Part Four: Means of Grace and Doctrine of Church Wesleyan Theology Part Four: Means of Grace and Doctrine of Church

Christ as the Only Source of Grace There can be no merit in the works of humankind. Only Christ can serve as the sufficient means of Grace within Protestant traditions. So what did Wesley understand by the term “Means of Grace?”

Means of Grace “By ‘means of grace’ I understand outward signs, words or actions ordained by God, and appointed to this end, to be the ordinary [or historical] channels whereby He [sic] might convey to men [sic] preventing, justifying or sanctifying grace.” - John Wesley, “Means of Grace” Sermon 16, 1872 edition

Two Categories of Means of Grace Instituted (those means established by Jesus; hence, non-changing) Prudential (variable or conditional means)

Instituted Means of Grace Prayer Searching the Scriptures The Lord’s Supper Fasting Christian Conference

Instituted Means of Grace: Prayer Prayer considered key to Christian life Understood as our “Spiritual Breath” Through prayer the believer maintains their relationship with the Divine One Failure to pray manifests the “Wilderness” experience of the believer. Prayers must express the full dimension of life.

Instituted Means of Grace: Prayer Prayers of Deprecation (awareness of sin) Prayers of Petition Prayers of Intercession Prayers of Thanksgiving Prayers of Invocation Prayers of Adoration

Instituted Means of Grace: Prayer Prayers should be both private, communal (family) and public (congregational) Prayers much originate from a purity of intent or sincerity. One must “pray without ceasing”. Prayer maintains the constant company of Christ.

Instituted Means of Grace: Scripture Read Scripture with regularity Believer must know the entire Revelation Believer must apply Scripture to life One must avoid “proof-texting”; knowledge of historical and theological context must be taught and practiced. Jesus demonstrated extensive knowledge of Hebrew Scriptures.

Instituted Means of Grace: Fasting Since Jesus practiced fasting, so should the People Called Methodists. Friday considered by Wesley the day of fasting. Purpose of fasting: to wean the soul from earthly things and remain mindful of our “spiritual destiny”

Instituted Means of Grace: Christian Conference Based on his reading of the New Testament and knowledge of Patristic Literature, Wesley believed it imperative that believers gather on a regular basis—in small groups—for fellowship, nurture and accountability.

Instituted Means of Grace: Christian Conference For this reason, Wesley understood his Class Meetings as an essential means of Grace (a means he thought missing among the Anglican Communion) Christians also called to witness their faith to others. The ability to “order your conversation right” the second dimension of Christian Conference.

Prudential Means of Grace While small groups served as Instituted Means of Grace, their structure and organization would vary or change over time. For this reason, Wesley spoke of Prudential Means of Grace.

Prudential Means of Grace “[The Methodist Societies are] a company of men [sic] having the form and seeking the power of godliness, united in order to pray together, to receive the word of exhortation, and to watch one another in love, that they may help each other work out their salvation.”

Prudential Means of Grace Disciplines of Members Doing no harm (abstaining from swearing, drunkenness, smuggling, extravagant dress, useless diversions, self-indulgence and miserliness) Doing good (care from one’s own body and the body of others, caring for the sick and distressed, providing exhortation and reproof

Prudential Means of Grace Disciplines of Members Attending to all ordinance of God (liturgy, sacraments, study, appropriate ministry of the Word, prayers and mutual encouragement) Regular attendance to morning and evening prayer services Attendance to particular BANDS [Married men, married women, single men, single women]

Prudential Means of Grace Disciplines of Members Reading Christian books and Scripture Clear moral standard Definite structuring of one’s time

Prudential Means of Grace But remember, “Discipline” does not merit grace. The Means of Grace only serve as historically recognized ways in which the Holy Spirit performs its work in the world. Only God can initiate the relationship with the human; works cannot serve to establish a relationship with the Divine One.

Doctrine of the Church “The visible Church is a congregation of faithful men [sic] in which the pure Word of God is preached and the sacraments be duly administered according to Christ’s ordinance in all those things that of necessity are requisite to the same.” Article XIII

Essence of the “Visible Church” Living Faith Preaching Due Administration of Sacraments and Liturgy

Essence of the “Visible Church” But what priority should be given to these elements? Classical Protestants place emphasis on the second item while Catholics stress the third element Like other Reformers, Wesley places great emphasis on the preaching and hearing of the Word.

Essence of the “Visible Church” Yet, Wesley also affirmed in importance of Living Faith “…a congregation of faithful men [sic]” recognizes Living Faith as a necessary element of Church.

Essence of the “Visible Church” Wesley also maintained a strong emphasis on the administration of the sacraments and the Liturgy Could overcome the unfaithfulness of the pastor Could serve as a means of grace Recognized the Sovereignty and freedom of Christ to work through more than preaching Emphasized that holiness of Church can be mediated through the sacraments rather than clergy.

Essence of the “Visible Church” By granting weight to all three “essentials” of the Visible Church, Wesley attempted to suggest the unity of Church as a vital aspect of the Church’s mission. Maintained the “vertical” [relationship of believer to God] and “horizontal” [relationship of believer to the world] tension.

Essence of the “Visible Church” The holiness of the Church seen by Wesley in two forms Subjective Holiness (the relationship of the Believer to God that emerges from Objective Holiness) Objective Holiness (maintained through the sacraments, Word and liturgy)

Essence of the “Visible Church” Small Group fellowship necessary for maintaining the balance between Subjective and Objective Holiness. The form for small groups emerges as Prudential Means of Grace although Wesley understood the need for such a gathering as the Instituted Means of Grace known as Christian Conference.

Essence of the “Visible Church” Such small groups should be fashioned as eclesiolae [gathered] in ecclesia [multitudinous] : sacred assemblies within the larger congregation of the baptized. Eclesiolae provides mutual encouragement, examination, service, prayer, growth and discipline.

Essence of the “Visible Church” Wesley attempted to highlight three critical dimensions of the Church: Unity of Purpose (through the Three Essentials) Mission (through Subjective and Objective Holiness) Renewal (through small groups)

Essence of the “Visible Church” Doctrine that must be preached to all non-believers: Original Sin Justification by Faith Sanctification Trinity Atonement

Essence of the “Visible Church” These essential doctrine would bind most Classical Protestants to one another while allowing for disagreement between specific traditions on several matters (i.e.; Predestination) One should maintain a “Catholic Spirit” regarding those doctrinal issues that divide traditions (while never surrendering their own doctrinal position)