John Wesley studied at Oxford as an Anglican Priest during his college career. He was asked to go to Savannah, Georgia by Governor Oglethorpe to be a pastor for the Native Americans. On his journey, the boat got caught in a storm and the near death experience made Wesley question why he was so afraid and selfish and the Moravians were not. The experience made Wesley wonder if he was a good Christian. Once back in England, Peter Boehler a Moravian became his advisor and encouraged Wesley to preaching faith until he reached it himself. On May 24, 1738 Wesley heard a reading from Martin Luther’s preface to the Epistle to the Romans and Christ’s salvation was in him. Wesley was acquainted with Pietism through the Moravians. He then used what he had learned from the Moravians but in an Anglican way to guide his spiritual life and missionary work. Just like in Pietism, Wesley gave people the experience of the spirit by putting them in groups to discuss the Bible.
Wesley understands the phrase “children of God” as those who believe that all that is written in the scriptures to be true. When one believes the scriptures to be true the Spirit of God is in the person as an inner voice or “experience”. Knowing the doctrine is important but so is living it as well.
Methodism believes that “all scripture is given by the inspiration of God”, God’s word can be conveyed with common words and does not need to be fancy, actions and customs that are not part of the word of God are not followed. What differs Methodism from Catholicism is that Methodism is free from all the worldly rules that Catholicism deems, as traditions so must be followed. Also, the Pope does not have any power in Methodism only God has the power. People were attracted to this kind of Christianity because it involved them as individuals within a group and/or community. Being able to be a class leader was not just for the wealthy or educated or men but for all.
Wesley sees God and Jesus Christ as perfect because they have no sin. In order for humans to get a sense of perfection they must be washed of their sin. Wesley points out that in 1 John it talks about the blood of Jesus washing away one’s sins not at judgment day but in present time. People were probably drawn to this idea because they sensed a need to be perfect like Christ and wanted to get to heaven. What better way to get to heaven if one is in a sense “perfect”?