John Wesley was an Anglican clergyman and Christian theologian who was a founding figure of Methodism. He was born in 1703 in Epworth, Lincolnshire, England to Samuel and Susanna Wesley. His father Samuel was a clergyman in the Church of England.
In 1720, John Wesley entered Christ Church College, Oxford. He was ordained as a deacon in the Church of England in 1725 and elected fellow of Lincoln College at Oxford in 1726. In 1735, Wesley travelled to Georgia as a missionary for the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel. On the return voyage to England in 1738, Wesley experienced a spiritual conversion, stating that his “heart was strangely warmed.” This experience led him to begin preaching that salvation was available to all through faith in Christ. He soon began to organize this preaching into what became the Methodist movement.
Wesley emphasized the doctrines of sanctification and perfection, preaching that holiness was possible in this life through the work of the Holy Spirit. He advocated for “social holiness” and works of mercy. Wesley believed in free will and opposed the Calvinist doctrine of predestination. He emphasized the importance of personal experience and “the witness of the Spirit” in understanding biblical truth.
John Wesley pioneered field preaching, speaking where people gathered rather than expecting them to come to a church building. He travelled extensively throughout Britain preaching, often multiple times a day. Crowds came to hear him speak in the open air. He also began organizing his followers into classes and bands for spiritual formation, accountability, and discipleship.
Wesley was a prolific writer, composing sermons, essays, commentaries, hymnals, and theological works. Many of his hymns, such as “And Can It Be” and “O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing” are still popular today. His Notes on the New Testament (1755) offers insights into his biblical interpretation. His Sermons on Several Occasions (1746-60) contains many of his key theological ideas.
John Wesley believed in unity across the Body of Christ. However, the churches would not accept his application of Arminian theology or his authorization of lay preachers. This led Wesley to establish Methodism as a separate denomination after his death. Today, the World Methodist Council encompasses over 80 denominations representing about 80 million people who trace their heritage to Wesley.
John Wesley died in 1791 at the age of 87. His epitaph reads “God buries His workmen but carries on His work.” Wesley’s writings and movement had a profound impact, helping to spark the Evangelical Revival in Britain and influencing figures like William Wilberforce. His life exemplified devotion to God, tireless perseverance, and a passion to spread the Gospel throughout the world.
Here are some key facts about John Wesley:
- Born June 17, 1703 in Epworth, Lincolnshire, England
- 15th child of Anglican minister Samuel Wesley and Susanna Wesley
- Educated at Charterhouse and Christ Church, Oxford
- Ordained as a deacon in 1725 and priest in 1728 in the Church of England
- Lead the “Holy Club” at Oxford with his brother Charles and George Whitefield from 1729-1735, focused on spiritual disciplines and social work
- Went as a missionary to Georgia in North America from 1735-1737
- Had a conversion experience at a Moravian meeting on Aldersgate Street in London in 1738
- Began open-air field preaching and revival meetings, travelling over 250,000 miles to share the Gospel
- Published first collection of hymns with his brother Charles Wesley in 1737
- Married Mary Vazeille in 1751
- Organized the Methodist movement focused on discipleship and holiness
- Defended Arminian theology against Calvinist predestination
- Emphasized the importance of personal and social holiness
- Advocated against slavery and prison reform
- Published sermons, commentaries, essays, theological works
- Died March 2, 1791 at age 87 in London, with his last words “The best of all is, God is with us”
John Wesley played a pivotal role in 18th century Christianity through his tireless efforts to spread the Gospel and deep Christian faith. His influence via the Methodist movement continues globally today. He exemplified a life of devotion to God, love of Scripture, concern for the lost, and untiring service in the pattern of Jesus Christ.
Early Life and Education
John Wesley was born June 17, 1703, the 15th child of Samuel and Susanna Wesley of Epworth, Lincolnshire, England. His father Samuel was a graduate of Oxford and Anglican clergyman. His mother Susanna was well-educated and pious, teaching her children Greek, Latin and classical literature.
In 1714, Wesley entered Charterhouse, a school in London, where he studied classics. He then attended Christ Church College, Oxford in 1720. He graduated Oxford in 1724 then returned to pursue a master’s degree in 1726. Wesley was ordained as a deacon in the Church of England in 1725 and elected fellow of Lincoln College at Oxford in 1726.
At Oxford, Wesley pursued a religious lifestyle becoming leader of the “Holy Club” from 1729-1735. This group, mocked as “Methodists” by critics, focused on spiritual disciplines like prayer, Bible study, fasting and caring for the disadvantaged. It included Wesley, his brother Charles, and George Whitefield. This “methodical” approach to discipleship heavily influenced Wesley’s later ministry.
John Wesley’s parents had a strong devout Anglican faith that shaped him. His mother Susanna in particular devoted time daily to prayer and reading Scripture with her children. Both parents taught and modeled lives seeking after God.
Missionary Work and Aldersgate Conversion
In 1735, John Wesley went to the newly founded colony of Georgia in America as a missionary for the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel. He served as pastor to the colonists and hoped to evangelize Native Americans. However, he struggled personally and saw little fruit during his time in Georgia from 1735-1737.
On Wesley’s voyage back to England in 1738, the ship encountered storms. He was struck by the calm faith of the Moravian missionaries onboard singing hymns through the storm. This provoked Wesley to examine his own faith. Back in London on May 24, 1738, Wesley reluctantly attended a Moravian meeting on Aldersgate Street.
There he wrote “I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ alone for salvation: And an assurance was given me, that he had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death.” This transformative moment has become known as Wesley’s Aldersgate conversion, sparking a renewal in his ministry.
Field Preaching and Persecution
After Aldersgate, Wesley began preaching salvation by faith in Christ alone with zeal and clarity. He started speaking wherever crowds gathered, pioneering field preaching. His first time preaching outside a church in April 1739 provoked opposition but he declared he had now become a “field preacher for life.”
From 1739-1741 Wesley preached extensively in Bristol and London, often to thousands. He boldly declared all could find new life in Christ, arousing angry mobs who assaulted him. Authorities prosecuted him for unauthorized preaching. Fellow clergy expelled him from their churches. Still, the crowds kept coming and lives were transformed.
John Wesley fearlessly traveled on horseback throughout Britain over the course of his life, preaching anywhere people would gather. He often preached multiple times each day, as many as 40,000 sermons over his lifetime totalling over 800,000 miles. His field preaching fueled the Evangelical Revival, bringing the Christian message to the masses.
Growth of Methodism
To disciple and organize his growing number of converts, John Wesley formed them into classes, bands, and select societies. Class meetings focused on spiritual growth and holiness. Band meetings encouraged deep spiritual accountability. Society meetings gathered for preaching and testimony.
Wesley appointed unordained lay preachers to lead these groups, as the demand for teachers increased. He also published pamphlets and hymnals for spiritual development. As the Methodist societies spread across Britain, Wesley helped organize the movement into geographical circuits supervised by assistants.
John Wesley believed strongly that growth must accompany conversion. He expected Methodists to demonstrate practical holiness and works of mercy. Over his lifetime, Methodism grew from a small Oxford club into a major force in British Christianity under Wesley’s systematic leadership.
Theology and Ministry
John Wesley’s theology focused on sanctification and holiness, grounded in Arminianism. He emphasized free will, saying humans, aided by prevenient grace, can choose to accept or reject salvation. He promoted person assurance of faith. He also stressed purity of heart and life – “holiness of heart and life” – enabled by the Holy Spirit.
Wesley taught that sanctification was both instantaneous and gradual. In a moment by faith we are declared holy before God, forgiven and made righteous. But also as we grow in Christ our hearts and lives are continually transformed into his image and character. Wesley described this via the order – justification, new birth, sanctification.
John Wesley was devoted to ministry among the poor and marginalized. He distributed food, clothes, and medicine constantly. He visited prisoners and started medical clinics. He campaigned against the liquor trade and slavery. His ministry combined evangelism, discipleship, and social action focused especially on the disadvantaged.
Marriage and Family Life
For much of his life, John Wesley remained single, believing he was called to celibacy so as to be fully devoted to ministry. However, in early 1751 at age 47 he met and married Mary Vazeille. She was a 40-year old widow with four children. The couple stayed married until Mary’s death in 1781.
By all accounts the marriage was challenging with Mary jealous of her husband’s time and unable to understand his calling. Wesley spent limited time at home and kept separate financial accounts. But he continually sought reconciliation and treated Mary with patience, respect and generosity until her death.
John Wesley’s Death
John Wesley continued zealously preaching and leading Methodism almost right up until his death. Despite his age, he averaged 8000 miles of annual travel. While at home in London, Wesley died on March 2, 1791 at the age of 87. His last recorded words were “The best of all is, God is with us.”
Wesley left behind an organized and vibrant Methodist movement of over 80,000 members in Britain and America. His tireless efforts, aided by George Whitefield, had helped spark the Evangelical Revival. His final journal entry concluded simply “I still devote to His service every moment of every hour. I bless His holy name.”
John Wesley’s Significance and Legacy
John Wesley made an enormous impact on global Christianity through his role founding Methodism and contributing to the 18th century Evangelical Revival. He pioneered innovations like field preaching and lay leadership that helped spread the Christian message.
Wesley’s theological writings and sermons shaped Christian thought around themes of God’s grace, sanctification, holiness and concern for the poor. His hymns captured Christian doctrine in a unique way. His organized system of societies and classes created an environment for discipleship. And Wesley’s own lifestyle modeled humility, self-denial and devotion to God.
Today, Wesley’s influence continues through Methodist and Wesleyan denominations worldwide. Methodism emphasizes both personal and social holiness, grounded in God’s transforming grace. Wesley’s example of hard work, perseverance, and living fully for Christ continues to inspire Christians in every generation.