S9E17: Salvation by Faith (Wesley’s Standard Sermons #1)

I'm not sure if this will be a regular installment of the podcast or a one-off, but it has been my intention for a while now to read and record the standard sermons of John Wesley, in the original language.  Wesley's sermons are one of the four foundations of Methodist theology, apart from the Bible (the others being Wesley's notes on the New Testament, the Articles of Religion of the Methodist Church, and the Confession of Faith of the United Brethren Church).  

The first of Wesley's standard sermons, Salvation by Faith, was preached at St. Mary's, Oxford, in front of the University, on June 18, 1738.  In it, Wesley defends his stance that salvation is by faith alone (one of the five Solas of the Reformation) and not of works.  This position cements Wesley as a staunch reformer of the church and places his theology in the midst of Protestant reformers of his day.  He also offers several answers to objections to this doctrine, objections which are often raised today, such as that this doctrine will lead to licentiousness and sin.  Wesley instead argues that the faith that is preached is indellibly and irrevocably linked to holiness of heart, which can only come about when God is our rule and stay.  Please enjoy this, the first of what I hope will be many of Wesley's Standard Sermons, "Salvation by Faith."

Ephesians 2:8

Recorded January 11, 2022 (Originally published January 15, 2022)

Salvation by Faith - Wednesdays with Wesley Podcast

Salvation by Faith Full sermon text

S.D.G.