To understand the call on John Wesley you have to understand
how he first learned about Jesus. His
father was a minister. Even though his
father was a minister his mom played a vital role to his first understanding of
Jesus. At a young age he learned about
discipline, dedication and the love of God.
It was when he was five years old when his life was changed
forever. The house that his family lived
in caught on fire. Miraculously he
survived even though he was on the second floor. It was then that he knew that God saved him
for something miraculously.
When he grew up his father wanted him to go away for more
education. It was his mother that
convinced him to go into the ministry. John
and his brother Charles went on a mission trip to the United States. He had
gone to the United States to change the religious views of Native Americans. It was while he was in the United States that
he experienced the second life changing event.
During a meeting he felt the Holy Spirit and realized that he was the
one that was changed.
He returned to England and his true missionary work
began. He spent the remainder of his
life traveling from one location to the next preaching. He often had four or five services a
day. He composed many of the sermons as
he was riding his house to the next site.
The biggest impact that he had on Christianity was the
teaching of grace through faith alone. He
challenged Calvinism which believed in predestination. Wesley believed that a person would have the
opportunity to hear the word. They then
could come to find salvation by putting their faith in Jesus. He believed that people were sinners who were
saved. Yet, he also believed that a
person would come to the time that they would not commit sins and would live a
different kind of life.
His theology and sermons have influenced many different
religions. The Methodist church now has
millions of followers.
No comments:
Post a Comment