Wesleyans on Salvation

[SeenAndUnseen]

Dear Wesleyans,

Greetings. I have come to ask about Wesleyan teaching concerning the salvation of men's souls.

1)What is the way to attain eternal life? Is there a prayer to say, a sacrament that must be received? What is the Wesleyan way?

2)If a Methodist (for example) sins, how does he receive forgiveness of that sin? We Catholics go to Confession for this; how is it done for Wesleyans?

I am here not at all to debate, but only to say hello and to ask honest questions about Wesleyan beliefs. I have been curious about them lately. Thank you for any answers. :wave:

[sinner/SAVED]

We obtain our salvation by the Justifying Grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ.

We maintain our salvation by Sanctifying Grace which enables us to continue on toward perfection.

[SeenAndUnseen]

We obtain our salvation by the Justifying Grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ.

Does this mean that to believe that Jesus is the Messiah who's arrival ancient prophecies foretold, to believe He is fully God and fully man, that he died and bore the wrath of all affliction in remittance of sins, and rose from the dead and now reigns in Heaven, one with the Father and Holy Spirit, is to have salvation? To believe it is true?

We maintain our salvation by Sanctifying Grace which enables us to continue on toward perfection.

Do Wesleyans believe that perfection can be attained during mortal life, or is it an ongoing work of God's Sanctifying Grace alone that will not reach fulfillment until after our deaths?

[kelco]

Does this mean that to believe that Jesus is the Messiah who's arrival ancient prophecies foretold, to believe He is fully God and fully man, that he died and bore the wrath of all affliction in remittance of sins, and rose from the dead and now reigns in Heaven, one with the Father and Holy Spirit, is to have salvation? To believe it is true?

The Apostles creed sums up basics nicely.

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. AMEN.
(In this creed the word catholic is used as the church universal.)



Paul writes in Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; (NASB)



Do Wesleyans believe that perfection can be attained during mortal life, or is it an ongoing work of God's Sanctifying Grace alone that will not reach fulfillment until after our deaths?

Santifying grace is an ongoing work of God. No one will be perfected until we get to heaven.

[AngCath]

Santifying grace is an ongoing work of God. No one will be perfected until we get to heaven.
It sounds like you are describing a similar doctrine to that of theosis. Is that an accurate conclusion or am I off base?

[kelco]

It sounds like you are describing a similar doctrine to that of theosis. Is that an accurate conclusion or am I off base?

Actually very accurate. As far as I can tell from what I read they are pretty much the same thing. Here is a link to articles from Wickipedia on Theosis (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theosis) and Christian Perfection (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Perfection) (entire sanctification). You may read and draw your own conclusions. :)

[sinner/SAVED]

John Wesley very much believed that perfection was possible in our lifetime, although he did not believe that he had attained it.

[kelco]

Yes he did believe that. I personally believe that perfection comes only after we reach heaven.

Phi 1:6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. (NASB)

[svdbygrace]

Dear Wesleyans,

Greetings. I have come to ask about Wesleyan teaching concerning the salvation of men's souls.

Welcome to Wesley's Parish! :wave:


1)What is the way to attain eternal life? Is there a prayer to say, a sacrament that must be received? What is the Wesleyan way?

Salvation is attained through accepting the Justifying (saving) grace that God offers us through faith. We must continue to respond to that grace throughout our lives.


2)If a Methodist (for example) sins, how does he receive forgiveness of that sin? We Catholics go to Confession for this; how is it done for Wesleyans?


Through Confession... not to a Presbyter (Elder) or Bishop though but directly to God. Most Methodist services include a prayer of confession... but it's always directed to God, with the "absoultion" being that God forgives us from the Minister.

I am here not at all to debate, but only to say hello and to ask honest questions about Wesleyan beliefs. I have been curious about them lately. Thank you for any answers. :wave:

Hope that answered your questions. :)

[SeenAndUnseen]

So it is by belief that salvation comes.

Absolution is on given when the minister says, but you ask God on your own for forgiveness anytime you want? (but it isn't officially bestowed until the minister pronounces it after the general confession at the church service?)

Forgive me for all the questions! I'm Catholic, and these matters are rather complicated for us, so I am inclined to be very specific in what I ask. Thank you all for the responses! I am grateful and I am trying to learn.

[overnight]

So it is by belief that salvation comes.

Absolution is on given when the minister says, but you ask God on your own for forgiveness anytime you want? (but it isn't officially bestowed until the minister pronounces it after the general confession at the church service?)

Forgive me for all the questions! I'm Catholic, and these matters are rather complicated for us, so I am inclined to be very specific in what I ask. Thank you all for the responses! I am grateful and I am trying to learn.

We believe we can ask for salvation at anytime. In the privacy of our room or amoung thousands of people at the beach or at church at the alter.

never fear to ask questions here though we are a helpful group and hope to help all commers better understand. (by the way welsome to WP)

[AngCath]

What role do the Sacraments play in one's process towards perfection?

[rj141]

Keep in mind I can only speak for The United Methodist Church although I'm assuming the Church of the Nazarene is the same.

Methodism only recognizes two sacraments: Baptism and the Lord's Supper.

Sacraments ordained of Christ are not only badges or tokens of Christian men's profession, but rather they are certain signs of grace, and God's good will toward us, by which he doth work invisibly in us, and doth not only quicken, but also strengthen and confirm, our faith in him.
There are two Sacraments ordained of Christ our Lord in the Gospel; that is to say, Baptism and the Supper of the Lord.



The Sacraments were not ordained of Christ to be gazed upon, or to be carried about; but that we should duly use them. And in such only as worthily receive the same, they have a wholesome effect or operation; but they that receive them unworthily, purchase to themselves condemnation, as St. Paul saith.


- Articles of Religion, The Methodist Church

We believe the Sacraments, ordained by Christ, are symbols and pledges of the Christian's profession and of God's love toward us. They are means of grace by which God works invisibly in us, quickening, strengthening and confirming our faith in him. Two Sacraments are ordained by Christ our Lord, namely Baptism and the Lord's Supper.
We believe Baptism signifies entrance into the household of faith, and is a symbol of repentance and inner cleansing from sin, a representation of the new birth in Christ Jesus and a mark of Christian discipleship.
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 personal acceptance of Christ, and by profession of faith confirm their Baptism.
We believe the Lord's Supper is a representation of our redemption, a memorial of the sufferings and death of Christ, and a token of love and union which Christians have with Christ and with one another. Those who rightly, worthily and in faith eat the broken bread and drink the blessed cup partake of the body and blood of Christ in a spiritual manner until he comes.


- Articles of Religion, The United Brethren in Christ (which united with The Methodist Church in 1968 to form The United Methodist Church)

The Church of the Nazerene believes Baptism and Holy Communion (Euchariste, The Lord's Supper) to be the two sacraments as well.

John Wesley would say that sacraments are an "outward sign of an inward grace." Essentially every part of a Christian's walk with the Lord is a journey towards entire sanctification, or Christian Perfection.

And on a different topic:

Santifying grace is an ongoing work of God. No one will be perfected until we get to heaven.

John Wesley wholeheartedly believed and preached entire sanctification or Christian Perfection was achievable and possible in this lifetime.

I wanted to post links to the UMC website, the Nazarene website, A Plain Account of Christian Perfection, and John Wesley's sermon 76: On Perfection however I can't post links yet.

Hope this helped! (even though I strayed a little from answering your question) :P

Oh well!

Love hard!

[SweetDaisyMae]

I would like to know what does God require of us as believers, if anything? I'm new here, would like some answers to some difficult questions, and probably am a little confused in a lot of things. :)

[markbelieves]

1)What is the way to attain eternal life? Is there a prayer to say, a sacrament that must be received? What is the Wesleyan way?
Accept the grace given freely by God through Jesus, and repent of our sins. It is not just a matter of believing in Jesus but in accepting the sacrifice that He made for us


2)If a Methodist (for example) sins, how does he receive forgiveness of that sin? We Catholics go to Confession for this; how is it done for Wesleyans?



Ask God for forgiveness. Forgiveness comes from God. We can confess to each other if we wish, or to our minister if we like, but our not required to do so. But no matter, forgiveness still comes only from God.

Peace,

Mark

[sinner/SAVED]

I would like to know what does God require of us as believers, if anything? I'm new here, would like some answers to some difficult questions, and probably am a little confused in a lot of things. :)

Welcome!

The Wesley Parish community would love to help, but more specific questions would make the answers better.

For example, in answer to your general question, my answer would be: God requires much of us.

[afrancis777]

According to Wesley, salvation is from Grace through Faith, alone. This means that salvation is available to everyone, and there is no magical prayer; you just have to believe pretty much the Apostles Creed. That faith is what saves you because God has grace on you.

[svdbygrace]

So it is by belief that salvation comes.

Absolution is on given when the minister says, but you ask God on your own for forgiveness anytime you want? (but it isn't officially bestowed until the minister pronounces it after the general confession at the church service?)

Forgive me for all the questions! I'm Catholic, and these matters are rather complicated for us, so I am inclined to be very specific in what I ask. Thank you all for the responses! I am grateful and I am trying to learn.

Forgiveness is given to us from God whenever we confess our sins and ask for it.

In the Eucharistic (Communion) Liturgy there is a Confessional Prayer (i'm guessing the same at most UMC's :confused: ) it's similar to the "Most merciful God we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed" that appears in the Anglican BCP.

The "Absolution" is simply the Minister saying that God forgives us when we confess our sins to Him or something similar.

[MakeItSo]

Dear Wesleyans,

Greetings. I have come to ask about Wesleyan teaching concerning the salvation of men's souls.

1)What is the way to attain eternal life? Is there a prayer to say, a sacrament that must be received? What is the Wesleyan way?

2)If a Methodist (for example) sins, how does he receive forgiveness of that sin? We Catholics go to Confession for this; how is it done for Wesleyans?

I am here not at all to debate, but only to say hello and to ask honest questions about Wesleyan beliefs. I have been curious about them lately. Thank you for any answers. :wave:


I am not a Westlian, though I was born and raised a Nazarene.

I am a believer of Christ Jesus and to Him I owe glory, honor and praises.

John Wesley needed Jesus too.

Please don't preach anything other than Jesus Christ and Him crucified. It confuses baby Christians into following doctrines of man rather than Christ and the Holy Word of God.

[IndianaJesusfreak]

Almost everyone is familiar with John 3:16. However, many people misunderstand what it means. The "whosoever believeth in him" part is where the confusion comes in. If you truely believe in Jesus you will believe what he taught. He started out his ministry with the same thing John the Baptist taught. "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

Just believing that Jesus is the Son of God is not enough if you don't obey his teachings. After all, even the devil believes in Jesus.

So repenting (turning away from your sins), and asking forgiveness is the way to salvation.

Keeping the commandments (which can be summed up in two simple commands) is the way to stay in God's grace.
Luke 10:25-28.
On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
"What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?"
He answered: " ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ ;and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’"
"You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live."

We don't have to confess our sins to any man nor do we ask a deceased saint to pray for us.
1 Timothy 2:5.
For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

There is no sacrament necessary for salvation. The sacrafice of Jesus on the cross was sufficient.