wasn't until I had friends of different denominations (generally Baptist) that I encountered the term "born again". I think Methodists talk about salvation and that you are a new person in Christ upon accepting Jesus into your life. However, I don't know that we use "born again" a lot to describe the process. Perhaps, it's cultural thing as well.

This is what I have encountered as well.

 

[ClementofRome]

"Born again"
"Saved"
"new creature"
"new man/woman"

It boils down to semantics. In my mind these are all the same thing and I think that this can be biblically supported. Yes, denominational cultures will gravitate toward one term or another, but they all mean the same thing. It troubles me when a certain denominational culture will favor one term over the others to the extent of bringing an individuals status before God into question.

 

[overnight]

I agree with the starter of this thread. These terms in general are not used much in the UMC. I attended the Naz church most all my life and can hardly remember more than two weeks going by without a "salvation" message. I have been apart of the UMC for a year and have not heard one.

Thoughts

 

[herev]

I agree with the starter of this thread. These terms in general are not used much in the UMC. I attended the Naz church most all my life and can hardly remember more than two weeks going by without a "salvation" message. I have been apart of the UMC for a year and have not heard one.

Thoughts

sad, but unfortunately this is normal

 

[HeatherJay]

There are frequent mentions of salvation, I suppose. But, it IS one of the main points of the Christianity, isnt it? And I haven't heard any of those firey sermons about repentence that I used to hear in the Baptist church I grew up in. The ones I hear now are more about how much God loved us that He sent us such a precious gift. I've never heard the condemnation of anyone ("Repent or you will burn" type thing). John Wesley tended to focus on God's love rather than on God's wrath. So, those are the types of salvation messages that I hear.

Our pastor prays the Sinner's Prayer nearly every single time we have communion for the benefit of those who have not yet accepted Christ. We do occassionally have a special call for those wishing to accept Christ to come forward to kneel at the altar, but this is usually only when the person wishing to accept Christ has made a request for this prior to the service.

I can remember hearing one or two salvation type messages at the UMC, but I think those were probably in youth camp type settings...and, once again, focusing on God's love rather than God's wrath.

Love, Heather

 

[elanor]

I think it's presentation and style (for lack of a better word) that's different in the UMC. The message, though, is the same. I come from a diverse denominational background, having moved a bit and choosing churches based on individual congregations rather than denominations. In the Baptist churches I attended, the message was "repent and be saved!" In the Foursquare church it was of recognizing the need in our lives and calling people into relationship with God through Jesus. I'd say the United Methodist Church I now attend is more like the second approach. It is lower key than some churches I've attended, but the message is still there. Just this weekend our pastor was saying that our growth should come not from church transfers, but from inviting people who have never known God into a relationship with Him, and walking with them as they grow. The approach may be different, but the message is the same. And different people respond to different approaches, so there's a place for all of us in reaching out to a world in need of God.

 

[overnight]

elanor I think you are right. Comming from a simialr background of different denominations I have heard everything from Hellfire and Brimstone to the example you gave. Our pastor is always has us give the prayer of confession before communion.

 

[ClementofRome]

sad, but unfortunately this is normal

I suppose that this is true, however, my UMC Pastor preaches salvation with fair regularity. I do not mean a weekly alter call. I mean his message almost always contains the grace of God for salvation at some point. I, for one, appreciate this.

 

[herev]

I suppose that this is true, however, my UMC Pastor preaches salvation with fair regularity. I do not mean a weekly alter call. I mean his message almost always contains the grace of God for salvation at some point. I, for one, appreciate this.

good for you--and your pastor

 

[SandyLou]

I think it's presentation and style (for lack of a better word) that's different in the UMC. The message, though, is the same. I come from a diverse denominational background, having moved a bit and choosing churches based on individual congregations rather than denominations. In the Baptist churches I attended, the message was "repent and be saved!" In the Foursquare church it was of recognizing the need in our lives and calling people into relationship with God through Jesus. I'd say the United Methodist Church I now attend is more like the second approach. It is lower key than some churches I've attended, but the message is still there. Just this weekend our pastor was saying that our growth should come not from church transfers, but from inviting people who have never known God into a relationship with Him, and walking with them as they grow. The approach may be different, but the message is the same. And different people respond to different approaches, so there's a place for all of us in reaching out to a world in need of God.

I am right there with you, Elanor! That's exactly what I have experienced and WHY I'm at UMC.
We just began a churchwide journey via the Sunday School classes, Wednesday evening classes, and felllowship groups - all studying the Book of Acts together. (We have over 4,700 members) Our journey quest is to apply these teachings to our congregation at our church in our town. No beatings needed. Just sign on

His hands & feet,
SandyLou