Who Was John Wesley?

Jun 30,2025 00:00

Who Was John Wesley?

John Wesley (1703–1791) was an Anglican priest whose evangelistic zeal and organizational skill birthed the Methodist movement, profoundly shaping Protestantism.

Early Life and Conversion

Born in Epworth, England, Wesley studied at Oxford. His “Aldersgate experience” (May 24, 1738), where he felt his heart “strangely warmed,” marked his assurance of salvation.

Ministry and Methodism

  • Field Preaching: Wesley took the gospel outdoors, reaching miners, factory workers, and the poor.
  • Class Meetings: Small accountability groups fostered discipleship through mutual confession, prayer, and Bible study.
  • Arminian Theology: Emphasized free will, prevenient grace, and the possibility of Christian perfection in love.

Legacy

By his death, Wesley had organized a vast network of societies. Today, Methodism spans the globe, continuing his emphasis on personal holiness and social concern.

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