page_title: Methodism
section_title: Salvation
hierarchical_section_title: Methodism / Theology / Salvation
caption_attribution_description: English: Painting of Crucifixion of Christ at the wayside shrine in the center of a roundabout near Launsdorf, municipality Sankt Georgen am Laengsee, district Sankt Veit, Carinthia, Austria, EU Deutsch: Kreuzingung Christi am Bildstock in der Mitte eines Kreisverkehrs bei Launsdorf, Gemeinde Sankt Georgen am Längsee, Bezirk Sankt Veit, Kärnten, Österreich, EU
context_page_description: Methodism, also called the Methodist movement, is a group of historically related denominations of Protestant Christianity which derive their doctrine of practice and belief from the life and teachings of John Wesley. George Whitefield and John's brother Charles Wesley were also significant early leaders in the movement. It originated as a revival movement within the 18th-century Church of England and became a separate denomination after Wesley's death. The movement spread throughout the British Empire, the United States, and beyond because of vigorous missionary work, today claiming approximately 80 million adherents worldwide.
  Wesleyan theology, which is upheld by the Methodist Churches, focuses on sanctification and the effect of faith on the character of a Christian. Distinguishing Methodist doctrines include the new birth, assurance, imparted righteousness, the possibility of entire sanctification, the works of piety, and the primacy of Scripture. Most Methodists teach that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died for all of humanity and that salvation is available for all; in theology, this view is known as Arminianism.
context_section_description: Wesleyan Methodists identify with the Arminian conception of free will, as opposed to the theological determinism of absolute predestination. Methodism teaches that 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. Methodists interpret Scripture as teaching that the 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). 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 justified by faith in Jesus (assurance of faith).
  Christians in this life are capable of Christian perfection and are commanded by God to pursue it.
  After the first work of grace (the new birth), Methodist soteriology emphasizes the importance of the pursuit of holiness in salvation, 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." Thus, for Methodists, "true faith...cannot subsist without works". Methodism, inclusive of the holiness movement, thus teaches that "justification [is made] conditional on obedience and progress in sanctification", emphasizing "a deep reliance upon Christ not only in coming to faith, but in remaining in the faith". John Wesley taught that the keeping of the moral law contained in the Ten Commandments, as well as engaging in the works of piety and the works of mercy, were "indispensable for our sanctification". If a person backslides but later decides to return to God, he or she must confess his or her sins and be entirely sanctified again (see conditional security).
caption: Methodists believe Jesus Christ died for all humanity, not a limited few: the doctrine of unlimited atonement.
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