09/02/2023
We are studying Methodist Beliefs in our worship time at Salem Methodist in Gallatin. Below are some definitions of terminology in Methodism. ALL shown are the results I have copied from various sources. I take NO CREDIT for the content.
New Birth: Doctrines promulgated by the Methodists, such as the necessity of a new birth for salvation – the first work of grace
Assurance: As a general term in theological use, assurance refers to a believer's confidence in God, God's response to prayer, and the hope of eternal salvation. In Protestant Doctrine, the term "assurance", also known as the Witness of the Spirit, affirms that the inner witness of the Holy Spirit allows the Christian disciple to know that he or she is Justified. Based on the writings of, St. Augustine of Hippo assurance was historically an important doctrine in Lutheranism Calvinism, and remains a distinguishing doctrine of Methodism and Quakerism, although there are differences among these Christian traditions. Hymns that celebrate the witness of the Holy Spirit, such as “Blessed Assurance”are sung in Christian liturgies to celebrate the belief in assurance.
Imparted Righteousness: Is that gracious gift of God given at the moment of the new birth which enables a Christian Disciple to strive for holiness and sanctification. John Wesley believed that imparted righteousness worked in tandem with imputed righteousness. Imputed righteousness is the righteousness of Jesus credited to the Christian, enabling the Christian to be justified; imparted righteousness is what God does in Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit after justification, working in the Christian to enable and empower the process of sanctification (and, in Wesleyan thought, Christian Perfection.)
Entire Sanctification: Wesley specifically taught that the propagation of the doctrine of entire sanctification was the reason that God raised up the Methodists in the world. In light of this, Methodists traditionally promote the motto "Holiness unto the Lord". John Wesley taught that the keeping of the moral law contained in the Ten Commandments, as well as engaging in the works of piety and the works of mercy, were "indispensable for our sanctification". Second Work of Grace: entire sanctification, which removes
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original sin and makes the believer holy. John Wesley explained, "entire sanctification, or Christian perfection, is neither more nor less than pure love; love expelling sin, and governing both the heart and life of a child of God. The Refiner's fire purges out all that is contrary to love."
Works of Piety: in Methodism , are certain spiritual disciplines that along with the "works of mercy", serve as a means of grace, and are necessary for Christian perfection. All Methodist Christians, laity and ordained, are expected to employ them. The Works of Piety are:
1. Prayer
2. Searching the Scriptures
3. Holy Communion
4. Fasting
5. Christian community
6. Healthy living
Creeds: Statements of Faith
Arminian Doctrine: John Wesley came under the influence of the Dutch theologian Jacobus Armininius (1560–1609). Arminius had rejected the Calvinist teaching that God had Pre-ordained an elect number of people to eternal bliss while others perished eternally.
Class Meetings: Weekly Meetings set up to encourage and reinforce Holiness.
Peter Boehler: December 31, 1712 – April 27, 1775) was a German-English Moravian bishop and missionary who was influential in the Moravian Church in the Americas and England during the eighteenth century. Bohler was one of the many missionaries sent out to the Americas in the early 18th century by the leader of the Moravian Church, Nicolaus Ludwig Zinzendorf.
