The Ecclesiology of John Wesley

Dariusz Zuber

Abstract

Article presents the ecclesiology of the founder of Methodist Church rev. John Wesley. The first chapter describes the functioning of Methodist Associations in the context of their theological and formal ties with Anglican Church. The differences and similarities between Anglicanism and Methodism (its early version) are the main point of the chapter. The second chapter presents the crucial points of Wesley's ecclesiology. At first part of the chapter the main points of Wesleyan understanding of church are deeply described (oneness, unity, holiness, universality, apostolicity). The following parts of the chapter are devoted to analysis of the means of grace and sacraments and also the system of government in Methodist Church, especially the understanding of the role of bishop in
the church. This part of article is crucial because it shows the Wesleyan withdrawal from Anglican ecclesiology. It influenced on founding of Episcopal
Methodist Church in America what happened when Wesley was living. The last chapter characterizes the doctrinal rules which were established by Wesley and
also the process of their creation and their background.