Methodism Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions:

Baptism

What does The United Methodist Church believe about baptism? | Answer
Does baptism mean that I am saved? | Answer
Do I have to be baptized in order to be saved? | Answer
Does baptism make me a member of the church? | Answer
Is it required that I take vows in front of a congregation to become a member? | Answer
How do I become a member of a United Methodist church? Is there a special ceremony? | Answer
Is sprinkling the only way that United Methodists baptize? | Answer
May a person who has not been baptized participate in Holy Communion? | Answer
Does The United Methodist Church accept the baptism of other denominations? | Answer
May I be baptized again? | Answer
How should water be used when baptism is being reaffirmed? | Answer
Where can I find a record of my baptism? | Answer

Infant Baptism

What is the appropriate age for baptism? | Answer
What is the difference between infant baptism and believer's baptism? | Answer
Do I have to choose godparents when I have my child baptized? | Answer
Can I choose a person who is not a Christian as my child’s godparent? | Answer
Can I have my infant christened? | Answer
May we have our baby dedicated instead of baptized? | Answer
Isn't it better to wait until children can decide for themselves whether or not to be baptized? | Answer

Confirmation

Communion

I am not a member of The United Methodist Church. Can I still take communion? | Answer
May a person who has not been baptized participate in Holy Communion? | Answer
Can children take communion? | Answer
Do United Methodists believe the communion elements actually become the body and blood of Christ? | Answer
How often do United Methodists take communion? | Answer
Who can assist the pastor in communion? | Answer
Why do most Methodist churches serve grape juice instead of wine for Holy Communion? | Answer
I am allergic to wheat. Will I be able to take communion? | Answer
Should we use unleavened bread for communion? | Answer
I am concerned about the risk of infection and hygiene issues during communion. | Answer
What is an Agape Meal? | Answer

Beliefs

Why do we say we believe in "the holy catholic church" in the Apostles' Creed? Is this a reference to the Catholic Church? | Answer
Why do we say creeds? | Answer
What is the creed of the United Methodist Church? | Answer

Salvation

Can United Methodists lose their salvation or do they believe once saved, always saved? | Answer
What does it mean to be saved, to accept Jesus as your personal savior? | Answer
Does The United Methodist Church believe in universal salvation? | Answer
Is the concept “saved, born-again” unique to evangelicals or Baptists? Does it apply to Methodists? | Answer
Where does the "Rapture" fit into the United Methodist realm of beliefs? | Answer
What does The United Methodist Church teach about the second coming? | Answer
Do United Methodists believe that faith in Jesus Christ is necessary to go to heaven? | Answer
Did people go to heaven before Jesus? | Answer
Does The United Methodist Church believe that babies are born in sin? | Answer
What happens immediately after a person dies? Do they go directly to heaven or hell or do they go to a holding place until Christ returns to earth for the final judgment? | Answer
Do United Methodists believe that animals have souls and go to heaven? | Answer

Interreligious Issues

Can United Methodists use the sign of the cross or is this a Catholic only practice? | Answer
What does The United Methodist Church teach about the Immaculate Conception and the Virgin Birth? | Answer
What does The United Methodist Church teach about the Virgin Mary? | Answer
Why doesn't my church have statues and a crucifix like the Catholic Church? | Answer
Do United Methodists believe in the saints? | Answer
Does The United Methodist Church believe that Allah and God are the same? | Answer
What is the United Methodist view regarding Judaism and the Jewish people? | Answer

Social Issues

What is the United Methodist position on abortion? | Answer
What is the denomination’s position on homosexuality? | Answer
Does The United Methodist Church have a position on gun control? | Answer
What is the United Methodist view on the consumption of alcohol? | Answer
What is the United Methodist Church’s position on gambling? | Answer
Why does The United Methodist Church ordain women? | Answer
What is The United Methodist Church's position on cloning? | Answer
What is The United Methodist Church’s position on evolution? | Answer
I have been married before. Can I get remarried and still be a member? | Answer
Can a divorced person serve as clergy in The United Methodist Church? | Answer
Does a person who commits suicide go to hell? | Answer
The UMC accepts cremation and organ donation. How is this consistent with resurrection of the body? | Answer
Does The United Methodist Church believe that masturbation is OK? | Answer
Does The United Methodist Church believe that premarital sex is OK? | Answer
How do statements become official positions of the Church? | Answer
Why do church social policies and U.S. government policies seem so far apart on some issues? | Answer
Why is the Church getting involved in politics? | Answer
When church leaders speak out on a social issue, are they speaking for the Church? | Answer
As a member of The United Methodist Church, do I have to agree with these statements? | Answer