3/1/23

The first name we chose for our congregation was “Christ Church of North Alabama: A Wesleyan Congregation.” We dropped the Wesleyan part because of associations with an established Wesleyan denomination and also with a new group forming from some who disaffiliated from the UMC which used “Wesleyan” in their name. 

But we didn’t drop our beliefs.

I’ve written about why we started  this new congregation, but a lot of people ask me “what do you believe?” I first point them to the historic creeds: the Apostles Creed that we affirm each week, and the Nicene Creed that we save for big days like Christmas and Easter. I believe these contain the basic tenets of Christianity that are the non-negotiables of our faith. They contain the beliefs that bind us all together regardless of denominational affiliation.  

There are other creeds, though. I have a 736 page, small font book entitled Creeds of the Churches. There are Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Anglican, Reformed, Anabaptist, Ecumenical. . . it’s a LOT to wade through. 

But the historical expression of faith that seems to capture the meaning and purpose of our faith and reflects the teachings of the Bible best is the Wesleyan. 

“Wesleyan” comes, of course, from John Wesley. While a student at Oxford, Wesley formed a small band of believers derisively called the “Holy Club,” and later “Methodists.” That last name stuck. Wesley wrote that the sole design of the Methodists was to be “downright Bible-Christians; taking the Bible, as interpreted by the primitive church [early church fathers] … for their whole and sole rule.”

“Downright Bible-Christians.” I like that. Sounds like us.

The unique contributions of Wesleyan theology can be defined in terms of God’s grace. First, there is “prevenient grace” (or “grace that comes before”). Wesley rejected the notions of election and predestination – beliefs that God predetermined who would be saved and who would be lost, and that once God’s Spirit calls you, His grace is irresistible. Instead, Wesley taught that God’s grace reaches out to us before we are saved, making our repentance and belief in Christ possible, and Wesley taught that we have the option to choose or reject God’s free gift. 

Second, Wesley taught that our salvation is by grace alone. There is nothing we can do to earn our salvation; it is the free gift of God (Eph. 2:8). Wesley insisted that such faith is not just saying, “Yes, I believe,” but it is heartfelt trust in Christ for forgiveness of sins and confidence that God saves those who truly believe. Wesleyans teach that the moment we believe,  we are saved.  How do we know?  Believers receive an inward witness of having been delivered from bondage to sin and eternal damnation to freedom from sin and eternal life. Wesley referred to his personal experience as his “heart being strangely warmed.” But this witness is not merely a feeling: it is the work of the Holy Spirit and the beginning of the inward regeneration of character – it is a new birth.

Now, many religious traditions will more or less agree with Wesley up to this point. It’s the third expression of God’s grace that makes Wesleyan theology  unique. 

Third, Wesley taught that the work of the Holy Spirit inwardly in the lives of believers can’t help but make a change in our outward lives. He called this “sanctifying grace” or “holiness”  (the English words for “sanctification” and “holiness” are the same word in Greek).  Holiness has been co-opted by some groups and is understood in terms of outward dress, speaking in tongues, etc., but Wesley understood holiness to refer to the relationship we have with God. 

In the Old Testament, “holiness” meant something belonged to God, and that belonging was tied to ritual. In the New Testament, holiness refers to relationship and is defined by love: “you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength . . . you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Holiness refers to maturity of character and ever-increasing love for God. 

A couple of newsletters ago, I wrote about the “Collect for Purity” we use at the beginning of each service, where we pray God will “cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name.” Wesley taught that this perfect or mature love is possible through the work of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s heart.

When, by the grace of God infused into the soul through the Holy Spirit, our love for God and others is made pure and complete and cannot help but find expression in loving  actions. And so  . . . here we are again: “Loving God . . .Loving Others.” 

Faith working outwardly through love was one of Wesley’s favorite biblical themes, pointing to Paul’s words in Galatians 5:6, “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything; the only thing that counts is faith working through love.”

The only thing that counts. 

And that is why we’re a Wesleyan congregation.

Blessings,
Pastor Terry