Saints in Methodism
Encyclopedia
Methodism
has historically followed the Protestant tradition of referring to sanctified
members of the universal church
as saint
s.
John Wesley
's belief was that Christianity should be Christ
-centered. Article XIV of the Articles of Religion of the Methodist Church
states that
Explicitly, Methodism denies Purgatory, veneration of saints, relics, and prayer to saints—considering them to be unfounded in Scripture.
While most Methodist churches have continued to place little emphasis on saints, they often admire, honor, and remember the saints of Christendom. The Virgin Mary is honored as the Mother of Christ in the United Methodist Church, and by Methodists of the High Church
tradition, she is also given the title Mother of God, as Christ is God according to the Trinity
. Some Methodists, including John Wesley
, believe that the Virgin Mary was a perpetual virgin.
The title 'Saint' in Methodist churches is normally bestowed only to those who had direct relations with Jesus Christ, or who are mentioned in the Bible. For example, some Methodist churches are named for historic heroes and heroines of the faith such as the Twelve Apostles (excluding Judas Iscariot
), Timothy, Paul, John the Baptist
, Mary Magdalene
, Virgin Mary, and Joseph
; such as the Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew (New York City) or St. Mark's United Methodist Church
.
Methodism
Methodism is a movement of Protestant Christianity represented by a number of denominations and organizations, claiming a total of approximately seventy million adherents worldwide. The movement traces its roots to John Wesley's evangelistic revival movement within Anglicanism. His younger brother...
has historically followed the Protestant tradition of referring to sanctified
Christian perfection
Christian perfection, also known as perfect love; heart purity; the baptism of the Holy Spirit; the fullness of the blessing; Christian holiness; the second blessing; and entire sanctification, is a Christian doctrine which holds that the heart of the regenerant Christian may attain a state of...
members of the universal church
Universal church
The phrase universal church can refer to:* Catholic Church* Ecumenism* Unitarian Universalism* Universalism* Universal Church of the Kingdom of God...
as saint
Saint
A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...
s.
John Wesley
John Wesley
John Wesley was a Church of England cleric and Christian theologian. Wesley is largely credited, along with his brother Charles Wesley, as founding the Methodist movement which began when he took to open-air preaching in a similar manner to George Whitefield...
's belief was that Christianity should be Christ
Christ
Christ is the English term for the Greek meaning "the anointed one". It is a translation of the Hebrew , usually transliterated into English as Messiah or Mashiach...
-centered. Article XIV of the Articles of Religion of the Methodist Church
Articles of Religion (Methodist)
The Articles of Religion are an official doctrinal statement of American Methodism. John Wesley abridged for the American Methodists the Thirty-Nine Articles of Anglicanism, removing the Calvinistic parts among others. The Articles were adopted at a conference in 1784 and are found in paragraph 103...
states that
Explicitly, Methodism denies Purgatory, veneration of saints, relics, and prayer to saints—considering them to be unfounded in Scripture.
While most Methodist churches have continued to place little emphasis on saints, they often admire, honor, and remember the saints of Christendom. The Virgin Mary is honored as the Mother of Christ in the United Methodist Church, and by Methodists of the High Church
High church
The term "High Church" refers to beliefs and practices of ecclesiology, liturgy and theology, generally with an emphasis on formality, and resistance to "modernization." Although used in connection with various Christian traditions, the term has traditionally been principally associated with the...
tradition, she is also given the title Mother of God, as Christ is God according to the Trinity
Trinity
The Christian doctrine of the Trinity defines God as three divine persons : the Father, the Son , and the Holy Spirit. The three persons are distinct yet coexist in unity, and are co-equal, co-eternal and consubstantial . Put another way, the three persons of the Trinity are of one being...
. Some Methodists, including John Wesley
John Wesley
John Wesley was a Church of England cleric and Christian theologian. Wesley is largely credited, along with his brother Charles Wesley, as founding the Methodist movement which began when he took to open-air preaching in a similar manner to George Whitefield...
, believe that the Virgin Mary was a perpetual virgin.
The title 'Saint' in Methodist churches is normally bestowed only to those who had direct relations with Jesus Christ, or who are mentioned in the Bible. For example, some Methodist churches are named for historic heroes and heroines of the faith such as the Twelve Apostles (excluding Judas Iscariot
Judas Iscariot
Judas Iscariot was, according to the New Testament, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus. He is best known for his betrayal of Jesus to the hands of the chief priests for 30 pieces of silver.-Etymology:...
), Timothy, Paul, John the Baptist
John the Baptist
John the Baptist was an itinerant preacher and a major religious figure mentioned in the Canonical gospels. He is described in the Gospel of Luke as a relative of Jesus, who led a movement of baptism at the Jordan River...
, Mary Magdalene
Mary Magdalene
Mary Magdalene was one of Jesus' most celebrated disciples, and the most important woman disciple in the movement of Jesus. Jesus cleansed her of "seven demons", conventionally interpreted as referring to complex illnesses...
, Virgin Mary, and Joseph
Saint Joseph
Saint Joseph is a figure in the Gospels, the husband of the Virgin Mary and the earthly father of Jesus Christ ....
; such as the Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew (New York City) or St. Mark's United Methodist Church
St. Mark's United Methodist Church
St. Mark's United Methodist Church is a United Methodist Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America on Six Forks Road. The current ministers at the church are the Reverend Ben Williams and The Reverend Lib Campbell.-History:...
.
See also
- Saints in AnglicanismSaints in AnglicanismIn a catholic sense the term "saint" refers to any spiritually saved person—however, since the 10th century, the title "Saint" is only given to persons who have been officially recognised by the Church for outstanding Christian service and conduct. In the days when the Church of England was...
- List of Saints
- List of Martyrs
- Saints
- MethodismMethodismMethodism is a movement of Protestant Christianity represented by a number of denominations and organizations, claiming a total of approximately seventy million adherents worldwide. The movement traces its roots to John Wesley's evangelistic revival movement within Anglicanism. His younger brother...