Methodism
Brief History
Although John Wesley lived and died in the Episcopal Church, he founded
the large and popular denomination known as the Methodist Church.
In 1729, he and his brother, Charles, and a number of others began
meeting for religious exercises. These people were students at Oxford
University. These "Holy Clubs" wanted to overcome the formalism
and ritualism of the Episcopal Church, and to stimulate piety and
spirituality among its members. They arranged a daily schedule of
duties, setting hours for visiting the sick and in prison, praying
aloud three times each day, etc.
The turning point in John Wesley's life came on May 24, 1738 when
at a prayer meeting in London, he learned that it is not by rules
and laws nor by our own efforts at self-perfection, but by faith that
man enters "upon life and peace" (harmon, N. B. (editor).
Doctrines and Disciplines of the Methodist Church, Nashville: The
Methodist Publishing House, 1948, p.3).
As other groups began to meet, they became known as Methodists because
of their methodical manner of life. When Wesley died, the groups banded
together under a conference known as the Methodist Episcopal Church.
The bands at first were known simply as "Societies" following
the General Rules drawn up by Wesley.
In 1784, Wesley took a step that formally put him out of the Church
of England. When he was called upon to send ministers to America,
he asked the Bishop of London to ordain several of his lay-preachers.
The Bishop refused, so Wesley took the matter into his own hands and
ordained two himself to preside over the affairs in America including
a Dr. Coke...whom he named Superintendent. Wesley died in 1791 (Schaff-Herzog
Encyclopedia, Vol. II, p.1485-1486).
The Methodist Episcopal Church of the United States had its beginning
when the Christian Conference convened in Baltimore on Dec. 24, 1784.
At this conference, the Book of Discipline prepared by Wesley was
adopted which cut the 39 Articles of the Episcopal Church down to
24 Articles, then added one to cover the church rulers in the United
States. The Apostles' Creed (inherited by the Episcopal Church from
the Catholic Church) was also brought into the Methodist form of worship.
Two notable divisions occurred. In 1828, a group separated becoming
known as the Methodist Protestant Church. In 1844, there was another
division having to do with slavery and with the powers of the General
Conference. In 1939, three main divisions united to form the Methodist
Church: (1) The Methodist Episcopal Church, (2) The Methodist Episcopal
Church, South, and (3) The Methodist Protestant Church.
There are over 9 million Methodists in the U.S. besides about 1 million
"preparatory members". Worldwide, Methodist claim over 25
million memberships.
Belief System
The Methodist Church, like most other denominations, talk about truth
but their doctrine is far from enforcing the truth. To take the words
of John Wesley himself; "As to all opinions which do not strike
at the root of Christianity, we think and let think." - For one,
God didn't ask us to think but to 'obey' and Paul admonished us to
be of the same mind and judgement (1 Cor. 1:10). Another one of Wesley's
statements is; "To be ignorant of many things and to be mistaken
in some, is the necessary condition of humanity." This flies
in the face of scripture for ignorance is no excuse (Act. 17:30).
The Bereans were more noble than those at Thessalonica and they searched
the scriptures daily to see if what they were being told were so (Act.
17:11). See #7 below.
Methodist Belief 1
- "The Methodist Church is a church of Christ in which 'the pure
word of God is preached and the Sacraments duly administered."
(Harmon, p.3. Doctrines and Disciplines of the Methodist Church).
Word of God 1 - The
name "Methodist" is not in the Bible. The name "churches
of Christ" is in the Bible (Rom. 16:16). Sacraments are not in
the Bible, but even if it were, the Methodist Church does not "duly
administer" them according to the scriptures as we will see.
Methodist Belief 2
- Some Methodists do not believe in the virgin birth of Jesus Christ,
and the church accepts them in this unbelief (R. Sockman, "What
is A Methodist?", p.82, article in Religions of America.
Word of God 2 - Jesus
Christ was born of a virgin (Isa. 7:14; Mat. 1:25). To deny this is
to deny the Bible. Those who believe a lie are condemned (2 Thes.
2:11-12).
Methodist Belief 3
- There are two Sacraments, Baptism and the Lord's Supper (Sockman,
Ibid. p.86).
Word of God 3 - "Sacrament"
is a word carried over from Catholic tradition and not found in the
scriptures.
Methodist Belief 4
- "Let every adult person, and the parents of every child to
be baptized, have the choice of sprinkling, pouring or immersion"
(Discipline p.410).
Word of God 4 - The
word of God is not a buffet. Baptism was "immersion" or
"bural in" and "raising up" from water (Rom. 6:3-4;
Col. 2:12). There was and is only one baptism (Eph. 4:5).
Methodist Belief 5
- "The baptism of Infants" is justified on the basis Jesus
said "Suffer the children to come unto me" (Discipline,
article, 1910, p.470-474).
Word of God 5 - Baptism
is not the subject Jesus was teaching on this occasion...not mentioned
in this entire chapter, nor in the chapter before or the chapter after.
Infants were never baptized in all Bible history.
Methodist Belief 6
- Parents of the infant are duty bound to teach the infant after baptism,
concerning "our faith" (Methodist Doctrine, Discipline p.471).
Word of God 6 - Teaching
comes before baptism (Mat. 28:18-20) as well as follows it. Infants
are not capable of instruction, hence never received baptism in the
Bible.
Methodist Belief 7
- The Methodist Discipline gives rules, doctrines, and regulations
governing all procedures and affairs of the church, and all ministers
are obligated to observe "every part" of it in his district
(Discipline, article 362, p.108).
Word of God 7 - The
scriptures constitute God's only authorized guide, given by the inspiration
of God (2 Tim. 3:16-17). "All things pertaining unto life and
godliness" were delivered in the first century (2 Pet. 1:3).
No other doctrine, principle, precept, commandment, procedure or policy
is to be taught by man or angel, other than that given to the apostles
(Gal. 1:8-9). Nothing can be added to or taken from the word of God
(Rev. 22:18-19). Traditions or doctrines (disciplines) of men make
void the word of God.
Methodist Belief 8
- The complex organization of the Methodist Church with all its conferences,
powers and duties are set forth in the Discipline (Discipline, article
4, p.10).
Word of God 8 - The
church of Christ had no ecclesiastical governing conferences. Each
local congregation was independent of all others, under Christ alone
as head with all authority (Col. 1:18; Eph. 1:22-23). Elders and deacons
constituted local officers (Phl. 1:1; Tit. 1:5; 1 Tim. 3:1-13).
Methodist Belief 9 -
Conferences must not change or revoke any of the Methodist Church's
existing Articles of Religion, or change or do away with the episcopacy
or destroy the superintendency.
Word of God 9 - Any
Christian or group of Christians must repent of any man-made tradition,
sytem or notion contrary to God's word, and pray that God will forgive
him of same (Act. 8:14-24). Every man in any false
way should renounce it, confess faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of
God, and be immersed into the Kingdom of God, like Saul of Tarsus
did (Act. 9; Act. 22). "Come ye out from among them, and be ye
separate" (2 Cor. 6:17).
Methodist Belief 10
- No member of the Methodist Church may preach without a license (Discipline,
article 302, p.91).
Word of God 10
- Every Christian preached (Act. 8:4).
Methodist Belief 11
- Women may engage in the ministry of preaching except as travelling
evangelists (Discipline, article 313, p.94).
Word of God 11
- The Bible explicitly forbids women in the ministry. (1 Cor. 14:34;
1 Tim. 2:12-14).
Methodist Belief 12
- Elders and deacons are selected by the election of the annual conference
(Discipline, article 392, p.115).
Word of God 12 - The
local church is to select its officers from among themselves (Act.
6:3-5). Let them be proved, let them be chosen and then let them serve
(1 Tim. 3:1-10). Evangelists appointed elders (Tit. 1:5).
Methodist Belief 13
- Term "Reverend" is applied to Methodist men (Discipline,
article 414, p.119).
Word of God 13 - No
such titles ever applied to man in scripture. Early Christians only
ever referred to each other as 'brother'. The word reverend is only
in one place in the Bible (Psa. 111:9 (KJV)) and it applies to God.
Methodist Belief 14
- The Methodist Publishing House shall be under the control of the
Board of Publication, subject to the Conference (Discipline, article
1103, p.238).
Word of God 14 - No
conferences or official functionaries found in the early church (1
Cor. 4:6). Must not go beyond what is written.
Methodist Belief 15
- The order for dedication of an organ is prescribed: "in the
name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit" (Discipline, article
1931, p.550).
Word of God 15 - Organs
were invented over 1700 years after the church was established. Not
according to the pattern (Heb. 8:5). John Wesley objected to their
use, as did all prominent reformers. Instruments cannot be "in
the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit".
Methodist Belief 16
- The doctrine of "justification of faith only is a most wholesome
doctrine and very full of comfort" (Discipline, article 9).
Word of God 16 - See
Jam. 2:14-26. Faith only gives us "power to become" sons
of God (Joh. 1:12). "Power to become suggests possibility, not
actuality. Faith must work by love to avail with God (Gal. 5:6).
Methodist Belief 17
- Immersion (baptism) is not essential for salvation of adults (although
they do hold infants are saved by baptism!).
Word of God 17 - Baptism
is necessary to (a) enter the Kingdom (Joh. 3:5), (b) have sins forgiven
(Act. 2:38), (c) receive Holy Spirit (Act. 2:38), (d) enter into the
body (1 Cor. 12:13), (e) put on Christ (Gal. 3:27), (f) save us (1
Pet. 3:21), (g) wash away sins (Act. 22:16; Mar. 16:16).
Methodist Belief 18
- It is not necessary to partake of the Lord's Supper weekly; quarterly
is the practice of Methodists.
Word of God 18 - Early
Christians communed each week (Act. 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:1; 11:23-26).
Steadfastly (Act. 2:42). See type in Old Testament of weekly eating
showbread (1 Pet. 2:5, 9; Rev. 1:6; Lev. 24:5-9; Heb. 10:1).
Methodist Belief 19
- The church is composed of many branches (denominations) and the
Methodist church is one branch (Preamble to Constitution).
Word of God 19 - Christ
established one church (Mat. 16:18; Act. 20:28; Rom. 12:4-5; 1 Cor.
10:17; Col. 1:18; 1 Cor. 12:13). No divisions exist (1 Cor. 1:10).
If many denominations are the visible branches, where is the visible
trunk? Jesus taught that "a man" is the branch and that
Christ himself is the vine (Joh. 15:1-7).
