Learn More About First Methodist Carlsbad

• We believe in one true God, who has revealed Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
• God the Father is the Creator and Sustainer of all things.
• God the Son, Jesus Christ, is fully God and fully human. He lived, died, and bodily rose again to restore our relationship with God.
• God the Holy Spirit empowers and guides us, transforming hearts and lives.

The Holy Bible, both Old and New Testaments, is God’s inspired Word and our ultimate guide for faith and daily life. It contains everything we need to know for salvation and spiritual growth.

Salvation is a gift of grace from God—something we can’t earn but receive by faith in Jesus Christ. Through His life, death, and resurrection, we are forgiven, made new, and invited into an eternal relationship with God. The journey of saving grace that God invites us to includes:

• Prevenient Grace – God’s love at work in our lives before we even realize it.
• Justifying Grace – The moment we turn to Jesus in faith and receive forgiveness.
• Sanctifying Grace – A lifelong process of growing in love and holiness.

The Church is the Body of Christ, called to worship, serve, and share God’s love with the world. Every believer has a role to play, and we encourage active participation in worship, small groups, and acts of mission and service in the world.

Baptism is a sacrament of God’s grace, signifying new life in Christ and entrance into the church family.

We baptize both children and adults because we believe baptism is about God’s work in us, not just our response. Because Baptism is about God’s actions, not ours, we believe God’s grace is at work in various modes of water baptism: sprinkling, pouring, and full immersion. 

• Infant & Child Baptism – We baptize children as a sign of God’s grace already at work in their lives. As they mature, they are invited to confirm their faith as they make a public profession of their faith beliefs before the congregation.
• Adult Baptism – Those who come to faith after childhood are baptized through their own profession of faith in Jesus Christ.

We celebrate Holy Communion each week as a sacred meal where we find ourselves in the story of Christ’s death and resurrection and experience the real presence of his sacrificed and risen life among us. There is no such thing as a “Methodist table.” We believe in God’s Table, and this Table is open to all who earnestly repent of their sin and long to draw closer to God through Jesus Christ.

We believe God calls every Christian to live out their faith in daily life. Every believer is gifted for ministry, whether in their workplace, family, or community.

• The Call of Laity – Laypeople are called to serve in worship, mission, discipleship, and daily witness. They are essential in spreading the Gospel and living out their faith in the world.
• The Call of Clergy – Some are called to set-apart ministry, serving as pastors, teachers, and shepherds of the church. These clergy are trained and ordained to preach, administer the sacraments, and equip the Church for mission and ministry.

We affirm and celebrate the calling of both clergy and laity and believe in equipping every believer to fulfill their God-given purpose.

Faith isn’t just about what we believe—it’s about how we live it out.

• We seek to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength and to love our neighbors as ourselves.
• We are called to pursue holiness—a life transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit.
• We are committed to justice, mercy, and spreading scriptural holiness in the world.

We believe in the resurrection of the dead and the life to come. Jesus will return, and His kingdom will have no end. In Him, we have the promise of eternal joy and restoration.