Methodism

===Salvation===
[[File:Sankt Georgen am Laengsee Launsdorf Kreisverkehr Bildstock Kreuzigung Christi 02122015 2428.jpg|thumb|Methodists believe Jesus Christ died for all humanity, not a limited few: the doctrine of [[unlimited atonement]].]]

Wesleyan Methodists identify with the [[Arminian]] conception of [[free will]], as opposed to the [[theological determinism]] of absolute [[predestination]].<ref>{{cite book|first=Roger E. |last=Olson|title=Arminian Theology: Myths and Realities|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5P0oPZraEQsC&pg=PA33|year=2009|publisher=InterVarsity Press|page=33|isbn=978-0830874439}}</ref>{{#tag:ref|''Arminianism'' is named after [[Jacobus Arminius]], a Dutch theologian who was trained to preach [[Calvinism]] but concluded that ''some'' aspects of Calvinism had to be modified in the light of Scripture.<ref>Parkyns, Edgar (1996). ''His Waiting Bride'', pp&nbsp;169–170, {{ISBN|0-9526800-0-9}}</ref> Arminians as well as Calvinists appeal to Scripture and the early [[Church Father]]s to support their respective views, however the differences remain{{snd}}Arminianism holds to the role of [[Free will in theology#Christianity|free will]] in salvation and rejects the doctrines of [[predestination]] and [[unconditional election]].<ref>Ashby, Stephen "Reformed Arminianism" ''Four Views on Eternal Security'' (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002), 137</ref> John Wesley was perhaps the clearest English proponent of Arminian theology.<ref>John Wesley, [http://www.ccel.org/ccel/wesley/sermons.toc.html Sermons on Several Occasions] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140131051225/http://www.ccel.org/ccel/wesley/sermons.toc.html |date=31 January 2014 }} for further detail.</ref>|group="nb"|name="Arminianism"}} Methodism teaches that [[Salvation in Christianity#Arminianism|salvation]] is initiated when one chooses to respond to God, who draws the individual near to him (the Wesleyan doctrine of [[prevenient grace]]), thus teaching [[synergism]].<ref name="Olson2002">{{cite book|last=Olson|first=Roger E.|title=The Mosaic of Christian Belief: Twenty Centuries of Unity & Diversity|date=2002|publisher=InterVarsity Press|isbn=978-0830826957|page=281|quote=Two examples of Christian synergism are the Catholic reformer Erasmus, who was roughly contemporary with Luther, and the 17th-century Dutch theologian Arminius. John Wesley, founder of the Methodist tradition, was also a synergist with regard to salvation.}}</ref><ref name="2002Olson">{{cite book|last=Olson|first=Roger E.|title=The Mosaic of Christian Belief: Twenty Centuries of Unity & Diversity|date= 2002|publisher=InterVarsity Press|language=en|isbn=978-0830826957|page=281|quote=About one hundred and twenty-five years later, the English revivalist and Methodist founder Wesley taught the same basic syneristic view of salvation based on belief in God's prevenient grace enabling fallen sinners to respond freely to God's offer of saving grace.}}</ref> Methodists interpret Scripture as teaching that the [[atonement in Christianity|saving work]] of Jesus Christ is for all people ([[unlimited atonement]]) but effective only to those who respond and believe, in accordance with the [[Reformation]] principles of ''[[sola gratia]]'' (grace alone) and ''[[sola fide]]'' (faith alone).<ref>Davies, Gwyn (2002). "A Light in the Land" (2002). p. 46. {{ISBN|1-85049-181-X}}.</ref> John Wesley taught four key points fundamental to Methodism:
# A person is free not only to reject salvation but also to accept it by an act of free will.
# All people who are obedient to [[the gospel]] according to the measure of knowledge given them will be saved.
# The Holy Spirit assures a Christian that they are [[Justification (theology)|justified]] by faith in Jesus ([[assurance (theology)|assurance of faith]]).<ref name="AbrahamKirby"/><ref name="Yates2015">{{cite book |last1=Yates |first1=Arthur S. |title=The Doctrine of Assurance: With Special Reference to John Wesley |date=2015 |publisher=Wipf and Stock Publishers |isbn=978-1498205047 |language=en |quote=Writing to Arthur Bedford on 4th August 1738, Wesley says: 'That assurance of which alone I speak, I should not choose to call an assurance of salvation, but rather (with the Scriptures) the assurance of faith.}}</ref>
# Christians in this life are capable of [[Christian perfection#Wesleyan teaching|Christian perfection]] and are commanded by God to pursue it.<ref name="Harper">Harper, J. Steven (1983). ''The Way to Heaven: The Gospel According to John Wesley'', {{ISBN|0-310-25260-1}}.</ref>

After the [[first work of grace]] (the new birth),<ref name="Stokes1998"/> Methodist [[soteriology]] emphasizes the importance of the pursuit of holiness in salvation,<ref name="Joyner2007">{{cite book|last=Joyner|first=F. Belton|title=United Methodist Answers|year=2007|publisher=Westminster John Knox Press|isbn=978-0664230395|page=80|quote=Jacob Albright, founder of the movement that led to the Evangelical Church flow in The United Methodist Church, got into trouble with some of his Lutheran, Reformed, and Mennonite neighbors because he insisted that salvation not only involved ritual but meant a change of heart, a different way of living.}}</ref> a concept best summarized in a quote by Methodist evangelist [[Phoebe Palmer]] who stated that "justification would have ended with me had I refused to be holy."<ref name="Sawyer2016">{{cite book|last=Sawyer|first=M. James|title=The Survivor's Guide to Theology|year=2016|publisher=Wipf and Stock Publishers|language=en|isbn=978-1498294058|page=363}}</ref> Thus, for Methodists, "true faith ... cannot subsist without works."<ref name="Knight2013">{{cite web|url=http://www.catalystresources.org/wesley-on-faith-and-good-works/|title=Wesley on Faith and Good Works|last=Knight III|first=Henry H.|date=9 July 2013|publisher=AFTE|language=en|access-date=21 May 2018}}</ref> Methodism, inclusive of the [[holiness movement]], thus teaches that "justification [is made] conditional on obedience and progress in [[Sanctification in Christianity#Methodist|sanctification]]",<ref name="Sawyer2016"/> emphasizing "a deep reliance upon Christ not only in coming to faith, but in remaining in the faith."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timothytennent.com/2011/07/09/means-of-grace-why-i-am-a-methodist-and-an-evangelical-part-3/|title=Means of Grace: Why I am a Methodist and an Evangelical|last=Tennent|first=Timothy|date=9 July 2011|publisher=[[Asbury Theological Seminary]]|language=en|access-date=21 May 2018}}</ref> John Wesley taught that the keeping of the moral law contained in the [[Ten Commandments]],<ref name="Campbell2011">{{cite book|last=Campbell|first=Ted A.|title=Methodist Doctrine: The Essentials|edition=2nd|date=2011|publisher=Abingdon Press|language=en|isbn=978-1426753473|pages=40, 68–69}}</ref> as well as engaging in the [[works of piety]] and the [[works of mercy]], were "indispensable for our sanctification".<ref name="Knight2013"/>

Methodists also believe in the [[second work of grace]]{{snd}}Christian perfection, also known as entire sanctification, which removes [[original sin]] and makes the believer holy.<ref name="Stokes1998"/> 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."<ref>Wesley, John. ''The Works of John Wesley'', Third Edition., vol. 12 (London, England: Wesleyan Methodist Book Room, 1872), p. 432.</ref><ref name="Whidden2005">{{cite web |last1=Whidden |first1=Woodrow W. |title=Adventist Theology: The Wesleyan Connection |url=https://adventistbiblicalresearch.org/es/node/203 |publisher=Biblical Research Institute |access-date=30 June 2019 |language=English |date=18 April 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190630044749/https://adventistbiblicalresearch.org/es/node/203|archive-date=30 June 2019}}</ref>

Methodist churches teach that [[Apostasy in Christianity|apostasy]] can occur through a loss of faith or through [[Christian views on sin#Methodist views|sinning]].<ref name="Pinson2002">{{cite book |last1=Pinson |first1=J. Matthew |title=Four Views on Eternal Security |date=2002 |publisher=Harper Collins |isbn=978-0310234395 |page=18 |language=English |quote=While for Arminius loss of salvation came only through ceasing to believe in Christ, Wesleyans held that it could result from eiter unbelief or unconfessed sin. ... Anabaptists (e.g., Mennonites, Brethren) and Restorationists (e.g., the Churches of Christ, Christian Churches, Disciples of Christ) have traditionally tended towards doctrines of salvation{{snd}}similar to that of Wesleyan Arminianism without affirming a "second blessing" and entire sanctification. There have always been some in these groups, however, who has espoused a view more akin to Reformed Arminianism. Many traditional Lutherans also affirm the possibility of apostasy and reconversion.}}</ref><ref name="Robinson2016">{{cite web |last1=Robinson |first1=Jeff |title=Meet a Reformed Arminian |url=https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/meet-a-reformed-arminian/ |publisher=[[The Gospel Coalition]] |access-date=16 June 2019 |language=English |date=25 August 2016 |quote=Reformed Arminianism's understanding of apostasy veers from the Wesleyan notion that individuals may repeatedly fall from grace by committing individual sins and may be repeatedly restored to a state of grace through penitence.}}</ref> If a person [[backsliding|backslides]] but later decides to return to God, he or she must confess his or her sins and be entirely sanctified again (the Arminian doctrine of [[conditional security]]).<ref name="Robinson">{{cite web |last1=Robinson |first1=Jeff |title=Meet a Reformed Arminian |url=https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/meet-a-reformed-arminian/ |publisher=[[The Gospel Coalition]] |access-date=16 June 2019 |language=en |date=25 August 2016 |quote=Reformed Arminianism's understanding of apostasy veers from the Wesleyan notion that individuals may repeatedly fall from grace by committing individual sins and may be repeatedly restored to a state of grace through penitence.}}</ref><ref name="CaugheyAllen1850">{{cite book |last1=Caughey |first1=James |last2=Allen |first2=Ralph William |title=Methodism in Earnest |url=https://archive.org/details/methodisminearn00wisegoog |date=1850 |publisher=Charles H. Peirce |language=en |quote=She had lost the blessing of entire sanctification; but a few days after this she obtained it again.}}</ref>
{{See also|Baptism with the Holy Spirit}}