I'm a Wesleyan and didn't know it. (???)

cruztacean · Mar 24, 2006

I took this quiz and scored heavily into Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan. Twice.

So most likely this is where I would feel most comfortable, but could some of the more experienced ones clear up these impressions I had that could be misconceptions?

1.) I grew up Baptist on one side of the family and Church of Christ on the other, then became Seventh-day Adventist as a young adult. Now, if I have to pick a denomination, I'll go with Pentecostal. All of these teach baptism of believers by full immersion, a doctrine I still embrace. I was under the impression that Methodists baptize infants, and do so by sprinkling. Is there a Wesleyan branch that goes the immersion of believers route?

2.) Are there charismatic Wesleyans?

Thank you very much.

Historicus · Mar 24, 2006

I took that quiz a year ago... and look where I am now!

Artos · Mar 24, 2006

cruztacean said:
2.) Are there charismatic Wesleyans?

Yup

AquilaGT · Mar 24, 2006

Hi cruzcatean!

You might want to investigate the Assemblies of God denomination. A lot of their belief and doctrine is similar to Methodist/Wesleyan (like the stuff on your quiz), but they are also Pentecostal and practice believers' baptism by immersion. You would probably feel right at home!

I am Methodist, but I have friends and family who are AoG. Our core beliefs are similar, but are different on some practices in the church like baptism and tongues.

May God bless your journey!

Qyöt27 · Mar 24, 2006

Methodists, by default, usually baptize infants by sprinkling, yes. However, immersion can be given if a person requests it. Of course, the root of the infant baptism practice is in the way Methodists view baptism - as a sacrament, not an ordinance - we share this in common with our Anglican heritage, among many other groups.

The way I understood it was that Wesleyan theology was where the Pentecostal movement spawned from, but I'd be hesitant to say the two bear more than a shared common goal these days, except in the Charismatic Methodist area. Theologically and politically, however, Methodists are all across the board, which is a difference from the common image of Pentecostal believers. I'd be willing to bet most Methodists are moderates in both.

Artos · Mar 25, 2006

Methodists in my part of the world (NOT America or UK or Australia) have a choice of either sprinkling or immersion. Many choose that latter because it is more symbolic and meaningful for them. It is also a dramatic witness to their non-Christian relatives. Just finished teaching a baptism and membership class today. Of the 28 plus people in the class- half of whom are going in for baptism- none chose sprinkling. All wanted immersion!

cruztacean · Mar 25, 2006

Artos said:
Yup

Nice to meet you.

Mskedi · Mar 25, 2006

At my church, and most Methodist churches I've visited, people have a choice whether they'd like to be sprinkled or immersed. Also, it was encouraged at my church to wait until you were of an age to know what decision you were making to get baptized. For those who were already baptized as infants, there was a confirmation not unlike Catholic confirmation.

I got baptized at 12 and was not immersed by my own choice. I was taught baptism was an "outward sign of an inner grace"; therefore, I figured the outward sign was secondary to the grace, and I didn't feel the need for immersion.

As far as charismatic Weslyans -- I've been to a ton of Methodist churches. Some (like the one I grew up in) are nearly Episcopalian in format, and others are nearly Baptist. There's a wide range of worship styles, and likely a church for everyone if you live in a big enough city.

sinner/SAVED · Mar 25, 2006

The ideas of holiness and Christian perfection were what set the early Methodists apart from all other Christians. John Wesley's preaching and emphasis on this subject caused him to be ostracized by many.

On the baptism issue, as others have said, baptism is a work of grace and there is enough power in that grace that the method of baptism and the age of the one baptized really do not matter.

To paraphrase Fredrick Beauchner: whether your sprinkled or immersed makes as much difference as whether you pray kneeling or standing on your head. It's the One you pray to who gives the prayer power. The same with baptism.

ChrisLockhart · Mar 25, 2006

I enjoyed that quiz, thank you. I received a
64% for "Emergent/Postmodern", and
61% for "Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan",
and tied at 55% were "Neo orthodox" and "Classical Liberal"

geelee · Mar 26, 2006

I grew up in a Nazarene church, and ever since I could remember we had adult submursion batisms. New borns and young children are "dedicated" to God by their parents, but baptism is an adult affair.

FarTraveler · Mar 27, 2006

geelee said:
I grew up in a Nazarene church, and ever since I could remember we had adult submursion batisms. New borns and young children are "dedicated" to God by their parents, but baptism is an adult affair.

United Methodists usually sprinkle

even adults....at least thats what they did to me this last Sunday

Artos · Mar 27, 2006

We dont allow infant dedication. This is because our focus is on WHAT GOD DOES (He is the one who baptises- bless, claim child for His own) rather than WHAT WE DO(human part-ie dedication of child by parents ).

ContraMundum · Mar 27, 2006

geelee said:
I grew up in a Nazarene church, and ever since I could remember we had adult submursion batisms. New borns and young children are "dedicated" to God by their parents, but baptism is an adult affair.

The Nazarene Articles of Faith allow for infant baptism.

geelee · Mar 28, 2006

I know they do. But I was speaking about our church in particular. We all know it is available, but when parents have to choose between dedication and baptism of their children, they have up to now always choosen dedication. It is not because of a certain Pastor, we had 6 that I can remember.

Baptism is a wonderful sign of a personel relationship between a consenting adult and his Saviour, Friend and God.

I know that when my three children do it, It would mean something to them. It would have a special significanse in their lives and in their relationship with God.

sinner/SAVED · Mar 28, 2006

FarTraveler said:
United Methodists usually sprinkle

even adults....at least thats what they did to me this last Sunday

Congratulations! And welcome to the family.

ContraMundum · Mar 28, 2006

geelee said:
I know they do. But I was speaking about our church in particular. We all know it is available, but when parents have to choose between dedication and baptism of their children, they have up to now always choosen dedication. It is not because of a certain Pastor, we had 6 that I can remember.

Baptism is a wonderful sign of a personel relationship between a consenting adult and his Saviour, Friend and God.

I know that when my three children do it, It would mean something to them. It would have a special significanse in their lives and in their relationship with God.

While I understand what you are saying, at the risk of being out of line with forum rules I would suggest that this interpretation of baptism and the faith of those unable to give their own account is not the traditional Methodist understanding. I accept that this is a common understanding in modern circles but I would encourage anyone interested to re-discover their Methodist roots.

Anyway, I don't want to debate, just encourage study in the faith for all.

ContraMundum · Mar 28, 2006

cruztacean said:
I took this quiz and scored heavily into Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan. Twice.

So most likely this is where I would feel most comfortable, but could some of the more experienced ones clear up these impressions I had that could be misconceptions?

1.) I grew up Baptist on one side of the family and Church of Christ on the other, then became Seventh-day Adventist as a young adult. Now, if I have to pick a denomination, I'll go with Pentecostal. All of these teach baptism of believers by full immersion, a doctrine I still embrace. I was under the impression that Methodists baptize infants, and do so by sprinkling. Is there a Wesleyan branch that goes the immersion of believers route?

2.) Are there charismatic Wesleyans?

Thank you very much.

It's no surprise that you identify theologically with the Wesleyan-Holiness position. Most of those who are of the Pentecostal persuasion would owe a great deal to that school of theology. After all, the Holiness movement emphasised the "second blessing" of the Holy Spirit, which later became the Pentecostal's "Baptism of the Spirit", and of course the Holiness movement has its roots in Methodism. (And thus, of course, with historic Christianity).

I guess the main difference between the Holiness Churches and the Pentecostals would be regarding the evidence of this second blessing- Pentecostals looking (historically, at least) to the charismatic gifts as evidence and the Holiness churches looking to heart purity.

It's all good though, if you ask me.

Davis · Mar 28, 2006

I took the test just for fun and I'm set in the beliefs of Wesley as well. I'm right where I should be.

Davis · Mar 28, 2006

geelee said:
I know they do. But I was speaking about our church in particular. We all know it is available, but when parents have to choose between dedication and baptism of their children, they have up to now always choosen dedication. It is not because of a certain Pastor, we had 6 that I can remember.

Baptism is a wonderful sign of a personel relationship between a consenting adult and his Saviour, Friend and God.

I know that when my three children do it, It would mean something to them. It would have a special significanse in their lives and in their relationship with God.

My church dedicates infants as well and than baptizes with full emmersion when they people want to dedicate there lives to Christ.
Sounds like are churches do the same thing.

I'm a Wesleyan and didn't know it. (???)

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