What is a Methodist and where did that denomination come from?

Question

Do they know and believe the Apostle's Creed?

Answer 1

Anglican Priests John and Charles Wesley began "Methodism" within the Church of England. They never intended to start a new denomination - and both Wesleys remained Anglican Priests in good standing until their life's end.

Started in England and spread to the USA in the mid-to late 1700's.

Yes - - the original Methodist Prayer Books included the Apostle's and Nicene Creeds for daily recitation. It was an almost identical volume to the Anglican Book of Common Prayer.

Nowadays - the United Methodists have become pretty liberal - but - they still believe the basics of the Creeds.

Answer 2

It came out of a revival that began in England and spread to America in the late 1700's. It was lead by a man named John Wesley. His brother Charles Wesley added the revival by writing hundreds of songs that are still standards in many church's hymnals today.

Wesley taught a simple gospel of faith in Jesus which lead to good works and a pure life. His followers were encourage to be very disciplined and "methodical" in their daily devotions, giving, and life style. They were called "Methodist" because they had a "method" or program for everything they did. Much of the American Protestant theology comes from John Wesley.

The Methodist church was originally known as a "holiness" church because it demanded a very strict and clean lifestyle from its followers. Over the years since it birth, it has become more liberal in both its lifestyle and doctrine. (I often wonder if Wesley would recognize it as the church he founded.) In the 1960's in merged with several smaller denominations to become the United Methodist church.

Today the United Methodist church competes with the Catholic church for the honor of largest denomination. They flip/flop every couple of years. The Methodist have an "open pulpit" policy which means that the ministers of each local church are pretty much free to teach and preach as they believe. There is little formal doctrine imposed on them. So you will find a wide variety of doctrine being taught within the church. They do include the Apostle's Creed as one of their statements of faith.

The Methodist are probably "the" standard, middle America, middle of the road, denomination in the country. If you are looking for a low demand, easy going, (boring) church - the Methodist are probably a good fit. But again, it varies from minister to minister.

Answer 3

Having been a "Methodist" from birth, then changing to "Lutheran," I can tell you that yes, they do believe the Apostle's Creed. If not word for word the same as other denominations, then the basic meaning.

Kev

Answer 4

They are an offshoot of the Church of England. They were a group of seriously devout Christians in a church that was becoming not so serious. They well called the "holy club", because of their devotion to God. Methodist became the world leaders in evangelism, and the denomination grew rapidly. However, over time they became very liberal and lost their devotion to God. Now days, the Methodist church has become just a large social club that has the appearance of being a church. God has snuffed out their candle. There are still some methodist who actually believe in and serve God, but not enough to make a difference in this world.

Answer 5

The methodist were started by John and Charles Wesley. They wanted to understand the scripture, so they began to study methodically. They opened the thierhearts and mind to the word of God and the doctrine of sanctification was reborn. Basically that is the begining.

Answer 6

John Wesley about 230 years ago, an English guy who set up chapels all over the British Isles.