Basic Doctrines
What we believe shapes who we are and what we do. At First Methodist Church Long Beach, we base what we believe on the foundational truths taught in the Bible. Our vision to know Jesus and to make Jesus known is shaped by these Biblical doctrines.
God
We believe God exists as the Trinity, meaning God is Three in One. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God the Father created us and loves the world so much that He sent Jesus to demonstrate that love for us. Jesus, The Son, demonstrates the Father's love by offering himself as a sacrifice in order to grant forgiveness and salvation to us. The Holy Spirit is God's Presence with us now, who lives the hearts of believers. The Holy Spirit empowers us to live as followers of Jesus and enables us to love the way God loves.
The Bible
We believe the Bible is the Word of God. It is the primary rule and authority for faith, morals, and service. It tells us everything we need for salvation.
We believe the Bible is inspired by the Holy Spirit and tells the stories of God's chosen people and how God sent Jesus to live among us at just the right time. The Bible tells us the story of Jesus's life, death, and resurrection and it helps us understand our role in God's story.
We believe the Bible is inspired by the Holy Spirit and tells the stories of God's chosen people and how God sent Jesus to live among us at just the right time. The Bible tells us the story of Jesus's life, death, and resurrection and it helps us understand our role in God's story.
Salvation
God created humanity in his own image. Sin entered the world and marred that image. Humanity has been marred and marked by sin ever since. All persons have sinned and need salvation. Salvation is provided to us through Jesus and his death. His resurrection grants us new life. Salvation comes to us by grace through faith.
We believe God's grace is Prevenient in that God's grace goes before us and pursues us even while we are still far from God. We believe God's grace is Justifying in that it makes us right with God through the sacrifice of Jesus through our faith in him. We believe God's grace is Sanctifying in that it transforms us into the likeness of Jesus and empowers us to live and love like Jesus lives and loves.
We believe God's grace is Prevenient in that God's grace goes before us and pursues us even while we are still far from God. We believe God's grace is Justifying in that it makes us right with God through the sacrifice of Jesus through our faith in him. We believe God's grace is Sanctifying in that it transforms us into the likeness of Jesus and empowers us to live and love like Jesus lives and loves.
Baptism
We believe baptism is a sacrament. That means it is a visible, tangible sign of God’s grace and his Holy Spirit is present. Baptism is the way we become part of Christ’s body, the church. Baptism is the way we celebrate the grace God offers to us. When the water washes over us in baptism, we leave our old lives behind and are given a new life in Jesus. The act of baptism is a free gift from God to us.
The Meaning of Baptism
Baptism is a sacred act through which we are united with Christ in his death and resurrection. Through it, we turn away from sin, are raised to new life in him, and become part of the Body of Christ. By the power of the Holy Spirit, we are strengthened to grow in faith and pursue holiness.
Baptism is God’s gracious gift to us, made possible through the saving work of Jesus Christ. It is also our promise to follow him as his disciples. Jesus commanded the Church to baptize his followers (Matthew 28:19), and the early Church faithfully carried out this practice (Acts 2:38). Scripture records that entire households were baptized (Acts 10:24, 47–48; 16:15, 33; 18:8; 1 Corinthians 1:16), which likely included children.
The inclusion of infants in baptism reflects the covenant tradition of the Old Testament, where male infants were circumcised on the eighth day (Genesis 17:9–14). The Apostle Paul connects these two covenant signs in Colossians 2:11–12. For this reason, Methodists have long practiced infant baptism.
As stated in the Confession of Faith of the Evangelical United Brethren Church:
“We believe children are under the atonement of Christ and, as heirs of the Kingdom of God, are acceptable subjects for Christian baptism. Children of believing parents, through baptism, become the special responsibility of the church. They should be nurtured and led to a personal acceptance of Christ, and by profession of faith confirm their baptism.”
Parents, in consultation with their pastor, will decide the appropriate time for their child’s baptism.
The Mode and Practice of Baptism
Baptism is a sacred act of grace and new life. In our church, baptism may be performed by sprinkling, pouring, or immersion — all using water as the outward and visible sign of God’s saving work.
Each person is baptized “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). Through baptism, we experience the inward and spiritual grace of dying to sin and being born anew into righteousness — united with Christ in his death and resurrection.
Baptism is always celebrated in the presence of the gathered congregation, symbolizing that we are welcomed into the universal Church — the Body of Christ. The congregation joins in promising to support the newly baptized, to grow together in faith, and to remember their own baptismal promises.
Those preparing for baptism, and parents or sponsors presenting children, receive guidance in the Christian faith and in the meaning of baptism.
Because baptism marks our initiation into Christ’s holy Church, it occurs only once in a person’s life. The Sacrament of Holy Communion serves as our ongoing reminder and renewal of those baptismal vows. We may also reaffirm our baptismal covenant through special services of remembrance and renewal.
The Meaning of Baptism
Baptism is a sacred act through which we are united with Christ in his death and resurrection. Through it, we turn away from sin, are raised to new life in him, and become part of the Body of Christ. By the power of the Holy Spirit, we are strengthened to grow in faith and pursue holiness.
Baptism is God’s gracious gift to us, made possible through the saving work of Jesus Christ. It is also our promise to follow him as his disciples. Jesus commanded the Church to baptize his followers (Matthew 28:19), and the early Church faithfully carried out this practice (Acts 2:38). Scripture records that entire households were baptized (Acts 10:24, 47–48; 16:15, 33; 18:8; 1 Corinthians 1:16), which likely included children.
The inclusion of infants in baptism reflects the covenant tradition of the Old Testament, where male infants were circumcised on the eighth day (Genesis 17:9–14). The Apostle Paul connects these two covenant signs in Colossians 2:11–12. For this reason, Methodists have long practiced infant baptism.
As stated in the Confession of Faith of the Evangelical United Brethren Church:
“We believe children are under the atonement of Christ and, as heirs of the Kingdom of God, are acceptable subjects for Christian baptism. Children of believing parents, through baptism, become the special responsibility of the church. They should be nurtured and led to a personal acceptance of Christ, and by profession of faith confirm their baptism.”
Parents, in consultation with their pastor, will decide the appropriate time for their child’s baptism.
The Mode and Practice of Baptism
Baptism is a sacred act of grace and new life. In our church, baptism may be performed by sprinkling, pouring, or immersion — all using water as the outward and visible sign of God’s saving work.
Each person is baptized “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). Through baptism, we experience the inward and spiritual grace of dying to sin and being born anew into righteousness — united with Christ in his death and resurrection.
Baptism is always celebrated in the presence of the gathered congregation, symbolizing that we are welcomed into the universal Church — the Body of Christ. The congregation joins in promising to support the newly baptized, to grow together in faith, and to remember their own baptismal promises.
Those preparing for baptism, and parents or sponsors presenting children, receive guidance in the Christian faith and in the meaning of baptism.
Because baptism marks our initiation into Christ’s holy Church, it occurs only once in a person’s life. The Sacrament of Holy Communion serves as our ongoing reminder and renewal of those baptismal vows. We may also reaffirm our baptismal covenant through special services of remembrance and renewal.
Communion
We believe communion is a sacrament. That means it is a visible, tangible sign of God’s grace and his Holy Spirit is present. Jesus used the tangible elements of bread and the cup to explain to his disciples that his body would be broken and his blood would be shed for them.
At our church, we celebrate this meal by sharing bread and juice on the first Sunday of each month. We celebrate by intinction which means each person is given a piece of bread and they dip it in the cup of juice before consuming it.
At our church, we celebrate this meal by sharing bread and juice on the first Sunday of each month. We celebrate by intinction which means each person is given a piece of bread and they dip it in the cup of juice before consuming it.
The Church
The Church is meant to be the visible body of Christ, sent into the world to glorify God and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.
To be a member of our local church is to partner with us as together we know Jesus and make Jesus known.
To be a member of our local church is to partner with us as together we know Jesus and make Jesus known.
Take a deeper dive...
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Global Methodist Church
First Methodist Church Long Beach is part of the Global Methodist Church of Mississippi and West Tennessee. To find our more about the GMC and to download the Book of Doctrines and Discipline, click the button below.
