An examination of Sermon 39, given by Evangelist John Wesley.
Written in 2008; 983 words; 2 sources; MLA; $ 34.95
Paper Summary:
This paper examines Sermon 39, given by evangelist John Wesley on the "Catholic" and "spirit" of Christianity. The paper explains that, in his sermon, Wesley openly acknowledged that there were certain opinions professing Christians differed upon, even though all Christians believed they were participants in the same tradition. The paper then points out that Wesley acknowledges the ability of true Christians to differ on aspects of opinion and doctrine. The paper also explains that Wesley stated in his sermon that Christians could have legitimate differences of opinion regarding the nature of church governance, although all Christians, he believed, must acknowledge the need to participate in a church community. The paper then looks at how Wesley believes in the value of the practice of infant baptism but urged a listener of a different doctrinal persuasion to follow according to conscience. In conclusion, the paper shows that all affirmations of Christian love are the underlying ideals of Wesley's philosophy. The church must be governed, in his view, according to a set of rules and structured around certain opinions, which Wesley thinks is better than the entirely spontaneous and free method of running services, but this specificity must not be used as a way of alienating other Christians, or for the purpose of invalidating the Christian sincerity of others.
From the Paper:
" Wesley, in keeping with the Episcopal apostolic view, believed in the virtue of drinking wine, and eating of bread during service in replication of the Lord's actions, while noting that other Christians disputed the taking of spirits in replication of the Last Supper or observing Mass. But church government, infant baptism, directed versus spontaneous prayer, and the taking of the Host were ultimately "smaller points" and should not interfere with the unity of Christian mission and love (II.2). No opinion, however dearly held, should act as a barrier between Christians in their quest for loving unity."
We have thousands of high-quality term papers, research papers, essays, book reports and dissertations on every topic. At AcaDemon, you can download those term papers to help you write yours! You can be sure that the term paper, essay, book report or research paper you download are top-quality, competitively priced and high-level work.
This Free Term Paper Abstract is a part of our Term Paper Library.Here you can purchase research papers, examples of essays, academic dissertations, articles, notes, analytical papers, book reports, stories and poems. We have thousands of persuasive, point-of-view, narrative, critical, compare and contrast and other types of essays in our Library. You can also find here Term papers on "John Wesley and the Christian Gospel", Essays on "John Wesley and the Christian Gospel", Research papers on "John Wesley and the Christian Gospel", Student papers on "John Wesley and the Christian Gospel", Book reports on "John Wesley and the Christian Gospel", Dissertation on "John Wesley and the Christian Gospel", Thesis on "John Wesley and the Christian Gospel", Summary of paper on "John Wesley and the Christian Gospel", Articles written on "John Wesley and the Christian Gospel".