What We Believe
A People Shaped by Grace
At First Church, everything we believe—and everything we practice—is shaped by grace.
We are a United Methodist Congregation who practice our faith in connection with the local and global connection of United Methodists across the world. Our beliefs have been developed in conversation with one another, the historical breadth of Christianity, and ultimately with the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments.
In the Wesleyan tradition, following the teaching of John Wesley, we understand grace as the active, loving presence of God at work in every part of our lives. Grace is not something we earn. It is God’s gift—freely given, constantly offered, and always inviting us into deeper relationship.
We believe that God’s grace meets us before we even know to look for God, welcomes and forgives us through Jesus Christ, and continues to transform us into people of love.
Grace is where our story begins. Grace is what sustains us. And grace is what sends us out—flooding the Treasure Coast with the transformational love of Jesus.
The God We Worship
We believe in one God, revealed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—a community of love who creates, redeems, and sustains the world.
God the Father: Creator and Source of Life
We believe in God the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth, the source of all that is seen and unseen.
In love, God created the world and called it good, forming humanity in his image for relationship—with God, with one another, and with creation itself. Even when humanity turned away, God remained faithful, continually working to restore and renew all things.
The Father is both holy and loving—just and merciful—reigning over all creation while drawing near with compassion and care.
From beginning to end, Scripture reveals a God who does not abandon his world, but is actively bringing about new creation.
Jesus Christ: God With Us
We believe in Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, fully divine and fully human.
For us and for our salvation, he came down from heaven, was incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and lived among us. He proclaimed the kingdom of God, revealed the heart of the Father, and embodied perfect love.
He was crucified, died, and was buried. On the third day he rose again. 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.
In Jesus, we see not only who God is—but who we are becoming. And through him, we are invited into a new way of life.
The Holy Spirit: God Present With Us
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
The Spirit is present and active in the world today—awakening faith, convicting of sin, offering new birth, and empowering the Church for mission.
Through the Holy Spirit, we are united to Christ, formed into his likeness, and equipped with gifts to love and serve.
The Spirit leads us into truth, sustains us in grace, and sends us out to participate in God’s work in the world.
The Story We Live In
We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God and contains all things necessary for salvation.
Scripture tells the story of creation, fall, redemption, and restoration—and ultimately points us to Jesus Christ.
It is our primary authority for faith and practice. We read it with the guidance of tradition, reason, and experience, trusting that God is still speaking and forming us today.
Salvation: A Life Being Made New
We believe salvation is not just a moment—it is a lifelong journey.
God reaches out to every person in love, inviting us into relationship. Through Jesus Christ, we are forgiven, restored, and welcomed into God’s family. Through the Holy Spirit, we are continually being transformed—growing in love, freedom, and holiness.
God is not only concerned with where we go after we die, but with who we are becoming right now.
The Church: A Community of Love
We believe the Church is the body of Christ—a community called to worship God, grow in faith, and serve the world.
The Church does not exist for itself. We are sent into the world to embody the love of Jesus in tangible ways—through compassion, justice, mercy, and mission.
As United Methodists, we share in a calling “to spread scriptural holiness over the land.” For us, that means living out our faith both personally and socially—joining God’s work of renewal right here on the Treasure Coast.
The Sacraments: Visible Signs of Invisible Grace
We believe that God’s grace is not only something we understand—it is something we experience.
In the Methodist tradition, we recognize two sacraments: Baptism and Holy Communion.
Baptism marks the beginning of new life in Christ. It is a sign of God’s grace at work in us before we can respond (in the case of early childhood baptism) or God’s grace at work in us as we place our whole trust in his Grace. It is a powerful reminder that we belong to God and to one another.
Holy Communion is the meal Jesus gave us to remember him and encounter his presence. At the table, we receive the grace of Christ, are nourished in faith, and are united as one body.
We believe Christ is truly present in Communion spiritually, and that all who seek him are welcome at the table.
These are means of grace—ordinary practices through which God does extraordinary work.
How We Grow: The Means of Grace
We believe God forms us through everyday practices.
Prayer, Scripture, worship, Communion, and acts of mercy and justice are ways we open our lives to God’s transforming presence.
These are not obligations—they are invitations into a deeper life with God.
A Living Faith for a Changing World
We believe theology is a living conversation.
The United Methodist tradition calls this “our theological task”—faithfully interpreting Scripture in ways that are rooted in tradition, responsive to human experience, and open to the Spirit’s ongoing work.
This means we hold deep convictions, while also making space for honest questions.
We believe faith seeks understanding.
Our Doctrinal Standards
We stand within the historic, orthodox Christian faith, rooted in Scripture and expressed through the teachings of the Church across time.
For United Methodists, our formal doctrinal standards include:
These historic statements of faith form the foundation of our shared belief and keep us rooted in the truth of the gospel.
What This Means for You
You don’t have to have everything figured out to belong here.
You are invited to come as you are—to explore faith, ask honest questions, encounter grace, and grow into the life God has created you for.
Because what we believe is not just a set of ideas.
It’s an invitation into a new way of life.