PART 3 FAITH ROOTS: JOHN WESLEY VS BIBLE, JESUS, PAUL (COMPARISON: Christ • Gospel • First-Church • Acts 2 • Apostle Paul • John Wesley

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1. Christ (The Source / Pattern / Message)

Christ’s Core Emphases

• Repentance + Faith (Mark 1:15; Luke 13:3)

• New Birth (John 3:3–8)

• Kingdom of God—not just belief, but life under God’s reign (Matt. 4:17, Matt. 5–7)

• Holiness from the heart (Matt. 5:8, Matt. 5:21–48)

• Love God + Love neighbor (Matt. 22:37–40)

• Obedience flowing from relationship (John 14:15, John 15:1–8)

• Spirit-empowered ministry (Luke 4:18; Acts 1:8)

• Compassion, justice, mercy (Matt. 23:23)

• Servant leadership (Mark 10:42–45)

How Wesley aligns with Christ

✔ Strong agreement.
John Wesley taught:

• New birth through Christ

• Repentance + living faith

• Love as the essence of holiness

• Obedience as fruit of salvation

• Spirit-empowered life

• Holiness not as legalism but as Christ-likeness

• Social compassion as necessary Christian fruit

Wesley was basically a “Christ-focused holiness preacher.”

2. The Gospel: NT Definition

Gospel in Scripture

• Christ’s incarnation, death, burial, resurrection (1 Cor. 15:1–4)

• Salvation by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8–10)

• Repentance toward God + faith in Christ (Acts 20:21)

• Kingdom citizenship (Col. 1:13)

• New life through the Spirit (Romans 8)

How Wesley aligns

✔ Wesley fully affirmed:

• Christ’s atonement

• Justification by faith

• Grace as the foundation

• Necessity of spiritual rebirth

• New life empowered by Holy Spirit

But he added a distinct Gospel emphasis:

• The Gospel aims not only to forgive but to restore love and holiness to the believer’s heart.

This becomes Wesleyan “holiness” or “heart religion.”

3. The First-Church (Book of Acts Model)

Acts 2–4 Characteristics

• Spirit-baptism and power (Acts 2:1–4; Acts 1:8)

• Apostolic doctrine (Acts 2:42)

• Fellowship, unity, community

• Generosity and compassion

• Miracles, signs, wonders

• Repentance, baptism, discipleship (Acts 2:38–39)

How Wesley relates

✔ Wesley strongly emphasized:

• Acts-style evangelism

• Discipleship bands / class meetings much like early-church community

• Spirit-dependent holy living

Wesley was not focused on Pentecostal “sign-gifts,” but he did affirm:

• The Spirit’s direct work

• Conviction, assurance, sanctification

• Interventions of the Spirit in life

• Methodical discipleship resembling Acts 2 structure

Wesley revived “Acts 2 community life,” even if not “tongues-focused.

4. Apostle Paul

Paul’s Core Teachings

• Salvation by grace through faith (Romans, Galatians, Ephesians)

• New creation life (2 Cor. 5:17)

• Walking in the Spirit (Gal. 5:16–26)

• The fruit of holiness (Rom. 6)

• Practical transformation of behavior and relationships

• Church as a Body with many diverse gifts (1 Cor. 12–14; Eph. 4)

• Love as the chief mark (1 Cor. 13)

• Servant leadership (2 Cor. 4; Phil. 2)

How Wesley aligns

✔ Wesley parallels Paul extremely closely on:

• Justification by faith

• Sanctification by the Spirit

• Holiness as the fruit of grace

• Christian perfection = “perfect love” (1 John 4:18; Eph. 3:19)

• Assurance of salvation (Romans 8)

• Practical discipleship and obedience

Wesley differs slightly from Paul on:

• Stressing entire sanctification as a distinct “second blessing.”
  (Paul teaches fullness/ongoing renewal—Wesley organized it methodically.)

Otherwise, Wesley is extremely Pauline.

5. Summary: Where Wesley Fits in the Biblical Map

A. Where he matches Christ

• Love, holiness, obedience

• Emphasis on heart-transformation and compassion

• Call to radical discipleship

B. Where he matches the Gospel

• Clear Christ-centered salvation

• Grace first, then sanctification

• New birth essential

C. Where he matches the First Church (Acts)

• Organized discipleship (class meetings = Acts 2 fellowship)

• Spirit-dependent ministry

• Evangelistic urgency

• Community transformation

D. Where he matches Paul

• Holiness as the fruit of grace

• The Spirit as the Agent of change

• Justification + sanctification

• Christian perfection = mature love

E. Wesley’s Distinctive emphases

These are Wesley’s “signature emphases” not identical to all traditions:

1. “Entire Sanctification” / “Christian Perfection” = perfected love

2. Methodical discipleship groups

3. Strong social justice activism as part of holiness

4. Assurance of salvation as a normal Christian experience

5. Arminian emphasis on free will—not Calvinist predestination

6. Holiness revival movement DNA

7. Christ-centered practical living over theological speculation

6. CONCISE LINE-BY-LINE COMPARISON TABLE